A microbalance and method for measuring the total mass of small quantities of material (mass ranging from about 10 nanograms to about 0.1 gram) using Compton and Rayleigh scattered radiation provides excellent mass measurements for these samples. The apparatus includes a standard radiation generation and detection assembly, including a substantially evacuated chamber through which incident radiation travels, and commercially available radiation generators, power sources, and detectors, having enough spectral resolution to identify the scattered radiation of interest.

This invention is drawn to determining the total mass of very small samples. More particularly, the invention is drawn to absolute total mass determination using Compton and Rayleigh scattered radiation.
X-rays are electromagnetic radiation covering a range of wavelengths from a few hundredths to several tens of nanometers. X-rays are typically produced in sealed high vacuum tubes, where electrons generated from a hot cathode filament, for example, tungsten, are accelerated to a positive metal target anode causing the generation of x-rays. A typical spectral intensity distribution of x-rays emitted from an anode metal includes a series of characteristic lines and an accompanying broad band of radiation called the x-ray continuum or brehmsstrahlung caused by the deceleration of the electron beam in the anode.
As explained in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 2, pages 623-634, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1985, the origin of the characteristic lines are as follows. When the energy of an incident electron is greater than the binding energy of a core shell electron, there is a probability that an interaction between the two may occur such that the bound electron is ejected leaving the atom in an excited state. Electronic relaxation then occurs in which an electron from an outer shell fills the newly created vacancy. This process is accompanied by a release of energy in an amount corresponding to the difference between the initial and final states of the atom. The specific mechanism for the energy release for the purposes of this discussion is the emission of a characteristic x-ray photon. In the case of an initial K shell ionization filled by an L shell electron, the emitted x-ray is called a Ka photon.
One analytical use of x-rays is the determination of composition of samples. In an x-ray fluorescence experiment radiation from a standard x-ray tube is used to excite the atoms of a specimen causing fluorescence which is then analyzed by means of an x-ray spectrometer. As FIG. 1 illustrates, the instrument is composed basically of an evacuated chamber in which a sample 1 is held in a sample holder 2, and an x-ray tube 3 that provides a source of x-rays 4 therein. A collimator 5 operates to collimate the x-rays to produce incident x-ray 6 which impinges on sample 1. X-ray emissions 7 from the atoms of the sample are collimated by collimator 8 into a detector 9. Other components usually include a computing apparatus 10 for generating a spectrum and a power source 11 used to power x-ray tube 3.
Many things can happen to an x-ray as it enters the realm of an atom consisting of electrons and a nucleus. FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the interaction of an electron 12 with an incident x-ray 13 of wavelength .lambda. or energy E=hc/.lambda., where h is Planck's constant and c is the speed of light. If the energy of incident x-ray 13 is sufficient, it will impart to electron 12 orbiting the nucleus energy large enough to overcome the energy binding the electron to the nucleus. This interaction can occur as if the electron 12 were moving essentially as a free particle and the nucleus did not exist. Billiard ball scattering occurs between incident x-ray 13 and electron 12 in the atom, and this occurs as if the atom were not there. After the collision, the recoiling electron 12 takes up some of the energy of incident x-ray 13, and the scattered x-ray 14 of necessity must have less energy than incident x-ray 13 to account for that gained by the electron 12 as a result of the collision. Because of this loss of energy by the incident x-ray, the process is called "inelastic" scattering, a process discovered by A. H. Compton in 1923, and is also known, therefore, as Compton scattering. This process generally occurs with high energy x-rays with corresponding high energy electron recoil. In the reverse case, where the incident x-ray has low energy and/or very low energy is given to the electron as compared with its binding energy, the process tends to occur not with each electron by itself but with the atom as a whole. The recoil energy is then carried off by the mass of the whole atom rather than just one electron which is kicked out of the atom. This recoil energy is very small for reasonable energy incident x-rays, and the net result is that there is no apparent energy loss to the incident x-ray, i.e., the scattered x-ray has essentially the same energy. This is called "elastic" scattering because there is no apparent energy loss to the incident x-ray, or Rayleigh scattering after its discoverer. Thus, in Rayleigh scattering the interaction of the x-ray is apparently with the whole atom, not just with an electron. Compton and Rayleigh scattering are the two primary forms of scattering that effect x-rays passing through atoms of samples.
Formerly, scatter was regarded only as a nuisance in x-ray fluorescence experiments. Background in these experiments is mostly scattered primary radiation, and both Rayleigh and Compton scatter target lines complicate the emission spectrum obtained from samples and increase the possibility of spectral-line interference. However, scattered x-rays have more recently proved beneficial in many ways. Several analytical methods are based on x-ray scatter rather than emission, including methods for determining carbon in hydrocarbons. See E. P. Bertin, Principles and Practice of X-ray Spectrometric Analysis, Second Edition, Plenum Press, New York, 1975.
It is also known that the Compton scatter cross section (in sq cm/gm), also known as the mass scattering coefficient, will decline by approximately a factor of two from low atomic number (Z) elements (e.g., carbon, Z=6) to high atomic number elements (e.g., lead, Z=82), while the Rayleigh scattering cross-section increases with atomic number (z). However, the Compton scatter cross section is often assumed to be approximately constant at a given energy and scattering angle for the entire periodic table of elements (except hydrogen) in order to not unduly complete the analysis. See for example R. Tertian and F. claisse, Principles of Quantitative X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis, Heyden & Son LTD, London, 1982, pages 30-31.
This dependence of the Compton cross section or scattering probability upon the atomic number is often disregarded, or considered constant; although approximately true, it is not entirely accurate for two reasons. First, the mass scattering coefficient for Compton scattering decreases by as much as a factor of two from low atomic number elements to higher atomic number elements. This trend continues, and becomes greater, as higher atomic numbered elements are encountered. Accordingly, correction must be made for this atomic number dependence of the Compton scattering cross section as a function of the elemental composition of the sample being measured if an absolute measurement of the mass of the sample is to be determined.
Although the relative compositional analysis of samples using Compton scattering is known (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,935), no known device or attempt has been made to use Compton scattering to determine total absolute mass of samples. Previous methods of mass measurement of very low mass in a laboratory setting include hanging a sample attached to a plastic support from a quartz fiber. The rotation of the fiber is indicative of the mass of the sample. Unfortunately, the determination of mass by this method suffers from electrostatic effects on the plastic, and the sensitivity (lowest mass measurable) is only about 0.1 microgram. Also, these prior art microbalances can only tare out about 1 gram. If the sample plus sample holder weighs much more than this, for example, 2 grams, the scale will not be able to determine mass of samples in the microgram range. If the sample holder includes a thin film of plastic upon which the sample is placed, it is not possible to weigh the sample holder and film plus sample, wipe the sample off the film, then weigh the sample holder plus film and obtain a net weight for the sample, since the weight of the sample holder is much higher than the maximum tare weight. In practice, the thin film breaks upon wiping, so that this procedure is not only not possible but also not practical. If a thicker film is used to avoid this latter problem, accuracy is lost because one is then trying to measure mass on the order of micrograms on top of several hundred micrograms of plastic film. Further, the plastic, as mentioned previously, electrostatically charges, affecting accuracy.
Frequently in many scientific disciplines (e.g., geology, mineralogy) it is necessary to know the mass of very small samples (down to 10 nanograms) for normalization purposes, especially if the sample is fairly large in area compared to the area of relatively uniform flux density radiation incident upon the sample, or for calculating the absorption of low energy fluorescent radiation by the sample itself. It would be advantageous if a method and device could be designed which could measure the total mass of very small samples in the range of from about 10 milligrams to about 100 nanograms while avoiding the disadvantages of previous methods.

Advanced Analytical Products and Services


Clarifying communications includes receiving, using a processor, a first message from a sending device directed to a user device, determining, using the processor, a second message correlated with the first message, generating, using the processor, a co-reference from the second message, and providing, using the processor, the first message in association with the co-reference to the user device.

This disclosure relates to improving clarity of communications exchanged using a social networking system. A social networking system connects users in logical and organized ways. This connectivity facilitates the sharing and processing of information between the users of the social networking system. Often, however, users post brief messages that lack context or a point of reference. This brevity obscures the meaning of the messages and leads to ambiguity and/or confusion on the part of the recipients. Recipients can spend significant time attempting to infer context and/or intended meaning. In many cases, the original point of the message is lost or goes unacknowledged by the recipient.

Co-references for messages to avoid confusion in social networking systems

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A traffic exchange service may be configured to allow online content providers to exchange traffic via content recommendations from the service. The traffic exchange service may recommend content from one content provider in conjunction with content from another provider. The traffic exchange service may also operate to balance the amount of traffic to and from each content provider.

Online content may be received from various first-party or third-party sources. In general, first-party content refers to the primary online content requested or displayed by a user's device. For example, first-party content may be a webpage requested by the client or a stand-alone application (e.g., a video game, a chat program, etc.) running on the device. Third-party content, in contrast, refers to additional content that may be provided in conjunction with the first-party content. For example, third-party content may be a public service announcement or advertisement that appears in conjunction with a requested webpage (e.g., a search result webpage from a search engine, a webpage that includes an online article, a webpage of a social networking service, etc.) or within a stand-alone application (e.g., an advertisement within a game).


A magnetic head for writing information on a relatively-moving medium includes a first substantially flat soft magnetic pole layer and a second substantially flat pole layer with at least one coil layer between them. The pole layers are magnetically coupled in a core region and spaced by more than one micron from one other. A soft magnetic pedestal adjoins the first pole layer adjacent to a medium-facing surface of the head, and a first high magnetic saturation layer adjoins the pedestal. A second high magnetic saturation layer adjoins the second pole layer. The first high magnetic saturation layer has a first throat height and the second high magnetic saturation layer extends from the medium-facing surface only to a second throat height. The first and second throat heights are within about one and one-half microns from the medium-facing surface and are essentially equal.

The present invention relates to inductive magnetic transducers, which may for example be employed in information storage systems or measurement and testing systems.
Inductive heads used for writing and/or reading magnetic information on storage media such as a disk or tape typically include electrically conductive coil windings encircled by a magnetic core including first and second pole layers. Portions of the pole layers adjacent the media are termed pole tips. The magnetic core is interrupted by a submicron nonmagnetic gap disposed between the pole tips to divert magnetic flux to the media during writing. To write to the media electric current is flowed through the coil, which produces magnetic flux in the core encircling the coil windings, the magnetic flux fringing across the nonmagnetic gap adjacent to the media so as to write bits of magnetic field information in tracks on the media.
The first pole layer may also serve as a magnetic shield layer for a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor that has been formed prior to the pole layers, the combined MR and inductive transducers termed a merged or piggyback head. Typically the first pole layer is substantially flat and the second pole layer is curved, as a part of the second pole layer is formed over the coil windings and insulation disposed between the pole layers, while another part nearly adjoins the first pole layer adjacent the gap. The second pole layer may also diverge from a flat plane by curving to meet the first pole layer in a region distal to the media-facing surface, sometimes termed the back gap region, although typically a nonmagnetic gap in the core does not exist at this location.
The curvature of the second pole layer from planar affects the performance of the head. An important parameter of the head is the throat height, which is the distance from the media-facing surface to where the first and second pole layers begin to diverge and become separated by more than the submicron nonmagnetic gap. Because less magnetic flux crosses the gap as the pole layers are further separated, a short throat height is desirable in obtaining a fringing field for writing to the media that is a significant fraction of the total flux crossing the gap.
In addition to the second pole layer being curved from planar, one or both pole layers may also have a tapered width in the pole tip area, to funnel flux through the pole tips. A place where the second pole layer begins to widen is sometimes termed a nose or flare point. The distance to the flare point from the media-facing surface, sometimes called the nose length, also affects the magnitude of the magnetic field produced to write information on the recording medium, due to decay of the magnetic flux as it travels down the length of the narrow second pole tip. Thus, shortening the distance of the flare point from the media-facing surface would also increase the flux reaching the recording media.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned design parameters require a tradeoff in the fabrication of the second pole tip. The second pole tip should be narrow and well-defined in order to produce narrow and well-defined written tracks on the rotating disk, but the slope of the second pole layer at the end of the throat height makes photolithography difficult. The second pole layer can be formed in two pieces to better define the pole tip; a flat pole tip layer and a curved yoke layer that are connected or stitched together. This solution, however, can actually require the throat height to be extended in order to have a sufficient stitched area for flux transfer between the second pole tip and the yoke. High-resolution photolithography, such as I-line or deep ultra violet (DUV) photolithography, may be useful for reducing feature sizes but has a more limited depth of focus that may exacerbate the problem of focusing on the sloped pole layer adjacent the throat.
In addition, several methods are known to form self-aligned pole tips. In one method, an ion beam etch (IBE) or other highly anisotropic process removes a portion of the second pole layer not protected by a mask, thereby creating the second pole tip, with the etching continued to similarly remove a portion of the first pole tip not covered by the second pole tip. The width of the pole tip layers are therefore matched, and walls of the pole tips are aligned, but the problem of accurately defining the second pole tip by photolithography for a short throat height remains. Other proposals include forming an electrically conductive gap layer, so that the second pole tip can be electroplated atop the first. A second pole tip directly plated on a conductive gap layer may have increased eddy currents that counteract high-frequency operation, however, and so has not been widely employed.
High-frequency operation may also be counteracted by self-inductance of the coil that is used to drive the magnetic flux. The number of coil turns may be reduced to reduce the self-inductance, but this generally results in reduced electromotive force. Larger coil cross-sections may be employed, but at high frequencies a skin effect may arise that limits electric current to the surface of the coil cross-sections. Other coil configurations can be employed but typically involve manufacturing difficulties.

Inductive writer design using a soft magnetic pedestal having a high magnetic saturation layer


The present invention is a method and an apparatus for reward-based learning of management policies. In one embodiment, a method for reward-based learning includes receiving a set of one or more exemplars, where at least two of the exemplars comprise a (state, action) pair for a system, and at least one of the exemplars includes an immediate reward responsive to a (state, action) pair. A distance measure between pairs of exemplars is used to compute a Non-Linear Dimensionality Reduction (NLDR) mapping of (state, action) pairs into a lower-dimensional representation, thereby producing embedded exemplars, wherein one or more parameters of the NLDR are tuned to minimize a cross-validation Bellman error on a holdout set taken from the set of one or more exemplars. The mapping is then applied to the set of exemplars, and reward-based learning is applied to the embedded exemplars to obtain a learned management policy.

The present invention relates generally to the management or control of systems or plants, and relates more particularly to the autonomic development of management policies using reward-based learning.
In many application domains, such as distributed computing systems, the development of management policies typically entails the development of explicit models of system behavior (e.g., based on queuing theory or control theory) and interactions with external components or processes (e.g., users submitting jobs to the system). A common problem with such an approach is that devising the necessary models is often a knowledge- and labor-intensive, as well as time consuming, task. Hence, there is a great need for adaptive machine learning methods (e.g., reward-based learning methods) to automatically develop effective management policies, thereby avoiding extensive and time-consuming engineering of explicit domain knowledge.
However, a frequent and common limitation of such machine learning methods is that learning becomes progressively more difficult as the complexity of the managed system increases. For example, the complexity of learning may commonly increase exponentially with the total number of input dimensions (i.e., the number of input variables plus the number of control variables; this is sometimes referred to as the "Curse of Dimensionality").
Thus, there is a need for an improved method for reward-based learning that addresses the curse of dimensionality which limits existing methods.

Method and apparatus for improved reward-based learning using nonlinear dimensionality reduction

International Business Machines Corporation


A composite article includes a multilayer barrier assembly bonded to a substrate, and a top polymer layer bonded to the multilayer barrier assembly opposite the substrate. The multilayer barrier assembly comprises a base polymer layer and a base inorganic barrier layer. The base polymer layer comprises a polymerized reaction product of polymerizable components comprising at least one di(meth)acrylate represented by the formula: Formula (I) Each R1 independently represents H or methyl; each R2 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; x=0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and z=0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, with the provisos that at least one of x and z is not zero and 1≤x+z≤4. Methods of making the same are also disclosed.

Multilayer assemblies of polymers and oxides, such as aluminum oxide or silicon oxide, are deposited on flexible polymer films to make barrier films that are resistant to moisture permeation. These barrier films can be prepared by a variety of production methods, including liquid coating techniques such as solution coating, roll coating, dip coating, spray coating, spin coating; and coating techniques such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), sputtering and vacuum processes for thermal evaporation of liquid and/or solid materials. Examples of such barrier films and processes can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,446 (Shaw et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,895 (Shaw et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,751 (Shaw et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,713 (Padiyath et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,645 (Graff et al.). These barrier films have a number of applications in the display, lighting, and solar markets as flexible replacements for glass encapsulating materials.
Solar technologies such as organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs), perovskite solar cells, and thin film solar cells like copper indium gallium di-selenide (CIGS) require protection from water vapor and oxygen, and need to be durable (e.g., to ultra-violet (UV) light) in outdoor environments. Typically, glass has been used as an encapsulating material for such solar devices because glass is a very good barrier to water vapor, is optically transparent, and is stable to UV light. However, glass is heavy, brittle, difficult to make flexible, and difficult to handle.
U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2012/0003448 A1 (Weigel et al.) describes an assembly that includes a barrier layer interposed between a polymeric film substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

Composite article including a multilayer barrier assembly and methods of making the same


In a wiring substrate, formation of voids due to underfill filling failure is suppressed. A wiring substrate includes an insulating base layer, an insulating layer laminated on the base layer, and an electrically conductive connection terminal projecting from the insulating layer inside an opening. The insulating layer has a first surface with an opening, and a second surface located within the opening and being concave toward the base layer in relation to the first surface. The second surface extends from the first surface to the connection terminal inside the opening. On a cut surface which is a flat surface extending along a lamination direction in which the insulating layer is laminated on the base layer, an angle which is larger than 0° but smaller than 90° is formed between a normal line extending from an arbitrary point on the second surface toward the outside of the insulating layer and a parallel line extending from the arbitrary point toward the connection terminal in parallel to the first surface.

There has been known a wiring substrate on which a semiconductor chip can be mounted (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Such a wiring substrate has connection terminals connectable to a semiconductor chip.
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for preventing plating material from forming an electrical short circuit between connection terminals. According to the technique, an insulating layer having an opening for exposing a plurality of connection terminals is formed, insulation is formed between the connection terminals in the opening, and the connection terminals are plated. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique of thinning an insulating layer formed between connection terminals to a thickness equal to or smaller than the thickness of the connection terminals to thereby prevent solder from forming an electrical short circuit between the connection terminals.
When a semiconductor chip is mounted on a wiring substrate, the connection terminals of the wiring substrate are soldered to the semiconductor chip, and a liquid hardening resin called "underfill" is filled into a gap between the wiring substrate and the semiconductor chip around the connection terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Wiring board having an opening with an angled surface


A movable member 12 is attached to the frame 3 so as to move between a release position and a lock position. A first latch projection 14 is provided on the movable member. A lock arm 7 extends upwardly from the base beyond the first latch projection at the lock position. A second latch projection extends downwardly from the lock arm toward the base at a position between the first latch projection at the lock position and the end of the base by a distance (b) defined by a following inequality: EQU a<b<a+c. wherein (a) is a thickness of the movable member at the first latch projection and (c) is a maximum amount of deformation of the contact portion of the contact element made by the card pressed.

1. Filed of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a card having a surface contact point.
2. Description of the Related Art
To expand or specialize the functions of an electronic device, a card having a surface contact point for a special circuit is inserted into the electronic device.
For example, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card is inserted in a mobile telephone to specialize the telephone for the owner. Consequently, anyone having a SIM card can use the telephone set as his or her personal telephone.
By removing the cover of a mobile telephone set, access can be made to a SIM card socket connector so that it is easy to replace the SIM card. The connector comprises a base made of an insulative material, a plurality of contact elements supported by the base, and a frame rotatably supported by the base. A SIM card is inserted into the frame and the frame is closed onto the base such that the SIM card is brought into contact with the resilient contact elements. The frame is locked to the base. As Japanese patent application Kokai No. 502059/93 shows, the frame is moved along the base by a predetermined distance so that their flexible latch portions snap each other for making lock. Then, the cover is attached and the mobile telephone functions as a dedicated device for the SIM card owner.
However, the above latch portions of the frame and the base receive large forces for elastic deformation so that they wear after a period of use and fail to lock.

Electrical connector for card having surface contact point


A technique that relates to use of a known messaging sequence, e.g., ISANSWER messaging in the IS-41 protocol, in a heretofore unknown manner to improve hand-off procedures that may be established between a serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center and a target (or border) mobile switching center is provided. Specifically, the ISANSWER message is selectively sent from the serving mobile switching center to the target mobile switching center during the hand-off process. The transmission of the ISANSWER message in this manner allows the target mobile switching center to terminate ring back to a caller when the mobile station answers the call after the handoff has been started, but while the mobile station is still within a cell area of the serving mobile switching center.

This invention relates to an improved hand-off technique for a wireless network. More particularly, the invention relates to use of a known messaging sequence, e.g., ISANSWER messaging in the IS-41 protocol, in a heretofore unknown manner to improve hand-off procedures that may be established between a serving (anchor or intermediate) Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and a target (or border) mobile switching center. That is, the ISANSWER message is selectively sent from the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center to the target (or border) mobile switching center during the hand-off process that may be induced during call termination to a mobile station. The transmission of the ISANSWER message in this manner allows the target (or border) mobile switching center to end ring back to a caller and to actually connect the call when the mobile station answers the call while it was still within a cell area of the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center.
While the invention is particularly directed to the art of hand-off techniques, and will be thus described with specific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that the invention may have usefulness in other fields and applications.
By way of background, a variety of hand-off techniques are well known in the wireless industry. Many of these hand-off techniques are governed by the American National Standards Institute Standard 41 (ANSI41 or IS-41).
To illustrate one type of hand-off technique, referring to FIG. 1, a network 10 includes a first mobile switching center 12 and a corresponding cell site 14. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 are a second mobile switching center 16 and a second cell site 18. It should be appreciated that the first mobile switching center 12 may also be referred to as the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center and the second mobile switching center 16 may also be referred to as the target (or border) mobile switching center. This nomenclature is useful because, as illustrated, a mobile device 20 migrates from an area of cell site 14 corresponding to the mobile switching center 12 to an area of cell site 18 corresponding to the mobile switching center 16. The anchor MSC is the first to assign a traffic channel. In the examples, a simple scenario of a handoff from the serving MSC or anchor MSC is described. Nevertheless, note that the handoff, as well as the concept of using ISANSWER, may occur in other situations. For example, the handoff may also happen from an intermediary MSC (after handoff from anchor), still during a call termination. Also shown in FIG. 1 is another communication device 24 which, for purposes of this example, may take a variety of forms and is operative to establish a call between itself and the mobile device 20.
Using the example network of FIG. 1, a hand-off procedure embodied in a call flow 30 is illustrated in an example in FIG. 2. The call flow 30 begins with a hard hand-off request being transmitted from the cell site 14 to the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center 12 (at line 32). This occurs after a mobile device, such as the mobile device 20, migrates from an area corresponding to, for example, the cell site 14 (and the signal there becomes weak) to an area corresponding to, for example, the cell site 18.
The serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center 12 then sends an invoke message, e.g., a Facility Directive (FACDIR2) message, to the target (or border) mobile switching center 16 (at line 34). It should be understood that the functionality of providing ring back to a caller that may be calling the mobile device may be (and in many actual systems is) provided from the target (or border) mobile switching center after this message is received by this target (or border) MSC. So, from this point forward, ring back is provided by the target (or border) mobile switching center, not the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center.
The rationale for this transfer of ring back responsibility to the target (or border) mobile switching center is based on the fact that, when the mobile device is answered on the target (or border) MSC, the system can simply perform normal switching functions through, for example, a Digital Cellular Switch (DCS). The ring back function can then simply be discontinued. This discontinuation of ring back is immediate. Otherwise, if the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center were providing the ring back, there would be a delay between the actual answer on the target (or border) and the receipt and processing of the ISANSWER invoke message (conventionally only sent from the target (or border) mobile switching center to the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center). This delay could result in overlap of "talking" phase of the call and giving the ring back to the caller.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the target (or border) mobile switching center 16 then sends a (FACDIR2) return result to the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center 12 (at line 36). The mobile switching center 12 consequently sends a message to the mobile device 20 through cell site 14 to start the handoff process, like, if applicable, to retune to an appropriate frequency so that the hand-off can be successfully completed (at line 38).
During a successful hand-off, the cell site 18 will ultimately send a hand-off confirmation message to the target (or border) mobile switching center 16 (at line 40). Then, the mobile switching center 16 completes the hand-off procedure by sending a mobile-on-channel message to the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center 12 (at line 42).
If the mobile device 20 is called by another communication device (such as the communication device 24 in FIG. 1) during hand-off, and the mobile device 20 is answered while in the area of cell site 18, then the cell site 18 sends an answer message to the target (or border) mobile switching center (at line 44). The target (or border) mobile switching center 16 then sends an ISANSWER invoke message to the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center (at line 46) to indicate that the call has been answered. Of course, the target (or border) mobile switching center 14 also ends the ring back to the caller at this point in time and connects the call by connecting the traffic channel from (the mobile and) the target cell to the inter-vendor trunk between target and serving MSCs.
The network as illustratively shown in FIG. 1 does not, however, address the situation where the mobile device 20 is answered after FACDIR2 invoke is sent while still in the area of the cell site 14 during the hand-off procedure. At present, if this situation occurs, the ring back will continue to be provided by the target (or border) mobile switching center 16 and the caller using communication device 24 will continue to receive a ring back, as opposed to being connected to the mobile device 20. This is, of course, not a desirable situation.
In particular, during the handoff process from the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center to the target (or border) mobile switching center, there is a "time window" of interest. This time window begins when the FACDIR2 invoke message is sent from the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center to the target (or border) mobile switching center. The time window ends when the mobile device actually re-tunes from the cell site associated with the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center to the cell site associated with the target (or border) mobile switching center. The time window is of a significant, non-zero, length. During this time window, two IS-41 messages are typically received at the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center from the target (or border) mobile switching center. In this scenario, however, there is no message sent from the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center to the target (or border) mobile switching center after the FACDIR2 invoke message. Therefore, there is no mechanism that is able to direct the target (or border) mobile switching center to stop the ring back (and switch the call), if the mobile device answers within the area of the serving (anchor or intermediate) mobile switching center (i.e., within the area of cell site 14) during the "time window" specified above. Thus, the target (or border) mobile switching center will keep ringing back towards the caller, even after the called mobile device answers. Plus, the appropriate switching action on the target (or border) MSC connecting the mobile to the trunk between the target (or border) and the serving (anchor or intermediate) MSCs may not happen. This is clearly unacceptable, as this would interfere with the conversation that could otherwise start at this point.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved hand-off technique for a wireless network that resolves the above-referenced difficulties and others.

Hand-off technique for a wireless network


The invention concerns a method for producing three-dimensional objects (3) layer by layer using a powdery material (5) which can be solidified by irradiating it with a high-energy beam.

Equipment for producing a three-dimensional object layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified, or fused together, by irradiating it with a high-energy beam of electromagnetic radiation or electrons are known from e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,538, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,931 and SE524467. Such equipment include for instance a supply of powder, means for applying a layer of powder on a vertically adjustable platform or working area, and means for directing the beam over the working area. The powder sinters or melts and solidifies as the beam moves over the working area.
When melting or sintering a powder using a high-energy beam, it is important to avoid exceeding the vaporization temperature of the powder, since otherwise the powder will merely vaporise instead of forming the intended product. US2005/0186538 discloses a method focusing on this problem. In this method a laser beam repeatedly is directed to the same powder target area during the melting/sintering phase as to stepwise raise the powder temperature. This way, a too high powder temperature is avoided.
When using an electron beam instead of a laser beam, the situation is in some ways different. As the electron beam hits the powder, a charge distribution develops around the electron target area. Desirably, this charge will be led through a produced part of the article to be made and/or the powder bed towards ground. If the charge distribution density exceeds a critical limit, an electrical field having a field strength above a predetermined level will develop around the position where the beam is radiating. The electrical field having an electrical field strength above the predetermined level will be referred to as Emax. An electrical field will cause the powder particles to repel each other such that particles leave the uppermost surface layer of the particle and create a distribution of particles floating above the surface. The floating particles resemble a cloud positioned above the surface. When the electrical field has a field strength above Emax, the electrical field, i.e. the particle cloud, will influence the resolution of the device in a negative way. This is partly due to the fact that the particles in the particle cloud will diverge the electron beam. When the electrical field has a field strength below Emax, the electrical field, i.e. the particle cloud, will not influence the resolution of the device in a significant way. A field strength below Emax, is thus desirable.
Since the particles are charged they will seek a ground contact and thereby some may leave the cloud and will then contaminate different parts of the device being positioned inside the vacuum chamber. A result of such a critical electrical field is that the structure of the powder surface will be destroyed. Applying the method according to US2005/0186538 to a powder melting/sintering device equipped with an electron beam is likely to give a poor result since no measures are taken in that method to avoid a critical electrical having a field strength above said predetermined level to develop.
One solution to the problem of avoiding discharges is to add conductive material, such as carbon, to the powder as to increase the electrical conductivity of the powder. Disadvantages of this solution are, however, that the solidifying process of such a powder mixture may be difficult to control and that the properties of the formed product may be affected in a negative way. For instance, the mechanical strength may be decreased.

Method and device for producing three-dimensional objects


A method for synchronizing a first database with a second database in which the first database contains a plurality of database records. The first database is divided into a plurality of segments. Each of the segments contains at least one database record. The segments are transmitted sequentially from the first database to the second database until all segments have been transmitted to the second database.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the maintenance of multiple copies of a database. More specifically, synchronizing multiple copies of a database located on different servers.
2. Background
The use of databases in conjunction with various types of networks is increasing with the growth of networks and network technology. In many situations, it is desirable to manage databases in a distributed manner; i.e., multiple copies of a particular database are stored on different servers connected to a network. Distributed databases provide redundancy such that when a single server fails, the database is accessible through the remaining servers which contain identical copies of the database. Additionally, distributed databases function to distribute the load between multiple servers. Thus, instead of providing a single server to be accessed by all users seeking to retrieve information from the database, several different servers are provided. In this situation, each server supports a subset of users, thereby distributing the load among the various servers. As discussed above, if a single server fails, each remaining server can process a portion of the database requests destined for the failed server.
When a database is distributed such that multiple servers maintain redundant copies of the database, it is important to keep the various copies of the database identical. Maintaining the integrity of the databases includes updating and modifying each database to ensure that all copies of the database are identical. To accomplish this, the various servers must communicate with one another to control and exchange information regarding any modifications to the database. When the database copy on a particular server has been modified, the modified records must not be altered by other servers until all database copies have been updated. Distributed locking schemes are typically used to provide one server with exclusive access to some portion of the database, allowing it to modify a particular record in the database. This type of locking scheme "locks" the remaining servers out of the modified record until the modification is completed and all servers have been updated.
Initial database "synchronization" must be performed when a new server is added to a network or a server is initialized after a server failure or a loss of connection with the network. In these situations, the synchronization process may require copying the entire database from an existing server to the new un-initialized server.
A known technique for synchronizing databases halts all database modifications on all servers until the synchronization process is completed. This method ensures that database records will not be modified during the synchronization process. However, access to the database will be restricted during the synchronization process. If the database being synchronized is large, the delay associated with the synchronization may be unacceptably long. Using this synchronization technique, the delay associated with synchronization increases as the size of the database increases. Furthermore, if the database records are being modified frequently, a large number of transactions will be delayed during the synchronization process.
Another existing technique for synchronizing databases creates a complete copy of the database to be used during the synchronization process. This method permits the existing databases to be modified during the synchronization process, since a copy of the database has already been saved. Any modifications processed during the synchronization process must also be communicated to the new server before the new server can begin servicing database client requests. Although this method prevents database access for a shorter period of time (while a copy of the database is created), the cost associated with this method may be considerably greater than the previous method discussed above. The cost of creating a copy of the database is proportional to the size of the database. A small database will require a corresponding small amount of memory or disk storage area to temporarily store a copy of the database. A larger database will require a greater amount of memory or disk storage area to store the database copy. This dedicated memory or disk storage area increases the overall cost of the server. Additionally, if the size of the database exceeds the available memory or disk storage area, then a copy of the database cannot be created until the memory or disk storage of the server is increased. In this situation, database synchronization cannot be performed due to insufficient server resources. Therefore, it is possible for a database to "outgrow" the capabilities of the server on which the database resides when this synchronization technique is used.
In view of the problems associated with the above synchronization techniques, it is desirable to provide a synchronization system which minimizes both the time during which database access is halted and the cost associated with making copies of the database.

Method and apparatus for synchronizing multiple copies of a database


A ferrule connectable to a fiber optic cable having an exposed portion of a length of optical fiber extending from a protective buffer. The ferrule includes a cylindrical body including an optical fiber bore coaxial with the body which extends longitudinally from a proximal end of the body through a distal end portion thereof sized to slidably receive the optical fiber therethrough. The distal end portion is mechanically deformable to frictionally engage the optical fiber within the bore, the distal end being either conically shaped or including an outwardly extending ring resulting in the distal end being a substantially planar surface, whereby a projecting length of the optical fiber extending beyond the distal end may be cleaved in very close proximity to the distal end.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to fiber optic connectors and ferrules therefor and more particularly to an improved ferrule which minimizes subsequent end polishing required after the optical fiber has been mechanically secured within the ferrule.
2. Description of Related Art
Fiber optic cables are utilized for carrying various forms of signals in countless industrial installations, in equipment and in apparatus, and in consumer and commercial products of all types. Typically, each end of the optical fiber held within a deformable ferrule which is secured within a connector must be polished in a plane generally orthogonal to the length of the fiber optic cable for proper signal transmission to occur with a mating optical fiber element.
To accomplish the polishing of the end of the optical fiber, as well as to provide support structure to effect the mechanical engagement between fiber optic cable ends, the fiber optic connector such as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,406 invented by Rondeau and incorporated by reference includes a metallic or deformable ferrule or core 166 mechanically attached around the optical fiber 168 extending from the buffer 232. The ferrule 168 is secured within the surrounding connector 162 for additional stabilizing support of the ferrule 168. An additional metallic sleeve 230 is also provided to interconnect the distal portion of the buffer 232 and the proximal end of the ferrule 168 as best seen in FIG. 8 of the '406 patent.
Both the '406 patent and U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,271 invented by applicant herein, disclose apparatus and methodology to reduce the amount of projecting optical fiber which extends beyond the distal tip of the ferrule 168 and to minimize the amount of looseness or side clearance between the optical fiber and the distal end portion of the ferrule 168 after it has been mechanically crimped or swaged around the optical fiber to mechanically secure this relationship. Thereafter, a small amount of the projecting optical fiber and the distal end surface of the ferrule is typically polished substantially flat and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the ferrule so as to maximize the signal transmission between polished end surfaces of adjoining optical fiber connections. However, alternate polished distal tip ends such as radiused or tapered for specialized situations, are also used.
The current prior art is shown in FIGS. 1 to 11. Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 4, a number of metallic deformable ferrules which are used in conjunction with the method disclosed in the '406 patent are there shown generally at numerals 1, 1a, 1b and 1c. This type of ferrule has been utilized for a number of years in standard SMA, ST, SC, and FC connectors as well as in custom fiber optic connectors. These metallic ferrules are normally held at the rear or proximal end portion 9 and 9c to the body of a connector previously described in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the '406 patent. The connector itself forms no portion of the present invention and is being described for reference only.
Each of these ferrules 1, 1a and 1b include an elongated cylindrical body 3, 3a and 3b, respectively, each having a hollow cylindrical interior 10 open at a proximal end thereof to receive an end portion of the buffer or protective sheath around the optical fiber or optical fiber bundle. The exposed optical fiber is inserted through the proximal end 7 of the ferrule body and, with respect to the prior art ferrule embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, is passed through the cylindrical cavity 10 and is guided by tapered transitional region 11 into and through a longitudinal optical fiber bore 6 to extend longitudinally beyond the distal end 2.
With respect to the prior art embodiment 1c of FIG. 4, the optical fiber bore 6c extends longitudinally through almost the entire ferrule body 3c from the tapered transition 11a which also defines the proximal opening 7c of the proximal end portion 9c to the distal end 2c of the distal end portion 8c.
After the optical fiber 12 has been inserted through the optical fiber bore 6 as seen in FIG. 5 with the buffer 12a also inserted fully into the cylindrical interior 10, an impact forming or an impact swaging tool 13 having a truncated conical opening 16 defining a conical or tapered surface 14 and a longitudinal cylindrical bore 15 is brought together against the edge 5 of the distal end portion 8a, 8b or 8c of FIGS. 1 to 4, to mechanically deform the reduced diameter distal end portion 4 so as to mechanically crimp and frictionally engage the optical fiber 12 within the deformed bore 6′ in FIG. 6. Note in FIG. 5 that the distal end 2 is initially flat and orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal axis and bore 6 of the ferrule 50 itself.
In FIG. 6, the tool 13 has been forcibly urged against the outer distal corner 5 of the now deformed distal end portion 4′ so as to cause inward deformation of this region at 17 of the ferrule in compliance against the tapered surface 14. Several deformations occur during this impact swaging or impact forming operation, the first of which is that the outer corner 5 are severely deformed inwardly so as to at least partially collapse the bore 6′ in the region 18. The deformable material of the ferrule at deformed surface 17 causes tightening around the optical fiber 12 in the region 18 to reduce and eliminate any clearance which has been pre-established by the sizing between the diameter of the optical fiber 12 and that of the undeformed bore 6, now 6′ when deformed. Additionally, the previously flat distal end 2 has now taken a dish or crater configuration 19 with the distal end portion of the optical fiber 12 extending longitudinally therebeyond. Typically, the length of the optical fiber gripping region 18 is in the range of 0.2 mm, creating a frictional resistance to movement of the optical fiber 12 in the range of approximately 400 gms.
The depth of the concaved crater 19 as referenced in FIG. 7 is in the range of 0.1 mm and obviously will increase in proportion to the amount of force exerted by tool 13. The excess projection of the optical fiber 12 must be removed before the end polishing operation is commenced. To do this, typically the optical fiber 12 is cleaved at cutting line 20a in FIG. 7. However, the cleaving operation is typically only able to sever the optical fiber 12 in a range of approximately 0.05 mm at 20a from the edges of the crater 19. Thereafter, an end grinding and polishing operation must reduce the remaining exposed portion of the optical fiber 20a in FIG. 8. Manual cleaving or the use of a cleaving device such as that shown in the '271 patent may be utilized after the optical fiber 12 has been cleaved to establish distal end 2d. The projecting small portion of optical fiber 12, along with the crater 19 must be ground or sanded and polished down to the bottom of the crater at 21 to create preferably a substantially flat orthogonal surface as best seen in FIG. 11. During the grinding or sanding and polishing operation, a lateral force in the direction of the array of arrows shown in FIG. 10 is imposed along the gripping area 18 between the optical fiber 12 and the deformed bore 6′. As a result, the gripping force in gripping region 18 may be reduced by as much as 50% or more or even totally lost, rendering the ferrule unusable. Moreover, the overall length of this gripping region 18 may be reduced if excess material from the ferrule as well as the optical fiber 12 is removed inadvertently or carelessly during this polishing operation. The variables which affect the overall quality of this gripping force in this prior art arrangement are controlled by the impact of the swaging die process shown in FIG. 6, the reduced diameter of the deformable tip 4, and the angle of the conical surface 14 of the swaging tool 13.


A bi-directional ESD diode protects a circuit against electrostatic discharge (ESD). The bi-directional diode has a first device and a second device, each including a first region and a third region formed by doping a semiconductor substrate so that it has a P-type conductivity; and a second region and a fourth region formed by doping the semiconductor substrate so that it has an N-type conductivity. The first region of the first device and the fourth region of the second device are for connection to an anode terminal of the bi-directional diode. The fourth region of the first device and the first region of the second device are for connection a cathode terminal of the bi-directional diode. The anode terminal is for connection to a signal terminal of the circuit when the cathode terminal is connected to a positive power line of the circuit, and the cathode terminal is for connection to the signal terminal when the anode terminal is connected to a ground line or a negative power line of the circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a device used for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge (ESD), and more particularly, to an ESD diode having a reduced capacitance.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows conventional-circuit arrangement 100 which is protected against electrostatic discharge (ESD). The device being protected is a circuit 110, which may be formed on a semiconductor substrate of an integrated circuit or chip. The input 115 and output 120 of the circuit 110 are connected to input and output pads 125, 130, respectively, which in turn are connected to pins of the integrated circuit or chip.
Typically, the input 115 and output 120 of the circuit 110, are protected against an electrostatic discharge (ESD) using diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4 connected between the input/output pads 125, 130 and power lines. The power lines include a ground bus 135 and a power supply bus 140, which is connected to a voltage source for providing a positive voltage, referred to as Vcc.
As is well known in the art, each of the diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4 is formed by a P-N-junction, and may be integrated on the same chip or integrated circuit that includes the circuit 100 to be protected. For protection against positive ESD, the diodes D1, D2 have their anodes (P-side) connected to the input 115 and output 120 of the circuit 110. The cathodes (N-side) of the diodes D1, D2 are connected to the power supply bus 140 having the positive voltage Vcc. For protection against negative ESD, the diodes D3, D4 have their cathodes (N-side) connected to the input 115 and output 120 of the circuit 110. The anodes (P-side) of the diodes D3, D4 are connected to the ground bus 135. FIG. 1 shows the anode (P-side) of the diode D1 as numeral 145 and the cathode (N-side) as numeral 150. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the discussion of the diode D1 is for illustration purposes, and is equally applicable to all the diodes D1-D4.
As is well known in the art, each diode (e.g., diode D1) blocks current when reverse biased, which is when the cathode (N-side) 150 is made positive with respect to the anode (P-side) 145 until the cathode voltage is high enough to cause breakdown. In the reverse bias mode of operation, the current from the cathode 150 to the anode 145 is very low and is called leakage current.
When the anode 145 or P-side is made positive with respect to the cathode 150 or N-side, the mode of operation is referred to as forward bias. Further, the voltage across the diode D1 is referred to as the forward bias voltage, which is the voltage from the anode 145 to the cathode 150. If the forward bias voltage is increased across the diode D1, the current from the anode 145 to the cathode 150, referred to as the anode current, increases exponentially with the voltage as shown by the plot 410 shown in FIG. 4. For a typical silicon diode, the effect of this rise in current switches the diode D1 into an ON state at a threshold or TURN-ON voltage VT of approximately 0.7 volts. Above this TURN-ON voltage VT, i.e., in the ON state, the voltage increases gradually while the current increases significantly. Note that under high current conditions, e.g. during an ESD event, the voltage across the diode can rise to several volts, due to the internal resistance of the diode.
As shown in the plot 410 of FIG. 4, the diodes D1-D4 provide an open circuit in the reverse direction or block current flow from the cathode 150 to the anode 145. When the voltage on anode 145 is greater than the voltage on the cathode 150 by the TURN-ON voltage VT, the diode D1 turns on in the forward direction, and provides a relatively low resistance path for current flow from the anode 145 or P-side to the cathode 150 or N-side.
ESD events can occur with either polarity between any pair of pins on an integrated circuit. ESD protection must therefore be provided from each input/output pin to both the power supply bus 140 and the ground bus 135 and to all other input/output pins. In addition, ESD protection is required for both positive and negative polarities between the power supply bus 140 and the ground bus 135. For a positive ESD to the input/output pads, e.g., the input pad 125, with respect to the ground bus 135, the ESD current passes through diode D1 to the power supply bus 140. Next, this ESD current passes to the ground bus 135 though a clamp structure 155 which is located between the power supply bus 140 and the ground bus 135. For a negative ESD to the input pad 125 with respect to the ground bus, the ESD current passes through diode D3 to the ground bus 135.
For positive ESD to the input/output pads 125, 130 with respect to the power supply bus 140, the ESD current passes through diodes D1, D2 to the power supply bus 140. For a negative ESD to the input/output pads 125, 130 with respect to the power supply bus 140, which is the same as a positive ESD from the power supply bus 140 with respect to the input/output pads 125, 130, the ESD current passes through the clamp structure 155 and through the diodes D3, D4 to the pad.
For a positive ESD between input/output pads 125 and 130, the ESD current passes through diode D1 to the power supply bus 140, through the power supply clamp 155 to the ground bus 135 and through the diode D4. For a negative ESD between input/output pads 125 and 130, the ESD current passes through diode D2 to the power supply bus 140, through the power supply clamp 155 to the ground bus 135 and through the diode D3.
For positive ESD between the power supply bus 140 and the ground bus 135, the ESD current passes through the power supply clamp 155. For negative ESD between the power supply bus 140 and the ground bus 135, the ESD current passes through one or more of the series diode strings D1 and D3 or D2 and D4.
The conventional ESD protected circuit arrangement 100 provides an effective protection scheme for many situations. However, when reverse biased, each diode D1, D2, D3 and D4 provides a capacitive load on input/output signals which can significantly degrade the input and output signals and performance of the circuit 110, particularly at high frequencies. Thus, the major disadvantage of the conventional diode D1 occurs during normal (non-ESD) operation. In this case, the diodes D1, D2 connected between the input or output pins or pads 125, 135 and the power supply line 140, as well as the diodes D3, D4 connected between ground 135 and the pads 125, 135, are reverse biased where an analogue input signal is biased between the power supply and ground.
Each of the diodes D1-D4 has a capacitance that is associated with the diode P-N junction where the capacitance depends on the area and the doping configuration. Part of the high frequency input signal is diverted through the diodes to circuitry other than the intended path. Reducing the size or area of the diodes reduces the capacitance, but it also reduces the level of ESD protection, since the level of ESD protection depends on the current density in the diode.
Accordingly, there is a need to reduce capacitive loads connected to input/output lines while maintaining a desired level of ESD protection.
The object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device that significantly reduces the problems of conventional ESD protection devices.
The present invention accomplishes the above and other objects by providing an ESD protection device, referred to as a bi-directional ESD diode for example, which protects a circuit against electrostatic discharge and allows proper operation, particularly at high frequencies. The bi-directional ESD diode has first and second devices, referred to as ESD diodes, which are connected in an anti-parallel configuration. Each ESD diodes includes a first region and a third region formed from a semiconductor substrate having a p-type conductivity; and a second region and a fourth region formed from the semiconductor substrate having an N-type conductivity.
The first region of the first ESD diode and the fourth region of the second ESD diode are for connection to an anode terminal of the bi-directional diode. The fourth region of the first ESD diode and the first region of the second ESD diode are for connection a cathode terminal of the bi-directional diode. The anode terminal is for connection to a signal terminal of the circuit when the cathode terminal is connected to a positive power line of circuit, and the cathode terminal is for connection to the signal terminal when the anode terminal is connected to a ground line or a negative power line of the circuit.
In another embodiment, the two ESD diodes are merged to form the bi-directional ESD diode. The merged bi-directional ESD diode has four adjacent regions, where the first and third regions are P-type; and the second and fourth regions are N-type.
The first region includes a first portion having an N-type conductivity for connection to the anode, and the fourth region includes a second portion having a P-type conductivity for connection to the cathode. The second portion is formed from an extension of the third region toward the cathode terminal.
A first conductive layer is formed over the first region and the first portion, and a second conductive layer formed over the fourth region and the second portion. The first conductive layer is connected to the anode terminal and the second conductive layer is connected to the cathode terminal.


A noise component of a video signal is reduced by using a three dimensional discrete cosign transform (3-D DCT) to determine the time frequency spectrum of both the video signal and the noise component, subtracting the time frequency spectrum of the noise component from the time frequency spectrum of the video signal, and converting the time frequency spectrum of the modified video signal back to the spatial time domain by using an inverse 3-D DCT.

A video signal may represent a first series of images converted to electrical energy that also may be transmitted, compressed, decompressed and received by a device which then may use the video signal to generate a second series of images which is ideally substantially similar to the first series of images. During the process of generating the second series of images from the first series of images, (i.e., any combination of the transmitting, compressing, decompressing, receiving, and displaying) a noise component may be added to the video signal so that the signal includes an image component representing the series of images and a noise component. Depending on the magnitude of the noise component, the second series of images may contain noise components which are visible to the viewer of the second series of images.
As a consequence, video noise reduction systems have been developed to attempt to reduce the noise component of the video signal. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,481 to Spear et al., the invention is a noise reduction system which averages from 2 to 9 frames, or series of images, of the video signal to determine the noise content in the series of images. This system, however, only works on the portions of the series of images that are similar in color and brightness in each image. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,312 to Faroudja, the invention is a noise reduction system which uses recirculation for the portions of the series of images containing low level picture details and selectively cores the moving portions of the series of images. Coring consists of passing only those portions of a signal that have an absolute amplitude level which is greater than some threshold magnitude and zeroing components having magnitudes less than the threshold. Although this system may reduce the noise component of the series of images, the coring or recirculation process may add noticeable artifacts or spurious spatial frequency components to the series of images. Both coring and recirculation may also undesirably reduce the apparent resolution of the series of images.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,230 to Carlson et al., the invention is a noise reduction system which uses an octave spectrum analyzer to separate the video signal into subspectra signals. The system cores one or more of the subspectra signals and then generates a noise reduced video signal by recombining the subspectra signals. This system also may add noticeable artifacts or spurious spatial frequency components to the video signal caused by the coring process.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,258 to Ebihara et al., the invention is a noise reduction system which uses an orthogonal transform to transform the video signal into a number of transformed signal components. Then a process similar to coring is performed on some of the transformed signal components and the transformed signal components are transformed back to a video signal. This system may also add noticeable artifacts or spurious spatial frequency components to the video signal caused by the coring process on the transformed signal components.
These prior art noise reduction systems also reduce the amplitudes of some of the data samples which make up the image component while reducing the noise component of the video signal. The reduction of the amplitudes of some data samples which made up the image component in those systems distorts the series of images represented by the video signal, i.e., reduces the detail or AC energy of the video signal. The reduction, thus, in effect, adds a different type of noise component to the video signal, i.e., a noise component which changes the spatial frequency spectrum of the video signal.

Video noise reduction apparatus and method using three dimensional discrete cosine transforms and noise measurement

Matsushita Electric Corporation of America


A video game apparatus includes an external ROM. This external ROM has a sound memory area storing sound sequence data. The sound sequence data includes a plurality of block sequences for each of three status of xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cfightxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cstopxe2x80x9d of a player object. A CPU detects a status of the player object according to a mode flag, and read a block sequence to a RAM in compliance with the status detected. It is possible to output a series of game melodies in a manner matching the status of the player object by the repetition of using the plurality of block sequences.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to video game apparatuses. More particularly, the invention relates to a video game apparatus which displays on a display screen video images of game characters, such as a player object, enemy objects, background objects, etc. while simultaneously outputting a game melody through a speaker or earphone in a manner related to the change of an image, and a memory medium usable on such an apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For the video game apparatuses of this kind, there have been two conventional methods to output game melodies. One method is to output a series of game melodies continuously in a monotonous fashion, without being exactly related to the change of image. In the other method, a game melody having been played so far is halted upon the occurrence of a major event in order to start a new game melody that is quite different from the preceding one but well suited for that event.
In the former method, there is less of a relationship between the game image and the game melody. Such an insufficient relationship lessens the game""s feel of realism. In the latter method, when the change of game image is minor in degree, no change in the game music is provided. Only when a major change is caused in the game image, a new game melody different from the preceded one is abruptly outputted without consideration for musical continuity. Thus, a feeling that the music is mismatched with the game image is induced.
In order to eliminate the above drawbacks, preparing a great amount of melody data is required. Such data must be properly mixed and outputted as a game melody in a manner so that the user doesn""t become tired of the melody. However, the preparation of such a large amount of melody data naturally results in a new problem, i.e., the RAM requires an increased capacity of memory to read in data when outputting a game melody.
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel video game apparatus for outputting game images together with game music.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a video game apparatus which has a minimal amount of memory capacity but which is capable of outputting a game melody in a manner matched to the game image.
A video game apparatus according to the present invention displays on a display, according to a game program, game images including a player object and outputs a game melody in relation to the game images. The video game apparatus comprises: a memory medium for fixedly storing the game program, the memory medium storing a plurality of block sequences to constitute a game melody each of which consists of a plurality of measures, each of the plurality of block sequences having head and last measures having been set to provide a continuation of music between two arbitrary block sequences combined in continuation. The apparatus also comprises: a RAM; a selecting means for selecting at least one by one the plurality of block sequences; a read means for reading one or more selected block sequences to the RAM; and an output means for outputting a game melody based on the block sequences read in the RAM, the read means selecting a block sequence before ending a block sequence being outputted by the outputting means.
A memory medium according to the present invention to be attached, upon use, to a video game apparatus which displays on a display, according to a game program, game images including a player object and outputs a game melody in relation to the game images, comprises: a first memory area for storing a plurality of block sequences to constitute the game melody each of which consists of a plurality of measures, each of the block sequences having head and last measures having been set to provide a continuation of music for two block sequences combined in continuation; a second memory area for storing a select program for selecting at least one of the block sequences one by one; a third memory area for storing a read program to read in a RAM one or more of the selected block sequences; and a fourth memory area for storing an output program to outputs a game melody based on the block sequences read in the RAM, a block sequence being selected according to the select program before ending a block sequence being outputted by the output program.
For example, the selecting means selects, for example, one of a plurality of block sequences with a predetermined timing related to an action state of the player object. The selected block sequence is read from the memory medium to the RAM. The output means outputs a game melody depending upon the block sequence read in the RAM. Before the block sequence being played ends, the selecting means selects another block sequence. By repeating such an operation, a series of game melodies are outputted by connecting the block sequences to one another.
According to the present invention, where a plurality of block sequences are previously set within a memory medium to output a game melody, the block sequences may be properly selected and read into the RAMI. There is no necessity of reading a large amount of melody data onto the RAM when sounding a game melody. Accordingly, it is possible to output a game melody in a manner matched to game progression with a reduced RAMI memory capacity.
In a preferred embodiment, the video game apparatus further comprises a state detecting means for detecting an action state of the player object, wherein the plurality of block sequences includes two or more state-based block sequences for each different action state of the player object, the selecting means selecting one of the state-based block sequences belonging to an action state detected by the state detecting means.
The action state of the player object includes at least xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cstopxe2x80x9d, the state detecting means detecting the xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d state when the xe2x80x9cstopxe2x80x9d state does not remain for a predetermined time period and longer. Consequently, where, for example, the player object happens to stop during movement, a block sequence of xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d is played instead of a block sequence of xe2x80x9cstopxe2x80x9d.
The video game apparatus further comprises a state change detecting means for detecting a change in the action state of the player object, wherein each of the state-based block sequences includes an introduction sequence, and when a state change is detected by the state change detecting means, the selecting means selects an introduction sequence for the state-based sequence. That is, when a change of state occurs, a state-based introduction sequence belonging to a changed action state is played.
In the embodiment, however, the introduction sequence of xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d is played at a beginning of a game melody. Thereafter, when a xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d state is entered from a xe2x80x9cstopxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cfightxe2x80x9d state, a block sequence other than the xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d state is selected without again playing the introduction sequence of the xe2x80x9cmovexe2x80x9d state.
Where the state-based block sequence includes three or more block sequences while the introduction sequences are included for each action state, the selecting means includes a random selecting means to select at random two or more block sequences except for the introduction sequences.
In another aspect of the present invention, a video game apparatus which displays on a display, according to a game program, game images including a player object and outputs a game melody in relation to the game images, comprises: a memory medium for fixedly storing the game program, the memory medium storing a plurality of block sequences to constitute a game melody each of which consists of a plurality of measures, each of the block sequences having head and last measures that provide a continuation of music for two arbitrary block sequences combined in continuation; and a game melody output means for outputting a series of game melodies by reading different ones of the block sequences out of the memory medium and connecting them depending upon a predetermined condition related to the player object.
The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Video game apparatus outputting image and music and storage medium used therefor


A composition for eliminating an infection in a body space or cavity or on the epidermis of the body of the user is formed from an antimicrobial active agent which is, preferably, a fatty acid or mixture of fatty acids, an organic acid and a hydrotroper solubilizer. This composition in concentrate form can be diluted or admixed with the deionized, pyrogen-free water to form an effective use solution. The active ingredients herein are either UPS or food grade components.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to the use biocidal compositions of matter to eliminate infections from various body cavities. More particularly, the present invention concerns the use of biocidal compositions for eliminating infections in the thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, synovial spaces, urinary bladder, lungs, sinus cavities, external auditory canal, oral pharynx, pericardial space, and the like by microorganisms and viruses. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns the elimination of infections including pathogenic microorganisms including Gram negative and positive bacteria, yeast, fungi, rickettsia and the like as well as normally nonpathogenic microorganisms present in the body cavities or spaces, which spaces or cavities do not normally harbor or support the growth of such organisms.
2. Prior Art
It is recognized and well documented that microorganisms present in the internal spaces and tissues of the body can cause disease i.e. infection, leading to physical debility of the animal or person and may even cause death. Today, typically, microorganism infection is normally treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are made from compounds that interfere with the normal growth and proliferation of microorganisms. The action of these antibiotics involves specific interference with cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis or the like in the bacteria as they attempt to proliferate. There are analogous compounds prescribed for the treatment of fungal and yeast infections. There are a limited number of medications that interfere with the proliferation or viruses and viral particles in host cells preventing disease or discomfort normally caused by the virus.
Antibiotics normally act by interfering with biochemical mechanisms internal to the microorganism. Antibiotics are used as topical creams but are primarily administered either orally or in injectable form. The antibiotic then circulates through the blood stream and permeates the infected tissue where it comes in contact with the infecting organisms.
It is widely recognized by medical practitioners that the use of antibiotics has several problems and limitations that can lead to unwanted side effects or ineffective action against the infecting organisms. It is also recognized that any one antibiotic is effective against a limited spectrum of microorganisms and that this limited action frequently requires the medical practitioner to evaluate the effectiveness of the antibiotic in vitro prior to use which test is referred to in medical practice as a culture and sensitivity assay. The use of an antibiotic that is not active against the specific microorganism involved in the infection will not eliminate the infection and can actually accelerate growth of the organism by eliminating competing organisms leading to further progress of the resulting disease.
On the other hand testing for effectiveness of an antibiotic can delay treatment and result in further progress of the infection which can lead to severe consequences including death and hence the medical practitioner will usually take samples of the infecting microorganism for testing and start the patient on a broad spectrum antibiotic while waiting for the test results. The use of an antibiotic that is not effective against the infecting organism, however, can actually cause an increase in the growth of the infecting organism as stated.
Further, complications from the use of antibiotics can result from microorganisms developing resistance to the antibiotic. Microorganisms can develop resistance to antibiotics by exposure to subinhibitory levels of the antibiotic which subinhibitory levels allows the growth of any bacteria present that have only marginal susceptibility. Once the resistant strains proliferate, they become the dominant organism causing infection. Though not as common, strains of bacteria have been know to develop resistance to antimicrobial compositions of matter used for sanitizing and disinfecting inanimate surfaces and objects. The overuse and incorrect use of antibiotics in recent years has led to the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to all known antibiotics and present a severe health threat throughout the world. These organisms include but are not limited to antibiotic resistant tuberculosis, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin resistant enterococci. While new antibiotics are continuously developed to deal with this problem it is recognized that the use of compounds such as those found in antibiotic compositions that interfere with normal biochemical mechanisms of growth and proliferation of microorganisms is likely to ultimately lead to the development of strains of bacteria resistant to the new compounds as well.
Hence, there is a serious and pressing need for the development of medications and methods of treatment of infections by bacteria, yeast, mold, rickettsia, viruses and the like that do not have the limitations and side effects observed with antibiotics.
Compositions of matter that kill microorganisms by direct action on the cell wall, referred to as cell lysis, are broadly known and are referred to as biocidal agents. These agents are used to eliminate microorganisms from various surfaces and materials including the surface of the body. Biocidal agents are not capable of circulating through the blood stream and permeating tissues and hence must be applied directly to the offending microorganisms.
Those skilled in the art recognize many biocidal compositions which employ a variety of substances as the active agent including, for example, quaternary ammonium compounds, halogens, fatty acids, anionic surfactants, organic acids, and sulfated and sulfonated aliphatic acids. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,720 to Lopes discloses mixtures of anionic surfactants and organic acids for use as mouthwash and as bactericides for food and food processing equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,040 to Wang discloses sanitizing concentrate compositions comprising an aliphatic short chain fatty acid, a hydrotrope or solubilizer for the fatty acid and an acid to produce a pH between 2 and 5 when diluted with water for use in food processing systems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,980 to Lopes, et al. discloses sanitizing compositions comprising a dicarboxylic acid and an acidic component that produces a pH below about 5 when diluted with water. U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,300 to Karabinos, et al. discloses bactericidal compositions containing a monocarboxylic fatty acid is protonated making the acid hydrophobic.
While the protonated and hence hydrophobic form of fatty acids is far more biocidal than the unprotonated, hydrophilic form, the hydrophobic form is insoluble in water. The use of a hydrotrope to solubilize the hydrophobic form of fatty acids allows them to remain in solution at a pH below 5.0. It is the use of the protonated form of fatty acids in the presence of suitable hydrotropes that allows complete elimination of microorganisms from internal body spaces or organs in animals and man, which elimination results in the cure or arrest of the associated disease state.
However, as is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, the internal organs and spaces of the body of man or animals ordinarily secrete fluids rich in protein and inorganic ions that act to maintain the pH of that tissue or space between about 7.0 to about 7.8. The only tissue or space in the animal body that has a pH below 5.0 is the stomach. The contents of the stomach are emptied into the small intestine and in the first few centimeters of the small intestine secretion from the pancreas acts to raise the pH to 6.5 or above.
There are further complicating aspects of biology that limit the use of biocidal compositions in the internal spaces and organs. The proteins, glycoproteins, lipoproteins, lipids and phospholipids and the like that are secreted from many tissues will act to nourish and harbor microorganisms from direct attack by biocidal compositions of matter. It is a critical aspect of antibiotics that they are able to penetrate most tissues and secretions of the body and hence enter the cell body of the offending microorganism to stop growth of that organism.
Hence the use of fatty acid-based biocidal compositions in the spaces and organs of the body of man and animals to eliminate disease caused by microorganisms will have very limited efficacy unless the pH of the composition is maintained below about 5.0 and, preferably, below about 4.5 by the inclusion of an appropriate organic acid and unless a suitable surfactant is used to expose the microorganism to the biocidal action of the fatty acid.
It has long been recognized that biocidal compositions of matter employing fatty acids can be used to kill microorganisms on the outside of the body and on inanimate surfaces. It is nowhere mentioned in the art, however, nor has it been recognized nor is it readily apparent that these compositions of matter can be used in the internal spaces and organs of the body of man and animals at pH above about 5.0 to treat disease by the elimination of microorganisms.
Fatty acid based biocides are known in the art to be employed in the treatment of Helicrobacter pylori infections of the stomach. See, inter alia, Wider U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,761, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The stomach as described above, however, has a pH below 5.0 and the lining of the stomach is known to be able to tolerate low pH conditions without any damage or pathologic changes. Hence it is not readily apparent from this use nor is it suggested in any prior art that acidic compositions of matter employing fatty acids held in solution by appropriate hydrotropes can be tolerated or used in other areas of the body of man or animals. It is to this to which the present invention is directed.
The composition of the present invention meets the need for elimination of pathogenic organisms from the internal spaces or organs of animals and humans by direct contact with bactericidal and fungicidal agents, avoiding the use of antibiotics. Use of low levels of organic acid in the composition allows the fatty acid(s) to remain protonated but does not cause damage to the body tissues.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a biocidal or antimicrobial composition, based on USP or food grade components for the treatment of microbial infections of the body spaces and organs of man or animals normally that normally have a pH of 5.0 and above, comprising:
(a) an antimicrobial active agent,
(b) a hydrotrope or solubilizer, and
(c) a hydrotrope compatible acid.
The composition may be in concentrate or a use solution. As a use solution, the concentrate is admixed with deionized, pyrogen-free water and may be rendered isotonic to body fluids by the addition of the appropriate amount of sodium chloride (NaCl).
The use composition hereof has a pH ranging from about 1.0 to about 5.0 and, preferably ranges from about pH 2.5 to about pH 4.0.
The composition hereof is administered as a liquid either orally or through a suitable delivery system, such as a catheter, an enema tube, needle or the like. Similarly, the composition may be administered as a solid in tablet or encapsulated form.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying examples.

Antimicrobial composition and methods of use in the treatment of disease


In one aspect, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for providing geographic imagery. The method may include receiving, at a computing device, a request for a geographic image, wherein the geographic image depicts at least a portion of a selected location within a geographic area. In addition, the method may include presenting, with the computing device, the geographic image and superimposing a map including normalized travel way data associated with the geographic area over at least a portion of the geographic image.

Computerized systems and methods for providing and/or displaying imagery, in particular panoramic imagery, are known. In the context of geographic information systems and digital mapping systems, services such as Google Maps are capable of providing street level images of geographical locations. The images, known on Google Maps as "Street View," typically provide immersive 360° panoramic views centered around a geographic area of interest, with the panoramic views being interconnected within a three-dimensional space. The panoramic views allow a user to view a geographic location from a person's perspective, as if the user was located on the street level or ground level associated with the geographic location.
User interfaces for navigating imagery typically allow a user to navigate between interconnected panoramic images by selecting a navigation button (e.g., an arrow) that moves the current street-level view to the adjacent panoramic image. However, such navigation of interconnected panoramic images can be rather cumbersome since the user is not able to quickly move between non-adjacent panoramic images and is often unable to view points-of-interest located within the surrounding geographic area.

System and method for displaying geographic imagery