A direct television broadcasting satellite facility (S1, S2, S3) having at least two coverage areas (T1, T2). At the beginning of the life of the facility, with present Standards, only two satellites (S1, S2) each having two beams (F1 & F2 and F'1 & F'2) are used, each satellite having 12 channel and redundancy amplifiers for five channels. When high-definition television is subsequently introduced progressively, the amplifiers will be coupled together in parallel and in pairs, and at least one additional satellite (S3), identical to the two initial satellites, will be launched when required.

The present invention relates to a satellite telecommunications facility capable of covering a plurality of distinct Earth coverage areas. In particular, it applies to the field of direct television broadcasting to a plurality of geographical coverage areas.
Known direct broadcast television satellites are provided to beam a determined number of channels to a determined Earth coverage area with satisfactory backup or redundancy.
For present television Standards, e.g. D2-MAC, one Travelling-Wave Tube (TWT) amplifier is provided per channel, the power of the amplifier currently lying in the medium range 50 watts to 130 watts.
Under these conditions, the system needs to be equipped with a certain number of replacement amplifiers used as redundancy in order to mitigate failure in any one of the power amplifiers.
From the point of view of users, it is not good enough merely to provide replacement (130-watt) amplifiers on board the satellite because the satellite may itself fail for a variety of reasons.
In order to provide almost perfect backup, it is currently necessary to provide two satellites capable of beaming the same channels to a coverage area. For example, if a satellite is to relay five D2-MAC television programs, it could itself include five TWT amplifiers (providing 130 watts per channel), and it could be associated with a backup other satellite which in turn includes another five (130-watt) TWT amplifiers.
Nowadays, it is almost essential when launching a direct broadcast television satellite for the a satellite to be capable of relaying High-Definition Television, for which marketing is currently under very active consideration, thus ensuring that the satellite is not only profitable now, but will remain so over the next few years.
The difficulty lies in the fact that future High-Definition Television requires the repeater satellite to have amplifiers providing much higher power than the amplifiers currently in use. For example, an HD-MAC Standard channel will require a high power 230-watt amplifier instead of the medium-power 130-watt amplifier which is currently sufficient for a D2-MAC Standard channel.
Current advice is to solve this problem by equipping satellites presently intended for D2-MAC channels with overdimensioned amplifiers capable of subsequently transmitting HD-MAC Standard channels.
Given the above numerical data, this means that for one coverage area, it is necessary to provide two satellites each including five 230-watt TWT amplifiers.
Therefore, given this currently-held concept, in order to cover two distinct areas, it is necessary in all to provide up to four overdimensioned satellites of this type. A drawback with this is that it requires very large investment to be made in a future market which is entirely hypothetical because it is not currently known if and when High-Definition Television will really be marketed.

Satellite telecommunications facility capable of covering a plurality of coverage areas


A MRAM structure is described that has a dedicated data storage layer formed between first and second electrodes and a dedicated data sensing layer between second and third electrodes to enable separate read and write functions. A diode between the storage layer and first electrode allows a heating current to flow between first and second electrodes to switch the data storage layer while a field is applied. A second diode between the sensing layer and third electrode enables a sensing current to flow only between second and third electrodes during a read process. Data storage and sensing layers and the three electrodes may be arranged in a vertical stack or the sensing layer, second diode, and third electrode may be shifted between adjacent stacks each containing first and second electrodes, a storage layer, and first diode. Second electrode and the sensing layer may be continuous elements through multiple MRAMs.

MRAM, based on the integration of silicon CMOS with magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) technology, is a major emerging technology that is highly competitive with existing semiconductor memories such as SRAM, DRAM, Flash, etc. A conventional MRAM device generally includes two magnetic layers. Magnetization of one layer is always pinned in a certain direction either through an exchange coupling field from other layers such as in a synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) structure, or through internal anisotropy of the pinned layer itself. The pinned layer serves as the reference layer (RL) for the second magnetic layer (free layer or FL) whose magnetic moment is free to switch from a direction parallel to that of the pinned layer (low resistance state) to a direction anti-parallel to the pinned layer (high resistance state), or vice versa. The FL, RL, and a third non-magnetic layer formed between the free and pinned layers form a magnetoresistive (MR) junction so that when FL magnetization direction rotates due to an applied magnetic field, the resistance change across the junction is measured by a voltage signal from a DC current applied across the junction. When the middle non-magnetic layer is a metal, the resulting junction is a Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor and when the middle non-magnetic layer is a dielectric material, a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor is established. Thus, by flipping FL magnetization between two distinctive magnetization states defined by either shape anisotropy or other anisotropies, which do not exchange spontaneously, the junction can serve as a magnetic memory unit (cell) for data storage. In a MRAM cell, FL is also referred to as a storage layer and the middle non-magnetic layer is typically a dielectric material.
Switching of the storage layer magnetization can be accomplished by an external field. In MRAM, each single cell is required to be switchable without switching other cells. In conventional field MRAM, two current carrying metal lines cross above and below a given MRAM cell in a crosspoint configuration so that the total field generated by the current from the two lines is able to switch only the cell where they intersect. However, in reality, the magnetic field still exists although at a reduced level for all cells that lie on either of the two metal lines thereby causing a so called "half-select" problem which requires a higher energy barrier to switch each cell. Another characteristic of MRAM is that intrinsic switching field distribution (SFD) of each cell requires a low switching field to guarantee 100% success rate during switching. Therefore, the two intrinsic problems (half-select and SFD) make conventional field switching MRAM difficult to optimize because of a narrow operation margin.
Additional effort relating to the field switching scheme to enable less perturbing of non-switching cells and easier switching of switching cells is to locally reduce the magnetic energy barrier for switching by introducing heating of the cell to be switched. Several prior art examples are mentioned below and are mainly focused on using a high anisotropy material, either by intrinsic crystalline anisotropy or exchange coupling to an anti-ferromagnetic material, whose anisotropy energy decreases as temperature increases. U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,678 describes a magnetic memory element that is written to by heating the memory element and applying at least one magnetic field to the memory element. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,771,534, a MRAM has a free magnetic electrode and a stable magnetic electrode with an adjacent oxide layer. The oxide layer has a resistance at levels to allow sufficient power dissipation to lower the anisotropy of the free magnetic electrode through current induced heating. U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,263 discloses a magnetic storage cell with a set of conductors used to write data to a storage cell and a second set of conductors used to heat the magnetic storage cell and read data from the magnetic storage cell. In U.S. Patent App. Publication 2006/0291276, the operating temperature of the reading memory or resting memory is selected in such a way that it is lower than the blocking temperature of the free and trapped layers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,685 describes a thermally assisted magnetic memory structure with a first conductor surrounded by cladding, a memory cell thermally isolated from the first conductor, and a second conductor electrically contacting the memory cell. U.S. Pat. No. 7,180,770 discloses a storage device which includes a plurality of heating elements connected in series with magnetic memory elements in which each heating element comprises a diode that produces heat to facilitate the device write function.
The operation of designs in the aforementioned prior art relies on a current flowing through the device to generate heat in the data storage layer to enable switching of the data storage layer. While a half-select field still exists in other devices due to heating not being exerted, accidental switching is avoided by a high anisotropy field in the storage layer. It is important to note in the prior art that the data storage layer is always part of the signal generation layer such as a free layer or reference layer of a MR junction. Furthermore, the current needed for heating is usually not insignificant. As a result, if the current heating up the data storage layer also passes through the MR junction, the junction material which is usually an oxide for higher signal from a MRAM cell, can degrade over time and may impose practical reliability concerns.
The most recent MRAM scheme (STT-RAM) utilizes a spin-torque effect where an electric current flowing from one magnetic layer to a second magnetic layer is able to impose magnetic torque on the magnetizations of the layers. In the spin-torque effect, the data storage layer's magnetization in a given MRAM cell is switchable by a localized current flowing through the cell and thereby eliminates the half-select problem. However, a significant amount of current still flows through the tunnel barrier layer (MR junction) which means junction reliability continues to be a practical concern because of high current density.
In other prior art references, U.S. Patent App. Publication 2007/0189064 describes a random access memory cell that can store multiple information states in a single bit. A conventional MTJ is magnetostatically coupled to a reference stack and the magnetic moment of the free layer can be changed in small increments with each unique direction corresponding to a different information state. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,877, a magnetic memory device is disclosed and includes a spin transfer driven element disposed between a first terminal and a second terminal, and a readout element disposed between the second terminal and a third terminal. A phase change RAM (PRAM) is illustrated in U.S. Patent Application 2007/0184613 and includes a resistance element having a diode function. The PRAM may have a substrate, a phase change diode layer formed on the substrate, and an upper electrode on the phase change diode layer.

Heat assisted switching and separated read-write MRAM


A control device for displaying the received short public notice or advertisement message in real time in a digital mobile station, which is equipped with a short message service (SMS) function, comprising a volatile memory for temporarily storing the short public notice or advertisement message to be accessed in real time; a display with a message screen capable of allocating an advertisement display part of the display for displaying the short public notice message stored in the volatile memory, upon receiving the short public notice message; a detector for detecting a predefined identifier attached to the short public notice message to identify the short public notice message from other ordinary messages; and, a control unit for controlling the short public notice message to be stored into the volatile memory and to be displayed in real time on the advertisement display part of the display.

This application makes reference to and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. Section 119 from an application for CONTROL DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING A SHORT MESSAGE IN REAL TIME IN A DIGITAL MOBILE STATION AND METHOD THEREFOR filed earlier in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Jul. 28, 1999 and there duly assigned Serial No. 30936/1999.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device and method for displaying a short message in a digital mobile station. More particularly, a control device and method for displaying in real time the short message sent sporadically by a telecommunication service provider to a digital mobile station.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional digital mobile station usually provides the user with a short message service (SMS) feature through which the short character messages can be exchanged as well as the ordinary voice communication signals. The SMS function has been widely adapted to be used in the digital mobile communications system. Accordingly, a digital mobile station is equipped with a device for editing, inputting and sending the short message. In such digital mobile station, the received short message is stored into a non-volatile memory from which it can be retrieved by the user through a specially designated key function.
Although this key function feature serves to provide the user with privacy by preventing the private short message to be accessed by others, it also causes inconvenience to the user as the user has to manipulate the key operation to retrieve any message including the non-important SMS messages forwarded by the mobile communication service provider, such as public notices or advertisements. Thus, the user is inconvenienced by having to activate a specific key function to retrieve any message regardless of its content.
Moreover, as the conventional SMS function is designed for a mobile station to store all received short messages into a non-volatile memory (i.e., EEPROM or flash memory) regardless of the content of the message, the user is unable to use the memory space efficiently. Thus, an improved SMS function is needed to display in real time the short public notice or the advertisement message being sent sporadically by the service provider, without storing the received short message into the memory.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device and method for displaying in real time a public notice or advertisement message sent by the communication service provider to a mobile station, without first storing the message into the memory and without performing the request specially designed to retrieve the message from the memory.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, a control device for displaying the received short public notice or advertisement message in real time in a digital mobile station includes a volatile memory for temporarily storing the short public notice or advertisement message to be accessed in real time; a display unit having a message screen capable of displaying the received short public notice or advertisement message, which is temporally stored in the volatile memory, at one end of the message screen of the display unit, upon receiving the short message; a detector for detecting a predefined identifier attached to the short message to identify the short message; and, a control unit for controlling the short message to be stored into the volatile memory temporally and to be displayed on one end of the display unit in real time.
The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the drawings attached only by way of example.

Control device for displaying a short message in real time in a digital mobile station and method therefor


A printing apparatus is disclosed that is suitable for controlling a barred access, with a front port for inserting and expelling tickets, sensor means for reading a ticket introduced into the port, an input/output interface and thermal printing means controlled by an electronic processor including a memory that can contain a script including an instruction to activate the printing means in response to an input signal received from the sensor means or via the interface and an instruction to send an output signal via the interface in response to a signal emitted by sensor means. A computerized central system, arranged outside the printing apparatus for controlling the barred access, is associated with the printing apparatus by means of an initial system configurations that is simplified.

Specifically but not exclusively, the invention can be usefully applied to controlling the entry and exit of vehicles or pedestrians through a given area, for example an area with payment for parking or transit, like a car park, a private road, or a zone with limited access.
The prior art comprises parking columns provided with a printing apparatus that is usable for managing the car park by means of parking permits in the form of printed tickets. The printing apparatus is able to emit a parking permit (i.e. print an entry ticket to the car park) and to read the parking permit (validating the ticket at the exit from the car park).
The printing apparatus is connected to the computerised central system controlling the car park or another system with barred access, to act in a coordinated manner with the various actuators and sensors of the car park, such as, for example, a closing bar, traffic lights, a ticket request pushbutton, a motor vehicle sensor, an automatic payment point, etc.
Known printing apparatuses, used in parking columns, nevertheless have the problem of requiring complex hardware configurations for installing in the entry/exit management system for managing controlled access to the car park, in particular for the logic connection of the printing apparatus to the peripheral unit that coordinates the various operations of the entry/exit management system.
Normally in fact, an external control unit has to be provided (for example a PLC or a dedicated logic card) with the instructions necessary for operating the management system for managing controlled access to the car park. Such instructions can comprise, for example, driving the barring means (bar, gate, etc), reading signals coming from the different sensors of the system (pushbuttons, vehicle presence sensors, ticket validation sensors, etc), piloting the traffic light system, etc.


An electronic camera is adapted for processing images of different resolution to provide a user selectable image record size. A buffer memory is provided for storing color image pixels from a sensor corresponding to at least one image. Processing responsive to a resolution mode switch controls the order in which color image pixels are selected for output storage in both vertical and horizontal directions. The order selected by the resolution switch includes a full resolution mode, and at least one reduced resolution mode in which the low resolution color image pixels are calculated to exactly replicate the pixel geometry of the original CFA image. This simplifies the image processing for the rest of the imaging chain because the same algorithms can be used regardless of the selected image resolution.

In the practice of electronic color imaging, it is desirable to simultaneously capture image data in sets of three color planes, usually red, green, and blue. When the three color planes are combined, it is possible to create a high-quality color image. Capturing these three sets of image data can be done in a number of ways. Ideally, three separate two-dimensional image sensors would be used, each capturing one color plane. However, in the interest of conserving space and cost, as well as minimizing complexity, image data in three colors is ordinarily captured with a single two-dimensional sensor; such a sensor includes an array of photosensitive pixels that are covered by a pattern of red, green, and blue filters. This type of filter pattern is known as a color filter array (CFA), and the resulting image is referred to hereafter as a CFA image. FIG. 1 shows how the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) pixels are commonly arranged in a CFA pattern on the surface of an image sensor. The illustrated pattern is the well known Bayer array, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,065, incorporated herein by reference. In particular, note that each photosensitive pixel produces a single color signal.
When a CFA image is obtained from a sensor using a CFA pattern, it is therefore necessary to interpolate the missing red, green, and blue values so that there is an estimate of all three color values for each pixel location. Once the interpolation is completed, each pixel is associated with three color values and therefore can be processed by a variety of known image processing techniques, depending on the needs of the system. Some examples of such processing include image sharpening, color correction, or halftoning.
An electronic camera of this type is described in patent application Ser. No. 085,516,entitled "Single Sensor Color Camera with User-Selectable Image Record Size", filed Jun. 30, 1993 in the name of the same assignee as the present application. Furthermore, application Ser. No. 085,516 describes an electronic camera adapted for processing images of different resolution in order to provide a user selectable image record size. A buffer memory is provided for storing color image pixels from a sensor, and a timing controller responsive to a resolution mode switch controls the order in which color image pixels are selected for storage in both vertical and horizontal directions. The order selected by the resolution mode switch includes a full resolution mode, and at least one reduced resolution mode in which the color image pixels are subsampled. FIG. 2A shows an example of one such low-resolution pattern, with a circle surrounding each sampled pixel.
The electronic camera described in Ser. No. 085,516 is capable of storing full resolution CFA images or reduced resolution images, or a combination of images of the different resolutions. Though several methods of generating the low resolution image are described, all of the methods have the same disadvantage. They all create a low resolution CFA image that is spatially different from the original CFA image. Even in FIG. 2B, which shows another low resolution CFA image, the red pixels and the blue pixels are not centered with respect to the green pixels. Consequently, interpolated low resolution pixels are calculated using pixels that are not centered in the same geometric pattern as the original CFA image. This happens because it is difficult to find a subsampling pattern for the Bayer array that would replicate the geometric spacing of the original CFA pattern, at least for moderate levels of resolution reduction. The shifted geometry of the reduced resolution pixels has the following disadvantages.
1. The CFA interpolation is designed for the full resolution CFA geometry. If the interpolation is applied to the shifted geometry of the low resolution pixels, e.g. as shown in either FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B, it will cause artifacts in the image. To avoid this, it is necessary to implement a separate, and typically more complicated, interpolation algorithm.
2. If the image is stored in a compressed form, the compression algorithm may not be optimal for the low resolution pixel geometries. This can cause the compression algorithm to compress at a higher bit rate or lower quality. For example, unwanted color shadows and color fringing can show up in the subsequently decompressed image.
3. If further resolution reduction is necessary, each new reduction shifts the geometry again, so that new interpolation algorithms must be designed.

CFA compatible resolution reduction in a single sensor electronic camera


A loading assembly of a bale wagon includes a lift actuator configured to drive a clamp assembly to rotate about a local lateral axis and a rotation actuator configured to drive the clamp assembly to rotate about a vertical axis. The loading assembly also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the lift actuator and to the rotation actuator, in which the controller includes a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to selectively control the lift actuator to rotate the clamp assembly about the local lateral axis between a collection position and a longitudinal delivery position, and control the lift actuator and the rotation actuator to rotate the clamp assembly about the local lateral axis and about the vertical axis between the collection position and a lateral delivery position.

The present disclosure relates generally to a loading assembly of a bale wagon.
Bale wagons are used after a crop harvesting process to collect bales of crop material. For example, a bale wagon may be used to collect bales of hay or other crop material that is located on a surface of a field. The bale wagon may then form the bales into a composite stack on the bale wagon, and subsequently discharge the composite stack into a storage area. The bale wagon may include tables that receive bales collected from the field, form the composite stack, and facilitate discharge of the composite stack into the storage area. For example, the bale wagon may include a first table that receives the bale from a bale loading assembly mounted on a chassis of the bale wagon. The first table accumulates a selected number of bales, which are arranged in a row. Once a desired number of bales are accumulated in a row, the first table transfers the row of bales to a second table that accumulates several rows of bales. The second table transfers the rows of bale to a third table, or load bed, which forms the composite stack and unloads the composite stack into the storage area. For example, the third table may pivot (e.g., about 90 degrees) and deposit the composite stack on a surface of the storage area (e.g., the surface of the field, the floor of a storage building, etc.).
Certain loading assemblies include a clamp assembly configured to capture a bale on the surface of the field. For example, the clamp assembly may capture a bale having a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the bale wagon. The loading assembly may then rotate the clamp assembly about a rotation axis that is angled relative to the direction of travel of the bale wagon. Upon completion of the rotation, the longitudinal axis of the bale may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the bale wagon, and the bale may be disposed on the first table of the bale wagon. The clamp assembly may then release the bale, thereby delivering the bale to the first table. Unfortunately, rotating the clamp assembly and the bale about the angled rotation axis substantially shifts the center of gravity of the bale wagon during the rotation. As a result, the contact force between at least one wheel of the bale wagon and the surface of the field may be substantially reduced, thereby reducing the traction of the bale wagon.


An air bag for a front passenger is provided with a loose portion on a windshield side, and after the loose portion is formed, edges of the air bag on the opposite side of the windshield are folded in concavities formed behind the loose portion. Then, the air bag is folded toward the passenger side. Therefore, the air bag starts to deploy from a part on the windshield side to provide suitable deployment to securely restrain an occupant. The air bag can be deployed smoothly, and prevent undesired pressure on the windshield without increasing the cost.

The present invention relates to a method of folding an air bag which is deployed to protect an occupant in the event of vehicle emergency, and the air bag thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of folding an air bag which can provide suitable deployment to securely restrain an occupant and which is improved in smooth deployment.
There are various methods generally employed for folding an air bag. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an air bag for a front passenger (hereinafter, referred to as "passenger air bag") which is folded in one of conventional folding methods. In FIG. 7, right and left side edges 11 of the air bag 1 are folded in bellows. The air bag 1 is folded to have a width corresponding to the width of an air bag case 2 so that the air bag 1 can be accommodated in the air bag case 2.
Also, there is a passenger air bag, which is deployed, at first, toward an upper portion of an instrument panel, and then, extends toward an upper side of an occupant in a front passenger seat.
FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) show that a passenger air bag which has been folded in a conventional method is being deployed. FIG. 8(A) is a side sectional view, and FIG. 8(B) is a sectional view taken along line 8(B)--8(B) in FIG. 8(A).
Referring to FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), as an inflator 4 disposed in the air bag case 2 generates gas and the gas enters into the air bag 1 as shown by arrows, an air bag cover 9 arranged on an instrument panel 8 is broken by the inner pressure of the air bag 1, so that the air bag 1 is deployed above the instrument panel 8.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 8(B), an upper portion la of the air bag 1, which is positioned near a windshield glass 3 (hereinafter, referred to as "windshield" or "glass"), strikes the windshield 3 when the upper portion la is still in the folded state.
In the passenger air bag folded in the conventional method, it can not be predicted how the deploying air bag 1 strikes the windshield 3, so that there is a possibility that the glass is subjected to undesired local pressure. In order to prevent undesired local pressure on the glass, various measures have been taken, for example, reducing the output of the inflator, adjusting the mount position of the air bag 1 and/or the angle for mounting the air bag case 2, and increasing the strength of the windshield 3. These measures impair the working efficiency of assembling the passenger air bag and increase the cost.
It is, therefore, desired to provide improved folding methods.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide a method of folding a passenger air bag, which can provide suitable deployment to securely restrain an occupant and which is improved in smooth deployment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a passenger air bag, which can provide suitable and smooth deployment.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

Air bag for passenger and folding method thereof


Provided is an integrated circuit or the like capable of rapidly correcting erroneous data write and making contents of the RAMs that are in the multiple modular redundancy coincident in a case where a logic circuit performs the erroneous data write to the RAMs while operating logic circuits and RAMs at a high speed. In order to solve the problem, the integrated circuit including logic circuits and RAMs for which data write and data read are performed by the logic circuits includes a multiple modular redundancy logic circuits, a plurality of RAMs respectively connected to the multiple modular redundancy logic circuits, and a RAM access correction unit which compares access signals from the multiple modular redundancy logic circuit to the RAMs to detect an erroneous data write and corrects an error of the RAM.

Although a plurality of special purpose LSIs (ASICs) are used in an apparatus such as a home electric appliance, an AV apparatus, a mobile phone, an automobile, and an industrial machine, the special purpose LSI is an essential component for high performance, advanced function, miniaturization, low power consumption, and cost reduction in an apparatus. In recent years, a reliability problem that a transient failure (soft error) with radiation is likely to occur due to micro-fabrication of a semiconductor process. A static random access memory (SRAM) which is a volatile memory which does not require regular refreshing (storing and maintaining operation) is built-in an LSI such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, and an AISC as a data storage memory other than a memory chip of a single unit, however, the SRAM is known to have a soft error resistance lower than that of a device such as a combination circuit or a flip flop.
An error detection and correction technique called an error correction code (ECC) is generally used as a countermeasure to the soft error of the SRAM. A redundant code portion is added to the SRAM, a redundant code is generated at the time of data write and stored together with data, the error detection and correction is performed using the data and redundant code at the time of data read. In a scheme called a single error correction and double error detection (SECDED), 1-bit error correction and 2-bit error detection are possible.
When micro-fabrication of semiconductor process is further progressed, it is known that the soft error becomes a problem in a sequential circuit such as a flip flop. Although a situation in which a soft error occurs in a flip flop included in a logic circuit and the logic circuit operates erroneously to cause an erroneous access to the SRAM is considered, in such a case, it is unable to detect and correct an error by the ECC.
Furthermore, contrary to the ASIC in which an internal logic circuit is fixed, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) which is a programmable device in which the internal logic circuit may be defined and changed by a user maintains logic circuit information within a configuration RAM (CRAM) and thus, there is a problem that the soft error occurs in the CRAM, logic circuit information is written and altered, and the logic circuit is changed to malfunction (failed) and erroneously operates.
There is triple modular redundancy as a method not causing an erroneous output even when a logic circuit is failed. The outputs of logic circuits of triple modular redundancy are subjected to majority decision processing and when results of the majority decision processing become a two to one ratio, a majority side that two results coincide with each other is selected. RAM access signals of the logic circuit are subjected to the majority decision processing to thereby make it possible to mask an erroneous access and perform a normal access.
In Non-Patent Literature 1, a method called "TMR block RAM with refresh" is suggested as an error correction method of a block RAM (BRAM) which is a built-in memory of the FPGA. In this method, one port of two access ports of the BRAM is used for accessing a logic circuit and the other port is used for error correction. The BRAM is connected each of the logic circuits of triple modular redundancy and a BRAM refresh circuit is connected to the port for error correction. The BRAM refresh circuit reads data from the same address of three BRAMs simultaneously, performs the majority decision processing on the data, and writes back the data irrelevantly to an access to the logic circuit. Accessing to the BRAM is executed while updating an address periodically.

Integrated circuit and programmable device


A replaceable print cartridge includes a container and a memory coupled to the container. The memory is configured to limit use of printing material that is to be contained in the container.

Today's image-forming systems, such as printers and copiers, are commonly used to perform a multitude of different functions in private, commercial and government settings. In particular environments, the cost of operating the image-forming system can be relatively expensive due to the cost of the resources, such as paper, ink or toner, that is consumed. In other environments, specialty inks, toner or paper may be used to print legal documents and negotiable instruments such as checks and the like to prevent easy printing or other duplication of such documents and instruments.
In an attempt to conserve expensive resources such as paper, ink and toner and to prevent the unauthorized printing of legal documents and negotiable instruments, many image-forming systems limit their use to authorized individuals. This is typically achieved by the computer network to which the printer or copier is connected or the printer or copier itself requiring the user to enter a password or some other form of user authorizing identification. Unfortunately, such security measures may frequently be circumvented by the user simply moving the paper, ink or toner to a different printer or copier which does not require user authentication.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A semiconductor device includes a Hall element, a sealing resin and at least one mount surface. The Hall element includes a functional surface and at least one electrode provided on the functional surface. The sealing resin includes a resin obverse surface and a resin reverse surface spaced apart from each other in a thickness direction, and covers at least a portion of the Hall element. The mount surface is electrically connected to the electrode of the Hall element and exposed from the resin reverse surface. The Hall element includes an exposed surface opposite to the functional surface. The exposed surface is flush with either one of the resin obverse surface and the resin reverse surface.

As is well known, a Hall element can be used as a sensor of various forms due to the Hall effect. For example, incorporating a Hall element into a mobile phone makes it possible to detect opening or closing of the main body of the mobile phone.
As an example, JP-A-2013-197386 discloses a semiconductor device in which a Hall element is mounted. This semiconductor device includes, in addition to the Hall element, a lead electrically connected to the Hall element, and a sealing resin covering the Hall element and the lead.
In recent years, there is an increasing demand for thickness reduction of semiconductor devices. For the semiconductor device disclosed in the above-described document, the thickness of the sealing resin covering the Hall element adds to the thickness of the entire device. Such a structure still has a room for improvement in terms of thickness reduction.

Semiconductor element with hall element and sealing resin


The invention intends to accurately measure a concentration of an object. An optical sensor (1) includes a detection light source (10) that emits measuring light, a light detection unit (40) that detects light intensity of the measuring light, which has been changed due to a change in optical characteristics of an object detection member (20), and a reference light source (11) that emits reference light. Light intensity of the reference light is detected by the light detection unit (40) without being affected by the change in the optical characteristics of the object detection member. The two light sources are arranged under the same environment.

Optical sensors for sensing objects with the aid of light have been used so far in a variety of applications. Examples of those optical sensors are disclosed in Patent Literatures (PTLs) 1 and 2.
PTL 1 discloses a measurement method for use in a measuring device including a measuring chip and a reference chip, and utilizing attenuated total reflectance. In the disclosed measurement method, a sensitivity difference between the measuring chip and the reference chip is obtained with photodiodes (detection units) that are included respectively in the measuring chip and the reference chip. Then, an analyte is added to only the measuring chip, a measurement result of the reference chip is calibrated with the above-mentioned sensitivity difference, and a measurement result of the measuring chip is corrected with the calibrated measurement result. This method measures a concentration of the analyte (object) by evaluating a change in the attenuated total reflectance.
PTL 2 discloses a molecule detector including a light source that emits light of a predetermined wavelength, an optical element including a waveguide (core layer) of a photonic crystal structure having changeable optical characteristics, and a detection unit that detects adsorption of a specific molecule on the basis of a change in light emitted from the optical element. A concentration of the specific molecule (object) adsorbed on the waveguide is measured by the detection unit evaluating a change in the optical characteristics of the waveguide. Furthermore, in the disclosed molecule detector, when there are plural waveguides, the above-mentioned measurement can be performed free from influences of environmental changes, etc. by employing any one of the waveguides as a reference.

Light intensity detector and detection method


A high speed, compact low power integer adder unit for advanced microprocessors features modular construction, low gate count and a fast add time. A 64-bit implementation is characterized by a unique combination of dual rail logic circuits and dual carry select path within each of four 16-bit adder building blocks to achieve a one gate delay increment for each additional 16-bit adder building block after the first. Each of the 16-bit adder building blocks are composed of modules that receive four of sixteen bits of the operands, and each of the modules are comprised of submodules. The submodules are in turn comprised of dual rail logic circuits with a dual carry select path so as to constitute a nested carry select architecture wherein the nesting of the dual carry select path extends from submodules to a module and from modules to a basic building block. The dual carry select paths are optimized both internal to the submodules and modules and at the submodule and module boundaries to achieve a minimum gate delay number.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to arithmetic units for digital computers and, more particularly, to the implementation of a compact, high speed, fully static 64-bit integer adder for advanced microprocessors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the design and implementation of advanced microprocessors, one of the primary building blocks is an integer adder. It is used as a building block in a fixed point unit, a load/store address generation unit, and in the design of a floating point adder and multiplication unit. Various width integer adds are required from 16-bit to 64-bit to even 128-bit lengths. Furthermore, ah integer comparator is easily formed as a degenerate case of the integer adder and is a second high use building block. It is therefore desirable to generalize the construction and design of the adder unit so that all the functional units can benefit from the design time and physical layout effort involved to design and develop a state-of-the art adder design.

International Business Machines Corporation


An electromechanical calendar timepiece has a date display provided by two indicators carrying the "units" and tens data, respectively. The motor which drives these indicators can rotate at a normal speed or at a considerably higher speed. The units data comprise two consecutive figures "1" intended to display, respectively, the unit of the thirty-first of the months having thirty-one days and the first of each month, and one or the other of which displays the units of the eleventh and twenty-first of each month. The motor rotates at said higher speed on the one hand at the end of the months having less than thirty-one days and on the other hand twice each month, i.e. each time the "1" of the units data is displayed at the beginning of the second and the third decades.

(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electromechanical calendar timepiece with a date display device which comprises two rotatable indicator members, one of which carries at least a set of data of the units and the other one at least a set of data of the tens, the latter being driven by the first one, and which comprises a motor driving a gearing through which are driven time indicators as well as the units indicator of the data display device, the control circuit of the said motor providing for operation of the latter at two different speeds.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Such timepieces are known per se. They are disclosed for instance in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 838,049, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,774 filed on Sept. 30, 1977 and commonly assigned, and in the corresponding German patent application No. 27 44 798, filed on Oct. 3, 1977 and published on Apr. 6, 1978.
In such timepieces, the control circuit of the motor is arranged in such manner as to produce a rapid advance of all the indicating members corresponding to twenty-four hours of the hours indicator while not altering the indication of the hours, of the minutes and of the seconds, at the end of each month of thirty days, so that the undesired display of the "31" and may be of the "29" at the end of the months of February in the non bissextile years, which is also undesired, appears but briefly.


A tool presetting fixture is disclosed for use with cross-slide type tool holders which are usable on a multiple spindle automatic machine tool. The tool holder has a tool holding pocket to hold a cross-slide type tool with a tool tip. The fixture has a base with a first gage surface mounted for movement parallel to the base to gage the spindle centerline height of a tool tip in the tool holding pocket. The fixture also has a rear wall on the base which has a second gage surface perpendicular to the base. Gage means is provided to gage the distance from this second gage surface to the tool tip and screws are provided in the tool holder and acting on this second gage surface to obtain a gaged distance of the tool tip from a reference surface of the machine tool to establish a predetermined longitudinal dimension on the workpiece. Further a side wall on the fixture provides a third gage surface perpendicular to the base and also perpendicular to the second gage surface and this permits gaging the distance of the tool tip to this third gage surface to gage the workpiece cutting radius. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Tool presetting fixtures have previously been used on such machine tools as boring machines, milling machines, and machining centers which are equipped with automatic controls, for example, numerical control by a tape. Such preset fixtures may be as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,769. Multiple spindle machines, however, are older than such numerical control machining centers, yet typically have been used for long part-runs of one million or more parts, for example. Because of such long part-runs, it previously has not been considered essential that a quick setup time for a new workpiece was essential. Accordingly, the setup time for a new workpiece might be one to two days. However, in companies with short runs, it is often necessary to shorten the setup time of a multiple spindle machine tool because shorter runs of production parts mean that the setup time is a greater proportion of the total time for that production job.
It was previously known to utilize a presetting fixture which was of an L-shape for gaging two different perpendicular dimensions of a tool tip, for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,546,781. Also, different gage fixtures have been proposed where a swinging arm was used as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,442; however, this was only for the purpose of accommodating different diameter tools in different diameter sockets.
Accordingly, the problem to be solved is how to provide a tool presetting fixture for use in a multiple spindle automatic machine tool, wherein three different mutually perpendicular dimensions may be gaged of a tool tip on a tool in the tool holder. Further, the problem to be solved is how to gage the dimension of the tool tip relative to the centerline of the workpiece.


A method for processing a poly defect is described. A substrate is provided, and a first oxide layer is formed on the substrate. A polysilicon layer is formed on the first oxide layer, and a poly defect is formed on the polysilicon layer surface simultaneous with polysilicon layer formation. A second oxide layer is formed conformal to the substrate, a portion of the second oxide layer and the poly defect are removed by polishing until a thin second oxide layer and a thin poly defect layer are formed. Finally, the thin second oxide layer is removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for a semiconductor device fabrication. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for processing a poly defect.
2. Description of the Related Art
In semiconductor manufacturing process, polysilicon is widely used to form a conductive layer, especially a gate conductive layer. However, defects are often formed on a polysilicon layer, called poly defects, while forming the polysilicon layer. The poly defects usually affect the subsequent photolithography and etching process, so that the device yield is decreased because of the poly defects. The defects are mostly formed by impurities left in a chamber used for forming the polysilicon layer. Most of the impurities are polysilicon particles left by the process for forming the polysilicon layer. When the reaction temperature is high or the concentration of the silicon source gas is high, the polysilicon particles are easily formed and adsorbed on the wall of the chamber. When too many polysilicon particles have been adsorbed, the polysilicon particles fall on chips and pollute them. The problem of impurities is avoided by cleaning the chamber, but the cleaning process takes one and a half to two days. Therefore, the throughput of devices is decreased when the reaction chamber is idle.
Conventionally, the poly defects are removed by a scrubber or a sprayer. However, the scrubber or sprayer generates stress, so that a recess or vacancy is generated and the oxide layer formed in the previous process is exposed. This recess or vacancy causes leakage current and open circuit or short circuit generation to result in the failure of the whole chip.
FIGS. 1A through 1B are schematic, cross-sectional views showing the conventional processing steps for removing a poly defect. Referring to FIG. 1A, a substrate 10 is provided, and an oxide layer 12 including a gate oxide layer and a field oxide layer is formed on the substrate 10. A polysilicon layer 14 is formed on the oxide layer 12. A poly defect 16 is formed on the polysilicon layer 14 surface simultaneous with the formation of the polysilicon layer 14. The height of the poly defect 16 is about 0.5-3 micrometer.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the poly defect 16 is removed by scrubber or sprayer. The scrubber or sprayer generates stress, so that a recess or vacancy 18 is generated and the oxide layer 12 formed in the previous process is exposed. Therefore, the poly defect 16 causes a leakage current and an open circuit or a short circuit which result in the failure of the whole chip. The effect of removing the poly defect 16 by scrubber or sprayer is limited.


A customer terminal of a “self-scanning shopping” system, which is configured to store at least one shopping session in a non volatile memory, includes a main processor, a product code reader, a location for non volatile storage of an open shopping session indicator and/or an identifier, either direct or indirect, of a shopping session, and a supervisor circuit. In a working operating state, the main processor periodically sends a heartbeat to the supervisor circuit. The supervisor circuit commands a reset of the main processor when, from the lack of receipt of the heartbeat, it detects a non working operating state of the main processor. The main processor, upon reset, checks whether there is an open shopping session based on the contents of said memory location and in the affirmative case restores said shopping session.

The present invention relates to a customer terminal and to a "self-shopping" system and more specifically a "self-scanning shopping" system.
In the present description and in the attached claims, under the expression "self-scanning shopping" it is meant to indicate purchase at a self-service shopping site, namely where the customer him/herself collects the desired products from shelves and/or counters, including manned counters, and reads a product code from each product that he/she selects to purchase via a terminal, typically a portable terminal (hand-held mobile computer), to obtain product data typically including the price.
The product data is typically stored in a list; at the end of shopping, the cash slip and the payment are made based on the stored list, except for checks by a cash desk attendant of the shopping site.
There are many advantages of these shopping systems. In this way, the customer is able, amongst other things, to know in real time the price of each product and/or the total price accumulated for the products selected for purchase and, at the end, has no need have to the codes rechecked at the cash desk before payment, avoiding queues at the checkouts. Moreover, the customer can take advantage of his/her fidelity card through dedicated promotional offers. At the shopping site, the shopping history of each customer can also be stored, for example for statistical purposes and/or to make targeted advertisements and promotions. It is also possible to monitor availability on the shelves in real time, particularly of high-consumption products in the peak hours, and restock them in real time.
A self-scanning shopping system is described for example in patent application EP 1162583 A1, on which the preamble of the independent claims is based.
US 2009/0328131 A1 describes a hard reset mechanism of an electronic device, which, upon request of a hard reset, carries out a further check of the user's credentials and makes a backup of the data before carrying out the hard reset. The backup can be made onto a removable memory card of the device or onto a remote device. The Applicant observes that such a mechanism is not suitable for sudden and total hardware blocks, since the processor must still be sufficiently operative to be able to carry out the further check of credentials and the data backup.
US 2004/0117268 A1 describes a system for processing on-line purchase orders, comprising a hub having at least one server and customer, seller, freight attendant and warehouse attendant terminals, including portable terminals. A triple-redundancy backup system is provided, wherein the databases and possible software applications are run simultaneously on at least three systems, as well as a mirror service at a remote location to preserve the data in case of a disaster in the hub or main server. Moreover, the document makes a generic reference to the fact that the data can be stored on the hub and on a subscriber terminal to provide data integrity and backup for the subscriber terminal, so that in the case of a system crash on the subscriber side the information can be recovered by the hub. The document relates to users subscribed to the service and does not disclose either automatic management of hardware and software blocks nor automatic recovery, without the intervention of an attendant, of such backup information and therefore it is totally unsuitable for an environment wherein the users of the portable terminals are occasional and temporary, with practically zero knowledge of the portable terminal as occurs in a "self-scanning shopping" environment.
In the field of "self-scanning shopping" systems of interest here, an important requirement is user friendliness of the customer terminal; moreover, a much felt problem for the customer is the reliability of the terminal. In a "self-scanning shopping" system of the prior art, if a customer terminal blocks, for example due to a malfunction of any kind of the hardware or software, it is necessary to take the terminal back to the checkout or to the terminal distribution point, where a customer care representative re-initializes the terminal or gives another terminal to the customer, with waste of time, loss of efficiency of the system, and lost of customer's trust. Since these are rare events, it is difficult to acquire statistics on the reasons causing the blocks of the terminals, which may be many and varied, and consequently it is difficult to take the appropriate preventive measures.
The technical problem at the basis of the present invention is, in a self-scanning shopping system, to minimize the impact on the customer of a block of the customer terminal, in particular of a hardware block.
In the present description and in the attached claims, under the expression "hardware block" it is meant to indicate a malfunction at the BIOS and/or kernel level of the operating system, as opposed to the expression "software block" with which it is meant to indicate a malfunction of an application, like for example the management of the user interface, the wireless connection with a remote device, etc.
The Applicant has recognised that the aforementioned problem can be solved with automatic detection of such a block and a consequent automatic reset or "re-boot" of the operating system of the customer terminal.
It should be emphasised that in known applications—to embedded systems or to complex automatic fail-safe control systems—of a supervisor circuit (watchdog) that periodically checks whether the main processor is working and, if not, produces a general reset of the system, the general reset typically involves losing the state of the system at the moment of the block and therefore losing user data. In the case of a "self-scanning shopping" system, this would mean for the customer a loss of shopping data, which has an extremely negative impact since it is very annoying for the customer.
In order to avoid this, the automatic restore from blocks of the main processor of the customer terminal according to the invention is advantageously implemented in combination with an automatic restore of the shopping session from a memory location independent from the restore, be it local in the customer terminal and not subject to deletion during the resetting of the processor or remote in a data processing system with which the customer terminal is in communication, typically in wireless communication.
In the present description and in the attached claims, under the term "data processing system" it is meant to indicate a single remote processor or a plurality of processors and possible peripherals, including access points, routers, etc., connected in a cabled, wireless or mixed network, including Internet.
In one aspect the invention concerns a customer terminal of a "self-scanning shopping" system, the system being configured to store at least one shopping session in a non volatile memory, the customer terminal comprising:                a main processor,        a product code reader,        and being characterised in that it further comprises:                    a location for non volatile storage of an open shopping session indicator and/or an identifier, either direct or indirect, of a shopping session, and            a supervisor circuit, and            in that in a working operating state, the main processor is configured to periodically send a heartbeat to the supervisor circuit,            and in that the supervisor circuit is configured to command a reset of the main processor when, from the lack of receipt of the heartbeat, it detects a non working operating state of the main processor,            and in that the main processor is configured, upon reset, to check whether there is an open shopping session based on the content of said memory location and in the affirmative case to restore said shopping session.
In the present description and in the attached claims, under the term "product code" it is meant to indicate an optical code such as barcodes, stacked codes, two-dimensional optical codes, colour codes; a magnetic code; or an electronic code, such as RFID tags. The expression "optical code" further comprises graphical representations that can be detected not only in the field of visible light, but also in the range of wavelengths comprised between infrared and ultraviolet. The code reader of the customer terminal has corresponding reading means and, optionally, means for writing and/or modifying magnetic and/or electronic codes. The term "scanning" as used herein shall no way be taken to be limited to sweeping an optical code with a light beam.
In the present description and in the attached claims, under the term "shopping session" it is meant to indicate at least one item of data coinciding with and/or correlated to the product code of all of the products selected for purchase by a customer.
In the present description and in the attached claims, under the term "processor" a multipurpose programmable device is meant that accepts digital data as an input, processes them according to instructions stored in its memory and supplies results as an output. It is a component that incorporates the functions of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), preferably in a single integrated circuit or at most in a few circuits.
In the present description and in the attached claims, under "reset of the main processor" it is meant restoring the default content of registers and executing a predetermined sequence of startup instructions (or "bootstrap"), stored in a predetermined location of non volatile memory.
Under "restoring the shopping session" it is meant to indicate that the processor restores the state of the shopping session existing just before the block and in particular it supplies again to the customer the last indication that he/she had been given, in particular the price of the last product selected for purchase.
The heartbeat periodically sent from the main processor to the supervisor circuit can be a pulse signal on a dedicated line, the change in state of a line, etc. The supervisor circuit can comprise a timer or other hardware or software device that is reset at every heartbeat and that indicates whether a predetermined maximum time has passed.
The supervisor circuit can be a second processor, preferably much smaller and more cost-effective than the main processor. Alternatively, the supervisor circuit can be a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) or a discrete component circuit.
Since it is an extremely simple device that carries out very simple operations and sustains a light workload, the supervisor circuit is much less at risk of blocking with respect to the main processor. However, when the supervisor circuit is a second processor, it can be provided that it periodically emits heartbeats in turn and that the main processor in turn detects said heartbeats and, in their absence, commands a reset of the supervisor circuit.

Customer terminal and self-shopping system


This invention relates to a device that uses microneedles to create pores in the skin of a subject and delivers the drug transdermally by inserting it into the pore as a solid or semi-solid mass alongside each needle. The device is sufficiently flexible to allow relative movement of the needle and the drug mass apart from one another. Preferably a chamber holding the drug mass comprises a relatively rigid wall to ensure that the drug remains aligned close to the needle, while an adjacent chamber holding the needle comprises a relatively flexible wall to allow lateral movement of the needle as the drug is inserted alongside it.

The main barrier to delivery of drugs through the skin is the stratum corneum, which is a tough outer layer of dead skin cells. Drugs may be delivered using microneedles which may be hollow to provide a channel for delivery of a fluid drug through the stratum corneum or they may be solid and simply coated with the drug for delivery. Some suitable drug formulations can alternatively be formed into solid microneedles made of the drug formulation itself, which can penetrate the stratum corneum and then diffuse into the body. In the case of microneedles the inertia created by fluid flow through the bores of the needles, or the high temperature processing required where drug is encapsulated in polymers, or the large pressures applied to compress the drug itself into needles can affect the stability and integrity of the drug, in particular if the drug is a protein, whereby agglomeration, fragmentation, unfolding, and physical and chemical degradation can result from such processing conditions.
Alternatively, a device comprising solid microneedles may be used to disrupt the stratum corneum and/or to create pores through it in order to enhance its permeability to a drug that is subsequently applied to the surface of the skin, for example in the form of a gel or in a patch. However, because the needles only perforate a small proportion of the surface area of skin being treated, a majority of the subsequently applied drug formulation does not enter the pores but remains on the surface of the skin. Published patent application WO 2012/035334 describes devices for transdermal drug delivery which overcome these impediments by first creating at least one hole in the skin using the needles, followed by the insertion of the drug through the hole/pore that has been created. The patent describes methods and devices for achieving this by first creating the hole in the skin, followed by removal of the needle, and subsequent insertion of the drug through the pore. It also describes the insertion of the drug whilst the needle still remains inside the skin by inserting the drug formulation using a carrier, alongside the needle.

Device for containment and release of a transdermal drug formulation


Anticorrosive white pigments useful for inhibiting corrosion include surface-coated TiO2 base bodies, preferably in the rutile modification, having Mn3(PO4)2 and one or more of the substances chosen from aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, aluminum phosphates, aluminum hydrogen phosphates, aluminum dihydrogen phosphates and aluminum polyphosphates are precipitated on to the TiO2 base bodies. Mn3(PO4)2 may be replaced completely or partially by Zn3(PO4)2. Phosphates and/or oxides of cerium may be additionally deposited singly, or several of them may be deposited, on to the TiO2 base bodies.

The invention relates to anticorrosive white pigments, consisting of TiO2 base bodies, preferably in the rutile modification and which have been surface modified, and to a method for producing the same, as well as to the use thereof.
Usually, TiO2 pigments having a particle size of 0.4 to 8.0 xcexcm and an average grain distribution d50 of 0.1 to 1.0 xcexcm are required in order to lighten dark media, or are used to give coating materials covering power. TiO2 pigments are all the more better suited for this the more the refraction of light of the pigments is superior to the refraction of light of the binding agent. The properties of coatings are substantially influenced by the incorporated TiO2 pigments. This behaviour in terms of application technique is adjusted during the production of the TiO2 pigments. This relates not only to the optical properties, such as scattering power, brightness and lustre, but also to further parameters, such as weather resistance, dispersability, settling behaviour and wettability.
The increasing importance of corrosion prevention and recognition of the health risks originating from known anticorrosive pigments which contain lead and chromate, has led to the development of less toxicologically harmful anticorrosive pigments based on phosphates, in particular Zn3(PO4)2, as well as molybdate pigments, tungstate pigments and zirconate pigments, metallic zinc, organic pigments and pure barrier pigments, such as micaceous iron ore. Anticorrosive pigments consisting of combinations of phosphates with borates or silicates are also known (Ruf, J.: Organischer Metallschutz, Vincentz Publishing House, Hannover 1993, in particular pages 248 to 289).
TiO2 pigments in the rutile modification are known from DE-A-2 951 805, the surface of the TiO2 pigments being coated with a first layer of cerium radicals and phosphate radicals and with a second layer of aluminium radicals and phosphate radicals to give improved optical properties. GB-B-2 115 394 describes TiO2 pigments which are surface-coated to improve the light stability and to make them suitable for use in laminates. TiO2 pigments having a corrosion-inhibiting action, the particles of which are sheathed with an outer layer of hydrated silicon dioxide, hydrated aluminium oxide or a mixture of these two components, are the subject matter of EP-B-0 412 686. Cations which effect corrosion prevention by means of ion exchange are chemically fixed to the coating, which cations consist of Ca ions, Zn ions, Li ions, Ba ions, Mg ions, Sr ions, Co ions or Pb ions. EP-A-0 595 341 refers to a coating material which contains TiO2 pigments which are coated with 1 to 10% by weight of a zinc alloy and are used for corrosion prevention. DE-C-2 200 656 deals, among other things, with TiO2 pigments with molybdate deposited on the particle surface thereof, which pigments are used as a corrosion-inhibiting admixture in coating materials. In accordance with US-A-4 017 315, such a coating can additionally contain metal phosphate. TiO2 pigments which are coated with lead chromate, strontium chromate or barium chromate or lead benzoate or calcium plumbate and are used as a corrosion-inhibiting admixture in coating materials are presented in GB-A-1 044 350. Additionally, a coating of one or more metal oxides and/or a phosphate can be applied. CZ-B-235 851 proposes, among others, TiO2 pigments which are coated with a layer of Mn3(PO4)2 and mixed with varnishes for the purpose of corrosion prevention.
The TiO2 pigments usually used in practice today as white pigments and fillers in varnishes and dyes have excellent optical properties in the incorporated medium because of their grain size of 0.1 to 1.0 xcexcm, which optical properties are characterised above all by light scatter.
This object is achieved by anticorrosive white pigments comprising surface-coated TiO2 base bodies, preferably in the rutile modification, characterised in that Mn3 (PO4)2 and one or more of the substances chosen from aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, aluminum phosphates, aluminum hydrogen phosphates, aluminum dihydrogen phosphates and aluminum polyphosphates are precipitated on to the TiO2 base bodies.

Anti-corrosive white pigments and method for producing the same


According to the invention, a visitor kiosk for the capture and storage of personal information about visitors. The visitor kiosk is placed at the entry point to a facility being monitored. Each visitor signs in at the kiosk. Their business card and an image of their face are scanned. If they do not have a business card, their name and company are entered manually. They also enter the name of the person they are visiting and the purpose for their visit. The person they are visiting is notified of the arrival of the visitor by email or by voice telephone. The data about the visitor is stored locally or remotely. Automatic lookups of various information about the visitor are performed and communicated to the person being visited. A network interface allows users to enter information about visitors they are expecting to arrive. A telephone interface is provided for input of voice greetings as well as checking on the arrival status of visitors.

The present invention relates generally to techniques for automated information collection, and specifically to systems and apparatus for gathering information about visitors.
Everyday, in work places throughout the world, visitors are received at places of business, government agencies, real estate offices and so forth. The visitor is often greeted by a receptionist, who offers the visitor a sign-in sheet to record information about the visit. The visitor writes her name, place of business, person to be visited and the like in the sign-in sheet. In some cases, this information might be entered into a computer database manually by a receptionist or a security officer. Such information is typically used for security purposes. Sometimes, the visitor will be issued a guest pass, or identity badge to announce her presence. The receptionist often notifies the person to be visited that the visitor has arrived. These activities occur so often that they have become part of the culture in the U.S. and many other countries as well.
Opportunities for improving techniques for gathering information about visitors exist. Since the entry point to an office is one place where people are required to identify themselves, valuable data about the visitor can be readily gathered at this point.
What is needed are improved techniques for automating the collecting of information about visitors.

Networked peripheral for visitor greeting, identification, biographical lookup and tracking


The present invention is directed to a hybrid cabled cord comprising: at least two yarns having different properties, and an unbalanced configuration wherein the hybrid cabled cord has improved tensile strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, one of the two yarns comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second of at least two yarns comprises polyethylene naphthalate and the coring level is between about 3% to about 15%. The present invention is also directed to a process for making a hybrid cabled cord comprising the steps of: supplying at least two yarns having different properties to a direct cabler, and cabling the at least two yarns using the direct cabler to achieve a hybrid cabled cord having a coring level which is not zero. The present hybrid cabled cord may be used in tire cord for rubber reinforcement in passenger car tires, van tires, light truck tires, or motorcycle tires.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a composite of a plurality of yarns having different properties cabled together to form a hybrid cabled cord, and a method to make such a composite. This invention particularly relates to a hybrid cabled cord of polymeric materials having excellent properties at a reduced capital cost and is useful as a tire cord.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
Polyester tire cord has become increasingly common in recent years. Polyester, specifically, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has many advantages over cords made of rayon or polyamide. Rayon has good dimensional stability but has low strength, poor durability and is hygroscopic. Polyamide has higher strength and durability compared to rayon but has poor dimensional stability. PET tire cord possesses high strength, good durability, better modulus and low creep. Another polyester, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), provides even better mechanical properties, including modulus, breaking strength and elongation, for use in tires than PET. The use of conventional PEN as reinforcement in the carcass of tires using PEN has been taught, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,180 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,516. A PEN yarn having enhanced modulus and dimensional stability (defined as the sum of the elongation at 45 Newton and shrinkage) for use in tires is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,527. However PEN yarn, both conventional and the improved variety, is notably more expensive than PET, which limits its use in commercial practice to specialty tires such as those needed for high speed performance driving. An ideal tire cord for conventional tires therefore would provide the better mechanical properties of PEN but at the cost of a PET cord. Accordingly, the Inventors have undertaken the search for a solution to making such a tire cord.
It is known to combine yarns having different properties in order to generate a hybrid yarn having improved properties with respect to one or both of the constituent yarns. Examples of hybrid yarns are taught in: U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,059; U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,394; U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,383; U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,144; EP 0335588; and in xe2x80x9cHybrid Tire Cords Containing Keviar Aramidxe2x80x9d by E. R. Barron, Kautschuk+Gummi Kunstoffe 40, Jahrgang, Nr. 2/87, pp. 130-135. Such hybrid yarns typically have an unbalanced construction in that the constituent yarns have unequal twist levels, and, in some instances, there is also a twist level in the cabled cord which is different from the constituent twisted yarns. Typically, the yarn having a higher modulus has a higher twist level compared to the yarn having the lower modulus in order to achieve a cabled cord in which the constituent twisted yarns break simultaneously. Yarns made using this approach show some property improvements, however, yarns of this construction are manufactured using a ring-twister machine. The ring-twister machine is disadvantageous as it requires multiple steps to yield the final product; the constituent yarns must first be twisted separately and then combined in another step to be twisted into the cabled cord. Therefore manufacture cost of such hybrid cabled cords using a ring twister is high.
To reduce or eliminate the cost of using a ring twister in preparing tire cord, U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,943 teaches a cord comprised of a core formed by two to five tire yarns laid side-by-side and wrapped by a wrapper yarn. The wrapper serves merely to hold the core yarns together.
There is prior art suggesting the combination of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate in cords. In xe2x80x9cPEN Polyester: Potential for Fibers Derived from Naphthalene Dicarboxylate (NDC)xe2x80x9d by Joanna K. Money in Journal of Coated Fabrics, Vol. Jul. 25, 1995 (pp. 24-38) the development of PET/PEN core/sheath fibers is mentioned. Japanese Patent Publication 241026, published Oct. 28, 1991, teaches a hybrid cord formed by twisting or braiding together a plural number of yarns in which the main component is an all aromatic polyester or polyamide yarn with a melting point above 300xc2x0 C. and the other component is a yarn of thermoplastic fiber with a melting point of 110 to 270xc2x0 C. The cord is heat set at a temperature such that the second component softens and deforms to set the cord structure and presumably adds little to the overall mechanical properties of the resultant yarn.
None of the prior art teaches or suggests a hybrid cabled cord comprised of PET and PEN having a coring factor which is not equal to zero and improved tensile strength retention, nor the manufacture of such a cord using a direct cabler.
The present invention is directed to a hybrid cabled cord comprising: at least two yarns having different properties, and an unbalanced configuration and wherein said hybrid cabled cord has improved tensile strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the yarns comprises polyethylene naphthalate. In another preferred embodiment, the two yarns comprise polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate and the coring level is between about 3% to about 15%. The present invention is advantageous in providing a cord that is less expensive than a 100% PEN cord yet having comparable properties.
The present invention is also directed to a process for making a hybrid cabled cord comprising the steps of: supplying at least two yarns having different properties to a direct cabler, and cabling the at least two yarns using the direct cabler to achieve a hybrid cabled cord having a coring level which is not zero.

Hybrid cabled cord and a method to make it


In order to deposit a liquid for improving fixing ability and water resistance of an ink at an optimal position in an appropriate amount, to maximize an effect of the liquid, and to easily generate a driving data for ejecting the liquid, low resolution printing data for respective of four printing heads is read out from a frame memory. A logical sum of the printing data is calculated by an OR circuit. Then, the logical sum is processed by a look-up table to generate the driving data for the liquid ejecting head corresponding to high resolution.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an ink-jet printing apparatus and a printing method. More specifically, the invention relates to an ink-jet printing apparatus and a printing method, in which a liquid for making a coloring material in an ink on a printing medium insoluble before or after formation of printing dots on the printing medium by ejecting the ink from a printing head.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, upon printing on a printing medium, such as a plain paper by an ink-jet printing system, it is possible to degrade a quality of a printed image due to influence of bluing of ink or so forth. On the other hand, due to insufficiency of water resistance, durability of the printed image can be low.
As a solution for such problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 58-128862 discloses a technology for forming liquid dots (hereinafter referred to as processing liquid dots) by ejecting a liquid (hereinafter referred to as a processing liquid) having an effect for suitably fixing a printing ink before or after ejection of the printing ink and thus overlaying the processing liquid dots and printing dots. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 64-63185 discloses a technology for forming printing dots on a printing medium by ejecting the printing ink after depositing a compound which makes the dye in the ink insoluble. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-202328 discloses the following three printing methods. The first method performs deposition of a processing liquid for suitably fixing and providing water resistance for the printing ink by an ink-jet system, in advance of an operation for forming printing dots on the printing medium. The second method is a method for depositing a liquid (hereinafter referred to as a processing liquid) on the printing medium by roller application. The third method is a method for improving water resistance and fixing ability of the printing ink by depositing the printing medium by mixing the printing ink and the processing liquid during flying from an ejecting head.
In the prior art set forth above, the processing liquid is deposited for all of the printing dot forming positions on the printing medium, it may consume unnecessarily large amount of the processing liquid. Particularly, in case of color printing using a plurality of colors, admixing of colors due to excessive amount of the processing liquid can be caused.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink-jet printing apparatus and a printing method, which can deposit appropriate amount of a liquid at optimum positions on a printing medium, obtain maximum performance of the liquid, and easily generate a driving data for ejecting the liquid.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink-jet printing apparatus using a printing head which can eject an ink and a liquid ejecting head which can eject a liquid acting to make a coloring material in the ink insoluble or coagulating the same, for forming a printing dot on a printing medium by the ink ejected from the printing head and forming a liquid dot on the printing medium by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, comprising:
converting means for converting a relatively low resolution printing data into a printing data having a resolution higher than that of the data;
first control means for effecting ejection of the ink from the printing head on the basis of the converted high resolution printing data;
driving data generating means for generating a driving data for the liquid ejecting head on the basis of the high resolution printing data; and
second control means for effecting ejection of the liquid from the liquid ejecting head on the basis of the driving data.
In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink-jet printing apparatus using a printing head which can eject an ink and a liquid ejecting head which can eject a liquid acting to make a coloring material in the ink insoluble or coagulating the same, for forming a printing dot on a printing medium by the ink ejected from the printing head and forming a liquid dot on the printing medium by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, comprising:
first converting means for converting a relatively low resolution printing data into a printing data having a resolution higher than that of the data;
first control means for effecting ejection of the ink from the printing head on the basis of the converted high resolution printing data;
second converting means for converting the low resolution printing data into a driving data for the liquid ejecting head; and
second control means for effecting ejection of the liquid from the liquid ejecting head on the basis of the driving data.
In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink-jet printing method using a printing head which can eject an ink and a liquid ejecting head which can eject a liquid acting to make a coloring material in the ink insoluble or coagulating the same, for forming a printing dot on a printing medium by the ink ejected from the printing head and forming a liquid dot on the printing medium by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, comprising the steps of:
converting a relatively low resolution printing data into a printing data having a resolution higher than that of the data;
effecting ejection of the ink from the printing head on the basis of the converted high resolution printing data;
generating a driving data for the liquid ejecting head on the basis of the high resolution printing data; and
effecting ejection of the liquid from the liquid ejecting head on the basis of the driving data.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink-jet printing method using a printing head which can eject an ink and a liquid ejecting head which can eject a liquid acting to make a coloring material in the ink insoluble or coagulating the same, for forming a printing dot on a printing medium by the ink ejected from the printing head and forming a liquid dot on the printing medium by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head, comprising the steps of:
converting a relatively low resolution printing data into a printing data having a resolution higher than that of the data;
effecting ejection of the ink from the printing head on the basis of the converted high resolution printing data;
converting the low resolution printing data into a driving data for the liquid ejecting head; and
effecting ejection of the liquid from the liquid ejecting head on the basis of the driving data.
The present invention generates the driving data for ejecting the liquid for improving fixing ability and water resistance of the ink on the basis of low resolution printing data or high resolution printing data. Then, by ejecting the liquid on the basis of the driving data, maximum performance of the liquid can be obtained. Furthermore, the driving data for ejecting the liquid can be easily obtained.
Further, the present invention generates the driving data for ejecting the liquid on the basis of low resolution printing data, reducing a processing time for generating the driving data, coping with a case where the number of ejection openings is increased.

Ink-jet printing apparatus and printing method


An adjustable beam light fixture with glare light shielding for illuminating a selected area without illuminating other areas. The adjustable beam light fixture has a reflector for holding a lamp and directing light from the same. The reflector is adjustably mounted on a housing. The mounting is accomplished by means of slots formed in the reflector and threaded fasteners extending outwardly from the housing and into the slots. The portion of the reflector adjacent the housing is arcuately shaped and a portion of the housing adjacent the reflector is arcuately shaped as well and with the same degree of arc. In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes means for mounting the adjustable beam light fixture on a surface.

Floodlights and similar high intensity beam outdoor and security lights are often mounted on the exterior of buildings in populated and even highly populated areas. A negative side effect of the illumination provided by these lights onto the owner's property is the spill-over of glaring light rays on neighboring property. Such light can be a substantial nuisance to neighbors. Very little has been done by the outdoor lighting industry to solve this problem. Most outdoor security lights spread light to a wide uncontrolled area. Therefore, there exist many situations in which an outdoor light having means for shielding the light beams from undesired locations would be advantageous. Preferably, such a light fixture would be adjustable for selectively choosing the location of the farthest edge of the light fixture's light beam. That is, the light fixture would be adjustable to selectively limit the maximum angle (from vertical) of light rays emitted by a lamp in the light fixture.
The prior art includes lights having adjustable beams, but none well-suited to the application described above or cost effective. U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,764 discloses a hand-held illumination device having a rotatable head. U.S. Pat. No. 847,948 shows an electric bedlamp in which the reflector is adjustable for adjusting the lamp beam, but the lamp bulb is not. U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,933 discloses a trunnion degree marker pivotally mounted on a trunnion bracket to allow for beam adjustment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,590 shows a device for facilitating the calibration and setting of the inclination of angle of a luminaire. U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,589 discloses a pivotal support means for pendant lighting fixtures.
Outdoor light fixtures may be fitted with photosensor means for switching the light fixture on and off. Typically, photosensors used in such applications are angled vertically or horizontally. If the photosensor is mounted vertically, it may be blocked by the eaves of a building. If the photosensor is mounted horizontally, it may be exposed to substantial amounts of light from the lamp of the light fixture. Either of the above conditions has a negative effect on the operation of the light fixture.
None of the aforesaid disclosures or any of the other prior art provides for an adjustable outdoor or security light which is efficient and effective in shielding glaring light, yet is cost-effective to manufacture. The object is to maximize the area of the owner's property that is bathed by light, yet minimize the spill-over of light onto adjacent properties. Therefore, there exists a need for an adjustable outdoor or security light having these qualities.


Method for pressing a material into a through-hole or blind-hole in a substrate. The material is disposed on the surface of the substrate. An environment is provided permitting the material to flow for example by heating the material to the glass transition temperature or above. Thereafter pressure is applied causing the material to flow, first coating the sidewall of the hole and on the continued application of pressure the material flows to completely fill the hole. The resulting substrate can have a substantially planar surface having holes with the periphery coated with or completely filled with the material. The material is preferably a thermoplastic polymeric material such as a polyimide and a perfluorinated polymer.

Substrates on which an electronic device are electrically mounted are commonly fabricated from dielectric materials such as ceramics, ceramic metal composites, polymeric materials and polymeric material metal composites. These substrates can have multi-level electrical conductor patterns imbedded therein.
In a simplest embodiments the substrate has one dielectric layer having electrical conductor patterns on both sides thereof which are electrically interconnected by a plurality of electrically conducting vias extending through the substrate.
In another embodiment, the substrate is fabricated from an electrically and/or thermally conducting layer coated with a dielectric material. A plurality of through-holes are drilled, punch or etched through the substrate. To form an electrically conducting via which is electrically insulated from the core requires that the through-hole sidewall be coated at least in the region of the core, with an electrically insulating material.
One method of coating the sidewall of the through-hole with a dielectric material is to dip the substrate into a liquid polymer. For the liquid polymer to get into the through-hole requires that the liquid polymer have a sufficiently low viscosity. Generally, to achieve such a low viscosity requires that the liquid polymer be mixed with a solvent. If it is desired that only the sidewall of the through-hole be coated with the dielectric material, the liquid polymer must have a high solvent content. Moreover, to promote wetting of the sidewall by the dielectric coating requires that the liquid polymer have a high solvent content. The substrate must then be cured or heated to volatize the solvent contained in the liquid polymer. Where the liquid polymer has a high solvent content, securing of the liquid polymer results in a substantial shrinkage of the thickness of the liquid polymer layer coating the through-hole sidewall. Generally, to achieve a polymeric sidewall thickness which is sufficiently thick to reliably avoid electric shorting between the core and the electrically conductive via which will be deposited in the sidewall coated through-hole, requires multiple immersions in the liquid polymer and multiple curing steps of build up the sidewall thickness.
A method according to present invention avoids the use of liquid polymers containing solvents to coat the sidewalls of through-holes and also avoids the multiple step process to achieve adequate sidewall dielectric thickness.
Another method of coating the sidewall of a through-hole in a substrate containing an electrically conducting core is electrophoretic deposition. In electrophoretic deposition the substrate with through-holes therein is immersed in a solution containing polymer particles. An electrode is immersed in the solution and a potential is applied between this electrode and the electrically conductive core of the substrate. Particles in the solution enter into the through-holes and there is an electronic exchange at the exposed electrically conductive core in the sidewall of the through-hole which results in the deposition of the polymeric material thereon. This results in a relatively high current at the electrically conductive core part of the sidewall of the through hole. If this current is too high there is a rapid generation of gas which prevents effective electrophoretic deposition. If the current is too low there is no electrophoretic deposition. Therefore, electrophoretic deposition requires precise control of the current to effectively deposit the polymeric sidewall.
According to the present invention the disadvantages of the above described techniques are avoided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the dielectric material is heated and then pressed. Quite surprisingly it has been found that the dielectric material which gets pressed into the through-holes can be controlled to coat only the sidewall of the through-hole or to completely fill the through-hole without trapping therein voids which would result in defects in the dielectric material either coating the sidewall of the through-hole or completely filling it.
Quite surprisingly it has been found that a relatively large number of through-holes on a relatively large substrate can be coated with a dielectric material by the method according to the present invention. Where a through-hole has been completely filled by the method according to the present invention a through-hole through the enter of the dielectric material filling the substrate through-hole can be thereafter formed by drilling, punching or etching.
It is an object of this invention to either coat the sidewall of a hole in a substrate or to completely fill the hole in a substrate with a material by pressing the material without trapping voids in the dielectric material.

Lamination method for coating the sidewall or filling a cavity in a substrate


A unit pixel of an image sensor is provided. The unit pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate photocharge varying with the intensity of incident light, a transfer transistor configured to transfer the photocharge to a floating diffusion in response to a transfer control signal, and a supplemental transistor connected to the floating diffusion. Because the unit pixel includes only one transistor in addition to the transfer transistor, the area of the unit pixel is minimized, and, as a result, the resolution of a pixel array is increased and the power consumption of the pixel array is decreased.

Embodiments in accordance with principles of inventive concepts relate to a unit pixel of an image sensor and a pixel array including the unit pixel, and more particularly, to a unit pixel for increasing the resolution of an image sensor by having an area minimized.
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors are solid image pick-up, or capture, devices using CMOS. CMOS image sensors have lower manufacturing cost, smaller size and consume less power than charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors, which require a high-voltage analog circuit. Furthermore, the performance of CMOS image sensors has continuously improved, and therefore, CMOS image sensors have found widespread use in electronic products, including portable devices such as smart phones and digital cameras.
A pixel array included in CMOS image sensors includes a photoelectric conversion element in each pixel. The photoelectric conversion element generates an electrical signal varying with the quantity of incident light. CMOS image sensors may process the electrical signal to synthesize an image. With the recent demand on high-resolution images, it is desired to miniaturize pixels in CMOS image sensors.

Unit pixel of image sensor and pixel array including the unit pixel