In a system which performs wireless communication from an access point to stations using group identification information, the frequency of uses of group identification information that overlaps with that of another access point is reduced. An association between a station apparatus included in a group that is a target for simultaneous transmission and group identification information is stored, each station apparatus included in the group is notified of the group identification information, group identification information that is being used in the other access point apparatus is acquired, and if group identification information that is being used by the access point apparatus itself overlaps with the group identification information used by the other access point apparatus, the group identification information is changed so as to reduce the number of pieces of overlapping group identification information.

In recent years, as high-speed wireless access systems using a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, spread of the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11g standard, the IEEE 802.11a standard, and so on is remarkable. In these systems, a maximum transmission rate of 54 Mbps (bits per second) in a physical layer has been achieved using an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme, which is a technology for stabilizing the property in multipath fading environments. It is to be noted that the transmission rate referred to here is a transmission rate on the physical layer, and the actual transmission efficiency in a medium access control (MAC) layer is approximately a little less than 70%. As a result, an upper limit of the actual throughput is approximately 30 Mbps. Moreover, since the transmission efficiency of the MAC layer is further reduced as the number of communication parties which require information is increased, the throughput is also reduced.
On the other hand, in wired local area networks (LANs), a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) using optical fibers, including a 100 Base-T interface of the Ethernet (registered trademark), is spreading to each individual home. In this way, provision of high-speed lines of 100 Mbps is spreading, and a further increase in the transmission rate is required even in the world of the wireless LANs.
As a technology for increasing the transmission rate in the wireless LANs, the IEEE 802.11n has introduced a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which is a spatial-multiplexing transmission technology. Moreover, in the IEEE 802.11 ac, a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) transmission method, which performs spatial multiplexing for a plurality of users, is being studied (Non-Patent Document 1).
In order to efficiently utilize multi-user MIMO communications in wireless LANs, which are autonomous distributed systems, indication of a group ID using header information appended to the head of a wireless frame is being studied in the IEEE 802.11ac. In the IEEE 802.11ac, this group ID is included in a field called a very high throughput (VHT) signal.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a conventional communication system. The illustrated communication system is provided with an access point 50 and a plurality of stations 60-1 to 60-K (hereinafter, they are simply denoted as "station(s) 60" with respect to common matters for the stations). The access point 50 is provided with a data selection/output unit 5-1, a transmission signal generation unit 5-2, a wireless signal transmission/reception unit 5-3, transmission/reception antennas 5-4-1 to 5-4-N, a reception signal demodulation unit 5-5, a channel information generation unit 5-6, a group-ID table storage unit 5-7, and a group-ID control unit 5-8. Each station 60 is provided with transmission/reception antennas 6-1-1 to 6-1-Mi (i is an integer in a range from 1 to K), a wireless signal transmission/reception unit 6-2, a reception signal demodulation unit 6-3, a transmission signal generation unit 6-4, a group-ID determination unit 6-5, and a group-ID list storage unit 6-6. Here, K denotes the number of the stations 60, Mi denotes the number of the transmission/reception antennas of an i-th station, and N denotes the number of the transmission/reception antennas of the access point 50.
Transmission from the access point 50 to the stations 60 will be considered. Upon input of a transmission data group for one or more stations 60 to the access point 50, the data selection/output unit 5-1 selects data to be transmitted from among the input transmission data group. The data selection/output unit 5-1 then outputs the selected data to the transmission signal generation unit 5-2. Moreover, the data selection/output unit 5-1 outputs information on a set of destination stations 60 to the group-ID control unit 5-8. The group-ID control unit 5-8 refers to a group ID table retained in the group-ID table storage unit 5-7 to acquire a group ID corresponding to the input information on the set of the stations. The group-ID control unit 5-8 outputs the acquired group ID to the transmission signal generation unit 5-2. Here, the group ID table is a table which associates sets of stations 60 with groups to which the sets of stations 60 are currently allocated by the access point 50 among all the group IDs that are available to the access point 50.
The transmission signal generation unit 5-2 performs modulation and coding on the input data, adds control signals such as a pilot signal used for signal detection and a signal for channel estimation, and generates a wireless frame. The transmission signal generation unit 5-2 outputs the generated wireless frame to the wireless signal transmission/reception unit 5-3. At this time, the group ID designated by the group-ID control unit 5-8 is stored in particular bits included in the wireless frame as header information disposed at, for example, the head of the wireless frame. The channel information generation unit 5-6 inputs channel information corresponding to the destination stations 60 of the wireless frame to the transmission signal generation unit 5-2. The transmission signal generation unit 5-2 calculates transmission weights using the channel information and performs a directivity control process of transmission signals. The wireless signal transmission/reception unit 5-3 upconverts the input signal into a carrier frequency and performs transmission through the transmission/reception antennas 5-4-1 to 5-4-N.
The K stations 60-1 to 60-K, which are communication parties, each operate as follows. A wireless signal received through the transmission/reception antennas 6-1-1 to 6-1-Mi is input to the wireless signal transmission/reception unit 6-2. The wireless signal transmission/reception unit 6-2 performs downconversion on a carrier frequency and inputs to the reception signal demodulation unit 6-3. The reception signal demodulation unit 6-3 extracts a received wireless frame using, for example, an autocorrelation process, decodes a signal, and output data.
The group-ID determination unit 6-5 extracts group ID information indicating the destination of a transmission signal from the received wireless frame. Then, the group-ID determination unit 6-5 refers to a group ID list recorded in the group-ID list storage unit 6-6 and determines whether the station 60 itself is a member of the group ID. Here, the group ID list is information indicating whether the station 60 itself is a member of each group ID. If a group ID which does not include the station 60 itself as a member is detected, the group-ID determination unit 6-5 controls the reception signal demodulation unit 6-3 to stop a decoding process of the received signal. As a result, unnecessary decoding operations, i.e., decoding operations of wireless frames that are not destined for the station 60 itself, are eliminated, and the power consumption can be reduced.
If the station 60 itself is a member of the group ID, it is considered that received data is destined for the station 60 itself, and the reception signal demodulation unit 6-3 performs a demodulation operation. Moreover, when the received data includes an instruction for updating the group ID to which the station 60 itself belongs, the group ID list of the station 60 itself retained in the group-ID list storage unit 6-6 is updated.
On the other hand, the following process is performed when transmission from a station 60 to the access point 50 is performed. Once transmission data is generated, the transmission signal generation unit 6-4 performs modulation and coding on the transmission data to generate a signal. Moreover, the transmission signal generation unit 6-4 adds a control signal such as a pilot signal to the generated signal and outputs to the wireless signal transmission/reception unit 6-2. The wireless signal transmission/reception unit 6-2 upconverts an input signal into a carrier frequency and performs transmission through at least one of the transmission/reception antennas 6-1-1 to 6-1-Mi.
In the access point 50, the wireless signal transmission/reception unit 5-3 performs downconversion on a wireless signal received through at least one of the transmission/reception antennas 5-4-1 to 5-4-N and outputs to the reception signal demodulation unit 5-5. Channel information used for demodulation or fed-back channel information between the station 60 and the access point 50 that is included in a demodulated signal is input to the channel information generation unit 5-6. The channel information generation unit 5-6 performs optimization such as calibration on the input channel information to generate transmission weights and outputs to the transmission signal generation unit 5-2.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication environment using group IDs. It is to be noted that in FIG. 22, for convenience of explanation, the access point 50 is denoted as "Y" and the plurality of stations 60 are denoted as letters "A" to "E". FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a group ID table retained in the group-ID table storage unit 5-7 of the access point Y. The group ID table is a table which associates sets of stations with groups to which the sets of stations are currently allocated by the access point Y among all the group IDs that are available to the access point Y.
In the example of FIG. 23, an example in which when the group IDs available to the access point Y are defined using the integers in a range from 0 to 7, group IDs 0 to 4 are allocated to sets of five stations (the station-A, the station-B, the station-C, the station-D, and the station-E), which are in the control of the access point Y, is illustrated. A group ID 7 indicates that communications destined for a single station are performed, and each station is notified of the group IDs 0 to 4 in advance as a group ID list specific to each station. For example, the station-B can recognize that a signal destined for the station-B itself has been transmitted when the group ID is 1 or 3, and the corresponding ranks as a member are second and first, respectively. By referring to these ranks, it is possible to recognize which one of signals that have been subjected to transmission beamforming is destined for the station-B itself Alternatively, it is possible to simply designate only the formation of member stations, instead of including these ranks in information on group IDs.
The access point Y can notify each station of a group ID using part of information included in a wireless frame, e.g., a header portion at the head of the wireless frame. For example, when a wireless frame is to be transmitted to four stations including the station A, the station B, the station C, and the station D, 0 is set therein because it can be seen from the group ID table of FIG. 23 that the corresponding group ID is 0.
A wireless frame includes a header portion and a data portion, and thus it is possible to communicate information on a transmission destination and a transmission source as well as information required for the stations A, B, C, and D to demodulate data. Once a wireless frame has been transmitted, all the stations that are capable of communicating with the access point Y acquire synchronization for the wireless frame and then attempt to demodulate a header portion. The stations A, B, C, D, and E read from the header portion that the group ID is equal to 0. The stations A, B, C, and D each refer to a group ID list retained by each station, determine that a signal is destined for each station itself, and demodulate the subsequent reception signal. It is to be noted that the group ID list retained by each station is notified from the access point Y in advance. In contrast, since it is possible for the station E to determine that the wireless frame is not destined for the station E itself when the group ID that is equal to 0 is read, the station E stops the subsequent reception operation until transmission of the wireless frame is completed.
That is, each station refers to the group ID included in the received wireless frame as to whether each station itself is a member thereof, so that it is possible to determine whether the subsequent reception process is required. As a result, a reduction in the consumed power related to the reception process can be achieved.

Wireless communication system and access point apparatus

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


An improved article packaging machine, and method of using same to prevent the formation of empty or defective packages is disclosed. The rotational position of the drive axis (45) of a film feed drive (44), and the drive axis (53) of a cutting head drive (52) are mapped with respect to one another in a base rotational position relationship, whereupon both of these drive axes are mapped to the rotational position of the drive axis (41) of an infeed conveyor drive (40) in a slave/master relationship, respectively. A machine controller (34) then calculates at least a first position control trajectory profile, and establishes a first rotational position relationship of the drive axes with respect to one another. The packaging machine includes a detector (56) for detecting whether articles are present within the flights (15) of the infeed conveyor (13), and if an empty pocket is detected, the machine controller then calculates a second position control trajectory profile and a second rotational position relationship which replaces the first position control trajectory profile and rotational position relationship, respectively, within the controller, and adjusts the rotational position of the film feed drive axis and the cutting head drive axis with respect to the rotational position of the infeed conveyor drive axis to ensure that an empty package is not formed. The machine controller is also adapted to set the infeed conveyor and film feed drives into a base/master rotational position relationship, and to map the rotational position of the cutting head drive to the infeed conveyor and film feed drives to operate the respective drives for preventing the formation of empty packages.

Horizontal wrapping machines have proven to be useful for packaging a wide variety of articles, to include, but not limited to, foodstuffs, computer diskettes, greeting cards, advertising material, and the like. A typical horizontal wrapping machine will have an elongate infeed conveyor extending along a path of travel through the packaging machine, the infeed conveyor having a series of spaced infeed flights, or pockets defined along its length and moving in the direction of the path of travel. Provided as either a part of the packaging machine, or as an accessory to the machine, is an article magazine or article placement device adapted to place individual articles, or a plurality of articles, for example in a stacked relationship, within the flights of the infeed conveyor. Thereafter, the articles are moved toward a downstream packaging film forming shoe, in which the articles will be entrained within a tube of packaging film formed about the articles, and in which the articles will be moved downstream of the film forming shoe along the path of travel.
Once entrained in the tube of packaging film, the articles and film tube are drawn through a fin wheel assembly, also known as a fin seal assembly, having opposed pairs of fin wheels which engage the bottom/side edges of the tube of packaging film and form a fin seal, or bottom seal, along the length of the now completed tube of film, and which is otherwise open at its ends about each article, or group of articles passed into the film from the infeed conveyor. Thereafter, the entrained articles and the tube of packaging film are passed to a downstream sealing and crimping head assembly, in which a pair of opposed and counter-rotating sealing and crimping, or cutting, heads are positioned. The tube of packaging film is passed between the opposed cutting heads whereupon, in known fashion, the packaging film is cut at the spaced ends of each article package for forming separate article packages out of the continuous tube of articles, the cutting heads being heated for crimping or heat sealing the packaging film together at the spaced ends of the article(s) to form a completed article package. Examples of such horizontal wrapping machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,390 to Pruett, el al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,464 to Francioni; U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,977 to Matt; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,488 to Matt, et al.
One feature of horizontal wrapping machines is the production rates, and thus production efficiency, which can be realized by using these machines. However, as horizontal wrapping machines tend to be used with relatively small articles, for example individual or stacked cookies and crackers, problems can arise with ensuring that an article to be packaged is present within each flight of the infeed conveyor. Where an article is not present within a flight, the infeed conveyor will continue to advance regardless of this fact, packaging film will continue to be drawn over the film forming shoe, and the end result is that empty packages will be formed which must later be removed from the finished article package stream moving downstream away from the machine, and prior to packaging and/or shipment of the packaged articles. Not only does this reduce productivity by requiring manpower to find and remove the incomplete packages, but this also leads to increased packaging costs by wasting packaging film. Moreover, the possibility arises that if articles are not present within the tube of packaging film as it is passed between the cutting heads, the packaging film could possibly foul the cutting heads thus necessitating machine shut down to clean the cutting heads.
In the effort to address this problem, Seko, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,258, disclose a Packaging Article Inclusion-Proofing Device For End-Sealing Mechanism constructed and arranged to detect when an empty flight, or flights, exist within the infeed conveyor, whereupon the cutting heads are decelerated to a full stop, and the fin wheels of the fin seal assembly will simultaneously opened thus releasing the packaging film from therebetween to ensure that no packaging film is drawn through the machine unless an article is going to be present within the film. Once an article is detected in the oncoming flights of the infeed conveyor, the control system accelerates the cutting heads from a dead stop to a pre-determined line speed, or linear velocity in the direction of the path of travel, which is to be matched to the speed of the packaging film drawn downstream over the film forming shoe by the fin seal assembly. During the gradual acceleration of the cutting heads in the direction of the path of travel, the control system of Seko, et al. seeks to synchronize both the motor speeds and phases, i.e. the timing points, of the cutting head drive motor and the fin wheel drive motor to ensure that the article packages are properly formed without otherwise moving the product, and/or packaging film, out of registration with any markings contained on the packaging film. The packaging article inclusion-proofing device of Seko, et al. accomplishes all of these features by detecting the presence or absence of articles within the infeed flights, and by controlling the deceleration and acceleration of the cutting heads on a velocity and timing basis. The device of Seko, et al., however, does not use rotational position control of the respective machine drives as a part of the system.
Another problem that arises in high speed wrapping operations using horizontal wrapping machines is when an article is present within the flights of the infeed conveyor, but is moved into the tube of packaging film so that it is out of registration with a pre-determined position within the packaging film, i.e. it is no longer aligned with any advertising marks, or other markings contained on the packaging film, and which should not otherwise be cut by the cutting heads during package formation. Moreover, the possibility also exists that if this occurs, the articles will be in a position such that they will be cut or damaged by the cutting heads as they are passed therebetween resulting not only in improperly packaged articles, but also damaged articles. This, of course, leads to diminished production efficiency and increases packaging, as well as article, costs. In addition, for example with soft baked foodstuffs, the possibility also exists that were the cutting heads to cut the package with an article in its incorrect position, i.e. cut the article itself, then the cutting heads could become fouled with foodstuffs or other debris, again necessitating machine shutdown and cleaning of the cutting heads.
One approach to solving this problem is disclosed in a second patent to Seko, el al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,176, which again uses an upstream sensor in conjunction with a timing mechanism to gradually decelerate, stop, and accelerate the motor drive for the end-sealing mechanism, i.e. the counter-rotating and opposed sealing and crimping heads, to ensure that they do not meet with one another to form a cut in the packaging film, and to seal/crimp the film where an article has been detected out of its proper packaging position. Again, as with the '258 patent to Seko, et al. referenced above, this is done on a timing basis in which the velocity and timing phase of the drive motor for the cutting and sealing heads is matched, as best as possible, to the velocity and timing phase of the infeed conveyor drive, and the film feed drive. Again, however, a rotational position control of these drive motors does not take place.
A second approach to this problem of out of position articles is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,168 to Heaney, which, in fashion similar to the '176 patent to Seko, et al., detects whether a product is out of registration at an upstream point, i.e. ahead, of the cutting heads, such that if the condition is sensed a software routine is called into operation which causes the cutting heads to come to a stop in an open condition, i.e. position, as the packaging film continues to be fed therethrough with the out of position articles, such that the formation of packages is prevented while also preventing damage to the articles contained in the packages, or fouling the cutting heads.
The inventions disclosed in the '176 patent to Seko, et al., as well as the patent to Heaney, are constructed so that the cutting heads will be stopped in an open position for allowing passage of the tube of packaging film, with the articles entrained therein, between the cutting heads. However, a problem resulting from this construction is that as the cutting heads have been stopped in an open position, and the packaging film is allowed to continue along the path of travel, the ability to synchronize or register the position of the cutting heads with respect to the tube of packaging film becomes much more difficult in that speed control is being used rather than controlling the rotary position of the respective drive axes of the wrapping machine. For example, none of the above described patents refers to a control system which is informed of, calculates, and establishes rotational positions of the infeed drive axis, the film feed drive axis, and the cutting head drive axis with respect to one another through all ranges of positions. The known systems which utilize speed controls can perform a similar function of stopping the cutting heads in an open position, but they may not do this as precisely as is needed in order to maintain a high speed uninterrupted flow of packaging operations for providing yet greater efficiency and operation, while lowering production costs still further.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,657 to Berti, et al. discloses an otherwise conventional horizontal wrapping machine which appears to utilize position control of the respective drive axes for the infeed conveyor drive, the fin seal assembly drive, and the cutting head drive in order to attain the stated objective of improving the control of the position of the cutting heads with respect to the tube of packaging film moving therethrough. In order to attain this object, the device of Berti, et al. has a circuit arrangement operatively coupled to the cutting and sealing head assembly for regulating the rotational position of the cutting and sealing head drive motor, and a computer, in which the circuit arrangement is housed, which calculates from data received from encoders on the drive motors for the infeed conveyor belt and the fin seal assembly, synchronous rotary positions of the fin seal assembly drive motor and the cutting head drive motor, at least during those periods of time within which the cutting heads are in contact with the packaging film. It appears that the device of Berti, et al. was developed to improve control of the cutting heads, and in particular the epicyclic motion of the cutting heads as they go through periods of relative acceleration, deceleration, and speed matching with respect to the linear speed of the packaging film passing therebetween in the direction of the path of travel.
Although the device of Berti, et aL did therefore provide for improved position control of the respective drive axes for at least some of the drive motors within a packaging machine, Berti, et al. did not attempt to solve the problem of preventing the formation of defective packages on a packaging machine by either preventing the formation of empty packages, or by preventing the cutting heads from cutting the articles to be packaged during package formation when those articles are out of a desired or pre-determined product position within the tube of packaging film.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved article packaging machine which is constructed and arranged to address not only the problems of preventing the formation of empty packages, but which can also prevent the formation of defective packages by severing or cutting the articles and the packaging film tube when the articles are out of position within the tube of packaging film, all in an uninterrupted high speed packaging flow. What is also needed, but seemingly unavailable in the art, is such an improved packaging machine which allows still greater production rates to be attained than those available with the known packaging machines, and which also will allow for higher quality packaging operations by ensuring that when the machine is slowed, or stopped, as needed, throughout the package formation process, that the relative positions of the flights of the infeed conveyor. the markings on the packaging film, and the positions of the cutting and sealing heads remain fixed in pre-determined positional relationships with respect to one another to ensure that the product. and packages, are always in proper registration with respect to one another, and with respect to the cutting and sealing heads, for the formation of acceptable packages, and for minimizing the prospect of having to reject packages for either being empty, and/or for being out of registration with the desired graphics or printed information/labels contained on the packaging film. Moreover, a need exists for such an improved packaging machine which provides for improved production rates, and thus improved operation efficiencies, and lower packaging costs, in a high speed continuous motion packaging operation.

Article packaging machine and method of preventing the formation of defective packages


A dispensing assembly is provided for a container of fluent material. A hand-operable dispenser cartridge is adapted to be mounted to the container. An actuator, which may include a nozzle or spout, is mounted on the cartridge. A locking sleeve is mounted around the cartridge and has an upper abutment edge and a recess. The locking sleeve can be rotated between a first rotated position preventing actuation of the dispensing assembly and a second rotated position permitting actuation of the dispensing assembly.

Hand-operable or finger-operable dispensers (including, for example, both dispensing pumps and aerosol dispensing valves) are typically adapted to be mounted on hand-held containers that are commonly used for liquid products. Typically, some pumps and valves operate with a suitable discharge structure, such as a mechanical break-up unit, to produce a fine mist or atomized spray. Some pumps also operate to dispense a quantity of product in a liquid, cream, or paste form.
Some hand-operable pumps conventionally employ a pump cartridge having a chamber in which is disposed a pressurizing piston that can be actuated by the user's finger pressing down on an external actuator (e.g., button) which has a dispensing passage and which is connected to the piston with a hollow discharge tube or stem. The hollow stem establishes communication between the pump chamber and actuator from which the product is discharged. A spring acts against the piston or actuator to return the piston and actuator upwardly to the elevated, rest position when the finger pressing force is released.
Another type of hand-operable pump includes a trigger or lever which is pulled to move the actuator and discharge stem downwardly to actuate the pump. Such a system typically, but not necessarily, provides a mechanical advantage to the user to facilitate actuation.
Pump packages or dispensers are widely used for dispensing liquid products which may be cosmetic products, or other personal care products such as hair spray, body spray, sun care products, etc. Pump packages may also be used for institutional and household products, such as window cleaner, disinfectants, etc. For many of these types of products, the pump dispenser is provided with some sort of locking mechanism to render the actuator or button inoperable by latching the button in a particular position which must be released by the user performing a manipulation on the button or latch mechanism. This insures that the product is not dispensed accidentally during shipping or storage when the pump actuator button might be subjected to inadvertent impact.
Locking mechanisms can be used with fine mist pumps for products such as hair spray. The locking mechanism for such fine mist pumps can include a hood, overcap, or other cover that prevents the actuator form being actuated unintentionally during shipping or storage. However, even a hood can be knocked off of the package, and that would leave the actuator unprotected such that the actuator could be inadvertently bumped and perhaps partially depressed or actuated.
In those designs where a hood is employed, the disadvantages are that such a hood is an additional component that must be provided by the manufacturer, and the hood must subsequently be removed from the pump by the user (and perhaps retained by the user for subsequent replacement on the pump).
In some types of pump dispensers, whether or not a hood or overcap is provided, the button or actuator mounted to the dispensing pump stem might be relatively easily pulled off (after any hood is removed), or otherwise separated from, the dispensing pump stem. In many applications, it would be desirable to provide a system that would make the removal of the actuator or button from the stem more difficult while at the same time providing a locking system to prevent unintentional actuation.
It would further be desirable to provide a locking system that could be readily employed with a trigger pump. There are a number of conventional locking mechanisms for use with a trigger pump. One trigger pump locking mechanism is provided on the end of the discharge nozzle or spout and functions as a nozzle restrictor which can be rotated about the axis of the dispensing orifice to an "off" orientation that completely blocks the orifice, or to a second orientation that provides a "spray" stream, or to a third orientation that provides a "stream" discharge. Another type of locking mechanism that is suitable for trigger pumps is a clip-style lock that includes a removable clip which physically prevents actuation of the trigger when the clip is in place in the locking position. The clip must be removed to permit actuation of the trigger pump. When the clip is removed, it could possibly be lost or inadvertently discarded. Another type of locking mechanism suitable for use on trigger pumps is a removable plug that can be wedged into the trigger mechanism so that the trigger mechanism cannot be actuated. Such a removable locking plug also could be lost or inadvertently discarded, or even purposely stolen.
Like the above-discussed pump type dispensers, aerosol valve dispensers are typically mounted at the top of a container, such as a metal can containing a pressurized product. Conventional aerosol valve dispensing systems for a container include a hollow body which is open at the top and bottom ends and which is mounted in the top of the container. The bottom end of the hollow body is open to the pressurized contents in the container (usually through a dip tube connected to the bottom end opening in the aerosol valve body). A compression spring in the body biases a stem upwardly to project partly out of a body top end opening through an annular gasket at the top of the body. The upper part of the stem includes an internal, vertical discharge hole that is open at the upper end of the stem and that is connected to an external actuator button which has a dispensing passage from which the aerosol spray can be dispensed. Below the upper end of the stem, the stem has one or more lateral orifices which communicate with the vertical discharge hole inside the stem. Until the actuator button is pressed, the lateral orifices in the stem are located adjacent the inner cylindrical vertical surface of the annular gasket at the top of the valve body, and fluid inside the valve body is blocked by the gasket from flowing into the stem lateral orifices. When the actuator button is depressed, the stem is forced downwardly against the spring so as to locate the lateral orifices in the body below the gasket to permit the pressurized fluid in the valve body to flow through the stem lateral orifices, up the stem vertical hole, and through the actuator button.
It would be desirable to provide an improved dispensing assembly for a dispensing package which could be readily employed with pumps and aerosol valves, and which would include a locking mechanism to minimize the likelihood of unintended actuation.
Preferably, the improved assembly should accommodate a relatively robust design to prevent dislodgement of the locking mechanism and/or actuator from the package during impact, such as when the package is dropped or bumped.
It would also be desirable if such an improved locking mechanism could optionally accommodate designs that provide a tactile and/or audible indication to the user that the locked and unlocked positions are being reached as the components are manipulated by the user.
It would also be beneficial if an improved dispensing assembly for a dispensing package could optionally accommodate incorporation of various aesthetically pleasing designs.
The improved dispensing assembly should preferably also accommodate designs for use with standard containers, cans, or bottles.
It would also be desirable if the constituent components of such an improved assembly could be relatively easily molded or otherwise economically manufactured with high production quality, and could provide consistent operating parameters unit-to-unit with high reliability.
The present invention provides an improved system which can accommodate designs having one or more the above-discussed benefits and features.

SeaquistPerfect Dispensing Foreign, Inc.


Apparatus and methods, including computer program products, for providing a network-accessible queue. The queue is stored on a network-accessible file system having a locking mechanism providing strictly-enforced, network-wide file locking. The data structures of the queue are stored in the file system. The file system is preferably implemented on a network accessible RAID array storage device providing a native CIFS file system for storing queue entries received over a network from sender clients and for delivery of such queue entries to receiver clients. Synchronization is implemented using file locks enforced by the file system, so there is no need for a master synchronization process. Notification of the availability of queue entries to receiver clients is also done by a decentralized process.

The invention relates to a distributed queuing system, such as a system providing timed delivery of messages.
Distributed message queue systems are currently available, including several commercial solutions such as IBM's Message Queue (MQ) Series and Microsoft's Message Queue Server (MSMQ). However, the existing systems invariably involve a centralized server or process for control of the queue. Therefore, there is a need for a system utilizing decentralized processes.

Fault-tolerant queue with autonomous client operation


An optical code or data imaging system and method for forming image data from an item bearing an optical code present in a read volume, including an image splitter, such as a dichroic mirror, operative to transmit light of a first wavelength range from a first field of view of the item toward the imager and reflect light of a second wavelength range from a second field of view of the item toward the imager. The incoming images from both the first and second fields of view are focused, at least primarily, by the same focusing optics and are detected by the same detecting portions or preferably at least some overlapping portions of the imager.

The field of this disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for data reading, and more particularly but not exclusively to reading of optical codes (e.g., barcodes) using imaging readers. Optical codes encode useful, optically readable information about the items to which they are attached or otherwise associated. Perhaps the best example of an optical code is the barcode. Barcodes are ubiquitously found on or associated with objects of various types, such as the packaging of retail, wholesale, and inventory goods; retail product presentation fixtures (e.g., shelves); goods undergoing manufacturing; personal or company assets; and documents. By encoding information, a barcode typically serves as an identifier of an object, whether the identification be to a class of objects (e.g., containers of milk) or a unique item (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,322). Linear (one-dimensional) barcodes consist of alternating bars (i.e., relatively dark areas) and spaces (i.e., relatively light areas). The pattern of alternating bars and spaces and the widths of those bars and spaces represent a string of binary ones and zeros, wherein the width of any particular bar or space is an integer multiple of a specified minimum width, which is called a "module" or "unit." Thus, to decode the information, a barcode reader must be able to reliably discern the pattern of bars and spaces, such as by determining the locations of edges demarking adjacent bars and spaces from one another, across the entire length of the barcode.
Barcodes are just examples of the many types of optical codes in use today. Linear barcodes, such as the UPC code, are typically considered an example of a one dimensional or linear optical code, as the information is encoded in one direction—the direction perpendicular to the bars and spaces. Higher-dimensional optical codes, such as, two-dimensional matrix codes (e.g., MaxiCode) or stacked codes (e.g., PDF 417), which are also sometimes referred to as barcodes, are also used for various purposes.
Two of the more common types of devices that read optical codes are (1) flying-spot scanners and (2) imager-based readers. The flying-spot scanner type of reader is typically a laser-based barcode reader (also called a scanner), which generates a spot of laser light and sweeps or scans the spot out into a read area and across a barcode label. A laser-based scanner detects reflected and/or refracted laser light from the bars and spaces in a barcode as the laser spot moves across the barcode. An optical detector measures the intensity of the return light as a function of time or position and generates an electrical signal having an amplitude determined by the intensity of the detected light. As the barcode is scanned, positive-going transitions and negative-going transitions in the electrical signal occur, signifying transitions between bars and spaces in the barcode. The electrical signal can be analyzed to determine the arrangement of bars and spaces of the scanned barcode. The bar and space information can be provided to a decoding unit to determine whether the barcode is recognized and, if so, to decode the information contained in the barcode. Other examples of laser-based scanners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,195.
Imager-based readers operate according to a different principle compared to laser-based scanners. An imager-based reader utilizes a camera or imager to generate electronic image data (typically in digital form) of an entire area. The image data is then processed to find and decode the optical code. For example, virtual scan line techniques are known techniques for digitally processing an image containing a barcode by looking across an image along a plurality of lines, typically spaced apart and at various angles, somewhat like a laser beam's scan pattern in a flying spot scanner.
One advantage of imager-based readers is the ability to produce a high-density image of a scan area and thus are able to read 2-D and high density optical codes. Laser scanners are better suited for reading one-dimensional barcodes and typically have longer depth of field than imager-based readers. Laser scanners are also well suited for multi-plane (e.g. bioptic) reading using complex mirror arrays to generate scan lines from different directions and through windows oriented in different orthogonal planes. The present inventor has recognized that it would be advantageous to have an imaging data reader that possesses the advantages of the different types of readers.

System and method for multi-view imaging of optical codes using chromatic path splitting


An induction broiler which includes a non-metallic support plate and a hot grate for broiling food thereon. The grate includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated metallic bars. Each elongated metallic bar has a base portion disposed above and adjacent to the non-metallic support plate and a food heating surface opposite the base surface. The induction broiler further includes at least one induction heating coil connected to a power supply and mounted below and adjacent to the non-metallic support plate. During operation, the induction heating coils generate an alternating magnetic field which is coupled into the grate across the support plate. As a result, current flow is induced through the elongated bars which, in turn, results in the heating of the food heating surface of each elongated bar.

Broilers or grills for cooking food items have been known to be used in combination with a gas burner or electrical heating plate, examples of which can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 389,602 (Sankley), 2,117,749 (Studer) and 5,467,691 (Koziol), to impress stripped patterns on the cooked food. Such appliances employ high temperatures to heat the grill and the food thereon. As a result, the cooktop becomes hot and food which spills between the respective grates burns and chars, making it more difficult to clean.
In addition thereto, conventional methods employing gas and electrical burners provide an inefficient means for heating the grill or broiler. During operation, an amount of heat transferred from the burner to the grill is lost to the surrounding environment, resulting in an inefficient cooking system. Accordingly, there is a desire to provide a more efficient broiler that is easy to clean and safer to use.
The present invention has developed one approach to remedy the above problem, i.e., induction heating. The concept of employing induction heating to cook food on a flat surface is generally known in the art. However, conventional cool-top induction surface cooking units used in practice are directed to heating conventional pots and pans, both magnetic and non-magnetic. Such cooking units are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,761,667 (Walden), 3,775,577 (Peter, Jr.), 3,781,505 (Steigerwald), 3,932,801 (Peter, Jr.), and 4,010,342 (Austin). There has yet to be provided an induction cooking unit for broiling food.
The present invention has developed a broiler wherein heatable grates are placed on top of the cool-top induction surface to provide for the broiling or grilling of food products, while avoiding burning or charring of food which falls between the grates and contacts the cool-top induction surface.
The present invention provides a cooking apparatus for broiling foods using induction heating techniques. It also provides a rapid, clean, safe and efficient broiler. Finally, the present invention provides a broiling surface configured to increase significantly the capture of induction energy.


A control device (1) of a gear processing machine has a bus (51) that communicates by directly connecting between a tool axis controller (22) and a workpiece axis controller (12), and, in this control device, the position of a tool axis (40) that is detected by a tool axis position detection sensor (25) is supplied to a workpiece axis controller via a bus, an upper controller (10) supplies a predetermined synchronization ratio and a superimposition command for applying a twisting operation to a workpiece axis controller, and the workpiece axis controller adds a value that is generated by multiplying the position of the tool axis that is supplied via the bus, by the synchronization ratio, and the superimposition command, and generates a motion command for a workpiece axis (30).

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a control device of a gear processing machine having a workpiece axis that holds a workpiece, and a tool axis that has a tool for processing the workpiece.
2. Description of Related Arts
A gear processing machine to process a gear has a workpiece axis that holds a workpiece, and a tool axis that has a tool for processing the workpiece. These workpiece axis and tool axis must be driven in synchronization with each other.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a control device of a gear processing machine according to related art. In FIG. 8, a slave axis motor 130 drives a workpiece axis 300, and a master axis motor 230 drives a tool axis 400. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the slave axis motor 130 is controlled by a slave axis controller 120, and the master axis motor 230 is controlled by a master axis controller 220. These slave axis controller 120 and master axis controller 220 are connected to an upper controller 100 by buses 110 and 210, respectively. The upper controller 100 controls all the axes.
In addition, a speed detection sensor 140 provided in the slave axis motor 130 detects the rotation speed of the slave axis motor 130 and feeds this back to the slave axis controller 120. Also, a slave axis position detection sensor 150 detects the position of a slave axis (in this case, a workpiece axis 300) and feeds this back to the slave axis controller 120.
Similarly, the speed detection sensor 240 provided in the master axis motor 230 detects the rotation speed of the master axis motor 230 and feeds this back to the master axis controller 220. Also, a master axis position detection sensor 250 detects the position of a master axis (in this case, a tool axis 400) and feeds this back to the master axis controller 220.
In the event a helical gear or the like is processed by the gear processing machine illustrated in FIG. 8, it is necessary to apply twisting operations. In such cases, a synchronization command for allowing the workpiece axis 300 and the tool axis 400 to synchronize with each other, and a superimposition command for applying twisting operations, are combined in the upper controller 100, and supplied to the slave axis controller 120.
In FIG. 8, the position feedback data of the tool axis 400 that is detected by the master axis position detection sensor 250 is supplied to the upper controller 100, via the master axis controller 220 and a bus 210. Then, the upper controller 100 establishes synchronization by supplying this data to the slave axis controller 120 via the bus 110. Likewise, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-238504, position feedback of a tool axis is supplied to an upper controller, and a workpiece axis is operated so as to synchronize with the position feedback.
FIG. 9 is another functional block diagram of a control device of a gear processing machine according to related art. In FIG. 9, a branch circuit 190 is provided to connect the master axis position detection sensor 250 and the slave axis controller 120. In FIG. 9, the position feedback data of a tool axis 400 that is detected by the master axis position detection sensor 250 is supplied to the branch circuit 190. Then, the branch circuit 190 branches and supplies the data to the controller 220 and slave axis controller 120, and, by this means, establishes synchronization.
However, with the gear processing machine illustrated in FIG. 8, in order to transfer the position feedback data of the master axis (tool axis) to the slave axis controller 120, it is necessary to pass the upper controller 100. Consequently, transmission delay is produced with the master axis (tool axis) position feedback data, and this makes synchronization of high accuracy difficult.
In addition, since the gear processing machine illustrated in FIG. 9 requires a branch circuit 190, the cost of the gear processing machine increases accordingly. Furthermore, the relationship between the master axis (tool axis 400) and the slave axis (workpiece axis 300) is electrically fixed, on a one by one basis, and it is therefore difficult to change the slave axis to another axis (not illustrated). Moreover, in FIG. 9, it is not possible to synchronize a plurality of slave axes with one master axis (tool axis 400).
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a control device of a gear processing machine, that reduces transmission delay and that allows one or a plurality of slave axes to synchronize with one master axis, without using a branch circuit.

Control device of gear processing machine


A method for exposing photoresist film of semiconductor device is disclosed. In accordance with the method, wafer is sequentially shifted the wafer by a predetermined distance so that the exposed regions before and after each shift have an overlapping region having an area larger than or equal to that of the die pattern to prevent defects on the exposure mask from being transcribed to the photoresist film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for exposing photoresist film of semiconductor device, and in particular to an improved method for exposing photoresist film of semiconductor device wherein a wafer is sequentially shifted by a predetermined distance so that the exposed regions before and after each shift have an overlapping region having an area larger than or equal to that of the die pattern to prevent defects on the exposure mask from being transcribed to the photoresist film.
2. Description of the Background Art
An exposure process refers to a process for transcribing a predetermined pattern on an exposure mask to a wafer using an exposure apparatus.
Generally, a method for manufacturing an exposure mask is as follows.
A light shielding material such as chrome is deposited on a quartz substrate. Thereafter, a photoresist film reactive to electron beam is coated on the light shielding material.
Next, the photoresist film is exposed to an electron beam using an electron beam exposure apparatus including a desired pattern to be formed on a semiconductor wafer programmed therein and then developed to form a photoresist film pattern.
Thereafter, the light shielding material is etched using the photoresist film pattern as an etching mask. The photoresist film pattern is then removed to form an exposure mask including a light shielding pattern.
However, as the size of the pattern is decreased, defects are generated.
FIGS. 1a and 1b are plane views illustrating exposure mask including line patterns designed therein.
Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, exposure masks of FIGS. 1a and 1b comprise line type light shielding patterns 13 and 23 disposed on quartz substrates 11 and 21. Defects 15 and 25 are generated during a formation process of the light shielding patterns.
When an exposure and development process is performed using the exposure mask having defects therein, the defects are also transcribed to the semiconductor wafer.
As described above, in accordance with the conventional exposure method, defects on the exposure mask are transcribed to a thin film to be etched on the semiconductor wafer. Therefore, defective exposure mask cannot be used and must be discarded in order to prevent the defects from being transcribed to the semiconductor wafer, which lowers the productivities of exposure masks and also semiconductor devices.

Method for exposing photoresist film of semiconductor device


Techniques for scaling and switching clocks in a glitch-free manner are provided. For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a technique for switching a frequency associated with a master clock includes the following steps/operations. Two phase clocks are generated from a master clock, wherein the two phase clocks do not transition at substantially the same time. Then, one of the two phase clocks is used to create multiple frequencies by dividing the one phase clock, and the other phase clock is used to switch between the multiple frequencies of the one phase clock. Further, one of the two phase clocks may be in phase with the master clock and the other of the two phase clocks may be 180 degrees out of phase with the master clock such that they do not transition at the same time. Also, the two phase clocks may be non-overlapping.

Low power applications, as well as certain high performance applications, typically require a slowing down of the system clock by dividing the system clock and switching the circuit to a low frequency clock, and then back to a higher frequency, as required by the application.
Such clock switching circuits are also used in built in self test (BIST) circuits for dynamic fault detection. These BIST circuits determine the optimum clock frequency at which the associated circuit under test can be run error-free.
This switching of clock lines from one frequency to another is called clock scaling and is typically done "on the fly" without turning off the circuit. However, this switching may cause glitches on clock lines resulting in malfunctioning of the circuit.
Techniques for clamping and introducing multi-cycle dead time between clock switching have been proposed, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,853,653, 4,965,524, 4,970,405, 5,315,181, 5,537,062, 5,652,536, 5,808,485 and 5,623,223. However, introducing multi-cycle dead time is inappropriate for certain applications, such as built in self test circuits. The amount of dead time in these circuits is dependent on the number of clocks to be switched and the period of the lowest frequency clock.

International Business Machines Corporation


Ophthalmic methods and compositions are disclosed where particles of the dispersed phase of emulsions are themselves dispersed and stably maintained in physical separation by lightly crosslinked, water swellable polymers present in an aqueous polymeric system formulated for administration to the eye in drop or ribbon form. Medicament is dissolved in that dispersed phase is delivered over a sustained release period.

Oily drugs such as protoglandins (PGs) have been recognized as useful for the reduction of intraocular pressure if topically applied. Their preferred administration in aqueous solutions has also been recognized. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,851. Isotonization agents such as sodium chloride and thickening agents such as carboxyvinyl polymer, together with buffering agents, stabilizers, etc. have also been proposed for their formulation in ophthalmic compositions. Oil diluents for nonaqueous solutions and suspensions have also been proposed. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,846.
However, oily drugs present solubility problems in aqueous media, and they are not readily dispersed in such media. Surfactants can be employed to form emulsions in which the oily drugs are dissolved or suspended. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,238. However, stability of the emulsion can then become a problem. Over time, oily particles forming the disperse phase of the emulsion can agglomerate or coalesce and separate from the aqueous continuous phase. The presence of salts and/or soluble polymers used to increase viscosity can exacerbate the problem by competing for water, thereby increasing the tendency of the oily disperse phase to separate from the aqueous continuous phase. Indeed, avoidance of large quantities (i.e., greater than 0.3%) of the salt of a lightly cross-linked polyacrylic acid has been recommended because of a tendency to gel the water phase, making the emulsion immobile. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,238 at col. 3, lines 7-10.
Furthermore, the irritating effect of ionic surfactants has been said to be a limiting factor on commercialization of ophthalmic compositions in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. See International Publication WO 94/05298 (PCT/US93/00044).
One approach proposed for overcoming some of the foregoing difficulties is the conversion of classical emulsions to submicron emulsions comprising an oil, a phospholipid, a non-ionic surfactant and an aqueous component. Unexplained soothing effects were attributed to the colloidal particles, regardless of whether hydrophobic drugs contained in the particles or hydrophilic drugs soluble in the aqueous component are employed. See WO 94/05298 at application page 8.
Despite the promise of such advantages, potential problems associated with settling of particles and/or their agglomeration might still be encountered. Moreover, such problems could still be exacerbated in the presence of salts and/or soluble polymers used to enhance viscosity.
It would, therefore, be desirable to overcome or ameliorate drawbacks of the sort previously noted, especially when dealing with oily medicaments.
It would also be desirable to enhance the bioavailability of solid medicaments of the type which are only sparingly soluble in water. Such drugs have been satisfactorily dispersed in aqueous polymeric systems of the sustained release type, such as those based on the disclosure of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,535. However, the bioavailability of the drugs during the sustained release period is inhibited by their weak solubility.


To provide An adhesive composition for a protective film to suppress a surface pollution and adhesive residue on a painting surface.

Materials, such as metal and resin plates or boards, often have a coat of paint on their surface in view of their applications. The surface of a painted material or board (hereinafter, referred to as "painting" or "paint coating") may be protected by some means to suppress a damage on the board during a loading or transportation process, or to prevent a degeneration and fading of the painting by light, heat, or moisture.
A painting may be protected by a protection film. There has been various conventional protection films in the art.
Patent Document 1 discloses a covering sheet for protecting a body or parts of an automobile, having a given surface roughness on the outer surface of an adhesion layer.
Patent Document 2 discloses a surface protection film, comprising an adhesive layer comprising a polymer block mainly composed of aromatic alkenyl units; and an aromatic alkenyl-conjugated diene random copolymer block including conjugated diene units and aromatic alkenyl units.

Adhesive composition for protective film on painting, and manufacturing process thereof

Abstract: The adhesive composition comprises: 100 weight parts of given block copolymer, and 1 to 20 weight parts of a given polar tackifier resin compound, wherein the polar tackifier resin compound has a solubility parameter (SP value) of 8.2 to 9.2 calculated by the Small method using Hoy's constant.


The invention features methods of diagnosing and treating a patient having Alzheimer's disease or other neuronal atrophy-associated dementia by determining or altering, respectively, the level of activity of pathways from the endoplasmic reticulum to lysosomes in the patient.

The invention relates to methods of identifying compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD neuronal atrophy-associated dementia.
Rare early-onset forms of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) are inherited as autosomal dominant diseases. Mutations in the broadly expressed transmembrane amyloid precursor protein (APP), although extremely rare, were the first FAD-causing genetic defects identified and are associated with abundant cerebrovascular β-amyloid, a major neuropathological feature of AD. All of these mutations appear to influence the proteolytic processing of APP, modifying the amount of and/or length of the Aβ peptide, the major component of β-amyloid. Mutations of the presenilin genes (PS1 and PS2) were more recently identified as causing more than half of all cases of early-onset FAD. Among other proposed effects, presenilin mutations influence the production of the 42 and 40 kDa forms of Aβ1(Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40) by favoring the former. The existing animal models of AD, other than aged primates or dogs, make use of mutant APP and mutant presenilin to create mice that deposit β-amyloid.
An early hallmark of AD pathology is activation of the lysosomal system (LS)(Cataldo et al., Neuron 14:671–680, 1995; Nixon et al., Trends Neurosci. 18:489–496, 1995; Cataldo et al., Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 389:271–280, 1996; Cataldo et al., J. Neurosci. 16:186–199, 1996). Despite concerted efforts, there is an incomplete understanding of the mechanism of LS activation and its role in AD pathogenesis.
Thus, there is a need to define the pathogenic significance of the early and progressive activation of the LS in neuronal atrophy-associated dementias such as AD. There is also a need for assays for compounds that are useful for the treatment of neuronal atrophy-associated dementias, and particularly for compounds that reduce Aβ formation. Moreover, there is a need for better tools for the diagnosis of neuronal atrophy-associated dementias.

Methods for the identification of compounds for the treatment of neuronal atrophy-associated dementia


A cosmetic composition including as an active substance a cosmetically effective amount of at least one mu-conotoxin peptide It further concerns a composition wherein the mu-conotoxin peptide is Argninine, lysine polypeptide, CAS Number: 937286-43-6, Molecular formula C92,H139,N35,O28,S6 acetate salt (molar mass 2376 g/mol.). Also, the use of the composition to improve the mechanical properties of the skin, tonicity and/or firmness and/or elasticity of the skin.

It is known from the European patent applications EP 2123673 and EP 1180524 under the name of Lipotec that peptides comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of the protein SNAP25 can compete with SNAP 25 by mimicking its N-terminal end and thus interfering in the SNARE complexes. If the SNARE complexes are destabilized, the synaptic vesicles cannot release acetylcholine efficiently and muscle contraction can be altered.
The mechanism of action of these peptides is similar to that of botulinum toxins focusing on inhibition of neuronal exocytosis of acetylcholine.
El Far Oussama and col. In Patent application WO 2011/448441 in the name of INSERM describes direct molecule interaction between VATPase and SNARE synaptobrevin (VAMP2). Soluble peptides with sequence corresponding to a portion of a VATPase subunit have the property to interfere with the neurotransmitter release.
Patent application WO 2009/012376 IN THE NAME OF University of OHIO STATE RES FOUND refers to opioid receptors that have been identified in peripheral processes of sensory neurons. Peptides have been used as delta opioid receptor agonists. This binding with the receptors inhibits the release of GABA from the nerve terminal, reducing the inhibitory effect of GABA on dopaminergic neurons.
Other peptides that are able to acts in a manner similar to Waglerin 1, a snake venom protein, acting at the post-synaptic membrane, as antagonist of the muscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptor are described in patent application WO 2006/047900 in the name of Pentapharm.
Moreover, cell membranes comprise numerous ion channels. Molecules acting as calcium channels inhibitors are for example described in the US patent application 2008/0050318 in the name of L'OREAL.
These calcium channels can be found in human fibroblasts, see for example J. Biol. Chem 267; 10524-10530, 1992 and Science 230 1024-1026, 1988.
Original peptides isolated from the venom of marine snails belonging to the family of mu-conotoxin or mu-conopeptides and acting as sodium channel inhibitors have been described in patent applications WO 2004/099238, WO 2002/07678, US 2003/050234 or WO 2007/054785. Voltage sensitive channels are key components for generating action potentials in electrically excitable cells by forming the action potential upstroke. A great diversity of sodium ion channel types and sub-types exist. All of them are voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) which open and then close in response to membrane depolarization.
The mu-conopeptides from venoms of the marine snails are able to block VSSC by blocking directly action potentials in sciatic and olfactory nerves of mouse and pike, for example. The resulting pharmacological effect consists in a block of conductance, leading to loss of function of neuromuscular system as described in the patent application WO 2007/054785 in the name of ATHERIS.
Based on their susceptibility to be blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX), VGSCs can be divided into tetrodotoxin sensitive (TTX-S) and TTX-resistant (TTX-R) classes. These include the neuronal TTX-S type I/Nav1. 1, IilNav1.2 III/Nav1.3, PN1/Nav1.7 and PN4/Nav1.6, and the skeletal muscle TTX-S u1/Nav1.4.
Mu-conopeptides target a variety of voltage sensitive sodium channel, blocking primarily the Nav1.4 channel.
To date, no inhibitory activity on sodium channel for cosmetic application has been described or suggested for these peptides.

Cosmetic composition comprising a muconopeptide


A fabric type circuit board in which a conductive pattern is provided both faces of fabrics and a method of manufacturing the same. A fabric type circuit board includes fabrics and a conductive pattern in which extension units folded from one side of the fabrics to another side of the fabrics are formed, wherein the conductive pattern is formed using at least one of a copper film transfer printing scheme, printing, etching, embroidery, and sewing. A method of manufacturing a fabric type circuit board includes forming a conductive pattern, having extension units formed therein, on fabrics, cutting a part of the fabrics on which the conductive pattern is formed, and forming contact surfaces by folding the extension units from one side of the fabrics to another side of the fabrics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fabric type circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same and, more particularly, to a fabric type circuit board which may be easily connected to another circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, a fabric type circuit board is included in fabrics or clothes in order to implement an input device or a communication device. The fabric type circuit board may improve the wearing sensation because a conductive pattern is formed on a surface of the fabric type circuit board provided as fabrics, and thus researches and development into the fabric type circuit board continues.
As one of the fabric type circuit boards, there is disclosed Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1027312 (Mar. 30, 2011). The disclosed invention relates to a fabric type printed circuit board in which conductive material is patterned on fabrics.
The disclosed invention relates to technology in which the patterned conductive material is bonded to fabrics by a heat-resistant adhesive film. The disclosed invention, however, is problematic in that it has a poor fine view because the conductive material for the board has a single layer and thus conductive adhesives (i.e., a solder and a conductive bond) for connecting boards are externally exposed. Furthermore, the disclosed invention may be problematic in that flexibility and durability at a connection part are low because the board and the conductive pattern are connected by the conductive adhesive.

Method of manufacturing a fabric type circuit board

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A pressure sensor module 2, wherein a holding space 34 is formed between a diaphragm 22 and a thin film layer 31, and a vent hole 321 communicating with the exterior of a first case is provided in the holding space 34. In the above pressure sensor module, even when a corrosive gas or chemical solution is used as a fluid to be measured and a corrosive gas component originated from the fluid to be measured permeates into the holding space 34, the permeated corrosive gas component can be discharged to the outside of the case through the vent hole 321. As a result, the corrosion of the diaphragm 22 by the fluid to be measured can be prevented, which results in the achievement of a prolonged service life of the pressure sensor module 2.

Conventionally, there have been a pressure transmitter, a pressure measuring device, etc. used for a pipeline for highly corrosive gas, chemical solution or the like. Such pressure transmitter, pressure detecting device, etc. are provided with a pressure sensor module that contacts the highly corrosive gas, chemical solution or the like to detect its pressure (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
In a pressure sensor module according to Patent Document 1, a pressure guide member made of PFA (PerFluoroAlkoxylalkane) is fitted on an opening side of a diaphragm pressure sensor. A pressure frame also made of PFA is welded to the pressure guide member, and a diaphragm is bonded onto an inner surface of the pressure frame. A pressure sensor is provided on an inner surface of the diaphragm to convert a displacement of the diaphragm, which is generated by the pressure of the gas, chemical solution or the like as a fluid to be measured, into a variation in resistance and output the variation as an electronic signal. Herein, the surface of the diaphragm is coated with PFA resin in order to be protected against corrosion caused by the highly corrosive gas, chemical solution or the like.
In a pressure sensor module according to Patent Document 2, a flexible film is provided on a lip of a cavity, and a pressure sensor is provided on the top of the flexible film. The flexible film is displaced due to the pressure of a fluid to be measured, and the displacement of the flexible film is detected by the pressure sensor, so that the pressure of the fluid to be measured is measured. The flexible film is made of, for example, Teflon (the registered trademark of E. I. Du Pont de Numours and Company). A pattern of grooves or channels is formed on the flexible film, and pinhole paths are left in the flexible film. Further, a relieving passage into a central region of the cavity is formed from the side of a surface of the flexible film opposite to a surface of pressure sensor.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 3410711 (Page 2, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 3323513 (Page 6, FIGS. 4 to 15)

Pressure sensor module and pressure detecting device


The present invention is a voltage regulator circuit with enhanced frequency compensation. The voltage regulator includes an error amplifier, a dynamic bias circuit, an enhanced frequency compensation unit, a pass device and a compensation circuit. A signal from the pass device acts as an input signal of the error amplifier and is compared with another input signal, producing a differential signal. The differential signal is amplified and then provided to the dynamic circuit and the enhanced frequency compensation unit. The enhanced frequency compensation unit is provided such that a zero reference value in a left-hand plane can be generated to optimize the compensation for the voltage regulator circuit. The error amplifier includes a capacitor for compensating an output voltage of the voltage regulator circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to voltage regulators and in particular, to a low drop-out voltage regulator with low power dissipation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, the increasing demand for higher performance power supply circuits has resulted in a continued development of voltage regulator devices. Many low voltage applications, such as for use in cell phones, pagers, laptops, camera recorders and other mobile battery operated devices, require the use of low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulators. These portable electronics applications typically require low voltage and small quiescent current flow to increase the battery efficiency and longevity.
The LDO voltage regulators generally can provide a well-specified and stable DC voltage whose input to output voltage difference is low. The LDO voltage regulators are usually configured for providing the power requirements to electrical circuits. The LDO voltage regulators typically have an error amplifier, a dynamic bias circuit and a pass device, e.g., a power transistor. These three components are coupled in series. The error amplifier is coupled to an input terminal of the LDO voltage regulators, and the pass device is coupled to an output terminal of the LDO voltage regulators. The dynamic bias circuit is configured to drive the pass device, which can then drive an external load.
In general, a feedback circuit is further provided to the LDO voltage regulators scaling the output voltage down and feeding back a scaled down voltage to the error amplifier. The negative feedback provided by the feedback circuit can improve the stability of the regulator system. The LDO voltage regulators can further incorporate a compensation circuit to form a control loop and provide Miller compensation in order to improve the stability of the LDO voltage regulators. A conventional technique for providing Miller compensation is to take advantage of the Miller Effect, by adding a Miller compensation circuit or a nested Miller compensation (NMC) circuit which includes a Miller compensation capacitor. The Miller compensation capacitor is inserted between the output voltage and the error amplifier. Such a configuration may result in a well-known phenomenon called pole splitting, which advantageously multiplies the effective capacitance of the physical capacitor used in the circuit. However, the Miller compensation capacitor may cause the two poles to meet together, and then generate two complex poles in a right-hand plane along a direction, especially when the LDO voltage regulator covers a larger range of a capacitive load with an equivalent serial resistance (ESR) and provides a large output current. The right-hand plane poles can cause voltage oscillation at the LDO voltage regulators, which will make the output voltage unstable.
It is thus desirous to have an apparatus and method that can provide a stable output voltage when the capacitance of a load varies in a larger range, and at the same time output a corresponding current with low power dissipation, high driving capacity, and good stability. It is to such an apparatus and method the invention is primarily directed to.

Low drop-out voltage regulator with enhanced frequency compensation


Clickstream data describes a pathway or sequence taken by a user while accessing webpages or other user interfaces. The clickstream data may be parsed or processed to identify the time the user spent viewing each webpage, the number of elements on each webpage, the user's access bandwidth, and other data defining respective user access metrics. The user access metrics may be applied toward the generation of more effective user interfaces having idealized element counts, element placements or counts targeted to a particular user, elements based on estimated user access times, and so on.

A server or other device provides webpages or other user interfaces to various types of client devices. Users of those client devices view the webpages and the respective content. The content may support e-commerce businesses, manufacturers, special interest groups, and other entities. Such entities seek to make their webpages more effective, informative and engaging with respect to target users.
Certain implementations and embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which various aspects are shown. However, various aspects may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.


A method of operating a drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle, and a drive train, is disclosed. The drive train includes an internal combustion engine, a first electrical machine and electrical energy storage. The engine is coupled to drive the first electrical machine as a generator and the first electrical machine connected to supply electrical energy to the electrical energy storage. The electrical energy storage is arranged for supplying electrical energy to at least a second electrical machine for driving wheels of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes sensing a parameter indicating the voltage across the electrical energy storage and, in response to this sensed parameter, controlling the internal combustion engine and/or the first electrical machine such that the first electrical machine gives rise to a voltage output of the first electrical machine such that the electrical energy storage is charged without the need for power electronics.

Two existing drive train configurations for hybrid electric vehicles are known as a "parallel" configuration and a "series" configuration.
In the parallel configuration, an internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to drive the wheels and also to drive an electrical machine. The electrical machine is connected, by way of power electronics to electrical energy storage means such as a battery or an arrangement of super-capacitors or ultra-capacitors. The electrical machine can be selectively operated as a generator or a motor. When operated as a generator, the electrical machine is driven by the engine to charge the battery. When operated as a motor to drive the wheels, either together with or instead of the engine, the electrical machine discharges the battery.
In the series configuration, the engine is not mechanically coupled to the wheels which are instead always driven by an electrical machine operating as a motor. An example of an existing series configuration 10 is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the series drive train 10 includes an internal combustion engine 20 mechanically coupled to drive a first electrical machine 30, which operates as a generator. The output of the first electrical machine 30 is connected via first power electronics 40 to electrical energy storage means 50. The electrical energy storage means 50 are also connected via second power electronics 60 to a second electrical machine 70. The second electrical machine 70 operates as a motor and so is mechanically coupled to wheels 80. Whilst a batteries and/or super or ultra-capacitors may be used as the storage means in this arrangement, the rate at which energy can be put into capacitors and removed therefrom makes these more attractive for use as the storage means in at least some applications.
In operation, the various components are operated under the control of a vehicle control unit (VCU) 90. The engine 20 is operated to drive the generator 30 to charge the storage means 50. However, where the storage means 50 include super or ultra-capacitors, it will be appreciated that the state of charge of these capacitors is proportional to the square of the voltage (E=½CV2). The voltage across the capacitors therefore changes considerable with their state of charge. In order to provide for this change in voltage, the first power electronics 40 are provided to control the output voltage of the generator 30 such that it can be used to charge the storage means 50. The first power electronics usually comprise a DC-to-DC converter, which can account for a significant percentage of the cost, and a significant part of the weight, of the drive train components. This is a drawback with the use of super or ultra-capacitors and, to a lesser extent, with electrochemical storage means such as batteries.
The wheels 80 are driven by the motor 70 operating to discharge the storage means 50. Again, the second power electronics 60 are provided to convert the output of the storage means 50 to the input required to operate the motor 70. As the voltage of the storage means 50 is usually higher than that needed to operate the motor 70, simple voltage reduction is all that is necessary and so the second power electronics are typically less expensive and lighter than the first power electronics.
While hybrid electric vehicles have received much attention as being a possible way of reducing the environmental impact of automotive vehicles on the environment—for example through increased fuel efficiency—such vehicles currently account for a very small proportion of total automotive vehicle sales. One of the main reasons for this is the high cost of current hybrid vehicles in comparison with conventional automotive vehicles.
Hybrid drive trains have also been used in motor sport applications. While the high cost of such drive trains is less of an impediment in motor sport, high weight is seen very much as a drawback.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle.

Drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle and a method of operating such a drive train


A display substrate includes a drive substrate and a welding pad provided on the drive substrate and electrically connected with the drive substrate. The display substrate further includes an insulating construction layer provided on the welding pad. The insulating construction layer is provided with a groove for exposing the welding pad. A bonding material is accommodated in the groove, and a micro light emitting diode is electrically connected with the welding pad through the bonding material.

In the Micro Light Emitting Diode (Micro-LED) display, the size of the existing LED is reduced to less than 100 μm, so that the LED size is about 1% of the existing LED size, and then micron-sized Micro-LEDs of R (Red), G (Green) and B (Blue) colors are transferred to a drive substrate through a mass transfer technology, so as to form various sizes of Micro-LED displays. Simply put, the Micro-LED is the thin film, miniaturized and arrayed LED. Each Micro-LED pixel can be addressed and independently driven to emit light. The distance between adjacent pixels is reduced from millimeter level to micrometer level. The Micro-LED has many advantages, such as self-luminous, high brightness, high contrast, ultra-high resolution and color saturation, long service life, fast response speed, energy saving, wide adaptability to environment. The Micro-LED display technology can cover the display fields including micro displays such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), medium-sized displays such as mobile phones and TVs, and large screen displays in cinemas.
At present, in the Micro-LED display substrate technology, a bonding material, such as silver paste, solder paste, or anisotropic conductive adhesive, is usually used to bond the Micro-LEDs to the display substrate. When using solder paste to bond Micro-LEDs, it is easy to occur that too much solder paste is dispensed, which leads to short circuit between N and P poles of Micro-LEDs, resulting in low efficiency, low yield, and low reliability in bonding of Micro-LEDs.

Display substrate, preparation method thereof, and display device


To extend the control range of the pressure control in a brake system which is equipped with a brake power booster that is operable irrespective of the driver's wish, preferably electromagnetically, according to the present invention, the hydraulic pressure introduced into a master brake cylinder connected downstream of the brake power booster is determined and, following a comparison with a preset pressure value signal, is sent to a pressure controller having an output quantity which corresponds to a control current for the solenoid and is supplied to a limiter that determines the limit values of the desired control range, and the output quantity of the limiter is compared with the value of the current supplied to the solenoid. Subsequently, the comparison result is sent to a current controller which generates the voltage to be applied to the solenoid.

The present invention relates to a method of operating a pneumatic brake power booster including a movable wall and a control valve controlling a pneumatic pressure differential which acts upon the movable wall, the control valve having at least two sealing seats and an elastic valve member which interacts with the sealing seats, and, on the one hand, being operable by the driver by way of an actuating rod and, on the other hand, by a solenoid which is in a force-transmitting connection with one of the sealing seats.
German patent application No. 43 24 688 discloses a brake power booster for implementing a method of this type. The brake power booster is operable electromechanically irrespective of the driver's wish, i.e. of a brake pedal actuation. The special characteristics of the prior art brake power booster include sensor elements which permit identification of the valve member of the control valve in order to achieve a controlled proportioning of the independent actuating force to be generated by the solenoid. Further, an information about the travel covered during the control process by the electromechanically operable sealing seat is required for the control. This necessitates further sensor elements including the associated electronics.
However, the use of the mentioned sensor means involves a considerable amount of costs.
The article "Electronically Controlled Brake Power Booster" published in the Automobile Technology Journal ATZ 97 (1995) January, No.1, pages 36-37, describes an electrically operable booster with a proportional control. The control valve of the booster is drivable by a proportional electromagnet. A disadvantage in the mentioned booster is the comparatively high weight of the proportional magnet and the related increased overall dimensions of the booster. Another disadvantage is the relatively exact control which is assessed as costly.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to disclose a method of the previously mentioned type which, when implemented, obviates the need for any additional sensor means and can be achieved at low cost with already provided parts. Another objective is to extend the control range predetermined due to tolerances.

Method of operating a pneumatic brake servo-unit


The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of dermatophytic conditions such as tinea pedis. Such conditions can progress through multiple stages, such as fungal and bacterial stages, making effective treatment results difficult to achieve. The invention relates to a combined therapy effective for treatment of the condition that utilizes daily administration of a balanced combination of antifungals, antiperspirants and drying agents to achieve a beneficial therapeutic effect, irrespective of the stage of the disease upon commencement of the treatment.

Until the 1940s, there were few treatments of any kind for tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Those treatments available were generally nonspecific antifungals, caustic agents that damaged the skin rather than targeted treatments inhibiting fungi. Spurred by the prevalence of dermatophytoses among military personnel during the wars of the mid-twentieth century, the search for truly effective treatments began. Azole antifungals were first synthesized in the late 1960s, and over the next two decades, research and development focused on this class of treatments, representing a major breakthrough in the targeted treatment of fungal infections. Further progress was made with the development of potent fungicidal allylamines in the 1990s. Today, one such allylamine, terbinafine, remains the most potent treatment for tinea infections. Terbinafine is the most effective topical agent against tinea pedis (Crawford & Hollis, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001434). Unlike fungistats, which require up to four weeks of application, terbinafine is effective in a shorter course of treatment. Current labeling guidelines for terbinafine cream call for twice-daily application for 1-2 weeks (Lamisil AT® Drug Facts, (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings, 2017).
By comparison, antiperspirant treatment for tinea pedis has received relatively little academic attention. The only notable example of an antiperspirant treatment for tinea pedis comes from a 1975 study by Leyden & Kligman (Arch Dermatol, Vol. 111, p. 1004, August, 1975). They found that a 30% aluminum chloride solution was effective at reducing unpleasant symptoms of tinea pedis. However, this treatment did not resolve the infection entirely; instead, it transformed the macerated, malodorous form of tinea pedis associated with bacterial co-infection (sometimes called dermatophytosis complex) back into the dry, scaly type that indicates a purely fungal infection (dermatophytosis simplex). Because of the focus on the development of antifungals that promised to treat the underlying cause of tinea pedis, there has been little further research on the use of antiperspirants in the treatment of tinea pedis. In 2001, Koca et al. (O. M. Ü. Tip Dergisi Cult: 18 No. 3, p. 192, 2001) conducted a study on a combination antiperspirant-antifungal therapy. Patients were instructed to apply cream containing clotrimazole (a fungistatic azole antifungal) in the morning, and aluminum chlorohydrate cream in the evening. The researchers found no benefit from the addition of an antiperspirant compared to antifungal therapy alone.
Dees (U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,914) describes combining an antiperspirant with an antimicrobial for the treatment of acne. Dees does not describe any standard topical antifungal agents as examples of antimicrobial agents. Lester (U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2010/0056430) describes reducing foot odor using antibacterial antibiotic agents with other ingredients such as terbinafine and aluminum chloride, but Lester did not combine his materials with an alcohol drying agent or use them in combination for treatment of infections such as dermatophytosis. Furthermore, the unnecessary use of antibiotics creates risks, both individual (such as allergic reaction) and societal (such as antibiotic resistance), which this invention seeks to avoid. Villalobos (U.S. Pat. Publication 2012/0061267) describes using a terbinafine wipe with alcohol. Villalobos does not use an antibacterial agent (such as an antibiotic) or an antiperspirant compound and failed to demonstrate efficacy.
What is needed is an effective therapy that can be applied for the efficient treatment of dermatophytic infections irrespective of the stage of the infection. What is also needed is a composition that resolves bacterial co-infection while avoiding problems associated with antibiotic use.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and compositions for treating cutaneous fungal infections


According to one embodiment, a memory device with magnetroresistive effect element is disclosed. The element includes first metal magnetic film (MMF) with nonmagnetic element and axis of easy magnetization perpendicular (EMP), first insulating film, first intermediate magnetic film between the first MMF and the first insulating film, second MMF on the first insulating film and including nonmagnetic elements, the second MMF having axis of EMP, second intermediate magnetic film between the first insulating film and the second MMF, and diffusion preventing film including metal nitride having barrier property against diffusion of the nonmagnetic elements between the first MMF and the first intermediate magnetic film.

In recent years, much attention has been attracted to magnetoresistive random access memories (MRAM) comprising magnetroresistive effect elements utilizing a magnetoresistive effect replacing a tunneling magneto resistive effect (TMR), as next-generation solid non-volatile memories.
One magnetroresistive effect element is a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element with a three-layer stack configuration comprising a recording layer in which a magnetization direction is variable, an insulating film serving as a tunnel barrier, and a reference layer in which a predetermined magnetization direction is maintained.
The resistance of the MTJ element varies depending on the magnetization direction in the recording layer and the magnetization direction in the reference layer. The resistance of the MTJ element has a minimum when the two magnetization directions are parallel and has a maximum when the two magnetization directions are antiparallel These parallel state and antiparallel state are associated with binary information "0" and "1", respectively, to allow the information to be stored.
Write of information to the MTJ element involves a magnetic-field write scheme in which only the magnetization direction in the recording layer is inverted by a current magnetic field resulting from a current flowing through a write wire and a write (spin injection write) scheme using spin angular momentum movement in which the magnetization direction in the recording layer is inverted by passing a spin polarization current through the MTJ element itself.
According to the former scheme, reduced element size increases the coercive force of a magnetic substance forming the recording layer. This tends to increase a write current, hindering the magnetic-field write scheme from achieving both miniaturization and reduced required current.
On the other hand, according to the latter scheme (spin injection write scheme), the amount of spin polarization electrons to be injected may decrease consistently with the volume of a magnetic layer forming the recording layer. Thus, the spin injection write scheme is expected to easily achieve miniaturization and reduced required current.
Furthermore, miniaturization of the MTJ element serves to reduce magnetic anisotropic energy required to maintain the magnetization direction in the recording layer constant. This disadvantageously prevents stored information from being maintained.
Techniques to increase the magnetic anisotropic energy include one utilizing shape magnetic anisotropy by, for example, increasing the aspect ratio of the MTJ element, the film thickness of the recording layer, or the saturation magnetization of the recording layer, and one utilizing a material with high magneto crystalline anisotropy.
The former technique is generally examined in connection with an in-plane magnetization type in which the axis of easy magnetization of a ferromagnetic substance corresponds to magnetization parallel to a film surface. However, this hinders miniaturization from being achieved, and further contributes to increasing an inversion current when the above-described spin injection write scheme is used.
On the other hand, the latter technique is advantageous to miniaturization and reduced required current. However, with the in-plane magnetization type, the axis of easy magnetization in the in-plane direction is significantly distributed within the film plane, leading to reduced TMR ratio.
To solve the above-described problems, every effort has been made to examine an MTJ element comprising a perpendicular magnetization magnetic film with an axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to the film plane (perpendicular magnetization MTJ element). Compared to the in-plane magnetization MTJ element, the perpendicular magnetization MTJ element enables a reduction in the distribution of the direction of the axis of easy magnetization, allowing a decrease in TMR ratio to be restrained.
As described above, the use of the perpendicular magnetization MTJ element based on the spin injection write scheme is expected to achieve both miniaturization and reduced required current. However, the perpendicular magnetization MTJ element with the perpendicular magnetization magnetic film involves a significant decrease in TMR ratio caused by a thermal load.

Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same