The present invention relates to a device for detecting the locking of an automatic gain control circuit, the automatic gain control circuit receiving a signal to be regulated, a check signal and a sampling control signal for driving the operation of the circuit. The detection device includes a comparator receiving the check signal and the signal to be regulated or a signal representative of the signal to be regulated. The comparator generates two logic signals, the states of which form a specific combination of logic states when the value of the signal to be regulated is in a range of values including the value of the check signal. A logic comparator circuit generates a logic comparison signal, the state of which is representative of the presence or absence of this specific combination, and a storage means, driven by the sampling control signal, stores the state of the signal provided by the logic circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for detecting the locking of an automatic gain control circuit. It applies, for example, to the field of the processing of synchronization signals applied to on-screen display.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
To control the display of images on a cathode-ray tube of a monitor or of a television screen and, more specifically, to control the scanning of an electron beam on a screen, synchronization signals are used. The synchronization signals contain time information enabling determination of the beginning of the lines (horizontal synchronization) and of the frames (vertical synchronization). A frame is the set of lines required to form an image on a screen. The synchronization signals are logic pulse signals mainly defined by the polarity of their pulses (which is positive or negative according to whether the rising edges or the falling edges are taken into account), the recurrence frequency of the pulses, and their duration.
The vertical synchronization signals are transmitted directly, or in a compound signal including both the vertical and horizontal synchronization signals.
A conventional method for controlling the vertical scanning consists in generating, by means of an oscillator, a sawtooth-shaped signal based on the received vertical synchronization pulse signal. If the received signal is a compound signal, a vertical synchronization signal extracted from the compound signal will have been previously provided, this extracted signal being then used to generate the sawtooth-shaped signal. The sawtooth-shaped signal conventionally has the same frequency as the received pulse signal and a fixed amplitude (this latter characteristic being controlled by an automatic gain control loop, or AGC).
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a circuit 2 for processing a vertical synchronization signal VIN. It includes an input 4 for receiving signal VIN which can be of positive or negative polarity.
The vertical display is always constructed in the same way (from the top of the screen to the bottom), an input interface circuit 6 receives signal VIN and generates from this signal a logic pulse signal SYNC of fixed polarity (for example negative) and having a recurrence frequency identical to that of signal VIN. This signal SYNC is supplied to an oscillator control circuit 8. This circuit 8 controls the charge and the discharge of a capacitor 10 across which a sawtooth-shaped signal VOSC having a constant amplitude is generated. Capacitor 10 is charged with a current IOSC supplied by an automatic gain control loop 12. A switch (in FIG. 1, it is a MOS-type N-channel transistor 14) and a resistor 16, mounted in series, are placed in parallel across capacitor 10. The switch is controlled by circuit 8 so that the capacitor charges when the switch is open, and that it discharges through the switch when the switch is closed.
Signal VOSC is supplied to circuit 8 via an operational amplifier 18 mounted as a follower (the signal supplied by amplifier 18 is referred to as VOUT). Circuit 8 includes a comparator circuit for comparing signal VOUT with a potential VMIN and an edge detector, so that the sawtooth-shaped signal VOSC oscillates between value VMIN and a value corresponding to the occurrence of a type of edge in signal SYNC, for example, the falling edges. Thus, signal VOSC has a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the received synchronization signal. To ensure that signal VOSC has a constant amplitude, the automatic gain control circuit which controls the charge current of capacitor 10 is used, so that the value reached by signal VOSC upon occurrence of the falling edges in signal SYNC corresponds to a check value.
Finally, signal VOUT is supplied to an output stage 20 which will issue a sawtooth-shaped signal CDV. The output stage will, for example, set the gain and the mean value of output signal CDV. The sawtooth-shaped signal CDV is supplied to a circuit which converts it into a current signal, this current signal being issued to the vertical deflectors.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of implementation of an input interface circuit 6. It is assumed that an output signal SYNC with a negative polarity is provided, whatever the polarity of the signal VIN received. It will further be assumed that signal VIN is at a potential VCC of 5 volts when it is in the high state and at a ground potential GND of 0 volts when it is in the low state, and that signal SYNC is at a potential VH of 8 volts when it is in the high state and at potential GND when it is in the low state. The logic circuits of circuit 6 will be supplied by potentials VCC, VH, and GND.
Circuit 6 includes an input comparator 22 which receives signal VIN on its "-" input and a potential REF1, for example from 2 to 2.5 volts, on its "+" input. This comparator provides a logic signal A. An inverter 24 receives signal A as an input and provides a logic signal B, which is the inverse of signal A.
Signal A controls a switch 26 mounted between the ground and the input of an inverter 28. The switch is open when signal A is in a first state, and it is closed when this signal is in a second state. In the example described, the first state will be the low state and the second state is the high state. A current source 30 providing a current 2I1 and, on the other hand, a capacitor 32, are mounted in parallel to switch 26. A current source 34 is connected to the input of inverter 28. It provides a current I1. Thus, capacitor 32 will be charged or discharged with a constant current, according to whether switch 26 is closed or open. The potential at the input of inverter 28 will be referred to as VC1.
Inverter 28 provides a logic signal D. This signal D is inverted in an inverter 36 and the logic signal generated by inverter 36 is referred to as E. This signal E and signal B are supplied to a two-input NOR-type logic gate 38 which provides a logic signal SET1. Besides, signals D and A are supplied to a two-input NOR-type gate 40 which provides a logic signal SET2.
An RS-type double flip-flop 42 receives signals SET1 and SET2 on its set inputs (referred to as S1 and S2). The flip-flop further receives logic control signals RESET and SECINH on its reset inputs (referred to as R1 and R2). Signal SECINH is, for example, provided by a starting detection circuit so that it switches from a first to a second state when the circuit is supplied. It is here assumed that the first and second states respectively are the low state and the high state. Signal RESET sets the duration of the pulses in signal SYNC. It is typically generated based on the detection of two thresholds on the sawtooth-shaped signal generated by capacitor 10. Flip-flop 42 provides a logic signal F. Signal F is inverted in an inverter 44 which provides a logic signal NF, which is the inverse of signal F. Signal NF is used to control a switch 46 mounted between the ground and a first terminal of a capacitor 48. The second terminal of capacitor 48 is connected to the ground. A current source 50 provides a current 12. It is connected to the first terminal of capacitor 48, so that capacitor 48 is charged or discharged with a constant current according to whether switch 46 is open or closed. The voltage across capacitor 48 will be referred to as VC2. Voltage VC2 is compared to a fixed potential REF2, for example from 6 to 7 volts, in a comparator 52. This comparator provides a logic signal G which is representative of the result of the comparison. This signal is inverted in an inverter 54, which provides a logic signal NG. An inverter 56 inverts signal NG to provide logic signal SYNC. Signals SYNC and F are supplied to a two-input NAND-type logic gate 58 which provides a logic signal NSAMP. This signal is inverted in an inverter 60 which provides a logic signal SAMP which is the inverse of signal NSAMP.
Assume that signal VIN is of positive polarity. The synchronization pulses are characterized by a rising edge subsequently followed by a falling edge. Further assume that signals SAMP, B, D, SET1, SET2, F, and VC2 are in the low state, and that signals SYNC, A, VC1, and G are in the high state.
When the rising edge marking the beginning of a pulse appears, signal A switches to the low state when the switching threshold of comparator 22 is reached. Switch 26 is then open and capacitor 32 discharges with a constant current. Concurrently, signal SET1 switches to the high state. It remains in this high state as long as the switching threshold of inverter 28, which could for example be placed at 4 volts, is not reached and signal E has not changed state. Signal F will thus switch to the high state. Accordingly, capacitor 48 starts charging. Concurrently, signal NSAMP switches to the low state, and signal SAMP switches to the high state. Once threshold REF2 has been reached by signal VC2, signal G (and accordingly, signal SYNC) switches to the low state. This induces signal SAMP to switch back to its original state. Potential REF2 will set the delay during which signal SAMP is in the high state.
When the rising edge marking the end of the synchronization pulse appears, signal A switches back to the high state. Capacitor 32 will thus be charged again. As long as the switching threshold of inverter 28 is not reached, both signals B and E are in the low state. Signal SET2 will thus rise to the high state during this time interval. Once the threshold has been reached, signal E switches to the high state and signal SET2 switches back to the low state. To mark the end of the negative pulse in SYNC, it is enough to provide a rising edge in signal RESET. The signals are then set back to their initial states.
If it is assumed that signal VIN is negatively polarized, a signal SYNC with a negative polarity will be similarly provided. Conversely, the setting signal SYNC to the low state will be controlled by signal SET2 which will mark the beginning of the synchronization pulses.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of implementation of automatic gain control circuit 12.
It includes an input 62 for receiving the signal VOSC to be regulated, an input 64 for receiving a check signal VREF, an input 66 for receiving logic signal SAMP which controls a sampling, an input 68 for receiving a logic enable control signal NOSYNCHRO and an output 70 for providing current IOSC.
Input 62 is connected to an amplifier 72 mounted as a follower and which provides a signal VOSCA. The "+" input of amplifier 72 is connected to input 62. Its "-" input is connected to its output. Amplifier 72 allows the input impedance of circuit 12 to be controlled so that no current is taken from capacitor 10. The output of amplifier 72 is connected to the "+" input of an amplifier 74. The "-" input of this amplifier 74 is connected on the one hand to input 64 via a resistor 76 and on the other hand to its output, via a resistor 78. The output of amplifier 74 is also connected to a first pole of a capacitor 84, via a resistor 80 and a switch 82 mounted in series. Switch 82 is controlled by signal SAMP. The falling edges of signal SAMP correspond to the falling edges in signal SYNC. The switch will be implemented so as to be closed if signal SAMP is in the high state, and open otherwise. The second pole of capacitor 84 is connected to a ground. The voltage across capacitor 84 is referred to as VSAMP. The first pole of capacitor 84 is further connected to input 64 via a switch 86 controlled by signal NOSYNCHRO, and to the "+" input of an amplifier 88 mounted as a follower. The "-" input of amplifier 88 is connected to its output. Input 64 is connected to the "+" input of an amplifier 92 mounted as a follower. The "-" input of amplifier 92 is connected to its output. The outputs of amplifiers 92 and 88 are interconnected via a resistor 90. A current mirror 94 copies the current I'0 running through this resistor. A current source 96 further provides a reference current I0. Current mirror 94 and current source 96 are connected to output 70, so that this output provides current IOSC by adding currents I0 and I'0.
Let Cosc be the value of capacitor 10.
Cosc.VOSC=IOSC.T with T corresponding to the charging time of capacitor 10, assuming a very fast discharge.
I0 is constant and I'0=(VREF-VSAMP)/R with R being the value of resistor 90.
If the potential provided at the output of amplifier 74 is referred to as V1, the potential on the "-" input of this amplifier is referred to as Vh and the values of resistors 78 and 76 are referred to as R1 and R2, then (V1-Vh)/R1 =(Vh-VREF)/R2.
Thus, V1=A.(Vh-VREF)+VREF with A=1=R1/R2.
When switch 82 closes, then capacitor 84 charges until VSAMP=V1. Signal VOSC is then close to its maximum value before the discharge on the falling edge of signal SYNC. Then, I'0=A.(VREF-Vh)/R. The system converges towards Vh=VREF, which then practically corresponds to the maximum value reached by signal VOSC, with this signal VOSC then oscillating between VMIN and VREF at a frequency f=1/T which is the recurrence frequency of the received vertical synchronization pulses. Signal NOSYNCHRO allows the potential VREF to be applied to the input of amplifier 88, typically in the absence of a synchronization signal to be processed. Then, IOSC=I0, and circuit 2 then provides a signal VOSC with a so-called free frequency, the value of which is given by the value of current I0. It will be assumed that the free frequency is imposed via switch 86 when signal NOSYNCHRO is in a first state (for example, the high state) and that this switch 86 is open when signal NOSYNCHRO is in a second state (for example the low state).
Consider the accuracy of circuit 12 illustrated in FIG. 2.
It can be shown that:
dVSAMP=-R.dIOSC=-R.Cosc.VOSC.dF and dVh=-R.dIOSC/A=-R.Cosc.VOSC.dF/A PA1 dVSAMP=920.10.sup.-3 V and dVh=45.10.sup.-3 V. PA1 VREF-27.10.sup.-3 V and VREF+18.10.sup.- 3V.
If a frequency range extending from 50 hertz to 165 hertz is considered (which example typically corresponds to the vertical scanning frequencies in the field of monitors), then dF=165-50=115 Hz. With R=18 k.OMEGA., Cosc=150 nF, VOSC=3V and A=20, then
With VREF=5V, it can be seen that Vh varies between:

Device for detecting the locking of an automatic gain control circuit


Memory might include an array of memory cells having a plurality of strings of series-connected split-gate memory cells each including a primary memory cell portion and an assist memory cell portion, a plurality of primary access lines each connected to a control gate of the primary memory cell portion of a respective split-gate memory cell of each string of series-connected split-gate memory cells of the plurality of strings of series-connected split-gate memory cells, and a plurality of assist access lines each connected to a control gate of the assist memory cell portion of its respective split-gate memory cell of each string of series-connected split-gate memory cells of the plurality of strings of series-connected split-gate memory cells.

Memories (e.g., memory devices) are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuit devices in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory.
Flash memory has developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Changes in threshold voltage (Vt) of the memory cells, through programming (which is often referred to as writing) of charge storage structures (e.g., floating gates or charge traps) or other physical phenomena (e.g., phase change or polarization), determine the data state (e.g., data value) of each memory cell. Common uses for flash memory and other non-volatile memory include personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, digital media players, digital recorders, games, appliances, vehicles, wireless devices, mobile telephones, and removable memory modules, and the uses for non-volatile memory continue to expand.
A NAND flash memory is a common type of flash memory device, so called for the logical form in which the basic memory cell configuration is arranged. Typically, the array of memory cells for NAND flash memory is arranged such that the control gate of each memory cell of a row of the array is connected together to form an access line, such as a word line. Columns of the array include strings (often termed NAND strings) of memory cells connected together in series between a pair of select gates, e.g., a source select transistor and a drain select transistor. Each source select transistor may be connected to a source, while each drain select transistor may be connected to a data line, such as column bit line. Variations using more than one select gate between a string of memory cells and the source, and/or between the string of memory cells and the data line, are known.
In programming memory, memory cells might be programmed as what are often termed single-level cells (SLC). SLC may use a single memory cell to represent one digit (e.g., one bit) of data. For example, in SLC, a Vt of 2.5V or higher might indicate a programmed memory cell (e.g., representing a logical 0) while a Vt of −0.5V or lower might indicate an erased memory cell (e.g., representing a logical 1). Such memory might achieve higher levels of storage capacity by including multi-level cells (MLC), triple-level cells (TLC), quad-level cells (QLC), etc., or combinations thereof in which the memory cell has multiple levels that enable more digits of data to be stored in each memory cell. For example, MLC might be configured to store two digits of data per memory cell represented by four Vt ranges, TLC might be configured to store three digits of data per memory cell represented by eight Vt ranges, QLC might be configured to store four digits of data per memory cell represented by sixteen Vt ranges, and so on.
Sensing (e.g., reading or verifying) a data state of a target memory cell often involves detecting whether the target memory cell is activated in response to a particular voltage level applied to its control gate, such as by detecting whether a data line connected to the target memory cell experiences a change in voltage level caused by current flow through the memory cell. This typically includes applying a voltage level to the control gate of each remaining memory cell of a string of series-connected memory cells containing the target memory cell that is expected to activate each of these remaining memory cells regardless of their data state. Such a voltage level might be referred to as a pass voltage. However, some memory cells may be over programmed, e.g., having a threshold voltage level higher than desired, and may not be activated in response to the pass voltage being applied to their control gate. This can lead to an inaccurate determination of the data state of the target memory cell where the target memory cell might be deemed to be deactivated even if it were activated.


A printing apparatus includes a base coupled to a copying device and a printing device. A feed mechanism is provided which is operable to couple to the base in one of either a first position or a second position, whereby the feed mechanism is operable to feed a document to the copying device in the first position and the feed mechanism is operable to manipulate a printing medium to allow the printing device to print to a plurality of sides of the printing medium in the second position.

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to printing with a printing device which is coupled to an information handling system.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Some information handling systems include a printing apparatus which is coupled to the information handling system in order to allow the copying and printing of documents to and from the information handling system. The copying of documents to the information handling system is typically accomplished through the use of an automatic document feeder, which allows a plurality of documents to be fed to a copying device in the printing apparatus and copied. The printing of documents from the information handling system can raise issues when that printing requires printing on both sides of a printing medium.
The printing on both sides of a printing medium can be accomplished with the use of a duplex printing mechanism. The duplex printing mechanism is coupled to the printing apparatus and manipulates the printing medium such that a printing device in the printing apparatus may print on both sides of the printing medium. However, because not all users typically need this ability to print on both sides of the printing medium, the printing apparatus is typically shipped by itself, and those users which require the ability to print on both sides of the printing medium are shipped a duplex printing mechanism separately from the printing apparatus in order to prevent shipping empty volume when only the printing apparatus is ordered by the user. This separate shipping of the printing apparatus and the duplex printing mechanism raises costs.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide for printing absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above.


A method is provided for improving Idsat in NMOS and PMOS transistors. A silicon nitride etch stop layer is deposited by a PECVD technique on STI and silicide regions and on sidewall spacers during a MOSFET manufacturing scheme. A dielectric layer is formed on the nitride and then contact holes are fabricated through the dielectric layer and nitride layer to silicide regions and are filled with a metal. For NMOS transistors, silane and NH3 flow rates and a 400° C. temperature are critical in improving NMOS short channel Idsat. Hydrogen content in the nitride is increased by higher NH3 and SiH4 flow rates but does not significantly degrade HCE and Vt. With PMOS transistors, deposition temperature is increased to 550° C. to reduce hydrogen content and improve HCE and Vt stability.

As technology advances into the regime of sub-100 nm gate lengths in order to increase transistor speed in MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) devices, there is a need to improve the reliability and performance of n-type (hereafter called NMOS) and p-type (hereafter called PMOS) transistors. A typical MOSFET is shown in FIG. 1 and is comprised of a substrate 10 with insulating regions 11 that separate active areas upon which a gate oxide 12 and a gate electrode 13 are formed. A cap layer (not shown) is optional above gate electrode 13 which is also referred to as a gate conductor layer. Sidewall spacers 14 are adjacent to gate electrode 13. Source/drain regions comprised of lightly doped 15 and heavily doped 16 regions are located on either side of a channel region 17. Typically, a silicide layer 18 is formed above the gate electrode 13 and above source/drain regions 16.
When the device design shrinks to provide faster transistors, the gate length (width of gate electrode 13) and channel length become shorter. One effect of a shorter channel is a hot carrier effect (HCE) that occurs when electrons introduced to a strong electric field near the drain region 16 generate hot carriers that can accumulate in the gate oxide 12. A build up of hot carriers can cause changes in the threshold voltage (Vt) and reduce the reliability of the MOSFET. Therefore, a need exists to reduce the hot carrier lifetime and improve Vt stability.
Silicon nitride is often used as an etch stop layer in device fabrication. For example, a layer of silicon nitride is deposited on a substrate and a dielectric layer is formed over the nitride layer. Then contact holes are etched into the dielectric layer and stop on the nitride because of a high etch selectivity toward an oxide based dielectric layer. Etch selectivity of silicon nitride relative to oxide is higher than silicon oxynitride relative to oxide. When the substrate in the aforementioned structure is a MOS transistor and interconnects are subsequently formed to the source/drain regions and to the gate electrode through the dielectric layer and nitride, care must exercised in depositing the nitride. Otherwise, hot carrier lifetime and Vt stability are significantly degraded compared to results obtained with silicon oxynitride as the etch stop. Silicon nitride tends to have a high hydrogen content that passivates dangling bonds between the Si/SiO2 interface. However, the Si—H bonds formed at the interface can easily be broken during HCE and Vt stress which leads to a longer HCE lifetime and poorer Vt stability. Therefore, an improved method of forming a silicon nitride etch stop layer is required to improve reliability and N/PMOS performance, especially saturated drain current (Idsat).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,672 describes a PECVD method of depositing a silicon nitride layer that exhibits good stress characteristics during thermal processing. A combination of SiH4, NH3, and N2 is employed with a SiH4/NH3 ratio of from 2:1 to 1:3. The flow rates, RF power, and chamber pressure are controlled to give a composition of Si3N3.75H0.25 which is lower in hydrogen content than the conventional nitride film that is about Si3N3.33H0.67. The process deposits a nitride layer at a rate of 1500 Angstroms per minute.
In contrast to the high rate of deposition cited in the previous case, U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,238 describes a jet vapor deposition (JVD) of silicon nitride without a hydrogen containing nitride source gas at a rate of between 3 and 10 Angstroms per minute. The resulting JVD nitride has a hydrogen content of less than 10 atomic % compared to 20 to 30 atomic % in conventional silicon nitride layers. Stress induced leakage current in non-volatile memory cells is reduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,583 mentions formation of a silicon nitride film by a low pressure CVD process involving SiCl4 and ammonia. The hydrogen density per unit area is less than 1×1015 cm−2 and the layer is substantially free of Si—H bonds. The nitride layer serves as a capacitor insulating film and leakage current is suppressed when hydrogen density is minimized.
Related art in U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,367 describes an apparatus and method for forming silicon nitride films in a plasma assisted CVD process. The process involves SiH4, NH3, and N2 and provides a deposition rate of 300 to 400 Angstroms per minute.
In one example found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,569, a hydrogen rich silicon nitride layer is formed over a NMOS transistor. A dielectric layer which is subsequently deposited on the nitride is densified at 600° C. to 800° C. to drive the hydrogen in the nitride layer into an underlying source/drain region to improve the saturated drain current (Idsat).
Another modification of a silicon nitride layer is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,372 where a silicon rich nitride is used as a protective layer in self aligned etching. The conformal silicon rich nitride has a higher resistance to a fluorocarbon etch than conventional nitride because less nitrogen is present in the film to react with and remove a protective carbon build up that is formed during the etch.

N/PMOS saturation current, HCE, and Vt stability by contact etch stop film modifications

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company


A female fuse housing is provided for housing a fuse and includes a sidewall, a fuse insertion end, a terminal entry end, and a pliant partition. The sidewall has an inner surface and an exterior surface. The inner surface defines a fuse insertion area. The terminal entry end has first and second terminal sockets. The pliant partition is located within the fuse insertion area between the first terminal socket and the second terminal socket and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to define a first female receptor chamber and a second female receptor chamber.

Generally, fuses used in automobiles, and connected within a fuse box, are male fuses consisting of two terminals connected by a fuse element. This combination is typically encased in a housing made of an insulating material. The male fuse is adapted for plugging into the fuse box. The fuse box, therefore, typically includes female receptors or terminals for receiving the male fuse.
Many problems are associated with this arrangement. For instance, the female receptors in the fuse box contain spring loaded metallic elements for engaging the male terminals. These female receptors are easily damaged when the male terminals are forced into the female receptors.
Frequent changing of the male fuses also leads to excessive wear and tear on the female fuse receptors within the fuse box. This can cause premature failure of components within the fuse box and subsequent replacement of the entire fuse box. A procedure that is costly and time consuming.
To improve these problems the automotive industry has increasingly turned to female fuses coupled with fuse boxes that have male terminals extending therefrom. By moving the male terminals from the fuse to the fuse box, moving parts associated with the spring-loaded female receptors are transferred from the box to the fuse. The male terminals can be produced to withstand the wear and tear produced by replacing the fuses. Therefore, the frequency with which automotive fuse boxes must be replaced will decrease.
As the trend toward female fuses has progressed, the need for insulating fuse housings capable of shielding the spring-loaded female receptors has increased. Early attempts at providing a female fuse with a suitable insulating housing were met with mixed results. Many of the early housings were very rigid and inflexible. As the fuses were assembled, the fuse elements would often be damaged as they were force fit into the housings. Moreover, once inserted into the housing the fuse elements were often loose and easily damaged.
One such early attempt at providing a suitable female fuse housing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,990 issued to Ikeda et al. ("Ikeda"). Ikeda provides a female fuse housing having an insulating partition. The insulating partition divides the interior of the housing into two compartments adapted for receiving female receptors. Ikeda's insulating partition prevents melted fuse member ends from shorting after the fuse member has been blown out.
However, the insulating partition of Ikeda is rigid and inflexible, and in order to maintain a snug fit within the housing, the locking tab on the female fuse terminal must be deformed as it is forced into the housing. This deformation has both elastic and plastic effects on the female fuse with the plastic deformation causing the fuse to lose its original shape. Thus, the locking tabs of the female fuse terminals will not ordinarily fit tightly within the housing unless manufacturers adhere to very tight tolerances in producing the fuses and the housings.
It is more preferable to have the deformation occur in the housing rather than the fuse terminals because the housing, produced from a polymer, will experience elastic deformation over a wider range of stresses. Therefore, the need has developed for a more flexible female fuse housing that allows for easy fuse assembly and also provides a snug fit within the housing, while at the same time insulating the fuse to prevent short circuits.
Furthermore, the tabs (sometimes referred to as lances) of female fuse terminals, upon insertion into the female fuse housing, will sometimes be deformed so significantly that the these tabs will no longer engage the housing in a manner that will accomplish keeping the fuse terminals "locked" in place. Under these circumstances, the entire fuse, or at least one of the female fuse terminals, will be free to move within the housing, with the potential for the fuse link to engage the fuse cap, and even push the fuse cap open. The present invention provides a solution for the above-referenced, and other, problems.


A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel tank where a first fuel containing alcohol is stored; a second fuel tank where a second fuel is stored, wherein a concentration of alcohol in the second fuel is known; an alcohol concentration sensor disposed in a supply passage through which the first and second fuels flow; and a malfunction determination portion. The control apparatus switches a fuel flowing through the supply passage between the first fuel and the second fuel, and controls a fuel injection amount based on a concentration of the alcohol in the first fuel detected by the sensor. The malfunction determination portion determines that the sensor malfunctions, if a value detected by the sensor is outside a predetermined range corresponding to the concentration of the alcohol in the second fuel when the fuel flowing through the supply passage is switched to the second fuel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control apparatus and a control method for an internal combustion engine that uses a fuel containing an alcohol component.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, an internal combustion engine that uses a fuel containing an alcohol component has been put into practical use. The internal combustion engine can be operated using only an alcohol fuel, only a gasoline fuel, or a mixed fuel produced by mixing the alcohol fuel with the gasoline fuel at a given ratio. For example, a main fuel tank and a subsidiary fuel tank are provided, and the alcohol fuel is stored in the main fuel tank and a fuel such as gasoline is stored in the subsidiary fuel tank. When the internal combustion engine is normally operated, the alcohol fuel in the main fuel tank is supplied to the engine. For example, when the internal combustion engine is started, the fuel in the subsidiary fuel tank is supplied to the engine.
Because the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or the amount of heat generated per unit mass varies according to the concentration of alcohol, it is necessary to control a fuel injection amount according to the concentration of alcohol mixed in the fuel. Thus, in an internal combustion engine described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-6216, an alcohol concentration sensor detects the concentration of alcohol in a fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine, and an air-fuel ratio feedback control is executed based on a value detected by the alcohol concentration sensor, to correct a fuel injection amount so that an air-fuel ratio is close to a target air-fuel ratio.
In the internal combustion engine described in the publication No. 6-6216, when a feedback correction amount in the air-fuel ratio feedback control is maintained at an upper limit value or a lower limit value for a given time or longer, it is determined that the alcohol concentration sensor malfunctions. However, the feedback correction value may vary due to the malfunction of a device other than the alcohol concentration sensor, such as an injector and an airflow meter. Therefore, even if the alcohol concentration sensor does not actually malfunction, it may be erroneously determined that the alcohol concentration sensor malfunctions.

Control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine


Provided are a method for supplying water of specified concentration, including: a step of adding at least two liquids, a conductive first liquid and a non-conductive second liquid, to ultrapure water to produce water of specified concentration containing a first liquid-component and a second liquid-component at specified concentrations, in which a mixed solution in which the first liquid and the second liquid are mixed at a specified mixing ratio in advance is prepared; and the mixed solution is added to the ultrapure water so that a conductivity or specific resistance of the ultrapure water after the addition satisfies a specified value, and an apparatus therefor.

In a step of washing and rinsing semiconductor silicon wafers or the like, water (which is herein referred to as dilute wash water) in which a solute effective in controlling the pH or the redox potential at very low concentration is dissolved may be used in some cases. An acid or alkalis or oxidant or reductant at a minimum concentration required is added to ultrapure water as a basic material, for imparting liquid properties such as a pH and a redox potential suitable for the purpose of the step such as washing and rinsing. There is also a method in which reducible, alkaline, or acidic gases such as H2, NH3, and O3 is dissolved in ultrapure water, but a method in which a very small amount of a chemical solution is added (injected) is also convenient and used.
Examples of the method for chemical injection include a method using a pump and a method using a closed container for compression of an inert gas such as N2. Both methods are practically used.
When supplying dilute wash water, the dissolution is controlled by various techniques such as PID control by receiving signals from a concentration monitor and proportional control to the flow rate of ultrapure water, so that the solute concentration falls within a desired range. As one of chemical solutions that are often used in a step of washing semiconductors, H2O2 is mentioned, and strict control of the concentration is always required, even in the case where the flow rate used in a washing machine varies. However, H2O2 is not used alone for washing and is often used as a mixture with a chemical solution such as acids and alkalis.
A method using colorimetric titration is the mainstream of the method for measuring the concentration of H2O2, and "Process titrator AHP310" is commercially available from HIRANUMA SANGYO Co., Ltd. to be used in an online monitoring method. Further, "AL2021" similarly using the absorbance is commercially available from Aero Laser GmbH. However, these methods require use of a predetermined reagent for measurement and thus the management and adjustment of the reagent are complicated.
JP 2012-63303 A discloses quantitating the concentration of H2O2 without using reagents by decomposing hydrogen peroxide in water and measuring the concentration of oxygen dissolved. However, there have been problems that a degasifier is necessary, thereby making equipment complicated, and accurate measurement cannot be performed in the low concentration range due to the dependence on the sensitivity of a DO meter.
Thus, in the case where the flow rate used in a washing machine varies, the concentration cannot always be strictly controlled by such conventional methods. Further, PID control at the ppb level is not performed sufficiently, and the trace concentration range cannot be controlled. As a result, the liquid quality of wash water or rinse water poured to wafers has been merely controlled in a wide range, which is far from an ideal value.
There is also a simple method in which dilute wash water is produced in advance under certain conditions, stored, and continuously supplied from a storage tank, giving priority to liquid stabilization. In this case, however, a large water storage tank needs to be provided near a washing machine in a clean room in which wafers are produced, and thus such a method is not practical.
PTL 1: JP 2012-63303 A

Method and apparatus for supplying water of specified concentration


A calculation processor for determining a digital output value from a digital input value based on an exponent value a, the processor comprising a first calculation block, a second calculation block and a final calculation block. The first calculation block initializes an intermediate value and an error value depending on a position of a Most Significant Bit of a significant part of the input value. The second calculation block is configured to perform repeatedly, until an exit criterion is fulfilled, the incrementation of a counter value, the determination of a power error value based on the error value and, if the power error value is larger than or equal to an error threshold, adjustment of the intermediate value y by multiplying the intermediate value with an adaptation value and setting the error value to the power error value divided by the base value. If the power error value is smaller than the error threshold, the error value is set to the power error value. The final calculation block is configured to set the output value to the intermediate value.

In several applications, in particular sensor applications, continuous processing of the sensor signal is necessary. For example, some applications or standards require that a sensor value as read out from a sensor circuit is processed with a given formula that may include an exponential term in the form of xa with x being an input value and a being an exponent value.
Such calculations usually are performed with conventional microprocessors having implemented specific standard calculation algorithms or having implemented a look-up table with precalculated values for each possible input value.
While the latter approach requires a large amount of memory and/or area on a semiconductor die, the speed of microprocessor calculation algorithms may be insufficient and/or arbitrary.

Calculation processor and calculation method for determining an exponential function


A composition for interacting with a ligand, which composition comprises a non-covalent association of a plurality of distinct conjugates, each conjugate comprising a head group and a tail group, wherein the tail groups of the conjugates form a hydrophobic aggregation and the conjugates are movable within the association so that, in the presence of a ligand, at least two of the head groups are appropriately positioned to form an epitope capable of interacting with the ligand more strongly than each of head groups individually.

Protein receptors are known normally to bind to their target ligands via epitopes, which constitute a small proportion of the total protein molecule. For maximum binding or interaction, the structure of the epitope needs to be maintained in a rigid conformation in order to form a binding site containing all the necessary components of the epitope in close proximity. Attempts to produce an analogous peptide constructed solely of the amino acids comprising the binding site often fail because these peptides do not possess the same biological activity as the protein receptor. This is attributed to the peptide having a different conformation in free solution from that of the entire protein receptor. In addition, where the binding site of a protein is constructed of oligo-peptides from different, non-contiguous parts of a protein chain, mixing isolated oligopeptides in free solution does not result in reconstitution of the active binding site.
Being constrained to use such large proteins to present binding-site epitopes gives rise to several problems in development of new receptor-specific therapeutic strategies. One problem is that such large proteins can readily evoke an immune response. A second problem is that long peptide chains are susceptible to attack by endopeptidases, such as those in the lumen of the gut. Finally, these large proteins can be costly to manufacture, purify and maintain in stable form.

Epitopes formed by non-covalent association of conjugates


A method and computer program for providing a computer aided dispatcher comprising receiving, by a public safety answering point, a plurality of emergency short message service (SMS) messages from one or more citizens over a wireless communication network, each emergency SMS message including a mobile terminal identifier, displaying each emergency SMS message in one or more display dialogue windows, receiving a command to highlight a portion of at least one of the emergency SMS message, storing the highlighted portion into one or more buffers, the highlighted portion being all or less than all of the emergency SMS message and receiving a command to associate the highlighted portion to one of a plurality of context fields in an emergency incident information report, the associated highlighted portion, selected context field and mobile terminal identifier stored in memory.

The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) defined a technical specification, commonly referred to as i3 which provides for the evolution of the North American 9-1-1 system called "Next Generation 9-1-1" (NG9-1-1). The NG9-1-1 system is an all-IP-based emergency communications system which will include new functionality such as employing short message service (SMS) text message as a method of public safety incident origination. More recently, the Joint Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) released a standard for employing short message services (SMS) in a NG9-1-1. See. "Native SMS TO 9-1-1 Requirements and Architecture Specification" approved March 2013 (hereinafter "J-STD-110").
SMS has been criticized and labeled an inferior technology for public safety incident origination, primarily due to its fundamental inability to support identification of callers' location information. Other limitations of SMS are the inability to transfer, conference or park an SMS message.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and computer implemented operation which would provide context-aware linkage between NG9-1-1 SMS and a public safety incident.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments described herein.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Method to provide context-aware linkage between NG9-1-1 SMS and public safety incident


A drug delivery device that delivers pharmacologically active substances transdermally using microneedles arranged on a belt mounted rotatably about a plurality of rollers, the microneedles having an associated drug reservoir mounted on the belt which is compressed when the needles and belt are brought into contact with the skin.

Microneedles are a recent invention arising from the application of etching and lithographic techniques from the semiconductor fabrication processes, to produce sharp, high aspect ratio, solid or hollow features on materials such as plastics or metals, which are termed "microneedles" because they have dimensions on the micrometre scale.
Microneedles have strong potential for the transdermal delivery of a very wide range of drugs, pharmacologically active agents and therapeutic agents, for both immediate effect and possibly for sustained action through appropriate formulation enhancements, and indeed have found potential applications as a mechanism for the delivery of drugs and various therapeutic molecules. The range of molecules in terms of size, chemistry or the dosage formulation in which the agent is contained that may be administered into humans and animals using microneedles is virtually unlimited.
There are a number of advantages associated with the use of microneedles for the delivery of drugs through the skin, i.e. transdermally. The first of these relates to the advantages relating to the mechanism of drug absorption and distribution when administered through the skin, such as avoidance of the first pass metabolism by the liver, and a reduction of side effects, together with the rapid onset of action. Additionally in this case there are a number of further advantages ranging from the ability to deliver drugs of almost any physicochemical nature, any type of formulation, e.g., liquid, gel, emulsion, or even as a solid whereby the drug could form part of the needle or be used to coat the needle.
Microneedles are generally fabricated in arrays, synthesised using etching techniques, such as chemical or physical etching and standard lithographic procedures. The materials used range from silicon to polymers such as PDMS. They generally measure tens of microns to hundreds of microns in length and have varying tip diameters, usually less than 10 microns.
Some examples of microneedles are shown in FIG. 16.
It has been demonstrated ("Microfabricated microneedles: a novel approach to transdermal drug delivery" J Pharm Sci. 1998 August; 87(8):922-5") that application of microneedles on the human skin for 10 seconds resulted in a 1000-fold increase in permeability of the skin to calcein. However upon removal of the microneedle array there was a 10,000-fold increase in permeation. i.e., drug was able to permeate much more readily through the holes/microchannels created by the microneedles.
It has also been demonstrated ("Transdermal delivery of desmopressin using a coated microneedle array patch system". J Control Release. 2004 Jul. 7; 97(3):503-11) that an array of solid microneedles coated with the drug desmopressin was able to deliver more than 90% of the drug transdermally, with metabolites comparable to those produced when desmopressin is delivered intravenously.
The delivery of vaccines requires a strong immune response to optimise the effect of the drug, and such response is generally achieved through the use of adjuvants designed to boost the immune response. The skin is a major immunological organ with antigen-presenting Langerhans cells in rich supply, covering almost 15% of the surface area of the skin. Vaccines delivered by the transdermal route are taken up by these Langerhans cells and migrate to the lymph nodes where antigen-specific immunity is activated. This provides a highly efficient means therefore for administering vaccines.
Skin Penetration
The mechanics of microneedle insertion into the skin are critical to its practical application. Needles with the correct geometry and physical properties, such as strength, are able to penetrate the skin provided the penetration force is less than the breaking force of the needle/tip. The optimum needle types are those with a small tip radius and high wall thickness.
Another factor for drug delivery is ensuring that microneedles penetrate to the correct depth. Penetration depth is partly dictated by needle shape, and partly by needle diameter, inter-needle spacing, length and applied force.
In addition to the design and geometry of the needles due consideration must be given to the method by which the microneedles are applied to the skin, to ensure the requisite depth of penetration occurs, and such that drug permeation is predictable and not erratic.
There are a number of organizations developing microneedle based systems for the drug delivery applications, and each is developing and optimising the needles for its particular application. Generally speaking these systems are split between using solid microneedles to simply create cavities through which drug will then permeate, and using hollow microneedles, the bore of which acts as a conduit for the transport of drug from a reservoir upon compression of the drug reservoir, usually by hand.
The mechanism by which microneedles are adhered or applied to the skin is therefore very important and a number of different techniques are illustrated in the literature. The most common method is depression of an array of microneedles on the skin and holding for a defined period of time. For example, it is known from International Patent Application WO 2006/055771 to propel a microneedle array to the skin surface from a predetermined distance, whereas International Patent Application WO 2006/055795 teaches that a flexible sheet can be used to move a microneedle array in the direction of the skin surface.
An alternative propulsion means is known from International Patent Application WO 2006/055802, which uses an elastic band to propel a microneedle array towards the skin. Finally, International Patent Application WO 2007/002521 teaches an impactor which accelerates a microneedle array towards the surface of the skin, moving along an arcuate path.
Another known device is the 'Dermaroller™', which is used for both cosmetic and drug delivery applications. This uses a cylinder with surface projections of solid stainless steel microneedles of varying geometries. Cavities are created in the skin using the solid array of microneedles. Drug delivery is achieved by using the roller to 'press' drug or cosmetic material stored on a needle-free area of the roller in to the cavities created. An example of the roller is shown in FIG. 17.
A number of mechanisms have been developed to address the need for a reproducible means of applying the microneedles to the skin, which is crucial to their clinical exploitation. The majority of methods rely on the impact of an array of needles with the skin, either through mechanical means or manually by depressing with the thumbs for example.
The Dermaroller is one example whereby the force is applied using a cylinder to simultaneously bring the needles into contact with the skin and apply pressure over the region where the needles are in contact with the skin, followed by a region where the outer surface of the cylinder is absent of needles and is coated with drug which are claimed to be manually compressed and forced into the cavities created by the microneedles. There are two problems with the Dermaroller. First, the surface area of the skin through which drug permeation will occur cannot be easily determined as there is no mechanism for limiting the area over which the Dermaroller is applied. Secondly, the technique is inherently unreliable in accurately delivering a defined quantity because it depends entirely upon drug entering the skin through a combination of diffusion and forced entry by compression through the cavities created by the needles. In a clinical setting it is very important to be able to accurately define how much drug is administered.
The other known microneedle devices do not provide a satisfactory means of supplying accurate quantities of drugs transdermally in a controllable fashion, nor any means for staged delivery.
Embodiments of the invention overcome the problems with the Dermaroller and improve on the known devices.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An apparatus for recording or reading information on or from a sheet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holding unit for holding a sheet, a first arm which has one end pivotally fixed to the holding unit, a second arm whose one end or a specific point is pivotally fixed to the first arm, a driving system which can integrally move the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, and can change the interval between the other end of the first arm and the other end of the second arm, a posture regulating mechanism for regulating the posture of the holding unit with respect to the first arm, a sheet supply unit provided with the holding unit, the first arm, the second arm, the driving system, and the posture regulating mechanism, and a recording or reading unit for performing information recording or information reading on a sheet supplied to the sheet supply unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording or reading apparatus for recording or reading an image onto or from a sheet, and a sheet supply device for supplying a sheet suitable for the recording or reading apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, a sheet supply device has been widely used in an image recording apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and various other apparatuses, and devices with various structures and various supply methods are known. In addition, various means for realizing the function of a sheet supply device, i.e., the function of picking up one of a large number of stacked sheets, are available. In the case of devices for paper sheets, each sheet is normally picked up using a rubber roller. On the other hand, in the case of devices for films, since a sheet film has a surface roughness lower than that of a paper sheet, and tends to generate a static electricity, the attraction force between each two adjacent sheets is large when the sheets are stacked. Therefore, a method of peeling off one sheet by reducing the pressure inside a suction pad by, e.g., an electromagnetic pump is often used.
Various mechanisms for bringing the suction pad close to or away from a sheet in this case are known. For example, a suction pad moving mechanism in a sheet supply device shown in FIG. 1A is known. Referring to FIG. 1A, a sheet supply device 301 is arranged above a supply magazine 302 in which a large number of sheet films are stacked. A sheet is supplied to a pair of rollers 304 one by one while being sucked by a suction pad 303, and is then fed to an image recording/reading unit (not shown). The suction pad 303 is attached to a slide base 305, which is movable in the horizontal direction, via arms 306 and 307, and a hinge 308. The arms 306 and 307 engage with a guide groove 310 fixed to the sheet supply device via a guide pin 309. The guide groove 310 is defined by an upper guide groove 310a and a lower guide groove 310b. By switching a guide bar 311, the guide pin 309 is guided to a desired one of the guide grooves 310a and 310b. When the guide pin 309 is guided to the guide groove 310b, then the suction pad 303 moves toward the sheet film side, and when the guide pin 309 is guided to the guide groove 310a, then the suction pad 303 moves toward the pair of rollers.
FIG. 1B shows another conventional sheet supply device. A suction pad holding member 411 is supported to be vertically movable and to be pivotal about a given axis. Nipples 412 and 413 are fitted into the holding member 411, and suction pads 414 and 415 are respectively attached to the lower ends of the nipples 412 and 413. The suction pad holding member 411 is coupled, via pins 416 and 417, to the lower ends of arms 419 and 420 which are supported to cross each other and to be pivotal about a pin 418. The pin 416 is pivotally inserted in a holding hole 411a of the suction pad holding member, and the pin 417 is pivotally and slidably inserted in a guide hole 411b. The upper ends of the arms 419 and 420 are held by an arm support member 423 via pins 421 and 422, respectively. In this case as well, the pin 421 is pivotally and slidably inserted in a guide hole 423a of the member 423, and the pin 422 is pivotally inserted in a holding hole 423b. With this structure, the suction pad holding member 411 is supported to be parallel to the arm support member 423, and is movably held in a direction to approach/separate from the arm support member.
The arm support member 423 is rotatably supported by a pivot shaft 424, and the pivot shaft 424 is pivotally supported by a frame (not shown). A gear 427 is fixed to one end of the arm support member 423, and meshes with a gear 429 of a first driving source 428. On the other hand, a gear 430 is fixed to one end of the pivot shaft 424, and meshes with a gear 432 of a second driving source 431. A thread portion is formed on a portion, concealed by the arm support member 423, of the pivot shaft 424. In the arm support member 423, a slider (not shown) extends through and is supported by the pivot shaft to be slidable in the axial direction. A nut (not shown) fixed to one end of the slider is threadably engaged with the thread portion formed on the pivot shaft. The lower portion of the slider is coupled to the pin 421.
With this arrangement, when the first driving source 428 is deactivated, and the second driving source 431 is activated, the pivot shaft 424 pivots to pivot its screw portion, and the slider (not shown) moves in the axial direction. Upon movement of the slider, the pin 421 slides in the guide hole 423a, and the arms 419 and 420 pivot about the pin 418, thus vertically moving the suction pad support member 411. On the other hand, when both the first and second driving sources 428 and 431 are activated to pivot the pivot shaft 424 and the arm support member 423 at the same angular velocity, the support member 411 pivots about the pivot shaft 424 while maintaining a constant interval with the pivot shaft 424.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a sheet convey apparatus having the sheet supply device with the above arrangement.
Referring to FIG. 2, a laser optical unit 1311 deflects a laser beam 1311a, which is modulated in accordance with an image signal, using a polygonal mirror, and optically scans a film surface in the main scanning direction. A pair of sub-scanning rollers 1312 are arranged below the laser optical unit 1311, and convey a sheet clamped therebetween at a constant speed with high precision, thus attaining sub-scanning for image recording. A supply magazine 1313 for storing a stack of non-recorded sheets, and a receive magazine 1314 for storing recorded sheets are arranged below these recording means. A suction pad 1315 has a vertically movable mechanism, and picks up sheets from the supply magazine one by one. Roller pair units 1316 and 1319 are direction switching rollers which convey a sheet clamped between rollers, and controls the traveling direction of a sheet when planetary rollers 1317 and 1320 rotate around corresponding main rollers 1318 and 1321. At positions K and Q, the planetary rollers 1317 and 1320 can be separated from the corresponding main rollers 1318 and 1321, and be moved to positions L and R. A sheet registration member 1325 is used for skew registration and registration of a sheet, and its contact surface contacting the leading edge of a sheet is parallel to the main scanning line of the laser beam. Sheet guide plates 1326 and 1327 have a small frictional resistance, and guide a conveyed sheet.
The operation of an image recording apparatus with the above arrangement will be described below. When the supply magazine 1313 is loaded to a predetermined position in the apparatus main body, the suction pad 1315 is activated to pick up the uppermost sheet, and the picked-up sheet is inserted between the direction switching rollers 1316. When the planetary roller 1317 moves around the main roller 1318 at the same angular velocity from the position J to the position K simultaneously with the rotation of the main roller 1318, the traveling direction of the leading edge of the sheet is directed toward the upper second direction switching rollers 1319. When the main roller 1318 is further rotated, the sheet travels upward along the guide plate 1326, and is clamped between the second direction switching rollers 1319. The second direction switching rollers 1319 similarly convey the sheet clamped therebetween while changing the direction of the sheet by making the same motion as the above-mentioned direction switching rollers 1316. In this case, when the planetary roller 1320 moves from the position P to the position R via the position Q to be separated from the main roller 1321, the sheet travels upward while contacting the planetary roller 1320 due to its stiffness, and the leading edge portion of the sheet is directed in the direction of the registration member 1325. When the main rollers 1318 and 1321 are driven to rotate in this state, the sheet is conveyed by the first direction switching rollers 1316 while being clamped therebetween, or is moved forward by the second direction switching rollers 1319 by a frictional force generated by the stiffness and weight of the sheet itself although the planetary roller 1320 is separated therefrom. In this manner, the sheet is brought into contact with the registration member 1325. By further moving the sheet forward, the entire leading edge of the sheet contacts the registration member 1325, and as a result, the sheet is registered to be parallel to the main scanning direction of the light beam 1311a. At this time, since the sheet is moved forward while its leading edge contacts the registration member 1325, a deformation occurs on the trailing end side of the sheet, but is absorbed by a portion with a low stiffness of the sheet, as indicated by an alternate long and two short dashed line in FIG. 2.
After the registration is completed, the planetary roller 1320 is returned from the position R to the position Q, and the main roller 1321 is rotated in a direction opposite to the registration member 1325, thereby directing the sheet toward the sub-scanning rollers 1312 while maintaining a parallel state.
When the main roller 1321 is rotated in the reverse direction again, and the sheet is clamped between the sub-scanning rollers 1312, a sub-scan is immediately started, and at the same time, the light beam 1311a is irradiated from the optical unit 1311, thereby forming a predetermined image on the sheet. Upon completion of recording, the sub-scanning rollers 1312 begin to rotate in the reverse direction, and the sheet on which a latent image is recorded is conveyed in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction. After the sheet is clamped between the second direction switching rollers 1319 again, the planetary roller 1320 moves to the position S. With this operation, the leading edge of the sheet is directed toward the receive magazine 1314, and is fed into the magazine.
However, as a sheet supply device, a demand has arisen for a device which has a simpler structure and easier control than those of the first prior art which requires a cam switching operation, and which is suitable for vertical and horizontal movements as compared to the second prior art which is mainly vertically movable.

Sheet supply device having a suction pad holder with attached swing arm for registering sheets


Disclosed is a device and method for obtaining and utilizing data. A handheld device which is capable of optically scanning or receiving RFID signals from an object, storing the data in an internal memory, and then re-transmitting the data is disclosed. The re-transmitted data may trigger access to an internet web site or other database which provides a user with detailed information relating to the scanned object. The device is also usable as a re-configurable electronic key or may be built into electronic devices to allow reconfiguration by scanning a symbol.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for gathering data with a portable handheld device, and then transmitting the data for further use. The data gathered may be in the form of a bar code or other machine readable symbology, or in the form of radio frequency identification (RFID) data.
2. Description of Related Art
In the past, various devices have been proposed for gathering data. The gathering of machine readable information is a broad field having many specific applications. Machine readable symbologies and scanning equipment have been described in detail in a number of publications, including "The Bar Code Book" by Roger C. Palmer, hereby incorporated by reference.
Machines are also able to read data via "radio". Passive RFID circuits or passive reflector transceivers (PFTs) are read by an interrogator. The interrogator activates an RFID or PFT via a transmitted signal that illuminates a receiving antenna with sufficient energy to activate the circuit and then allow the circuit to transmit its stored data via a modulated passive reflection of the interrogator's signal. RFID circuits connected to supporting logic circuitry may be used as a memory storage component and or as a communication or output means for a device.
RFID technology is described in "Perspectives in Radio Frequency Identification" by Ron Ames, also incorporated by reference. RFID's capable of being both remotely read and written to are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,807, hereby incorporated by reference. Use of RFID's as a low power communication means is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/816,607, assigned to Intermec Corporation, titled "Tetherless Scanner with RFID Tag", filed Mar. 23, 2001 and hereby incorporated by reference.
Bar codes located on consumer products/packaging identify the products during inventory, distribution and automated check out. Bar codes may also be used to identify products and then link a user to related information about the products via databases and or the internet. Methods and apparatus for linking a user to information related to a specific barcode are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/788,628, assigned to Intermec Corporation, titled "Method and Apparatus for Accessing Product Information Using Barcode Data", filed Feb. 14, 2001 and hereby incorporated by reference.
An affordable apparatus and or method for gathering machine readable information, for example, relating to products for potential purchase, and then utilizing the data to assist in purchasing decisions has not previously been available. For example, a consumer upon entering any retail sales facility is presently incapable of obtaining all of the information which may be relevant to an eventual purchase. The information normally available about potential items for purchase has normally been limited to sales brochures and other small bits of information.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,528 discloses an elaborate wireless networked consumer scanning device which optionally includes a video or audio display for use within a defined area for providing on demand information relating to a scanned symbol to a user. Usable only within the range of the wireless network, this system is expensive and limited by a typical local wireless network's operating range of only a single commercial outlet's location.
For the general public to adopt this technology, it must be of a size that allows it to be carried at all times to any location without being a noticeable burden. Also, the cost of the device cannot be so large as to overcome the benefit it provides.
Previous "compact" data acquisition and temporary storage devices have a size that is still too large to be carried by a user at all times. U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,218 discloses a portable data entry terminal that can optically scan a bar code into memory and then optically transfer the scanned code to a host computer. Disclosed as having a wand-type form, this early device was too large to be readily carried by users at all times and has a cost of manufacture that places it out of range of general consumer distribution. Further, this device does not have the ability to differentiate between different bar code symbologies and must scan a symbol in a specific direction to obtain a correct reading. International Application Publication WO 00/39742 discloses a "compact" bar code scanner that weighs 75 grams and has a size that is to large to be a carry along, filling an average users hand. The scanner has cavity electrical connections for a docking device that are easily fouled and again, a cost of manufacture that puts it out of range for general consumer distribution.
An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture handheld data gathering device small enough to be carried at all times, for example, carried in a pocket on a users key chain or integrated into common consumer devices. The device may be used, for example, to scan products of interest at any location and store identifying information for further processing after the consumer leaves the retail establishment. The gathered identifying information may be downloaded to a computer means and used to obtain further detailed information about the products observed in the retail establishment from an information database and or over the internet.
Other objects of the invention are revealed to one skilled in the art by review of the following description and claims.

Apparatus and method for gathering and utilizing data


Articles of sports equipment, such as striking implements (e.g., sticks) and wearable articles (e.g., skates, helmets) for playing hockey or other activities, in which at least one of the characteristics (e.g., stiffness) of the articles of sports equipment is adaptable and can be altered during use of the sports equipment, such as by comprising an alterable component coupled to a controller, by comprising an alterable component that is autonomously alterable, and/or by an alterable component that can be altered in response to a command of a remote device.

Sports equipment can be used, for example, to protect a user or as an implement to help the user manipulate or strike a game projectile (such as a puck or ball). In each case, typical sports equipment has a fixed set of characteristics regardless of the game play situation that the user may be in. This can be non-ideal, considering the wide range of situations to which the user may find himself or herself exposed. Specifically, in some situations, a first given set of characteristics may be preferable to better perform, while in other situations, a second given set of characteristics different from the first given set of characteristics may be preferable to better perform. As a result, the user's choice of sports equipment may be dictated by a compromise between the different sets of characteristics that are preferable in the different situations, which may lead to inadequate performance in at least some of the situations. Alternatively, the user may purchase multiple items of sports equipment, each with a different set of characteristics, however this may be cumbersome and expensive, whereas switching between the different items of sports equipment may simply be impractical in an actual game environment.
Accordingly, sports equipment with improved characteristics would be welcomed.

Sports equipment with alterable characteristic


A method for adjusting a parameter value of a position controller and a parameter value of a rotational speed controller is provided. The position controller and the rotational speed controller are cascaded and are a component of a control circuit. The method includes generating and displaying a two-dimensional parameter adjusting field, wherein points in the two-dimensional parameter adjusting field are selectable by a user, and a specific parameter value of the position controller and a specific parameter value of the rotational speed controller are allocated to a point, and after the user has selected a point adopting the specific parameter value of the position controller that is allocated to the selected point and adopting the specific parameter value of the rotational speed controller that is allocated to the selected point.

The invention relates to a method for adjusting a parameter value of a position controller and for adjusting a parameter value of a rotational speed controller and to an electric drive system.
The object of the invention is to provide a method for adjusting a parameter value of a position controller and for adjusting a parameter value of a rotational speed controller and to provide an electric drive system, by way of which the parameter values can be adjusted in a simple as possible manner.
The method serves to adjust a parameter value of a position controller and to adjust a parameter value of a rotational speed controller, wherein the position controller and the rotational speed controller are connected in a cascading manner or in series and are a component of an (entire or external) control circuit. In this regard, reference is made to the relevant technical literature.
The method comprises the following steps.
A two-dimensional parameter adjusting field is generated and displayed accordingly, wherein points in the two-dimensional parameter adjusting field can be selected by a user, for example by way of clicking a mouse or via a touch screen on a corresponding point of the parameter adjusting field, wherein a specific parameter value of the position controller and a specific parameter value of the rotational speed controller are allocated to a point. For example, it is possible to allocate an X-coordinate of the point to the parameter value of the position controller and to allocate a Y-coordinate of the point to the parameter value of the rotational speed controller or conversely.
After the user has selected the point, in particular directly, the specific parameter value of the position controller that is allocated to the selected point and the specific parameter value of the rotational speed controller that is allocated to the selected point are adopted.
In accordance with one embodiment, it is automatically determined whether the control circuit in the case of the adopted parameter value of the position controller and in the case of the adopted parameter value of the rotational speed controller achieves or exceeds its stability limit.
In accordance with one embodiment, in the event that the control circuit achieves or exceeds its stability limit in the case of the adopted parameter value of the position controller and in the case of the adopted parameter value of the rotational speed controller, the selected point is illustrated in the two-dimensional parameter adjusting field as unstable, for example by way of a corresponding colored coding, flashing display etc.
In accordance with one embodiment, the parameter value of the position controller is a gain factor of the position controller.
In accordance with one embodiment, the parameter value of the rotational speed controller is a gain factor of the rotational speed controller.
In accordance with one embodiment, based on simulated and/or measured operating variables of the control circuit, it is determined whether the control circuit achieves or exceeds its stability limit. The operating variables of the control circuit can be simulated for example based on a machine model.
In accordance with one embodiment, the operating variables include a measured or simulated temporal progression of an electric current of an electric motor of the control circuit, and/or include a measured or simulated temporal progression of a rotational speed of the electric motor and/or a measured or simulated temporal progression of a position of a component that is to be moved by way of the electric motor.
In accordance with one embodiment, a calculated stability limit is illustrated in the two-dimensional parameter adjusting field, for example by way of a suitable colored distinguishing feature of stable and unstable regions, by way of an illustrated limit line, etc.
In accordance with one embodiment, the illustrated stability limit is calculated by way of a frequency analysis, for example by way of a multi-frequency excitation or PRBS of the drive train. In accordance with one embodiment, this calculation is performed whilst taking into consideration the temporal behavior of the inverter and the subordinate control circuit.
In accordance with one embodiment, in the two-dimensional parameter adjusting field a point that is to be selected is illustrated as suggested, to which are allocated a calculated optimal adjustment of the parameter value of the position controller and an optimal adjustment of the parameter value of the rotational speed controller. In addition or as an alternative thereto, it is possible to illustrate at a point selected by a user an optimized point, to which are allocated a calculated optimal adjustment of the parameter value of the position controller and an optimal adjustment of the parameter value of the rotational speed controller. In other words, the optimal parameter values are indicated starting from the adjusted parameter values.
In accordance with one embodiment, an absolute drag error that where appropriate has been integrated or a variable that is dependent thereon is illustrated in the two-dimensional parameter adjusting field. The drag error can be determined by way of a positioning movement that is performed once or a number of times. In addition, it is possible to illustrate visually whether the drag error is greater or smaller than the previous drag error. In addition, it is possible to illustrate visually as a diagram the temporal progression of the integrated drag error or the variables that are dependent thereon.
In accordance with one embodiment, the parameter value of the position controller and the parameter value of the rotational speed controller are automatically adjusted/found as the starting point starting from the selected point.
The electric drive system comprises at least one controller and a controller parameterizing facility that is embodied so as to perform an above described method.
Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Method for adjusting a parameter value of a position controller and for adjusting a parameter value of a rotational speed controller, and an electric drive system


A pattern of voids in an integrated circuit having a first layer, a first layer surface and adjacent lands on the first layer surface, the adjacent lands enclosing spaces and including a second layer of a first isolation material and a third layer of a second isolation material arranged on the second layer. The pattern of voids has a fourth layer of a third isolation material which closes off at least some of the spaces and cannot be deposited on the first isolation material. The fourth layer is arranged on the third layer and has a second layer surface. Spaces that are not closed off by means of the fourth layer are filled with electrically conductive material. In the method for producing a pattern of voids in an integrated circuit, a second layer of a first isolation material is applied to a first layer surface of a first layer. A third layer of a second isolation material is applied to the second layer, the third layer acquiring a second layer surface which is arranged parallel to the first layer surface. Adjacent lands with spaces are formed from the second layer and the third layer. A third isolation material is selectively applied on the adjacent lands to the third layer, such that a fourth layer is formed between and above the adjacent lands. Parallel to the first layer surface, the fourth layer is partially removed until the second layer surface is uncovered. The fourth layer is completely removed above some spaces, and finally these spaces are filled with electrically conductive material in order to form electrical contacts between the first layer surface and the second layer surface, resulting in a pattern of voids.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pattern of voids in an integrated circuit and to a method for producing a pattern of voids in an integrated circuit.
Integrated circuit arrangements are being produced with ever higher packing densities. This means that interconnects in metallization levels are at an ever increased shorter distance from one another. This causes capacitances which are formed between the interconnects and lead to high signal propagation times, high power loss and crosstalk. Hitherto, to provide isolation between the interconnects primarily SiO2 has been used as a dielectric whose relative permittivity is εr=3.9.
2. Description of the Related Prior Art
There are a number of known methods for reducing the relatively permittivity εr and therefore for lowering the capacitance between interconnects within an interconnect level, for example from [1] or [2].
According to the cited prior art, voids are produced between the interconnects within an interconnect level. The isolating dielectric, which determines the capacitance between the interconnects, therefore has a relative permittivity εr which is virtually equal to unity. The interconnects themselves are enclosed at the top and bottom by solid SiO2 layers for isolation purposes.

Hollow structure in an integrated circuit and method for producing such a hollow structure in an integrated circuit


Parametric amplification of the output of a MEMS gyroscope is achieved by modulating the sense capacitance, or an auxiliary capacitance having an applied DC voltage. The capacitance modulation is produced by the driven motion of the gyroscope mechanism, so the pump signal of the parametric amplifier is not subject to phase errors in the electronics. The capacitance modulation affects the mechanical gain of the sensor (transfer function from input force to sensor mechanism displacement), as well as the electrical gain of the sensor (transfer function from sensor mechanism displacement to output electrical signal). The mechanical and electrical gains of the sensor become phase-dependent, so the Coriolis rate signal can be amplified while the unwanted quadrature-phase signal is attenuated.

A Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscope sensor consists of one or more movable proof masses connected to each other and to one or more substrates by flexible suspensions. Typically, the proof masses and suspensions are fabricated by etching heavily doped silicon, and the silicon is bonded to one or more upper and/or lower glass or silicon substrates.
The proof masses are driven electrostatically at the resonant frequency of the "motor" mode. When the sensor experiences rotation, the velocity of the motor mode motion causes the proof masses to experience Coriolis forces perpendicular to the motor velocity and the rotation axis. The proof mass motion produced by the Coriolis force is sensed capacitively, by sense electrodes, to produce an electrical output signal.
In various MEMS gyroscopes, the motor mode consists of the two proof masses moving with equal and opposite velocities parallel to the substrate and along a line connecting the centers of the two proof masses. The motor mode resonant frequency can be in the range of 10 to 20 kHz. MEMS gyroscope sensors may be designed to sense rotation either parallel or perpendicular to the substrate. The Coriolis force drives the "sense" resonant mode of the silicon mechanism, which consists of the two proof masses moving in opposing directions parallel or perpendicular to the substrate, depending on whether the rotation axis is perpendicular or parallel to the substrate. A sensor designed to sense rotation around an axis parallel to the substrate is referred to as an in-plane gyroscope (IPG), and a sensor designed to sense rotation around an axis perpendicular to the substrate is referred to as a z-axis gyroscope or out-of-plane gyroscope (OPG).
In a MEMS gyroscope, the resonant frequency of the sense mode is typically 5% to 10% below the resonant frequency of the motor mode, so the Coriolis force drives the sense mode off-resonance. Other MEMS gyroscopes may operate with the sense resonant frequency as close as possible to the motor resonant frequency, in order to maximize scale factor. However, the bandwidth of such sensors is very limited, and they can have stability issues.
Other MEMS gyroscopes may be quite different from the two-proof mass configuration described above. However, they all have a motor mode driven at its resonant frequency, they all experience a Coriolis force during rotation, and the Coriolis force drives a sense mode whose motion is detected capacitively.
The sensor output signal in MEMS gyroscopes is an AC signal at the motor resonant frequency. Typical MEMS gyroscopes have a large output error signal, designated "quadrature", which is 90 degrees out-of-phase with the output signal produced by the Coriolis force. Phase-sensitive detection allows the Coriolis rate signal to be detected in the presence of a much larger quadrature signal. However, phase shifts in the electronics and in the sensor can cause the quadrature-phase signal to produce errors in the Coriolis-phase signal.
Parametric amplification in a MEMS gyroscope using a pump signal consisting of AC voltages applied to the sense electrodes has been described previously, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,353 (Burgess R. Johnson, issued Apr. 6, 2004), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The AC pump voltages can increase the mechanical gain of the sensor (transfer function from input force to sensor mechanism displacement), as well as the electrical gain of the sensor (transfer function from sensor mechanical displacement to output electrical signal). Also, the mechanical and electrical gains of the sensor become phase-dependent, so that the Coriolis rate signal can be amplified while the unwanted quadrature-phase signal is attenuated.
Oropeza-Ramos, et. al., have described the use of parametric resonance to modify the characteristics of the driven mode of a MEMS gyroscope ("Parametric Resonance Amplification in a MEM Gyroscope," L. A. Oropeza-Ramos and K. L. Turner, Proceedings of the 2005 IEEE Sensors Conference, pages 660-663, Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2005, Irvine, Calif.), incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
A difficulty with using AC pump voltages to provide parametric amplification, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,353, is that the phase of the pump voltages must be precisely synchronized with the phase of the driven motion of the sensor mechanism. If this is not done, the parametric amplification produces a phase shift of the sensor output signal relative to the phase of the input force on the sensor. As a result, the relatively large quadrature-phase force on the sensor mechanism can produce sensor output at the Coriolis rate phase, resulting in a large zero-rate bias error.

Parametric amplification of a MEMS gyroscope by capacitance modulation


A chair includes a base, a seat, a back, and a control operably supporting the seat and back on the base for movement between upright and recline positions. The seat and back include a stiff perimeter frame with opposing perimeter sections, and a plurality of rods each independently bendable in vertical and angled directions. End bearings on the rods are captured in pockets in the perimeter frame, which limits their inward and outward sliding movement. The control includes front and rear leaf springs and a pivot arm operably supporting the seat and the back for synchronous movement, with the direction of movement being such that energy is stored during recline. The energy stored during recline assists in providing a heavier person with added counterbalancing force during recline. A booster mechanism is also selectively engageable for added support upon recline.

The present invention relates to a seating unit having a seat and a reclineable back, both having support surfaces constructed for comfort and excellent ergonomic support in all positions of the seat and back.
Comfort continues to be a highly-demanded feature in seating. One reason for this is because businesses have found that workers are more productive and creative when they are comfortable. However, "comfort" is an illusive criterion. Not only do people have different body shapes, but people also have dramatically different preferences. The task of providing comfort for chairs having reclineable backs is even more difficult, since they must provide support to a seated user in upright, intermediate, and reclined positions. This is particularly difficult because, as a person reclines, the shape of his/her body changes, and the pressure points of support change. For example, as a person reclines, their pelvis rotates, causing a change in the shape and location of the bone structure that receives the support from the seat and back of the chair. Further, seated users often stretch, turn, and reach from side-to-side, such that uniform support transversely across the seat does not necessarily provide optimal support or optimal comfort. Merely providing a thick foam cushion to eliminate point stress is not a satisfactory solution, since foam does not breathe, is environmentally unfriendly, and may not provide the level of distributed support needed in certain areas. For example, foam cannot easily be made to provide stiffer support under a seated user's pelvis, and lesser support under the user's knees, since it is not easy to control foam in a manner causing selectively different densities in different areas. Additionally, foam cushions that are thick enough to provide "adequate" support may not fit aesthetically with a chair designed to have a thin, sleek appearance. Adjustable chairs also do not satisfactorily solve the problem of discomfort from point stresses, since users tend to improperly adjust chairs, or not adjust them at all. Further, many seated users are not sure how to adjust their chairs for optimal comfort. Nonetheless, seated users know when they are comfortable and when they are not.
Chair comfort is particularly important for computer and keyboard operators and for task-related jobs where the operator stays seated, since such users often stay in their chairs for extended periods of time. It is important that these seated users be able to move around in their chairs while continuing to do work-related tasks, since movement is important for good circulation and good health and to avoid back problems. One type of chair in particular where good support is desired while doing work-related tasks is a task chair having a reclineable back. It is known to provide a weight-activated feature on such chairs so that heavier users automatically receive additional support upon recline without having to adjust a tension device on a back support. For example, some chairs include a seat that lifts during back recline, so that the user's own weight helps provide a force to resist recline of the back. However, these chairs suffer from various types of problems. Where the front of the seat is lifted, an uncomfortable pressure is placed at the seated user's knees, under the seated user's thighs. Where a rear of the seat is lifted, the user feels a tendency to slide down its inclined back and forward out of the seat, especially if the seat is tipped forward. Even if the seat remains in a horizontal orientation, an angled/reclined back directs a weight of the seated user at a forward angle relative to the seat, such that the seated user tends to slide down the back and slide forward on the seat, with only the friction of their body on the seat and back holding them in place.
In addition, it is also desirable to provide a surface-supporting structure that is simple to manufacture and assemble, is low-cost, and that has a modern, thin, sleek appearance. It is further desirable that the surface-supporting structure compliment the ability to provide weight-activated support upon recline so that heavier seated users feel secure upon recline even without adjustment.
In addition to the above, it is desirable to provide a chair that is optimally designed to use recyclable parts, recyclable materials, and that uses components that can be easily separated for recycling and/or repair. Expanded thermoset urethane foam products are usually classified as not recyclable, and further are generally considered to be unfriendly to the environment as compared to steel, remeltable thermoplastic, recyclable materials, and or more natural materials. Eliminating thermoset foam would be a significant step toward making a chair 100% recyclable. However, any such change must maintain a high level of comfort and cost advantage for competitive reasons.
Accordingly, an apparatus solving the aforementioned problems and having the aforementioned advantages is desired.