An efficient block cipher that operates on blocks of arbitrarily large size. A block is permuted by recursively using relatively small random functions in an N-round Feistel construction, where N is an integer. The security of the invention is closely related to the difficulty of solving the Numerical Matching with Target Sums problem, an NP Complete problem which cannot presently be solved analytically using known mathematical techniques. The memory required for the cipher's random functions increases linearly with block size, rather than exponentially as with known Feistel constructions. The invention can be efficiently and practically implemented in software at speeds comparable to the speeds of known ciphers.

Unlike most modern public-key ciphers, whose security relates to some long-studied mathematical problem that is believed to be difficult to solve (e.g., the factoring or finding discrete logarithms of large integers), the security of most modern symmetric-key block ciphers do not relate to any widely-studied, hard-to-solve problems. Rather, block ciphers are generally designed in an ad hoc fashion to resist known cryptanalytic attacks. As a consequence, the design, analysis and implementation of reliably secure block ciphers is regarded as exceptionally difficult, and is often regarded as more of an art than a science.
The lack of a system and method for developing efficient block ciphers whose reliability and security can be understood or expressed analytically has resulted in the deployment of block ciphers whose security properties have been discovered to be considerably weaker than expected. The discovery of a new weakness in a block cipher undermines security of systems in which it is used, and results in inconvenience and economic loss if the discovered weakness is severe enough to warrant replacing the cipher.
A more serious problem arises if the cipher's user is unaware of a weakness that has been discovered by a third party. This weakness may be exploited without the knowledge of the user to undermine the security of the user's systems for an indeterminate amount of time. This can lead to the unauthorized modification of information (such as the dollar amounts of transfers specified by electronic funds transfer (EFT) messages) and/or the disclosure of confidential and sensitive information to unauthorized third parties (e.g., the disclosure of a trade secret.) Such security compromises can cause significant damage to the user and to third parties who rely upon the security of the cipher indirectly (e.g., account holders at a bank that uses EFT secured by the cipher.)
A block cipher with known security properties would eliminate much of the uncertainty surrounding its security. This would substantially reduce the risk of an unexpected weakness, allowing users to rely upon it with more confidence. A cipher with security properties known to be strong would reduce the risk of unauthorized modification and/or compromise of confidential and/or sensitive information. Michael R. Garey and David S. Johnson, Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness. Freeman, 1979.
Known block ciphers tend to be conceptually complex. They are often characterized by "magic" constants (i.e., apparently arbitrary constants that have a poorly understood effect on the security of the cipher), irregular structures, and awkward bit-level operations that are inefficient and expensive to implement on computers and/or in telecommunications systems. It is virtually impossible to mathematically comprehend the justifications for many of the various parameters in a typical cipher. These features can lead a user to improperly implement the cipher in software and/or hardware. Improperly implementing even a single step in some ciphers can render them far less secure. For example, a single bit change to a DES S-box in the Digital Encryption Standard (DES) cipher usually renders the cipher less secure.
Cryptanalytic attacks against known block ciphers have often been successfully carried out using known mathematical techniques. Eli Biham and Adi Shamir, Differential Cryptanalysis of the Data Encryption Standard, Springer-Verlag, 1993. A block cipher that cannot be successfully attacked with known mathematical techniques would be more secure than many known block ciphers.
The goal of a block cipher is to provide a reversible transformation on blocks of bits. More precisely, block ciphers are reversible pseudo random permutations that map each of the 2.sup.n possible inputs to a unique n-bit output value. An ideal block cipher would be a completely random permutation, i.e., the only possible representation of the transformation would be a list that completely maps each possible input to an output, and vice versa. This is called a "random function." An example of such a random function for three bit blocks (each of which was selected at random) is as follows:
______________________________________ INPUT 000 001 010 011 100 101 110 111 OUTPUT 010 111 000 110 100 001 011 101 ______________________________________
A truly random function is said to be unconditionally secure because there is no correlation between any one subset of mappings and any other, i.e., the most compact representation of the function is simply a list of all of its inputs mapped to outputs. However, the size of such a random function grows exponentially with the number of bits on which the cipher operates. For a block size of 2.sup.n bits, a block cipher that operates on two halves of the block requires at least one random function correlating 2.sup.n inputs to 2.sup.n outputs, and generally more in order to provide meaningful security. This makes random functions impractical to implement for block ciphers.
This problem has been addressed by replacing the use of random functions with pseudo random functions (PRF) in a known block cipher developed by Feistel. H. Feistel, "Cryptography and Computer Privacy." Scientific American, Vol. 228, 1973. A PRF is not a truly random mapping of inputs to outputs, but rather a function that generates an apparently random mapping based upon a particular method. Luby and Rackoff showed that if the functions used in an at least four-round Feistel construction are themselves secure, then the resulting permutation is secure. M. Luby and C. Rackoff, "How to Construct Pseudo random Permutations from Pseudo random Functions." SIAM J. Comput., 17 (1988), 373-386. However, Luby and Rackoff provided no information on how to determine if an arbitrary PRF is in fact secure. Thus, a system and method that uses functions known to be secure in an at least four-round Feistel construction will produce permutations that are known to be secure. The Feistel primitive is shown symbolically as follows: EQU X=A.vertline.B /*cleartext*/ EQU A=A+f.sub.e EQU B=B+A EQU X =B.vertline.A /*ciphertext*/
X=A.vertline.B indicates that block of data X has two concatenated halves A and B (".vertline." indicates concatenation). Entry f.sub.e of PRF f is added in this embodiment bitwise modulo-2 (represented by the "+" operator) to A. The result is assigned to A, which is then added to B modulo-2, resulting in a new value for B. The positions of A and B are switched and concatenated to form a permuted X=B/A. The primitive can repeated again any number of times using a different PRF each time. Each instance that the primitive is invoked is called a "round." A symbolic representation of a four round Feistel construction is as follows: EQU X=L.vertline.R /*cleartext*/ EQU R=R+f.sub.1 (L) EQU L=L+f.sub.2 (R) EQU R=R+f.sub.3 (L) EQU L=L+f.sub.4 (R) EQU X=L.vertline.R /*ciphertext*/
Here, f.sub.1, f.sub.2, f.sub.3 and f.sub.4 are secret pseudo random functions. A four round, 2n-bit Feistel construction using four n-bit functions is shown in FIG. 1. In step 1, a 2n-bit block X is divided into a right half R and a left half L. In step 2, the n-bit left half L of the 2n-bit block is permuted with a PRF f.sub.1 and added to the n-bit right half R of the block. The result becomes the new right half R. In step 3, the permuted right half R is permuted with another PRF f.sub.2 and added to left half L. The result becomes the new left half L. In step 4, the L is permuted with another PRF f.sub.3 and added to R, the result of which becomes the new R. In step 5, R is permuted with PRF f.sub.4 and added to L, the result of which becomes the new L. In step 6, an enciphered block X=L.vertline.R is obtained.
In order to decipher a block enciphered with the Feistel primitive, the order of the steps of the primitive are reversed and carried out on the enciphered block. This is shown for the Feistel primitive as follows: EQU X=B.vertline.A /*ciphertext*/ EQU B=B+A EQU A=A+f.sub.e EQU X=A.vertline.B /*cleartext*/
In order to decipher blocks enciphered with multiple rounds, the rounds should be reversed in reverse order, the most recently used round first. In other words, if the primitive is applied in the sequence r1, r2, . . . , r5, the reverse primitive should be applied in the order r5, r4, . . . , r1 to decipher the block. This is shown for a four round Feistel construction cipher in FIG. 2, and as follows: EQU X=L.vertline.R /*ciphertext*/ EQU L=L+f.sub.4 (R) EQU R=R+f.sub.3 (L) EQU L=L+f.sub.2 (L) EQU R=R+f.sub.1 (L) EQU X=L.vertline.R /*cleartext*/
The Feistel construction cipher is advantageous because its security (using at least 3 rounds, more preferably at least 4 rounds, and most preferably at least 6 rounds) is closely related to the difficulty of solving the Numerical Matching with Target Sums (NMTS) problem, an NP-Complete problem which cannot be analytically solved using known mathematical techniques. In other words, the only known way to compromise a Feistel construction cipher of three or more rounds is by brute force (e.g., trying all possibilities.) The difficulty of succeeding in a brute force attack is related to the block size of the cipher, i.e., the larger the block size, the greater the security of the cipher is likely to be. The disadvantage of the Feistel construction is that it is impossible to practically implement for block sizes sufficiently large to render a secure cipher. This is due to the large computer-readable memory requirements imposed by a Feistel construction cipher for a secure block size.
As discussed above, the number of entries in a PRF needed to implement a Feistel primitive on a block of 2n bits is 2.sup.n. The number of bits of PRF needed is therefore n2n. For a construction using N rounds of the primitive on each block, Nn2n bits of PRF are required. It is important to keep the PRF confidential, because an unauthorized third party could use the PRF with the primitive reversed to decipher the block.
The basic 4-round Feistel construction is not suitable in practice for use as a practical block cipher because it requires 4n(2.sup.n) bits of secure (secret) memory to operate cryptographically on a block of length 2n. This limits the economical and practical application of the four round Feistel construction to 16 or 32 bit block sizes on known computers. For example, a four-round Feistel construction on a block of 64 bits requires around 2.sup.32 bits of storage memory (over 3 billion bits, or about 375 Mb), which exceeds the ready storage capacity (e.g., RAM) of many present day computers. For an even larger block cipher of 128 bits, 2.sup.64 bits (over 10.sup.19 bits) are required, roughly equal to the number of seconds in the age of the universe as it is presently understood.
A larger block size in a Feistel construction block cipher generally yields a more secure cipher because the PRFs of small block size ciphers can be easily deduced using known cryptanalytic techniques implemented on computers. This becomes more clear by considering a block size of three bits. Each input entry for the PRF has only eight possible output entries, as can be seen in the table above. All of the output possibilities may be easily tried for the inputs using a computer on a 3-bit block cipher, and the cleartext can be easily recovered. The present state of art mandates a minimum block size of 64 bits in order to produce a secure cipher, a block size which, as shown above, is impractical to implement using the four round Feistel construction.
It should also be recalled that Luby and Rackoff showed that an at least four-round Feistel construction is secure if the underlying functions are themselves secure, but no information was provided on determining the security of underlying PRFs. Hence, a practical Feistel construction using at least four rounds and whose underlying functions are known to be secure (e.g., whose underlying functions are random functions, rather than PRFs) would produce secure permutations. However, the constraints of computer readable memory in modern computers prevent the implementation of a four round Feistel construction using truly random, unconditionally secure functions.
In summary, a better block cipher would possess the advantage of having known security properties such as those disclosed by Luby and Rackoff for the Feistel construction, and could be efficiently and practically implemented on known computers.

System and method for constructing block ciphers


Apparatus for sealing a roll press including a seal extending along at least one of a pair of press rolls, the seal including a resilient member extending from the vat in which the press rolls are disposed towards one of the press rolls and a wear member attached to the resilient member for contacting the outer shell surface of the vat press roll whereby the wear member can be replaced upon wearing down of same.

A roll press includes two interacting press rolls which form a nip between them. The rolls are generally arranged in a vat into which the stock suspension, such as a pulp suspension, is introduced. The rolls are designed so that their shell surfaces allow water to pass through, thereby dewatering the suspension due to the fact that the liquid is pressed in through these surfaces by a positive pressure. In the nip between the press rolls, final dewatering takes place in order to provide the desired dry-solids content of the stock. The shell surfaces of the press rolls consist of perforated plating attached to the roll frameworks. In order to obtain sufficient capacity, the total area of the open holes in the plating must be large, but the holes also must be kept small to prevent fibers from following along with the liquid as it passes through the holes. To accomplish this when processing short fibers, the press roll is provided with a wire cloth outside the perforated shell plating. Press rolls clad with a wire cloth have proven to be especially advantageous for mechanical pulp, which contains large amounts of short fibers; i.e., fine stock. Compared with conventional plating, the wire cloth permits smaller amounts of fine stock to pass through.
The rolls partially submersed in the vat are arranged to rotate on two parallel shafts, such that the vat surrounds at least the lower half of the rolls. The stock suspension is introduced into the space between the rolls and the vat. This space is sealed off from the environment in such a way that a positive pressure can be maintained in the vat in order to facilitate dewatering. Seals are herewith provided at the upper edge of the vat, and they seal against the ends of the rolls and also along the shell surfaces of the rolls. Such seals are described, for example, in Swedish Patent No. 503,010. Between the rolls, the nip itself and the pulp web that passes continuously through it serve as a seal against the environment. Doctor blades are also provided downstream of the nip to remove the dewatered pulp web from the rolls. Thereafter, the pulp is carried away by means of a conveyor to the next step in the process.
Experience has shown that the type of seal used in the past, which extends longitudinally along the shell surface of the roll, wears out too rapidly. This seal, which consists of a single piece of bent sheet steel, is also disadvantageous because if one increases the wear strength of the sheet steel, the stiffness of they spring changes. In addition, the sheet steel becomes more difficult to bend when it in made harder in order to reduce wear. In the event that the seal breaks down, not only must operation be stopped but the machine wire may be cut off and this, in turn, can ruin large amounts of pulp. The purpose of the present invention is to solve the aforesaid problems.


Techniques and mechanisms are provided for facilitating the capture and review of visual images by visually impaired users. In one implementation, these techniques and mechanisms provide pre image capture functionality and captured image review functionality. With the pre image capture functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user position an image capturing mechanism properly to capture the desired subjects in a picture, to frame the subjects properly within the picture, to size the subjects properly within the picture, etc. With the image review functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user enjoy and “visualize” a visual image that has been captured and is being displayed to the user. With these functionalities, a visually impaired user is able capture and review images to a much greater degree than is currently possible.

Many of today's electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet computers, and laptop computers have image capturing devices (e.g. cameras) that enable a user to capture a visual image using the electronic device. Once captured, the visual image can be displayed and/or edited on the electronic device, sent to another device, associated with a contact stored in the electronic device, or otherwise used by the user.
Currently, most if not all image capturing and rendering devices are designed to be used by users who are able to see. For users who are visually impaired, it is quite difficult if not impossible to effectively use an image capturing and rendering device. For example, if a visually impaired user were to try to take a picture using an image capturing device, it would be extremely difficult for the user to: (1) capture the proper subjects within the picture; (2) position the subjects in the center of the picture; (3) capture the subjects at the right distance or zoom level so that the subjects are at an appropriate size for the picture; etc. Most likely, the user would have to enlist the aid of a sighted person to help frame and size the subjects within the picture.
Similarly, it would be quite difficult if not impossible for a visually impaired user to meaningfully review and enjoy an image that is being rendered by an image rendering device. The user would have no idea how many people are in the picture, who is in the picture, where the various people are situated within the picture, etc. Again, the user would likely have to enlist the aid of a sighted person to describe the picture to him/her. Thus, as currently designed and constructed, image capturing and rendering devices are not very user friendly for visually impaired users.

Facilitating image capture and image review by visually impaired users


A multi-purpose furniture structure and system can be used for caring for an animal throughout the life of the animal. For small animals such as puppies, this furniture system can be used as a dwelling in which the owner can train the animal to behave in a desired manner. Animal toys are stored in the animal living space as well. A removable barrier such as a grate or plastic ventilated sheet could cover a front opening to prevent undesirable movement of the animal in and out of the furniture structure. Animals can use a detachable ramp member to climb to the top of the furniture structure. For larger or older animals, the furniture structure can serve a bed or as a means to help the animal get into the bed of the owner. The furniture structure can form a bed for animals of all ages. The bed can be positioned adjacent an owner's bed.

For many people, pet animals are literally members of the family. Some of these pets live inside the home with the owner and have many accessories designed specially for the animal. As with the 'dog houses' kept in the yard, some of the furnishings provide a place for the animal to dwell as well as providing a storage place for the toys of the animal. One conventional piece of animal furniture is a bed. There have been many types of animal beds. These beds come in various designs. Some of the designs include beds shaped as different types of animals. Many beds in the form of animal designs are made of a cushion material to facilitate animal comfort.
One animal bed U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,065 describes an animal bed that includes an annular bed frame defining an interior chamber. A perforated top wall is supported at its periphery by the bed frame to receive and support the animal above the chamber. The perforated top wall is composed of a non-woven fabric material to provide a hammock like suspension for the animal, and to permit small insects to fall through the top wall. The chamber is dimensioned to provide a space below the top wall sufficient to inhibit the insects from traveling upwardly through the top wall. An insect exterminating composition contained within the chamber receives the falling insects and destroys them.
U.S. Pat. d288,970 describes a combined animal bed and housing unit. This design has a bed mat resting on a storage unit. The bed also has a canopy covering the mat. The animal would rest on the mat and would be covered by the canopy.
Although the animal bed is a common piece of furniture for the inside pet, animals do more than just sleep. For indoor animals, there is a need for the animal to know when, where and how to 'use the bathroom'. Cats usually have a litter box for waste. Many pets and owners have a system by which the pet is let out of the house on a periodic basis to relieve themselves. Pets also have toys with which they play. One particular thing some pets like to do is to climb up on the owner's bed. The climbing is necessary because many pets cannot jump high enough to reach the surface of the bed in one jump. The climbing process results in the pet pulling and sometimes tearing the bed linen. Pets also do not stay the same size. As the pet grows, it is often necessary to replace a piece of animal furniture with a different type of furniture or a larger size of the same furniture.
With all of the different types of animal furniture that are available to accommodate the many needs of the pet and pet owner, there remains a need for a multiple function piece of animal furniture. The animal throughout the animal's life can use this piece of furniture. Basically, the piece of furniture can serve as an indoor dwelling for the animal. This piece of furniture could assist in potty training animals as well as other behavior training. The multiple function furniture piece can also have components that enable the animal to climb up the furniture and get into an owner's bed. Further, this furniture piece can serve as an elevated bed for larger animals.

Multiple function animal furniture system


Apparatus and method for fabricating textured pseudo-single crystal bulk superconducting materials, featuring introduction of a pressure gradient and/or of a magnetic field for enhancement of known melt-texturing directional solidification techniques using a steep temperature gradient furnace for increasing temperatures at which superconductive properties can be maintained in superconducting materials. The strengths of the temperature gradient, pressure gradient and/or magnetic field can be optimally varied, resulting in formation of superconducting material exhibiting superconductive properties at higher temperatures than previously achievable.

The present invention relates to fabrication methods for high temperature superconducting materials, more particularly to melt-texturing fabrication methods for bulk high temperature superconducting materials.
According to conventional methods of preparing ceramic superconductors, suitable powders of oxides are prepared; these powders must be spatially and chemically homogeneous. See Mitchell, T. E., D. R. Clarke, J. D. Embury, and A. R. Cooper, "Processing Ceramic Superconductors," JOM 41 (1) 6-10 (1989), incorporated herein by reference. Such methods of powder production have included vapor or sol-gel routes of coprecipitation or mechanical blending.
In the case of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 the latter procedure has been more frequently employed. Typically BaCO.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, and CuO are mixed together and calcined at 800.degree. C. for six hours in air. Calcining is followed by ball milling with zirconia in dry acetone for one hour, die pressing the mixed powder, then sintering at 950.degree. C. These procedures are followed by oxygenation at 450.degree. C., remilling, and repeating the sintering-oxygenating step. Production of sub-micron size powder is highly desirable. The powder is once again die compressed up to 70% dense material. Pressure sintering has also been tried. This procedure involves sinter-forging, hot isostatic pressing and hot extension. Control of oxygen content is believed to be very important in elevating T.sub.c.
Melt-quenching is another method by which superconducting ceramics can be prepared. This involves melt-quenching rather than slow cooling after annealing. See Komatsu, T., T. Ohki, K. Imai, and K. Matusita, "Preparation of Superconducting Ba-Gd-Cu-O and Ba-Yb-Cu-O Ceramics by the Melt Quenching method," J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 8 (1) 1-3 (1989), incorporated herein by reference. Here the nominal stoichiometric composition of oxides, e.g., Ba.sub.2 YCu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, is first quenched and then annealed at approximately 900.degree. C. Ba-Gd-Cu-O samples annealed 72 hours superconduct to 94.degree. K. with current densities of 50 A-cm.sup.-2. Ba-Yb-Cu-O samples annealed 48 hours superconduct to 90.degree. K.
Elevation of T.sub.c has also been accomplished by thermal cycling of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-y below 240.degree. K. See Bhargava, R. N., S. P. Herko, and W. N. Osborne, "Improved High-T.sub.c Superconductors," Phys. Rev. Lett. 59 1468 (1987), incorporated herein by reference. It is believed that compositional inhomogeneities are responsible for T.sub.c lowering. Therefore, a semi-wet method has been tested as a way to reduce these inhomogeneities more effectively than does repeated grinding and firing. See Pandey, D., V. S. Tiwari, and A. K. Singh, "A Semi-wet Route to the Synthesis of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-y Ceramics," J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 22 182-186 (1989), incorporated herein by reference. For the semi-wet method, yttrium and barium chloride salts are mixed in the correct stoichiometric ratio and then are coprecipitated with ammonium carbonate solution. X-ray diffraction of the solid mixture shows that the compositional inhomogeneities are greatly reduced with this technique.
Other methods have been investigated for improving superconductivity properties. These include those methods disclosed by the following references, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: Murugaraj, P., J. Maier, and A. Rabenau, "Preparation and Characterization of Highly Oriented Ceramics and Large Crystals of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x Superconductor," Duro-Ceramics 2 421-5 (1989) (production of highly ordered materials with large crystals); Van der Biest, O. O., J. Fransaer, T. Eggermont, and O. Arkens, "A Versatile Sol-Gel Method for Synthesis of Ceramic Superconductors," Euro-Ceramics 2 405-9 (1989) (sol-gel preparation utilizing EDTA); Merzhanov, A. G., "Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of Ceramic (Oxide) Superconductors," Ceram. Trans., 519-49 (1990) (self-propagating high-temperature synthesis with the use of Cu as a fuel and Y and Ba as oxidizers); Pak, S. S., and K. S. Mazdiyasni, "Synthesis and Characterization of Sol-Gel Derived, Submicron Size, High T.sub.c Ceramic Superconductor Powders," Ceram. Trans., 757-64 (1990) (use of powders of high chemical and phase purity synthesized by homogeneous hydrolytic decomposition of the component oxides); Mihalich, "Process for Preparing Crystalline Ceramic Superconductor Materials by Fluidized-Bed Calcination," U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,426 (1990) (use of a fluidized-bed calcination process); Kayima, P. M., and S. Qutubuddin, "Preparation of Monosized, Spherical, Colloidal Particles of Yttrium Barium Cuprate Superconducting Oxide Ceramic Precursors," J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 8 (2) 171-2 (1989) (homogeneous solution precipitation of metal ions by in situ decomposition of urea at elevated temperatures); Kodas, T. T., E. M. Engler, V. Y. Lee, R. Jacowitz, T. H. Baum, K. Roche, S. S. P. Parkin, W. S. Young, S. Hughes, J. Kleder, and W. Auser, "Aerosol Flow Reactor Production of Fine Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 Powder: Fabrication of Superconducting Ceramics," Appl. Phys. Lett. 52 (19) 1622-4 (1988) (use of an aerosol flow reactor operating at 900.degree.-1,000.degree. C. which gives a uniform chemical composition and a submicron-to-micron average particle size formed from the thermal decomposition of aerosol droplets containing nitrate salts of the required metals); Falter, L. M., D. A. Payne, T. A. Friedmann, W. H. Wright, and D. M. Ginsberg, "Preparation of Ceramic Superconductors by the Pechini Method," Br. Ceram. Proc. 261-9 (1989) (employment of a liquid-solution resin-forming process from which powders are formed into dense ceramics by hot-pressing); Jin, S., T. H. Tiefel, R. C. Sherwood, R. B. van Dover, M. E. Davis, G. W. Kammlott, and R. A. Fastnacht, "Melt-textured Growth of Polycrystalline YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x with High Transport J.sub.c at 77 K., " Physical Review B 37 7850-7853 (1988) (melt-texturing); and Richardson, T. J. , and L. C. De Jonghe, "Traveling Reaction Zone Method for Preparation of Textured Ceramic Superconductor Thick Films," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 73 (11) 3511-13 (1990), and Richardson, T. J. , and L. C. De Jonghe, "Travelling Solvent Zone Texturing of Ceramic Superconductor Thick Films," J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 84 (10) 369-370 (1991) (melt-texturing using a steep temperature gradient furnace).
Other references of note, incorporated herein by reference, are: Zhang, J. M., B. W. Wessels, D. S. Richeson, and T. J. Marks, "Preparation and Properties of Superconducting Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O Thin Films on Polycrystalline Silver Substrates by Organometallic Chemical Vapor Deposition," Journal of Crystal Growth 107 705-709 (1991); Nakagawa, S, T. Takeuchi and M. Name, "Preparation of YBaCuO Thin Films with Excellent Crystallinity on Amorphous Substrates Prepared by Facing Targets Sputtering," IEEE Transactions on Magnetics 26 (5) 1430-1432 (September 1990); Brown et al., "Process for Preparing Metal-Ceramic Coatings Electrically Superconducting above 77 Degrees Kappa," U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,840; Urano et al., "Method of the Production of Ceramic Superconductor Filaments," U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,662; Hoenig, "Method for Producing a Layer-Like Composition of Oxide-Ceramic Superconducting Material," U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,114; Akinc et al., "Method for Preparing Superconductors Ceramic Composition," U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,608; DiCarolis, "Method of Producing Superconducting Ceramics by Co-Preciptation of Carbonates," U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,638; Snyder et al., "Preparation of Precursors for Yttrium-Containing Ceramic Superconductors," U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,536; Pederson et al., "Preparation of Thin Ceramic Films Via an Aqueous Solution Route," U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,772; Heavens et al., "Preparing Superconducting Ceramic Materials," U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,339; Walker, "Apparatus for Exposing Liquids to Direct Contact with Air or Gases," U.S. Pat. No. 2,206,440.
Jin et al. report that melt-textured growth of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x from a supercooled melt created an essentially 100% dense structure of long, locally aligned, needle-shaped grains. Jin et al. describe a method wherein precursor samples of material with formula YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x were prepared in rectangular bar or sheet shape, lead wires were attached to the samples by In solder, current was applied, the samples were melt-processed by heating either to the single-phase region or two-phase region, the samples were held at the selected temperatures (1320.degree. C., 1180.degree. C., 1110.degree. C., 1030.degree. C.) for 0.5-120 minutes in flowing oxygen environment, the samples were cooled in a temperature gradient of about 50.degree. C./cm to room temperature, and the samples were subsequently given additional heat treatment for purposes of homogenization/stress relief/enhanced oxygen content. The process of cooling the samples in a temperature gradient is termed "melt-textured growth" in accordance with the manner in which the crystals are made to grow and align during solidification of the melt.
Mitchell et al., citing Jin et al., note that texture development in superconducting materials involves the concept of flux flow wherein a transport current provides a driving force acting on the flux lines. "Weak links" in terms of various chemical or structural inhomogeneities--e.g., grain boundaries, dislocations, particles--exert pinning forces which act to prevent flux flow. Utilization of single crystals avoids the weak link problem. Practical approaches to fabricating textured materials in the form of "pseudo-single" crystals, besides melt-texturing, have included deformation-texturing, magnetic-field alignment and epitaxial growth of films on substrates.
Jin et al. note that the exact mechanism responsible for the suppression of weak link behavior cannot be exactly pinpointed, but melt-texturing yields at least three beneficial structural changes: (1) formation of dense structure with enhanced connectivity between superconducting grains; (2) orientation of crystals along the preferred superconducting direction; and, (3) formation of new, cleaner grain-boundary area as grain length increases and total grain-boundary area decreases and as decomposition of impurities is facilitated by exposure to higher temperatures.
Of particular interest herein is the process disclosed by Richardson et al., a "melt-texturing" directional solidification process which increases the temperature at which superconductive properties can be maintained in metallic materials. According to Richardson et al., rare earth metal oxides are placed into a liquid solvent. The solution is then placed into an unevenly heated oven in which a strong temperature gradient can be formed. The oven is then rapidly heated to approximately 800.degree. C. The oven temperature is then slowly dropped. In this process, as the solvent evaporates, it begins to flow in the direction of lower oven temperatures. As this reaction occurs, a metallic crystal is left behind having a highly aligned crystaline structure which results in the material exhibiting superconductive properties at a temperature of approximately 30.degree. K. higher than is achieved when a similar previously used process is used wherein the solvent is evaporated in an oven not having a temperature gradient. It is currently not entirely understood exactly why such a process involving a temperature gradient results in a higher temperature superconductor.
Richardson et al. in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society disclose a method for producing a textured film of superconducting YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, comprising the steps of: mixing Y.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.5 and BaCuO.sub.2 so as to produce a mixture Of Y.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.5 and BaCuO.sub.2 in a 1:4 mole ratio; ball-milling the mixture in acetone or isopropyl alcohol until producing a precursor powder with an average particle size of about 0.5 .mu.m; mixing the precursor powder with isamyl alcohol so as to form a paste; applying the paste by the doctor blade method to a 1-mm-thick alumina plate so as to form a supported film 25 to 250 .mu.m thick; drying the supported film at about 100.degree. C.; and passing the supported film through a resistively heated steep temperature gradient furnace. In the Journal of Materials Science Letters Richardson et al. disclose such a method which comprises the following steps: ball-milling single-phase YBCO in an equal volume of potassium chloride so as to produce a precursor powder with an average particle size of about 1.0 .mu.m; mixing said precursor powder with iso-amyl alcohol so as to form a paste; applying said paste by the doctor blade method to a 30 mm.times.3 mm.times.1 mm thick sintered MgO plate so as to form a supported film 200 .mu.m thick; drying said supported film at about 100.degree. C.; and passing said supported film lengthwise through a resistively heated steep temperature gradient furnace.
Richardson et al. in the Journal of Materials Science Letters note that bulk conductors capable of carrying currents in excess of 10.sup.5 Acm.sup.-2 at 77 K. are desirable for large-scale practical applications of high-temperature ceramic superconductors. Highly textured material is required for the efficient transport of intergranular currents, due to the strongly anisotropic nature of the superconducting characteristics of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x (YBCO). Although well-oriented thin films have been prepared which exhibit critical current-field behavior akin to that of a good single crystal, their uses are limited to electronic device applications, due to the required vacuum equipment and low depositon rates. The logical approach is therefore to develop texture in thick films after they have been applied to the substrate. Previous approaches to melt-texturing produced highly aligned but inhomogeneous regions, because unwanted non-superconducting phases precipitate at the high temperatures required to melt YBCO; hence, the accumulation of secondary phases in the melt limited the length of samples textured by conventional zone melting.
Richardson et al. disclose an improved melt-texturing technique, viz., a "modified travelling solvent zone" (TSZ) technique, which produces highly oriented thick films of YBCO on a ceramic substrate. An appropriate solvent is used for reducing the melting point of the superconductor-solvent mixture to the regime of thermal stability for YBCO. The crystalline superconductor solute precipitates with grain alignment controlled by the preferred growth direction and the solvent concentration gradient. The precast YBCO-solvent mixture is passed through a steep temperature gradient furnace, dissolution and precipitation thereby taking place in a travelling solvent zone; a continuous, homogeneous, YBCO superconductor film is produced.
Recent superconducting material fabrication techniques implementing a melt-texturing process similar to that disclosed by Richardson et al. have utilized temperature gradients in the crystal growth phase at 800.degree. C. temperature ranges or higher in order to facilitate proper crystal growth. These techniques have produced 125.degree. K. rare earth metal oxide superconductors which are stable at approximately 30.degree. K. higher temperatures than conventional 1-2-3 compounds. These newer rare earth materials are of greater utility than the conventional materials because of expected increased stability at liquid nitrogen temperatures.
What is not believed herein to have been previously disclosed in the art is a further improved approach to fabricating textured pseudo-single crystal superconductive materials, one which combines an additional texturing technique or additional texturing techniques with, and thereby enhances the superconductor-producing qualities of, Richardson et al.'s TSZ melt-texturing technique using a steep temperature gradient furnace.

Apparatus and method for forming textured bulk high temperature superconducting materials

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A beveled writing pole includes a top portion, a beveled portion, and a throat portion. The top portion has an end that defines a writing pole tip. The beveled portion adjoins the top portion and has a bevel that extends from the writing pole tip and increases a thickness of the writing pole proximate the pole tip. The throat portion is formed of the top and beveled portions and has tapered sides that extend from the writing pole tip and increase a width of the writing pole proximate the writing pole tip. A method of forming the beveled writing pole is also presented.

Disc drives are the primary devices employed for mass storage of computer programs and data. Disc drives typically use rigid discs, which are coated with a magnetizable medium to form a recording layer in which data can be stored in a plurality of circular, concentric data tracks. Typical read/write heads include separate read and write head portions. One advantage to this configuration is that the read and write heads can be optimized for the particular task they are to perform.
The read head typically includes a magnetoresistive or a giant magnetoresistive read element that is adapted to read magnetic flux transitions recorded to the tracks which represent the bits of data. The magnetic flux from the disc surface causes a change in the electrical resistivity of the read element, which can be detected by passing a sense current through the read element and measuring a voltage across the read element. The voltage measurement can then be decoded to determine the recorded data.
The write head includes an inductive writing element for generating a magnetic field that aligns the magnetic moments of the recording layer to represent the desired bits of data. Magnetic recording techniques include both longitudinal and perpendicular recording. Perpendicular recording is a form of magnetic recording in which magnetic moments representing bits of data are oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the recording layer of the recording medium, as opposed to longitudinally along a track of the medium as in the more traditional longitudinal recording technique. Perpendicular recording offers advantages over longitudinal recording, such as significantly higher areal density recording capability. The areal density is generally defined as the number of bits per unit length along a track (linear density in units of bits per inch) multiplied by the number of tracks available per unit length in the radial direction of the disc (track density in units of track per inch or TPI).
Several characteristics of the perpendicular writing element play an important role in determining its areal density recording capability. One important characteristic, is that the writing element must be capable of operating with a recording medium whose recording layer has a high coercivity. The coercivity of the recording layer relates to the magnitude of the magnetic field that must be applied in order to control the orientation of the magnetic moments of the recording layer. A high coercivity leads to high thermal stability and suppresses the effects of demagnetizing fields to allow for higher areal density recordings.
Other important characteristics of the writing element relate to the track width within which the writing element can write bits of data and the linear density at which the writing element can write bits of data along a given track. The track width of the writing element is generally determined by a width of the pole tip of the writing pole. The linear density of a perpendicular writing element is determined, in part, by the thickness or height of the pole tip. In general, the thinner the pole tip, the greater the linear density that can be achieved. The reduction in the thickness of the pole tip also desirably reduces the likelihood of "side writing" where the writing element overwrites data recorded in adjacent tracks when operating at large skew angles. Unfortunately, for conventional writing poles, there are limitations to the amount that the thickness of the pole tip can be reduced.
Typical writing poles have a substantially uniform thickness to the pole tip. Therefore, a reduction to the thickness of the pole tip results in a reduction to the remainder of the writing pole that is adjacent the pole tip. This reduction in thickness diminishes the magnitude of the magnetic field that can be conducted through the writing pole tip and, thus, limits the coercivity of the recording medium on which the writing element can effectively record data. Consequently, such a reduction to the thickness of the writing pole reduces its ability to record data at a high areal density.
A possible alternative to the writing pole having a uniform thickness, is to bevel the writing pole at the pole tip. This configuration allows the majority of the writing pole to have a large thickness while providing the desirable thin pole tip. Computer simulations have indicated that the magnetic field intensity at the pole tip for such a design is substantially increased over writing poles having a uniform thickness. Accordingly, such a beveled writing pole design should have the capability of performing high areal density recordings since it can operate with recording media having a high coercivity. Unfortunately, methods of manufacturing such a beveled writing pole have yet to be developed.
Therefore, a need exists for methods of manufacturing a beveled writing pole of a perpendicular writing element for use in a disc drive storage system.

Method of forming a beveled writing pole of a perpendicular writing element


A method of determining the friction between the strand shell and the mold during continuous casting with an oscillating mold includes measuring with the use of controlled double-acting hydraulic cylinders and with a predeterminable measuring frequency the pressures of always both chambers of all oscillating cylinders as well as the lifting positions of the pistons corresponding to these pressures, and by computing from these data the friction force acting at any point in time between the strand shell and the mold walls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of determining the friction between the strand shell and the mold during continuous casting by means of an oscillating mold.
2. Description of the Related Art
The friction force between the mold wall and the strand shell is caused by a normal force which acts on the strand shell. In conventional molds with parallel planar mold plates, the normal force is produced primarily as a consequence of the ferrostatic pressure which is exerted by the molten steel in the strand interior against the strand shell. An additional portion of the friction force is caused by the conical position of the short sides of the mold.
In molds whose cross-section decreases towards the mold exit, for example, funnel-shaped molds, an additional normal force is produced by the reverse bending of the strand shell as it is transported through the mold.
In accordance with equation (1), the magnitude of the friction force FR depends on the normal force Fn as well as on the coefficient of friction xcexc.
FR=Fnxc3x97xcexcxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
The coefficient of friction xcexc is determined primarily by the lubricating conditions between the strand and the shell. These conditions result from:
selection or quality of the lubricant, for example, casting powder or oil;
quantity of lubricant added;
condition of the lubricant with respect to viscosity, composition and texture;
heat removal from the mold plates;
relative speed between the strand shell at the mold.
The direction of the friction force changes periodically during the oscillating movement by 180xc2x0. In conventional molds, approximately the same friction values are achieved in both directions in the stationary state. On the other hand, because of the additional influence of the bending of the strand shell on the normal force, the friction forces in molds with decreasing cross-section are significantly higher during the phase of the positive strip than during the phase of the negative strip.
Modern continuous casting plants require the highest degree of availability of plant and process because unexpected changes in the casting process caused by lubrication can cause significant reductions of the quality of the cast product as well as interruptions of the operation. Consequently, it is an extremely important prerequisite for a problem-free operation to have a plant which is automated as completely as possible with permanent on-line monitoring of all essential operation data. It is possible in this manner to recognize the tendency of the development of defects early enough and to compensate them with appropriate counter measures.
For this purpose, it is especially necessary to continuously measure the frictional conditions between the strand shell and the mold in order to be able to obtain therefrom findings with respect to the state or condition of operation of the mold, so that the continuous casting process can be monitored and operationally optimized on the basis of this information.
The determination of the frictional conditions between the strand shell and the mold by using measurement technology is also of significant importance because the mold friction force acts on the strand as a pulsating disturbance variable.
Objectives of the on-line monitoring are:
improvement of the surface quality of the strand by optimizing the lubricating conditions;
continuous monitoring of the strand lubrication and the oscillation conditions combined with the possibility of a reaction to systematic changes;
timely warning of harmful events, such as, rupture, of which a recognizable tendency of changes of the mold friction is an indication.
Methods of determining the friction force between strand and mold are known in the prior art. They differ from each other primarily with respect to the selection of the measuring location and the measuring method used.
A method in which the mold is mounted on two load cells is described in a report entitled xe2x80x9cDetermination of Frictional Forces between Strand and Mouldxe2x80x9d, author M. Schmid, published in Concast News 12, 1973, pages 6 to 8. For preventing the occurrence of additional forces, for example, due to thermal deformation, it is necessary to guide the mold in low-friction needle bearings. In addition to the forces, the casting speed, the mold movement, the mold speed, the occurring forces as well as the mold acceleration are measured. The mold friction is computed from these data.
The document entitled xe2x80x9cOn the Importance of Mold Friction Control in Continuous Casting of Steelxe2x80x9d from xe2x80x9cFachberichte Hxc3xcttenpraxisxe2x80x9d Metallweiterverarbeitung, Vol. 20, No. 4, 1982, introduces a method of measuring the friction which is based on the measurements of the acceleration of the mold. For this purpose, a measuring head attached to the mold as well as a complicated electronic signal processing unit are required.
The document entitled xe2x80x9cEinsatz fortgeschrittener Verfahren zur Zustandsuberwachung von Kokillenhub-und-giexcex2maschinexe2x80x9d[Use of progressive methods for monitoring the conditions of mold lifting and casting machine], authors M. Perkuhn, E. Hxc3x6ffgen, H. J. Strodhoff, P. M. Frank, from xe2x80x9cVortrag zur Veranstaltung 3. Duisburger Stranggiexcex2tage am 7./8. Mxc3xa4rz 1991xe2x80x9d, a method is described for measuring the force at the eccentric lifting rod which uses as measuring values for the friction force measurement the force in the lifting rod of the eccentric as well as the motor current and the rate of rotation of the eccentric drive, the lifting travel path and the lifting frequency and the cooling water pressure. Using a model replacement system composed of masses, springs and damping units, the forces are computed at the same time which would have to be expected without the influence of the mold friction alone from the oscillating movement. The mold friction can then be determined from a comparison of the measured and expected forces in the lifting rod.
Some of the disadvantages of the methods described above are:
complicated structural and measuring requirements for obtaining clean measurement signals;
required retrofitting of mold and/or oscillating devices and of the mold guide means;
additional external application of measuring equipment which must be cared for, maintained and regularly monitored;
the required adjustment of the measurement values to vibration models or an interpretation by means of complicated electronic signal processing.
Therefore, starting from the prior art discussed above, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a method of the above-mentioned type which avoids the disadvantages and difficulties discussed above and produces with relatively simple measurement technology and insignificant retrofitting of mold or oscillating device clean measurement signals, which does not require external measurement equipment and/or vibration models, and which produces continuously on-line the operation data required for monitoring a problem-free state of operation, particularly for the determination of the friction between the strand shell and the mold.
In accordance with the present invention, this object is met by measuring with the use of controlled double-acting hydraulic cylinders and with a predeterminable measuring frequency the pressures of always both chambers of all oscillating cylinders as well as the lifting positions of the pistons corresponding to these pressures, and by computing from these data the friction force acting at any point in time between the strand shell and the mold walls.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the descriptive matter in which there are described preferred embodiments of the invention.

Method of determining the friction between strand shell and mold during continuous casting


A picture frame is formed in a perimeter relationship relative to a central support plate. The picture frame includes a housing coextensively directed about the support plate, with the housing including a housing section associated with each side of the support plate. Each housing section includes an elongate cylindrical illumination bulb mounted therewithin. A transparent lens is positioned contiguous to and adjacent each edge of the central support plate coextensive with each illumination bulb to direct illumination onto the central support plate. A modification of the invention includes each elongate bulb formed with a plurality of semi-cylindrical coatings, including an opaque, translucent, and clear coating to provide a varying degree of illumination directed upon the central support plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to picture support apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved picture frame illumination apparatus wherein the same projects illumination onto a central picture mounting support plate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Illumination apparatus in the prior art has typically utilized a bulb member positioned above or below an associated picture to direct illumination thereon. The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing illumination onto the central support plate of the picture frame from each side thereof from an associated housing. Prior art illumination apparatus includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,669 to Rieumont wherein a picture frame includes illumination positioned above and below the picture frame directing illumination between vertical slats.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,353 to Jlucksman, et al. sets forth an illuminated picture frame wherein the same utilizes a plurality of bulbs mounted to each side of the picture frame to project illumination thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,365 to Moosbrugger, et al. sets forth an illumination housing directing illumination from above and below a central support plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,211 to Pratt sets forth a picture frame structure mounting illumination bulbs about a central support plate to each side thereof.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved picture frame illumination apparatus as set forth by the instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness in construction in directing illumination from each side of a picture frame and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


An exercise apparatus including a torso supporting structure. A drive assembly with an associated resistance is positioned relative to the torso supporting structure. A primary drive member is associated with the drive assembly and is moveable between a first position and a second position to cause the drive assembly to move against the resistance. A secondary drive member is associated with the drive assembly such that as the primary drive member moves between the first and second positions, the secondary drive member moves in conjunction therewith. The secondary drive member is further moveable independent of the primary drive member such that the independent movement of the secondary drive member independently causes the drive assembly to move against the resistance.

The present invention relates to an apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to exercise equipment. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to exercise and rehabilitation equipment for the lower limb system.
By isolating the lower limb system using the apparatus of the present invention, one optimizes muscle strength when physical activities such as standing, walking, sprinting, jumping, cycling and climbing are performed.
One problem with prior exercising apparatus is that it failed to allow weight or resistance to be placed on the lower limb system in a way that allows it to function optimally.
The following research articles address how the lower limb system functions, when attempting specific body movements, for example, standing, walking, sprinting, jumping, cycling and climbing, which are targets of the apparatus of the present invention.
In normal human gait, the lower limb system, composed of the flexor and extensor muscle groups of the hip, knee and ankle, are active when in motion. However, one uses a different amount of force in each muscle group to go/from standing to walking, to running, cycling or climbing. Scientific tests have been performed to analyze the amount of force exerted by each muscle group when they participate in performing such movements. It was found that each muscle group generates a certain amount of force that changes over time when one stands, walks, runs, jumps and cycles.
Suzuki, S., Watanabe, S. and Homma, S., EMG Activity and Kinematics of Human Cycling Movements at Different Constant Velocities, Brain Research, Volume 240 (1982), pg. 245–258, studied the activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles in cyclists. They found that activation time of each muscle was far more advanced when achieving maximum speeds than their flexor counterparts (vastus medius of the thigh and tibialis anterior of the leg). Earlier activation times where also seen in the aforementioned muscle groups of extension relative to the flexors. The biarticulate muscle groups of extension thus demonstrated greater significance when accelerating to maximal speeds in cycling.
Jacobs, Bobbert, Van Ingen Schenau et al, studied explosive leg extension movements, namely jumping and sprinting, and their report was published in Brain Research in 1982. They demonstrated a major difference in work done by biarticulate extensors and flexors. They found that the hamstrings in the subjects contributed 7% work in jumping and 11% work in sprinting. This data indicates that these muscle groups are significant in eliciting such movements. The rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles, however, contributed 21% and 25% in jumping and 31% and 28% in sprinting, respectively. With greater contribution to work, the latter muscle groups appear to be the most important workhorses.
Van Ingen Schenau et al, in another study of torque effects in extension, compared biarticulate extensors to monoarticulate extensors of the lower limbs and found different effects between the two muscle groups.
Studies examining the amount of power generated by the extensors of the thigh and leg, independent of one another, were also performed.
Wretenberg, Power and Work Produced in Different Leg Muscle Groups When Rising From a Chair, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, Volume 68, (1994), pg. 413–417, tested the power and work output of the thigh extensors in individuals who were asked to stand from a seated position. They found that the extensors of the hip and knee demonstrated the greatest amount of power and work for this movement.
Van Soest et al simulated the action of the gastrocnemius as a biarticulate muscle and as a monoarticulate muscle in a computer program to see if in fact biarticulate muscles generated a more critical response at the knee and ankle when one leaps. They concluded that biarticulate muscle stimulation yields a higher vertical leap than monoarticulate muscle groups (the human body is a well build organism).

Exercise apparatus for lower limb system


An adjustable beverage holder is provided for a folding lounge chair which consists of an arm, a fastener for removably attaching a first end of the arm to the folding lounge chair, a beverage receptacle and a mechanism for coupling in an adjustable manner the beverage receptacle to a second end of the arm opposite from the removable attaching fastener. A beverage container placed within the beverage receptacle will be maintained in a steady upright position with respect to the folding lounge chair to prevent spillage from the beverage container.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to beverage retaining devices and more specifically it relates to an adjustable beverage holder for a folding lounge chair.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous beverage retaining devices have been provided in prior art that are adapted to engage with beverage containers, so as to keep them stabilized to prevent the spillage of the liquid contents therefrom. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

Adjustable beverage holder for a folding lounge chair


A memory system and a unique memory chip is disclosed wherein multiple islands on a chip can be separately accessed by separate island controllers whereby concurrent use of the several islands or arrays on a chip can be achieved.

Memory systems comprising pluralities of memory elements or Basic Storage Modules (BSMs) as illustrated in FIG. 1 are well known in the State of the Art. Further, it is known that these memory elements may include a plurality of rows of memory chips such as, for example, 8 rows. Each chip may include a plurality of 8 or 9 bit wide arrays or islands. Each island comprises 32K bit arrays. In the prior art when one accesses a given chip group in a row doing either a fetch or a store command the entire BSM or memory element is held busy for whatever number of cycles until the fetch and the store is complete. U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,375 describes page interleaved memory access. This is a technique for accessing pages by having banks of memory elements activated separately. U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,987 discloses an interleaved sensing system for FIFO and burst mode memories. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,863,232 and 3,449,723 show interleaving memory systems and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,117,546, 4,558,436 and 4,816,916 show interlacing of chips. U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,916 discloses a CCD area image sensor operable in both line sequential and interlace scannings and a method for operating the same. The prior art requires a multitude of machine cycles to store or retrieve data from a given memory element.
An object of the present invention is to provide a high data rate to and from memory systems and the servicing of a high number of requests simultaneously.

Memory system and unique memory chip allowing island interlace

International Business Machines Corporation


An approach for providing MOL constructs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a first diffusion region in a substrate; providing, via a first lithography process, a first diffusion contact structure; providing, via a second lithography process, a second diffusion contact structure; and coupling the first diffusion contact structure to the first diffusion region and the second diffusion contact structure. Embodiments include: providing a second diffusion region in the substrate; providing a diffusion gap region between the first and second diffusion regions; providing the diffusion contact structure over the diffusion gap region; and coupling, via the diffusion contact structure, the first and second diffusion regions.

As technology advances, the importance of logic scaling continues to grow. However, traditional approaches to logic scaling are no longer effective due to lithographic limitations. In recent years, double and triple patterning techniques have been implemented for metal1 layer structures to mitigate the effects of such limitations by enabling metal1 layer structures to be formed closer to each other. However, the use of additional patterning processes also have their limits with respect to logic scaling as a result of increased complexities, high costs, and reliability issues that may be associated with further patterning (e.g., quadruple patterning) of these metal1 layer structures.
A need therefore exists for other logic-scaling-related constructs that do not rely on further patterning of metal1 layer structures, and enabling methodology.

Middle-of-the-line constructs using diffusion contact structures


A personal alert safety system, having visual and audio safety components, in a small, lightweight, high impact casing with two compartments separated by a planar wall providing a watertight wall between the two compartments, the planar wall being a sealed laminated piezoelectric sound transducer. One of the compartments is sealed to provide a watertight chamber containing the electronic and electrical control and operating circuitry for the system. The second compartment is a resonating chamber with sound ports for the piezoelectric sound generating transducer. Two manual switch operators are located on opposite exterior sides of the casing and in a sealed manner actuate switches in the interior circuitry to turn the unit on and off, and simultaneous operation of both switches is required to turn the system "on" or "off". A vibrating accelerometer motion detector is included within and connected with the circuitry inside of the casing. There are several embodiments of each of the planar sound transducer and the vibrating accelerometer motion detector.

The purpose of the PASS alarm is to sound a loud, highly discernible audio alarm if a distressful situation should occur. A PASS alarm can be activated either manually or automatically. When using a PASS alarm in the automatic mode of operation, the alarm will sense the absence of motion if the wearer should become immobilized for a predetermined (25 second) time period. The alarm will then sound a loud, easily recognized audio alarm that will not turn itself off unless it is manually reset. This sound serves as an audio beacon that aids others in finding the downed person (fireman). PASS alarms may also be manually activated to summon help. The devices are normally attached to a SCBA harness, a turnout coat or other protective clothing. A PASS alarm can be a lifesaving device when used properly by personnel involved in hazardous occupations such as firefighting.

Personal alarm device with vibrating accelerometer motion detector and planar piezoelectric hi-level sound generator

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An injection foam molding machine of the invention includes: a movable mold platen; a fixed mold platen; a mold fastening hydraulic cylinder that is provided at each of four corners of both mold platens; a tie bar that is driven by the hydraulic cylinder to fasten the molds; two sets of mold opening and closing actuators that drive the movable mold platen to move close to or away from the fixed mold platen; two sets of dedicated core back devices; and a control device that controls the two sets of mold opening and closing actuators and the two sets of dedicated core back devices, wherein the control device includes a dedicated core back program that simultaneously controls the two sets of mold opening and closing actuators and the two sets of dedicated core back devices during a foaming core back operation of moving the movable mold platen away from the fixed mold platen.

Hitherto, an injection foaming and molding operation using an injection molding machine has been performed in a manner such that a heated and plasticized foaming resin is rapidly injected and filled into a mold cavity, a surface of a molded product contacting a mold is cooled and solidified after the resin injecting and filling operation, and a gap between molds is widened to reduce the internal pressure of the molded product and foam and expand the inside of the molded product. Due to such an injection foaming and molding operation, a molded product may be obtained which has a good appearance and is light and tough.
A foaming resin molding machine of the related art shown in PTL 1 will be described. The injection foam molding machine is a molding machine in which four sets of movable mold moving mechanisms are provided at either a movable mold platen or a fixed mold platen. In the movable mold moving mechanism, a nut is linearly moved by a screw driven by a servo motor, and one end surface of the nut comes into contact with the other mold platen so that the molds move away from each other. When the movable mold is moved in the mold opening direction by the mechanism, the movable mold is slightly opened while applying a load in the mold closing direction using a mold opening and closing mechanism or a mold fastening mechanism.

MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES PLASTIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A CDNA clone encoding amarandin-S, a eukaryotic ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) having antiviral activity is disclosed. Also disclosed are hybrid vectors encoding the cDNA and host cells transformed with the vector.

The present invention relates to the isolated cDNA sequence encoding amarandin-S, eukaryotic ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) having antiviral activity, which is present in Amaranthus viridis, to the expression vector containing said cDNA sequence and to a host transformed by said vector.
An interesting recent development is the discovery of plant proteins that have prophylactic effects against viruses. According to Antiviral Compounds from Plants, 1st ed., CRC Press, Inc., (1990), ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are plant toxins, classified as type 1 and 2, having antiviral and abortifacient activities with N-glycosidase activity on ribosomal RNA sequence. Interest in ribosome-inactivating proteins stems from their potential utilization in medicine and agriculture, due to their antiviral and antifungal activities. Also, efforts have been made either to inhibit virus replication comprising virus-induced human diseases, like HIV-1 replication, selectively in cell cultures or to custom design extremely specific and very effective small peptide conferring an antiviral activity to interfere with the penetration stage of certain myxoviruses.

DNA encoding amarandin-S ribosome inactivating protein of Amaranthus viridis


A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Balendred’, characterized by its medium red-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and vigorous, mounded-trailing growth habit, is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant botanically known as Verbena×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Balendred'.
The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Arroyo Grande, Calif. during May 2010. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Verbena cultivars that are durable to environmental stresses, have dark green-colored foliage, and a mounded-trailing growth habit.
The new Verbena cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the wild species Verbena canadensis (Glandularia canadensis) commonly known as Rose Verbena, not patented, characterized by its dark rose-purple colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is Espadrille 'Cranberrytini', not patented, characterized by its medium cranberry-red colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, low growth vigor, and mounded-trailing growth habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during April 2011 in a controlled environment in Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since April 2011 in Arroyo Grande, Calif., and West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.


Magnetic field homogeneity correction system including coils for a superconducting magnet assembly are wound on the same coil forms as the axially spaced main magnet coils such that they are superimposed radially to simplify the system including design requirements for associated passive shimming and reduce transverse magnetic forces therebetween, and improve magnetic field homogeneity.

This invention relates to superconducting magnet assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system (hereinafter called "MRI"), and more particularly to an improved and simplified arrangement for improving magnetic field homogeneity in such an assembly.
As is well known, a superconducting magnet can be made superconducting by placing it in an extremely cold environment, such as by enclosing it in a cryostat or pressure vessel containing liquid helium or other cryogen. The extreme cold ensures that the magnet coils are made superconducting, such that when a power source is initially connected to the coil (for a period, for example, of up to one hour) to introduce a current flow through the coils, the current will continue to flow through the coils even after power is removed due to the absence of resistance, thereby maintaining a strong magnetic field. Superconducting magnets find wide application in the field of MRI.
However, MRI requires very strong or large magnetic fields in the imaging bore with a very high degree of uniformity or homogeneity. Typically this homogeneity requirement, on the order of 10 parts per million (ppm) on 40 to 50 cm diameter spherical volume (DSV), cannot be achieved by controlling manufacturing tolerances. In practice shim systems which may be extra coils, typically called correction coils, small pieces of iron, typically called passive shims, or some combination of the two are provided to correct or improve the magnetic field homogeneity. This shim system allows reasonable manufacturing tolerances. Typical magnet homogeneities after magnet manufacture are on the order of a few hundred ppm. Use of such shim systems can reduce this homogeneity to the required 10-15 ppm.
Considerable effort has been directed at systems which provide the required homogeneity yet which are uncomplex in structure and adjustment. Current correction coil designs utilize correction coil formers or supports, typically of fiber reinforced epoxy plastic (FRP) material. Wire coils are wound on the correction coil former with the correction coil system consisting of a plurality of correction coils added to the interior of the superconducting magnet assembly. These correction coils are typically designed to create single harmonics as purely as possible. One axial correction coil system has 14 coils to create or provide "6 orders of shim". In addition, a transverse correction coil system is typically added to the shim system. Such systems are complex and costly and require considerable space in the MRI magnet assembly.
Current passive shim systems also utilize another FRP drum that is inserted in the warm space inside the magnet bore. Shims or pieces of magnetic material are mounted on drawers that slide into slots on the drum. The drawers must be removed and reinserted into the drum while the magnet is at field (in superconducting operation). However, the strong magnetic field created by the superconducting main magnet coils exert forces on the drawers and on the internal correction coils. In the case of, for example, a 1.5 Tesla magnet these forces can be very large. In addition, as the ambient temperature surrounding the passive shims increases, the homogeneity of the magnet is degraded. Minimizing the total amount of shim will reduce this undesirable effect.
One design of such shim drums is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,909 of Timothy J. Havens, entitled "Open Architecture Magnetic Resonance Imaging Passively Shimmed Superconducting Magnet Assembly", which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.
Such existing shimming systems tend to be relatively complex, costly and difficult and time consuming to adjust to obtain the required field homogeneity. The structure provided to support the shims must be mechanically strong enough and rigid enough to resist the strong magnetic forces exerted on the shimming structures by the strong main magnetic field. In addition, such support structures add complexity and weight to the superconducting magnet. Still further, passive correction systems tend to be large and transverse correction coils are costly such that a more efficient overall field homogeneity system also lowers cost and size.

Magnetic field homogeneity correction for superconducting magnet


A locking fastener in which coacting ramp surfaces are provided on a nut and washer assembly to generate wedging forces in response to backing off movement of the nut which urge the nut into tighter engagement with the associated bolt and the workpiece and in which a spring member disposed radially from the ramp surfaces is biased by the final relative tightening movement of the nut and washer so as to bias the ramp surfaces for movement in the direction to augment the locking action of the fastener. A torque control fastener is disclosed in which the gap between the adjacent ramp shoulders on the nut and washer is indicative of the torque and the damping force exerted by the fastener.

Locking fasteners are available in which coacting wedge ramps operate to generate wedging forces as the associated nut tends to back off of the associated bolt and these wedging forces are arranged to urge the nut into tighter engagement with the associated bolt and workpiece. Whereas locking fasteners operating on these wedge ramp principles work very well in static demonstrations, they have not achieved any widespread commercial acceptance since the nuts associated with the fasteners have tended to back off under the high frequency vibratory loading typically encountered in a real life commercial environment. Applicant's Patent No. 4,708,555 discloses a wedge ramp locking fastener in which this backing off or loosening problem is addressed by the provision of spring means included in the fastener assembly and operative to elastically resist relative movement of the members defining the respective ramp surfaces to store energy in the spring means biasing the elements of the fastener for movement in an opposite, loosening direction to increase the locking action so that the spring means and the wedge ramp surfaces coact on a continuing basis to cause tighter clamping if the threads and wedge ramp surfaces move in a loosening direction. Whereas the locking fastener of this patent is effective in eliminating the tendency of the fastener to back off under high frequency vibratory loading, the disclosed spring means constructions are somewhat complex and add considerably to the cost of the fastener assembly. In one of these constructions, the spring member is disposed in the gap between opposing shoulder of the wedge ramps and obstructs the space therebetween preventing the gap from being closed. In another construction, the one-piece spring washer does not provide the needed spring flexibility in the torsional direction.


In order to provide a communication system which performs a communication while maintaining high voltage insulation, a control circuit which is operated at a low voltage, and a controlled circuit which is operated at a high voltage are connected through a propagation layer having a waveguide structure, thereby performing a communication. In particular, a displacement current (surge current) flows between a high voltage circuit and a low voltage circuit due to a potential fluctuation which occurs in the high voltage circuit A surge current protection circuit is provided, and applying an input which is out of rating to the communication module and the low voltage circuit due to such a surge current is prevented.

As an example, in a motor control inverter which handles high electric power, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) has been widely used as a switching element. It is necessary to perform a communication of a control signal while maintaining high voltage insulation between a gate driver which drives an inverter and a logic part which outputs a driving control signal to the gate driver. As a method of transmitting a signal by electrically insulating between circuits of which reference potentials are different from each other, a method of using an insulating element such as photo coupler, or a transistor has been known. An insulating element based on a different coupling method such as optical coupling, magnetic coupling, or capacitance coupling has been known, however, for use with high electric power/high voltage, a method of performing communications of control signals using an optical module and an optical fiber with excellent insulating property is mainstream. An example of an inverter control system using an optical fiber is disclosed in PTL 1. In PTL 2, a communication system in which a small amount of electromagnetic wave is leaked is realized at low cost by connecting a wireless communicator to a sheet having a waveguide structure which is configured by a mesh layer, a conductor layer, and a dielectric layer, and receiving an electromagnetic wave which leaks from the mesh layer through an antenna.


A search robot system first divides the entire area of disaster into a mesh cell of an appropriate size, and arranges a search robot for each mesh cell. A search is made for a route of travel from an outermost mesh cell to a casualty and to an adjacent mesh cell. The search robot immediately communicates with a mother robot when a casualty is found. The search robot also communicates with the mother robot when a route to an adjacent mesh cell is found. In the search robot system, a new search robot is arranged to search in an adjacent mesh cell. Accordingly, a rescue activity that is a matter of time can be carried out by a plurality of robots.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to search robot systems, particularly a search robot system realizing efficient rescue activities.
2. Description of the Background Art
Research and development of robots searching for victims in disaster are now in progress. These robots such as a rescue robot will look for casualties while removing obstacles such as rubble using a multi-degree-of-freedom manipulator. The usage of such robots will allow access to harsh environments such as an area with the danger of disruption, fire disaster, toxic gas, and the like as a substitute for people such as a rescue team member or firemen to proceed to saving one's life.
The robots are expected to move large mountains of rubble as well as transporting a victim outside the area of disaster.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-240521 discloses a method of conducting rescue activity using a rescue robot that can run even on irregular ground.
In reality, the region of disaster differs greatly from the typical site of well-ordered plants and offices, and often present complicated environments with many obstacles. Producing a robot that can run over such sites or move forward while removing obstacle involves the problem of requiring a relatively large size, complicated mechanism, and high cost per apparatus.
For example, the height of an obstacle that can be passed over by a rescue robot such as that disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-240521 depends upon the maximum length between the leading end and trailing end of the crawler. If the robot is to run over the ruins of a building, the robot must be large enough for such purpose.
It is to be noted that the work operation of removing obstacles by means of such large robots without ascertaining the presence/absence of a victim or the accurate location of a victim is not effective. There is a possibility of risking a victim's life through secondary contingency.
Furthermore, not all obstacles may be removed. There is a problem that the range of search by a large robot is limited.


A luminaire assembly includes an LED assembly and a lens coupled to the LED assembly. The lens includes a side wall forming an opening sized to receive at least part of the LED assembly and a bottom opposite the opening and coupled to the side wall. The side wall further includes one or more prisms positioned proximate the bottom and configured to direct the light emitted from the LED assembly away from the bottom.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to industrial luminaire assemblies for harsh and hazardous environments, and more particularly to light-emitting diode (LED) luminaire and lens assemblies for harsh and hazardous environments providing sidelight and uplight and manufacturing methods therefor.
To address the shortcomings of incandescent bulbs in traditional lighting figures, more energy-efficient and longer lasting sources of illumination in the form of LEDs are highly desired. LED Luminaires are very efficient, both in Lumens/Watt and in targeting light towards the work plane. This high efficiency means that very little if any light is lost to the side and above the luminaire such that the ceiling and top of the room walls are significantly darker than the working plane. In certain installations in harsh and hazardous environments, however, some illumination of the ceiling above the luminaire and portions of the room walls near the ceiling is desired in order to view pipe racks, other machinery, or surroundings. Improvements are therefore desired.

LED luminaire assembly with uplight and sidelight lens


A disc/hub connection for connecting the brake disc with the hub is provided. The brake disc has support elements on the inner peripheral area and the hub has cams. The hub has a pot-like, hollow cylinder section that merges with a disc section that extends outward radially. The disc section has support rods that extend outward axially and that extend into the area where the brake disc contacts the pot-like section and that merge with the cams that, in turn, engage between the support elements of the brake disc. The support rods radially-placed inside the extension of the brake disc do not, or only by way of thin connection rods, connect radially with the outer periphery of the pot-like section.

The invention relates to a brake disc having a hub and a friction ring, which friction ring is connected with connecting webs. A disc/hub connection is provided for connecting the brake disc to the hub, wherein the brake disc has support elements at its inner peripheral region, and the hub is provided with cams which engage in the peripheral direction between the support elements and secure the support elements. The hub has a pot-like, hollow cylindrical section, which merges into a radially outwardly extending disc section.
DE 157 26674 A1, DE 158 07144C1, DE 1575422 C1 and DE 155 44 559 C1 are cited as prior art. In the brake discs, to connect the brake disc to the hub, intermediate elements, for transmitting torque and force from the cams to the hub, are provided on the support elements of the disc. The intermediate elements can be fastened, for example, by use of bolts to the cams of the hub. Here, the cams of the hub firstly engage into the intermediate elements, and the intermediate elements secondly engage into the support elements, such that a reliable transmission of torque from the brake disc to the hub is ensured in both rotational directions.
The brake disc of DE 155 44 559 C1 has been proven per se, though further optimized cooling of the hub region is desirable.
The aim of the present invention is to solve this problem.
According to the invention, the disc section is provided with axially extending support webs which extend into the region in which the brake disc is seated on the pot-like section of the hub, and which serve as cams which engage between the support elements of the brake disc and secure the support elements on the hub in the peripheral direction, wherein, radially within the brake disc or within the brake disc ring, the support webs are not connected, or are connected only by narrow connecting webs, to the outer periphery of the pot-like section, in the latter case preferably in such a way as to generate a T-shape of the support webs with the connecting webs in a cross-sectional view, such that flow ducts for air are formed radially inward with respect to the support webs and the support elements.
Advantageous embodiments are described herein.
With respect to the prior art, the invention considerably improves the cooling of the hub/brake disc, since it permits an increased supply of air into the hub region. The invention also reduces the conduction of heat from the brake disc through the cams into the inner hub region.
The preferably selected axial fixing is particularly cost-effective and generally simple to assemble and disassemble.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH


A photoelectric conversion apparatus in which each of a plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate an electric charge by a photoelectric conversion, an impurity diffusion region, and a gate electrode configured to transfer the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion element to the impurity diffusion region. The photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a gate control line composed of a metal wiring extending in a first direction and being connected electrically to the gate electrode. Some or all of the impurity diffusion regions of the plurality of pixels are mutually connected. A read out circuit region is arranged in an outside in a second direction from a pixel arranged at a most outside among all of the plurality of pixels. A metal wiring layer arranged in a pixel array region is composed of only a single wiring layer including a plurality of wirings in the same height.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, photoelectric conversion apparatuses, for example, a CCD image sensor and a CMOS image sensor have been used for an image read out apparatus such as a copy machine, and techniques for obtaining excellent images have been disclosed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-211363, for example). Such a photoelectric conversion apparatus includes photoelectric conversion elements which convert a light signal into an electrical signal. For improved resolution of the photoelectric conversion apparatus, the sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion elements to a light signal needs to be increased. Also disclosed is a technique for reducing the number of wiring layers in an imaging region where photoelectric conversion elements are arranged, in order to increase the sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion elements (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-186407, for example).
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-211363, circuits for reading out signals are arranged between the photoelectric conversion elements. As a result, it is unfortunately difficult to reduce the number of wiring layers in the imaging region, while maintaining a sufficient area for the photoelectric conversion elements. In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-186407, a metal wiring layer in the imaging region can be composed of only a single layer. However, transfer control signal lines for reading out electric charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements, and reset control signal lines for resetting the electric charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements have to be routed in a poly silicon layer. Unfortunately, such a configuration cannot accommodate a higher rate resulting from improved resolution of the photoelectric conversion apparatus.
The present invention has been made in the light of the above mentioned problems. The object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus in which a metal wiring layer can be composed of only a single wiring layer without a decrease in the read out rate.

Photoelectric conversion apparatus with gate control lines and wiring at same height


In a microcomputer comprising internal buses, a serial communication interface, a flash memory, a RAM, a ROM for storing a writing program, an input/output port, a CPU, and a mode control unit for setting various operation modes and test modes in the microcomputer, a switching circuit is connected between the ROM and the internal buses and between the input/output port and the internal buses. The mode control unit operates the switching circuit in an emulation test mode so that the ROM is deactivated and the input/output port is activated. Then, the CPU reads a program from the serial communication interface and writes the program into the flash memory in accordance with a writing program from the input/output port.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flash memory incorporating microcomputer, and more partucilarly, to the testing of the microcomputer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Microcomputers have been broadly incorporated into cameras, audio-visual apparatus, automobiles and the like. Generally, a control program for operating a microcomputer is stored in a read-only memory (ROM). However, since the control program needs to be changed as occasion demands, the mask ROM has been replaced by an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or a flash EEPROM which is called a flash memory.
A prior art flash memory incorporating microcomputer includes input/output ports, a serial ccommunication interface, a mode control unit for setting various operation modes, a flash EEROM for storing a control program, a random access memory (RAM) for storing temporary data, a read-only memory (ROM) for storing a writing program for writing the control program into the flash EEPROM, a central processing unit (CPU) and internal buses for connecting these elements to each other (see JP-A-5-266219). This will be explained later in detail.
In the prior art microcomputer, although the CPU is tested in a CPU testing mode and the flash EEPROM is tested in a flash EEPROM testing mode, the flash EEPROM is not tested by the CPU. Therefore, even if the CPU testing mode and the flash EEPROM test mode both succeed, it is impossible to guarantee the operation of the flash EEPROM by the CPU.
Also, the ROM is active only for an on-board writing operation mode; in other words, the ROM is inactive for the other operation modes. Therefore, when the ROM is incorporated into one chip of the microcomputer, the chip area thereof is increased, thus reducing the manufacturing yield.
Further, since the serial communication interface is fixed to one of the types of communication systems, an upper system is limited.
Further, in order to write the control program into the flash EEPROM, since the control program is temporarily stored in the RAM or a buffer of the CPU, the time required for a writing operation of the control program is long.
Still further, when the frequency of a clock signal is changed by an upper system or the type of the serial communication interface, the time period of a writing operation and the time period of a flash erasing operation are also changed.

Flash memory incorporating microcomputer having on-board writing function