A process for making a composite material wherein carbon reinforcing fibers may be coated with a carbon coating and a silicon carbide coating. The fibers are then densified in a carbon-based matrix, covered by a first silicon carbide layer, optionally sealed by a second silicon carbide coating, then an aluminum nitride or hafnium nitride coating and finally an outer alumina coating are applied. This stainless material can be used as a heat shield for space shuttles.

The present invention relates to a composite material of the carbon-carbon type made stainless up to a temperature of 1800.degree. C., under a low air pressure, as well as to its production process.
This composite material is more particularly intended for use as a high performance heat protection for space vehicles (shuttles or aircraft) having to resist heating caused by the friction of the air when they reenter the atmosphere at high speed.
However, the invention is also applicable to other industrial fields requiring the use of structures able to resist high mechanical stresses under temperature above 1100.degree. C. in a corrosive medium. This is particularly the case with improved efficiency turbine engines operating at high temperatures (between 1300.degree. and 1400.degree. C.) and certain industrial heat recuperators.
The major problem of carbon-carbon type composite materials is their oxidation in air at high temperature causing the carbon to be converted into CO or CO.sub.2, so that the composite material is deteriorated and even destroyed. To prevent said oxidation, different processes have already been considered with regards to the protection of the carbon-containing materials and based on the use of a silicon carbide (SiC) coating formed on the outer surface of the composite material parts.
This outer SiC coating can be obtained by conversion into a silicide or siliciding the carbon of the outer portion of the material. Siliciding is carried out by pack cementation, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,095,316, or by chemical vapor phase deposition (CVD/CVPD). The deposition of SiC by CVD can be carried out by depositing a silicon coating on the outer portion of the material and then melting the silicon in order to ensure its diffusion into the material and its reaction with the carbon of the latter to form the SiC, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,406,044 and 3,925,577.
This outer SiC coating can also be obtained directly by SiC deposition based on the cracking of chlorosilane vapors, either alone or combined with hydrogen or hydrocarbons, as described by the article by S. Audisto in Actualie Chimique, September 1978, pp 25-33.
Other methods combine the siliciding of the surface carbon of the composite material with a chemical vapor phase deposition (cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,406,044, 4,425,907 and 4,476,178.
All the aforementioned methods for producing a SiC coating on carbon-carbon type composite materials lead to the obtaining of a cracked coating as a result of the variation in the expansion coefficients between the carbon and the silicon carbide. Moreover, in order to obviate this disadvantage, with the outer SiC coating has been combined a silica coating for sealing the cracks of the SiC coating (cf. "Weight uncertainty analysis for space shuttle reinforced carbon-carbon" SAWE Paper 1265-37th Annula Conference May 8-10, 1978).
In order to improve the sealing of the cracks of the SiC coating, consideration has also been given to the user of a coating based on SiC powder and a sodium silicate-based glass, to which may optionally be added sodium borate, or based on aluminium phosphate and alumina powder, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,602 and 4,565,777. The object of these glasses is to lower the temperature from 1200.degree. to 1300.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. as from which the sealing of the cracks of the SiC coating becomes effective.
The same type of result is obtained by adding boron during the formation of the SiC coating by pack cementation (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,164). The glass which forms naturally on the SiC heated in air, e.g. during the reentry of space vehicles into the atmosphere, is a borosilicate with a lower melting point than silicon dioxide.
Finally, the sealing of the outer SiC coating by silicon dioxide and then by a glass based on silicate and borate is in particular described in EP-A-133 315.
Therefore all the above protections are based on the use of an outer SiC coating completed by silica glasses associated with B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5.
These protections operate correctly up to temperatures of approximately 1700.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure. However, under reduced pressure, the operating temperature of these materials is limited by the reaction of the silica (SiO.sub.2) on the silicon carbide corresponding to the following equation: EQU SiC+SiO.sub.2 .fwdarw.2 SiO+CO
Thus, the vapors of silicon monoxide and carbon monoxide produced perforate the viscous silica coating when the pressure produced exceeds that of the external atmosphere, namely:
2.9 KPa at 1500.degree. C. PA0 10 KPa at 1600.degree. C. PA0 32.6 KPa at 1700.degree. C. PA0 92.0 KPa at 1800.degree. C. PA0 0.72 KPa at 1700.degree. C., PA0 2.8 KPa at 1800.degree. C., PA0 9 KPa at 1900.degree. C., PA0 20 KPa at 2000.degree. C. PA0 (a) formation of a deformable porous substrate constituted by carbon fibers, PA0 (b) shaping the substrate, PA0 (c) densification of the shaped substrate for forming the matrix, PA0 (d) covering the outer surface of the matrix by an outer silicon carbide layer, PA0 (e) deposition of an intermediate coating not containing silicon serving as a reaction barrier between the silicon carbide and an oxide, PA0 (f) covering the intermediate layer by an external coating of an oxide chosen from among ThO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, HfO.sub.2, La.sub.2 O.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. PA0 (a) formation of a deformable porous substrate constituted by carbon fibers, PA0 (b) shaping the substrate, PA0 (c) densification of the shaped substrate for forming the matrix, PA0 (d) covering the outer surface of the matrix by an outer silicon carbide layer, PA0 (e) deposition of an intermediate coating serving as a reaction barrier between the silicon carbide and an oxide, said intermediate coating being chosen from among HfC, TaC, ZrC, W.sub.2 C, NbC, ThC.sub.2, ZrB.sub.2, HfB.sub.2, BN, HfN, ZrN, AlN, Pt, Ir, Os, Rh and Ru. PA0 (f) covering the outer layer by an oxide coating not containing silicon.
These conditions are those of silica alone.

Composite material with carbon reinforced fibers and its production

Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle


An imaging device has an array with pixels that can image an aspect of an object. In addition, pixels in the array can be used to perform motion detection or edge detection. A first and a second pixel can integrate light non-concurrently, and then their outputs may be compared. A difference in their outputs may indicate an edge in an imaging operation, and motion in a motion detection operation. The motion detection operation may be performed without needing the imaging device to have an additional modulated LED light source, and to spend the power to drive that source.

Modern imaging devices use electronic arrays to capture images. The arrays have pixels that generate electric charges, such as electrons, when they are exposed to light from an image. The generated charges of each pixel are stored and then read out, for rendering the image.
It is possible for imaging devices in the prior art to detect movement. However, such detection often requires that that the pixels image twice, in other words, integrate over two frames, and then that the two frames be contrasted. Such consumes a lot of power.
In other instances, detection of movement requires that the object be illuminated with a modulated light source. Light sources consume power, while it is desired to preserve power within the imaging device.

Performing spatial and temporal image contrast detection in pixel array


An apparatus for thermal treatment of dielectric films on substrates comprises: a microwave applicator cavity and microwave power source; a workpiece to be heated in the cavity, comprising a porous coating on a selected substrate; and, a means of introducing a controlled amount of a polar solvent into said porous coating immediately before heating by said microwave power. The interaction of the polar solvent with the microwaves enhances the efficiency of the process, to shorten process time and reduce thermal budget. A related method comprises the steps of: depositing a porous film on a substrate; soft baking the film to a selected state of dryness; introducing a controlled amount of a polar solvent into the soft baked film; and, applying microwave energy to heat the film via interaction with the polar solvent.

Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to apparatus and method for tailored microwave heat treatment of low dielectric constant (k) organo-silicate glass (OSG) films deposited on substrates for semiconductor devices. This includes the heat treatment for (a) porogen removal as well as (b) restoration of plasma damaged porous low-k dielectrics films.
Description of Related Art
As integrated circuit feature sizes continue to shrink, new low dielectric constant (low-k) materials are needed to address problems with power consumption, signal propagation delays, and crosstalk between interconnects. One avenue to low-k dielectric films is the introduction of nanometer scale pores to lower the effective dielectric constant, which can therefore replace the dense silicon oxide insulator materials. Various materials and methods have been explored for deposition of porous organo-silicate glass (OSG) low-k films during the last 10-15 years. OSG materials have a silica-like backbone structure with a fraction of the Si—O bonds replaced with organic groups such as —CH3. This reduces overall dielectric constant of the material.
The relative dielectric constant of dense OSG is limited to k values greater than ˜2.7. It is expected that materials with even lower dielectric constants are needed for future generations of integrated circuits. To this end, a new class of OSG materials with porous structures introduced into the dense matrix has been successfully synthesized with k values as low as 2.0, which could be considered as leading candidates for use as interconnection dielectrics in emerging technologies.
The porous OSG films can be prepared by using a self-assembled technology to form nano-composite structures with controlled structure and physical properties. The spin-on low-k films are formed by condensing a hydrolyzed alkylated silica sol in the presence of a polymeric surfactant. This surfactant acts as a template to produce a regular porous structure as the film dries. Upon heat treatment the surfactant acts as a porogen and evaporates, thereby leaving behind a porous silica network with alkyl groups (e.g. methyl —CH3), which passivate the internal and external film surfaces.
The spin-on porous dielectric films have compositions similar to the popular plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) film materials. For the PECVD approach, a sacrificial porogen is added to the gaseous mix, which on heat treatment or processing is removed from the film and thus the pores are formed within the film. The porogen loading can be changed to alter the film porosity in the range of 7-45%. The heat treatment is usually performed at ˜400° C. or higher to completely remove the porogen, minimize the dielectric value k and simultaneously enhance the mechanical strength of the film.
However, successful implementation of these porous dielectrics structures poses numerous challenges. As compared to their dense counterparts, porous dielectrics are expected to have reduced cohesive strength and poorer adhesion with adjacent layers. They are more prone to the absorption of reactive chemicals during device fabrication, so much so that water can diffuse quite effectively into film stacks containing dielectric layer, even though the dielectric materials are usually hydrophobic. The moisture uptake could vary from ˜0.54 wt. % to 1.7 wt. % as the porosity is raised to 40 vol. %. The ingress of water into the dielectric negatively impacts both the mechanical integrity as well as electrical performance of the devices. Some isotope tracer diffusion and secondary ion mass spectroscopy experiments have revealed that water diffuses predominantly along the interface and not through the porous films. This result was attributed to the hydrophobic nature of the dielectric material and the hydrophilic character of the interfaces—hence the degradation of the interfacial adhesion.
Another challenge for these porous OSG low-k dielectrics is that they are susceptible to damage induced during etching and cleaning process, which degrades the dielectric and electrical properties and surface roughness. The plasma exposure breaks the weakly bonded organic terminal groups from the silica backbone while simultaneously densifying the porous silica-like damaged skin layer. Much effort is being dedicated, in the first place, to minimize the plasma damage. As a second choice, post-patterning remedies intended for dielectric restoration are being explored as well. Usually, trialkyl-substituted disilazanes or chlorosilanes such as hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) and trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) or dimethylaminotrimethylsilane (DMATMS) and so on, are in use for dielectric restoration.

Method and apparatus for microwave treatment of dielectric films


An apparatus and a method for scrambling and descrambling data wordwise in an optical disk system are provided. The apparatus includes a bit storing means which stores at least 15 bits, and a calculating means which calculates first through fifteenth bits of the bit storing means in parallel during one clock cycle and inputs the results of the calculation back into the bit storing means. The calculating means performs an XOR logic operation on a seventh bit and a fifteenth bit, on a first bit, an eighth bit, and a twelfth bit, on a second bit, a ninth bit, and a thirteenth bit, on a third bit, a tenth bit, and a fourteenth bit, on a fourth bit, an eleventh bit, and a fifteenth bit, on the first bit and a fifth bit, on the second bit and a sixth bit, on a third bit and the seventh bit, on the fourth bit and the eighth bit, on the fifth bit and the ninth bit, on the sixth bit and the tenth bit, on the seventh bit and the eleventh bit, on the eighth bit and the twelfth bit, on the ninth bit and the thirteenth bit, and on the tenth bit and the fourteenth bit, and inputs the results of the XOR logic operations into the bit storing means.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2002-61047, filed Oct. 7, 2002, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for scrambling and descrambling digital versatile disk (DVD) data in an integrated circuit for processing digital signals of a DVD system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical disk systems record data on optical disks, such as compact disks (CDs) or DVDs, and reproduce data recorded on optical disks. In particular, in reproducing digital data stored on an optical disk using an optical disk reproducer, a pickup device is used to radiate a laser beam on tracks of the optical disk, detect whether there are pits on the optical disk based on variation in the intensity of reflected light, and reproduce the digital data using the results of the detection. Such an optical disk reproducer is shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional optical disk reproducer. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional optical disk reproducer includes a servo unit 110, a radio frequency (RF) unit 120, a digital signal processor (DSP) 130, a memory 140, and a MPEG unit 150.
The RF unit 120 converts light reflected from an optical disk 170 into electrical signals and outputs data signals and various error signals. The servo unit 110 converts the data signals and error signals output from the RF unit 120 into digital signals and controls the optical disk 170 in response to the error signals.
The DSP unit 130 receives signals which have been converted into digital signals by slicing in the RF unit 120, and performs various signal processing operations, such as EFM demodulation, error correction, and descrambling, on the signals. Here, data generated during each of the signal processing operations are temporarily stored in the memory 140. If data demodulated by an EFM demodulator 131 are stored in the memory 140, an error correction block 132 draws the EFM-demodulated data from the memory and performs error correction on the EFM-demodulated data. The error-corrected data are stored in the memory 140 and then are descrambled by a descrambler 133.
The data having been through such digital signal processing are MPEG-decoded in the MPEG unit 150, and then the MPEG-decoded data are output to a display or a speaker 160.
According to DVD standards applied to disks exclusively for being reproduced, data to be recorded on a disk are scrambled in accordance with the following. First, as shown in FIG. 2, scrambling bytes are generated. In order to generate such scrambling bytes, a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) 200 is generally used. The LFSR is a shift register constituted by fifteen bits and is set to a predetermined initial value in accordance with an initial setting value, as shown in FIG. 3. For example, when an initial setting value is 'OH', an LFSR 200 is initialized at '0001H'. When the initial setting value is '1H', the LFSR 200 is initialized at '5500H'. In general, the initial setting value used to determine an initial value of the LFSR 200 sequentially changes sectorwise. Among the fifteen bits of the LFSR 200 shown in FIG. 2, eight lower bits R1 through R8 are used as scrambling bits.
The LFSR 200 shown in FIG. 2 performs an XOR logic operation on an eleventh bit R11 and a fifteenth bit R15 and inputs the result of the XOR logic operation in a first bit R1. Thereafter, the fifteen bits R1 through R15 are shifted one by one. The XOR operation and the shifting operation are alternately performed. The values of the first through fifteenth bits R1 through R15 of the LFSR 200 obtained after performing the XOR logic operation and the shifting operation eight times are shown in FIG. 4. Among the first through fifteenth bits R1 through R15 shown in FIG. 4, the eight lower bits R1 through R8 are used as scrambling bytes. Scrambling is performed by performing an XOR logic operation on data and the scrambling bytes, as shown in Equation (1).SD=UD⊕SB  (1)
In Equation (1), UD represents data before being scrambled, SB represents scrambling bytes, SD represents scrambled data, and ⊕ represents an XOR logic operation.
In order to retrieve the original data from the scrambled data, the scrambled data is descrambled. Descrambling is performed by performing an XOR logic operation on the scrambled data and the scrambling bytes, as shown in Equation (2).UD=SD⊕SB  (2)
In order to obtain the scrambling bytes, a bitwise operation has been performed in the prior art. According to conventional techniques, 8 clock cycles are taken to obtain one scrambling byte by performing a predetermined operation on one bit every clock cycle.
However, memories currently adopted in most DVD systems are mostly synchronous DRAM devices operating at a DVD speed of ×16. A device operating at a speed of ×16 means that 16 bits are simultaneously input to or output from the device. Accordingly, scrambled data from a memory can be operated on 16 bits at a time. Accordingly, if a scrambling byte is generated so that 16 bits are generated every clock cycle, the speed of scrambling and descrambling data will increase.

Apparatus and method for scrambling and descrambling data wordwise in optical disk system


A metal halide discharge lamp comprises a lamp body and a chamber formed within the body. A pair of electrodes extends into the chamber and have electrode tips spaced apart from one another. A discharge medium composition is sealed within the chamber that generates a plasma, which generates visible light. The composition comprises a rare gas, a first metal halide that produces a luminous flux and zinc iodide that generates a desired lamp operating voltage. The composition may also comprise zinc, sealed in the chamber, in elemental form that is not derived from the first metal halide or the zinc iodide. The zinc iodide halide serves as a substitute for mercury for purposes of generating desired lamp operating voltage; and, the excess pure zinc attracts or reacts with iodine atoms thereby making available electrons and the first metal halide for generation of a luminous flux.

An embodiment of the invention pertains to High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps. More specifically, an embodiment of the invention pertains to quartz or ceramic metal halide discharge lamps.
A typical metal halide discharge lamp 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes a body 11 and a first leg 12 and a second leg 13 integrally attached to the body 11. Each leg 12 and 13 extends from an opposing side of the body 11. The legs 12 and 13 and body 11 are usually fabricated from a quartz-material or an alumina based ceramic material (e.g., polycrystalline alumina, sapphire, or yttrium aluminum garnet). A first electrode 15 and second electrode 16 extend through the first leg 12 and second leg 13 respectively and terminate in a chamber 14 formed in the body 11 of the lamp 10. The tips 15A and 16A of the electrodes are spaced apart a determined distance within the chamber 14, ranging from about 1 mm to about 20 mm forming an arc region between the electrode tips 15A and 16A. The volume of the chamber 14 is typically within the range of about 0.01 cc to about 3 cc. The chamber 14 is sealed under pressure at the ends of the legs 12 and 13 distal the chamber 14.
Before the chamber 14 is sealed, a composition including an inert gas, a metal halide dose and mercury is injected and sealed, under controlled atmosphere, in the chamber of the discharge lamp. The metal halide dose is typically a combination of metal halides such as sodium iodide and scandium iodide or sodium iodides, thallium iodide, dysprosium iodide, holmium iodide and thulium iodide. The metal halides serve as light emitting elements. While mercury contributes slightly to the emitted spectrum of a discharge lamp in the blue range, it mainly serves to increase the electrical resistance in the arc region in order to raise the voltage to a desired value. Raising the voltage to a desired value has two effects: 1) the lamp operating current can be maintained at a low value to minimize electrode erosion for better lumen maintenance and lamp life; and, 2) minimizing end-losses for better lamp efficiency. A desired operating voltage for a high intensity discharge lamp is typically from 70V to 150V so the current can be maintained from about 0.2 amps to about 3.5 amps depending on the type of lamp and a desired power.
When power is supplied to the electrodes, an electric arc strikes between the electrode tips 15A and 16A, creating a plasma discharge within the chamber 14. Initially an arc discharge is created by the rare gas (typically argon or xenon) reaching a temperature of about 7000K. The arc discharge heats the chamber 14 raising its temperature to about 1000° K or higher. Then the mercury and metal halide dose start evaporating. After this warm-up phase, the lamp reaches a steady state of operation, where the plasma discharge becomes a mixture of rare gas atoms (argon or xenon), Hg atoms and ions, metal atoms and molecules coming from the metal halide dose as well as their ions and the electrons. The temperature of the plasma discharge may range typically from about 1000° K to about 6000° K.
The lamp voltage depends strongly on the electrical conductivity of the gas mixture forming the arc. In typical HID lamps, mercury serves as a buffer gas by maintaining a certain desired lamp operating voltage. Mercury may achieve the desired voltage because of its relatively low electrical conductivity, which is the function of several parameters including atom density (or vapor pressure), electron density (or ionization energy) and electron-atom momentum transfer cross-section for the so-called buffer gas.
Mercury, as a buffer gas, has a high enough electron-atom momentum transfer cross-section and high enough vapor pressure to provide a sufficient electrical resistance at the arc region and therefore a desired lamp voltage. The collision between electrons and the metal halide compounds causes excitation of the metal atoms, which release photon energy in the form of light within the visible spectrum.
Despite the effectiveness of mercury, there are disadvantages to using this metal. Most notably, mercury is very toxic and raises health and environmental concerns. Laws and regulations have been adopted and/or proposed throughout the world limiting or, in some cases eliminating the use of mercury in all products. Accordingly, efforts are being made to replace mercury with other elements or compounds that have properties similar to mercury for purposes of generating light in a high intensity discharge lamp.
Zinc iodide has been disclosed as a substitute for mercury in the presence of metal halide additives sodium iodide (NaI) and scandium iodide (ScI3) in a quartz lamp. However, scandium is aggressive toward and reactive with alumina-based ceramics, which is the envelope material to be used in the next generation automotive headlamps.
Rare earth metal halides, such as dysprosium iodide and neodymium iodide have been disclosed as a substitute for scandium iodide (ScI3) in combination with a second metal halide that is substituted for mercury in a quartz lamp. The second metal halides include aluminum iodide, iron iodide, zinc iodide, antimony iodide, manganese iodide, chromium iodide, gallium iodide, beryllium iodide and titanium iodide.
With respect to the subject inventions various combinations of metal halides, including but not limited to zinc iodide, as a substitute for mercury, in combination with one or more rare earth metal halides, sodium iodide and thallium iodide as light emitting additives, were combined and tested in a ceramic metal halide lamp. The performance of these compounds were compared to metal halide ceramic lamps having a composition of mercury combined with the same combinations of the rare earth metal halides, sodium iodide and thallium iodide as the light emitting elements. Theoretical calculations supported by experimental tests have shown that mercury substitute metal halides disassociate into metal atoms and free iodine atoms within the arc region causing a high pressure of free iodine atoms. Iodine is known to be very electronegative. That is free electrons within the arc region attach relatively easily to the iodine atoms creating negative ions of iodine. This effect causes a significant reduction in the electrons density within the arc region. Furthermore, the iodine reacts with the rare earth metal forming stable compounds, i.e. dysprosium iodide, which causes the reduction in the density of rare earth metal atoms (light emitting species). The reduction of both electron density and light emitting species atoms (rare earth) caused by the high-pressure of free iodine affect directly in a negative way the lamp performance by reducing the amount of radiated power in the visible range (lamp lumens)
The pressure of the iodine and iodine negative ions in ZnI2 dosed lamp is almost one order of magnitude greater than in the mercury-dosed lamps. This means that the electron density in the arc region as well as the light emitting atom densities are significantly lower in a ZnI2 dosed lamp than in mercury lamp for instance. The net effect is reduced lumens because the electrons and the light emitting atoms are responsible for the creation of the excited states of light emitting metal atoms.

Mercury-free metal halide discharge lamp


An apparatus, spread spectrum receiver, and method of controlling a circular buffer, comprising a circular buffer and a controller coupled thereto. The circular buffer receives first data at a first data rate and second data at a second data rate. The controller determines a first range in the circular buffer based on the first data rate and a first time difference between the first write and first read speed, accesses the first data in the first range, estimates a second range in the circular buffer based on the second data rate and a second time difference between the first write and first read speed, and accesses the second data in the second range, where the second range is larger than and partially covered by the first range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to circular buffer, and in particular relates to a method and apparatus of a circular buffer for multi-rate data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multi-rate data finds many applications in Digital Signal Process (DSP) systems, multimedia systems, computer systems, and telecommunication systems, in which data transmission at various data rates manages a wide variety of data types, formats, and rates. Temporary storage or buffers are commonly employed for multi-rate data, where precedent data are removed or overwritten upon processing of successive data.
While circular buffers have been deployed to buffer multi-rate data, optimization of buffer capacity remains a challenge. Third generation mobile telecommunications systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), require multi-rate data processing, wherein the data rate is adaptive with each frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,589 discloses a circular buffer for multi-rate data, employing four addresses indicating process status of previous data and calculating available buffer space by the four addresses, whereby successive buffer space can be allocated for successive data at a different data rate. However, the address maintenance and calculation increases circuitry complexity and manufacturing cost.
Therefore there is a need for a circular buffer with simple and efficient memory space allocation for data arriving at different data rates.

Spread spectrum receiver, apparatus and method of a circular buffer for multirate data


An electrostatic chuck comprises a dielectric ceramic layer made of an alumina sintered body having a volume resistivity equal to or greater than about 1×1017Ω·cm at room temperature and a volume resistivity equal to or greater than about 1×1014Ω·cm at 300° C., and an electrode formed on one surface of the dielectric ceramic layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrostatic chuck and a manufacturing method for the same, and an alumina sintered member and a manufacturing method for the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrostatic chuck is utilized to hold a glass substrate or silicon wafer during a semiconductor manufacturing process or a liquid crystal display manufacturing process. The electrostatic chuck holds a substrate using the electrostatic force and generally has a structure with a dielectric layer stacked on an electrode. After a substrate is mounted on a dielectric layer, the electrostatic chuck holds the substrate on the dielectric layer using the electrostatic force called Coulomb force, which is generated between the substrate and the electrode. Alternatively, the electrostatic chuck holds a substrate on a dielectric layer using the electrostatic force called Johnsen-Rahbek force (hereafter, called 'J-R force'), which is generated between the substrate and the surface of the dielectric layer.
The electrostatic chuck using Coulomb force (hereafter, called a Coulomb-type electrostatic chuck) uses as a dielectric layer a highly insulating material having a volume resistivity equal to or greater than 14Ω·cm in an operating temperature. The electrostatic chuck using the J-R force (hereafter, called a J-R type electrostatic chuck) uses as a dielectric layer a material having a volume resistivity equal to or less than 1014Ω·cm in an operating temperature.
Resin such as polyimide resin, and a ceramic material such as aluminum nitride (AlN) or alumina (Al2O3) are well known to be used as a material for the dielectric layer. The electrostatic chuck using resin such as polyimide resin is inexpensive, however, the corrosion resistance and heat-resistance thereof are limited. For example, in a high temperature range of 100° C. or greater, usage thereof is difficult. On the other hand, the electrostatic chuck using a ceramic material such as aluminum nitride or alumina has better characteristics in corrosion resistance and heat-resistance.
Precisely, the aluminum nitride cannot have very high volume resistivity, which limits allowable operating temperature range when using that aluminum nitride as the Coulomb-type electrostatic chuck. Therefore, that aluminum nitride is often used for the J-R type electrostatic chuck.
A dielectric alumina layer formed by spraying so as to decrease the process cost is well known. Alumina provided by plasma-spraying has a volume resistivity equal to or less than 14Ω·cm at a temperature of 20° C., for example, which is not very high in resistance. To solve this problem, an electrostatic chuck with an adjusted volume resistivity ranging between 109 and 1011Ω·cm at a temperature of 100° C. or less, which is provided by adding an additive such as TiO2 to alumina, has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Hei 3-204924.) Moreover, an electrostatic chuck with volume resistivity ranging between 108 and 1015Ω·cm at room temperature, which is provided by adding SiC to alumina so as to improve corrosion resistance and strength, has been proposed (see Japanese Patent 3348140.)
Furthermore, an electrostatic chuck using sintered alumina with an adjusted volume resistivity ranging between 1014 and 1016Ω·cm at a temperature of 200° C. or less has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open 2003-152065.) As disclosed therein, the conventional electrostatic chuck using alumina as a dielectric layer uses an additive added dielectric alumina layer, in order to reduce a volume resistivity and enhance strength and corrosion resistance. Even with the electrostatic chuck using comparatively high volume resistivity, the volume resistivity of the dielectric alumina layer is 1016Ω·cm or less.
However, an aluminum nitride has comparatively high volume resistivity and semiconductor characteristics. Therefore, the electrostatic chuck using an aluminum nitride of the ceramic materials as a dielectric layer cannot maintain a high chucking force in the range from a low to a high temperature, since the resistance strongly depends on temperature. In addition, it is difficult to control leakage current.
Thus, the J-R type electrostatic chuck using an aluminum nitride with comparatively low resistance as a dielectric layer cannot avoid leakage current. On the other hand, the Coulomb-type electrostatic chuck has little leakage current, however, residual charge tends to remain on the surface of the electrostatic chuck. This leads to a problem of poor substrate dechucking response when the volume resistivity of the dielectric layer is not high.
Moreover, a conventional electrostatic chuck using alumina with comparatively high resistance added an additive causes wafer contamination and leakage current. Also, with the electrostatic chuck using alumina with comparatively high resistance as a dielectric layer, the volume resistivity reduces as temperature rises. Consequently, the substrate dechucking response gets worse. In other words, the conventional chuck can be used only within a narrow temperature range. Moreover, an alumina member is not provided to maintain excellent electrical insulation over a wide temperature range.

Electrostatic chuck and manufacturing method for the same, and alumina sintered member and manufacturing method for the same


A locking system is used to safely immobilize electric motorcycles. The system involves a pin-based locking device that can be activated by the user via a key, remote and/or a switch located on the dashboard of the electric motorcycle. The locking device engages the pin with a component that is rotated by the transmission of the electric motorcycle. When activated, the locking device locks the transmission and prevents the motorcycle from being subjected to unwanted driving wheel rotation.

Electric motorcycles, having a lack of an internal combustion engine coupled to a sequential transmission, are prone to unwanted motion and potential tipping over when parked on an inclination. In the traditional combustion engine motorcycle, the act of leaving the motorcycle parked while in a low gear is generally sufficient to stop unwanted motion of the vehicle even on an inclination. Electric motorcycles, due to the general low rotational resistance of an electric motor and the lack of selectable gears, have little resistance to unwanted wheel rotation or motion while parked, and this can result in injury and/or property damage.
A standard practice for the majority of motorcycles sold today is the steering lock, irrespective of whether they have internal combustion engines or are electric. A steering lock requires the motorcycle's front steering axis to be rotated at approximately 30 degrees and locked in place by a pin. This system is clumsy, and in some situations, makes the vehicle more unstable while parked. In addition, the steering lock system requires the use of a key. Another solution is to fit a cable-actuated second caliper onto the rear brake with related actuation.
This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.


A clock routing design method enables a routing design for each hierarchy while paying an attention to each layout hierarchy to which a branch of a clock signal system extends and considering a whole chip. In the clock routing design method, a clock signal line is routed between a plurality of receiver terminals over a plurality of layout hierarchies while considering an equal-delay branch point yielding equal delays of a clock signal at the receiver terminals, the clock signal line is then routed between the equal-delay branch point positioning between the plural receiver terminals and the driver terminal. The clock routing design method is applicable to a layout design of wire patterns, cell, etc. on LSIs, printed circuit boards and the like.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus used in a layout design for a routing pattern, a cell and the like on an LSI or a printed circuit board. More specifically, the present invention relates to a clock routing design method for designing a routing of clock signal lines using a hierarchical layout design.
2) Description of the Related Art
In an layout design for an LSI or a printed circuit board, it is, in general, desirable that clock signal lines routed between one driver terminal providing a clock signal and a plurality of receiver terminals receiving the clock signal are so routed that the clock signal supplied from the driver terminal reaches each of the receiver terminals substantially at the same time (exactly at the same time, ideally). A variation in a time period required until the clock signal reaches each of the receiver terminals from the driver terminal is referred as clock skew.
In recent years, there is an increasing demand for a zero skew routing of a clock signal, in other words, a routing which can provide the clock skew at zero with an increase in clock frequency in LSIs or the like. With an increase of a degree of integration of LSIs or the like, there is also an increase of demand for shortening a time period required for the layout design. To meet these two demands, it is necessary to shorten a time period required for the layout design besides realizing a minimum skew of the clock signal lines in the hierarchical layout design.
In the hierarchical layout design method, an area that is an object of the routing design on a chip is divided into a plurality of layout hierarchies. The routing inside each of the hierarchies is designed, thereafter the routing between the layout hierarchies is performed to complete the routing design overall the chip. If a degree of integration of LSIs is increased, such hierarchical layout design method allows a large decrease in a time period required for layout design as compared with a method in which the routing design of the overall chip is performed at the same time.
Now referring to FIGS. 28 through 31, a procedure of a general routing design for clock signals employing the hierarchical layout design will be described.
In FIGS. 28 through 31, an area enclosed by a thick line "Layout 0" designates an area of a chip level (the whole of a chip that is an object of the routing), and areas enclosed by thin lines "Layout 1" through "Layout 5" designate the layout hierarchies divided and set, respectively, inside the area "Layout 0" on the chip. Here is shown an example where five layout hierarchies are set.
In FIGS. 28 through 31, ".circle-solid." designates a driver terminal DV1 providing a clock signal, ".smallcircle." designates receiver terminals RV1 through RV4 receiving the clock signal supplied from the driver terminal DV1, and ".circleincircle." designates clock supplying terminals M0 through M4 set on boundaries of the respective layout hierarchies "Layout 1" through "Layout 5".
FIGS. 28 through 31 show an example where one driver terminal DV1 is disposed within the layout hierarchy "Layout 1" and the receiver terminals RV1, RV4, RV2 and RV3 are disposed in the layout hierarchies "Layout 2" through "Layout 5", respectively.
As shown in FIG. 28, the whole area "Layout 0" on the chip is divided into, for example, five areas "Layout 1" through "Layout 5" so as to hierarchize the whole chip. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 29, positions to dispose the clock supplying terminals M0 through M4 therein are decided on boundaries of the respective layout hierarchies "Layout 1" through "Layout 5".
One clock supplying terminal is set to one layout hierarchy. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the clock supplying terminal MO used to output the clock signal supplied from the driver terminal DV1 outside the layout hierarchy "Layout 1" is set on the boundary of the layout hierarchy "Layout 1", while the clock supplying terminals M1, M4, M2 and M3 used to supply the clock signal to the receiver terminals RV1, RV4, RV2 and RV3, respectively, are set on the boundaries of the respective layout hierarchies "Layout 2" through "Layout 5".
As shown in FIG. 30, at first, a process to route the clock signal line inside each of the layout hierarchies "Layout 1" through "Layout 5" is performed, in other words, routing designs between the driver terminal DV1 and the clock supplying terminal M0, and between the receiver terminals RV1 through RV4 and the respective clock supplying terminals M1 through M4, are worked out. After that, a routing design for mutually connecting the clock supplying terminals M0 through M4 set on the boundaries of the respective layout hierarchies "Layout 1" through "Layout 5" is performed finally, as shown in FIG. 31.
As stated above, electrical connection among the layout hierarchies is performed after completion of the routing design in each of the layout hierarchies in the general clock routing design method using the above-stated hierarchical layout design. Therefore, it has certain disadvantages as follows:
(1) when a routing design inside each of the layout hierarchies is performed, it is impossible to consider the state of the routing design within another layout hierarchies; PA1 (2) well-balanced routing among the layout hierarchies is unavailable; PA1 (3) it is impossible to perform the clock routing taking a consideration of the whole chip.
In consequence, use of the hierarchy layout design may not only permit a shorter time for the layout design but also impose a less freedom of the routing design. To minimize the clock skew to realize the zero skew routing, it is necessary to repeat the routing design in a trial-and-error fashion, resulting in an increase in the time for the layout design.
In practically proceeding the layout design for LSIs or the like, there are some cases where the layout design of only a part of layout hierarchies goes ahead. In which case, it may happen that the routing process on the clock signal lines is required even if the routing design of all the layout hierarchies is not completed. In the above-mentioned procedure of the general clock routing design, if placement of all layout hierarchies and placement of cells within each of the layout hierarchies are not completed, it is impossible to design the routing of a signal system of, for example, a clock signal branching and extending to each of the hierarchies.

Clock routing design method using a hieraichical layout design


This air quantity estimation apparatus includes models M2 to M7 which are configured on the basis of physical laws. The apparatus estimates pressure Pic and temperature Tic of air within the intercooler, by use of the compressor model M4 and the intercooler model M5, in consideration of a first energy Ecm, which a supercharger 91 (a compressor 91a) imparts to air supplied into an intercooler 45, and a second energy, which is exchanged between a wall of the intercooler and air within the intercooler. The apparatus estimates cylinder intake-air quantity KLfwd at a future point in time later than a present point in time based on the estimated pressure and the estimated temperature of air within the intercooler.

In order to make an air-fuel ratio of gas mixture supplied into an internal combustion engine equal to a target air-fuel ratio, it is required to accurately estimate quantity of air which is introduced into a cylinder of the internal combustion engine (hereinafter, referred to as "cylinder intake-air quantity"). In a steady operation state where an opening of a throttle valve remains substantially unchanged, the cylinder intake-air quantity is accurately estimated based on a value output from an air flow sensor disposed in an intake passage of the internal combustion engine. Meanwhile, in a transition-operation state where the opening of the throttle valve rapidly varies, it is difficult to accurately estimate the cylinder intake-air quantity based on the value output from the air flow sensor, because time response characteristic of the air flow sensor is not sufficient. Therefore, it is required to estimate the cylinder intake-air quantity with better response than a case using the air flow sensor.
Further, fuel is generally injected before an end timing of an intake stroke. Meanwhile, the cylinder intake-air quantity is fixed (or becomes definite) at the end timing of the intake stroke (at an intake valve-closing timing). Therefore, the cylinder intake-air quantity has not become definite at a fuel-injection timing. Accordingly, in order to determine a fuel injection amount which makes the air-fuel ratio of the gas mixture to be formed in the cylinder equal to the target air-fuel ratio, it is required to estimate "the cylinder intake-air quantity at the intake valve-closing timing" at a predetermined timing before the fuel injection (i.e., before the end timing of the intake stroke).
As one of cylinder intake-air quantity estimation apparatuses which can satisfy such demands described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2001-41095 discloses an apparatus for estimating cylinder intake-air quantity at a future point in time later than a present point in time by use of a physical model which is modeled on a behavior of air flowing through the intake passage of the internal combustion engine.
According to the physical model which the disclosed apparatus uses, the estimated cylinder intake-air quantity at the future point in time later than the present point in time is represented by equations using pressure of air at a position upstream of the throttle valve (throttle valve upstream air) at the future point in time and temperature of the throttle valve upstream air at the future point in time. Therefore, unless the pressure and the temperature of the throttle valve upstream air at the future point in time are accurately estimated, the cylinder intake-air quantity at the future point in time cannot be accurately estimated.
Incidentally, since the above-mentioned internal combustion engine, to which aforementioned conventional apparatus is applied, is a naturally-aspirated engine, the pressure and the temperature of the throttle valve upstream air are approximately equal to those of atmosphere (or air). Further, the pressure and the temperature of atmosphere remains substantially unchanged within a short period of time from the present point in time to the future point in time when the cylinder intake-air quantity is to be estimated. Accordingly, the above-mentioned conventional apparatus accurately estimates the cylinder intake-air quantity at the future point in time, by employing the pressure of atmosphere and an intake air temperature detected by a temperature sensor disposed in the intake passage as the pressure and the temperature of the throttle valve upstream air, respectively.
However, if an internal combustion engine has a supercharger and an intercooler in order to improve its maximum output etc., air in the intake passage is compressed by the supercharger and is cooled by the intercooler. Therefore, the pressure and the temperature of the throttle valve upstream air (i.e., air within the intercooler) vary within the above-mentioned short period of time. Accordingly, in the internal combustion engine having the supercharger and the intercooler, it is difficult for the above-mentioned conventional apparatus to accurately estimate the cylinder intake-air quantity at the future point in time later than the present point in time.

Air quantity estimation apparatus for internal combustion engine


A method for effectively re-downloading data to a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The method uses two Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs) to implement control functions of Write-to-Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) and Write-to-FPGA respectively, in conjunction with a set of connectors with a detection circuit, such that according to a detection state output by the detection circuit to one CPLD implemented with Write-to-FPGA control function, a write-to-NVRAM operation for data is determined if the detection state is logic low and conversely data is written from the NVRAM to the FPGA.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to programmable devices, more particularly to a method and apparatus for effectively re-downloading data to a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which can easily re-configure the FPGA to increase convenience and speed in R&D and upgrade, and further save developing costs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are frequently used in multimedia, workstations, communications, networks and other applications. The appealing characteristics of FPGAs are speeds approaching those of an integrated circuit (IC) and programmability for design simulation and trial-and-error flexibility.
FPGAs are essentially configured in SRAM based mode and Anti-fuse-based mode. The SRAM based mode is widely used for IC design mode in the aforementioned applications.
The advantages for the SRAM based mode include reprogrammability, low power consumption and in-circuit configurability. However, this mode typically downloads configuration data from a host system such as a computer or workstation using an FPGA interface cable. As such, the performance for such a mode depends on joint download circuits.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an internal circuit of a typical Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). As shown in FIG. 1, existing download circuits generally use a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) to store configuration data codes required by design circuit in the FPGA. However, such an application requires a control access circuit 16 with two functions: one for downloading external update configuration data codes to NVRAM 14 (namely Write-to-NVRAM function) and the other for writing configuration data codes in NVRAM 14 to FPGA 12 (namely Write-to-FPGA function). The cited circuits are normally integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB) 10. Thus, a user can easily change the configuration circuit in FPGA when performing R&D. When initialing mass-production, configuration data codes are directly downloaded without changing PCB circuitry. However, after mass-production is complete, the Write-to-NVRAM function is not needed. Accordingly, the circuit 16 including functions of downloading configuration data codes to NVRAM 14 and reading configuration data codes from NVRAM 14 is set aside, wasting resources. Additionally, in some products separating the two functions, when initialing mass-production, only the Write-to-FPGA function is left with operating codes. As such, the circuit 16 is removed to thus eliminate resource waste. However, as updates required by FPGA must extract NVRAM and then write new configuration data codes by existing burner or other devices, thus causing inconvenience in R&D and difficulty in upgrade.

Method and apparatus for effectively re-downloading data to a field programmable gate array


Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for treatment of sickle cell disease or a complication associated therewith, or graft versus host disease, in an individual. More specifically, the use of particular glycomimetics for the treatment is described.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to compounds, compositions and methods for treating sickle cell disease or complications associated therewith, and more specifically to the use of particular glycomimetics for the treatment. The glycomimetics may also be used to treat graft versus host disease.
2. Description of the Related Art
Sickle cell disease is an inheritable hematological disorder based on a mutation in the β-globin gene of hemoglobin. Upon deoxygenation, this mutated hemoglobin polymerizes and causes a shape change (sickling) of the red blood cell. This change in red blood cells leads to obstruction of blood vessels causing a wide variety of complications such as stroke, pulmonary hypertension, end-organ disease and death.
In addition to the fatal or potentially fatal complications, there are serious non-fatal complications of sickle cell disease such as pain. The severity of the pain may vary, but normally requires some form of medical attention. Hospitalization may be necessary.
In the U.S. alone, approximately 70,000-80,000 people suffer from sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is estimated to affect one of every 1,300 infants in the general population, and one of every 400 of African descent. Currently, there is no cure for sickle cell disease. The disease is chronic and lifelong. Life expectancy is typically shortened.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for the treatment of sickle cell disease or the complications associated therewith. The present invention fulfills these needs and further provides other related advantages.

Compounds and methods for treatment of sickle cell disease or complications associated therewith


A vehicle including a system for obtaining information about occupants of the vehicle including a rear-view mirror including a mirror part and a support for mounting the mirror part to the vehicle (such as to a windshield of the vehicle), a wave-receiving system arranged on the mirror for receiving waves from spaces above seats of the vehicle in which occupants would normally be situated and a processor coupled to the wave-receiving system and arranged to obtain information about the occupants based on the waves received by the wave-receiving system. The wave-receiving system may include an infrared receiver, a transmitter/receiver capable of transmitting and receiving waves, an ultrasonic wave receiver and/or an array for displaying infrared light reflected from or generated by the occupants. Based on the waves received by the wave-receiving system, the processor may identify or ascertain the identity of the occupants, determine the position or movement of the occupants and/or determine the distance between the wave-receiving system and the occupants. The processor may embody a pattern recognition system for obtaining information about the occupants based on training designed to create an algorithm capable of processing data on the waves received by the wave-receiving system into information about the occupants.

1. History and General Statement of the Problem
In 1984, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a requirement for frontal crash protection of automobile occupants. This regulation mandated "passive occupant restraints" for all passenger cars by 1992. A more recent regulation required both driver and passenger side airbags on all passenger cars and light trucks by 1998. In addition, the demand for airbags is constantly accelerating in both Europe and Japan (˜36 million vehicles) and all vehicles produced in these areas and eventually worldwide (˜50 million vehicles) will likely be equipped with airbags as standard equipment, if they do not include them already.
Whereas thousands of lives have been saved by airbags, significant improvements can be made. As discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,462 referenced above, for a variety of reasons, vehicle occupants can be or get too close to the airbag before it deploys and can be seriously injured or killed upon deployment of the airbag.
Also, a child in a rear facing child seat, which is placed on the right front passenger seat, is in danger of being seriously injured if the passenger airbag deploys. This has now become an industry-wide concern and the U.S. automobile industry is continually searching for an easy, economical solution, which will prevent the deployment of the passenger side airbag if a rear facing child seat is present. An improvement on the invention disclosed in the above-referenced patent, as will be disclosed in greater detail below, includes more sophisticated means to identify objects within the passenger compartment and will solve this problem.
Initially, these systems will solve the out-of-position occupant and the rear facing child seat problems related to current airbag systems and prevent unneeded deployments when a seat is unoccupied. Airbags are now under development to protect rear seat occupants in vehicle crashes. A system is therefore needed to detect the presence of occupants, position, (to determine if they are out-of-position), and type(to identify the presence of a rear facing child seat) in the rear seat. Current and future automobiles may have eight or more airbags as protection is sought for rear seat occupants and from side impacts. In addition to eliminating the disturbance of unnecessary airbag deployments, the cost of replacing these airbags will be excessive if they all deploy in an accident. The improvements described below minimize this cost by not deploying an airbag for a seat, which is not occupied by a human being. An occupying item of a seat may be a living occupant such as a human being or dog, another living organism such as a plant, or an inanimate object such as a box or bag of groceries.
Side impact airbag systems began appearing on 1995 vehicles. The danger of deployment induced injuries will exist for side impact airbags as they now do for frontal impact airbags. A child with his head against the airbag is such an example. The system of this invention will minimize such injuries.
2. General Solution to the Problem and Resulting Benefits
A device to monitor the vehicle interior and identify its contents is needed to solve these and many other related problems. For example, once a Vehicle Interior Identification and Monitoring System (VIMS) for identifying and monitoring the contents of a vehicle is in place, many other products become possible including the following:
Inflators and control systems now exist which will adjust the amount of gas flowing into and/or out of the airbag to account for the size and position of the occupant and for the severity of the accident. The vehicle identification and monitoring system of this invention will control such systems based on the presence, size and position of vehicle occupants or the presence, position and orientation of an occupied child seat.
Vehicles can be provided with a standard cellular phone or other telematics communication system as well as the Global Positioning System (GPS), an automobile navigation or location system with an optional connection to a manned assistance facility, which is now available on several vehicle models. In the event of an accident, the phone may automatically call 911, or contact OnStar™ or similar service for emergency assistance and report the position of the vehicle. If the vehicle also has a system as described below for monitoring each seat location, the number and perhaps the condition of the occupants could also be reported and/or photographs of the vehicle interior before, during and/or after the accident can be transmitted. In that way, the emergency service (EMS) would know what equipment and how many ambulances to send to the accident site and prioritize the accident when several accidents occur in the same time frame. Moreover, a communication channel can be opened between the vehicle and a monitoring facility/emergency response facility or personnel to enable directions to be provided to the injured occupant(s) of the vehicle to assist in any necessary first aid prior to arrival of the emergency assistance personnel.
Once an occupant sensor is operational, the vehicle entertainment system can be improved if the number, size and location of occupants and other objects were known. However, it is not believed that, prior to the instant invention, engineers have thought to determine the number, size and/or location of the occupants and use such determination in combination with the entertainment system. Indeed, this information can be provided by the vehicle interior identification and monitoring system of this invention to thereby improve a vehicle's entertainment system. Once one considers monitoring the space in the passenger compartment an alternate method of characterizing the sonic environment comes to mind which is to send and receive a test sound to see what frequencies are reflected, absorbed or excite resonances and then adjust the spectral output of the entertainment system accordingly.
As the VIMS improves to where such things as the exact location of the occupants ears and eyes can be determined, even more significant improvements to the entertainment system become possible through the use of noise canceling sound, and the rear view mirrors can be automatically adjusted for the driver's eye location.
Another example involves the monitoring of the driver's behavior over time that can be used to warn a driver if he or she is falling asleep, or to stop the vehicle if the driver loses the capacity to control it.
Similarly to the entertainment system, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) can be improved if the number, attributes and location of vehicle occupants were known. This can be used to provide a climate control system tailored to each occupant, for example, or the system can be turned off for certain seat locations if there are no occupants present at those locations.
In some cases, the position of a particular part of the occupant is of interest such as: (a) his hand or arm and whether it is in the path of a closing window so that the motion of the window needs to be stopped; (b) the position of the shoulder so that the seat belt anchorage point can be adjusted for the best protection of the occupant; or, (c) the position of the rear of the occupants head so that the headrest can be adjusted to minimize whiplash injuries in rear impacts.
Additionally, using an advanced VIMS, as explained below, the position of the driver's eyes can be accurately determined and portions of the windshield, or of a special visor, can be selectively darkened to eliminate the glare from the sun or oncoming vehicle headlights. This system can use electro-chromic glass, a liquid crystal device, Xerox Gyricon, Research Frontiers SPD, semiconducting and metallic (organic) polymer displays, spatial light monitors, electronic "Venetian blinds", electronic polarizers or other appropriate technology, and, in some cases, detectors to detect the direction of the offending light source. In addition to eliminating the glare, the standard sun visor can now also be eliminated. Alternately, the glare filter can be placed in another device such as a transparent sun visor that is placed between the driver's eyes and the windshield.
3. Pattern Recognition
The present invention adds more sophisticated pattern recognition capabilities such as fuzzy logic systems, neural networks, modular neural network systems or other pattern recognition computer based algorithms to the occupant position measurement system disclosed in the above referenced patents and/or patent applications and greatly extends the areas of application of this technology. An example of such a pattern recognition system using neural networks using sonar is discussed in two papers by Gorman, R. P. and Sejnowski, T. J. "Analysis of Hidden Units in a Layered Network Trained to Classify Sonar Targets", Neural Networks, Vol.1. pp. 75–89, 1988, and "Learned Classification of Sonar Targets Using a Massively Parallel Network", IEEE Transactions on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, Vol. 36, No. 7, July 1988.
4. Definitions
Some embodiments of the invention are described below and unless specifically noted, it is the applicants' intention that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). If the applicant intends any other meaning, he will specifically state he is applying a special meaning to a word or phrase.
Likewise, applicants' use of the word "function" here is not intended to indicate that the applicants seek to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, to define their invention. To the contrary, if applicants wish to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, sixth paragraph, to define their invention, they will specifically set forth in the claims the phrases "means for" or "step for" and a function, without also reciting in that phrase any structure, material or act in support of the function. Moreover, even if applicants invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, to define their invention, it is the applicants' intention that their inventions not be limited to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments herein. Rather, if applicants claim their inventions by specifically invoking the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, it is nonetheless their intention to cover and include any and all structure, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.
"Pattern recognition" as used herein will generally mean any system which processes a signal that is generated by an object, or is modified by interacting with an object, in order to determine which one of a set of classes that the object belongs to. Such a system might determine only that the object is or is not a member of one specified class, or it might attempt to assign the object to one of a larger set of specified classes, or find that it is not a member of any of the classes in the set. The signals processed are generally electrical signals coming from transducers which are sensitive to either acoustic or electromagnetic radiation and if electromagnetic, they can be either visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, radar or other part of the electromagnetic spectrum, or electric or magnetic fields.
"To identify" as used herein will generally mean to determine that the object belongs to a particular set or class. The class may be one containing all rear facing child seats, one containing all human occupants, all human occupants not sitting in a rear facing child seat, or all humans in a certain height or weight range, all humans that are in a position where they can be protected by an airbag, all humans that are in a position where they are at risk to be seriously injured by an airbag depending on the purpose of the system. In the case where a particular person is to be recognized, the set or class will contain only a single element, the person to be recognized.
5. Some Examples of the Invention
In a passive infrared system a detector receives infrared radiation from an object in its field of view, in this case the vehicle occupant, and determines the temperature of the occupant based on the infrared radiation. The VIMS can then respond to the temperature of the occupant, which can either be a child in a rear facing child seat or a normally seated occupant, to control some other system. This technology can provide input data to a pattern recognition system but it has limitations related to temperature. The sensing of the child could pose a problem if the child is covered with blankets. It also might not be possible to differentiate between a rear facing child seat and a forward facing child seat. In all cases, the technology will fail to detect the occupant if the ambient temperature reaches body temperature as it does in hot climates. Nevertheless, for use in the control of the vehicle climate, for example, a passive infrared system that permits an accurate measurement of each occupant's temperature is useful.
In a laser optical system an infrared laser beam is used to momentarily illuminate an object, occupant or child seat in the manner as described, and illustrated in FIG. 8, of U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,462 cross-referenced above. In some cases, a charge-coupled device (a type of TV camera also referred to as a CCD array) or a CMOS device is used to receive the reflected light. In other cases when a scanning laser is used a pin or avalanche diode or other photo detector can be used. The laser can either be used in a scanning mode, or, through the use of a lens, a cone of light, swept line of light, or a pattern or structured light can be created which covers a large portion of the object. Additionally, one or more LEDs can be used as a light source.
Also, triangulation can be used in conjunction with an offset scanning laser to determine the range of the illuminated spot from the light detector. Various focusing systems also can have applicability in some implementations to measure the distance to an occupant. In most cases, a pattern recognition system, as defined above, is used to identify and classify, and can be used to locate, the illuminated object and its constituent parts. The optical systems generally provide the most information about the object and at a rapid data rate. Its main drawback is cost which is considerably above that of ultrasonic or passive infrared systems. As the cost of lasers and imagers comes down in the future, this system will become more competitive. Depending on the implementation of the system, there may be some concern for the safety of the occupant if a laser light can enter the occupant's eyes. This is minimized if the laser operates in the infrared spectrum particularly at the "eye-safe" frequencies.
Radar systems have similar properties to the laser system discussed above. The wavelength of a particular radar system can limit the ability of the pattern recognition system to detect object features smaller than a certain size. Also, depending on the radar frequency, the detecting method can be based on the modification of the waves in different ways such as reflection, absorption, scattering or transmission. Once again, however, there is some concern about the health effects of radar on children and other occupants. This concern is expressed in various reports available from the United States Food and Drug Administration Division of Devices.
Naturally, electromagnetic waves from other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum can also be used such as, for example, those used with what are sometimes referred to as capacitive or electric field sensors, for example as described in U.S. patents by Kithil et al. Nos. 5,366,241, 5,602,734, 5,691,693, 5,802,479, 5,844,486 and 6,014,602; by Jinno et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,031; and SAE technical papers 982292 and 971051 which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, as discussed in more detail below, the sensing of the change in the characteristics of the near field that surrounds an antenna is an effective and economical method of determining the presence of water in the vicinity of the antenna and thus a measure of occupant presence. The use of electric field and capacitance sensors and their equivalence to the occupant sensors described herein requires a special discussion.
6. Electric Field, Capacitance and Wave Sensors
Electric field sensors and wave sensors are essentially the same from the point of view of sensing the presence of an occupant in a vehicle. In both cases, a time varying electric field is disturbed or modified by the presence of the occupant. At high frequencies in the visual, infrared and high frequency radio wave region, the sensor is based on its capability to sense change of wave characteristics of the electromagnetic field, such as amplitude, phase or frequency. As the frequency drops, other characteristics of the field are measured. At still lower frequencies, the occupant's dielectric properties modify parameters of the reactive electric field in the occupied space between/near the plates of a capacitor. In this latter case, the sensor senses the change in charge distribution on the capacitor plates by measuring, for example, the current wave magnitude or phase in the electric circuit that drives the capacitor. These measured parameters are directly connected with parameters of the displacement current in the occupied space. In all cases, the presence of the occupant reflects, absorbs or modifies the waves or variations in the electric field in the space occupied by the occupant. Thus for the purposes of this invention, capacitance, electric field or electromagnetic wave sensors are equivalent and although they are all technically "field" sensors they will be considered as "wave" sensors herein. What follows is a discussion comparing the similarities and differences between two types of field or wave sensors, electromagnetic wave sensors and capacitive sensors as exemplified by Kithil in U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,734.
An electromagnetic field disturbed or emitted by a passenger in the case of an electromagnetic wave sensor, for example, and the electric field sensor of Kithil, for example, are in many ways similar and equivalent for the purposes of this invention. The electromagnetic wave sensor is an actual electromagnetic wave sensor by definition because they sense parameters of a wave, which is a coupled pair of continuously changing electric and magnetic fields. The electric field here is not a static, potential one. It is essentially a dynamic, rotational electric field coupled with a changing magnetic one, that is, an electromagnetic wave. It cannot be produced by a steady distribution of electric charges. It is initially produced by moving electric charges in a transmitter, even if this transmitter is a passenger body for the case of a passive infrared sensor.
In the Kithil sensor, a static electric field is declared as an initial material agent coupling a passenger and a sensor (see Column 5, lines 5–7): "The proximity sensor 12 each function by creating an electrostatic field between oscillator input loop 54 and detector output loop 56, which is affected by presence of a person near by, as a result of capacitive coupling, . . . "). It is a potential, non-rotational electric field. It is not necessarily coupled with any magnetic field. It is the electric field of a capacitor. It can be produced with a steady distribution of electric charges. Thus, it is not an electromagnetic wave by definition but if the sensor is driven by a varying current, then it produces a quasistatic electric field in the space between/near the plates of the capacitor.
Kithil declares that he uses a static electric field in his capacitance sensor. Thus, from the consideration above, one can conclude that Kithil's sensor cannot be treated as a wave sensor because there are no actual electromagnetic waves but only a static electric field of the capacitor in the sensor system. However, this is not believed to be the case. The Kithil system could not operate with a true static electric field because a steady system does not carry any information. Therefore, Kithil is forced to use an oscillator, causing an alternate current in the capacitor and a reactive quasistatic electric field in the space between the capacitor plates, and a detector to reveal an informative change of the sensor capacitance caused by the presence of an occupant (see FIG. 7 and its description). In this case, the system becomes a "wave sensor" in the sense that it starts generating actual time-varying electric field that certainly originates electromagnetic waves according to the definition above. That is, Kithil's sensor can be treated as a wave sensor regardless of the shape of the electric field that it creates, a beam or a spread shape.
As follows from the Kithil patent, the capacitor sensor is likely a parametric system where the capacitance of the sensor is controlled by influence of the passenger body. This influence is transferred by means of the near electromagnetic field (i.e., the wave-like process) coupling the capacitor electrodes and the body. It is important to note that the same influence takes place with a real static electric field also, that is in absence of any wave phenomenon. This would be a situation if there were no oscillator in Kithil's system. However, such a system is not workable and thus Kithil reverts to a dynamic system using time-varying electric fields.
Thus, although Kithil declares the coupling is due to a static electric field, such a situation is not realized in his system because an alternating electromagnetic field ("quasi-wave") exists in the system due to the oscillator. Thus, his sensor is actually a wave sensor, that is, it is sensitive to a change of a wave field in the vehicle compartment. This change is measured by measuring the change of its capacitance. The capacitance of the sensor system is determined by the configuration of its electrodes, one of which is a human body, that is, the passenger inside of and the part which controls the electrode configuration and hence a sensor parameter, the capacitance.
The physics definition of "wave" from Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary is:" 11. Physics. A progressive disturbance propagated from point to point in a medium or space without progress or advance of the points themselves, . . . ". In a capacitor, the time that it takes for the disturbance (a change in voltage) to propagate through space, the dielectric and to the opposite plate is generally small and neglected but it is not zero. As the frequency driving the capacitor increases and the distance separating the plates increases, this transmission time as a percentage of the period of oscillation can become significant. Nevertheless, an observer between the plates will see the rise and fall of the electric field much like a person standing in the water of an ocean. The presence of a dielectric body between the plates causes the waves to get bigger as more electrons flow to and from the plates of the capacitor. Thus, an occupant affects the magnitude of these waves which is sensed by the capacitor circuit. Thus, the electromagnetic field is a material agent that carries information about a passenger's position in both Kithil's and a beam-type electromagnetic wave sensor.
The following definitions are applicable and are from the Encyclopedia Britannica:
"electromagnetic field"
"A property of space caused by the motion of an electric charge. A stationary charge will produce only an electric field in the surrounding space. If the charge is moving, a magnetic field is also produced. An electric field can be produced also by a changing magnetic field. The mutual interaction of electric and magnetic fields produces an electromagnetic field, which is considered as having its own existence in space apart from the charges or currents (a stream of moving charges) with which it may be related . . . " (Copyright 1994–1998 Encyclopedia Britannica)
"displacement current"
". . . in electromagnetism, a phenomenon analogous to an ordinary electric current, posited to explain magnetic fields that are produced by changing electric fields. Ordinary electric currents, called conduction currents, whether steady or varying, produce an accompanying magnetic field in the vicinity of the current. [. . . ]
"As electric charges do not flow through the insulation from one plate of a capacitor to the other, there is no conduction current; instead, a displacement current is said to be present to account for the continuity of the magnetic effects. In fact, the calculated size of the displacement current between the plates of a capacitor being charged and discharged in an alternating-current circuit is equal to the size of the conduction current in the wires leading to and from the capacitor. Displacement currents play a central role in the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, such as light and radio waves, through empty space. A traveling, varying magnetic field is everywhere associated with a periodically changing electric field that may be conceived in terms of a displacement current. Maxwell's insight on displacement current, therefore, made it possible to understand electromagnetic waves as being propagated through space completely detached from electric currents in conductors." Copyright 1994–1998 Encyclopedia Britannica
"electromagnetic radiation"
". . . energy that is propagated through free space or through a material medium in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves, visible light, and gamma rays. The term also refers to the emission and transmission of such radiant energy. [. . . ]
"It has been established that time-varying electric fields can induce magnetic fields and that time-varying magnetic fields can in like manner induce electric fields. Because such electric and magnetic fields generate each other, they occur jointly, and together they propagate as electromagnetic waves. An electromagnetic wave is a transverse wave in that the electric field and the magnetic field at any point and time in the wave are perpendicular to each other as well as to the direction of propagation. [. . . ]
"Electromagnetic radiation has properties in common with other forms of waves such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference. [. . . ]" Copyright 1994–1998 Encyclopedia Britannica
The main part of the Kithil "circuit means" is an oscillator, which is as necessary in the system as the capacitor itself to make the capacitive coupling effect be detectable. An oscillator by nature creates a time varying electric field in a capacitor or waves. The system can operate as a sensor only if an alternating current flows through the sensor capacitor, which, in fact, is a detector from which an informative signal is acquired. Then this current (or, more exactly, integral of the current over time—charge) is measured and the result is a measure of the sensor capacitance value. The latter in turn depends on the passenger presence that affects the magnitude of the waves that travel between the plates of the capacitor making the Kithil sensor a wave sensor by the definition herein.
An additional relevant definition is:
"Capacitive coupling"
The transfer of energy from one circuit to another by means of the mutual capacitance between the circuits. (188) The coupling may be deliberate or inadvertent. Capacitive coupling favors transfer of the higher frequency components of a signal, whereas inductive coupling favors lower frequency components, and conductive coupling favors neither higher nor lower frequency components." http:// - - - .its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-006 /—0842.htm
Another similarity between one embodiment of the sensor of this invention and the Kithil sensor is the use of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO).
7. Ultrasonic Occupant Sensors
The ultrasonic system is the least expensive and potentially provides less information than the optical or some radar systems due to the delays resulting from the speed of sound and due to the wave length which is considerably longer than the optical (including infrared) systems. The longer wavelength limits the detail, which can be seen by the system. In spite of these limitations, as shown below, ultrasonics can provide sufficient timely information to permit the position and velocity of an occupant to be accurately known and, when used with an appropriate pattern recognition system, it is capable of positively determining the presence of a rear facing child seat. One pattern recognition system that has been used to identify a rear facing child seat is a neural networks and is similar to that described in the above-referenced papers by Gorman et al.
8. Occupant Location Based on Focusing
A focusing system, such as used on some camera systems, can be used to determine the initial position of an occupant but, in most cases, it is too slow to monitor his position during a crash. This is a result of the mechanical motions required to operate the lens focusing system, however, methods do exist that do not require mechanical motions. By itself it cannot determine the presence of a rear facing child seat or of an occupant but when used with a charge-coupled or CMSO device plus some infrared illumination for vision at night, and an appropriate pattern recognition system, this becomes possible. Similarly, the use of three dimensional cameras based on modulated waves or range-gated pulsed light methods combined with pattern recognition systems are now possible based on the teachings of the inventions disclosed herein and the commonly assigned patents and patent applications referenced above.
9. Information About an Occupying Item
As discussed above, it is desirable to obtain information about an occupying item in a vehicle in order to control a component in the vehicle based on the characteristics of the occupying item. For example, if it were known that the occupying item is inanimate, an airbag deployment system would generally be controlled to suppress deployment of any airbags designed to protect passengers seated at the location of the inanimate object.
When the occupying item is human, in some instances the information about the occupying item can be the occupant's position, size and weight. Each of these properties can have an effect on the control criteria of the component. One system for determining a deployment force of an air bag system in described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,904 (Dosdall). This system provides a reflective surface in the vehicle seat that reflects microwaves transmitted from a microwave emitter. The position, size and weight of a human occupant are said to be determined by calibrating the microwaves detected by a detector after the microwaves have been reflected from the reflective surface and pass through the occupant.
10. Child Seat Detection Prior Art
With respect to prior art related to the detection of child restraining seats, U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,348 (Blackburn et al.) describes method and apparatus for sensing a rearward facing child restraining seat in which a child restraining seat identification tag is secured to the child restraining seat and an antenna coil is energized to transmit an EMF field. The tag is made of an amorphous material that radiates a return EMF signal that is received by the antenna coil. The system determines whether a rear-facing child seat is present based on the presence of the return EMF signal, which is received only if the tag mounted to bottom front of the child seat is within a certain distance from the antenna coil mounted in the back portion of the seat.
Drawbacks of the system of Blackburn et al. are that a special tag must be incorporated into the child seat in order to detect the same, the system cannot differentiate between other similarly tagged objects and the system relies on the proper placement of the tag on the child seat. In other words, if the tag were to be improperly placed on the child seat, then the system would not accurately determine the presence and orientation of the same. Also, the system of Blackburn et al. does not generate, e.g., via the antenna coil, a signal based on the contents of the seat which is different depending on the contents of the seat, i.e., the signal for an adult occupant is different from the signal for a forward-facing child seat which is different from the signal for a rear-facing child seat, etc., and analyze the same in order to determine whether the contents of the seat include a child seat in a rear-facing position. Rather, the EMF field generated by the tag is the same signal, and only the power output is varied. Thus, either no signal (no EMF field) will be generated representing the absence of a rear-facing child seat or a signal (an EMF field) will be generated representing the presence of a rear-facing child seat.
11. Summary
From the above discussion, it can be seen that the addition of sophisticated pattern recognition means to any of the illumination and/or reception technologies for use in a motor vehicle permits the development of a host of new products, systems or capabilities heretofore not available and as described in more detail below.

Automotive Technologies International, Inc.


The present invention relates to a lead supporting device of a drilling machine. The lead supporting device of the drilling machine includes: a frame of the drilling machine; a lead coupled to the frame of the drilling machine by a hinge shaft, the lead being rotated in a predetermined angle; main cylinders disposed on the frame of the drilling machine and the lead to rotate the lead with respect to the frame; a head part elevatably disposed on the lead to perform a drilling process; a rotatable guide body coupled to the frame of the drilling machine by the hinge shaft; a guide rod rotatably hinge-coupled to the lead, the guide rod being slidable along the guide body; and a lead position fixing unit including a grasping part disposed on the guide body to fix the guide rod to the guide body, thereby fixing the position of the lead.

In general, a drilling machine, which is used to drill deep holes into the ground for purposes of drilling, soil testing or development of underground water, may be classified into a type in which a drilling work is performed while rotating a rod having a bit, and a type in which a drilling work is performed by rotating a rod having a bit or a cutter and striking the bit or the cutter using the rod.
A conventional drilling machine is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 624233. The disclosed drilling machine comprises a main body having a driving device such as an engine, a leader supported by the main body, and a head sliding along the leader and generating an elevational force or a rotational force by a driving device provided in the main body, a rod coupled to the head and elevating or rotating by the head, and a drilling unit provided at a front end of the rod and perforate the ground while elevating or rotating along with the rod.
Since a drilling work using the aforementioned drilling machine is performed in a state in which a lead is maintained at a predetermined angle with respect to a main body, a position of the lead with respect to the main body is fixed in consideration of safety. The position of the lead is fixed by installing separate brackets on the main body of the drilling machine and the lead to then fix the lead using a coupling device of the main body of the drilling machine and the lead or by installing separate support bars between the lead and the main body.
However, the aforementioned lead position fixing structure using the coupling device or the support bars has several problems in that a worker cannot eliminate the structure in the middle of working, and it may be damaged when a cylinder as an actuator for adjusting a rotation angle of the lead is actuated. In particular, when the cylinder is actuated to adjust the rotation angle in a state in which the position of the lead is fixed, peripheral devices for rotating the lead with respect to the main body may be damaged.

Lead supporting device of drilling machine


A pulp-molded paper container is introduced herein, which comprises a top cover body, a bottom box body and at least one pivot portion. The top cover body comprises a top sidewall having an inner surface. The bottom box body comprises a bottom sidewall having an outer surface and a recess portion. A plane-to-plane contact is constituted with occurrence of a static friction force, between the inner surface of the top sidewall and the outer surface of the bottom sidewall, by way of an elastic deformation effect of the recess portion under a manner while the bottom box body and the top cover body mutually matched in a closed manner, whereby the static friction force can make a tight retention occurring along between the top cover body and the bottom box body.

Conventional paper-made boxes brought several problems. For example, some conventional paper-made boxes might include both paper-made elements and plastic material elements, such as a paper cup and a plastic cover, in parts thereof. A U.S. Pat. No. 8,418,871 discloses that a top cover and a pivot portion both are made from thermoplastic material pieces, so it is easy to damage the ecological environment.
In addition, other conventional paper-made boxes are integrally formed by a pulp-molding process. For example, a PCT International Publication No. WO2011009229A1 discloses that a pair of corresponding lateral snap-in structures are formed on a top paper cover body and a bottom paper-made box body, respectively (as including one lateral recess portion and one lateral protrusion portion); however, these lateral snap-in structures have two technical problems as follows. 1. A molding male and female mold assemblies for respectively forming a top paper cover body and/or a bottom paper body with the lateral snap-in structures, further need to be collocated with additional mold assemblies (e.g., laterally molding sliders) which has other draft direction, so as to form a paper-made product where a portion has an undercut or a negative draft angle; however, at the same time such a design readily makes the structures of the molding male and female molds become complicated, thereby increasing its mold cost and lowering its product manufacturing yield; and 2. Since either of the lateral snap-in structures also are integrally formed with a fine size by a pulp-molding process, a density of the plant fibers gathered in the lateral snap-in structure is insufficient, thereby resulting in an insufficient structural strength and elasticity thereof. This would make the lateral snap-in structures easily collapsed after the lateral snap-in structures repeatedly snapped or released, causing poor product usability.
In addition, some conventional paper-made boxes are formed with a plurality of sidewalls by folding up, punching on, and trimming off a cardboard. For example, a Chinese Patent Publication No. CN204624080U discloses that a bottom paper-made box is made by folding up four sidewalls at right angles relative to a bottom plane and then punching on one of the sidewalls to form a snap-in hole, and a top paper-made cover body is trimmed to form a snap-in portion with a reduced width. However, regardless of either the snap-in hole or the snap-in portion, a stress concentration phenomenon is apt to appear therein and therefore easily damage the structural strength or closure of the entire paper-made product, and the additional process of folding up each upright sidewall would prolong the processing time for the entire paper-made product. Meanwhile, in these conventional paper-made boxes, if a pivot portion (i.e., a portion interconnecting the top cover body and the bottom box body) interconnecting between the top cover body and the bottom box body has a thickness which is too thin to provide a sufficient durability, such that it is easily break down. However, if its thickness is too thick to provide a sufficient elasticity as well as a proper bendability, it is easy to cause a permanent deformation in the product; furthermore, the seal tightness during the snapping between the top cover body and the bottom box body is insufficient to make these conventional paper-made boxes readily open by itself or the snap-in structures thereof damaged during their conveying process.
In addition, some conventional paper-made boxes do not have a pivot portion for interconnecting the top cover body and the bottom box body, which makes the top cover body poor in operability and easy to be lost, and which makes the seal tightness of the snapping between the top cover body and the bottom box body insufficient. For example, a Chinese Patent Publication No. CN108163351A discloses that when a top paper-made cover body and a bottom paper-made box body are mutually matched in a closed manner, a snap-in groove of the top paper cover body is merely fitted into with a top side edge of the bottom paper-made box body, which could not support an enough retentive capability or a seal tightness between the top paper-made cover body and the bottom paper-made box body both in the closed manner, and which is even prone to permanent deformation.
Hence, for solving the afore-mentioned technical issues among the conventional paper-made boxes, it is essential to propose an improved structure for the paper-made box.

GOLDEN ARROW PRINTING TECHNOLOGY (KUNSHAN) CO., LTD.