A method for processing audio signals optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired listeners, as well as non-hearing impaired listeners, without forcing hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment. A user actuated controller controls a mixture of a preferred audio signal and a remaining audio signal across a range sufficiently wide enough to encompass all individuals. The preferred audio is recorded and maintained separate from all remaining audio and delivered to the listener in a manner that maintains the separateness of the preferred audio and the remaining audio. The user actuated controller includes the capability of automatically maintaining the listener established ratio in the face of changes in the audio signal. The user actuated controller enables the user to specify a range about the ratio in which the audio may vary, which permits the listener to expand the audio across a continuous range to whatever dynamic range his hearing can accommodate. The controller automatically adjusts to changes in incoming audio. The controller can react to relatively slowly moving changes or prevent short bursts of sound in the remaining audio from modifying the signal levels. The combination of the above aspects provides a heretofore not possible listening experience that can accommodate the listening desires of all listeners. The combination of the ability to control the ratio of preferred audio to remaining audio and to specify the dynamic range about the ratio in which the audio may vary, coupled with the ability of the controller to automatically adjust the signal levels in response to sudden changes in incoming audio, provides a powerful user capability that truly optimizes the listening experience for any listener.

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for processing audio, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for processing audio to improve the listening experience for a broad range of listeners, including hearing impaired listeners.
As one ages and progresses through life, over time due to many factors, such as age, genetics, disease, and environmental effects, one's hearing becomes compromised. Usually, the deterioration is specific to certain frequency ranges.
In addition to permanent hearing impairments, one may experience temporary hearing impairments due to exposure to particular high sound levels. For example, after target shooting or attending a rock concert one may have temporary hearing impairments that improve somewhat, but over time may accumulate to a permanent hearing impairment. Even lower sound levels than these but longer lasting may have temporary impacts on one's hearing, such as working in a factory or teaching in a elementary school.
Typically, one compensates for hearing loss or impairment by increasing the volume of the audio. But, this simply increases the volume of all audible frequencies in the total signal. The resulting increase in total signal volume will provide little or no improvement in speech intelligibility, particularly for those whose hearing impairment is frequency dependent.
While hearing impairment increases generally with age, many hearing impaired individuals refuse to admit that they are hard of hearing, and therefore avoid the use of devices that may improve the quality of their hearing. While many elderly people begin wearing glasses as they age, a significantly smaller number of these individuals wear hearing aids, despite the significant advances in the reduction of the size of hearing aids. This phenomenon is indicative of the apparent societal stigma associated with hearing aids and/or hearing impairments. Consequently, it is desirable to provide a technique for improving the listening experience of a hearing impaired listener in a way that avoids the apparent associated societal stigma.
Most audio programming, be it television audio, movie audio, or music can be divided into two distinct components: the foreground and the background. In general, the foreground sounds are the ones intended to capture the audiences attention and retain their focus, whereas the background sounds are supporting, but not of primary interest to the audience. One example of this can be seen in television programming for a "sitcom," in which the main character's voices deliver and develop the plot of the story while sound effects, audience laughter, and music fill the gaps.
Currently, the listening audience for all types of audio media are restricted to the mixture decided upon by the audio engineer during production. The audio engineer will mix all other background noise components with the foreground sounds at levels that the audio engineer prefers, or at which the audio engineer understands have some historical basis. This mixture is then sent to the end user as either a single (mono) signal or in some cases as a stereo (left and right) signal, without any means for adjusting the foreground to the background.
The lack of this ability to adjust foreground relative to background sounds is particularly difficult for the hearing impaired. In many cases, programming is difficult to understand (at best) due to background audio masking the foreground signals.
There are many new digital audio formats available. Some of these have attempted to provide capability for the bearing impaired. For example, Dolby Digital, also referred to as AC-3 (or Audio Codec version 3), is a compression technique for digital audio that packs more data into a smaller space. The future of digital audio is in spatial positioning, which is accomplished by providing 5.1 separate audio channels: Center, Left and Right, and Left and Right Surround. The sixth channel, referred to as the 0.1 channel refers to a limited bandwidth low frequency effects (LFE) channel that is mostly non-directional due to its low frequencies. Since there are 5.1 audio channels to transmit, compression is necessary to ensure that both video and audio stay within certain bandwidth constraints. These constraints (imposed by the FCC) are more strict for terrestrial transmission than for DVD, currently. There is more than enough space on a DVD to provide the user with uncompressed audio (much more desirable from a listening standpoint). Video data is compressed most commonly through MPEG (moving pictures experts group) developed techniques, although they also have an audio compression technique very similar to Dolby's.
The DVD industry has adopted Dolby Digital (DD) as its compression technique of choice. Most DVD's are produced using DD. The ATSC (Advanced Television Standards Committee) has also chosen AC-3 as its audio compression scheme for American digital TV. This has spread to many other countries around the world. This means that production studios (movie and television) must encode their audio in DD for broadcast or recording.
There are many features, in addition to the strict encoding and decoding scheme, that are frequently discussed in conjunction with Dolby Digital. Some of these features are part of DD and some are not. Along with the compressed bitstream, DD sends information about the bitstream called metadata, or "data about the data." It is basically zero's and ones indicating the existence of options available to the end user. Three of these options that are relevant to HEC are dialnorm (dialog normalization), dynrng (dynamic range), and bsmod (bit stream mode that controls the main and associated audio services). The first two are an integral part of DD already, since many decoders handle these variables, giving end users the ability to adjust them. The third bit of information, bsmod, is described in detail in ATSC document A/54 (not a Dolby publication) but also exists as part of the DD bitstream. The value of bsmod alerts the decoder about the nature of the incoming audio service, including the presence of any associated audio service. At this time, no known manufacturers are utilizing this parameter. Multiple language DVD performances are provided via multiple complete main audio programs on one of the eight available audio tracks on the DVD.
The dialnorm parameter is designed to allow the listener to normalize all audio programs relative to a constant voice level. Between channels and between program and commercial, overall audio levels fluctuate wildly. In the future, producers will be asked to insert the dialnorm parameter which indicates the level (SPL) at which the dialog has been recorded. If this value is set as 80 dB for a program but 90 dB for a commercial, the television will decode that information examine the level the user has entered as desirable (say 85 dB) and will adjust the movie up 5 dB and the commercial down 5 dB. This is a total volume level adjustment that is based on what the producer enters as the dialnorm bit value.
A section from the AC-3 description (from document A/52) provides the best description of this technology. "The dynrng values typically indicate gain reduction during the loudest signal passages, and gain increase during the quiet passages. For the listener, it is desirable to bring the loudest sounds down in level towards the dialog level, and the quiet sounds up in level, again towards dialog level. Sounds which are at the same loudness as the normal spoken dialogue will typically not have their gain changed."
The dynrng variable provides the user with an adjustable parameter that will control the amount of compression occurring on the total volume with respect to the dialog level. This essentially limits the dynamic range of the total audio program about the mean dialog level. This does not, however, provide any way to adjust the dialog level independently of the remaining audio level.
One attempt to improve the listening experience of hearing impaired listeners is provided for in The ATSC, Digital Television Standard (Annex B). Section 6 of Annex B of the ATSC standard describes the main audio services and the associated audio services. An AC-3 elementary stream contains the encoded representation of a single audio service. Multiple audio services are provided by multiple elementary streams. Each elementary stream is conveyed by the transport multiplex with a unique PID. There are a number of audio service types which may be individually coded into each elementary stream. One of the audio service types is called the complete main audio service (CM). The CM type of main audio service contains a complete audio program (complete with dialogue, music and effects). The CM service may contain from 1 to 5.1 audio channels. The CM service may be further enhanced by means of the other services. Another audio service type is the hearing impaired service (HI). The HI associated service typically contains only dialogue which is intended to be reproduced simultaneously with the CM service. In this case, the HI service is a single audio channel. As stated therein, this dialogue may be processed for improved intelligibility by hearing impaired listeners. Simultaneous reproduction of both the CM and HI services allows the hearing impaired listener to hear a mix of the CM and HI services in order to emphasize the dialogue while still providing some music and effects. Besides providing the HI service as a single dialogue channel, the HI service may be provided as a complete program mix containing music, effects, and dialogue with enhanced intelligibility. In this case, the service may be coded using any number of channels (up to 5.1). While this service may improve the listening experience for some hearing impaired individuals, it certainly will not for those who do not employ the proscribed receiver for fear of being stigmatized as hearing impaired. Finally, any processing of the dialogue for hearing impaired individuals prevents the use of this channel in creating an audio program for non-hearing individuals. Moreover, the relationship between the HI service and the CM service set forth in Annex B remains undefined with respect to the relative signal levels of each used to create a channel for the hearing impaired.
Other techniques have been employed to attempt to improve the intelligibility of audio. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,344 discloses a method of creating a "center channel" for dialogue in cinema sound. This technique disclosed therein correlates left and right stereophonic channels and adjusts the gain on either the combined and/or the separate left or right channel depending on the degree of correlation between the left and right channel. The assumption being that the strong correlation between the left and right channels indicates the presence of dialogue. The center channel, which is the filtered summation of the left and right channels, is amplified or attenuated depending on the degree of correlation between the left and right channels. The problem with this approach is that it does not discriminate between meaningful dialogue and simple correlated sound, nor does it address unwanted voice information within the voice band. Therefore, it cannot improve the intelligibility of all audio for all hearing impaired individuals.
The separation of voice from background audio in television signals is discussed by Shiraki in U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,100. The technique employed by Shiraki involves the use of band pass filtering in combination with summing and subtracting circuits to form a "voice channel" that would be differentiated from the rest of the audio programming. The limitation of this approach is that the band pass filter only discriminates frequencies within a predetermined range, in this case 200 Hz to 500 Hz. It cannot discriminate between voice and background audio that may happen to fall within the band pass frequency. Furthermore, the application of band pass filtering cannot distinguish between relevant and irrelevant speech-components within an audio signal.
Means of reducing background noise in audio frames have been discussed by Solve et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,522 which discloses a speech detector and a noise estimator used to adaptively adjust attenuation to each frame of an audio signal. This and other forms of Adaptive Noise Filtering cannot distinguish between voice and other non-stationary audio in the voice band, such as music or irrelevant voice information. Consequently, the improvement in intelligibility is less than optimum.
Attempts to improve the listening experience by modifying the signal level in the face of large noise variations have been made. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,922 to Miller et al. discloses a method and system for sound optimization which measures both the music and noise in a vehicle. Miller et al. uses analog to digital conversions and adaptive filtering with algorithms to compensate for the ambient noise background by enhancing the sound signal automatically. This technique cannot compensate for a preferred audio signal that is overwhelmed by the remaining audio signal for a particular listener. In the system of Miller et al., the system merely increases the total signal level in an attempt to overcome the presence of road and engine noise. In most cases, audio that was not intelligible to a particular listener does not become intelligible by merely increasing the signal level.
In general, prior art techniques employing band pass filtering or selective equalization will not remove voice band background or noise within the voice band range from speech components of the audio program. The previously cited inventions of Dolby, Shiraki and Miller et al. have all attempted to modify some content of the audio signal through various signal processing hardware or algorithms, but those methods do not satisfy the individual needs or preferences of different listeners. In sum, all of these techniques provide a less than optimum listening experience for hearing impaired individuals as well as non-hearing impaired individuals.
Finally, in the case of studio recordings, vocals are usually recorded separately and are later mixed with the instrumentals and placed on a single recording track. The end user is therefore enabled to only adjust the volume, tone and balance (in the case of stereo), but not the relative signal levels of the voice component or the background component.
The present invention is therefore directed to the problem of developing a system and method for processing audio signals that optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired listeners, as well as non-hearing impaired listeners, without forcing hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment.

User adjustable volume control that accommodates hearing


An endless papermaking press felt comprises a base and a batt layer intertwiningly integrated with the base. The batt layer comprises a wet paper web side layer and a machine side layer formed on an outer surface and inner surface of a base respectively, The base is manufactured from belt-shaped partial base bodies, which are connected to one another in side-by-side relationship. The press felt can be manufactured easily and at reduced cost.

Conventionally, a felt is used in the press part of a papermaking machine to remove water from a wet paper web. The press part generally comprises a pair of press rolls, or a press roll and a shoe having a surface which conforms with the surface of the press roll. As the felt and wet paper web pass together through the press part, water is transferred to the felt, and thus removed from the wet paper web.
The structure of a conventional press felt is depicted in FIG. 1. The felt 10 comprises a base 20 and a batt layer 30, the base and batt layers being intertwined with each other and thereby integrated. The base 20 is indispensable for imparting strength to the whole felt. An endless woven fabric having a warp and weft is normally used for the base 20.
In the manufacture of the felt 10, an endless, woven base 20, which has almost the same width as the finished felt, is produced in the desired length. Generally, the warp and weft are double woven by a weaving machine to produce an endless base fabric. Alternatively, after weaving a fabric having ends, both ends are sewn together to produce an endless woven fabric. After the base 20 is manufactured, a batt fiber is arranged on the base, and the batt fiber is intertwined with the base by needle punching to produce the finished felt 10.
A felt having the above-described structure needs to be produced in number of different sizes, since the press parts of papermaking machines have various sizes and structures. Weaving base fabrics of various sizes using a weaving machine requires a lot of time and manpower, and it is very difficult to simplify the process and reduce cost.
One approach to solving this problem was a manufacturing method in which a belt-shaped body narrower than the finished felt was first produced, and then wound in a spiral. This approach, which is disclosed in Unexamined PCT National Phase Publication 503385/1994, is illustrated in FIG. 2.
In the approach illustrated in FIG. 2, a belt-shaped body 23 is formed from a thread material selected according to the desired performance of the finished felt. The distance between a pair of guide rolls GR is adjusted according to the desired length of the finished felt. As the guide rolls GR are driven, the belt-shaped body 23 is wound onto both guide rolls. The angle relative to guide rolls GR, at which the belt-shaped body is wound, is adjusted so that the belt-shaped body 23 is wound in a spiral, with the windings in edge-to-edge relationship. The winding operation continues until the total width of the wound belt-shaped body 23 reaches the desired width of the finished felt. Afterward, the adjacent edges of the spiral belt-shaped body 23 are integrally bonded, typically by sewing or by deposition of an adhesive, to produce an endless base 20. Finally, a batt layer is formed on the base 20, to produce the finished papermaking press felt.
A problem with the technology illustrated in FIG. 2 is that, the angle at which a belt-shaped body is wound is not easily controlled. When the angle is incorrect, the sides of the windings may not be in adjacent relationship, making it difficult to carry out the bonding operation. In addition, when the edges of the windings are separate from each other, adequate bond strength may not be obtained. Moreover, the gaps between the windings produce irregularities in the felt surface, which are transferred to a wet paper web in the papermaking process.
The object of the invention is to provide a papermaking press felt which avoids the above-described problems, and which can be manufactured easily and less expensively.


It is an object to obtain a semiconductor device capable of changing a delay time of an output signal of a PLL circuit with respect to an external clock signal after installed in a system. An external clock signal is inputted to an input terminal (1.) An address value is inputted to an input terminal (3.) A decoder (9) selects one of a plurality of delay times in a voltage-controlled oscillator (8) according to the address value. The phase of a signal outputted to an output terminal (2) is delayed with respect to the external clock signal at the input terminal (1) by the delay time selected. Accordingly, it is possible to change the delay time of the output signal of the PLL circuit with respect to the external clock signal after installation in a system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices having PLL circuits, and particularly to a semiconductor device which requires controlling a delay time of an output signal of the PLL circuit.
2. Description of the Background Art
In order to increase the margins of a setup time of data input to an LSI and a hold time of the data output, a clock signal inside the LSI (an internal clock signal) is phase-adjusted with respect to a clock signal inputted from the outside of the LSI (an external clock signal.) For external data, as shown in FIG. 15, the setup time is the time t set from the point at which external data is prepared to the point at which the external data is captured inside (to the rising edge of the internal clock signal in FIG. 15.) For internal data, it corresponds to the time t set from the point at which internal data is prepared to the point at which the internal data is outputted to the outside (to the rising edge of the internal clock signal in FIG. 15.) The hold time is, concerning external data, the time t hold in which the external data is continuously kept ready after captured inside, as shown in FIG. 15. Concerning internal data, it corresponds to the time t hold in which the internal data is continuously kept ready after outputted to the outside. The phase-locked loop circuit (PLL circuit) is suitable for the adjustment of the internal clock signal.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional semiconductor device. In FIG. 10, 1 denotes an input terminal for inputting an external clock signal with a cycle CL, 2 denotes an output terminal for outputting an internal clock signal, 6 denotes a phase detector , 7 denotes a loop filter for filtering an output of the phase detector 6, 8 denotes a voltage-controlled oscillator, 11 denotes a delay circuit, 4 denotes one input terminal of the phase detector 6 for inputting a signal from the delay circuit 11, 5 denotes the other input terminal of the phase detector 6 for inputting a signal from the voltage-controlled oscillator 8, 10 denotes an output terminal of the voltage-controlled oscillator 8, and 16 denotes an input terminal of the voltage-controlled oscillator 8.
Next, the structure of the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The delay circuit 11 has its input connected to the input terminal 1 and its output connected to the input terminal 4. The output of the phase detector 6 is connected to the input of the loop filter 7. The output of the loop filter 7 is connected to the input terminal 16. The output terminal 10 is connected to the output terminal 2 and to the input terminal 5. The phase detector 6, the loop filter 7 and the voltage-controlled oscillator 8 form a PLL circuit.
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing the internal configuration of the voltage-controlled oscillator 8. In FIG. 11, 8b denotes an inverting amplifier, 8a denotes a control portion for controlling the inverting amplifiers 8b according to a signal at the input terminal 16, INV denotes an inverter, and other characters correspond to those in FIG. 10. Next, the configuration of the voltage-controlled oscillator 8 will be described. The plurality of inverting amplifiers 8b are connected in a loop to form a ring oscillator. An output of one of the plurality of inverting amplifiers 8b is connected to the output terminal 10 through the inverter INV. The control portion 8a has its input connected to the input terminal 16 and its output connected to each inverting amplifier 8b.
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing an example of internal configuration of the delay circuit 11. In FIG. 12, INV denotes an inverter, R denotes a resistance, C denotes a capacitance and other characters correspond to those in FIG. 10. A delay circuit having multistage-connected inverters to utilize delays between inputs and outputs of the inverters may be used instead of that shown in FIG. 12.
Next, operation of the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the relation between an external clock signal at the input terminal 1 and an internal clock signal at the output terminal 2. The PLL circuit operates so that the phase of the signal at the input terminal 4 and that of the internal clock signal at the output terminal 2 coincide with each other. The delay circuit 11 receives the external clock signal at the input terminal 1 to provide a signal delayed by a delay time td2 with respect to the external clock signal to the input terminal 4. Accordingly, the internal clock signal at the output terminal 2 is delayed in phase by the delay time td2 behind the external clock signal at the input terminal 1. In other words, the phase of the internal clock signal at the output terminal 2 is apparently more advanced than that of the external clock signal at the input terminal 1 by a delay time td1 (=the cycle of the external clock signal -the delay time td2.)
The conventional semiconductor device having the PLL constructed as stated above have the problems given below.
First, when the delay time is realized with the delay circuit 11 including the capacitance C and the resistance R, a larger layout area is required for the capacitance C and the resistance R as a larger delay time is required. When it is realized with a delay circuit utilizing delays of inverters, then the number of inverters INV increases to increase the layout area.
Furthermore, since the capacitance value of the capacitance C and the resistance value of the resistance R and the like are affected by process, the delay time may differ with different processes. Even with the same process, the delay time may differ because of different finish states caused by different conditions.
Moreover, for example, consider the case in which an LSI containing the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 10 is installed in a system such as a board and an external clock signal is supplied from the system. The delay circuit 11 is designed considering the cycle of the external clock signal. If there are a plurality of systems with external clock signals having different cycles, a delay circuit 11 must be designed for each system. Thus it introduces the problem that the delay circuit 11 must be designed according to the cycle of the external clock signal.
Furthermore, since the delay time is one fixed value, it is impossible to deal with various setup times and hold times. For example, consider that the PLL circuit shown in FIG. 10 is contained in an LSI to output internal data generated inside the LSI in synchronization with the internal clock signal and capture external data generated outside the LSI in synchronization with the internal clock signal. Referring to FIG. 15, the time t hold and the time t set can be changed by setting the delay time in the delay circuit 11 in the designing step to change the delay time of the internal clock signal. However, if the time t hold in capturing external data is lengthened by changing the delay time of the internal clock, the time t set in outputting internal data becomes shorter. On the other hand, if the time t set in capturing external data is lengthened, the time t hold in outputting internal data becomes shorter. This way, the setup time and the hold time are in a trade-off relation. Hence, changing one of the setup time and the hold time causes the other to change. Thus the setup time and the hold time can not be independently adjusted.

Semiconductor device for controlling a delay time of an output signal of a PLL

Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Co., Ltd.


Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for generating and surfacing product collections having multiple products grouped under a single product identifier. Example methods may include receiving, from a user device, a request for product information and determining the product information. The product information may include at least a first product having a first product identifier. Certain methods may include determining, based at least in part on the first product identifier, a product collection. The product collection includes a group of second products and a second product identifier. The group of second products may be associated with a themed event. Certain methods may include generating a product presentation including the first product and the product collection and sending the product presentation to the user device.

Consumer choices for goods and services have grown exponentially in recent years. Since the advent of the internet, online shopping has continually grown in popularity, and there are currently many websites and companies providing or wholly dedicated to online shopping. Today, most online shopping is based on a search or browse framework, where consumers discover and purchase products either by searching for a desired product or product feature using various search terms, or by browsing through a collection of products having some shared characteristic of interest, or by some combination of both. Navigating the sheer number of available products using a search or browse framework can prove daunting and can ultimately discourage some customers from making purchases using these means.

Product collections grouped under a single product identifier


A method of analyzing patterns. The method comprises: receiving a first diffraction pattern; receiving a second diffraction pattern; receiving a third diffraction pattern; determining a similarity between the first and second diffraction patterns; determining a similarity between the first and third diffraction pattern; determining a similarity between the second and third diffraction pattern; and performing hierarchical cluster analysis on the first and second diffraction pattern based on the determined similarity.

Diffraction is frequently used as an analytical technique to characterize compounds or elements. There are situations where a number of materials are analyzed by diffraction techniques and compared to one another in order to determine whether differences in the materials exist. For example, production lots of a compound might be analyzed by diffraction to ensure that the desired material is produced. As another example, a compound might be crystallized under a variety of conditions and the resulting solids analyzed by diffraction to determine if variations in solid form are present. As a third example, an ionizable compound might be reacted with a number of different counterions in an effort to generate a group of different salts. In this case, the solids from the reactions could be analyzed by diffraction and compared to diffraction analyses of the original material and the counterion to help determine whether a salt was formed. It would be useful to have a tool to quickly, easily, and accurately compare diffraction patterns of different materials and sort them into groups of similar patterns.
Hierarchical Cluster Analysis is a statistical method of pattern recognition with wide applicability. Whenever the application is to cluster relatively similar objects together into different groups, then HCA is a common method of choice. The core requirement of HCA is the derivation of a measure of similarity between the objects being clustered. The success of the HCA approach is dependent on the robustness of the measure of similarity chosen. The early implementations of HCA were statistical data analysis where the measure of similarity was the numerical equivalency of the results being analyzed. This has seen wide application for statistical quantitative analysis.
The use of HCA for clustering objects more complex than quantitative values has been limited by the availability of a suitable measure of similarity between the objects to be clustered. The appropriate choice of a measure of similarity is not obvious.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the above problems and achieving one or more of the above stated goals.

System and method for matching diffraction patterns


A semiconductor integrated circuit device has: a semiconductor substrate defining a plurality of rows, each row including areas for a sequence of cells; a plurality of active regions disposed in each of the rows constituting semiconductor elements of associated cells; and a wiring region of stripe shape elongated along a direction of row, defined on the semiconductor substrate outside of the active regions in each row, and including wirings belonging to the associated cells, each wiring region having height in a direction crossing the row direction, the wiring region having locally different height.

A) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit device and its manufacture, and more particularly to a semiconductor integrated circuit device capable of being designed with automatic layout and its manufacture.
B) Description of the Related Art
It is desired to develop in a short time semiconductor integrated circuit devices of various types and small quantity. A semiconductor integrated circuit device can be designed by automatic layout using a computer. In a standard cell method, patterns of basic gates and frequently used logic circuits are registered beforehand as standard cells. Automatic layout design is performed by disposing standard cells and wirings between cells in accordance with an equivalent circuit of a semiconductor integrated circuit device to be manufactured. Wiring regions are prepared in each cell. Some of interconnect wirings and power supply wirings in a cell may be prepared beforehand.
In automatic layout for a CMOS integrated circuit, n-type active regions for n-channel MOS transistors and p-type active regions for p-channel MOS transistors are disposed in column along a width direction. Each cell has a constant height along a direction perpendicular to the width (column) direction. If the height is fixed, wasteful space is likely to be formed so that the effective use of a substrate area may be hindered.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 6-85062 proposes an optimum cell layout by using variable height of wiring regions for inter-cell wirings in the cells. Wiring regions are disposed above a semiconductor active region, above the semiconductor active region and isolation region and the like. This Publication also proposes a broad wiring region formed by connecting wiring regions above the p- and n-type active regions and common wirings formed in the broad wiring region.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. HEI4-263059 proposes that circuit information is developed into wiring information, single transistor cell information, serial cell information on a serial connection of a plurality of transistors and parallel cell information on a parallel connection of a plurality of transistors, respectively for n- and p-channel transistors. In a central area of a semiconductor chip, columns of n-type active regions and columns of p-type active regions are alternately disposed and a wiring region is disposed between adjacent active regions. Peripheral circuits are disposed in chip peripheral areas. Transistors having different channel lengths are distinguished from each other, making the size (channel length) of the column variable.
By making variable the height of a column of aligned cells, the substrate area can be used effectively. However, a wasteful space is formed in the substrate area if the numbers of wirings in cells along a column are large in some cells and small in some cells or by other reasons.

Semiconductor integrated circuit device and its manufacture using automatic layout


Provided is a method for highly selectively producing 7-octenal with a high conversion ratio through the isomerization reaction of 2,7-octadiene-1-ol. Specifically, provided is a method for producing 7-octenal, in which a copper-based catalyst is obtained by reducing a copper-based catalyst precursor described below, and an isomerization reaction of 2,7-octadiene-1-ol is caused in a gas phase using a fixed-bed reaction in the presence of the obtained copper-based catalyst.

As a method for producing 7-octenal, a method in which 2,7-octadiene-1-ol is isomerized in the presence of a copper-based catalyst is known. It has been reported that 7-octenal can be selectively produced using, among copper-based catalysts, a copper-based catalyst precursor containing copper, iron, and aluminum (refer to PTL 1 to 3).
As a method for producing the copper-based catalyst precursor containing copper, iron, and aluminum, a method in which an aqueous solution of mixed metal salts including a water-soluble copper salt, a water-soluble iron salt, and a water-soluble aluminum salt as main components and a basic aqueous solution as a precipitant are reacted together so as to obtain a coprecipitate containing copper, iron, and aluminum, the coprecipitate is filtered, then, washed with water, dried, and calcined is known (refer to PTL 4 and 5).
When the coprecipitate containing copper, iron, and aluminum is calcined at a temperature in a range of 600° C. to 1,000° C., a spinel structure is formed. It is known that the atomic ratio between copper, iron, and aluminum in the coprecipitate is a factor that changes the dispersibility and the like of copper in the spinel structure, and furthermore, changes the activity and selectivity of the copper-based catalyst (refer to PTL 4 to 8).
It is also known that, in a case in which a copper-based catalyst precursor containing copper, iron, and aluminum which is obtained by coprecipitating a copper compound, an iron compound, and an aluminum compound on the surface of a carrier, and calcining the coprecipitate at 750° C. is used in a hydrogenation reaction, the activity and selectivity of the copper-based catalyst are changed depending on the kind of the carrier (PTL 9). That is, it is known that the atomic ratio between copper, iron, and aluminum in the coprecipitate, the kind and content of the carrier included in the coprecipitate, and the calcination temperature for turning the coprecipitate into the copper-based catalyst precursor change the activity and selectivity of the copper-based catalyst.
When the coprecipitate containing copper, iron, and aluminum is dried at a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 150° C., and then calcined at a temperature in a range of 600° C. to 1,000° C., a copper-based catalyst precursor can be obtained. Furthermore, when the copper-based catalyst precursor is hydrogen-reduced, the precursor becomes activated, and then can be used in desired reactions as a copper-based catalyst. Alternatively, it is also possible to crush the precursor after the calcination, activate the obtained powder-form copper-based catalyst precursor through hydrogen reduction, and use the powder in reactions as a powder-form copper-based catalyst. When it is also possible to use the calcined powder-form copper-based catalyst precursor formed through compression, extrusion, or the like as desired, it is also possible to use the dried coprecipitate that is formed through compression, extrusion, or the like, and then is calcined (refer to PTL 5, 12, and the like).
It is known that the copper-based catalyst precursor containing copper, iron, and aluminum can be used in a variety of hydrogenation reactions such as hydrogenation from an aliphatic ester compound to a higher alcohol (refer to PTL 4 to 12).

Abstract: The copper-based catalyst precursor: a copper-based catalyst precursor obtained by calcining a mixture containing copper, iron, aluminum, and calcium silicate in which an atomic ratio of iron and aluminum to copper [(Fe+Al)/Cu] is in a range of 1.71 to 2.5, an atomic ratio of aluminum to iron [Al/Fe] is in a range of 0.001 to 3.3, and calcium silicate is contained in a range of 15% by mass to 65% by mass at a temperature in a range of 500° C. to 1,000° C.


Coumarin compounds of formula (I):

Cancer is a leading cause of death in developed countries. Despite continuing advances in diagnosis and treatment regimens, most existing treatment methods have undesirable side effects and limited efficacy. Treatment of cancer is complicated by the variety of mechanisms involved in the formation and metastasis of tumors. Many of them are still not well understood. Chemotherapy is a major option for the first-line treatment in cancers such as leukemia and second-line treatment for cancers such as refractory solid tumor. Most current anticancer drugs are small molecule chemicals.

Coumarin compounds and their use for treating cancer

Abstract: Coumarin compounds of formula (I):

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and X are defined herein. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer with coumarin compounds.


The present invention provides a meta model system of information resource dictionary system (IRDS) of an integrated computer aided software engineering (CASE) repository, which consistently stores and shares information generated by CASE tools of data flow diagram (DFD) and structure chart (SC) as well as supports software life cycle, and integrated supporting method for the integrated CASE repository meta model system. The repository is constructed to commonly stores, shares and manages information generated by CASE tools, realizing standardization and full automation of software development process methodology, and sharing of information between the tools. Integrated CASE meta model includes rules and constraints for information, which each tool must have, performs consistency detection for the type and meaning of information generated when the information is stored in the CASE repository, and is composed of meta model of repository which becomes a storage structure for all information generated by each tool. The meta model of repository determines which software life cycle and methodology do CASE tools based on the repository support. Accordingly, the information storage automatically integratedly manages information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a meta model system for an integrated computer aided software engineering (CASE) repository based on process methodology of structured techniques using information resource dictionary system(IRDS), which consistently stores and shares information generated by CASE tools of data flow diagram (DFD) and structure chart (SC) as well as supports software life cycle, and integrated supporting method for the integrated CASE repository meta model system.
2. Discussion of Related Art
CASE, having two fundamental notions of computer-aided and software engineering, is a tool for developing high-quality software with the aid of automated function of computers within a given time and budget in software development and maintenance. DFD CASE is a tool for supporting a structured analysis technique which is most widely used as software development analyzing technique. DFD is a tool in graphical form, representing the entire structure of a system as components of process, data flow, data store, external entity and process specification.
SC CASE, a tool for supporting a structured design technique in implementation of systems, is a technique in design phase. SC is a tool in graphical form, representing the entire structure of a system as components of root module, standard module, library module, transaction module, database, connector, call, data couple, control flag and module specification.
IRDS, American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard uniquely approved, is a repository developed by National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) of U.S. IRDS defines the contents of repository, repository common interface and user interface. IRDS is characterized by centralized repository which shares and manages information using meta models and meta data in various levels, focused on management of integrated repository. As shown in FIG. 2, IRDS data structure is divided into four data levels 201, 202, 203 and 204 according to the service provided by IRDS and level of abstraction of information stored in IRDS. Three level pairs 201 and 202, 202 and 203, and 203 and 204, which connect the four levels, have the associations of type and instance. Information described in an upper level describes and potentially controls information to be described in a lower level. This standard does not handle integration of CASE tools but can help the integration of CASE tools for analysis and design.
CASE tools, generally, are used at each phase in software development process, replacing manual operation, to perform related operations with speediness and reliability. CASE tools also use various kinds of information or newly create information during the operation. Supporting tools of Integrated Software Engineering Tool (ISET), CASE Toolkit tool developed by systems engineering research institute in 1994, are composed of data interfaces 104 and 105, and databases 106 and 108, different from each other, for the purpose of storing and controlling newly created information. Also, each of the supporting tools manages the database according to its own database interface. Thus, to use products generated in former stage of START 102 at the next stage of STADE 103, a translator 107 of separate translation algorithm, is required.
Accordingly, when STADE requires some information of START, the operation procedure is complicated and data consistency is difficult to maintain, due to the difference in data storage structures of them. Furthermore, information created by the supporting tools cannot be shared so that repeated information and inconsistent information cannot be controlled previously. Moreover, in case of repeated creation of information, unnecessary time and cost are consumed for the development operation. This results in difficulties in standardization and automation of software development process, and unnecessary repetition of storage and management for identical information. Also, it requires translation algorithm 107 between the supporting tools, and variety of database interfaces 104 and 105, and data structures 106 and 108.
The above problems need complementing of ISET, based on an information storage which can integrate, store, manage and share information generated by various kinds of tools. Accordingly, meta models of repository are required for effectively supporting storage, sharing and management of information created by CASE tools supporting software life cycle. The meta models define the kind of information to be stored in the repository, the type and nature of information, rules and constraints about information, and determine software life cycle and methodology which are supported by CASE tools, based on the repository. Accordingly, the repository automatically integratedly manages information, to provide standardization and full automation of software development process, and sharing of information between tools.

Integrated case repository meta model system for process methodology and integrated supporting method

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


There are provided a dispersion composition containing: (A) from 85 to 99.89% by weight of a dispersant (except for the following (B) and (C)); (B) from 0.01 to 5% by weight of an acetylene glycol and/or an acetylene glycol ethoxylate; and (C) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or two or more types selected from polyoxy (ethylene-propylene) block polymers having a weight average molecular weight of from 1,500 to 20,000, a content of ethylene oxide of from 20 to 90% by weight, and a content of propylene oxide of from 10 to 80% by weight: a dispersion and an ink composition using the same, and a method of producing the same.

A disperse dye or pigment has hitherto been used as colorants for ink. When the disperse dye or pigment is used in ink, it is necessary to disperse a micronized disperse dye or pigment in water. However, the disperse dye or pigment is insoluble in water, so the dispersant is important for rendering the disperse dye or pigment into a dispersed state and stably maintaining that dispersed state for a prolonged period of time. Meanwhile, in recent years, it has been desired to reduce a particle size of the disperse dye or pigment in order to improve fineness of an image, and various dispersion methods and dispersion process conditions have been proposed to reduce the particle size. However, if the disperse dye or pigment is not finely and stably dispersed in a medium, an excellent transparency, fineness and color developability are not obtained, and in ink for an ink jet, clogging of nozzles is caused. However, in general, there is a practical limit to the degree of micronization by mechanical pulverizing and dispersion of the disperse dye or pigment.
Heretofore, various compounds have been used as the dispersant. For example, in Patent Document 1, aromatic sulfonates and lignin sulfonates are used as the dispersant for a disperse dye. In addition, in Patent Document 2, a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer, a styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer, a sodium naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensate, or the like is used as a high molecular weight dispersant.
However, in the inks containing the disperse dye or pigment dispersion obtained by using the dispersant, the dispersant is a high molecular weight resin or surfactant, and thus the average particle size of the disperse dye or pigment is large, and ejection stability or liquid stability is poor.
Accordingly, a method of using a plurality of dispersants has also been attempted. For example, Patent Document 3 describes, as a dispersant, the blended use of polyoxyethylene-β-naphthyl ether, which is a nonionic surfactant, and a sodium naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensate, which is an anionic surfactant. In addition, Patent Document 4 discloses a pigment dispersion containing two or more selected from a sodium naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensate, a polycarboxylic acid graft polymer, and polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether.
In addition, a method of using a dispersant and a surfactant in combination has also been attempted. For example, Patent Document 5 discloses that a dispersant and two or more surfactants are used in combination. Patent Document 6 discloses a composition containing a dispersant, a sulfate ester-based surfactant, and an acetylene glycol-based surfactant having an HLB value of 6.0 or less. However, in either case, the ability to micronize the disperse dye or pigment is poor, and the dispersion performance has room for improvement.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Dispersion composition, dispersion and ink composition, and method of producing the same


The disclosure describes an engine system having liquid and gaseous fuel systems, each of which injects fuel directly into an engine cylinder. A controller controls pumping of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the gaseous fuel system. In a pump cycle, a pumping piston is moved in an intake direction over an intake stroke such that the pumping piston produces a negative pressure that draws LNG from a tank fluidly connected to the pumping element into a pumping chamber of a body of the pumping element. The pumping piston is moved in an opposing power direction over a power stroke such that the pumping piston pumps compressed LNG out of the pumping chamber away from the tank. The pumping piston is moved over the intake stroke with an average intake velocity and over the power stroke with an average power velocity, which is greater than the average intake velocity.

There are various different types of engines that use more than one fuel. One type is known as a direct injection gas (DIG) engine, in which a gaseous fuel, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), is injected into the cylinder at high pressure while combustion in the cylinder from a diesel pilot is already underway. DIG engines operate on the gaseous fuel, and the diesel pilot provides ignition of the gaseous fuel. Another type of engine that uses more than one fuel is typically referred to as a dual-fuel engine, which uses a low-pressure gaseous fuel such as natural gas that is mixed at relatively low pressure with intake air admitted into the engine cylinders. Dual-fuel engines are typically configured to operate with liquid fuel such as diesel or gasoline at full power. The gaseous fuel is provided to displace a quantity of liquid fuel during steady state operation. The air/gaseous fuel mixture that is provided to the cylinder under certain operating conditions is compressed and then ignited using a spark, similar to gasoline engines, or using a compression ignition fuel, such as diesel, which is injected into the air/gaseous fuel mixture present in the cylinder.
In dual fuel engines, the gaseous fuel is stored in a pressurized state in a pressure tank, from which it exits in a gaseous state before being provided to the engine. In DIG engines, however, the gaseous fuel is stored in a liquid state at low pressure, such as atmospheric pressure, and at low, cryogenic temperatures in a liquid storage tank. When exiting the liquid storage tank, the liquefied gaseous fuel requires heating to ultimately evaporate and reach a gaseous state before or when it is provided to the engine cylinders.
Pumping liquids typically requires maintaining a net suction pressure above the vapor pressure of the liquid being pumped at a given temperature. This is called the net positive suction head (NPSH) requirement. Whenever the liquid pressure drops below the vapor pressure, liquid boiling occurs, and cavitation and loss of prime of the pump may result. Vapor bubbles may reduce or stop the liquid flow, reduce pump efficiency, lower the mass of the compressed liquid, and possibly damage the system.
Cryogenic liquids, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), are stored at saturated conditions, and so typically the only available NPSH is the static head caused by the level of the liquid in the storage vessel. This NPSH may be very low, particularly when the storage tank is nearly empty.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,348 is entitled, "Multi-Speed Compressor/Pump Apparatus." The '348 patent is directed to a pumping/compressing apparatus that includes a motor and a two-stage device including at least one reciprocating piston, an inlet stage chamber, an outlet stage chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The piston is arranged to be reciprocated at multiple speeds for either pumping or compressing operations. When the piston is reciprocated at a first speed, the device pumps liquid to the outlet. When the piston is reciprocated at the second speed, which is higher than the first speed, the device compresses gas and provides it to the outlet.
It will be appreciated that this background description has been created by the inventors to aid the reader, and is not to be taken as an indication that any of the indicated problems were themselves appreciated in the art. While the described principles can, in some aspects and embodiments, alleviate the problems inherent in other systems, it will be appreciated that the scope of the protected innovation is defined by the attached claims, and not by the ability of any disclosed feature to solve any specific problem noted herein.

Gaseous fuel system, direct injection gas engine system, and method


The invention is a spectrally selective optical coupler with a new geometry and a new principle of action. An optical coupler according to the invention includes an optical waveguide and an external resonator. In the waveguide, there is provided a deflector that is operative to deflect light of a predetermined wavelength into the external resonator. Coupling is enhanced by the deflected wavelength being resonant in the external resonator.

The present invention relates to an optical coupler with a new geometry and a new principle of action. The optical coupler provides spectrally selective coupling of light to or from a waveguide, such as an optical fibre.
Spectrally selective optical couplers, also known as channel drop filters, are utilised for extraction of a single wavelength channel from a broadband optical signal, or for insertion of a single wavelength channel into a broadband optical signal. Typically, spectrally selective couplers are used in wavelength division multiplexed optical communications systems for adding and dropping a single wavelength channel.
Channel drop filters have previously been implemented as dual-waveguide couplers. The article xe2x80x9cNarrow-Band Optical Channel-Dropping Filterxe2x80x9d, Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 10, no. 1, January 1992 (Haus et al.) describes an optical channel-dropping filter comprising a first and a second waveguide, the first of which contains a xcex/4 shifted distributed feedback (DFB) resonator. Light propagating in the second waveguide is coupled to the first waveguide by evanescent coupling between the two waveguides. Only one wavelength of light is resonant in the first waveguide, and consequently only that wavelength of light is efficiently coupled to the first waveguide. By making the xcex/4 shifted DFB resonator asymmetric (i.e. the grating is longer on one side of the xcex/4 shift), light can be coupled out of the DFB resonator.
However, prior art channel drop filters have some significant drawbacks and limitations. The filters are difficult to manufacture, due to the fact that very precise placement of the waveguides is required, in order to obtain a reliable evanescent coupling. Furthermore, the prior art filters are difficult to control. The coupling strength and the coupled wavelength is, to a large extent, fixed once the device is assembled. Also, each filter needs to be of a certain size in order to achieve the necessary feedback. In particular, when a number of channels are to be dropped separately (e.g. when constructing a demultiplexer), the device needs to be quite large. Yet another problem with the prior art filters is that they are difficult to implement in a fibre configuration, since the evanescent coupling between the waveguides needs to be very accurate. Any perturbation of either of the waveguides can cause large uncontrolled changes in performance.
The present invention provides an optical coupler with a new geometry and a new principle of action, which eliminates, or at least alleviates, the aforementioned problems in the prior art.
An optical coupler according to the present invention comprises an optical waveguide, preferably an optical fibre, in which there is provided a deflector for deflecting at least some of the light, propagating in said waveguide, into an external resonator. By external resonator, it is meant that the resonator is defined by mirrors that are arranged outside the optical waveguide. The external resonator is arranged to be resonant to a predetermined wavelength. The resonance of the predetermined wavelength in the external resonator causes an energy build-up of said wavelength in said resonator. In effect, the coupling of the resonant wavelength is rendered much stronger than what is obtained by the deflector alone. Owing to this, the deflector can be made very weak, deflecting only a small fraction of the light in the waveguide. The resonant wavelength can, in a very advantageous way, be coupled out of the external resonator. Light of a wavelength that is not resonant in the external resonator is essentially unperturbed by the coupling, since only a very small fraction of the light in the waveguide is deflected by the deflector.
A general insight, forming a basis for the present invention, is that coupling of light is much more efficient and spectrally selective when performed resonantly. This fact is utilised in the present invention by arranging an external resonator outside an optical waveguide. In the waveguide, there is arranged a deflector, deflecting light into the external resonator. Consequently, light being resonant in the external resonator is more strongly coupled (by the deflector) between the waveguide and the resonator.
Hence, a very weak coupling factor can be used if the coupling is made in connection with a resonance to the wavelength at issue for coupling. Wavelengths not exhibiting resonance in the coupling region are essentially unperturbed, due to the very weak coupling factor for non-resonant wavelengths.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a spectrally selective optical coupler, comprising a waveguide with a deflector. The deflector is operative to deflect light from the light guiding structure of the waveguide into an external resonator, which external resonator is defined by two mirrors provided on opposite sides and outside of said light guiding structure. Light can be coupled out of the external resonator by either of the mirrors having a slightly reduced reflectivity, or by either of the mirrors being provided with an aperture of strongly reduced reflectivity (as compared to the reflectivity of the same mirror off said aperture).
In a preferred embodiment, the deflector comprises a periodic refractive index modulation in the light guiding structure of the waveguide. In the most preferred embodiment, this periodic refractive index modulation is a tilted optical Bragg grating. The tilted optical Bragg grating forms, effectively, a deflector comprising a cascaded series of very weak reflectors, each of which couples light into a single resonant mode in the external resonator.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a spectrally selective optical coupler that is tuneable, thus allowing coupling of different wavelengths at different instants by tuning said coupler. This is obtained by at least one of the mirrors defining the external resonator being adjustable, as to distance between the mirrors or to resonator angle with respect to the light guiding structure of the waveguide. By tilting the external resonator with respect to the light guiding structure, the inventive optical coupler can also be made to pass all wavelengths.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides optical couplers with external resonators, in which the propagation direction of light is essentially perpendicular with respect to the light guiding structure of the waveguide. Thus, the spectrally selective optical couplers according to the present invention can easily be cascaded, in order to achieve coupling of different wavelengths at different positions. This is obtained by arranging a plurality of optical couplers in series, each coupler of said plurality of optical couplers being resonator to a different wavelength.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the features of the present invention governing the coupling of light out of an optical waveguide are equally applicable to the coupling of light into an optical waveguide, since the latter is merely the time reversal of the former.
According to the invention, the deflector that is used to deflect light into the external waveguide can be wavelength discriminating. However, the spectral selectivity of the deflector need not be very high, since spectral selectivity is mainly achieved by means of the external resonator. Nevertheless, in some cases, it might be desirable to have a degree of spectral selectivity in the deflector. This is easily achieved by using a deflector comprising a tilted or a transversally asymmetric Bragg grating, which is adapted for deflection of a predetermined wavelength in a predetermined direction. Generally, the deflected wavelength and its deflection angle are determined by the period of the Bragg grating.
In a transversally asymmetric Bragg grating, the amplitude (modulation depth) is lower at one edge of the grating (radially) than at the opposite edge. This means that when light is reflected against the grating it will have a direction of propagation which is somewhat different from the direction of incidence. If the transversal modulation depth variation is sufficiently large it will be possible to couple light to and from the waveguide with the aid of the transversally asymmetrical phase grating.
In other embodiments, the deflector comprises a surface roughness of the light guiding structure. For example, the surface roughness can be periodic grooves or other light-deflecting means. Also, the mirrors defining the external resonator can be provided with a surface roughness of this kind, to couple out light from the resonator.
One advantage of the optical coupler according to the present invention is that the coupler can be made very compact. The external resonator can advantageously be arranged in such a way that the light in the resonator propagates in a direction perpendicular to the light in the waveguide (sometimes in this application, this is referred to as the external resonator being perpendicular to the waveguide). Thus, light can easily be coupled to or from the waveguide perpendicularly. It will be appreciated that perpendicular coupling of light to or from a waveguide is the most compact way of coupling.
Another advantage of optical couplers according to the present invention is that a plurality of couplers can be arranged in series in a simple manner, thereby facilitating coupling of different wavelengths at different positions along the waveguide.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is its sturdiness. The deflector is incorporated into the waveguide and cannot be tampered with. In the case of the waveguide being an optical fibre, the mirrors defining the external resonator can conveniently be deposited onto the outer surface of the fibre cladding. However, and as known in the art, the curvature of the mirrors must match the waist of the resonator mode in the fibre core. In this case, tuning of the resonator wavelength is obtained by pressing the mirrors, i.e. the cladding. Alternatively, one or both of the mirrors can be separate from the cladding, in which case tuneability is even more easily achieved.
Furthermore, the geometry of the optical coupler according to the invention is very favourable for fibre based applications. It is envisioned that the two mirrors defining the external resonator actually are comprised of a single circumferential reflector, extending fully or partly around the fibre cladding. In such situation, a first part of said reflector constitutes the first mirror, and a second part of said reflector constitutes the second mirror. The requirement being that said two parts still defines a resonator. Typically, the first part and the second part of the reflector (i.e. the first and the second mirror) are opposed to each other, thereby being essentially parallel.
Since the inventive coupler can be made very small, temperature control of the components is more easily achieved. A small size also alleviates the relative precision requirements on the device.


A hair pouch for being worn over wet hair. The pouch has an opening end with a resilient band and a baggy pouch consisting solely of a terry cloth type material. When worn, the weight of baggy portion causes the pouch to hang downward while resting against the wearer's hair causing the hair to flatten out. Wearing this hair pouch eliminates dripping after showers and helps to keep hair dry while working or playing in hot and humid conditions. Furthermore, the pouch allows the wearer to apply makeup without having the wet hair drip. The hair pouch can be worn by person's with long hair, short hair and by chemotherapy patients. The pouch can also be used as a steering wheel cover to protect the steering wheel from the effects of the sun while a vehicle is parked keeping the steering wheel cool so as not to burn a driver's hands.

People with long hair, especially women, have experienced the annoyance of water dripping from their hair after getting their hair wet from a shower, swimming, or other activities which cause the hair to become saturated with water. This dripping water prevents the rest of the body from getting dry and makes one cold. Furthermore, the dripping hair can restrict women from being able to apply makeup until their hair is dry. In the past, most women have wrapped a towel around their heads to stop the dripping water. However, wrapped towels don't stay in place for very long and eventually fall off. Moreover towels are cumbersome to use and afterwards bulky to launder, dry and fold for reuse. In addition, due to the lack of a device to help absorb extra water after a shower, extensive use of a blow dryer is often necessary which can be damaging to ones hair. Also if a person works or plays outside in hot or humid weather, such as when playing golf, sweat can make the hair very wet which then drips into the face and the eyes often affecting performance. Not even a ball cap would help in such conditions.
Various attempts have been made in the prior art patents but have failed to overcome the problems presented above. Comments about these patents will now be described.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,695 to Scott describes a device for drying wet hair. However, Scott U.S. Pat. No. '695 requires their cap device be made out of "rubber, plastic" having a "series of openings" in the cap so that "air circulates into the . . . openings", and a second inner layer of "coarse mesh" for allowing for the "air circulation" about a wearer's head, column 1, lines 49-61. The Scott patent does not allow for the hair to be flattened and does not hang downward from the wearer's head.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,308 to Blume describes an after shower hat made of absorbent pieces of material with an elastic band sewn in to the opening perimeter. However, Blume U.S. Pat. No. '308 requires vertical "stiffening material/strips" sewn into opposite sides to prevent crushing of the hair, abstract. Blume is a rigid device that requires that the "hat will stand relatively straight when worn . . . preventing the hair from becoming flattened", column 2, lines 42-45. Thus, the Blume patent does not flatten the hair of the wearer and does not hang downward from the wearer's head.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,577,945 to Blumenthal describes a cap towel made of absorbent material having a tie string. U.S. Pat. No. 2,470,833 to Moore describes another hair drying cap made of water absorbent material with a tie, string and straps. U.S. Pat. No. 2,493,363 to Sapp teaches a hair drying cap made of pieces of absorbent material. U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,204 to Cross describes a hair drying turban with straps around the opening and tie corners at the end. U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,528 to Day describes a special hair drying towel which consists of a regular towel having snaps on one end and straps on the other end to hold the twisted towel to a persons head. And Canadian patent 453,761 describes a hair drying bonnet made of multiple layers of absorbent material using tie straps.
Although there are many hair drying caps and towels in the prior patented art none has the same structure or is made in the same manner to provide the same benefits of the present invention. Thus, a need exists for a simple, easy and quick to use device that will keep hair from dripping and absorb the excess water.


A bowl shaped metal nanostructure array includes a substrate having a surface and a number of particle-in-bowl structures located on the surface of the substrate. Each particle-in-bowl structures includes a bowl shaped concave structure and a protruding member protruding from the bowl shaped concave structure. The protruding member is integrated with the bowl shaped concave structure.

Bowl shaped metal nanostructure array is a specific morphology of metal grating and has a good application prospect, such as nano-optics, biochemical sensor, or surface plasma science. The metal grating can be made by Lift-off arts, electrochemistry process, or dry etching.
However, property and structure of the bowl shaped metal nanostructure array made by the electrochemistry process is instable. It is attributed to intrusion of chemistry reagent. It is difficult to make specific morphology and small nanostructure by Lift-off arts or dry etching. Thus, it is a challenge to make the bowl shaped metal nanostructure array with good stability.
What is needed, therefore, is to provide a bowl shaped metal nanostructure array that can overcome the above-described shortcomings.


There is provided a method for configuring a plurality of network devices of a wireless fire detection system comprising a configuration device, a gateway device wirelessly communicating with the configuration device, and the plurality of network devices wirelessly communicating with the gateway device and among them, the method comprising: determining, by the configuration device, configuration data of each one of the plurality of network devices for configuring each one of the plurality of network devices; transmitting, by the configuration device, the configuration data to the gateway device; and upon receiving the configuration data from the configuration device, distributing, by the gateway device, the configuration data to each one of the plurality of network devices according to predetermined time slots for transmitting the configuration data.

Various types of wireless fire detection systems are known. In many of these systems, modules such as fire, smoke or gas detectors are coupled.
For instance, there is known a wireless fire detection system using a cascading wave communication protocol which works on the principle of data aggregation. The system is designed for use with compatible intelligent fire systems using proprietary communication protocols. The system translates device coding from the, radio domain to communication loop address recognized by the Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE). Radio frequency communication is established using the cascading wave communication protocol providing a deterministic redundant communication without congesting the network in high traffic scenarios.
Such known wireless fire detection system is illustrated in FIG. 1. The wireless fire detection system 13 is connected to a wired fire detection system 11 via at least one gateway 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless fire detection system can include a plurality of network devices. As a non exhaustive list, such devices can include a plurality of wireless detectors 13-1 and a plurality of wireless call points 13-2. A configuration device 14 is available for system configuration and maintenance.
There is an ongoing need to reduce the costs of installing and maintaining such wireless fire detection system. There is also an ongoing need to be able to conveniently and cost-efficiently modify the configuration of such wireless fire detection system, due to e.g. remodeling or expansion of a monitored region.
Specifically, in order to guarantee complete control of the network configuration, the wireless network must be designed off line either by an expert operator or by taking advantage of some computer aided methods that—knowing the characteristics of the building where the wireless fire detection system is going to be installed and the position of the devices—will generate a network configuration that accomplishes the tasks of optimizing the system performance, satisfying network design constraints, and optimizing network robustness, thereby keeping into account the network devices' transmission range and installation site environmental attenuations.
At the end of the network design phase, network parameters (such as links configuration, communication channels and sync word) must be separately downloaded into each network device. Since the network devices are usually manually programmed by means of a special tool capable to communicate with each of them, the network devices must be in its communication range and the expert operator must program each network device before to install it. Therefore, configuration of the wireless network is a time consuming process and lacks user-friendliness.

Method for configuring a wireless fire detection system


A memory system includes first and second memory devices having commonly connected data terminals and commonly connected memory control signal terminals, e.g., devices in respective first and second independently selectable memory banks that share common data lines and common memory control signal lines, such as column address strobe, row address strobe, write enable, and address signal lines. The first and second memory devices includes respective selective on-die termination (ODT) circuits configured to selectively provide first and second termination impedances at their respective data terminals responsive to a memory control signal at the commonly connected memory control signal terminals. The selective ODT circuits may produce the first termination impedance responsive to a memory write operation, and may produce the second termination impedance responsive to a memory read operation and/or expiration of a predetermined time interval following termination of the memory write operation. Preferably, the first termination impedance is less than the second termination impedance, and the selective ODT circuits provide the first termination impedance responsive to the memory write operation irrespective of which of the first and second memory devices is being written to.

The present invention relates to memory systems, and more particularly, to signal termination in memory systems.
One conventional signal termination technique terminates a signal by connecting a termination resistor and a termination voltage to signal lines arranged on a system board. However, as the number of signal lines arranged on the system board increases, it may become difficult to arrange a termination circuit on the system board.
To solve the above problem, on-die-termination techniques have been developed. One conventional on-die-termination technique terminates a signal by arranging a termination circuit on an integrated circuit die, rather than on the system board. This can enhance arrangement of signal lines on the system board.
In one such conventional on-die-termination method in a conventional dual bank system, once a power supply voltage is applied to the system, an on-die-termination circuit is enabled to connect a termination voltage to data input/output (or input) pads, thereby terminating the signal. Although this method may be simple, it has the potential problem that the on-die-termination circuit is operated even when unneeded, that is, when data are not input to the system. Accordingly, an undesirable amount of energy may be dissipated through the on-die-termination circuit.
Generally, the number of the on-die-termination circuits in such a conventional system is the same as the number of data input/output (or input) pads. Accordingly, the more data input/output (or input) pads of the memory, the more on-die-termination circuits are needed, so the energy wasted by the on-die-termination circuits can become significantly large.

Memory devices, systems and methods using selective on-die termination


A pool cover assembly for covering for covering an above ground swimming pool during periods of non-seasonal use includes a plurality of pool cover brackets arranged about and on the railing of the swimming pool with each pool cover bracket including a hook for engaging the inner lip of the railing and a socket member which projects inwardly, and at an acute angle, toward the swimming pool in order to receive the ends of pole cover supporting beams whereupon each supporting beam will extend across and above the swimming pool for securement to oppositely arranged pairs of brackets thereby forming a cambered framework that supports a pool cover above and around the swimming pool. Each pool cover bracket also includes a ring secured adjacent the hook, and to which the end of a thrust reduction member, such as an elongate metal rod, is attached so that each thrust reduction member can be attached to oppositely arranged pairs of pool cover brackets in order to alleviate the lateral and horizontally directed force of the ends of the supporting beams, and the weight of any debris accumulated on the pool cover, against the sidewall of the swimming pool.

Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention pertains to pool cover supporting systems, and, more particularly, pertains to a pool cover assembly primarily for use with above ground swimming pools to cover the swimming pool during periods of non-seasonal use in order to prevent debris from collecting on or in the pool and thereby marring the quality of the pool water and physically damaging the swimming pool.
The past two decades have seen a dramatic rise in the popularity of backyard swimming pools of both the in ground and above ground type. Their popularity is due to a number of factors including: the wide range of designs, configurations, and sizes available for both types of swimming pools; the sophistication and efficiency of the pumps and filtration systems; the convenience and safety afforded to families, especially families that have small children that cannot be dropped off and left unsupervised at public community swimming pools; the variety of adjunct equipment available such as ladders and slides; and the high quality of construction materials combined with the cost reasonability of most types of swimming pools. In addition, the aesthetic quality of both types of swimming pools can be enhanced by elaborately designed decks.
Both above ground and in ground swimming pools require substantial maintenance during the peak summer swimming season, with a particular emphasis on the daily monitoring of pool water quality. However, maintenance is also required in opening the pool during the spring preparation period and in closing the pool during the fall shutdown period. The most important step in closing the pool, after cleaning and bringing indoors the pump and filtration system, is covering the swimming pool with some kind of tarp that should ideally close off the swimming pool from the exterior environment. If either type of swimming pool were left open and uncovered year round all manner of debrisxe2x80x94leaves, twigs, branches, dead insects, dirt, ice, snow would collect in the swimming pool impairing, and perhaps destroying, pool water quality as well as tearing and possibly ruining the lining and sidewall of the swimming pool necessitating costly repairs.
Therefore, in order to sustain the life of the swimming pool the post-swimming season closing process includes placing a pool cover of a tarpaulin material over the swimming pool. Standard tarps for above ground pools are sized to fit over the edges of the sidewall and include a peripheral nylon or flexible metal wire that is tightened by a hand operable ratchet device. A flotation device can be tied to the railing of the sidewall, and is then floated out to the middle of the pool for spacing the pool cover above the surface of the water to prevent a depression from forming in the middle of the pool. Such a depression will collect the aforementioned debris, and the accumulated weight will cause untoward strain on the sidewall and the durable but fragile pool liner. Invariably, the flotation device will shift in position, and over the course of winter deflate, thereby allowing the pool cover to sag thus thwarting the intentions of the pool owner. The pool cover is too difficult to remove, especially upon the arrival of the winter season, and is simply left on until spring removal despite the loss of shape and effectiveness.
Thus, the prior art discloses a number of different types of pool cover systems and structures for both in-ground and aboveground pools.
With respect to in-ground swimming pools, the Riggs Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,964,759) discloses a frame pool cover having arched members which span the length of the pool, and which attach to side members that engage the pool edge overhang. Side members assist in maintaining the disposition of the arched members, and are secured in position by braces that are screwed into the concrete edge of the pool.
The Bartolucci et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,348) discloses a pool cover which includes a cover that must be unrolled from a spindle and which is permanently secured to the pool by socket elements embedded into the pool edge.
The Perez et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,527) discloses a pool cover apparatus that includes a plurality of frame members that span the pool and are partially submerged in the pool, and at least one support column that rests on the pool bottom for supporting the frame members.
The Demby Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,531) discloses a modular pool cover frame that includes wooden A-frame assemblies that span the swimming pool, and upon which a pool cover is draped.
With respect to aboveground swimming pools, Serrentino (U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,562) discloses a support frame that includes tubular uprights spaced about the swimming pool sidewall, and the uprights support a central frame that is spaced above the pool and from which an inflatable device is pendent.
The Del Gorio Sr. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,337) discloses a pool cover support system that includes a central support member extending upwardly from the pool bottom that supports a plurality of radial support arms that mount to the upper edge of the sidewall at their distal end.
Nonetheless, despite the variety of pool cover systems and structures, there remains a need for a pool cover system or structure that is simple and easy to dispose on the swimming pool, maintains its shape and integrity throughout its period of disposition, and does not produce undue strain on or against the sidewall and liner of the aboveground swimming pool.
The present invention comprehends a pool cover assembly for covering an aboveground swimming pool during periods of non-use.
The pool cover assembly includes a plurality of pool cover brackets that are arranged on, and removably mountable to, a cover plate or railing of the swimming pool sidewall. Each pool cover bracket includes a base portion that is superposed on the railing or cover plate, a hook that extends downwardly from the base portion for engaging the inner lip of the railing of the sidewall, a socket member that projects upwardly from, and at an acute angle to, the base portion, and a ring that projects inwardly from the hook in the same direction as the socket member. The brackets are arranged about the sidewall of the swimming pool so that one pair of brackets is generally disposed opposite of each other on the swimming pool.
The pool cover is supported above and around the swimming pool by a plurality of elongated pool cover supporting beams, and each supporting beam extends across and spans the swimming pool so that the opposed ends of each respective supporting beam can be slidably inserted into the socket members of each pair of oppositely mounted brackets. The socket members have an internal cavity with curved ends and straight sides. The opposed ends of the supporting beams slide snugly between the sides which positions the beam, the elongate cavity permits a range of entry angle allowing for the fit of the supporting beams between the socket members.
When disposed in their operative position, the supporting beams form an arched or cambered structure over the swimming pool for supporting the pool cover. In addition, the pool cover assembly includes at least one thrust reduction member for lessening the strain and outwardly directed force against the upper end of the sidewall from the supporting beams and the debris that has accumulated on the pool cover. The thrust reduction members can include flexible metal coils each of which will extend between, and be secured to the rings of one pair of pool cover brackets oppositely mounted on the sidewall. The flexible coils will span the swimming pool slightly above the water surface and will tend to counteract the strain and outwardly directed horizontal thrust of the beams and load from the debris that has accumulated on the pool cover.
It is an object of the present invention is to provide a pool cover assembly that is lightweight and easy to assemble and disassemble.
It is another object of the present invention is to provide a pool cover assembly that is capable of being configured to fit onto and cover round, square, rectangular, and other such non-standard shaped swimming pools.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pool cover assembly that can fully cover a swimming pool but does not require permanent mounting to the swimming pool and does not require any alteration or modification of any structural parts of the swimming pool.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pool cover assembly that provides structural elements that can alleviate and counteract any strain and outwardly directed force that may result from the disposition of the supporting beams in the brackets and load from the debris that may accumulate on the pool cover.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.


TCP congestion avoidance is implemented upon retransmission of a packet and is reverted back to the original congestion state upon receipt of an early acknowledgement (ACK), indicating reordering of packets, thereby eliminating a needless restriction on TCP bandwidth. Upon receiving an ACK to a retransmitted packet, it is determined if the ACK resulted from receipt of the original reordered packet or the retransmitted packet, based on the arrival time of the ACK at the sender. If the round-trip-time (RTT) for the retransmitted packet is much lower than the average or current calculated RTT for the network link between sender and receiver, then the retransmission occurred as a result of a reordering event, and the congestion window is restored back to its value prior to the retransmission, thereby permitting the network link to continue operating at its original increased throughput.

The Internet has become an important conduit for transmission and distribution of data (text, code, image, video, audio, or mixed) and software. Users connect to the backbone with broadly divergent levels of performance, ranging from 14.4 Kb/s to more than 45 Mb/s. Moreover, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) has become a widely implemented standard communication protocol in Internet and Intranet technology, enabling broad heterogeneity between clients, servers, and the communications systems coupling them. Internet Protocol (IP) is the network layer protocol and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is the transport layer protocol. At the network level, IP provides a "datagram" delivery service. By contrast, TCP builds a connection oriented transport level service over the datagram service to provide guaranteed, sequential delivery of a byte stream between two IP hosts. Application data sent to TCP is broken into segments before being sent to IP. Segments are sequenced by segment numbers.
Reliability in data transmission can be compromised by three events: data corruption, data loss, and reordering of data. Data loss is managed by a time-out mechanism. TCP maintains a timer (retransmission timer) to measure the delay in receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) from the receiver for a transmitted segment. When an ACK does not arrive within an estimated time interval, the corresponding segment is assumed to be lost and is retransmitted. TCP manages reordering of data or out-of-order arrival of its segments transmitted as IP datagrams by maintaining a reassembly queue that queues incoming packets until they are rearranged in-sequence. Only when data in this queue gets in sequence is it moved to the user's receive buffer where it can be seen by the user. TCP manages data corruption by performing a checksum on segments as they arrive at the receiver. On checksum, the TCP sender computes the checksum on the packet data and puts this 2-byte value on the TCP header. The checksum algorithm is a 16-bit one's complement of a one's complement sum of all 16-bit words in the TCP header and data. The receiver computes the checksum on the received data (excluding the 2-byte checksum field in the TCP header) and verifies that it matches the checksum value in the header. The checksum field also includes a 12-byte pseudo header that contains information from IP header (including a 4-byte "src ip" address, 4-byte "dest ip" address, 2-byte payload length, 1-byte protocol field).
The TCP protocol was initially designed to work in networks with low link error rates, i.e., all segment losses were mostly due to network congestion. As a result, the sender decreases its transmission rate each time a segment loss is detected. However, when a reordered packet is erroneously determined to be a packet lost in network congestion, the associated decrease in transmission rate from congestion control causes unnecessary throughput degradation.
Packet reordering is a common occurrence in TCP networks given the prevalence of parallel links and other causes of packet reordering. For instance, on Ether-channel where a number of real adapters are aggregated to form a logical adapter, packet reordering is commonly caused when packets are sent in parallel over these multiple adapters. In TCP, any data packets following the one that has been lost or reordered are queued at the receiver until the missing packet arrives. The receiver then acknowledges all the packets together. While the receiver is waiting for the lost packet to be retransmitted, no more data is sent. However, due to the reordering of packets, TCP sessions will automatically implement Fast Retransmit and Recovery because TCP will wrongly infer that network congestion has caused a packet loss. When reordering inadvertently triggers Fast Retransmit and Recovery or notification through Selective Acknowledgment Option (SACK), the congestion window is cut in half; and when a time-out occurs, the congestion window is set to one segment size, forcing slow start. Because these mechanisms automatically reduce the congestion window, such packet reordering inadvertently causes drastic degradation in network performance. It would be desirable to avoid such unnecessary throughput degradation due to packet reordering.

Method, system and article for improved TCP performance during packet reordering

International Business Machines Corporation


Programmable wavelength line switches and routers based on a complementary wavelength switch (CWS) building block are described for switching optical signals of different wavelengths between signal lines, with each carrying multiple wavelengths. The CWS building block is based on a complementary bandpass filter structure. The reconfigurable wavelength routers described allow any of a plurality of wavelengths on any line to be switched to any output line by programming the filters accordingly. The various implementations described are useful for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), dense WDM, and ultra dense WDM optical communications systems, as well as for on-chip interconnects and optical signal processing.

In Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) optical communications networks, optical signals are transmitted at predetermined wavelengths in which each wavelength forms a communication channel in the network and the wavelength of the optical signal is used to control the destination of the signal through the network. In Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks, the number of wavelength channels is increased by reducing the channel wavelength separation. In a standard DWDM network, the separation between communication channels is 100 GHz, and 50 GHz in more advanced systems.
In WDM and DWDM networks, switches are used to select paths for optical signals through the optical fibers forming the networks, i.e., to direct optical signals from one optical fiber to another and from one wavelength channel to another. Switches tend to be large and complex, interconnecting many inputs and outputs over multiple wavelengths.
One type of switch implementation, such as arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) implementations, entails complicated routing and wavelength sequencing. Moreover, for AWG implementations with large numbers of inputs and outputs, it is not clear that such implementations are truly reconfigurable on any wavelength and between any input and any output.

Reconfigurable DWDM wavelength switch based on complementary bandpass filters