Disclosed is an electronic device, which includes an external power supply unit configured to receive power from an external power source and an auxiliary power storage unit configured to be charged upon receiving the power from the external power supply unit and store the power. The electronic device further includes a first switching element connected to the external power supply unit and the auxiliary power storage unit, the first switching element configured to select any one of the external power supply unit and the auxiliary power storage unit as a power source, a power information receiver configured to receive power information including at least one of electric rate information and power demand information, and a controller configured to control the first switching element based on the power information received from the power information receiver.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method of controlling a power supply therein, and more particularly, to an electronic device and a method of controlling a power supply therein, which provide selection of an effective power supply using power information.
Discussion of the Related Art
Recently, interest in green energy and technologies is increasing worldwide and smart grid technologies to cope with energy problems are gathering strength as important eco friendly technologies.
A smart grid is a next generation power grid that is configured to allow a power supplier and a consumer to perform and control information exchange in real time via networks, thereby optimizing energy efficiency.
Thus, each electronic device produced in future needs to be equipped with smart grid functionality and substantially, businesses addressing this issue are being developed at home and abroad.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary use of a power supply in conventional general electronic devices. FIG. 1 illustrates electronic devices 10 and 20 respectively include batteries 11 and 21. These batteries 11 and 21, for example, may be integrally mounted in the electronic devices 10 and 20, or may be detachably attached to separate battery attachment/detachment modules of the electronic devices 10 and 20. Of a variety of electronic devices, in particular, portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, personal digital assistants and the like, widely employ the batteries.
In a state in which the conventional general electronic devices 10 and 20 are respectively connected to external power supplies 12 and 22 (e.g., an 'AC power supply' or 'system power supply'), the electronic devices 10 and 20 are operated by AC power fed from the external power supplies 12 and 22. Generally, the AC power is fed by a utility company and is billed on a watt/hour basis. While no power supply is connected thereto, the electronic devices 10 and 20 may be operated by the internal batteries 11 and 21. In brief, conventional electronic devices do not use a battery when a power supply is connected thereto such that power fed from the power supply serves as unique power source. In addition, when the power supply is connected to the electronic device, the power source is always used to charge the battery.
Recently, development of a new grid, obtained by integrating an analog grid with digital technologies, has been issued. As such a new digital grid is merged with information communication technologies, moreover, a method of sending and receiving power information in real time via interactive communication is being developed. One example of grid technologies now being developed is smart grid technologies that are widely referred to as an intelligent grid. Hereinafter, terms as mentioned herein, 'smart grid power information network', 'smart grid' and 'power network' mean one example of an intelligent grid enabling interactive communication. In the following description, for convenience of description, the intelligent grid is referred to as a 'smart grid power information network'. The smart grid power information network is realizable in various manners. For example, this may be realized via a widely utilized Internet network or Power Line Communication (PLC), or may be realized by standardizing other new power information networks.
As the aforementioned smart grid power information network is more actively discussed, demands for saving electricity consumption in electronic devices are increasing. It will be appreciated that discussions into saving electricity consumption via effective power supply selection pertain, in particular, to fulfill the demands. Thus, the above described conventional methods in which only an external power supply unit connected to an electronic device is unconditionally utilized as a power source or in which a battery is unconditionally charged by the external power supply unit connected to the electronic device despite that a remaining charge of the battery is sufficient may result in unnecessary power consumption and excessive economic burden to a user.

Electronic device and method of controlling power supply therein


An apparatus for controlling damping coefficients for vehicular shock absorbers is disclosed comprising a filter circuit which passes only signals whose frequencies fall in a predetermined frequency band. The signals are derived from vehicle behavior detectors which detect vehicular behaviors related to sprung mass longitudinal speeds of a vehicle body. Cut-off frequencies of the filter circuit are varied according to a vehicle speed.

1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for controlling a damping coefficient of a shock absorber (also called a damper, but hereinafter referred to as the shock absorber) interposed between an unsprung mass and sprung mass of the vehicle so as to provide an optimum damping force therefrom. The shock absorber is provided with changing means for changing the damping coefficient thereof at multiple stages in response to a control signal.
2. Description of The Background Art
A Japanese Utility Model Registration Application First Publication No. Showa 61-127007 published on Aug. 9, 1986 exemplifies a previously proposed apparatus for controlling a damping coefficient of the shock absorber.
The previously proposed damping coefficient controlling apparatus includes: a sprung mass displacement measurer; a relative speed measurer between the unsprung mass and the sprung mass; and a control signal output generator.
The control signal output generator outputs a control signal so as to provide a low damping coefficient for the shock absorber when a sign of a direction of the sprung mass displacement coincides with that of the direction of the relative speed and outputs the control signal so as to provide a high damping coefficient for the shock absorber when the sign of the direction of the sprung mass displacement does not coincide with that of the direction of the relative speed.
To pick up a frequency required to control the damping coefficient, waveforms appearing on the signals derived from the sprung mass displacement measurer and from the relative speed measurer are processed using the low-pass filter and high-pass filter circuits.
On the other hand, if the vehicle speed is changed, a frequency characteristic of the detection signal of the sprung mass longitudinal speed is accordingly varied. Since a frequency band to pass through the filter circuits of the previously proposed damping coefficient is fixed, such signals required to control may not be detected and input to a controller and control lag and/or advance may occur.
If a filtered frequency band of each filter is set over a wider frequency band, such a frequency band as not to be required to control may be detected and input, a favorable control effect may not be achieved.

Apparatus for controlling damping coefficient for vehicular shock absorber


In a remote control device for a vehicle including: a portable transmitter configured to repeatedly transmit a signal for giving an instruction to activate an activation device mounted in a vehicle, in response to an operation of a manipulator which is performed continuously for a predetermined time or more; and a vehicle-side receiver provided in the vehicle to activate the activation device based on the signal transmitted from the portable transmitter, the portable transmitter transmits a first signal including a data frame having at least an ID code, a function code determining an action of the activation device, and a first error detection code and then repeatedly transmits a second signal, and a data frame of the second signal having the same function code as that of the first signal and a second error detection code generated based on the function code and the data frame of the first signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a remote control device for a vehicle comprising: a portable transmitter configured to repeatedly transmit a signal for giving an instruction to activate an activation device mounted in a vehicle, in response to an operation of a manipulator which is performed continuously for a predetermined time or more; and a vehicle-side receiver provided in the vehicle to activate the activation device on the basis of the signal transmitted from the portable transmitter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-239002 has made known a system in which an activation device provided in a vehicle, such as a power window, is activated by pressing and holding an operation button of a portable transmitter owned by vehicle user. In such a system, when the operation button is pressed and held, the portable transmitter transmits a signal of a first frame type including a synchronization frame, a header, and a data frame, and then repeatedly transmits a signal of a second frame type in which the synchronization frame is shorter than that of the first frame type but the data frame is the same as that of the first frame type.
Since a signal having a long data length is repeatedly transmitted from the portable transmitter in the pressing and holding of the operation button, a battery of the portable transmitter is consumed rapidly and the battery life is reduced.
Meanwhile, the following system is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-110554. When encrypted data is repeatedly transmitted from a portable transmitter and a signal of the same data is received, a stored code is called and used without decoding the received signal thereby enabling reduction of a processing load of a CPU or the like for decoding. However, this operation is performed in a receiver provided in a vehicle and does not reduce battery power consumption of the portable transmitter.

Remote control device for an activation device mounted in a vehicle


A lens module including a base, a sleeve, a lens, a magnetic permeable column, a coil supporter, a coil, and a magnet set is provided. A bottom of the base has a plurality of bumps. The sleeve is rotatably disposed on the bumps. The lens is disposed in the sleeve, and the magnetic permeable column is disposed beside the sleeve. The coil is disposed between two holes of the coil supporter. The magnetic permeable column is disposed through the holes and the coil. The magnet set is disposed beside the coil. The sleeve has a plurality of step portions and each bump contacts the corresponding step portion. When a current is provided to the coil, the electromagnetic force produced between the coil and the magnet set moves the coil along the magnetic permeable column, to push the coil supporter and accordingly rotate the sleeve coupled with the coil supporter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens module. More particularly, the present invention relates to a zoom lens module.
2. Description of Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, in a conventional manual focusing lens module 10, a lens 110 is inserted into an internal ring 120, and the internal ring 120 is sustained between a focus-adjusting ring 130 and a spring 140. The focus-adjusting ring 130 has segmented steps, thus, when the focus-adjusting ring 130 is turned manually, the focus-adjusting ring 130 links the internal ring 120 and the lens 110 to move up and down along Y-axis to complete a focusing operation. However, the lens module 10 is not convenient to use because it focuses manually.
Referring to FIG. 2, in a conventional lens module 20 which focuses through a stepping motor, a lens 110 is inserted into an internal ring 120, and the internal ring 120 is sustained between a focus-adjusting ring 130′ and a spring 140. The focusing pattern of the lens module 20 is to control a stepping motor 150 electrically to drive a transmission mechanism, such as a screw rod, a turbine, a gear, or the focus-adjusting ring 130′, so as to move the internal ring 120 and the lens 110 up and down along axis Y to complete a focusing operation. Even though the lens module 20 focus automatically, the lens module 20 has large size and high manufacturing cost, and the power consumption thereof for focusing is high.
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are diagrams of two conventional lens modules which focus through voice coil motor. Referring to FIG. 3A first, in a lens module 30, a lens 110 is inserted into a magnetic permeable internal ring 160, and a magnet 170 is disposed at both sides of the magnetic permeable internal ring 160. Thus, the magnetic permeable internal ring 160 is prevented from moving about by the electromagnetic force produced between the magnet 170 and the magnetic permeable internal ring 160, so as to fix the position of the lens 110 on axis X. Besides, the focusing pattern of the lens module 30 is to produce different magnetic levitation forces by controlling the current passed through a coil 180, and accordingly to move the magnetic permeable internal ring 160 and the lens 110 up and down along axis Y. The focusing speed of the lens module 30 is slow, and after focusing, current has to be supplied to the coil 180 continuously to prevent the elasticity g of a spring 140 from moving the magnetic permeable internal ring 160 downwards and further to maintain the position of the lens 110. Thus, the lens module 30 consumes more electricity. In addition, to fix the position of the lens 110 on axis X with electromagnetic force, the problem of the lens 110 being tilted may be caused. Moreover, the performance of the lens module 30 in vibration test or falling test is not ideal.
Referring to FIG. 3B, in a conventional lens module 40, a lens 110 is inserted into a magnetic permeable internal ring 160′, and the magnetic permeable internal ring 160′ is prevented from moving about by a leading rod 185 to fix the position of the lens 110 on axis X. Besides, a sensor 190 is used for detecting the position of the magnetic permeable internal ring 160′ on axis Y and transmitting signal back to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 195. The ASIC 195 drives the coil 180 according to the position of the magnetic permeable internal ring 160′ so as to move the magnetic permeable internal ring 160′ and the lens 110 to expected position and further to complete a focusing operation. It is noted that the manufacturing cost of the lens module 40 is high even though no current is continuously provided to the coil 180 after focusing.
Referring to FIG. 4, in a conventional two-stage electrical focusing lens module 50, a lens 110 is inserted into an internal ring 120′, and an annular magnet 196 is disposed outside of the internal ring 120′. The focusing pattern of the lens module 50 is as following: attraction or repellent force is produced between a coil 180 and the annular magnet 196 by changing the direction of the current provided to the coil 180 for driving the annular magnet 196, the internal ring 120′, and the lens 110 to move to the top end or the bottom end along axis Y. Besides, a magnetic permeable sheet metal 197 is magnetized partially, thus, while it is stopped to provide current to the coil 180 after focusing, if the lens 110 is moved to the top end, attraction force produces between the top magnetic permeable sheet metal 197 and the annular magnet 196 to fix the lens 110 at the top. Similarly, if the lens 110 is moved to the bottom, attraction force will be produced between the bottom magnetic permeable sheet metal 197 and the annular magnet 196 to fix the lens 110 at the bottom. However, the lens module 50 has only two-stage focusing function and the size thereof is large. Moreover, the manufacturing cost of the lens module 50 is increased by the high cost of the annular magnet 196.


Power supplied from a battery via a power-supply line is distributed via switching means to load drive lines, connected to loads, respectively. Memory means stores the data of current-breaking time characteristics providing the breaking time which corresponds to the amount of each excessive current and the capacity of each load. When any of the current detection means has detected an excessive current flowing through any of the load drive lines, control means breaks power supplied via the load drive line to the load, by opening the switching means immediately after the corresponding breaking time has elapsed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a power-supply distributor for use in vehicles, and more particularly to such a power-supply distributor that distributes power from a battery mounted in vehicles to the various portions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the conventional vehicle-mounted power supply, generally, as shown in FIG. 6, power supplied from a battery 1 is first fed to a power-supply block A via a power-supply line 3 protected by a fusible link (FL) 2. Subsequently, power thus fed to the power-supply block A is divided by fuses A1a and A1b to load drive lines 5a and 5b on the downstream side and then fed to loads 6a and 6b via relays A2a and A2b which control load driving, respectively. The load drive lines 5a and 5b employ cables having a diameter which corresponds to the capacity of the load connected thereto. Switches 7a and 7b are used to turn on and off the loads 6a and 6b respectively. When either of those switches is turned on, a relay coil L is conducted to close a relay contact C, electric power is supplied from the battery 1 to the loads 6a and 6b via the fusible link (FL) 2, the fuses A1a and A1l, and the relay contacts C in this order.
One problem to be solved is differences in the specifications of the vehicles. As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) respectively, there possibly are, for example, two cases of specifications such that, in one case, the load 6a consists of two bulbs of 60 watts and 12 watts (72 watts in total) and, in the other case, the load consists of two 60-watt bulbs (120 watts in total). In such cases, the abovementioned conventional device needs to change the capacity of the fuse A1a in the power-supply block A correspondingly with the specifications. This would increase the number of parts to be prepared in the power-supply block containing the fuse as the specifications become complicated, reducing productivity and also making it difficult for the manufacturer to manage that number.
Also, in the case where the fuses A1a and A1b are used to protect the load drive lines 5a and 5b and the loads 6a and fib, the fuse capacity is set in standardized step-wise values, for example, 10A, 15A, etc. Thus, the cable may have over-protection from the fuses, as can be seen from the comparison between the current-time characteristics of the fuming of the load drive lines (solid line) and those of the melting of the fuses (broken line) in FIG. 8, thus reducing the efficiency of feeding power. The current-time characteristics of the fuming of the load drive lines are the current over time values causing the burning or smoking of the load drive line cables resulting from the excessive heat generated by the specified amount of current over the specified period of time.
Moreover, as can be seen from the comparison between the motor load constant-current characteristics and lock-current characteristics shown in FIG. 8 and the fuse melting characteristics shown in FIG. 3, the constant-current operation causes no problem, whereas the lock-current operation may cause fuse melting. In order to prevent such problems, the fuse capacity may have to be upgraded by one step.

Power-supply distributor for use in vehicles


An improved body design for a mobile station or other electronic device is provided. Unlike conventional mobile station bodies, which are comprised of durable polymer shells that are rigidly joined together (e.g., by ultra-sonic welding, adhesives, etc.) to enclose operational elements and circuitry, a replaceable and enhanceable body structure comprised is provided that is comprised of one or more stacked elements. The stacked elements are positioned one atop the next in a facing relationship. In one embodiment, the stacked elements define one or more apertures for receiving and enclosing one or more operational elements (e.g. a display, a keypad, an antenna, a mobile station engine, etc.).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to mobile station design, and more particularly to a mobile station having a body portion comprised of a plurality of stacked elements. Among other benefits, the plurality of stacked elements provide improved versatility, cost savings, and aesthetic appeal to the mobile station.
2. Description of Related Art
Mobile stations (e.g., mobile phones, PDAs, pagers, laptop computers and the like) have become ubiquitous over the last twenty years. Although mobile station designs have become smaller and more compact, the basic structure of these devices has generally remained constant. As shown in FIG. 1, conventional mobile stations 100 (a mobile phone) include a durable shell 110 enclosing various operational elements. Such operational elements include a display (LCD, LED or the like) 150, a speaker port 154, a microphone port 155, a keypad 160, and associated electronic circuitry (not shown). Mobile stations also include antennas (not shown) for facilitating radio frequency (RF) communications and one or more batteries (not shown). An external power supply (not shown) such as an AC adaptor, power cord, battery charger and the like, may be connected through a power port 144.
In various applications, the circuitry driving the above operational elements (display, keypad, mobile station engine, etc.) is protected from damage by a durable shell 110 as shown. Such durable shells 110 are often comprised of polymers, metals, pressed sheets, and other similar materials. To ensure that the delicate circuitry and other components remain protected, the two halves 112 and 114 of the shell 110 are generally hermetically sealed via various known processes including ultra-sonic welding, adhesive bonding, etc. Unfortunately, the protection afforded by using a hermetically sealed shell 110 comes at the expense of mobile station design versatility. For example, consumers do not conventionally have the ability to swap internal components or electronic circuitry for newer, smarter or more powerful versions (as is relatively common in the personal computing industry). Further, consumers are unable to change the size, shape, color or structure of the mobile station. For example, consumers are unable to change conventional "mono-block" style mobile phones shown in FIG. 1, into "foldable" mobile stations as known in the art. Presently, consumers desirous of this or other substantive mobile station enhancement must purchase a new mobile station, likely at significant cost.

Mobile station body comprised of stacked elements


A doorframe structure comprises an upper guide formed of metal plate so as to have an enclosed space extending in a longitudinal direction of the upper guide, the upper guide having a constant cross section, a weather strip channel extending in a longitudinal direction of the upper guide and fixed to the upper guide, a window glass guide, made of metal plate, arranged so as to be inclined relative to the upper guide and fixed to the upper guide at one end thereof in order to guide a window glass so as to move, and a pillar outer panel, made of metal plate, for covering, on an exterior side of a vehicle, a vehicle exterior-end surface of the upper guide, a vehicle exterior-end surface of the window glass guide and an opening formed between the upper guide and the window glass guide.

Known doorframe structures are disclosed, for example, in JP2002-211243A (paragraph 0028, FIG. 4, FIG. 8), JPH11-342745A and JP H11-263126A (FIG. 4). The doorframe structure disclosed in JP2002-211243A is known as a triangular-garnish type-doorframe, wherein, a garnish made of resin is utilized to cover a substantially triangular opening formed between an upper guide of a door sash (a pillar sash of a door sash) and a window glass.
The doorframe structures disclosed in JPH11-342745A and JPH11-263126A are known as division bar type-doorframes, wherein an opening, formed between the upper guide of a door sash (pillar sash of a door sash) and a division bar (partition sash), is covered by means of a partition panel.
However, according to the doorframe structure disclosed in JP2002-211243A, because the upper guide and the garnish exist independently, a dividing line between the upper guide and the garnish has tended to protrude outwards, thus spoiling the external appearance of the door frame. Further, because the upper guide, the window glass guide and the pillar outer panel are all made of different materials, a sense of uniformity has been lacked and the external appearance of the vehicle has suffered. Furthermore, according to such a doorframe structure, the garnish needs to be painted when it is not mounted on the doorframe, and for this reason, the doorframe has not been manufactured integrally. In addition, a gap has existed on the outside of the vehicle between the upper guide and the garnish, and this has resulted in whistling of the wind while the vehicle is moving.
On the other hand, according to the doorframe structures disclosed in JPH11-342745A and JP H11-263126A, depending on its position, the division bar can block a visual range. In addition, the number of parts used has increased, such as a weather strip fixed to an entire rim of the partition panel, and a bracket used for fixing the division bar. In consequence, the number of man-hours required has increased, and levels of productivity have dropped drastically. Further, in the same manner as the doorframe structure disclosed in JP2002-211243A, according to the doorframe structures disclosed in JPH11-342745A and JP H11-263126A, the garnish needs to be painted when it is not mounted on the doorframe, and for this reason, the doorframe has not been manufactured integrally. In addition, a gap has existed on the outside of the vehicle between the upper guide and the garnish, and this has resulted in whistling of the wind while the vehicle is moving.
Thus, a need exists to provide a doorframe structure in which an upper guide is easily formed, and which can lead to amelioration in the external appearance of the vehicle. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides such a doorframe structure.


A hopper is located along a document feed path. The hopper stores a stack of documents. A picker wheel has a longitudinal central axis and opposite end portions along the longitudinal central axis. The picker wheel has an outer circumferential surface and is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis. An endless picker belt extends around at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the picker wheel. The picker belt has an endless outer surface which is engageable with a document in the stack of documents to move the document along the document feed path. A pair of jogging devices is disposed at the opposite end portions of the picker wheel. The jogging devices jog the stack of documents while the outer surface of the picker belt is engaging a document in the stack of documents to move the document along the document feed path.

The present invention relates to document feeding along a document feed path, and is particularly directed to a document picker apparatus for picking a document from a stack of documents stored in a hopper of a document processing system such as a check processing system.
A known type of document picker apparatus for picking a document from a stack of documents includes a picker wheel which is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis. When the picker wheel is driven to rotate about its longitudinal central axis, a picker belt disposed on the picker wheel is driven. The picker belt has an outer major side surface which engages documents from a stack of documents stored in a hopper. When the picker belt is driven, the outer major side surface of the picker belt picks documents from the stack of documents and moves these documents along a document feed path.
An advance/retard mechanism cooperates with the picker wheel to separate adjacent documents from each other as documents are picked and moved along the document feed path. A typical advance/retard mechanism holds a document which is being picked by the picker wheel stationary while advancing a document which is ahead of the document being held stationary. The document being held stationary continues to be held until the document which is being advanced is moved sufficiently along the document feed path to separate away from the document being held stationary.
From time to time, a document may buckle like an accordion in the document feed path. This may occur because the picker wheel is tending to force the document along the document feed path while the advance/retard mechanism is tending to hold the document stationary until it and the document ahead are separated from each other along the document feed path.


Target values for position and orientation of a work point are provided in a robot program, dependent on which the program causes automatic movement of axles of the manipulator by a robot controller connected with the manipulator, to adjust a tool reference point of the manipulator. A robot base is movable via an auxiliary axle. Position values (provided by the robot program) of a planned position and orientation to be occupied by robot base for the tool reference point adjustment are automatically changed so the actual position of the robot base converges on a predetermined reference point, such as the work point or the tool reference point and the auxiliary axle is automatically moved to cause the robot base to occupy the position and orientation that correspond to the changed position values.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a robot control method in which target values of a work point that is predetermined in position and orientation by a robot program are provided, programmatically dependent on which a tool reference point of a manipulator is to be set via automatic movement of axles of the manipulator by a robot controller connected with said manipulator. In the invention, position values of a planned position and orientation to be occupied by a robot base that is adjustable via an auxiliary axle are assumed that are provided by the robot program.
2. Description of the Prior Art
EP 0 271 691 A1 describes a method to control the three-dimensional relative motion of a robot (with which is associated a robot coordinate system relative to the base of the robot) relative to a work piece attached to a work piece carrier in an arbitrary, fixed spatial association, wherein the path of the relative motion can be determined via significant spatial points. Moving work pieces can be arranged on moving tables (such as rotary or rotary tilt tables), or the robot itself can be arranged so as to be movable, be it that it is attached to a portal or that it is equipped with a chassis. The work piece can either be held stationary or execute a separate forward motion. According to this prior art, the spatial points present in an auxiliary axle coordinate system can be transferred directly into a robot coordinate system via a transformation condition taking the feed movement into account.


A system for analyzing an ECG signal is provided. The system comprises an interface that receives an ECG waveform associated with heart beat cycle of a patient. The system includes signal processor that determines a first isoelectric portion lying between a T-wave of a first heart beat cycle and a P-wave of a successive heart beat cycle, and a second isoelectric portion lying between a P-wave and a QRS complex of the first heart beat cycle. The signal processor determines a stability measure for each of said first and second portions and adaptively selects the first or the second portion as a baseline for the first heart beat cycle based on the stability measures. The signal processor determines a point of reference on an ST segment associated with the first heart beat cycle and evaluates a deviation of the point of reference on the ST segment from the selected baseline.

Electrocardiography is the recording of the electrical activity of the heart over time via skin electrodes. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used by cardiologists to aid in the diagnosis of various cardiac abnormalities. Cardiac arrhythmia and ischemia are some of the conditions that are identified through the analysis of ECG. There is a strong correlation between the ST segment deviation and the incidence of ischemia and thus ST segment deviation measurement is an important parameter in clinical study. Further, morphology of the ST segment is an important clinical parameter in identifying a type of heart attack. Some of these types of heart attacks are ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) which can be identified through ST segment morphology. Further, the shape/geometry of the ST morphology can also be used as an indicator of an impending heart attack and also to understand the severity of the occurred heart attack.
However, automated measurement of ST segment deviation and classification of ST segment morphology presents technical difficulties like the presence of noise in the signal, baseline wander of the signal and so on.
Accordingly, there is a need for a robust technique of automated ST segment deviation computation.

System and method for analyzing an electrocardiogram signal


A digitizer arrangement for converting an analogue signal into a digital signal, including a first A/D converter, said first A/D converter being arranged to convert said analogue signal into a first digital signal with a first sampling rate, the first sampling rate being lower than the frequency of the analogue signal, a second A/D converter, said second A/D converter being arranged to convert said high frequency analogue signal into a second digital signal with a second sampling rate, the second sampling rate being lower than the frequency of the analogue signal, means for combining said first and second digital signals into a third digital signal with a third sampling rate that is at least a multiple of said first and second sampling rates.

The present invention discusses a novel structure for a high resolution/high sample rate digitizer. The digitizer is intended for use in radio receivers with digital signal processing, and is particularly suited for use in a direction-finder system for detecting and localising radio frequency emitters.
Modern radio receivers often use digital signal processing (DSP) for processing received signals. Such receivers use analogue front-ends with an Analogue/Digital (A/D) converter somewhere in the receiving chain. Ideally, the A/D converter should have as high resolution as possible, both in bit rate and bit resolution, either to sample high frequency signals, e.g. in a receiver with few conversion steps, or in order to cover a large frequency band.
While there is a steady increase in the performance of commercially available A/D converters, one is still faced with a choice of either using an A/D converter with fast sampling rate and few bits, or use a converter with higher resolution at a slower sampling rate.
In the so-called "gain-ranging" technique an A/D converter are preceded by an amplifier with programmable gain. A logic unit control the gain of the amplifier to expand the dynamic range of the digitiser system. Other solutions stack multiple fast/few bit A/D converters to obtain a composite fast converter with high bit resolution. This is done by connecting converters to a number of amplifiers with different gains and bit stack the output signals from the converters. The company Stagetech markets such digitiser systems for audio use, and it is also known from marine depth sounders.


Storage apparatus can support various memory units with different standards based on the method which drives the power control-and-switch circuit in the power management unit according to a control signal caused by the ID code of a memory unit to control the second booster for further increasing the level of the external voltage or control the second regulator for further regulating or decreasing the level of the external voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage apparatus, and more particularly to a non-volatile storage apparatus and a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In FIG. 1, a block diagram of the power management unit of the previous invention is shown. According to the detection voltage that is predeterminedly stored in the voltage detector 114, the power management unit 110 controls the booster 112 to increase the external voltage VEXT, controls the regulator 111 to regulate or reduce the external voltage VEXT for further supply to the memory unit. Wherein, the detection voltage is higher than the minimum operating voltage of the memory unit and lower than the operating voltage VDD thereof.
However, each memory unit includes an individual range of operating voltage. Hence, if the non-volatile storage apparatus uses memory units of various standards and adjusts the external voltage VEXT via only the fixed and detection voltage, the power management unit 110 will not support the memory units of various standards. In this case, it is limited to using the non-volatile storage apparatus.

Non-volatile storage apparatus and a control method thereof


The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array that includes a plurality of cell strings coupled between a common source line and a plurality of bit lines, a peripheral circuit that reads data stored in a selected memory cell, a bouncing detection circuit that compares a voltage supplied to the common source line and a reference voltage to thereby output a detection signal while performing a reading operation, and a control circuit that controls the peripheral circuit in order to perform the reading operation by adjusting the number of sensing operation times in accordance with the detection signal.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a semiconductor memory device and a method of operating the same.
In a semiconductor memory device, the magnitude of a threshold voltage may be varied by adjusting an amount of charge that is supplied to a floating gate of a memory cell. Therefore, data in a variety of formats may be stored. In addition, the stored data may be read by sensing the threshold voltage of the memory cell.
As methods of sensing the threshold voltage of the memory cell, a voltage sensing method and a current sensing method are used.
In the current sensing method, when sensing the threshold voltage of the memory cell, a reference current that is input to the bit line senses the threshold voltage by verifying whether a bit line is precharged or not.
Therefore, whether a current flowing through the bit line and a cell string is leaked to a common source line (CSL) or not is important.
Meanwhile, in the common source line (CSL), source line bouncing may occur due to a structure in which a plurality of cell strings are coupled in common.
The source line bouncing refers to a phenomenon in which a large amount of current flows into the common source line (CSL) along the cell string coupled with the bit line while performing a reading operation, and thereby a voltage of the common source line (CSL) rises. When the voltage of the common source line (CSL) rises, the current flowing to the cell string may not be discharged sufficiently.
That is, the current may not be leaked into the common source line (CSL) through the cell string due to the source line bouncing, and thereby the threshold voltage of the memory cell may not be sensed normally.

Semiconductor memory device having bouncing detection circuit and method of operating the same


A method and system are provided for enabling replacement of a failed processor without requiring redundancy of hardware. The system is a multiprocessing computer system that includes one or more processor chips. Each processor chip may include one or more logical processors. During system initialization, one or more logical processors may be reserved in an inactive state. In the event an error is detected on a logical or physical processor, one or more reserved logical processors may have execution context transferred from the processor experiencing the error. Thereafter, the active processor is designated as inactive and replaced by the inactive processor to which the execution context has been transferred.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a method and system for reserving a processor in a multiprocessor system for availability of replacement in response to detection of an error in a non-reserved processor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recent processor chips contain multiple processors, with each processor on the chip known as a logical processor. In a multiprocessor system, a problem that sometimes occurs is that one of the processors on the chip fails, or the chip fails in its entirety. Various computer manufacturers have an interest in high availability systems that support recovery from a failure. Typically, these systems implement a hardware error recovery mechanism to automatically and transparently recover from most transient errors.
When a central processor in a multiprocessor system encounters an error, it is very desirable to not lose the work being done on that processor and to move that work to another processor that is still operating in the system. Several methods are known for solving this problem. For example, one known solutions is to move the architected state of the failed processor to an on-line processor in the system with the help of the operating system. However, since the mechanism uses the operating system to perform the function, the customer is aware that the incident occurred. U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,962 to Goodrum et al. proposes a hot spare boot circuit to automatically reassign the power up responsibilities of a second processor in the event the primary processor should fail. However, this solution is limited to failure in a processor at the time the processor is powered on and does not address a solution to a processor that fails during operation subsequent to powering on. Accordingly, the state of the art is limited to non-transparent solutions in the event of a failed processor.
There is therefore a need to provide a method and system for transparently reassigning responsibilities of a failed processor to a reserved processor without a modification to the operating system. The reserved processor is essentially hidden to the customer and is activated in response to an error in an active processor.

High availability multi-processor system

International Business Machines Corporation


A system and method of pre-distorting a signal applied to a power amplifier to compensate for distortion introduced by the power amplifier at different power settings, comprising pre-distorting the signal according to a pre-distortion polynomial, prior to amplification of the signal by the power amplifier; adaptively estimating and applying pre-distortion polynomial coefficients to the pre-distorter by saving successive iterations of adaptive estimation of the pre-distortion polynomial coefficients; and regularizing estimation of the pre-distortion polynomial coefficients over successive iterations according to a modified objective function that initially constrains growth in the magnitude of the pre-distortion polynomial coefficients and then relaxes the constraint in growth over successive iterations until estimation is reduced to a steady-state least squares estimation.

Radio-frequency (RF) mobile communication devices use digital hardware and digital signal processing techniques at baseband in conjunction with analog circuitry to condition a signal for transmission via an antenna. The final stage of conditioning prior to transmission involves amplifying the signal using a power amplifier.
It is desirable to operate the power amplifier near saturation in order to attain high power efficiency. However, efficiency in a power amplifier is achieved with the penalty of an inherently non-linear signal transfer characteristic, which is typically a complex function involving temperature dependence.
Pre-distortion has been used which, in its simplest form, involves distorting the transmission signal prior to amplification, using a polynomial function that is the inverse to the distortion introduced by the power amplifier, thereby linearizing the behavior of the power amplifier. In order to create a pre-distortion model for inverting the nonlinearity introduced by the power amplifier, an iterative method is used where the input to and output from the power amplifier are repeatedly passed through an estimator, and statistical methods are used to perform linear and nonlinear regression on the signal data.
However, since mobile communication devices operate under different radio power output conditions, non-linear distortion of the transmission signal by the power amplifier may change when there is a power step. This can result in spectrum re-growth, which diverts some of the energy from a desired frequency channel into adjacent frequency channels. This, in turn, results in a loss of performance within a desired frequency channel as well as the creation of interference within adjacent frequency channels.
In order to compensate for each of these nonlinear profiles, a slightly different polynomial curve must be used. Therefore, prior art systems require either pre-characterization of the device to create pre-distorting look-up tables (LUTs), or the use of real time polynomial estimators.
According to the LUT approach, the nonlinearity is pre-characterized during factory calibration of the device such that different polynomial coefficients are stored in the LUT for each power operating point. The different coefficients are instantly fetched based on the output power requirements. LUTs provide stable pre-distortion but suffer from very slow convergence time as each amplitude bin is individually trained, as well as suffering from increased memory and computational requirements for storage and fetching of the coefficients from the LUT. Also, the LUT does not work correctly in the event the response of the amplifier deviates from the pre-characterized coefficient tables.
Real time polynomial estimators converge rapidly but suffer from instability. This is because a small change in polynomial coefficients can lead to a large change in the behavior of the polynomial. In the initial phase during which the system is converging, the radio transmitter will generate significant nonlinear distortion that may violate spectral mask requirements and exceed the maximum acceptable bit error rate. The perturbation generated in the initial phase of the estimation can be so strong that it leads to instability of the entire estimation process. One solution to the instability problem is to let the pre-distortion system train to the new power level before transmitting the signal. However, this wastes valuable transmission time and compromises the overall data throughput of the communication system.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of protection is thereby intended.

System and method for fast polynomial pre-distortion


A shock-absorbing member is fixed to top brackets at the end of a boom opposite to the top of an impact tool. A stopper member is secured to one of the bottom of the shock-absorbing member and the top of the impact tool and the other of the same is formed with a guide recess in which the stopper member is vertically slidable. When the tip of the chisel of the impact tool is pressed hard against an object to be crushed, no turning force will be applied to vibration-damping support members which support the impact tool, thereby preventing the support members from breaking.

This invention relates to a device for supporting a hydraulic or pneumatic impact tool or breaker, used widely for crushing and demolition work at quarries and civil engineering and construction sites, on the tip of an arm of a power shovel or the like.
As shown in FIG. 1, such an impact tool 10 is mounted on the tip of an arm 2 of a self-propelled carriage 13 such as a power shovel. During use, it tends to be violently vibrated up and down. The vibration of the impact tool 10 will have a bad influence on the carriage 13 or the operator if it is transmitted directly to them.
FIG. 7 shows a prior art arrangement for preventing the vibration of the impact tool 1 from being transmitted to the carriage. In this arrangement, vibration-proof support members 7 each comprising two support fittings 4, 5 and a vibration-proof rubber member 6 sandwiched therebetween are each disposed between a respective side of an impact tool 1 and a bracket 3 having a pair of side plates and mounted on the tip of the arm 2 of a power shovel.
In order to efficiently crush rocks and concrete structures, the tip of the chisel 8 of the impact tool 1 has to be pressed hard against the object to be crushed when actuating the impact tool 1.
When the tip of the chisel 8 of the impact tool 2 is pressed hard against the object to be crushed by actuating a boom 14 and the arm 2, the vibration-proof rubber members tend to be subjected to an excessive shearing force. Especially if the axis of the impact tool 1 is not perpendicular but inclined with respect to the object to crushed as shown in FIG. 1, the impact tool 1 has a tendency to pivot in the bracket 15 about the tip of the chisel in the direction shown by arrow B. Thus, a large turning force (torsional force) always acts on the vibration-proof support members 7 supporting the impact tool 1 and the brackets 3. This will accelerate the fatigue of the vibration-proof rubber members 6 of the support members 7. Also, if the impact tool 1 is pressed hard against the object to be crushed, it may move in the direction A with respect to the brackets 3. If this happens, the vibration-proof rubber members may be broken due to a large shearing force that acts thereon.

Nippon Pneumatic Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A structure and method is provided for fabricating an integrated circuit having an N-type well and a P-type well, with the upper surfaces of the N-type well and the P-type well coplanar. An insulating layer is formed over the integrated circuit. A first masking layer is formed over the insulating layer to define locations of a first well to be formed. An impurity of a first conductivity type is implanted into the semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit to form a first region. The first masking layer is removed, and a second masking layer is formed over the insulating layer to define locations of a second well to be formed. An impurity of a second conductivity type is implanted into the semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit to form a second region. The second masking layer is then removed. The integrated circuit is thermally heated to form the first and second wells in the substrate. If desired, sets of alignment keys may be formed in a semiconductor wafer by first forming a layer of insulating material over a semiconductor wafer, followed by forming a layer of masking material to define the locations of the sets of alignment keys and anisotropically etching into the semiconductor wafer to form the sets of alignment keys.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits, and more specifically to a structure and method for fabricating integrated circuits.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Self-aligned twin well formation is a process used during conventional CMOS integrated circuit fabrication. In this process, a barrier layer is used as a mask during implantation of impurities of one conductivity type into a semiconductor substrate. Thermal oxide is formed in the exposed regions of the semiconductor substrate and the barrier layer is then removed. The thermal oxide is used as a mask during implantation of impurities of a second conductivity type. The thermal oxide is removed, and the integrated circuit heated to form the twin wells within the substrate.
As known in the art, formation of the thermal oxide also results in oxidation of a portion of the semiconductor substrate. Consequently, the surface of the semiconductor substrate loses its planarity when the thermal oxide is removed. The upper surface of one well is lower than the upper surface of the other well.
This loss of planarity is a problem during subsequent processing steps, such as the formation of gate electrodes on the surface of the twin wells. Because the surfaces of the twin wells are not coplanar, mask focusing problems occur during patterning of the gate electrodes. This causes the critical dimensions of the gate electrodes to differ. As known in the art, these focusing problems cause numerous problems with the manufactured integrated circuits.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method for forming twin wells in a semiconductor substrate which will have coplanar surfaces. It is also desirable that such a method not significantly increase the complexity of the fabrication process.
According to the present invention, a structure and method is provided for fabricating an integrated circuit having an N-type well and a P-type well, with the upper surfaces of the N-type well and the P-type well coplanar. An insulating layer is formed over the integrated circuit. A first masking layer is formed over the insulating layer to define locations of a first well to be formed. An impurity of a first conductivity type is implanted into the semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit to form a first region. The first masking layer is removed, and a second masking layer is formed over the insulating layer to define locations of a second well to be formed. An impurity of a second conductivity type is implanted into the semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit to form a second region. The second masking layer is then removed. The integrated circuit is thermally heated to drive the first and second regions deeper into the substrate to form the first and second wells. If desired, sets of alignment keys may be formed in a semiconductor wafer by first forming a layer of insulating material over a semiconductor wafer, followed by forming a layer of masking material to define the locations of the sets of alignment keys and anisotropically etching into the semiconductor wafer to form the sets of alignment keys. The sets of alignment keys may be formed in a portion of the semiconductor wafer that is not part of a substrate for any particular integrated circuit.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an integrated circuit illustrating a prior art structure and method for fabricating integrated circuits; and
FIGS. 2-7 are sectional views of an integrated circuit illustrating a preferred structure and method for fabricating integrated circuits according to the present invention.

Coplanar twin-well integrated circuit structure


A hydrogen storage material and process of forming the material is provided in which complex hydrides are combined under conditions of elevated temperatures and/or elevated temperature and pressure with a titanium metal such as titanium butoxide. The resulting fused product exhibits hydrogen desorption kinetics having a first hydrogen release point which occurs at normal atmospheres and at a temperature between 50° C. and 90° C.

Hydrogen has long been proposed as an optimal fuel for transportation needs due to its abundance as well as its environmentally friendly properties. To date, the use of hydrogen as a fuel source has been limited by difficulties in providing adequate hydrogen storage capabilities, particularly for vehicular use. Heretodate, the primary methods of hydrogen storage involve storage as a compressed gas in pressurized tanks or utilizing low temperature storage as liquid hydrogen. Such storage mechanisms are impediments to vehicular use of hydrogen fuel, since high pressure and cryogenic storage technology are impractical for vehicular use. As a result, there have been extensive efforts to develop hydrogen storage systems using materials which offer the combination of high density hydrogen storage capabilities, favorable hydrogen dissociation kinetics, and using materials and processes having sufficiently low costs to be feasible for commercial transportation applications.
For instance, it is known in the art that the kinetics of hydrogen desorption from some alanates can be enhanced by doping an alanate such as sodium aluminum hydride with a transition metal. Sodium aluminum hydride has poor hydrogen storage kinetics and is reversible only under severe conditions of temperature and/or pressure change. Recently, it has been established that titanium doping of NaAlH4 can enhance the kinetics of hydrogen desorption and can provide for more moderate conditions for dehydriding. Work by Bodanovic and Schwickardi, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,801, and which is incorporated herein by reference, provides for titanium wet doping of NaAlH4 using an ether suspension have a 2 mole percent of titanium tetra-n-butoxide (Ti(OBu)4 However, the temperatures and kinetics of hydrogen adsorption and desorption of the doped material are such that the material still remains impractical for transportation applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,453 (assigned to Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.), incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for making a hydrogen storage powder which is gas atomized under high temperatures and pressures to form generally spherical powder particles. The powder exhibits a small particle size which is stated to be resistant to microcracking during hydrogen adsorption/desorption cycling. However, the '453 reference utilizes hydrogen storage materials such as LaNi5 and other similar AB5 type materials which are too expensive for widespread use in transportation needs. Additionally, the resulting hydrogen storage powder set forth in the '453 patent requires substantial temperature and pressure variations in order to bring about useful adsorption and desorption cycles.
There remains a need for hydrogen storage materials that have a useful hydrogen storage capacity combined with low stringency release kinetics. Accordingly, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art of hydrogen storage materials.


In at least one embodiment of the invention, a method for dividing a first signal having a first frequency by a divide ratio to generate a lower frequency signal includes generating a first plurality of signals having a common frequency, a first pulse width, and different phases. The first plurality of signals is based, at least in part, on at least one signal having a second pulse width. The first pulse width is selected from a plurality of pulse widths based, at least in part, on the divide ratio. The method includes sequentially selecting individual pulses of the first plurality of signals as an output signal of a select circuit to generate an output signal having a frequency lower than the first frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to divider circuits and more particularly to programmable divider circuits useful for dividing high-speed signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many applications use divider circuits to divide high-speed clock signals. In order to provide flexibility, programmable divider circuits may be preferred in some applications. Several approaches for such programmable divider circuits are known in the art. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a programmable divider based on a conventional dual modulus prescalar.
      The                          output                          frequency                                f      out        =                    f        in                              R                                (                          P              +              1                        )                          +                              (                          Q              -              R                        )                              P                      =                            f          in                          QP          +          R                    .      Several aspects of the divider circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 may make it undesirable for certain applications. For example, the feedback loop around P/(P+1) limits the maximum possible speed of the divider circuit and thus the speed of the signals that can be divided. Additionally, the clock input will be loaded by (log2 P+1) flip-flops. Also, synchronization circuitry is required to change the modulus and reset the counters correctly.
Another prior art approach is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows a programmable divider based on a loadable backward counter. The circuit includes a loadable backward counter 201 with a zero detect circuit 203. The feedback loop formed by the first-stage SR counter, the zero detector, the load signal (with high fanout) may limit the maximum possible speed of the divider circuit in certain applications.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved programmable divide circuit.

High-speed divider with pulse-width control


‘Elegance Burgundy’ is a new variety of geranium that exhibits free flowering and satiny, deep burgundy flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium domesticum known by the varietal name 'Elegance Burgundy'. The new variety was discovered in Lompoc, Calif. The new variety is a result of cross breeding Orchid Seedling #4390 (female parent) (unpatented) and Lavender Seedling #3020 (male parent) (unpatented). The purpose of the breeding program was to introduce new regal geraniums that are less sensitive to light and temperature. The new variety is similar in plant type to its female parent and has a deeper flower color than both parents. The new variety is free flowering like its male parent. 'Elegance Burgundy' is similar in flower color and easy to root like 'Dapper Burgundy', but is earlier to flower. 'Elegance Burgundy' is also very free flowering and exhibits an excellent flower color when compared to other varieties known to the breeder. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Connellsville, Pa. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.
The new variety was grown in a glass greenhouse in a 5″ pot in Connellsville, Pa. using full light, 16° C. night temperature, 20° C. day temperature, and grown in a soilless media with constant fertilizer at 200 ppm nitrogen and potassium. The new variety was grown under 16-hour days with supplemental high pressure sodium lamps. The new variety exhibits developed roots at 24-26 days at an average temperature of 21° C. and has a response time of fifteen weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 12.7 cm. container.

Geranium plant named ‘Elegance Burgundy’


High throughput systems and processes for recrystallizing thin film semiconductors that have been deposited at low temperatures on a substrate are provided. A thin film semiconductor workpiece is irradiated with a laser beam to melt and recrystallize target areas of the surface exposed to the laser beam. The laser beam is shaped into one or more beamlets using patterning masks. The mask patterns have suitable dimensions and orientations to pattern the laser beam radiation so that the areas targeted by the beamlets have dimensions and orientations that are conducive to semiconductor recrystallization. The workpiece is mechanically translated along linear paths relative to the laser beam to process the entire surface of the work piece at high speeds. Position sensitive triggering of a laser can be used generate laser beam pulses to melt and recrystallize semiconductor material at precise locations on the surface of the workpiece while it is translated on a motorized stage.

The present invention relates to semiconductor processing methods, and more particularly, to methods for making semiconductors materials in a form suitable for fabrication of thin-film transistor ("TFT") devices.
Flat panel displays and other display units are used as visual imaging interfaces for the common and ubiquitous electronic devices and appliances such as computers, image sensors, and television sets. The displays are fabricated, for example, from thin films of liquid crystal and semiconductor material placed on glass or plastic substrates. Each display is composed of a grid (or matrix) of picture elements ("pixels") in the liquid crystal layer. Thousands or millions of these pixels together create an image on the display. TFT devices fabricated in the semiconductor material layer are used as switches to individually turn each pixel "on" (light) or "off" (dark). The semiconductor materials used for making the TFTs, traditionally, are amorphous or polycrystalline silicon thin films. These films are deposited on to the substrates by physical or chemical processes at relatively low deposition temperatures in consideration of the low melting temperatures of the substrate materials used (e.g., glass or plastic). The relatively low deposition temperatures degrade the crystallinity of the deposited silicon films and cause them to be amorphous or polycrystalline.
Unfortunately, the device characteristics of a TFT fabricated in a silicon thin film undesirably degrade generally in proportion to the non-crystallinity of the silicon thin film. For industrial TFT device applications, silicon thin films of good crystalline quality are desirable. The crystallinity of a thin film of silicon deposited at low temperatures on a substrate may be advantageously improved by laser annealing. Maegawa et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,989, for example, describes the use of excimer laser annealing ("ELA") to process amorphous silicon thin films deposited at low temperatures into polycrystalline silicon thin films for LCD applications. The conventional ELA processes, however, are not entirely satisfactory at least in part because the grain sizes in the annealed films are not sufficiently uniform for industrial use. The non-uniformity of grain size in the annealed films is related to the beam shape of the laser beam, which is used in the ELA process to scan the thin film.
Im et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,531 and Im U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,625 (hereinafter "the '531 patent" and "the '625 patent", respectively), both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, describe laser annealing apparatus and improved processes for making large grained polycrystalline or single crystal silicon structures. The laser annealing processes described in these patents involve controlled resolidification of target portions of a thin film that are melted by laser beam irradiation. The thin film may be a metal or semiconductor material (e.g., silicon). The fluence of a set of laser beam pulses incident on the silicon thin film is modulated to control the extent of melting of a target portion of a silicon thin film. Then, between the incident laser beam pulses, the position of the target portion is shifted by slight physical translation of the subject silicon thin film to encourage epitaxial lateral solidification. This so-called lateral solidification process advantageously propagates the crystal structure of the initially molten target portion into grains of large size. The apparatus used for the processing includes an excimer laser, beam fluence modulators, beam focusing optics, patterning masks, and a motorized translation stage for moving the subject thin film between or during the laser beam irradiation. (See e.g., the '531 patent, FIG. 1, which is reproduced herein).
Consideration is now being given to ways of further improving laser annealing processes for semiconductor thin films, and in particular for recrystallization of thin films. Attention is directed towards apparatus and process techniques, with a view to both improve the annealing process, and to increase apparatus throughput for use, for example, in production of flat panel displays.

Single-shot semiconductor processing system and method having various irradiation patterns


A system and method for canceling a message sent to a recipient prior to retrieval by the recipient. A telephone call is received by a network from a calling party who desires to cancel a message left for a recipient through an earlier call from the calling party to the recipient after termination of the earlier call. By mapping the calling party's automatic number identifier (ANI) with at least one call record, a voice mailbox of the recipient may be accessed to determine whether the message has been retrieved by the recipient. If the message is still pending, the calling party is provided with the option to cancel the message. Alternatively, the calling party provides the telephone number from where the earlier call originated to a network server, which looks up the ANI of the originating number and then maps the ANI of that number with the at least one call record to enable the cancellation procedure.

The present invention relates generally to voice messaging, and more particularly, to a system and methodology that enables a caller to retract a voice message from a called party's voice mailbox prior to retrieval by the called party.
Voice messaging systems for sending and receiving messages between users that are subscribers of the system are well known in the art. A "subscriber" is a person that has actively subscribed to the voice messaging system by creating either (1) a voice mailbox and/or (2) a billing relationship with the provider where the Subscriber agrees to pay money, either directly or indirectly through the purchase of other services, for use of the voice messaging system.
A voice mailbox is a storage area within the voice messaging system that is addressable by a number. The number selected to address the voice mailbox may be any number, such a number coinciding with the subscriber's telephone number. The voice mailboxes of typical prior art voice messaging systems require that the subscriber both (1) periodically call into the system to determine if there are any messages in the mailbox, and (2) call into the system to listen to messages. Most people, however, already have separate voicemail systems or answering machines that answer the telephone and record messages from live callers. As such, these prior art voice messaging systems create yet another mailbox that both senders and/or receivers must check in addition to their existing answering machine or separate voicemail system.
Examples of a subscriber billing relationship include, but are not limited to, a monthly subscription fee, the purchase of related or unrelated services such as local telephone calling or long distance calling, or the outright purchase of a voice messaging system (hardware or software) through either an installment sale or single payment. It is through these and other types of billing relationships, or by creating a mailbox as described above, that people actively subscribe to become subscribers to prior art messaging systems.
After actively subscribing to the voice messaging service and/or creating a separate mailbox, a subscriber can send and receive messages with other subscribers by calling into the system, logging into the particular mailbox and then creating and sending messages to mailboxes of other subscribers within the same voice messaging system.
In an exemplary application, a subscriber who has previously subscribed to the voice messaging service, places a telephone call into the voice messaging system. The subscriber then signs into his or her voice mailbox, records a message for an intended recipient, and enters a telephone number of the intended recipient. The voice messaging service then determines whether the recipient is a subscriber to the voice messaging service. If the recipient is a subscriber, then the voice messaging system deposits the voice message in the recipient's voice mailbox. The recipient can then access the voice message by calling into the voice messaging system in a conventional manner. If the recipient is not a subscriber, the voice messaging service may call the recipient and simply play the recorded message.
There are often times when a message is left for a recipient and it is subsequently determined that the message was either sent in error or that the sender decides that the message should not have been sent. A sender might leave a message in the heat of the moment, and then regret having done so with the desire to retract the message. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system and methodology whereby a sender can retract a message left for a recipient.
An example of a prior art system that enables an originator to retract a message prior to delivery is the AT&T Audix® Voice Messaging System. In this expedient, the sender's message is created in the sender's own mailbox prior to delivery, which enables the message to be cancelled prior to delivery.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,597, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, enables a user to cancel a sent message that has already been delivered to a recipient's mailbox prior to retrieval by the recipient. In the disclosed system, the message originator tags the message with a numeric code that functions as a message identifier. The originator of the message can access the recipient's mailbox by supplying the message originator tag, and then exercise control over the disposition of the message. One disadvantage of this system is that a message recipient must enable the message retrieval feature.
It would be desirable to provide a system and methodology whereby a calling party can cancel a sent message prior to retrieval by the message recipient without the need to specifically tag or modify the original message, and without the need for the recipient to enable a feature to permit callers to retrieve their messages. In addition, it would further be desirable to enable a calling party to cancel such a message after the calling party has terminated the original call that left the message.


A batch type apparatus may include a tube; a boat configured to receive a plurality of semiconductor substrates, the boat vertically moved into the tube; a gas nozzle vertically arranged in the tube, the tube having a first portion and a second portion upwardly extended from the first portion; a gas pipe for supplying reaction gases to the gas nozzle, the gas pipe having a horizontal extension and a vertical extension, and the vertical extension extended in the gas nozzle; a fixing member for fixing the first portion of the gas nozzle to the gas pipe, the fixing member having strength higher than that of the gas nozzle; and a clamping member for clamping the gas pipe to the tube. Therefore, breakage of the gas nozzle may be suppressed.

A batch type apparatus may be used for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The batch type apparatus may include a tube configured to receive a plurality of semiconductor substrates. Reaction gases may be applied to the semiconductor substrates. The reaction gases may be introduced into the tube through a vertical gas nozzle.
However, it may be difficult to install a gas nozzle in a batch type apparatus. Further, a gas nozzle may become broken during installation. Furthermore, because the reaction gases may be continuously introduced into a gas nozzle at a high temperature, high stresses may be applied to the gas nozzle, so that cracks may be generated in the gas nozzle.

Batch type apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor devices


This invention relates to a method of making an olefin from a dialkyl ether comprising (a) introducing an ether having a formula CxH2x+1CyH2y+1 into a thermal or catalytic cracking unit processing a hydrocarbon feedstock; and (b) decomposing at least a portion of the ether to form an olefin having a formula CxH2x and/or CyH2y and an alcohol having a formula CxH2x+1 and/or CyH2y+1OH, wherein x and y independently range from about 1 to about 30. This invention also relates to a method of reducing coking in a thermal or catalytic cracking unit comprising (a) introducing an ether, having a formula CxH2x+1OCyH2y+1, into the cracking unit processing a hydrocarbon feedstock in an amount effective to reduce coke formation relative to processing the hydrocarbon feedstock in the absence of the ether, wherein x and y independently range from about 1 to about 30.

Ethers are manufactured in many processes either directly or as side products to the production of other oxygenates. Examples include isopropyl ether (IPE) from the production of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), secondary butyl ether (SBE) from the production of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from MTBE production units or isobutylene purification, tertiary amyl ether (TAME) from amylene production, C8 to C30 ethers from the production of oxo alcohols as well as many others.
Currently, many of the small ethers having C4 to C10 carbon chain length are blended into motor gasoline (Mogas) for oxygenate content. Legislation is progressing that may prevent this disposition from being available. This necessitates finding alternate dispositions for these ethers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,296 discloses a process for the preparation of tertiary olefins starting from the corresponding alkyl tert-alkyl ethers, characterized in that the tert-alkyl ethers are reacted in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a crystalline silica having a high specific surface area corresponding to the general formula 0-1MnOm·1SiO2, wherein MnOm is the oxide of a metallic cation capable of entering into the silica lattice as a substituent for silicon or as a salt of polysilicic acids and/or an aluminum-modified silica corresponding to the general formula as follows: 0.0006-0.0025 Al2O3·1SiO2.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,580 discloses a process for producing a tertiary olefin of the formula: R2CH═CR1R3 by decomposition of the corresponding tertiary ether of the formula: R2CH2C(R1)(R3)—O—CH2R wherein R1 and R3 are each independently an alkyl, arylalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl radical; and R2 and R are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, arylalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl radical, said process comprising the step of contacting said ether, in the presence of steam, the molar ratio H2O tertiary ether being from 2 to 8, with a catalyst consisting essentially of alumina having deposited thereon at least one modifying agent, said agent being titanium, zirconium or hafnium, as the elemental metal or a metal compound, the content of said metal or metal compound, expressed as the elemental metal, being 0.01-5% by weight with respect to the alumina, said alumina, after incorporation of the metal or metal compound, having a specific surface of 80-300 m2/g; whereby the tertiary olefin is produced in high purity, and parasitic side-reactions which decrease the yields of tertiary olefin and of recovered alcohol are minimized.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,433 discloses a process for producing polymer grade olefins comprising a) passing an oxygenate feedstock comprising an alcohol or an ether having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms per molecule to a fluidized reaction zone containing an aluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst in the presence of a diluent at conditions effective to convert the oxygenate feedstock to a light olefin product stream comprising ethylene, propylene, and butylene and to produce a spent aluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst; b) passing the light olefin product stream to a separation zone to separate the light olefin product stream into an ethylene stream, a propylene stream, and a mixed butylene and heavier stream; c) withdrawing at least a portion of the spent aluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst from the fluidized reaction zone and passing the spent aluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst to a regenerator to regenerate the spent aluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst with an oxygen-containing stream to produce a regenerated catalyst; and d) returning a first portion of the regenerated catalyst to the fluidized reaction zone and admixing a second portion of the regenerated catalyst with a portion of the mixed butylene and heavier stream to provide a feed admixture and passing the feed admixture to a cracking reaction zone at conditions effective to convert the mixed butylene and heavier stream to produce a second product stream comprising additional amounts of ethylene and propylene and to produce a third regenerated catalyst portion; and e) passing at least a portion of the second product stream to the fluidized reaction zone.
Additional references of interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,352,945; 5,171,920; 5,227,564; and EP 0 123 449 A1.


A joist chord reinforcement apparatus for a joist having a chord with a first chord end and a second chord end is disclosed that includes a reinforcement rod, first and second end clamp assemblies operable to clamp the reinforcement rod to the first and second ends of the chord respectively, and at least one rod clamping assembly operable to secure the reinforcement rod to the chord between the first and second end clamp assemblies when the first and second end clamp assemblies are clamping the reinforcement rod to first and second ends of the chord respectively. A method of reinforcing the chord of a joist is also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates generally to structural reinforcement systems for joists.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to reinforcement mechanisms for metal joists. Open web steel joists are commonly used framing systems for roofs and floors in many buildings. The joists typically include top and bottom chords, each chord including double L-shaped chord angles spaced in a back to back orientation. A plurality of cross support members extend between and can be connected or welded to the top and bottom chord members. Some of the cross supports can be vertically or perpendicularly oriented with respect to the top and bottom chords, and some of the cross supports can be oriented at an angle or diagonally oriented with respect to the top and bottom chords. The cross supports can form panel points along the top and bottom chords where adjacent diagonal and cross support members converge.
Loads originally present on the joist can be designed for and be concentrated or localized on the top and/or bottom chords of the joist near a panel point, such that reinforcement of the top and bottom chords by the cross support members converging at the panel point can help support and distribute the load via the cross support members about the top and bottom chords of the joist. However, often times after a building is constructed, the building can be modified with new, additional, or replacement features which can increase the load profile on an existing joist in the building. One such situation is when a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit supported by a joist directly, or by a roofing structure that is supported by the joist, wears out over time and needs to be replaced. In many cases a new HVAC unit can be substantially heavier than the prior unit, which can affect the total and/or localized load requirements on one or more joists in the building. Other loads that can be added to or replaced on an existing joist can include, but are not limited to, lighting systems, plumbing systems, sprinkler systems, flooring systems, roof structures, solar panels, mechanical equipment, structural additions to the building, furniture, etc. Additionally, it is often desirable to place a new or additional load on an existing joist at a location on the top or bottom chord of the joist that is offset from a panel point. In many instances, a local reinforcement on a top or bottom chord, or a reinforcement of an entire top or bottom chord is necessary.
Conventional solutions for reinforcing metal joists include welding one or more supports or braces to the top or bottom chords. To reinforce the entire top or bottom chord, a reinforcement rod is welded along substantially the entire length of the chord. To locally reinforce a top or bottom chord at a single point along the top or bottom chord corresponding to the new load, a support or brace can be welded at one end to the top or bottom chord near the location of the new load, and the other end of the support or brace can be welded to a nearby panel point to locally reinforce the top or bottom chord of the joist and transfer the new load to the panel point.
However, welding these supports into place can overheat and weaken the structural integrity of the joists. Supports have to be properly fitted to the joists and this may involve several trips between the equipment being used to create the support and the joists. Specialized tools, e.g. welding equipment and masks, and certified welders have to be used to perform the welding. Welding is also a significant fire hazard inside of a building. Because of the risk of fire created by sparks, fire protection measures, e.g., weld blankets and additional safety staff, have to be employed during the welding process. Finally, welds have to be inspected after the welding process to ensure that supports have been properly welded to the joists. All of the above steps make welding reinforcement supports and braces burdensome and time consuming, which is undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,587,401 directed to a "bar joist reinforcement apparatus," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a non-welded support device for single point or localized concentrated load reinforcement. However, the device in U.S. Pat. No. 9,587,401 was suitable for supporting loads that were vertically aligned with a panel point, and not loads that were offset from a panel point.
What is needed then are improvements to reinforcement systems for metal joists.

Non-weld joist reinforcement system and method


Accelerometer micromachined in a plane plate comprising a base, and at least one measurement cell including a moveable seismic mass connected to the base and capable of moving translationally along the sensitive y axis of the accelerometer under the effect of an acceleration γ along this y axis, a resonator cell that comprises a resonator that can vibrate and be subjected to a tensile or compressive force depending on the direction of the acceleration γ and is placed symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry S of the structure, this axis S being parallel to the y axis and passing through the center of gravity of the seismic mass, the measurement cell furthermore including amplification means for amplifying the acceleration force, which means comprise at least one anchoring foot for anchoring to the base, two rigid terminations of the resonator cell and two pairs of micromachined arms symmetrical with respect to the axis S, each pair comprising a first arm connecting a termination to the seismic mass, and a second arm connecting the same termination to the anchoring foot, the angle α between the Ox axis and the first arm being small enough for the tensile or compressive force exerted on the resonator to be greater than the acceleration force exerted on the seismic mass.

A flat monolithic accelerometer conventionally comprises a body having a base and two measurement cells providing a differential measurement. A measurement cell typically comprises a seismic mass connected, on one side, to the base and, on the other side, to a force sensor, which is itself also connected to the base. When the accelerometer is subjected to an acceleration along the sensitive axis, which is the axis of the acceleration to be measured, the seismic mass is subjected to an inertial force, which is amplified and transmitted to the force sensor by means for amplifying the force or displacement transmitted.
In patent application FR 0 102 573, the amplification is obtained by means of an arm called a lever arm, which extends the seismic mass. The displacement of the seismic mass is transmitted to the force sensor by means of this lever arm. More precisely, the arm is connected to the base via an articulation, allowing the mass to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sensitive axis of the accelerometer, and is connected to the force sensor via a hinge. When the accelerometer is subjected to an acceleration along the sensitive axis, the seismic mass is subjected to a force which rotates it about the articulation, as therefore that part of the lever arm which is connected to the force sensor.
The force sensor is a vibrating-beam sensor. The vibrating beam is connected to electrodes that allow it to vibrate at its resonant frequency and to a circuit for measuring the variation in its resonant frequency.
The measurement cells are mounted so that when the accelerometer is subjected to an acceleration along the sensitive axis one of the beams is subjected to a tensile force, the other beam being subjected to a compressive force of the same value, these tensile or compressive forces varying the resonant frequency of the beam measured by the measurement circuit. Thus, a differential measurement is obtained, which makes it possible in particular to overcome certain nonlinear effects.
The variation in the resonant frequency is directly related to the displacement of the force sensor induced by the rotation of that part of the lever arm which is connected to the force sensor. The end of the beam also undergoes a certain rotation, which often proves to be problematic, especially in the case of a tuning fork (i.e. rotation of two beams that form a tuning fork) in which the force transmitted to the two beams is not exactly identical.
In addition, the quality of machining of the hinges and articulations is of paramount importance, and constitutes one of the industrial limitations of this accelerometer.
Furthermore, since the displacement is proportional to the length of the lever arm, the overall size is greater the higher the desired amplification ratio to be obtained.
An important object of the invention is therefore to propose an accelerometer that does not have a rotating lever arm as amplification means but comprises, in general, a resonator that may be a vibrating beam.