Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for performing horizontal geometry padding on a current sample based on receiving a wraparound enabled indication that indicates whether a horizontal wraparound motion compensation is enabled. If the horizontal wraparound motion compensation is enabled based on the wraparound enabled indication, a video coding device may determine a reference sample wraparound offset of a current sample in a picture. The reference sample wraparound offset may indicate a face width of the picture. The video coding device may determine a reference sample location for the current sample based on the reference sample wraparound offset, a picture width of the picture, and a current sample location. The video coding device may predict the current sample based on the reference sample location in a horizontal direction. Repetitive padding or clipping may be used in the vertical direction.

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly entering our daily lives. VR has many application areas, including healthcare, education, social networking, industry design/training, game, movie, shopping, entertainment, etc. VR is gaining attention from industries and consumers because VR is capable of bringing an immersive viewing experience. VR creates a virtual environment surrounding the viewer and generates a true sense of "being there" for the viewer. How to provide the full real feeling in the VR environment is important for a user's experience. For example, the VR system may support interactions through posture, gesture, eye gaze, voice, etc. To allow the user to interact with objects in the VR world in a natural way, the VR may provide haptic feedback to the user.

Sample derivation for 360-degree video coding


An apparatus, and an associated method, provides a visualization of an aircraft status relative to a scheduled airline timeline for the aircraft. Input information associated with the aircraft and operations associated therewith, are provided and detected. The input information is used to generate a timeline having one or more milestones and an aircraft icon. The timeline and the aircraft icon are together displayed by a displayer. The visualization is viewable by airline personnel, permitting their viewing of the visualization.

The airline industry is a labor-intensive industry, requiring large numbers of operational personnel at multiple airports, and other, facilities, working in all aspects of aircraft operations relating to flight, maintenance, and other support activities. Additionally, logistical challenges associated with operational aspects of large numbers of aircraft and ensuring that appropriate levels of staffing are in place so that the airline operations can best be effectuated.
Many activities must be performed, and many factors must be taken into account for each aircraft throughout a typical day, or other time period. Activities are required to be undertaken and carried out at different locations and at different times, all dependent upon the location of the aircraft, or where the aircraft is scheduled to be at some future point, or where the aircraft has previously been positioned. Any disruption in a set schedule or routine interferes with timeliness of operation of the affected aircraft. And, when disruptions to the set schedules or routines of a plurality of aircraft occur, such disruptions interfere with the timeliness of operations of the affected aircraft. Generally, the sooner that the disruption is detected and alerted, and its cause determined, the sooner that ameliorative action can be undertaken and the affects of the disruption can be minimized. And, in some situations, ameliorative action can be taken on a prospective basis, sometimes even to prevent the occurrence of the disruption or limit its effects.
In order to take corrective action to ameliorate a schedule disruption typically requires that information relating to many aspects of the aircraft operations be monitored so that the disruption is early-identified. As airline operations are distributed across many locations, even across multiple continents, monitoring aircraft operations, even for a single aircraft, typically requires monitoring of information generated at multiple locations. And, when monitoring of a large number of aircraft is performed, such monitoring must be undertaken across a large number of locations.
Personnel of the airlines regularly, pursuant to their regular job activities, provide information related to different aspects of the aircraft operations. For instance, weight information associated with baggage that is to be loaded onto the aircraft as well as weight information associated with passengers that are to embark on a flight of the aircraft are provided and input into a computer system by ground personnel. The weight information is used, e.g., to perform balance and other calculations. Passenger weight information is, e.g., obtained from a passenger count. And, the baggage and passenger-count information is usable for forecasting, as well as from a weight and balance prospective. Fuel information is also provided by airline personnel and is used, amongst other things, pursuant to weight, cost, and distribution considerations. Weather information is also provided, both by airline personnel as well as by governmental, and other, weather-reporting entities. Weather information is provided for multiple locations, a take-off location and one or more landing-locations, as well as end-route conditions. Information relating to aircraft flight plans, and other related filings are also provided by airline personnel, both those required for airline and air flight operations as well as those required for governmental agencies. Significant additional aircraft-related, airport-related information, maintenance, and other information is provided and used by airline personnel.
While large amounts of information is collected by, or otherwise used by airline personnel, the information is generally obtained and used by other airline personnel that share a common task or mission. Collected, or otherwise entered, information is not always easily obtainable by any airline personnel that might need access to the information, nor is the information generally presentable in a manner that provides a comprehensive view of actual aircraft conditions and status relative to a scheduled choreography.
If a manner could be provided by which to provide a comprehensive view of the aircraft relative to an aircraft choreography, airline personnel would more easily be able to identify anomaly situations and more quickly be able to take ameliorative or preventive measures.
It is in light of this background information related to airline operations that the significant improvements of the present invention have evolved.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A device for winding a power cord of an up-right vacuum is disclosed to wind the power cord on a fixed cord hanger and a rotary cord hanger by the rotation of the winding device for an easy winding. The device for winding the power cord includes a rotary member 100 inserted from the front side of the main body 200 into the rear side thereof. A power cord holder 400 is coupled from the rear side of the main body 200 into the front side for winding with guiding the power cord 300 toward a circumference direction by a rotation of the rotary member 100. A rotary hanger 500 is engaged on an upper part within a radius of the power cord holder 400 for pivoting together to smoothly wind the power cord 300 in a case of passing the power cord holder 400 and for repatriating not to come out the wound power cord 300 after passing the cord holder. And a fixed cord hanger 600 is positioned on a lower part inside the radius of the power cord holder 400 for winding the power cord 300 while passing the power cord holder 400. Therefore, the device for winding is excellent in sanitation without directly touching the power cord by hands.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for winding a power cord of an upright vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to a device for winding the power cord, which is excellent in sanitation without directly touching the power cord by hands.
2. Description of the Related Art
An up-right vacuum cleaner generally sucks alien substances on a floor through a sucking hose and a sucking inlet.
The up-right vacuum cleaner is designed to clean at a point far from an electric outlet by a power cord. As shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, a conventional power cord 30 is wound and stored into a rotary cord hanger 20 engaged on the point of forming a triangle shape with a couple of fixed cord hanger 11 equipped in a rear central lower part of a main body 10.
The fixed cord hanger 11 is unified as a ┐-shape on the rear side of the main body 10. The rotary cord hanger 20 is roughly formed as a ┐-shape and inserted into a hole 12a formed on an inserting section 12 of the main body 10, while the rotary cord hanger 20 includes a slot 21b slotted at an angle of 90 degrees the inserting section 21 having a hook 21a for safely reaching to a hanging-sill 12b arranged and formed at the angle of 90 degrees within the inside of the wall.
Accordingly, the rotary cord hanger 20 is released downward by rotating the angle of 180 degrees to use the power cord 30 in the state of FIG. 5 and then plugged in the electric outlet for freely moving within the length of the power cord 30.
At this time, the hook 21a is rotated at every 90-degree angle and safely reached by the hanging-sill 12b if the rotary cord hanger 20 is pivoted to left or right direction in the case of a rotation.
Then the power cord 30 is gripped to hang on the fixed cord hanger 11 and the rotary cord hanger 20 and fastened to the fixed cord hanger 11 and the rotary cord hanger 20 with rotating as like in FIG. 5.
However, winding the power cord 30 by the fixed cord hanger 11 and the rotary cord hanger 20 is obviously less satisfactory in sanitation because of staining alien substances on the floor.
It is still less satisfactory to complicate the winding operation because of directly winding the power cord 30 by hands.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to solve the problems involved in the related art and provide a device for winding a power cord of an up-right vacuum cleaner on a fixed cord hanger and a rotary cord hanger by the rotation of a winding device engaged on a main body without a direct hand-gripping.
To achieve the above objects, a device for winding the power cord of an up-right vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, is provided to wind the power cord on a rear side of a main body. A rotary member is inserted from the front side of the main body into the rear side thereof. A power cord holder is coupled from the rear side of the main body into the front side to wind with guiding the power cord toward a circumference direction by the rotation of the rotary member. A rotary hanger is engaged on the upper part of the main body within a radius of the power cord holder for pivoting to allow winding of the power cord when the power cord holder rotates past the rotary hanger, and then repatriating to prevent the power cord from becoming unwound after a passing of the rotary hanger by the power cord holder. A fixed cord hanger is positioned on the lower part inside of the radius of the power cord holder for winding the power cord while passing the power cord holder.
Thereby, the device for winding the power cord is provided for an excellent sanitation and for the easy winding.

Device for winding power cord of up-right vacuum cleaner


The invention provides a water-soluble ink capable of forming an image having good color hue and high fastness in various use and environmental conditions, which comprises a coloring composition comprising a disazo dye represented by the following formula 1: A1-N═N-A2-N═N-A3 and at least one other dye having a specific structure; in formula 1, A1, A2 and A3 each independently represents an aromatic group which may be substituted or a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, and A1 and A3 each is a monovalent group and A2 is a divalent group.

The inkjet recording method is abruptly overspread and still making a progress, because the material cost is low, high-speed recording can be performed, noises are less generated at the recording and color recording is facilitated.
The inkjet recording method includes a continuous system of continuously jetting out a liquid droplet and an on-demand system of jetting out a liquid droplet according to image information signals, and the ejection system therefor includes a system of jetting out a liquid droplet by applying a pressure using a piezoelectric element, a system of jetting out a liquid droplet by generating bubbles in an ink under heat, a system using an ultrasonic wave, and a system of jetting out a liquid droplet by suction using an electrostatic force. With respect to the inkjet recording ink, an aqueous ink, an oily ink or a solid (fusion-type) ink is used.
The coloring agent used in such an inkjet recording ink is required to exhibit good solubility or dispersibility in a solvent, enable high-density recording, provide good color, be fast to light, heat and active gases in the environment (for example, oxidative gas (e.g., NOx, ozone) and SOx) and highly resistant against water and chemicals, ensure good fixing property and less blurring on an image-receiving material, give an ink having excellent storability, have high purity and no toxicity and be available at a low cost. However, it is very difficult to find out a coloring agent satisfying these requirements in a high level. In particular, a dye having good color hue and being fast to light, humidity and heat, especially at the printing on an image-receiving material having an ink-accepting layer containing a porous inorganic white pigment particle, being fast to oxidative gases in the environment, such as ozone, is strongly demanded.
As the dye for black color, a mixture of a disazo or trisazo dye with a yellow or magenta dye has been heretofore developed and for the raw material of these disazo and trisazo dyes, non-heterocyclic compounds such as phenol, naphthol, naphthylamine and aniline are being widely used. As for the disazo dye obtained from such raw materials, the dyes disclosed, for example, in European Patent No. 0761771 and Japanese Patent No. 2716541 are known, however, these dyes all are poor in the light fastness and furthermore, the fastness to oxidative gases such as ozone is extremely insufficient. Therefore, if such a dye is mixed with a yellow or magenta dye, the problem of poor light fastness or very insufficient fastness to oxidative gases such as ozone remains unsolved.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Coloring composition and inkjet recording method


In a method for triggering a DC motor through an integrated H-bridge circuit by using a control circuit and an apparatus for carrying out the method, a high-side transistor switch or a low-side transistor switch associated with each motor terminal, or both of the transistor switches, are each controlled or regulated to a conductive state by a respective guard circuit, if and as long as a potential at a motor terminal is or falls below a predetermined value. Each guard circuit has a biased transistor with a conductive state in which the associated transistor switches are made conducting through a current mirror.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for triggering a DC motor through an integrated H-bridge circuit, particularly in motor vehicles, and to an apparatus for performing the method, including one high-side transistor switch between each motor terminal and a positive pole of an operating voltage, one low-side transistor switch between each motor terminal and a negative pole of the operating voltage, and one guard circuit, assigned to each motor terminal, for preventing the occurrence of harmful substrate currents.
Integrated H-bridges, which are described in more detail below with regard to FIG. 1, include four monolithically integrated transistors. Depending on the direction of rotation of the motor, either two of the transistors or another two of the transistors are conducting. Upon motor shutoff or switchover, because of the energy stored in the inductance of the motor, negative potential peaks that fall below the ground potential of the operating voltage appear at the motor terminals and can cause so-called substrate currents (on the substrate of the integrated circuit), which can cause the failure of entire functional portions of the integrated circuit.
Until now, external guard diodes have been used which have a diffusion voltage that is below the diffusion voltage of the parasitic substrate diodes of the integrated circuit. Expensive, nonintegrated Schottky diodes have typically been used for that purpose.
A circuit for triggering a DC motor through an H-bridge circuit is known from German Published, Prosecuted Patent Application DE-AS 1 130 042. In order to protect against harmful induction peak voltages, that circuit uses Zener diodes which are connected parallel in the depletion direction to the power transistors connected to the positive pole of the operating voltage. If the operating voltage fluctuates, as happens, for instance, in on-board motor vehicle electrical systems, substrate currents on integrated circuits cannot be avoided with such a structure.
A circuit configuration for triggering a DC motor through an H-bridge circuit is known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 40 38 199 A1. In order to limit transient voltage and/or current peaks when the motor is turned on, shut off or switched over, that device contemplates driving a transistor in the just-opened current path in clocked fashion, or short-circuiting the motor through both transistors connected to the same pole of the operating voltage. Once again, that does not make it possible to limit negative voltages to a value that keeps the substrate diodes nonconducting.

Apparatus for triggering a DC motor with a protective circuit preventing substrate currents


A system and method of providing a dynamic optical network topology according to topology determinations made by a network control is disclosed. The system and method includes optical ports on an optical circuit switch system operably connected to a plurality of server groups, and optical ports on the optical circuit switch system operably connected to a plurality of packet processing nodes. The system and method also includes at least one memory and at least one processor to execute network control software to receive input comprising a bandwidth request, determine an output comprising a preferred optical link topology for the optical circuit switch system based on the received input, convert the optical link topology for the optical circuit switch system into optical circuit switch port mapping, and send the optical circuit switch port mapping to the optical circuit switch system and to the packet processing nodes.

Cloud computing and its applications are effecting a qualitative shift in the way people communicate and share information. The underlying computer networks that support cloud computing can be divided into two major categories: intra-datacenter and inter-datacenter. Intra-datacenter network interconnects the computing infrastructure (servers, disks) within the same building or among different buildings of a datacenter campus; while inter-datacenter network refers to connections from metropolitan to long-haul reach interconnecting multiple datacenters distributed at different geographic locations. Many modern high-speed data links use optical transmission technologies via optical fibers for both intra- and inter-datacenter networks.
Today, most of the actual computing and storage underlying the Internet and cloud computing takes place in warehouse-scale data center buildings. Similarly, most of the long-haul links transferring data and requests back and forth between end users and data centers are switched through Internet points of presence (POP). Both environments must transfer a tremendous amount of data between individual computers and the switches and routers responsible for getting the data to its destination. Current data centers contain predetermined topology structures for switching and interconnecting Internet data to determine a given destination.

Dynamic data center network with optical circuit switch


A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Field
This disclosure relates generally to a retractable step and side bar assembly for a raised vehicle.
Description of the Related Art
Many types of vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (e.g. JEEP® brand vehicles), pickup trucks, and vans, are raised off the ground farther than normal passenger automobiles. The increased height of the floor of the passenger cab from the ground makes it difficult to enter and exit these vehicles.
In addition, if the vehicles are driven over rough terrain, their lower body panels and door panels are susceptible to being scratched, dented, or otherwise damaged by rocks or other ground debris. To address this issue, the nerf bars or rock rails can function to protect the body of the vehicles from being damaged from below. Moreover, nerf bars can be mounted to the vehicle to provide a stepping surface to assist the driver and passengers in entering and exiting these vehicles.

Retractable step and side bar assembly for raised vehicle


A mass spectrometer (10) includes a housing (19) that houses a plurality of devices including a mass analyzer (110) including an ionization unit, a mass separation unit, and an ion detection unit, a first heat generation device (11), and a second heat generation device (12) which has an allowable maximum temperature lower than that of the first heat generation device (11) or an allowable temperature variation amount smaller than that of the first heat generation device (11), an intake port (14) of the housing (19) which is provided at a position closer to the second heat generation device (12) with respect to the first heat generation device (11), and an exhaust fan (15) of the housing (19) which is provided at a position farther from the second heat generation device (12) with respect to the first heat generation device (11).

In a mass spectrometer, it is necessary to evacuate an ionization chamber that ionizes a sample and an analysis chamber that performs mass spectrometry. Therefore, the mass spectrometer is provided with a vacuum pump, and a turbo molecular pump that can easily obtain a high degree of vacuum is often used particularly in the final stage. Further, the mass spectrometer is provided with a power supply for supplying power used for ionization and analysis and power for operating the vacuum pump. Since the current, voltage, and frequency are different for each application, a plurality of power supplies is usually provided in one mass spectrometer. In general, these vacuum pump and power supplies are housed in a housing of a mass spectrometer together with main bodies including an ionization chamber and an analysis chamber.
The turbo molecular pump is a pump that exhausts gas by blowing off gas molecules by rotating the rotor blades at high speed. When the temperature rises higher than a predetermined allowable temperature during use, the rotor blades expand and deform with heat, and the rotor blade may be damaged. In addition, when the temperature of the power supply rises, the output voltage varies, causing the deterioration of the analysis accuracy. Furthermore, the turbo molecular pump, other vacuum pumps and power supplies, as heat sources, raise the temperature of peripheral devices, thereby reducing the analysis accuracy and causing malfunctions of these devices. For these reasons, in the mass spectrometer, it is necessary to cool the heat generation devices such as a vacuum pump and a power supply and their surroundings during operation.
Patent Literature 1 describes a mass spectrometer in which an intake port and an exhaust fan are provided in a housing, and an exhaust fan is disposed near a turbo molecular pump in the housing. In addition to the configuration in which the intake port and the exhaust fan are combined, a configuration in which the intake fan and the exhaust port are combined is also conceivable. The former has a negative pressure inside the housing by exhausting the air with an exhaust fan, so that it is excellent in that the air flow from the intake port to the exhaust fan is easily generated, and the inside of the housing can be cooled evenly.


A new and distinct variety of plum tree Prunus Salicina derived as an open pollinated hybrid from the xe2x80x98Red Beautxe2x80x99 plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), but from which it is distinguished by producing fruit of high quality having a distinctive flavor, a generally green skin coloration and regular bearing, the variety developed as a hybridized seedling from the aforementioned selected seed parent and an unnamed seedling as the selected pollen parent.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree, Prunus Salicina, which will hereinafter be denominated varietally as the xe2x80x98Sunlite Nuggetxe2x80x99 plum tree, and, more particularly, to a plum tree which produces early maturing fruit, which are mature for commercial harvesting and shipment approximately May 17 to May 24 in the San Joaquin Valley of central California, producing generally large, high quality fruit, having green skin coloration.
The discovery and development of new varieties of fruit, and particularly tree fruit, is an assiduous task requiring great effort, substantial botanical knowledge, an equivalent knowledge of the marketplace, a considerable amount of good fortune, and time testing. From the point of view of the marketplace, the maturation period and fruit characteristics are frequently all important. Similarly, such criteria as flavor, size, color and shipability are of significant importance, as well as a multitude of other factors bear upon the success of any new variety. Therefore, the new variety was selected for asexual reproduction and commercialization.
The new variety of the instant invention is a plum tree characterized by its bearing of fruit of early maturation, of comparatively large size, of high quality, of shipability and of productivity, both for local usage, as well as packing and shipment to distant markets. The fruit of the new variety has been stored for twenty-one (21) days at 32xc2x0 to 34xc2x0 Fahrenheit without adverse affect. The productivity of fruit per tree of the new variety has generally consisted of from 50.8 kg (112 pounds) to 63.5 kg (140 pounds) of mature fruit. In addition, the fruit of the instant variety is of a generally green coloration which has been in demand, but effectively unavailable in the marketplace. In fact, the maturation date of the new variety of the instant invention is similar to that of the xe2x80x98Red Beautxe2x80x99 plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), but the fruit of which is of a generally green coloration, rather than a red coloration. The new and distinct variety is broadly characterized by a medium size, medium vigorous, hardy, productive, and regular beaing tree, which requires a pollinator such as the xe2x80x98Santa Rosaxe2x80x99 plum tree (unpatented). During the 2001 growing season, measurements were taken from the nineteen year old original tree of the new variety. The tree had a height of 5.18 m (17 feet) which included 1.83 m (6 feet) of new growth and a spread of 3.66 m (12 feet).
Therefore, the xe2x80x98Sunlite Nuggetxe2x80x99 plum tree of the instant invention is believed to be a promising candidate to meet a need in the marketplace which has long been recognized.
The present variety of plum tree hereof was selected by the inventor in his orchard near Del Rey, in Fresno County, in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The new variety is an open pollinated seedling of the xe2x80x98Red Beautxe2x80x99 plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539). The inventor selected the newly found seedling from a test plot of approximately fifty (50) seedlings in May of 1980 near Del Rey, Calif. The new variety was asexually reproduced at the inventor""s direction by budding and whip grafting in 1982 near Parlier, in Fresno County, in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The instant Variety was propagated on Nemaguard peach (unpatented) rootstock. The test location was to confirm that the same distinctive characteristics were found in the trees of the new variety grown under other soil and farming conditions. The progeny of the new variety have been observed and evaluated since that date. The asexually reproduced trees of the new variety observed since that date have been found to be identical in all respects to the parent tree including the fruit thereof.
The xe2x80x98Sunlite Nuggetxe2x80x99 plum tree is characterized by producing early maturing, high quality, large sized fruit which have a green skin coloration and are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment approximately May 17 to May 24 in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. The new variety of plum tree of the instant invention may be compared to the xe2x80x98Red Beautxe2x80x99 plum tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) with the early maturation of the fruit thereof, and including its high quality, productivity and green skin coloration.

Plum tree named xe2x80x98Sunlite Nuggetxe2x80x99


A distributor includes first and second liquid distribution systems for two liquid phases for an upright tube-bundle reactor. The first system is arranged directly above or on a tubesheet and is connected to at least one outer feed device and contains an annular weir. The second system is connected to at least one other outer feed device and contains one upper and one lower distribution tray which contains a plurality of openings which are arranged flush above the inlet sleeves of the first system, and has at least one device for setting a uniform liquid level above the openings. The upper distribution tray is connected to the feed device for liquid, and contains a plurality of overflow weirs from which the liquid is able to discharge into the lower distribution tray. Each of the overflow weirs is assigned to a plurality of openings of the lower distribution tray.

The invention relates to a liquid distributor for two liquid phases to be uniformly distributed into a plurality of tubes of an upright tube-bundle reactor. Such tube-bundle reactors are used to carry out chemical reactions which are either highly exothermic or endothermic, and in which a certain temperature range must be adhered to. Whilst the chemical reaction takes place inside the tubes, which are filled with bulk material, for example, the tubes on the outside are tempered, i.e. either cooled or heated. The tubes are normally retained at the top and bottom by tubesheets and are therefore closed or sealed against the outside of the tube. Furthermore, normal tube-bundle reactors exhibit an outer jacket and openings for feed and discharge pipes, as well as for assembly purposes. The outer jacket normally also delimits the distribution chamber above the tubesheet on the outside.
In such reactors the uniform dosing of the reactants presents difficulties, particularly in the case of two liquids which cannot be mixed and which, because of their non-miscibility, cannot be pre-mixed and must therefore be introduced separately into the individual tubes of the tube bundle, for example, an aqueous and an oily phase. Difficulties also arise if one of the two liquids or both of them are supplied in small throughputs and the discharge points are therefore subject to interfacial effects of the liquids, e.g. radial deflection, and when, in addition, the required small discharge openings may be blocked by particles of dirt.
A further difficulty arises in cases where not only the two liquids but also a gas flow is to be fed into the individual tubes of the tube bundle, whether as a further reaction medium, as a stripping medium for reaction products or for flushing undesirable secondary products. Such a difficulty regularly occurs when the tube-bundle reactors contain bulk material, e.g. catalyst inventory or carrier material for biological processes, and provision is made for the reactor to operate as a trickle-bed reactor.
Difficulties of the above-mentioned type may also be mutually intensifying when the gas flow and liquid drops or fine liquid jets influence each other, for example, liquid is dispersed.
A further difficulty may arise when changing operating conditions prevail. This is the case if cyclic regeneration of catalyst material or flushing of biological material is required and the distributor must also overcome flow rates that are substantially different from those in normal operation during the regeneration.

Multi-phase fluid distributor for a bundled-tube reactor


Complex multidimensional datasets generated by digital imaging spectroscopy can be organized and analyzed by applying software and computer-based methods comprising sorting algorithms. Combinations of these algorithms to images and graphical data, allow pixels or features to be rapidly and efficiently classified into meaningful groups according to defined criteria. Multiple rounds of pixel or feature selection may be performed based on independent sorting criteria. In one embodiment sorting by spectral criteria (e.g., intensity at a given wavelength) is combined with sorting by temporal criteria (e.g., absorbance at a given time) to identify microcolonies of recombinant organisms harboring mutated genes encoding enzymes having desirable kinetic attributes and substrate specificity. Restriction of the set of pixels analyzed in a subsequent sort based on criteria applied in an earlier sort (“sort and lock” analyses) minimize computational and storage resources. User-defined criteria can also be incorporated into the sorting process by means of a graphical user interface that comprises a visualization tools including a contour plot, a sorting bar and a grouping bar, an image window, and a plot window that allow run-time interactive identification of pixels or features meeting one or more criteria, and display of their associated spectral or kinetic data. These methods are useful for extracting information from imaging data in applications ranging from biology and medicine to remote sensing.

Sophisticated analysis of imaging data requires software that can rapidly identify meaningful regions of the image. Depending on the size and number of regions, this process may require evaluating very large datasets, and thus efficient sorting of the data is essential for finding the desirable elements. In the present invention, regions of interest (ROIs) in previous feature-based imaging spectroscopy are extended to include pixel-based analyses. This requires new algorithms, since the size of a pixel-based analysis can be more than 1000 times larger than that of a feature-based analysis. In addition to requiring a burdensome amount of processing time, prior art sorting algorithms that may have been adequate to categorize and classify relatively noiseless feature data are not necessarily successful in sorting single-pixel spectra without additional parameters or human intervention.
In cases in which human intervention is advantageous, the present invention includes a means for combining machine and human intelligence to enhance image analysis. For example, the present invention provides a method for combining sorting by spectral criteria (e.g., intensity at a given wavelength) and sorting by temporal criteria (e.g., absorbance at a given time). Sorting enables the user to classify large amounts of data into meaningful and manageable groups according to defined criteria. The present invention also allows for multiple rounds of pixel or feature selection based on independent sorting criteria. Methods are presented for extracting useful information by combining the analyses of multiple datasets and datatypes (e.g., absorbance, fluorescence, or time), such as those obtained using the instruments and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,859,700 and 5,914,245, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/092,316.
The methods described herein are useful for a number of applications in biology, chemistry and medicine. Biomedical applications include high-throughput screening (e.g., pharmaceutical screening) and medical imaging and diagnostics (e.g., oximetry or retinal examination). Biological targets include live or dead biological cells (e.g., bacterial colonies or tissue samples), as well as cell extracts, DNA or protein samples, and the like. Sample formats for presenting the targets include microplates and other miniaturized assay plates, membranes, electrophoresis gels, microarrays, macroarrays, capillaries, beads and particles, gel microdroplets, microfluidic chips and other microchips, and compact discs. More generally, the methods of the present invention can be used for analysis of polymers, optical materials, electronic components, thin films, coatings, combinatorial chemical libraries, paper, food, packaging, textiles, water quality, mineralogy, printing and lithography, artwork, documents, remote sensing data, computer graphics and databases, or any other endeavor or field of study that generates multidimensional data.

Visualization and processing of multidimensional data using prefiltered and sorting criteria


An ink-firing element is provided. The ink-firing element has a resistor for generating ink droplets, a substrate atop which the resistor rests and a barrier layer atop the substrate. The barrier layer in a closed-loop design and at least partially defines an ink-firing chamber, which surrounds the resistor and temporarily contains ink. The ink-firing element also includes an orifice plate supported by the barrier layer for providing an orifice through which the ink droplets are ejected onto a medium and a trench in the substrate for replenishment of ink. The trench terminates at an outlet in the ink-firing chamber and is in fluid communication with an ink refill channel, which supplies ink from a reservoir to the ink-firing element.

This invention relates to inkjet printhead structures.
The basic concept of inkjet printing is an ink-firing element having an ink-firing chamber with an orifice for ejecting ink and an ink heating mechanism, generally a resistor, in close proximity to the orifice. In operation, the resistor is quickly heated. The heating transfers a significant amount of energy to the ink, thereby vaporizes a small portion of the ink and produces a bubble in the ink-firing chamber. This in turn creates a pressure wave which propels an ink droplet or droplets from the orifice onto a nearby recording medium such as paper.
Normally, the ink-firing chamber is formed by a semiconductor substrate atop which the resistor rests, an orifice plate which defines the orifice, and a barrier layer sandwiched between the substrate and the orifice plate for supporting the orifice plate. Ink flows from an ink reservoir through an ink refill channel to each ink-firing element. An ink conduit in fluid communication with the ink refill channel is provided in the barrier layer for refilling the ink-firing chamber subsequent to the vaporization process which ejects an ink droplet. The ink conduit is usually formed by creating an open portion in the barrier layer.
The orifice plate, especially if it is a flexible polymer orifice membrane, may sag at the place where the ink conduit exists, since the ink conduit, i.e., an open portion in the barrier layer, provides insufficient support to the part of the orifice plate thereabove. The sag consequently affects the flatness of the orifice plate. Such an effect on the flatness of the orifice plate may cause the orifice to be uncontrollably deformed or tilted thus resulting in inaccurate trajectory of the ink droplets and less than an optimum quality of printing.
Therefore, there is a need for a printhead in which sag of the orifice plate is reduced.
In an embodiment according to the invention, an ink-firing element includes a resistor for generating ink droplets, a substrate atop which the resistor rests and a barrier layer atop the substrate. The barrier layer is in a closed-loop design and at least partially defines an ink-firing chamber, which surrounds the resistor and temporarily contains ink. The ink-firing element also includes an orifice plate supported by the barrier layer for providing an orifice through which the ink droplets are ejected onto a medium and a trench in the substrate for replenishment of ink. The trench terminates at an outlet in the ink-firing chamber and is in fluid communication with an ink refill channel, which supplies ink from a reservoir to the ink-firing element.
According to an aspect of the invention, a supporter is provided above the trench for supporting a portion of the barrier layer thereabove.
In another embodiment according to the invention, an ink-firing element includes a resistor for generating ink droplets, a substrate atop which the resistor rests, a barrier layer atop the substrate and an orifice plate supported by the barrier layer for providing an orifice through which the ink droplets are ejected onto a medium. The barrier layer partially surrounds the resistor and defines an ink-firing chamber. The ink-firing element also includes an ink conduit provided in the barrier layer for supplying ink from an ink refill channel to the ink-firing chamber. The ink refill channel supplies ink from a reservoir to the ink-firing element. Furthermore, the ink-firing element includes a trench provided in the substrate for supplementary replenishment of ink. The trench is in fluid communication with the ink refill channel and terminates at an outlet in the ink-firing chamber.
In an embodiment of a process for producing an ink-firing element, a supporting layer of a pre-defined pattern is first applied above a substrate atop which a resistor rests for generating ink droplets. The substrate is then etched to form a trench therein, and the trench is in fluid communication with an ink refill channel, which supplies ink from an ink reservoir to the ink-firing element. Subsequently, a barrier layer is attached atop the substrate. The barrier layer at least partially defines an ink-firing chamber and is positioned such that the trench in the substrate terminates at an outlet in the ink-firing chamber. After that, an orifice plate is placed above the barrier layer for providing an orifice through which the ink droplets are ejected onto a medium.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrates by way of example the principles of the invention.

Ink delivery system for an inkjet printhead


A photoconductor that includes a first layer, a supporting substrate thereover, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer of at least one charge transport component, and wherein the first layer is in contact with the supporting substrate on the reverse side thereof, and which first layer is comprised of a nano diamond component.

This disclosure is generally directed to photoreceptors, photoconductors, and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to multilayered drum, or flexible belt imaging members, or devices comprised of a first layer, a supporting medium like a substrate, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, including a plurality of charge transport layers, such as a first charge transport layer and a second charge transport layer, an optional adhesive layer, an optional hole blocking or undercoat layer, and an optional overcoat layer, and wherein the supporting substrate is situated between the first layer and the photogenerating layer. More specifically, the photoconductors disclosed, which in embodiments permit acceptable anticurl characteristics in combination with excellent conductivity, prolonged wear, surface slipperiness, and scratch resistant characteristics, contain a first backside coating layer or curl deterring backside coating layer (ACBC), and which layer is in contact with and contiguous to the reverse side of the supporting substrate, that is this side of the substrate that is not in contact with the photogenerating layer, and which first layer, ACBC layer of the present disclosure, is comprised of nano diamond and nano diamond components, such as in the form of nano diamond powders.
The ACBC layer of the present disclosure comprises a diamond component and a slippery surface, thus the wear resistance of this layer is excellent, especially as compared to an ACBC layer without any nano diamond, or an ACBC layer containing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Also, the coating dispersion containing the nano diamond component is stable for extended time periods; minimal agglomeration of the ACBC layer components is provided, thereby increasing the coating uniformity of this layer; and other advantages as illustrated herein for photoconductors with ACBC layers comprising a nano diamond component.
While not being desired to be limited by theory, it has been postulated that the dispersed nano diamond powder provides a matrix of conductive nanoparticles that contact each other to thereby generate reasonable levels of electrical conductivity, while not filling all the void matrix spaces, thus permitting the transmission of light. The aforementioned partial transparency of about 30 percent allows for excellent photoreceptor applications since the erase illumination is applied from inside the belt module and passes through the ACBC into the photogenerating layer. The electrical conductivity allows the triboelectrically generated charges to move through the layer and discharge before the quantity of charge builds up to significant levels. The nano diamond provides additional mechanical reinforcement which reduces wear, thus minimizing dust buildup.
In some instances, when a flexible layered photoconductor belt is mounted over a belt support module comprising various supporting rollers and backer bars present in a xerographic imaging apparatus, the anticurl or reduction in curl backside coating (ACBC), functioning under a normal xerographic machine operation condition, is repeatedly subjected to mechanical sliding contact against the apparatus backer bars and the belt support module rollers to thereby adversely impact the ACBC wear characteristics. Moreover, with a number of known prior art ACBC photoconductor layers formulated to contain non-needle like additives, the mechanical interactions against the belt support module components can decrease the lifetime of the photoconductor primarily because of wear and degradation after short time periods.
In embodiments, the photoconductors disclosed include an ACBC (anticurl backside coating) layer on the reverse side of the supporting substrate of a belt photoreceptor. The ACBC layer, which can be solution coated, for example, as a self-adhesive layer on the reverse side of the substrate of the photoconductor, comprises known nano diamond components, such as commercially available nano diamond powders that, for example, substantially reduce surface contact friction, and prevent or minimize wear/scratch problems for the photoreceptor device. In embodiments, the mechanically robust ACBC layer of the present disclosure usually will not substantially reduce the layer's thickness over extended time periods adversely affecting its anticurl ability for maintaining effective imaging member belt flatness while minimizing the formation of dirt and debris.
Moreover, high surface contact friction of the backside coating against machines, such as printers, and its subsystems can cause the development of undesirable electrostatic charge buildup. In a number of instances, with devices, such as printers, the electrostatic charge builds up because of high contact friction between the anticurl backside coating and the backer bars which increases the frictional force to the point that it requires higher torque from the driving motor to pull the belt for effective cycling motion. In a full color electrophotographic apparatus using a 10-pitch photoreceptor belt, this electrostatic charge buildup can be high due to the large number of backer bars used in the machine.
The backside coating layers illustrated herein, in embodiments, have excellent wear resistance, extended lifetimes, minimal charge buildup, excellent bulk conductivity, and permit the elimination or minimization of photoconductive imaging member belt ACBC scratches.
Also included within the scope of the present disclosure are methods of imaging and printing with the photoresponsive or photoconductor devices illustrated herein. These methods generally involve the formation of an electrostatic latent image on the imaging member, followed by developing the image with a toner composition comprised, for example, of thermoplastic resin, colorant, such as pigment, charge additive, and surface additive, reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,560,635; 4,298,697 and 4,338,390, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, subsequently transferring the toner image to a suitable image receiving substrate, and permanently affixing the image thereto. In those environments wherein the device is to be used in a printing mode, the imaging method involves the same operation with the exception that exposure can be accomplished with a laser device or image bar. More specifically, the flexible photoconductor belts disclosed herein can be selected for the Xerox Corporation iGEN® machines that generate with some versions over 100 copies per minute. Processes of imaging, especially xerographic imaging and printing, including digital and/or color printing, are thus encompassed by the present disclosure. The imaging members are, in embodiments, sensitive in the wavelength region of, for example, from about 400 to about 900 nanometers, and in particular from about 650 to about 850 nanometers, thus diode lasers can be selected as the light source. Moreover, the imaging members of this disclosure are useful in color xerographic applications, particularly high-speed color copying and printing processes.

Nano diamond anticurl backside coating (ACBC) photoconductors


A handle (1) for valves (4) comprising a connecting region (2) for connecting the handle (1) to a spindle (5) of the valve (4), an actuating arm (3) for actuating the valve (4), a locking lever (8) arranged resiliently in the actuating arm (3) for engaging the actuating arm (3) and a locking and guide disc (16) for locking and guiding the handle (1), the locking and guide disc (16) having a greater external diameter than the connecting region (2) and being arranged to be able to be connected to a flange region (12) of the valve (4).

The invention relates to a handle for valves comprising a connecting region for connecting the handle to a spindle of the valve, an actuating arm for actuating the valve, a locking lever arranged resiliently in the actuating arm for engaging the actuating arm and a locking and guide disc for locking and guiding the handle.
Depending on the nature of the task, valves of different design, for example ball valves or flap valves, are used in pipeline systems. Depending on the nature of the task and the design of the control system, valves are used which are held in different valve positions, or, in the absence of a control system are manually turned on or off. The ability to reproduce precisely the adjustment of the valve may be crucial for the process control system.
A generic handle for valves is known from DE 10317808 A1. The handle is placed with a cylindrical neck region over the valve spindle and guided by a guide ring during rotary motion. The guide ring is arranged inside the cylindrical neck region. An actuation lock is resiliently arranged in the arm of the handle. The actuation lock cooperates with a latch part which may be lifted in the axial direction from a locking position into an actuating position. The handle is secured by a sealing plate against unauthorized actuation.
Proceeding from this prior art, it is the object of the invention to provide a handle for valves which is constructed from as few parts as possible and which may be adapted to different designs of valve.


An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) physical layer, a clock generator and a control unit. The SATA physical layer is configured to provide connection with an SATA device and perform data transmission with the SATA device is performed at a first clock frequency. The clock generator is configured to provide a clock signal having the first clock frequency to the SATA physical layer. When at least one specific event is detected by the control unit, the control unit controls the clock generator to provide the clock signal having a second clock frequency to the SATA physical layer, so that the SATA physical layer performs data transmission with the SATA device at the second clock frequency. The second clock frequency is lower than the first clock frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bridging devices, and, in particular, to an electronic apparatus having a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface and a method for reducing power consumption of the electronic apparatus by automatically lowering the data transmission rate for saving power when a specific condition occurs.
2. Description of the Related Art
With advances in technology, current computer systems are equipped with SATA interfaces, such as SATA Gen 1/2/3 interfaces. However, when an SATA device is connected to a host (e.g. a computer) through the SATA interface, the data transmission rate depends on the highest data transmission rate supported by the SATA device, the host, and the bridging apparatus. When the connection between the SATA device and a conventional host/bridging apparatus has been built, the data transmission rate may remain constant, and the data transmission rate cannot be dynamically adjusted. As a result, data will be transmitted between the SATA device and the conventional host/bridging apparatus with higher power consumption.

Method for reducing power consumption in electronic apparatus


An initialization signal generating circuit includes a voltage distributor, a first initialization signal generator, a second initialization signal, and a controller. The voltage distributor outputs a voltage signal in response to an external voltage. The first initialization signal generator outputs a first initialization signal in response to the voltage signal output from the voltage distributor. The second initialization signal generator outputs a second initialization signal in response to the voltage signal output from the voltage distributor. The controller blocks the external voltage supplied to the voltage distributor and the first and second initialization signal generators, in response to the first and second initialization signals.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an initialization signal generating circuit that initializes an internal circuit by generating an initialization signal thereto and generates various internal voltages.
A conventional initialization signal generating circuit in a semiconductor device generates an initialization signal to initialize a semiconductor chip. An external voltage is applied from the outside to operate the semiconductor chip, starting at approximately 0 V and increasing up to a target voltage level with a predetermined slope.
All circuits in the semiconductor chip may malfunction due to the influence of an increase in an external voltage when directly receiving the external voltage. Accordingly, in order to prevent malfunctions of semiconductor chips, semiconductor devices employ initialization signal generating circuits. Therefore, an external voltage VDD can be applied to each circuit after increasing and reaching a predetermined and stable voltage level.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional initialization signal generating circuit. FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit diagram of the conventional initialization signal generating circuit shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate operation waveforms of the circuit shown in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional initialization signal generating circuit includes a voltage distributor 110 distributing an external voltage, and an initialization signal generator 120 outputting an initialization signal pwrup_old in response to a voltage signal output from the voltage distributor 110.
Referring to FIG. 2, the voltage distributor 110 includes a first resistor R1 disposed between an external voltage terminal VEXT1 and a first node b, and a second resistor R2 disposed between the first node b and a ground terminal VSS.
The initialization signal generator 120 includes a pull-down part N1 pulling down a second node a in response to an output signal of the voltage distributor 110, a pull-up part P1 pulling up the second node a in response to a ground voltage signal VSS, and an inverter INV1 inverting output signals of the pull-down part N1 and the pull-up part P1.
The conventional initialization signal generating circuit initializes an internal circuit by utilizing the initialization signal pwrup_old when reaching an internal operation start voltage (e.g., approximately 1.2 V) in a case where the external voltage VEXT1 is applied from approximately 0 V to a predetermined value (e.g., approximately 2 V/approximately 200 μs) according to product specifications, and then generates various internal voltages. The initialization signal pwrup_old must maintain a low or high logic level during a predetermined interval before reaching approximately 1.2 V. In FIGS. 2 to 4, the initialization signal is at a low level.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, once the external voltage is applied, a current supplied through the pull-up part P1 makes the second node high, and the initialization signal pwrup_old is at a low level.
When the external voltage is approximately 1.2 V, a level of a first node b becomes high to turn on the pull-down part N1, and thus the pull-up part P1 and the pull-down part N1 are all turned on. After a while, the second node a maintains a low level. At this point, the initialization signal becomes high to complete an initialization operation.
However, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the initialization signal generating circuit continuously consumes a predetermined amount of a current through the pull-up part P1 and the pull-down part N1, which are all turned on simultaneously while distributing a voltage, and maintains the initialization signal pwrup_old. As a result, there is a drawback in power consumption.

Initialization signal generating circuit


A method (100) of characterizing optical proximity correction designs includes performing a mathematical transform (160) on a first feature (150) and a second feature (167) each having a core portion (152) and a first OPC design and a second OPC design applied thereto, respectively. The method (100) further includes obtaining a metric (162) for the transformed first and second features, wherein the metric is based upon a capability of a pattern transfer system which will utilize masks employing the first and second features (150, 167) as a patterns thereon. One of the first feature or the second feature is then selected (170) based upon an application of the metric to the first and second transformed features (150, 167), thereby selecting the one of the first feature or the second feature which provides for a better pattern transfer performance.

The present invention generally relates to photolithography process development, and more particularly relates to a method of selecting one of various available OPC designs for a feature based upon an application of a metric to a two-dimensional Fourier space representation of OPC designs and using the metric to select a particular OPC design.
The minimum feature sizes of integrated circuits are continuously decreasing in order to increase the packing density of the various semiconductor devices formed thereby. With this size reduction, however, various steps within the integrated circuit fabrication process become more difficult. One such area within the semiconductor fabricating process which experiences unique challenges as feature sizes shrink is photolithography.
Photolithography involves selectively exposing regions of a resist-coated silicon wafer to form a radiation pattern thereon. Once exposure is complete, the exposed resist is developed in order to selectively expose and protect the various regions on the silicon wafer defined by the exposure pattern (e.g., silicon regions in the substrate, polysilicon on the substrate, or insulating layers such as silicon dioxide).
An integral component of a photolithography or pattern transfer system is a reticle (often called a mask) which includes a pattern thereon corresponding to features to be formed in a layer on the substrate. A reticle typically includes a transparent glass plate covered with a patterned light blocking material such as chrome. The reticle is placed between a radiation source producing radiation of a pre-selected wavelength (e.g., ultraviolet light) and a focusing lens which may form part of a stepper apparatus. Placed beneath the stepper is the resist-covered silicon wafer. When the radiation from the radiation source is directed onto the reticle, light passes through the glass (in the regions not containing the chrome mask patterns) and projects onto the resist-covered silicon wafer. In this manner, an image of the reticle is transferred to the resist.
The resist (sometimes referred to as the xe2x80x9cphotoresistxe2x80x9d) is provided as a thin layer of radiation-sensitive material that is typically spin-coated over the entire silicon wafer surface. The resist material is classified as either positive or negative depending on how it responds to the light radiation. Positive resist, when exposed to radiation becomes more soluble and is thus more easily removed in a development process. As a result, a developed positive resist contains a resist pattern corresponding to the dark regions on the reticle. Negative resist, in contrast, becomes less soluble when exposed to radiation. Consequently, a developed negative resist contains a pattern corresponding to the transparent regions of the reticle. For simplicity, the following discussion will describe only positive resists, but it should be understood that negative resists may be substituted therefor.
An exemplary prior art reticle is illustrated in FIG. 1. Prior art FIG. 1 includes a reticle 10 corresponding to a desired integrated circuit pattern 12. For simplicity, the pattern 12 consists of only two design mask patterns. A clear reticle glass 14 allows radiation to project onto a resist covered silicon wafer. The chrome regions 16 and 18 on the reticle 10 block radiation to generate an image on the wafer corresponding to the desired integrated circuit design features.
As light passes through the reticle 10, it is refracted and scattered by the edges of the chrome 16 and 18. This causes the projected image to exhibit some rounding and other optical distortion. While such effects pose relatively little difficulty in layouts with large features (e.g., features with critical dimensions greater than one micron), they can not be ignored in present day circuit layouts where critical dimensions are about 0.25 micron or smaller. The problem highlighted above becomes even more pronounced in integrated circuit designs having feature sizes near the wavelength of the radiation used in the photolithographic process.
Prior art FIG. 2 illustrates the impact of the diffraction and scattering caused by the radiation passing through the reticle 10 and onto a section of a photoresist covered silicon substrate 20. As illustrated, the illumination pattern on the substrate 20 contains an illuminated region 22 and two dark regions 24 and 26 corresponding to the chrome regions 16 and 18 on the reticle 10. The illuminated pattern 22, however, exhibits considerable distortion, with the dark regions 24 and 26 having their corners 28 rounded. Unfortunately, any distorted illumination pattern propagates through the developed resist pattern and negatively impacts the integrated circuit features such as polysilicon gate regions, vias in dielectrics, etc. As a result, the integrated circuit performance is degraded.
To remedy this problem, a reticle correction technique known as optical proximity correction (OPC) has been developed. OPC involves the adding of dark regions to and/or the subtracting of dark regions from portions of a reticle to overcome the distorting effects of diffraction and scattering. Typically, OPC is performed on a digital representation of a desired integrated circuit pattern. This digital representation is often referred to as the mask layout data and is used by the reticle manufacturer to generate the reticle. First, the mask layout data is evaluated with software to identify regions where optical distortion will result. Then the OPC is applied to compensate for the distortion. The resulting pattern is ultimately transferred to the reticle glass.
Prior art FIG. 3 illustrates how OPC may be employed to modify the reticle design illustrated in FIG. 1 and thereby provide more accurately the desired illumination pattern at the substrate. As shown, an OPC-corrected reticle 30 includes two features 32 and 34 outlined in chrome on the glass plate 36. Various corrections 38 have been added to the base features. Some correction takes the form of xe2x80x9cserifs.xe2x80x9d Serifs are typically small, appendage-type addition or subtraction regions typically made at corner regions or other areas on reticle designs.
Prior art FIG. 4 illustrates an illumination pattern 50 produced on a photoresist covered wafer surface 52 by radiation passing through the reticle 30 of prior art FIG. 3. As shown, the illuminated region includes a light region 54 surrounding a set of dark regions 56 and 58 which substantially faithfully represent the desired pattern illustrated in prior art FIG. 1. Note that the illumination pattern 22 of prior art FIG. 2 which was not produced with a reticle having OPC (reticle 10) has been improved greatly by the reticle 30 having OPC.
Although OPC designs provide performance improvements over features which do not employ OPC as illustrated in prior art FIGS. 1-4, presently there is not a usable method for determining whether one type of OPC design is better than another. That is, it is difficult to determine which OPC design is the optimal design for a given feature even with the most advanced simulation equipment. As illustrated in prior art FIG. 5, a feature 60 on a mask 62 has a core portion 64 with an OPC design 66 applied thereto. The OPC design 66, however, may include different types of serifs 68a, 68b of various dimensions at various locations about the feature 60. For example, the serif 68a may attach to the core portion 64 at various points and thus may vary substantially in its dimensions. In addition, the serif 68b may have a variable width, a variable length, and may exist at various distances away from the core portion 64. Presently, however, there is not an efficient way of evaluating whether one type of OPC design is better than another in achieving its goal, namely to produce a feature on a substrate which substantially approximates an ideal feature 70, as illustrated in prior art FIG. 6.
One prior art method for evaluating multiple OPC designs involves forming a mask having multiple mask patterns thereon, wherein each mask pattern includes the core portion and a unique OPC design. The mask is then used in a pattern transfer system to generate a plurality of features on a substrate. The plurality of generated features are then individually analyzed to see which OPC design provided a feature which most closely approximated the intended ideal feature. This prior art method, however, is undesirable because it involves a time-consuming and expensive evaluation process. For example, a test mask must be generated and features must be formed on a substrate using a pattern transfer system according to conventional techniques. Then, each generated feature must be individually measured at numerous points and compared according to a set of criteria to determine which is the best OPC design. Clearly such a process is disadvantageously expensive and time-consuming. In addition, such an evaluation process is only valid for the one particular feature of interest; additional such evaluations would be necessary in order to evaluate different features. Lastly, the OPC design evaluation process is only valid for the particular pattern transfer system which was used in the evaluation. Therefore the replacement or modification of the pattern transfer system would render the earlier OPC design evaluation of doubtful value and another OPC design evaluation process would most likely be required to ensure that the optimal OPC design will be employed for a given feature.
Another problem associated with the implementation of OPC designs for a given feature is the mask fabrication process which is employed in fabricating the mask. As illustrated in prior art FIG. 7, a portion of mask layout data associated with a core feature 80 having an OPC design 82 is used to generate a pattern on a mask (ie., a mask pattern). As illustrated in prior art FIG. 7, different mask fabrication processes for a given feature result in mask patterns that approximate the intended feature having the OPC, but nevertheless differ from one another. For example, the mask pattern 86 formed by the mask fabrication process A of prior art FIG. 7 may have been generated using a dry etch while the mask pattern 88 formed by the mask fabrication process B may have been generated using a wet etch which caused the mask patterns 86 and 88 to differ. Given the fact that different mask fabrication processes provide mask patterns which approximate the intended OPC design, but differ from one another, one must evaluate which mask fabrication process is the optimal process to utilize in order to maximize the benefits provided by OPC.
It is an object of the present invention to further improve upon the prior art OPC development techniques and mask fabrication techniques presently being employed.
The present invention relates to a system and method of characterizing features having optical proximity correction designs by applying a mathematical transform to the OPC designs and evaluating the transformed features with a metric which is related to the pattern transfer system. The present invention also relates to a system and method of determining an optimal mask fabrication process by applying a mathematical transform to mask patterns formed by various fabrication processes and evaluating the transformed mask patterns with a metric which is related to the pattern transfer system.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a system and method of characterizing features having different OPC designs is provided. A plurality of features having different OPC designs form an input data set and are characterized by performing a two-dimensional Fourier transform thereon to thereby transform the input data set into the spatial frequency domain, thus resulting in a two-dimensional spatial frequency mapping for each feature. A metric is then applied to the transformed feature data. The metric preferably is related to a range of spatial frequencies which are transmitted through the pattern transfer system (ie., the pattern transfer system can be characterized as a band-pass filter). Using the metric, a value which corresponds to each set of transformed feature data is calculated. More particularly, the metric preferably is used as a set of integration limits and corresponds to an area within each two-dimensional spatial frequency mapping. The value for each feature thus corresponds to an amount of feature energy within the area which will pass through the pattern transfer system to an underlying substrate. The values are then used to select the feature having the best OPC design, for example, by selecting the OPC design in which the maximum amount of feature energy is transmitted through the pattern transfer system, thus resulting in optimal feature resolution on the substrate.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a system and method for characterizing a plurality of features having different OPC designs includes performing any one of many mathematical transforms on the input data set to provide transformed feature data as sums or products of classes of functions (typically orthogonal functions). For example, a Wavelet transform may be utilized to convert the input data set into a finite sum or product of scaled and translated functions. A metric is then applied to the transformed feature data (wherein the metric is related to or correlates with a characteristic of the pattern transfer system) to obtain a value for each feature. One of the features is then selected using the values based upon a predetermined criteria to thereby select the optimal OPC design.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a system and method for determining an optimal mask fabrication process is disclosed. For a given feature having an OPC design, a plurality of mask patterns are generated using different mask fabrication processes, wherein each of the mask patterns approximates the feature, yet differ from one another due to the differing mask fabrication techniques. The optimal mask fabrication process is determined by applying a Fourier transform to the mask patterns (which form an input data set) to thereby generate a two-dimensional spatial frequency mapping for each mask pattern. A metric is then applied to the transformed mask pattern data, wherein the metric corresponds with or is related to a performance characteristic of the pattern transfer system. Preferably, the metric corresponds to a range of spatial frequencies which are transmitted through the pattern transfer system. The application of the metric to the transformed mask pattern data results in a value for each of the two-dimensional spatial frequency mappings, which preferably correspond to an amount of mask pattern energy transmitted through the pattern transfer system. Using the values associated with the mask patterns, the optimal mask fabrication process is selected.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a system and method for selecting an optimal mask fabrication process is disclosed. For a given feature having an OPC design, various mask fabrication processes generate mask patterns which approximate the desired feature, yet differ in minor respects from one another due to the different fabrication techniques employed in generating the respective mask patterns. The present invention selects the optimal mask fabrication process by applying a mathematical transform to the mask features which form an input data set to thereby generate transformed mask pattern data composed of a sum or product of functions for each of the mask patterns. For example, the mathematical transform may include a Wavelet transform, wherein the transformed mask pattern data consists of a finite sum or product of scaled and translated functions. A metric, which corresponds with or is related to a performance characteristic of the pattern transfer system, is then applied to the transformed mask pattern data which results in a value for each mask pattern. Using the values for the mask patterns, one of the mask patterns, and thus its associated mask fabrication process, is selected as optimal based upon predetermined criteria.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Characterization and synthesis of OPC structures by fourier space analysis and/or wavelet transform expansion


A paving machine is disclosed. The paving machine includes a frame and a hopper system mounted on the frame. The hopper system includes a rear wall member coupled to the frame. The hopper system also includes a side wall member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the frame. The rear wall member and the side wall member are together configured to receive a paving material. The hopper system further includes a cover member pivotally coupled to the side wall member. The cover member blocks an opening defined between the rear wall member and the side wall member, when the side wall member moves to the open position.

Paving machines include a hopper that receives paving material. The hopper includes a pair of movable side plates. The hopper opens or closes, based on a movement of the side plates. The hopper also includes a rear plate. When the hopper is in an open position, openings are formed between the rear plate and the respective side plates on either sides of the paving machine. The paving material in the hopper tends to spill out through the openings formed in the hoppers. This is generally caused due to a narrow width of the paving machine. Current practices involve overlapping ends of the hoppers; however this configuration minimizes the problem without resolving it. The spillage of the paving material is not desirable as it leads to wastage of the paving material.
U.S. Patent Publication Number 2009/0263193 describes a paver hopper flap suspension system having a number flaps attached to the hopper frame. A cable restraint line is attached to the flaps. A tensioning system is attached to the cable restraint line. The tensioning system allows the flaps to distort as the loading truck body engages the hopper entrance. Once the truck exits the hopper entrance the hopper flap suspension system causes the flaps to spring back to their original shape. The suspension system may include a torsion spring biasing the flaps into a vertical position. The tensioning system may include a tension adjuster. Using this system, the flaps are not torn and hold the asphalt in place as the loading trucks dump asphalt into the hopper.


A linear actuator includes a driving part having an inner yoke, an outer yoke and a coil for generating an alternating magnetic field and includes a movable body provided with a magnet disposed between the inner yoke and the outer yoke. The movable body is formed in a tubular shape having an aperture edge part at least one end is opened, and the aperture edge part or a portion near the aperture edge part disposed between the inner yoke and the outer yoke is positioned closer to the inner yoke side than to the outer yoke side. Alternatively, the linear actuator may includes an expansion preventing member which is disposed at the aperture edge part or the portion near the aperture edge part for preventing the aperture edge part from expanding.

A conventional pump device and a conventional compressor device in which a piston moves within a cylinder in a linear manner includes a main body part which is provided with the cylinder and a linear actuator for driving the piston. A linear motor is used to reciprocate the piston in an axial direction as a driving part in the linear actuator (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-337725).
When the linear actuator is used as a drive source for a pump device or a compressor device, an ambient temperature at the time of the operation may rise to around 80 degrees Celsius. The movable body is disposed between the outer side laminated cores and the inner side laminated cores. The movable body includes a frame formed in a short cylindrical shape and the permanent magnet groups fixed at one end of the frame with an adhesive or the like. In this case, since the security of rigidity is difficult in the structure at the open end side of the permanent magnet groups, the open end of the permanent magnet groups may open on the outward side in the radial direction as the temperature rises, and thus, in the worst case, they may contact the outer side laminated cores to cause malfunction.

Linear actuator and pump device and compressor device therewith


An adjustable positioning roll including a support portion having a support side and a substantially flat base surface, and one or more separately formed base portions, or elevating portions, configured to have a substantially same length and width as the flat base surface, the one or more base portions being detachably coupled to the flat base surface of the support portion.

The controlled positioning of patients is of significant importance in many surgical and convalescence procedures. Pillows or rolls contoured with special shapes have been developed to support a patient in one or more positions on an operating table during and/or after surgery.
In some examples in which a patient is maintained in an lateral or semi-lateral position during surgery, both of the patient's arms are extended at a 90 degree angle relative to the body, with one arm vertically positioned above the other arm, causing pinching of neurovascular components located in axilla which is at the juncture of the arm to the body. Prolonged compression can cause temporary or, in some cases, permanent damage to the nerve and vascular structures with the result being a loss of feeling, function or viability to the patient's arm.
Attempts have been made to reduce pressure of the components of the axilla with patient positioning on operating tables and beds including the use of pillows, towels, blankets, cushions, bolsters, or other devices to prop up the patient's chest, neck, feet, back, head, abdomen, or other anatomical regions. However, none of these devices have been entirely satisfactory, or even capable, of adequately supporting various anatomical regions of a patient's body to prevent pressure points and to provide stable, flexible, equal, and adjustable distribution of pressure points with a universal positioning device capable of multiple uses, and one which is cost-effective and disposable with each use to reduce possible patient cross-contamination.
Further problems with supporting devices made of gel or other materials are the inability to readily adjust the height to support various parts of a patient's body, to adequately relieve pressure points from the patient contact, to readily clean and maintain proper hygienic properties, to prevent slippage of the cushion, sliding of the patient, and so on.


An adhesive composition includes a copolymer (A), the copolymer (A) being a copolymer of: a hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylamide (a1), the hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylamide (a1) including at least one of a hydroxyl group-containing acrylamide and a hydroxyl group-containing methacrylamide, and a (meth)acrylate (a2), the (meth)acrylate (a2) including at least one of an acrylic ester and a methacrylic ester; and an antistatic agent (B), the antistatic agent (B) including an ionic compound.

1. Field
The present invention relates to adhesive compositions, optical members, and surface protective sheet.
2. Related Art
As in cathode ray tubes, a surface of a flat display panel also tends to be charged with static electricity. When the surface of the flat display panel is charged with the static electricity, dust in air can often be attracted to a display plane of the panel. Further, the static electricity can have a negative influence on a display circuit of a substrate constituting the flat display panel or on orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the panel, thereby causing display malfunction.
When examining display performance of the flat display panel, it is necessary to remove a surface protective film which can cause optical obstruction. To remove the surface protective film, the surface protective film is peeled off at a rate of about 10 m/min to reduce a process time. Such a relatively high rate of peeling off the surface protective film causes the display plane to be easily charged with the static electricity.

Adhesive composition, optical member, and surface protective sheet


A bottle opening wristwatch band, including: a pivot member; a buckle loop rotatably connected to the pivot member; a buckle clasp rotatably connected to the pivot member, the buckle clasp having a protrusion thereon, the protrusion being dimensioned to be received under an edge of a bottle cap; and a rotation stop positioned to limit rotation of the buckle clasp with respect to the buckle loop.

Bottle cap openers are notoriously easy to lose, and are often misplaced in the kitchen. This is especially true of small bottle cap openers.
Sometimes, bottle cap openers are attached to key chains. Such bottle cap openers are typically used as advertising, with various corporate or sports team's logos prominently displayed thereon. These sorts of bottle cap openers often tend to be bulky and gaudy, especially when dangling or rattling on a user's key chain.
It is therefore instead desired to provide a bottle cap opener that is easy to find, and easy to use. It is also desired that such a bottle cap opener be discrete, and can be carried around by a user without drawing attention to the user.

Wristwatch buckle bottle cap opener system


A circuit for use with a stator winding of a rotating or linear electrical machine, the stator winding having a number of coils linked by the same number of points of common coupling, includes an electronic commutator circuit having the same number of switching stages, each connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second main dc lines. Each switching stage includes first and second reverse blocking semiconductor power devices. A voltage clamping circuit includes the same number of clamping stages, each connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second auxiliary dc lines. Each clamping stage includes first and second diodes and first and second capacitors common to the various clamping stages. A dc to dc converter selectively discharges the first and second capacitors to the first and second main dc lines.

British Patent Application No. 2,433,360 discloses an electronic commutator circuit for use with a stator winding of an electrical machine. The stator winding includes a number of coils linked by the same number of points of common coupling. The electronic commutator circuit includes the same number of switching stages with each switching stage being connected between a respective one of the points of common coupling and first and second dc lines. Each switching stage includes a first reverse blocking semiconductor power device capable of being turned on and off by gate control having its anode connected to the first dc line and a second reverse blocking semiconductor power device capable of being turned on and off by gate control having its cathode connected to the second dc line.
A preferred type of semiconductor power device is the Reverse Blocking Gate Turn Off Thyristor (RB-GTO) or RB-GTO derivative because they benefit from reduced on-state losses relative to other gate commutated device families such as Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) as a result of their internal regenerative properties.
The reverse blocking semiconductor power devices are used in place of conventional thyristors and this means that the electronic commutation circuit can force the commutation of current irrespective of the voltage in the stator winding.
The electric commutator circuit may also include a switching aid network (snubber) connected in parallel with each of the semiconductor power devices. The snubber may be a series connected resistor-capacitor or configured according to the well known industry standard "RCD Polarized Snubber" as shown in the figures of British Patent Application No. 2,433,360. The purpose of either type of snubber is to assist the forced commutation process and reducing switching losses in the power semiconductor devices. However, the dissipation of energy within the snubber when the outgoing RB-GTO is switched during a forced commutation process represents an appreciable energy loss and reduces the overall efficiency of the electronic commutator circuit.

Voltage clamping and energy recovery circuits


A port width module operating in association with SAS controllers determines the operational state of communication across an SAS cable by comparing the number of links at opposing controllers that are capable of supporting communication with the number of links in DWord synchronization. For example, an information handling system capable of communication of four links at an SAS connector communicates in a normal state across two links where the opposing device is a switch that supports only two links at an SAS connector. An LED at the information handling system indicates normal operations with two links in DWord synchronization by receiving the port width of the opposing device, retrieving its own port width, and comparing the port widths with the number of links in DWord synchronization.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system cable interfaces, and more particularly to a system and method for monitoring information handling system interfaces through cables having plural links.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems often interact with each other and with peripheral devices through external cables. In some instances, information handling system external cables have plural links with each link supporting a communication interface. As an example, in external Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) environments, a cable having four links defined by the SAS standard interfaces devices connected by the cable with a width of one, two, three or all four links. For instance, SAS devices, such as storage devices, interfaced with an SAS external cable typically communicate through all four links. Other SAS devices, such as switches and concentrators used in storage networks accept SAS cables but only interact through two of the four links on the cable. Some SAS devices, such as tape drives, accept SAS cables but only interact through one of the four links. The number of links used by a particular device depends upon the SAS controller card used in the device. For some devices, using all links available through a cable connection adds cost without substantial improvement in the speed at which information is communicated.
Devices interfaced though a cable generally include internal logic to monitor the quality of the cable connection and sometimes include external indicators of the cable connection quality, such as LED lights. For example, SAS controllers establish communication over a link by achieving DWord synchronization and then exchanging an IDENTIFY address frame. With a standard SAS controller, detection of a DWord synchronization at each link of a cable port is sometimes used to illuminate an LED to indicate normal operations. If one or more links of a cable port does not have DWord synchronization, the LED is illuminated amber instead of green to indicate a potential problem or degraded operations. If none of the links of a cable port has DWord synchronization, the LED is not illuminated to indicate a failure of normal operations. In addition to visual indications of an SAS controller's operational status, a device associated with the controller often monitors DWord synchronization status to determine difficulties in operations.
Difficulty tracking proper operation of devices sometimes arises when devices are interfaced by a cable having plural links, such as an SAS cable, in which not all links are used. For example, an SAS cable having four links that interfaces on one end with an information handling system and another end with a tape drive might only use one link to communicate information. Although the tape drive will view a single link with DWord synchronization as indicating normal operations, the information handling system SAS controller will view a single link with DWord synchronization as indicating a potential problem with communication through the cable. If the information handling system SAS controller illuminates an amber LED, an end user has an incorrect indication of degraded operations. One way to address this problem is to have specialized controllers for devices that use less than all links of a cable. However, manufacturing and tracking specialized controllers adds expense and complexity to system operations.

Systems and method for monitoring information handling system interfaces through cables having plural links


A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber configured to process a substrate, a plasma generator configured to generate a plasma, a transport unit configured to transport, to the processing chamber, the plasma generated by the plasma generator, and a scanning magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field which deflects the plasma so as to scan the substrate by the plasma. The scanning magnetic field generator is configured to be capable of adjusting a center of a locus of the plasma.

There is available a plasma processing apparatus that transports a plasma generated by a plasma generator to a processing chamber and processes a substrate by the plasma in the processing chamber. This plasma processing apparatus can be applied to, for example, a deposition apparatus for forming a film on a substrate and an ion implantation apparatus for implanting ions in a substrate. As an example of the deposition apparatus, there is enumerated a vacuum arc deposition apparatus for transporting, to a processing chamber, a plasma generated by vacuum arc discharge between a cathode target and an anode in a plasma generator, and forming a film on a substrate in the processing chamber. The vacuum arc deposition apparatus is useful to form a ta-C (tetrahedral amorphous Carbon) film as the surface protective film of a magnetic recording medium of a hard disk drive. In addition, the vacuum arc deposition apparatus is useful to form a hard film containing a metal element such as Ti or Cr on the surface of a machine part, a cutting tool, or the like.
PTL 1 discloses a plasma flow generation method of generating an arc plasma between a cathode and an anode by arc discharge and generating a plasma flow rotated around a plasma traveling direction by a rotary magnetic field. In this plasma flow generation method, the plasma rotation angle region around the plasma traveling direction is divided into two or more regions, and the plasma rotation speeds in the respective rotation angle regions are made different from each other.

Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method