A process for enhancing precipitation strengthening in steel and for making a high-strength micro-alloy steel, and a steel made from the process. The process includes the step of deforming the steel containing a suitable precipitate strengthening substance, at a temperature at which the microstructure of the steel is essentially stable and at which those precipitation strengthening particles that form are of a desirable particle size for precipitation strengthening. Deforming the steel introduces dislocations in the crystal structure of the steel, which increases the kinetics of precipitation by increasing the number of precipitation nucleation sites and accelerating the rate of diffusion of the precipitate material. The steel may be deformed by bending or rolling the steel. Preferably the process also includes the step of cooling the steel at a rapid rate so as to minimize the formation of precipitate particles of a larger-than-desired size.

Many of the industrially-significant attributes of different steels (strength, hardness etc.) depend in part on the microstructure of the particular steel, that is the type or types of crystals of which the steel is composed and the grain size of the crystals. In typical steel manufacturing, the steel undergoes processing in order to produce a desired microstructure. Such processing typically includes thermal processing (including controlling the cooling rate of the steel to promote the formation of particular crystal structures in the steel) and mechanical processing (including reducing the thickness of the steel by rolling the steel, so as to, for example, cause recrystallization for the purpose of reducing the grain size of the steel). The attributes of a steel can also be affected by the addition of precipitation strengthening substances, that is, alloying substances that dissolve when the steel is heated and then tend to precipitate in the boundaries between the grains of the steel when the steel cools. The precipitate particles thus created build up resistance to slip between steel grains, thereby increasing the strength of the steel, particularly the yield strength.
The known precipitation strengthening substances suitable for use in steel include, niobium (referred to at times herein as Nb), titanium (referred to at times herein as Ti) and vanadium (referred to at times herein as V). Niobium typically combines with carbon (referred to at times herein as C) and possibly nitrogen (referred to at times herein as N), and precipitates as Nb(C,N) and/or NbC. Titanium typically combines with carbon and precipitates as TiC. Vanadium typically combines with nitrogen or carbon and precipitates as VN or VC. Niobium, titanium and vanadium may be present in steel for purposes other than direct precipitation strengthening and will, during typical steel production, combine with other alloying substances in the steel, but the above compounds (Nb(C,N), NbC, TiC, VN and VC) are those that are considered to be associated with, and significant for, ultimate precipitation strengthening. Titanium will also form TiN with nitrogen, but this is not a useful precipitation strengthening compound, largely because TiN forms and precipitates at relatively high temperatures, resulting in larger-than-desired precipitate particles (discussed generally in what follows). Various other possible precipitation strengthening compounds are also known, including: Ti(C,N), V(C,N) and TiNb(C,N).
The extent to which the addition of such precipitating substances increases the strength of the steel depends in part on the ultimate size and volume fraction of the precipitate particles. It is well known that the strengthening effect of such precipitation increases as the volume fraction of the precipitate particles increases and the precipitate particle size decreases. For a given volume fraction of precipitates, a smaller particle size means a higher number density of precipitate particles, that is, a higher number of interactions between precipitate particles and steel grains, and thus higher strength. With Nb(C,N) and/or NbC precipitation strengthening in ferrite steel, for a given volume fraction, the increase in yield strength attributable to precipitation strengthening increases by about one order of magnitude when the precipitate particle size is reduced from about 100 nm to about 3 nm.
For a given precipitating substance, precipitate particle size is primarily dependent on the temperature at which the particles form. Generally, the lower the temperature at which the precipitate particles form, the smaller the particle size. The volume fraction of the precipitate particles depends in part on the rate at which the precipitating substance diffuses within the solid metal. Generally the rate of diffusion is a function of temperature; a higher temperature resulting in a higher diffusion rate and thus a higher volume fraction of precipitate particles.
For some metals and some precipitating substances, the diffusion rate of the precipitating substance is sufficiently high at relatively low temperatures, (for example, room temperature) that significant precipitation strengthening occurs at these relatively low temperatures. Precipitation strengthening that occurs over time at room temperature, referred to as aging, generally produces relatively fine precipitate particles. For steel, the diffusion rate of the known precipitating substances is too low at room temperature to produce an appreciable volume fraction of precipitate particles, which means that aging does not result in significant precipitation strengthening. For example, although Nb(C,N) and/or NbC precipitation is thermodynamically possible in ferrite steel at relatively low temperatures, such as below about 500° C., because of the sluggish precipitation kinetics at these temperatures, only a minimal Nb(C,N) and/or NbC precipitation strengthening effect has been observed at these temperatures under industrial conditions.
It is known to reheat metals containing precipitating substances off-line to increase the rate of diffusion of the precipitating substances and thus increase the volume fraction of the precipitate. However, off-line heat treatment is generally not an effective way to enhance precipitation strengthening in steel. For steel and the precipitating substances known to be appropriate for steel, re-heating the steel to a temperature sufficiently high to increase the diffusion rate of the precipitating substance so as to increase the volume fraction of the precipitate particles within a commercially-reasonable period of heating time, generally results in a larger-than-desirable precipitate particle size. As well, off-line heat treatment of steel is costly and typically, and significantly, results in a loss of desirable microstructure characteristics of the steel. Therefore, off-line heat treatment is typically not the best technique for enhancing precipitation strengthening in steel.
What is needed is a process that increases the volume fraction of fine precipitates in steel so as to result in enhanced precipitation strengthening.


Glassy solid electrolytes and charge transporting elements including antistatic elements and charge generating elements. The charge generating element has an electrically conductive layer, a charge generating layer overlying the electrically conductive layer, and a layer of glassy solid electrolyte overlying the electrically conductive layer. The glassy solid electrolyte includes a complex of silsesquioxane and a charge carrier. The complex has a surface resistivity from about 1.times.10.sup.10 to about 1.times.10.sup.17 ohms/sq. The complex has a T.sup.2 -silicon:T.sup.3 -silicon ratio of less than 1 to 1. The complex has a ratio of carbon atoms to silicon atoms of greater than about 1.2 to 1.

Charge transporting elements have a support and a charge transport layer that charge moves across. Charge transporting elements include antistatic elements and charge generating elements. Antistatic elements have an antistatic layer which transports charge to prevent charge build up on the surface of the element.
In charge generating elements, incident light induces a charge separation across various layers of a multiple layer device. In an electrophotographic charge generating element, also referred to herein as an electrophotographic element, an electron-hole pair produced within a charge generating layer separate and move in opposite directions to develop a charge between an electrically conductive layer and an opposite surface of the element. The charge forms a pattern of electrostatic potential (also referred to as an electrostatic latent image). The electrostatic latent image can be formed by a variety of means, for example, by imagewise radiation-induced discharge of a uniform potential previously formed on the surface. Typically, the electrostatic latent image is then developed into a toner image by contacting the latent image with an electrographic developer and the toner image is then fused to a receiver. If desired, the latent image can be transferred to another surface before development or the toner image can be transferred before fusing.
The requirements of the process of generating and separating charge place severe limitations on the characteristics of the layers in which charge is generated and holes and/or electrons are transported. For example, many such layers are very soft and subject to abrasion. This places severe constraints upon the design of charge generating elements. Some configurations cannot provide a reasonable length of service unless an abrasion resistant overcoat layer is provided over the other layers of the element. This presents its own problems, since charge must be able to pass through the overcoat.
The resistivity of an overcoat has major consequences in an electrophotographic system. If the overcoat has high resistivity, the time constant for voltage decay will be excessively long relative to the processing time for the electrophotographic element and the overcoat will retain a residual potential after photodischarge of the underlying photoreceptor. The magnitude of the residual potential depends upon the initial potential, the dielectric constants of the various layers, and the thicknesses of each layer. A solution has been to reduce the thickness of the overcoat layer. Another solution is to provide an overcoat that is conductive. The overcoat must, however, not be too conductive. The electrophotographic element must be sufficiently electrically insulating in the dark that the element neither discharges excessively nor allows an excessive migration of charge along the surface of the element. An excessive discharge ("dark decay") would prevent the formation and development of the electrostatic latent image. Excessive migration causes a loss of resolution of the electrostatic image and the subsequent developed image. This loss of resolution is referred to as "lateral image spread". The extent of image degradation will depend upon processing time for the electrophotographic element and the thicknesses and dielectric constants of the layers. It is thus desirable to provide an overcoat that is neither too insulating nor too conductive.
The triboelectric properties of the overcoat must be matched to the triboelectric properties of the electrophotographic toner used to develop the electrostatic latent image. If the triboelectric properties are not matched, the electrophotographic element will triboelectrically charge against the electrophotographic toner. This causes disruption of the charge pattern of the electrostatic latent image and results in background in the resulting toner image. For example, an overcoat can triboelectrically match a particular negatively charging toner, but not triboelectrically match another toner that charges positively.
Silsesquioxanes are siloxane polymers, sometimes represented by the formula (RSiO.sub.1.5).sub.x, that are commonly prepared by the hydrolysis and condensation of trialkoxysilanes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,073 to Clark teaches the use of silsesquioxanes as abrasion resistant coatings on organic polymers. Typical applications include scratch resistant coatings on acrylic lenses and transparent glazing materials. This patent teaches that a preferred thickness for good scratch resistance is from 2 to 10 micrometers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,509 to Schank teaches photoconducing elements for electrophotography that have silsesquioxane coatings. The silsesquioxane overcoats have a thickness of from 0.5 to 2.0 micrometers. The patent indicates that this thickness optimizes electrical, transfer, cleaning and scratch resistance properties. This contrasts with U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,073, which teaches that a preferred thickness of a silsesquioxane layer, for good scratch resistance, is from 2 to 10 micrometers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,775 to Shank teaches that methylsilsesquioxane is preferred since it produces the hardest material in comparison to other alkylsilanes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,602 to Schank teaches a conductive overcoat of cross-linked "siloxanol-colloidal silica hybrid" having a preferred thickness of from 0.3 to 5.0 micrometers. Cross-linkable siloxanol-colloidal silica hybrid was reacted with hydrolyzed ammonium salt of an alkoxy silane. The patent states:
"the ionic moiety of the ammonium salt of an alkoxy silane is both uniformly distributed throughout the overcoating and permanently anchored in place thereby providing sufficient and stable electrical conductivity characteristics to the overcoating under a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions." (col. 6, lines 45-51) PA1 "By reacting these ammonium salts of alkoxy silanes with a cross-linkable siloxanol-colloidal silica hybrid material, the moisture sensitivity of the resulting films can be modified so that satisfactory control of the electrical properties of these overcoats can be achieved over an extended relative humidity range of about 10 percent to about 90 percent. Moreover, the overcoatings of this invention permit thicker protective coatings to be used thereby extending the useful life of the photoreceptor. It is hypothesized that when migratable ionic components such as conventional stabilizing acids and alkali metal catalysts are present in a cured cross-linked siloxanol-colloidal silica hybrid material overcoating, the photoreceptor may initially perform well under ordinary ambient conditions. However, upon extended xerographic cycling even under ordinary ambient conditions, repeated exposure to the applied electric field causes the migratable ionic components to migrate to the interface between the overcoating and the photoreceptor thereby forming a concentrated region or layer of ionic components which becomes progressively more electrically conductive. This electrically conductive interface region is believed to be the principal cause of print deletion, particularly at elevated temperatures and high humidity." (col. 6, lines 18-43)
The patent contrasts this with a overcoat layer having migratable ionic species:
Solid electrolytes, also referred to as solid ionic conductors, are solid materials in which electrical conductivity is provided by the motion of ions not electrons. A variety of solid electrolytes are inorganic crystals. Others are complexes of an organic polymer and a salt, such as complexes of poly(ethylene oxide) and alkali metal salt. "Electrolytes Dissolved in Polymers", J. M. G. Cowrie et al, Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem., Vol. 40, (1989) pp. 85-113 teaches various solid electrolytes. "Solid Ionic Conductors", D. F. Shriver et al, Chemical and Engineering News, Vol. 63, (1985) pp. 42-57; teaches a number of solid electrolytes including a salt-polyphosphazene complex. "Polymer Electrolytes", J. S. Tonge et al, Chapter 5, Polymers for Electronic Applications, ed. J. H. Lai, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1989, pp. 157-210, at 162; teaches solid electrolytes having highly flexible, low T.sub.g siloxane backbones. "Fast Ion Conduction in Comb Shaped Polymers", J. M. G. Cowrie, Integration of Fundamental Polymer Science and Technology, Vol. 2, Elsevior Publ., New York, (1988), pp. 54-62; also teaches a solid electrolyte having a siloxane backbone. Electrical surface conductivities for polymeric and inorganic solid ion conductors are in the range of about 1.times.10.sup.-8 to 10 (ohms/sq).sup.-1. (Surface conductivity is equal to conductivity divided by thickness and is expressed as (ohms/square).sup.-1. Surface resistivity is equal to resistivity divided by thickness and is expressed as ohms/square. For example, a resistivity of 1.times.10.sup.14 ohms-cm, for a layer having a thickness of 5 microns, equates to a surface resistivity of 2.times.10.sup.17.) Solid electrolytes are used for applications including rechargeable lithium batteries, electrochemical sensors, and display devices. Polymeric solid electrolytes tend to be soft materials with little mechanical integrity.
A problem seen in siloxane and silane coatings is a tendency to crack with stress and aging. U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,287 to Frye teaches silicone polycondensates including polysiloxane polyether copolymers having a general structure that can be written: ##STR1## The patent teaches that the addition of about 4 weight percent of these copolymers to the total solids for a polysiloxane produces an aesthetically better coating that is less subject to stress cracking.
It is therefore desirable to provide antistatic elements, glassy solid electrolytes, and charge generating elements which provide both good resistance to abrasion and useful charge transport properties.

Overcoated charge transporting elements and glassy solid electrolytes


A recess is defined in one of the top tube, the down tube and the seat tube of a bicycle frame and a power supply unit is engaged with the recess. The power supply unit includes an engaging frame engaged with the recess and a battery is removably engaged with a main space defined in the engaging frame. The engaging frame includes a chamber defined in an end thereof and a control box is received in the chamber so as to be electrically connected with the control box. The top surface of the battery is in flush with the one of the top tube, the down tube and the seat tube. An ON/OFF switch is installed on a top of the engaging frame and an indication bulb is installed on a top of the battery for convenience of observation by the user.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bicycle frame and a battery for driving the bicycle is received in the top tube or seat tube of the bicycle frame.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A conventional electric bicycle generally includes a rack connected with the axle of the rear wheel and the seat stays, and a battery is supported on the rack so as to provide electric power to drive the bicycle. Some bicycle manufacturers set the rack on a side of the frame. The battery and the rack obviously make the outer appearance of the bicycle frame to be awkward.
The present invention intends to provide a bicycle frame which has a rectangular top tube or seat post and the battery is received in the top tube or the seat post. The top surface of the battery is in flush with the outer surface of the top tube or the seat post.

Combination of bicycle frame and battery


The present invention relates to methods for gene therapy, especially to adenovirus-based gene therapy, and related cell lines and compositions. In particular, novel nucleic acid constructs and packaging cell lines are disclosed, for use in facilitating the development of high-capacity and targeted vectors. The invention also discloses a variety of high-capacity adenovirus vectors and related compositions and kits including the disclosed cell lines and vectors. Finally, the invention discloses methods of preparing and using the disclosed vectors, cell lines and kits.

Enhanced transfer of DNA conjugates into cells has been achieved with adenovirus, a human DNA virus which readily infects epithelial cells (Horwitz, "Adenoviridae and Their Replication", in Virology, Fields and Knipe, eds., Raven Press, NY (1990) pp. 1679–1740).
Although adenovirus-mediated gene therapy represents an improved method of DNA transfer into cells, a potential limitation of this approach is that adenovirus replication results in disruption of the host cell. In addition, adenovirus also possesses oncogenic properties including the ability of one of its proteins to bind to tumor suppressor gene products. The use of so-called replication defective strains of adenovirus (which typically possess E1A and/or E1B deletions that render the virus unable to replicate in host cells) is in principle more suitable for in vivo therapy; however, the potential of co-infection of epithelial cells with wild-type strains of virus resulting in transactivation of the recombinant virus may represent a significant safety concern for in vivo applications.
Another undesirable aspect of using intact or replication-competent adenovirus as a gene transfer means is that it is an oncogenic virus whose gene products are known to interfere with the function of host cell tumor suppressor proteins as well as immune recognition molecules, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). In addition, pre-existing circulating antibodies to adenovirus may significantly reduce the efficiency of in vivo gene delivery. Lastly, only a foreign gene of 6 kilobases (kb) or less can be incorporated into the intact adenovirus genome for gene transfer experiments, whereas DNA segments of greater than 12 kb can be transferred using the methods of this invention.
In order to make Ad vectors more replication-incompetent, some investigators have attempted to construct recombinant Ad-derived vectors which have nearly all of their genome deleted, except for portions known to be required for packaging of virus particles. For example, helper-dependent vectors lacking all viral ORFs but including essential cis elements (the inverted terminal repeats—ITRs—and the contiguous packaging sequence) have been constructed, but the virions package less efficiently than the helper and package as multimers part of the time, which suggests that the virus may "want" to package a fuller DNA complement (see, e.g., Fisher, et al., Virology 217: 11–22, 1996). Mitani et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 3854–3858, 1995) also describe a helper-dependent Ad vector that was apparently not completely replication-defective.
Amalfitano, et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 3352–3356, 1996) describe the construction of Ad packaging cell lines that support the growth of E1- and polymerase-deleted Ad vectors, in an effort to block the replication of Ad vectors in vivo. Similarly, Armentano, et al. (Hum. Gene Ther. 6: 1343–53, 1995) describes Ad vectors with most—but not all—of the E4 sequence deleted therefrom. However, since such a small amount of genetic material is deleted from the vectors, their ability to transport therapeutic sequences is rather limited. Published International App. No. WO96/14061 describes efforts to construct packaging cell lines containing nucleotide sequences encoding E1 and ORF6 of E4.
In addition to being able to incorporate large amounts of DNA into a vector, the ability to target the vectors to specific cell types will result in more efficient administration of desired therapeutics. Such targeting of adenovirus in a relatively simple system is one of the advantages of the current invention.
Thus, there is a need in the art to obtain Adenovirus vectors 1) capable of incorporating large segments of foreign DNA and capable of being targeted to specific cells, as well as to obtain cell lines which can package such adenovirus-gene deficient vector or targeted vectors. These needs, as well as others, are met by the invention.

Adenovirus vectors, packaging cell lines, compositions, and methods for preparation and use


A condenser microphone with at least two microphone capsules, each including a diaphragm and a backplate. The backplates of both the first capsule and second capsule having an electret bias. The first capsule having a first polar pattern, and the second capsule having a second polar pattern. The second capsule having an external voltage bias that is continuously variable over a certain voltage range. This external voltage bias can be applied to the second diaphragm or second backplate. The microphone's total polar pattern consists of a combination of the first polar pattern and the second polar pattern. Using the external voltage bias of the second capsule, the microphone's total polar pattern is continuously variable throughout a range set by the external voltage bias.

Microphones convert sound into an electrical signal through the use of a transducer that includes a diaphragm to convert sound into mechanical motion, which in turn is converted to an electrical signal. Microphones come in several types, including condenser, dynamic, ribbon, carbon, and laser. Condenser microphones, also known as capacitor microphones or electrostatic microphones, are among the more common. A condenser microphone, at the most basic level, is a capacitor with a thin plate that functions as a diaphragm and thicker backplate. A voltage or electric potential difference is created between the diaphragm and backplate. Often, this is done by the backplate receiving a fixed charge or voltage. Air pressure from sound waves striking the diaphragm causes the diaphragm to vibrate, which changes the distance between the two plates, causing a change in the capacitance of the microphone. The dynamic change in capacitance is reflected in a dynamic change of voltage across the capacitor, which is taken as the signal that is transmitted to an amplifying stage.
In most condenser microphones, the voltage bias of the backplate is created through two methods. The first method is through an external voltage source, which allows the adjustment of the voltage bias by adjusting the voltage provided by the external voltage source. The second method to create a voltage bias is using an electret material for the backplate. Electret materials are able to hold static electrical charge for long periods of time without an external supply. Biasing a microphone with an electret material has the benefit of not requiring an external power source, so it lends itself to handheld or wireless uses. However, electret biasing cannot be adjusted like external biasing can.
A major characteristic of microphones that influences microphone design is the microphone's polar pattern. This pattern defines a microphone's directionality, the sensitivity of a microphone to sounds arriving from different angles to the microphone's central axis. For example, an omnidirectional microphone is equally sensitive to sounds received from all directions. These microphones are often used in studio and other venues with good acoustics. A microphone with a cardioid polar pattern, so-called because the pattern resembles a heart, is sensitive to sounds received from the front of the microphone but is less sensitive or blocks sound received from the sides or back of the microphone. These microphones are often used when recording a singer during a live performance.
Other polar patterns include super-cardioid and hyper-cardioid, which are variations of a cardioid pattern and that have a more focused sensitivity to the sound received from the front of the microphone. But microphones with these patterns do not block sound received from behind the microphone as well as a cardioid microphone. Finally, a bi-directional microphone is equally sensitive to sound received along one axis, but sound received along the perpendicular axis is blocked out. Common polar patterns are illustrated in FIG. 1.
The various polarization patterns can also be described as a combination of the omnidirectional and bi-directional polar patterns. Mathematically, this is illustrated by the equation 1=A+B cos θ, which has been normalized to 1. A is the omnidirectional portion of the pattern and B is the bi-directional portion. If one were to add equal proportions of the omnidirectional portion and bi-directional portion—i.e., 0.5+0.5 cos θ—the microphone would have a cardioid polar pattern. Table 1 shows how one could produce the common polar patterns using a dual diaphragm microphone that has both an omnidirectional portion and a bi-directional portion.
TABLE 1PatternEquation (A + Bcos θ)Omnidirectional1Sub-cardioid0.7 + 0.3cos θCardioid0.5 + 0.5cos θSuper-cardioid0.37 + 0.63cos θHyper-cardioid0.25 + 0.75cos θBi-directionalcos θ
As mentioned, certain polar patterns are better suited for certain environments or uses (e.g., studio recording versus live recording). But having a different microphone for every situation can become cumbersome, so manufactures design microphones that have the ability to change between different polar patterns. One way to build a microphone with this ability is to include multiple microphone capsules, each containing a diaphragm and backplate tuned to a specific polar pattern. The outputs of these different capsules are then added to or subtracted from each other to form new polar patterns.
For example, a condenser microphone may include two capsules, each including a diaphragm and a backplate. One capsule may have an omnidirectional polar pattern while the other capsule may have a bi-directional polar pattern. By adjusting the amount of each signal that is included in the final microphone output, the microphone may exhibit multiple different polar patterns. One way to do this would be to utilize external biasing on one or both capsules. The sensitivity of each capsule is proportional to its bias voltage. By adjusting the external biasing, one would be able to adjust the sensitivity or strength of the capsules, and thus, each capsule's contribution to the microphone's total output.
However, in real world applications, microphones are often limited to only a few options. As an example, a dual diaphragm condenser microphone may include two diaphragms with a common backplate in which both sides have a cardioid polar pattern. If the two back-to-back cardioids are added together, the microphone would have an omnidirectional polar pattern: (0.5+0.5 cos θ)+(0.5−0.5 cos θ)=1. The difference in sign on the B value is attributable to the front facing cardioid pattern, if assigned a positive polarity, having the opposed polarity of the back facing cardioid pattern, which faces the opposed direction. When the cardioids are subtracted from each other, the microphone would have a bi-directional polar pattern: (0.5+0.5 cos θ)−(0.5−0.5 cos θ)=cos θ. Further, subtracting only half as much of the rear cardioid creates a microphone with a hyper-cardioid pattern: (0.5+0.5 cos θ)−0.5(0.5−0.5 cos θ)=0.25+0.75 cos θ. These simple adjustments are often done with a switch on the microphone.
In another example, a dual diaphragm condenser microphone may include two microphone capsules, one in front of the other, where each capsule includes a diaphragm and a backplate. The front capsule is tuned to a point half-way between cardioid and super-cardioid. When the rear capsule, which has a cardioid pattern, has the same polarity as the front capsule, the microphone's pattern is cardioid. When the rear capsule is switched to have the opposite polarity as the front capsule, the microphone's pattern is super-cardioid. This technique can be implemented such that each pattern of the microphone's total output to have similar sensitivities. This technique can be done with other patterns. For example, the front capsule is tuned between hyper-cardioid and sub-cardioid, and the back capsule is used to switch between the two patterns based on its sensitivity and polarity in relationship with the front capsule.
However, as can be seen, microphones that allow switching between different polar patterns only allow the selection of a discrete number of patterns, especially if their backplate is using electret biasing. Further, although external biasing may allow a wider variety of patterns for a microphone, this biasing method usually limits the mobility of the microphone and is generally unworkable for smaller, wireless microphones.


Region forming steps or interconnect-forming steps through which low voltage CMOS devices are formed in a semiconductor wafer are also employed to simultaneously form one or more regions or layers at selected sites of a substrate where high voltage devices are to be formed. Such selective modification of an already existing mask set designed for low voltage CMOS topography allows additional doping of the substrate or provision of further overlay material to accommodate the effects of high voltage operation of selected areas of the water and thereby effectively performs precursor tailoring or modification of those portions of the wafer where a high voltage condition will be encountered.

There are a number of signal processing applications which require that low voltage CMOS devices (for logic and sometimes analog functions) and high voltage MOS devices (typically used for switching or level shift circuits) be integrated in the same semiconductor architecture. Because of the diversity of both the types and parametric variations of the device structures, the processes used to form such combined technology architectures are often complex, sometimes requiring upwards of fifteen masking steps to pattern and layout the topography of the wafer. Moreover, as there is both an increase in cost and a decrease in yield as the number of mask steps increases, it is desirable to reduce the number of steps necessary to incorporate all of the various types of devices that make up such a multifunctional signal processing architecture.
One type of semiconductor structure that can be used to realize a high voltage MOS device in a low voltage CMOS architecture involves the addition of a lateral drift, drain-extension region to increase the reverse breakdown of the MOS structure, as described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,173 entitled "High Voltage Lateral MOS Structure with Depleted Top Gate Region," issued Apr. 18, 1989, assigned to the assignee of the present application and the disclosure of which is herein incorporated. Such a lateral high voltage MOS device is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 as comprising a lateral drift, drain-extension region 11, which is contiguous with a drain region 13 and extends along the surface 14 of the body 10 of the MOS device toward a source region 12. The lateral drift region is formed beneath a thick oxide layer 15 (which may be formed by local oxidation) or under a thin (typically gate) oxide layer 17. The parameters of the drift region (e.g. doping profile in ions per square centimeter) are predefined such that, in the presence of a reverse bias applied between the drain region 13 and the body 10 (in which the channel is formed from the drift region 13 to the source region 12 beneath a gate electrode 18), the drift region becomes totally depleted of charge carriers prior to the occurrence of breakdown field in the depletion layer that extends from a reverse-biased drain-to-body PN junction 21, particularly at the sharp curvature portion 23 of the junction beneath gate electrode 18, where the total electrical field strength is increased by the presence of the bias applied to the gate. Typically, the doping per unit area of the drift region 11 is limited to a value on the order of 1 to 2.times.10.sup.12 ions/cm.sup.2 in order to satisfy this fully depleted requirement.
Thus, by adding such a lateral drift region to what is otherwise a low voltage MOS structure, the device is effectively transformed form a low voltage MOS device into a high (reverse breakdown) voltage device. Unfortunately, conventional water processing to provide such a lateral drift region involves both a special mask and a special doping step (e.g. ion implantation) used exclusively for the formation of the drift region, which increases the cost and complexity of the manufacturing process.

Integration of high voltage lateral MOS devices in low voltage CMOS architecture using CMOS-compatible process steps


A system and method for regulating and absorbing TFT-LCD organic solvent waste liquid in countercurrent are provided. In the system, each of longitudinal offset pipes of absorbing pipes is disposed between a lower filter plate and an upper filter plate, bottom positions of the longitudinal offset pipes are connected with a sinking-recovery pipe, each longitudinal offset pipe is provided with a photoelectric detector, an activated carbon supply pipe is provided with an activated carbon supply device, the sinking-recovery pipe is connected with a solid-liquid separator, and a wet activated carbon conduction mechanism is provided with a heating-separating device. Activated carbon particles in the absorbing pipe with a certain saturation amount are led out in a non-disassembly-replacement method, the saturated activated carbon is subjected to solid-liquid separating and heating degassing, thus the saturated organic solvent is separated and recovered and the activated carbon particles are recycled.

As the mainstream technology of flat panel display, high economic benefits have been achieved in TFT-LCD production, but meanwhile, a large amount of high-concentration polymer organic waste liquid has been produced. Therefore, environmental protection should be considered while achieving good economic benefits, so this part of production waste water must be treated considering its water quality characteristics.
In the organic waste liquid of TFT-LCD, there are many organic solvents that can be recycled, such as n-methylpyrrolidone (NMF), 2-(2-n-butoxyethoxy) ethanol (BDG), 1-amino-2-hydroxyethane, monoethanolamine (MEA), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 1-Methoxy-2-propyl acetate (PGMEA), Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH), etc., all of which have high economic recovery value.
In TFT-LCD organic waste liquid treatment technology, adsorption is a common treatment method, and activated carbon particles are commonly used as adsorbents.
However, in the prior art, when activated carbon particles are used for adsorption, activated carbon is concentrated into filter bags or filter tubes. When adsorption is saturated, the activated carbon filter bags and filter tubes need to be manually replaced. In order to further recycle the organic solvent in the organic waste liquid of TFT-LCD, the saturated activated carbon bags should be treated. In the prior art, after the activated carbon adsorption is saturated or nearly saturated, the production efficiency of the saturated or nearly saturated activated carbon replacement and organic separation process is low, and there is human intervention, and some toxic and harmful organic waste liquid may be harmful to human body.

System and method for regulating and absorbing TFT-LCD organic solvent waste liquid in countercurrent


A transport apparatus includes a transport member having a cylindrical configuration. A supporting guide consisting of a wire circular in section is spirally wound on the peripheral surface of the transport member. A cylindrical rotary member is rotatably accommodated inside the transport member. A magnetic force generation portion is linearly provided on the peripheral surface of the rotary member along the axial direction of the rotary member. The rotary member is driven by a rotation means such as a motor to transport an object of transporting such as parts from a lower side of the transport member toward an upper side of the transport member in the axial direction of the transport member along the lead angle direction of the supporting guide, with the parts being magnetically attracted to the peripheral surface of the transport member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transport apparatus in general and more particularly to a transport apparatus for transporting an object of the transporting, for example, parts made of magnetic materials such as steel balls, machine screws, bolts, nuts or the like to desired directions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a transport apparatus for transporting parts upward, a bucket elevator is known. In the bucket elevator, buckets installed at regular intervals on an endless annular chain or belt are traveled upward to transport parts contained in the buckets sequentially to desired places.
FIG. 32(A) is a schematic view showing an example of a conventional transport apparatus which forms the background of the present invention. The transport apparatus 1 comprises a belt conveyor 2 provided with a magnet roller 2a. A magnet portion 4 consisting of a magnet plate or a magnet bar is provided on the underside of a belt 3. In the transport apparatus 1, parts W are magnetically attracted to the upper surface of the belt 3 by the magnetizing force of the magnet portion 4 so as to transport them obliquely upwardly.
FIG. 32(B) is a schematic view showing another example of a conventional transport apparatus which forms the background of the present invention. A transport apparatus 1 comprises a bottomed cylindrical transport member 5. A rotary shaft 6 is rotatably provided inside the transport member 5. The rotary shaft 6 is rotatably supported by the transport member 5 through a bearing 7. A groove 8 is spirally formed on the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 6. A plurality of magnets 9 is formed inside the groove 8. In the transport apparatus 1, the rotary shaft 6 is rotated to transport the parts W (such as, iron powders) obliquely upwardly, with the parts W being magnetically attracted to the peripheral surface of the transport member 5.
In the above-described transport apparatuses, normally, the parts W are taken out from the elevator or the conveyor to transport them to desired places.
In the transport apparatus comprising the bucket elevator, however, it takes much time and labor to manufacture the buckets. Further, the elevator is large, and thus the installing space of the entire apparatus is large. Thus, the running cost is high.
In the transport apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 32(A), the installing space of the conveyor is large and further, it is difficult to upwardly vertically transport parts such as steel balls which contact the upper surface of the belt 3 in a small area. This is because the parts W are transported along the belt 3, with the parts W being supported on the upper surface of the belt 3 by only the magnetic attraction force of the magnet portion 4.
In the transport apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 32(B), the parts W such as iron powders can be reliably transported obliquely upwardly. But it is difficult to transport comparatively large parts such as steel balls, machine screws, bolts, nuts, coil springs or the like vertically upwardly.
In the transport apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 32(A) and 32(B), in transporting the parts W such as hexagon nuts, hexagon head bolts or the like and pillar-shaped parts such as triangular prisms having a comparatively great contact area, surfaces of the magnetized parts W are attracted to each other in undesired postures. That is, bridging of the parts W occurs. Thus, it is difficult to transport the parts W smoothly along a transport path.
Further, in each of the above-described transport apparatuses, the parts W are taken out from the transport path of the elevator or that of the conveyor at a fixed take-out position thereof in transferring the parts W to desired places from each of the transport apparatuses. Thus, it is difficult to alter the take-out position easily.


When MPEG streams are connected, audio data is connected without losing continuity, so that playback data which is not unnatural is obtained. In a case where data of videos of a stream is connected to immediately after another video of another stream and these are edited to create still another stream, if a soundless portion occurs, or if an audio is directly connected to another audio and the audio data leads the video data, unnatural playback data results. Therefore, by inserting still another audio, as audio data at the connection point of the still another stream, corresponding to the video to be erased between the still another audio and still another audio, playback data which is not unnatural can be obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and to a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method in which, when two MPEG streams are connected, the audio data playback timing is shifted so that the audio data can be played back continuously so that continuous audio data can be played back at the point where the two MPEG streams are connected, and to a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a case where audio data is compressed, the audio data is divided in predetermined units, and compression is performed within the divided data. When the audio data compressed in this manner is edited and connected, connection is possible only in divided data units (that is, connection is not possible from the middle of data units).
The real time length of the data unit in the compression of audio data does not match the frame length of video data. For example, in MPEG (Moving Picture Coding Experts Group/Moving Picture Experts Group), for the video data, in a 29.97 Hz system, the number of time stamps (TS) of one frame is 3003, whereas for audio data, in an 48 kHz MPEG2 Audio Layer II, the number of TSs of one frame is 2160.
For example, in a data stream, such as MPEG, for which video and audio are handled at the same time, when data streams are connected, since connection is performed by using the video data as a reference, at the connection point, continuity of the audio data is lost for compressed audio data having a period different from that of the video data.
Since audio data with lost continuity causes, for example, a failure of a decoding buffer to occur, there is a possibility that decoding cannot be performed correctly in a decoding device. For example, in a case where, in order to maintain the continuity of audio data, the phase lag between a video signal and an audio signal is admitted and the audio signal is directly made continuous, unnatural playback data, such as, for example, the audio data being played back prior to the video data, might result.
Furthermore, depending on the video data to be connected, there are cases in which, in order to prevent the failure of a decoding buffer, a still image whose coding rate is close to zero is inserted at a connection point, so that the processing of the decoding buffer is in time. In such a case, unless audio corresponding to the still image to be inserted is provided, a soundless state occurs in the connection point, and unnatural playback data results.

Information processing apparatus and method, and recording medium


An apparatus for generating an image includes a vehicle moving at a predetermined direction; and a plurality of cameras arranged on the vehicle along a linear line parallel to the predetermined direction and at different angles from each other with respect to the predetermined direction so as to include all areas of images to be acquired. The apparatus forms one image by integrating images at the same point acquired by the cameras, respectively without being synchronized the cameras with each other and using any external sensor.

(i) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for generating an image, which apparatus and method are utilized in an ITS (Intelligent Transport System) field such as a car navigation system, a virtual reality (VR) field such as a virtual city, a three-dimensional computer graphic (3DCG) field such as a three-dimensional modeling, and so on.
(ii) Description of the Related Art
Recently, techniques of fetching a texture image (hereinafter, called as "the image") of a large-scale environment such as an urban area into a computer by using a camera or a range sensor and utilizing the image fetched as such in an ITS field or a VR field are actively carried out as disclosed in M. Hirose and E. Takaaki. Building a virtual world from the real world. In proceedings of International Symposium on Mixed reality, pages 183-197, March 1999, for example.
In this case, a technique of efficient fetching and acquiring images into a computer is tried. Although acquisition of images is relied on the manpower until now, there is a limit for labor reason when acquiring images by using the manpower. Therefore, as a technique of automatic acquisition of images, there are proposal such as a technique based on aerial photographs, a technique using an omni-directional camera as disclosed in Y. Onoue, K. Yamasawa, H. Takemura, and N. Yokoya. Telepresence by real-time view-dependent image generation from omni-directional video streams. Computer Vision and Image Understanding, 71(2): 154-165, August 1998, for example, a technique using a combination of a plurality of cameras, and so on.
Further, in relation to the technique of automating acquisition of images, there are proposal such as a technique called as an IBR (Image-Based Rendering) as disclosed in Shenchang Eric Chen. QuickTime® VR—An Image-Based Approach to Virtual Environment Navigation. COMPUTER GRAPHICS Proceedings, Annual Conference Series, pages 29-38, 1995 A. Lippman Movie-maps. An application of the optical videodiscs to computer graphics. In Proceedings of ACM SIGGRAPH '80. pages 32-43, 1990. and T. Takahashi, H. Kawasaki, K. Ikeuchi, and M. Sakauchi. Arbitrary view position and direction rendering for large-scale scenes. In Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, volume 2, pages 296-303, June 2000., for example or a formation of an image called as an EPI (Epipolar Plane Image) as disclosed in R. Bolles, H. Baker, and D. Marimont. Epipolar plane image analysis: an approach to determining structure from motion. Int. J. of Computer Vision, 1: 7-55, 1987, for example.
However, in case of the technique based on the aerial photographs and the technique using the omni-directional camera, there are limits resulting from resolutions of images, directions of textures to be imaged and so on. On the other hand, the technique using a combination of a plurality of cameras does not have the limits in the technique based on the aerial photographs and the technique using the omni-directional camera, however, it is difficult to generate one image by integrating a plurality of images, and it is also difficult to acquire an image in a large-scale environment substantially free from distortions without information (correction) of shapes such as depth information.

Apparatus and method for generating image


The invention relates to a method for displaying an object that features in a panorama moving on a screen. The method includes a step for positioning a target zone of the panorama surrounding the object in a predetermined window of the screen, and a step for replacing the said target zone of the panorama by a video sequence that includes the object, the positioning and replacement steps being activated in response to an activation control. Among other aspects, with this method, the visual discontinuities between the panorama and the video sequence can be reduced.

"Panorama" is understood to mean a method of rendering a real or virtual scene, this method enabling the scene to be partially displayed on a screen. It is thus expected to be able to move the panorama such that the entire scene is accessible to an observer who is located at the centre of this scene; the observer varies his viewing angle but not his viewpoint.
Presently, in a common way, panoramic scenes are being represented in three dimensions, and, by way of example, mention is made of the software "Quicktime VR" which is a registered trademark of the company Apple. Regarding this subject, reference can be made to the article "Quicktime VR—An Image Based Approach to Virtual Environment Navigation", S. E. Chen, SIG'GRAPH95.
An observer located at the centre of such a scene can rotate about himself to make his angle of view vary in the range 0° to 360°. The scene can therefore be represented by a cylinder which becomes a plane image when it is developed. This plane image is often a real image obtained by juxtaposing photographs taken successively after having made a camera rotate through an angle equivalent to the aperture angle of its lens. But this plane image can also be a virtual image. Only a part of the scene is displayed on the screen, which part corresponds to a sector of the cylinder, and the observer has direction controls to turn to the left or to the right in the scene.
While this type of representation reflects progress in relation to a plane representation, any object in the scene is always viewed by the same angle. To display several faces of this object, it is appropriate to provide a video sequence simulating an animation, for example a rotation around it, the object then appearing in various angles.
This video sequence will therefore replace the part of the panorama that appears on the screen. However, the transition from the panorama to the video sequence must take place by limiting, as far as is possible, discontinuities such as image jumps.
Thus, the aim of the present invention is a method for displaying a video sequence presenting an object which features in a panorama, limiting the discontinuity appearing between the display of the panorama and the display of this sequence.

Method for displaying an object in a panorama window

Abstract: The invention also relates to a receiver of audiovisual transmissions, which receiver includes means for implementing the above method.


A device for propelling a vehicle includes at least two electric motors, whereas each of the electric motors is equipped with a cooling device. The cooling device includes at least one cooling fluid line, whereas the cooling fluid lines are connected to the two cooling devices through a common cooling fluid connection line.

Increasingly, electric motors are used to propel vehicles. Vehicles in which electric motors provide the propulsion together with motors of other designs, such as internal combustion engines, as well as vehicles in which only electric motors are used for propulsion, are customary.
In the course of further development and the reduced dimensions of the electric motors that this has brought about, it is possible to use, instead of one powerful centrally arranged electric motor, which takes effect on at least one drive axle, several smaller electric motors, such that one electric motor can be assigned to each drive wheel. These electric motors can be placed near the corresponding drive wheel, and the distance over which the force must be transferred from the drive motor to the drive wheel can be kept short.
Since these electric motors also produce heat in addition to the kinetic energy dedicated to propelling the vehicle, it is necessary to cool the motor in order to prevent damage to the motor. Cooling devices are used for cooling. These devices absorb the heat given off by the electric motor and remove such heat from the electric motor. So, for example, a cooling fluid is led to the electric motor by means of a pump; the fluid is warmed up by the electric motor and the waste heat of the electric motor is at least partially absorbed by the fluid. The cooling fluid that is warmed up in such a manner is moved away from the electric motor, and the waste heat is removed from the electric motor and the electric motor is thus cooled.
This prevents the overheating of the motor, and the electric motor can be operated at high capacity over a long period of time.
In order to ensure a controlled supply of the electric motor with cooling fluid, the cooling fluid is typically brought to the electric motor by means of one or more cooling fluid supply lines, and led back into a reservoir by means of a cooling fluid discharge line. From the reservoir, the absorption of the cooling fluid may in turn take place by means of the cooling fluid supply line. Thereby, the cooling of the cooling fluid can take place in the cooling fluid reservoir or in the cooling fluid supply lines or discharge lines. Moreover, a separate cycle for the cooling of the cooling fluid is conceivable. At the electric motor, the cooling fluid is heated by the electric motor. Such cooling devices comprise, for example, a cooling fluid supply line, a cooling fluid discharge line, a cooling fluid pump, a heat exchange area for absorbing the heat from the cooling fluid, and a cooling fluid reservoir to make the cooling fluid available. However, such cooling devices represent an additional weight and require additional space, thus increasing the overall dimensions and overall weight of the drive and thus of the vehicle as a whole.


Provided is a semiconductor device for outputting only the necessary information from non-periodic noise information to the outside. An analysis object information extracting section specifies analysis object information used to analyze noise associated with a malfunction from the non-periodic noise information having a large amount of information and extracts only the specified analysis object information from the noise information. A communication section outputs the extracted analysis object information to the outside. Thus, the amount of the information can be reduced and the noise information can be outputted by an inexpensive communication section such as a serial communication device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a noise measuring method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a semiconductor device for measuring noise generated within the semiconductor device and a noise measuring method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a Large Scale Integrated circuit (LSI) malfunctioning by power noise or signal noise generated during its operation is found here and there.
To take measures against this LSI malfunction, an LSI for directly measuring noise within the device and outputting the noise as noise information to the outside is known.
FIG. 12 is a construction view showing a conventional semiconductor device for obtaining and outputting noise information.
Here, a solid arrow indicates a flow of observational data and a dotted arrow indicates a flow of control signals.
A conventional semiconductor device 800 has a sampling oscilloscope 810 for inputting analog noise information from a to-be-observed node 801, a communication section 820 for communicating with the outside of the semiconductor device 800, and a controller 830 for controlling each section of the semiconductor device 800.
The sampling oscilloscope 810 has an Analog Digital Converter (ADC) 811, a delay circuit 812, a counter 813, and a memory 814.
When analog noise information is input from the to-be-observed node 801, the ADC 811 analog-to-digital converts the noise information and records the information in the memory 814. The counter 813 counts a clock signal and records the signal in the memory 814 as time information. The delay circuit 812 has a function of assuming a periodicity of a noise waveform and reducing the number of data to be sampled.
In the conventional semiconductor device 800, when a reading request of noise information is issued from the outside, that effect is inputted to the controller 830 via the communication section 820. The controller 830 reads out as noise information the noise information of digital value and time information recorded in the memory 814 and outputs the noise information to the outside via the communication section 820.
Thus, in the conventional semiconductor device 800, the data amount to be handled can be reduced by assuming that a noise waveform is periodic. As a result, noise information can be obtained by the inexpensive ADC 811.
However, real noise rarely appears periodically. A real semiconductor device generates noise non-periodically due to the data or command to be processed. Therefore, the conventional semiconductor device based on the periodicity of noise is impractical.
Further, the conventional semiconductor device has a problem that when the whole non-periodic noise information is handled, the data amount becomes enormous.

Semiconductor device and noise measuring method


An electrically heated garment is provided having the effect of protecting the user against the cold. The garment is made of synthetic fiber fabric, polyurethane foam, polyethylene film, a flexible circuit of aluminum foil, and cotton cloth, formed by hot pressing and gluing each layer in sequence. Furthermore, the two ends of the aluminum foil circuit are connected to the output terminals of a heating control circuit device so that heat energy, which is spread all over the clothes, can be adjusted, raising its temperature to keep the user's body warm. The heating control circuit includes an integrated circuit oscillator whose duty cycle is controlled by a potentiometer, without affecting the oscillation frequency.

All sorts of clothes on the market are generally divided into two categories: winter clothing and summer clothing. But during freezing weather conditions, no matter what the constituents of the cloth are, a person always needs to put on several heavy clothes to keep the body warm enough. However, this results in a restriction of the person's motion, as well as increasing expenditures for clothing. In Taiwan, cold weather does not often occur during the year. Housewives usually have the distress of not having room for storing family members' winter clothes. Moreover, heaters are not popular in Taiwan, and so people have to wear several layers of clothes in the winter, even staying indoors, which makes people feel tiresome. Children and babies generally do not care for quilts during sleeping, which is one of the reasons that they often catch cold. Such problems exist despite the fact that there are some "belly-bands" on the market, those just produce a local warm effect on the abdomen, not on the whole body. Thus, the function of prior art clothing in keeping the body protected from cold can be improved.

Electrically heated garment with oscillator control for heating element

5F, No. 18-1, Lane 143, Hang Chue South Road Sec. 1


A system includes a recording server connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) and/or an interface device, where the connected PBX and/or interface device are each connected to an electronic communication network. The PBX provides at least a first portion of a mobile communication on the electronic communication network to the recording server, and the interface device provides a second portion of the mobile communication to the recording server, wherein the recording server, the PBX, and, if connected to the recording server, the interface device are each assigned to a same organization. A method provides a mobile device and a PBX each registered to an organization, a smart client enforces a policy regarding at least one of incoming mobile communications and outgoing mobile communications on the mobile device, providing a recording server connected to the PBX and simulating an extension of the PBX, conferencing a recording server and recording content.

Although the use of mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, personal digital assistants, tablet (pad) computers, etc.) has crept its way into the enterprise environment through individual users, it has recently become a standardized offering in many companies. In North America, Fortune 1000 companies may support the use of, and pay for, cellular services for their employees and may have even moved from individual to corporate liability.
The expanded use of mobile devices may have the impact of taking some traffic and connections away from the traditional fixed enterprise systems to the cellular network. IP telephony may include the integration of mobile phones with the enterprise telephony system, rather than keeping it separate. Mobile phones may become even more prevalent and replace desktop voice hardware as they become the primary device. In the future, it could be that enterprises may be supporting more mobile phones than desktop phones in North America.
Companies may be required to record and store interaction over mobile devices in the same manner which may be done today for standard voice conversation, but with the added challenge of mobility capabilities.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

System and method for recording communication interaction over a mobile device


A magnetoresistive head includes a first magnetic shield, a first electrode terminal arranged on the first magnetic shield at an entry side of a magnetic field from a carrier, a third electrode terminal that is spaced from the first electrode terminal, and arranged on the first magnetic shield at a side opposite to the entry side of the magnetic field from the carrier, a magnetoresistive coating arranged on the first and third electrode terminals, a second electrode terminal that is arranged on the magnetoresistive coating, and opposed to the first electrode terminal, a second magnetic shield arranged on the second electrode terminal, and a sense current source connected to the first and second electrode terminals, which applies sense current in a direction perpendicular to a coating surface of the magnetoresistive coating.

The present invention relates generally to magnetoresistive heads used for magnetic storage, such as a magnetic disc drive and a magnetic tape.
Along with recent smaller and higher density productions of magnetic disc drives decrease a floating amount of a head slider, and demand contact recording/reproducing that has an extremely low floating height or requires a slider to contact a record carrier.
A conventional magnetic inductive head deteriorates reproduction output as the circumferential speed, which is a relative speed between a head and a medium, decreases in a small magnetic disc. Magnetoresistive ("MR") heads, which provide a reproduction output that does not depend upon the circumferential speed and therefore maintain a large output even for the low circumferential speed, are vigorously developed and used mainly for magnetic heads. More recently, magnetic heads that utilize a Giant Magnetoresistive ("GMR") effect come into the market.
The high-recording density of a magnetic disc drive reduces a recording area per bit, and weakens a generated magnetic field. Therefore, MR sensors and heads are demanded which can be applied to a finer magnetic field range and detect changes of a weak external magnetic field.
At present, spin-valve MR sensors that utilize a spin-valve GMR effect have been frequently used for magnetic heads. The spin-valve MR sensors vary a magnetization direction of a free ferromagnetic layer (or a free layer) according to a signal magnetic field from a record carrier, and changes of a relative angle to a magnetization direction of a pinned ferromagnetic layer (or a pinned layer) vary the resistance of the MR sensor.
A general design that attempts to apply this MR sensor to a magnetic head fixes the magnetization direction of the pinned layer onto a height direction of the MR device, and directs, in a device width direction orthogonal to the pinned layer, the magnetization direction of the free layer when no external magnetic field is applied.
This configuration can linearly increase and decrease the resistance of MR sensor according to whether the signal magnetic field direction from the magnetic record carrier is parallel to or antiparallel to the magnetization direction of the pinned layer. Such a linear resistance variance facilitates signal processing of the magnetic disc drive.
The conventional MR sensor applies the sense current parallel to a coating surface, and reads resistance changes that rely on the external magnetic field. This Current in Plane ("CIP") configuration that applies the current parallel to GMR coating surface lowers an output as the sensing area that is defined by a pair of electrodes reduces. The CIP spin-valve MR sensor needs an insulating coating between the GMR coating and upper/lower magnetic shields.
In other words, a distance between the magnetic shields is equal to a sum of GMR coating thickness and insulating coating thickness times 2. Since the current insulating coating thickness has a lower limit of about 20 nm, a distance between the magnetic shields is equal to a sum of the GMR coating thickness and about 40 nm.
As the recording bit becomes shorter on the record carrier, the current CIP spin-valve MR sensors cannot meet a demand for the distance between the magnetic shields of 40 nm or smaller.
Proposed post spin-valve GMRs as one solution for this problem are a Current Perpendicular to Plane ("CPP")-GMR configuration that applies the current perpendicular to the GMR coating surface, and a tunnel MR ("TMR").
TMR is a configuration that holds a thin insulating layer between two ferromagnetic layers, and varies the tunnel current amount that flows through the insulating layer according to the magnetization directions of the two ferromagnetic layers. TMR exhibits such large resistance variance and good sensitivity that it is one of promising post spin-valve GMRs.
CPP-GMR characteristically provides a large output as the sectional area of a portion reduces, through which the sense current of the GMR coating flows. This feature is a great advantage over CIP-GMR.
Since the current flows from one ferromagnetic layer to the other ferromagnetic layer across the insulating layer in TMR, TMR can be regarded as a kind of CPP structure and has the above advantage.
Since the high-recording density of a magnetic disc drive promotes fine processing of a MR coating and results in reading of adjacent tracks during reproducing, a known structure provides a pair of magnetic shields at both sides of the MR coating in the track width direction. The MR head that utilizes the MR coating disadvantageously generates Barkhausen noises and greatly fluctuates reproduction outputs when the MR coating does not have a single magnetization.
Therefore, a magnetization control coating is provided to control the magnetization of the MR coating. A pair of magnetization control coatings are provided at both sides of the MR coating in the track width direction, and each include a high coercive force coating, typically made of CoPt, etc., or a layered coating that has an antiferromagnetic coating and a ferromagnetic coating, typically made of PdPtMn, etc. An alternative structure of the magnetization control coating layers an antiferromagnetic coating on a MR coating so as to form the magnetization control coating.
However, the magnetization control using the antiferromagnetic layer layered on the MR coating needs to make orthogonal to each other the pinning directions between the antiferromagnetic coating used for the MR coating and the antiferromagnetic coating used for the magnetization control, and is problematic in that the coating development is difficult. In addition, since the antiferromagnetic coating is layered on the MR coating, it is difficult to reduce a distance between the magnetic shields.
Moreover, when the magnetization control coatings, such as a high coercive force coating, are provided at both sides of the MR coating in the track width direction, the magnetization control coating should be located close to the MR coating. Therefore, it is very difficult to stably manufacture the magnetization control coating with good yield and to stably obtain the effect.
When the magnetic shields are provided at both sides of the MR coating in the track width direction for the high recording density, the magnetization control coatings cannot be provided at both sides of the MR coating in the track width direction.


A pipelined microprocessor is provided. The pipelined microprocessor includes a writeback stage which signals an event and sends a sequence number of an instruction which had the event. The event may be, for example, a fault, a trap or a branch misprediction. The pipelined microprocessor further includes a decode stage which stores recovering state information for respective instructions and is responsive to the writeback stage signaling the event by using the sequence number to access the stored information to retrieve recovery state information of the instruction which had the event. The recovery state information may include, for example, a pointer to a next linear instruction, a pointer to a branch target instruction, a branch prediction, or an instruction source. Event recovery micro-code determines a next instruction to execute using the recovery state information, the next instruction being executed after a machine recovery.

The present invention is directed to improvements to an instruction pipeline in a microprocessor. In particular, the present invention is directed to a system and method for event and micro-branch misprediction recovery in an instruction pipeline.
Modern microprocessors include instruction pipelines in order to increase program execution speeds. Instruction pipelines typically include a number of units, each unit operating in cooperation with other units in the pipeline. One exemplary pipeline, found in, for example, Intel""s Pentium(copyright) Pro microprocessor, includes an instruction fetch unit (IFU), an instruction decode unit (ID), a micro-code sequencer (MS), an allocation unit (ALLOC), an instruction execution unit (EX) and a write back unit (WB). The instruction fetch unit fetches program instructions. The instruction decode unit decodes macro-code instructions into a set number of micro-ops. However, if the macro-code instruction decodes into an a number of micro-ops that is greater than the set number, control is passed to the micro-code sequencer. The micro-code sequencer then provides the remaining micro-ops. The micro-code sequencer is also responsible for providing instructions to the execution unit when the processor must execute micro-code, for example, during event recovery. The allocation unit assigns a sequence number to each micro-op and stores each micro-op in an instruction pool. The execution unit executes the micro-ops. Finally, the write back unit retires instructions.
The instruction pipeline of Intel""s Pentium(copyright) Pro microprocessor also includes branch prediction circuitry. In particular, when the instruction fetch unit fetches a branch instruction, branch prediction circuitry determines which instruction should be fetched next, i.e., the next linear instruction or the instruction at the branch target address.
During operation, the execution unit executes the micro-ops in the instruction pool in any order possible as data and execution units required for each micro-op becomes available. If the execution unit detects a branch instruction misprediction, the microprocessor must have a fast way to recover, i.e., to begin processing the proper instruction.
Accordingly, for each micro-op it processes, the allocation unit stores in a branch information table (BIT) a pointer to the next linear macro-code instruction (NLIP). Then, when the execution unit detects a branch misprediction, the execution unit signals the BIT to provide the appropriate instruction address with which to restart the instruction pipeline, e.g., the instruction pointed to by the NLIP or another address. Since information is stored in the BIT for each micro-op, the process of storing the information should be as efficient as possible. There is a need to further improve the efficiency of storing this information in the BIT.
In the Intel Pentium(copyright) Pro microprocessor, if the micro-code sequencer determines that the instruction pipeline should be restarted at the current instruction, the address of the current instruction must be calculated, i.e., the address of the current instruction is NLIP minus the length of the current instruction. Since macro-code instructions are not a uniform length, the instruction length of each instruction is passed in a data path, along with the instruction itself. Moreover, in the Intel Pentium(copyright) Pro microprocessor, other information needed by the micro-code sequencer, such as, for example, an indication as to whether a particular micro-op originated from the micro-code sequencer or another pipeline unit, is also transmitted in a dedicated data path. Data paths in microprocessors use expensive resources. Accordingly, there is a need to reduce the number of data paths associated with instruction pipeline restarts, particularly with respect to restarts associated with machine state recovery.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pipelined microprocessor is provided. The pipelined microprocessor includes a writeback stage which signals an event and sends a sequence number of an instruction which had the event. The event may be, for example, a fault, a trap or a branch instruction misprediction. The pipelined microprocessor further includes a decode stage which stores recovery state information for respective instructions and responsive to the writeback stage signaling the event by using the sequence number to access the stored information to retrieve recovery state information of the instruction which had the event.

Recovery from writeback stage event signal or micro-branch misprediction using instruction sequence number indexed state information table


The invention relates to a measuring device for precisely determining the length of at least one longitudinal profile between two measuring arms opposite of one another, with said two measuring arms opposite of one another and a measuring stamp, which can be moved in one of the measuring arms by means of a linear guide. The longitudinal profile can be positioned such that one end abuts against the measuring stamp. The linear guide comprises a guide channel extending in a guiding direction and a guide element having an outer wall, which guide element can be moved back and forth in the guide channel along the guiding direction. The guide element comprises a first guide length and a first guide width and forms a first width/length ratio. On the outer wall, in a cross-section that is vertical to the guiding direction, indentations and/or protrusions are provided circumferentially in the guide section direction, each having an additional guide length, an additional guide width and an additional width/length ratio, wherein the additional width/length ratios are smaller than the first width/length ratio.

The invention relates to a measuring device according to the preamble of Claim 1.
Measuring devices are known particularly in the prior art as component parts of integrated pipe-cutting machines for checking the length of pipe sections which have been cut to length from, in particular, a metallic hollow or solid profile.
A measuring device for the simultaneous checking of the length of pipe sections of a bundle is known for example from DE 10 2006 025506 B4. In this device a plurality of measuring stamps are arranged in a measuring arm. A drawback of these measuring stamps is the risk of self-locking rapidly arises.
In addition, measuring arms with a measuring stamp arrangement formed so as to be integrated in the material are known from DE 10 2007 008 887 B4. These joint-free measuring stamps are free of self-locking, but on account of the change in the material properties over the whole of the service life of the arrangement they nevertheless also influence the measurement results.

Measuring device for a pipe-cutting machine


A submicron resistor having negligible parasitic capacitance includes an isolated released beam carried on a single crystal silicon wafer. The resistor is fabricated by defining a resistor region in the substrate, doping the region to produce the desired resistivity, and etching around the region to produce a resistive island. The island is then isolated from the substrate by oxidation, and is released by removing the oxide to produce an isolated, released resistor beam.

The present invention relates, in general, to components for integrated circuits and the like and, more particularly, to submicron, isolated components having high resistance and low parasitic capacitance for the interconnection of circuit elements having submicron-range dimensions.
One of the limiting factors in the performance of integrated circuits, thin film circuits, or other closely-spaced circuit arrays is the existence of parasitic capacitance between adjacent circuit elements or between such elements and the substrate on which they are located. Such capacitance often inserts unwanted impedances into the connections between adjacent circuit elements to limit the speed of operation and the sensitivity of a circuit, as by changing the time constant of a resistor network. Parasitic capacitance may, for example, limit the ability of a circuit to measure low current values, may adversely affect the response time of a circuit, and in general has adverse effects on overall circuit performance. Such parasitic capacitances often appear in conjunction with resistor networks or single resistors interconnecting circuit components, or may appear between conductors and adjacent structures, and great effort is expended in conventional circuit design to minimize the effects of such parasitics.
As circuit components are reduced in size due to the high demand for increased density, higher operating speeds, and lower costs, the adverse and limiting effects of parasitic capacitance becomes a larger and larger factor, and there is a significant need for improved techniques for reducing or eliminating such effects.
One approach has been the use of thin film technology for the fabrication of circuit elements such as connectors, resistors and the like, but such devices have not satisfactorily solved the problem, since materials such as polysilicon exhibit grain boundary effects and noise.

Submicron isolated, released resistor structure


It is known that power is normally extracted within a gas turbine engine from a shaft in order to drive auxiliary devices such as electrical power generators. With high extraction rates from such shafts there is mismatching in rotational speeds between the shafts which must be adjusted through leakage taken from valves 8, 9. By measuring parameters and in particular pressure at a number of positions or parts within an engine arrangement 1 and comparing those parameters either through ratios or directly with reference values a controller can be configured in order to choose the correct sequence and scheduling of the valves 8, 9 opening to balance shaft speed. In such circumstances more efficient operation of the engine arrangement can be achieved over a wider range of engine speeds including idling.

It will be understood that gas turbine engines are utilised with regard to aircraft in order to provide propulsion in order to drive the aircraft both on the ground as well as provide propulsion in the air. In such circumstances the power required will vary dependent upon the operational phase of the aircraft. It will also be understood that these gas turbine engines also provide power in order to drive electrical generators and other auxiliary devices such as hydraulic or fuel pumps for the aircraft and the engine itself. These generators and auxiliary devices are typically driven through a gear box drive coupling to a shaft of the engine.
Increasing use of electrical actuators and devices to provide auxiliary functions as well as greater use of electronic processor and other control devices can significantly increase the power generation requirements from electrical generators driven by the primary engine of an aircraft. It will also be understood that the power demands of electrical generators to supply sufficient electrical power to the control and other auxiliary devices can significantly vary between aircraft phases such as ground operations and in-flight cruising. Such variations significantly complicate engine control.
As indicated above typically electrical generators as well as other auxiliary devices will be driven through a gearbox coupling to a shaft within an engine. Normally, an engine arrangement will incorporate several shafts and therefore when power is taken from one shaft to drive electrical generators/machines and other auxiliary devices imbalances may occur within the engine.
A particular compressor geometry operating in a stable condition will have a unique relationship between the non dimensional flow and the operating pressure ratio between the rear and front of the compressor. This is called the working line. If the compressor is driven to operate at the same flow but a higher pressure ratio it will eventually surge. There is also a unique relationship between non dimensional flow and the pressure ratio for surge. This is called the surge line.
Handling bleed valves are used to control the operation of axial flow compressors. They are located either at the back of a compressor in which case they affect the working line of that compressor or they are located mid way through the compressor in which case they affect the working line and the surge (also known as stall) line of the compressor.
The traditional method of control of a handling bleed valve is by a bleed schedule. Engine parameters which can easily be measured such as shaft speed and temperature are used to calculate the compressor non dimensional flow giving a measure of where the compressor is operating in terms of surge etc. Because the available margin between the working line and surge line varies with flow it is possible to schedule bleed valves to open at certain flows and closed at other flows. The schedule is set up to maintain sufficient margin between the surge and working lines to account for all the variation in surge and working lines possible during service life of the engine.
During transient operation the compressor will move away from the steady state working line due to a variety of thermodynamic effects. In this case more margin is required and a separate transient bleed schedule is required. Further advances include separate bleed schedules for Approach Idle, Reverse thrust operation, detection of water ingestion and detection of surge. Each schedule is designed to alter the engine matching in the most advantageous way.
It is known to control the surge margin of a compressor based on thermodynamic changes that occur within that compressor. No account is taken of engine matching changes which occur outside that compressor. Recent requirements for the aerospace gas turbines to provide very large levels of core power to the aircraft electrical generators can cause problems. Typically, the power requirements have gone from around 300 hp to over 800 hp. In addition these power requirements must be able to be provided at any time by the gas turbine with no prior knowledge or warning.
The power extraction is taken using one or more generators that are attached directly to the engine by means of a gearing system which is connected to one of the shafts. A drag force caused by the generators generating electricity is applied directly to the shaft in question. This means that some proportion of the power from the turbine attached to that shaft is used in providing power off take rather than driving the compressor on that shaft. The result is that for a given set of compressor inlet conditions the pressure ratio driven by the compressor will be lower i.e. the working line will drop.
For multi shaft engines being controlled to a constant thrust the drop in the working line of one of the compressors will result in more fuel being introduced and a consequent increase in the speed of the unloaded shaft or shafts. The precise rematching of the engine will depend on the exact engine configuration and the environmental conditions in terms of altitude and mach number.
Large power off take causes particular problems at low engine powers and using prior engine bleed control methods would force an unacceptably high minimum idle level or alternatively limit the practical level of power off take to a level significantly below desired requirements. Even a slightly raised idle level would be unacceptable because it would impact the aircraft's ability to manoeuvre during descent, would cause brake wear and other safety issues during taxi operations and would give a very high mission fuel burn penalty.


The electrical equipment of mechanical conveyors and the associated material flow coordination between them, when a plurality of conveyors for conveying piece goods is connected, are provided. Intelligent motor starters are included, which are associated with the individual conveyors and respectively combine an autonomous totality composed of logic modules, and which are programmable with the functions required for material flow coordination, corresponding to the characteristics of the conveyor.

In a general form, the expression conveyors covers logically controlled conveyor techniques, such as roller conveyors, conveyor belts and chain conveyors for conveying piece goods.
In logistics, piece goods are transported between goods inwards and goods outwards inter alia on conveyors whose aim is to sort the piece goods and/or to distribute them, and/or to place them in store, to commission them or to supply them to workstations or machines for further processing. This relates in particular to piece goods from dispatch logistics, such as cartons, containers and packets, irrespective of whether these are in the singular form or are in the bulk material flow. The conveyors used are in general electrically powered and transport said piece goods by carrying them to the predetermined destination.
Small and medium-size logistic solutions with low-level requirements in the material flow for the conveyors have a restricted performance spectrum for good solutions, or, depending on the solution requirement, they suffer from high costs in the basic outlay, as well as costs resulting from individual configurations.
It is known for electrical microcontroller boards to be used on the conveyor. These carry out the function of operating the drives and the coordinating the material flow between the two conveyors in a predecessor/successor relationship. In general, the microcontroller boards are specific solutions from the conveyor manufacturer and are designed and built for this specific conveyor, that is to say they are not readily interchangeable. Furthermore, the use of microcontroller boards on extra-low-voltage drives (for example 24 V or 48 V) is restricted, as, therefore, is the performance of the drives and the load of the piece goods, as well.
The functionality of the known solution is provided by the controller board with an external bus coupling; extensions are, however, restricted within the predetermined product functionality and are possible only by the manufacturer, and extensions cannot be implemented by the customer. Although the basic complexity is low in this known solution, the system is, however, inflexible.
Furthermore, conveyors are known which are controlled by programmable logic controllers (PLC) which record the status of the conveyor and monitor the transfer of piece goods. In this case, low-voltage drives (for example 400 V) are also used, in addition to extra-low voltage drives. The power is supplied and signal connections made centrally or locally (bus-oriented). The functionality is defined individually in the PLC, and extensions to the logistic installation always require software changes in the PLC by the supplier or the customer. Because of the individuality that is required in some cases, the basic complexity is high, in particular for small to medium logistic solutions with low-level requirements for the material flow.
This solution also makes use of motor starters which are mounted decentralized on the conveyor or on the electrical drive. Depending on the functionality, these are completely controlled by central logic or have the capability to carry out the status monitoring for the drive, in order to reduce the load on the central logic. However, they do not have the capability to coordinate the material flow between two conveyors without superordinate logic with bus networking, for example control by a PLC.

Electrical equipment for material flow coordination between a plurality of conveyors, which are mechanically connected to one another, for conveying piece goods