A return stack is described which stores return addresses associated with subroutine call instructions along with an ESP register value associated with the subroutine call instructions in a stack-type structure. During clock cycles that a return instruction is detected by a decode unit, the decode unit forwards an ESP register value associated with the return instruction to the return stack along with an indication of the return instruction detection. The return stack compares the forwarded ESP register value to the ESP register value stored on the top of the stack. If the values compare equal, then the value stored on the top of the stack may be the correct prediction address for this return instruction and is popped from the top of the stack. When the return stack detects an inequality between the two aforementioned ESP values, the return stack does not pop the top of the stack. The return stack may achieve a correct prediction rate substantially similar to the correct prediction rate in the absence of fake return instructions, even if fake return instructions are encountered.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of superscalar microprocessors and, more particularly, to stack structures for subroutine return addresses employed within superscalar microprocessors.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Superscalar microprocessors achieve high performance by executing multiple instructions concurrently and by choosing the shortest possible clock cycle consistent with the design. As used herein, the term "clock cycle" refers to an interval of time in which the various stages of the instruction processing pipelines complete their tasks. Instructions and computed values are transferred to the next instruction processing pipeline stage at the end of the clock cycle.
Many superscalar microprocessor manufacturers design their microprocessors in accordance with the x86 microprocessor architecture. The x86 microprocessor architecture is widely accepted in the computer industry, and therefore a large body of software exists which runs only on microprocessors embodying this architecture. Microprocessors designed in accordance with the x86 architecture advantageously retain compatibility with this body of software. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the x86 architecture includes a "stack" area in memory. The stack is useful for passing information between a program and a subroutine called by that program, among other things. A subroutine preforms some function that a program requires, and then returns to the instruction following the call to the subroutine. Therefore, a subroutine may be called from multiple places within a program to perform its function.
In the x86 architecture, the ESP (extended stack pointer) register points to the address in memory which currently forms the top of the stack. A stack structure is a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) structure in which values which are placed on the stack in a certain order and are removed from the stack in the reverse order. Therefore, the top of the stack contains the last item placed on the stack. The action of placing a value on the stack is known as a "push", and requesting that a push be performed is a "push command". The action of removing a value from the stack is referred to as a "pop", and requesting that a pop be performed is a "pop command". When a push command is performed, the ESP register is decremented by the size (in bytes) of the value specified by the push command. The value is then stored at the address pointed to by the decremented ESP register value. When a pop command is performed, a number of bytes specified by the pop command are copied from the top of the stack to a destination specified by the pop command, and then the ESP register is incremented by the number of bytes.
An example of the use of push and pop commands are the subroutine call and return instructions, as mentioned above. A typical subroutine call involves pushing the operands for the subroutine onto the stack, then pushing the address of the next instruction to be executed after the subroutine completes onto the stack. The subroutine is called and executes, accessing any operands it may need by indexing into the stack. After completing execution, the subroutine pops the next instruction address from the top of the stack and causes that address to be fetched by the microprocessor.
The x86 microprocessor architecture, similar to other microprocessor architectures, contains branch instructions. A branch instruction is an instruction which causes the next instruction to be fetched from one of at least two possible addresses. One address is the address immediately following the branch instruction. This address is referred to as the "next sequential address". The second address is specified by the branch instruction, and is referred to as the "branch target address" or simply the "target address". Branch instructions typically select between the target address and the next sequential address based on a particular condition flag which is set by a previously executed instruction.
Since the next instruction to be executed after the branch instruction is not known until the branch instruction executes, superscalar microprocessors must either stall instruction fetching until the branch instruction executes (reducing performance) or predict which address the branch instruction will select when executed. When the prediction method is chosen, the resulting superscalar microprocessor may speculatively fetch and execute instructions residing at the predicted address. If the prediction is incorrect (as determined when the branch instruction executes), then the instructions following the branch instruction are discarded from the instruction processing pipeline and the correct instructions are fetched. Branch predictions are typically made when a branch instruction is decoded or when instructions are fetched, depending on the branch prediction scheme and the configuration of the microprocessor.
A particularly difficult type of branch instruction to predict in the x86 microprocessor architecture is the RET/IRET instruction (or return instruction). The return instruction is a pop command, as described above. This type of branch instruction is difficult to predict because the target address (also referred to as the "return address") is not readily available when the instruction is decoded, unlike some other branch instructions. Instead, the return address is stored on the stack in a location that will be indicated by the value in the ESP register when the return instruction is executed. The value of the ESP register at the time the return instruction is decoded and the value of the ESP register at the time the return instruction is executed may differ.
Return address prediction is further complicated by the use of "fake return" instructions. Return instructions are normally used in conjunction with the CALL instruction. The CALL instruction is another special type of branch instruction which causes the address of the instruction immediately following the call to be pushed onto the stack, and then instructions are fetched from an address specified by the CALL instruction. The CALL instruction is therefore a push command, as described above, as well as a branch instruction. The instruction address placed on the stack by the CALL instruction is the address intended to be used by the return instruction as the return address. The CALL instruction can therefore be used to call a subroutine in a program, and the subroutine typically ends with a return instruction which causes instruction execution to resume at the instruction immediately following the CALL instruction.
"Fake return" instructions are return instructions which are executed when a return address other than a return address provided by a CALL instruction is at the top of the stack. This address may be placed on the stack by executing a PUSH instruction, for example. A mechanism for predicting the target address of the return instruction which handles the existence of fake return instructions is desired.

Superscalar microprocessor stack structure for judging validity of predicted subroutine return addresses


The present invention provides dynamic control of back gate bias on pull-up pFETs in a FinFET SRAM cell. A method according to the present invention includes providing a bias voltage to a back gate of at least one transistor in the SRAM cell, and dynamically controlling the bias voltage based on an operational mode (e.g., Read, Half-Select, Write, Standby) of the SRAM cell.

Dopant fluctuations pose a serious problem in threshold voltage (Vt) control in advanced semiconductor devices, such as static random access memory (SRAM). As semiconductor devices become smaller and smaller, Vt control becomes more difficult. A known solution is to use back gates, such as found in FinFETs and other double gate transistors, to control Vt in the semiconductor devices. One serious problem with this solution is that the use of back gates in semiconductor devices has resulted in increased layout complexity, increased wiring densities, and therefore, higher cost. Further, known back gate biasing schemes have not been able to provide sufficient stability, performance, and reduction in leakage voltages, especially for SRAM.

Dynamic control of back gate bias in a FinFET SRAM cell

International Business Machines Corporation


Treatments are disclosed which comprise formulations of one or more terpenes in aqueous solutions. No resistance to the formulation of the invention has been seen. When used on the scalp or body no extended dwell time is required. The formulations do not have unpleasant odors associated with prior art shampoo treatments for lice and are preferable on grounds of safety to neurotoxins, which are the usual active ingredients associated with prior art treatments. The formulations are directed towards providing topical preparations which may be used on the scalp and hairy body parts, a spray for use on fabrics, a dipping solution for combs and a laundry additive.

Terpenes are bio-active compounds and there are numerous reports in the literature concerning their effects as antibacterial, antifungal, antihelminthic and antimitotic agents. Various terpenes are used in agriculture for growth inhibition, growth promotion and in the food industry as flavourings and fragrances. Interest in the potential for using terpenes in medical applications is increasing.
Lice have three stages in their lift cycle: egg, nymph (young), and adult. Newly hatched nymphs are identical in appearance to their parents except for the 2nd instar (nymph) which is smaller and has undeveloped reproductive organs. Nymphs gradually develop into adults, periodically shedding their skin (moulting) during the process. The life cycle (egg to egg) takes approximately 15 to 35 days during which time a female may lay between 50 and 150 eggs. Lice spend their entire life as ectoparasites on humans and, unlike other insects, they have a relatively consistent environment. Their close contact with human skin ensures favourable temperatures of 82.degree. F. to 86.degree. F., and an abundant food supply. Lice do not abandon their hosts unless the body temperature substantially changes due to death or high fever. Once dislodged from a person's body or clothing, they will infest a new human host in the immediate proximity. If a new host is not found within one to eight days, lice will starve to death.
During feeding, lice inject saliva into the skin of the host and this causes irritation and subsequent itching. Children under 12 years are more sensitive to louse feeding than other age groups. Scratching louse bite areas frequently causes an abrasion, which may become infected with other micro-organisms. Prolonged louse infestation causes a hardening and pigmentation of the skin known as "vagabond's disease".
Even though people experience unpleasant sensations as a result of louse infestation, they often deny pediculosis because of feelings of disgust and shame. Lice infestation used to be thought of as a problem only of the poor or poorly housed. It is now abundantly clear that the problem of head lice has extended to very large number of middle class homes in the western world and this leads to increasing numbers of consultations with family practitioners or pharmacists who advise as to the treatment currently being recommended.
Lice are spread through sharing contaminated clothing, hats, scarves, combs, hair brushes, and other headgear, or as a result of close physical contact with an infected person. Other occasional sources are bedding, furniture, rugs and floor surfaces where dislodged lice may be present.
Once infested, an individual usually carries a few dozen lice. However, some people have been known to carry several hundred lice and on rare occasions, one to two thousand lice. Human lice do not normally infest pets and domestic animals.
Of the three species of lice, only body lice have been known to transmit disease organisms. Relapsing fever, typhus, and trench fevers were transmitted by body lice in Europe during World Wars 1 and 2 and the Naples Typhus Epidemic of 1944 was brought under control using DDT to kill lice--one of the earliest widespread uses of this insecticide.
Head lice (Pediculosus humanus capitus), are by far the most common and troublesome of the human lice infestations and in the US, alone, between 8 and 12 million children have head lice at any one time.
"Nits" is the term used to describe the small yellowish-white, oval-shaped eggs cases of head lice that are `glued` at an angle to the side of a hair shaft near its base. Favourite sites are behind the ears or on the nape of the neck. Eggs are laid by a mature female louse and after hatching; feeding starts immediately; this activity causes the young head lice to rapidly develop a reddish-brown colour. Development takes about 18-20 days and the adult can live for about one month, during which time each female lays between 50 and 150 eggs at the rate of 4 to 6 per day, usually at night. The eggs are cylindrical, yellowish-white, and about 0.8 mm long. Feeding occurs at fairly frequent intervals and at least twice daily. The adult male is about 2.1 mm long and the female rather larger, about 3 mm long. Mating occurs within 10 hours of maturation and recurs quite frequently during the remainder of life. Head lice can survive three to four days if dislodged from the host.
Head lice are transferred from one infected person to another through physical contact and the communal use of combs, hair brushes, head apparel, towels, bedding, and personal clothing.
Feeding activity irritates the scalp, causing intense itching. Head lice are not known to transmit any disease organisms directly but a secondary infection may result if the skin is broken by repeatedly scratching the area. In severe infestations the hair may become matted as a result of exudates from louse bites.
The impact of being publicly identified as having lice (for instance in a school classroom) can be distressing and socially embarrassing. Children, particularly those of primary/first school age, are most likely to get head lice because of their close contact and social interactions with each other which creates numerous opportunities for lice to be spread amongst them. Children who become infested in school will carry lice home and may infest family members who unknowingly become a source for recurring louse problems in the home. Few parents react with total equanimity to the discovery.
The body louse or cootie (Pediculosus humanus humanus), is very similar to the head louse in physical appearance except that it is 10%-20% percent larger. This insect is generally associated with unclean environments where inadequate bathing occurs or clothes are shared. The body louse lives on clothing that comes in close contact with the human body, such as the waistline and crotch of trousers, shirt armpits and collars and underwear, rather than the body itself which it visits only to obtain a blood meal.
The life cycle of the body louse is, in many respects, similar to that of the head louse. However, in this louse, the fertilised female adult lays nine to ten eggs per day, and may lay 270 to 300 eggs in her lifetime. The eggs are usually glued to fibres of clothing, often in the seams. Eggs hatch in six to nine days. Newly hatched nymphs begin to suck blood at once and feed frequently during day or night, especially when the host is quiet. Nymphs mature to adults in approximately 16 to 18 days, during which process three moultings occur. Newly emerged adult males, 2.3 mm long, and females, 4.2 mm long, mate within a day. The female begins laying eggs one or two days after reaching maturity. The life cycle (egg to egg) is completed in 22 to 28 days. The adults are greyish white, and live approximately 30 to 40 days. After discontinued contact with the host, body lice can survive 8 to 10 days. They spread through contact with infested persons or their clothing.
This crab or pubic louse has a crab-like appearance and is greyish white. Although formerly grouped within the genus Pediculus they are now more correctly classified as Pthirus pubis (syn. Pediculus pubis). They infest the pubic region of the body but in severe infestations may be found in armpits, moustaches, beards, eyelashes and eyebrows.
Fertilised adult females lay three eggs per day and a total of 26 eggs in their lifetime. The oval, whitish eggs, 1/50 inch long, are glued to coarser hair near the skin. The eggs hatch after six to eight days. The newly hatched nymphs start sucking blood immediately. The nymphs grow into adults after moulting three times in 15 to 17 days. The life cycle (egg to egg) is completed in 34 to 41 days. The adults are 1.6 mm long and live for a month on the human host. If they are dislodged, they survive less than 24 hours.
Both nymphs and adults tend to settle on one spot, and feeding continues intermittently for hours or days. Spread is through intimate physical contact, particularly sexual contact and possibly also through infested bedding, clothing and toilet seats.
In theory, elimination of head lice in an infested family should be relatively straightforward. Advice is readily available in schools and GP surgeries in Western countries. Reporting to school authorities is strongly encouraged but many parents evade the issue because of shame or embarrassment. Failure to report, coupled with lack of awareness that the problem exists or reluctance to deal with it at all, are the primary reasons for reinfestation in the school and community environments. Trained school staff, especially a nurse if there is one, do carry out inspections but often encounter difficulties with parents who adopt a state of denial.
The extent of delousing activities in a school depends on a variety of factors such as the age of the students and general resources. Difficult schools in inner city areas are particularly prone to the problem and have, in general, the least resources and also the least co-operative parent population. It is rare for schools, other than some residential schools, to treat head lice infestation actively. Once infestation is recognised in a group, the classic steps are to encourage inspection of the whole group and all of their family members, to encourage higher standards of personal hygiene and to institute pesticide treatment with chemicals. This tends to be applied as a lotion or conditioner which must be left for a specified dwell-time to be effective. The use of special combs which can remove both live lice and their eggs is also encouraged. The action of combing correctly is considered to help the problem by breaking the legs of the lice. It is also being recommended that hair is over-conditioned with a standard product as this makes it difficult for the lice to grip the hair shaft. In the case of pubic lice, transmitted by sexual contact, it is particularly important that the sexual partner(s) should be treated simultaneously to avoid reinfestation.
Other general recommendations include machine washing in hot water (over 54.degree. C.) or dry cleaning all clothing, including coats, hats, scarfs, pillow cases, towels, and bedding materials, which may have contacted an infested individual.
Most mediated shampoos and lotions for treating head lice are available over the counter, through some require a prescription. Widely used products in the OTC category in the USA include Rid.RTM. Lice Killing Shampoo (Pfizer), Nix.RTM. Creme Rinse and A-2000.RTM. Shampoo Concentrate which contains pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide as the active ingredients (AI).
Prescribable US brands include Kwell.RTM., (containing lindane 1%, as the active) and Ovidem.RTM., (active ingredient 0.5% malathion).
In the U.K. the treatments for lice have recently received negative press at tention (Sunday Times Oct. 5, 1997 and World In Action, documentary TV programme, Channel 3, Independent TeleVision) and despite the fact that the press focussed on malathion (Derbac-M.TM., Prioderm.TM. and Suleo-M.TM.; marketed in the UK by Seton Healthcare) there has been a knock-on effect and lice products generally are being increasingly thought of with caution. The key concerns are regarding the use of organo phosphates and their associated toxicity, especially as they are so often used in young children. Malathion toxicity includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, broncho-constriction, blurred vision, excessive salivation, muscle twitching, cyanosis, convulsions, coma and respiratory failure. Against this background it may be somewhat surprising that its topical use was not more closely monitored earlier. Even permethrin (the active in Lyclear.TM.) has to be used with caution and must not be used in an enclosed space. It must also be kept away from pets and fish of known direct toxicity in those species.
Pediculicides, selectively kill lice which invade the epidermis. Although a number of brands contain either carbaryl or malathion, lotions containing phenothrin and permethrin and now the major products. These are pyrethroid compounds and are highly effective insecticidal neurotoxins, with efficacy against both adult lice and their eggs. Permethrin (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl (+/-) cis/trans 3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl) 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, is used as a 0.5% preparation in a paraffin base. Other actives are benzyl benzoate and crotamiton. All are applied topically. The manufactures claim appropriate use does not lead to resistance but evidence now to hand would seem to suggest otherwise. Indeed, local UK Health Authorities (through directives issued to GPs, school nurses and health visitors) advise alternation of products within a co-ordinated national policy. Many Health Authorities are now advising no active treatment because of problems apparently due to resistant lice. Instead they recommend over-conditioning the hair and regular use of a specially designed lice comb.
The main brands used in the U. K. are Lyclear.TM. Creme Rinse Warner Lambert--a lotion conditioner applied after shampooing and left for 10 minutes and Full Marks.TM. (phenothrin) Seton Healthcare a lotion rubbed into the hair and left for 2 hours. These 2 products are prescribable but also available over-the-counter. Lyclear.TM. appears to be the clear market leader. All prior art anti-head lice preparations have the drawback of requiring significant dwell-times on the scalp and this is negative for the products because it reduces user-compliance and encourages misues. Both tendencies reduce the success rate in clearing lice. Manufacturers claim that resistance is not an issue and that treatment failures are due to incorrect use. However, this does clearly indicate that these agents are not user friendly.
The issue of efficacy of prior art preparations, used to control head lice, is important and in this context, a report by Vander Stichele R. H. et al, from the Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, University of Ghent, Belgium entitled `Systematic review of clinical efficacy of topical treatments for head lice.` (BMJ Sep. 2, 1995. p604-8), is relevant. The group sought to collect and evaluate all trials on clinical efficacy of topical treatments for head lice. They undertook a systematic review of randomised trials identified from the data sources Medline, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Science Citation Index, letters to key authors and companies and hand search of journals. All the trials reviewed were carried out in schools or communities in patients infested with lice. The main outcome measure, which the Review Group were concerned with, was cure rate (absence of live lice and viable nits) on day 14 after treatment. A total of 28 trials were identified and evaluated according to eight general and 18 lice-specific criteria. Of the 14 trials rated as having low to moderate risk of bias, seven were selected because they used the main outcome measure. These seven trials described 21 evaluations of eight different compounds and placebo (all but two evaluations were of single applications). Only permethrin 1% creme rinse showed efficacy in more than two studies with the lower 95% confidence limit of cure rate above 90%. The authors' conclusion was that "only for permethrin has sufficient evidence been published to show efficacy. Less expensive treatments such as malathion and carbaryl need more evidence of efficacy. Lindane (1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexachloro-cyclohexane) and the natural pyrethrines are not sufficiently effective to justify their use". In addition, many health authorities and registration agencies regard lindane, which is used as a scabicide, pediculicide and insecticide, as dangerous.
It is tempting to speculate that the mechanism of resistance might be similar to that which arise with certain bacteria--a sub-lethal dose is repeatedly administered and engenders acquired resistance.
In the USA there are also products available for treating bedding, clothing and furniture including Lice Treatment Kit.TM. (active ingredient: resmethrin 0.5%), R & C Spray.TM. (active ingredient: phenothrin 0.382%) and Rid.RTM. Lice Control Spray (active ingredient: permethrin 0.5%). These products are available from stores rather than pharmacies and so far as is known, there are no equivalent products available in the UK.
Thus there is a significant need for a treatment for this widespread and troublesome problem which would address the issues which detract from the prior art products. An ideal product might offer no dwell time in excess of that for ordinary shampoos used by non-infested individuals, absence of toxicity, user friendly presentation and resistance-free mode of action.
The following US patents are considered relevant:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,174; U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,813; U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,168; U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,435; U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,371; U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,166. PA1 BMJ Nov. 18, 1995; 311(7016):1369; discussion 1369-70 PA1 Comment in: BMJ Jan. 13, 1996;312 (7023): discussion 123. PA1 Co-operative Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, PA1 Larousse Encyclopaedia of Animal Life Vander Stichele R. H. et al. Systematic review of clinical efficacy of topical treatment for head lice. BMJ Sep. 2, 1995. p604-8. PA1 Redistilled limonene PA1 Beta-ionone PA1 Linalool PA1 Geraniol PA1 Eugenol PA1 Myrcene PA1 Carvone.
Other documents considered relevant are:

Terpene treatments for killing lice and lice eggs


In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a camera system and an optimization system. The optimization system is configured to communicate with the camera system. At least one microphone is connected to the optimization system. The optimization system is configured to adjust a beamform of the at least one microphone based, at least in part, on camera focus information of the camera system.

An electronic device typically comprises a variety of components and/or features that enable users to interact with the electronic device. Some considerations when providing these features in a portable electronic device may include, for example, compactness, suitability for mass manufacturing, durability, and ease of use. Increase of computing power of portable devices is turning them into versatile portable computers, which can be used for multiple different purposes. Therefore versatile components and/or features are needed in order to take full advantage of capabilities of mobile devices.
Electronic devices include many different features, such as microphone arrays where microphone beamforms can be adjusted mechanically or by calculating beamform from several microphone signals. Accordingly, as consumers demand increased functionality from the electronic device, there is a need to provide an improved device having increased capabilities, such as improved beamforming for audio capture, while maintaining robust and reliable product configurations.

Method and apparatus for microphone beamforming


Methods, computer program products and systems for identifying cellular constituents in a secondary tissue that serve as surrogate markers for a target gene expressed in a primary tissue of a species are provided. A classifier is constructed using cellular constituent abundances of cellular constituents in a first plurality of cellular constituents measured in the secondary tissue in a population. This population comprises a first and second subgroup. The classifier is based on a second plurality of cellular constituents that comprises all or a portion of the first plurality of cellular constituents. Abundance levels of each cellular constituent in the second plurality of cellular constituents varies between the first and second subgroup. All or portion of the population is classified into a plurality of subtypes using the classifier. Then, one or more cellular constituents that can discriminate members of the population between a first subtype and a second subtype in the plurality of subtypes are identified.

A central goal to drug discovery is the identification of a pathway associated with a trait, such as a human disease. Once a pathway has been identified, a number of approaches can be used to influence the trait, including the design of inhibitors of components (e.g., genes) of the pathway. In this way, a compound that ameliorates the effects of the trait can be developed.
The development of a compound or other entity that ameliorates the effects of a trait requires two components. First, the gene or pathway that affects a trait must be elucidated. Second, the activity of the gene or the activity of key genes in the pathway must be assayed in the presence of compounds or other entities in order to identify a compound or other entity that effectively alters the activity of the gene or affects (down regulates, up regulates) the pathway.

Computer systems and methods for identifying surrogate markers


A catheter system is disclosed that includes a catheter with an elongated, flexible tube having an entry end, an exit end, and a control valve. The control valve controls the flow of fluids through the catheter tube. The exit end or control valve also includes a coupler which is utilized to allow the catheter to be moved between a stowed condition coupled to a flexible belt and an in-use condition uncoupled from the belt.

For different medical reasons, people oftentimes require the use of a catheter which is inserted into the bladder to control and store a person's urine. The Foley type catheter has an elongated tube with two separated channels, or lumens, running down its length. One lumen, open at both ends, drains urine into a collection bag. The other lumen has a valve on the outside end and connects to a balloon the inside tip. The balloon is inflated with sterile water when it lies inside the bladder to stop it from slipping out of the bladder. The external end of the tube is connected to the collection bag which may include a valve to close the tube when changing or emptying the collection bag. The collection bag is typically strapped to the person's leg.
Catheters may also be surgically inserted into the bladder through the abdominal wall, these catheters are sometimes referred to as pubic or suprapubic catheters. Again, these catheters are coupled to an external collection bag which is strapped to the person's leg.
While these catheters collect urine within the collection bag, the bag must be periodically removed and emptied of its contents. The removal of the bag and the disposal of the urine therein may be messy to achieve as well as being embarrassing for the person having the catheter.
A bagless catheter has been devised wherein the catheter may be used without the collection bag, as shown in U.S. Patent Application 2014/0180260. As the external end of the catheter is left to dangle within the wearer's clothing, this catheter may still cause soiling of the wearer's clothing through leakage or drippage.
Another catheter device is shown in U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 2017/0231804. Here a suprapubic catheter is shown which is enclosed within a pouch having a series of catheter supports. The catheter tube must be carefully positioned and accepted into the series of paired supports. Again, this system is complicated to utilize and store: Furthermore, as the catheter must be methodically unlatched and then re-latched into the series of supports located within the pouch, the system does not provide for a natural use and appearance of urination by a wearer. Additionally, the pouch is unsightly and makes it obvious that a catheter is being utilized.
Thus, there has long existed a need for a catheter which enables a person to have a catheter which may be easily utilized for urination in a naturally occurring manner. It is to the provision of such that the present invention is primarily directed.


An apparatus for checking bank notes in a bank note processing machine includes at least one sensor. The sensor is arranged to determine the information characterizing the bank notes to be checked and is connected to a bending resistant carrier via a first adhesive layer. The bending resistant carrier is further connected to a component of the apparatus for checking bank notes and/or directly with the bank note processing machine via a second, permanently elastic adhesive layer.

Bank note processing machines are used for sorting, destroying, dispensing, depositing, etc. bank notes. As a rule the bank notes to be processed are provided in the form of stacks, which are singled in the bank note processing machines. The single bank notes are collected by a transport system and transported through the bank note processing machine for processing. An apparatus for checking bank notes formed by one or several acoustic, electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical, etc. sensors, can determine information about the bank notes allowing statements on the type, the state, the authenticity etc. of the bank notes. This information from the sensors is evaluated by a control unit. The further processing of the bank notes in the bank note processing machine takes place in dependence on the evaluation of the information.
The mechanical components of the bank note processing machine, for example the drive of the transport system, partly cause strong vibrations, sound, etc., also having an influence on the apparatus for checking bank notes, since these are connected to the bank note processing machine. Thereby the vibrations, the sound, etc. cause an acceleration of the apparatus for checking bank notes or of the sensors contained therein. This in turn has the consequence that the measurements by highly sensitive sensors can be disturbed, therefore worsening the signal-noise ratio of the measuring signals.


A pyrazole compound of the formula:

It is disclosed in Patent Document 1 that pyrazole sulfonylureas that a dioxadine ring is bonded on the pyrazole ring have herbicidal activity. However, Patent document 1 does not concretely disclose pyrazole sulfonylureas that any substituents are bonded on the dioxadine ring on the pyrazole ring.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-7-118269 (1995)

Pyrazole sulfonylurea compound and herbicide

Abstract: A pyrazole compound of the formula:

Abstract: where: R1 is C1-3alkyl, C1-3haloalkyl, C1-3alkoxy C1-3alkyl, phenyl or pyridyl; R2 is a hydrogen atom, C1-3alkyl, C1-3haloalkyl, C1-3alkoxy or a halogen atom; R3, R4, R5 and R6 independently of one another are a hydrogen atom, C1-3alkyl or C1-3haloalkyl, with a proviso that at least one of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is C1-3alkyl or C1-3haloalkyl; and L is a hydrogen atom, chlorine atom, SH, benzylthio, chlorosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, SO2N═C═O, SO2NHCO2CH3 or SO2NHCONHn-C4H9. A salt of the compound that is acceptable as an agrochemical. An agrochemical containing the compound or the salt thereof as an active component. A herbicide containing the compound or the salt thereof as an active component.


Exemplary perspective display systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a perspective display system acquiring visual data representative of a camera view of a user space associated with a display screen, determining, based on the visual data, a position of a user within the user space, identifying, based on the position of the user, a viewable region of an image, and displaying, on the display screen, the viewable region of the image, the displayed viewable region of the image representing a perspective view of the image based on the position of the user. In certain examples, the method further includes the perspective display system detecting a movement of the user to another position within the user space and updating the display on the display screen in real time in accordance with the movement to display another viewable region of the image on the display screen.

As computer system technologies have advanced, so too have user interface technologies that allow users to interact with computer systems. For example, increasingly large and complex display screens capable of displaying output (e.g., graphical user interfaces, media content, etc.) provided by computer systems have become available to consumers. In addition, a large variety of technologies for receiving user input have been developed. Such user interface technologies are typically designed to produce quality experiences for users who view content provided by computer systems or otherwise interact with computer systems.
To illustrate, although many conventional display technologies display content in accordance with predefined settings without taking any external factors into account, other display technologies are configured to modify a display of content based on an external factor such as a position of a device held by or otherwise attached to a viewer. With such display technologies, when the viewer moves the device, the content of the display may be modified accordingly.
However, there remains room to improve such display technologies to produce higher quality user experiences such as by more effectively determining the position of a viewer and/or modifying the display of content based on the position of the viewer. In addition, there remains room to produce higher quality user experiences by providing more content that is conducive to and/or desirable for dynamic display based on the position of the viewer.


The occupation area and thickness of dielectrically isolated island-resident transistor structures, which employ a buried subcollector for providing low collector resistance at the bottom of the island, are reduced by tailoring the impurity concentration of a reduced thickness island region to provide a low resistance current path from an island location directly beneath the base region to the collector contact. The support substrate is biased at a voltage which is less than the collector voltage, so that the portion of the collector (island) directly beneath the emitter projection onto the base is depleted of carriers prior to the electric field at that location reaching BCVEO, so as not to effectively reduce BVCEO. Since the support substrate bias potential depletes some of the region of the island beneath the base region of carriers, the doping of the island can be increased compared to the case where the substrate is not biased, while maintaining the electric field at this location less than the BVCEO field.

Dielectrically isolated island structures are commonly employed in integrated circuit architectures for supporting a variety of circuit components, such as bipolar transistor devices, junction field effect devices, DMOS circuits, etc. In a typical (NPN) bipolar configuration, shown in FIG. 1, a high impurity concentration (N+) buried subcollector region 11 is formed at the bottom of an island (e.g. silicon) region 10 that is dielectrically isolated from a support substrate 12 (e.g. silicon) by means of a layer of insulator material (e.g. silicon oxide) 14 therebetween. The thickness of subcollector region 11 may be on the order of five to fifteen microns, depending on how heavily doped it is and to what magnitude of Dt product it is subjected during wafer processing. The thickness of the N- island 10, in the upper surface of which a P base region 15, an N+ emitter region 16 (formed in base region 15) and an N+ collector contact region 17 are formed, must be sufficiently large to support the base-collector depletion region layer without causing the peak field in the depletion layer to exceed the field at which the transistor goes into collector-emitter breakdown with the base open circuited, BVCEO. For a 100 V BVCEO NPN device having an HFE of 400, an N-thickness beneath the base, on the order of ten microns, is required. The minimum resistivity for such a device is about 10 ohm-cm. With a collector-base junction depth in the range of two to eight microns, minimum island thickness will therefore be relatively large (on the order of 22 microns) and therefor costly to manufacture.
The large size of such thick islands is also due to the fact that their sidewalls are sloped or inclined as a result of the application of an anisotropic etchant through a photolithographic mask the size of which defines the bottom of the island. The minimum front surface dimension of the finished island cannot be less that the minimum bottom dimension plus two times cot a times the island thickness, where a is the angle between the island sidewall and the island surface. This angle for typical dielectric isolation fabrication techniques using <100> oriented wafers is on the order of 55 degrees. As a consequence, in the case of the above-referenced island having a minimum thickness of 22 microns, the minimum island width will be 31 microns, plus a minimum bottom dimension on the order of 10 microns, yielding a minimum lateral island dimension of 41 microns for a 100 V buried layer NPN transistor. As this width is considerably greater than that normally attributed to small components, it effectively represents wasted space.

Thin, dielectrically isolated island resident transistor structure having low collector resistance


The maintenance method is for a gate valve. The method comprises the steps of closing the gate valve; removing sequentially the hand wheel, the gland flange, the gland and the packing from the stem of the gate valve; mounting a first clamp onto the gate valve to keep the disc of the valve in an obturating position; untying the packing box and sliding it at least partially along the stem. The method further comprises the steps of removing the packing ring from the shouldering of the stem; mounting a second clamp onto the gate valve to keep the disc in the obturating position; removing the first clamp from the stem; sliding and removing the packing box and the packing ring from the stem; inserting a new packing ring along the stem; putting back the packing box along the stem; mounting again the first clamp onto the gate valve; removing the second clamp from the shouldering; and positioning the new packing ring onto the shouldering of the stem.

Valves, which are used to control the flow of liquids in conduits, are known to degrade with time by wear and ageing. More specifically gate valves have a body, a hand wheel for closing or opening the valve by means of a stem provided with a first end connected to the hand wheel and a second end connected to a disc for obturating the valve, and several components placed together around and along the stem. These components include, starting from the one of the components that is closest to the hand wheel, a gland flange, a gland, a packing, a packing box and a packing ring. The packing ring is squeezed between a shouldering of the stem and the packing box. The packing ring which is for preventing leaks has to be changed regularly.
Traditionally, to change the packing ring on a gate valve, one has to shut down the flow of liquid in the conduits before and after the valve, drain the liquid from the valve and surrounding conduits, remove the gate valve from the surrounding conduits and send it from the workplace to a maintenance workshop where the valve is disassembled and verified. When the valve is in good order, it is sent back to the workplace where it is connected to the conduits. Then the flow of liquid is re-established before and after the valve.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a maintenance method and a maintenance kit for a gate valve, allowing a maintenance thereof that is faster than the one of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a maintenance method and a maintenance kit for a gate valve, allowing a maintenance thereof that is less expensive than the one of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a maintenance method and a maintenance kit for a gate valve, allowing a maintenance of the gate valve without a removal thereof from the surrounding conduits.

Maintenance method and maintenance kit for a gate valve


An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form a first image to be transferred to a sheet with a non-decolorizable material, and a second image forming unit configured to form a second image to be transferred to the sheet with a decolorizable material. At least a part of the second image transferred to the sheet is formed on the first image transferred to the sheet.

There is an image forming apparatus that form an image on a sheet with decolorizable material. When the image formed on the sheet with the decolorizable material is subjected to an erasing process by heating the sheet to a certain temperature, the image is erased and the sheet can be reused for printing. Thus, the same sheet can be repetitively used. In addition, a conventional image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet with a non-decolorizable material is known. When it is desired to form the image of the decolorizable material and the image of the non-decolorizable material on a single sheet, these images are formed separately on the sheet.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for forming an image with a non-decolorizable material and a decolorizable material


A loudspeaker clamping structure embodying an improved compression driver is provided. The clamping structure is configured to utilize a totality of the air contained within a cover coupled to a magnet structure of a loudspeaker. The clamping structure includes a compression driver that extends about the periphery of a membrane for clamping the membrane to the magnet structure. The cover includes an annular ring configured to engage the compression driver. At least one of the ring and compression driver is configured with a plurality of interstices along its length to provide interstitial gaps when the ring and compression driver are engaged. The interstitial gaps allow a volume of air within a central cavity to communicate with a second volume of air located in a peripheral cavity, to increase the quantity of available air that the membrane radiates into, so that the dimensions of the cover can be reduced without diminishing the quality of sound, and particularly the low frequency response, produced by the loudspeaker.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to membrane clamping arrangements for use in loudspeakers, and more particularly, to a loudspeaker membrane clamping structure that allows the usage of a totality of the volume of available air contained within the loudspeaker to reduce the dimensions of the loudspeaker.
2. Description of Related Art
Known loudspeaker compression drivers comprise a membrane that is clamped between a magnet structure and a cover. A mechanical annular clamp is used to hold the membrane in place on the magnet structure without interfering with movement of a convex body portion of the membrane. One economical prior art method of holding the membrane in place on the magnet structure comprises providing an annular ring configured to extend around the membrane. The ring has a continuous upwardly projecting rib that extends along its upper surface. An interior surface of the cover is configured with a downwardly projecting rib that is aligned with the upwardly projecting rib of the ring, when the cover is coupled to the magnet structure. With the cover coupled to the magnet structure, the cover's rib exerts a clamping force on the rib of the ring which presses the ring tightly against the membrane and magnet structure, for securing the membrane against the magnet structure and prevent relative movement therebetween.
However, a disadvantage of this method is that the two ribs are in continuous contact along their abutting surfaces and form an isolated central cavity and a peripheral cavity. The central cavity being defined by the inner periphery of each of the ribs, a portion of the cover's interior surface located within the inner periphery of the cover's rib, and the body of the membrane. The peripheral cavity is defined by the exterior periphery of the ribs, a portion of the cover's interior surface extending between the exterior periphery of the ribs and an outer edge thereof, and a surface of the magnet structure extending between the exterior periphery of the ribs and an outer edge thereof having the cover's outer edge coupled thereto. Since a first volume of air, located within the central cavity, is isolated from a second volume of air, located in the peripheral cavity, the quantity of available air into which the membrane radiates is substantially limited.
An alternative method for securing the membrane to the magnet structure comprises disposing a plurality of fasteners, such as screws, through a back of the magnet structure. The membrane is then positioned on the magnet structure and the fasteners are actuated to engage the membrane, for securing the membrane to the magnet structure. However, a disadvantage of utilizing fasteners for securing the membrane to the magnet structure is that it is somewhat cost intensive.
Further, prior art attempts have been made to reduce the size of the cover. Reducing the size of the cover, which typically comprises die-cast aluminum, would be advantageous for a number of reasons. Most notably, the amount of aluminum that is required to fabricate the cover could be reduced and the overall dimensions of the loudspeaker can also be reduced, resulting in a space savings. Unfortunately, when the size of the cover is reduced, the size of the central cavity, formed when the cover is secured to the magnet structure, into which the membrane radiates is similarly reduced. Reducing the size of the central cavity is substantially disadvantageous, since the volume of available air, the quantity of air contained within the central cavity, is reduced. This reduction of available air results in the increase of air pressures within the central cavity, causing a degradation in the quality of sound produced by the loudspeaker, and particularly degradation of the low frequency response of the loudspeaker.
Thus, there exists a need for a compression driver structure that enables the dimensions of a loudspeaker cover to be reduced without diminishing the quality of sound produced by the loudspeaker, and particularly without diminishing the low frequency response thereof.


Football warming and drying device with a housing, a propane powered heat source, the housing including a plurality of drawers for gaining football access, the housing also including a battery powered fan affixed to one wall, the fan wall including apertures to allow air flow from the fan into the housing, a wall opposite to the fan wall that includes an adjustable vent door to allow excess heat to escape from the housing, each drawer having a shelf, each shelf capable of being slid out of the housing, each shelf including a plurality of football holding rings that allow each football to be stored in a vertical position. The remainder of the shelf includes open spaces to allow easy passage of heat from one level to another.

This invention relates generally to the field of sports accessories and more specifically to a football warming and drying device.
The game of football is well known in the United States. It is played with an elliptical shaped ball that is pointed at each end. The ball is inflated with air and the outer skin can be made of pig skin or man made elastomeric materials that are molded to simulate pig skin. The game of football is played in a variety of weather conditions including rain and snow. Under these conditions, the ball can become quite slippery, and in cold weather can become rock hard, making the ball difficult to throw and catch. Therefore it is desirable to use a dry, warm football whenever possible. During a typical high school or college game each team uses their own footballs when they have possession of the ball. Therefore a team that has access to a dry warm ball is at an advantage to a team that does not. To this end, the concept of a football dryer has been contemplated by a number of inventors.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,730 by C. Grant et al shows a method of drying footballs that uses silicon dioxide to absorb water. The user puts the ball in a bag with powder in it and shakes it. U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,040 by W. Starkey et al shows a dryer that has a carrousel for the footballs to ride in and uses a generator powered by gasoline to provide power to heaters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,002 by D. Roberts et al includes a pair of contoured rollers that rotate causing a friction and rubbing to wipe the ball. U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,226 by K. Graffius shows a dryer that uses electric heat lamps and needs to be plugged into 120 volts AC. Patent application 2003/013602 by A. Presnell shows a dryer that uses a 3,000 watt heater powered by a battery.
Each of the prior art has its deficiencies that will be overcome by the present invention. The Grant patent is an inherently messy operation and rather time consuming. The Roberts patent dries only one ball at a time and is a rather complicated and expensive solution. The Graffius patent is not portable. The Starkey patent is quite large and the use of a separate gasoline powered generator makes it noisy and less portable that desired to be carried in a vehicle which carries football players such as a bus or SUV. The Presnell patent application shows a large device that uses a 3,000 watt heater powered by a battery. Even a huge battery would only last about thirty minutes putting out 3,000 watts of power. The Ferris wheel design wastes a lot of space inside the housing making the entire unit difficult to transport to away games.


The geometry of a High Intensity Discharge (HID) arc tube is controlled to improve lamp color control and temperature distribution. In some embodiments, conical sections located at the transition zones near the electrodes are included to provide funnel-like body-leg interface portions. The body-leg interface portions are shaped so as to advantageously control the temperature distribution along the internal surface of the discharge chamber wall so that it monotonically decreases resulting in a stable local cold spot location at the body-leg interface.

Ceramic Metal Halide ("CMH") lamps are special types of High intensity Discharge ("HID") lamps, and more specifically relate to Metal Halide, arc discharge lamps. These lamps are known to operate at high pressures and at high temperatures, and to have discharge vessels (frequently referred to as "arc tubes") made of a ceramic material. The arc tubes of CMH lamps include an ionizable fill of a noble gas such as Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr) or Xenon (Xe) or a mixture of thereof, mercury or some of its alternatives the vapor of which serves as a buffer gas, and a mixture of metal halide salts such as, for example, NaI (sodium iodide), IlI (thallium iodide), CaI2 (calcium iodide) and REIn (where REIn refers to rare-earth iodides). This mixture of metal halide salts (sometimes referred to as a "metal halide dose") is responsible for high luminous efficacy, excellent color quality and a white color of the lamps. Characteristic rare-earth iodides for CMH lamps may include one or more of DyI3, HoI3, TmI3, LaI3, CeI3, PrI3, and NdI3.
Conventional HID lamps with ceramic arc tubes (such as High Pressure Sodium (HPS) and Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lamps) have arc tube designs of a "box-shaped" (cylindrical) geometry. This geometric limitation is essentially due to restrictions of early ceramic arc tube manufacturing technologies such as, for example, extrusion of the center body tube component and pressing of flat disk-shaped arc tube end parts (also referred to as "plugs"). As a consequence of the cylindrical geometry, conventional CMH lamps do not operate at a quasi-uniform temperature distribution across the entire center body portion of the arc tube. In particular, some regions of the discharge chamber of a conventional CMH arc tube may be cooler than others even during high-temperature steady-state operating conditions, and these relatively cooler regions form multiple local "cold spot" locations. Cylindrically shaped CMH arc tube designs exhibit cold corners which act as local cold spots, especially at the interface portion of the plug surface that closes off the cylindrical discharge chamber and the surface of the cylindrical center body tube. The vaporized metal halide salt within the discharge chambers of CMH lamps (such as sodium iodide vapor) may be present in a saturated vapor phase, wherein the vapor and liquid phases of the molten metal halide salts are in thermal equilibrium and are both present simultaneously. The equilibrium vapor pressure over the liquid phase is controlled by the temperature of the liquid phase which usually equals the temperature of the "coldest spot" on the internal surface of the wall of the discharge chamber, since this physical point and its surrounding area is the place where the vapor first condenses. However, once condensed, the flow of this liquid condensate is controlled by gravity so that it flows in a downward direction. If the condensed dose flows to a locally hotter location on the internal surface of the discharge chamber then it re-evaporates quickly, and such quick evaporation of the dose droplets results in spikes in temporal vapor dose density of the discharge plasma. Such spikes in vapor dose density in turn generate voltage spikes in lamp electrical characteristics, which also may result in spikes of light intensity and in correlated sudden color changes of emitted light from the lamp. Such spikes in light intensity and the associated sudden color changes are undesirable and are disturbing in high quality lighting environments such as, for example, in retail location lighting.
In designs where the two opposing electrodes of the CMH arc tube are moved further, away from each other, the light emitting electric arc discharge between them becomes a line emitter, and the surface of quasi-equal irradiation turns out to be an ellipsoid, which is still a member of the "spheroid-like" discharge chamber geometries. Such a concept has been used as the basis for shaping QMH discharge chambers in the past, and this same concept is currently being used to design state-of-the-art shaped CMH discharge chambers.
However, the heat radiation from the hot electrode tips reaching the internal surface of a CMH discharge chamber must also be taken into account. This additional irradiation from the electrodes on the arc tube wall can locally increase temperatures of some points on the end portions of the discharge chamber, which end portions are the interface areas where the central body portion of the arc tube meets the elongated tubular sealing portions (also referred to as "legs") of a CMH arc tube. Thus, when a CMH lamp is operating in a vertical orientation, localized heat radiation from the electrode can re-evaporate the liquid metal halide dose that is flowing down along the inside surface of the discharge chamber wall due to gravity. If the CMH arc tube is of a "ball-shape" design that consists of two hemispheres and which may also additionally include a cylindrical section at the arc tube center) vertical operation of the lamp is especially problematic because potential local overheating and re-evaporation of the liquid dose droplets may easily occur at the bottom body-leg interface section (the "body-leg transition portion") of such a CMH arc tube. This may occur because the hemispherical end portions of a ball-shaped arc tube design are not perfectly fitted to a heat radiation field of a line emitter, and cannot accommodate the additional localized heat flux from the electrodes. This phenomenon of electrical, light and color instabilities due to liquid dose movement and re-evaporation results in temporal color instability and increased color variability of a CMH lamp, which is often referred to as "dose instability".
A proposed solution to the problem of dose instability involves preventing the liquid metal halide dose from flowing down to locally hotter surfaces by providing a ring-like mechanical barrier or "nub" on the inside surface of the arc chamber to surround the electrode assembly (at the body-leg transition portion). If the vertical dimension (height) of such a nub is high enough to stop or block the vertical flow of the liquid dose from reaching the overheated point on the internal surface of the arc tube close to the electrode tips, dose instability can be significantly reduced or completely eliminated. However, such a nub creates sharp points on the ceramic arc tube body, and the nub may become the hottest part of the entire end portion of the ceramic arc tube body due to electrode heating. As a consequence, the nub and surrounding area may be exposed to the highest mechanical stresses and may be susceptible to forming cracks in the ceramic material. These cracks can then propagate to lower stress regions and may cause the arc tube to fully crack or even rupture during operation. In addition, some metal halide dose mixtures may operate to quickly erode the nub to such an extent that the nub cannot fulfill its dose stabilization function over the entire life of the lamp.
Another proposed solution for the problem of dose instability involves increasing the emissivity of the arc tube material at the locally overheated body-leg transition portion to promote more efficient cooling of the arc tube wall in this area. However, such a solution can alter or reduce the material strength of the wall, and especially at the most critical area where thermally induced stresses are high enough to crack the arc tube, which can again result in reduced lamp life. Furthermore, in practice controlling emissivity of the ceramic material locally is difficult, and excessive and uncontrolled cooling of the body-leg interface portion (which is also a cold spot location) of such CMH arc tubes may reduce equilibrium vapor pressures of metal halide salts too much, which can result in degraded lamp performance.
Yet another proposed solution for dose instability involves using an ellipsoidal-shaped transition zone between the arc tube center body portion and the body-leg interface portion. However, using an ellipsoidal-shaped transition zone limits geometrical flexibility of the shape both of the body-leg transition zone as well as that of the overall arc tube, and adds unnecessary complexity to the tooling of the ceramic arc tube forming process.


The present invention is a compound sliding seal unit of markedly reduced size and height dimensions which is employed as a discrete assembly for both the passage across and the at-will height adjustment of a mounted, rotatable shaft which extends from the atmospheric environment portion into the vacuum environmental portion of an ion implanter apparatus. The extended, rotatable shaft is typically fashioned as either a rotatable hollow tube or conduit (suitable for the passage of electrical components) and/or as a rotatable support suitable for the mounting of a pivotal scanning radial arm translation system. The manner of construction and the substantially reduced height dimensions of the compound sliding seal unit permits on-demand changes of height for the mounted, rotatable shaft which extends from the atmospheric environment and extends through the compound unit into the confined and limited spatial volume of a vacuum environment within a conventional ion implantation apparatus. The compound unit also allows the user to maintain a high vacuum within the vacuum environment despite the fact that the height of the feed-through member can be raised and lowered repeatedly at will. Its compact size frees space which can be used to extend the vacuum chamber for purposes such as a deep Faraday cup for beam measurement.

Ion implantation is a ballistic process used to introduce specific ion species, atoms or molecules referred to generally as dopants, into a prechosen target substrate to make materials having many useful properties. Of particular interest today, ion implantation is a conventionally known and employed process used for the making of modern integrated circuits. Ion implantation is also commonly used for large sized substrates to manufacture optical or display devices such as flat panel displays having a controlled film thickness and predefined surface properties.

Compound sliding seal unit suitable for atmosphere to vacuum applications


A process management system includes an information processing apparatus including a computer that executes a program to perform a managing process. The managing process includes managing user management information, managing coordinate organization information to manage groups of organization information, managing a process performed by processing devices by acquiring, when a user managed by organization information, upper limit management information and user information of the user who makes the process request, from a desired processing device managed by the organization information of the group of organization information, and determining whether the process requested by the user is executable within the upper limit amount of process for the user based on the acquired upper limit management information. The managing a process performed by the processing device includes determining to perform, when the process requested by the one of the users is determined to be executable, the process requested by the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a process management system, an information processing apparatus and an information processing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a print upper-limit value managing system that uses a print upper-limit managing function to manage a print upper-limit for each user in an environment where multiple uses use a plurality of printers. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2008-21233 discloses such a print upper-limit value managing system.
Conventionally, a print managing function provided by a print managing system is based on a technology which is supposed to be used in a private network such as a network in a university environment, a network in an office environment, etc. Accordingly, such a print management system is not supposed to provide the print management function over a plurality of organizations such as, for example, a university, a company, etc.
Thus, it is difficult for the conventional print managing system to provide a pint managing function over a plurality of organizations. Similar to the print managing system, such a situation may occur in a certain process management system providing a process managing function.

Process management system, information processing apparatus and information processing system


The specification describes a method and apparatus for electron beam lithography wherein a Wehnelt electron gun is modified to improve the uniformity of the electron beam. The bias on the Wehnelt aperture is reversed from the conventional bias so that it is biased positively with respect to the cathode. The Wehnelt opening is tapered with a disk emitter inserted into the taper. The result of these modifications is an electron beam output with low brightness which is highly uniform over the beam cross section.

This invention relates to electron beam lithography apparatus used for the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits.
Electron beam exposure tools have been used for lithography in semiconductor processing for more than two decades. The first e-beam exposure tools were based on the flying spot concept of a highly focused beam, raster scanned over the object plane. The electron beam is modulated as it scans so that the beam itself generates the lithographic pattern. These tools have been widely used for high precision tasks, such as lithographic mask making, but the raster scan mode is found to be too slow to enable the high throughput required in semiconductor wafer processing. The electron source in this equipment is similar to that used in electron microscopes, i.e. a high brightness source focused to a small spot beam.
More recently, a new electron beam exposure tool was developed based on the SCALPEL (SCattering with Angular Limitation Projection Electron-beam Lithography) technique. In this tool, a wide area electron beam is projected through a lithographic mask onto the object plane. Since relatively large areas of a semiconductor wafer (e.g. 1 mm2) can be exposed at a time, throughput is acceptable. The high resolution of this tool makes it attractive for ultra fine line lithography, i.e sub-micron.
The requirements for the electron beam source in SCALPEL exposure tools differ significantly from those of a conventional focused beam exposure tool, or a conventional TEM or SEM. While high resolution imaging is still a primary goal, this must be achieved at relatively high (100-1000 xcexcA) gun currents in order to realize economic wafer throughput. The axial brightness required is relatively low, e.g. 102 to 104 Acmxe2x88x922srxe2x88x921, as compared with a value of 106 to 109 Acmxe2x88x922srxe2x88x921 for a typical focused beam source. However, the beam flux over the larger area must be highly uniform to obtain the required lithographic dose latitude and CD control.
A formidable hurdle in the development of SCALPEL tools was the development of an electron source that provides uniform electron flux over a relatively large area, has relatively low brightness, and has an electron emitter with a sufficient lifetime to avoid excessive downtime. Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) emitters in a modified Wehnelt electron gun arrangement were found to be promising for this application, and the first SCALPEL tools were built with these electron sources. Efforts to improve the uniformity of the electron emission profile over the surface of the LaB6 have continued, but with limited success. Replacement of the LaB6 emitter with a simple tantalum disk was found to improve the surface emission uniformity and stability. While SCALPEL systems are regarded as highly successful fine line lithographic exposure tools, there is a continuing search for electron gun designs that improve the efficiency and uniformity of the electron beam source.
We have developed a new electron beam source for SCALPEL systems which uses a modified Wehnelt gun design wherein the Wehnelt electrode is biased in reverse of the Wehnelt gun used in conventional SCALPEL tools. The modified Wehnelt gun also has a tapered opening, with the electron emitter recessed into the tapered opening. The result of these modifications is a laminar electron beam with low brightness and essentially no crossover. These beam properties are ideal for a SCALPEL tool, which does not require focusing optics in the near field.
The invention will be described more specifically in the following detailed description which, taken with the drawing, will provide a greater understanding of the features that distinguish this invention from conventional electron beam sources.


Systems for wave energy conversion that have components that can survive the harsh marine environment and that can be attached to fixed structures, such as a pier, and having the ability to naturally adjust for tidal height and methods for their use are presented.

This invention relates generally to methods and systems for capturing the energy of fluid waves in a basin, such as, for example, ocean waves.
A variety of technologies have been proposed to capture energy from ocean waves; however, each is in too early a stage of development to predict which technology would be most prevalent to future commercialization. Wave energy conversion technology exists today primarily in the research and development stage, and the state of the technology is commonly considered to be one to two decades behind the development of wind energy. Although wave energy research has been ongoing for the past several decades, primarily in the United Kingdom, wave energy research has lagged significantly behind wind energy due to funding and other political constraints. At the present time, there are no commercially operating wave energy facilities in the world, with the exception of the Pelamis wave energy converter (WEC), which has had limited commercial scale implementation off the coast of Portugal.
There are many approaches to wave energy conversion currently being tested in research facilities around the world. In general, these can be separated into several broad classes of devices:
Oscillating Water Columns—these devices utilize an enclosed box with its bottom open to the ocean. Water entering the box associated with the crest of the wave pushes air out through a small conduit, which is used to drive a turbine producing electricity. As the wave recedes, air is drawn into the box through the same (or a separate) conduit, again driving a turbine to produce electricity.
Overtopping Devices—these devices allow incoming waves to break over the top edge of the device leaving water trapped in a small reservoir. As the water drains, it turns a turbine, creating electricity.
Point Absorbers—these are moored devices, or buoys, that move up and down on the water surface. There are several methods of converting the up and down motion of the point absorber to electricity. One commonly used approach is the linear generator/buoy configuration, which uses an electric coil that surrounds a metal rod connected to a permanent magnet linear generator. This type of device is often configured on a buoy that floats out in the open ocean, but can also be configured with part of the device attached to a fixed platform. The devices described hereinbelow are point absorber technologies, with a novel method for converting the up and down motion of the buoy to electricity, as described below.
Oscillating Wave Surge Converters—these can be thought of us submerged flappers that move back and forth as a wave passes. This flapping motion is then converted to electricity through a variety of methods. Sometimes the motion is used to pump seawater to shore where the electrical generating process takes place.
Submerged Pressure Differential Devices—similar to the surge converters, these devices use pressure differences on the seafloor as a wave passes to pump seawater which can then be used to drive a turbine.
Attenuators—these devices float at the surface with a number of joints. As the device flexes due to surface wave action, pistons within the joints drive high pressure oil through hydraulic motors which then drive turbines to produce electricity. The Pelamis system, operating off the coast of Portugal, is an example of attenuator technology.
There is a need for systems for wave energy conversion that have components that can survive the harsh marine environment. There is also a need for systems that can be deployed off fixed structures such as a pier and have the ability to naturally adjust for tidal height.

Systems and methods for wave energy conversion


The present disclosure is directed to a vent strip for a soffit made of two or more serially arranged boards. When assembled, the soffit boards define a central gap closed by this vent strip having perforations therealong to enable breathing through said vent strip; the vent strip also includes an edge located U-shaped receptacle to enable the vent strip to grip or clasp the adjacent serial soffit board(s). The second edge supports an L-shaped bracket to enable the vent strip to be latched over the wall veneer.

The present disclosure is directed to a ventilation strip which is used under the eaves to provide attic ventilation. Air circulation through the attic of a building is most helpful in reducing the heat load. Especially in southern states, it is highly desirable to maintain an air flow through the attic area. This requires both an air flow inlet and outlet. While the outlet might be a typical turbine ventilator located at the crown of the roof, it is often desirable (even essential) to locate a ventilation opening along the eaves. When located on the bottom side of the eaves, sheltered from blowing rain, an air inlet can be defined which permits flow of outside air through the attic spaces to reduce the heat load in the summertime. While the outside air temperature can be as much as 100.degree., the temperature in a closed attic can soar to 150.degree., or even 180.degree. F. By locating various air outlets at the high places in the attic, air can be removed and fresh outside air can be drawn in. The air circulation into the attic reduces humidity in the attic. When humidity is trapped and cannot escape, the moisture will degrade insulation in the attic area. Therefore, it is helpful to ventilate to reduce temperature and remove trapped moisture in the attic.
In the past, eaves have been provided with air inlet strips. One procedure has been the construction of the underside of the eave which is known as the soffit with a gap and the gap is normally closed with aluminum, wire mesh. The aluminum wire mesh is typically nailed or stapled in place. The present disclosure sets forth a better mechanism for installing a ventilation strip along the side of a building. It can be installed in short lengths or can be as long as the side of the building, easily as much as 100' in length. The eave is typically constructed with an overhang of about 8" to about 24". While they can be different from the specified range, it is commonplace to have an eave of that width and any length. The construction of the soffit area under the eave, however, is in large part impacted by the nature of the finish of the building. In particular, most residential construction has a type of veneer exterior. For instance, the framing of the building will typically be defined by a set of 2.times.4 framing members which are erected defining the walls with windows, etc. The exterior will typically be covered with a sheet of insulation such as a weatherproofed layer of fiberboard. On the exterior of that, another layer will typically be attached. One example for a framed wooden structure is attachment of horizontal 1.times.6's to provide a typical wooden exterior. Cedar shingles of different sizes can be attached. It is also not uncommon to attach a brick veneer layer. The brick veneer can have different thicknesses. For instance, the veneer can be relatively thin or it can be standard brick thickness, i.e., a single course of bricks stacked in rows with mortar between the bricks. Another approach has been attachment of a relatively thin layer of a fiber-cement board material which is relatively heavy in structure and is quite strong, thereby permitting a relatively thin veneer. The fiber-cement composite material features imbedded cellulose fibers for lateral strength and is formed of a concrete slurry which is cured. It is molded with a specified profile on it, thereby avoiding the necessity of later painting. It is normally painted to match some color scheme for wood, having a very good wood planking appearance.
The present system sets forth a vent which is installed under the eave and which cooperates with the veneer on the exterior of the building. It defines a strip of specified width. The strip presents a set of breathing holes or openings which are uniformly spaced. Ideally, the strip is formed of an extruded plastic vinyl of modest thickness and specified width. A typical width is about 2" although it can be made with different widths. Along one marginal edge positioned toward the structure, the device includes an L-shaped leg which enables that edge to abut against the veneer on the structure. The veneer sometimes is topped with a 1.times.4 board. The opposing marginal edge is constructed with a locking channel defined by three walls at right angles and the channel has a depth and width sized to fit over the soffit board. The soffit board is sometimes wood but more often, it is made of particle board, plywood or other composite materials. The most desirable soffit material is the fiber-cement material discussed elsewhere. Preferably, the soffit board is made relatively thin because it is not a load bearing structure. It is relatively thin, typically in the range of about 1/4" to 1/2" in thickness. Conveniently, the locking channel can be made to a rectangular or square dimension enabling the channel to clamp on the marginal edge of the soffit. The vent strip of the present disclosure is fabricated in standard lengths. The lengths can vary, thereby permitting easy trimming to odd lengths. Standard lengths are typically about 8', 10' or 12' in length. Two or more separate units can simply be abutted in constructing a very long eave with a vent strip in accordance with the present invention.
The soffit vent construction of this disclosure has the advantage of attaching relatively easily. It can attach without the mandatory use of mains, screws or staples. When the soffit board is formed of the fiber-cement material, nails and similar fasteners are not desirable; the snap in receptacle is most easily engaged for assembly to avoid nails. The soffit vent strip has a width with a depth of attachment which enables overlapping and hiding of irregular cut edges. Typically, it abuts against a soffit board which may have to be trimmed. In using a saw to trim a long soffit board, the cut may wander somewhat. Variations in width are hidden in the unique double leg receptacle of the fastener along the edge. It defines a gap which permits the channel to hold the edge of the soffit board even where it is cut in some irregular fashion. That is normally covered. Moreover, it is attached to the soffit board without use of fasteners such as nails or staples. This is highly desirable. At the opposite edge, it laps over the top veneer strip (often called a brick frieze strip) and secures at the top edge of the veneer finish on the building. This is done even with a building constructed of any type of veneer material including those mentioned above. The vent system of the present disclosure therefore attaches quickly and easily, reducing the difficulties in fabrication. Moreover, it is chemically neutral and has no long term detrimental effect in cooperation with any type of veneer material. Care must be exercised in certain types of veneer materials. For instance, the fiber-cement sheet material is sensitive to aluminum when contact is made. That is avoided with the present vent strip. Rather, the vent strip of this disclosure is chemically inert and will not react negatively with any type of veneer including brick, wood or other planking. Last of all, it provides a distinctly more attractive product. When inspected, even years after installation, it will provide a high quality appearance. It provides a colorfast decorative strip which can be tailored to a particular paint scheme.
The present disclosure is summarized as a vent strip for attachment to an exposed eave. It is formed of an extruded continuous profile of plastic material having a profile enabling easy installation without screws, staples or nails. On one edge, it is provided with an L-shaped bracket which overhangs the veneer attached to the exterior of a building (e.g., the brick frieze strip). This enables easy installation at the topmost level of the veneer. The center portion is a wide span having a set of formed holes in it to provide breathing. The aggregate cross-sectional area is quite large, thereby furnishing the necessary breathing area. At the marginal right edge, it is constructed with a locking channel having three sides. The channel has a width and height sufficient to lock snugly against the soffit board. Multiple strips can be installed serially to provide a ventilation breathing space along the entire eave of a residential construction.
One big advantage of the installation derives from the edge location of the vent strip along one side of the soffit board. The soffit board is selected for a particular width so that long cuts are reduced in number. Many vents require two cuts in the soffit while this vent strip can be installed with one cut; indeed, by apt selection, the soffit board may not require any cutting.

Ventilation strip for veneer finished buildings


An interactive robot capable of speech recognition includes a sound-source-direction estimating unit that estimates a direction of a sound source for target voices which are required to undergo speech recognition; a moving unit that moves the interactive robot in the sound-source direction; a target-voice acquiring unit that acquires the target voices at a position after moving; and a speech recognizing unit that performs speech recognition of the target voices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interactive robot capable of speech recognition, and a speech recognition method and a speech recognition program for the interactive robot.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a robot that vocally communicates with a human being has been known. A speech recognition function, by which voices of a human being can be accurately recognized, is required for such an interactive robot.
In order to improve the speech recognition function, a technology which improves a signal-to-noise ratio has been developed. For example, a small number (usually, two) of microphones are used, and, moreover, two main and sub beam formers are also used. Further, there has been known a method (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-100800) in which noise components in directions except the target direction are estimated with the beam former, and the noise components are subtracted from the voices with voices in the target direction, which have been obtained through main beam former as a principal component. Thereby, the noises in the directions other than the target one can be positively suppressed.
According to the above method, the target voices are separated from the noises by signal processing, noting the difference in the incidence direction between the target voice and the noises. Accordingly, when a target sound source and a noise source are almost in the same direction as each other, it is basically impossible to separate the target voices from the noises. Unless the distance of the target sound source from a robot is enough smaller than that of the noise source, there is left a large influence of the noise.
The above problem is deeply related with a physical phenomenon that, when the strengths of voices (compression waves extending in ripples) produced by corresponding sound sources are the same as each other, the strengths of the voices which have reached a microphone vary inversely with the square of the propagation distance of each voice. That is, the relatively shorter distance of the target sound source than that of the noise source causes the signal-to-noise ratio to be more improved. The strength of a voice produced at a point, for example, 30 centimeters away and that of a voice produced at a point one meter away are different from each other by a factor of 10.
However, the strengths are different from each other by a factor of only 2.25 for cases of two meters and three meters, though the difference in the distance is one meter. That is, a shorter distance between the target sound source and the microphone causes the speech recognition to be more accurately executed. According to a method using the above fact, a microphone is brought close to the mouth of a speaker. In many of speech recognition systems mounted in, for example, personal computers, a speaker wears a headset type microphone. As described above, a signal-to-noise ratio has been improved by arranging a microphone in extremely close proximity to a sound source.
However, a speaker is required to wear a microphone at any time in the above method. In the case of an interactive robot, a microphone is built in the robot. Accordingly, when the method in which the distance between the microphone and the speaker is noted as described above is adopted for the interactive robot, the interactive robot is required to be located in the vicinity of the speaker. Accordingly, the above method is not appropriate for an interactive robot moved according to instructions of a speaker for various kinds of actions. On the other hand, a human being itself can approach an interactive robot whenever the human being produces a voice. However, it is inconvenient for a disabled person to approach the robot.

Interactive robot, speech recognition method and computer program product