Locks are placed in a convert queue in a way that compensates for queue bias. Rather than always placing a remote lock in a queue at the tail, a remote lock can be placed further up in the queue, and possibly be interleaved with local locks. As a result, remote processes are granted locks more frequently and swiftly. Locks are placed in a convert queue according based on queue placement factors, which are factors accounted for when placing a lock in a queue.

A multi-node computer system is made up of interconnected nodes that share access to resources. Typically, the nodes are interconnected via a network and share access, in varying degrees, to shared storage (e.g. shared access to a set of disk drives). The nodes in a multi-node computer system may be in the form of a group of computers (e.g. work stations, personal computers) that are interconnected via a network. Alternately, the nodes may be the nodes of a grid. A grid is composed of nodes in the form of server blades interconnected with other server blades on a rack.
The term resource herein refers to any resource used by a computer to which access between multiple processes is managed. Resources include units of memory, peripheral devices (e.g. printers, network cards), units of disk storage (e.g. a file, a data block), and data structures (a relational table, records of relational tables, a data block that holds records of a relational table). A shared resource is a resource shared and accessed by multiple nodes in a multi-node system.
Even though resources may be shared, many resources may not be used by more than one process at any given time. For example, most printers are unable to print more than one document at a time. Other resources, such as data blocks of a storage medium or tables stored on a storage medium, may be concurrently accessed in some ways (e.g. read) by multiple processes, but accessed in other ways (e.g. written to) by only one process at a time. Consequently, mechanisms have been developed which manage access to shared resources of a multi-node system.
One such mechanism is referred to herein as a two-tiered lock system. In a two-tiered lock system, for a given resource, one node in a multi-node computer system is the "master" of the resource and responsible for managing access to the resource. Access by processes in a multi-node system, whether the process is executing on the master or another node within the system, is controlled by the master of the resource. To gain access to a resource, a request must be made to the master of the resource, which may grant or deny the request. Processes on a node that is not the master (i.e. a "remote node") are not individually granted access to a resource by a master node. Rather, a slave node is granted access to a resource, and once granted, the process on the slave may access the resource.
With respect to a particular master node, processes on the master node are referred to herein as local processes; processes on a remote node are referred to herein as remote processes.
A master node uses locks to manage access rights ("rights") to a resource. A lock is a data structure that indicates whether a particular entity has requested and/or been granted a certain right to a resource. When a request for the right represented by a lock has been granted, the lock itself is referred to as being granted.
With respect to a master node, locks requested by or granted to local processes are referred as local locks while locks requested by or granted to remote processes are referred to as remote locks. Lock requests made by local processes are referred to as local lock requests and lock requests made by remote processes are referred to as remote lock requests.
Lock Types
There are many types of locks. For a given resource, a "shared lock" represents a right to share access to the resource. A shared lock may be concurrently granted to multiple processes, allowing them the right to share a form of access (e.g. read access). An "exclusive lock" may only be concurrently granted to one process. Once granted, the lock prevents this type of lock from being granted for the resource.
Due to the various permissions and guarantees associated with these locks, certain combinations of locks are not allowed to be concurrently granted. For example, if a process owns an exclusive lock on a resource, then no other process can be granted an exclusive lock or a shared lock. If a process owns a shared lock, then other processes may be granted shared locks but may not be granted an exclusive lock. Locks which cannot be combined are referred to herein as being incompatible or conflicting.
Managing Locks Using Queues
To manage the granting of locks to a resource, a master node uses queues. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a set of queues used by a master node to manage the granting of locks.
Referring to FIG. 1, it shows convert queue 102 and granted queue 103 for a master node N1. Master node N1 is part of a multi-node system that also includes nodes N2, N3, N4, and N5, which are not depicted. A convert queue, such as convert queue 102, holds locks for a right that has been requested but not granted. A granted queue, such as granted queue 103, holds locks that have been granted. When a master node receives a lock request from a resource, the master resource places a lock representing the request on the convert queue. When a lock is granted, the lock is placed on the convert queue.
The term queue refers to any data structure with ordered elements or entries. The entry first in the order is referred as being at the head of the queue, and the entry last in order is referred to as being at the tail of the queue. Convert queue 102, as depicted in FIG. 1, holds locks C1–C9, which are for nodes N1, N1, N2, N1, N3, N1, N1, N4, N1, respectively. The entries at the head and at the tail are locks for master node N1. Granted queue 103 holds one lock G1, which is for node N5.
Typically, entries in a queue are processed in a first-in-first-out ("fifo") basis. When an entry is removed from the head of the queue, the entry following in order moves to the head of the queue. When an entry is added to the tail of the queue, it is added as the last entry in order; the entry formerly at the end is no longer at the tail of the queue. If the lock at the head of the convert queue does not conflict with any lock in the granted queue, then the lock at the head is granted, removed from the convert queue, and added to the granted queue.
For example, lock G1 in granted queue 103 is an exclusive lock. Locks C1 and C2 are shared locks, and lock C3 is an exclusive lock. While exclusive lock G1 remains in the granted queue, shared lock C1 cannot be granted because it conflicts with exclusive lock G1. Shared lock C1 is referred to being blocked by exclusive lock G1; exclusive lock G1 is referred to as being blocking. Shared lock C2 and exclusive lock C3 cannot be granted because they follow lock C1 in the queue and are not granted before lock C1 is removed from the convert queue.
Next, the master node removes exclusive lock G1 from the granted queue, when, for example, the owner of exclusive lock G1 relinquishes the lock. The master node then grants shared lock C1, removes it from the convert queue, and adds it to the granted queue.
As a result, shared lock C2 moves to the head of the queue. Given that shared lock C1 is compatible with shared lock C2, shared lock C2 is granted, leaving exclusive lock C3 on the convert queue.
Exclusive lock C3 is not compatible with a lock on the convert queue, i.e. not compatible with shared locks C1 and C2. Exclusive lock C3 is therefore blocked.
Inherent Unfair Resource Allocation
In a two-tier lock system, some remote nodes may suffer from an inherent bias with respect to the frequency and speed at which they are added to the convert queue. Such bias is referred to herein as queuing bias. As a result of queuing bias, the remote nodes may receive an unbalanced and disproportionately lesser share of a resource relative to the extent processes on the remote nodes request the resource. There are various forms of queuing bias that stem from a variety of causes.
One form of queuing bias favors local processes. This form of queue bias occurs because of locality. Locality refers to the condition of being local on a master node. Locality gives local processes an inherent advantage in several ways with respect to frequency and speed with which locks for local lock requests are placed in a convert queue. A local process does not have to transmit a lock request to the master node using an inter-node communication mechanism, like remote nodes do. Transmitting requests in this way can involve relatively substantial time and delay. As a result, a lock request for a local process can be processed and responded to much more quickly than one from a remote node.
Second, a remote node may be restricted to only one lock on a convert queue of a master node even though multiple remote processes on the remote node have requested a remote lock. This restriction is a measure designed to reduce network traffic. For a given resource, when remote processes on a remote node request a remote lock, the lock requests are not transmitted by the remote while a remote lock exists in the convert or granted queue of the resource. A local process, however, is not subject to such a restriction. Thus, many local lock requests may be added to the convert queue in front of multiple remote lock requests while the transmission of the remote lock requests is deferred.
For example, convert queue 103 contains many locks for master node N1 but only one for each of remote nodes N2, N3, and N4. Other remote processes on N2 have made remote lock requests, which are deferred until lock C3 is granted and relinquished. Local locks C4, C6, C7, and C9 were generated for local lock requests after many of the deferred remote locks requests on node N2 were generated.
Finally, another cause of queuing bias is the relative computing power of a node and the speed at which it may communicate via inter-node communication mechanisms with the master node. Nodes with relatively higher computing power or access to a faster inter-node communication mechanism can process and transmit remote lock requests much more quickly, allowing their lock requests to be queued more frequently and swiftly.
For a resource in high demand, queuing bias alone can allow one node to horde the resource and starve other nodes of it. This causes uneven or unbalanced use of shared resource among nodes of a multi-node system that share the resource.
Inefficient Parallel Processing
Parallel processing is a very important feature of a multi-node system. Under parallel processing, a task may be performed more quickly if divided into subtasks that are each concurrently performed by a node in the multi-node system. Each node performs their respective subtask in parallel, i.e., concurrently.
Queuing bias leads to inefficient parallel processing. In general, parallel processing is performed more efficiently if all participating nodes complete their respective task at the same time. Queuing bias causes the participating nodes to complete their subtasks at different times, leading to inefficient parallel processing in a multi-node system.
Specifically, if a task to be performed in parallel involves use of resources mastered by a subset of nodes participating in the parallel execution of the task, then queuing bias favors the subset of nodes. The subset of nodes, which horde the resources from other nodes participating in the parallel execution of the task, will thus complete their respective subtasks sooner than the other nodes.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for techniques that lessens adverse effects of queuing bias.

Maintain fairness of resource allocation in a multi-node environment


A toner supplying roller is provided in which a polyurethane foam layer can be obtained without decreasing the reactivity of the polyurethane material, and in which contamination by a catalyst remaining in the polyurethane foam layer is suppressed, so that a good image can be obtained. Moreover, the toner supplying roller has suitable aperture cells in the surface, suitably performs the scraping off of the development residual toner and toner supply between the toner supplying roller and the developing roller, and forms a uniform toner thin film on the developing roller, so that a good image can be obtained. In a toner supplying roller including a polyurethane foam layer that is formed on the mandrel periphery using a polyurethane material including a polyol and a polyisocyanate, the polyol and the polyisocyanate have an amine number of 3 mg KOH/g or more and 15 mg KOH/g or less in total.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toner supplying roller provided in the developing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, such as a copying apparatus, an image recording apparatus, a printer and a facsimile, and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus, such as a copying apparatus, an image recording apparatus, a printer and a facsimile, includes a developing apparatus that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image bearing member, such as a photosensitive member and an electrostatic recording dielectric. The developing apparatus includes a developer container that stores a toner (a developer), a developing roller that is provided with its part exposed from this developer container to block the opening of the developer container, and a developing blade that abuts the developing roller and forms a toner thin film having a constant thickness on the developing roller. The toner is friction charged when passing between the developing roller and the developing blade with the rotation of the developing roller, conveyed to the opposing latent image bearing member in the portion where the developing roller is exposed from the developer container, and moved to an electrostatic latent image having higher potential, for development.
In such a developing apparatus, a toner supplying roller that scrapes off the toner not used for the development of the electrostatic latent image and remaining on the surface of the developing roller and supplies a new toner in the developer container onto the developing roller is provided in the developer container. The development residual toner scraped off from the developing roller is mixed with the toner in the developer container, and the charge of the development residual toner is diluted and disappears.
This type of toner supplying roller needs to have low hardness or flexibility and the conveyance property that enables the conveyance of a large amount of the toner, to remove the development residual toner and supply a new toner smoothly between the toner supplying roller and the developing roller. Therefore, a polyurethane foam layer formed of a foamed elastic member, such as a polyurethane foam, or the like is provided on the surface of the toner supplying roller, as one that is flexible and has apertures. For example, a polyurethane foam in which toner supply to and toner scraping off from the developer carrier are uniform (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-037630), a conductive polyurethane foam member having stable fine cells (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-363237), a semiconductive charging member having stable electrical resistance (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-009958), and the like are reported.
A toner supplying roller having a surface layer of such a polyurethane foam is manufactured by, for example, the following method. First, a polyol component, an isocyanate component, a foaming agent, a foam control agent, and a catalyst are mixed and stirred, and the mixture is injected into a molding die for a toner supplying roller. The mixture is foamed in the die, and then the molded product is mold released, so that a toner supplying roller can be manufactured (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-274373 (pages 8 to 9)).
In manufacturing such a polyurethane foam layer, amine catalysts and organometallic catalysts are used as a catalyst used for the polymerization and curing of the polyurethane material. Specifically, the amine catalysts can include triethylenediamine, bis(dimethylaminoethyl)ether and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylhexanediamine. The organometallic catalysts can include tin octylate, tin oleate, dibutyltin dilaurate, dibutyltin diacetate, tetra-i-propoxytitanium, tetra-N-butoxytitanium and tetrakis(2-ethylhexyloxy)titanium. Among these catalysts, the amine catalysts have advantages of good compatibility with water and longer toxicity and longer lifetime at the time of a premix than those of the organometallic catalysts. On the other hand, a large amount of the amine catalysts are used, and the amine catalysts may be a factor of image deterioration, for example, the amine catalyst remaining in the polyurethane foam layer gradually precipitates to contaminate a part, such as a developing roller, in contact with the toner supplying roller, and the toner.

Polyurethane foam toner supplying roller and method for manufacturing the same


Methods for fabricating thin film magnetic head coil structures are disclosed. The methods disclose deposition of a first thick seed layer, followed by deposition of an ultra-thin second seed layer. Coil structures having sub-micron pitch and high aspect ratios are deposited on the second ultra-thin seed layer, which is removed from between the coil windings via an isotropic etch process such as wet etching or RIE. Subsequent to selective removal of the ultra-thin second seed layer, the first thick seed layer is utilized to deposit pole and backgap structures, eliminating the need to deposit (and remove) a subsequent seed layer on the coil structure.

1.Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the fabrication of thin film magnetic head structures. Specifically, the invention relates to methods for fabricating tight pitched write coil structures that have fewer process steps than conventional coil fabrication processes.
2. Description of the Related Art
The increasing demand to shrink dimensions in the overall thin film head design has correspondingly fueled the challenge to find innovative techniques aimed at fabricating the critical head structures with lower process steps and higher yields. One area of focus in the thin film head design is write coil fabrication. A conventional method to fabricate the write coil requires deposition of relatively thick a seed-layer followed by photo resist deposition, photo resist development, electroplating of the coil conductor, and seed-layer removal. As the coil pitch is scaled to sub-micron dimensions, while maintaining the coil's aspect ratio at or greater than 4:1, a major challenge is presented with respect to removing the seed-layer. Ion milling and sputter etching are two common methods usually employed to remove the seed-layer. As coil pitch shrinks, shadowing of the coil structure due to high aspect ratios prevents effective removal of the seed-layer during sputter etching or ion mill etching. Since the seed-layer is conductive, incomplete removal can result in coil shorting. Furthermore, conventional processing requires the blanket deposition of a second seed layer after the coil is formed to deposit pole layers and backgap structures. This second seed layer must also be removed by ion milling or sputter etching, resulting a second opportunity to short the coils due to incomplete seed removal. A Damascene approach can potentially be utilized as an alternative approach to the conventional method. The Damascene process requires that a conductive seed layer be deposited on the photo resist layer defining the coil after imaging and development. Obtaining uniform seed layer coverage with high aspect ratios and sub micron pitch dimensions is difficult. Gaps in seed layer surface coverage will result in voids and defects when the coil structure is plated. Even with good seed coverage, electroplating high aspect ratio, sub micron channels is difficult because deposition on the vertical walls of the photo resist can choke off deposition from the base of the coil (bottom of the trench being filled), creating gaps and voids in the final plated structure.
An example prior art process is described in FIGS. 1-7 (Prior Art). FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a partial cross section view 100 of a thin film head structure of the prior art containing shield layers 102 and 104, read head structure 103, lower return pole 106, and insulating layers 108a, 108b. This is the base structure upon which the coil structure is built.
FIG. 2 (Prior Art) is a partial cross section view 200 of the structure of FIG. 1 subsequent to the deposition of seed layer 202. Typically seed layer 202 is between 500 to 2000 angstroms in thickness.
FIG. 3 (Prior Art) is a partial cross section view 300 of the structure of FIG. 2 subsequent to the fabrication of coil structure 302 and center tap structure 304 on seed layer 202. Prior to depositing the coil structure 302 and center tap structure 304 by electroplating, a photo resist layer is deposited on seed layer 202, then imaged, and developed to define the coil (not shown). Subsequent to coil plating, the photo resist is removed (not shown). After construction of the coil structure 302, seed layer 202 must be removed completely to avoid short circuits in the coil.
FIG. 4 (Prior Art) is a partial cross section view 400 of the structure of FIG. 3 subsequent to ion milling to remove exposed portions of seed layer 202. Since ion milling is a "line of sight" etching process, shadowing of portions of seed layer 202 in the areas between adjacent coil segments can occur. This is particularly true as the coil pitch becomes smaller and the aspect ratio becomes greater. Increases in aspect ratio may occur because the thickness of coil structure may need to increase to provide acceptable coil conductivity, particularly as pitch decreases. The shadowing effects, combined with relatively thick (i.e. >500 angstroms) seed layers increase the probability of incomplete seed removal and coil shorts. However, reducing the seed thickness of seed layer 202 can compromise the coil electroplating process due high seed resistivity, particularly if electrical contact from the seed layer to the plating power source is at the perimeter of the wafer upon which the thin film heads are being fabricated. This apparent dilemma places an inherent limit on shrinking the coil footprint in the thin film head in this prior art process.
FIG. 5 (Prior Art) is a partial cross section view 500 of the structure of FIG. 4 subsequent to the deposition of second seed layer 502. Second seed layer 502 is required to deposit subsequent magnetic layers and structures. Seed layer 502 is deposited as a blanket layer, and as such is deposited in the areas between the coil windings.
FIG. 6 (Prior Art) is a partial cross section view 600 of the structure of FIG. 5 subsequent to the deposition of lower pole structure 602 and backgap structure 604 on second seed layer 502. Lower pole structure 602 may also be known as the pedestal. Prior to deposition of structures 602 and 604, a photo resist layer was deposited, imaged, and developed (not shown). The deposition of structures 602 an 604 is then carried out by electroplating using seed layer 502 as a cathode (not shown). Subsequent to plating, the photo resist layer is removed (not shown).
FIG. 7 (Prior Art) is a partial cross section view 700 of the structure of FIG. 6 subsequent to the subsequent to the removal of second seed layer 502. Ion milling is typically utilized to remove the seed layer, and the same issues regarding shadowing and incomplete seed layer removal are present in this process step as well. It is possible to prevent seed deposition on the fabricated coil 302 via deposition of a protective photo resist layer, for example. But this adds expensive process steps which are undesirable.
What is needed is an improved method for fabricating coils for thin film heads.

Method for producing tight pitched coil with reduced processing steps

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


A method for operating on a heart is described. The method is directed to closing the passage between an atrium and its associated atrial appendage or completely removing the appendage. The method is structured to permit manipulation of the appendage without severing the sternum or ribs of the patient being operated upon. Rather, openings are made between the ribs to provide access to the heart for observation with a thoroscope and manipulation with appropriate surgical instruments.

There are a number of heart diseases (e.g. coronary artery disease, mitral valve disease) which have various adverse effects on the heart. An adverse effect of a disease, such as mitral valve disease, is atrial (or auricular) fibrillation. During this type of fibrillation, the atria, rather than the sinus node, initiates the impulses which cause contraction of the heart muscle. In some patients, atrial fibrillation may occur in the absence of any other known disease. However, these impulses are relatively rapid and erratic, and do not properly control the contractions of the heart. As a result, the atria beat faster than the ventricles, the ventricular contractions are irregular, the ventricles do not completely fill, with blood, and the ventricular contractions eject less blood into the greater vessels.
One of the many problems caused by atrial fibrillation is the pooling of blood in the left atrial appendage during fibrillation. When blood pools in the atrial appendage, blood clots can accumulate therein, build upon themselves, and propagate out from the atrial appendage into the atrium. These blood clots can cause serious problems when the heart resumes proper operation (beating) and the blood, along with the blood clot(s), is forced out of the left atrial appendage. Similar problems also occur when a blood clot extending from an atrial appendage into an atrium breaks off and enters the blood supply. More specifically, the blood from the left atrium and ventricle supply the heart and brain. Thus, the blood flow will move the clots into the arteries of the brain and heart which may cause a obstruction in blood flow resulting in a stroke or heart attack.
One procedure which has been used to eliminate the problems caused by blood clotting in the left atrial appendage is to close (stitch off or remove) the left atrial appendage in patients which are prone to atrial fibrillation. However, this procedure presently can only be performed with the chest opened. Accordingly, since the risk of danger from stroke or heart attack due to blood clotting in the left atrial appendage are relatively low when compared to the problems and trauma involved in opening the chest; the chest is almost never opened for the sole purpose of closing or removing the left atrial appendage.
Thus, it would be useful to provide for a method of removing or closing an atrial appendage without the need to open the chest cavity.


An application server that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, web interface for receiving a client request from a web server operating within an interactive TV network and application logic operatively coupled to the web interface for executing source code and generating HTML code according to the client request where the application logic is operatively coupled to a database that serves as a repository for executable source code, images and user information indexed according to the client request where the application logic receives the executed source code from the database and supplies the HTML code to the web server by way of the web interface and where the web server submits to a client device that generated the client request the HTML code for rendering a presentation at the client device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Network architectures abound, but it is unlikely that such network architectures are specifically suited or tailored for networks for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) or iTV where a set-top box generally acts as the vehicle for client requests. Existing architectures that include set-top boxes might enable downloads and retrieval of files, but not necessarily applications or dynamic web content. Further note that existing systems may be dependent on the specific location of equipment or the configuration of the infrastructure equipment.

Network architecture and method for application deployment


Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of TNFR1. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding TNFR1. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of TNFR1 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of TNFR1 are provided.

One of the principal mechanisms by which cellular regulation is effected is through the transduction of extracellular signals into intracellular signals that in turn modulate biochemical pathways. Examples of such extracellular signaling molecules include growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. The cell surface receptors of these molecules and their associated signal transduction pathways are therefore one of the principal means by which cellular behavior is regulated. Because cellular phenotypes are largely influenced by the activity of these pathways, it is currently believed that a number of disease states and/or disorders are a result of either aberrant activation or functional mutations in the molecular components of signal transduction pathways.
For example, the polypeptide cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is normally produced during infection, injury, or invasion where it serves as a pivotal mediator of the inflammatory response. In recent years, a number of in vivo animal and human studies have demonstrated that overexpression of TNF by the host in response to disease and infection is itself responsible for the pathological consequences associated with the underlying disease. For example, septic shock as a result of massive bacterial infection has been attributed to infection-induced expression of TNF. Thus, systemic exposure to TNF at levels comparable to those following massive bacterial infection has been shown to result in a spectrum of symptoms (shock, tissue injury, capillary leakage, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, multiple organ failure and high mortality rate) that is virtually indistinguishable from septic shock syndrome (Tracey and Cerami, Annu. Rev. Med., 1994, 45, 491-503). Further evidence has been provided in animal models of septic shock, in which it has been demonstrated that systemic exposure to anti-TNF neutralizing antibodies blocks bacterial-induced sepsis (Tracey and Cerami, Annu. Rev. Med., 1994, 45, 491-503). In addition to these acute effects, chronic exposure to low doses of TNF results in a syndrome of cachexia marked by anorexia, weight loss, dehydration and depletion of whole-body protein and lipid. Chronic production of TNF has been implicated in a number of diseases including AIDS and cancer (Tracey and Cerami, Annu. Rev. Med., 1994, 45, 491-503). To date, two distinct TNF cell surface receptors, known as TNFR1 and TNFR2, have been described. Molecular analysis of TNFR1 and TNFR2 have shown that the two receptors share little homology in their intracellular domains and appear to activate distinct intracellular pathways (Tracey and Cerami, Annu. Rev. Med., 1994, 45, 491-503).
Recent studies with transgenic TNFR1 knockout mice have demonstrated that signaling through TNFR1 plays an important role in the clearing of low-level bacterial infection as well as TNF-induced septic shock following high-level bacterial infection (Lotz et al., J. Leukoc. Biol., 1996, 60, 1-7). These findings indicate that agents which can inhibit signaling through the TNFR1 receptor may serve as useful targets inhibitors of TNF induced toxicities such as septic shock.
Antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of TNFRl has proven to be a useful tool in understanding the role of TNFR1 stimulation in cytokine induction and cell proliferation. Ojwang et. al. have disclosed partial phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides containing C-5 propynyl or hexynyl derivatives of 2'-deoxyuridine which caused attenuation of TNFR1 mRNA and protein and inhibited TNF-alpha induced expression of IL-6 in MRC-5 cells (Ojwang et al., Biochemistry, 1997, 36, 6033-6045). These oligonucleotides were targeted to the poly(A) signal site of TNFR1 mRNA. A uniform phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide targeted to the translation initiation codon of TNFR1 was found to have no effect.
There remains a long-felt need for improved compositions and methods for inhibiting TNFR1 gene expression.

Antisense inhibition of TNFR1 expression


A wrench socket rack is formed of an elongated support defining a track with a pair of bearing surfaces overhanging the track from opposite sides. A plurality of socket pegs are provided. Each peg has a base with laterally projecting lugs that fit into the track. Each socket peg is sized to receive a wrench socket thereon. A bore with internal threads is defined from top to bottom in each of the socket pegs. A track-engaging clamp formed as a set screw that is threadably engaged in the socket peg at the bottom end of the bore. A hollow spring clamping screw is threadably engaged in the top end of the bore. The track-engaging set screw may be manipulated using a tool that is inserted through the cylindrical opening in the spring clamping screw.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement in an adjustable rack for receiving sockets of different sizes that are used with a socket wrench.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Our prior U.S. application Ser. No. 09/398,717 filed Sep. 20, 1999 describes a wrench socket rack in which the positions of socket mounts are adjustable along the length of a track. That application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this system an internally tapped threaded bore extends longitudinally throughout the length of the socket mount from the upper end of a socket peg to the bottom of the base of the socket mount. The base has laterally projecting lugs that extend beneath and face bearing ledges that overhang the track. Leaf springs are provided that are anchored to the top of each stud peg and which extend downwardly along one side of the stud. A single long screw that is threadably engaged in the internally tapped threaded bore of the socket mount serves the dual purpose of anchoring the upper end of the leaf spring and immobilizing the socket mount relative to the track.
While this prior system works quite well, it does require very close tolerances in the dimensions of the socket mount, the track, and the length of the screw. If the screw is too long or the distance between the bearing ledges and the bottom of the track is too narrow, the head of the screw will not clamp tightly against the anchored end of the leaf spring. As a result, the leaf spring will not adequately perform its function of holding a wrench socket on the socket peg. Conversely, if the screw is too short or the distance between the bearing ledges and the bottom of the track is too great, the head of the screw will clamp the anchored end of the leaf spring against the top of the socket peg before the distal tip of the screw fully engages the track. As a consequence, the socket mount will not be completely immobilized from longitudinal movement along the track.
The present invention solves the dilemma of inflexible tolerances in the construction of the adjustable wrench socket rack described by substituting two independently adjustable screws for the single screw of the prior invention. Moreover, a way has been devised to allow each of these two screws to be accessible for manipulation from the top of the socket mount. This is possible by constructing the upper screw, that is the screw that clamps the anchored end of the leaf spring, as a hollow screw having a cylindrical passage or tunnel down its center. This permits a narrow, elongated tool, such as a narrow screwdriver blade or a narrow allen wrench to be inserted through the longitudinal passage of the spring clamping screw from above the socket mount to engage the lower screw located at the base of the socket mount. This lower screw serves as a set screw to immobilize movement of the socket mount along the track. The upper screw can be independently adjusted to tightly clamp the anchored end of the spring against the top of the socket mount peg.
In one broad aspect the present invention may be considered to be an adjustable wrench socket rack comprising an elongated mounting strip, a plurality of socket mounts, each including a mounting base and a socket mounting post projecting upwardly from the base, and a track-engaging clamp that is releaseable to permit longitudinal movement of the mounting base along the track and engageable to immobilize the mounting base relative to the track, wherein said track-engaging clamp is accessible for release and engagement from above the top surface of the socket mounting post through the internally tapped bore.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention resilient clips are provided to releaseably grasp the mounting strip from opposing sides. The resilient clips each have a generally U-shaped configuration. The bottom, central base of each clip is secured to an underlying rack support, such as the floor of a toolbox tray, a workbench surface, or any other stable supporting surface upon which the adjustable wrench socket rack of the invention is to be stored. A pair of resilient arms project upwardly from the opposing ends of each clip. The tips of each of the resilient arms are directed toward each other. The elongated mounting strip of the adjustable wrench socket rack of the invention can be pressed downwardly in between the resilient arms of one or a plurality of the clips. The resilient arms elastically deflect to permit the mounting strip to seat upon the central portions of the clips. The tips of the resilient arms then spring back over the outer edges of the mounting strip to capture it within their grasp.
The invention may be described with greater clarity and particularity by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Adjustable socket rack with coaxial clamp


A MR head amplifier of the present invention prevents a base potential of a transistor which supplies a current to a MR element from changing in a moment when the MR element changes from a write-state to a read-state. The MR head amplifier includes a loop amplifier that has a non-inverted input terminal connected to one end of a first transistor which supplies a current to a MR element and an inverted input terminal connected to one end of a second transistor which is supplied with a constant current through a constant current source. An output terminal of the loop amplifier is feedback to a base terminal of the first transistor via a first switch and one end of a capacitor whose other end is connected to a ground is connected to an output terminal of the first switch. The loop amplifier includes a second switch connected between the output terminal of the first switch and the base terminal of the first transistor, the second switch being closed during read-state and opened during write-state.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hard disc drive, more specifically, it relates to a magneto-resistance head amplifier which is used mainly as a read amplifier for driving a head(hereafter, an MR head) comprising a magneto-resistance (MR) effect element. The MR head amplifier of the present invention has a simple construction to switch from a writing mode to a reading mode in a short time, where a bias point of a loop amplifier used for the MR head amplifier can be prevented from moving.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 10 shows a conventional MR head amplifier. The MR head amplifier is usually used for reading signals out of a disc and another circuit is used for writing signals. The above reading circuit and writing circuit are used alternately. The writing circuit writes data in the disc by flowing a current through an inductor such as a thin film head. Since the writing circuit is adjacent to the MR head, a writing current generated by the write-head during writing data flows into the MR element constituting MR head as noise.
As a result, the noise induced to the MR element flows into a transistor of the MR head amplifier. The current further flows through a load resistor of the transistor and it moves the bias point of an input point of the loop amplifier constituting a closed feedback loop. When the bias point is moved, the closed loop tries to return the bias point to the original level at a moment when the MR head amplifier switches from a write-state to a read-state, then, a sag is generated in an output of the amplifier. As a result, it is not possible to read the data signal until after a certain time when sag decreases if the MR head amplifier switches from the write-state to the read-state. In order to solve this problem, changing of a bias potential is compensated for by using a loop amplifier and a switch as shown in FIG. 10.
In FIG. 10, the MR head amplifier comprises an MR element 1, a transistor 2, resistors 3, 4, a constant current source 5, a loop amplifier 6, a capacitor 9, a switch 10, and a signal amplifier 12. While reading (READ) the data signal, a closed loop for supplying the bias current through the MR element is provided. This feedback circuit feeds back to adjust an output current I.sub.0 of the loop amplifier 6 so that a voltage drop by a current Ir flowing through the resistor 4 is equal to a voltage drop by a current I flowing through the MR element and the resistor 3. In other words, the loop amplifier 6 operates by a differential voltage between the voltage drop of the resistor 3 and the voltage drop of the resistor 4.
On the assumption that a resistance of the resistor 3 is R1, a resistance of the resistor 4 is R2, and the current flowing through the MR element 1 is I, then V.sub.B =Vcc-Ir.times.R2, V.sub.A =Vcc-I.times.R1. As a result, I.times.R1=Ir.times.R2 is obtained if V.sub.A =V.sub.B. Therefore, the current I flowing through the MR element 1 is I=Ir.times.(R2/R1). If R2=R1, the current I is constantly equal to Ir. In other words, in the case where resistance of the resistor 3 is equal to the resistance of the resistor 4, the loop amplifier 6 gives a feedback current to the transistor 2 so that the current Ir is equal to the current I flowing through the MR element. In the case the where the potential V.sub.A at a node n1 (+terminal) is equal to or smaller than the potential V.sub.B at a node n2 (-terminal) of the loop amplifier 6, the loop amplifier 6 does not supply a base current to the transistor 2.
When the state of the loop amplifier changes from the stable state to a state in which the potential V.sub.A at the node n1 (+terminal) is larger than the potential V.sub.B at the node n2 (-terminal) of the loop amplifier 6, the loop amplifier 6 supplies the current to the transistor 2, which charges the capacitor 9 to decrease the potential V.sub.A. In this way, the potential V.sub.A is kept at a constant value, therefore, the current flowing through the MR element 1 is constant. Alternatively, a capacitance C.sub.0 of the capacitor 9 used for setting a time constant of the loop has a large capacitance value such that the loop current can not respond to the frequency of the data signal.
FIGS. 11A-11D show timing charts of the conventional MR head amplifier. The first switch 10 is controlled to be ON during the read-state of reading the data, while controlled to be OFF during the write-state of writing the data as shown in FIG. 11B. In the conventional MR head amplifier, since a large current flows through the MR head during writing the data, the writing signal affects the current flowing through the MR element 1. As a result, since a writing current .DELTA.I is superposed on the current I flowing through the MR element 1, the current flowing through the resistor 3 changes which changes the voltage drop of the resistor 3. The potential V.sub.A of the node n1 decreases if the writing current .DELTA.I has a positive value, while it increases if the writing current .DELTA.I has a negative value. Therefore, the potential at the bias point (node n1) of the read amplifier 6 drifts according to the current I influenced by the writing current .DELTA.I. In order to solve this problem, the switch 10 is turned OFF during writing in order to prevent the loop amplifier 6 from holding the potential of the capacitor 9 constant.
FIG. 12 shows a loop amplifier 6 shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 12, the loop amplifier 6 comprises transistors 21, 22, transistors 23, 24, and transistors 28, 29 which, respectively, constitute current mirror circuits, transistors 25, 26 constituting a differential amplifier, a constant current source 27, an inverted input terminal IN.sup.-, a non-inverted input terminal IN.sup.+, and an output terminal OUT. As shown in FIG. 10, the non-inverted input terminal IN.sup.+ is connected to the node n1, and the inverted input terminal IN.sup.- is connected to the node n2. In the case where a current I of the transistor 2 in FIG. 10 decreases by a noise inputted into the MR element 1, the potential V.sub.A at the node n1 increases. This potential increase at the node n1 causes a base potential of the transistor 26 in FIG. 12 to increase. As a result, a current of the transistor 26 increases by .DELTA.I which also increases a current of the transistor 23 by .DELTA.I. Since the transistor 2 and the transistor 24 are coupled by a current mirror connection, the current in the transistor 24 also increases by .DELTA.I. The current increase of .DELTA.I is outputted from the output terminal OUT of the loop amplifier 6 and supplied to a base of the transistor 2. Therefore, the current of the transistor 2 in FIG. 10 increases, which also causes the current through the resistor 3 to increase, and therefore the potential of the node n1 decreases. In this way, the potential V.sub.A at the node n1 returns to the earlier potential value.
As described above, the potential at the bias point of the read amplifier does not change if the noise signal from the write-head enters into the MR head during writing. However, since the capacitor 9 is directly connected to the base of the transistor 2, the capacitor 9 discharges its potential under the influence of the base current of the transistor 2 when the MR head amplifier is writing the data as shown in FIG. 11C. As a result, the potential at the node n1 decreases. When MR head amplifier changes to the read-state and the switch 10 is turned ON, the current of the transistor 2 suddenly decreases since the low potential is supplied to the base of the transistor 2. As a result, there is a problem that the potential V.sub.A at the node n1 increases suddenly and the sag is generated between the signal outputs OUT A and OUT B as shown in FIG. 11D.

Amplifier with capacitive feedback for driving a magneto-resistive head


The invention relates to a panel for covering floors, walls, ceilings and the like having a carrier layer and optionally at least one cover layer made of a plastic such as acrylic resin, PVC, PU, PC PP, PPE, PMMA, et cetera. According to the invention, a panel is designed as a floor, ceiling or wall covering having a bevel applied to at least one panel edge, wherein the region of the bevel is coated by a material which comprises components which cause a swelling of the plastic and/or can dissolve the plastic.

Such panels are generally known. For example, EP 1634696 B1 describes a floor cover element comprising a carrier plate made of a pressure-resistant wood material and a cover layer made of foamed polyvinyl chloride which includes a foamed core arranged between vinyl layers.
The formation of a chamfer on at least two opposite sides of a panel is known from WO 01/96688 A1 for decorative panels comprising a wood material core. Here the chamfer is used to prevent damages to the decorative layer during the installation, if the edges contact each other with pressure when the panels are pivoted. In order to conceal the interruption of the decorative layer, the region of this bevel is printed.
In EP 1512809 A1 it is claimed to provide a moisture-resistant coating on the walls of the recess or bevel. This is in order to prevent the harmful penetration of moisture into the material of the carrier made of wood material. The coating may be formed from a varnish, a paint or a flexible and elastic material and may be applied in such a thickness that in connecting two panels by squeezing the coating the joint is sealed.
German utility model DE 202008011589 U1 discloses a panel made from a pliable and flexible plastic material as a carrier with a decorative layer and with complementary locking means which enable the production of a contiguous surface area. In order to conceal the inevitably different gaps between the individual panels and to improve the aesthetic appeal, a chamfer or bevel is provided on at least one panel edge.
EP 1382774 A1 describes a panel made of a wood material and a decorative layer comprising a decorative paper or veneer. Herein, a chamfer is provided, which is intended to achieve the appearance of a traditional parquet and may be provided with an additional coating of a varnish or an adhesive tape.
In applying the known technique of the bevel to panels comprising a carrier and/or cover layer made of plastic, however, difficulties arise. Particularly if the carrier has a certain degree of flexibility, or if the cover layer is pliable, which is advantageous both during the installation and in use—the coating of the recess can easily be released, because it consists only of a narrow strip and is required to adhere both at the cover layer and at the carrier layer, when the chamfer or recess extends up to it. This danger particularly exists when the coatings of adjacent panels are pressed together during the assembly. Conventional varnishes exhibit insufficient adhesion at plastic surfaces.


System and method of locating an interferer and mitigating its effect for stations of a wireless local area network. Embodiments provide a protocol and mechanism to evaluate the interferer location relative to a wireless link and to take accurate actions to mitigate the interference effect for specific cases. A method includes classifying a location of an interferer relative to a wireless communication device based on a comparison with a clear-channel threshold and a noise-tolerability threshold of the device, categorizing a location of the interferer relative to a wireless link based on a combination of the interference categories for the transmitting and the receiving devices, and mitigating interference in the wireless network according to the categorization. For example, in some cases, mitigating includes adapting a noise-tolerability threshold of the transmitting device to allow transmission.

Some Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards for wireless communication allow communication in Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) radio frequency bands, for example, for devices in a wireless local area network (WLAN). However, some non-IEEE 802.11 devices operating in an ISM band may cause performance degradation for neighboring IEEE 802.11 devices. These interferers include, for example, a microwave oven, a Bluetooth device, a cordless phone, or the like. The interferers may reduce throughput in the WLAN, may reduce link performance in the WLAN, or may cause a shutdown of a wireless link.

Device, system and method of mitigating interference in a wireless network


A connector for easily secure a socket thereon includes an axle rotatably received in an axial recess in an end of the connector and an inclined slot is defined radially in the body. A spring is biased between a first end of the axle and an inside of the axial recess. A guide portion such as a concavity with various depths is defined in a second end of the axle. A ball is movably engaged with a radial hole in the end of the body and operatively in contact with the concavity. A controller is rotatably mounted to the body and a pin extends through a hole in the controller and the inclined slot and is engaged with a receiving hole in the axle. The pin is automatically rotated backward by the spring when the user releases the controller.

A conventional connector 1 for securing a socket (not shown) mounted thereon is disclosed in FIG. 1, and the connector 1 generally includes a axial recess 10 defined in an end of the connector 1 and a first radial hole 11, a radial slot 12 and a second radial hole 13 are respectively defined in the connector 1. A controller 2 is rotatably mounted on the connector 1 and an axle 3 is rotatably extends into the axial recess 10. A spring 15 and a bead 16 are received in the first radial hole 11 and the bead 16 can be engaged with either one of two positioning holes 20, 21 defined in the controller 2. A pin 40 extends through a hole 23 in the controller 2 and is secured to a recess 30 defined radially in the axle 3. A positioning ball 41 is engaged with the second radial hole 13 and located in corresponding to a concavity 31 defined in the axle 3. The concavity 31 includes shallow portion and deeper portion. When rotating the controller 2, the bead 16 is pushed inward and compresses the spring 15, and the pin 40 moves along the radial slot 12. The axle 3 is rotated by the pin 40 and the concavity 31 is rotated till the ball 41 is engaged with the deeper portion of the concavity 31 so that the ball 41 is completely merged into the second radial hole 13. Therefore, a socket (not shown) can be easily removed from or mounted to the end of the connector 1. The controller 2 has to be rotated in reverse direction till the bead 16 is engaged with another positioning hole 21 and the concavity 31 is rotated to push the ball 41 upward by the shallow portion. The ball 41 extends out from the second radial hole 13 and securely position the socket mounted to the end of the connector 1. Furthermore, there are too many parts involved in the conventional connector and controller, and a lot of machining steps are required to manufacture the conventional connector and controller.
The present invention intends to provide a controller that is automatically rotated when the user releases the controller and the automatic-return function reduces steps to operate the controller.

Control device for connector for securing socket thereon


There is provided a multi-stage CMOS power amplifier including: a driver amplifier having differential output terminals, inverting differential signals input through first and second input terminals and outputting the respective inverted signals through the differential output terminals; a transformer for power matching having a primary coil connected between the differential output terminals of the driver amplifier and a secondary coil coupled with the primary coil using electromagnetic induction, having a predetermined turns ratio to the primary coil, and connected to a direct current (DC) tuning voltage terminal; and a power amplifier power-amplifying differential signals passing through one end and the other end of the secondary coil of the transformer and outputting the respective power-amplified differential signals through first and second output terminals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-stage complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) power amplifier applicable to a mobile communications system such as a mobile phone, and more particularly, to a multi-stage CMOS power amplifier having enhanced power efficiency by improving power matching among plural amplifiers included in the multi-stage CMOS power amplifier.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in order to extend continuous call time in a mobile phone, the efficiency of a power amplifier that amplifies microwaves sent to a base station is very important. In this regard, a multi-stage power amplifier in which plural power amplifiers are connected in a cascade may be used.
Also, when a power amplifier for a mobile phone is designed by using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process widely used in a specific GaAs semiconductor production process, it can be mass produced. Accordingly, there are the advantages of reduced production costs and multi functionality.
A conventional multi-stage CMOS power amplifier, as mentioned above, may be configured in such a manner that plural power amplifiers are connected in a cascade.
More specifically, the conventional multi-stage CMOS power amplifier may include a driver amplifier and a power amplifier, for example, each of which has a differential configuration such that each amplifies signals having different phases.
Each of the amplifiers included in the power amplifier having a differential configuration may include at least one metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor in order to amplify an input alternating voltage.
In such a conventional multi-stage CMOS power amplifier, however, since the MOS transistor included in the power amplifier performs turn-on and turn-off operations on the basis of an alternating voltage of 0.4V, when the input alternating voltage is above 0.8V, voltage waveform is distorted. Accordingly, the amplifying rate is reduced, and thus power efficiency is degraded.


A device includes an elevating work platform affixed to a drive unit that can move in any direction and rotate in place.

Ladders are a known safety risk, as even with proper placement is it possible to slip and fall from a ladder. Similar issues are encountered with scaffolding. Again, even if the scaffolding is safely constructed and properly installed, entry and egress present opportunities for falls and injuries. The user must generally ascend by climbing to the work surface serviced by the scaffolding. Ladders, scaffolds, and the accompanying tooling present trip and fall hazards to workers who may not even be utilizing the ladder or scaffold.
Ladders alone are believed to result in over 90,000 emergency room treatment visits annually in the United States. Over 20,000 non-fatal injuries and over 150 fatalities occur annually on jobsites.
Existing personal lift devices can elevate and lower a user such that it is not necessary to scale any significant height by climbing. However, these are generally large devices with complex controls related to both driving the device into position and then elevating it to a working location. The footprint of such existing lift devices is much larger than a person and difficulty can arise in safely maneuvering such a device, particularly since visibility may be limited by the size of the device and the location of the controls. Smaller lifts also exist but these must be manually moved into position similar to a ladder.
What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above, and related, issues.


A rechargeable battery including a case in which an electrode assembly is accommodated; a cap plate coupled with the case; a protection circuit board coupled with the cap plate, the protection circuit board being electrically connected with a first electrode of the electrode assembly; and a protection element coupled with the cap plate, the protection element electrically coupling a second electrode of the electrode assembly with the protection circuit board.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a rechargeable battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
A rechargeable battery may be repeatedly charged and discharged, unlike a primary battery that is incapable of being recharged. A rechargeable battery of a low capacity may be used for a small portable electronic device, e.g., a mobile phone, a laptop computer, and a camcorder. A large capacity battery may be used as a power source for, e.g., driving a motor of a hybrid vehicle, etc.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


A load control mechanism for use with a pull type tool (also called a riveter), wherein the mechanism includes a telescopic housing and a compressible element, such as a polyurethane compression spring, which works to limit the ultimate load which is applied by the pull type tool during operation, such as during removal of a rivetless nut plate from a hole in parent material. Also provided is a method of removing a rivetless nut plate by using a pulling head which includes a shock absorber and load limiting device, a resetion cup and a mandrel. The load control mechanism provides that a riveter can be used to safely remove a rivetless nut plate without causing damage or undue wear on components of the tool. This load control mechanism also absorbs operating shocks, protecting expensive work parts (ex: aircraft structure) and the operator during operation, resulting in a safe and ergonomic operation.

The present invention generally relates to pull type tools, and more specifically relates to a load control mechanism for pull type tools, such as a pull type tool for removing a rivetless nut plate.
Fasteners used in association with fluid tanks, such as fuel tanks or water tanks, for aircraft or the like present a problem in preventing leakage through the openings for the fasteners. Fasteners used in such installations may include a nut plate and a nut which are part of an assembly. There are many different design configurations of nut plates being used today. Two major classes are riveted nut plates and rivetless nut plates.
In riveted nut plates, two rivets are employed for attaching the body of the nut plate to the workpiece. To eliminate the potential for leakage, sealant is used between the structure and the nut plate.
With regard to rivetless nut plates, some designs provide that a sleeve is flared against a workpiece. One example of this type of rivetless nut plate is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,518, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The '518 patent illustrates the insertion of a sleeve inside a workpiece against heavy interference forces and then deformation of the sleeve to produce flaring of the end of the sleeve. The sleeve has a serration/lobe configuration thereon with the serration/lobe configuration being long and tapered such that the serrations/lobes extend into the walls of the workpiece. The tapered feature, length and specific geometry are necessary to make installation possible with the method of installation which was chosen for its application. The main object of the '518 patent with its tapered and extended serration/lobe configuration was to enhance the fatigue life of the workpiece by distributing the load throughout the workpiece and providing expansion due to the insertion of the sleeve into the workpiece, and to cold work the material adjacent the perimeter of the workpiece aperture.
Other nut plate designs do not rely on flaring of the sleeve. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,096,349, 5,245,743, 5,405,228 and pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/272,721 (filed Oct. 17, 2002) and Ser. No. 10/929,701 (filed Aug. 30, 2004) disclose rivetless nut plate designs which do not rely on flaring of the sleeve, and these five items are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While some rivetless nut plate designs rely on adhesive for attaching the nut plate to the structure, the designs disclosed in the five items cited above rely on heavily cold-worked holes and high interference engagement utilizing a hardened pin as the installation tool to expand a sleeve element into engagement with a workpiece structure. Because of high level expansion, the friction forces created are intended to retain the nut plate and provide expected mechanical properties.
Once installed, most rivetless nut plates are removed by drilling out the flared sleeve portion, or by drilling out the rivets while holding the nut plate. Drilling out the rivets and the sleeve from the holes requires a special skill. The procedure, aside from being cumbersome and time consuming, leaves behind contaminating metal chips. Additionally, it often enlarges the hole size requiring an oversized nut plate for replacement. Safety considerations, for drilling out the old nut plate, are required to prevent damage to surrounding structure and the operator.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/218,076 discloses a plurality of tools which can be used to remove rivetless nut plates. Some of the designs disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/218,076 provide that a pull type power tool, such as a riveter, can be used to remove a rivetless nut plate. However, the actual working load necessary to complete the removal operation is much lower than the load provided by the riveter. Unfortunately, there is typically no way to control and limit the load that is applied.
Riveters are typically used to install break-stem fasteners. In such case, the load which is ultimately applied by the riveter during operation is effectively limited by the breakage of the stem at a certain load, thereby preventing the tool from overload. However, in applications where a riveter is not being used to install a break-stem fastener, such as where the riveter is being used to remove a rivetless nut plate, there is no such inherent load control feature, and there exists a critical need to control the working load in order to provide means for safe operation and prevent tool breakage.
While riveters are available in different power ratings, the load provided by the available selection of riveters is too high to be used to remove rivetless nut plates. The high load leads to overloading of the parent material (i.e., the workpiece in which the rivetless nut plate is installed), or certain tool components. It is disadvantageous to overload the tool during operation, as overloading will cause critical failure of the tool.

Load control mechanism for pull type tools


A component of a microprocessor-based data processing system, which includes features for regulating power consumption in snoopable components and has gating off memory coherency properties, is determined to be in a relatively inactive state and is transitioned to a non-snoopable low power mode. Then, when a snoop request occurs, a retry protocol is sent in response to the snoop request. In conjunction with the retry protocol, a signal is sent to bring the component into snoopable mode. When the retry snoop is requested, the component is in full power mode and can properly respond to the snoop request. After the snoop request has been satisfied, the component again enters into a low power mode. Therefore, the component is able to enter into a low power mode in between snoops

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of microprocessor-based data processing systems and, more particularly, to regulating power consumption in snoopable components.
2. Description of the Related Art
Advances in semiconductor processing technology have made it possible to compact the feature sizes of integrated circuits to allow more transistors to be fabricated on a single semiconductor substrate. For example, the most sophisticated microprocessors being manufactured today typically comprise a single integrated circuit made up of several million transistors. Although these astounding technological advances have made it possible to dramatically increase the performance and data handling capabilities of modern data processing systems, these advances have come at the cost of increased power consumption. Increased power consumption, of course, means that there is more heat that must be dissipated from the integrated circuits.
Because excessive power consumption and heat dissipation are now a critical problem facing computer designers, various power-saving techniques have evolved for minimizing power supply and current levels within computer systems. Many of these techniques adopt the strategy of powering down the microprocessor when not in use to conserve power. This approach, however, is not without drawbacks.
Some power management modes targeting snoopable components require components to flush their snoopable contents before entering a non-snoopable low power mode. Depending on the cache size, flushing all cache contents could take tens of thousands of cycles, and often can limit the application of power management modes. Also, some components are prevented from entering into a low power mode, because the component still needs to respond to snoops. However, power is wasted if the time between snoops is relatively long.
Therefore, a method and apparatus is needed for an opportunistic system able to enter into a low power mode during periods between snoops.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for managing the power consumption of a data processing system

International Business Machines Corporation


A three-view foldable calendar (10) consisting of a single integrated structure (12) that includes three sections: an upper section (14), a center section (16) and a lower section (18). When the calendar (10) is to be stored or mailed, the upper section (14) and the lower section (18) are folded over the center section (16) to allow a small compact structure to be formed. The upper section (14) has adjacent an upper edge (24) a centered hanging hole (36) into which is inserted a pin that secures the calendar (10) to a wall. When the calendar (10) is placed in a viewing configuration it is hung on the wall which allows three consecutive calendars months to be displayed for comparative viewing.

The use of prior art calendars can be traced from the Julian calendar which was in use around 40 B.C. to the Gregorian calendar that was adopted in the U.S. in 1752 and is now in common use throughout the world. Most of the prior art calendars are designed to display one month at a time. In less common use are calendars that display two or three calendar months. The prior art calendars that display three consecutive months are generally difficult to fold into a package that will not crease the display surface of the calendar. Also, they are typically not dimensioned to be folded into a compact package that is easily mailed.
The instant triple-view foldable calendar solves the creasing and folding problems prevalent in the prior art by having three equally dimensioned, articulated sections: an upper section, a center section and a lower section. The upper and lower sections fold inward into the center section to form a compact, flat package that will not crease the monthly display and that is suitable for mailing. The three articulated sections are easily extended to allow three consecutive months to be viewed.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention.


A corrective service facility (CSF) includes improvements which allow a user to service products installed in a data processing system. CSF provides a text interface and a graphical user interface, the latter allowing a user to more readily control what products and files to update. Servicing is done by delta fixes, product feature servicing, and product specific servicing. The CSF can also be used from a local area network.

In support of the use of IBM OS/2 products on different models of personal computers such as the IBM PS/2 personal computers, IBM has provided a CSF for use by users to update the OS/2 products and correct bugs or errors therein. (IBM, OS/2, and PS/2 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation). After a new version of a product has been delivered to users, some users might find bugs or errors therein. A user can then prepare an authorized program analysis report (APAR) to start a problem determination process leading to creating a "fix" for overcoming a problem. Fixes that are created after a given release or version of a product typically are included in the next release or version of the product and are available between releases on corrective service diskettes. A service diskette contains the CSF and a booting program that allows the CSF to be booted up from the service diskette. A user can then install the fixes by running the CSF to replace product files as appropriate with corrected files containing the fixes. While the old CSF has been satisfactory, a new CSF, which is the subject of this invention, has been created which not only improves upon several aspects of the old CSF but also is easier to use and includes several new functions not present in the old CSF. Such new functions will now be generally described relative to their improvement upon the old CSF. Hereinafter, the old CSF will be referred to as the "old CSF" and the new CSF will be referred to simply as the "CSF".


A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) service system includes a SIP-enabled soft switch at a telephony service provider, executing code from a coupled machine-readable medium, routing SIP transactions to remote destinations, a media server coupled to the SIP-enabled soft switch storing media including ring tones and music-on-hold for use in progressing transactions, and an interface to a wide-area-network (WAN) for transmitting transactions and media. The SIP-enabled soft switch determines for each transaction from stored data whether media services are to be provided or not provided for that destination, and in the event media services are not to be provided, alters packet data to indicate media services to be provided by a server local to the destination.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of telephony such as digital network telephony (DNT) and Internet Protocol network telephony (IPNT), and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for serving local media into active telephony sessions.
2. Discussion of the State of the Art
In the art of telephony, the Internet has become an important network for carrying digital network telephony services. For enterprise telephony users, it has become popular to subscribe to hosted telephony services that will provide all of the communications services and capabilities to the subscribing enterprise while maintaining the telephony equipment and software in the network alleviating the responsibility of the enterprise to host or maintain expensive equipment and software.
More recently Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become a very popular method of voice communications. Carriers provide private branch exchange (PBX) services including VoIP where session initiation protocol (SIP) is used to create and teardown telephony sessions. In this regard, media services that define telephony state events like music on hold (MOH), ring tone, etc. are provided over realtime transport protocol (RTP). That entire media comes into the enterprise over a shared bandwidth connection such as a public section of the Internet. One problem with a lot of media such as MOH is that it uses shared bandwidth and represents a high cost to the subscribing enterprise.
Therefore, what is clearly needed in a hosted SIP PBX environment is a system and methods for localizing telephony media to the subscriber premise. A system such as this would lower the bandwidth requirements over the limited portion of the carrier network.

Proxy media service for digital telephony

GENESYS TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES, INC.


A vector for constitutively expressing a high level of a target protein, and more particularly a RepE mutant protein containing a deletion of 21 amino acids in the C-terminal region of a RepE protein and a vector for constitutively expressing a high level of a target protein, which comprises a gene encoding the mutant protein. The constitutive high-level expression vector can stably express a high level of a target protein. Also, the surface expression vector can express a target protein on the surface of recombinant microorganisms while constitutively expressing a high level of the target protein, and thus will be useful for construction of an antigen for vaccines.

Recently, in USA and Europe, studies have been conducted on the development of live vaccines using lactic acid bacteria, and on vehicles for delivering useful hormone drugs into the intestines, and on the establishment of efficient genetic resources therefor and the development of insertion vectors for lactic acid bacteria. Particularly, the utility of lactic acid bacteria as vaccine vehicles has been highly evaluated, because unmethylated CpG DNA, lipoteichoic acid, peptidoglycan and the like, which are contained in lactic acid bacteria in large amounts, are known to function as adjuvants. In addition, lactic acid bacteria have many advantages in that they can induce intestinal mucosal immunity, because they show resistance to bile acid and gastric acid to make it possible to deliver antigens to the intestines (Jos F. M. K. Seegers, Trends Biotechnol., 20:508, 2002).
However, in order for lactic acid bacteria to be used as vaccine vehicles, it is required to develop a technology of presenting antigen proteins for the production of disease-preventing antibodies to the inside or outside of bacterial cells so as to allow antigen-antibody reactions to occur smoothly. In fact, various study results, which indicate that lactic acid bacteria are suitable as vaccine vehicles, have been reported. Examples of these studies include the examination of the antibody-inducing capacity of lactic acid bacteria, in which the L1 protein of human papilloma virus (HPV) is expressed in inside (Karina, A. A. et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 72: 745, 2006), and the examination of the disease-treating effects of a lactic acid bacterial strain which secrets and expresses IL-2 (interleukin-2) (Lothar, S. et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 21:785, 2003). As described above, the development of various applications of lactic acid bacteria expressing target proteins, and scientific studies on the lactic acid bacteria, have been actively conducted, but there are problems in that the expression levels of the target proteins are insufficient and expression vectors are unstable in host cells.
Methods for producing foreign proteins in host cells include: a method of using a highly efficient promoter to increase the expression level of the protein; a cell surface display method of expressing a desired protein by attaching it onto the surface of host cells; and a method of increasing the copy number of an expression vector in host cells.
The cell surface display technology uses surface proteins of microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, as a surface anchoring motif, to express a foreign protein on the surface and is used in various applications, including production of recombinant live vaccines, construction and screening of peptide/antibody library, whole cell absorbents, whole cell bioconversion catalysts, and the like. The application scope of this technology is determined according to the kind of protein to be expressed on the cell surface. Therefore, it is considered that the cell surface display technology can be used in a very broad range of applications.
Previously, the present inventors conducted studies on the use of a poly-gamma-glutamic acid synthetase complex gene (pgsBCA), derived from Bacillus subtilis sp., as a novel surface anchoring motif, and as a result, developed a novel vector for effectively expressing a foreign protein on the surface of microorganisms and a method for expressing large amounts of a foreign protein on the surface of microorganisms, using the pgsBCA gene (Korean Patent Registration No. 469800).
In a method of using a highly efficient promoter, Known promoters for producing foreign proteins in lactic acid bacteria include constitutive expression promoters derived from the genome of Streptococcus thermophilus A504, Lactococcus lactis MG1614 or Lactococcus cremoris Wg2 (Philippe, S. et al., Appl. Envion. Microbial., 57:1333, 1991, Teija, K. et al., Appl. Envion. Microbial., 57:333, 1991, J. M. van der Vossen et al., Appl. Envion. Microbial., 53: 2452, 1987). Previously, the present inventors developed a constitutively high-expression vector containing an aldolase promoter derived from Lactobacillus casei (Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2008-0086161).
Also, studies on a method for increasing the copy number of an expression vector in a host cell have been conducted (Tomio, M. et al, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 28:170, 1988). In addition, studies on a method of changing the copy number of a plasmid in a cell using the RepE involved in the replication of the protein have also been conducted (Yashuo, K. et al., J. Bacteriology, 173:1064, 1991).
The RepE protein that is the replication initiator protein of the mini-F plasmid plays an important role in initiating replication from the origin, has a molecular weight of 29 kDa and binds to the 19-bp repeat sequence of ori2 (Maki, S. et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 194:337, 1984; Tolun, A. et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 186:372, 1982). Also, it has been reported that the RepE protein is involved in regulation of the copy number of the plasmid, and the frequency of initiation of replication in ori2 is determined by the concentration of the RepE protein in cell, whereby determining the copy number of the plasmid is determined (Tokino, T. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:4109, 1986).
Thus, efforts have been made to the copy number and stability of the plasmid by regulating the RepE protein. Also, there have been studies that the copy number of the plasmid was increased by point mutation of RepE (Kawasaki, Y. et el., J. Bacteriology, 173:1064, 1991), as well as studies that a RepE mutant protein resulting from a frame shift of the C-terminal region of the RepE protein acts as a repressor of transcription of a target protein (Matsunaga, F. et al., J. Bacteriology, 177:1994, 1995).
Accordingly, the present inventors have made extensive efforts to an expression vector, which is stable in transformed recombinant microorganisms and expresses a highly level of a target protein in the recombinant microorganisms, and as a result, have found that an expression vector, which contains a gene encoding a RepE protein containing a deletion of 21 amino acids in the C-terminal region of the RepE protein, stably expresses a high level of a target protein, thereby completing the present invention.

Vector for constitutive high-level expression containing REPe mutant gene

Kookmin University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation


A compound represented by formula (I) and the pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof are disclosed,

Nerve inflammatory disease mainly refers to the course triggered by neurospongium abnormality (microglial cell and astrocyte cell) or chronical activation. This kind of neurospongium with over-activating status causes high level falmmory and oxidative stress response molecules, resulting in injury or death of nerve cells. Injury or death of nerve cells may also induce activation of neurospongium, and boost locally harmful cycle propagation of nerve inflammation. Prior art has proven that nerve inflammatory response can be effectively restrained by suppression of neurospongium, especially microglia. Nerve inflammatory disease includes Senile Dementia (Alzheimer's disease), Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autoimmune disease, Prion disease apoplexy, traumatic brain injury, spinal muscular atrophy, disseminated sclerosis, epilepsia, neuropathic pain, etc.
Senile Dementia is also named Alzheimer's disease (AD), the morbidity of which is No. 1 among all kinds of neurodegenerative diseases; AD is a central nervous system degenerative disease mainly causes progressive cognitive impairment and memory ability damage. The clinical manifestation of the disease is dysfunction of recent memory, following by persistent intelligence impairment, judgment and reasoning ability lose, aphasia, and dyskinesia etc. The pathological characteristics are a lot of senile plaques (SPs) and neurofibrilary tangles (NFTs).
Piperazine compounds have the function of selective inhibition of glial activation pathway (referring to WO03/018563). Chinese patent CN101754762 discloses piperazine compounds for treating nerve inflammatory diseases. Wenhui Hu et al. discloses minozac and a compound represented by formula (II) (referring to Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 17 (2007)414-418) having the activity against Senile Dementia.

Abstract: wherein, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and Ar are defined as those in the specification.

Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences


A drive circuit for a vehicle occupant safety apparatus includes a device for activating the vehicle occupant safety apparatus. A first transistor is connected in series with the device. A constant-current circuit receives electric energy from a power supply, and feeds a constant current to the device when the first transistor falls into its on state. The constant-current circuit includes a second transistor connected in series with the device. The second transistor includes an N-channel field-effect transistor. A third transistor is connected to the second transistor. The second and third transistors form a current mirror circuit. The third transistor includes an N-channel field-effect transistor. A voltage between a gate and a source of the third transistor is regulated at a constant level. Gate voltages of the second and third transistors are controlled in response to source voltages of the second and third transistors to equalize the source voltages of the second and third transistors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a drive circuit for a vehicle occupant safety apparatus such as an air-bag apparatus or a vehicle safety-belt pretensioner (tightner). Also, this invention relates to a constant-current control circuit usable in various circuits such as a drive circuit for a vehicle occupant safety apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known vehicle air-bag system includes air bags and squibs for activating the air bags respectively. The squibs are connected to an electric power supply via resistors respectively. An energy storage backup capacitor is connected in parallel to the electric power supply. The squibs are arranged in parallel to each other. When one of the squibs falls into a short-circuited state, the arrangement of the resistors connected to the squibs enables the other squibs to receive necessary drive currents from the electric power supply and the backup capacitor. However, the resistors consume certain amounts of electric power, requiring greater power feeding capabilities of the electric power supply or the backup capacitor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,254 corresponding to Japanese published unexamined patent application 4-2544 discloses a vehicle air-bag apparatus in which squibs are connected via respective constant-current circuits to a vehicle battery and a backup capacitor. The constant-current circuits serve to regulate drive currents (firing currents) to the squibs at constant levels, respectively. Each of the constant-current circuits has a current sensing resistor for generating a voltage thereacross which is proportional to a current flowing through a related squib. The current sensing resistor is disposed in a current flow path to the related squib. Therefore, the current sensing resistor consumes a portion of electric power fed toward the related squib.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,547 corresponding to Japanese published unexamined patent application 4-500641 discloses an air-bag system for protecting the occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision. The air-bag system has a plurality of firing circuits comprising air-bag igniters in series with respective power transistors which can be triggered in the event of an accident to inflate a corresponding plurality of air bags. A single energy storage capacitor is connected to all of the firing circuits for supplying energy to activate the air-bag igniters in the event that there is a loss of a battery voltage when the system has been actuated. A comparator monitors the voltage drops across respective resistors (current sensing resistors) in series with the power transistors, and reduces the currents through these transistors in the event that excessive currents are detected. Steps are taken to ensure that the period of activation of the current supply to the air-bag igniters is limited. Each of the current sensing resistors is disposed in a current flow path to the related air-bag igniter. Therefore, the current sensing resistor consumes a portion of electric power fed toward the related air-bag igniter.

Drive circuit for vehicle occupant safety apparatus


A method includes executing an encoder machine learning model on multiple token values contained in a document to create an encoder hidden state vector. A decoder machine learning model executing on the encoder hidden state vector generates raw text comprising an entity value and an entity label for each of multiple entities. The method further includes generating a structural representation of the entities directly from the raw text and outputting the structural representation of the entities of the document.

Automatic data extraction is complex because computers do not "read" documents in a similar manner to humans. Namely, computers, which operate on binary encodings, cannot simply look at a document and gather the pertinent information. When an optical character recognition (OCR) engine receives the document as an image, the engine recognizes the text of the document and extracts tokens. At this point, however, these tokens are merely discrete groupings of characters and are not associated with any entity or even type of entity. The discrete groups of tokens may each be assigned a token label. Then, groups of tokens may be combined to create an entity with an entity label. A challenge exists in minimizing the execution time while maintaining or improving the accuracy level of data extraction.

Entity extraction with encoder decoder machine learning model


A steering component is included in an ion implantation system to direct or “steer” an ion beam to a scan vertex of a scanning component downstream of the steering component. In this manner, the scan vertex of the scanning component coincides with the focal point of a parallelizing component downstream of the scanning component. This allows the beam to emerge from the parallelizing component at an expected angle so that ions can be implanted in a desired manner into a workpiece located downstream of the parallelizing component.

Ion implantation systems are mechanisms utilized to dope semiconductor substrates with impurities in integrated circuit manufacturing. In such systems, a dopant material is ionized and an ion beam is generated there-from. The ion beam is directed at the surface of a semiconductor wafer or workpiece to implant ions into the wafer. The ions of the beam penetrate the surface of the wafer and form regions of desired conductivity therein, such as in transistor fabrication, for example. A typical ion implanter includes an ion source for generating the ion beam, a beamline assembly including a mass analysis apparatus for directing and/or filtering (e.g., mass resolving) ions within the beam, and a target chamber containing one or more wafers or workpieces to be treated.
Ion implanters are advantageous because they allow for precision with regard to both quantity and placement of dopants within workpieces. In particular, ion implanters allow the dose and energy of implanted ions to be varied for given applications. The ion dose controls the concentration of implanted ions, where high current implanters are typically used for high dose implants, while medium current implanters are used for lower dose applications. Ion energy is used to control junction depth in semiconductor devices, for example, where the energy determines the depth to which ions are implanted within a workpiece.
It can be appreciated that given the trend in the electronics industry to scale down electronic devices to produce smaller, yet more powerful devices (e.g., cell phones, digital cameras, etc.), that the semiconductors and integrated circuits (e.g., transistors, etc.) utilized in these devices are continually being reduced in size. The ability to "pack" more of these devices onto a single semiconductor substrate, or portion thereof (known as a die) also improves fabrication efficiency and yield. It can be appreciated that controlling ion implantations plays an important role in successfully increasing packing densities. For example, there may be smaller margins for error with regard to the orientation (e.g., angle) of the ion beam relative to the mechanical surface and/or crystalline lattice structure of the workpiece. Accordingly, mechanisms and techniques that facilitate more control over ion implantations are desirable.


A circuit and a related method to measure efficiently a load current in an integrated circuit using a current mirror configuration has been achieved. The current mirror configuration comprises three branches, a biasing branch, a load branch, and a measurement branch. The biasing branch comprises a current source and two transistors, the load branch comprises a load and two transistors, and the measurement branch comprises a means of measurement and two transistors. The biasing branch is attached to the load branch in a cascode mirror configuration and the measurement branch is also attached to the load branch in a cascode mirror configuration. The current in the measurement branch is linearly correlated to the current in the load branch and provides therefore an efficient way to measure the load current without any distortion of the load current.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to current mirrors and relates more particularly to the measurement of the load current of current mirrors.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Current mirrors are the most widely use analog circuit. Most of the transistors in an analog integrated circuit are parts of current mirrors. A current mirror may be thought of as an adjustable current regulator, the current limit being easily set by a single resistance.
Current mirrors are used as current sources. An ideal current source has infinite output impedance. That is, the output current does not change, even for large swings in output voltage. This means that actual current mirrors have very high impedance.
A challenge to the designers of electronic circuits is to define a low-cost solution to measure a load current, especially in integrated circuits, without impacting the load current. Current mirrors can offer a solution to this task. This is especially important for diagnostic and safety circuits, especially for short circuit detection. There are various patents in regard of this area.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,885 (to Manheuve et al.) describes an apparatus and method for testing supply connections of an electronic device by using a current mirror configuration through using a particular connection of the branches of the current mirror to the supply line. Such connection results in unbalanced operation of the current mirror but depending whether the supply connection under test is proper or not, the unbalance is essentially different, resulting in a high sensitivity of the test device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,392,392 (to Nakahara) discloses an over-current detecting circuit (OCD Circuit) for comparing a voltage drop by an ON-state resistance of an output transistor with a reference voltage, to detect an over-current state of the output transistor. This OCD Circuit is provided with a first power source and an RVG Circuit, which outputs a first reference voltage on the basis of a voltage supplied from the first power source. The OCD Circuit is also provided with a constant-current source which generates a constant current having a second temperature characteristic on the basis of the first reference voltage, and a current mirror circuit which inputs the constant current. Moreover, the OCD Circuit is provided with a current-voltage converting circuit, which converts an output current from the current mirror circuit, to a voltage and outputs a reference voltage, which has a temperature characteristic in proportion to the second temperature characteristic. A first temperature characteristic of the output transistor is compensated by the temperature characteristic of the reference voltage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,516 (to Fujihira) describes an improved over-current-detection circuit for detecting over-current condition of a main current flowing through a semiconductor power device using a constant-current device to provide a proportionally enhanced potential difference representative of increases in such current. The proportionally enhanced potential difference increases the accuracy of measuring the current flowing between first and second main-current terminals of the semiconductor power device, thereby providing more accurate over-current detection, without requiring an increase in the accuracy of a voltage comparator. The power semiconductor device is coupled to a current-mirror element having a shunt-current terminal. The over-current-detection circuit incorporates a constant-current device connected between the second main-current terminal and the shunt-current terminal. The constant-current device maintains the shunt current at a substantially constant level, after the shunt current rises to a predetermined level. The over-current-detection circuit also incorporates determining means, which is coupled across the constant-current device and includes a voltage comparator. The voltage comparator provides an over-current-detection signal when the potential difference across the constant-current device exceeds a predetermined voltage. The over-current-detection signal is used to control the main current of the semiconductor power device. The invention provides an over-current-detection circuit with superior over-current-detection accuracy using conventional power-IC manufacturing technology.