Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention provide for improved clothes rollover in automatic washer cycles using time-varying rotor oscillations. An automatic washer has a wash chamber with a central axis and a rotor being rotatable about the central axis. Items are loaded into the wash chamber. Wash liquid is supplied into the wash chamber. The rotor is oscillated about the central axis by time-varying oscillations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to moving clothes within the wash chamber of an automatic washer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known washing machines include agitator washing machines and impeller washing machines. Agitator washing machines use a water bath, in conjunction with clockwise and counter-clockwise agitator oscillations, to promote mechanical action inside a wash basket. In general, these machines tend to move a clothes load down through the center of the wash basket, generally parallel to the centerline of the agitator, then radially outward along the wash basket bottom, then upward and generally parallel to the sides of the wash basket, and then inward across the top of the water bath.
Impeller washing machines generally move the clothes in a rotating vortex-like motion that is centered about the impeller axis. This vortex washing motion often results in the tangling of clothes into rope-like masses. Tangled clothes do not wash well, may transfer dyes between clothes, and may have more wrinkles than untangled clothes when dried.
In typical washing machines, both impeller and agitator oscillations are symmetric and constant during the majority of a wash cycle. FIG. 1 depicts a typical symmetrical agitator or impeller oscillation period during a typical wash cycle. In FIG. 1, signals above the horizontal time axis indicate a clockwise rotation signal, signals along the time axis indicate no rotation signal (motor off) or a pause, and signals below the time axis indicate a counter-clockwise rotation signal. The illustrated oscillation period includes a 0.5 second clockwise (motor on) time, followed by a 0.5 second pause (motor off), followed by a reversing 0.5 second counter-clockwise (motor on) time, followed by a 0.5 second pause (motor off). The oscillations are constant, in that the period is then repeated, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In some agitator washing machines, the oscillations are achieved with a fixed-speed motor and a mechanical, reversing transmission. Other agitator washing machines use a reversing motor and electronic switching controls.
The oscillation patterns can also be more complex. This complexity can take several forms. One form observed in typical impeller machines is that longer oscillation periods are used, e.g., 8 seconds clockwise (motor on), 8 seconds pause (motor off), 8 seconds counter-clockwise (motor on), 8 seconds pause (motor off). Another typical form of complexity is that, within an oscillation period, non-symmetric motor profiles can be used, e.g., 8 seconds clockwise (motor on), 2 seconds pause (motor off), 8 seconds counter-clockwise (motor on), 2 seconds pause (motor off). The relatively higher value of motor on times in both of these typical patterns results in the disadvantage of severe clothes tangling. These higher motor on time values, however, are common to the washing machine industry.
One additional known form of complexity is observed in agitator washers. Some washer models change to an increased-time period for the symmetric oscillations near the end of the wash cycle. For example, a washer may have a 0.5-second on/pause/on/pause oscillation pattern for 11 minutes of washing, then change to a 0.8 second on/pause/on/pause oscillation pattern for the last minute of the wash cycle. This change is performed in an attempt to reduce tangling of the clothes load and to distribute the clothes load evenly in the basket prior to spin and water extraction. The evenly distributed clothes have a reduced tendency to cause an off-balance condition during the spin. In some agitator washers, however, this change in the cycle requires the use of a multi-speed motor and a reversing transmission. The higher cost of the multi-speed motor represents a disadvantage.
Engineering efforts to reduce water usage in impeller machines resulted in the discovery of the inverse toroidal motion (LaBelle, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,396). An inverse toroidal motion washing machine uses an impeller plate with a reduced water amount. The clothes load in this washing machine moves radially inward across the impeller plate, up through the center of the wash basket, then radially outward along the top of the water bath, then downward and generally parallel to the sides of the wash basket. This clothes motion, or rollover, typically occurs with an approximately 0.5-second symmetric and constant impeller oscillation pattern, as depicted in FIG. 1. With this clothes motion and oscillation pattern, however, two problems exist.
First, when using symmetrical impeller oscillations, larger wash loads tend to be less inclined to begin the inverse toroidal roll and are more "lethargic" in their motion than smaller clothes loads. Reduced rollover is often associated with poor wash performance on soils like carbon that require mechanical action. Second, when using symmetrical impeller oscillations with small to medium-sized loads, the uniformity of the load within the wash basket is not assured. This non-uniformity can lead to an off-balance condition during basket spin.
The non-uniformity of the load problem is specifically observed in low-water impeller machines, and appears to be related to higher oscillation cycle times. This problem has been called "bunch and slosh". "Bunch and slosh" is a term used by one of skill in the art to describe clothes load distribution about the wash basket diameter during low-water levels. At certain times during the wash cycle, a majority of the clothes load can be observed from the top of the washer as being gathered into one quadrant of the wash basket (i.e., a "bunch"), leaving a minority of the load in the remaining quadrants. The quadrants with the minority of the clothes have a higher water-to-clothes ratio, and often these areas contain only water (i.e., they create a "slosh" sound). This non-uniform configuration inside the wash basket is undesirable for several reasons. First, it can result in an off-balance situation during wash basket spin, if the non-uniformity exists at the end of the wash cycle. Second, the tightly packed "bunch" of clothes does not expose the center of the "bunch" to the mechanical action of cloth-to-cloth motion and the mechanical action of cloth-to-impeller motion. This lack of mechanical action, which is needed to remove certain soils from the clothes, can limit the performance of low-water impeller machines. Third, it has been observed that the typical inverse toroidal motion tangles clothes loads less than does the action of a deep-water impeller wash, however, this reduced-tangle advantage is not achieved when the "bunching" of the load occurs. This is because the load movements that create "bunching" (i.e., move the clothes load to a concentrated mass in the basket) are different than the load movements that give rise to inverse toroidal roll (i.e., move the load radially and uniformly inward). In summary, "bunching" appears to preclude uniform inverse toroidal rolling.
Based on the above-described problems of washing machines, it is therefore desirable to improve them.

Time-varying agitator oscillations in an automatic washer


An image forming apparatus has an operation panel and is operable from an operation panel and a mobile terminal. The image forming apparatus includes a holding unit, a vibration detecting unit, a communication unit, and a terminal recognition unit. The holding unit holds the mobile terminal. The vibration detecting unit detects a vibration of the mobile terminal held by the holding unit. The communication unit receives operation information wirelessly from the mobile terminal. The terminal recognition unit recognizes the mobile terminal from which an operation is to be accepted, on the condition that the timing of reception of the operation information by the communication unit coincides with the timing of detection of the vibration by the vibration detecting unit. The image forming apparatus disables acceptance of an operation from the operation panel in the case of accepting an operation from the mobile terminal.

This disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus the operation of which is also controllable on the basis of an operating instruction from a mobile terminal.
Techniques which allow image forming apparatuses to be operated by mobile terminals have recently been proposed. For example, a technique of wirelessly operating an image forming apparatus using a mobile terminal owned by a user has been proposed. A technique of automatically selecting an electronic device to be operated has also been proposed. With this technique, field intensities of a plurality of electronic devices are measured by a remote controller, and the one of those having the strongest field intensity, i.e. the electronic device located closest to the remote controller, is selected as the electronic device to be operated.

Image forming apparatus using vibration detection to recognize mobile terminal


A control apparatus for an electronic musical instrument or other electronic apparatuses comprises a main body constituting an operation gripping section, a rotary member held in the main body to freely roll on an X-Y plane, a moving amount detector for detecting moving amounts of the rotary member in X- and Y-directions upon rolling of the rotary member, and a pressure detector for detecting a pressure effected on the main body. The control apparatus inputs control signals to a control object on the basis of detection values of the moving amount detector and pressure detector. An electronic musical instrument has the control apparatus as a performance operation member for controlling electronic tone generation parameters in correspondence with a performance function, and a sound source for generating an electronic tone on the basis of inputs from a keyboard and the performance operation member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an input control apparatus for various electronic or electrical apparatuses such as an electronic musical instrument and, more particularly, to an electronic musical instrument using such an input control apparatus as an electronic tone generation parameter control input apparatus, especially, an electronic musical instrument for generating an electronic tone corresponding to a bowed instrument.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A control input in an electronic apparatus, especially, in an electronic musical instrument or the like is made by a switch operation or a key ON/OFF operation on a keyboard. Therefore, a keyboard or switches or push buttons on an operation panel constitute an input apparatus.
A conventional input apparatus comprising such a keyboard or push buttons or various switches often confronts a problem of poor operability or operation feeling or often causes an operation error since it has separate operation units.
As a terminal input apparatus for, e.g., a computer, a mouse which can freely roll on an X-Y plane and sends an input signal corresponding to moving amounts in X- and Y-directions is used.
Since a conventional mouse sends an input signal based on only the moving amounts in the X- and Y-directions, it cannot be used when input signals corresponding to more control parameters are required.
On the other hand, an electronic musical instrument for generating a bowed instrument tone such as a violin comprises a physical sound source for generating an electronic tone which is obtained by physically approximating a mechanical vibration of a bow corresponding to a movement of a contact between a string and a bow by an electrical circuit. In such an electronic musical instrument, performance function parameters such as a bow pressure acting on a string of a bowed instrument, a bow velocity, a bow position, and the like are inputted upon operations of a keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys. More specifically, key codes representing a scale, or strengths, durations, and the like of tones are inputted according to key ON or OFF touches or timings on the keyboard and upon operations of other switches on the keyboard.
As another performance operation member, a guitar controller or a wind controller may often be used.
In the conventional electronic musical instrument, since control information corresponding to performance is inputted upon key ON/OFF operations on the keyboard or operations of switches on the keyboard, the switches and push buttons constitute separate input means, and a player (operator) must move his or her hands to select and operate switches or the like every time he or she wants to control musical tone parameters. Therefore, this results in poor operability for musical tone control, technical difficulty in actual performance, and a performance control operation error.
The conventional guitar controller or wind controller has its principal object to imitate an acoustic instrument, i.e., to attain resemblance to the acoustic instrument, and cannot attain musical tone control with good operability and excellent performance feeling.
Since a conventional mouse-type input control apparatus is moved to an arbitrary position on the X-Y plane at an arbitrary speed to perform input control, it has very good operability. However, since a control apparatus of this type sends only position data in the X- and Y-directions as input information, it cannot be used for a control object such as an electronic musical instrument which must perform input control for a large number of control parameters.

Control apparatus and electronic musical instrument using the same


The invention relates to a high-voltage arrangement (1), preferably for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (2), a high-voltage plug (4) arranged on the housing (2) for the insertion of a high-voltage mating plug (5), a cover (3) that can be mounted on the housing (2) and dismounted, and a spring device (6) comprising at least one first spring element (10) which, when the cover (3) is not mounted, blocks the high-voltage mating plug (5) from being inserted into the high-voltage plug (6), and said cover (3), when mounted, pushing said first spring element (10) down such that the high-voltage mating plug (5) may be inserted into the high-voltage plug (4).

The present invention relates to a high-voltage arrangement, for example a pulse inverter, preferably for a motor vehicle.
Different housings are known from the prior art, in which power electronics are situated. A high-voltage plug is usually configured on the housing. A high-voltage mating plug is connected to this high-voltage plug. A cover of the housing is arranged such that it can be dismounted in order to service or repair the power electronics. It must thereby always be ensured that the power electronics are deenergized respectively switched off if the cover is dismounted. Different systems, for example sensors, for detecting an open cover and thus for deenergizing or switching off the power electronics are known from the prior art.


A method and mechanism for allocating transaction tags. A request queue includes a counter whose value is used to identify a corresponding tag of a plurality of unique tags. The queue is configured to increment the counter and use the current count value to index into a buffer pool. If the tag corresponding to the currently indexed buffer pool entry is available for allocation, a determination is made as to whether the currently identified tag is corresponds to the last tag which has been de-allocated. If the identified available buffer pool entry/tag matches the last tag which was de-allocated, the queue continues the process of counter incrementation and searching of the buffer pool for an available entry to select for allocation. When a request is received, the currently selected tag is allocated. Additional circuitry may be used to identify a fallback tag in the event a request is received while the queue is searching for a tag. In such an event, the fallback tag may be allocated.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to resource tag allocation.
2. Description of Related Art
Typical computer systems include one or more sets of buses which serve as communication links between system components. Generally speaking, each bus has at least one component connected to it which can initiate a transaction. Such components are called "bus master" devices. Other devices coupled to the bus which are capable of responding to requests initiated by bus master devices are called "slave" devices. For example, a typical computer system includes a CPU coupled to a memory system via a bus. The CPU executes instructions stored in the memory system, and initiates transfers of instructions from the memory system as needed. The CPU also transfers data to the memory system for storage as required. The CPU is, by definition, a bus master device. The memory system simply responds to data transfer requests initiated by the CPU and is a slave device. A computer system including multiple CPUs or other components coupled to a common bus and capable of initiating transactions has multiple bus master devices. In such systems, each bus master device must compete with the other bus master devices for control of the bus when the bus is needed.
A typical computer system bus (i.e., system bus) includes multiple address, data, and control signal lines. Such system buses are typically divided into an address bus including the address signal lines, a data bus including the data signal lines, and a control bus including the control signal lines. Data transfers across the system bus are carried out using bus "transactions". A bus master device (e.g., the CPU) performs a "read" transaction in order to obtain needed data from another system component coupled to the system bus. During the read transaction, the bus master device transmits address signals upon the address bus and control signals indicative of a request for data (i.e., a read transaction) upon the control bus. Upon receiving the address and control signals, the target system component (e.g., the memory system) accesses the requested data. The target component then transmits data signals representing the requested data upon the data bus and control signals which indicate the availability of the data upon the control bus. In many computer systems, the bus master device maintains control of the system bus during the entire period of time between transmission of the address signals and reception of the requested data.
When performing a "write" transaction, the bus master device transmits address signals upon the address bus, data signals representing the data upon the data bus, and control signals indicating a transmission of data (i.e., a write transaction) upon the control bus. Upon receiving the address and control signals, the target system component (e.g., the memory system) stores the data signals. Following simultaneous transmission of address, data, and control signals during a write transaction, the bus master device typically assumes reception of the data by the target component and immediately relinquishes control of the system bus.
Where multiple bus master devices share a common system bus, it is often necessary to limit the amount of time that any one bus master device has control of the system bus. One method of limiting the amount of time a bus master device has control of the system bus is to utilize a split-transaction protocol wherein transactions are split into separate "address" and "data" portions or phases. A bus master device transmits the address and associated control signals during the address phase of a transaction. Following the address portion, the bus master device relinquishes control of the system bus, allowing other bus master devices to use the system bus while the target component is accessing the requested data. When the target component is ready to transmit the requested data, the target component transmits data signals representing the requested data and associated control signals during the data portion of the read transaction.
In a system employing a split transaction bus, each bus master typically generates a unique "tag" value which identifies the transaction. The tag value is transmitted along with information associated with the transaction (e.g., address or data signals), typically upon signal lines of the control bus. A bus master device initiating a read transaction may not retire the tag value until the data portion of the read transaction is completed (i.e., until the requested data is received from the target component). The tag received with the initial request is also included in the response in order to allow the response to be matched to the corresponding request.
Because each tag which is assigned by a requester must uniquely identify the corresponding transaction, a method for allocating and de-allocating unique tags is required. If a receiving device such as a memory controller has pending more than one request with a same tag, the receiving device must typically delay processing of the later received request until the ambiguity is resolved.
Various techniques have been used to allocate tags for transaction initiated by a requester. One technique involves the requester having a buffer with a fixed number of entries. Each entry of the buffer may, for example, be configured to store the address of an initiated transaction. Those entries which are currently storing a valid entry are marked as such, while those which are not storing a valid entry are marked as being available for allocation. When a request is received, the buffer may be searched from the bottom up until an available entry is found. The address corresponding to the available entry may then be used as a tag for the transaction. While this technique may be fairly straightforward, it may lead to tag re-circulation problems. For example, since the buffer may be searched in a particular order each time a request is received, those entries occurring earlier in the search order will be selected more often. Consequently, tags earlier in the search order will tend to be used more frequently—leading to an increased probability of multiple transactions with a same tag being outstanding.
Another technique used for allocating tags involves the use of free lists. In this method, tags which are available for allocation are maintained in a free list. Essentially, the free list acts as a FIFO with tags for a new request coming from one end while de-allocated tags are added to the other. However, such a technique may prove expensive given storage for all possible tags is required, as well as a structure to maintain the resulting FIFO.
Accordingly, an efficient method of allocating tags is desired.

Method for efficient buffer tag allocation


A process for coating a gas turbine engine component is disclosed herein. The process comprises applying a bond coat on a substrate of a gas turbine engine. A thermal barrier material is applied to the bond coat. A coating containing polynuclear aluminum oxide/hydroxide clusters is then applied to the thermal barrier material. The polynuclear aluminum oxide/hydroxide clusters are Al13 Keggin clusters having the formula [AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+, or are salts of the Al13 Keggin clusters called Al13 Keggin complexes. A gas turbine engine component comprising a superalloy substrate; a bond coat disposed on the substrate; a thermal barrier material on the bond coat; and a coating containing the polynuclear aluminum oxide/hydroxide clusters on the thermal barrier material is disclosed herein.

This disclosure relates to thermal barrier coating compositions, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same. The present disclosure relates to thermal barrier coating compositions designed to prevent infiltration and degradation by molten deposits formed from environmental contaminants.
Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor to pressurize airflow, a combustor to burn a hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of the pressurized air, and a turbine to extract energy from the resultant combustion gases. The combustor and the turbine from the hot section of the engine and components therein often include protective multi-layer thermal barrier coatings (TBC).
The thermal insulation, radiant heat reflection, and oxidation protection provided by the TBC enables hot section components to survive higher operating temperatures, thereby increasing component lifetimes and improving engine durability. The TBC is typically a refractory ceramic material deposited on a bond coat to form what may be termed a TBC system. Bond coat materials widely used in TBC systems include oxidation-resistant overlay coatings such as MCrAlY (where M is iron, cobalt, nickel, platinum or mixtures thereof, Cr is chromium; Al is aluminum and Y is yttrium), and diffusion coatings such as diffusion aluminides that contain aluminum intermetallics.
Ceramic materials and particularly binary yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) are widely used as TBC materials because of their high temperature capability, low thermal conductivity, and relative ease of deposition such as by air plasma spraying (APS), flame spraying such as high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF), physical vapor deposition (PVD) and other techniques.
Under service conditions, these TBC coated hot section engine components can be susceptible to various modes of damage, including erosion, oxidation and corrosion from exposure to the gaseous products of combustion, foreign object damage and attack from environmental contaminants. These contaminants, CMAS (referring to their mixed calcium magnesium aluminum silicon oxide or CaO—MgO—Al2O3—SiO2 composition), volcanic ash, or fly ash, can adhere to the TBC surfaces of the hot section components. The interaction between the TBC and contaminants may result in premature TBC loss over the life of the components. For example, CMAS particulates are often contained in the atmosphere of areas having fine sand and/or dust. CMAS infiltration is a phenomenon that is linked to TBC spallation. The CMAS may melt on the hot section components, which may lead to penetration of the porous, and strain tolerant, TBC microstructure. On cooling, this penetrated layer stiffens and the induced strain energy can lead to TBC spallation.
Rare earth zirconates are often utilized to react with the encroaching CMAS melt which may decrease the depth of infiltration of the melt and hence the strain energy introduced into the coating to prevent extensive coating spallation. However, the formation and survival of this reaction layer is not readily controllable in service, as a number of extrinsic factors such as CMAS deposition rate, surface temperatures, airflow, erosion of the TBC, and foreign object damage may result in variation in penetration depth and the potential resultant damage.

Thermal barrier coating compositions, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same


The present invention provides a fuel dispenser antenna configuration having an antenna with a directive radiation pattern for receiving or transmitting electromagnetic energy, and a reflective surface on the fuel dispenser housing for redirecting the directive radiation pattern of the antenna so that the directive radiation pattern reflects off of the reflective surface and extends in a second direction over a fueling position.

The present invention relates generally to fuel dispensers and, more particularly, to an antenna and reflector arrangement for a fuel dispenser to redirect a directive radiation pattern over a desired portion of a fueling position associated with the dispenser.
In recent years, traditional gasoline pumps and service stations have evolved into elaborate point-of-sale (POS) devices having sophisticated control electronics and user interfaces with large displays and touch-pads or screens. The dispensers include various types of payment means, such as card readers, to expedite and further enhance fueling transactions. A customer is not limited to the purchase of fuel at the dispenser. More recent dispensers allow the customer to purchase services, such as car washes, and goods, such as fast food or convenience store products at the dispenser. Once purchased, the customer need only pick up the goods and services at the station store or the outlet of a vending machine.
Remote transaction systems have evolved wherein the fuel dispenser is adapted to communicate with various types of remote communication devices, such as transponders, to provide various types of identification and account information to the fuel dispenser automatically. These remote transaction systems require multiple antennas to communicate with transponders or like remote communications units. Numerous antennas are necessary to provide directive radiation patterns over various parts of the same fueling position, as well as to transmit and receive signals to and from the transponders. Given the increase in the amount of electronics and hardware in today's smaller dispenser housings, there is often insufficient vertical area available to mount antennas. Furthermore, there is a limited number of acceptable mounting locations inside a dispenser providing an unobstructed path to the fueling position outside the housing. Many of these locations are unsuitable due to wiring and mounting problems.
Thus, there is a need for a way to overcome the difficulties in mounting numerous antennas in a limited space within the fuel dispenser and still provide a desired directive radiation pattern, or lobe, over the fueling position.

Fuel dispenser transponder antenna arrangement


An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a device region disposed in the semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; a conducting pad structure disposed in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the device region, a carrier substrate disposed on the dielectric layer; and a conducting structure disposed in a bottom surface of the carrier substrate and electrically contacting with the conducting pad structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a chip package, and in particular, relates to a chip package formed by using a wafer-level packaging process.
2. Description of the Related Art
The packaging process of chip packages is one important step in forming electronic products. A chip package not only provides protection for the chips from environmental contaminants, but also provides a connection interface for internal electronic elements and chips packaged therein.
Because the conventional chip packaging process is still too complicated, it is desired to have a simplified chip packaging process

Chip package and method for forming the same


A method and apparatus for generating a burst FSK signal having precisely shaped transitions between modulation states. The apparatus uses feedforward compensation of phase gain and phase preemphasis coefficients for compensating the frequency conversion gain of the apparatus, and the phase gain coefficient is used for stabilizing a frequency synthesis loop. The phase gain and preemphasis coefficients are determined in a calibration within the time constraints of on-line signal bursts based upon measured phase errors and accelerated predicted phase gain and preemphasis phase errors.

1. Fields of the Invention
The invention relates generally to frequency shift key (FSK) signal generators and more particularly to an FSK generator having high speed automatic calibration loops for determining phase gain and phase preemphasis correction coefficients and then using feedforward compensation for providing precisely shaped frequency transitions between modulation states in a burst mode modulated signal. The invention also relates particularly to a frequency hopping signal generator using phase gain coefficients for is stabilizing loop gain of a frequency synthesis loop. The invention also relates particularly to an apparatus and a method for dynamic measurement of phase error of a modulated signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Minimum frequency shift key (MSK) modulation is commonly used in modern communication systems. In order to meet regulations for spectrum management, existing systems use filters for softening the transitions between FSK modulation states. However, recent regulations for FSK signal systems such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system are so strict that the transitions between states are required to follow near Gaussian paths in order to meet spectrum requirements. Signals for such systems are sometimes known as Gaussian MSK (GMSK) signals. Unfortunately, the filters for providing GMSK signals are difficult to produce and expensive. Workers in the art have proposed eliminating such filters by using correction circuitry for shaping the modulation frequency or phase during the transitions. Unfortunately, the methods developed heretofore are not suitable for practical application in a burst mode.

Gaussian minimum shift key transmitter with feedforward phase compensation


A lacrosse ball that meets generally accepted rules on the construction of lacrosse balls (e.g., size, weight, and bounce height), but provides a more impact-absorbing surface than conventional lacrosse balls. One embodiment provides a lacrosse ball including a shell made of a first material and a layer of second material disposed on the shell, wherein the second material has a specific gravity lower than that of the first material. Another embodiment provides a lacrosse ball including a core made of a first material and a layer of second material disposed on the core, wherein the second material has a specific gravity lower than that of the first material. Another embodiment provides a lacrosse ball including a core made of a first material and a layer of second material disposed on the core, wherein the second material has a specific gravity higher than that of the first material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to lacrosse balls, and more particularly, to a lacrosse ball that meets generally accepted rules on the construction of lacrosse balls (e.g., size, weight, and bounce height), but provides a more impact-absorbing surface than conventional lacrosse balls.
2. Background of the Invention
Injuries are detrimental to the popularity of the sport of lacrosse. Injuries can cause existing players to abandon the game and can discourage potential players from ever trying the game. One source of injury in lacrosse is due to the hard, heavy rubber lacrosse ball. Despite the use of personal protective gear, the lacrosse ball frequently contacts a player's body, often at high speeds and with great force. The impact of the ball can cause bruises and broken bones.
The generally accepted rules for competitive lacrosse define the construction requirements of a lacrosse ball. The specific requirements vary somewhat between the different competitive leagues (e.g., high school, NCAA, and professional), but generally fall within a range of sizes, weights, and bounce heights. One example of a rule on lacrosse ball construction is the 2004 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rule 1–17, which states the following:                The ball shall be of white, yellow, orange or lime green solid rubber—between 7¾ and 8 inches in circumference, between 5 and 5¼ ounces in weight and, when dropped from a height of 72 inches upon a concrete floor, shall bounce 43 to 51 inches at a temperature of 65° to 70° Fahrenheit.
Another exemplary rule is the 2001 US Lacrosse Women's Rule 2, which states the following:                The ball is rubber of solid yellow color, not less than 20 cm (7¾″) nor more than 20.3 cm (8″) in circumference. It must weigh not less than 142 gm (5 oz.) nor more than 149 gm (5¼ oz.). It must have a bounce of not less than 1.1 m (43″) nor more than 1.3 m (51″) when dropped from 1.8 m (72″) onto concrete at a temperature of approximately 18° C. (65° F.) −23° C. (75° F.).
Another exemplary rule is the 2001 International Women's Lacrosse Rule 4, which states the following:                A. The ball shall be rubber, of any solid colour, with a circumference of 20 cm (minimum) to 20.3 cm (maximum).        B. The ball shall weigh not less than 142 g or more than 149 g. It must bounce between 1.1 m and 1.3 m when dropped from 1.8 m onto concrete at a temperature between 18° C. and 23° C.


The present disclosure is a wafer support, which includes a heating unit, an insulating-and-heat-conducting unit and a conduct portion, wherein the insulating-and-heat-conducting unit is positioned between the conduct portion and the heating unit. During a deposition process, an AC bias is formed on the conduct portion to attract a plasma disposed thereabove. The heating unit includes at least one heating coil, wherein the heating coil heats the wafer supported by the wafer support via the insulating-and-heat-conducting unit and the conduct portion. The insulating-and-heat-conducting unit electrically insulates the heating unit and the conduct portion to prevent the AC flowing in the heating coil and the AC bias on the conduct portion from conducting each other, so the wafer support can generate a stable AC bias and temperature to facilitate forming an evenly-distributed thin film on the wafer supported by the wafer support.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipments are commonly employed for manufacturing integrated circuits, light-emitting diodes and displays . . . , etc.
A deposition equipment mainly includes a chamber and a wafer support, wherein a wafer support is positioned within the chamber for supporting at least one wafer. For example in PVD, it is required to dispose a target material in the chamber and have the target material facing the wafer on the wafer support. When performing the PVD, noble gas and/or reactive gas may be transferred into the chamber, then biases are respectively applied on the target material and the wafer support, moreover the wafer support can also heat up the supported wafer. The noble gas within the chamber is ionized by an effect of high-voltage electric field. Then, the ionized noble gas is attracted by the bias applied on the target material to blast the target material. And then atoms or molecules flying out from the target material are attracted by the bias on the wafer support, and deposited on a surface of the heated wafer to form a thin film on the surface of the wafer.
Also, when performing CVD and ALD, it may be required to heat the wafer support and to apply bias on the wafer support, for facilitating to form a thin film with an evenly-distributed thickness on the wafer supported by the wafer support.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Wafer support and thin-film deposition apparatus using the same


A method for producing engineered materials from salt/polymer aqueous solutions in which an aqueous continuous phase having at least one metal cation salt is mixed with a hydrophilic organic polymeric disperse phase so as to form a metal cation/polymer gel. The metal cation/polymer gel is then treated to form a structural mass precursor, which structural mass precursor is heated, resulting in formation of a structural mass having predetermined characteristics based upon the intended application of the structural mass.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a low-cost method for the production of engineered materials from salt/polymer aqueous solutions by which method engineered structures having a broad range of features and properties can be prepared, which features and properties can be preset for a wide range of applications. For example, the method of this invention is suitable for producing continuous thin films which can be utilized as surface protection against harsh environments (temperature, chemical, friction and grinding, etc.), as an electrochemical component, such as for solid oxide fuel cells and electroceramic membranes, porous filters and membranes, and as a surface with desired optical or decorative properties. The method of this invention may also be used to produce spherical granules of polycrystalline materials having good flowability and packing properties, and which are suitable for use as pigments, sorbents, catalysts, or as powders for efficient pressing and sintering into dense materials. The method of this invention may also be used to prepare materials having an engineered pore structure, for example porous ceramics having wide applications as filters, membranes, and chemical sorbents or reactants.
High technology ceramics are known for possessing a combination of good thermal, chemical, mechanical and electronic properties, making them unique for certain technical applications. Their usefulness, however, depends upon the manner in which they are produced, including the characteristics of the ceramic powders used as starting powders which are sintered to produce the ceramic product. In addition, methods for producing such high technology ceramics are generally of high cost due, in part, to the expense and difficulty associated with preparing suitable ceramic powders in large quantities.

Method for producing engineered materials from salt/polymer aqueous solutions


A flat cable includes a base material including a signal conductor extending in a first direction, a first ground conductor, and a second ground conductor. The second ground conductor includes elongated conductors extending in the first direction, and bridge conductors that connect the elongated conductors at predetermined spacings along the first direction. The second ground conductor is connected with via-hole conductors at predetermined positions in two mutually opposite directions along the first direction with respect to each of the bridge conductors. Countercurrents generated from a plurality of countercurrent generation points do not flow to the first ground conductor via a common via-hole but flow to the first ground conductor individually via separate via-hole conductors.

[1.] Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin flat cable configured to transmit radio frequency signals.
[2.] Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a coaxial cable is a typical example of a radio frequency line for transmitting radio frequency signals. A coaxial cable includes a central conductor (signal conductor) shaped to extend in one direction (shaped to extend in the direction of signal transmission), and a shield conductor provided concentrically along the outer peripheral surface of the signal conductor.
Incidentally, as radio frequency devices including mobile communications terminals have become increasingly smaller and thinner in recent years, it is not possible to secure a space for disposing a coaxial cable inside the terminal housing in some cases.
Accordingly, attention is being given to use of a flat cable as discussed in each of International Publication No. WO 2011/007660 and Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3173143 for such a terminal housing. Although a flat cable has a larger width than a coaxial cable, a flat cable can be reduced in thickness, which proves particularly advantageous for cases such as when there is only a small gap inside the terminal housing.
The flat cable discussed in each of International Publication No. WO 2011/007660 and Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3173143 has a triplate strip line structure as its basic structure.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of the flat cable discussed in International Publication No. WO 2011/007660. In FIG. 13, the base material of the flat cable is omitted, and only the structure of conductors is depicted.
A conventional flat cable 10P includes a first ground conductor 20, a second ground conductor 30, a signal conductor 40, and a base material (not illustrated). The first ground conductor 20, the second ground conductor 30, and the signal conductor 40 are flat film conductors having an elongated shape extending in a first direction that is the direction of signal transmission.
The first ground conductor 20, the second ground conductor 30, and the signal conductor 40 are disposed at a predetermined distance in a direction orthogonal to their respective flat film surfaces, so that these flat plate surfaces become parallel to one another.
The signal conductor 40 is disposed between the first ground conductor 20 and the second ground conductor 30.
The second ground conductor 30 includes an elongated conductor 31 and an elongated conductor 32 which extend in the first direction. The elongated conductor 31 and the elongated conductor 32 are spaced apart along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. As viewed in a direction orthogonal to their flat film surfaces, the elongated conductor 31 and the elongated conductor 32 are disposed so as to sandwich the signal conductor 40, without overlapping the signal conductor 40.
The elongated conductor 31 and the elongated conductor 32 are partially connected by a plurality of bridge conductors that are shaped to extend along the second direction. The plurality of bridge conductors 33 are disposed at predetermined spacings along the first direction. As a result, the second conductor 30 has a ladder-like configuration with a plurality of openings 341, 342, and 343 provided along the first direction.
The second ground conductor 30 and the first ground conductor 20 are connected by a plurality of via-hole conductors 511P, 512P, 521P, and 522P.
The plurality of via-hole conductors 511P, 512P, 521P, and 522P are formed in areas of the elongated conductor 31 and elongated conductor 32 which connect with each of the bridge conductors 33. More precisely, each of the plurality of via-hole conductors 511P, 512P, 521P, and 522P is disposed at the center position in the width direction (direction parallel to the first direction) of the corresponding bridge conductor 33.
However, the flat cable disclosed in each of International Publication No. WO 2011/007660 and Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3173143 which has the structure illustrated in FIG. 13 has problems described below. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view for explaining problems of the conventional flat cable 10P.
In the conventional flat cable 10P, it is the portion of the bridge conductors 33 (331 and 332) whose flat film surface is opposed to the second ground conductor 30 and the signal conductor 40.
Therefore, when transmission of a radio frequency signal causes a current to flow through the signal conductor 40, countercurrents 911, 912, 921, and 922 are generated with the bridge conductors 331 and 332 as countercurrent generation points 901 and 902, respectively.
The countercurrent 911 flows from the bridge conductor 331 to the elongated conductor 31, with the countercurrent generation point 901 of the bridge conductor 331 as a starting point.
The countercurrent 911 flows to the first ground conductor 20 via the via-hole conductor 511P located in close proximity to the bridge conductor 331. The countercurrent 911 also flows to the first ground conductor 20 via an area 311 of the elongated conductor 31 which is located between the bridge conductors 331 and 332, and the via-hole conductor 521P located in close proximity to the bridge conductor 332.
The countercurrent 921 flows from the bridge conductor 332 to the elongated conductor 31, with the countercurrent generation point 902 of the bridge conductor 332 as a starting point.
The countercurrent 921 flows to the first ground conductor 20 via the via-hole conductor 512P located in close proximity to the bridge conductor 332. The countercurrent 921 also flows to the first ground conductor 20 via an area 312 of the elongated conductor 31 which is located between the bridge conductors 332 and another bridge conductor, and a via-hole conductor located in close proximity to the other bridge conductor.
In this way, in the conventional flat cable 10P, the countercurrents 911 and 921 generated from different countercurrent generation points 901 and 902, respectively, concentrate on the via-hole conductor 521P. Although not described in detail, such current concentration also occurs for the other via-hole conductor provided to the elongated conductor 31.
The countercurrent 912 flows from the bridge conductor 331 to the elongated conductor 32, with the countercurrent generation point 901 of the bridge conductor 331 as a starting point.
The countercurrent 912 flows to the first ground conductor 20 via the via-hole conductor 512P located in close proximity to the bridge conductor 331. The countercurrent 912 also flows to the first ground conductor 20 via an area 321 of the elongated conductor 32 which is located between the bridge conductors 331 and 332, and the via-hole conductor 522P located in close proximity to the bridge conductor 332.
The countercurrent 922 flows from the bridge conductor 332 to the elongated conductor 32, with the countercurrent generation point 902 of the bridge conductor 332 as a starting point.
The countercurrent 922 flows to the first ground conductor 20 via the via-hole conductor 522P located in close proximity to the bridge conductor 332. The countercurrent 922 also flows to the first ground conductor 20 via an area 322 of the elongated conductor 32 which is located between the bridge conductors 332 and another bridge conductor, and a via-hole conductor located in close proximity to the other bridge conductor.
In this way, in the conventional flat cable 10P, the countercurrents 912 and 922 generated from different countercurrent generation points 901 and 902, respectively, concentrate on the via-hole conductor 522P. Although not described in detail, such current concentration occurs likewise for the other via-hole conductor provided to the elongated conductor 32.
As described above, in the conventional flat cable 10P, countercurrents generated in the second ground conductor 30 concentrate on a via-hole conductor. This makes current density higher in the neighborhood of the via-hole conductor, causing a localized increase in resistance in the vicinity of the via-hole conductor. Consequently, a potential difference develops between the second ground conductor 30 and the first ground conductor 20, causing unwanted resonance. Therefore, the transmission characteristics of the flat cable 10P as a radio frequency line deteriorate. In particular, as compared with the bridge conductor 332, via-hole conductors have high resistivity and do not readily allow current to flow through. If currents flowing through bridge conductors concentrate on a via-hole conductor, the resistance encountered when countercurrents flow becomes high, leading to an increase in the transmission loss of the transmission line as a whole.


A safety device for sliding glass doors to prevent complete closure thereby inhibiting injury to small children. The safety device consists of a foam rubber strip which is secured to the leading edge of the sliding glass door by the use of a hook & pile attachment. The foam rubber prevents airborne debris from entering the residence while in a closed position as well as preventing conditioned air from escaping the residence. A lock mechanism provides security to the door while in a closed position. The safety device may be detached with provisions for placement of the device on a trailing edge of the sliding glass door for storage.

Sliding glass doors are modern conveniences found in most homes. The sliding glass door allows for the entrance and exiting through a door that moves on rollers in a parallel plane, versus a door that moves on hinges and rotates through an arc. A sliding glass door can be made from solid plate glass as it is supported by and moves along a predefined track. For this reason, sliding glass doors typically consist of a large pane of glass allowing the occupants to view outside the home in an unobstructed manner. Sliding glass doors provide a convenience in that they can be easier to open and close then a regular door. For example, children can easily push a sliding glass door open or closed if the sliding glass door is left in a unlocked position. However, small children typically are unable to rotate a door handle in order to allow the same type of entrance and exit.
Despite the conveniences of a sliding glass door, the ease of opening and closing can also pose a safety problem. In particular, throughout my years as a firemen I have come across numerous instances where childrens fingers have been severely damaged or severed due to the closing of a sliding glass door. The child typically grasps the end of the sliding glass door to try to pull it closed. Once the door is placed in motion it maintains momentum which can injure the child if the door traps the child's fingers between the leading edge and the closing hasp. The child's hands, being of small appendages, are no match to the amount of weight presented by the door. Depending upon the size of the door, a weight of over one hundred pounds is possible. The heavier door weights appear negligible in view of roller technology, however, the increased rolling efficiency makes the heavier doors even more dangerous. In addition, a typical door assembly includes a channel projection to prevent unauthorized access to the latching mechanism. The projections extend on each side of the door and are designed to a close tolerance to the door. These projections act like a knife should a child's fingers be caught between the moving door and either projection.
One known safety device lessens the ease of moving sliding glass doors. The decreased movement prevents a small child from slamming a door closed but also makes it difficult for the elderly to operate the door. If the sliding glass door is difficult to move, during an emergency the exit is effectively blocked. For this reason, the sliding glass door is typically left in either an open or closed position. An open door will allow the conditioned air to escape thereby causing high electrical or fuel bills. Further, airborne debris and insects may be allowed to enter the home.
What is lacking in the art is a device that permits the normal operation of a sliding glass door yet provides a barrier and prevents injury to a child's fingers.


A method for producing a ceramic substrate which employs a cofiring process using restraint sheets in which a second ceramic green sheet 7 is laminated on a green ceramic substrate 30 so as to cover surface conductors 32 of the green ceramic substrate 30, the second ceramic green sheet 7 subsequently being integrated with the green ceramic substrate 30. Restraint sheets 9, which are not sintered at a sintering temperature at which the green ceramic substrate 30 is sintered, are laminated on corresponding opposite sides of the green ceramic substrate 30 so as to restrain the green ceramic substrate 30 together with the second ceramic green sheet 7. The second ceramic green sheet 7 and the green ceramic substrate 30 are fired at a temperature at which the second ceramic green sheet 7 and the green ceramic substrate 30 are integrally sintered, whereas the restraint sheets 9 are not sintered, to thereby yield a ceramic substrate 40. The restraint sheets 9 and a ceramic covering layer 7a which covers the surface conductors 32 are removed, to thereby expose the surface conductor layer 32. A plating layer 31 is formed on the surface conductor layer 32.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a ceramic substrate having a surface conductor layer by means of a cofiring process, and to a ceramic substrate produced by the method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method which is advantageously employed for producing a ceramic substrate that is an assembly of ceramic components and is to be divided into a plurality of ceramic components.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a cofiring process: ceramic green sheets and conductor layers are laminated to thereby form a green ceramic substrate; subsequently, the ceramic bodies and the conductors are cofired to thereby yield a ceramic substrate. In comparison with a postfiring process in which a pattern formed of a conductive paste is printed on a ceramic substrate formed through firing, and then the printed pattern formed of a conductive paste is baked onto the ceramic substrate, the cofiring process is highly advantageous in that surface conductors, such as mounting pads, and a ceramic body can be formed in a collective manner.
However, because the green sheets and the conductor layers shrink at different times in the course of firing, the cofiring process yields a ceramic substrate that is prone to suffer from firing strain, such as warpage. Firing strain is well known to cause defects, such as a defectively mounted condition, in a mounting process.
In order to solve the problem of firing strain, various methods have been proposed. According to a typical known method, a green ceramic substrate is fired while being physically restrained from vertically opposite directions. This allows firing shrinkage to arise predominantly in the thickness direction (Z direction), thereby yielding a ceramic substrate having small firing strain. Specific methods include a method in which a green ceramic substrate is fired while being restrained by means of application of pressure from vertically opposite directions (Patent Document 1 mentioned below) and a method in which a green ceramic substrate is fired while being sandwiched between restraint sheets, which do not shrink in the course of firing, and, after the firing process, the restraint sheets are removed (Patent Document 2 mentioned below).
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 62-260777
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 4-243978
3. Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the method in which a green ceramic substrate is fired while being restrained from vertically opposite directions by use of restraint sheets (Patent Document 2 mentioned above), a restraint sheet is in direct contact with surface conductors, such as mounting pads, formed on the surface of the substrate. Thus, this method possibly involves the following problems: unfavorable surface roughness is transferred onto the surface of the surface conductor layer; foreign matter adheres to the surface of the surface conductor layer; and a plating property and solder wettability of the surface conductor layer are deteriorated. In the method in which a green ceramic substrate is fired while being sandwiched between restraint sheets, which do not shrink in the course of firing, and, after the firing process, the restraint sheets are removed, a problem arises when a thick surface conductor layer is formed (for example, a thickness of 15 μm to 50 μm as measured after firing) in order to impart high bonding strength and solder leaching resistance to the surface conductors. Specifically, surface roughness of the surface conductor layer having an increased thickness causes a restraint sheet to partially fail to be bonded sufficiently to the surface conductor layer. As a result, firing strain is likely to arise in such an insufficiently restrained portion.
The postfiring process may be used to form the surface conductor layer. However, the number of firing operations increases. Also, the postfiring process is unsuited for formation of fine patterns. In the case where the plating process is used to form the surface conductor layer, bonding between the ceramic body and the plating layer becomes insufficient. Also, because a photolithographic process is required, the overall process becomes complicated.

Method for producing ceramic substrate, and ceramic substrate


Attributing consumed storage capacity among entities storing data in a storage array includes: identifying a data object stored in the storage array and shared by a plurality of entities, where the data object occupies an amount of storage capacity of the storage array; and attributing to each entity a fractional portion of the amount of storage capacity occupied by the data object.

Data centers may include many computing components including servers, network devices, and storage arrays. As the need for storage of large amounts of data and efficient access to that data increases, storage array technology is advancing. Such storage arrays may provide persistent storage for any number of computing devices in a data center. Given that many data centers provide services to many different users, various considerations must be taken into account to provide efficient, useful, and secure access to and administration of storage arrays.
In some storage arrays, storage capacity may be efficiently utilized between multiple entities by sharing of data. That is, data need not be written to two separate memory locations within storage if the data is the same. Deduplication schemes, for example, are configured to identify multiple instances of the same data and reduce the data to a single instance in storage. Entities sharing such data are typically unaware that such sharing has occurred. To that end, difficulties exist in reporting the amount of space utilized by such shared data to each of the entities.

Tracking storage consumption in a storage array


A bill dealing apparatus facilitating the bill collection with less trouble in reduced size and cost. The door 22 of the bill dealing apparatus 21 is exposed on the outer surface of the front door 23 of the slot machine. Bill validator 25 is attached inside the door 22 for verifying the validity of the inserted bill 24. The stacker 26 for storing the inserted bill is housed in the body 27. The front of the body 27 is open to form an opening 27a, through which the stacker 26 is attached to and removed from the body 27. The door 22, which blocks the opening 27a, is attached to the body 27 pivotal about the support shaft 28, and opens in the direction B. The driving unit 29 is positioned behind the stacker 26 for driving the bill presser. The stacker 26 is inserted to and taken out from the body 27 independent from the driving unit 29.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a bill (paper money) dealing apparatus which receives and temporarily keeps bill while checking the genuineness and quality of the money.
2. Related Art
Paper money dealing apparatus has been conventionally used in various fields. One example is a built-in bill dealing apparatus fixed into a game machine. In this example, the bill dealing apparatus increases the credit point of the game machine indicative of the playable range, or returns substitute money, such as a game coin, corresponding to the amount of the inserted bill. Another example is a bill dealing apparatus built in a money changer, in which the inserted bill is changed into different types of money. Paper money dealing apparatus is also applied to vending machines, which puts out goods after money is inserted.
FIG. 1 illustrates a slot machine, as an example of the conventional game machine, showing the internal structure. The slot machine includes a bill dealing apparatus 1 fixed to the bill stand 2. When a main door 3 is closed, the bill dealing apparatus 1 is hidden behind the door, except for a bill insert opening 4.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the structure of the conventional bill dealing apparatus 1. The bill insert opening 4 is provided in front of a bill validator 5 (FIG. 2). Money inserted through the bill insert opening 4 is checked by the bill validator 5 for the genuineness and the quality. The bill determined as valid is stacked up in a bill cassette (stacker) 6 (FIG. 3), and is temporarily stored therein. A top shutter 7 of the stacker 6 is open when the stacker 6 is housed in a body 8. The bill stored in the stacker 6 are regularly collected by removing the stacker 6 from the slot machine and carrying it to a secure place. The shutter 7 is closed when the stacker 6 is removed and transported to other place, as shown in FIG. 3.
The stacker 6 is generally taken out from the slot machine in accordance with the following steps: unlocking the key 9K of the bottom door 9 positioned at the lower portion of the main door 3 to open a bottom door 9 (as indicated by the one dot broken line in FIG. 1) while maintaining the main door 3 closed; revealing a lever 10, a handle 11 provided in front of the stacker 6 (FIG. 3), and a key hole 2a of the bill stand 2, which are all accommodated in the lower portion inside the slot machine, after opening the bottom door 9; inserting a key into the key hole 2a to unlock the bill stand 2; and rotating the handle 11 while depressing the lever 10 and pulling the stacker 6 out of the slot machine.
However, in the conventional bill dealing apparatus 1, it was cumbersome to take out the stacker 6 from the slot machine because it requires several steps of actions. The actions include unlocking and opening the bottom door 9, unlocking the key of the bill stand 2, operating the lever 10 and the handle 11, and pulling out the stacker 6. Therefore, simple removement and bill collection have been desired.
In the conventional bill dealing apparatus 1, when the bill validator 5 determines that the inserted bill is valid, the bill is pushed into the stacker 6 by a bill presser. The bill presser is generally positioned above the shutter 7 of the stacker 6 and within the body 8, being fixed to an attachment panel by, for example, a screw. The bill validator 5 is also fixed to the body 8 above the stacker 6. These components piled on the stacker 6 make the bill dealing apparatus 1 larger (in volume and height), and require large space inside the slot machine.
Furthermore, a driving unit composed of e.g., motor is generally provided inside the stacker 6 for driving the bill presser. This makes the stacker 6 heavy, which makes the work of collecting and transporting a number of stacker 6 troublesome. If the inserted bill is wet or creased, friction or resistance occurs between the bill and the feeding path, which prevents the bill from being smoothly fed to the stacker position.


During start-up of a circuit having a high voltage supply and a low voltage supply, a backup bias generator (BBG) is used to avoid burnout and exceeding a breakdown voltage. The high voltage supply is powered on before the low voltage supply. The BBG generates bias in response to the high voltage supply being powered on. Once the low voltage supply is powered on and is stable, the BBG is shut down so that it does not interfere with normal operation of the circuit. The circuit can be separated into high and low supply domains without breakdown issues during power start-up, allowing for power and area optimization.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to circuits, and more specifically to power sequencing in multiple power domain circuits.
2. Background Art
Analog circuit applications that require high speed and/or low distortion often necessitate a higher supply voltage as compared to slower or noisier applications. The higher supply voltage can give devices of an application larger head room and lower junction capacitance, resulting in better linearity and faster speed. However, the supply voltage is usually limited so as to not exceed the breakdown voltage of semiconductor components of the analog circuit. With cascaded devices, though, the supply voltage is not necessarily limited to a value below the breakdown voltage. As long as the voltage across each cascaded device does not exceed the breakdown voltage of the respective device, the supply voltage can be increased.
Analog circuits usually have more than one cascade of devices from supply to ground. Thus, the supply voltage can be larger than the breakdown voltage of a single device. Although high speed or high performance circuits may require a high voltage supply, slower portions of the circuit, such as bandgap or bias blocks, can be operated using lower supply voltages. To save power and area, two or more supply voltages may be used in a single chip.
However, circuits with multiple supply voltages generally have problems when power is switched on. If a lower voltage supply is turned on before a higher voltage supply, devices may burn out due to current overflow. If a higher voltage supply is turned on before a lower voltage supply, devices may exceed breakdown voltage because no reference is available upon which to base biasing of the devices.
What is needed, then, is a system and method to enable start-up of circuits having multiple power supplies without burning out or exceeding a breakdown voltage.

System and method for breakdown protection in start-up sequence with multiple power domains


A nitride semiconductor laser including a laminate that includes an n-side semiconductor layer, an active layer and a p-side semiconductor layer, the n-side semiconductor layer or p-side semiconductor layer including a current blocking layer 30 that is made of InxAlyGa1-x-yN (0≦x≦0.1, 0.5≦y≦1, 0.5≦x+y≦1) and has a stripe-shaped window 32 formed therein to pass current flow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nitride semiconductor laser device having an active layer made of gallium nitride semiconductor, particularly to a nitride semiconductor laser device having a current blocking layer made of InxAlyGa1-x-yN (0≦x≦0.1, 0.5≦y≦1, 0.5≦x+y≦1).
2. Prior Art
Gallium nitride semiconductor laser is capable of oscillating in a wide range of wavelengths from ultraviolet to red light, and is expected to have variety of applications such as light sources for optical disk system, laser printer and optical network. In the gallium nitride semiconductor laser of the prior art, it has been a common practice to employ ridge waveguide structure that has stripe-shaped ridge formed on a cladding layer or the like located on an active layer, for the stripe structure formed to control the horizontal transverse oscillation mode.
However, since mechanical strength of the ridge waveguide structure is weak at the ridge, defects are likely to occur particularly when mounted face down. Also because variations are caused in the threshold current and/or beam shape depending on the dimensions of the ridge, it is difficult to manufacture laser devices of uniform characteristics. For this reason, attempts have been made to control the horizontal transverse oscillation mode by forming an insulation layer (current blocking layer) having a stripe-shaped window as a current path, over the active layer, instead of the ridge waveguide structure.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-314203 proposes a gallium nitride semiconductor laser having a current blocking layer formed from AlN in a p-type optical guide layer of the active layer. The stripe structure of this laser is made as follows. First, the current blocking layer made of AlN is formed on a device, on which layers up to the p-type optical guide layer have been formed, at a temperature from 400 to 600° C. in a reaction furnace of MOCVD apparatus. After taking out the wafer from the reaction furnace, stripe-shaped window is formed by photolithography process using an alkaline etching solution. Then the wafer is returned into the reaction furnace of the MOCVD apparatus where p-type optical guide layer is grown so as to fill in the window of the current blocking layer, and p-type cladding layer and other layers are formed successively.

Nitride semiconductor laser device having current blocking layer and method of manufacturing the same


The present disclosure relates to analyzing mood of a group of users. An apparatus (100) comprises a storage location (102) for storing emoticons, user devices (104), a transceiver (106), a tagging module (108), a collator (110), and a report generator (112). The transceiver (106) receives boot signal generated by the user devices (104) to extract the stored emoticons to construct and transmit a data frame having emoticons, a lock command, and an unlock command. The tagging module is (108) configured to tag the selected emoticon with a user identifier. The collator (110) is configured to collate a plurality of tagged emoticons for each of the users over a predetermined time period and generate an emotional index for each of the users. The report generator (112) is configured to generate a report based on the emotional index for each of the users.

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Emotions determine most human behavior. In a group, the decisions/actions of the co-members/leaders may lead to many different emotional responses amongst the other members of the group. These emotional responses play a major role in impacting activities of an event. For example, during an event, a group of people is involved. The audience may be confused, bored, entertained, happy, excited, angry or the like. To determine, whether the event is well organized and to identify the possibilities of improvement in the event, grading systems have been developed. The audience can give rating to the event by using the grading systems.
However, the results of the grading systems are often unreliable. The grading can be low, as the user may not provide accurate grading.
Typically, in an organization, a manager/concerned person cannot identify current mood of his/her team/employees, which in turn restricts him/her from taking appropriate actions to alleviate the mood of the team, thereby losing an opportunity to motivate the team and increase overall productivity.
Therefore, there is a need to develop an apparatus for analyzing mood, which alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks.


Kinematic data is generated onboard an aircraft for describing its state of motion as it flies over a tracking range. The kinematic data is transmitted to a plurality of remote stations on the tracking range and tracking data is generated which represents the actual state vector of the flying aircraft. Also generated is pseudo tracking data, identical to the tracking data but delayed in time, for representing the motion and trajectory of a pseudo aircraft. Utilizing the pseudo tracking data an image of the flying aircraft is generated from the viewpoint of the cockpit of the pseudo aircraft. A person may then view the image to observe the dynamics of the flying aircraft as if the person were chasing the actual aircraft in the pseudo aircraft. The method permits sophisticated maneuvers in the remote piloting of aircraft as well as flight performance analysis.

The present invention relates to aircraft tracking ranges and remote piloting of unmanned aircraft.
Unmanned aircraft or drones are used by the military for reconnaissance and for target practice. They incorporate onboard and remote guidance systems. Current drone tracking and control systems provide limited data to the drone pilot. In most cases only the drone X/Y position over a tracking range is provided to the pilot with a pen and ink plot board. The remotely located pilot has little idea of the state vector of the drone, and therefore he cannot perform sophisticated flight maneuvers. In addition, the drone pilot has little idea of the location, bearing, range, and dynamics of an attacking aircraft in air-to-air or ground-to-air combat training exercise. The drone is therefore an easy kill and the test or training benefit is limited.

Method of generating a dynamic display of an aircraft from the viewpoint of a pseudo chase aircraft


A biocidal composition which comprises an inclusion complex of a halopropargyl compound and a cyclodextrin or a modified cyclodextrin, useful broadly in industrial systems and more particularly in aqueous compositions used in connection with paints, coatings, stucco, concrete, stone, cementaceous surfaces, wood, caulking, sealants, textiles, and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to biocidal compositions containing a haloalkynyl compound, and especially a halopropargyl compound. The invention is specifically directed to compositions containing inclusion complexes of such halopropargyl compounds. In its preferred form, the present invention is directed to water soluble inclusion complexes of such halopropargyl compounds, especially those made water soluble by the use of a modified cyclodextrin.
2. Description of Related Art
Both exterior and interior surfaces and substrates of all types, when exposed to common environmental conditions, e.g., moisture, are prone to attack, discoloration and various kinds of destruction by a variety of species of microorganisms, including fungi, algae, bacteria and protozoa. The end result of such microbial attack is decomposition of the material, unsightly defacement or foul odors. In this respect microorganisms are a formidable enemy. They are basically found everywhere on the earth, in the water and in the air. They survive under diverse conditions such as in dust, nearly boiling water in hot springs and in salty water with a salt concentration of up to 30%, in light or darkness, and with small or large amounts of moisture and a wide range of nutrients. As a result, there is a great need and requirement for an effective and economical means to protect, for extended periods of time, both exterior and interior surfaces and various types of substrates and commercial formulations from the deterioration and destruction caused by such microorganisms.
Materials which need protection with a suitable antimicrobial composition include stucco, concrete, stone, cementaceous surfaces, iron, wood, caulking, sealants, leather, rope, paper pulp, plastics, textiles, biodegradable compositions including such materials as paints and other coating formulations, surfactants, proteins, starch-based compositions, stabilizers, inks, emulsifying agents, cellulose products, emulsions or suspensions, resins, shampoos, creams, lotions, cosmetics, soaps, and household products such as laundry detergents, hard surface cleaners, and fabric softeners, as well as numerous other materials and other substances which may be attacked by destructive microbes. Many of these applications would greatly benefit from an aqueous biocidal composition or they require a biocidal composition containing a large amount of water. For example, some of the above applications such as ink, sap stain, leather, textiles, surfactants, thickeners, metal working fluids, paper pulp, cellulose products, shampoos, creams, lotions, soaps, thickeners etc. consist of a large amount of water. For such applications, it is desirable to have a biocide which is water soluble for ease of incorporation, physical stability of the formulation and perhaps enhanced efficacy.
A wide variety of materials have been identified which, to various degrees, are effective in retarding or preventing the growth of, and accompanying destruction caused by such microbes. Such biocidal compounds include halogenated compounds, organometallic compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, phenolics, metallic salts, heterocyclic amines, formaldehyde donors, organo-sulfur compounds and the like.
Formulated products that are protected against microbial attack by the inclusion of such biocidal additives must retain their biocidal activity for a prolonged time period to be most useful. Indeed, such products often are used to impart a biocidal activity to another product or to a substrate, such as wood and the like, which itself requires extended protection against microbial attack.
One well-known class of biocides are those containing a halopropargyl moiety, and especially an iodopropargyl moiety. Such compounds are widely disclosed in the patent literature including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,660,499; 3,923,870; 4,259,350; 4,592,773; 4,616,004 and 4,639,460 to name a few. Included within this class of compounds are the halopropargyl carbamates which are known primarily for their fungicidal activity. 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate, hereinafter also referred to as IPBC, is one of the best known and probably the most widely used of the halopropargyl carbamate fungicides. IPBC is a highly active broad spectrum fungicide. In addition to its fungicidal activity, IPBC also has been associated with algaecidal activity. In this regard, Great Britain Patent 2,138,292 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,915,909 and 5,082,722 contain such disclosures.
These compounds possess two reactive sites namely the carbon-carbon triple bond and the carbon-halogen, especially a carbon-iodine, bond. Depending on the pH of the system, nucleophiles, organic and inorganic acids and bases used in various applications can attack the halo(iodo)propargyl group, with gradual loss of the biocidal activity over time. Another kind of halo(iodo)propargyl instability is encountered in the dry film of coating compositions. The main cause of this decomposition mechanism is the exposure of the coating to shorter wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum of sunlight, namely ultraviolet radiation. This general phenomenon has been studied and documented by Gabriele et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,885). One approach taken by Gabriele et al to protect various biocides is to incorporate a combination of a piperidine compound and a UV absorber into the coating composition. Unfortunately, this approach has not heretofore been practical with the halo(iodo)propargyl compounds because the piperidine adjuvant used in conjunction with the UV absorbers destabilizes the halopropargyl compounds in the coating composition in aqueous formulations.
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a composition and method for stabilizing such halopropargyl, and especially iodopropargyl compounds, and most especially 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), known in commerce as Troysan Polyphase.RTM., not only in an ultimately dry film but also in aqueous compositions such as a latex paint. In this regard, it is especially an object of the invention to provide a stability-enhancing inclusion complex of a halopropargyl compound and especially IPBC.
Most of the compounds belonging to the class of halopropargyl compounds, and especially the iodopropargyls such as IPBC, also have a limited water solubility i.e., 50-300 ppm and therefore, such compounds are often times difficult to incorporate in systems which have water as a predominant ingredient.
It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a water soluble inclusion complex of a halopropargyl compound, especially 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC).


A door safety locking apparatus door safety locking apparatus including: a body mounted inside a housing; a locker mounted inside a door opening and closing the interior of the housing in such a manner as to be separably fitted to the body; a dog coupled to the interior of the body by means of a shaft and having a locking protrusion formed on the upper end thereof to lock a coupling hole pierced on the locker thereonto; a tilting rod coupled at the front end thereof to the dog by means of a pin and coupled at the end portion thereof to the bottom surface of the interior of the body by means of a hinge, to guide the dog being rotated around the shaft in accordance with the pulling operation of the locker; and a spring fitted around the outer periphery of the tilting rod to elastically support the tilting rod guiding the rotating operation of the dog.

Generally, a door is provided to all kinds of electronic products such as refrigerators, washing machines and the like, and thus, the door is rotated around a hinge shaft to open and close the interior of the electronic product.
On the other hand, the door of the electronic product has a separate locking apparatus for preventing the door from being arbitrarily open while the electronic product is being operated.
One example of such conventional door locking apparatuses has been disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2005-0066293 (entitled 'door safety apparatus for washing machine), wherein the door safety apparatus includes a washing machine door, a pressing protrusion formed on the inner periphery of the door in such a manner as to be detachable from the door, and a sensing switch adapted to be pressed by means of the pressing protrusion, if the door is closed, to sense the closing of the door, so that if the sensing switch is pressed by means of the pressing protrusion, the pressing protrusion is brought into contact with the contact point provided in the interior of the sensing switch, thereby sensing the closing of the door.
According to the above-mentioned prior art, even though the door is closed in the situation where a child or animal is locked in the washing machine, the washing machine is not operated to previously prevent safety accidents like asphyxial deaths from happening.
Since the above-mentioned prior art senses the door closing in an electrical way, however, malfunctions of the electrical product frequently occur to cause the reliability of the product to be deteriorated.


The present invention relates to a process and equipment for producing a molded article, especially a flat molded article, which has cavities and webs between the cavities, which webs essentially join two disks, wherein the equipment includes a press mold with a die, which forms the outer circumference of the molded article, and two rams, which are arranged as a lower ram and an upper ram and form the outer surfaces of the disks. The equipment includes a segment ram integrated in the lower ram and/or in the upper ram, which segment ram has ram segments with essentially the cross-sectional shape of the above-mentioned webs, with which ram segments the segment ram moves into and engages recesses with the same cross-sectional shape in the lower ram or upper ram, and by a removable core, which can be inserted in the press mold and has the core segments that form the above-mentioned cavities, such that the spaces between the core segments in the press mold are arranged congruently with the ram segments mentioned above. To produce a ring-shaped molded article, the press mold which is used is additionally provided in an already well-known way with a mandrel that forms the inner circumference.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to equipment for producing a molded article, especially a flat molded article, which has cavities and webs between the cavities, which webs essentially join two disks, includes a press mold with a die, which forms the outer circumference of the molded article, and two rams, which are arranged as a lower ram and an upper ram and form the outer surfaces of the disks. In addition, the invention relates to a process for producing a molded article with the use of this equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Of primary interest here are molded articles for use as ceramic brake disks, clutch disks, friction disks, etc. A process of this type is described in EP 0 788 468 B1. However, basically the only thing to be derived from this document is the principle of using a removable core. Nothing concrete is described.
To form the cavities, the molded articles of brake disks actually produced are pressed in two disks, which are later joined, and each of which partially has the webs.

Equipment and process for producing a molded article


A buffer includes an input configured to receive a first digital signal having first and second logic states referenced, respectively, to a first high voltage and a first low voltage of a first supply domain. A first inverter circuit includes a pMOS transistor and nMOS transistor having gate terminals connected to the input. A second inverter is connected in series with the output of the first inverter. The second inverter has an output configured to generate a second digital signal having first and second logic states referenced, respectively, to a second high voltage and a second low voltage of a second, different, supply domain, wherein at least the second high voltage is greater than the first high voltage. A feedback circuit is configured to apply the second digital signal as a bias to a transistor body of the p-MOS transistor of the first inverter circuit.

Reference is made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a prior art buffer circuit 10 comprising a pair of series connected CMOS inverters 12. Each inverter 12 is formed of a p-channel MOSFET (pMOS) 14 having a source-drain path coupled in series with the source-drain path of an n-channel MOSFET (nMOS) 16. More particularly, the source terminal and transistor body (bulk or well) of the pMOS transistor 14 are coupled to a high supply node 18 and the source terminal and body (bulk or well) of the nMOS transistor 16 are coupled to a low supply node 20. The high and low supply nodes 18 and 20, respectively, receive high and low supply voltages associated with a supply voltage domain. For example, the high supply voltage, referred to as Vdd, may comprise 1.8 Volts and the low supply voltage, referred to as ground, may comprise 0 Volts. The gate terminals of the pMOS transistor 14 and nMOS transistor 16 are coupled together at an inverter input node 22. The drain terminals of the pMOS transistor 14 and nMOS transistor 16 are coupled together at an inverter output node 24. With the series connection of the CMOS inverters 12, the inverter output node 24 of a first one of the inverters is coupled to the inverter input node 22 of a second one of the inverters.
The operation of the inverters 12 is well known to those skilled in the art. In response to a logic high signal at the inverter input node 22, the pMOS transistor 14 is turned off and the nMOS transistor 16 is turned on. The inverter output node 24 is accordingly coupled to the low supply node 20 and the inverter outputs a logic low signal. Conversely, in response to a logic low signal at the inverter input node 22, the pMOS transistor 14 is turned on and the nMOS transistor 16 is turned off. The inverter output node 24 is accordingly coupled to the high supply node 18 and the inverter outputs a logic high signal. The back-to-back inversions provided by the series connected inverters 12 provide a signal buffering operation with the input signal IN and output signal OUT having a same logic state.
It is common for the supply range of the input signal IN to be the same as the supply range of the supply voltage domain for the circuit 10. In such scenarios, static leakage of the circuit 10 is well within specifications at all times because one of the pull up transistor or pull down transistor of each inverter will be completely turned off.
However, certain circumstances exist where the supply range of the input signal IN may be different from the supply range of the supply voltage domain for the circuit 10. A common situation is a buffering operation with respect to an input signal whose supply range is less than the supply range of the circuit 10. In such a scenario, there is a significant increase in static leakage because the logic high voltage of the input signal (at 1.2V, for example) is not sufficiently high enough to fully turn off the pMOS transistor 14 (referenced to Vdd=1.8V. for example).
To address the static leakage issue, a commonly used design solution is to reduce the strength of the pMOS transistor 14. This unfortunately has an adverse effect on the switching speed of the buffer circuit 10. Such a circuit would be suitable only for low speed applications. For high speed applications, another solution is needed.
There is accordingly a need in the art for a buffer circuit with reduced static current leakage which is suitable for high speed applications.

Buffer circuit with reduced static leakage through controlled body biasing in FDSOI technology


A programmable phase change material (PCM) structure includes a heater element formed at a transistor gate level of a semiconductor device, the heater element further including a pair of electrodes connected by a thin wire structure with respect to the electrodes, the heater element configured to receive programming current passed therethrough, a layer of phase change material disposed on top of a portion of the thin wire structure, and sensing circuitry configured to sense the resistance of the phase change material.

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit devices and, more particularly, to programmable fuse/non-volatile memory structures (and arrays) using externally heated phase change material.
Electrically programmable fuse (eFUSE) devices have many practical applications such as, for example, redundancy implementation in memory arrays, field programmable arrays, voltage trimming resistors/capacitors, RF circuit tuning, electronic chip identification, usage tracking/diagnostic data logging, remote disabling of a device/car that is reported stolen, read only memory (ROM), etc. Existing eFUSE technology is based on various different techniques such as, for example, electromigration (IBM), rupture (Infineon) and agglomeration (Intel). However, each of these existing fuse technologies are "one-shot," in that once the fuse is blown, it cannot be returned to a conducting state. Moreover, such devices occupy relatively large areas, involve large amounts of power/current, and are very slow to program (e.g., several microseconds).
On the other hand, reprogrammable fuses utilizing chalcogenide materials (and indirect heating through a resistive heater) are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,576 to Davis et al. However, such chalcogenide fuse materials emit large amounts of heat, and it is estimated that switching currents needed to produce the required programming heat are on the order of about 15 mA. Under this assumption, a required heater current of 15 mA would in turn result in a design that is inconveniently large, requiring a driver FET width on the order of about 15 microns.
Accordingly, as eFUSE technology develops, it will be desirable to be able to address existing concerns pertaining to higher performance, including factors such as: reducing the device area taken up by the fuse, cope with the "sunsetting" of the non-standard high voltages/currents required by existing programmable fuse devices, the desirability of having multishot reprogrammable fuses, and enhanced speed, among other aspects.

Programmable fuse/non-volatile memory structures using externally heated phase change material

International Business Machines Corporation


A system includes a plurality of modules which are configured for determining a suitable impedance for a modem. The plurality of modules send signals with a plurality of signal frequencies to a telephone and receive feedback signals from the telephone under each of a plurality of impedances of the modem, compute a total decibel value of the feedbacks under each impedance, and determine a suitable impedance according to a minimum total decibel value from the plurality of total decibel values.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to modems, and more particularly, to a system and method for determining a suitable impedance for a modem.
2. Description of Related Art
Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) is an important technology in the telephone network. VoIP can transform analog signals into digital signals, pack the digital signals as a data packet, transfer the data packet to a terminal via the telephone network, and then transform the digital signals into the analog signals in the terminal.
Modems and telephones are necessary and key components in the VoIP. When a modem matches with a telephone, echoes during communication can be decreased, and thus the communication quality can increase.
Generally, if an impedance of the modem is equal to an impedance of the telephone, the modem and the telephone can be best matched. Conventionally, determining a suitable impedance for the modem is done manually. The manual work is time-waste, and the determined suitable impedance for the modem may do not always match with the impedance of the telephone.
What is needed, therefore, is a system and a method for determining a suitable impedance for a modem, which can determine a suitable impedance of the modem effectively and accurately.

System and method for determining a suitable impedance for a modem