A sensor includes a tank filled with a matching medium, a metal body configured to surround an image object received in the tank, and a plurality of apertures disposed at constant intervals inside the metal body, wherein when any one of the plurality of apertures radiates microwaves to the image object, remaining apertures receive scattering microwaves from the image object.

As well known, a human tissue image diagnostic apparatus (e.g., a breast cancer diagnostic apparatus) using microwaves is an apparatus for obtaining an image by radiating microwaves to the object whose image will be obtained. The apparatus is a medical apparatus in which when microwaves output from an output device pass through the object whose image will be obtained (e.g., a breast in the case of a breast cancer image diagnostic apparatus), an input device obtains information on the size and phase of a scattering signal (i.e., scattering microwaves), restores an image through an inverse scattering analysis based on the obtained information, and diagnoses whether or not cancer is present and the size and location of cancer from the restored image.
FIG. 1 shows the structure of a conventional breast cancer image diagnostic apparatus using a plurality of transmission and reception sensors (Meaney et al., Systems and Methods for 3-D Data Acquisition for Microwave Imaging, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/407,886, Apr. 4, 2003).
Referring to FIG. 1, in a conventional breast cancer image diagnostic apparatus, a plurality of transmission and reception sensors 100 #1-#N that are circularly arranged is fixed and disposed, and the breast 101 of an examinee is inserted between the sensors.
Thereafter, one (e.g., #1) of the plurality of sensors sends microwaves 102, receives microwave signals 103 scattered from the remaining sensors, and obtains information on the sizes and phases of the received microwave signals. Thereafter, the sensor #2 at another location sends microwaves, and the remaining sensors receive scattered microwave signals. This process is repeatedly performed up to the last sensor #N.
The conventional breast cancer image diagnostic apparatus restores a breast tomographic image of the examinee through a microwave inverse scattering analysis based on information on the size and phase of microwaves obtained from the sensors. In particular, when tumor tissue 104 having electrical characteristics (e.g., a dielectric constant and conductivity) different from those of breast tissue is present in the breast of the examinee, information on a received microwave signal is different from that when tumor tissue is not present, and whether or not a tumor is present within the breast is diagnosed based on the information.
As described above, in the prior art, an image is restored by fixing and disposing a plurality of transmission and reception sensors at constant intervals around the breast. Furthermore, in order to restore a three-dimensional (3-D) image, a task for vertically moving the sensors also needs to be performed.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A silicide film is provided in diffusion regions formed in a semiconductor layer. The silicide film has a thickness substantially same as that of the semiconductor layer. The silicide film has the bottom located in the vicinity of an interface between the insulator film and the semiconductor layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device that stores data dynamically. More particularly, it relates to a semiconductor device, which includes a floating semiconductor layer (body region) in each memory cell electrically separated from other memory cells to store data depending on if the body region holds the majority carrier excessively therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
A DRAM is generally employed as a semiconductor memory device having a large storage capacity and tends to have an increasingly complicated structure because of progresses in fine pattering technologies. A new DRAM is proposed to achieve a relatively simpler structure but has a difficulty in its controllability. In either case, it is very hard to achieve high integration and high performance.
JP-A 2003-68877 proposes a semiconductor memory device capable of achieving high integration and high performance because of a simple structure. This semiconductor memory device comprises body regions formed on an SOI substrate, each electrically isolated from others. A threshold voltage is altered to store data depending on if the majority carrier is held excessively in the body region.
FIG. 16 shows a sectional structure of a unit memory cell in a DRAM, which is the semiconductor memory device disclosed in JP-A 2003-68877. FIG. 17 shows an equivalent circuit diagram thereof. The memory cell MC comprises an SOI-structured N-channel MOS transistor. Namely, it employs an SOI substrate, which includes a silicon substrate 10, a silicon oxide film 11 formed thereon as an insulator film, and a P-type silicon layer formed on the silicon oxide film 11. Ions of a P-type impurity are implanted into a region of the P-type silicon layer for memory cell formation to form a body region 12. A gate electrode 13 is then formed on a gate insulator 16 above the body region 12. N-type source/drain diffusion regions 14 and 15 are formed as self-aligned with the gate electrode 13. The source/drain diffusion regions 14 and 15 have an LDD structure that includes a low resistance layer 15A formed to a depth reaching the silicon oxide film 11 on the bottom and a high resistance layer 15B extending from the low resistance layer toward the gate electrode 13.
With respect to the body region 12 beneath the gate electrode 13, the oxide film may be employed for separation in the direction of the channel width (the direction perpendicular to the page of FIG. 16). In this case, the bottom and the sides in the direction of the channel width are isolated from others, and those in the direction of the channel length are separated at PN junctions. Thus, the body region 12 is kept in the floating state. Such memory cells MC are arrayed in matrix. In this case, the gate electrode 13 is connected to a word line WL, the source diffusion region 15 to a fixed potential line (ground potential line), and the drain diffusion region to a bit line BL.
FIG. 18 shows a layout of a memory cell array. FIGS. 19 and 20 show A-A′ and B-B′ sections of FIG. 18, respectively. The body regions 12 are device-isolated and patterned in grid by a buried silicon oxide film 21 (FIG. 20). The gate electrode 13 is formed continuously in one direction to provide the word line WL. The source diffusion region 15 is formed continuously along the word line WL to provide a fixed potential line (common source line). An interlayer insulator 23 covers the transistors and the bit line BL is formed on the insulator. The bit line BL is in contact with the drain diffusion region 14 shared by two transistors (memory cells), and is located as intersecting the word line WL.
This memory cell stores data through the use of storage of holes or the majority carrier in the body region 12. When the MOS transistor contained in the memory cell operates in the pentode region, a large current flows from the drain diffusion region 14 to cause impact ionization in the vicinity of the drain diffusion region 14. The impact ionization generates electron-hole pairs. The generated holes or majority carriers are held in the body region 12. This hole storage state (a higher potential state above a state of thermal equilibrium) may be defined as data "1", for example. A PN junction between the drain diffusion region 14 and the body region 12 is forward biased to release holes from inside the body region 12 to the drain diffusion region 14. This state is defined as data "0".
Data "1" and "0" have a difference in potential on the body region 12 and are stored as a difference in threshold voltage of the MOS transistor. A threshold voltage Vth1 in the state of data "1" with an elevated potential on the body region 12 due to the storage of holes is lower than a threshold voltage Vth0 in the state of data "0". It is required to apply a negative bias voltage to the word line to retain the state of data "1" with the majority carrier or holes stored in the body region 12. This data retaining state can not be changed on reading until writing (erasing) of opposite data is executed. Different from a 1-transistor/1-capacitor DRAM that employs storage of charge in a capacitor, non-destructive reading can be performed.
Such the DRAM has a problem because holes stored in the body region in one memory cell may flow into the body region in an adjacent memory cell through a parasitic bipolar transistor to vary or destroy data in the adjacent memory cell possibly (disturbance by the parasitic bipolar transistor). This problem is described specifically. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, in a memory cell MCL data "1" is stored because holes are held excessively in the body region 12. In contrast, in a memory cell MCR adjoining to and sharing the bit line BL with the memory cell MCL, data "0" is stored because holes are not held in the body region 12.
When the memory cell MCL is rewritten from "1" to "0" in this state, the voltage on the bit line BL shared by the memory cells MCR and MCL is changed from "H" to "L". As a result, holes in the body region 12 (p-type) of the memory cell MCL are injected therefrom into the drain diffusion region 14 (n-type) connected to the bit line BL. The injected holes disappear when they recombine with electrons or the majority carrier in the n-type drain diffusion region 14. In this case, because of a long diffusion length of the hole, part of the holes may possibly flow into the body region 12 (p-type) in the adjacent memory cell MCR and destroy "0" data in the memory cell MCR. This phenomenon can not be ignored because the drain diffusion region 14 tends to have a shortened length as fine patterning of the device proceeds.


A water based, cold seal, cohesive coating for bonding one or more substrates together to form a flexible package to contain an article, especially useful for snack food packaging. The cohesive coating includes about 25% to about 90% by weight of a natural rubber latex emulsion, about 10% to about 75% by weight of a non-self-crosslinking acrylic emulsion, about 0.01% to about 10% by weight water, and one or more ingredient selected from an anti-foam agent, ammonia, a surfactant, an anti-blocking agent, an inert filler, and a conditioning agent, so that in combination the components total 100% by weight of the composition. The use of a non-self-crosslinking acrylic emulsion provides an improved cold seal cohesive that may be employed with current high temperature converting systems and provides improved adhesion to substrates, enhanced cohesion to itself, reduced blocking and avoids seal deadening.

The present invention relates to a water based, cold seal, cohesive coating for flexible packaging systems, and more particularly to a water based, cold seal, cohesive coating containing a non-self-crosslinking acrylic emulsion for use in food packaging and especially snack food packaging.
A cold seal adhesive, also referred to as a cohesive coating, is a type of pressure sensitive adhesive which possesses the ability to form a strong bond to itself when pressure is applied and also to form a bond with the flexible substrate on which it is applied. Cohesive coatings are thus pressure respondent, i.e. the introduction of mechanical energy is all that is required to initiate seal formation. Cold seal adhesives also preferably lack adhesion to the surfaces such as plastic films and overprint varnishes which are on the opposite face of these flexible substrates so that such flexible substrates or webs coated with the cold seal adhesive may be stored in roll form without blocking, i.e. without sticking together. Cohesive coatings are used in a variety of different types of applications, but are particularly desirable for use as sealants in packaging for snack food such as candies, chocolates, ice cream and the like which are sensitive to heat thus rendering undesirable the use of heat sealable adhesives to seal such packages.
Typical cold seal adhesives have been formulated by combining a natural rubber elastomer, particularly a latex, with other ingredients such as stabilizers, antioxidants, and the like. Natural rubber elastomers exhibit most of the desirable cold seal properties noted above. Typically, these natural rubber elastomers where blended together with an acrylic emulsion. The acrylic emulsion provides advantageous properties to the natural rubber latex to enable the latex to adequately bond to flexible packaging substrates that may be covered with various types of inks, primers, release modifiers, slip agents and the like. Unfortunately, acrylic emulsions used in the past had heat reactive sites in the polymer chain which allow crosslinking of the polymer at temperatures ranging from above about 127° C. (260° F.). Crosslinking results in an improvement of some physical properties and in better water and solvent resistance, but also makes the acrylic more brittle so that its adhesive properties are reduced. In the past, the heat reactive functionality of such acrylic emulsions was not important since there was no way for the crosslinking to be initiated, i.e. processing temperatures of the flexible packaging substrates were well below the critical temperature of 127° C. (260° F.), and there were no known chemical initiators in the packaging materials per se. Thus, the acrylic emulsion was adapted for use in cohesive or cold seal coatings for flexible food packaging systems.
In more recent years, however, new inks such as acrylic based and polyurethane based inks have been introduced for use on flexible packaging substrates. Also, the substrates themselves are typically laminations of various types of films bonded together with new laminating adhesives such as water based polyurethane dispersions (PUD's) and acrylics to form the substrate lamination. Further, the substrate itself is being manufactured from new films with multiple co-extrusion layers such as high barrier resins, high surface energy resins and low temperature sealing resins for the purpose of promoting adhesion of cold seal or cohesive coatings to the surface of the substrates. In addition, new processing equipment has been developed to speed the rate of converting raw materials to the flexible end product packaging assembly. New "extreme dryers" are being used to superheat and compress oven air that is used to dry flexible packaging coatings, and for example these extreme dryers run at 135° C. (275° F.) at 2.1 kg/cm2 (30 psi). Unfortunately, running at such temperatures results in being 15 degrees higher than the critical temperature of 127° C. (260° F.) mentioned above for initiating crosslinking. As a result, the acrylic latex used in the past crosslinked with the result that although it became tougher, it also decreased its cohesiveness resulting in what is commonly referred to in the art as "seal deadening." Seal deadening of a flexible package results in failure of the seal which is unacceptable to manufacturers and consumers. As a result, it was desirable to develop a water based cohesive which could be utilized with flexible packaging systems that are manufactured by current techniques so that such systems do not result in cohesive failure.

Cohesive coating for snack food packaging


A smart card that allows for the categorization of expenses at the time they are incurred and the automatic generation and storage of information concerning the date, payee, and amount of the transaction. A single smart card is utilized to record and categorize transactions as they occur by transaction identities. These transaction identities are business or personal classification, cash, check, or credit card type transactions, and expense categories. The smart card has a alphanumeric display and a keyboard for selecting the class, type, and category. These items are selected by the entry of numbers on the keyboard but textual information is displayed to identify these items in response to the entered numbers. A program in a personal computer is used to specify the class, type, and categories along with the textual information in the smart card via a smart card reader. These specifications correspond to a spreadsheet that has been entered on the personal computer by the user of the smart card. The personal computer loads the textual information defining the class, type, and category into the smart card so that it corresponds to the titles of the entries on the spreadsheet.

In trying to maintain personal budgets and business expense accounts, an individual experiences the problem of gathering data and inputting that data into a computer spreadsheet program or some other type of computer program. Once the data has been sorted by categories and entered into a spreadsheet program, an individual can quickly manipulate this data to obtain accurate financial pictures. Not only do the spreadsheets allow an individual to tabulate data but also allow the printing out of graphs that visually indicate where money is being spent.
People spend their money in one of three types of transactions: cash, check, and credit cards. In the case of both credit cards and checks, an individual has a paper record of the amount of the expenditure, date of expenditure, and with whom (payee) the expenditure was made. In addition, an individual can in their checkbook indicate the category of expense that the check was written for. In the case of a credit card, an individual can note on the credit card receipt the category for which the money was spent. When cash is utilized to pay an expense, an individual can write on the receipt received for the payment the category. Many individuals also have to classify expenditures as either personal or business. The key problem however is to enter this information into a spreadsheet program. Not only is the data entry time consuming and boring, it is also prone to mistakes. Because of this key problem, most people cannot accurately track their expenses with respect to specific categories.
Another problem that arises with the use of credit cards is the need to verify that the amounts detailed on the monthly statement have been correctly reported by the merchants or service providers. To ascertain, if these amounts are correct, the individual must match up each amount listed on the statement with the receipt obtained when the credit card was used. This is a particularly frustrating process because daily use of credit cards results in a large number of receipts. Further, receipts are often lost or misplaced since they are individual pieces of paper.
With respect to the use of checks, the monthly statement for the checks must be reconciled with the checkbook. Discrepancies between the net amount shown in the checking account by the statement and that shown by the checkbook are often due to incorrect entries in the checkbook or mistakes in arithmetic operations within the checkbook itself. These problems normally take time to find and correct.
A partial solution to these problems is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,547 of M. A. Kapp, et al. This patent discloses an electronic checkbook which uses a digitizer to collect information concerning the date, the payee of the check, and the amount of the check as the check is being written. The patent also discloses the fact that reconciliation between the balance shown in the electronic checkbook and that shown on a check statement can be reconciled by using an automatic teller machine (ATM) or by connecting into the computer of a bank via a personal computer. The problem with the disclosed system is that it does not categorize the expenses for which the checks are written nor does it address the problem of the use of credit cards and cash.

Smart card for automatic financial records


A method of making a composite part including an insert and an elastomer layer that is bonded to the insert. The insert is placed in a mold and an uncured elastomer is sprayed into the mold to form a composite part. The inherent adhesive properties of the uncured elastomer is the sole mechanism for bonding the elastomer to the insert.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of interior trim parts for vehicles wherein the part is backed by an elastomeric polyurethane layer.
2. Background Art
Many parts for vehicles are manufactured with an elastomeric or rubber-like layer on one side. For example, removable floor mats (also known as throw in place mats), load floors, package shelves, spare tire covers and many other parts are made with such an elastomeric or rubber-like layer. Conventional ways of manufacturing such parts include sewing or adhesively bonding an elastomeric layer to a preformed structural part or carpet piece. Sewing is labor-intensive and relatively costly while the more common adhesive bonding process requires assembly operations and extensive use of expensive adhesives because in some applications they must remain flexible after curing.
There is a need for a reliable and cost-effective process for manufacturing interior trim parts having an elastomeric backing layer. Any such process must offer a durable and high quality part that meets or exceeds original equipment manufacturer's standards.

Pseudo insert molding for trim parts using polyurethane spray process


A motorized home storage system can be mounted to any type of ceiling for storing items off the ground. The motorized home storage system is designed to make use of unused ceiling space, allowing homeowners to store their items overhead and out of the way and create additional storage in homes. The system is designed for large and heavy items that can be easily stored due to the two tube motors. Tube motors can allow a storage platform to be lowered for easy access, loading, and unloading. Additionally, tube motors can allow the storage platform to be raised to the ceiling in order to be completely out of the way and off the ground. The system can include legs attached to the platform which can unsnap to turn the platform into a table.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to motorized home storage products, and specifically to overhead storage products.
Description of the Related Art
Storage areas of a building typically include items stacked in floor space. Recently, however, storage structures supported from a ceiling have increased storage capacity by permitting items to be placed well above the floor, near the ceiling area of a room. These products sometimes require walking up or down a ladder to retrieve products, which can be dangerous. Further, many retrievable storage platform options are very time-consuming to build and/or install, and can be very expensive. Finally, these designs can be visually unappealing and can be unsafe due to countless moving parts and cables, with various parts sticking out of the main body of the product.


An output coding apparatus includes a coder for coding an inputted bitstream to an error correction and/or detection code composed of information bits and check bits; and a bitstream assembling section for assembling an outputted bitstream by inserting a synchronization code at any one of a plurality of synchronization code insertion positions previously determined in the outputted bitstream, arranging the information bits at any desired positions of the bitstream, and by arranging the check bits at positions other than the synchronization code insertion positions in the bitstream. Therefore, when the coding apparatus is combined with a resynchronization method using both an error correction and/or detection code and a synchronization code, it is possible to solve a problem caused by pseudo-synchronization or synchronization-loss pull-out or step-out due to erroneous detection of the synchronization code.

The present invention relates to a system for transmitting and/or storing information through a medium of high error rate such as radio transmission path, and more specifically to a coding and decoding apparatus for coding a bitstream obtained by a high efficiency compression coding to form an error correction and/or detection code and for transmitting and/or storing the coded bitstream.
In a system for transmitting audio and/or video signals via radio transmission path after the signals have been compression-coded at a high efficiency to reduce the signal quantity as small as possible, for instance as with the case of radio, TV, telephone, portable information terminal, digital TV broadcasting system, etc., since the error rate of the transmission path is relatively high, it is important to transmit the compressed bitstream with as high a quality as possible.
When the bitstream is transmitted and/or stored via a medium of high error rate as described above, an error correction code such as BCH code, RS code, convolutional code, etc. has been so far widely adopted as means for reducing the error rate. On the other hand, as means for detecting an error on the reception side, an error detecting code such as check sum, CRC, etc. is used. In these error correction and/or error detection methods, error is corrected and/or detected by adding excess (redundant) bits to information to be transmitted and/or stored in accordance with a prescribed rule and further by checking whether the transmitted and/or stored bitstream abides by the same rule when decoded.
However, in the above-mentioned method such that the bitstream obtained by high efficiency compression coding is further coded to an error correction and/or detection code and then transmitted and/or stored, there exists a problem in that it is difficult to combine this method with a resynchronization method for recovering a synchronization when synchronization-loss occurs due to an erroneous synchronization caused by the transmission and/or storage medium. Here, as the above-mentioned synchronization restoring method, the method of inserting a unique word (referred to as synchronization code or start-code) decodable uniquely (unconditionally) and of resuming decoding operation, in case of synchronization-loss, from a time point when the synchronization code is detected again has been widely used.
In order to form the synchronization code as a code word decodable unequivocally, it is necessary to construct the series of code words in such a way that a bit pattern the same as the synchronization code will not appear. In the case of the general error correction and/or detection coding method, however, it is difficult to construct the code word in such a way that a specific bit pattern will not appear. In the case of the general error correction and/or detection coding method, however, it is difficult to construct the code word in such a way that a specific bit pattern will not appear. When the bit pattern the same as the synchronization code appears pseudo-synchronization may occur due to an erroneous detection of the synchronization code.
To overcome this problem, conventionally, the following method has been so far used: after the error correction and/or detection coding has been executed, the presence of the bit pattern the same as that of the synchronization code is checked for in the bitstream; when the same bit pattern exists, stuffing bits are inserted into the pattern in accordance with a prescribed rule, in order to prevent pseudo-synchronization; and the inserted stuffing bits are removed in accordance with the same prescribed rule by the decoding apparatus. In this method, however, when the bitstream having an error is transmitted and/or stored, since there exists a possibility that the stuffing bits are also inserted erroneously, there still exists another problem in that an additional synchronization-loss or pseudo-synchronization may occur.
Further, when the bitstream is coded for error correction and/or detection, and further the synchronization code is inserted, in the conventional method, since many insertion bits must be added to the bitstream at the last portion of a synchronization block sandwiched between two synchronization codes, in order to compensate for error correction and/or detection code bits, there arises another problem in that the coding efficiency is lowered.
On the other hand, in order to increase the error correction and/or detection capability, although it may be considered to increase the redundancy of the information to be transmitted and/or stored, in this case, however, the number of necessary bits increases when the same quantity of the information is transmitted. Therefore, when the error correction and/or detection capability is simply increased, there arises another problem in that a transmission path of higher transmission rate is required or that the number of bits of information to be stored is increased. Further, when the transmission rate or the storage capacity is the same, the quantity of information to be transmitted and/or stored decreases with increasing redundancy. As a result, in the case where audio and video information are compression-coded at a high efficiency and then transmitted and/or stored, if the redundancy is simply increased to increase the error resistance, and the transmission and/or storage rate is the same, the information must be compression-coded down to a lesser information quantity, causing another problem in that the audio quality and picture quality both deteriorate.
To overcome the above-mentioned problems, as the method of obtaining a high error resistance in spite of a lesser redundancy, there exists a method referred to as hierarchical coding. In this method, the audio or picture information compression-coded at a high efficiency is classified according to the degree of error which deteriorates the audio quality or the picture quality; the error correction and/or detection code of a high redundancy and thereby a high error correction and/or detection capability is adopted for the information with more importance and a large error influence; and the error correction and/or detection coding of a low redundancy and thereby a low error correction and/or detection capability is adopted for the information with less importance and a small error influence. In this method, it is possible to increase the error resistance in spite of a relatively small averaged redundancy, as compared with when a correction and/or detection code is used uniformly for all the information.
For instance, in the case of the coding method such that motion compensation prediction and the orthogonal transform are combined with each other (which is widely adopted for compression-coding moving picture information at high efficiency); that is, in the case of the coding method such that the motion compensation prediction is executed for the inputted moving picture video signals, and the predicted residual is orthogonal-transformed (e.g., discrete cosine transform (DCT)), the error correction and/or detection code of strong error correction and/or detection capability is used for the motion vector information or low-order coefficients of the orthogonal transform of the prediction residual signals (because this information deteriorates picture quality largely in case an error occurs); and the error correction and/or detection code of weak error correction and/or detection capability is used for high-order coefficients of the orthogonal transform of the prediction residual signals (because this information exerts a relatively small influence upon the picture quality).
To realize the above-mentioned hierarchical coding, it is necessary to switch between error correction and/or detection codes of different error correction and/or detection capabilities midway in the outputted bitstream. As the method of switching between error correction and/or detection codings of different error correction and/or detection capabilities, there exists such a method that header information indicative of the sort of the error correction and/or detection code is added to the bitstream. FIG. 1 shows an example of a bitstream in which it is indicated that the error correction and/or detection codes are switched by adding header information. In more detail, in this example, two sorts of the error correction and/or detection codes FEC1 and FEC2 are switched. In each of the headers 1101 to 1104, header information indicative of the sort of the error correction and/or detection code and a number of code word is inserted. Therefore, the coding apparatus arranges the code word coded for error correction and/or detection after each header information; and the decoding apparatus decodes the header information and after that the error correction and/or detection code in accordance with the decoded header information.
However, in the above-mentioned method of indicating switching the error correction and/or detection codes by adding the header information, there arises a problem in that the number of bits of the bitstream to be transmitted and/or stored increases due to the addition of the header information. In the case where audio or video signals are compression-coded, since some bits are used for the header information, the number of bits used for the compression-coding audio or video signals is inevitably reduced, with the result that the audio quality and/or the picture quality inevitably deteriorates.
As described above, when the error correction and/or detection coding is executed for a bitstream obtained by compression-coding moving picture signals, since any bit pattern can be generated, in the case where the error correction and/or detection coding is combined with the synchronization method using the unique word as synchronization code, there can exist a pseudo-synchronization due to erroneous detection of the synchronization code. Further, when the stuffing bits are inserted to prevent the pseudo-synchronization, there arises another problem in that the synchronization-loss and the pseudo-synchronization may occur due to erroneous insertion of the stuffing bits.
Further, when the bitstream is coded for error correction and/or detection and further the synchronization code is inserted, in the conventional method, since a relatively large number of bits must be inserted to compensate for error correction and/or detection code bits at the last portion of the synchronization block, there arises a problem in that the coding efficiency deteriorates.
Further, in the case of the coding and/or decoding apparatus in which the error correction and/or detection codes of different error correction and/or detection capabilities are indicated as switched by adding header information, since the number of bits to be transmitted and/or stored increases due to the addition of the header information, when audio or video signals are compression-coded at a high efficiency and then transmitted and/or stored, the information quantity used for audio or video information inevitably decreases, with the result there exists a problem in that the audio quality and the video quality both deteriorate.

Coding apparatus and decoding apparatus for transmission/storage of information


A wafer carrier having an anti-slip structure formed on outward surface portions of side plates of the wafer carrier. The anti-slip structure may be composed of at least one of several shapes or structures such as grooves, round shape projections, and acute angle shaped projections, each which is formed on both the outward surface portions. The wafer carrier having such an anti-slip structure prevents the wafer carrier from slipping or falling while the wafer carrier is being transported.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wafer carrier for transporting wafers contained therein during the fabrication of semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to a wafer carrier with an outward surface portion having an anti-slip structure.
2. Description of the Related Arts
In fabricating semiconductor devices, various different process steps are carried out in accordance with the type and function of the particular semiconductor wafer (thereinafter, referred to as "wafer"). After the completion of process steps for depositing materials on the wafers to form films thereon, and then selectively etching or polishing the films, the wafers are collected in a wafer carrier and transported to another place. Then the wafers in the wafer carrier are unloaded for subsequent processing steps. In many cases, the collected wafers may be temporarily located in a closed cleaning box in a related working area prior to performing the subsequent process steps.
As described immediately above, when the wafers must be transported in a conventional wafer carrier from one working area to another, they may be transported manually by an operator, or by a wafer carrier transport system. Especially, in the former case, the wafer carrier often slips out of the hands of the operator because outward surface portions of the carrier are flat and even, resulting in damage to the wafers and a decrease in yield and productivity.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional wafer carrier 6 has a carrier body with an inner curved surface extending from a first lateral edge 2a of the body to a second lateral edge 2b of the carrier body, and slots 2 in the inner surface of the body extending generally continuously from the first lateral edge 2a to the second lateral edge 2b. The carrier 6 further has feet 4 extending from the body for holding the wafers in an upright position. The carrier body is substantially defined by a bottom plate, a pair of opposing side plates 1a and 1b, and front and rear plates 3a and 3b. Each of the plates 3a and 3b extends between both ends of the side plates 1a and 1b, as shown in FIG. 1. Also the inner curved surface extends from the first lateral edge 2a of the body (i.e., an edge of the side plate 1a), along the bottom plate, to the second lateral edge 2b (i.e., an edge of the side plate 1b).
Each of the slots 2 are defined by a bottom wall and pair of opposing side walls which are constructed to support a wafer. The slots 2 may each receive a portion of an outwardly facing peripheral edge of each wafer to support the wafers in an upright position, and the distance between the slots is in the range of about 2 mm to 5 mm. It is understood that each of the slots has a depth suitable for receiving the wafer (not shown).
In the above wafer carrier 6, since the outward surfaces of the side plates 1a and 1b are flat and even as shown in FIG. 1, the wafer carrier may fall or slip out of an operator's hand while transferring the wafers, whereby the wafers may be damaged or broken.


A gas-liquid separator includes a housing being supplied with water-containing gas, a gas-liquid separation portion being provided inside the housing and separating water from water-containing gas, a water storage portion being arranged on a bottom portion of the housing and storing water separated by the gas-liquid separation portion, and a valve mechanism enabling discharge of and stop of the discharge of water in the water storage portion via a discharge flow path communicating with the water storage portion. An inner wall of the housing has a guide surface flowing water toward the water storage portion and is provided with a regulating portion regulating staying of water in a vicinity of a flow-in port of the discharge flow path.

In JP2017-147159A (Reference 1), as a gas-liquid separator having the above-described configuration, a technology in which a gas-liquid separator main body having a water storage portion in a lower portion is arranged and the gas-liquid separator main body, which is located at a location higher than the water storage portion, is provided with an introduction port and a discharge port is described.
In Reference 1, the gas-liquid separator main body is provided with, on an inside thereof, a vertical wall-shaped collision wall at an intermediate location between the introduction port and the discharge port and a rebound-reducing plate on an upper side of the water storage portion. According to this configuration, collision of gas introduced from the introduction port with the collision wall causes water contained in the gas to be separated, the separated water is stored in the storage portion, and the gas from which the water is separated is discharged from the discharge port.
In a fuel cell, electricity generation is achieved by supplying hydrogen gas to the anode side and air containing oxygen to the cathode side. In addition, unreacted hydrogen and water are contained in anode off-gas discharged from the anode side of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell is provided with a gas-liquid separator that removes the water contained in the anode off-gas, in a flow path returning the anode off-gas to the anode side in order to reuse the unreacted hydrogen.
The gas-liquid separator described in Reference 1 includes a storage portion storing water in a lower portion, a water level sensor detecting a water level of water stored in the storage portion, and a discharge valve enabling discharge of water stored in the storage portion. Note that, in Reference 1, control is performed so as to open the discharge valve while the sensor detects water.
When, for example, a gas-liquid separator that does not include a water level sensor, estimates an amount of water stored in a water storage portion (the storage portion in Reference 1) from an amount of power generated by a fuel cell through calculation or the like, and performs control of opening a discharge valve and discharging water in the water storage portion at a time point when the estimated amount of water reaches a predetermined amount of water is considered, it is effective that a discharge flow path formed between the water storage portion and the discharge valve is formed to have a small diameter like an orifice in order to suppress, for example, a difficulty that anode gas containing unreacted hydrogen is discharged after the discharge valve is opened and water is discharged.
When a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) is considered, water sometimes freezes inside a gas-liquid separator when, for example, electricity generation by a fuel cell is stopped in a cold area. In particular, when water freezes in a vicinity of a flow-in port of the discharge flow path having a small diameter as described above, the gas-liquid separator becomes unable to discharge water stored in the water storage portion on an occasion when electricity generation by the fuel cell is subsequently resumed.
Thus, when electricity generation is stopped because of, for example, stopping a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in a cold area, it is conceivable that processing of discharging water in a storage portion before the stop of electricity generation or discharging processing of water by means of scavenging in which gas is supplied from outside is performed. However, even when the discharging processing of water as described above is performed, water droplets are sometimes left inside a gas-liquid separator main body after the stop while being attached to the inner surface thereof and, when, for example, a vibration is applied from outside, water droplets flow along the inner surface of the gas-liquid separator and reach a vicinity of the flow-in port of the discharge flow path, and there has thus been room for improvement.
A need thus exists for a gas-liquid separator which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.


A device for implanting an object, such as a hormone pellet or an electronic transponder beneath the skin of an animal, includes a hollow needle (1) with an actuating rod (11) slidable therein, a cover (2) movable relative to the needle to enable at least the sharp end of the needle to be shrouded, and a locking mechanism in the form of an abutment (10) movable into a rebate (6), from which it cannot then return. The needle (11) may be mounted at one end of a body (4) which incorporates the locking rebate (6).

It is known to implant pellets, such as hormone pellets, beneath the skin of an animal using a device having a hollow needle through which a rod may travel to transfer the pellets from the needle to the animal. An example of such a device is described and illustrated in the specification of our published UK Patent Application No. GB2190590A.
One disadvantage associated with this sort of device is that the device may inadvertently be used more than once on a number of animals, giving rise to the risk of cross infection. In addition, a used needle presents the danger of injury and infection to someone handling the device.


A reflecting surface design system (50) has (1) first rendering means (54) for displaying a free-form surface (20) on which a plurality of segments (24), each of which is defined by a plurality of vertices (251 to 254), are formed, (2) reflection information specifying means (56) for specifying the vertex position and light reflecting direction for each of the plurality of vertices (251 to 254) that define one of the plurality of segments (24), and (3) surface calculation means (58) for calculating a surface (S) to be assigned to the one segment (24) on the basis of the vertex positions and light reflecting directions specified for the plurality of vertices (251 to 254) that define one segment (24), and the light source position, which is specified in advance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reflecting surface design system and method for designing a reflecting surface of a reflecting mirror of a lamp member used in a vehicle or the like such as an automobile or the like, a computer program for making a computer design a reflecting surface of a reflecting mirror of a lamp member, and a computer readable recording medium that records the computer program.
2. Related Background Art
A lamp member for a vehicle is formed by a light source, reflecting mirror, and lens. In such lamp member for a vehicle, light emitted by the light source becomes incident on the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror. This incident light is reflected by respective segments of the reflecting surface in reflecting directions determined by their surface shapes, and leaves the lamp member via the lens.
Upon designing the lamp member for a vehicle, conditions in terms of a shape (shape constraint conditions) upon using the lamp member while being mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile or the like, and conditions in terms of an outer appearance (outer appearance constraint conditions) are imposed in addition conditions in terms of functions as a lamp (function constraint conditions). Therefore, it is demanded to design a lamp member that can optimize the conditions in terms of functions while satisfying the given shape and outer appearance constraint conditions.
The function constraint conditions include uniformity of light to be emitted by the entire lamp member, diffusion of light which is to be appropriately diffused and look bright when viewed from various directions, and the like, depending on the types of lamp members. The shape constraint conditions include a condition based on the volume and shape of a lamp member storage portion of a vehicle body, a condition based on the shape of a lamp member outer surface (lens outer surface) contiguous with other vehicle body portions, and the like. The outer appearance constraint condition include a condition based on matching with the outer appearance of other vehicle body portions, a condition based on requirements from design of the vehicle body, and the like.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Reflecting surface design system, reflecting surface design method, recording medium, and computer program


A semiconductor-based all optical wavelength converter is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material. An optical pump source is optically coupled to direct an optical pump beam having a first wavelength into the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is further optically coupled to receive an input optical beam having a second wavelength. The optical waveguide is optically coupled to generate an output optical beam having a third wavelength in response to the optical pump beam and the input optical beam in the optical waveguide. A diode structure is disposed in the optical waveguide. The diode structure includes at least P and N regions. The diode structure is biased to generate an electric field to remove free carriers from an optical path through the optical waveguide generated in response to two photon absorption in the optical waveguide.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of invention relate generally to optical devices and, more specifically but not exclusively relate to semiconductor-based optical wavelength conversion.
2. Background Information
The need for fast and efficient optical-based technologies is increasing as Internet data traffic growth rate is overtaking voice traffic pushing the need for fiber optical communications. Transmission of multiple optical channels over the same fiber in the dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) system provides a simple way to use the unprecedented capacity (signal bandwidth) offered by fiber optics. Commonly used optical components in the system include wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmitters and receivers, optical filter such as diffraction gratings, thin-film filters, fiber Bragg gratings, arrayed-waveguide gratings, optical add/drop multiplexers and wavelength converters.
A wavelength converter is a device that can be used to covert the wavelength of one optical beam to a different wavelength. Wavelength converters can be used to address the needs in future high speed, multi-wavelength optical networks. Known wavelength conversion techniques such as for example those that have been used in LiNbO3 crystal based wavelength converters have suffered from issues such as photorefractive damage and high cost.

Semiconductor waveguide based high speed all optical wavelength converter


A pair of training gloves for training a person catching a thrown or kicked American football to position the hands properly for effective catching of the ball includes connector members of hook and loop fastener on the index fingers and thumbs of each glove. The connector members also include straps having elastic sections, and the straps are secured to the tip of the index finger and thumb of one glove. Separate straps also extend laterally from the tip of the little finger and the back of the one glove. The connector members, including the straps on the thumb and index finger on the one glove, are adapted to be secured to the other glove by cooperating pads of hook and loop fastener material sewn to the thumb and index finger of the other glove to provide assumption of the "diamond" position of the hands for catching a ball generally above the waist. The laterally projecting straps on the one glove are releasably securable to pads on the little finger and the backhand portion of the other glove to restrain the gloves, when worn, to cause the hands to assume a shape resembling an inverted "W" for catching a football generally below the waist.

An American football is a difficult object to catch when thrown or otherwise propelled through the air during play. However, the ball is usually, when thrown or punted, rotating about the major axis of its prolate spheroid shape. In this regard, football players whose designated positions, such as pass receivers, require frequent catching of the ball are coached to position their hands in certain ways when receiving the ball generally above the waist and below the waist, the two major catching positions requiring a different positioning of the hands, respectively. For example, football players are typically coached to position their hands with palms facing toward the ball, with the index fingers touching or close to touching and the thumbs touching or close to touching and spread to form a so-called "diamond" shape for catching the ball generally above the waist. Conversely, players are coached to position the hands with palms facing toward the ball, the little fingers just touching each other and the hands spread open to approximate the shape of an inverted letter when catching the ball in a position generally below the waist.
These positions of the hands are not natural and mere verbal admonitions or coaching instructions are not easily followed during training or practice exercises. In this regard, there has been a need to provide a way to emphasize the proper placement of the hands for catching a football both above the waist and below the waist so that during pass receiving and punt receiving training exercises the player's hands, whether a defensive or offensive player, are properly placed so that the player will "remember" during actual play to place the hands in one of the preferred positions for catching the ball. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.


The invention provides LCT1 nucleic acids which encode metal ion uptake transporters. The invention also provides methods of modulating heavy metal and alkali metal uptake in plants. The methods involve producing transgenic plants comprising a recombinant expression cassette containing an LCT1 nucleic acid linked to a plant promoter.

Heavy metals occur at various concentrations in different types of soils. In trace amounts certain heavy metals such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) perform vital structural roles as cofactors in enzyme homeostasis. However, when in excess, these heavy metals as well as non-essential metals such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) are toxic. Many human disorders have been attributed to ingestion of heavy metals including an increased rate in cancer in response to Cd.
Remediation of soils containing high levels of heavy metals requires physical removal of the metals, because most of these metals cannot be degraded in the soil, as is the case for certain organic contaminants. Current practical methods used to decontaminate such sites involve physical excavation of top soils, transport and reburial elsewhere. These clean-up methods are only feasible for small areas and are very costly. For example, cleaning one hectare to a depth of one meter can cost between $600,000 and $3,000,000.
Studies have shown that several plant types are effective at taking up significant concentrations of heavy metals from soils and waters (Baker & Brooks, Biorecovery 1: 81-126 (1989) and Dushenkov et al., Environ. Sci. & Tech. 29: 1239-1245 (1995)). These heavy metal "hyperaccumulators" are widespread throughout the plant kingdom. Most metal hyper-accumulating plants have been identified by selecting plants that grow on sites with high metal concentrations (e.g. mining sites). Some of the very efficient heavy metal hyper-accumulators such as Thlaspi caerulescens (Brown, Environ. Soil & Tech. 29: 1581-1858 (1995)) are relatively small or have small root systems and low biomass which limits their ability for removal and storage of large amounts of heavy metals. Brassica juncea plants, which produce larger biomass have been identified as efficient metal hyper-accumulators (Salt et al. Plant Physiol. 109: 1427-1433 (1995).
Initial studies indicate that removal of heavy metals from soils by plants would be orders of magnitude less costly and could become efficient by maximizing metal uptake through biological engineering (Cunningham & Ow et al., Plant Physiol. 110: 715-719 (1996); Brown et al., J. Env. Qual. 23: 1151-1157 (1994); and Salt et al., Plant Phys. 109: 1427-1433 (1995)). Several rate-limiting steps are critical for effective removal of heavy metals from soils. These include making the contaminants biologically accessible in the soil (by chelation and acidification) and subsequent uptake of heavy metals across the plasma membrane of root cells. Furthermore, upon entering plant cells, intracellular detoxification is achieved by production of appropriate high-affinity ligands or chelation proteins and peptides. Several mechanisms of intracellular detoxification/chelation have been identified in plants including metallothionins (Hamer, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 55: 913-951 (1986) and Maitani, et al. Plant Physiol. 110: 1145-1150 (1996)), glutathione-derived phytochelatins (Howden et al. Plant Physiol. 107: 1059-1066 (1995) and Grill et al. Science 230: 674-676 (1985)), or metal binding amino acids (Kraemer et al. Nature 379: 635-638 (1996)).
A recent study has shown that reduction of the heavy metal Hg to its non-charged metallic form, which is less toxic, significantly reduces plant toxicity and can enhance removal of Hg (Rugh et al. Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 3182-3187 (1996)). In a following detoxification step, heavy metal-peptide complexes are shuttled into the plant lysosomal vacuolar organelles (Ortiz et al. EMBO J. 11: 3491-3499 (1992) and Ortiz et al. J. Biol. Chem. 270: 4721-4728 (1995)). An ATP binding cassette (ABC)-type transporter has been shown to mediate vacuolar sequestration of heavy metals in yeast. Sequestration of conjugated heavy metal-peptide complexes in the large plant vacuoles effectively removes these compounds from various metal-sensitive enzymes in the plant cell cytoplasm (Salt et al. Plant Phys. 107: 1293-1301 (1995)). In addition, it is considered advantageous if heavy metals are further transported into shoots and leaves of plants before being sequestered into vacuoles as these aerial parts of the plant are more amenable to harvesting for heavy metal removal (Cunningham et al. Plant Physiol. 110: 715-719 (1996)). Identification of transporters that load heavy metals into the vascular tissue in roots and that enable heavy metal uptake into leaf cells from the vascular system will be essential for biological engineering of root to shoot transfer.
Plant plasma membrane cation uptake transporters have been isolated by complementation of yeast mutants deficient in accumulation of specific cationic nutrients (Sentenac et al. Science 256: 663-665 (1992); Anderson et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 3736-3740 (1992); Ninnemann et al. EMBO J. 13: 3464-3471 (1994); and Schachtman and Schroeder, Nature 370: 655-658 (1994)). Complementation of K.sup.+ uptake deficient yeast mutants led to isolation of first K.sup.+ channel cDNAs in plants, named AKT1 and KAT1 (Sentenac et al. and Anderson et al. supra). In voltage clamp experiments these two cDNAs were shown to encode inward-rectifying K.sup.+ channels that provide a pathway for proton-driven low-affinity K.sup.+ uptake (Schachtman, et al. Science 258: 1654-1658 (1992); Hoshi, The Journal of General Physiology 105: 309-328 (1995); Bertl, Folia Microbiologica 39: 507-509 (1994)).
Despite these advances, genes encoding heavy metal transporters in the plasma membranes of plant cells have not yet been isolated. Identification of genes encoding transporters that load heavy metals into the vascular tissue in roots and that enable heavy metal uptake into leaf cells from the vascular system will be essential for biological engineering of root to shoot transfer. The present invention addresses these and other needs.

Nucleic acids encoding metal uptake transporters and their uses

The Regents of the University of California


The present invention relates to methods and test kits for the amplification and detection of nucleic acids from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and/or type 2. The methods use multiple primer sets to amplify all subtypes of HIV-1, including group M and group O isolates, and all subtypes of HIV-2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and test kits for the amplification and detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In particular, the present invention relates to PCR methods that use multiple primer sets to amplify all subtypes of HIV-1, including group M and group O isolates, and all subtypes of HIV-2.
2. Background Information
Progress has been made in our understanding of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its causative agent, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Two groups of human immunodeficiency viruses, HIV-1 and HIV-2, have been identified. HIV-1 and HIV-2 are genetically related, but are nevertheless distinct. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 show considerable genetic variability among their different isolates. Indeed, ten subtypes of HIV-1 (group M comprising subtypes A to I and group O comprising subtype O) have been identified. While consensus sequences have been generated for HIV-1 and HIV-2 from published nucleotide sequences of various HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates, it is impossible to find substantial regions of absolute sequence conservation between all isolates of HIV-1 or all isolates of HIV-2. In addition to the genetic variability found among HIV isolates, many nucleotide regions of HIV are as highly conserved between HIV and non-related viruses as they are within the HIV-1 and HIV-2 families. These facts, taken together, make it extremely difficult to design polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers and probes that will efficiently detect all group M and group O subtypes of HIV-1 and all HIV-2 subtypes without falsely detecting non-related viruses.
One of the challenges facing those attempting to develop amplification systems that detect all known HIV-1 and HIV-2 subtypes is the development of oligonucleotide primer sets which perform adequately when used together under a single set of amplification conditions (such as, salt conditions, temperatures, and amplification times). Identifying primers and detection probes that are compatible in terms of primer-primer and primer-probe interactions is an even greater challenge. Thus, in the case of the amplification and detection of HIV-1 and/or HIV-2, steps maximizing the probability of detecting highly divergent subtypes or isolates under less than ideal conditions are still needed.

Amplification and detection of HIV-1 and/or HIV 2


A method of generating an ontology includes determining plural concepts from a data set by using a first predetermined pattern, using a second predetermined pattern to determine a relationship between the plural concepts, and between a concept and a concept token in the plural concepts, and generating the ontology based on the relationship.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method (and system) for generating an ontology, and more particularly, a method of generating an ontology which determines plural concepts from a data set by using a first predetermined pattern, uses a second predetermined pattern to determine a relationship between the plural concepts, and between a concept and a concept token in the plural concepts, and generates the ontology based on the relationship.
2. Description of the Related Art
The aim of semantic web services is to implement a required task through automatic discovery, matching and composition of web services. This is difficult because the interface descriptions of web services are often terse and cryptic, especially when the services are generated by wrapping legacy code.
Much research has been performed on web service matching. Some researchers have taken a machine learning approach to web service classification. However, these approaches treat all terms from a Web Service Definition Language (WSDL) document as simply a "bag of words" and do not guarantee a match of operations to operations, messages to messages, etc.
Other researchers attempt to find matching service descriptions using dictionary and domain-specific ontologies. However, the dictionary-based approach has limitations, and the conventional ontology-based approach requires human-built ontologies, which is time-consuming and hard to extend to other domains.
Still other researchers describe an approach to operation matching in web services which uses the parameters present in input and outputs of operations (i.e. messages) to determine similarity of operations in web services.
However, all of these approaches use simplistic web services available on the web. There are only a handful of parameters per operation, and only partial matches of parameters can be expected in realistic web services. Thus, it is not clear how these conventional methods scale to industrial strength web services that have few parameters each modeled though by a complete extensible markup language (XML) Schema Definition (e.g., an XSD schema) wherein lies the true information for matching parameters.

Method and system for generating an ontology

International Business Machines Corporation


A SIMOX structure having a reduced number of defects is formed by performing a two step anneal. In one embodiment, a conventional anneal is followed by an H.sub.2 /Si anneal. The conventional anneal first densifies the buried oxide layer in order to make the oxide less reactive with hydrogen. The H.sub.2 /Si anneal forms a quasi-equilibrium at the superficial semiconductor layer surface, thus there is no etching of the silicon surface and there is only a negligible amount of silicon deposition. The H.sub.2 reacts with the oxide precipitates and dissolves them. In a second embodiment the two step anneal comprises a low temperature H.sub.2 anneal followed by a conventional anneal. At low temperature, H.sub.2 can diffuse through silicon, but is much less reactive. Thus, etching of the superficial silicon and silicon dioxide buried layer is minimal. The conventional anneal is at a higher temperature, thus H.sub.2 can react with the oxygen precipitates to remove them.

This invention relates, in general, to semiconductor processing, and more particularly, to a method of reducing oxide precipitates in a superficial layer of a SIMOX structure.
Silicon On Insulator (SOI) structures are comprised of a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate, and a superficial semiconductor layer on the insulating layer. One way of fabricating SOI structures is by using a Separation by Implantation of Oxygen (SIMOX) technique. In this technique the insulating layer or buried oxide layer is formed by implanting a high dose of oxygen into a semiconductor substrate. The implantation causes many defects, such as oxide precipitates, to form in the bottom of the superficial semiconductor layer of the SIMOX structure. Because active devices are built in the superficial semiconductor layer, a high defect density may prohibit the use of SIMOX structures for certain devices. The rough boundary between the superficial semiconductor layer and buried oxide caused by the presence of oxygen precipitate can cause adverse device characteristics. By decreasing the density and size of the defects, the interface between the buried oxide layer and the superficial silicon layer will also be made uniform. Thus it would be desirable to reduce the number and size of defects in the superficial layer.
A reduction in the defect density has been achieved by annealing the SIMOX wafer at a high temperature of approximately 1300.degree. to 1400.degree. C. after oxygen implantation rather than a conventional anneal of approximately 1200.degree.-1300.degree. C. Although annealing at high temperatures reduces the defect density somewhat, it would be desirable to reduce the defect density even further. In addition, it would be desirable to use a lower temperature anneal due to manufacturing constraints and contamination problems at such high temperatures. The high temperature is also limited to the melting point of silicon.
Another proposed method of reducing the defect density in SIMOX wafers is by implanting hydrogen ions into a semiconductor wafer after oxygen implantation and before anneal. This method has been shown to reduce the defect density in SIMOX wafers. However, it would also be desirable to reduce the defect density without having to employ an extra implantation process.
By now it should be appreciated that it would be advantageous to provide a method of reducing the density and size of oxide precipitates in a superficial layer of a SIMOX structure.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of reducing the density and size of oxide precipitates by utilizing a two-step anneal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of reducing the density and size of oxide precipitates by using a low temperature anneal.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of reducing oxide precipitates and providing a pre-clean of the superficial semiconductor layer surface.


Methods of using combinations of antihistamines by administering an attenuated dosage amount of a first generation antihistamine for a quick onset concomitantly with a maintenance dosage amount of a second or third generation antihistamine are disclosed.

Antihistamines find wide use in treating allergies by blocking the binding of histamine to histamine H1-receptors and thereby suppressing symptoms such as a runny nose or watery eyes. So-called first generation antihistamines were developed that provided excellent reduction in the symptoms of rhinitis, however many of these early compounds induced a sedative effect in the patient, as they are nonselective for the H1-receptor. Depending upon the time of day of administering a conventional recommended dose of a first generation antihistamine, the sedative effect may or may not be desired. For example, sedation would not be desired during the day while most patients need to be active and fully functional, often requiring awareness for daily activities such as working or driving a car.
Second and third generation antihistamines were subsequently designed to avoid the sedative effect exhibited in the earlier generation of compounds. These compounds were developed such that they do not cross the blood brain barrier and thus are selective for peripheral H1 receptors outside of the central nervous system, thereby exhibiting a reduced sedative effect.
Although the second and third generation antihistamines avoid the sedative effect of the first generation antihistamines, they exhibit a lag from the time of administration to time when the patient starts to experience symptomatic relief. Several second generation antihistamines, such as terfenadine, astemizole, cetirizine, and loratadine, exhibit a lag time of several hours before onset of action (See Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (1997), 79, 163-172).
Thus, there remains a need in the art for methods of administering antihistamines that provides rapid, sustained, and improved therapeutic effect while at the same time avoiding a sedative effect such that the administration can occur regardless of the time of day.


A system implementing an MBIST device is disclosed. The system includes an ECC-protected memory and the MBIST device for self-test of the memory. The MBIST device includes a first access port communicatively connected to the memory via a first path, the first path excluding the ECC logic associated with the embedded memory, and a second access port communicatively connected to the memory via a second path, the second path including the ECC logic associated with the memory. The device is configured to test the memory, in a first mode of operation, via the first path and, in a second mode of operation, via the second path. One advantage of such system includes re-using, with little additional die area, of MBIST logic already required for manufacturing test of the product (first mode of operation) for system or application level tests that may be carried out by customers (second mode of operation).

Recent advances in semiconductor design and fabrication methods enable ever increasing miniaturization of electronic circuits. Complete systems comprising microprocessors, communication logic and, in particular, memories can now be found on a single semiconductor chip. Such systems-on-a-chip (SOC) have a multiplicity of technologies that previously had a high space requirement as separate components on a circuit board.
While, in the past, semiconductor chips were dominated by logic functions and separate memories were provided externally, modern integrated circuits increasingly require embedded memories on a semiconductor chip itself. Embedded memories may be present in semiconductor chips as different memory blocks in different sizes and forms. As a result of the integration of memories on a semiconductor chip, it is possible to save space. In addition, as a result of eliminating or reducing interfaces and speed-impeding factors such as circuit boards, the speed of memory accesses can be increased.
Embedded memories in a system-on-a-chip have to be very reliable and tested accordingly. Therefore, a memory self-test device, sometimes referred to as a "memory built-in self-test" (MBIST) device, is usually provided in a system-on-a-chip having embedded memories, said device being tailored to the embedded memories provided in the system. Such a device then carries out a memory self-test, for example during or after the fabrication of the corresponding semiconductor chip.

MBIST device for use with ECC-protected memories


The invention encompasses novel compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment of diseases mediated by B1 bradykinin receptor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of pharmaceutical agents and specifically relates to compounds, compositions, uses and methods for treating inflammation-related disorders, including pain.
2. State of the Art
More than two million people in the United States alone are incapacitated by chronic pain on any given day (T. Jessell & D. Kelly, Pain and Analgesia in PRINCIPLES OF NEURAL SCIENCE, third edition (E. Kandel, J. Schwartz, T. Jessell, eds., (1991)). Unfortunately, current treatments for pain are only partially effective, and many cause lifestyle altering, debilitating, and/or dangerous side effects. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ("NSAIDs") such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and indomethacin are moderately effective against inflammatory pain but they are also renally toxic, and high doses tend to cause gastrointestinal irritation, ulceration, bleeding, increased cardiovascular risk, and confusion. Patients treated with opioids frequently experience confusion and constipation, and long-term opioid use is associated with tolerance and dependence. Local anesthetics such as lidocaine and mixelitine simultaneously inhibit pain and cause loss of normal sensation. In addition, when used systemically, local anesthetics are associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. Thus, there is currently an unmet need in the treatment of chronic pain.
Pain is a perception based on signals received from the environment and transmitted and interpreted by the nervous system (for review, see M. Millan, Prog. Neurobiol. 57:1-164 (1999)). Noxious stimuli such as heat and touch cause specialized sensory receptors in the skin to send signals to the central nervous system ("CNS"). This process is called nociception, and the peripheral sensory neurons that mediate it are nociceptors. Depending on the strength of the signal from the nociceptor(s) and the abstraction and elaboration of that signal by the CNS, a person may or may not experience a noxious stimulus as painful. When one's perception of pain is properly calibrated to the intensity of the stimulus, pain serves its intended protective function. However, certain types of tissue damage cause a phenomenon, known as hyperalgesia or pronociception, in which relatively innocuous stimuli are perceived as intensely painful because the person's pain thresholds have been lowered. Both inflammation and nerve damage can induce hyperalgesia. Thus, persons afflicted with inflammatory conditions, such as sunburn, osteoarthritis, colitis, carditis, dermatitis, myositis, neuritis, inflammatory bowel disease, collagen vascular diseases (which include rheumatoid arthritis and lupus) and the like, often experience enhanced sensations of pain. Similarly, trauma, surgery, amputation, abscess, causalgia, collagen vascular diseases, demyelinating diseases, trigeminal neuralgia, cancer, chronic alcoholism, stroke, thalamic pain syndrome, diabetes, herpes infections, acquired immune deficiency syndrome ("AIDS"), toxins and chemotherapy cause nerve injuries that result in pain.
As the mechanisms by which nociceptors transduce external signals under normal and hyperalgesic conditions become better understood, processes implicated in hyperalgesia can be targeted to inhibit the lowering of the pain threshold and thereby lessen the amount of pain experienced.
Bradykinin (BK) and the related peptide, kallidin (Lys-BK) mediate the physiological actions of kinins on the cardiovascular and renal systems. However, the active peptides, BK and kallidin, are quickly degraded by peptidases in the plasma and other biological fluids and by those released from a variety of cells, so that the half-life of BK in plasma is reported to be approximately 17 seconds (1). BK and kallidin are rapidly metabolized in the body by carboxypeptidase N, which removes the carboxyterminal arginine residue to generate des-Arg BK or des-Arg kallidin. Des-Arg-kallidin is among the predominant kinins in man and mediates the pathophysiological actions of kinins in man. In addition to being a very potent proinflammatory peptide, des-Arg-BK or des-Arg-kallidin is known to induce vasodilation, vascular permeability, and bronchoconstriction (for review, see Regoli and Barabe, Pharmacological Rev, 32(1), 1-46 (1980)). In addition, des-Arg-BK and des-Arg-kallidin appear to be particularly important mediators of inflammation and inflammatory pain as well as being involved in the maintenance thereof. There is also a considerable body of evidence implicating the overproduction of des-Arg-kallidin in conditions in which pain is a prominent feature such as septic shock, arthritis, angina, and migraine.
The membrane receptors that mediate the pleiotropic actions of kinins are of two distinct classes, designated B1 and B2. Both classes of receptors have been cloned and sequenced from a variety of species, including man (Menke, et al, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21583-21586 (1994); Hess et al, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 184, 260-268 (1992)). They are typical G protein coupled receptors having seven putative membrane spanning regions. In various tissues, BK receptors are coupled to every known second messenger. B2 receptors, which have a higher affinity for BK, appear to be the most prevalent form of bradykinin receptor. Essentially all normal physiological responses and many pathophysio-logical responses to bradykinin are mediated by B2 receptors.
B1 receptors, on the other hand, have a higher affinity for des-Arg-BK compared with BK, whereas des-Arg-BK is inactive at B2 receptors. In addition, B1 receptors are not normally expressed in most tissues. Their expression is induced upon injury or tissue damage as well as in certain kinds of chronic inflammation or systemic insult (F. Marceau, et al., Immunopharmacology, 30, 1-26 (1995)). Furthermore, responses mediated by B1 receptors are up-regulated from a null level following administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or inflammatory cytokines in rabbits, rats, and pigs.
The pain-inducing properties of kinins coupled with the inducible expression of B1 receptors make the B1 receptor an interesting target in the development of anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antihyperalgesic and analgesic agents that may be directed specifically at injured tissues with minimal actions in normal tissues.
Certain compounds have been described as bradykinin antagonists. WO 03/07958, published 30 Jan. 2003, describes tetrahydroquinoxalines. Dihydroquinoxalinones are described in a JACS communication. Piperazine-2,3,5-triones are described in Tet. Lett., 40, 7557-7560 (1999). European application 641779, published 8 Mar. 1995, describes 3,6-dioxopiperazines as platelet aggregation inhibitors.
Clearly, there is a need for new, safe and effective treatments for inflammation and pain. Such agents are provided in the present invention.


A sensor assembly for accurately measuring the temperature of a process fluid flowing within process tubing is disclosed. A thermocouple sensor can be configured within a protective sheath with leads protruding from the sheath. A gland-like structure can be coupled to the sheath or machined integral to the sheath. The sensor assembly can be coupled to a closed loop. The sensor can be positioned within or in close proximity to the fluid flowing in the closed loop, and the sensor accurately measures the temperature of the process fluid flowing in the closed loop. The sensor assembly is easily assembled and/or disassembled allowing the sensor to be maintained.

Typically, when the temperature of a process fluid flowing in process tubing needs to be automatically measured, a thermocouple is used. To improve the accuracy of the measurement, the thermocouple is placed as close as possible to the fluid. However, the thermocouple is placed external to the tubing because there are electrical leads attached to the probe that need to be easily accessible in order to read the temperature measurement. Since the thermocouple is not physically in contact with the fluid, the reaction time is too slow and the measured temperature is not accurate.
One method used in the past to increase the reaction time is to machine a thin-walled depression into the wall of a fitting, such as a T-shaped fitting. Potting compound is then used to firmly hold a thermocouple in the depression. In this configuration, the thermocouple still does not make contact with the fluid, however the reaction time is decreased since the thermocouple is surrounded on three sides by the fluid, and the potting compound is chosen to be thermally conductive. Unfortunately, the depression in the fitting is expensive to machine. Also, it is also difficult to remove and replace the thermocouple should the thermocouple fail.
Using a bayonet-type spring-loaded thermocouple facilitates removal and replacement of the sensor. But this type of thermocouple is difficult to place close to the process fluid and consequently, has a slow reaction time when sensing changes in the temperature of the flow. This device also requires manufacturing an expensive thermal-weld in which to install the thermocouple.
VCR fittings are commonly used in fluid and gas flow systems. A typical assembly will usually comprise two glands engaging and sealing on either side of a gasket, held together by connecting male and female nuts; or a gland engaging and sealing on one side of a gasket and a connector body engaging and sealing on the other side of the gasket, secured by a nut. One approach to the current problem designed for use with VCR components is to thread a thermocouple through the gasket and weld the gasket to the sheath of the thermocouple. However, the drawback to this design is that the thermocouple is not reusable, and thus it cannot be cleaned.
What is needed is a thermocouple probe design that can react quickly and accurately to temperature changes and is easily removable and replaceable.


A detection system and method for a marine vessel uses an infrared sensor to detect the presence of a human being or mammal in a target area near the propulsor. A visible light detector is used to determine whether or not a signal received from the infrared sensor is caused by reflected sunlight and not the actual presence of a human being or mammal. By detecting visible light, false triggering of the system in response to infrared radiation received from sunlight can be significantly reduced. Embodiments of the system can monitor gear position and engine speed in combination with signals received from the infrared sensor and visible light sensors to determine an appropriate action to take in response to the presence of infrared radiation above a preselected threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a detection system for a propeller driven watercraft and, more particularly, to a system and method that detects the presence of human beings and other mammals above the surface of the water in the vicinity of a marine propulsion device behind the transom of a marine vessel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Outboard motors have been used for many years to propel many different types of marine vessels. Sterndrive systems are also well known to those skilled in the art. Devices have been developed in an attempt to insulate human beings from potential harm caused by a rotating propeller of a marine vessel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,488, which issued to Colling on Dec. 24, 1991, describes an aircraft engine deactivation apparatus. The apparatus is intended for stopping an aircraft engine while the aircraft is on the ground. The apparatus is for detection purposes and used to prevent a detected object from coming into contact with an engine driven propeller or a jet propulsion intake. A detector, preferably an infra-red radiation sensor, detects an object or person within a selected distance and within a selected area about the engine. Upon detection, a mechanical engine deactivator shuts down the engine. A by-pass switch renders the system inoperable, when desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,892, which issued to Staerzl on Mar. 12, 2002, discloses a detection device for a marine vessel. The detection device provides an infrared sensor with a tube having a central cavity in order to define a viewing angle which is more narrow than the inherent viewing angle of the infrared sensor. The central cavity of the tube also defines a line of sight and can be directed toward a particular region above the surface of the water near a marine vessel that is to be monitored for the presence of a heat generating object, such as a human being. An alarm circuit is responsive to signals from the infrared sensor and deactivates the marine propulsion system when a heat generating object is near the marine propulsion system. The length and diameter of the tube are selected to provide a desired viewing angle for the infrared sensor. An audible alarm output is provided if an attempt is made to manipulate a joystick that controls the marine propulsion system when a heat generating object is sensed by the infrared sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,845, which issued to Snyder et al on Sep. 17, 2002, discloses a passive occupant sensing system for a watercraft. A tetherless occupant detector system uses an infrared sensor and a monitor circuit that provides a deactivation signal to an engine control unit and other control mechanisms in the event of an operator of the marine vessel leaving a preselected control position at its helm. The infrared sensor provides an output signal that is generally representative of the heat produced by an occupant within the controlled position of a marine vessel. The monitor circuit reacts to a sudden decrease in this heat magnitude and provides a deactivation signal in response to detecting this sudden decrease. The deactivation signal provided by the monitor circuit can be received by an engine control unit which then, in turn, deactivates a marine propulsion system. Alternatively, the deactivation signal itself can cause a deactivation of the marine propulsion system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,359, which issued to Juds et al on May 23, 1995, describes a method and apparatus for detecting objects with range-dependent blocking. A method and apparatus is disclosed which allow the detection of an object by the generation of a radiated beam and a subsequent reflection by the object of a portion thereof. The detection of particulate object material due to a reflection of a portion of the generated beam is minimized.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,012, which issued to Juds et al on May 10, 1994, describes a method and apparatus for detecting objects with modifying gain and sensor means. This patent is generally similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,359, described above.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention.
The use of infrared sensors to detect the presence of human beings or animals within a prescribed detection zone is well known to those skilled in the art. This type of system is commonly used to turn on lights when a human being passes through a detection zone. Any warm blooded animal can be sensed by an infrared detector.
An inherent problem associated with infrared detectors is that normal sunlight contains electromagnetic radiation that is within the infrared portion of the spectrum. As a result, an infrared detector can be erroneously triggered by reflected sunlight received by its sensing components. In the discussion below, a triggering of an infrared detection system by reflected sunlight, and not the heat generated by a human or other warm blooded animal, will be referred to as a "false" trigger because the infrared radiation is the result of reflected sunlight and not the result of the situation which is intended to be detected (the presence of a human or other warm blooded animal). When used in certain applications, such as in conjunction with a marine propulsion system, false triggering of an infrared sensor by reflected sunlight can have very deleterious effects. As an example, sunlight reflected off the surface of a body of water can be interpreted by an infrared sensing system as being indicative of the presence of a human being or marine mammal within the detection zone of the sensing system. This could falsely cause the triggering of a sensing circuit which could turn off an engine of the marine propulsion system. On a bright, sunny day, the detection circuit could be plagued with numerous false detections of this type.
It would therefore be significantly beneficial if a detection system could be employed to protect an area surrounding a propeller of a marine vessel in such a way that humans and marine mammals could be detected, but reflected sunlight would not produce false triggering of the infrared detection system.

Detection system and method for a propeller driven marine vessel with a false triggering prevention capability


An improved Roman blind assembly is disclosed. The Roman blind assembly consists of a fabric screen mounted to a pair of suspension cords and a pair of pull cords. Each of the suspension cords consists of an elongated flexible cord having a plurality of loops formed along a length of the cord, each loop being a loop of flexible cord defining a loop opening. The blind assembly also includes a plurality of elongated mounting elements mounted to the fabric screen to form a plurality of parallel folds, each of said mounting element being mounted to one of the loops of each suspension cord. Finally, the blind assembly also includes a drawing mechanism for pulling up the fabric screen by drawing up the pull cords.

Roman blinds are a common and popular type of blind. The roman blind generally consists of a substantially flat sheet of fabric which is mounted to a plurality of parallel horizontal bars suspended from at least one pair of suspension cords. The fabric is arranged in a series of horizontal folds with the bars providing structural support for the folds of fabric. The suspension cords are suspended from a head assembly, which controls the lifting and lowering of the suspension cords. Lifting or lowering the suspension cords causes the bars to lift and lower, thereby drawing up the fabric screen or lowering it.
Mounting the suspension bars to the fabric screen and to the suspension cords is an important and often time consuming step in assembling roman blinds. Traditionally, the suspension bars were contained in sleeves sewn into the fabric screen. More recently, designs have been introduced which include a bracket for mounting the suspension bars to the fabric screen. These brackets often include a hollow C shaped tube made of a flexible material, such as plastic. The C shaped tube has a cavity dimensioned to fit tightly over the suspension bar. To mount the fabric screen to the suspension bar, the fabric is first folded over the suspension bar and then the fabric wrapped bar is forced into the cavity of the C shaped mounting bracket. The mounting bracket grasps the suspension bar tightly, thereby securing the suspension bar to the fabric screen. The fabric is firmly held between the C shaped tube and the suspension bar. The mounting bracket may then be attached to the suspension cord. However, mounting the bracket to the suspension cord is still a time consuming operation. Therefore, an improved roman blind assembly which simplifies the procedure for mounting the bars to the suspension cords is still required.


A high speed data communication system uses a single-ended bus architecture with a reference signal extracted from a differential periodic signal that is transmitted along with single-ended data. By using a periodic signal such a clock signal with approximately 50% duty cycle, a much more stable and accurate reference signal is established for receiving single-ended data.

The present invention relates in general to communication systems, and in particular to a communication system using single-ended parallel bus architecture for high speed data communication.
For high-speed chip to chip communication it is common to find both the clock and parallel data lines using fully differential architecture. The differential parallel bus architectures, however, requires twice the number of I/O's as compared to the single-ended bus architecture. To reduce the number of I/Os and bus interconnect lines it is desirable to use single-ended bus architectures. In high-speed communication systems, however, the signal swings are typically small, and in single-ended architectures it becomes necessary to define a reference signal which sets the threshold voltage of the I/O cells. This reference signal is used in both the transmitter as well as the receiver and is used to determine the logic state of the signal.
The use of a reference signal in a single-ended bus architectures works well as long as the reference voltage remains stable and accurate. Any variations in the reference signal results in duty cycle distortions. To improve the stability and accuracy of the reference signal, instead of having separate reference signal generators at each end of the channel (i.e., receiver and transmitter), the receiver is typically equipped with circuitry that extracts the reference level from the data. This method of reference extraction, however, still suffers from variations since the DC value of the received data can vary significantly depending on the data stream. There is therefore a need for data communication systems with improved single-ended bus structures.


A method for assisting in verifying the path of an aircraft comprising a step of computing a path by means of a flight management computer, based on lateral constraints originating from a navigation database, characterized in that it comprises a step consisting in assisting the pilot to verify that the computed path complies with the lateral constraints in order to improve safety.

In a conventional manner, an aircraft is fitted with a flight management computer used by the pilot for example for computing a reference path based on a flight plan.
It should be noted that a flight plan comprises a sequence of segments. Each segment is defined based on maneuvering instructions that the aircraft must comply with to go from one point to another; these instructions are defined thanks to mandatory and/or optional parameters that are also sometimes described as lateral or vertical constraints. These instructions are listed in a navigation database of the computer.
The reference path from the airport of departure to the destination airport is computed based on these segments which include lateral and vertical constraints, based on constraints of altitude, speed and time, and on the context of the aircraft such as the consumption, the weight of the aircraft, the winds, the temperature, the passenger comfort rules (the banking angle, the load factor), etc.
But, for this reference path to be a path that can be flown by the aircraft, certain lateral or vertical constraints are not complied with or not very closely.
The computer tells the crew the vertical constraints that are not complied with. But neither the crew nor the computer verify that the path obtained complies with the lateral constraints.
An important object of the invention is therefore to help to overcome this disadvantage.

Aircraft path verification assistance method


Bias voltage generators that can generate variable bias voltages for transistors in mixers and other circuits are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device or an integrated circuit (IC)) includes at least one transistor and a bias voltage generator. The transistor(s) have a threshold voltage and receive a bias voltage. The bias voltage generator generates the bias voltage based on changes to the threshold voltage of the transistor(s), e.g., due to IC process and/or temperature. In an exemplary design, the bias voltage generator includes a replica transistor that tracks the transistor(s) and an op-amp that provides a gate voltage for the replica transistor. The bias voltage is generated based on the gate voltage. The bias voltage generator may generate the bias voltage (i) to track the threshold voltage of the transistor(s) in a first mode or (ii) based on a fixed voltage in a second mode.

I. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to electronics, and more specifically to techniques for generating bias voltage for transistors in mixers and other circuits.
II. Background
Transistors are active circuit components commonly used in various circuits such as mixers. A mixer is a circuit that receives an input signal at an input frequency and a local oscillator (LO) signal at an LO frequency, frequency converts the input signal with the LO signal, and provides an output signal at an output frequency, which is determined by the input frequency and the LO frequency. A mixer may be used to frequency downconvert an input radio frequency (RF) signal from RF to baseband. A mixer may also be used to frequency upconvert an input baseband signal from baseband to RF.
A mixer may be required to have good linearity, which may be quantified by second order input intercept point (IIP2), residual side band (RSB), etc. Good linearity may be challenging to obtain because the electrical characteristics of transistors in a mixer may vary due to various factors such as variations in integrated circuit (IC) process, temperature, etc.

Threshold tracking bias voltage for mixers