A system and method for the detection, compression, and decompression of previously compressed data that resides in data or files of an unknown data or file format.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to data compression and decompression, file archiving, and streaming compression. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for the detection and subsequent compression and decompression of files and data that include embedded data and files that have previously been compressed, and in particular, to the detection and compression of previously compressed data that resides in data or files of an unknown data or file format.
2. Discussion of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR § 1.97, 1.98
The use of data compression or encoding schemes to reduce the size of files for backup or file transmission is well known in the art. Many types of data and files are compressed, including images in the well known GIF, TIFF, PNG, and JPEG formats (though including many others), video in the MPEG format, sound in MP3 and other formats, as well as standard archive formats, such as SIT, ZIP, GZIP, and so forth. Furthermore, many types of files have compressed images embedded inside, e.g., PDF files, WORD documents, and the like. Further, many of these compressed data types are included inside proprietary or unknown file formats.
Files and data streams that have been compressed, or include compressed data using sub-optimal techniques now comprise a major part of existing data, both for storage and transmission. (As used herein "file" and "data stream" are used interchangeably to denominate an identified set of data elements which may exist in several forms, including in a discrete form, or combined or stored with other files, or embedded in another file as a file or as an object, or as a file containing other files, or as a data stream of determinate or indeterminate size, including information transmitted over a data channel.) Compressed data is frequently large, and despite considerable advances in mass-storage density, computer processor speeds, and telecommunication system performance, compression techniques do not yet satisfactorily solve the space and transmission bandwidth problems. Developers of compression technology are now hard pressed to keep pace with the rapid growth of multimedia web-based applications which utilize enormous amounts of data. It would be advantageous, therefore, to compress files that include already compressed files even further. Moreover, it is desirable that such further compression be lossless—pixels, sound data, and the like remain the same—with no loss in quality over the original.
It is generally considered "impossible" to meaningfully compress already compressed data. More accurately, perhaps, it should be said that it is considered impractical to compress already compressed data, though it is true that most attempts at compression of already compressed files using currently known methods fail altogether and actually result in an increase in file size. Attempts have been made to compress JPEG, GIF, PNG files, and the like, but current compression algorithms when applied to these types of files generally achieve only a 1-2% improvement.
Further, JPEG, GIF, PNG and other types of images and other types of compressed data are commonly included/incorporated as portions of many other types of files and data. Many of these files and data streams that incorporate compressed data types are proprietary or otherwise unknown.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a data compression system and method that detects and categorizes embedded data types within unknown or partially known data streams. Each of these then categorized data streams (such as embedded GIF, TXT, HTML, PNG, JPEG, among others) can be processed separately with an appropriate compression method—such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/029,437, which relates to the compression of image data and which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein, and also in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/029,438, which relates to further compression of already compressed data, and which is also incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. It must be emphasized that while PNG, GIF and others are themselves is a lossless, and JPEG is a lossy compression technology, the present inventive method of detecting and processing these files is lossless in that the original pixel or other underlying information is not compromised or reduced in any way.
In the case of compressed data which was originally lossy (where data loss was created in the original data compression, such as in JPEG/MP3, etc), which are embedded inside other data/file formats, no data loss is created in addition to the loss originally incurred/created by JPEG/MP3, or other compression protocol, when employing the present invention.
Further, the present invention provides a means to compress a wide range of unknown/unspecified data types/files in which already compressed files reside. This works by detecting and breaking a file down into its core data types, identifying and organizing the core data types, selecting an optimal compressor for the particular types, and then compressing the types in separate data streams.
The foregoing discussion reflects the current state of the art of which the present inventors are aware. Reference to, and discussion of, this art is intended to aid in discharging Applicants' acknowledged duties of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention.

Detection and recompression of embedded compressed data inside existing data streams


An improved grate 601 is made from a plurality of elongate grate pieces 602, each grate piece 602 having a body 603 with a first end 604 and a second end 605. Each grate piece 602 has the first end 604 angled with respect to the body 603 and the second end 605 angled with respect to the body 603. When the first end 604 of a grate piece 602a is welded to the first end of an adjacent grate piece 602b, and the second end 605 of the grate piece 602a is welded to the second end of the adjacent grate piece 602b so as to form the grate 601, a gap is formed between the respective bodies of the grate pieces 602 to permit the drainage of liquid between the grate pieces. By varying the angles at which the grate pieces 602 are welded together sections of grate with both horizontal and vertical curvature can be formed.

It has been found in practice that there are a number of problems associated with the manufacture, design, installation and use of prior art trench grates for picking up and discharging overland flow of water and other liquids.
Some of the problems with prior art grates include:                (a) During manufacturing, the confined space for welding short lateral bars between two longitudinal flat bars. This process is time-consuming, difficult to clean-up and unattractive. FIG. 1(a) is a plan view of a simple welded prior art grate 100 comprising two longitudinal flat bars 101, a plurality of lateral flat bars 102 joined to the longitudinal flat bars 101 by welds 103. The section view provided in FIG. 1(c) illustrates the confined space available for welding and cleaning-up.        (b) The curved design of some roadways, car parks, kerbing, pathways, etc. requires a curved grate to match both horizontal and vertical curvatures. Existing technology generally forces designers to use short lengths of straight grate to achieve these curvatures, which is not totally satisfactory as this causes noticeable changes of direction and catch points for debris collection. In FIG. 2(a) the gaps between horizontal grate sections are evident and in FIG. 2(b) the vertical change of grade is inconsistent with undulating road and path designs.        (c) A limitation of existing grates is that the lateral bars are generally at right angles to the longitudinal bars 301 and generally vertically oriented as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and (b). This restriction on the design of prior art trench grate installations limits the effectiveness of water entry to the channel below the grate and does not allow effective design to avoid debris pick-up locations.        (d) Contemporary concrete placing machinery used for channels and guttering is often computer-controlled to allow very attractive horizontal and vertical curves. This extends to drainage channels of the kind illustrated in FIG. 4. A short straight grate 402 is difficult to fit into horizontally and vertically curved channels, leaving vertical gaps 403 and horizontal gaps 404 between the grate 402 and the channel 401. This is in addition to the gaps and grade changes shown in FIG. 2.
Various attempts have been made to overcome the problem of welding in confined spaces noted in (a) above. U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,550 discloses a grate with two longitudinal angle bars with punched holes to reveal L-shaped tabbed ends of lateral flat bars. The space is still somewhat limited on the top end of the tab and the need for slats and tabs is expensive. There is no provision for vertical or horizontal curvature of the grate.
Some attempts have been made to eliminate welding in grates altogether, such as for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,025 where the longitudinal bars have been locked to the lateral bars using rods inserted through the bars at 45° to both bars. This method does not really suit long narrow grates, and it also does not provide any means for horizontal or vertical curvature. Other weld-free grates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,604,949 and 5,735,008 and these would be more suited to long narrow grates. However they also have no provision for horizontal or vertical curvature.
Some prior art trench grates are designed with a horizontal curvature as shown in FIG. 5. In this type of grate the longitudinal bars are curved and the lateral bars are welded radially from the centre of curvature of the longitudinal bars. However this type of prior art grate cannot easily provide for vertical curvature.
The present invention was developed with a view to providing an improved grate and method of manufacturing a grate that overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems with prior art grates.
References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.


A minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed which includes the steps forming a fold of tissue, extending one or more needles through the fold of tissue, deploying a tissue fastener from an interior lumen of each of the needles, and retracting each of the needles from the fold of tissue such that the tissue fasteners remain deployed in the fold of tissue.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention is directed to a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and more particularly, to an endoscopic surgical procedure for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, and apparatus for performing the procedure.
2. Background of the Related Art
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common upper-gastrointestinal disorders in the western world, with a prevalence of approximately 360 cases per 100,000 population per year. Approximately 25 will eventually have recurrent, progressive disease and are candidates to undergo anti-reflux surgical procedures for effective long term therapy.
GERD is a condition in which acids surge upward from the stomach into the esophagus. Backflow of acid into the esophagus makes it raw, red and inflamed, producing the condition known as esophagitis; it also causes the painful, burning sensation behind the breastbone known as heartburn. Backflow or reflux of acid can occur when the sphincter or band muscle at the lower end of the esophagus fails to stay closed. This sphincter is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES acts as a valve to the stomach, remaining closed until the action of swallowing forces the valve open to allow food to pass from the esophagus to the stomach. Normally the valve closes immediately after swallowing to prevent stomach contents from surging upward. When the LES fails to provide that closure, stomach acids reflux back into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
The general approach for corrective surgery involves creating a new valve or tightening the existing valve. This procedure is known as "fundoplication" and is used to prevent the back flow of stomach acids into the esophagus. Various fundoplication procedures have been developed to correct GERD and are known as Nissen fundoplication, Belsey Mark IV repair, Hill repair and Dor repair. Each surgical procedure has its own unique attributes; however, each requires an invasive surgical procedure, whereby the individual must endure trauma to the thoracic cavity. The individual remains hospitalized after the procedure for about six to ten days.
The Nissen fundoplication technique involves enveloping the lower esophagus with the gastric fundus by suturing the anterior and posterior fundal folds about the esophagus. Modifications of this procedure include narrowing of the esophageal hiatus posterior to the esophagus, anchoring of the fundoplication to the preaortic fascia and surgical division of the vegus nerve. The degree of the fundal wrap can be modified to incompletely encircle the esophageal tube to avoid gas float syndrome and has also been modified to include a loose wrap. Similarly, the Belsey Mark IV repair, Hill repair and Dor repair are directed to modifications for encirclement of the esophageal tube by fascia.
Complications of these fundoplication procedures include the inability to belch or vomit, dysphagia, gastric ulcer, impaired gastric emptying and slippage of the repair that may foil the best surgical results. Therefore, the fundoplication procedures have been modified to adjust the length and tension of the wrap, include or exclude esophageal muscle in the sutures and leaving the vagus nerves in or out of the encirclement.
A relatively new fundoplication technique is known as Nissen fundoplication laparoscopy. In contrast to the traditional Nissen fundoplication procedure, which requires a 6 to 10 inch incision and a 6 to 10 day hospital stay with up to 8 weeks of recovery at home, the laparoscopy technique is performed through small openings about the abdominal cavity and most patients tend to leave the hospital in two days and can return to work and other activities within a week or two. Despite the benefits of less invasive laparoscopic fundoplication procedures, there is still a need for a minimally invasive corrective treatment for GERD that can be performed on an out-patient basis.

Apparatus and method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease


A plasma display apparatus comprises a controller, data transmitting unit, data driver, and plasma display panel. The controller outputs m channels of image data and the data transmitting unit transmits the image data through the m channels. The data driver includes a data arranging unit which receives the m channels of image data and outputs n channels of addressing data. The number n may be greater than m. Also, the data arranging unit may include a memory for storing image data corresponding to one frame, so that a driver of the data arranging unit can receive image data from the controller in any input period of one frame period.

1. Field of the Invention
This document relates to a plasma display apparatus.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 1 shows a structure of a related art plasma display panel. As shown in FIG. 1, the related art plasma display panel comprises a front panel 100 and a rear panel 110. The front panel 100 comprises a front glass substrate 101 and the rear panel 110 comprises a rear glass substrate 111. The front panel 100 and the rear panel 110 are coupled with each other in parallel at a given distance therebetween.
A scan electrode 102 and a sustain electrode 103 are formed on the front glass substrate 101 to maintain light-emissions of discharge cells through a mutual discharge therebetween. The scan electrode 102 and the sustain electrode 103 each comprise transparent electrodes 102a and 103a made of a transparent material, for example, indium-tin-oxide (ITO) and bus electrodes 102b and 103b made of a metal material. A scan signal for scan of the plasma display panel and a sustain signal for discharge maintenance of the plasma display panel are supplied to the scan electrode 102. A sustain signal is mainly supplied to the sustain electrode 103. An upper dielectric layer 104 is formed on upper parts of the scan electrode 102 and the sustain electrode 103 to limit a discharge current and to provide insulation between the scan electrode 102 and the sustain electrode 103. A protective layer 105 is formed of MgO for facilitating discharge conditions on an upper surface of the upper dielectric layer 104.
Address electrodes 113 are formed on the rear glass substrate 111 to intersect the scan electrode 102 and the sustain electrode 103. A lower dielectric layer 115 is formed on an upper part of the address electrode 113 to provide insulation between the address electrodes 113. Barrier ribs 112 are formed on the lower dielectric layer 115 to form discharge cells. A phosphor layer 114 is coated between the barrier ribs 112 to emit visible light for displaying an image.
The front glass substrate 101 and the rear glass substrate 111 are coalesced using a sealing material. After performing an exhaust process, an inert gas such as helium (He), neon (Ne), xenon (Xe) is injected into the inside of the plasma display panel.
A method for representing gray scale through a related art plasma display panel is shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 illustrates a method for representing gray scale of an image of a related art plasma display panel. As shown in FIG. 2, a frame period (16.67 ms) is divided into eight subfields SF1 to SF8. The eight subfields SF1 to SF8 each comprise a reset period, an address period and a sustain period.
The duration of the reset period in one subfield is equal to the durations of the reset periods in the remaining subfields. Likewise the reset period, the duration of the address period in one subfield is equal to the durations of the address periods in the remaining subfields. An address discharge is generated by the voltage difference between an address electrode and a scan electrode during the address period. The duration of the sustain period increases at a ratio of 2n (n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) in each of the subfields. Since the duration of the sustain period of each of the subfields is different from one another, grey level of various images is represented by controlling the duration of the sustain period of each of the subfields.
A plasma display apparatus for representing gray scale of the images as described above is shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 illustrates a related art plasma display apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, the related art plasma display apparatus comprises a data driving board 310, a scan driving board 320, a sustain driving board 330 and a control board 340.
The data driving board 310 supplies an address pulse to an address electrode during an address period. The scan driving board 320 supplies to a scan electrode a reset pulse during a reset period, a scan pulse during the address period and a sustain pulse during a sustain period. The sustain driving board 330 supplies a sustain pulse to a sustain electrode during the sustain period. The control board 340 supplies data for controlling each of the pulses supplied from the driving boards 310, 320 and 330 to each of the corresponding driving boards 310, 320 and 330. The control board 340 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 illustrates a control board of the related art plasma display apparatus of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the related art control board 340 comprises an image signal receiving unit 410, an image signal processing unit 420 and a data arranging unit 430.
The image signal receiving unit 410 receives an image signal input from the outside, transforms the image signal into 8-bit initial image data, and outputs the 8-bit initial image data to the image signal processing unit 420.
The image signal processing unit 420 transforms the initial image data received from the image signal receiving unit 410 into image date suitable for the plasma display panel through an inverse gamma correction process, a gain control process, a half-toning process and a subfield mapping process.
The data arranging unit 430 arranges the image date received from the image signal processing unit 420 by each of subfields, and then transforms the arranged image date into addressing data. The data arranging unit 430 outputs the addressing data to the data driving board 310 through a cable 350 of FIG. 3.
Since a plasma display panel supports high definition, the number of channels of the cables 350 for transmitting the addressing data from the data arranging unit 430 of the control board 340 to the data driving board 310 increases. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the manufacturing cost of the plasma display apparatus increases.
Further, since the larger the size of the plasma display panel is the longer the length of the cable 350 is, a signal loss of the addressing data transmitted through the cable 350 and cross-talk are generated. In particular, when the addressing data is transmitted using a transistor-to-transistor (TTL) method, the signal loss and the generation of a noise increase.

Plasma display apparatus comprising data driver having data arranging unit


A system and method of detecting a fault in a transmission link are provided which includes providing a selectable reference level according to one of a direct current (DC) mode threshold and an alternating current (AC) mode threshold, wherein the DC mode threshold is a fixed potential and the AC mode threshold varies with time. An input signal arriving from the transmission link is compared to one of the DC mode threshold and the AC mode threshold to determine whether a fault is present in the transmission link.

The present invention relates to the determination of connectivity faults in communication systems, especially between chips at opposite ends of a transmission link.
Connectivity faults are of several types including "stuck-at" faults in which a transmitted signal appears stuck at either a low state or a high state and fails to transition between states. Other types of connectivity faults include those in which a coupling capacitor used for alternating current (AC) mode operation is shorted, and those in which the arriving signal appears to "float", such as when the cable is disconnected from the signal source. Elements which provide connectivity between chips at remote and near ends of a transmission link include at least a transmitter of the chip at the remote end, the package of the chip at the remote end, a card connecting the remote end chip to the chip at the near end, an AC coupling capacitor, the package of the near-end chip, and a receiver implemented on the near-end chip. Connectivity between chips of such system is frequently referred to as "cable connectivity", whether or not a literal cable (rather than a card or other conductive connection) is provided between the packages of respective chips. One way to test the cable connectivity is to send a stream of test data from a remote transmitter and then verify the data received at the near-end receiver.
In AC coupled transmission links, termination is provided at the source (transmitter side) such that no DC current is sunk at the receiver end. In such AC coupling mode, a high-pass filter exists by the combination of the series AC coupling capacitor (also referred to as a "DC blocking capacitor") and a termination resistor which is shunted to ground. The high-pass filter causes low-frequency test signals to decay with an "RC" time constant determined by the magnitude of the resistance (R) and the capacitance (C) of the respective circuit elements, which can be fixed or variable.
Differential signal transmission is frequently favored for the transmission of higher frequency RF signals over signal conductors. An advantage of differential signal transmission is larger peak-to-peak differential signal swing and improved common mode noise rejection. However, differential signal transmission poses particular challenges. Heretofore, robust systems have not been provided for detecting and isolating a single-ended connectivity failure of a differential signal transmission link. For differential signal transmission links, it is not sufficient to detect the presence and/or absence of signals on a pair of signal conductors, a robust cable fault detector must determine which of two cables carrying the paired differential signals is faulty. The challenges of testing are particularly great when detecting a failing signal conductor when communication between chips is provided in an AC coupling mode in which signals must pass through an AC coupling capacitor, because such capacitor blocks direct current (DC) transmission. While some techniques such as AGC (adjusted gain control), DFE (decision feed-back equalization), etc., are available to reconstruct received signals, such techniques are of no use when signals are suddenly ruined by signal interference, or accidental disconnection of a cable from one or two ends of the transmission link.
Conventional signal detectors operate by detecting the absence of a valid signal within a specified latency. However, a signal detector cannot determine whether the failure is due to the cable, or the data itself. Neither can it tell which cable has a problem, or what type of defect mechanism is present, i.e., whether the fault is one of stuck-at high, stuck-at low or floating. This is because such signal detectors detect the presence of absence of signal from the difference between levels of a pair of differential signals arriving from the transmission link.
It would be desirable, as has been mandated by the 1149.6 standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) entitled "IEEE Standard for Boundary-Scan Testing of Advanced Digital Networks", published April, 2003 (hereinafter IEEE 1149.6), to provide a cable fault detector at a receiver end of a transmission link, which detects single-ended cable faults for both AC and DC coupling modes.
In addition, it is often desirable to discharge conductors of coaxial cables prior to inserting them into a coaxial connector. Semiconductor devices on an integrated circuit chip are susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). As device sizes are progressively shrunk, proper ESD protection is increasingly necessary to avoid catastrophic failure, or degradation in reliability. Cable ESD has become a serious issue. To avoid such damage, a user can manually discharge a cable by grounding it to the instrument chassis before fastening it to the connector while the IC is powered off. U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,569 issued Oct. 10, 2000 to Fernandez, entitled "Electrostatic Discharge Protection Device for Coaxial Systems" describes a cable discharge device which mounts to a coaxial connector. Its mechanical structure allows the cable to be momentarily grounded while the cable is advanced toward the connector. However, once the cable is inserted into the connector, it cannot be discharged again. Such device does not allow the cable to be discharged after plugging it into the chassis. ESD related damage can result if static charge builds up after the cable is connected.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a cable discharge switch to discharge the cable even after the cable is inserted, such that the cable can be discharged whenever the system is powered down.
IEEE 1149.6 describes rules and testing instructions for testing single-ended cable faults for both AC and DC coupling modes. This publication is not admitted to be prior art. This publication proposes some implementations of a cable fault detector, but they are bulky and some of them are not practical. It is desirable that a cable fault detector not be bulky that it only minimally loads the incoming signal path. Otherwise, jitter increases at the receiver coupled to the incoming signal path.
As a first cable fault detector proposed by IEEE 1149.6, a hysteresis comparator 10 is used for comparing a signal from a single-ended cable to a delayed version of the same signal, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Such cable fault detector has two problems. First, a delay element 12 having a fairly long delay is needed in order to carry out the comparison. Such delay element will be bulky, requiring a large area of the chip. Second, the comparison destroys the hysteresis effect. For AC coupled signal having an RC decay, as described above, when the decay drops to a certain level, the output of the hysteresis comparator 10 changes state. As a result, such cable fault detector, while capable of detecting a shorted AC coupling capacitor, is poorly suited for testing an AC coupled mode, because it does not maintain state when the AC signal decays.
Another cable fault detector 20 proposed by IEEE 1149.6 is shown in FIG. 2. Such cable fault detector is provided for detecting faults in each of a pair of single-ended cables carrying differential signals. Each hysteresis comparator 34, 36 is provided as a combination of two regular comparators 38 and a flip-flop 39 capable of being set and reset asynchronously by the outputs of the comparators and being initialized by an Init Data input on a clock edge provided by Init Clk. The signal from each single-ended cable 24 or 26 is compared to a self-referenced, i.e., low-pass filtered version of the same signal. The advantage of this approach is that no additional reference level is needed. But, considerably high resistance ("R" equal to about 3 kΩ) and capacitance ("C" equal to about 1 pF) are necessary to implement the cable fault detector, requiring large silicon area. Compared to the first cable fault detector (FIG. 1) proposed by IEEE 1149.6, the second cable fault detector is more suitable for testing faults in AC coupled mode, since it latches the state after detecting a signal edge. The RC decay of the signal does not cause the state to change, since it does not rely upon detecting the signal edge. Such cable fault detector also filters out high-frequency noise. However, the resulting test receiver is bulky, and is incapable of testing in DC coupling mode.
A further proposed arrangement for cable DC test is provided by IEEE 1149.6, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In that proposal, a pair of two comparators 138 are provided, both of which are connected to one of two cables which together carry a differential signal pair, of which only one incoming signal A is shown. That proposal is similar to that shown in FIG. 2 except that each comparator compares the signal from a respective cable to a fixed reference level VBIAS, rather than a self-generated reference. The reference level can be the DC common level which is available at the receiver end.
A cable having a defective (short-circuited) AC coupling capacitor is detected by such DC test arrangement as follows. The near end (receiving end) of the cable is initially reset (e.g. discharged to ground) and then permitted to float. At the same time, the output C of the flip-flop 139 is initialized to low by Init Clk, as shown at the EXTEST Capture Window in FIG. 3B. After being reset, a cable having a good capacitor stays at the reset state such that the output of the flip-flop 139 stays low. However, the signal potential A on a cable having a defective, short-circuited capacitor reverts to a nonzero DC voltage. When the nonzero voltage at A crosses the threshold provided by the VBIAS reference level, the signal, it is latched by flip-flop 139 as a digital indicator of the short circuit. In such manner, capacitor short circuits are identified.
Without using the data reset scheme, it is not possible for the cable fault detector to detect short-circuited capacitors using DC test mode. Disadvantages of this scheme include the need to have a large RC component to generate self-reference, and the need to have a reset feature to reset the internal node of the hysteresis buffer latch. In addition, the proposed arrangement does not describe the provision of separate threshold levels for input to the comparator for DC mode and AC mode tests. Since signal levels are quite different for DC mode and AC mode tests, threshold levels should be set differently in order to reduce the effect of noise on comparator operation.

System and method for detecting cable faults for high-speed transmission link

International Business Machines Corporation


A channel electron multiplier including a single channel CEM for receiving an input particle. A multi-channel CEM is positioned after the single channel CEM for receiving emissions from the single channel CEM. An electron collector is positioned after the multi-channel CEM for generating a pulse current in response to emissions from the multi-channel CEM.

Channel electron multipliers (CEMs) are used to amplify charged particle, photon, or energetic neutral particle signals. CEMs are used to detect photons, charged particles both positive and negative, and energetic neutral particles. They are used as detectors in mass spectrometers as well as in surface analyzers such as auger and x-ray/ultraviolet photoelectron spectrometers, and are also employed in electron microscopes. In addition, they can also be used for electron multiplication in a photon multiplier application.
The CEM makes use of an emissive surface to generate electron multiplication. The emissive surface will emit secondary electrons when struck by a charged particle, or energetic neutral particle, or photon, with sufficient energy. This process is repeated and generates an electron avalanche down the length of the channel. An electron collector, such as a Faraday cup, at the end of the channel collects the electrons and converts them into an electrical pulse.
Typical CEMs are tubular in nature and have an integral funnel cone attached to the input beam end to increase input beam profile detection. CEMs having single and multiple channels in one body have been commercialized. A single channel CEM has a shorter output current dynamic range than a multiple channel CEM having the same channel resistance per channel. The stability and lifetime of CEMs depend on the active emissive surface area. Therefore, a single channel CEM lifetime is shorter. In addition, the single channel CEM high output current operation is less stable than a multiple channel electron multiplier. However, a multiple channel electron multiplier suffers losses in detection efficiency due to an inactive area between the channels at the input beam end. In a single channel electron multiplier, the detection efficiency is maximized due to a smooth transition between the funnel cone and the channel.
There is a need in the art for a CEM providing high detection efficiency and increased lifetime.

Tandem continuous channel electron multiplier


A genomic nucleotide sequence encoding Serum Amyloid A (SAA), isolated and purified from mammalian colostrum, is disclosed. Methods of use for the same in transgenic protocols is also disclosed.

Several scientific or patent publications are referenced in this patent application to describe the state of the art to which the invention pertains. Each of these publications is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.
Mammals respond to tissue injury, trauma or infection by executing a complex series of biological reactions in an effort to prevent further tissue damage, to initiate repair of damaged tissue, and to isolate and destroy infective organisms. This process is referred to as the inflammatory response, the early and intermediate stages of which are referred to as the acute phase response.
The acute phase response involves a wide variety of mediators, including cytokines, interleukins and tumor necrosis factor. It also involves a radical alteration in the biosynthetic profile of the liver. Under normal circumstances, the liver synthesizes a range of plasma proteins at steady state concentrations. Some of these proteins, the "acute phase" proteins are induced in the inflammatory response to a level many times greater than levels found under normal conditions. Acute phase proteins are reviewed by Steel & Whitehead (Immunology Today 15: 81–87, 1994).
One of the massively induced acute phase proteins is Serum Amyloid A (SAA). SAA actually comprises a family of polymorphic proteins encoded by many genes in a number of mammalian species. SAAs are small apolipoproteins that accumulate and associate rapidly with high-density lipoprotein 3 (HDL3) during the acute phase of the inflammatory response. Most SAA isoforms are induced in response to inflammation; however, certain SAAs (e.g., human SAA4) appear to be constitutively expressed or minimally induced in the inflammatory response.
The liver has been considered the primary site of SAA production. However, SAA production outside the liver has been found, on a limited basis. For instance, expression of SAA mRNA has been reported in human atherosclerotic lesions and in human cultured smooth muscle cells and monocyte/macrophage cell lines (Meek et al., 1994; Urieli-Shoval et al., 1994; Yamada et al., 1996), and a unique isoform of SAA (SAA3) is produced by rabbit synovial fibroblasts (Mitchell et al., J. Clin. Invest. 87: 1177–1185, 1991). More recently, it was discovered that SAA mRNA is widely expressed in many histologically normal epithelial tissues, including tissues of stomach, intestine, tonsil, breast, prostate, thyroid, lung, pancreas, kidney, skin and brain neurons (Urieli-Shoval et al., J. Histochem. Cytochem. 46: 1377–1384, 1998). The role of SAA in such tissues has not been elucidated, nor has it been determined if the SAAs present in those tissues are the same isoforms as those found in serum, or if they represent additional isoforms of SAA.

The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska


An apparatus for estimating rotor position for brushless motors capable of accurately estimating rotor position is provided. The apparatus may be used as a start-up system for brushless motors. The apparatus performs accurate estimation even though power source voltage fluctuates, and is able to provide compact configuration. The apparatus supplies voltage to the coils respectively. In each supplying period, the apparatus counts voltage supply period of time until current value reaches to a current threshold value. Since a coil indicative of rotor stop position is prone to be magnetically saturated. The apparatus estimates the rotor stop position based on the voltage supply periods. Then, the apparatus starts a switching sequence based on the rotor stop position.

There have been conventionally known brushless motors in which a coil is placed on the stator side and a rotor having magnetic poles is rotated and thus a brush in contact with the rotor is eliminated. In such a brushless motor, it is required to estimate the position where the rotor is at a stop (hereafter, referred to as "rotor position") when the motor is started. However, it is difficult to estimate rotor position unlike in motors having a brush.
The simplest method for estimating the rotor position of a brushless motor is to detect it with a sensor. In this case, however, increase in the number of parts and other like problems result. To cope with this, there have been conventionally proposed methods of supplying voltage to a coil installed in a stator and estimating the rotor position from change in the current passed through the coil. Refer to Patent Document 1, for example.
In the technology disclosed in the above patent document, rotor position is estimated by: supplying voltage so that magnetic flux in the direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation of a rotor is produced at predetermined angular intervals; and measuring the magnitude of wiring current that is the current passed through a coil. More specific description will be given. When so-called magnetic saturation, in which change in magnetic flux density is reduced even though current is increased, occurs in a coil, the inductance of the coil under a certain voltage is reduced. For this reason, a phenomenon of increase in current occurs. At this time, magnetic saturation is prone to occur by the magnetic flux produced by the rotor itself at an angle corresponding to the rotor position. In conventional technologies, therefore, rotor position is estimated by: supplying voltage more than once so that the direction of magnetic flux is changed at predetermined angular intervals; and detecting the wiring current in each case and comparing the peak of the wiring current.    [Patent Document 1] JP-A-S63-69489 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,491)
It will be assumed that a brushless motor is used for a vehicle fuel pump. In this case, voltage supplied to a coil is from a vehicle battery and thus there is a possibility of fluctuation in voltage. For example, voltage drop may be caused by vehicle electric equipment or voltage rise may be caused by a battery externally connected at the time of failure or the like.
In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the coil may not be magnetically saturated at a low voltage condition when a significant voltage drop is generated, since a voltage supplying period for generating magnetic flux is maintained constant. In the case that the coil is not saturated magnetically, degradation in the accuracy of rotor position estimation may be occurred by using a method comparing peak values of winding current, since a current increase becomes smaller.
On the other hand, in a high voltage condition when a voltage rise is caused, current value is increased as well as voltage value. For this reason, it is necessary to make circuit elements such as the coils and the switches performing the voltage supply capable of withstanding large current. Consequently, the system may become bigger.

Apparatus for estimating rotor position of brushless motors and system and method for controlling start-up of brushless motors


A vulcanizable rubber composition containing a high imino alkylated triazine resin additive for improved tire cord adhesion, sidewall reinforcement and/or rubber toughness without the use of resorcinol or resorcinol equivalent coreactants is described.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to rubber compositions having excellent rubber toughness, tire sidewall reinforcement and/or adhesion to tire cords employing high imino and/or methylol functional self-condensing alkylated triazine resin additives in the substantial absence of resorcinol or resorcinol equivalent coreactants.
2. Related Prior Art
A widely used organic rubber additive for improving adhesion of vulcanized rubber to brass coated steel cords and polyaramide or polyester cord comprises the combination of hexamethoxymethylmelamine and resorcinol. In addition, hexamethylenetetramine is sometimes used in combination with resorcinol. Those combinations of organic compounds are quite effective for the purpose, but the use of resorcinol presents malodorous and possibly toxic hazards during rubber processing due to excessive fuming of resorcinol.
Resorcinol-free vulcanizable rubber compositions are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,539 discloses vulcanizable rubber compositions containing uncured rubber, a vulcanizing agent and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of derivatives of melamine, acetoguanamine, benzoguanamine, cyclohexylguanamine and glycoluril monomer and oligomers of these monomers. These derivatives are substituted on average at two or more positions on the monomer or each unit of the oligomer with vinyl terminated radicals and the composition is free of resorcinol.
Another manner of eliminating resorcinol from vulcanizable rubber compositions has relied on the use of alternative coreactants. U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,220 describes a vulcanizable rubber composition which comprises a rubber, a filler material, N-(substituted oxymethyl)melamine and at least one of .alpha. or .beta. naphthol. This reference employs the monohydric phenols, .alpha. or .beta. naphthol, as methylene acceptors in the resin forming reaction during vulcanization in the absence of resorcinol. The use of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin to replace resorcinol in vulcanizable rubber compositions is also known. A. Peterson, et. al., "Resorcinol Bonding Systems For Steel Cord Adhesion", Rubber World (August 1984).
Despite the various proposals made to avoid the use of resorcinol in vulcanizable rubber compositions, there is a continuing need for vulcanizable rubber compositions containing commercially available cost effective additives that improve the adhesion of vulcanized rubber to tire cords and improve rubber toughness without the use of resorcinol.
None of the above-mentioned references disclose or suggest the use of high imino and/or methylol functional self-condensing alkylated triazine resins in vulcanizable rubber compositions in the absence of resorcinol as an adhesion promoter or rubber toughener.

Vulcanizable rubber compositions containing self-condensing alkylated triazine resins having high imino and/or methylol functionality for improved tire cord adhesion and reinforcement


An objective of the present invention is to provide a diaper change mat which has excellent workability and facilitates changing diapers. A diaper change mat according to the present invention includes surface fasteners (101 to 105 and 101′ to 105′) configured to be fastened detachably to a diaper and a mat (11) on which the surface fasteners (101 to 105 and 101′ to 105′) are fixed. The surface fasteners (101 to 105 and 101′ to 105′) are preferably convex members of surface fasteners and the convex members are fastened to nonwoven fabric used for a disposable diaper. The convex members of the surface fasteners are sheets provided with many engaging members of convex shape such as hooked or mushroom shaped, or the like. The surface fasteners (101 to 105 and 101′ to 105′) can fix a diaper (2) in a spread state to the mat (11), and thus help facilitate changing diapers.

A diaper change mat is conventionally known as a tool which is laid under a baby or infant when changing diapers. When changing diapers for the baby or infant, one hand is devoted to holding the baby or infant, and thus, there is a problem that the changing work takes a long time due to the instability of the work done by a single hand Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-P 2005-21625A) discloses a diaper change tool for a baby or infant. The diaper change tool can solve the problem in changing diapers by having a structure in which a hard plate, to which a fixing belt for holding the baby or infant is attached, is fixed at one end to a hard plate body attached detachably to the center of a foldable cloth mat such that the hard plate can lean forward, and a structure in which side portions of the plate body are separable to widen the plate body.
Also, Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei, 8-154974) discloses a disposable diaper including: a liquid permeable top sheet; a liquid impermeable back sheet; an absorbing material between the sheets; and a fastening tape for fixing the diaper to a wearer, wherein no target tape, to which the fastening tape is fastened, is on a surface of the back sheet and the fastening tape is fastened to the surface of the back sheet. The disposable diaper is not subjected to a restriction of the fastening tape being fastened to the target tape, so that the size of the diaper can be freely adjusted.
Further more, Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei, 10-57413) discloses a disposable diaper of an unfolded type employing nonwoven fabric for a surface of a back sheet, and including a fastening portion which can be fastened detachably to the back sheet. Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei, 10-57413) describes that a convex member of publicly known (commercially available) surface fasteners can be used as the fastening portion without particular limitation. The convex member is a sheet provided with many engaging members of convex shape such as hooked or mushroom shaped, or the like.


An image forming apparatus for forming images corresponding to image data transmitted from external device by storing the image data in a bit map memory in a bit form and read it out of the bit map memory for printing. When the image data is written to said bit map memory or when the image data is read out of said bit map memory, the image forming apparatus is controlled to switch image orientation recorded on the recording paper with respect to the discharge direction thereof so as to sort recording paper in response to selection of said external device or every series of image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming hardcopy images based on print data transmitted from external devices (hereinafter referred to as host device), such as, for example, a personal computer, word processor or like data processing device, or an image reading device.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Conventionally, page printers discharge recording sheets (hereinafter referred to as "sheets") bearing formed images based on printer data transmitted from a host device so as to stack the discharged sheets on a receiving table. Page printers are usually Provided a device for accomplishing a sorting operation wherebY the discharged sheets stacked on the receiving table are removed therefrom and sorted (hereinafter referred to as "sorting operation").
That is, conventional page printers are provided with a sorter device for accommodating distributed sheets in a plurality of bins, a reversing device for inverting the top and bottom sides of the sheet and stacking the inverted sheets on a receiving table, and a slide mechanism for moving the receiving table to shift the position of the accommodated sheets.
When, for example, a five-page document and a ten-page document are continuously printed so that a total of 15 sheets are stacked on the receiving table, the operator can readily sort the sheets of the five-page document and the sheets of the ten-page document.
Methods of controlling the aforesaid devices include a method of control accomplished via command data included with the print data transmitted from a host device, a method of control accomplished via discriminating on the page printer side an interrupt in the input of the print data and like methods. In the previously described conventional image forming apparatus, a mechanical device is attached to perform the sorting operation, thereby increasing both the size and the cost of the apparatus.


A plasma display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the plasma display device includes a plasma display panel (PDP), a chassis base having one side for supporting the PDP, and a printed circuit board assembly (PBA) mounted on another side of the chassis base. The chassis base includes a main frame mounted on the PDP, a bracket mounted on the main frame, a sub-frame mounted on at least one of the main frame, the bracket, and the PDP, and a shield box that is mounted to at least one of the main frame, the bracket, and the sub-frame, and that includes the PBA. One embodiment reduces weight of a chassis base and manufacturing cost, and improves impact resistance of a PDP.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasma display device for reducing the weight of a chassis base and efficiently shielding electromagnetic interference.
(b) Description of the Related Technology
A plasma display device displays an image on a plasma display panel (PDP), and includes the PDP, a chassis base, and a printed circuit board assembly (PBA).
The PDP is provided on a front surface of the chassis base, and the PBA is provided on a rear surface thereof. The chassis base increases mechanical strength of the PDP, provides a space for mounting the PBA, functions as a heat sink of the PDP, and protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Conventionally, the chassis base is formed as a metal plate. Accordingly, the chassis base increases the weight of the plasma display device and manufacturing cost thereof.
As the weight of the plasma display device increases, impact resistance of the PDP deteriorates.
The PBA is provided on the chassis base while both surfaces are substantially exposed (e.g., not covered). Since both surfaces of the PBA are exposed, it is generally desirable to additionally provide a shield member for shielding the EMI generated from the PBA.
The EMI shield member increases the manufacturing cost and the weight of the plasma display device, and negatively affects the impact resistance of the PDP.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


The fuel injection system has a high-pressure pump that delivers fuel to an accumulator and fuel supply pump delivers fuel to the suction side of the high-pressure pump, with a fuel metering unit between the fuel supply and high-pressure pumps to variably adjust the fuel quantity taken in by the high-pressure pump. The accumulator is connected to at least one fuel injector and a return leads from the fuel injector(s). The fuel return from the injector(s) feeds into the connection between the fuel supply pump and the fuel metering unit. A connection controlled by a pressure valve leads from the fuel return to a discharge region. The high-pressure pump only draws fuel from the fuel return in operating states in which the fuel quantity delivered by the fuel supply pump is less than the required intake quantity of the high-pressure pump.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an improved fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A fuel injection system of the type with which this invention is cornered, known from DE 100 02 132 A1, has a high-pressure pump that delivers fuel to an accumulator. A fuel supply pump delivers fuel from a fuel tank to the suction side of the high-pressure pump, and a fuel metering unit between the fuel supply pump and the high-pressure pump can variably adjust the quantity of fuel taken in by the high-pressure pump. The accumulator is connected to at least one injector that injects fuel into the internal combustion engine. A fuel return leads from the injector back to the fuel tank. In order to assure that the high-pressure pump delivers a sufficient supply of fuel to the accumulator in all operating states of the engine, the fuel supply pump must deliver a sufficiently large quantity of fuel to the high-pressure pump. But in order to achieve this, it becomes necessary to provide a fuel supply pump with very large dimensions, which increases the weight and amount of space required of the fuel injection system and also contributes to high manufacturing costs.

Fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine


A quatemary ammonium salt of the following formula (1):{(R1)a(R2)b(R3)c(R4OCH2CH2OCH2CH2)dN}+.A−  (1)[wherein, R1, R2 and R3 may be mutually the same or different and represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or analkyloxyethyl group of the formula (2):R5OCH2CH2—  (2)(wherein, R5 represents a methyl group or ethyl group), R4 represents a methyl group or ethyl group, and any two of R1, R2 and R3 may mutually bond at the end to form an alkylene chain, a, b and c represent an integer of 0 to 3, d represents an integer of 1 to 4, the sum of a, b and c is 3 or less, the sum of a, b, c and d is 4, and A− represents a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imidate ion [N(SO2CF3)2−], tetrafluoroborate ion (BF4−) or hexafluorophosphate ion (PF6−)].

A quaternary ammonium salt manifesting liquid condition at ordinary temperature (25° C.) is paid attention to as an organic synthesis reaction solvent (see, T. Welton, Chem. Rev., 99, 2071-2083 (1999)). As described in the above-mentioned literature, a quaternary ammonium salt such as an ethylmethylimidazolium salt and the like can be used as a reaction solvent capable of being utilized repeatedly and is paid attention to as a novel solvent giving low environmental load also from the standpoint of green chemistry, because of properties such as that the salt has extremely low volatility, is thermally stable and capable of standing a reaction at higher temperatures, that the salt is chemically stable, further that the salt shows high solubility for various organic compounds, and the like. Furthermore, application thereof as an electrolyte for organic electrolytic synthesis is expected, because of properties such as ion conductivity, electrochemical stability and the like. As the quaternary ammonium salts showing liquid condition at room temperature, for example, an N-butyl-N-methylpiperidinium salt, N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium salt and the like are mentioned, and as the anion thereof, there are known a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imidate ion [N(SO2CF3)2−], tetrafluoroborate ion (BF4−), hexafluorophosphate ion (PF6−) and the like.
In such applications, from the standpoint of promotion of the reaction by the means of stirring load or substance transfer, there has been a desire for development of a quaternary ammonium salt of lower viscosity.


At least one example embodiment discloses an antenna system. The antenna system includes a single printed circuit board (PCB) substrate and an antenna integrated with the single PCB substrate, the antenna being a broadside low-profile microstrip antenna.

The use of high-performance SiGe BiCMOS and nano-scale CMOS technologies in millimeter wave applications has been explored. Some Si-based receivers and transmitters operate up to D-band and in high integration density enabled fully integrated multi-channel arrays. Most of these arrays target either radar and imaging or short-distance data-links at 60 GHz. The antennas for those applications are desired to be low profile, broadside directive, broadband, having low mutual coupling and low cost.
One type of wideband antenna is an aperture coupled patch antenna as described in Analysis of an Infinite Phased Array of Aperture Coupled Microstrip Patches, IEEE Trans. AP, Vol. 37, No. 4, April 1989, Pozar et al. The patch antenna includes a radiating patch printed on a top substrate and a microstrip feed line printed on a bottom substrate. A small aperture in a ground plane couples the radiating patch to the microstrip. This type of antenna, however, has electromagnetic coupling between the feedlines to the radiative elements and tends to have stronger mutual coupling between neighboring elements.


There is disclosed a C-BiCMOS semiconductor device in which a base electrode (300) of an NPN bipolar transistor and a drain electrode (360) of a PMOS transistor are formed of the same polycrystalline semiconductor, in which a base electrode (310) of a PNP bipolar transistor and a drain electrode (350) of an NMOS transistor are formed of the same polycrystalline semiconductor, and in which a source electrode (530) of the PMOS transistor and a source electrode (520) of the NMOS transistor are formed of aluminium wiring. The C-BiCMOS semiconductor device achieves preferable electric conductivity in the source electrodes, size reduction in the drain electrodes, and simplified process steps in the formation of the base electrodes of the bipolar transistors, so that the size of the devices is reduced in simple process steps without deterioration of the electric conductivity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same and, more particularly, to a C-BiCMOS (Complementary-BiCMOS) semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIGS. 17 to 21 are cross-sectional views of a conventional BiCMOS semiconductor device in sequence of fabrication.
A p type silicon substrate 1 is prepared, and n type high concentration buried layers 2 and a p type high concentration buried layer 3 are formed in the p type silicon substrate 1. An n.sup.- type epitaxial layer 4 is grown over the top surface. Selective impurity implantation by means of a resist mask (not shown) and heat treatment are carried out to selectively form a p well layer 6 and an n well layer 5 in an upper surface of the epitaxial layer 4. The epitaxial layer 4 is left as it is in a region wherein a bipolar transistor is to be formed later.
An LOCOS (local oxidation of silicon) process is performed by means of a nitride film mask (not shown) to form isolating oxide films 100. Before the LOCOS process, impurities for a channel-cutting p.sup.+ diffusion layer to isolate transistors from each other, for example boron, are implanted to form channel cut layers 7. The isolating oxide films 100 are formed to cover the channel cut layers 7. A collector wall layer 8 is formed by implantation of n type impurities of high concentration and heat treatment as shown in FIG. 17.
Next, MOS transistors are fabricated in the process steps described below. Initially, an oxide film and a polyorystalline silicon film for gate electrodes are formed on the semiconductor surface. Thereafter, n type impurities of high concentration are introduced into the polycrystalline silicon film, and patterning is performed by means of a resist mask (not shown), so that gate oxide films 110 and gate electrodes 200 are formed. To form n.sup.- layers 9 for the LDD of an NMOS transistor, ions of n type impurities of low concentration are selectively implanted into the p well region 6. During the ion implantion process, a resist mask not shown) covers the region wherein the bipolar transistor is to be formed or the epitaxial layer 4 and a region wherein a PMOS transistor is to be formed or the n well layer 5. An oxide film is formed all over. When dry etching is carried out all over, the oxide film is left only in gate side wall portions, so that side walls 120 are formed.
Subsequently, n type impurities of high concentration and p type impurities of high concentration are selectively implanted in series by means of a resist mask (not shown), and heat treatment is performed. This provides source-drain layers 10 of the NMOS transistor, the n.sup.- layers 9 for the LDD of the NMOS transistor, and source-drain layers 11 of the PMOS transistor. An oxide film 130 is then deposited all over, as shown in FIG. 18.
Next, process steps of fabricating the bipolar transistor are carried out. Initially, the oxide film 130 is selectively etched away by using a resist mask (not shown) until the surface of the epitaxial layer 4 is exposed. Polycrystalline silicon is formed all over. Ion implantation is performed with p type impurities of high concentration, and an oxide film is formed. At this time, the oxide film is deposited at low temperatures of below 500.degree. C. so that the p type impurities are not diffused into the epitaxial layer 4 from the polycrystalline silicon.
By using a resist mask (not shown), the oxide film and polycrystalline silicon film are selectively removed by etching and are then patterned, to form base electrodes 210 and insulating layers 140 such that the epitaxial layer 4 is exposed.
The surface of the epitaxial layer 4 is thinly oxidized to form an oxide film 150. Ions of p type impurities for an intrinsic base are implanted into the epitaxial layer 4 through the oxide film 150. Heat treatment is succeedingly carried out to form external base layers 12 and an intrinsic base layer 13, as shown in FIG. 19.
An oxide film is formed all over, and dry etching is performed on the oxide film, whereby the intrinsic base layer 13 is exposed in a region 300. Emitter base electrode isolating oxide films 160 are formed on the intrinsic base layer 13, as shown in FIG. 20.
Layer insulating films 400 are deposited, and etched selectively to open via holes. By aluminium wiring are formed a collector electrode 500, an emitter extracting electrode 501, a base extracting electrode 502, a source extracting electrode 503 of the NMOS transistor, a drain extracting electrode 504 thereof, a source extracting electrode 505 of the PMOS transistor and a drain extracting electrode 506 thereof, as shown in FIG. 21.
In the conventional semiconductor device having the above-mentioned constructions, a portion in which an electrode connected to the source-drain layer is formed has a large size. The conventional semiconductor device, hence, has a problem in that it is difficult to reduce the size of the devices or transistors. To solve the problem, it has been proposed that the electrode connected to the source-drain layer is formed of a polycrystalline semiconductor. However, the connection of the polycrystalline semiconductor to both of the source and drain layers causes electric conductivity to deteriorate. The problem of more complicated process steps remains unsolved for a C-BiCMOS semiconductor device including a large number of different devices.


An offshore oil well platform assembly is provided that includes a jacking frame, which supports a coiled tubing injector, which in turn is connected to a wellhead during a coiled tubing operation; and a compensation system. The compensation system includes a force measurement system which measures forces applied to the wellhead; a force delivery system, which provides a compensating force to counteract at least a portion of the measured forces on the wellhead; and a control system which receives signals from the force measurement system indicative of the measured forces, and operates the force delivery system based on the measured forces.

Coiled tubing operations on floating offshore drilling platforms typically require a motion compensated jacking frame. A motion compensated jacking frame supports a coiled tubing injector during a coiled tubing operation and includes a motion compensation system to offset potentially damaging relative motion between the coiled tubing injector, which is fixed to the platform, and the wellhead, which is fixed to the seafloor. As such, waves, currents and other external forces can cause damaging relative movements between the coiled tubing injector and the wellhead. Motion compensation systems protect the wellhead by reducing the load transferred from the coiled tubing injector to the wellhead when such relative motions occur.
However, during a coiled tubing operation the coiled tubing may become "hung up" or "stuck" in the well for many various reasons. This results in the transfer of a large load or a rapid load change on the wellhead as the coiled tubing injector is pulled down onto the wellhead in reaction to the "sticking" of the coiled tubing string in the well. Conventional passive coiled tubing motion compensation systems do not have the capability to react to such large rapid load changes. Instead, such systems are designed to detect relative motions between the coiled tubing injector and the wellhead and react by applying a relatively constant accumulator spring rate in response thereto.
Passive compensation systems provide some degree of force isolation between the stationary and moving components by use of what can be analogized to a low frequency dampener. Passive compensation systems typically include cylinders in combination with a compressible fluid circuit, such as nitrogen bladder hydraulic accumulators or direct air pressurization, to allow cylinder displacement with only moderate variation in applied force.
When applied to coiled tubing operations, the coiled tubing injector is placed on a structure that is supported by the aforementioned cylinders on one end and connected to a structure anchored to the floating platform on the other end. When a relative motion occurs between the wellhead and the platform (and hence the coiled tubing injector supported on the platform), the cylinders displace resulting in a moderate change in the force of the supported load on the injector (and hence the load on the wellhead.)
Typically, nitrogen charged accumulators are connected to the cylinders to provide a relatively constant hydraulic pressure to the cylinders. The accumulator nitrogen charge pressure is adjusted to maintain a relatively constant force throughout the cylinder stroke. Such an arrangement is adequate when the load on the wellhead remains constant, however, in most coiled tubing operations the load on the wellhead varies anytime the coiled tubing string weight is increased or decreased due to the addition or removal of coiled tubing from the well.
As such, operator adjustment of the cylinder stiffness coefficient is typically required to account for this dynamic loading of the wellhead. That is, when the load on the wellhead is increased, the cylinder stiffness coefficient may be manually increased by adding nitrogen support bottles to the system to increase the nitrogen pre-charge in the accumulators; and when the load on the wellhead is decreased, the cylinder stiffness coefficient may be manually decreased by bleeding off some of the nitrogen pre-charge pressure to maintain a desired compensating force. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved compensation system for a jacking frame.


A device which is attached to the end of a standard kitchen faucet and dispenses liquid soap on to an object to be washed. When dispensing soap the device cuts off the flow of water to permit the user and opportunity to wash the object and conserve water. The device is activated by rotating the device in a first direction which cuts off the flow of water and dispensed liquid soap. When the device is returned to the original position the water flow is restored and the dispensing of liquid soap is stopped.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dispensing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a soap dispensing device which is attached to a common kitchen faucet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, liquid soap dispensers a re remote or attached to the perimeter of a sink. The liquid soap dispensers function a user pushing a pump device or picking up the dispenser turning it over and squeezing it to eject liquid soap from a nozzle. These have significant disadvantages including wasting water while the user applies soap to an object while leaving the water running. Further, the perimeter mounted dispensers limit the location on the object the soap can be place because of the typically short length of the dispenser spout. What is desired is a liquid soap dispenser that attaches to the faucet of a standard kitchen faucet and cuts off the flow of water when the soap is dispensed.
Numerous innovations for liquid soap faucet dispenser have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,908, titled Wash Station and Method of Operation, Daniel Shaw a wash station comprises a sink and a faucet. A source of water and a source of soap are provided. An electrically operated valve is interposed between the water source and the faucet for selectively supplying water thereto, and a pump and valve are interposed between the soap source and the faucet for selectively supplying soap thereto. An electrically operated roll towel dispenser is disposed proximate the sink. A first infrared sensor is operably associated with the sink for determining the presence of a user. A control mechanism is operatively associated with the valves, the pump, the roll towel dispenser and the sensor for causing water and soap to be selectively supplied to the faucet and for thereafter causing a length of roll towel to be dispensed.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a wash station consisting of a sink and a faucet. Soap is contained in an under the sink reservoir, a pump moves the soap from the reservoir to a dispenser. The present invention is a soap dispensing device which attaches to a faucet. The patented invention lacks features similar to the present invention.
In Patent number D366,834, titled Dispenser Spout, invented by Mary J. Reid, an ornamental design for a dispenser spout, as shown and described.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is an ornamental design for a dispenser spout. The patented invention lacks features similar to the present invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,048, titled Faucet Assembly Having Integral Liquid Product Dispenser, invented by Robert M. Minke, a faucet assembly having an integral dispenser for supplying liquid products, such as soap, lotion, and the like, adjacent to the flow of water therefrom is disclosed. The faucet assembly includes a housing having a conventional mixer tap mounted therein for supplying water from a spigot. A pair of upstanding liquid dispenser housings are formed integrally with or secured to the faucet assembly housing. Within each of these dispenser housing, a manually operable pump assembly is disposed. The pump assemblies are manually operable to pump liquid products from respective liquid reservoirs to a dispenser block located within the faucet assembly adjacent to the spigot thereof The dispenser block discharges the liquid products adjacent to the flow of water from the faucet assembly. The dispenser block may be formed integrally with the faucet housing or as a separate piece releasably secured thereto.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a faucet assembly having an integral soap dispenser. The present invention is a soap dispensing device which attaches to a faucet.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,258, titled Wash Station and Method of Operation, Daniel Shaw, a wash station comprises a sink and a faucet. A source of water and a source of soap are provided. An electrically operated valve is interposed between the water source and the faucet for selectively supplying water thereto, and a pump and valve are interposed between the soap source and the faucet for selectively supplying soap thereto. An electrically operated roll towel dispenser is disposed proximate the sink. A first infrared sensor is operably associated with the sink for determining the presence of a user. A control mechanism is operatively associated with the valves, the pump, the roll towel dispenser and the sensor for causing water and soap to be selectively supplied to the faucet and for thereafter causing a length of roll towel to be dispensed.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a wash station consisting of a sink and a faucet. Soap is contained in an under the sink reservoir, a pump moves the soap from the reservoir to a dispenser. The present invention is a soap dispensing device which attaches to a faucet. The patented invention lacks features similar to the present invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,896, titled Device for Dispensing Liquid Soap, invented by Gianpaolo Rocchelli, a device which is affixable to an unit such as a mixer tap or a tap outlet which delivers water to wash basins or sinks, and comprises at least one delivery outlet for liquid soap. The outlet has affixed thereto, or integrally formed therewith a substantially part-annular collar which is insertable between the base of the body of the unit which delivers water and the plane on or against which the unit is fixed. The collar is secured in such location by a threaded connection utilized for fixing the unit to the plane.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a device which attached to a mixer tap having a delivery outlet for liquid soap. The soap dispenser of the patented invention is built into the faucet and cannot be retrofit to existing faucets without substantial modification. The present invention is a soap dispensing device which attaches to a faucet. The present invention has a soap reservoir with a filler cap, attached to a metering device that controls the flow of soap and the water stream. An adapter permits attachment of the present invention to the faucet. Rotating the invention from vertical causes the water flow to stop and soap to be dispensed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,050, titled Quick Shower or Power Shower, invented by Clifford E. S. Davis a shower device attachable by suction cups to a wall, such as adjacent a bath tub; the device including a panel supporting a row of adjustable shower heads to each of which water is supplied that is selectively mixed with diluted soap from a soap dispenser mounted on the panel, a pulsator being selectively used to pulsate the sprayed water, and a flexible hose from the device for connection to a water supply faucet valve.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a shower device attachable by suction cups to a wall. The patented invention lacks features similar to the present invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,611, titled Plural Metering Dispensers with Wall Securing Rack, invented by James Andrew Sojka, a metering and dispensing apparatus is disclosed for metering and dispensing liquid bath products such as shampoo and the like comprising a plurality of dispensers of the pump type secured to a rack member wherein the rack member has a securing device affixed thereto by which the rack member and dispensing apparatus may be readily affixed to a bathroom wall.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a metering and dispensing apparatus. The patented invention lacks an attachment means to a faucet end. The present invention is a soap dispensing device which attaches to a faucet. The present invention has a soap reservoir with a filler cap, attached to a metering device that controls the flow of soap and the water stream.
Numerous innovations for a liquid soap faucet dispenser have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention has, above a processing tray, a standby tray for making a sheet stand by. The sheet on the standby tray is dropped and supplied onto the processing tray, so that a sheet feeding path between the standby tray and processing tray can be shortened. In the case where there exists no sheet on the sheet discharge tray when a sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray, one sheet is previously discharged onto the sheet discharge tray. Thus, by discharging the sheet bundle in a state where there is the one sheet on the sheet discharge tray, the sheet vertical alignment in the case where the sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray can be enhanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus and a sheet post-processing method that perform post-processing for a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a composite device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there is developed a sheet post-processing apparatus, which is disposed adjacent to the sheet discharge section of an image forming apparatus main body for the purpose of performing post-processing, such as sorting and stapling, for a sheet on which an image has been formed in the image forming apparatus. The sheet post-processing apparatus performs post-processing for a succeeding sheet after completion of the post-processing for a preceding sheet. In order for the sheet post-processing apparatus to wait until the post-processing for a preceding sheet has been completed, an apparatus in which a retreating path is formed in the middle of a path reaching to a stapler is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. H6-99070.
However, in the case where the retreating path is formed in the middle of a path reaching to a stapler as described above, the length of a sheet path extending from the discharge section of the image forming apparatus main body to the stapler is increased. This may prevent size reduction of the entire apparatus.
Further, in such a sheet post-processing apparatus, when a plurality of sheets are aligned and bundled to be discharged onto a sheet discharge tray after completion of sheet post-processing, only the lowermost sheet contacting the surface of the sheet discharge tray may be displaced in some cases even though the sheet bundle are discharged in an aligned state. This displacement is caused due to a difference in the friction coefficient between the sheet and surface of the sheet discharge tray. The displacement may adversely affect the sheet alignment performance.
In light of the above, it is desirable to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of reducing the distance between the sheet discharge section of an image forming apparatus and a processing mechanism that performs post-processing to thereby achieve miniaturization of the entire apparatus and enhancing the reliability of the sheet alignment when the sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray.

Sheet post-processing apparatus and sheet post-processing method


A means of rapidly melting a large quantity of type II cryogen in a cryopump that is configured to contain the liquid in the warm cryopanel with the inlet to the cryopump facing up or sideways, and venting the liquid and gas in a controlled way. Rapid melting is preferably accomplished by flowing a purge gas that will condense on the cryodeposit. By not allowing the liquid to drain onto the vacuum housing the evaporation rate is limited and the maximum pressure in the cryopump can be controlled by the purge gas flow rate.

The object of the present invention is to provide fast regeneration of a cryopump that is used for sputtering in the semi-conductor manufacturing process. Sputtering takes place with a flow of Ar at 100 to 200 scc/m for a period of about one minute, followed by a cessation of Ar flow while the pressure drops to a base pressure of less than 2*10−7 Torr and loading of a new wafer in about one minute. The throughput of semi-conductor wafers depends on a) fast recovery time to base pressure after flowing Ar, b) a lot of cycles between regenerations, and c) fast regeneration; consisting of fast warm up, fast removal of the cryodeposits, and fast cooldown. Since a cryopump removes the gaseous Ar by freezing it on the second stage (cold) cryopanel the pump has to be warmed up periodically (regenerated) to melt and remove the Ar cryodeposit, then cooled back to normal operating temperatures. Other gases such as water and hydrogen that accumulate in much smaller quantities are also removed in the regeneration process. Two stage G-M refrigerators, which are presently being used to cool cryopumps, cool a first stage cryopanel at 50 to 100 K and a second stage cryopanel at about 15 K. The expander is usually configured as a stepped cylinder with a valve assembly at the warm end of the first stage, a first stage cold station (at 50 to 100 K) at the transition from the larger diameter first stage to the smaller diameter second stage, and a second stage cold station (at about 15 K) at the far end. An example of an expander that is used in cryopumps as described in this application is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,997.
Cryopumps are made with the plane of the inlet perpendicular to the axis of the expander cylinder, "in line", or parallel to the axis of the cylinder, "low profile". Both types of cryopumps are used for sputtering but the low profile type is preferred because it is more compact when mounted under or on the side of the semi-conductor process chamber. A common size cryopump for this application has a 300 mm ID inlet port Cryopumps operate equally well in all orientations in terms of freezing gases but during regeneration the melting cryodeposits can flow out in different directions depending on the orientation and the design of the cryopump.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,213 describes a cryopump that uses a two stage G-M refrigerator to cool two cup shaped axi-symetric cryopanels. The first stage cools an inlet (warm) panel and inlet louver that pumps Group I gases, e.g. H2O and CO2, and blocks a significant amount of radiation from reaching the second stage (cold) panel, but allows Group II gases, e.g. Ar and N2, and Group III gases, e.g. H2 and He, to pass through it. The Group II gases freeze on the front side of the cold panel and Group III gases are adsorbed in an adsorbent on the backside of the cold panel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,213 describes a cold panel design that consists of a series of concentric cones of increasing diameter from the inlet region to the back of the housing. This design is better for sputtering because there is more room for the Ar to collect and there is more surface area on which the Ar is distributed. Because solid Ar has a high thermal conductivity it is possible to have cryodeposits build up to be 2 to 3 cm thick before recovery time to a given pressure degrades. For a typical 300 mm ID cryopump this might be, about 3,000 SL of Ar having a weight of about 5 kg. The object of this invention is to minimize the time it takes to safely remove this large amount of cryogen from the pump.
The adsorbent used in most cryopumps is charcoal which can shed small particles. All cryopumps have a vent valve (pressure relief valve) that opens typically at about 20 kPa. It is standard practice to put a screen filter in front of the vent valve to prevent particulates from getting into the valve and preventing the vent valve from resealing after regeneration. U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,046 has a good description of the design parameters for a good screen filter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,604 describes a cryopump that has a means of removing liquid and gas during regeneration and describes several methods for regenerating the cryopump. The cryopump is an in line type with inlet facing up and, as is typical for most cryopump applications, can be isolated from the process vacuum chamber by a gate valve. Liquids can accumulate in the bottom of the warm panel and flow out through a vent line when the pressure is sufficiently high The methods for removing the cryodeposits all include closing the gate valve followed by heating of the cryodeposit to melt it and increasing the pressure. A heater on the cold cryopanel is used to melt the cryodeposit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,584 is a continuation of the'604 patent and includes a heater on the valve that controls the flow from the vent line.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,299 describes another in line cryopump with the inlet facing up and having melted cryodeposit raining down on the bottom of the warm panel. The bottom is sloped down to an exit hole below which is a cone with filters connected to a vent port that releases both liquid and gas to an external vent line. The design also includes a purge gas port located in the bottom of the warm panel and directed to blow liquid toward the exit hole. Heat to melt the cryodeposit can come from the purge gas with or without a heater. The top of the cone that collects the liquid flowing out of the exit hole in the warm panel is not in contact with the warm panel so liquid can spill over the top and be vaporized by contact with the vacuum housing in the event that the filter becomes clogged. U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,466 is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,299 that has claims about the filter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,046 describes an in line cryopump with the inlet facing up having a vent port mounted in the bottom of the vacuum housing with a standpipe containing a filter screen to prevent particulates from preventing resealing of the relief valve. U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,809 describes a similar screen arrangement protecting the relief valve in a low profile cryopump, the inlet also facing up. Both of these are silent on the means of heating the cryodeposit other than having the pump warm slowly as the pressure in the pump rises and convective heating takes place between the vacuum housing and the cryopanels. Many cryopumps have holes in the bottom of the warm panel that allow melted cryogens to come in contact with the vacuum housing and vaporize rapidly.
If the cryopumps described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,400,604, 5,465,584, 5,228,299, 5,333,466, 5,974,809, and 4,655,046 were all oriented with the inlet in a vertical plane the melted cryogen would spill onto the vacuum housing and be rapidly vaporized. This chilling of one side of the vacuum housing can cause problems. This problem is addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,257 by two different means. The first is to have the melted cryogen spill out the front (inlet) end of the warm panel into a cup shaped collector in the vacuum housing flange then through an external vent valve. The second is to have the melted cryogen collect in the bottom of the warm flange which has a dam at the front lip or is shaped to have the liquid collect in the back of the warm panel and then have it blown out through a vent tube and a vent valve which can be oriented any place on the housing inlet flange. There is no description of a method of melting the cryodeposit but there is a heater in the bottom of the warm panel to vaporize the melted cryodeposit. This undoubtedly increases the pressure enough to force liquid out through the vent tube with the gas. The main problem with this design is that the vent ports as described are too small to allow a high flow rate of venting gas which is necessary for a fast warm up of the cryopump. A vent tube that is large enough for gas would have to be too large to carry much liquid to the top of the cryopump.
Warming up the cryopanels is usually done by a heater on the cold panel, or a blanket heater on the outside of the vacuum housing. Since some of the gases that have been cryopumped can be combustible it is preferred to have the heater on the outside of the vacuum housing. Regeneration usually starts by closing the inlet valve to isolate the cryopump from the process chamber, followed by stopping the cryopump, turning on heaters, starting a flow of purge gas, usually N2, to remove combustible gases, warming, melting, and usually vaporizing Group II cryodeposits, venting the liquids and gases at about 15 kPa above atmospheric pressure, continuing to warm the cryopump to room temperature, stopping the flow of purge gas, then evacuating the cryopump to remove Group I gases and gases that are adsorbed in the charcoal. Once the cryopump is evacuated the refrigerator is turned back on and the cryopump cools to its normal operating temperatures.
Warming 5 kg of solid Ar from 20 K, melting it at 84 K, then warming it to 88 K, where the pressure is high enough for the liquid to be vented, requires 58 W Hrs of heat, 300 W for 11.6 min. Warming, melting and vaporizing 5 kg of Ar requires 283 W Hrs of heat, 300 W for 56 min. Most cryopumps now in use allow the liquid to drain onto the vacuum housing which has a lot of thermal mass and rapidly vaporizes the cryogen. This causes a spike in the pressure. Vent valves for the gas are usually located at a convenient point on the vacuum housing as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,809.

SUMITOMO (SHI) CRYOGENICS OF AMERICA INC.


A datastore engine at an edge location of a content delivery network (CDN) may perform low-latency query processing and data retrieval for multiple types of databases at one or more origin servers. When a client sends a query to the edge location, the datastore engine translates the query from a back-end database format into a native format of the local edge datastore. If the requested data is not there, then the datastore engine retrieves the data from the back-end table and inserted inserts the data into the local edge datastore. By using multiple queries over time to re-construct data from the backend database tables at the edge, the datastore engine may provide low-latency access to data from the backend database tables (avoiding the need to retrieve data from the back-end tables to serve subsequent queries).

Content delivery networks (CDNs) often use data centers at different geographic locations (referred to herein as "points of presence" (POPs) or "edge locations") to deliver content to clients. A CDN may set up edge locations in different geographical locations that are physically close to clients in order to provide faster responses for content that is requested by the clients. When a client requests data from the CDN (e.g., via a web browser or other application), the requested data may be retrieved from an origin database, provided to the client, and stored at the edge location for quick data retrieval if the same request is made for the same data. However, different client requests for data require additional data retrieval from the origin database, which introduces network transmission delays to obtain data from the origin and to return the data to the client. A client may also have the ability to use scripts to handle processing of a request at the edge location. However, these scripts have limited capability. For various security reasons, they are unable to make network calls. For example, they are unable to access databases or make changes to databases at the CDN.
While embodiments are described herein by way of example for several embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit embodiments to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes" mean including, but not limited to.

Low latency query processing and data retrieval at the edge


Techniques for analyzing an execution of a query statement based on a random archive are disclosed. A plurality of query statements that are executed during a particular time period are identified. A random sampling function is executed to randomly select a set of query statements from the plurality of query statements. Execution plans and/or performance metrics associated with each execution of the randomly-selected query statements are stored into a random archive. Responsive to determining that a performance metric for a current execution of a particular query statement does not satisfy a performance criteria, information associated with the particular query statement from the random archive is analyzed. A model plan characteristic associated with an execution of the particular query statement stored in the random archive is determined. An execution plan associated with the model plan characteristic is determined for another execution of the particular query statement.

Databases are widely used for storing information of businesses, organizations and/or individuals. Query statements are code used for storing, manipulating, searching, and/or retrieving data in databases. Query statements may be written in various languages, such as Structured Query Language (SQL), Cypher, SPARQL, SchemeQL, and XQuery. An execution of a query statement on a database may also be referred to herein as a "query execution."
A large number of query statements may be executed on a databases. Efficient query execution is critical to the needs of many entities. Performance metrics of a query execution include, for example, time spent by a central processing unit (CPU) to process the query statement (also referred to as "CPU time"), time spent on input and/or output (I/O) operations to process the query statement (also referred to as "I/O time"), and total time spent processing the query statement (also referred to as "total execution time"). The performance of a particular execution of a query statement may depend on various factors, including what execution plan is used to execute the query statement, the volume of data relevant to the query statement, and/or whether there are any indexes relevant to the query statement. Hence, different executions of the same query statement may be associated with different performance metrics.
As an example, the performance associated with a particular query statement may degrade over time. The degradation in performance may be due to an increasing volume of data that is relevant to the query statement.
As another example, the performance associated with a particular query statement may abruptly change from good to bad. The performance may satisfy a performance criteria for several months. But the performance may suddenly degrade on a particular day. The change in performance may be due to a change in the execution plan used to execute the particular query statement.
Analyzing query executions over time helps an entity identify query statements that are associated with changing performance metrics. The entity may analyze the query statements at issue to understand causes of the performance change.
However, it is difficult to conduct performance analysis of query executions over time. An entity might not know in advance which query statements need to be analyzed. Any query statement has the possibility of being associated with performance degradation and/or other performance changes. However, due to the large volume of query statements being executed on a database, it may be difficult to store and/or archive performance metrics of all executions of all query statements on the database.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Database performance analysis based on a random archive