A detector detects at least one kind of dependence in address between instructions executed by at least a processor, the detector being adopted to detect a possibility of presence of the at least one kind of dependence, wherein if the at least one kind of dependence is present in fact, then the detector detects a possibility of presence of the at least one kind of dependence, and if the at least one kind of dependence is not present in fact, then the detector may detect a pseudo presence of the at least one kind of dependence. The detector has an execution history storing unit with a plurality of entries and an address converter for converting an address of a memory access instruction into an entry number, where different addresses may be converted into entry numbers that are the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processor, and more particularly to a data processor with an improved data dependence detector.
2. Description of the Related Art
A non-program sequence execution or an out-of-order execution has widely been used for improving a high speed processing, wherein the instructions arc executed in a different sequence or order from a definitive sequence or order defined by a program. In accordance with the non-program sequence execution or the out-of-order execution, the processor executes an instruction which has become executable prior to an instruction which has not been non-executable yet, even if the non-executable instruction is prior in program sequence to the executable instruction, thereby improving the performance of the processor as compared to when the processor executes instructions in accordance with program sequences defined by the program or in-order execution.
The condition for allowing the non-program sequence execution is that no read after write dependence between instructions with reference to a registers The read after write dependence may also be referred to as a flow dependence.
If a post instruction, which is post in program sequence to a prior instruction, refers a register which is converted by the prior instruction, this means that a read after write dependence from the prior instruction to the post instruction is present. If the processor executes the post instruction and then the prior instruction in violation to the read after write dependence, then the meaning of the program is changed and it is no longer possible to obtain the correct execution result. Namely, if the read after write dependence is present to the register, then this means it impossible to execute the instructions in the non-program sequence.
If a prior instruction, which is prior in program sequence to a post instruction, refers a register which is converted by the post instruction, this means that a write after read dependence from the prior instruction to the post instruction is present. The write after read dependence may also referred to as an anti-dependence. If the processor executes the post instruction and then the prior instruction in violation to the write after read dependence, then the meaning of the program is changed and it is no longer possible to obtain the correct execution result. Namely, if the write after read dependence is present to the register, then this means it impossible lo execute the instructions in the non-program sequence.
If a post instruction, which is post in program sequence to a prior instruction, changes a register which is converted by the prior instruction, this means that a write after write dependence from the prior instruction to the post instruction is present. The write after write dependence is an output dependence. If the processor executes the post instruction and then the prior instruction in violation to the write after write dependence, then the meaning of the program is chanced and it is no longer possible to obtain the correct execution result. Namely, if the write after write dependence is present to the register, then this means it impossible to execute the instructions in the non-program sequence.
When the instruction is decoded, the register referred or changed by the instruction is confirmed, the instructions having the read after write dependence are likely to be executed by the program sequence.
It has been know to cancel the write after read dependence and the write after write dependence for allowing the non-program sequence execution.
Instructions which have accesses to a memory are dependent not only on the dependence on the register but also on the dependence on the memory.
Usually, the memory access instructions include a load instruction for reading out data from the memory and a store instruction for writing data into the memory.
If two load instructions or two store instructions have different addresses from each other, no dependence is present to the memory. This allows such the instructions to be executed by the non-program sequence.
If two load instructions or two store instructions have the same address as each other, a dependence is present to the memory. If, for example, a load instruction reads out data from an address, to which the data are stored by a store instruction which is prior in program sequence to the load instruction, then this means that a read after write dependence from the store instruction to the load instruction is present. In this case, if the instructions are executed in a reverse sequence to the program sequence, then the program meaning is changed and it is no longer possible to obtain the correct result of the execution of the program. Namely, if the read after write dependence is present to the memory, it is impossible to execute the instructions in the non-program order.
If, for example, a store instruction stores data to an address, from which the data have been read out by a load instruction which is prior in program sequence to the store instruction, then this means that a write after read dependence from the load instruction to the store instruction is present. In this case, if the instructions are executed in a reverse sequence to the program sequence, then the program meaning is changed and it is no longer possible to obtain the correct result of the execution of the program. Namely, if the write after read dependence is present to the memory, it is impossible to execute the instructions in the non-program order.
If, for example, a store instruction stores data to an address, to which the data have been stored by a store instruction which is prior in program sequence to the store instruction, then this means that an write after write dependence from the prior store instruction to the post store instruction is present. In this case, if the instructions arc executed in a reverse sequence to the program sequence, then the program meaning is changed and it is no longer possible to obtain the correct result of the execution of the program. Namely, if the write after write dependence is present to the memory, it is impossible to execute the instructions in the non-program order.
It has been know to cancel the write after read dependence and the write after write dependence by temporary storing data, which are to be stored by the store instruction, into a store buffer for allowing the non-program sequence execution.
If the read after write dependence is present, it is necessary to execute the instructions in the program sequences. It is, however, likely that an address of the load/store instruction has been unknown until the instruction is about to be executed. Namely, it is likely that the dependence has been unknown until the execution of the instruction. For this reason, a disadvantage in performance of the processor by the inhibition to the non-program sequence execution is large.
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrative of a program sequence of store/load instructions. The program sequence is, that a load instruction "LD1" at an address "A1", a store instruction "ST1" at an address "A4′", a load instruction "LD2" at an address "A2", a load instruction "LD3" at an address "A3", and a load instruction "LD4" at an address "A4".
Assuming that the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" is equal to the address "A4" of the load instruction "LD4", then the store instruction "ST1" and the load instruction "LD4" access to the same address "A4", and the store instruction "ST1" is prior in program sequence to the load instruction "LD4". A read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD4" is present.
The program expects that the store instruction "ST1" stores data at the address "A4" and then the load instruction "LD4" reads this data out from the address "A4", for which reason it is necessary that the store instruction "ST1" is executed prior to the execution of the load instruction "LD4" in accordance with the program sequence.
FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrative of executions of instructions in the program sequence of FIG. 1A. Cycle numbers, execution instructions, addresses of the execution instructions are shown. It is assumed that the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known until the fifth cycle 5.
In the first cycle 1, the load instruction "LD1" at the address "A1" is executed. In the fifth cycle 5, the store instruction "ST1" at the address "A4′" is executed. In the sixth cycle 6, the load instruction "LD2" at the address "A2" is executed. In the seventh cycle 7, the load instruction "LD3" at the address "A3" is executed. In the eighth cycle 8, the load instruction "LD4" at the address "A4" is executed.
Even if the addresses "A2", "A3", and "A4" become known in the second, third and fourth cycles 2, 3 and 4 respectively, then it is inhibited that the load instructions "LD2", "LD3", and "LD4" arc executed in the second, third and fourth cycles 2, 3 and 4 respectively which are prior to the store instruction "ST1" in the fifth cycle 5 because the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known until the fifth cycle 5, and thus the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to respective one of the load instructions "LD2", "LD3" and "ID4" has not been known until the fifth cycle 5.
In accordance with the conventional program sequence execution, the load/store instructions are inhibited to be executed in the -second, third and fourth cycles 2, 3 and 4. The eight cycles are necessary to execute the five load/store instructions. The program sequence execution may drop the effective performance of the processor.
The speculative execution in accordance with the non-program sequence, assuming that the read after write dependence is not present, has been known as prior art. The speculative execution of instructions to the dependence between data will hereinafter be referred to as "data dependence speculative execution".
In accordance with the data dependence speculative execution, it is possible in one case that the read after write dependence is actually not present and the speculative execution results in the success. It is also in another case that the read after write dependence is actually present and the speculative execution results in the failure. At the time when the read after write dependence becomes known, it is necessary to judge whether this case is either of the above two cases.
If the read after write dependence is actually not present and the speculative execution results in the success, the continuation to execute the subsequent instructions is allowed, whereby the effective performance of the processor is improved by the data dependence speculative execution in accordance with the non-program sequence.
If, however, the read after write dependence is actually present and the speculative execution results in the failure, then the program meaning is changed, thus it is no longer possible to ensure the correct result of the execution of the program. For this reason, the result obtained by the data dependence speculative execution in the non-program sequence is canceled, and in place the recovery process for the failure of the data dependence speculative execution is necessary. The recovery process for the failure of the data dependence speculative execution might be likely to drop the performance of the processor in comparison with the execution in the program sequence. If, however, a probability of success in the data dependence speculative execution is sufficiently higher than a probability of failure in the data dependence speculative execution, then the effective performance of the processor for processing the program may be improved in total.
The non-program sequence execution is disclosed by Mike Johnson in "Super-scalar processor" 1994. The recovery process for the failure in the data dependence speculative execution is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 5-224927.
FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrative of one example of the data dependence speculative execution which has resulted in the success. Cycle numbers, execution instructions, addresses of the execution instructions are shown. It is assumed that the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known until the fifth cycle 5. It is also assumed that the address "A2" of the load instruction "LD2" has been known in the second cycle 2, the address "A3" of the load instruction "LD3" has been known in the third cycle 3, and the address "A4" of the load instruction "LD4" has been known in the sixth cycle 6.
In the first cycle 1, the load instruction "LD1" at the address "A1" is executed. In the second cycle 2, the load instruction "LD2" at the address "A2" is executed in non-program sequence because the address "A2" of the load instruction "LD2" has been known in the second cycle 2, whilst the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known in the second cycle 2. In the second cycle 2, the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD2" has not been known. The load instruction "LD2" is executed speculatively to the store instruction "ST1".
In the third cycle 3, the load instruction "LD3" at the address "A3" is executed in non-program sequence because the address "A3" of the load instruction "LD3" has been known in the third cycle 3, whilst the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known in the third cycle 3. In the third cycle 3, the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD3" has not been known. The load instruction "LD3" is executed speculatively to the store instruction "ST1".
In the forth cycle 4, the address. "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" and the address "A4" of the load instruction "LD4" have not been known. Either the store instruction "ST1" and the load instruction "LD4" have been executed.
In the fifth cycle 5, the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has become known, and the store instruction "ST1" is executed. Concurrently, the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to respective one of the load instruction "LD2" and the load instruction "LD3" is judged. In this case, the address "A2" of the load instruction "LD2" and the address "A3" of the load instruction "LD3" are different from the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1", then the read after write dependence is not present.
It is, therefore, judged that the data dependence speculative executions of the load instruction "LD2" and the load instruction "LD3" result in success. The subsequent instruction is continuously executed. In the sixth cycle 6, the load instruction "LD4" is executed in the program sequence with reference to the store instruction "ST1", for which reason no program is raised even the read after write dependence is present from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD4".
The program sequence execution shown in FIG. 1B needs the eight cycles. By contrast, the succeeded data dependence speculative execution in the non-program sequence shown in FIG. 1C needs the six cycles. The data dependence speculative execution in the non-program sequence improves the performance by two cycle, provided that the data dependence speculative execution is succeeded.
FIG. 1D is a diagram illustrative of one example of the data dependence speculative execution which has resulted in the failure. Cycle numbers, execution instructions, addresses of the execution instructions are shown. It is assumed that the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known until the fifth cycle 5. It is also assumed that the address "A2" of the load instruction "LD2" has been known in the second cycle 2, the address "A3" of the load instruction "LD3" has been known in the third cycle 3, and the address "A4" of the load instruction "LD4" has been known in the fourth cycle 4.
In the first cycle 1, the load instruction "LD1" at the address "A1" is executed. In the second cycle 2, the load instruction "LD2" at the address "A2" is executed in non-program sequence because the address "A2" of the load instruction "LD2" has been known in the second cycle 2, whilst the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known in the second cycle 2. In the second cycle 2, the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD2" has not been known. The load instruction "LD2" is executed speculatively to the store instruction "ST1".
In the third cycle 3, the load instruction "LD3" at the address "A3" is executed in non-program sequence because the address "A3" of the load instruction "LD3" has been known in the third cycle 3, whilst the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known in the third cycle 3. In the third cycle 3, the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD3" has not been known. The load instruction "LD3" is executed speculatively to the store instruction "ST1".
In the forth cycle 4, the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has not been known, whilst the address "A4" the load instruction "LD4" have become known. The load instruction "LD4" is executed.
In the fifth cycle 5, the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1" has become known, and the store instruction "ST1" is executed. Concurrently, the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to respective one of the load instruction "LD2", the load instruction "LD3" and the load instruction "LD4" is judged. In this case, the address "A2" of the load instruction "LD2" and the address "A3" of the load instruction "LD3" are different from the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1", the n the read after write dependence is not present.
Since, however, the address "A4" of the load instruction "LD4" is the same as the address "A4′" of the store instruction "ST1", the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD4" is present. Even the read after write dependence from the store instruction "ST1" to the load instruction "LD4" is present, the non-program execution has been accomplished, for which reason the data dependence speculative execution of the load instruction "LD4" is judged to be the failure.
In order to ensure the correct result of the execution of the program, it is necessary to perform the recovery process for the failure of the data dependence speculative execution.
In the fifth cycle 5, the failure of the data dependence speculative execution is judged. The execution results of the load instruction "LD2" in the second cycle 2, the load instruction "LD3" in the third cycle 3, the load instruction "LD4" in the fourth cycle 4, the store instruction "ST1" in the fifth cycle 5 are canceled. Re-executions of the store instruction "ST1" in the seventh cycle 7, the load instruction "LD2" in the eighth cycle 8, the load instruction "LD3" in the ninth cycle 9, the load instruction "LD4" in the tenth cycle 10 are made as the recovery processes for the failure of the data dependence speculative execution.
The executions of the five instructions, for example, the store instruction "ST1", the load instruction "LD2", the load instruction "LD3" and the load instruction "LD4" need ten cycles. The program sequence execution shown in FIG. 1B needs the eight cycles. By contrast, the failure data dependence speculative execution in the non-program sequence shown in FIG. 1D needs the ten cycles. The data dependence speculative execution in the non-program sequence deteriorates the performance by two cycle, provided that the data dependence speculative execution is failure.
If, however, a probability of success in the data dependence speculative execution is sufficiently higher than a probability of failure in the data dependence speculative execution, then the effective performance of the processor for processing the program may be improved in total.
For allowing the processor to perform the data dependence speculative execution, it is necessary to judge the presence of the read after write dependence between the load/store instructions with reference to the memory. A data dependence detector has been known as detecting the presence of the read after write dependence between the load/store instructions. The conventional data dependence detector is disclosed by Manoj Franklin et al, entitled "ARB: A Hardware Mechanism For Dynamic Reordering Of Memory References", IEEE Transactions On Computers, vol. 45, No. 5, May, 1996.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrative of a conventional data dependence detector. The conventional data dependence detector 100 includes address buffers 101, address comparators 102, and a logic-OR circuit 103. The address buffers 101 store plural load addresses of the load instructions. The address comparators 102 are connected to the address buffers 101 for comparing the plural load addresses of the load instructions stored in the address buffers 101 and a store address of the store instruction which have just been executed. The logic-OR circuit 103 takes a logical-OR of all of the compared results from the address comparators 102 and outputs a data dependence detected result.
The detection of the read after write dependence from the store instruction to the load instruction is realized by the following operations of the data dependence detector 100. If the load instruction is executed by the data dependence speculative execution, the address of the load instruction is stored into a free address buffer 101. Subsequently, a store instruction is executed. The address of the store instruction is inputted into all of the plural address comparators 102, so that the plural address comparators 102 compare the load addresses of the executed load addresses with the inputted store address of the store instruction just executed and outputs the compared results which arc transmitted to the logic-OR circuit 103.
The logic-OR circuit 103 takes the logical-OR of all of the compared results from the plural address comparators 102, and outputs the data dependence detected result. If the store address of the store instruction does not correspond to any of the load addresses of the load instructions stored in the address buffers 101, then it is judged that the read after write dependence from the store instruction to respective one of the load instructions is not present. The data dependence detected result indicates that the read after write dependence from the store instruction to respective one of the load instructions is not present. This means that the data dependence speculative execution has resulted in the success. Subsequent instructions will continuously be executed.
If the store address of the store instruction does correspond to any one of the load addresses of the load instructions stored in the address buffers 101, then it is judged that the read after write dependence from the store instruction to respective one of the load instructions is present. The data dependence detected result indicates that the read after write dependence from the store instruction to respective one of the load instructions is present. This means that the data dependence speculative execution has resulted in the failure. The recovery process for the failure of the data dependence speculative execution will subsequently be accomplished.
The above conventional data dependence detector 100 has the following two problems.
The first problem is that the necessary hardware size is large because for ensuring the exactly correct execution result of the program in the data dependence speculative execution, it is necessary to detect in full all of the read after write dependence.
The conventional data dependence detector 100 stores the load addresses of all the load instructions executed by the data dependence speculative execution into the address buffers 101 and then the address comparators 102 compare the load addresses with the store address of the store instruction. The load addresses of the load instructions executed by the data dependence speculative execution are stored into the address buffers 101. If no free space is present in the address buffers 101, then it is no longer possible to subject the load instructions to the data dependence speculative execution.
In this case, the subsequent load/store instructions arc executed in the program sequence. The number of the load instructions which may be executed by the data dependence speculative execution is limited by both the number of the address buffers 101 and the number of the address comparators 102. In order to improve the performance of the data dependence speculative execution, a large number of the address buffers 101 and a large number of the address comparators 102 are needed, whereby the necessary hardware size is large.
A second problem is that the speed of detecting the read after write dependence is slow. In order to detect the read after write dependence, it is necessary to take not only a time for processing the address comparison by the address comparator 102 but also a time for logic operation of the outputs from the address comparators 102. This makes it possible to improve the high frequency performance of the processor.
As the number of the address buffers 101 and the number of the address comparators 102 are increased, the number of the inputs into the logic-OR circuit 103 is also increased, whereby the above disadvantages become more remarkable.
Accordingly, the conventional data dependence detector needs a large hardware size for improving the performance of the data dependence speculative execution. The large hardware size increases the necessary time for processing the detection of the read after write dependence, thereby making it difficult to improve the high speed performance of the processor.
In the above circumstances, the development of a novel data dependence detector free from the above problems is desirable.

Data dependency detection using history table of entry number hashed from memory address


The present invention is directed to an assembly for communicating an external signal over a control channel of an HDMI cable. The assembly includes a first logic block, a second logic block, a transmitter, and a receiver. The first logic block and the second logic block each coupled to the opposite end of the cable and configured to dynamically or manually switch the control channel between an inline mode and a bypass mode. The receiver and the transmitter electrically connected to the first logic block and the second logic block respectfully. The receiver receives the external signal, the first logic block transmits the external signal to the second logic block over the control channel in the bypass mode. The transmitter on receiving the external signal from the second logic block transmits the external signal to the destination device.

Cables are indispensable for connecting electrical appliances. The cables are used to transmit data between the electrical appliances. Multimedia cables, such as an HDMI cable connect a multimedia sink device, such as a TV, monitor, projector with a multimedia source device, such as a set-top box. Besides the audio-video data, the HDMI interface also transmits control signal.
HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) has become a standard for transmitting high-resolution audio and video data. HDMI transmits uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed audio data. Standard HDMI cables are used for multimedia devices and have a bandwidth capacity of 5 Gbps. While high-speed HDMI cables can support up to 8K resolution video by providing a bandwidth capacity of 48 Gbps. The newer Premium HDMI cables may also have an HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) that allows multiple HDMI connected devices to connect to a common router. Nowadays, most of the multimedia devices are incorporated with HDMI capabilities. Thus, HDMI allows for connecting different devices at home, such as TV, monitor, camera, projector, set-top box, DVD player, Blu-ray player, and like. In a typical HDMI cable, audio and video data can be transmitted through twisted pairs of copper cables. Generally, the transmissions minimized differential signaling (TMDS) channels transmit the audio and video data signals. A TMDS clock allows the devices to synchronize the incoming data. The three TMDS channels, each having a twisted pair of copper cables and a TMDS clock have a shield to isolate the channels from external interferences. The TMDS channels and shield forms a major part of the HDMI cable. The HDMI also contains a single control channel referred to as the CEC channel. Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) is a protocol used to control devices that are attached to the HDMI cable. The CEC channel allows the two connected devices to communicate. CEC features may include routing control, standby, system information, and feature abort. Other, optional features may include one touch recording, deck control, tuner control, On Screen Display (OSD) display, OSD name transfer, device menu control, RC pass-through, power status and vendor-specific commands. A typical HDMI may also include a HOTPLUG detect channel that can detect if a device is plugged and unplugged. A display data channel (DDC) carries device information and HDCP encryption information. Also, channels for electricity to power communication between the devices are included in the HDMI.
To remotely control the multimedia devices, the use of infrared-based remote controls are quite common. However, for the IR based remote control to work, the remote control should be in line-of-sight with the multimedia device. A typical home nowadays has numerous multimedia devices each having its remote control. The multimedia devices at home can be installed at distant locations. For example, HDMI may connect a TV with a set-top box, Blu-ray player, gaming console, stereo system, and like multimedia devices. Not all these multimedia devices may be placed near the TV. A set-top box can be installed in a room other than the room in which TV is installed. A user watching TV has to go to another room to operate the set-top box. This can be inconvenient and also multiple remotes can add to the trouble. Thus, a need is appreciated for a device that can allow remote operating the multimedia devices interconnected connected through HDMI.

Multimedia cable with dedicated infrared channel


A system is provided for scheduling and maintaining an open communication channel between multiple parties. The system includes a client device connected to a host device via a network. The client device is configured to interact with a website in order to schedule a communication with an advisor. The client device can then be used to participate in the scheduled communication with the advisor. During the communication, a telephone application may be configured to monitor the communication channel between the parties. If the application determines that the client connection has been lost, the application may ask the advisor whether he/she wants to reestablish a connection with the client. If the answers is yes, then the application may ask the client if he/she wants to reestablish a call with the advisor. If the answer is yes, then the application will rejoin the client with the advisor over the communication channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a social network device, and more particularly, to a system and method for scheduling, establishing and maintaining an open communication channel between at least one first party (e.g., a client) and at least one second party (e.g., an advisor).
2. Description of Related Art
Every day, hundreds of millions of people communicate with each other over various networks. For example, some people communicate using telecommunication devices (e.g., cellular telephones, landlines, etc.) connected via telecommunication networks (e.g., satellites, telephone lines, fiber-optic lines, etc.), while others communicate using computers (e.g., smart phones, personal computers, etc.) connected via a wide area network, like the Internet. While most communications are direct communications, in that one party is communicating directly with another party (e.g., via a telephone call, an email, etc.), other communications are indirect, and involve at least one intermediary person or device. For example, there are hundreds, if not thousands of social networking sites whose primary purpose is to act as an intermediary, and connect (or introduce) one party to another. Examples of such social networking sites include Facebook™, Match.Com™, and CaliforniaPsychics.Com™.
Social networking sites generally include pay services, where services are paid for after services are rendered. For example, a typical social network site may introduce a first party to a second party, and then charge the first party a per-minute rate for communicating with the second party. A typical psychic hotline is an example of a post-pay service, where the customer's credit card is charged after the call with the psychic is over, or after the amount due (which may be based on the length of the call) is known.
Other social network sites, however, may offer a prepaid service. While such services have advantage, they also have certain drawbacks. For example, using the psychic business method as an example, in order to charge the customer before his/her call with the psychic, the system would need to know which psychic will be participating in the call, and what will be the duration of the call. And in order to answer these two question, the customer would first need to identify a psychic that is available at a customer-selected time and for a customer-selected duration. Thus, in order to offer prepaid psychic services, the social network site would need to allow the customer to (i) select a psychic, (ii) schedule a time and duration that is acceptable to the psychic, and (iii) pay for the scheduled communication prior to the communication actually taking place.
In carrying out these steps, certain complications can arise. For example, because the availability of a psychic can change day-by-day, or hour-by-hour, it may be difficult for a customer to schedule a call with a psychic of their choice, at a time of their choice, and for a duration of their choice. Further, because services are being prepaid, it may be difficult (if not impossible) for a customer to extend a communication after the customer has paid for the communication. This is especially true if the customer is currently communicating with (or on the line with) the psychic. Finally, it may also be difficult (if not impossible) to maintain the scheduled communication if the customer's or the psychic's device or network is not operating properly, or is experiencing problems.
Therefore, there is a need to develop a system and method that addresses the foregoing drawbacks and complications associated with prepaid services. In particular, there is a need to develop a system and method for scheduling, establishing, extending and/or maintaining an open communication channel between a first party (e.g., a client, etc.) and a second party (e.g., an advisor, etc.).

System and method for scheduling, establishing and maintaining an open communication channel with an advisor


A sewing machine includes upper and lower beams. A thread hooking mechanism is mounted in the lower beam. A needle plate base is mounted to an end of the lower beam. A transmission shaft rotatably extends in the lower beam and has an end extending into the needle plate base. The transmission shaft can be driven by a power source. A driving device is mounted to the end of the lower beam and includes a transmission gear fixed on the end of the transmission shaft, a driven shaft rotatably received in the needle plate base and having an end coupled to the thread hooking mechanism, and a driven gear fixed on the driven shaft and connected to the transmission gear, with the driven shaft and the thread hooking mechanism rotating at a speed higher than the transmission shaft.

The present invention relates to a driving device for a thread hooking mechanism for a sewing machine and, more particularly, to a driving device for a threading hooking mechanism for a sewing machine requiring a larger sewing space for a workpiece with a large thickness.
FIGS. 1-4 show a sewing machine suitable for stitching a fluffy, multilayer workpiece such as cloth or leather. The sewing machine includes a body 10 having upper and lower beams 11 and 12. A head 13 is mounted to an end of the upper beam 11. A needle plate base 20 is mounted to an end of the lower beam 12 and aligned with the head 13. A transmission shaft 15 extends in the upper beam 11 and can be driven by a power source 14 in the form of a motor via a pulley 14 and a belt 142. A transmission shaft 16 extends in the lower beam 12 and is connected to an end of the transmission shaft 15 by pulleys 151 and 161 and a timing belt 152. A stitching device 17 is coupled to the other end of the transmission shaft 15 and includes a needle 171 and a pressing device 18 having a pressing leg 181. When the motor 14 is activated, the needle 171 and the pressing legs 181 move reciprocatingly in a vertical direction. When sewing a workpiece having a larger thickness in the vertical direction, a thread hooking mechanism 19 is driven by the transmission shaft 16 via a driving device 50, so as to hook a thread on the stitch 171 and a bottom thread on a shuttle core 193 of a shuttle 192 in the thread hooking mechanism 19 for the purposes of sewing operation.
Specifically, a transmission wheel 51 is mounted on an end of the transmission shaft 16 and connected via a timing belt 54 to a driven wheel 53 mounted on a driven shaft 52 that is driven by the timing belt 54. The other end of the transmission shaft 16 extends into the needle plate base 20. The thread hooking mechanism 19 rotates at a speed two times of that of the transmission shaft 16. Furthermore, two tension wheels 55 and adjusting wheel seats 56 as well as adjusting bolts 57 and 58 are provided to adjust the tension of the timing belt 54.
The spacing between the head 13 and the needle plate base 20 is fixed, and the spacing between the transmission shaft 16 and the driven shaft 52 in the vertical direction provides a larger space between a bottom face of the upper beam 11 and a top face of the lower beam 12 for the purposes of easy sewing operation. However, the conventional driving device 50 has quite a few members and requires troublesome manufacturing, processing, assembling, and adjustment, leading to a waste in labor and time while increasing the costs. Furthermore, the timing belt 54 is liable to wear out and not easy to be detached for maintenance.
Thus, a need exists for a novel driving device for a threading hooking mechanism for a sewing machine that is simple in structure, more durable, easy to manufacture, easy to process, and easy to assemble, so that the manufacturing costs can be reduced and that the functionality can be enhanced.

Driving device for thread hooking mechanism for sewing machine


Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle control system for selecting and/or determining a driving surface and for controlling a plurality of vehicle subsystems to operate in a plurality of subsystem control modes in dependence on the selected/determined driving surface, the system being operable in a manual control mode selection condition in which a user is able to select said driving surface and an automatic control mode selection condition in which the system is configured to select said driving surface automatically, wherein the vehicle control system is provided with a memory arranged to memorize a last selected control mode that was selected prior to vehicle de-activation or key-off when operating in the automatic control mode selection condition, and upon the next subsequent vehicle activation or key-on, the system is configured to continue operating in the memorized control mode and to automatically obtain new data in respect of a driving surface over which the vehicle is moving before allowing a change in control mode to take place.

It is known to provide a vehicle having a plurality of subsystems which can be operated in different configurations to suit different driving conditions. For example, automatic transmissions may be controlled in a variety of modes such as sport, manual, winter or economy. In each mode, subsystem control parameters such as accelerator pedal response and conditions under which changes between gear ratios take place may be modified so as to suit the conditions of the terrain or the particular taste of the driver. It is also known to provide air suspensions with on-road and off-road modes. Stability control systems can be operated at reduced activity in certain modes so as to give the driver more direct control, and power steering systems can be operated in different modes to provide a varying level of assistance depending on driving conditions.
In a known vehicle control system allowing selection of control modes optimised for different driving conditions, mode selection is entirely manual. The control system (which may also be referred to as a terrain response (TR) control system) responds to a user request for operation in a given control mode according to the position of a control knob. If the control knob has been left in a given mode (such as a grass/gravel/snow (GGS) mode) at key-off then the control system will assume the GGS mode at the next key-on, unless the control knob has been adjusted. Thus the position of the control knob determines the control mode that will be assumed by the controller.
Embodiments of the present invention have automatic mode selection functionality and may operate as described elsewhere herein. Embodiments of the invention may for example employ a multi-stable knob for mode selection, optionally of the kind described herein. In some embodiments the physical position of the knob is not indicative of selected mode. In embodiments having a rotatable knob the knob may be rotated through an angle greater than 360°.
It is to be understood that in some embodiments of the present invention the control system is able to determine confidently the type of terrain over which the vehicle is moving and determine the most appropriate control mode in a relatively short distance of travel (approximately less than two car lengths in some embodiments). When a vehicle moves from rest following key-on, the control system can therefore determine the most appropriate terrain relatively quickly and be ready to command a change in selected mode if required.
The applicant has recognised that since the most appropriate mode may be determined relatively quickly, the vehicle speed may be relatively low when the determination has been made. Furthermore, whether or not the speed is low, it may be possible to command the change relatively soon after the vehicle commences movement. A user of the vehicle may be particularly sensitive to vehicle motion and response of the vehicle to control inputs such as accelerator pedal input. If the control system commands the change as soon as it has determined that a change is needed, immediately or soon after starting, a user may perceive that a change in vehicle response has taken place and may perceive the change as a fault. The change may be detrimental to vehicle composure and user enjoyment.
Furthermore, if a user moves a vehicle between forwards and reverse gears directly after key-on, a change in selected mode may take place as a user changes vehicle direction. The user may readily detect the change, and again may perceive the change in behaviour as a fault.
It is desirable to provide an improved control system for a motor vehicle operable in different configurations.


A system and method for widening auto-ignition range of a lean burn internal combustion engine employs stratified charge of exhaust gas content and air content. A fuel injection system carries out a first injection of gasoline fuel for dispersion within the air content, and a second injection of gasoline fuel for dispersion within the exhaust gas content. This intelligent injection of gasoline fuel accomplishes auto-ignition of gasoline fuel within the exhaust gas content over extended range of engine speed and load.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lean burn internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Related Art
To improve thermal efficiency of gasoline internal combustion engines, lean burn is known to give enhanced thermal efficiency by reducing pumping losses and increasing ratio of specific heats. Flatly speaking, lean burn is known to give low fuel consumption and low NOx emissions. There is however a limit at which an engine can be operated with a lean air/fuel mixture because of misfire and combustion instability as a result of a slow burning. Known methods to extend the lean limit include improving ignitability of the mixture by enhancing the fuel preparation, for example using atomized fuel or vaporized fuel, and increasing the flame speed by introducing charge motion and turbulence in the air/fuel mixture. Finally, combustion by auto-ignition has been proposed for operating an engine with very lean air/fuel mixtures.
When certain conditions are met within a homogeneous charge of lean air/fuel mixture during low load operation, auto-ignition can occur wherein bulk combustion takes place initiated simultaneously from many ignition sites within the charge, resulting in very stable power output, very clean combustion and high thermal efficiency. NOx emission produced in controlled auto-ignition combustion is extremely low in comparison with spark ignition combustion based on propagating flame front and heterogeneous charge compression ignition combustion based on an attached diffusion flame. In the latter two cases represented by spark ignition engine and diesel engine, respectively, the burnt gas temperature is highly heterogeneous within the charge with very high local temperature values creating high NOx emission. By contrast, in controlled auto-ignition combustion where the combustion is uniformly distributed throughout the charge from many ignition sites, the burnt gas temperature is substantially homogeneous with much lower local temperature values resulting in very low NOx emission.
Engines operating under controlled auto-ignition combustion have already been successfully demonstrated in two-stroke gasoline engines using a conventional compression ratio. It is believed that the high proportion of burnt gases remaining from the previous cycle, i.e., the residual content, within the two-stroke engine combustion chamber is responsible for providing the hot charge temperature and active fuel radicals necessary to promote auto-ignition in a very lean air/fuel mixture. In four-stroke engines, because the residual content is low, auto-ignition is more difficult to achieve, but can be induced by heating the intake air to a high temperature or by significantly increasing the compression ratio.
In all the above cases, the range of engine speeds and loads in which controlled auto-ignition combustion can be achieved is relatively narrow. The fuel used also has a significant effect on the operating range, for example, diesel fuel and methanol fuel have wider auto-ignition ranges than gasoline fuel.
An auto-ignition, which is induced by heating fuel and significantly increasing the compression ratio, in four-stroke gasoline engine is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,716, which claims priority of Japanese patent application No. 6-150487 that was laid open as JP-A 7-332141 on Dec. 22, 1995. Gasoline fuel is injected inside the intake port a considerable amount of time before the intake valve is open so that the mixture of air and gasoline in the intake port is sufficiently heated before entering the combustion chamber. The mixture is ignited by compression ignition performed at high pressure. Since the gasoline fuel injected in the intake port is completely evaporated before entering the combustion chamber, reliable compression ignition is achieved. The compression ratio ranges from about 14 to about 20. Use of a compression ratio of 17.7 is described as the most preferred implementation in this publication.
Injection of the gasoline fuel is performed during a lo predetermined period from 10 degrees of crankshaft angle before the intake valve is closed to 110 degrees of crankshaft angle before the intake valve is opened.
JP-A 10-266878 discloses a technique to accomplish auto-ignition of gasoline fuel over a predetermined load range from light load to high load by adjusting closing timing of an exhaust valve as well as opening and closing timings of an intake valve. According to this known technique, over the predetermined load range, an opening timing of the exhaust valve is held invariable at a crank position before a bottom dead center (BDC) position of expansion stroke against variations of load request, but a closing timing of the exhaust valve is adjusted to varying crank positions before a top dead center (TDC) position of exhaust stroke against varying load request. A throttle valve is fully opened over this predetermined load range. The closing timing of the exhaust valve advances as load request becomes low to increase the amount of exhaust gas remaining in a cylinder to decrease the amount of fresh charge. In order to retain exhaust gas, the opening timing of the intake valve is adjusted to varying crank positions after the TbC position of exhaust stroke against varying load request over the predetermined load range. The opening timing of the intake valve retards as load request becomes low. The closing timing of the intake valve is adjusted to varying crank positions after a bottom dead center (BDC) position of intake stroke against varying load request over the predetermined load range. The closing timing of the intake valve retards gradually as load request becomes high over a portion of the predetermined load range and then advances gradually as load request becomes high over the remaining portion of the predetermined load range. According to this known technique, closing timing of the exhaust valve controls the amount of exhaust gas in the cylinder, thereby controlling available combustion chamber volume for receiving fuel mixture thereby controlling load. Further, closing timing of the intake valve advances during operation with load where auto-ignition is difficult to accomplish. Advancing closing timing of intake valve increases a compression ratio thereby increasing temperature of the mixture in the cylinder.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,088, which corresponds to JP-A 11-182246, shows a controlled auto-ignition engine operating process. According to this process, exhaust gas recirculated from an exhaust port through an EGR pipe is admitted to the combustion chamber, and thereafter a mixture of air and fuel is admitted through an intake port into the combustion chamber at a start of compression phase of the combustion chamber. Admission of the air fuel mixture produces stratification between the mixture and the exhaust gas to provide favorable conditions for auto-ignition within the combustion chamber.
According to this known process, the exhaust gas is used to elevate the temperature of the air and fuel mixture admitted into the combustion chamber to assist in establishing favorable condition for auto-ignition around top dead center of piston compression stroke.
An object of the present invention is to widen auto-ignition range of a lean burn internal combustion engine.
In one aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by a lean burn internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with a piston reciprocating therein to define a combustion chamber. The engine comprises:
a first device for supplying first oxygen containing gas to the combustion chamber;
a second device for supplying second oxygen containing gas to the combustion chamber for producing stratification, within the combustion chamber, of first gas content with second gas content, the first gas being higher in temperature than the second gas; and
a fuel injection system for carrying out a first injection of gasoline fuel into the combustion chamber for dispersion within the second gas content, and for carrying out a second injection of gasoline fuel into the combustion chamber for dispersion within the first gas content, thereby to accomplish auto-ignition of gasoline fuel within the first gas content of the combustion chamber.

Controlled auto-ignition lean burn stratified engine by intelligent injection


There is provided a fluoride-ion sustained release pre-formed glass ionomer filler comprising a powdery reaction product of polyalkenoic acid with a fluorine-containing glass, and a method of producing the same. There is also provided a dental composition containing the filler. The fluoride-ion sustained release pre-formed glass ionomer filler is long capable of releasing fluoride ions in the presence of water without involving disintegration. The dental composition of the invention is useful particularly for prevention of dental caries and like trouble.

Fluoride ion fluorinates the hydroxyapatite of dentin and thus strengthen the dentin. Therefore, fluoride ion has much to be expected of for use in inhibiting or preventing dental caries. Further, it is conceivable to use fluoride ions in combination with calcium ion and phosphoric ion for capping dental tuble, calcification thereof, and/or recalcification of softened dentin, through which much can be expected for protection of dental pulp and otherwise.
Hitherto, in the field of dentistry, for the purpose of preventing dental caries, as well as inhibiting secondary dental caries, there have been used fluoride-ion releasable compounds, such as sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, aluminum fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, strontium fluoride, zinc fluoride, primary tin fluoride, and fluorides of rare earth elements. Dental compositions containing such compounds are also known.
Primarily, however, liberation of fluoride ions is a dissociation of the fluoride ions in the presence of water and often involves an elution, i.e., dissolution, of a compound, which in effect means a disintegration of a composition and, in addition, the presence of counter ions. Therefore, the above noted known compounds are unstable for use in dental compositions.
In the mean while, cements formed by the reaction of glass with an ionomer are well known as a dental composition which is releasable fluoride ion, and have many uses in dentistry, for example, the restoration of cavities or lesions, sealing or filling occlusal pits and fissures, sealing root surfaces for overdentures or for luting.
These ionomer cements are hydrogel salts that are formed by the reaction between a basic calcium aluminofluorosilicate glass and an acidic polyelectrolyte which is a homopolymer or a copolymer of unsaturated carboxylic acid. Cements of this type are particularly preferred as dental cements because they are highly biocompatible, bond strongly to the tooth structure and allow fluoride to be released. However, the setting reaction between the glass and the ionomer is slow and therefore the length of time required for the cement to set to a sufficient hardness for the dentist to perform the necessary finishing presents a problem.
Dental cements have also been proposed which contain a filler and a light-curable resin, so that the setting of the cement is effected by its exposure to light. In one embodiment the filler is glass and the resin is chosen to be an ionomer which reacts with the glass and is also light-curable. The time that is required for the cement to reach the required hardness is thereby reduced. This improvement has provided significant improvements over the traditional glass ionomer cements. However, these light-curable compositions have the disadvantages that only a limited range of monomers can be used. This is because they must be both ionomeric and light-curable.
Moreover, in order that the dentist can use the cement, it is essential that it does not set until after it has been placed in the tooth. The glass and the ionomer are therefore commonly supplied separately in the form of a powder and a liquid respectively. The dentist must then mix them in the appropriate ratio immediately prior to application to the tooth. As the setting process commences on contact between the ionomer and the glass, the dentist must work quickly to mix the cement and to apply it to the tooth. The cement is then set by exposing to a light. In general, setting is accelerated by exposing the cement to a bright light.
The drawbacks of this method are that it is difficult to get the ratio between the components correct and to achieve efficient mixing. These drawbacks result in variations in the composition of the final cement.
There is also a danger that during mixing air bubbles will be introduced into the mixture which will lead to weakness in the final cement. A further difficulty in achieving a product having the correct ratio of glass to ionomer is that the components are highly temperature and humidity sensitive and results may therefore vary from day to day.
In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, the powder and liquid are sometimes provided in a single capsule where they are separated by a membrane. Immediately prior to use, the capsule is placed in a machine which pierces the membrane and vibrates the capsule to mix the components. The mixture is then applied to the tooth and cured by exposure to light. Whilst this procedure may overcome the mixing difficulties of the two-pack system described above, the cement provided in the capsule still has the drawback that setting commences immediately the components are mixed.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a filler composition which eliminates aforesaid problems, and which is capable of stable and sustained fluoride ion release without involving elution and is not liable to disintegrate a compound. It is another object of the invention to provide dental compositions containing the filler and, more particularly, a light curable one-pack type dental cement.

Fluoride ion sustained release preformed glass ionomer filler and dental compositions containing the same


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a second storage node contact hole with a mask for storage node and securing an overlay margin between a storage node contact hole and a storage node with a hard mask layer that serves as a hard mask as well as an anti-reflection film to reduce contact resistance, prevent reduction of a line-width of a lower interlayer insulating film and eliminate processes for depositing the interlayer insulating film and a polysilicon layer and etching the polysilicon layer to reduce a production period and cost of products.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and more specifically, to a method for obtaining an overlay margin between a storage node contact plug and a storage node using a multi functional hard mask layer that serves as a hard mask as well as an anti-reflection film.
Currently, a bottom anti-reflection coating (BARC) film, which is coated by a spin-on system, contains a material that absorbs light in a particular wavelength band of an exposure light source. The BARC film is applied before a photoresist film is coated for a patterning process with KrF.
The BARC film prevents scattered reflection from beneath the photoresist film and eliminates standing waves inside the thickness of the photoresist film. This increases the uniformity of the photoresist film. However, since the BARC film does not serve as a hard mask layer, researches have been forced to develop cross-linking agents and polymers for anti-reflection films to more easily remove the BARC film.
As devices become smaller, the thickness of the photoresist film has become thinner to prevent the collapse of patterns and obtain exposure latitude (EL) and depth of focus (DOF) so that the photoresist film does not serve as an etching barrier. When an amorphous carbon layer is used as a hard mask, it requires additional processes for forming a photoresist film, an anti-reflection film, and a silicon oxide nitride film.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device


A multipurpose tool for use in installing wallboard is. According to one embodiment, the tool comprises an elongated handle having first and second ends. The first end of the handle is connected to a wallboard spotter. The second end of the handle is connected to a screwdriver portion, which desirably comprises a ratcheting screwdriver. The screwdriver portion can also be adapted to be removably coupled to the handle. In addition, the screwdriver portion can be provided with a removable, reversible bit having a screwdriver end and a blunt end for depressing strands of wallboard paper into holes left by nails or screws in wallboard. In another embodiment, a tool comprises an elongated handle having a first end adapted for connection to a conventional wallboard spotter and a second end having a screwdriver.

The present invention relates to a multipurpose tool, and more particularly, to a wallboard spotter having an integral screwdriver.
Wallboard (also called drywall or sheet rock) is mounted to studs using screws. To ensure that the wall appears flush, the heads of the screws are sunk into the wallboard approximately xe2x85x9 of an inch deep. A suitable mastic or joint compound is used to fill in the depressions left by the screws. The mastic is then sanded to ready the wall for painting or wallpaper.
Do-it-yourselfers typically use a putty knife to apply mastic in the depressions left by the screws. This is a relatively slow process. Professionals use a tool called a xe2x80x9cnail spotterxe2x80x9d or a xe2x80x9cwallboard spotterxe2x80x9d (more generically called a xe2x80x9cspotterxe2x80x9d) that allows them to quickly fill the screws holes with mastic.
Spotters come in a variety of different styles and are sold by a number of different manufacturers. For example, Columbia Taping Tools (Blaine, Wash.), TapeTech (Union City, Calif.), Premier Drywall Tool Co. (Stockton, Calif.) and Ames Taping Tools (Duluth, Ga.) all make different versions of spotters that have slightly different designs and functional attributes. Reference can be had, for example, to U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,386, to Mower and U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,812, to Orosco et al. for a description of various spotters. In general, these wallboard spotters automatically dispense mastic or jointing compound to nail and screw depressions. Generally, the wallboard spotters have a cavity in which the compound is placed and a pressure plate or motorized mechanism is used to force the compound through an orifice to apply the compound to the wallboard.
A professional using a nail spotter occasionally comes across a screw that is insufficiently embedded or otherwise protruding from the wall. In such a case, the professional has to stop, take out a screwdriver and tighten the screw, before continuing use of the spotter. This process of using a separate screwdriver slows the professional down and disrupts the flow of applying mastic using the nail spotter.
During the installation of wallboard, it may be necessary to remove screws from a wallboard panel for various reasons. Removing screws from wallboard, however, may cause a portion of the paper surface of the wallboard to partially tear away from the surface. One way of treating the torn surface is to depress or push the paper strands into the hole left by the screw with a hand punch tool. Again, the process of using a separate tool, this time for treating a tom surface, further slows the professional down during the installation of wallboard.
The present invention is directed to a multipurpose tool that is typically used in conjunction with wallboard spotters.
According to one embodiment, a multipurpose tool comprises a screwdriver portion and a wallboard spotter portion for automatically dispensing mastic or compound to a wall by forcing the mastic or compound from a housing. In one illustrated example, the tool includes an elongated handle having opposed first and second ends. The wallboard spotter portion may be connected in any suitable manner to the first end of the handle. The screwdriver portion may be, for example, connected in a suitable manner to the second end of the handle.
The screwdriver portion may be a ratcheting screwdriver. The screwdriver portion can also be adapted to be removably coupled to the handle to permit use of the screwdriver independent of the wallboard spotter portion and the handle. In addition, the screwdriver portion can be provided with a removable, reversible bit having a screwdriver end and a blunt end for depressing partially torn strands of wallboard paper into holes left by nails or screws in wallboard.
This tool is advantageous in that a worker using the tool to apply mastic to a wall panel does not have to stop work to take out a screwdriver if and when the worker comes across a screw that is not sufficiently embedded in the wall. Instead, the worker can utilize the screwdriver portion of the tool to further drive or tighten the screw into the wall. If the screwdriver portion is adapted to be removable, the worker can remove the screwdriver portion for use and then quickly re-attach it before continuing the mastic applying process. In either case, the tool facilitates the installation of wallboard and reduces the time required for the application of mastic.
In another embodiment, a tool comprises an elongated handle having first and second ends. The first end of the handle is adapted for connection to a conventional wallboard spotter for automatically dispensing mastic or compound to a wall by forcing the mastic or compound from a housing. The second end of the handle is connected in any suitable manner to a screwdriver portion. Thus, in this particular example, the tool in one sense is a retrofit handle for a conventional wallboard spotter. A user can simply remove the existing handle of his wallboard spotter and connect the retrofit handle so as to form a tool having both a wallboard spotter and a screwdriver.
According to another embodiment, a multipurpose tool comprises a paper-pushing or hand punch portion for pushing torn strands of wallboard paper into holes left by nails or screws in wallboard. The hand punch portion is coupled to a wallboard spotter portion for applying mastic or compound to a wall. In one particular example, the tool includes an elongated handle, one end of which is connected in any suitable manner to the wallboard spotter portion and the other end of which is connected in any suitable manner to the paper pushing portion.
In yet another embodiment, a tool for installing and/or repairing wallboard comprises a main handle portion having first and second ends. The first end is connected in any suitable manner to an applicator end portion for storing and applying mastic or compound to wallboard. The second end of the handle is adapted to receive a conventional screwdriver.
According to one approach, a method of using a multipurpose tool for applying mastic or compound to a wall comprises applying mastic or compound to a wall using an automated wallboard spotter attached to one end of an elongated handle. Upon detecting a screw protruding from the wall, the elongated handle may be rotated or flipped from a wallboard-spotting position to a screw-tightening position wherein the end of the handle opposite the wallboard spotter is adjacent the protruding screw. The screw may then be tightened using a screwdriver coupled to the elongated handle opposite the wallboard spotter. After tightening the screw, the handle may be rotated back to its wallboard-spotting position so that the wallboard spotter can be used to apply mastic or compound. Consequently, rotation of the elongated handle back and forth between the screw-tightening position and the wall-spotting position may be accomplished without adjusting the user""s hands on the handle.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments, which proceed with reference to the accompanying figures.


Waste water from an apparatus that rinses particles from semiconductor wafers is collected in a tank. A pump sends waste water from the tank through a particle filter and onward to a supply inlet for initial rinse stages of the processing apparatus. Some of the waste water is bleed from the tank and replenished by fresh water introduced into the final rinse stage of the apparatus. If the semiconductor processing so dictates, chemicals may be added to the waste water to alter the pH and/or prevent the precipitation of solids in the tank. The addition of such chemicals can be controlled automatically in response to sensed characteristics of the waste water.

The present invention relates to semiconductor wafer fabricating equipment; and more particularly to apparatus for rinsing particles from semiconductor wafers during fabrication.
Semiconductor fabrication utilizes large quantities of water for rinsing the semiconductor wafers at different stages of fabrication, as well as for rinsing the equipment that processes the wafers. For example, the semiconductor wafer must be rinsed with water following polishing to flush away particles of the abrasive slurry which adheres to the wafer. In addition, the polishing pad is rinsed between operations to remove accumulated slurry and wafer particles which adhere to the pad so that those materials will not affect polishing of the next semiconductor wafer. Typical chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) equipment can consume two to eight gallons of water per minute. This equates to between 50 and 200 gallons of water per wafer depending on the number and type of operations being performed on each wafer.
Heretofore, such semiconductor wafer processing equipment was supplied with ultra pure, deionized water with a resistivity of about 18 mega-ohms, for example. After rinsing one semiconductor wafer or piece of the processing equipment, the water, now contaminated with waste particles and process chemicals, was discarded through a drain. The accepted principle is that if the waste water is recycled, particles of slurry and wafer material born by the waste water could damage the subsequently rinsed semiconductor wafers. Concern also existed that after a rinsing operation the waste water no longer has a neutral pH which also would adversely affect semiconductor wafers processed subsequently.
For example, silica CMP employs an alkaline abrasive slurry having a pH of 10.5-11.5 at working concentration. This slurry contains up to 10-12 percent by weight of silica as microscopic abrasive particles and ammonium, sodium, or potassium ions equivalent to about a 0.5-2.0 percent by weight solution of their respective hydroxide. In addition the slurry typically has several hundred parts per million of soluble silica as silicate. When the silica CMP processing solutions are diluted by the rinsing operation, the waste water may have a pH of about 9 and the dissolved silica begins to decompose forming insoluble silicon oxide particles.
The slurry used in metals CMP normally is acidic. Such a slurry that is widely used to remove tungsten consists of a dilute ferric nitrate solution having 0.5 to 3.0 percent by weight of microscopic, abrasive aluminum oxide (alumina) particles. Other types of abrasive solutions used in metals CMP include (a) ferrocyanide, organic acid and silica or alumina; (b) hydrogen peroxide and alumina; and (c) potassium periodate and alumina. When metals CMP processing solutions are diluted by the rinse operation, the pH changes due to dilution. Any alumina from the processing is essentially insoluble; whereas ferric nitrate from the processing hydrolyzes at a pH greater than 3 to give ferric hydroxide solids, free nitric acid and unhydrolyzed ferric nitrate. Ferric nitrate hydrolysis will reach an equilibrium with a concentration of free nitric acid which is sufficient to redissolve the ferric hydroxide precipitate. At this point the weakly acidic (pH 3-6) solution is stable and will keep the remaining ferric nitrate in solution.
Additional concerns have been expressed that ionic contamination will increase to unacceptable levels in a closed rinse water recycling system and adversely affect removal of particles from semiconductor wafers. Hence rinse water from standard chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processing equipment was discarded after one rinse operation.
Therefore, conventional wisdom regarding semiconductor fabrication dictated that only ultra pure, deionized water be used so as not to contaminate or damage the semiconductor wafers. As a consequence it was not considered practical to recycle the waste water to rinse more than one semiconductor wafer. This consumption of water is not only wasteful, but the deionized water is expensive.
Thus previous approaches to re-using sent the rinse water back through a standard ultra-pure water processing system to regenerate 18 mega-ohm water with all particles removed. There are two options for repurifying the rinse water. One is to send filtered used rinse water to the main processing plant for the ultra pure water. However, this option is not recommended by many semiconductor manufacturers for fear of introducing undesirable impurities from the CMP operation into the entire purification plant. A more acceptable option is to use a separate ultra pure water purification system which is dedicated to processing the used rinse water. The water from this second purification system is used only back in the CMP equipment.
Both of these options are very costly to implement, with high capital and operating expenses. Furthermore due to the nature of the ultra pure water purification, a 25% to 40% of the incoming waste rinse water must be discarded.

Rinse water recycling method for semiconductor wafer processing equipment


The steps of producing a micro lens comprises the steps of forming a resin layer on a substrate in a desired pattern, causing the resin layer to absorb from its surroundings solvent which dissolves the resin so that the resin layer has fluidity and the surface of the resin layer becomes convex under the surface tension, and then drying the solvent.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for producing a micro lens. This invention further relates to a method of forming a mold (mother) for forming the micro lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a solid state image taking device such as a CCD image sensor, a micro lens for increasing light collecting efficiency is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of photodetector elements such as a photodiode. Usually, the micro lenses form a micro lens array comprising a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged micro lenses, and the micro lens is often used in the form of a micro lens array.
Further, the micro lens array is often used in a display and an image exposure system as a spatial light modulator element as well as the solid state image taking device. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-332226, an example of the micro lens array of this type is disclosed.
Though there have been proposed various methods of producing the micro lenses, methods in which the surface tension of the lens material is prevailing from the viewpoint of facilitation of formation of curved face of the lens. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59(1984)-147586, there has been disclosed a method in which a thermoplastic resin pattern is formed on an solid state image taking device and a micro lens is formed by fusing the thermoplastic resin pattern, as an example of such methods. Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9(1997)-122573, a method in which a low contact angle area and a high contact angle area are formed on a substrate, and a lens is formed by causing a coating solution (the lens material) to selectively adhere to the low contact angle area on the basis of the difference in wettability between the low contact angle area and the high contact angle area.
In the conventional method in which a lens is produced by fusing resin, which forms the lens, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59(1984)-147586, positive resist has been used in view of the facilitation of patterning. However, since the resist is based on phenolic novolak and accordingly, is thermosetting, setting also gradually progresses in the temperature range of 130 to 160° C. which is the softening range of the resist. Accordingly, there is difficult to form a curved surface as designed in this method. Especially, in the case of a low lens (for instance, a lens which is not smaller than 10 μm in diameter and is not smaller than 100 μm in radius of curvature), the curved surface can be formed only in the periphery of the pattern and the obtained micro lens does not regularly function since the central portion can be solidified before the fluidity of the resist becomes sufficient.
Further, in the method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9(1997)-122573, it is necessary to uniformly apply the lens material to substrates which are different in wettability. However it is difficult to uniformly apply the lens material when there is unevenness due to the structure on the under side as in the solid state image taking device and fluctuation in shape can increase from lens to lens.

Method of and apparatus for producing micro lens and micro lens


The present invention is for dissolving a metal complex and a low-pressure additive gas in a supercritical fluid and supplying the same continuously to a reaction vessel, aiming to provide a method and an apparatus for adding a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure supercritical fluid continuously, so that a gas which should be handled with care, such as a combustible gas, can be added to a supercritical fluid without compression. The method for continuously adding a low-pressure gas to a supercritical fluid comprises supplying a reactant gas to a supercritical fluid or a subcritical fluid by repeating, in an alternate manner, a step of storing a reactant gas midway through a piping in a low-pressure state and a step of carrying the reactant gas toward a reaction vessel with the supercritical fluid or the subcritical fluid, so that the reactant gas is continuously charged in the reaction vessel.

In recent years, a technology to synthesize substances without using substances having much effects on environment such as organic solvents is required. When a gas such as CO2 is maintained at a point higher than a critical point, it is converted into a supercritical state in which there is no boundary between gas and liquid. A substance in the supercritical state is a fluid which is neither liquid nor gas, and is referred to as a supercritical fluid.
Downsizing of integrated circuits is in steady progress. In the related art, a super-micro-fabrication process such as manufacture of the integrated circuits is generally performed with a dry process (vacuum process) in vacuo, a rarefied gas environment, or a plasma discharge environment.
The dry process has been developed as an extremely effective measure because independent atomic elements or molecules, or ions thereof can be used directly for processing. However, in the vacuum process, maintenance of vacuum and generation of plasma increase the cost. In a wet process in which a liquid is used for plating or cleaning, a large quantity of waste liquid is generated, which presents a serious environmental problem.
The supercritical fluid using CO2 as a medium has a property between liquid and gas, and has peculiar properties such that surface tension is zero and the capability to dissolve other substances (solvation capability) is high. In addition, it also has advantages such as chemical stability, inexpensiveness, harmless, and low cost. In addition, there are many characteristics such that recycling of CO2 in itself and substances dissolved in CO2 fluid by vaporization and reliquefaction.
In an integrated circuit manufacturing process, study and development of using the supercritical CO2 are in progress mainly in a wafer cleaning process. For example, in a cleaning process, a process aiming at the salvation energy, the safety and recycling capability of the supercritical CO2 has been developed. The study and development of a micro-fabrication process for forming a nano-level wiring are also in progress taking advantage of the fact that the surface tension is zero in the supercritical CO2.
For example, a main function in manufacture of semiconductor devices is the formation of a thin film, and Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solution is known as a method of forming a thin film using a supercritical fluid. D. Matson et al disclose a technology of expanding a supercritical fluid containing a source material dissolved therein and forming a supersaturated raw material. A further developed technology is a method of obtaining a thin film of a metal oxide by dissolving an oxide complex in a supercritical fluid and blowing the same onto a heated substrate (see Patent Document 1: JP 2003-213425 A)
The inventors have uniquely developed a method of forming a thin film by dissolving a thin film forming raw material such as an organic metal in a supercritical CO2 and allowing it to undergo a film forming reaction in that state (E. Kondoh and H. Kato, Microelectron. Eng. Vol. 64 (2002), pp. 495), and applies the method to the manufacture of integrated circuit wirings such as filling Cu into via holes or trenches, and the formation of a Cu diffusion barrier layer (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-17948, "Method of manufacturing semiconductor devices", and Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-17949 "Method of manufacturing semiconductor devices") The similar method is disclosed also in JP 2003-514115 T.
In the processing in a supercritical fluid, addition of a gas as a source material is frequently performed. For example, when decomposing a harmful organic substance such as dioxin using oxidative reaction in a supercritical water instead of burning, an oxidizing gas such as oxygen or air as an oxidizer is used in addition to the supercritical water. It is pointed out that addition of the gas to a supercritical CO2 is necessary when performing coating of fine particles efficiently by the Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solution (see Patent Document 1: JP 11-197494 A).
When depositing a thin film using a reaction in a supercritical fluid, addition of a gas is further important. For example, the inventors have developed a technology of dissolving Cu (hfac)2, a metal complex, in a supercritical fluid, adding H2 thereto to produce a reduction reaction to obtain a Cu thin film, and proved that when H2 is not added, only the particles are produced, and a thin film is not formed (Report introduced above). In order to deposit a thin film, it is necessary that a heterogeneous reaction occurs continuously on the substrate surface and developing surfaces. In order to cause the reaction to occur on the substrate surface by priority, the substrate surface is required to act catalytically. In the case of precipitation of Cu, the substrate metal aids dissociation of H2.
The inventors developed a technology to obtain a ruthenium oxide (RuO2) thin film by dissolving bis(cyclopentadienyl)ruthenium (RuCp2) as a metal complex in a supercritical fluid and causing an oxidative reaction with ozone gas (O3) added simultaneously (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-167782). Ozone, being unstable and dissociating on the substrate surface by priority to liberate oxygen atom, reacts easily with the metal precursor, so that the ruthenium oxide is deposited.    Patent Document 1: JP 2003-213425 A    Non-Patent Document 1: J. Mater. Sci. Soc. Vol. 22, No. 6, 1918 (1987)    Patent Document 2: JP 2003-514115 T    Patent Document 3: JP 11-197494 A

Method of adding low-pressure gas continuously to supercritical fluid and apparatus therefor

National University Corporation University of Yamanashi


Provided is a light source apparatus that is small and lightweight, has high light utilization efficiency, and is easily utilizable as a modularized, planar light source. The light source apparatus 10 has a light source unit including a plurality of LED elements 14, a LED collimator 15 including a plurality of collimator elements each arranged on a light-emitting axis of each of the plural LED elements 14, and a light guide 17 disposed on an emission side of the LED collimator 15. The light guide 17 includes an incidence portion 171 having an incidence surface on which light on the light-emitting axis from the LED elements 14 is incident, and an emission portion 173c having an emission surface emitting light, and has a free-form surface shape for realizing predetermined light distribution control on at least one of the incidence surface and the emission surface.

With remarkable development of solid light-emitting elements such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) in recent years, lighting apparatuses using the elements as light sources have been widely utilized, in various pieces of lighting equipment, as long-life light sources that are small and lightweight and are excellent also in environmental protection with low power consumption.
Conventionally, for example, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2016-33668 (Patent Document 1), a semiconductor light-source apparatus has been known as a lighting apparatus for a projector (projection type display apparatus), the semiconductor light-source apparatus having a simple configuration and efficiently cooling a semiconductor light-emitting element(s) to emit light brightly.

Light source apparatus and head up display apparatus


A system for treating a patient's heart which comprises a means to form channels in the heart wall and a means to deliver a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channels. Additionally, the system may comprise a means to retain the agent within the channels for a useful period of time. The system may be configured to be introduced percutaneously or intraoperatively. The system generally comprises an elongated, flexible lasing transmission means having a laser radiation emitting means and an delivery lumen opening at the distal end. Practice of the invention comprises forming channels in the heart wall and delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channel. Gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. Additionally, the invention may comprise retaining the agent within the channels, for example, by incorporating the agent in a viscous carrier.

This invention is directed to a method and system for treating a patient's heart with therapeutic or diagnostic agents. More particularly, it involves a means to form channels in desired layers of the heart muscle, the epicardium, endocardium and myocardium, and means to deliver therapeutic or diagnostic agents into the channels.
Targeted delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents is a desirable but often difficult goal. Potential benefits include efficient use of the agent and limitation of agent action to the desired area. However, the problems that must be overcome are significant: access, transporting the agent to the desired area of the patient; minimization of systemic loss, keeping the agent within the desired area; and timing, ensuring a sufficient quantity of the agent is available in the desired area for sufficient period of time to achieve the therapeutic or diagnostic effects.
One promising strategy for agent delivery involves somatic gene therapy. Cells in a desired region of the body are engineered to express a gene corresponding to a therapeutically or diagnostically useful protein. Genetic information necessary to encode and express the protein is transferred to the cells by any of a number of techniques, including viral vectors, electroporation, receptor-mediated uptake, liposome masking, precipitation, incubation and others. Gene therapy can be a direct in vivo process where genetic material is transferred to cells in the desired region of the patient's body. Most current in vivo strategies rely on viral vectors. Alternatively, the process can be an indirect in vitro process where cells from the desired region are harvested, genetic material is transferred to the cells, and the cells are implanted back in the patient's body. In vitro techniques allow for more flexibility in transfer methods and may be safer since viral vectors need not be introduced into the patient's body, thus avoiding the theoretical risk of insertional mutations, replication reactivation and other harmful consequences. However, not all tissues are susceptible to harvesting and implantation and require an in vivo technique. The engineered cells can secrete the protein for a significant period of time, ensuring its supply in the target region. Human adenosine deaminase was expressed in vivo by rat vascular smooth muscle cells for over six months. Lynch CM et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 1138-42 (1992).
One region of interest for gene therapy is the circulatory system. Researchers have transferred genetic material to the vascular walls, particularly the smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Suitable delivery techniques include ligation of the vessel (Lynch et al., supra.), dual-balloon catheters (Leclerc G et al., J. Clin. Invest. 90: 936-44 (1992)), perforated balloon catheters (Flugelman M Y et al., Circulation 85: 1110-17 (1992)), stents seeded with transduced endothelial cells (Dichek DA et al., Circulation 80: 1347-53 (1989)) and vascular grafts lined with transduced endothelial cells (Wilson J M et al., Science 244: 1344-46 (1989).
However, these methods have not been found suitable for treatment of the heart muscle. Thus far, experimental gene therapy in rats has been achieved through direct injection of DNA into the myocardium. Lin H et al., Circulation 82: 2217-21 (1992) and Acsadi G et al., New Biologist 3: 71-81 (1991). In these studies, direct injection caused inflammation, apparent myocyte necrosis and scar tissue along the needle tracks. When compared to injection of plasmid DNA, gene transfer by injection of adenovirus vectors was markedly more efficient. Guzman RG et al., Circulation Research 73: 1202-7 (1993). Gene transfer using adenovirus vectors injected into pig hearts was highly efficient in regions immediately adjacent the injection, but evidence of gene transfer was found only within 5 mm of the injection. French B A et al., Circulation 90: 2414-24 (1994). As in the studies above, a prominent inflammatory response was associated with the injection. There remains a need for effective gene therapy methods for the heart.
Another difficulty associated with gene therapy is the need to transfer an effective amount of the genetic material in a clinically relevant time period. Exemplary techniques for introduction of engineered endothelial or smooth muscle cells or for in vivo gene transfer require total occlusion of the vessel for 30 minutes. Nabel E G et al., Science 249: 1285-88 (1990); Nabel E G et al., Science 244: 1342-44 (1989); and Plautz G et al., Circulation 83: 578-83 (1991). These time frames would not be feasible for delivery involving the heart. A study attempting to shorten these times employed a perforated balloon catheter and successfully delivered retroviral vectors within one minute, but achieved fewer than 100 transduced cells in a two cm segment of tissue. Flugelman et al., supra. Accordingly, there remains a need to provide gene therapy methods that effect sufficient cellular transduction either by providing more rapid transfer rates or by allowing long-term delivery without impermissibly interfering with cardiac function.
Targeted agent delivery that does not rely on gene therapy would also benefit from similar features. It is often desirable to release the therapeutic or diagnostic agent over a period of time. Levy R J et al., WO 94/21237 discloses a system and method for treatment of arrhythmia that involves transmyocardial delivery of time-release antiarrthymic agents by contacting the epicardium, endocardium or pericardium. Levy et al.'s drug compositions generally comprise a biocompatible polymer formulated to release the active agent in a controlled manner, preferably in the form of a patch applied to the exterior of the heart. The reference also suggests various intravascular placement methods including an implantable catheter tip, an expandable system with anchoring prongs or intramyocardial placement via a stab wound with a trocar. Thus, there is also a need for a system for cardiac agent delivery that effectively delivers agent to the heart wall.

Therapeutic and diagnostic agent delivery