The present invention provides an electrochromic device in which a color during the coloring mode is gray. A lower ITO transparent electrode film 12 constituting a lower electrode film is formed on a transparent glass substrate 10. On the lower ITO transparent film 12, a nickel oxides film 32 constituting an oxidation coloring layer, a tantalum oxide film 16 constituting a solid-state electrolyte layer, a mixture film 34 of tungsten oxide and titanium oxide constituting a reduction coloring layer and an lower ITO transparent electrode film 20 constituting a upper electrode film are formed sequentially. The color during the coloring mode is gray and the color during the bleaching mode is achromatic.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrochromic (hereinafter, referred to as EC) device in which the color during the coloring mode has been realized that the color is gray.
2. Description of the Related Art
The EC device is a device for reversibly executing the coloring and the bleaching using EC phenomenon, and is used for a dimming rearview mirror, a dimming glass, a display device and the like. An example of a section of the laminated structure of the conventional EC device is shown in FIG. 2. In this example, the entire device is constructed to be transparent. An ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) transparent electrode film 12, constituting a lower electrode film, is formed on a transparent glass substrate 10; and a mixture film 14 of iridium oxide and tin oxide constituting an oxidation coloring layer, a tantalum oxide film 16 constituting a solid-state electrolyte layer, a tungsten oxide film 18 constituting a reduction coloring layer and an ITO transparent electrode film 20 constituting an upper electrode film are sequentially formed on the ITO transparent electrode film 12. An end portion of the lower ITO transparent electrode film 12 is previously provided with a partition 22 using a laser etching and an area 12a of the end portion is electrically isolated. An end portion of the upper ITO transparent electrode film 20 is electrically connected to the isolated area 12a of the lower ITO transparent electrode film 12. Both end portions of the substrate 10 are provided with clip electrodes 24, 26 for drawing electrodes. The clip electrode 24 is electrically connected to the lower ITO transparent electrode film 12 and the clip electrode 26 is electrically connected to the upper ITO transparent electrode film 20. A transparent sealing resin 28 is applied on the upper ITO transparent electrode film 12 and a transparent glass plate is adhered thereon as a transparent sealing member 30. Thus the laminated structure is sealed. According to the above construction, when voltage is applied to the clip electrode 24 as a positive polarity and to the clip electrode 26 as a negative polarity, both of the oxidation coloring layer 14 and the reduction coloring layer 18 are colored, and when the reverse voltage is applied (or short-circuited), both coloring layers 14 and 18 are bleached.
In a conventional EC device, the colors during the coloring mode for the mixture film 14 of iridium oxide and tin oxide are all blue and the color of the entire device is also blue. For this reason, the conventional EC device could not be provided in use when the color is important (that is, when it is not desired that variation in color is made in an image obtained through the EC device). For example, the digital camera now in use has a ND (Neutral Density) filter built-in and is constructed to dim the light by moving the ND filter to a front surface of an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) by means of a motor when the amount of incident light is great. Since a motor is not required in the case of dimming light by replacing the ND filter with the EC device, it is possible to reduce the size and lower the power consumption of the digital camera. However, since in the conventional EC device, the color during the coloring mode is blue so that the color of the picked-up image exhibits blue-based colors and it is difficult to balance the white color, the EC device can not be used in place of the ND filter.


A processing platform is configured for distribution of content to user application programs over a network and analysis of corresponding user response data received over the network. The user application programs are provided by respective ones of a plurality of application developers. The processing platform comprises at least one content repository configured to store the content, at least one content distribution and analysis application programming interface exposed to the network, one or more user web portals associated with said at least one content distribution and analysis application programming interface, one or more developer web portals associated with said at least one content distribution and analysis application programming interface, a plurality of user services accessible via the one or more user web portals, and a plurality of developer services accessible via the one or more developer web portals.

A wide variety of different information processing systems for content distribution are known, including systems that distribute content to mobile applications and other types of user application programs. However, such systems are deficient in important respects. For example, user application programs, particularly in the context of applications developed for use on mobile telephones or other portable devices, are often generated by a diverse array of unrelated application developers. As a result, content providers often have to adapt their content repeatedly to the particular requirements of the numerous different development environments that are utilized by the developers, increasing the cost and complexity associated with content distribution. Similarly, it can be difficult for the developers to obtain the particular types of content that are best suited to their respective application programs. This can lead to a significant duplication of development effort by multiple distinct developers, increasing the cost and complexity of the application program development process.

Platform for distribution of content to user application programs and analysis of corresponding user response data


A method for manufacturing a structure comprises a) providing a donor substrate comprising front and rear faces; b) providing a support substrate; c) forming an intermediate layer on the front face of the donor substrate or on the support substrate; d) assembling the donor and support substrates with the intermediate layer therebetween; e) thinning the rear face of the donor substrate to form a useful layer of a useful thickness having a first face disposed on the intermediate layer and a second free face; and wherein the donor substrate comprises a buried stop layer and a fine active layer having a first thickness less than the useful thickness, between the front face of the donor substrate and the stop layer; and after step e), removing, in first regions of the structure, a thick active layer delimited by the second free face of the useful layer and the stop layer.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), used for producing sensors or actuators, normally comprise a fixed part and at least one part suspended with respect to the fixed part. The suspended part is able to move and/or deform under the effect of an external force that may be of mechanical, electrical or magnetic origin.
An article by P. Robert et al. ("M&NEMS: A new approach for ultra-low cost 3D inertial sensor," IEEE Sensors Conference 2009, 25-28 Oct. 2009), describes a structure comprising MEMS and NEMS devices, forming an accelerometer. The structure comprises an active part formed by two distinct thicknesses. The NEMS device, which forms a strain gauge, uses a first thickness, and the MEMS device, which forms a seismic mass, uses the first and second thicknesses (or in other words, uses the whole of the active part). Such an active part can be produced from an SOI substrate that defines a first layer having the first thickness. An epitaxial growth step is next implemented in order to produce a second layer having the second thickness. This second thickness is normally thicker than the first thickness. The second thickness is typically around a few tens of microns, compared with at least one micron for the first thickness. The epitaxial growth step for these ranges of thicknesses is therefore lengthy and expensive. Moreover, the epitaxially grown layer contains polycrystalline regions because of the presence of a discontinuous layer of oxide on the first layer (SOI) for defining the devices. These polycrystalline regions may give rise to defects in the structure, impacting functioning of the end devices.
An alternative method for manufacturing such a structure comprising MEMS and NEMS devices is disclosed in European Patent No. EP 2599746. The method comprises the production, on a first monocrystalline semiconductor substrate, of a locally porous region or of a region locally implemented with a plurality of pillars. Next, an epitaxy on this substrate makes it possible to form the first layer having the first thickness. This first layer is then worked to define the NEMS device and to leave clear a membrane, by etching the locally porous region or the region with pillars, used as a local sacrificial layer. A deposition of oxide is next carried out in order to reblock the openings (under the membrane) and to create a sacrificial layer over the entire surface of the first substrate, above the first layer, and, therefore, in particular on the NEMS membrane. The sacrificial layer of oxide is assembled on a supporting substrate, and then the first substrate is thinned by its rear face in order to form the active part. The thickness of this active part is the sum of the first and second thicknesses. The thinned face is worked, in order to define the NEMS device and to remove the second layer having the second thickness above the NEMS device, stopping on the oxide layer that was used previously to reblock the openings. Finally, the membranes at the NEMS and MEMS devices are released by local removal of the sacrificial layer of buried oxide.
This method requires several steps of lithography, etching and deposition in order successively to define, work, and release membranes and then encapsulate them in a sacrificial layer, before bonding on the support substrate, which gives rise to high manufacturing costs. Moreover, the predefinition of the NEMS device on the first substrate, before bonding on the support substrate, may give rise to loss of efficiency. First, because the bonding step is very sensitive to any residue of topology, roughness or particles, and second, because any defect in alignment between the NEMS (buried) and MEMS devices during the working of the thinned rear face of the first substrate may impact functioning of the end device.

Structure for device with integrated microelectromechanical systems


In an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus, each of pixel electrodes has overhanging portions at its opposite side edges. These overhanging portions of the pixel electrode cover two signal lines placed on opposite sides of the pixel electrode, respectively.

The present invention relates to an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus for use in a liquid crystal television set, a notebook personal computer, and the like.
FIGS. 24 and 25 are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively, of a conventional active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus. The active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus is constituted essentially of a liquid crystal panel 1, a gate driver 2, a source driver 3, and a backlight 4.
The liquid crystal panel 1 has an active matrix board 5, an opposed board 6, a liquid crystal layer 7 sandwiched between the active matrix board 5 and the opposed board 6, and a polarizer (not shown) attached to the outer side of each of the active matrix board 5 and the opposed board 6.
On an insulation substrate 5a of the active matrix board 5, there are provided a plurality of scanning lines (not shown) disposed parallel with one another, a plurality of signal lines 9 parallel with one another and orthogonal to the scanning lines with an insulation film 8 disposed between the signal lines and the scanning lines, thin film transistors (TFTs) 10 disposed in the vicinity of intersections of the scanning lines and the signal lines 9, and a plurality of pixel electrodes 11 disposed in regions surrounded with the scanning lines and the signal lines 9.
FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a one-pixel part of the active matrix board 5. Because the pixel electrode 11 and the signal line 9 are formed in the same layer, the pixel electrode 11 is spaced at a predetermined interval from the signal line 9 to prevent the pixel electrode 11 from contacting the signal line 9. In the TFT 10 which is a three-terminal element, electrical continuity between a drain electrode 13 and a source electrode 14 is controlled by a voltage applied to a gate electrode 12. The gate electrode 12 is connected to a scanning line 15 adjacent thereto. The source electrode 14 is connected to the signal line 9 adjacent thereto. The drain electrode 13 is connected to the pixel electrode 11.
The opposed board 6 is provided with color filters 16 formed in the order of red, green, and blue at positions corresponding to each pixel electrode 11. A black matrix 17 is formed between the adjacent color filters 16 and 16. The black matrix 17 serves as a light shield film for preventing leak of light from the gap between the pixel electrode 11 and the scanning line 15 as well as the signal line 9. An opposed electrode 18 made of a transparent conductive material is formed on a layer of the black matrix 17 and the color filters 16. The gate driver 2 and the source driver 3 are connected to terminals of the scanning lines 15 and those of the signal lines 9, respectively, disposed on the periphery of the liquid crystal panel 1.
The method of driving the active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus having the construction will be described below.
When writing to an array of pixels of an nth row, an ON-signal (electric potential Vgh at which the TFT 10 is turned on) is input to a scanning line 15n of the nth row from the gate driver 2. At this time, an OFF-signal (electric potential Vg1 at which the TFT 10 is turned off) is input to scanning lines other than the scanning line 15n. Thus, only the TFTs 10 of the nth row are turned on. On the other hand, source signals having voltages to be applied to the pixels (pixel electrodes 11 and liquid crystal layer 7) of the nth row are supplied to each signal line 9 from the source driver 3.
Upon completion of write for the array of the pixels of the nth row terminates, the OFF-signal is input to the scanning line 15n, whereas the ON-signal is input to the next scanning line 15(n+1). All pixels are charged with voltages corresponding to data by repeating the operation. The transmissivity of the liquid crystal layer 7 disposed between the pixel electrode 11 and the opposed electrode 18 changes depending to a voltage applied across the pixel electrode 11 and the opposed electrode 18, and light emitted from the backlight 4 is therefore adjusted. As a result, images are displayed on the active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus.
There is proposed a construction in which pixel electrodes are provided on an interlaminar insulation film so that the pixel electrodes and the signal line are formed as different layers and that the pixel electrodes overlap the signal lines (disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-279228). FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a one-pixel part of an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus having the above-mentioned construction in which pixel electrodes overlap signal lines. FIG. 28 is a plan view of an active matrix board 24 shown in FIG. 27. In the construction, pixel electrodes 21 and signal lines 22 are formed as separate layers, and the pixel electrodes 21 are overlaid on the signal lines 22 through an interlaminar insulation film 23. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the gaps between the pixel electrodes 21 and the adjacent signal lines 22. Thus, it is possible to enlarge the area of the pixel electrodes 21 (aperture ratio) and thus reduce the power consumption of the active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus. In FIGS. 27 and 28, reference numeral 24a denotes an insulation substrate, 25 denotes a TFT, 26 denotes a liquid crystal layer, 27 denotes an opposed electrode, 28 denotes an opposed board, 29 denotes a scanning line, 30 denotes a contact hole, 31 denotes an auxiliary capacitor electrode, and 32 denotes an auxiliary capacitor line.
However, in comparison with the construction shown in FIG. 26 in which the pixel electrode 11 is spaced at a predetermined interval from the signal line 9, the construction in which the pixel electrodes 21 overlap the signal lines 22 invites an increased capacitance Csd between the pixel electrode 21 and the signal line 22. With the increase of the capacitance Csd, the source signal causes a pixel electric potential to change easily. Eventually, there will occur display characteristic deterioration called shadowing phenomenon.
The mechanism of the shadowing phenomenon will be described below by using an equivalent circuit of the active matrix board 24 shown in FIG. 29. When a TFT 25 is turned on as a result of input of an ON-signal Vgh to a scanning line Gn, a pixel electrode P1 is supplied with a voltage Vs1 from a signal line S1.
Next, when the TFT 25 is turned off as a result of input of an OFF-signal Vg1 to the scanning line Gn, a voltage Vs1′ corresponding to data to be written to a pixel electrode P2 of a next stage is supplied to the signal line S1. At this time, the voltage of the pixel electrode P1 is influenced by the voltage Vs1′ of the signal line S1 through the capacitance Csd1. Supposing that the voltage of the pixel electrode P1 at that time is Vp1, the voltage Vp1 is expressed as follows:Vp11=Vs1−(Csd1(Vs1−Vs1′)+Csd2(Vs2−Vs2′))/(Cp+Csd1+Csd2)  (1)where Cp is a capacitance of the pixel electrode (Cp=liquid crystal capacitance, Clc+auxiliary electrode capacitance, Ccs), Csd1 is a capacitance between the signal line S1 and the pixel electrode P1, Csd2 is a capacitance between a signal line S2 and the pixel electrode P1, Vs1 and Vs2 are voltages of the signal lines S1 and S2, respectively, in the case where the scanning line Gn of an nth row is in an ON-state, and Vs1′ and Vs2′ are voltages of the signal lines S1 and S2, respectively, in the case where a scanning line G(n+1) of an (n+1)th row is in an ON-state.
In a gate line inversion driving method (namely, "1H inversion driving") which is a conventional method of driving the active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus, the polarity of the source signal is inverted every line of gates. Supposing that adjacent gradations are the same,Vs=Vs1=Vs2, Vs′=Vs1′=Vs2′  (2)Therefore, from the equations (1) and (2),Vp1=Vs−(Csd1+Csd2)/(Cp+Csd1+Csd2)·(Vs−Vs′)  (3)
As is obvious from the above, in the 1H inversion driving, the amount of change of the pixel electric potential is proportional to (Csd1+Csd2). Therefore, with the increase of the capacitance Csd between the signal line S and the pixel electrode P, the shadowing phenomenon appears conspicuously.
A dot inversion driving method has been proposed as a driving method suppressing the change of the pixel electric potential due to the capacitance Csd between the signal line S and the pixel electrode P. In the dot inversion driving, the polarity of the source signal is inverted not only every line of the gates, but also every line of sources.
Supposing that adjacent gradations are the same in the dot inversion driving,Vs=Vs1=−Vs2, Vs′=Vs1′=−Vs2′  (4)From the equations (1) and (4),Vp1=Vs−(Csd1−Csd2)/(Cp+Csd1+Csd2)·(Vs−Vs′)  (5)
From the above, in the dot inversion driving, the variation of the pixel electric potential is proportional to the difference between the capacitance Csd1 and the capacitance Csd2. Therefore, the dot inversion driving is much superior to the 1H inversion drive in suppressing the occurrence of the shadowing phenomenon. Thus, the dot inversion driving can improve the image quality of the liquid crystal display apparatus. In particular, by reducing the difference between the capacitances Csd1 and Csd2 in connection to the pixels adjoining in the direction in which the scanning line 29 extends, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the shadowing phenomenon to a great extent.
However, the following new problem occurs. In general, in producing a liquid crystal display apparatuses, a photolithographic process is performed block by block. Thus, an alignment deviation occurs from block to block. This leads to the variation in the amount of overlapping between the pixel electrode P and the signal line S and hence the variation in the capacitance Csd between the signal line S and the pixel electrode P. In the case where the dot inversion driving is adopted, the pixel electric potential is liable to change due to the variation in the capacitance Csd. This results in difference of transmissivity among the blocks.
For example, referring to FIG. 30, let it be supposed that an alignment deviation dx has occurred in the photolithographic process of the pixel electrodes P. In this case, there is an increase in the amount of overlapping between the pixel electrode P and the signal line S1. Thus, there is an increase in the capacitance Csd1 between the signal line S1 and the pixel electrode P, whereas there is a decrease in the capacitance Csd2 between the signal line S2 and the pixel electrode P. FIG. 31 shows the relationship between the alignment deviation dx in the photolithographic process and the capacitances Csd1, Csd2. FIG. 31 indicates that with the increase of the alignment deviation dx, the difference between the capacitance Csd1 and the capacitance Csd2 becomes big, and the amount of variation of the pixel electric potential increases.
In the ordinary conventional photolithographic process, the surface of the active matrix board is exposed in blocks. This is the reason why, if a deviation dx occurs in the alignment, the amount of overlap of the pixel electrode on the signal line differs from block to block and the transmissivity differs among the blocks of the active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus. FIG. 32 shows the relationship between the alignment deviation dx and the difference ΔT in transmissivity between a block having the alignment deviation dx and a block having no alignment deviation.
As is obvious, if the active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus in which the pixel electrodes overlap the signal lines is driven by the dot inversion driving method, the amount of change in pixel electric potential caused by the coupling capacitances Csd really decreases, but differs largely among the photo-blocks. Consequently, there rises a big difference in the transmissivity among the blocks, leading to a problem called "block separation". As the size of the active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus becomes larger, the number of blocks tends to increase more and more in the photolithographic process. Thus, there is a growing demand for suppression of the occurrence of the "block separation" caused by the coupling capacitance Csd.

Active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus


A mask and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The mask includes: a frame, which includes a hollow portion and a border surrounding the hollow portion; an opening plate, which is provided on the frame and includes an opening and a body surrounding the opening, the opening corresponding to the hollow portion, and the body being connected with the border; and a pattern plate, which is provided on the opening plate and includes a pattern portion and a non-pattern portion positioned in a periphery of the pattern portion, the pattern portion corresponding to the opening, the non-pattern portion being connected with the body of the opening plate, and the non-pattern portion and the frame being separated from each other at a position of the border.

A mask is used for producing a desired pattern, and is widely applied in the pattern fabrication process of various electronic products, e.g., a transistor, a liquid crystal panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel and the like. Photolithography process and evaporation process are common technologies in the pattern fabrication process. For example, in the photolithography process, a thin film is exposed by utilizing the mask, and then processes of development, etching and the like are carried out to obtain the desired pattern. For example, in the evaporation process, a material is heated to a gaseous state and is deposited onto a substrate or a workpiece after penetrating the mask so as to obtain the desired pattern.

ORDOS YUANSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD.


An isolation tool for positioning in a pipe bore and providing a sealing barrier extending transversely across the pipe bore for isolating a section of the bore during replacement of a pipe section includes: a pair of identical inflatable seals positioned in the tool mid-section by an annular subassembly which secures the seals in position, preventing them from dislodging into the internal tool cavity. Having inflatable seals allows flexibility since the tool can be used within a greater range of pipe diameters. The tool “self-centers” within the pipe in its proper position as gas is pumped into both seals simultaneously through a single gas inlet of a shared plumbing assembly, thereby enabling quick installation and removal. Moveable gripper inserts are tightened against the inner pipe surface to hold the tool stationary. Support leg assemblies assist tool installation and removal. The back plate defines multiple port connections. The tool is electronically monitored by a separate enhanced monitoring unit.

In the fabrication of fluid flow systems, whether for the purposes of conveying liquid such as petro-chemicals, or gases such as natural gas, the use of conduits or pipes is typical. As pipes can be manufactured only to a finite length, various lengths or elbows must be connected together to structure the conduit fluid conveyance means. This is accomplished by welding butt ends of pipes together or to elbows etc., or alternatively, to weld the end of a pipe to a butt flange and to juxtapose two butt flanges together by means commonly known, for example, use of bolts through each juxtaposed annular portions of each butt flange. Generally, such flanges co-operatively employ gaskets as sealing elements. The welds are tested to determine whether there is any leakage since it is mandated that the amount of fluid escaping from any weld or flange/flange interface be reduced to allowable limits.
The problem relates to creating a safe environment for performing hot work on existing pipelines carrying hydrocarbon resources. Canadian Patent No. 2,847,874 (owned by applicant) describes an isolation tool which safely isolates a line for hot work to maintain safety of personnel. The isolation tool is placed into the line upstream of where hot-work is to be performed. Once the isolation tool is properly installed and two outer seals are established, medium is brought to pressure in the annulus between the seals. Once this pressure is established, the seals are actively monitored by the technician to ensure that no harmful vapors are passing beyond the isolation tool into the hot work zone. The problem encountered by applicant with this isolation tool is that as the pipe gets bigger, the isolation tool needs to be bigger also to seal with the bigger pipe. However, this results in a heavier, more expensive tool which is difficult to install or remove. There is also a need to be able to monitor remotely rather than in close proximity to the work zone.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved isolation tool which mitigates the above problems.

Inflatable isolation tool with enhanced monitoring unit


A coaxial cable based electronic component or circuit is described. The circuit comprises one or more coaxial cables, each having an inner conductor which is surrounded by an insulating material and an outer conductive shielding sleeve is disposed about the insulating material. A window of predetermined size is made in the outer conductive shielding sleeve for access to the inner conductor for incorporating same as an integral part of an electronic component or circuit. The insulating material forms at least part of an electrically insulating support and electrical shield for the electronic circuit. The conductor has opposed terminal ends for connection thereto.

In my previous Canadian patent application Ser. No. 2,086,060 entitled "Broadband Directional Coupler Using Cables", I describe the construction of a broadband directional coupler formed by using commercially available coaxial cables which are semi-rigid and wherein I strip the shielding sleeve to expose a section of the inner cable which I then couple to another like section of cable to thereby form a coupler. This technique has many advantages over prior art techniques, such as being inexpensive to fabricate, it eliminates the need to produce expensive machined metal shielding housings, and provides flexibility in that the coupler can be shaped to many desired forms to save space, or to fit in a predetermined restricted space.
These advantages that I achieved with my broadband directional coupler led to further research and development in the use of flexible, semi-flexible or rigid coaxial cables, and I have now developed the coaxial cable technology to construct other components, such as filters, or to use the coaxial cable as the base for the construction of electronic circuits wherein I incorporate electronic components or chips directly coupled to the inner conductor in a window region of the cable. I have also developed economical means of providing housings about the strip regions or in the end portion of one or more of these cables wherein electronic circuits can be housed and shielded.
The fabrication of filters using classical technologies, such as a printed circuit board having lumped LC components, micro-strip, strip-line, etc., is known and it necessitates the use of various fabrication techniques and element sources. Such a construction is, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,499 issued May 30, 1989, entitled "Voltage Tunable Bandpass Filter". That patent describes a bandpass filter which is formed from a plurality of parallel resonators formed of micro-strips which are fitted on a circuit board and spaced with great accuracy. An advantage of such construction is that the resonators are simpler and less expensive to produce, but still occupy the space of the printed circuit board on which other components, such as tuning diodes and capacitors are coupled to the resonators. Such construction does not offer flexibility, nor is it useful in saving space, nor can it be designed to fit in a small predetermined area. These circuit boards also need to be shielded and must therefore be mounted in a shielded housing.

Electronic components and systems using coaxial cable


The present invention provides methods and systems that generate symbol delay times. By receiving a communication signal using a plurality of antennas, a set of respective communication channels can be characterized. The characterized channels can be then used to determine sets of forward-time delays and time-reverse delays using a minimum-mean-square-error technique. By selecting the set of delays that can provide a lower mean-square-error in an equalizer, symbol estimation can be improved as compared to a system that only estimates delays in a single temporal direction.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to methods and systems using novel timing recovery techniques in wireless systems.
2. Description of Related Art
As digital wireless communication systems such as Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) are standardized around the world, the importance of providing clear and cost-effective communication techniques increases. Various obstacles include mitigating the effects of co-channel interference (CCI), which can occur when multiple communication channels use the same frequency spectrum, and inter-symbol interference (ISI), which can occur when transmitted signals travel along several different paths to an intended receiver.
Currently, CCI and ISI can be mitigated using various forms of equalization techniques such as minimum mean square error - decision feedback equalization (MMSE-DFE) and delayed decision feedback sequence estimation (DDFSE). When these equalization techniques are used in conjunction with multiple receive antennas, these equalization techniques can benefit from a complimentary timing recovery procedure that advantageously delays the received signals from each antenna. Unfortunately, for various burst signals, conventional timing recovery procedures do not necessarily optimize spatial-temporal equalization. Accordingly, there is a need for better timing recovery systems and methods.

Methods and systems for symbol timing recovery


In a semiconductor integrated circuit, a device identification-code-information circuit includes an internal circuit which can set device identification code information and which can selectively read the same. This structure enables reduction in size of an LSI chip and improvement in reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit, and, in particular, to a semiconductor integrated circuit including the device identification-code-information circuit for identifying a device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a semiconductor integrated circuit, the miniaturization of a package has been advanced more and more with high integration. As the miniaturization of the package, proposals have been offered about a method for mounting a plurality of LSI chips, such as a multi-chip package and a Package on Package. The thickness of the LSI chip used for these packages is made thin, e.g., is ground to 100 μm or less. Upon mounting the miniaturized packages, a problem of the warpage of each package is caused because the thickness of the package is thin, and the mounting condition is extremely severe.
It happens that semiconductor manufacturers or makers shrink LSI chips for reducing costs and also assemble, in the same package, semiconductor integrated circuits with different chip scales and with the same function. In response to a request from a system, the semiconductor manufacturers further tend to assemble, in the same package, pin-compatibility products with different LSI chips and the same function.
Under the circumstances, since the packages are identical with one another, the appearance of such packages is the same as one another. Moreover, the LSI chips of the same functions have the same electrical characteristics because of the same functions. Thus, the products having the shrunk chip and the pin-compatibility product are undistinguishable in appearance and electricity.
However, mounting conditions of the packages with the small size are extremely severe, and optimal mounting conditions are varied upon mounting the LSI chips with different chip scales. If packages of the LSI chips with different chip scales are mixed together to manufacture the Package on Package, the warpage of each package differs depending on the chip scales. Therefore, failure takes place about the package warpage and, as a result, the chips exfoliate or peel from resin at the mounting time. This makes the mounting difficult.
As a consequence, the LSI chip (hereinafter, abbreviated as a device) comprises a device identification-code-information circuit for identifying different devices.
As device identification code information, a wide variety of information is stored which may include a product name, a chip version, a function, and a package number, and etc. By reading the device identification code information, the semiconductor integrated circuits are individually identified and the mixture of the circuits is prevented. The device identification code information can be stored within a nonvolatile storage element. As the nonvolatile storage element, a nonvolatile memory or a fuse is used.
Such a nonvolatile memory can be used when the semiconductor integrated circuit includes a nonvolatile memory area like a FLASH memory. However, the fuse is used for a volatile memory such as a DRAM and an SRAM without the nonvolatile memory, or for a general semiconductor integrated circuit.
FIG. 4 shows a flow of reading conventional device identification code information from a fuse. The device identification code information is written and stored into the fuse acting as a nonvolatile storage element, and the fuse state is read as fuse information. In response to a command signal for reading fuse information, a storage state of the fuse is output as the fuse information to a fuse peripheral circuit. The fuse peripheral circuit is activated in response to the command signal to read and output the fuse information to an input/output circuit. The input/output circuit outputs the device identification code information. Thus, by reading the device identification code information, the semiconductor integrated circuits are identified and are individually specified.
However, the fuse which is used for the semiconductor integrated circuit is free from a protective coating (polyimide film) for protecting an internal circuit. In other words, such a protective coating film is opened at the fuse. Therefore, the fuse is inferior to the internal circuit in reliability. In addition, a fuse part of the fuse circuit uses a device area for a function thereof, and the device size increases due to presence of the fuse. Obviously, test processing for sorting a wafer requires cutting of the fuse, and time for cutting the fuse is also necessary. As a consequence, investment for a facility of cutting the fuse and the test time for sorting are needed. Further, there is a problem of lowering a yield due to a cutting mistake of the fuse. Thus, using a fuse brings about an increase of costs in the semiconductor integrated circuit.
The following documents are disclosed on the device identification-code-information circuit used for the semiconductor integrated circuit. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-196159 (Reference 1) discloses a technology in which each chip of a multi-chip package has a fuse that stores device identification information. Each chip is selected by a control signal, and the device identification information is read. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-101891 (Reference 2) discloses a technology in which input/output buffers are switched in a normal mode and a redundancy mode.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-206197 (Reference 3) discloses a technology in which a normal operation mode and a terminal test mode are set with a control signal. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-209230 (Reference 4) discloses a technology in which a peripheral-equipment control unit is equipped and low power consumption of a peripheral device is accomplished by activation-start detecting means and activation-end detecting means.

Device identification-code-information circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit having the device identification-code-information circuit


A catheter for use in continuous flow peritoneal dialysis comprising an inflow tube and an outflow tube, wherein both are connected on one end to a dialysis machine. The inflow tube is divided into a plurality of smaller inflow auxiliary tubes, and the outflow tube is divided into a plurality of smaller outflow auxiliary tubes. The auxiliary tubes each contain a plurality of apertures for the rapid and efficient movement of dialysis solution in and out of the peritoneal cavity. The auxiliary tubes are covered by a sheath prior to implantation, which is then removed, thereby deploying, preferably into an open-basket shape, the auxiliary tubes within the peritoneal cavity which separate to allow for the continuous flow of dialysis solution. This reduces the time required to complete the procedure and increases its efficiency by reaching a larger surface area of the peritoneal cavity, all without kinking or blocking.

Dialysis is a process for removing waste and excess water from the blood, and is used primarily to provide an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with renal failure. Dialysis acts as a substitute for the function which the kidneys normally perform in the body, namely regulating the body's fluid balance and removing waste products which accumulate in the body. A patient generally requires dialysis when his body builds up a level of a waste to such a degree that it causes physical illness.
There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a special type of filter to remove excess waste products and water from the body. A double lumen catheter is inserted into the patient's chest or neck into a vein. During hemodialysis, the blood is allowed to slowly flow into the catheter and through the filter, called a dialysis membrane, thereby removing any unwanted products or fluids. A solution within the dialysis machine will capture the removed waste products. Once filtered, the clean blood is returned to the body.
Peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, uses the patient's own body tissues (the peritoneal membrane) inside of the abdominal cavity to act as the filter, rather than using a machine-like filter. Peritoneal dialysis uses a soft tube called a peritoneal catheter to fill the abdomen with a cleansing dialysis solution liquid, called dialysate. The walls of the abdominal cavity and internal viscera are lined with a membrane, called the peritoneum, which acts as dialysis membrane. The peritoneal membrane separates two fluid-containing compartments—(a) the blood in the peritoneal capillaries, which in kidney failure patients accumulates waste products such as urea, creatinine, potassium etc.; and (b) and the dialysis solution. The peritoneal membrane allows waste products and extra fluid to pass from the blood into the dialysis solution by process of diffusion and ultrafiltration occurring simultaneously. The dialysis solution is then drained from the abdomen, and takes with it the waste products (the solute) which were previously cleared therein. The process of introducing the dialysis solution into the body and removing the excess of fluids (water) and solute is called an exchange, and the period of time in which the dialysis solution is in the abdomen is called the dwell.
Peritoneal dialysis affords patients greater independence and flexibility in their dialysis schedules and location, while its simplicity, safety profile and cost-effectiveness, when compared to home hemodialysis, make it an ideal dialysis modality, especially for younger, working patients. Major obstacles of peritoneal dialysis, however, include catheter-related complications, loss of efficiency of the peritoneal membrane over time, and long hours of dialysis; this invention seeks to address and minimize these obstacles.
Over the last several years, automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) has emerged as the preferred modality of peritoneal dialysis amongst patients and healthcare providers. In automated peritoneal dialysis, the above-mentioned process occurs using a small and lightweight cycler machine while an individual is sleeping. In the United States, two types of automated peritoneal dialysis devices or methods are employed—continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) or nocturnal intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD). CCPD uses an automated cycler to perform multiple exchanges of fluid during the night while the patient sleeps, and then leaves the dialysis solution in the abdomen for the patient to have one more exchange take place which lasts the entire day. NIPD, alternatively, makes more exchanges during the night, and does not require the final exchange during the day.
Another technique is known as Tidal Peritoneal Dialysis (TPD), which provides a high-dialysate flow rate and consequently an increased diffusion gradient between the blood and the dialysate. This minimizes the formation of unstirred layers of dialysate. Continuous contact between the dialysate and peritoneal membrane also provides continuous removal of solute and water, not just intermittent removal during the dwell period. Finally, in some European countries, Continuous Flow Peritoneal dialysis (CFPD) is also used, especially for patients with limited efficiency in standard CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) or APD (automated peritoneal dialysis). CFPD provides a continuous movement of dialysate into and out of the abdomen.
Regardless of the technique employed for peritoneal dialysis, all current peritoneal access devices or peritoneal catheters have several typical disadvantages and complications. These common complications include peri-catheter leaks and outflow failure caused by a diminished volume of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. These occur frequently, particularly in the latter stages of the fluid drain, when resistance to fluid outflow increases, and when the bowel loops move closer to the standard catheter tip and side holes, thus causing blockages and preventing the free movement of dialysate in and out of the catheter.
Another limitation in current peritoneal dialysis devices is an inefficient use of the peritoneal membrane surface area. Peritoneal membranes have a surface area of approximately 1,200 square centimeters per square meter of body surface area, or 2,200 square centimeters in an average adult. In current clinical applications of peritoneal dialysis, however, only limited parts of the surface area are seemingly utilized during the procedure. The surface area which is actually contacted during dialysis depends on the position of the catheter and patient. The position of the catheter, if bunched up or blocked in any way such as in an adhesion formation, can cause dialysate fluid to be trapped in pockets that do not participate in the fluid exchange. These issues result in a lengthier period of time required for the removal of all waste from the system, and costs increase as greater amounts of dialysate are required to complete the procedure. This could also result in excess dialysate being trapped in the abdomen.
Another major problem with current peritoneal dialysis is infection. Because of the nature of the machinery used for the procedure, a plastic tube runs from inside the peritoneal cavity to the outside of the body. This creates the potential for bacteria to enter the body, especially if the tubes are not cleaned or used properly.
An additional limitation to current dialysis methods is time. Hemodialysis requires minimal participation by the patient during treatment but requires the patients adhere to very specific schedules and diets. Peritoneal dialysis allows for more flexible scheduling, but requires many hours of dialysis each day and must be done every day of the week. The process of filling the abdomen with dialysis solution, allowing it to mix with the unwanted waste in the body, and then draining the mixture, takes a lengthy period of time. A typical dialysis schedule requires multiple cycles daily, each taking approximately 4 to 6 hours.
The present invention discloses a new and novel peritoneal dialysis catheter. The present invention comprises two silicone shafts, which are each preferably 32 cm long. Each has preferably an inner diameter of 2.5 mm and an outer diameter of 3.5 mm, although the use of alternate dimensions for the catheter is envisioned as well. The first shaft is called the inflow shaft. The terminal 15 cm of the shaft bifurcates into two separate inflow shafts. The second shaft is the outflow shaft, which preferably trifurcates into three or more, smaller outflow shafts. These preferably five shafts are encased in a sheath, which is used to hold the plurality of shafts in place during implantation of all shafts into the peritoneal membrane.
After intra-peritoneal implantation of the catheter, the outer sheath surrounding the shafts is retracted and pulled out. This will have the effect of separating and deploying the plurality of shafts. All shafts take the shape of a basket or shafts forming the outside of an elongated football or some other rounded structure. Each of the shafts contains numerous side perforations of preferably 0.5 mm or smaller. For the ease of implantation, the shafts are preferably joined together at an end, which allows the easiest access of the tubes into the abdomen or peritoneal cavity of a patient, and requires the smallest possible aperture through which to do so.
The middle portion of the catheter has an inflow tube and an outflow tube. These tubes are preferably appended to two Dacron cuffs that are preferably 7 cm apart. A Dacron cuff is a sheath of synthetic fabric which surrounds the inflow and outflow tubes of the catheter to prevent accidental displacement of the tubes. One Dacron cuff is preferably placed on the tubing at the skin level, while the other is preferably placed around the tubing at the peritoneal level. The Dacron felt cuffs are used to create a biological barrier against bacterial invasion at the interface between implanted foreign synthetic materials, i.e. silicone tubes, and the skin. After implantation of peritoneal catheter, body tissues grow into the Dacron felt cuff, thus stabilizing the catheter and forming a biological barrier against infection. The second cuff is located just outside the peritoneal cavity, thus closing the sinus tract at that level. The growth of fibroblasts and tissues into the meshwork of Dacron cuffs not only fixes the catheter in place and prevents sliding, but also provides an efficient barrier against bacterial invasion. By 10-14 days after implantation, tissue ingrowth into the cuffs is virtually complete throughout its thickness.
The initial, or extra-abdominal, portion of the catheter that runs outside of the skin simply provides a means for connecting the inflow and outflow shafts to the peritoneal dialysis apparatus. This portion of the tubing preferably contains a single inflow tube and a single outflow tube for movement of the dialysis solution in and out of the peritoneal membrane. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, all dialysate which enters the inflow tube from the dialysis machine will travel through a single inflow tube until entering the peritoneal cavity, at which point it will disperse into the plurality of inflow tubes to maximize the surface area of the membrane. Then, preferably, the dialysate fluid, along with waste products and excess body water (ultrafiltration), is collected to exit the peritoneal membrane. It will enter into a plurality of the outflow tubes, which will all converge into a single outflow tube upon exit from the abdomen, such that the fluid will travel back to a drainage bag.
Implantation of the present invention is made using open surgical technique or standard laparoscopic methodology, depending on the surgeon's interest and expertise. The laparoscopic technique is becoming more popular because of its advantages in direct visualization of the catheter placement and also in the ability to perform a partial omentectomy or lysis of adhesions during the catheter placement. In the laparoscopic technique, a patient is operated on under general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the abdomen for placement of the catheter, and a tunnel is created into the patient's peritoneal cavity. The invention, multiple shafts or tubes held together by a sheath, is then inserted through the tunnel and into the cavity. After implantation, the surrounding sheath will be retracted from the tubing, thereby leaving behind a basket-shaped system of auxiliary inflow and outflow shafts in the intra-peritoneal cavity. The catheter is placed under direct vision to ensure proper positioning. An internal Dacron cuff is placed in the pre-peritoneal space. Using resorbable sutures, which prevent obstruction of the catheter dialysate leakage, the surgeon closes the peritoneum and rectus sheaths. Subsequently a tunnel is created under the abdominal wall skin, and a distal or external Dacron cuff is placed under the skin at the catheter exit site. The catheter is tested before closing the incision.
This is the crux of the present invention as it differs from all prior dialysis catheters, which comprise merely a single tube for both inflow and outflow of dialysate. Compared to a single tube or single coiled tube peritoneal dialysis catheter (which is the standard catheter used in the field presently), the present inventive catheter device will occupy a larger surface area of the peritoneal cavity and allow for smaller pockets of the peritoneal cavity to participate in peritoneal dialysate exchange with blood capillaries. This not only acts to improve the efficiency of the peritoneum as a dialysis membrane, but it also reduces future pocket formations within the peritoneal membrane by adhesions and other bodily organs such bowel loops. Such pocket formations often occur after a patient suffers from episodes of peritonitis, or inflammation or irritation of the peritoneum.
Due to the basket-shape of the present invention after implantation, the chances of catheter kinking, or curling in on itself, or omentum wrapping are negligible compared to a single tube straight or coiled catheter. In traditional peritoneal dialysis, a single catheter is used which frequently has the complication of dialysate out flow failure, where dialysate may be infused into the peritoneal cavity but where the fluid fails to drain out. The outflow failure usually occurs when omentum or bowel loops move closer to traditional catheters and block the catheter tip and side perforations, thereby blocking free drainage of dialysate through these perforations. Outflow failure can also be caused by other means, including the attachment of omentum or other tissues to a single tube or curled catheter tip and side perforations, the migration of single tube traditional catheters (which increases the chance of attachment to omentum), and diminished volume of the fluid in peritoneal cavity during exchange (which inhibits the free flow of dialysate in and out of the catheter and allows for a blockage of inflow or outflow tubes). The present invention overcomes this problem of catheter migration or omentum attachment, as the basket-shaped catheter uses its own three-dimensional structure to push bowel loops and omentum out of the way of the perforations in the tubes for the inflow and outflow of dialysate.
Another advantage of the present invention is the continuous, simultaneous inflow and outflow of fluid. Due to such movement of dialysate, a pressure gradient will be created between the peritoneal fluid volume and the outflow tubes, allowing for free drainage of the fluid and for minimization of the risk of outflow failure. The plurality of inflow and outflow tubes allow the dialysate to enter the peritoneal cavity, and the waste or unwanted fluid mix to exit the peritoneal cavity, at a much more rapid pace than in a traditional peritoneal dialysis system using a single tube. This provides the advantage of drastically reducing the dwell time needed, since the exchange of the fluids is occurring at a much quicker pace and covering a much greater surface area of the membrane. The purpose of the lengthy period of the dwell in traditional peritoneal dialysis is to allow the entire peritoneal membrane to come in contact with the dialysate, thus removing the unwanted waste (solute) and fluids by diffusion and ultrafiltration. In the present invention, substantially the maximum peritoneal surface area and peritoneal capillaries participate in peritoneal transport and therefore the exchange is performed efficiently at a much quicker pace.
Additionally, a multitude of points within the cavity are directly targeted by individual inflow tubes, so there is a limited wait for the dialysate to cover the entire surface area of the membrane. Likewise, a multitude of outflow tubes exist to remove the unwanted solute, ultrafiltered water, and used dialysate from the abdomen upon completion of the dwell. Both of these advantages substantially reduce the time requirement for the dialysis procedure, while also minimizing the recirculation of the same fluid which has already undergone the exchange, thereby improving dialysis clearance. Low dialysis clearance is a frequent problem in dialysis when a single tube or coiled catheter becomes lodged in a peritoneal pocket. Using the present invention, the dialysis procedure can be done efficiently and at a much quicker pace, thereby allowing an individual requiring dialysis multiple times a day greater flexibility in his schedule, while simultaneously obtaining a superior result.

High flux basket catheter for efficient continuous flow peritoneal dialysis


The refractive index, extinction coefficient, size and density of fluid suspended particles are simultaneously determined by combined transmittance and scattering measurements. The scattering measurements are preferably angle selective to obtain additional information about the scattered light. A charge-coupled device is employed for its high sensitivity to low light intensity in measurement of scattered light in combination with a photodiode array employed for its high signal to noise ratio, which is beneficial in transmittance measurement. The scattered light may be measured in an angle selective fashion by use of a motorized aperture that is concentrically positioned with respect to the impinging beam axis and moveable along the impinging beam axis. An ellipsoidal mirror collects the scattered light that passes through the motorized aperture and focuses the scattered light towards the charge-coupled device.

Optical techniques for remotely characterizing fluid suspended particles are receiving increased attention in the industry because they are highly suitable for high quality measurements in a non invasive and quasi real time fashion. Most common are transmittance based measurement techniques, in which light is directed through the fluid and the directly emitting remaining portion of the incident light is used to characterize the suspended particles. Transmittance based measurement techniques are less sensitive to noise especially at short wavelengths in the UV regime but are well suitable to obtain information about particles. However, information about particle sizes and particle distributions, and n and k are difficult to obtain with transmittance measurement alone as is well known in the art. This is mainly due to the strong correlations between n, k, size, and density of particles in the analysis. For example, increasing the particle density has a similar effect, to certain extent, as increasing the particle size to the transmittance spectra. Therefore, there exists a need for an optical measurement technique for fluid suspended particles that is capable of providing information about particle sizes and particle distributions. The present invention addresses this need.
Increasing attention has been received lately regarding scattered light measurement techniques to derive information about fluid suspended particles. In combination with well known mathematical algorithms and methods that are preferably computationally implemented, light scattering measurements may require relatively small optical design effort while providing highly accurate measurement results. A low number of lenses, mirrors and optical fibers are employed to direct a broadband spectral light source onto the fluid suspended particles and collect and direct the scattered light towards a detector. Also, the measurement has characteristics that can be computationally analyzed to determine particle size and n and k. One such well known characteristic is a wavelength dependent oscillation of the scattered light. From such oscillations, n and k may be roughly computationally determined. Unfortunately, scattering oscillations decrease with particle size such that at approximately 0.2 μm particle sizes and below, n and k cannot be reliably determined from the scattered light at a fixed scattering angle. Therefore, there exists a need for an optical measurement technique for fluid suspended particles that provides information of n and k of particles also substantially below 0.2 μm size. The present invention also addresses this need.
In the prior art, scattered light is detected either by a single stationary or a single moveable detector or a number of stationary detectors. The more scattered light is detected as a function of angle, the more information about the suspended particles may be derived. Of particular interest are variations of the scattered light in relation to the scattering angle. Such variations can be detected in a continuous fashion over an extended scattering angle range. Prior art stationary detector(s) to the contrary provide simultaneous detection of only a fraction of the scattered light near a given scattering angle. Prior art moveable detectors may be continuously moved around the scatter origin but only along a linear path, which amounts also only to a small fraction of the total scattered light within a predetermined measurement range. Also, a moveable detector or a configuration for variable angle detection may require extensive design effort. Therefore, there exists a need for a method and apparatus capable of simultaneously detecting a substantial portion of the total scattered light along a predetermined scattering angle. The present invention also addresses this need.
Analyzing raw measurement data of transmittance spectra and scattering spectra is well known in the art. There are dispersion models such as Forouhi-Bloomer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,170), Cauchy, or others commonly implemented to reduce the number of variables. Other parameters in conjunction with basic formulations to perform calculations based on Beer-Lambert (BL) law are taught for example in Swanson et al, Applied Optics, 38, p. 5887, 1999; Nefedov et al, Applied Optics, 36, p. 1357, 1997, Furthermore, the extinction cross section of a single particle is also known to be calculated from Mie scattering theory as taught, for example in C. F. Boren and D. R. Huffman, "Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles, Wiley, New York, 1983". Also, single scattering conditions in the transmittance of fluid suspended particles are for example, taught in Swanson et al, Applied Optics, 38, p. 5887, 1999. Also, it has been noticed in experiments that some forward scattered light may also be detected as transmitted light like in Nefedov et al, Applied Optics, 36, p. 1357, 1997. All prior art address some isolated issues relating to analyzing fluid suspended particles, but fail to teach a combination of detector choice and apparatus setup, and fail to teach a relevant analytical solution to address the need for simultaneously determining refractive index, extinction coefficient, particle size and particle density. The present invention also addresses this need.

Combined transmittance and angle selective scattering measurement of fluid suspended particles for simultaneous determination of refractive index, extinction coefficient, particle size and particle density


A column locator for use on a computer page place marker for locating columns of information on a printed computer page. The locator has a jaw-like opening formed of upper and lower legs and a pointer which engages the place marker, permitting slidable movement along a longitudinal edge of the place marker, and includes a lip and abutment shoulder on each leg within the opening to maintain placement of the locator during movement on the place marker.

The present invention relates to a column locator for printed material having a series of columns of information, and in particular, to a column locator suitable for use with a computer page place marker.
In my previous U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,812, entitled Computer Page Place Marker, a flexible elongated transparent computer page place marker is provided having a longitudinal marking surface for locating specific printed lines of information on a standard computer page. The marker includes a longitudinal slit positioning a plurality of column locators within the slit and slidably moveable therein for locating column information on a computer page. The locators of the prior patent are made of plastic and are overlapped in order to encircle a longitudinal portion of the marker formed by the slit and the peripheral edge thereof. The upper portion of the locator is preferably pointed to aid in locating specific columns.
The present invention relates to an improved column locator structure for use with the computer page place marker. The locator is a bifurcated member having an end shaped in the form of a pointer. The legs are structured to engage the computer page place marker so as to be slidably moveable thereon. The legs are integrally formed with the pointer in a "U" shape when viewed in elevation.
Among the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved column locator for use with a computer page place marker which is simple in design and easy to install on the marker and the provision of a column locator having legs for engaging a computer page place marker and an integral pointer for use in locating columns of information on a computer page. Other objects of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following drawings and written description as follows.

Column locator for computer page place marker


A testing apparatus for testing a ball grid array (BGA) device, includes a movable carrier which has a top face recessed to form a cavity of square shape to receive the BGA device. A centering member is disposed at a center part of a cavity bottom face of the cavity to center a squarely looped array of voltage source solder balls formed at a bottom face of the BGA device, relative to the center part of the cavity bottom face. The centering member projects upward from the cavity bottom face to engage and prevent positional deviation of the squarely looped array of the voltage source solder balls when the BGA device is seated on the cavity bottom face. The testing apparatus further includes a testing circuit unit, a surface mount matrix disposed on top of the testing circuit unit, and a hollow frame member mounted on top of the surface mount matrix. The frame member has a square central opening to expose the surface mount matrix, and the surface mount matrix can make a direct electrical contact with the BGA device when the latter is placed in the central opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to for a ball grid array (BGA) device, more particularly to a testing apparatus adapted for use in testing BGA devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ball grid array (BGA) packages are high pin count integrated circuit packages that are widely used in surface mounting applications. Referring to FIG. 1, a known BGA device 1 includes a semiconductor device 12 disposed on a dielectric insulating substrate 11 that is formed with circuit traces (not shown) for electrical connection with the semiconductor device 12. A plurality of signal, ground and voltage source solder balls 13, 14 and 15, that are formed from tin, are provided on a bottom face of the insulating substrate 11 and are connected electrically to the circuit traces to serve as electrical contacts for the BGA device 1. The signal solder balls 13 are arranged in an array at a periphery of the bottom face. The voltage source solder balls 15 are arranged in a squarely looped array at a central portion of the bottom face. The ground solder balls 14 are arranged in rows within the squarely looped array, and are spaced apart from the voltage source solder balls 15. In the mass production of BGA devices 1, a number of insulating substrates 11 are initially interconnected as a large insulating plate. After the circuit traces are formed, the large insulating plate is subsequently cut to form the individual insulating substrates 11, thereby resulting in exposed conductive contacts (not shown) on the margins 16 of each insulating substrate 11.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a conventional testing apparatus for testing BGA devices includes a movable carrier 3 for receiving a BGA device 1, a tester 2, and a moving device (not shown) for moving the BGA device 1 from the carrier 3 to the tester 2. The carrier 3 has a squarely looped flange 31 formed on a bottom side of an inner surface of the carrier 3 for isolating the BGA device 1 from the bottom side. The squarely looped flange 31 has a cross-section larger than that of the squarely looped array of the voltage source solder balls 15. The tester 2 includes a testing circuit unit 21 provided with a testing circuit layout, and a socket 23 formed from an insulator material and retained on the testing circuit unit 21 via a mounting seat 22 that is fixed on the testing circuit unit 21. The socket 23 is formed with a receiving space 25 that opens upwardly. Guide members 26 project inwardly from the socket 23 into the receiving space 25. The socket 23 has a contactor plate 27 disposed at a bottom end of the receiving space 25 and formed with a plurality of spring probes or pogo pins 29 that are registered with the solder balls 13, 14 and 15 of the BGA device 1 that is to be tested. A surface mount matrix 24 interconnects the pogo pins 29 and the testing circuit layout on the testing circuit unit 21. The pogo pins 29, in turn, interconnect the BGA device 1 and the surface mount matrix 24.
When testing the BGA device 1 for defects, the BGA device 1 is loaded into the receiving space 25 of the socket 23 to enable the solder balls 13, 14 and 15 to contact the pogo pins 29. The guide members 26 function to align the BGA device 1 in relation to the pogo pins 29 in the receiving space 25 by contacting the margins 16 of the insulating substrate 11 so as to guide the insulating substrate 11 into the receiving space 25 in a proper position. The BGA device 1 is then pressed toward the pogo pins 29 to ensure electrical connection between the BGA device 1 and the testing circuit layout 28 on the testing circuit unit 21 via the pogo pins 29 and the surface mount matrix 5.
Some of the drawbacks of the conventional testing apparatus described beforehand are as follows:
1. As the distances of the margins 16 of the insulating substrate 11 from the solder balls 13, 14 and 15 can vary due to errors that may occur during the cutting of the insulating substrate 11, there are chances that the solder balls 13, 14 and 15 will not be placed properly on the pogo pins 29 when aligning the BGA device 1 in relation to the pogo pins 29 by referring to the margins 16 of the insulating substrate 11. When the BGA device 1 is pressed toward the pogo pins 29, scratching of the surface of the solder balls 13, 14 and 15 by the pogo pins 29 is likely occur. The solder material removed from one of the solder balls 13, 14 and 15 can get trapped between an adjacent pair of the solder balls 13, 14 and 15 and can result in short-circuiting. Moreover, the solder balls, once scratched, will decrease of the yield of non-defective products during the surface mounting of the BGA device 1.
2. As mentioned beforehand, exposed conductive contacts are present on the margins 16 of the insulating substrate 11 of the BGA device 1. After the BGA device 1 has been tested for defects and is removed from the socket 23, static electricity is usually observed between the guide members 26 in the receiving space 25 and exposed conductive contacts at the margins 16 of the BGA device 1. The static electricity is discharged via the BGA device 1 since the socket 23 is made entirely from an insulator material, and can result in damage to the BGA device 1.
3. Due to the lengths of the pogo pins 29, the BGA device 1 experiences loss during high frequency testing.

Testing apparatus for testing a ball grid array device


An improved impersonal eyepiece for astronomic positioning is affixed to an optical viewing device to provide a means for observing the position of a celestial object at timed intervals. The viewing device produces a source image of the celestial object and a light source in the eyepiece is energized at timed intervals by a control circuit to illuminate a reticle mask and to thereby superimpose a reticle reference image on the source image during each of the timed intervals. The position of the celestial object with respect to the illuminated reticle is noted during each timed interval and the data so obtained is used to define a reference position.

The invention relates to an improved eyepiece for astronomic positioning and, more particularly, to such an eyepiece having electronic switching means for illuminating the reticle of a survey instrument at timed intervals to observe the position of a star with respect to the illuminated reticle.
It is known in the art relating to astronomic positioning to estimate the time of transit of a star across particular lines on the reticle of a viewing instrument. The Hunter shutter eyepiece described in Clark, "Plane and Geodetic Surveying ", Vol. II, 5th Edition, pgs. 62-63, is one device that has been employed to reduce the personal measurement errors that typically characterize the observations of individual observers.
The Hunter shutter eyepiece may be attached to a viewing instrument such as a geodetic theodolite to automatically time successive rapid observations of the movement of a star and to thereby reduce the timing inaccuracies that result when an individual observer is required to independently observe both the position and corresponding transition time of the star.
The automatic timing of observations is performed by a movable shutter that is positioned in front of a glass plate having an engraved reticle and positioned in the focal plane of the objective of the viewing instrument. In operation, every three seconds the shutter is opened for 70 to 100 milliseconds to expose the star and to thereby allow the observer sufficient time to observe the position of the star relative to the reticle. Thereafter, the observer notes the time of the opening of the shutter and the corresponding estimated position of the star.
From the recorded data, a mean scale reading over a mean observation time may be computed for a corresponding series of rapid observations of the star. Thereafter, the time of the passage of the star over a known altitude or a vertical plane may be determined.
Since the shutter of the Hunter eyepiece is a mechanical device, the relatively rapid operation of the shutter results in vibrations that are transmitted to the associated viewing instrument. Therefore, the Hunter eyepiece is not suitable for operation with viewing instruments such as astrolabes that employ mercury pools or pendulum systems that may be sensitive to such vibrations.
In addition, since the apparatus of the Hunter eyepiece necessarily employs rapidly moving parts, it is prone to the various types of mechanical failure that are associated with such mechanisms.
Also, since the shutter of the eyepiece operates to pass light from the target star for a very short period of time, the amount of light that is received by the viewing eye is correspondingly small and therefore, it is correspondingly difficult for the eye to perceive a star of relatively low intensity or a star having a relatively high background lighting.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved eyepiece for astronomic positioning having the advantages of the Hunter eyepiece but having no undesirable operational vibrations.
A further object of the invention is to provide such an improved eyepiece that will operate to continuously pass light from the target star to enable the observer to perceive stars of low intensity or stars having a high background lighting.
Another object of the invention is to provide such an eyepiece that operates electronically with no moving parts to provide increased reliability.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a review of the detailed specification which follows and a consideration of the accompanying drawings.

Impersonal eyepiece for astronomic positioning


Core assemblies and methods for manufacturing components of gas turbine engines include a first core body having a first trunk configured to attach to a first location of a cavity core structure, a first branch extending from the first trunk and configured to form a first portion of a first cooling circuit, the first branch having a first joining surface, and a second core body having a second trunk configured to attach to a second location of a cavity core structure, a first branch of the second core body extending from the second trunk and configured to form a first portion of a second cooling circuit in the component. The first branches of the core bodies joined to form a junction. The junction defines a merger of the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit proximate to an exit of the first and second cooling circuits.

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to gas turbine engine components and, more particularly, to core assemblies, core subassemblies, and core bodies for manufacturing components of gas turbine engines.
Turbine engine components, such as turbine blades and vanes, are operated in high temperature environments. To avoid deterioration in the components resulting from their exposure to high temperatures, it is necessary to provide cooling circuits within the components. Turbine blades and vanes are subjected to high thermal loads on both the suction and pressure sides of their airfoil portions and at both the leading and trailing edges. The regions of the airfoils having the highest thermal load can differ depending on engine design and specific operating conditions.
Refractory metal core technology offers the potential to provide higher specific cooling passages for turbine components such as blade and vane airfoils and seals. Refractory metal core technology allows cooling circuits to be placed just under the surface of the airfoil through which cooling air flows and is expelled into the gaspath. Improved cooling circuits within turbine components may be advantageous.

Core assemblies and gas turbine engine components formed therefrom


The present invention disclosed herein relates to a discharge container for heterogeneous contents, which configured such that the pumping operations of a first pumping member and a second pumping member are achieved by manipulating one button member, and a first content and a second content are simultaneously discharged separately to be used, wherein a button support for supporting the button member at both sides of the button member guides the vertical movement of the button member, whereby the button operation can be stably performed.

The present invention disclosed herein relates to a discharge container for heterogeneous contents, which configured such that the pumping operations of a first pumping member and a second pumping member are achieved by manipulating one button member, and a first content and a second content are simultaneously discharged separately to be used, wherein a button support for supporting the button member at both sides of the button member guides the vertical movement of the button member, whereby the button operation can be stably performed.
Generally, among cosmetic contents, there are some contents that may have a synergy effect when used after being mixed, but there are other contents that, when mixed and received in one container from the beginning, coagulation and precipitation due to physical and chemical reactions can cause a poor discharging of contents, or even discoloration or decomposition of contents can occur. Therefore, it is recommended to store contents into an individual container respectively and then to mix when they are used. For example, prescribed liquid cosmetics, vitamins effective for whitening, skin reproduction, removing wrinkles and the like, ordinary sol-type toothpastes, sol or gel types toothpastes having good penetration effect or good scents, or shampoos and rinses belong to this category.
Since those contents listed in the above are usually held in a separate container and sold, a user uses contents, which have excellent effect when used together, from different containers one by one. Therefore, it makes users feel inconvenient when using those containers.
To solve these problems in the above, "a container for heterogeneous contents', which equips a pair of cartridges storing respectively each of heterogeneous contents inside of the housing, is disclosed in the Korean registered patent no. 20-0477046. (Hereafter it is called "the patent document 1".)
The patent document discloses a container for heterogeneous contents comprising: a housing having a cylinder shape with both ends open; fastening ribs provided at the opened ends of the housing; at least a pair of cartridges rotatably equipped to the housing in a state of facing each other; a dodging groove extending to a engaging groove from the upper end of each of the cartridges; engaging grooves formed at each outer circumferential surface of the cartridge and interlocked to the fastening ribs, characterized in that, when the cartridges are coupled as facing each other, the engaging grooves are arranged along the circumferential direction and the cartridges are inserted and coupled to the upper ends from the housing, in that when the cartridges are coupled to the housing, the engaging ribs enter the engaging grooves through the dodging grooves, and in that when the cartridges are rotated in a state of the engaging ribs entering respectively each of the engaging grooves, the engaging ribs move along the engaging grooves against the cartridges.
Since the patent document 1 is composed of dual containers storing each of heterogeneous contents inside of the housing, it brings user convenience in that a user does not have to use each container when using heterogeneous contents one by one. However, it is configured in that heterogeneous contents stored a pair of cartridges are discharged when manipulating each of a pair of operating members; therefore, it still has a problem of user inconveniences.

Discharge container for heterogeneous contents


An apparatus for use interface and a method of user interface are provided. The apparatus may include a classifier configured to classify an event as corresponding to a class among at least two classes, an updater configured to update class information related to the class corresponding to the event, and a processor configured to determine a user input corresponding to the event based on the updated class information.

1. Field
The following description relates to an apparatus that provides a user interface and a method of implementing a user interface, and to an apparatus and a method that processes user input events.
2. Description of Related Art
Human-computer interaction (HCI) relates to a study of improving the interaction between a user and a computer. Various user interfaces that are available use a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen and the like to convey the input from a user to a computer. Such a user interface may be implemented through hardware components, software components, or a combination of both.
For instance, a graphic user interface on a touch screen of a mobile terminal, such as a smart phone, may include a hardware component such as a touch screen that is used to detect the input of a user as well as a software component that provides the appropriate display of buttons or icons for the user to make choices on the touch screen.
With the widespread availability of camera, microphone, and other interactive components in electronic devices, a user interface that farther improves the interaction between a user and a computer is desirable to make full use of various functions available through the electronic devices.

Apparatus and method of using events for user interface


In a hose fitting fixing construction according to this invention, an engagement member having restoring force of gravity or elastic force is disposed in an engagement space of a bracket. The engagement member engages with an engagement dent of a hose fitting flange inserted into the engagement space, thereby engaging the hose fitting flange with the bracket. A detachment hole may be provided on the bracket to enable easy detachment of the hose fitting flange from the bracket. A detachment jig is inserted into the detachment hole to deform the engagement member against the restoring force and disengage the engagement member from the engagement dent of the hose fitting flange, thereby enabling to detach the hose fitting flange from the engagement space. Accordingly, the hose fitting flange can be installed to the bracket by snap-action even in a limited work space, and detached with ease.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hose fitting fixing construction for piping. A hose fitting fixing construction of this invention may be employed when detachably installing a hose assembly to an automobile body.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A hose fitting fixing construction employing a hose fitting, which comprises an engagement portion and a sleeve, has been disclosed as a retainer for retaining an intermediate portion of a hose in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication (KOKOKU) No. 6310/1984.
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the hose fitting fixing construction employs a hose fitting 200 comprising a cylindrical engagement portion 210 and a sleeve 220 extending from the engagement portion 210 in the axial direction. The engagement portion 210 has a flange portion 211 and a clip groove 212. After a hose 102 has been inserted into the sleeve 220, the sleeve 220 is crimped to fix the hose 102 therein. Then, the hose fitting 200 is inserted into an installation hole of a bracket 400 at the engagement portion 210 disposed opposite to the sleeve 220. After the flange 211 has been brought into contact with the bracket 400 and positioned, a spring clip 500 is placed in the clip groove 212 to hold and retain the bracket 400 with the flange 211 and spring clip 500.
However, when assembling the above hose fitting fixing construction, the spring clip 500 should be placed in the clip groove 212 with one hand while pressing the hose fitting 200 onto the bracket 400 with the other hand. Thus, the assembling operation should be done with two hands. Work efficiency of the assembling operation in a limited work space has been bad because the assembling operation should be done with two hands and size of the spring clip is usually small. Man-hour requirement has been also increased because high dimensional accuracy has been required for machining the clip groove or the like. In addition, when detaching the hose fitting 200 from the bracket 400, the hose 102 fixed in the hose fitting 200 should be pulled out of the bracket 400 after removing the spring clip 500. Thus, the detaching operation has been cumbersome.
Another hose fitting fixing construction has been known, in which a flange of a hose fitting extending from a sleeve in a radial direction is fixed to a bracket with a bolt and a nut. This hose fitting fixing construction allows easy installation and detachment even when a hose is fixed. However, it is a hard work to assemble the hose fitting fixing construction with a bolt and a nut in a limited work space, and it is impossible to install the hose fitting fixing construction by snap-action.


A control unit incorporating a pressure sensor has a case body with an upper opening, incorporating a printed circuit board on which a pressure sensor and a plurality of control circuit components are mounted, and a lid to close the case body. A connector box extending outward is attached to one sidewall of the case body. The pressure sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the connector box. A first pressure passage is integrally formed with the lid, being opposed to the pressure sensor. A second pressure passage communicating with the first pressure passage is integrally formed with the lid, extending in the same direction as the connector box.

This invention relates to a control unit incorporating a pressure sensor mounted to a printed circuit board which is housed in the control unit.
An example of detecting a pressure within an intake passage of a throttle body using a pressure sensor is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. HEI-3-122246 entitled xe2x80x9cEngine Intake System.xe2x80x9d This pressure sensor is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 hereof.
FIG. 6 illustrates an electronic control unit 101 incorporated in a throttle body 100.
The throttle body 100 includes a pressure sensor 102. The pressure sensor 102 has a pressure intake port 103 communicating with a pressure chamber 104. The pressure chamber 104 communicates with an intake passage 106 via a pressure passage 105. The pressure sensor 102 detects the pressure downstream of a throttle valve 107. The electronic control unit 101 controls the operating parameters of an engine (not shown), based on information on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 102. The incorporation of the electronic control unit 101 in the throttle body 100 allows the pressure passage 105 to be formed within the throttle body 100.
In some cases, however, the electronic control unit 101 cannot be disposed in the vicinity of the throttle body 100 because of constraints on layout, for example. An example of such a case is described with reference to FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 shows an electronic control unit 111 disposed separately from a throttle body 110.
The electronic control unit 111 has a case 112 and a printed circuit board 113 provided within the case 112. A pressure sensor 114 is mounted on the printed circuit board 113. The pressure sensor 114 is connected to a hose connection 116 via a pressure-resistant hose 115.
A pressure hose 117 is connected to the hose connection 116 provided at a front end 112a (right end in the figure) of the case 112. The pressure hose 117 is communicated with an intake passage 118 of the throttle body 110 (downstream from a throttle valve 118a). A harness 120 is connected to a connecter 119 provided at a rear end 112b (left end in the figure) of the case 112. The electronic control unit 111 is connected to a battery and an actuator for controlling an engine.
The pressure sensor 114 detects the pressure in the intake passage 118 downstream from the throttle valve 118a. Based on information on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 114, the electronic control unit 111 controls the actuator and controls the operating parameters of the engine.
However, the necessity of connecting the pressure sensor 114 of the electronic control unit 111 to the hose connection 116 via the pressure-resistant hose 115 results in an increased number of components.
In addition, the necessity of connecting one end of the pressure-resistant hose 115 to the pressure sensor 114 and connecting the other end of the pressure-resistant hose 115 to the hose connection 116 results in time-consuming assemblage and installation of the electronic control unit 111.
The increased number of components and the time-consuming assemblage and installation have prevented cost reduction of the electronic control unit 111.
To connect the harness 120 to the connector 119 provided at the rear end 112b of the case 112 requires supporting the case 112 with the right hand while connecting the harness 120 to the connector 119 with the left hand.
Also, the connection of the pressure hose 117 to the hose connection 116 provided at the front end 112a of the case 112 requires passing the case 112 to the left hand to connect the pressure hose 117 to the hose connection 116 with the right hand.
The necessity of passing the case 112 from the left hand to the right hand for connecting the pressure hose 117 after connecting the harness 120 results in the time-consuming assemblage and installation of the electronic control unit 111.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a control unit incorporating a pressure sensor with a simplified and easy-to-assemble construction.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit incorporating a pressure sensor, which comprises: a case body with an opening; a printed circuit board housed in the case body; a pressure sensor mounted on the printed circuit board and having a pressure intake pipe for taking in pressure from the outside; and a lid to close the opening of the case body, wherein the pressure intake pipe extends toward the lid, and the lid is integrally provided with a first pressure passage to which the pressure intake pipe is fitted, and a second pressure passage extending from the first pressure passage to the outside.
It is thus possible in the present control unit to fit the first pressure passage to the pressure intake pipe to communicate the pressure intake pipe with the second pressure passage via the first pressure passage, by placing the lid over the case body. This eliminates the need for a conventionally-used connecting hose, reducing the number of components to provide a simplified construction and thereby reduce the cost. Also, this saves the trouble of coupling the first pressure passage and the pressure sensor with a connecting hose, resulting in simplified assemblage.
In the present control unit, the case body has a box-like shape, and a connector box provided at one wall of four sidewalls of the case body, and the second pressure passage formed with the lid are oriented in the same direction. Thus the operation of connecting a harness to the connector box and the operation of connecting a pressure hose to the second pressure passage can be done from the same direction. That is, it is possible to connect the harness to the connector box with one hand while holding the control unit with the other hand and thereafter, without changing the hand holding the control unit, to connect the pressure hose to the second pressure passage. Further, the total length of the control unit can be made shorter as compared with a case where the connector box and the second pressure passage are oriented in opposite directions. This increases the degree of freedom in mounting space and facilitates the handling of the control unit during transportation.
In the present invention, the pressure sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the connector box. The thickness of the pressure sensor is generally greater than that of other resistive elements or the like on the printed circuit board. The thickness of the connector box is also generally greater than that of a plurality of control circuit components mounted on the printed circuit board. The maximum thickness of the control unit is determined by the thickness of the pressure sensor and the connector box. Technical difficulties in molding the lid increase as the second pressure passage integrally molded with the lid becomes longer. Under these considerations, the pressure sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the connector box. Such an arrangement of the pressure sensor and the connector box as the determinants of the maximum thickness of the control unit results in only a single portion of the control unit having a relatively large thickness. This facilitates the designing of the control unit. The disposition of the pressure sensor in the vicinity of the connector box makes the first pressure passage positioned above the pressure sensor, and shortens the second pressure passage communicating with the first pressure passage and extending in the same direction as the connector box. This also reduces the diameter of the second pressure passage, resulting in reduced technical difficulties in molding the lid.
An injection opening for the injection of molding resin into the control unit is provided in a corner of the lid in the most distant position from the pressure sensor. Since the pressure sensor has a large thickness as described above, it can prevent the flow of the molding resin. To eliminate this concern, the pressure sensor is disposed in a corner and the injection opening for the molding resin is provided in another corner of the lid which is most distant from the pressure sensor. This allows the smooth flow of the molding resin within the control unit when filling the inside of the control unit with the molding resin.

Control unit incorporating pressure sensor