The invention concerns a drive circuit for a plasma panel consisting of cells arranged at the intersections of lines and columns, comprising, for each column of the panel, a column drive unit (14′) for selecting the column by applying a voltage window, the column having a different capacitance (C2) depending on whether or not the neighboring columns are selected, each drive unit (14′) comprising first elements (T1, C, CS1) for changing the capacitance in a first predetermined time interval during the low-to-high transition of the voltage window, and second elements (T2, 28) for discharging said capacitance in a second predetermined time interval during the high-to-low transition of the voltage window, the second elements being controlled on the basis of an estimation of the capacitance obtained from data (Qi−1, Qi+1) indicating whether or not the neighboring columns of said columns have been selected.

The present invention relates to plasma screens and more specifically to the control of cells of a plasma screen.
1. Field of the Invention
A plasma screen is an array type of screen, formed of cells arranged at the intersections of lines and columns, a cell includes a cavity filled with a rare gas, and at least two control electrodes. To create a light point on the screen by using a given cell, the cell is selected by applying a potential difference between its control electrodes, after which the cell gas is ionized, generally by means of a third control electrode. This ionization goes along with an emission of ultraviolet rays. The creation of the light point is obtained by excitation of a red, green, or blue luminescent material by the ultraviolet rays.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a conventional structure of a plasma screen formed of cells 2. Each cell 2 has two control electrodes (not shown) respectively connected to a line 4 and to a column 6. Each cell 2 is represented by its equivalent capacitor. A line control circuit 8 includes, for each line 4, a line activation/deactivation block 10 having an output connected to the considered line. A column control circuit 12 includes, for each column 6, a column control block 14 having an output terminal O connected to the considered column 6. Each block 14 includes an input terminal E. Circuit 12 also includes a storage register 16 connected to receive column control signals (COL) from means not shown. Register 16 includes as many Q outputs as there are blocks 14. Each Q output is coupled to input terminal E of a block 14 via a logic switch 18. All logic switches 18 (here, AND gates) are controlled by the same enable signal VAL, provided by means not shown. Circuits 8 and 12 are conventionally integrated on the same semiconductor chip of a control circuit.
Conventionally, the cells of a plasma screen are activated line by line. The non-activated lines are submitted to a quiescent voltage (for example, 150 V). The activated line is brought to an activation voltage (for example, 0 V), the columns being at a deactivation voltage GND (0 V). Then, to activate selected cells in the activated line, the corresponding columns are brought from deactivation voltage GND to an activation voltage VPP (80 V) for a predetermined duration. Thus, the columns corresponding to the selected cells are each submitted to a voltage square pulse of the same amplitude and of same amplitude and the same duration. The columns corresponding to the unselected cells of the activated line are maintained at voltage OND. Thus, the cells to be activated are submitted, during the voltage square pulse, to a column-line voltage equal to VPP-GND (80 V). All non-activated lines are at the quiescent voltage (150 V). The column voltage being either 0 V or 80 V, the cells of the non-activated lines are reverse biased and are not submitted to a voltage capable of starting the gas ionization.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional column control block 14. An N-type MOS transistor T1 has its drain connected to voltage VPP and its source connected to output terminal O. An N-type MOS transistor T2 has its drain connected to output terminal O and its source connected to voltage GND. A zener diode 20 is connected by its cathode to the gate of transistor T1 and by its anode to the source of transistor T1. A P-type MOS transistor T3 has its source connected to voltage VPP and its drain connected to the gate of transistor T1. An N-type MOS transistor T4 has its drain connected to the gate of transistor T1 and its source connected to ground (GND). P-type MOS transistors T5, T6 have their sources connected to voltage VPP. The gate of transistor T5 is connected to the drain of transistor T6 and the gate of transistor T6 is connected to the drain of transistor T5. An N-type MOS transistor T7 has its source connected to ground and its drain connected to the drain of transistor T5. An N-type MOS transistor T8 has its source connected to ground and its drain connected to the drain of transistor T6. The gate of transistor T3 is connected to the drain of transistor T6. The gates of transistors T2, T4, and T7 are connected to input terminal E via an inverter 22. The gate of transistor T8 is connected to the output of inverter 22 via an inverter 24. Output terminal O is connected to a column 6. In FIG. 2, a capacitor C2 connects column 6 to ground. Capacitor C2 is the equivalent capacitor of column 6. It is mainly formed of a first component corresponding to the capacitance between the selected column and the screen lines, and of a second component corresponding to the capacitance between the selected column and its neighboring lines. Capacitance C2 does not have a constant value, as will be seen hereafter.
Block 14 is provided to submit column 6 to a voltage square pulse when its input E receives a logic "1" (for example, a voltage VDD equal to 5 V), then a logic "0" (0 V). When input E receives a logic "1", block 14 charges capacitor C2 to a voltage substantially equal to VPP (which will be called VPP for simplicity). When input E receives a logic "0", block 14 discharges capacitor C2 and the voltage of column 6 switches from VPP to GND. The value of the capacitor C2 of a column 6 depends on the voltages to which the neighboring columns located on either side of this column 6 are submitted. Thus, when a column 6 is submitted to the voltage square pulse, the capacitor C2 of this column has a maximum value if none of the two neighboring columns is submitted to a voltage square pulse. Capacitor C2 has a minimum value if the two neighboring columns are submitted to a voltage square pulse, and a value substantially equal to half of the sum of the maximum and minimum values, which will be called hereafter the median value, if only one of the neighboring columns is also submitted to a voltage square pulse.
It is important for the proper operation of a plasma screen that the rise and fall times of the voltage square pulse provided to each selected column be smaller than a predetermined maximum duration. The maximum rise time of the voltage square pulse may be different from the maximum fall time of the voltage square pulse. For simplicity, they will be assumed to be equal. The maximum admissible rise/fall duration of the voltage square pulse and the different values of capacitance C2 are features of each type of plasma screen. For a given type of screen, blocks 14 are provided, to each provide (and receive) a predetermined current enabling charging (and discharging) the capacitor C2 with the maximum capacitance of he considered screen type in a time shorter than the maximum admissible rise/fall duration of the voltage square pulse for this type of screen. Especially, transistors T1 and T2 are sized to conduct this predetermined current when on.
However, when capacitance C2 has its median value or its minimum value, the rise/fall durations of the voltage square pulse are shorter than the rise/fall durations observed for the maximum capacitance C2. Accordingly, block 14 provides or absorbs the preceding predetermined current for a variable duration depending on the selection of the neighboring columns. As a result, each block 14 introduces, when capacitance C2 has its minimum value, intense variations in the current consumption for very short durations, which may create electromagnetic disturbances on the power supply and the ground of the control circuit, which is not desirable.
Further, a control circuit having its blocks 14 sized to control a screen of a specific type may not be usable to control another type of screen.

Control circuit drive circuit for a plasma panel


A gain control method for providing a gain controlled signal representative of a periodic physiological parameter of a patient includes providing a signal characteristic of the periodic physiological parameter. The periodic physiological parameter includes a plurality of periodic cycles. Gain of the signal is updated only once per periodic cycle following detection of a periodic event. The updating is performed by monitoring an amplitude of the signal between detection of periodic events and comparing the amplitude to a gain control amplitude threshold. Gain of the signal is updated as a function of the comparison. Further, gain is updated following expiration of a predetermined period of time if a periodic event is not detected within the predetermined period of time. The physiological parameter may be respiratory effort. An apparatus for providing such gain control is also provided.

Sleep apnea, an airway disorder, has been known for some time as a medical syndrome in two generally recognized forms. The first is central sleep apnea, which is associated with the failure of the body to automatically generate the neuromuscular stimulation necessary to initiate and control a respiratory cycle at the proper time. Work associated with employing electrical stimulation to treat this condition is discussed in Glenn, "Diaphragm Pacing: Present Status", Pace, V.I, pp 357-370 (July-September 1978).
The second sleep apnea syndrome is known as obstructive sleep apnea. Ordinarily, the contraction of the dilator muscles of the upper airways (nose and pharynx) allows their patency at the time of inspiration. In obstructive sleep apnea, the obstruction of the airways results in a disequilibrium between the forces which tend to collapse airways (negative inspiratory transpharyngeal pressure gradient) and those which contribute to their opening (muscle contraction). The mechanisms which underlie the triggering of obstructive apnea include a reduction in the size of the superior airways, an increase in their compliance, and a reduction in the activity of the muscle dilator. The muscle dilators are intimately linked to the respiratory muscles and these muscles respond in a similar manner to a stimulation or a depression of the respiratory center. The ventilatory fluctuations observed during sleep (alternately hyper and hypo ventilation of periodic respiration) thus favors an instability of the superior airways and the occurrence of oropharyngeal obstruction. In sleep apnea the respiratory activation of the genioglossus muscle has been particularly noted to be ineffective during sleep. The cardiovascular consequences of apnea include disorders of cardiac rhythm (bradycardia, auriculoventricular block, ventricular extrasystoles) and hemodynamic (pulmonary and systemic hypertension). This results in a stimulatory metabolic and mechanical effect on the autonomic nervous system. The syndrome is therefore associated with an increased morbidity (the consequence of diurnal hypersomnolence and cardiovascular complications).
A method for treatment of sleep-apnea syndrome is to generate electrical signals to stimulate those nerves which activate the patient's upper airway muscles in order to maintain upper airway patency. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,008 to Meer, inspiratory effort is monitored and electrical signals are directed to upper airway muscles in response to the monitored inspiratory effort. Or, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,425 to Shannon, Jr. et al., a collar contains a sensor to monitor respiratory functioning to detect an apnea episode and an electronics module which generates electrical bursts to electrodes located on the collar. The electrical bursts are transferred transcutaneously from the electrodes to the nerves innervating the upper airway muscles. Or, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,287 issued to Kallok, sensors monitor the electrical activity associated with contractions of the diaphragm and also the pressure within the thorax and the upper airway. Whenever electrical activity of the diaphragm suggests that an inspiration cycle is in progress and the pressure sensors show an abnormal pressure differential across the airway, the presence of sleep apnea is assumed and electrical stimulation is applied to the musculature of the upper airway. Or, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,156 issued to Wataru et al., respiration sensing includes sensors for sensing breathing through left and right nostrils and through the mouth which identifies an apnea event and thereby triggers electrical stimulation of genioglossus muscle. Or, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,053 issued to Meer, an intra-oral, sublingual electrode is used for the electrical stimulation of the genioglossus muscle to maintain the patency of an upper airway. Or, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,173 issued to Kallok et al., sensors are used to determine the effectiveness of the stimulation of the upper airway and the amplitude and pulse width of the stimulation are modified in response to the measurements from the sensors. Or, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,082 issued to Kallok et al., upon sensing of the onset of an apnea event, a stimulation generator provides a signal for stimulating the muscles of the upper airway at a varying intensity such that the intensity is gradually increased during the course of the stimulation. Or, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,969 issued to Testerman et al., stimulation of an upper airway muscle is synchronized with the inspiratory phase of a patient's respiratory cycle using a digitized respiratory effort waveform. A fully implantable stimulation system is described in Testerman et al. with a sensor implanted in a position which has pressure continuity with the intrapleural space such as the suprasternal notch, the space between the trachea and esophagus or an intercostal placement.
However, even with these modes of respiratory disorder treatment, there remain many practical difficulties for implementing them and other therapy treatments in medically useful systems. In particular, if therapy systems, such as, for example, systems for treatment of respiratory disorders, depend upon use of a signal characteristic of a periodic physiological parameter, such a signal should be continuously provided in an accurate, reliable and normalized manner. For example, this is particularly important if the therapy by the system is based on comparisons of the signal relative to thresholds set for the signal. Although various gain control devices and methods are available, there is a need in the art for additional and/or improved gain control methods and devices for providing such normalized signals.

Gain control for a periodic signal and method regarding same


An audio signal processing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an audio signal processing unit configured to select one rendering scheme among a plurality of rendering schemes, based on track information for indicating a reproduction position of an audio signal, and render the audio signal by using the one rendering scheme selected.

Currently, users can easily obtain content including multi-channel audio (surround audio) through broadcast waves, disk media such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and Blu-ray (trade name) Disc (BD), the Internet, and the like. In movie theaters and the like, a large number of stereophonic audio systems using the object-based audio represented by Dolby Atmos are deployed, and in Japan, the 22.2ch audio is adopted as the next generation broadcasting standard, which expands opportunities for a user to experience multi-channel content. Various multi-channeling techniques have been studied for conventional stereo type audio signals, and a technique for multi-channeling based on correlations between channels of stereo signals is disclosed in PTL 1.
A system for reproducing the multi-channel audio is also becoming common as a system that allows audio to be easily enjoyed at home in addition to a facility where large acoustic equipment is deployed such as the movie theaters or holes described above. Specifically, a user (listener) may build an environment within the home for listening to the multi-channel audio such as 5.1ch and 7.1ch by arranging a plurality of speakers, based on the arrangement standard recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Furthermore, a technique for reproducing sound localization of the multi-channel using a small number of speakers has also been studied (NPL 1).

Audio signal processing device and audio signal processing system


A shade structure comprises a frame and a shading cover. The frame is constructed by an upper and lower frame parallel to each other, and two outer lateral surfaces of the upper and lower frame have two first buckling modules respectively. The shading cover comprises a decorating layer and a support layer. The decorating layer is disposed at the outer lateral surface of the support layer. The shade structure features that the two upper and lower edges of an outer lateral surface of the decorating layer are fastened with a second buckling module via a suture, and the two upper and lower edges are bent reversely from an outer lateral surface to an inner lateral surface of the support layer, so as to hide the suture in the inner lateral surface of the support layer, and the second buckling module is integrated with the two first buckling modules as one body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a shade structure, more particularly to a shade structure that has a decorated appearance and is easily dismantled and assembled.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Lamps are very common lighting tools in houses, and are able to efficiently create a different atmosphere, so that lamp is an important part in the field of modern residential design. Depending on location and illumination, such as direct illumination, indirect illumination, etc., traditional lamps are classified into floor lamp, wall lamp, lantern, table lamp, recessed light, etc.
Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a traditional lamp has a body (not shown in figure), a frame 1 disposed at the peripheral of the body, and a shading cover 2. The frame 1 is constructed by an upper frame 11 and a lower frame 12 which are parallel to each other. The shading cover 2 is firmly female-connected to the peripheral of the frame 1 in order to convert light from the body into diffused light. The shading cover 2 is female-connected to the frame 1 through a buckling module 5. For the case, the buckling module 5 is a pair of Velcros, including a hook and a loop. More specifically, two upper and lower edges of an inner lateral surface of the shading cover 2 are stuck with two buckling modules 5 respectively via adhesive; on the other hand, outer edges of the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12 are stuck with two buckling modules 5 respectively as well. Accordingly, the buckling modules 5 of the shading cover 2 and the buckling modules of the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12 are stuck together when the shading cover 2 and the frame 1 are connected into a whole.
However, although the shade structure is simple, since the buckling modules 5 are stuck to the upper and lower edges of the shading cover 2 by means of adhesive, such adhesive material may be deteriorated by heat from light to cause separation of the frame 1 from the shading cover 2.
Accordingly, how to simply dismantle and assemble a shade structure in order to facilitate packaging and transport is an important issue for the present invention.


A pair of tubes are provided, one of greater diameter than the other so that the tubes can be telescoped together. An annular inward facing projection is formed on the outer tube for contact with the outside surface of the inner tube when the tubes are telescoped together. An annular outer facing projection is formed on the inner tube for contacting with the inside surface of the outer tube when the tubes are telescoped together. An adhesive is placed on one of the tubes for contacting with the other tube when the tubes are telescoped together. After the tubes are telescoped together weld current is conducted through the tubes to weld the annular projections to the respective opposing tube in contact therewith and at least partially cure the adhesive.

It is known in the automobile and other industries to construct an article such as a vehicle body using tubes that round, rectangular, or of other tubular cross section that are telescoped together and then attached by a bolting, welding, or other known methods. It would be desirable to provide a new and improved method for joining together a set of tubes.

Method for projection bonding of telescoped tubes


A control system for variable activation of valves in an internal combustion engine. A solenoid is disposed on the outer surface of the valve cam cover to avoid exposure to the hot-oil environment within the valve activation chamber. The solenoid armature extends through the cam cover into the valve activation chamber. A bellcrank is mounted between the solenoid armature and the latching pin of a latchable cam finger follower such that energizing and de-energizing of the solenoid causes corresponding actuation and deactuation of the finger follower, which may be suitable for high-lift and low-lift activation. Preferably, the bellcrank is compliant such that when the solenoid is actuated during the lift portion of the valve cycle the pin is placed under compression so that the pin is subsequently actuated into latching position when the follower moves to the base circle portion of the valve cam. Preferably, for a plurality of such systems on an individual engine, the solenoids are provided with connecting pins on an upper surface thereof and are held in place by a retainer containing an overmolded wiring bundle which automatically connects correctly to each solenoid upon installation of the retainer onto the engine.

The present invention relates to internal combustion engines; more particularly, to devices for controlling the variable activation of intake valves in an internal combustion engine; and most particularly, to a system for controllably activating and deactivating a finger follower for a double-lobed cam in an internal combustion engine between high valve lift and low valve lift modes.
Internal combustion engines are well known. In an overhead valve engine, the valves may be actuated directly by camshafts disposed on the head itself, or the camshaft(s) may be disposed within the engine block and may actuate the valves via a valve train which may include valve lifters, pushrods, and rocker arms.
It is known that for a portion of the duty cycle of a typical multiple-cylinder engine, the performance load can be met by a functionally smaller engine having fewer firing cylinders, and that at low-demand times fuel efficiency can be improved if one or more cylinders of a larger engine can be withdrawn from firing service. It is also known that at times of low torque demand, valves may be opened to only a low lift position to conserve fuel, and that at times of high torque demand, the valves may be opened wider to a high lift position to admit more fuel. It is known in the art to accomplish this by de-activating a portion of the valve train associated with pre-selected cylinders in any of various ways, such as by providing a special cam finger follower having a latching pin or slide which may be activated and/or deactivated electromechanically. The cam finger follower is so configured that it causes no lift (with a single-lobed cam) or low lift (with a double-lobed cam) of the valve when the pin is disengaged, and high lift of the valve when the pin is engaged.
Various methods for actuating this type of latching pin or slide are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,626 discloses a hydraulic apparatus and return spring for latching and delatching a latching pin. The latching pin is disposed in, and extends from, a bore in an outer finger arm which is supported by a hydraulic lash adjuster. When moved radially inwards of the outer finger arm, the pin engages an inner finger arm which is supported by the valve stem. When valve deactivation is desired, engine oil pressure supplied to the apparatus is increased to approximately 50 psi, which is sufficient to overcome the force of the return spring and move the latching pin out of engagement with the inner finger arm. The outer finger arm continues to follow the surface of the single-lobed camshaft, but the cam motion is not translated to the inner finger arm, so the valve is not actuated thereby.
Alternatively, the pin may be engaged and disengaged by the direct action of an electric solenoid axially disposed at the outer end of the pin. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,198 discloses a latching pin engaged by a rotary or linear solenoid and disengaged by a return spring.
The disclosed linkages have several shortcomings, an important one of which is that the solenoids physically reside inside the cam cover of the engine. Therefore, the solenoids, connectors, and wiring components are exposed to high temperature engine oil which can be detrimental to connection reliability. It can be necessary to employ special insulation and sealing schemes to protect the components and connections from failure. Despite such special measures, it should be expected that such deactivation systems will experience an unacceptably high failure rate.
Further, a wiring harness is required to protect and organize the individual wires leading to the various solenoids, as well as a sealed port for the wiring harness to pass through the cam cover. The wiring harness is thus exposed to hostile conditions within the valve actuation chamber of the cam cover, making it prone to electrical failure.
Further, placing the solenoid actuator in a plane transverse of the engine and containing the finger follower and valve can cause the spark plug and plug well in the engine head to be displaced axially to a less desirable location along the head.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for electromechanically actuating and deactuating the latching pin of a cam finger follower wherein the electromechanical portion of an actuating solenoid is mounted on the outside of the cam cover.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such apparatus wherein the actuating stroke of the solenoid may be offset from the axis of the latching pin to permit optimum placement of the spark plug within the cylinder head.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide such apparatus wherein the need for a separate wiring harness for all the pin-actuating solenoids on an engine is obviated.
Briefly described, a control system for variable activation of intake valves in an internal combustion engine in accordance with the invention includes a linear solenoid disposed on an outer surface of the intake valve cam cover and having the solenoid""s armature extending through a sealing port in the cam cover into the valve actuation chamber. A bellcrank is mounted to the cam cover within the actuation chamber between the solenoid armature and the latching pin of a variable valve actuation apparatus such that energizing and de-energizing of the solenoid causes corresponding actuation and de-actuation of the latching pin. Preferably, for a plurality of such systems on an individual engine, the solenoids are provided with connecting pins on an upper surface thereof and are held in place by a formed plastic retainer, preferably containing an overmolded wiring bundle having exposed connectors placed to mate with the solenoid pins to automatically connect the embedded wiring harness properly to each solenoid upon installation of the retainer onto the engine.

Control system for variable activation of intake valves in an internal combustion engine


A mobile communication device includes wireless local area network (WLAN) baseband hardware with at least one WLAN transceiver; non-volatile, non-transitory memory that stores a transportation model based on aggregated basic service set identification (BSSID) information collected from a plurality of WLAN access points; at least one sensor that is operative to detect motion of the mobile communication device; and at least one processor, operatively coupled to the WLAN baseband hardware, the memory and to the at least one sensor. The at least one processor is operative to determine that the mobile communication device is located on public transportation using the transportation model in response to a motion detection signal received from the at least one sensor.

Mobile communication devices are increasingly being integrated with additional sensors. These sensors provide a variety of functionality such that mobile communication devices are becoming more powerful in determining a user's context and providing meaningful actions based on the determined context.
One such context determination is in-vehicle usage. A mobile communication device can determine whether a user is in a moving vehicle or not by using sensor data from one or more of an accelerometer and audio sensor and location data. After the mobile communication device makes a determination that the user is in a vehicle, it can adjust settings for hands-free mode and to facilitate the user focusing on the road while driving.
For example, some existing mobile communication devices can announce a caller's name and read out a text message for the user if the determined context is that the user is in a vehicle. This context detection response is desirable if the user is driving a car, because it facilitates the driver keeping her eyes on the road rather than being tempted to look at the mobile communication device. However, if the user is on public transportation such as a bus or train, the same response would be awkward because the user may not want her caller's name or text message to be read out in front of other people around her. Unfortunately, current in-vehicle context detection methods fail to distinguish between when the user is driving a car and riding on public transportation. This is because the data used for this purpose appears similar with respect to a private car and public transportation vehicles.
One known system for in-vehicle context detection in a mobile communication device is Google's activity recognition system (available at: http://developer.android.com/training/location/activity-recognition.html). This system which is based on the Android™ operating system can recognize various user activities and includes determining when the mobile communication device is in-vehicle. However, the system cannot distinguish whether a user is in a personal car or is riding on public transportation.
Another known system for in-vehicle context detection in a mobile communication device is described by Zheng et al in "Understanding Mobility Based on GPS Data," ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (2008) [hereinafter "Zheng"]. Zheng describes an approach for distinguishing among four classes that include walking, driving, bicycling and riding a bus, and uses GPS logs to make an inference of the class. However, Zheng does not provide any way to discriminate between a car and a bus, which is a form of public transportation, because the mobility patterns exhibited by GPS data are similar for a car and public transportation.
Another known system for in-vehicle context detection in a mobile communication device is described by Stenneth et al in "Transportation Mode Detection using Mobile Phones and GIS Information," Proceedings of the 19th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (2011) [hereinafter "Stenneth"]. Stenneth describes an approach to detect different transportation modes including car, train, bus etc. by using accelerometer data in addition to GPS data and also using specific transportation network information. Stenneth requires the transportation network information, noting that the GPS and accelerometer readings are similar for cars, trains and buses.

Mobile communication device with public transportation detection for determining hands free mode settings


A device for raising or cultivating cells in a container-like receptacle, comprises a base and at least one lid. The at least one lid is connected to the receptacle in a pressure-tight manner. The receptacle or the lid is provided with at least one connector drilling for the introduction and/or extraction of culture medium and/or oxygen.

For laboratory requirements, it is known to raise or cultivate cell cultures in a shallow receptacle or dish, the cells simply being placed in the receptacle and culture medium being added. A lid is then placed on the receptacle.
A disadvantage is that this method can only be used for small quantities. In particular, the known system is not suitable for cultivating or raising cells in batches. Moreover, it is impossible to achieve in vivo conditions, and sterility is not guaranteed.
An alternative to this was to use a closed system which comprised a receptacle with a lid or closure piece and which permitted sterility. However, a disadvantage of this was that removing the cell culture was very laborious and time-consuming.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it can be used in a highly versatile manner for raising or cultivating cells, particularly in large-scale operations, the aim being to achieve as far as possible in vivo conditions and sterility. Moreover, after they have been cultivated, the cell cultures should be able to be removed from the receptacle without great effort and without being damaged.

Device for raising or cultivating cells in a container-like receptacle


A control system for an aircraft cabin includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a processor. The first and second sensors are configured to detect communicative gestures of a subject and are oriented to detect the communicative gestures in first and second cabin volumes, respectively. The second cabin volume at least partially overlaps the first cabin volume. The processor is configured to: identify a control volume defined by an overlap between the first and second cabin volumes; define a task envelope as a sub-set of the control volume in which the subject may perform the communicative gestures; disregard communicative gestures outside of the task envelope; compare an identified gesture of the communicative gestures performed inside the task envelope with a plurality of stored gestures; and generate a control task to command cabin devices in response to a match between the identified gesture one of the stored gestures.

As modern aviation advances, the demand for ever-increasing passenger flight comfort and entertainment systems features and performance grows. To help meet this demand, modern aircraft include impressive arrays of devices (gadgets, ultra-high definition monitors, premium sound systems, high-speed data services, and other instruments and sensors) designed to provide the passengers with access and control of such devices via buttons and levers, touchscreens with menus, remote controls, and other options intended to enhance the passenger experience in the cabin without compromising comfort or entertainment value.
A typical aircraft cabin system includes control devices with knobs, buttons, or touchscreens with soft-buttons and menus, remote controls and touch pads. These control devices control lights, monitors, window shades, entertainment equipment, etc. The devices are often implemented on a cluster conspicuously located close to the equipment under control, or strategically located in an area of the cabin with common access to crew and passengers.
Passenger and crew cabin systems, including in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems are becoming more sophisticated, more complex, and more integrated. This level of sophistication and integration comes at the high price of adding ever more control devices, with more features, and with systems that are physically laid out across the cabin in the form of buttons, control panels, control touchscreens, wireless remote controls, and other such devices. The economic impact of all these added devices can be summarized in added carry-on weight and added costs of ownership (acquisition, operation and maintenance). While these control devices in current aircraft are adequate, there is room for improvement.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a control system for aircraft cabins with beneficial ease of use, cost, and weight characteristics. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Aircraft cabin system control by gestures within task envelopes


This invention relates to a waterborne fluoropolymer composition useful for the fabrication of Li-Ion-Battery (LIB) electrodes. The fluoropolymer composition contains an organic carbonate compound, which is more environmentally friendly than other fugitive adhesion promoters currently used in waterborne fluoropolymer binders. An especially useful organic carbonate compound is ethylene carbonate (EC) and vinylene carbonate (VC), which are solids at room temperature, and other carbonates which are liquid at room temperature such as propylene carbonate, methyl carbonate and ethyl carbonate. The composition of the invention is low cost, environmentally friendly, safer, and has enhanced performance compared to current compositions.

Fluoropolymers are a unique family of materials that are most often used where exceptionally high performance, maintenance-free, and long-lasting service-life is required. Among fluoropolymers, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has a great balance of properties and a long legacy as the only commercially accepted binder for LIB cathodes and as a separator in polymer battery. This usefulness comes from alternating CH2 and CF2 groups in PVDF backbone that produce a high dipole moment, resulting in good adhesion and compatibility with a vast array of materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,637 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,703 describe a PVDF binder solution in organic solvents, particularly in NMP, mixed with a powdery electrode material to form an electrode to be used in a non-aqueous-type battery. The role of the organic solvent is primarily to dissolve PVDF to provide good adhesion (non-reversible adhesion) and interconnectivity between the powdery electrode material particles upon evaporation of the organic solvent. The bonded powdery electrode materials together should be able to tolerate large volume expansion and contraction during charge and discharge cycles without losing interconnectivity within the electrodes. Interconnectivity of the active ingredients in an electrode is extremely important in battery performance, especially during charging and discharging cycles, as electrons must move across the electrode to current collector, and lithium ions must move within powdery particles of active materials as well as between anode and cathode. In order to achieve desired performance, PVDF binder is dissolved in a large volume of organic solvents, such as NMP with 20 to 1 ratio, and subsequently is admixed with powdery electrode forming material to produce slurry which upon casting and drying will form electrode.
An organic-solvent-based slurry presents safety, health and environmental dangers. Organic solvents are generally toxic and flammable, volatile in nature, and involve special manufacturing controls to mitigate and reduce environmental pollution and safety risks. Moreover, the large carbon footprint associated with use of organic solvents, is not environmentally desirable. Furthermore, extra manufacturing steps are associated with capturing and recycling large amount of NMP used in the preparation of slurry and fabrication of electrodes. A suitable waterborne fluoropolymer (particularly one that is PVDF-based), along with proper formulation could eliminate the need for large volume of organic solvents in the fabrication of electrodes for secondary Li-ion-batteries and overcome environmental hazards associated with use of such solvents.
There is an environmentally-driven, and safety-driven desire to be able to produce excellent, interconnected PVDF-based electrodes, without the massive use of organic solvents.
To effectively employ waterborne slurries in electrode-forming processes, it is important to develop binder systems that are compatible with current manufacturing practices and provide desired properties of the intermediate and final products. Some common criteria include: a) stability of the waterborne fluoropolymer dispersion, having sufficient shelf-life, b) stability of the slurry after admixing the powdery material, c) appropriate viscosity of the slurry to facilitate good aqueous casting, and d) sufficient interconnectivity within the electrode which is non-reversible after drying. Additionally, from a regulatory view, fluoropolymers made without fluorosurfactants are preferred.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,282,528 entitled "electrode additive" describes fluoropolymer dispersions for cathode electrodes, which are made by using per-fluorinated surfactants. The patent fails to teach or suggest the use of any fugitive adhesion promoters, and specifically the use of organic carbonates in the latex to provide and facilitate interconnectivity in the electrode that is non-reversible. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binders, or blends of other fluoropolymers with 50% or more PTFE are preferred and exemplified. The negative electrode of the examples uses a conventional solvent-based PVDF solution.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,659,335 describes similar fluoropolymer dispersions used as electrode binders, having a specific class of non-ionic stabilizer used in post-polymerization. PTFE is either preferred since melt-processing or dissolution is substantially impossible. There is no mention of fugitive adhesion promoters or adding organic carbonates to the latex to provide interconnectivity within the electrode. There are large differences in the properties and processing of the final electrodes formed from PTFE and PVDF binders. PTFE polymers have very high melting points and exhibit very strong resistance to dissolution in common solvents. As a result, PTFE particles are not able to soften, flow, and adhere to powdery particles to provide interconnectivity within an electrode. Additionally, PTFE and its blends with other fluoropolymers do not meet some of the criteria needed as a viable binder, including the stability needed for waterborne fluoropolymer dispersion. Moreover, PTFE binders do not provide sufficient interconnectivity in electrodes which is non-reversible. Waterborne PVDF-based binders with organic carbonates of the present invention exhibit sufficient shelf stability, do not need concentrating steps, and provide interconnectivity when properly formulated.
A waterborne binder is described in US20100304270 for making an electrode using water as the media to prepare slurry instead of using conventional NMP solution. The disclosed slurry formulation requires anti-foaming agent, thickener, adhesion promoter, and a relatively high binder loading. In general, any additive used in the slurry formulation could have negative impact on the long-term performance of a lithium ion battery, because the additives could be oxidized in the cathode and generate off-gases. There is an interest in reducing the amount of non-active ingredients in a lithium ion battery in order to increase the energy density, so it is desirable to reduce the non-active materials in the slurry.
Surprisingly, it has been found that a mixture of a waterborne fluoropolymer with an organic carbonate as a fugitive adhesion promoter can provide an effective, economically friendly waterborne binder for a lithium ion battery. An especially useful organic carbonate is ethylene carbonate (EC) which is solid at room temperature, as the additive to binder media eliminates the need for organic solvent, wetting agent, or anti-foaming agent for slurry preparation. The waterborne fluoropolymer composition provides interconnectivity between active ingredients and sufficient adhesion to current collectors upon drying. Even though EC is solid at room temperature, it has been surprisingly found that the addition of EC to the waterborne fluoropolymer provides good interconnectivity and adhesion for powdery materials without a need for other additives.


Disclosed are a semiconductor memory device, a memory system including the same, and an operation method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells; and a plurality of page buffers configured to supply currents to bit lines when a sensing operation is performed and sense currents of the bit lines to sense data of the plurality of memory cells and generate current paths between the bit lines and a ground according to program states of the plurality of memory cells.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, a memory system including the same, and an operation method thereof.
2. Related Art
A semiconductor memory device is a memory device implemented by using a semiconductor, such as silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs), an indium phosphide (InP). The semiconductor memory device is generally classified into a volatile memory device and a nonvolatile memory device.
The volatile memory device is a memory device in which stored data dissipates when a power supply is cut. The volatile memory device includes a Static RAM (SRAM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and the like. The nonvolatile memory device is a memory device in which stored data is maintained even though a power supply is cut. The nonvolatile memory device includes a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a Phase-change RAM (PRAM), a Magnetic RAM (MRAM), a Resistive RAM (RRAM), a Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), and the like. The flash memory is generally divided into a NOR type and a NAND type.

Semiconductor memory device, memory system including the same, and operating method thereof


A battery pack including a molded resin portion, which holds a part of or the entire battery, and an externally exposed output terminal. The battery pack further includes an insulating block, which is provided with a breaker mechanism for cutting-off current flow when an over-current flows. The insulating block is held by being inserted in the molded resin portion. The insulating block holds the output terminal on its surface. The output terminal held by the insulating block is held at a prescribed position so as to be externally exposed from the molded resin portion.

The present invention relates to a battery pack manufactured by inserting a part or the whole of a battery into a molded resin portion.
High dimensional accuracy is required for a battery pack. Particularly, high dimensional accuracy is required for the position of an output terminal. The reason is that the output terminal is accurately set to an attachment portion provided in electrical equipment to be connected to a power supply terminal of the electrical equipment so that poor contact does not occur. Currently, a commercially available battery pack has a structure in which a core pack with parts necessary for a battery connected thereto is inserted in an external case formed of plastic. With the battery pack of this structure, forming the external case in an accurate dimension can form the battery pack in prescribed outer dimensions. However, since the battery pack of this structure is assembled by inserting the core pack into the external case with effort, it is difficult to mass-manufacture the battery packs at low cost.
A battery pack which does not employ the external case has been developed in order to achieve a very simple assembly (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication TOKUKAI No. 2000-315483).
This battery pack is manufactured by inserting a part of the core pack with components necessary for a battery connected thereto into a molded resin portion when the molded resin portion corresponding to an external case is molded. With the battery pack of this structure, the core pack is configured by connecting the parts necessary for a battery. This core pack is temporarily held in a molding chamber for molding the molded resin portion. Then, the battery pack is manufactured by injecting molten synthetic resin into the molding chamber. Since this battery pack is fixed when the molded resin portion is molded, it is possible to manufacture the battery pack with efficiency due to the omission of an external case. The molded resin portion composes a part of the external case of the battery pack, and serves to fasten components connected to the battery. Accordingly, since the core pack can be fastened when the molded resin portion is molded, there is a feature that enables the core pack to be manufactured with efficiency at low cost.
With the battery pack of this structure, as shown in FIG. 1, the core pack is inserted into and molded with the molded resin portion used as an external case. With this battery pack, a core pack 90 in which parts necessary for a battery, such as a circuit board 91 connected to a battery 92, are temporarily held in a molding chamber 94 of a metal mold 93. The core pack 90 is inserted by injecting molten plastic into the molding chamber 94 in the state in which a part of the core pack 90 is buried. After the plastic is set, the set plastic is removed from the mold, and thus, the battery pack is manufactured. This battery pack has a structure in which the molded resin portion and the core pack are integrally connected to each other without interstices and the structure can be mass-manufactured.
However, with the battery pack of this structure, since an output terminal separated from the battery pack is connected through a lead wire, there is a disadvantage that this part is manufactured at much expense in time and effort. In addition, with the battery pack of this structure, there is a disadvantage that disconnection of the lead wire or the like can occur. For this reason, in the case of a battery pack used for a cellular phone, for example, the structure in which an output terminal is connected through a lead wire is hardly used. This is because it requires the output terminal to be held at a prescribed position by being inserted into the molded resin portion. However, actually, it is very difficult to mold the molded resin portion with a metal plate as the output terminal must be temporarily and accurately held at the position in the molding chamber of the mold.
The present invention has been developed for solving the above-described disadvantages. It is an important object to provide a battery pack having an output terminal capable of being held at a prescribed position of a molded resin portion with a simple structure, and is capable of being mass-manufactured at low cost.


The design of communication and storage systems requires a choice of modulation and coding. In conventional storage and communication systems, the commonly used modulation scheme is called Non Return to Zero (NRZ) and the commonly used codes are called Run Length Limited (RLL) codes. The disclosure describes a new modulation scheme that can be used to increase the data transmission rate or storage density. The disclosure also describes codes that are referred to as Interval Modulation Codes, which can be used to transmit or store information efficiently using the new modulation scheme. Also described are procedures for determining if there exist suitable Interval Modulation Codes, given predetermined parameters that describe their desired performance. The disclosure also describes procedures or algorithms for constructing optimal Interval Modulation Codes given a set of parameters that describe their performance. The described techniques can be used in different communication (e.g. fiber optical, wireless, wireline, etc.) and storage (e.g. magnetic, optical, etc.) systems.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to modulation schemes and codes that can be used to design data storage and data transmission systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
The design of communication and storage systems requires a choice of modulation and coding. In conventional storage and communication systems, the most commonly used modulation scheme is called Non Return to Zero (NRZ), described further below. Systems based on NRZ modulation use special codes to represent data. The most commonly used codes are called Run Length Limited (RLL) codes, and are also described further below.


What is provided is a method and an apparatus for easily forming a multilayer structure of conductive metal thin films while forming a metal oxide thin film regardless of the conductivity of a substrate. A thin film of conductive metal is laminated by: dissolving metal precursors for a metal oxide to be formed and an oxidant to oxidize the metal precursors in a supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid; forming a metal oxide thin film by an oxidation reaction on the surface of a substrate in the supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid; then, dissolving a reducing agent and conductive metal precursors in a supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid; while reducing the metal oxide thin film formed on the surface of the substrate to a metal thin film, reducing the conductive metal precursors on the reduced metal thin film.

Technologies for material synthesis without using materials having a high environmental burden such as organic solvents have been necessary in recent years. Ultrafine processes such as in integrated circuit manufacturing have been commonly performed using dry processes (vacuum processes) such as in a vacuum, a rarefied gas atmosphere, or a plasma discharge atmosphere.
The dry processes have been developed as highly effective means in terms of the advantage of ability to directly use atoms/molecules or ions in the processes. However, the needs such as for a facility to maintain vacuum and a plasma generator are high-cost factors. On the other hand, wet processes using a liquid such as for plating and cleaning results in producing an enormous amount of wastewater, which may cause an environmental problem.
A supercritical CO2 fluid with has unique properties, such as having an intermediate quality between liquid and solid, having zero surface tension, and having a high ability to dissolve other substances (dissolvability). Furthermore, a supercritical fluid has advantages, such as chemically stable, low price, harmless and low cost. In addition to them, a supercritical fluid has many features, such as that CO2 itself and substances dissolved in CO2 fluid are recyclable by vaporization and reliquefaction.
Research and development using supercritical CO2 have been advanced centering on a wafer cleaning process in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. For example, in a cleaning process, a process focusing on the dissolvability, safety and recyclability of supercritical CO2 has been developed. Also, in supercritical CO2, focusing on the zero surface tension, research and development of ultrafine process for nanoscale wiring have been conducted.
For example, a thin film formation is one of the main functions in the manufacture of semiconductor equipment, and Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solution is known as a method for thin film formation using a supercritical fluid. D. Matson and the collaborators disclosed a technology for forming a supersaturated material by expanding a supercritical fluid in which source materials dissolve. And a further developed technology has been also disclosed, which is a method for obtaining a metal oxide thin film by dissolving oxide complexes in a supercritical fluid and spraying it on a heated substrate (See patent document 1 and non-patent document 1).
A supercritical fluid penetrates extremely deeply into a nanopore since the surface tension is zero and the diffusion coefficient is large. If a supercritical fluid itself can be used as a reaction medium for thin film formation, it will become possible to form and fill a substance in an ultrafine structure, and further to develop a low-cost green process replacing CVD and plating.
The inventors have developed independently a method for forming a thin film by dissolving thin film forming materials such as an organic metal in supercritical CO2 and then letting a deposition reaction proceed (E. Kondoh and H. Kato, Microelectron. Eng. Volume 64 (2002), Page 495), and have applied the method to the manufacture of integrated circuit wires, such as Cu filling into viaholes and trenches and forming diffusion prevention films (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-17948 "handotaisochi no seizohoho" (Method of manufacturing semiconductor apparatus), Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-17949 "handotaisochi no seizohoho" (Method of manufacturing semiconductor apparatus)). Also, the same sort of method has been disclosed in Published Japanese translation of PCT application No. 2003-514115.
Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-213425
Non-patent document 1: J. Mater. Sci. Volume 22, Issue 6, 1918 (1987)
Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-17949
Patent document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-514115

Deposition method for oxide thin film or stacked metal thin films using supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid, and deposition apparatus therefor


A mulch product and method of making same wherein the resultant mulch product includes a shredded fine portion, a bulky portion, and a stringy binding portion. When water soaks through the distributed mulch product, a relatively impervious mat is formed which is resistant to ordinary environmental effects. The mulch is preferable manufactured from an insect and rot resistant wood. The mulch product is manufactured using a swinging hammer type of wood hog using a surrounding screen having a plurality of holes of not less than approximately 2 inches across.

A) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of mulch manufacturing generally. More particularly, this invention relates to the field of manufacturing a mulch product having particular gradation characteristics from a naturally insect and rot resistant wood. The resulting mulch product is made of generally a coarsely divided portion, a finely divided portion, and a stringy binding portion.
B) Description of the Prior Art
Mulch products are widely known and used in the landscaping industry. The mulch products which have been developed over the years can generally be divided according to the methods used in the manufacturing process and the resulting product.
With respect to methods of manufacturing, there exists at least three known methods of manufacturing for which machinery is generally available. The first of these methods is the fixed hammer (or punch and die) method for creating a divided wood product. This method consists of loading a mulch machine from either the top or side so as to pace wood product against a spinning hammer. The spinning hammer forces the loaded wood product against a screen by the series of fixed position rotating hammers. As the product is forced between the spinning hammer and screen and ultimately through the screen, the wood product naturally divides according to the size hole through which the product is passed. The hole sizes in the screens vary, but can be in the range of 1-2 inches.
This method results in a relatively uniform chip product having little or no pulverized portion. The reason behind the lack of pulverization lies in the fact that the hammers which are rotated against the loaded wood product are fixedly attached in a relatively unmoving position to a rotating shaft. The hammers are rotated a predetermined distance from a surrounding screen and loaded wood product is forced into the space between the rotating hammers and surrounding screen. As such, with each sweep of the hammers, loaded wood product is pushed through the screen and forced to divide into smaller pieces. The spinning fixed hammers rapidly make successive sweeps and pass chips out with each sweep.
This method of mulch manufacture requires a powerful rotational force for the fixed hammers to consistently force wood product between the hammers and screen. If the power source is insufficient, the rotating hammers will jam as wood product wedges between the screens and hammers. Also, the associated supporting equipment for the screens and the hammers must be fairly resistant to deformation, i.e., heavy gage metal. If the hammers and screens are able to displace one with respect to the other, the machine is subject to repeated jamming.
A second known method of manufacturing mulch is to use an apparatus similar to the apparatus used for the fixed hammer system, with the exception that the hammers are rotatably affixed to the rotating shaft, i.e., with each stroke the hammers swing outwardly from the mounting shaft. In this manner, as the hammer swings, centrifugal action displaces the hammer head towards the surrounding screen. In the event the hammer is unable to displace loaded wood through the screen during a particular stroke, the hammer rotates backwardly with respect to the rotation of the supporting shaft to clear the wood product and leave it in place against the screen. In this manner, a piece of wood product between the screen and hammers is successively pulverized by the swinging hammers until the product is sufficiently divided to pass through the surrounding screens.
Owing to the pulverization and splintering process which the wood product is subject to in the swinging hammer process, a much more divided and shattered mulch product is created. The holes in the surrounding screens through which pulverized wood product pass has been in the range of 1-2 inches in prior art swinging hammer mulch machines. The resulting prior art mulch product is regularly sized and is finely divided into filaments of varying length.
A third method of creating a mulch product is by chipping. This method is commonly used for tree and shrub trimming disposal wherein a length of wood product is fed directly against a rapidly spinning chipping wheel. The spinning wheel simultaneously draws the length of wood onto the grinding surface and shears wood chips off the wood. A uniformly sized and generally non-pulverized mulch product is formed.
The foregoing products exhibit problems when used for mulching purposes. Since a mulch product is intended to provide ground cover between shrubs and other garden plants to retain moisture and smother weeds, it is helpful if the mulch stays in place after application, i.e., is resistant to being carried off by rain, strong wind, and other environmental effects. The first and thirdly described mulch products of uniformly sized and graded product is particularly susceptible to being removed. The larger sized particle chips simply float away. Owing to the fact that wood is generally less dense than water, particularly after the wood has been divided, the regularly sized chipped wood product is well suited to be lifted by flowing water currents and being carried until the water loses the necessary energy to move the mulch. Needless-to-say, mulch is not useful when it is carried to positions other than intended, and can further cause clogging of drainage ways, grates, etc. throughout the garden.
Similarly, when rain strikes the secondly described finely divided wood product (made by the swinging hammer method), the force of the falling water can displace the filaments away from their original position simply by the force of impact of the water against the distributed mulch. Although the finely divided product will eventually absorb enough water to stay in place, the time required for this to occur is too long for such methods to be effective against a 30-40 minute rain storm. As such, the product is washed away just as is the chip product.
In view of the foregoing problems associated with known mulch products, the present invention is directed to a method and resultant mulch product which is not easily removed by exposure to ordinary environmental factors. Specifically, the present product is a mulch including a finely divided portion, a course portion, and a stringy binding portion. This unique blend of sizing of shredded, splintered, shattered, and divided wood product is created by a novel mulch production method.


A computer game terminal, and associated method and code, for operating an online interactive computer game. The terminal includes an interface receiving non-interactive user input data from a controller associated with the computer games terminal and an interface receiving interactive game data associated with at least one interactive game element. The terminal includes a display driver rendering a graphical representation of a computer game based on the non-interactive user input data and the interactive game data. The terminal includes a processor processing the received non-interactive user input data and the interactive game data, while inhibiting data interaction. The processing inhibits interaction between a displayed avatar associated with the user input data and a displayed avatar associated with the received interactive game data. A network interface is included to transmit user input data from the controller associated with the terminal but operable in a non-interactive mode to inhibit such transmission.

Field of the Invention
The invention is concerned with interactive computer games, and in particular with interactive computer games where multiple users may play an interactive computer game together. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with the provision of interactive computer games in which multiple users are connected via a network such as the Internet.
Description of the Related Art
The general architecture to support an interactive computer gaming session between multiple users in a network environment is illustrated in FIG. 1. Such an architecture, and variations thereto, is well-known to one skilled in the art.
FIG. 1 illustrates three computer game systems 2a, 2b, 2c. Each system is connected to a network 6 via a respective network connection 4a, 4b, 4c. The network 6 may be the Internet. A server 8, supporting a player matching service, is also connected to the network 6 via a network connection 10. As illustrated with reference to computer game system 2a, each computer game system typically includes a computer game console 12 or hardware device, a player/user input device or controller 18 connected to the computer game hardware device 12, and a display 20 connected to the computer game hardware device. The computer game console 12 is adapted for connection to the network connection 4a. Although in the example shown the controller 18 and display 20 are shown as distinct from the console 12, the computer game system may be implemented in a variety of ways, for example with the controller, display and console forming a single integrated device.
The player matching service provided by the server 8 allows for details of interactive games to be uploaded thereto, so as they may be displayed to other users. A games player, such as a games player associated with computer game system 2a, may initiate a new interactive game, and upload details to the server 8. The purpose of the player matching service is to enable other players to join the initiated game. The game matching service may display such details as the identity of the game to be played, the identity of the game host (i.e., the games player initiating the game), and details of any other games players who have registered to play the game. The gaming matching service operates to facilitate matching of players for an interactive game session, and has no involvement in the playing of the game.
The initiation of the game with the player matching service creates a so-called lobby for the game. On a player accessing the player matching service and registering to play a game, in accordance with various known techniques, a suitable screen is displayed to the player. The screen may display, for example, the identity of all players of the game, showing game details and options, and a list of game players. Games may be associated with a maximum number of players, which may be limited by the game application or by the game host. In dependence on the number of players that may be involved in a game, a number of so-called slots for the game are made available. Once the maximum number of players for the game is reached, all slots are filled and the lobby is closed to new players.
Once the players for the game are registered and the lobby closed, the communication between the computer game systems of the registered players is on a peer-to-peer network basis. The specific communications between the computer game systems during a game may vary. Each computer game system operates autonomously and generates its own graphics for display, based on information received on the peer-to-peer network. Each computer game system therefore needs to receive data associated with user inputs from all other players in the game. This may be done by each computer game system transmitting the user input data at its terminal to all other players, for example, or by all computer game systems transmitting their data to the host system, which in turn transmits it to the other computer game terminals. The former is preferable.
Each computer game system thus preferably broadcasts its user input data to the other computer game systems involved in the interactive game session. This broadcast is limited insofar as the data is only transmitted to the other computer game terminals in the game. For this purpose each computer game system may receive, as part of the initialization process in the lobby, the data address (such as the IP address) of each other computer game system. All data transmitted from a computer game system is then transmitted with the addresses of all computer game systems.
Each computer game system processes the game data, in conjunction with the data received from other computer game systems, individually, and renders the game graphics to its associated display. Each system requires the user input data of all other games systems for the interactive game to operate.
Problems exist with current networked multi-user interactive game applications such as described above.
Game sessions are locked to new players once a game is underway. This means that the number of games available and listed to play at the player matching service is limited, as it does not show those games for which a session is currently underway. It is not possible for a player to register with a game that is underway.
If games that are underway are listed, and therefore a player can register with the game, the player can only watch the existing game until it is finished. Only thereafter may they take part.
For certain players, it may be undesirable to join an interactive game, due to a lower skill level than other players involved in the game. The only way in which a games player can develop skills in the game may be to join a networked interactive game in which the skill levels of the other games players is significantly higher.
For players of low skill levels, such as players new to the game or learning the game, their participation in a networked interactive game may be detrimental to other players, since their lack of skills may results in collisions that interfere with game playing for more skilled players.


This invention is a kit from which a love seat type sofa can easily be assemble by a consumer at home with simple tools. It has a basal structural assembly that is an “E” shaped assembly of boards with a brace across the open part of the “E” and a board on which the seat cushions will rest, a rear structural assembly that presents the back of the sofa and the backrest against which the back cushions will rest, a number of bolts which is ideally ten, a number of pegs which is ideally four, at least one allen wrench, two arms, a base, a number of feet which is ideally four, and a number of cushions which is also ideally four. The allen wrench is adapted to drive the bolts. The basal structural assembly can be attached by bolts to the rear structural assembly. Pegs are then driven partially into the inner surfaces of the two arms using a hammer supplied by the customer. The arms are then driven onto the sides of the base and rear assemblies by means of corresponding holes into which the pegs fit. The base is fastened onto the underneath side of the assembled sofa and the feet are screwed into receiving holes on the undersides of the arms. The sofa can then be placed upright onto its feet and the two back and two seat cushions can then be installed.

The semi-finished furniture market is very popular in the United States. Many people from all walks of life choose to take their furniture home in a box for home assembly rather than wait for assembly and delivery of the finished furniture. There is often a substantial savings associated with this practice since the consumer did not have to pay for the assembly and delivery of the furniture. Unfortunately, if the furniture is difficult to assemble, this practice can end up being a bad experience for the consumer. It is important, therefore, to provide furniture kits which are very easy to assemble, even for lay people.


The present invention provides a CPP-type spin-valve magnetic detecting element permitting a decrease in an effective element area even with a large optical element area. A current limiting layer having an insulating portion and a conductive portion is formed in a free magnetic layer to narrow a sensing current and decrease diffusion of the sensing current. Also, the current density of the sensing current flowing through the free magnetic layer can be securely locally increased. Therefore, even when the optical element area of the free magnetic layer in parallel to the film plane is 0.01 μm2 or more, the effective element area can be securely decreased, and a CPP-type magnetic detecting element producing large ΔR and high reproduction output can easily be formed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a CPP (current perpendicular to the plane) type magnetic detecting element. Particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic detecting element permitting a decrease in the effective element size while maintaining a large optical element size, and an effective and easy improvement in reproduction output, and a method of manufacturing the magnetic detecting element.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 28 is a sectional view of the structure of a conventional magnetic detecting element, as viewed from a surface facing a recording medium.
The spin valve magnetic detecting element shown in FIG. 28 comprises a multilayer film 9 comprising an antiferromagnetic layer 2, a pinned magnetic layer 3, a nonmagnetic material layer 4, a free magnetic layer 5, a nonmagnetic material layer 6, a pinned magnetic layer 7, and an antiferromagnetic layer 8, which are laminated in that order from the bottom, electrode layers 1 and 10 formed above and below the multilayer film 9, hard bias layers 11 formed on both sides of the free magnetic layer 5, insulating layers 12 formed below the hard bias layers 11, and insulating layers 13 formed above the hard bias layers 11.
The antiferromagnetic layers 2 and 8 are made of PtMn, the pinned magnetic layers 3 and 7 and the free magnetic layer 5 are made of a ferromagnetic material such as NiFe or the like, the nonmagnetic material layers 4 and 6 are made of Cu, the hard bias layers 11 are made of a hard magnetic material such as CoPt or the like, the insulating layers 12 and 13 are made of alumina, and the electrode layers 1 and 10 are made of a conductive material such as Cr.
The magnetic detecting element shown in FIG. 28 is referred to as a "dual spin-valve magnetic detecting element" in which the nonmagnetic material layer 4 and the pinned magnetic layer 3 are formed below the free magnetic layer 5, and the nonmagnetic material layer 6 and the pinned magnetic layer 7 are formed above the free magnetic layer 5, for detecting a recording magnetic field from the recording medium such as a hard disk or the like.
The magnetic detecting element shown in FIG. 28 is a CPP (current perpendicular to the plane) type magnetic detecting element in which an electric current flows in a direction perpendicular to the film plane of each of the layers of the multilayer film 9.
The magnetization direction of each of the pinned magnetic layers 3 and 7 is pinned in the Y direction shown in the drawing, and the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 with no external magnetic field applied thereto is oriented in the track width direction (the X direction shown in the drawing) in a single magnetic domain state by longitudinal bias magnetic fields from the hard bias layers 11. When the external magnetic field is applied, the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 changes to change the electric resistance of the multilayer film 9. The change in the electric resistance is converted to a voltage change or current change to detect the external magnetic field.
It is generally known that the CPP type magnetic detecting element cannot effectively produce high reproduction output unless the track width Tw and the length MRh in the height direction are 0.1 μm or less (i.e., the element area is 0.01 μm2 or less), as compared with a CIP (current in the plane) type in which a sensing current flows in parallel to the film plane of each layer of the multilayer film).
Therefore, a construction is conceivable, in which as shown in FIG. 28, a current limiting layer 14 comprising a mixture of an insulating portion and a conductive portion is overlapped with the multilayer film 9, for flowing the sensing current only through the conductive portion to narrow the current.
The sensing current flowing from an electrode layer into the free magnetic layer 5 of the multilayer film 9 through the current limiting layer 14 locally flows through a portion of the free magnetic layer 5 corresponding to the conductive portion to locally increase the current density in this portion.
It is thus expected that the element area (referred to as an "effective element area") where the sensing current actually flows through the free magnetic layer 5 to contribute to a magnetoresistive effect can be made smaller than the element area of the free magnetic layer 5 (referred to as an "optical element area") in parallel to the film plane.
In the conventional magnetic detecting element shown in FIG. 28, the current limiting layer 14 is laminated above or below the antiferromagnetic layer 8 or 2.
The antiferromagnetic material such as PtMn used for forming the antiferromagnetic layers 2 and 8 has high resistance. Therefore, the mean free path of conduction electrons flowing through each of the antiferromagnetic layers 2 and 8 is short, and thus the conduction electrons in the narrow path diffuse due to inelastic scattering, thereby decreasing the effect of locally concentrating the current density by the current limiting layer 14. As a result, the problem of a difficulty in increasing ΔR of the magnetic detecting element occurs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

GMR magnetic detecting element comprising current limiting layer provided in free magnetic layer and method of manufacturing the detecting element


A method of generating a thin film for use in a spin valve of a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor having a nano-constricted spacer is provided. The bottom portion of the spin valve is deposited up to the pinned layer, a deposition chamber is provided, and the spacer layer is sputtered thereon. A main ion beam generates ions onto a composite surface including magnetic chips and insulator material. Simultaneously, an assisted ion beam provides ions directly to the substrate, thus improving the softness of the free layer and smoothness of the spacer layer. Neutralizers are also provided to prevent ion repulsion and improve ion beam focus. As a result, a thin film spacer can be formed, and the nano-constricted MR spin valve having low free layer coercivity and low interlayer coupling between the free layer and pinned layer is formed.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of making nano-sized magnetic particles without using lithography, and a granular thin film produced by the method, for a read element of a magnetoresistive (MR) head.
2. Related Art
In the related art magnetic recording technology such as hard disk drives, a head is equipped with a reader and a writer that operate independently of one another. FIGS. 1 (a) and (b) illustrate related art magnetic recording schemes. A recording medium 1 having a plurality of bits 3 and a track width 5 has a magnetization 7 parallel to the plane of the recording media. As a result, a magnetic flux is generated at the boundaries between the bits 3. This is commonly referred to as "longitudinal magnetic recording".
Information is written to the recording medium 1 by an inductive write element 9, and data is read from the recording medium 1 by a read element 11. Coils 16 supply a write current 17 to the inductive write element 9, and a read current 15 is supplied to the read element 11. An insulating layer (not illustrated for the sake of clarity) made of Al2O3 is deposited between the read element 11 and the write element 9 to avoid interference between the respective read and write signals.
The read element 11 is a sensor that operates by sensing the resistance change as the sensor magnetization changes direction. A shield 13 reduces the undesirable magnetic fields coming from the media and prevents the undesired flux of adjacent bits from interfering with the one of the bits 3 that is currently being read by the read element 11.
Due to requirements of increased bit and track density readable at a higher efficiency and speed, the related art magnetic recording scheme of FIG. 1(b) has been developed. In this related art scheme, the direction of magnetization 19 of the recording medium 1 is perpendicular to the plane of the recording medium 1. This is also known as "perpendicular magnetic recording". This design provides more compact and stable recorded data. Also a soft underlayer (not illustrated) is required to increase the writer magnetic field efficiency. Further an intermediate layer (not illustrated for the sake of clarity) can be used to control the exchange coupling between the recording layer 1 and soft underlayer.
FIGS. 2(a)-(c) illustrate various related art read heads for the above-described magnetic recording scheme, known as "spin valves". In the bottom type spin valve illustrated in FIG. 2(a), a free layer 21 operates as a sensor to read the recorded data from the recording medium 1. A spacer 23 is positioned between the free layer 21 and a composed pinned layer 25. On the other side of the composed pinned layer 25, there is an anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) layer 27. In the top type spin valve illustrated in FIG. 2(b), the position of the layers is reversed.
FIG. 2(c) illustrates a related art dual type spin valve. Layers 21 through 25 are substantially the same as described above with respect to FIGS. 2(a)-(b). However, an additional spacer 29 is provided on the other side of the free layer 21, upon which a second pinned layer 31 and a second AFM layer 33 are positioned. An extra signal provided by the second pinned layer 31 increases the resistance change ΔR.
The direction of magnetization in the pinned layer 25 is substantially fixed, whereas the direction of magnetization in the free layer 21 can be changed, for example (but not by way of limitation) depending on the effect of an external magnetic field, such as the recording medium 1.
When the external magnetic field is applied to a reader, the magnetization direction of the free layer 21 is altered, or rotated, by an angle. When the flux is positive the magnetization of the free layer 21 is rotated upward, and when the flux is negative the magnetization direction of the free layer 21 is rotated downward. If the applied external field changes the free layer 21 magnetization direction to be aligned in the same way as the composed pinned layer 25, then the resistance between the layers is low, and electrons can more easily migrate between those layers 21, 25.
However, when the free layer 21 has a magnetization direction opposite to that of the composed pinned layer 25, the resistance between the layers is high. This high resistance occurs because it is more difficult for electrons to migrate between the layers 21, 25. Similar to the external field, the AFM layer 27 provides an exchange coupling and keeps the magnetization of composed pinned layer 25 substantially fixed.
The resistance change ΔR when the layers 21, 25 are parallel and anti-parallel should be high to have a highly sensitive reader. The media bit is decreasing in size, and the correspondingly, the magnetic field from the media bit is weaker. As a result, it is necessary for the free layer to sense this media flux having a reduced magnitude. Therefore, it is important for the related art free layer to have a reduced thickness to maintain sufficient sensitivity of the free layer. In order to provide a high-sensitivity sensor that can sense a very weak magnetic field, this is accomplished by reducing the free layer thickness to about 3 nm in the case of an areal recording density of 150 to 200 Gbits/in2.
However, as a result of the thin free layer, there is a related art problem of a stronger spin transfer effect. The spin transfer effect is substantially inversely proportional to the thickness of the film. Thus, the stability of the free layer is reduced. Further, there is also a need for a high resistance change ΔR between the layers 21, 25 of the related art read head. As discussed in greater detail below, a thicker free layer results in a higher value of ΔR.
The operation of the related art read head is now described in greater detail. In the recording media 1, flux is generated based on polarity of adjacent bits in the case of longitudinal magnetic recording. If two adjoining bits have negative polarity at their boundary the flux will be negative. On the other hand, if both of the bits have positive polarity at the boundary the flux will be positive. The magnitude of flux determines the angle of magnetization between the free layer and the pinned layer.
FIG. 3 illustrates a related art synthetic spin valve. The free layer 21, the spacer 23 and the AFM layer 27 are substantially the same as described above. However, the composed pinned layer 25 further includes a first pinned sublayer 35 separated from a second pinned sublayer 39 by a pinned layer spacer 37. The first pinned sublayer 35 operates according to the above-described principle with respect to the composed pinned layer 25. The second pinned sublayer 39 has an opposite spin state with respect to the first pinned sublayer 35. As a result, the total pinned layer moment is reduced due to anti-ferromagnetic coupling between the first pinned sublayer 35 and the second pinned sublayer 39. The read head has a composed pinned layer with a total magnetic flux close to zero, and thus greater stability and high pinning field can be achieved than with the single pinned layer structure. A buffer layer 28 is deposited below the AFM layer 27 for good spin-valve growth, and a cap 40 is provided on an upper surface of the free layer 21.
FIG. 4 illustrates the related art shielded read head. As noted above, it is important to avoid the sensing of unintended magnetic flux from adjacent bits during the reading of a given bit. A cap (protective layer) layer 40 is provided on an upper surface of the free layer 21 to protect the spin valve against oxidation before deposition of top shield 43, by electroplating in a separated system. Similarly, a bottom shield 45 is provided on a lower surface of the buffer layer 28.
Related art magnetic recording schemes use a current perpendicular to plane (CPP) head, where the sensing current flows perpendicular to the spin valve plane. As a result, the size of the read head can be reduced without a loss of the output read signal. Various related art spin valves that operate in the CPP scheme are illustrated in FIGS. 5(a)-(c), and are discussed in greater detail below. These spin valves structurally differ primarily in the composition of their spacer 23. The compositions and resulting difference in operation of these effects is discussed in greater detail below.
FIG. 5(a) illustrates a related art tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) head for the CPP scheme. In the TMR head, the spacer 23 acts as an insulator, or tunnel barrier layer. Thus, in the case of a very thin barrier that is the spacer 23, the electrons can migrate from free layer 21 to pinned layer 25 or vice versa without change of spin direction. Current related art TMR heads have an increased magnetoresistance (MR) on the order of about 30-50%.
FIG. 5(b) illustrates a related art CPP-GMR head. In this case, the spacer 23 acts as a conductor. In the related art CPP-GMR head, there is a need for a large resistance change ΔR, and a moderate element resistance for having a high frequency response. A low free layer coercivity is also required so that a small media field can be detected. The pinning field should also have a high strength. Additional details of the CPP-GMR head are discussed in greater detail below.
FIG. 5(c) illustrates the related art ballistic magnetoresistance (BMR) head. In the spacer 23, which operates as an insulator, a ferromagnetic region 47 connects the pinned layer 25 to the free layer 21. The area of contact is on the order of a few nanometers. This is referred to as a nano-path or a nano-contact. As a result, there is a substantially high MR, due to electrons scattering at the domain wall created within this nano-contact. Other factors include the spin polarization of the ferromagnets, and the structure of the domain that is in nano-contact with the BMR head.
In the foregoing related art heads, the spacer 23 of the spin valve is an insulator for TMR, a conductor for GMR, and an insulator having a magnetic nano-contact for BMR. While related art TMR spacers are generally made of insulating materials such as alumina, related art GMR spacers are generally made of conductive metals, such as copper.
In the related art GMR head, resistance is minimized when the magnetization directions (or spin states) of the free layer 21 and the pinned layer 25 are parallel and is maximized when the magnetization directions are opposite. As noted above, the free layer 21 has a magnetization of which the direction can be changed. Thus, the GMR system avoids perturbation of the head output signal by minimizing the undesired switching of the pinned layer magnetization.
GMR depends on the degree of spin polarization of the pinned and free layers, and the angle between their respective magnetizations. Spin polarization depends on the difference between the spin state (up or down) in each of the free and pinned layers. As the free layer 21 receives the flux from the magnetic recording media, the free layer magnetization rotates by a small angle in one direction or the other, depending on the direction of flux. The change in resistance between the pinned layer 25 and the free layer 21 is proportional to angle between the moments of the free layer 21 and the pinned layer 25, as discussed above. There is a relationship between resistance change ΔR and efficiency of the reader.
As noted above, further increasing capacity of disk drives requires a small, high-sensitivity MR head. As discussed in S. Z. Hua et al., Phys. Review B67, 060401 (R) (2003), a high resistance can be obtained using the foregoing related BMR concept (i.e., connection of at least two ferromagnetic layers to one another via a nano-contact). The basis of the above-described BMR in disclosed in G. Tatara et al., Phys. Review Letters, Vol. 83, 2030 (1999), based on the thin domain wall between the two ferromagnetic layers.
In the related art, nano-sized magnetic particles can be made by using lithography. In another related art method of making the particles, Japanese Patent Application No. 09-289345 discloses a GMR magnetic head in which a granular layer 13 is formed between laminated non-magnetic metal layers. The granular film 13 is formed by sputtering, using a single ion beam generated in a deposition chamber. However, there is a related art problem in that the beam cannot stay focused, and is subject to repulsion forces. As a result, the beam is dispersed.
Accordingly, the film produced by the related art process has various problems and disadvantages. For example, but not by way of limitation, as shown in Table 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,621,857, which claims foreign priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-132996, for a granular film with a particle size of 4 nm, the coercivity is on the order of about 200 KA/m, or 2,500 Oersteds (Oe). Therefore, it cannot be used for a magnetic read head due to its high coerivity.
The related art BMR sensor must have a coercivity in the range of about 10 to 50 Oe. As noted above, the related art produces a layer having a coercivity of about 2,500 Oe. Thus, the related art granular film and method of making the film cannot produce a granular film for use with the related art BMR sensor.
Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a granular film having a low coercivity, and a method to produce a high-quality film that does not experience the related art dispersion problem.

Film and method for producing nano-particles for magnetoresistive device


A device, system, and method are directed towards determining network information. A network address is determined for a possible proxy. A determination is made whether a port on the possible proxy is open and/or if the port supports an HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy request. A request is sent to the possible proxy over the port, the request being configured to be forwarded to a network device. A type of the possible proxy is determined based in part on a behavior of the network device. The behavior may indicate whether the request is received by the network device, or whether the possible proxy obscures an origin of the request. The proxy type may include whether the possible proxy is a non-proxy, an anonymous-proxy, a controlled-proxy, and/or an open-proxy. Various types of network analysis may then be performed using the possible proxy and the determined proxy type.

The use of the Internet has become very important for commerce, and other daily tasks. An important component of the Internet are proxy devices, which are used to route information from one network device on the Internet to another network device. Typically, a proxy device is a computing device, router, or the like, that is configured to operate as a relay between two communication devices on a network.
Proxy devices may have varying behaviors. Some proxy devices may simply forward a request and/or response message between the network devices without modifying the forwarded messages, while others may modify the messages before forwarding them. Some proxy devices may provide the identity of the requestors, while others may hide or obscure the identities or activities of users of these devices. Typically, this information hiding is carried out to prevent detection of fraudulent or otherwise malicious requestors. For example, spammers may use these devices to hide the origin of their attacks.
Identifying the quality and kind of network traffic coming from a proxy device may be helpful to, among other things, distinguish legitimate network traffic from non-legitimate network traffic. Currently, lists of proxy devices are published on the Internet. However, many proxy list generation mechanisms rely on volunteered lists of IP address that could be scanned by a variety of products. Moreover, many lists are manually entered, and they may not be up to date or accurate. Further, the addresses on the lists often depend on specific ports and/or IP addresses. Therefore, it is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

Discovering and determining characteristics of network proxies