Dado shims that are disks of substantially incompressible, flexible, color coded plastic sheet material of uniform predetermined thicknesses having a central arbor hole and a radial slot narrower in width than the arbor hole diameter so that each shim is shaped like the letter "C" and can be distorted slightly during positioning on a saw arbor between dado set blades without removing any of the blades, by slipping the shim over the arbor through the slot until the shim seats on the arbor within the shim arbor hole.

This invention relates to shims for adjusting the combined width of multiple blade dado saw blade sets.
Grooves known as "dados" and similar formations such as rabbets or rebates have long been important in woodworking, particularly in furniture and cabinet construction. A variety of methods have been used for cutting dados and rabbets, including plow planes, chisels, routers and saws. Circular saw dado-cutting devices include multiple blade cutter sets and "wobble" type cutters in which a saw blade having eccentric washers is made to wobble as it rotates so that the resulting saw groove is wider than the blade itself. While the width of the kerf cut by such a "wobble" type dado cutter is infinitely adjustable between the actual width of the blade and the maximum possible wobble, such dado cutters machine a groove with an arcuate bottom and present other drawbacks. Accordingly, multiple-blade dado cutter sets remain popular for use with circular saws. Such sets normally include two relatively conventional circular saw blades and several two or four tooth cutters or blades having substantially the same cutting diameter as the circular saw blades in the set. The two or four tooth blades are stacked between the round blades in a combination that results in the desired combined blade width. Typically, the kerf cut by each blade exceeds the thickness of the same blade in the area of the blade adjacent to the blade arbor hole, by virtue of tooth set, tooth thickness or both. In use, the blades are staggered so that gaps in one blade accommodate the teeth that overhang from an adjacent blade.
As will be appreciated, the nominal widths of cut possible utilizing such a set are multiples of the widths of the blades stacked together at a particular time. Accordingly, in order to adjust the total cutting width by an amount less than the thickness of the thinnest blade associated with such a dado blade set, one or more shims must be used between blades. Paper, pasteboard, adhesive tape, and brass sheet materials of various thicknesses have previously been used for such shims, and they have typically been in the form of a washer, that is a disk with a centrally-located hole slightly larger in diameter than the saw arbor.
While such disks can be successfully used to adjust dado multiple-blade set width, they are inconvenient to use and typically require removal of the saw arbor nut, arbor washer and one or more blades of the dado head set in order to add or remove shims. This frequently must be done several times before a desired cutting width is achieved.


A processing method using an automatic processor is disclosed. The automatic processor is defined in the specification in detail. The processing is carried out employing a fixer having a salt concentration of 0.8 to 1.9 mole/l at a fixer replenisher rate of not more than 260 ml/m.sup.2.

A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter referred to as a "light-sensitive material") employed for printing and plate-making applications is generally exposed and then processed employing an automatic processor comprising at least a development section, a fix section, a water wash section or stabilizing bath section and a drying section, while generally replenishing the original processing solution. In recent years, environmental protection has been a major concern and a decrease in photographic solution wastes has been demanded. One means to meet the requirements is a decrease in the replenisher amount of processing solutions.
A decrease in the replenisher amount of processing solution has been gradually realized by a component replenishing technique in which the replenisher amount is decreased and photographic performance is stabilized, and a technique in which a silver-solubilizing agent and silver-dissolving-out preventing agent are incorporated in order to prevent the formation of silver stain on film and an automatic processor caused by the increase in the concentration of dissolved-out silver.
Furthermore, when contrast-increasing agents (tetrazine, tetrazolium compounds) in a light-sensitive material are dissolved out to a processing solution, the consistency in sensitivity is degraded during a continuous processing and sludges are liable to be formed. Therefore, practices have been made so that these are immobilized in the light-sensitive material. On the other hand, these which are hardly dissolved out into a processing solution are brought into a drying step to cause frequently stain on rollers. Hence, the development for the contrast-increasing agents or contrast-increasing methods has been required which neither deteriorates photographic performances nor stains the automatic processor.

Processing method of silver halide photographic light-sensitive material


A balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon in which the outer surface of the inflatable balloon is surrounded by an elastomeric sleeve. The sleeve is attached throughout at least a majority of its area to the balloon outer surface to provide pin hole and abrasion resistance. Preferably, the inflatable balloon is made of a flexible material of less elasticity than the material of the elastomeric sleeve. Thus the balloon expands to a generally limited maximum transverse dimension, while the collapse of the balloon is facilitated by the elastomeric sleeve.

Balloon catheters are well-known devices in which the catheter carries an inflatable balloon to occlude and seal a body space, to expand a blood vessel through pressurized inflation of the balloon, or for any other desired purpose which may typically but not necessarily be a therapeutic purpose in the medical field. In the case of dilatation balloon catheters for angioplasty, for example a PTCA procedure, the catheter balloon is generally made out of a thin, strong material which is of relatively low resilience. For example, the catheter balloon may be made out of biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a polyamide material such as nylon. Such strong, flexible materials are commonly used for angioplasty balloons, and have the advantage that they are flexible but inelastic so that they can expand outwardly to a predetermined diameter, and then cease further expansion at normal pressures, to avoid damage to the artery wall by over expansion.
One difficulty which is found with such biaxially oriented balloons is that, since they are typically very thin-walled, they can be easily punctured through abrasion or the like, even though they have a high tensile strength. Thus, pin holes and ruptures are fairly common when such catheter balloons are used in contact with rough surfaces. Also, tiny flaws in the mold of such balloons can create weak spots, since the balloons are so thin-walled. However, it is impractical to increase the wall thickness of these biaxially oriented materials, since then they become too stiff, with high flexural moduli, with the result that such balloons do not collapse properly on deflation to facilitate easy withdrawal from the vascular system of a patient.
Accordingly, there is a need for a balloon catheter in which the catheter balloon is strong and relatively inelastic, without being subject to the formation of pin holes in the molding process, or tears in the balloon wall through abrasion. At the same time, the balloon must still be easily collapsible down to a small diameter upon deflation.
Also, there is a need to provide such catheter balloons with an improved lubricity, or for them to be facilitated to carry a therapeutic agent such as an anticoagulant, particularly in the case of angioplasty balloons.


A height-adjustable column has a stationary tube that receives a height-changing mechanism, such as a pneumatic spring having a cylinder and a rod that are axially movable with respect to one another. A transmitting mechanism includes a movable member that is operatively associated with the rod and is movable in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the cylinder upon extension of the pneumatic spring when the pneumatic spring is in a predetermined lift zone.

German Patent No. 3,420,528 A1 discloses a height-adjustable column in which a height-changing mechanism, in this case a pneumatic spring, is received within a stationary tube. Such a height-adjustable column is widely employed in the furniture industry, especially in connection with chairs, and has been quite successful.
German Patent No. 4,034,633 A1 and German Patent No. 4,212,282 A1 disclose enhancements of height-adjustable columns in which a telescoping guide tube is provided between the stationary tube and the height-changing mechanism for the purpose of increasing the guide length of the pneumatic spring. The guide tube is pushed out to an extent that depends on the height setting of the column and the pneumatic spring.

Height-adjustable column with a transmitting mechanism


‘UFR-16’ is a new and distinct diploid citrus rootstock for improved disease resistance. ‘UFR-16’ has shown a positive reaction to the Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted on this rootstock initially show a reduced frequency of infection, and reduced disease symptoms once infected as compared to commercial diploid rootstocks. ‘UFR-16’ rootstock also showed tolerance to the Diaprepes/Phytophthora complex in greenhouse tests.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: diploid hybrid of Citrus grandis×Citrus reticulata.
Variety denomination: 'UFR-16'.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of citrus rootstock named 'UFR-16'. 'URF-16' is a diploid hybrid derived from a conventional cross of 'Hirado Buntan' pink pummeloבShekwasha' mandarin.
'UFR-16' was selected on the basis of its positive reaction to Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in experimental field trials. The claimed plant was first asexually reproduced by grafting onto 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock and planted in Wymama, Fla. The resulting trees were true to type. Scion trees grafted onto this rootstock initially show a reduced frequency of infection, and reduced disease symptoms once infected when compared to commercial diploid rootstocks. Scion trees grafted to 'UFR-16' rootstock grow off quickly and are vigorous in the field, producing medium to large trees comparable in size to trees on sour orange rootstock.


Moisture resistant foundation footing form sections constructed from corrugated plastic are disclosed. Supports for holding sections of reinforcing bar, and connecting the side walls of the form sections are included. Also disclosed are tabs and notches in the side walls for use with stakes to connect adjacent form sections. Form sections are disclosed for constructing a corner in a foundation footing form. Step-down forms are disclosed for constructing a foundation footing form on a construction site having surfaces of different elevations. The form sections can be secured in position with stakes, and leveling devices for leveling the form once it is secured in position are disclosed. The form sections disclosed herein can be reused, but they do not attract insects and therefore they do not have to be removed from finished foundation footings.

In the art of building construction it is common practice to cast the base or foundation with concrete. A trench or excavation channel is prepared into which the forms, either made from steel or wood, are set up adjacent and connected to each other matching the dimensions of the required foundation (footing). The forms, which are steel panels or wooden boards or planks, are put into position on their edges across from each other and parallel to each other near the side walls of the trench.
The materials that are commonly used for concrete forms are easily damaged. If steel forms are dented or bent, they are essentially useless. Wood forms are difficult if not impossible to use over and over again. Moreover, wood is a precious resource, and thus undesirable for use as a disposable form material.
After being placed into position, the forms are usually secured by stakes and other devices that are sufficient to prevent the form from being displaced. As more and more governments update their respective building codes, the number of locations that require pier blocks to be reinforced with steel is growing. Steel reinforcement generally takes the form of reinforcing bars (re-bar) that is placed in the form in such a manner that the wet concrete completely covers the reinforcing bar. Horizontally oriented reinforcing bar is generally held in place by using separate reinforcing bar mounting stands. Some of the generally available reinforcing bar stands can be connected to the form after the form has been constructed, while others are positioned in the form and the reinforcing bar is placed on the device. Vertically oriented reinforcing bar is generally secured in the form by devices that are connected to the form after it is constructed. Placing the reinforcing bar securing devices in the desired location within the form requires additional labor and some degree of skill.
After the forms are completely assembled and the reinforcing bar has been secured, concrete is poured within the forms and allowed to set and cure. Typically, when the concrete has hardened, the form is removed by a process that is labor intensive, and generally requires as much physical labor and cost as the initial set up. Additionally, concrete can stick to the forming faces of wood, steel and other materials to the point where adequate cleaning is impossible. Release from the concrete once it has set usually requires the use of a release agent or labor-intensive scraping which complicates the construction process.
In addition to the problems noted above, the concrete forms that are generally used for foundation footings can be difficult to handle because of their weight and bulk. These heavy bulky forms generally require at least a medium sized truck to move enough material to create a form for a single-family dwelling. Once the foundation has been completed, the truck must be used again to transport the form to the next job site. The forms must be stored when they are not used for extensive periods of time, which requires significant space. These problems and others add time and costs to foundation construction, which increases the purchase price paid for a newly constructed building by consumers.
A number of inventions have attempted to address the problems associated with conventional foundation footing forms. U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,050, issued to Jacobus discloses thermoplastic side walls that can be connected with bars to create a form with integrated drainage tiles. The form is left in place after the concrete has cured. The Jacobus patent does disclose a device that reduces labor costs by leaving it in place after the concrete has cured, but it still must be assembled on the construction site by connecting the two side walls together. The Jacobus patent does not address the fact that the pre-made side walls may be too long in some instances and may be difficult to cut to the correct size. Additionally, the Jacobus patent does not address the placement of vertical and horizontal reinforcing bar in the form, nor does it provide any means for securing such reinforcing bar in the form.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,950, issued to Palmer, discloses a lightweight permanent concrete footing form having a horizontal base with two side walls extending upwardly therefrom. The form disclosed in the Palmer patent also has ducts for draining water away from the completed footing. As with the Jacobus Patent, the disclosure of the Palmer patent does not address how the plastic form can be cut to size, nor does it address reinforcing bar placement or securing the reinforcing bar in the form. Additionally, the devices disclosed in both the Jacobus and Palmer patents include integral drainage conduits and this could make the devices bulky such that they would require significant storage space prior to use and at least a medium sized truck for transportation to the job site.
Thus a need exists for forms for concrete foundation footings that are not made from wood or metal so that these resources can be preserved. Such forms should be lightweight and easily installed by a minimum number of laborers. A need also exists for such forms that would provide integral devices for placing and securing both vertically and horizontally oriented reinforcing bar in the form. Such forms that are, collapsible, easily stored and easily transported would be significant improvements over the prior art.


A method and RFID system for providing a service is provided. A plurality of RFID tokens are prepared. Each tag is associated with one or more services. The RFID token is a RFID tag-based token. A user selects the RFID tag to an item. The RFID token is inserted into a package with the item to request the service to the item. A recipient scans the package to obtain the service information from the RFID tag, and handles the item based on the information.

RFID technologies are well known in the art. There is renewed interest in this technology in recent years as the benefits of wireless technology become more apparent and technological advances have made RFID more accessible. In particular, RFID technologies allow an automatic system and method for asset tracking. It is the usefulness of RFID technology in asset tracking that has fostered the most interest as companies look to more efficient means for tracking incoming and outgoing materials.
RFID systems have therefore been typically used by a supplier and associated with the physical items that are supplied. RFID systems have generally not been developed for the provision of services for these items.
Therefore, there is a desire to provide an RFID system and a method of use that is useful for the provision of a service.

Method and RFID system for providing a service


A control system for a cooking appliance enables a consumer to selectively program a cooking appliance through a control panel in a conventional mode based on established cooking times and temperatures, as well as in a simplified mode incorporating a minimal number of programming steps. In the simplified mode, the consumer selects a first, non-temperature related special features button and inputs a cook time. Immediately following input of the cook time, the control system starts a cooking operation. If the selected time is greater than a predetermined value, the control system automatically operates the cooking appliance in a cold start mode. An override is provided to disable the cold start mode if so desired. In addition, the control system allows a consumer to input both minimum and maximum cook times for the cooking operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of cooking appliances and, more particularly, to a cooking appliance including a control system having a simplified programming algorithm for initiating a cooking operation.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Over the years, there have been many advances in the art of cooking appliances. Various heat sources, such as convection air, microwave and IR heating elements have been used, in one way or another, to perform a cooking operation. Mechanical components such as switches, thermostats and other controls have been replaced, or at least supplemented, by electronic control systems. Rotary knobs are slowly giving way to touch pads and touch screen displays. Many new features have been added to the cooking appliance, such as preprogrammed operations, recipes, and multi-stage cooking operations. Many appliances include a help screen that aides a consumer in navigating through various available options. All in all, the construction and internal programming of the cooking appliance has grown to be more complicated. However, the basic steps for initiating a cooking operation have remained substantially unchanged over the years.
Typically, to initiate a cooking operation, a consumer may select a cooking mode, a cooking temperature, a cook time and a cook duration. In the most simplified form, the consumer may select the cook mode and cook temperature. The prior art contains several examples of cooking appliances that attempt to reduce an overall number of steps required to initiate a cooking operation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,769 discloses a cooking appliance having a computer cooking means that, after placing a meat product into a cooking chamber, requires only an input indicating the type of meat and the degree of doneness before the cooking operation is started. While being simple, the process does not readily lend itself to other food items, such as baked goods and the like.
In addition, if a consumer desires to set a cook duration, he/she is limited to entering a single time. Most recipes call for performing a cooking operation over a range of cook times. Another consideration is that heating characteristics vary between cooking appliances. Where a food item will require heating for 30 minutes in one model, the same food item may require heating for 35 or even 40 minutes in a different model. For that reason, most recipes set forth both upper and lower limits for the cook time. Often times, a consumer will set a food item in the oven for the minimum time, only to find that the food item is not completely cooked. At that point, the food item is left in the oven for an additional time period which, if the timer is not set again or if the consumer simply looses track of the time, could lead to the food item becoming overcooked or even burned.
Based on the above, there exists a need for a cooking appliance requiring minimal inputs before initiating a cooking operation. In addition, there exists a need for a cooking appliance having a timer capable of setting both minimum and maximum cook time parameters. More specifically, given the sophistication provided by modern technology, the overall number of steps required to initiate a cooking operating could be further reduced, while not being limited by the particular type of food being cooked.


A method for measuring network operation related parameters in a mobile communication network with a core network and a radio-access network, preferably in form of a LTE- or UMTS-network, includes the steps of a) configuring an entity in the mobile communication network for measuring including network operation related parameters to be measured, b) selecting a measuring entity, c) measuring the network operation related parameters by the measuring entity, and d) analyzing the measured parameters wherein a filtering is performed prior to step d), wherein the filtering is performed on an entity in the radio access network of the mobile communication network and wherein the filtering reduces the amount of data of the measured network operation related parameters for step d). A system for measuring network operation related parameters is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for measuring network operation related parameters in a mobile communication network with a core network and a radio-access network, preferably in form of a LTE- or UMTS-network, comprising the steps of                a) Configuring an entity in the mobile communication network for measuring including network operation related parameters to be measured,        b) Selecting a measuring entity,        c) Measuring the network operation related parameters by the measuring entity, and        d) Analysing the measured parameters.
The present invention also relates to a system for measuring network operation related parameters in a mobile communication network with a core network and a radio access network, preferably in form of a LTE- or UMTS-network, comprising a measuring entity, preferably a user equipment, configured to be operable to perform network related measurements, preferably radio measurements, a configured entity, preferably a base station, to which the measuring entity is connectable, a configuring entity configured to be operable to configure the configured entity for measurement, including network operation related parameters to be measured, a selection entity configured to be operable to select the measuring entity connected to the configured entity, for measurement and an analyzing entity configured to be operable to analyse measured data of the network operation related parameters and connected to the configured entity.
Although applicable in general to measurements of a network operation related parameter, the present invention will be described with regard to measurements in form of minimization of drive tests.
Minimization of drive tests, abbreviated with MDT, is a method adopted in the 3GPP specifications for optimizing radio resources of a radio access network of a mobile communication network. When the minimization of drive tests is activated one or more user equipment are requested to perform radio related measurements for example measuring radio signal strengths. The data collected during these measurements is sent to a network entity in the mobile communication network.
Without these MDT-measurements technical people would have to perform these measurements so they have to move personally in the affected area with dedicated measurement devices.
The collected measurements are then stored in a dedicated entity, the so called Trace Collecting Entity TCE. Every time the user equipment provides collected data from MDT-measurements it reports them to the Trace Collecting Entity.
2. Description of the Related Art
In FIG. 1 a conventional signaling involved between different network elements in a LTE mobile communication network is shown. FIG. 2 shows a corresponding conventional system for a UMTS mobile communication network.
Referring now to FIG. 1 signaling involved between an element manager EM, a Mobility Management Entity MME, an evolved NodeB eNB, a user equipment UE and a Trace Collection Entity TCE is shown. In a first step S1 the mobility management entity MME request initial context set up and/or requests handover and/or requests user equipment context modification. Further the MME sends user consent indication information to the evolved NodeB eNB. Indeed the consent information indicate that a user has given his consent to participate in the MDT measurements. In a second step S2 user consent information is stored within the user equipment context at the evolved NodeB eNB.
In a third step S3 minimization of drive test MDT measurement is activated by the element manager EM and correspondingly signaled to the evolved NodeB eNB. The evolved NodeB eNB then starts in a fourth step S4 a trace session and stores MDT parameters.
In case user consent information has changed, in a fifth step S5 the mobility management entity MME requests initial context setup and/or requests handover and/or requests user equipment context modification. Furthermore the mobility management entity MME sends user consent indication information to the evolved NodeB eNB. In a sixth step S6 user consent information is stored within the user equipment context at the evolved NodeB eNB.
In a seventh step S7 the evolved NodeB eNB selects user equipment based on the received MDT parameters, for example including area scope and user consent. In an eighth step S8 the evolved NodeB activates the minimization of drive test measurements.
In a ninth step S9 the user equipment UE reports data collected during MDT measurements via RRC back to the evolved NodeB eNB. In a tenth step S10 the evolved NodeB eNB saves the data of the performed measurements by the user equipment to corresponding MDT records.
In an eleventh step S11 an anonymization level is checked, so that in the step S11a a type allocation code TAC could be sent and a cell traffic trace including TR and TRSR is provided by the evolved NodeB eNB to the mobility management entity MME. Otherwise in a step S11b no data is sent.
In a twelfth step S12 the mobility management entity MME sends the type allocation code TAC and TR as well as a TRSR to the trace collection entity TCE. In a thirteen step S13 the evolved NodeB eNB reports MDT records to the trace collection entity TCE and in a last fourteenth step S14 the MDT records are combined with a type allocation code TAC based on trace reference TR and trace recording session reference TRSR at the trace collection entity TCE.
One of the disadvantages is that in the seventh step S7 the evolved NodeB selects user equipment based on static information like area scope, i.e. cells in which a minimization of drive test MDT is performed, and/or information of user consent meaning that no minimization of drive tests MDT is performed if the user gave no consent. When a user equipment UE attaches to the evolved NodeB eNB this area scope and user consent are verified. If the user equipment UE satisfies these conditions then the minimization of drive tests is activated (step S8). The user equipment then performs measurements continuously and reports them—as mentioned above—in a ninth step S9 to the evolved NodeB. The evolved NodeB then takes care of forwarding the measurements to the trace collecting entity TCE which stores them in a database.
FIG. 2 shows a corresponding minimization of a drive test in a UMTS mobile communication system.
In a first step R1 the element manager EM sends a trace session activation including a configuration for the minimization of drive tests to a radio network controller RNC. In a second step R2 the radio network controller RNC starts a trace session by saving configuration parameters of the MDT configuration.
In a third step R3 the Serving Gatery Support Node SGSN respectively the mobile switching center MSC forwards user consent information to the radio network controller RNC. In a fourth step R4 the radio network controller RNC saves the received user consent information.
In a fifth step R5 user equipment are selected for performing MDT measurements based on area scope and user consent. In a sixth step R6 the radio network controller RNC activates MDT measurements on a user equipment UE1. The user equipment UE1 then measures continuously according to MDT and transmits in a seventh step R7 results of the measurements via RRC back to the radio network controller RNC.
In an eighth step R8 the radio network controller RNC saves the received MDT measurements to corresponding MDT records. The steps R7 and R8 may be again performed (steps R9 and R10) when continuously measuring. In an eleventh step R11 the radio network controller RNC reports the MDT records to the trace collecting entity TCE for further analysis.
FIG. 3 shows schematically a conventional system for performing MDT measurements by a user equipment and the signaling involved between the corresponding network entities. The element manager EM sends MDT configuration to one or more eNBs within a certain activation area. User equipment connected to the eNBs in the MDT measurement activation area are then performing the MDT measurements and report the results of the measurements to the corresponding eNBs. The eNBs then send then the data of the performed measurements for storage to the trace collecting entity TCE. The trace collecting entity TCE then provides the stored data for preprocessing and analysis to a user.
One of the disadvantages of the conventional systems and methods is that the amount of data collected by the MDT measurements is high, complicating a later analysis of the collected data.
A further disadvantage is that the user equipment, once determined for MDT measurements, measures continuously.
An even further disadvantage is that due to the large amount of data of the MDT measurements network resources are used to an high extent resulting in high energy consumption, in particular of the batteries of the user equipment, as well as a possible degradation of quality of service within the mobile communication network.

Method and system for measuring network operation related parameters in a mobile communication network


Insulin albumin conjugates consisting of an insulin analogue, a bifunctional linker and albumin can efficiently be used to treat diabetic patients.

Diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2 diabetes) is a metabolic disorder in which the ability to utilize glucose is partly or completely lost. About 5% of all people suffer from diabetes and the disorder approaches epidemic proportions. Since the discovery of insulin in the 1920's, continuous efforts have been made to improve the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Since people suffering from diabetes are subject to chronic treatment over several decades, there is a major need for safe, convenient and life quality improving insulin based therapeutics.
Human insulin consists of two polypeptide chains, the so-called A and B chains which contain 21 and 30 amino acid residues. An insulin analogue is human insulin wherein one or more of the amino acids have been exchanged with other amino acids. Some of the commercial available insulin formulations are characterized by a fast onset of action and other formulations have a relatively slow onset but show a more or less prolonged action.
Treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes typically includes treatment with a long acting basal insulin for between meal and nocturnal glycemic control together with treatment with a short-acting preprandial bolus insulin for meal stimulated hyperglycemia. The goal for the treatment is maintenance of long-term near normoglycemic control.
Conjugation of a therapeutic peptide or protein such as insulin to human serum albumin or derivatives thereof results in protection of the therapeutic peptide or protein against proteases. The increased size of the therapeutic results in reduced clearance. Conjugation thereby results in a prolonged residence time of the conjugate (see WO 01/77137 and WO 2006/012346). Conjugation of insulin to albumin results in a prolonged action profile and thereby a reduction in injection frequency. The maintenance of near normo-glycemia results in a lower risk of hypo-glycemia (vide Diabetes 2005, vol 54, 251-258, and Bioconjugate Chem. 2005, vol 16, 1000-1008).
Claim 7 in WO 00/69900 relates to a method for protecting a therapeutic peptide from peptidase activity comprising, e.g., forming a peptide-blood component conjugate where the blood component according to claim 14 is albumin. None of the specific examples in WO 00/69900 deals with insulin.
Claim 1 in WO 2005/012346 relates to an insulin derivative comprising an insulin molecule and a reactive group for covalently bonding a blood component. According to claim 2 therein, the reactive group is coupled to an amino acid of the insulin molecule, i.e., human insulin, at a position selected from the positions Gly A1, Phe B1 and Lys B29.
Claim 1 in WO 2005/103087 relates to a method for separating albumin conjugate from unconjugated albumin. The insulins exemplified in WO 2005/103087 are human insulin and insulins having extensions on A1, B1 or B29, all containing A21Asn (A21N).
Claim 1 in WO 2007/071068 relates to a process for preparation of a conjugate comprising albumin covalently linked to a compound. Insulin is mentioned at page 9, line 16, therein. No specific examples are given in WO 2007/071068.
Normally, insulin formulations are administered by subcutaneous injection.


This invention provides a silver halide emulsion, a silver halide photographic material and an image forming method, which is excellent in high sensitivity, good gradation, coating composition store stability and latent image store stability regardless exposing method, particularly excellent latent image store stability at high intensity and shot period exposure of digital exposure, and by which a high quality print is obtained. The silver halide emulsion contains silver halide grains having silver chloride content of at least 90 mol %, silver iodide content of 0-2.0 mol %, and silver bromide content of 0.02-5.0 mol %, and containing at least two kinds of Group 8 metal compounds containing at least one iridium compound inside of the silver halide grains, in which the silver halide grains are subjected to selenium sensitization in presence of a compound represented by formula (S)

The recent rapid directivity to digitization has led to increased opportunities of subjecting silver halide photographic materials to digital exposure. Along with such a trend, photographic color paper as a photographic material for color prints is desired with respect to suitability for exposure at a relatively high intensity for an extremely short time at the level of milli-seconds to nano-seconds and aptitude for scanning exposure.
There have been employed silver chloride emulsions or high chloride silver halide emulsions in color paper to achieve rapid processability. Further, it is commonly known that doping iridium compounds is effective to improve reciprocity law failure characteristics as a matter of properties of silver halide emulsions. There are disclosed high chloride silver halide emulsion grains having a high bromide region in the vicinity of the corners of the grains, as described in JP-A No. 64-26837 (hereinafter, the term JP-A refers to Japanese Patent Application Publication); high chloride silver halide emulsion grains in which a bromide-localized region is selectively doped with an iridium compound, thereby leading to superior latent image stability and reciprocity law failure characteristics, as described in JP-A No. 1-105940. There is also disclosed a method of forming a bromide-localized region by using silver bromide fine-grains doped with an iridium compound, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,020. However, neither of the foregoing methods was sufficient for improving latent image stability in the initial stage after exposure.
In digital exposure systems of the recent subject, it was proved that sufficient practical qualities were not achieved by only known techniques for improving latent image stability, in exposure suitability at a high intensity for an extremely short time. Techniques adaptable to such a digital exposure system include, for examples, chemical sensitization and spectral sensitization suitable for formation of a bromide-localized phase, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,513; and the use of a silver iodochloride emulsion, as described in European Patent Nos. 750,222 and 772,079.
However, it was proved in studies by the inventors of this application that the foregoing techniques for improving aptitude for digital exposure was not only insufficient for improving latent image stability but also resulted in marked deteriorated pressure resistance and pre-exposure storage stability of photographic materials. It is desired to immediately solve this matter.
JP-A No. 2001-188311 discloses a method for improving reciprocity law failure and coating composition stability, in which silver halide grains contain a bromide-rich or iodide-rich phase in the vicinity of the grain surface and introduction of such a rich phase is separated into two occasions, before and after addition of mercapto compounds. However, it was proved that using only this method was insufficient for improving storage stability of silver halide emulsions.
JP-A Nos. 6-19024 and 6-19026 disclose that adding non-labile di-chalcogen compounds before or during formation of silver halide grains, or during spectral/chemical sensitization of a silver halide emulsion improves fresh fog or aging fog. Further, JP-A No. 6-19037 discloses adding such compounds in the form of a solid particle dispersion and JP-A No. 6-35147 discloses that a silver chloride emulsion containing a diaminodisulfide compound and a sulfonate compound at a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:20 improves storage stability and performance variation caused by temperature fluctuation at the time of exposure on color photographic materials.
JP-A No. 6-202265 discloses that adding a specific disulfide compound and a specific sulfinate or seleninate compound before or during spectral/chemical sensitization results in reduced fogging and enhanced sensitivity. There is also disclosed a photographic element comprising a silver chloride emulsion including a water-soluble disulfide compound, leading to reduced fogging, reduced variation in fog density and sensitivity after pre-exposure storage and reduced variation in sensitivity due to temperature fluctuation at the time of exposure, as described in JP-A No. 7-72580.
However, neither of the foregoing methods was sufficient in description and effectiveness with respect to latent image stability, storage stability and pressure resistance, specifically, latent image stability, storage stability and pressure resistance of emulsions exposed at a high intensity.
Though JP-A No. 6-148783, 6-175263 and so on discloses a photographic material containing a crown ether compound, there is scarce disclosure on detail of chemical sensitization, or spectral sensitization and therefore there is no teaching as for application to selenium sensitization.
A photographic element containing silver chloride grains having selenium compound at the surface of the grains (for example, Patent Document 1 and 2), it is not clear there is an improvement of photographic characteristics other than sensitivity. Particularly there is no disclosure on halide content or dopant which are necessary for improvement of characteristics such as gradation, latent image and so on. Therefore it is difficult to provide a practical silver halide photographic light sensitive material satisfying various characteristics demanded recently. There is a disclosure concerning silver halide photographic light sensitive materials in which selenium sensitization or tellurium sensitization is applied to silver chloride or silver chlorobromide grains having high chloride content (for example, Patent Documents 3, 4 and 5). However improvement effects on characteristics such as latent image stability or coating composition storage stability is not clear, and further the improvement of sensitivity and gradation recently demanded for silver halide photographic light sensitive materials is not satisfactory.
(Patent Document 1)
JP-A No. 5-66513
(Patent Document 2)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,827
(Patent Document 3)
JP-A No. 5-313293
(Patent Document 4)
JP-A No. 9-5922
(Patent Document 5)
JP-A No. 9-5924

Silver halide emulsion silver halide photographic sensitive material and method of image formation


The silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a trench formed from a surface of a drift layer of a first conductivity type formed on a substrate of the first conductivity type, and a deep layer of a second conductivity type located at a position in the drift layer beneath the bottom portion of the trench. The deep layer is formed at a certain distance from base regions of the second conductivity type formed on the drift layer so as to have a width wider than the width of the bottom portion of the trench, and surround both the corner portions of the bottom portion of the trench.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a SiC (Silicon Carbide) semiconductor device including a trench-gate type vertical power device, and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, SiC has gathered attention because of its use as material in the production of power devices due to its high electric field breakdown strength. SiC having a higher electric field breakdown strength than silicon, makes it possible to control a large current in a power device. For example, SiC semiconductor devices are expected to be used in motor control for a hybrid vehicle.
To pass a further larger current in a power device, it is effective to increase the channel density of the power device. Accordingly, in the field of silicon transistors, trench-gate type vertical power MOSFETs are now in actual use. The trench-gate structure is applicable to SiC transistors. However, in the case of SiC, there is a challenge in using the trench-gate structure as set forth below.
Generally, a SiC transistor in operation is applied with a voltage which is nearly 10 times that applied to a silicon transistor in operation, because SiC has electric field breakdown strength about 10 times higher than that of silicon. Accordingly, the strength of the electric field applied to the gate insulation film on the trench surface in the case of the SiC transistor is also nearly 10 times higher than that in the case of the silicon transistor.
To cope with this, it has been proposed to form, immediately after the trench is formed, a p-type layer at the bottom portion of the trench gate by ion-injection of p-type dopant in manufacturing a trench-gate type MOSFET. For more detail, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-98188.
However, the structure disclosed in this patent document cannot prevent destruction of the gate insulation film, because the p-type layer is formed only in the bottom portion of the trench gate, and accordingly, the electric field concentrates on the sides of the bottom portion of the trench gate.

Silicon carbide semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing the same


Various embodiments describe techniques for making inferences from graph-structured data using graph convolutional networks (GCNs). The GCNs use various pre-defined motifs to filter and select adjacent nodes for graph convolution at individual nodes, rather than merely using edge-defined immediate-neighbor adjacency for information integration at each node. In certain embodiments, the graph convolutional networks use attention mechanisms to select a motif from multiple motifs and select a step size for each respective node in a graph, in order to capture information from the most relevant neighborhood of the respective node.

In many real-world problems, such as social networks, collaboration networks, citation networks, telecommunication networks, biological networks (e.g., brain connectomes), financial transactions, transportation networks (e.g., traffic/shipping maps or routes), and the like, data may be better represented by graphs, rather than grids (e.g., matrices). Even though many artificial intelligence and machine-learning techniques have been used to extract knowledge and insights from data in various forms in order to understand and analyze actual phenomena with data (e.g., in many vision-related applications), these techniques generally do not perform well for graph-structured data. For example, convolutional neural network (CNN) models have been applied successfully in image classification, object detection and recognition, video action recognition, and the like. CNN models efficiently implements spatial locality and weight-sharing by reusing local filters to extract features from localized regions (also referred to as receptive fields). However, CNN models are designed to process data that is representable by grids, such as videos, images, or audio clips. It is difficult to directly apply CNN models to many real-world problems where the data is better represented by graphs rather than by grids. In addition, CNN models generally do not perform well for graphs that have more irregular structures, such as the various networks described above. Therefore, an improved graph-based convolutional neural network is needed for performing convolution operations on graph-structured data to extract certain features.

Graph convolutional networks with motif-based attention


An image rotation method and an image rotation processing apparatus in an image processing apparatus are disclosed. The image rotation method obtains the image coordinates (x',y') of a rotated image which is recorded in a second memory, by sequentially scanning a first memory where the M.times.N original image is recorded and adding the increments of x and y corresponding to a rotation angle .theta. repeatedly, and transmits the image element data of the coordinates (x,y) of the first memory to the coordinates (x',y') of the second memory with one-to-one correspondence, thereby obtaining the rotated image through the rotation angle .theta. from the original image. Thus, the present invention can obtain the rotated image using only addition operations and without any multiplication operations, so that high-speed operation is possible and an image can be rotated through a specified angle .theta. through software in common computer graphic systems having no floating point multiplier.

The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus, and more particularly to an image rotation method and an image rotation processing apparatus which can perform high-speed real-time processing.
Recently introduced computer image processing systems carry out image processing functions such as reduction or enlargement of an image, rotation, etc. Since the system needs to process a great deal of information at a high speed, a high-priced, special operation processing circuit is provided pertaining to each field. Accordingly, in a general personal computer which is not provided with the special operation processing circuit, image processing such as reduction, enlargement, rotation, etc. depends on software, so that the processing speed is slow and the real-time processing is difficult.
For example, when the image rotation method displays an image on an X-Y plane, and the coordinates of the present position of the image element are denoted (x,y), the coordinates of the resulting position of the image element after rotation through a specified angle .theta. are denoted (x',y'). These post-rotational image element coordinates (x',y') are easily obtained according to image transformation relations including the following matrix relations.
The matrix relations are as follows. ##EQU1##
From the above matrix relations (1), the coordinate of the X-axis (herein denoted x') and the coordinate of the Y-axis (herein denoted y') of the image element coordinates (x', y') after rotational transformation are obtained easily. ##EQU2##
Here, if the sine value ( sin .theta.) and the cosine value ( cos .theta.) of the rotational displacement resulting from rotation through the stated specified angle .theta. are denoted as first and second rotational displacement data (m, n) respectively, the relations (2) may be changed to the following relations (3). ##EQU3##
Therefore, if the X-axis point (herein x) and the Y-axis point (herein y) of the coordinates of the image element (x,y) before rotation are known, the coordinates (x',y') of the new position can be obtained by four multiplication operations, based on the relations (3).
Thus, since the conventional method requires the four multiplication operations when the image rotates, a floating point multiplier is needed for the image rotation processing hardware. The image processing system of a general personal computer without such hardware processes the multiplication through software, but requires such a long time to do the four multiplication operations of the rotation, that real-time processing is difficult.

Image rotation method and image rotation processing apparatus


A circuit for the generation of a high ramp voltage for the supply of voltage to a capacitive load, in particular a high voltage for the programming or erasure of at least one memory cell of a non-volatile memory, comprises floating-gate transistors as storage elements. This generation circuit comprises a P type load transistor connected by its source to the output of a voltage booster delivering a high direct and constant voltage (HIV), by its drain to the load, the high ramp voltage being available at this drain, and by its control gate to a control feedback circuit to control the load current. This circuit achieves automatic control over the slope of the high ramp voltage (Vpp). Application to the generation of a high ramp voltage whose slope is smaller than a critical slope and the maximum value is high.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of semiconductor memories and more specifically to non-volatile electrically erasable and/or programmable memories (EPROMs, EEPROMs or Flash memories), and to a program for the generation of a high ramp voltage for the supply of a load, especially a high voltage for the programming or erasure of at least one memory cell. It can be applied especially to.
2. Discussion of Related Art
A memory cell of an EEPROM consists of a floating-gate transistor (FIG. 1) comprising a control gate 101, a floating gate 102, a source region 103, a drain region 104, an oxide layer 105 and a substrate region 106. The gate 102 is the storage element, it is said to be floating because it has no contact with the exterior imposing a potential on it. The control gate 101 is connected to a word line of the memory and the drain region 104 is connected to a bit line of the memory. The structure shown in FIG. 1 shows that the oxide thickness 105 between the floating gate 102 and the substrate region 106 is very small. Typically, it is in the range of some nanometers. The small oxide thickness enables electrons to pass at this place by tunnel effect.
For the programming or erasure of a memory cell of this kind, it is necessary to produce high voltages of the order of 15 to 20 volts. The terms "high voltage" or "strong voltage" are used hereinafter to designate a voltage, in the range of 15 to 20 volts, that is high as compared with the general supply voltage of the circuit which is in the range of 3 to 5 volts and which may even be lower, for example 1.8 volts.
To program a memory cell, a positive high voltage is applied to the bit line of the memory, connected to the control gate 101 of the memory cell, and a zero voltage is applied to the bit line connected to the drain region 104. The application of these voltages creates a high electrical field through the narrow oxide layer 105. The result of this is the migration of electrons to the floating gate 102 by tunnel effect. These electrons are then trapped in the floating gate 102.
Conversely, to erase the memory cell, a high positive voltage is applied to the bit line and a zero voltage is applied to the word line. The migration of the electrons then takes place in the reverse direction and the floating gate 102 gets discharged. Thus, the high programming or erasure voltage is transmitted to a programming input of the memory array which behaves like a load that is essentially capacitive owing to the parasitic capacitances of the floating-gate transistors that form it.
The high programming or erasure voltage may be produced by supply means external to the integrated circuit incorporating the memory. However, when the integrated circuit for which a high programming voltage has to be produced is a mounted circuit, in particular when it is a chip of a chip card, the high programming voltage must be produced within the integrated circuit itself from its general supply voltage. There is a known way of using a low general supply voltage, for example of 5 volts, to produce high internal voltages, for example in the range of 20 volts.
The development of technologies however is leading to recommendations for the use of general supply voltages with lower values, for example voltages of3 volts, or even 1.8 volts. The usefulness of these very low voltage solutions is that the total energy dissipated in an integrated circuit is reduced. Its temperature is therefore lower, and it works all the more efficiently. Furthermore, with the miniaturizing of the circuits, the breakdown voltages or the voltages corresponding to changes in state are reduced so that a low voltage supply becomes a necessity. However, despite this miniaturization, it is still necessary to have recourse to high programming voltages.
The principle of the production of a high voltage within an integrated circuit consists of the use of a voltage booster circuit within this integrated circuit. A voltage booster circuit comprises, for example, a SCHENKEL type multiplier or else, more conventionally, a load pump. The technique of the manufacture of these booster circuits is such that, for a given supply voltage equal for example to 5 volts, the value of the high voltage produced is limited to a maximum, for example 20 volts. If the supply voltage is lower, for example, 3 volts, it becomes impossible to produce potential differences above 18 volts, for example by producing positive voltages and negative voltages in the circuit. It will be understood that, owing to this technological development, it is becoming increasingly difficult to generate programming or erasure voltages with a value that is high enough to enable their function to be fulfilled. This is all the truer if the supply voltage is below 3 volts.
Furthermore, the greater the value of the high voltage produced as compared with the initial general supply voltage, the lower is the fan-out of the voltage booster, especially when this booster is a load pump.
It is known that the fan-out of the booster, among other things, determines the performance characteristics of the circuit in terms of the number of memory cells that can be programmed or erased at the same time, and in terms of speed. It is therefore necessary to achieve a compromise between, firstly, the value of the high voltage delivered by the booster circuit and, secondly, the fan-out of said circuit. Be that as it may, any drop in voltage allowed between the output of the booster circuit and the programming or erasure input of the memory array causes a limitation of the performance characteristics of the circuit. Indeed, to maintain a sufficient value of the high programming or erasure voltage, it is necessary to compensate for this drop in voltage by a voltage that is all the higher at output of the booster circuit, which therefore reduces its fan-out.
Furthermore, during the transfer of electrons between the floating gate 102 and the drain region 104 of the memory cell, it is indispensable that the variation of the electrical field created between the two zones should not be very sudden so as not to embrittle or even damage the oxide layer 105.
Consequently, a circuit is generally used for the generation of a high ramp voltage enabling a linear increase in the voltage applied to the control (programing) gate 101 or to the drain (erasure) region 104 of the memory cell. The slope of the ramp must be kept below a critical value above which the oxide layer of the floating-gate transistors would be damaged.
It is an object of the present invention is to propose a circuit for the generation of a high ramp voltage whose slope is well controlled and whose maximum value, (at the end of the ramp) is high enough while at the same time having good performance characteristics.
It is possible first of all to think of making the voltage delivered by the booster circuit itself vary linearly and in an increasing manner, for example by routing a large but decreasing quantity of the output current of the load pump towards the ground. In this way, the voltage at output of the booster circuit is prevented from reaching its nominal value (which determines the maximum value of the ramp) far too quickly, and it is thus possible to control the rise in voltage at output of the booster circuit in order to keep the slope of this voltage below the critical value. The output of the booster circuit may then be connected directly to the programming or erasure input of the memory array, so that no drop in voltage will be introduced between these two circuit points. The maximum end-of-ramp voltage may reach the nominal value of the high voltage delivered by the booster circuit. An approach of this kind nevertheless has a twofold drawback. Firstly, the load pump constituting the booster circuit delivers high current until its nominal output voltage has been built up, for it then has very low impedance. And forcing its output to remains below this nominal voltage therefore requires the routing of a high current towards the ground, which is done with a total loss. This is particularly detrimental in applications where the general supply is provided by a power source with limited load, such as a cell or a battery. Furthermore, the working of the load pump during the build-up of its nominal output voltage is a cause of disturbance, especially electromagnetic disturbance, likely to damage the efficiency of the memory. An approach of this kind is therefore not satisfactory.
It is therefore preferred according to the invention to design a circuit for the generation of a high ramp voltage of the type in which the high ramp voltage is generated from a high direct voltage with a constant value delivered by a booster circuit. The high ramp voltage is available at output of this generation circuit (and not directly at output of the booster circuit) which is connected to the place of application of the voltage ramp (i.e. to the programming or erasure input of the memory array).
There are known circuits of this kind in which an N type transistor is connected by its drain to the output of a booster circuit delivering a high direct voltage with a constant value and, by its source, to the load formed by the programming or erasure input of the memory array. To the gate of this N type transistor, there is applied a voltage that increases regularly with time so as to control the voltage available at the source. It can then be seen that, except for an intrinsic drop in voltage VTN, this voltage available at the source follows the value of the voltage applied to the control gate of this N type transistor. The load, connected to the source of the N type transistor, is therefore supplied with voltage.
In the prior art, an N type transistor of this kind connected as a load transistor is always used when, as is the case here, a high load current is likely to be delivered into the load. Indeed, all things being equal, the drain current of an N type transistor is higher than that of a P type transistor (because of a greater mobility of the load carrier).
However, the intrinsic voltage drop caused in the N type transistor is generally equal to 2 volts. This leads to a situation where it is no longer possible to have anything but a maximum end-of-ramp voltage of 16 volts with a constant high direct voltage, delivered by the voltage booster circuit, that is equal to 18 volts. If a voltage of over 16 volts is desired, the value of the high voltage delivered by the booster circuit must be increased to the detriment of the fan-out of the load pump, as stated here above.
In the application of the invention to the generation of a high voltage for the programming or erasure of a memory, the capacitive load is formed solely by all the connection nodes, the bit lines or the word lines, of the memory array.
Assuming that the value of the capacitive load is constant, it is enough to maintain a constant delivery of current to the P type load transistor so that the voltage at its drain is a voltage in a rising linear ramp with a constant slope determined by the ratio between the load current and the (constant) value of the capacitive load. For a specified programming or erasure operation, the value of the capacitive load may effectively be kept constant during the operation. However, in reality, it cannot be considered to be constant from one operation to another. Indeed, when the operation is, for example, a refresh programming operation, this value will depend on the initial state of the memory cell to be programmed. When it is an erasure operation, it will depend on the number of memory cells to be erased (for it is possible to erase only one cell, a group of cells or all the cells of the memory array).

Circuit for the generation of a high voltage for the programming or erasure of a memory


A memory storage scheme specially adapted for wear leveling (or other reorganization of logical memory space). Memory space includes a logical memory space of M addressable blocks of data, stored as rows or pages, and N substitute rows or pages. Data is periodically shuffled by copying data from one of the M addressable blocks to a substitute row, with the donating row then becoming part of substitute memory space, available for ensuing wear leveling operations, using a stride address. The disclosed techniques enable equation-based address translation, obviating need for an address translation table. An embodiment performs address translation entirely in hardware, for example, integrated with a memory device to perform wear leveling or data scrambling, in a manner entirely transparent to a memory controller. In addition, the stride address can represent an offset greater than one (e.g., greater than one row) and can be dynamically varied.

Reorganizing logical memory space is deliberately performed for a variety of reasons, including security and wear leveling. For example, occasionally changing a physical location where data is stored can make it harder for an attacker to either misappropriate the data or trigger targeted location wear. Wear leveling is used for memory devices with endurance issues to more evenly distribute use-based wear by periodically relocating frequently accessed data to other physical locations within memory; while wear leveling is most commonly associated with flash memory, most memory forms including dynamic random access memory (DRAM) can ultimately suffer use-based wear, and thus can also benefit from wear leveling.
A CPU or other "master" in these circumstances still needs to read, write and otherwise manage the data that has been shuffled or reorganized; an address translation mechanism is used to make that happen. Usually, a look-up table stored in processor cache or local memory is retrieved and used to determine a logical-to-physical mapping corresponding to a desired logical address. For example, in connection with a read or write command, the master (e.g., a memory controller) first retrieves this table and uses it to perform address translation to retrieve a true "physical" address from the look-up table. Once the memory controller has "translated" the logical address to a physical address, it then issues a read, write, refresh or other command to the memory device, corrected to the true memory location.
Unfortunately, as memory becomes increasingly dense, the translation overhead begins to impose too great of a penalty. For example, for an 8 gigabyte flash memory space, an address translation table on the order of 27 megabytes is typically needed and, for a 16 gigabyte flash memory space, a 54 megabyte translation table is typically needed. Not only does the relatively large table size add unacceptable storage overhead, inhibiting local storage of the table, but the large size also requires per-transaction data clock cycle overhead. For example, some designs may require a look-up table that is too large for cache; a memory controller must therefore await return of this data before it can look-up the true address, and only then can the controller issue a corrected memory access command. This latency interferes with the ability to pipeline memory commands and can be unacceptable for many applications.

Dynamic deterministic address translation for shuffled memory spaces


An intelligent power-on reset circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include a programmable voltage divider. The intelligent power-on reset circuit can also include a comparator that is coupled to the programmable voltage divider and that is coupled to receive a reference voltage. Furthermore, the intelligent power-on reset circuit can include a processing element that is coupled to the programmable voltage divider. The processing element can be coupled to receive programming for controlling a characteristic of the intelligent power-on reset circuit. The processing element can be for dynamically changing the programming during operation of the intelligent power-on reset circuit.

Conventional power-on reset (POR) circuits are multi-stage circuit devices that provide a reset signal in response to an input supply voltage reaching or exceeding a reference voltage level. After the appropriate voltage level is detected, the reset signal is typically generated after some delay period. As such, a power-on reset circuit is rated based on its reference voltage and also based on its delay period.
It is pointed out that some conventional power-on reset circuits are configurable during the manufacturing stage (e.g., set in silicon) which enables easier establishment of their fixed operational reference voltage and their fixed operational delay period. Given this situation, conventionally suppliers of power-on reset circuits maintain and sell a different power-on reset circuit for each reference voltage/delay specification. Unfortunately, this leads to inventory issues as many different integrated circuits must be maintained, supported, and the like.
As such, it is desirable to address one or more of the above issues.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A musical apparatus which controls a variety of parameters of musical tones by detecting motion of an object in a space adjacent to the musical apparatus. More specifically, the musical apparatus may comprise a musical tone signal generator which generates a musical tone signal, at least one light source which radiates light beams into a space adjacent to the musical apparatus, at least one light detector which detects at least two light beams reflected from an object in the space and generates a detection value for each of said at least two light beams, a computing element which receives the detection values and generates a synthesized value; and a controller which controls parameters of musical tones based on the synthesized value. For example, the synthesized value may be the sum of the detection values, the difference between the detection values, the ratio between the detection values, or some other relationship between the detection values.

The field of the invention is electronic musical apparatuses such as electronic musical instruments, music-related sound generation devices, music-related sound modification devices, and their controllers, including, for example, synthesizers, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors, effects pedals, sequencers and sound modules. More specifically, the electronic musical apparatus embodying the invention is controlled by detecting the location and/or movement of an object (e.g., a hand) within a space by using a plurality of light beams, including infrared light beams.
An electronic musical apparatus which detects reflected light to control the musical tone signal is known. Such a device was disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296.
Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296 discloses attaching a light quantity detection apparatus in order to detect and sense the amount of ambient light outside an electronic musical apparatus. It reacts to the amount of light that has been sensed by the light quantity detection apparatus and controls parameters that are related to the musical tone (hereinafter, simply referred to as xe2x80x9cparametersxe2x80x9d) such as the musical interval, timbre and volume.
However, in the device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296, the amount of light is detected by a single light quantity detection apparatus, and there is no disclosure in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296 of the detection of a plurality of light quantities.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,687 discloses that a space is irradiated with light such as infrared light, mutually different sound pitches are assigned in advance to the multiple number of light beams reflected from the specified objects in the space, said multiple number of reflected light beams are detected and musical tone signals are produced that possess pitches which conform to the reflected light beams that have been detected.
However, in the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,687, if a plurality of reflected light beams are detected, the device controls the musical tone signal based only on one of the reflected light beams, the one that is detected first. U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,687 does not disclose that controlling musical tone signals by means of the joint action of a multiple number of reflected light beams.
A first, separate aspect of the present invention is a new control mode for musical tone signals where the musical tone signal is controlled by means of the joint action of a plurality of reflected light beams.
A second, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which has a plurality of light sources to radiate light into a space and a single light detector which detects light reflected off an object in space.
A third, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which sets conditions and determines whether the results of the detection of light reflected off an object in space satisfy those conditions.
A fourth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which controls a musical tone based on whether conditions are satisfied by the results of the detection of light reflected off an object in space.
A fifth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which controls a musical tone based on which conditions are satisfied by the results of the detection of light reflected off an object in space.
A sixth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which has a single detector which detects light beams from a plurality of light sources such as infrared radiation such that the results of this detection controls a variety of parameters of musical tones.
A seventh, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus that uses a plurality of light detectors to detect light beams from a single light source such that the results of this detection controls a variety of parameters of musical tones.
An eighth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which locates two light emitters in an outwardly inclined manner on the casing of the musical apparatus in order to reduce the size of the casing.
A ninth, separate aspect of the present invention are steps formed in an opened port in the casing of the musical apparatus which prevent diffused reflection from being received by the light detector.
A tenth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which controls the order in which types of parameters of musical tones are changed.
An eleventh, separate aspect of the invention is a musical apparatus which uses the sum, difference, ratio or other relationship between the detection results of two detected light beams to control a parameter of a musical tone.
A twelfth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which does not require a one-to-one correspondence of light emitters to light detectors.

Musical apparatus using multiple light beams to control musical tone signals


A method includes supplying a plurality of generators, each generator in electrical communication with a switchgear with each switchgear in data communication with a generator data management system. The method also includes supplying a plurality of electrically driven fracturing pumps with each electrically driven fracturing pump in data communication with pump data management system. Further, the method includes supplying a load shedding system, the load shedding system in data communication with the generator data management system and a pump control system, the pump control system in data communication with the pump data management system. The method includes determining which pumps should have speed reduced by the load shedding system and reducing the speed of the pumps determined by the load shedding system using the pump control system.

Wellsite operations, in particular, electrically driven fracturing pumps and other electrically powered equipment onsite including, but not limited to, blenders and CAS units, place demands on the generators located on-site. Typically, one or more generators provide electrical power to one or more switchgear units. The switchgear units in turn distribute electrical power to on-site systems such as the electrically driven fracturing pumps, slurry pumps and other devices. If an electrically-powered element of one or more of the on-site systems draws electricity in excess of what can be provided by the one or more generators or one or more switchgear units, circuit protection of the switchgear will trip, resulting in shutting down of the associated generator. Because a single generator may provide power to more than one unit, the draw by an electrically powered element may cause several on-site systems to cease operations.

Wellsite electrical power management system


A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area. The device is electrically-coupled to one or more of the one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to strip-line circuitry. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to printed circuit boards including strip-line circuitry and methods of manufacturing the same.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Commonly used techniques for circuit and/or system interconnect include microstrip and strip-line transmission lines. In a simple representation, as shown in FIG. 1, a microstrip transmission line consists of a conductive trace 13 of controlled width WC disposed on a low-loss dielectric 11 which is, in turn, disposed on a ground-plane layer 12. In microstrip there is one ground plane, while in strip-line, there are two.
Microstrip and strip-line transmission lines can be fabricated using printed circuit board technology. Printed circuit boards (PCBs), sometimes referred to as printed wiring boards (PWBs) or etched wiring boards, are widely used in the assembly of discrete electrical components into operating circuits. PCBs generally provide a reliable and economical means of interconnecting electrical signals between system components. PCBs are available in a variety of different types and may be classified in a variety of ways.
PCBs are generally used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using electrically-conductive pathways or signal traces that conduct signals on the PCB. A typical PCB includes one or more layers of insulating material upon which patterns of electrical conductors are formed. In addition to a pattern of conductive traces on the PCB, a patterned array of metal-filled through-holes, or vias, may be formed to allow for layer-to-layer interconnections between various conductive features.
PCBs may be classified as single-sided PCBs, double-sided PCBs, and multi-layer PCBs, according to the number of circuit pattern surfaces. Microstrip transmission lines, for example, are commonly fabricated on double-sided PCBs. PCBs may include circuits that perform a single function or multiple functions.
A typical PCB may include a variety of electronic components. Electronic components form parts of electronic circuitry and may be classified in a variety of ways. An electronic component may be classified as active or passive. In general, an active component is any type of circuit component with the ability to electrically control the flow of electrons or other electrically-charged particles. Some examples of active components are transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs), and triodes for alternating current (TRIACs). Components incapable of controlling current by means of another electrical signal are generally classified as passive components. Examples of passive components include capacitors, resistors, inductors, transformers, and diodes. A PCB on which electronic components are mounted is sometimes referred to as a printed circuit assembly (PCA) or a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).
In some circuits, such as high-frequency circuits, e.g., microwave circuits, maintaining controlled impedance across the PCB may be required in order to achieve consistent electrical performance, e.g., in terms of amplitude and phase response. A variety of PCB trace geometries are possible with controlled impedance designs. A two-sided PCB design wherein a planar conductor line is spaced above a ground plane, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, can be designed for controlled characteristic impedance. This geometry is known as a surface microstrip, or simply microstrip. In microstrip the planar conductor lines are usually formed by chemically etching away unwanted areas of material, e.g., metal, from a conductor layer, such as copper.
The impedance of a planar conductor in a microstrip transmission line format is determined by factors such as the dielectric characteristics of the surrounding materials, the width of the conductor line and its spacing from the ground-plane layer, among other things. In the surface microstrip configuration the signal conductor is exposed to air, so the effective dielectric constant impacting the impedance of the conductor is a combination of the relative dielectric constant, ∈r, of the PCB dielectric substrate as well as that of the air above the circuit. Typically, the effective dielectric constant will be somewhere between 1 (∈r of air) and about 4 (∈r of FR-4 substrate).
An approximate expression of the characteristic impedance Z0 of a microstrip transmission line, as shown in FIG. 1, is given by Equation 1 (below) and is expressed in Ohms (Ω). In Equation 1, the measurement unit is mils, i.e., 1 mil=0.001 inches.
FIG. 1 shows a microstrip transmission line 10 that includes a signal trace 13 on the top side of a PCB dielectric substrate 11 and a ground (or power) plane 12 on the bottom side of the substrate 11. Using Equation 1, for the signal trace 13 of width WC and thickness TC, separated by distance TD from the ground plane 12 by the PCB dielectric substrate 11, the characteristic impedance Z0 of the microstrip line 10 may be expressed as
                                                        Z              0                                                  (              Ω              )                                ≈                                    87                                                                    ɛ                    r                                    +                  1.41                                                                                ln                                            [                                                      5.98                                                                                T                      D                                                                            (                                                                  0.8                                                                                W                          C                                                                    +                                              T                        C                                                              )                                                  ]                                                    ,                            (                  Equation                                                              1                )            where ∈r is the dielectric constant of the PCB substrate 11. Equation 1 is generally valid when 0.1<WC/TD<2.0 and 1<∈r<15.
Microstrip transmission line operation may be impaired by stray electromagnetic coupling between the line conductor and nearby objects. In microstrip, the line conductor is coupled to the ground plane below, which reduces EMI (electromagnetic interference) by absorbing some of the electromagnetic field lines. Fringing of the electromagnetic fields that extend above the line conductor to foreign objects may introduce irregularities into the impedance and velocity factor of the line, with a resultant negative effect on circuit performance. To mitigate the effects of electrical field fringing, additional constraints may be imposed, e.g., requiring the width of the ground plane be such that it extends past each edge of the signal trace by at least the width of the signal trace.
Strip-line transmission line construction, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, is generally characterized by a planar conductive trace 23 sandwiched by dielectric material 21 and disposed between two ground or power planes (commonly referred to as reference planes). An electric field 46 is generated between the conductor line 23 and the upper and lower ground layers 24 and 22, and a magnetic field 58 is generated around the conductor line 23. In strip-line routing, the second ground (or power) plane, which is omitted in microstrip construction, shields the conductor from the effects of nearby objects and serves to confine the electromagnetic fields to the region between the two reference planes.
In strip-line routing, all of the electromagnetic field lines are coupled to the upper and lower reference planes, and the chance of stray coupling between the line conductor and nearby objects is avoided. In addition to minimal radiation losses, a strip-line circuit's upper and lower ground planes may form a more efficient ground return path with less surface resistance than in the microstrip configuration.
An expression of the characteristic impedance, Z0sym, of a symmetric (balanced) strip-line, as shown in FIG. 1, is given by Equation 2. Using Equation 2, for the signal trace 23 of width WC and thickness TC, sandwiched by the PCB dielectric 21 of thickness TD disposed between the reference planes 22 and 24, the characteristic impedance Z0sym of the symmetric strip-line 20 can be expressed as
                                                        Z                              0                                                                                sym                                                                (              Ω              )                                ≈                                    60                                                ɛ                  r                                                                                ln                                            [                                                      4                                                                                T                      D                                                                            0.67                                                              π                                                                    (                                                                              0.8                                                                                W                              C                                                                                +                                                      T                            C                                                                          )                                                                                ]                                                    ,                            (                  Equation                                                              2                )            where ∈r is the dielectric constant of the PCB dielectric 21. Equation 2 is generally valid for the following dimension ratios: WC/(TD−TC)<0.35 and TC/B<0.25.
Microstrip and strip-line technologies are most commonly used routing configurations in circuits and can be used to provide well-characterized transmission line conductors that can be used to interconnect discrete circuit elements and to perform various impedance transformation functions. Strip-line transmission lines offer some electrical performance advantages compared to microstrip, but strip-line is more complex to fabricate than microstrip. In high-frequency circuits, e.g., microwave circuits, cost and/or space savings may be attained by using strip-line technology.

Printed circuit boards including strip-line circuitry and methods of manufacturing same


A land grid array (LGA) socket is adapted to receive an IC module (40) and mounted on a PCB (50). The socket (1) includes an insulative housing (30) having a plurality of passageways (302) and a plurality of electrical terminals (10) received in the passageways. Each of the terminals includes a retention portion (12), a pressing arm (16) bent slantwise and extending upwardly from an end of the retention portion, and a contacting ann (18) bent slaniwise and extending downwardly from another end of the retention portion. At least one connecting plate (14) connects the pressing urn and the contacting arm, the connecting plate is separate from the retention portion, thereby decreasing impedance of the terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the art of electrical connectors, and more particularly to a land grid array (LGA) socket having electric connecting between an IC module and a printed circuit board (PCB).
2. The Prior Art
An LGA socket mounted on a PCB comprises a substantially flat insulative housing defining an array of passagewayways with electric contacts received therein. An IC module connects with the LGA socket for establishing electrical connection to the PCB. Each contact has a pair of free ends projecting beyond two opposite external surfaces of the socket housing for respectively engaging with corresponding pads on a bottom surface of the IC module and on a top surface of the PCB.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional LGA socket is illustrated. The LGA socket comprises an insulative housing 31 receiving a plurality of electronic terminals 80 arrayed therein for electrically connecting an IC module 41 and a PCB 51. Each terminal 80 includes a retention portion 81, a pressing arm 84 extending upwardly and obliquely from a top end of the retention portion 81, and a contacting arm 86 extending downwardly and obliquely from another end of the retention portion 81. A pressing portion 842 stretches forwardly from the pressing arm 84 and extends beyond an upper surface of the insulative housing 31. The pressing portion 842 contacts a corresponding pad 412 mounted on the IC module 41 for achieving an electrical connecting therebetween. The contacting portion 86 extends beyond a lower surface of the insulative housing 31 and contacts a corresponding pad of the PCB 51. Therefore, electrical connection between the IC module 41 and the PCB 51 is built.
One problem with this design of the terminal is that a path of transmission electric current is too long so that exceeding impedance will cause EMF (electromotive force) to make the electric signal stumble.
Hence, a new LGA contact is desired to overcome the aforesaid disadvantages of the prior art.

Land grid array socket having improved terminals


A moving toy utilizing a magnetic force movable by itself without exposing the presence of a moving force by using an interaction force by the magnetic force without relying on natural fall so that a user can take more enjoyment by the strangeness and sustaining of its movement. The moving toy comprises a moving toy body (11) having a drive belt (13) on which magnetic poles (12) are disposed at prescribed intervals, a drive means (14), and magnetic poles (15) installed on the outer surfaces of the moving toy body. A moving road surface (16) formed in a channel-shaped gutter-like body in cross section comprises magnetic poles (17) installed on the inside bottom surface thereof at prescribed intervals, and magnetic poles (18) installed on the side parts (161) of the moving road surface at prescribed intervals. The moving toy body (11) is moved by itself since the magnetic poles (12) repel against the magnetic poles (17) in the floated state thereof from the moving road surface (16) by a repulsion between the magnetic poles (15) and the magnetic poles (18) and the magnetic poles (12) are moved by the rotation of the drive belt (13) by the drive means (14). The presence of the moving force when the moving toy body (11) is moved becomes hard to know visually.

In the past, there have been moving toys comprising vehicle wheels that have permanent magnets and that use the attraction of the permanent magnets to move over roads, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces composed of magnetic bodies, as disclosed in Japanese Domestic Republication No. 2003-527154. With this type of moving toy, the wheels are driven by an electric motor or another such drive source, and the toy moves in a movement direction sequentially over points of attraction between the permanent magnets and magnetic bodies on the movement surfaces, and moves using the attraction as a motive force. Toys are also known wherein the repulsion between magnets is used to create levitation, and the toy is moved by the action of gravity, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2003-311030. This type of moving toy can be played with by moving the toy, which is levitated in an inclined gutter-shaped body, downward along the gutter-shaped body with the aid of gravity; or by pushing or striking with the fingertips the head of the toy levitated in an open box to move the toy vertically.


A method, apparatus, and system for a visual information builder for business rules are provided. By providing an additional interface layer over a general purpose business rule creation interface, role-based and context-sensitive interaction and presentation can be provided to abstract the complexity of the underlying service platform that supports the business rules. Templates are used to provide custom context-sensitive user interfaces and to hide complexity from the user by limiting the scope of the rule dictionary exposed to the user. The general rule building process is uniformly consistent across different contexts and operates similarly at the block and rule scale. Moreover, logical combinations are built using a consistent logical layout specifying logical operators and order of operations based on direction of expansion and relative positions. The logical combinations that are built in VIB can be automatically translated into corresponding business rule code for evaluation and execution by a rules engine.

Business rules help to define the structure, constraints, policies, and other aspects of a business or organization. As the size of the business grows, it becomes more important to efficiently enforce the business rules across the various services, products, personnel, and other organizational units within the business. Accordingly, many businesses rely on an integrated platform, such as service oriented architecture (SOA), system as a service (SaaS), cloud computing, or another platform that allows the business rules to be modularly integrated into applications that carry out the functions and daily operations of the business. By separating the definition of the business rules from the applications that utilize the business rules, businesses can add or modify business rules to remain agile in the face of evolving legal and regulatory requirements, labor conditions, marketplace trends, and other criteria.
To manage business rules in these platforms, the user either directly edits the code that defines the business rule, or uses a graphical rule editor, similar to an integrated development environment (IDE), that allows the business rule to be edited at the code level. However, even with the availability of browse and search functions in the rule editor, the sheer number and types of data sources, conditions, actions, and other criteria for defining a business rule may leave the user at a loss on how to actually define a new business rule or modify an existing business rule. As the business application grows in complexity and scope, the usability of the rule editor may suffer, particularly if the user is not intimately familiar with the organization of the rule dictionaries or the code level details for implementing the business rules within the integrated platform. As such, integrated platform deployments may not be leveraged to their fullest potential.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a method to provide facilitated business rule authoring and management.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Visual information builder for business rules