The apparatus and method of regulating a control valve for a Diesel injection system comprises a fuel injector having a pressure amplifier preceded by the control valve (10), the slide (20) of the control valve (10) being moved by two spatially separated magnet coils (30, 32). During an electrical triggering of one of the two magnet coils (30, 32) with a control current, the respective other magnet coil (32, 30) is switched as a sensor, detecting the current induced in the sensor by a motion of the valve slide (20).

The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for controlling a control valve for a diesel injection system.
A control valve arrangement and method for controlling the same are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,987. Diesel engines with direct injection have the highest thermodynamic efficiency of all internal combustion engines. In terms of fuel injection, different technologies are in use for different engines. Particularly in the commercial vehicle sector, systems with pressure transmission for generating higher pressures have become standard practice. An example of a fuel injector with pressure transmission is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,329 (Sturman). Here, the fuel is fed to a pressure booster in the injector via an electromagnetic control valve which is embodied as a slide valve. The fuel is placed under high pressure by the pressure booster at fixed times or crank angles by means of the electromagnetic actuation of the control valve. The fuel which is placed under high pressure then causes the valve needle of the injector to lift off from its seat and clear the path for the fuel to be injected from the injection nozzle of the injector into the combustion space of the diesel engine.
The control valve has in each case one electromagnet in the region of each of the two ends of the valve slide in order to be able to be switched back and forward without elastic restoring elements being necessary. However, in order to keep the control valve in a defined position, current must continue to be supplied to one of the two magnets even after the desired position has already been reached.
For this reason, Sturman developed the electromagnetic control valve in the way described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,987. In this refinement, the valve slide and the housing of the control valve are composed of suitable magnetic materials so that even without current the valve slide remains in the respective limit position owing to the hysteresis of the magnetic material of the slide. For switching over, all that is necessary is for current to be briefly supplied to one of the two solenoids. After the switching over has occurred the current can then be switched off. This type of control valve is referred to as a digital valve owing to its bistable behavior. The valve can be embodied as a 2-way, 3-way or 4-way valve.
Such a control valve is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,261. The feeding of current to the actuated solenoid is interrupted as soon as the control valve is in a limit position. To do this, the non-actuated solenoid is used as a sensor which detects the end of the movement of the control valve.
However, unavoidable fabrication tolerances and thus the inevitably different pairing interplay between the valve slide and the valve housing at the control valves of the individual injectors of an injection system for a multicylinder engine and differences in the masses of the valves and difficulties in the valve setting bring about a different injection behavior of the individual injectors at the different cylinders of the engine, and as a consequence non-uniform behavior of the engine, in particular through running problems.
The object of the present invention is to configure the control valve in such a way that the wide-ranging variation of the injectors in terms of injection behavior is reduced and the engine runs in a better and more uniform way. The object of the present invention is achieved according to the invention in that while current is supplied to one of the two solenoids of the control valve in order to generate a magnetic force, the other solenoid of the respective control valve is switched as a sensor for a movement of the valve slide. Because the valve slide is composed of a magnetic material, the magnetic properties and the hysteresis properties of this material permit a movement of the valve slide while the control current is acting, and even after it has been switched off, induces a current or a voltage for the one solenoid in the sensor. The information which is obtained in this way during a number of operating cycles about the characteristic response behavior of the control valve when actuation occurs can be processed within the scope of an intelligent control in such a way that the injection behavior of the respective injector is improved to the effect that deviations from the individual setpoint values of the injection parameters are reduced. For example, a relatively long dead time between the start of the energization of the solenoid and the start of the movement of the valve slide in the case of a control valve, or generally a delayed switching behavior as a result of an earlier start of the energization or a different voltage supply can be compensated.
Even if the two electromagnets are connected in parallel during operation in order to increase the speed, it is possible to determine, within a short time and from a small number of cycles of the switching operation with just one activated magnet, the characteristic behavior of the valve with a sufficient precision to approximate the actual behavior to the desired behavior by means of appropriate measures.
The arrangement and method according to the present invention have the advantage that no additional components are required on the injector such as a stroke sensor and the like. The method according to the present invention can, for example, be carried out relatively easily by means of suitable software in the existing electronic engine controller. The application as originally filed in German is incorporated herein by reference.

Arrangement and method for controlling a control valve for a diesel injection system


A device is provided for collapsing a stented bioprosthetic valve, including first section and second sections, each spanning between first and second ends of the device. The second section of the device is associated with the first section to at least partially enclose an internal cavity formed by the first and second sections, the internal cavity tapering from an open insertion portion at a first end of the device to an open exit portion at a second end of the device. The insertion portion has a larger dimension than the exit portion. When the first section and second section are substantially enclosing the internal cavity, a stented bioprosthetic valve may be inserted into the insertion portion and collapsed as it is moved toward and through the exit portion. The valve may then be loaded on an apparatus for insertion into the body.

Heart valve disease, and particularly aortic heart valve disease, is a medical problem afflicting many individuals throughout the world. Over time, natural heart valves may leak causing aortic insufficiency or regurgitation. They may also become blocked or exhibit limited function due to aortic stenosis. Among the treatment options for either condition is the destruction of the native valve and insertion of a prosthetic valve through a transapical approach using a minimally invasive delivery device.
Prosthetic valves may be formed from biological materials such as harvested bovine valves or pericardium tissue. Such valves are typically fitted within, and form a portion of, a biologically compatible stent, which may be inserted into the heart at the annulus of the compromised native valve to replace the native valve. For such insertion, it is often necessary to compress the stent to a reduced diameter for loading onto the delivery device and for insertion into the body, whereupon it may be expanded.
In the case of valves formed with biological materials, the stented valve is preferably preserved in the open condition for storage as compression of the valve material for extended periods compromises the integrity of the biological valve. It is therefore necessary to crimp the valve, or reduce its diameter for use in the insertion device, in the operating arena.

Device for collapsing and loading a heart valve into a minimally invasive delivery system

St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.


A sampled servo type optical disc and its driving apparatus is disclosed, in which by cyclically repeating wobbled pits or address pits of the optical disc composed by two significant digits at every N tracks, and preformatting by patterns spaced in different intervals at every track, when the optical disc driving apparatus seeks an object track, the seek direction of the optical head can be detected by the sequence of change of the pattern, and its seek speed can be detected at high speed by the detected result of the pattern, ensuring the speed control of the optical head in response to the detected seek direction and speed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disc which is subjected to a sampled servo type tracking and its driving apparatus, particularly, it relates to improvements of the pit configuration for sampled servo preformatted in the optical disc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows a track sector format of a conventional optical disc described in SPIE, vol. 695, Optical Mass Data Storage 2 (1986), Page 112. In the figure, (90) indicates a sector structure per one round of track comprising 32 sectors (#0 to #31). (91) shows a block structure per one sector comprising 43 blocks (B1 to B43). Each block is consisting of a 2-byte servo field and a successive 16-byte data field and being divided into 32.times.43=1376 blocks per one track. FIG. 2 shows a pit pattern of the servo field. Pits (92), (94) and (93), (94) are slightly deviated respectively in the opposite direction relative to axes of the track centers (97), (98). Tracking sensor signal can be obtained only from these pairs of pits (called a pair of wobbled pits). Such a servo system is called a sampled servo type whose operation principle is described, for example, in SPIE, Vol. 529, Third International Conference on Optical Mass Data Storage (1985), Page 140, so that it will be omitted here. In such prior art optical disc system, since the tracking sensor signal can be obtained only from the pair of pits in the servo field, guide grooves for tracking are not necessary. Accordingly, in order to access quickly from the present track to a certain object track, as shown in FIG. 2, the servo field structures A, B are arranged alternately at every 16 tracks so that the track quantity passed during the high speed access can be counted. In FIG. 2, the track number is given as follows, EQU track number=I+(N-1).times.16
where, I=1, 2, 3 . . . 16. In the servo field structure A, N=1,3,5, . . . , and in the servo field structure B, N=2,4,6, . . . . In the servo field structures A and B, the position of one pit (92) of a pair of pits is shifted toward the track from the other pit (93). When accessing as crossing the track diagonally, the track quantity crossed can be obtained by detecting the positions of pits as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the figure, (71) indicates track centers which are present in a number at 1.5 .mu.m intervals. (72) denotes the position of the servo field which is, as shown on the right hand side of the figure, constructed as A, B for every 16 tracks. (73) generally represents a locus of an optical spot at high-speed accessing. A black spot indicated at (74) shows the intersection of the optical spot and the servo field. The servo field structure can be recognized by the black spot (74). (99) denotes a recognized signal wave form, in which an "H" level represents the servo field structure A and an "L" level represents the servo field structure B. It is to be noted that 16 tracks are counted at every change of state of the signal wave form (99), from which the number of tracks crossed during accessing can be counted and the object track can be reached immediately.
In the prior art aforementioned, through it is possible to count the tracks when an optical head is accessed at high speed, as it is clear from FIG. 3, there is such a disadvantage that it can not be detected that whether the optical spot is processing externally or internally with respect to the disc track. As a method for accessing the optical head at high speed, there is the method of taking out the speed detecting signal during accessing from the disc to control the speed of the optical head. This speed control method, when compared to the conventional method in which a glass scale is provided at the outer portion to control the speed thereby, has such advantages as eliminating the glass scale, reducing the unit size and moderating the machine accuracy. However, when using the conventional optical disc and employing this speed control method, it will be a fatal defect that the direction can not be detected. It is because that, since the seek direction of the optical head which may reverse during the speed control can not be detected, the control loop makes a positive feedback causing the optical head to runaway and collide with an inner or outer stopper to break.
In the aforesaid prior art, through the tracks can be counted up to the high seek speed of 16.times.track pitch (1.5 .mu.m)/block period (1/30.times.1/1376 sec.)=1.0 m/sec. at disc revolutions of 1800 r.p.m., as the servo field structure is changed at every 16 tracks, on the other hand, a fine count under 16 tracks is not possible. Therefore, when the remained track quantity approaches to 16, the other low speed track count technique must be used, greatly hindering the reduction of access time due to the low speed. The low speed track count technique as referred to herein is a method for counting from the number of tracks crossed by the tracking sensor signal of the sampled servo as the maximum detecting limit speed of track pitch/block period=61.9 mm/sec.
Furthermore, when controlling the speed by taking out the speed detecting signal from the disc during accessing, since the speed signal can be detected only after moving by 16 tracks, and idle time of a speed detector is lengthened and a speed control system becomes unstable, making the wide-band high-speed speed control impossible.

Pit spacing in the servo field of an optical disk for speed and direction detection and data retrieval


A driving mechanism has a base member, a moving member, a rotatable first idler, a rotatable second idler, and a rotating member disposed between the first and second idlers. A power-transmission belt is disposed such that it contacts with the first idler, passes between the first idler and the rotating member, contacts with the rotating member, passes between the rotating member and the second idler and contacts with the second idler. A part of the belt contacts with the base member by the first idler and another part of the belt also contacts with the base member by the second idler. With this mechanism, rotational movement is converted to linear movement, and vice versa.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to driving mechanisms using belts for transmitting power.
2. Description of the Related Art
Driving systems using belts such as toothed belts, or belts, are frequently used in office machines and industrial robots. FIG. 9 shows such a conventional belt-drive mechanism. In FIG. 9, a slider 2 is secured to a toothed belt 1. The toothed belt 1 is disposed between a driving pulley 3 and a driven pulley 4. When the driving pulley 3 rotates, the belt 1 moves the slider 2 in the direction indicated by arrow X. The distance between the centers of the driving pulley 3 and the driven pulley 4 is called a stroke ST.
This slider driving system using a toothed belt has advantages such as low cost, few limitations against speed, and easy provision of a long stroke. Since the toothed belt is less rigid than a ball screw, however, precision in movement distances decreases due to friction or the stick-slip motion of a guide (not shown) and vibration tends to occur. The main reason for these drawbacks of the toothed belt is low rigidity of the belts. The rigidity of the belts decreases by half when the stroke is doubled, substantially restricting its applications.
FIG. 10 shows a ball screw, another conventional drive system. The spline 5 of the ball screw engages with the nut 7 of a slider 6. When a motor 8 drives the spline 5 such that the spline 5 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow R, the slider 6 moves in the direction of arrow X. A long ball screw is expensive. In addition, ball screws having various lengths have to be prepared to meet the required stroke. The maximum speed of a ball screw is restricted by the lead length and the critical revolution frequency.

Driving mechanism using a toothed belt and gears to translate between rotary and linear motion


An image transmission device which transmits image data of a display image to be displayed by a display device includes: a selecting unit which selects an object constituting the display image; a data generating unit which generates transmission data to serve as the image data of the display image on the basis of image data of the selected object; and a data transmitting unit which transmits the generated transmission data to the display device.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image transmission device which transmits image data to a display device, a display system including the image transmission device and the display device, an image transmission program executed in the image transmission device, and a recording medium in which the image transmission program is recorded.
2. Related Art
Traditionally, a display system including an image transmission device which transmits image data and an image display device which displays an image corresponding to the image data is known. As such a display system, a projector system is known in which a PC (Personal Computer) as an image transmission device and a projector as an image display device are connected to each other via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-2004-69996.
In the projector system disclosed in JP-A-2004-69996, image data generated by the PC is transmitted to the projector via the USB cable. The projector forms and displays an image corresponding to the acquired image data, on the projection surface of a screen or the like. Since a single such projector can display a relatively large image, a projector system using this projector is often used for presentations at companies, home theater and so on.
However, in the projector system disclosed in JP-A-2004-69996, image data transmitted from the PC to the projector is related to a screen that is operating on the PC. That is, the image data may include image data related to the desktop of the OS (Operating System) as well as image data related to a screen that is being executed, of a predetermined application executed by the PC. Therefore, there is a problem that image data including an image which the user of the PC does not want other people to see, such as an image set as wallpaper of the desktop or an image of a note pad that is started for preparation of minutes, is transmitted to the projector and the image is displayed by the projector. Thus, it is desired to provide a configuration in which an image to be displayed by the projector can be set on the image transmission device side such as PC.

Image transmission device, display system, image transmission program, and recording medium


A rate control algorithm for a predictive video encoder is provided to accurately control the coding rate while requiring a small complexity. The algorithm assumes the video encoder to consist of two processors, pre-processor and main processor, and the rate control located in main processor uses prediction cost and residual cost for each picture that are computed in pre-processor. Prediction cost represents the estimated number of bits needed to generate an error image, and residual cost describes the difficulty of encoding the resultant error image. Accurate and simple rate control is made possible by using a new rate model that adapts to the local characteristic of a video sequence, and by targeting to maintain the quantization parameter as constant as possible in a given set of pictures, GOP, instead of the conventional two step approach.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to video encoders, and more specifically to rate controlled predictive video encoders.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Rate control is an essential function of most video encoders. This is due, in part, to the fact that while many encoders encode video as a variable bitrate stream, many applications require a constant bitrate stream. However, most video standards do not specify how to control the bit rate.
Conventional encoders control the output bitrate by varying the coarseness of the quantization step. Variation of the quantization scale directly affects the size of the output. Although coarse quantization significantly reduces the bitrate, it also reduces image quality. Accordingly, more advanced rate control algorithms are needed in order to distribute available bits in a manner that avoids visible artifacts in the displayed image.
Many rate control algorithms have been proposed, such as those disclosed ISO-IEC/JTC1/SC29/SG11, "MPEG2: Test Model 5," Draft, April 1993 and Zhihai He and Sanjit K. Mitra, "Optimum Bit Allocation and Accurate Rate Control for Video Coding via p-domain Source Modeling," IEEE Transactions on Circuits and System for Video Technology, October 2002. A look-ahead approach has also been introduced to rate control for stable rate control in case of noticeable change in the picture characteristic due to, for example, scene change. Such rate control schemes usually consist of two steps. The first step is to allocate bits to each picture in a given set of pictures to minimize the overall distortion. The second step is to find the quantization parameter that meets the number of bits allocated to encode the current picture. The rate control schemes identified above are used in the second step (i.e., selection of a quantization parameter). However, this two-step approach makes the rate control complicated.

Model based rate control for predictive video encoder


A vehicle front end assembly includes a radiator assembly, a fascia component overlapping the radiator assembly, and a grill laterally aligned with the radiator assembly. The grill and radiator assembly define an airflow space longitudinally therebetween. The vehicle front end assembly further includes an airbag coupled between the fascia component and the radiator assembly, and the airbag is disposed outside of the airflow space in both deflated and inflated configurations.

Vehicles, such as automobiles, may have varying performance goals based on different potential impact modes. For example, the stiffness at the front end of a vehicle may be relatively high for the purposes of managing relatively high impact forces, e.g. from a high speed impact with another vehicle, while that stiffness may exceed design thresholds for other impact modes, e.g. a collision with a pedestrian. It is currently difficult to provide overall vehicle stiffness together with selective accommodation for lower stiffness thresholds for, e.g., pedestrian protection, all within current vehicle architectures and styles, e.g., such as low-slung and shorter overhang front end. Furthermore, plastic and/or composite parts designed for pedestrian leg impact protection may have undesirable manufacturing and/or material process control variations.

Vehicle front end airbag assembly and system


A method and formulation are disclosed toward the enhancing of a blood trail by a wounded target animal. A topical application for use with broadheads is disclosed as well as a method for using same.

Bow hunting is one of mans' oldest arts and has benefited over time from technological improvements towards the fundamental equipment namely the bow and arrow, including various parts and materials therefor. Regarding the arrow, stone points have replaced bare wood. Metal points and metal broad heads replaced the stone points. Countless alterations have been made toward these and other fundamentals.
The hunting of big game, e.g., deer, elk, etc., with bows and arrows is becoming a popular activity in the United States. In fact, many states have special archery seasons during which hunting with a firearm is prohibited. While improvements in bows and arrows have made the average bow hunter more proficient in inflicting a fatal wound, harvesting big game, such as deer, elk, etc., with a bow and arrow is still less efficient than with a firearm. Many large caliber bullets are designed to wreak havoc on tissues and organs due to terminal ballistic characteristics designed thereinto. Such is not the case with arrowheads. A problem that often arises with bow hunting concerns the tracking and locating of a wounded or "hit" animal for harvesting.
Once a big game animal is hit by an arrow, it may run a considerable distance prior to incapacitation and collapse. A hunter desiring to harvest the animal is thus required to track the animal, typically by following a trail of blood on the ground left by the running animal. At times, such a trial may become sparse and difficult to follow, and may merely consist of a drop of a blood every so many feet or yards. While a hunter hunting with snow on the ground may follow the tracks of the animal should the blood trail run dry, tracking an animal in this manner often proves extremely difficult when there is no snow on the ground. Even with snow on the ground, such tracking is difficult as tracks from other animals are typically dispersed over the ground surface.
Various prior art attempts have been made toward aiding in blood flow by means of mechanical improvements for the broadhead and/or the arrow. U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,808 issued to Kane teaches an arrow shaft with a plurality of holes and channels for the purpose of allowing less restricted blood flow. One problem with this arrow is that it does not address the capacity of blood to clot around the entry wound. Also, this type arrow would be expensive to make and would diminish the tensile strength of the arrow. Another problem with a device of this nature is that typically the arrow will, due to the very high velocity of modern bows, exit the animal rendering this capacity irrelevant.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,340 issued to Simo teaches a bleeder attachment for arrows in which a bulbous addition to the standard arrow is disclosed in which a plurality of forward facing barbs are present. And while this type device could inflict a more serious wound, it would also negatively affect the flight characteristics of the arrow while in flight in the form of added drag. Also this type device would not affect the ability of the blood to clot around the wound opening. The barbs associated with this device would also hinder tissue penetration.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,940 issued to De Lonais teaches an arrow capable of injecting a tranquilizer into the target animal. Again this type arrow would be expensive to manufacture and would provide a danger to the consumer of meat in which animal tranquilizer might still be present, active and dangerous.

Formulation for blood clot inhibitor for use with bow hunting broadheads and method for using same


An array substrate includes a scan line, a data line, a thin film transistor, a first transparent electrode, a passivation layer, and a second transparent electrode. The scan line and the data line interlace to define a pixel region. The gate dielectric layer of the thin film transistor overlaps the scan line and the data line and extends to cover the pixel region. The gate dielectric layer has a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region corresponds to the semiconductor layer of the thin film transistor. The second region connects the first region and the third region. The thickness of the second region is different from that of the third region. The first transparent electrode covers the gate dielectric layer in the pixel region. The passivation layer covers the thin film transistor and the first transparent electrode. The second transparent electrode covers the passivation layer.

Liquid crystal display (LCD) is the mainstream in the current display industry, and one of the issues that related industries wish to solve is that of poor viewing angles. Currently, in order to solve the issue of poor viewing angles, related industries have proposed various display technologies such as vertical alignment (VA), in-plane switching (IPS), and fringe-field switching (FFS).
FFS and IPS are two most popular wide viewing angle technologies, but compared to IPS, FFS has the characteristics of higher transmittance and larger viewing angle. In addition, FFS improves defects of IPS such as slow twist rate, low aperture ratio, need for more backlights as well. Therefore, FFS is becoming a rising star in wide viewing angle technology.

Display panel and array substrate thereof


A video memory device is provided with a memory circuit, a write control circuit for controlling writing to the memory circuit by utilizing the horizontal synchronizing signal of a video signal input to the memory circuit, and a read control circuit for controlling reading from the memory circuit by utilizing the horizontal synchronizing of a video signal output from the memory circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Video recording/reproducing apparatus such as video tape recorders are typically arranged so that, if special reproduction such as still image reproduction, stroboscopic reproduction or slow-motion image reproduction is to be performed utilizing field memories, switching signals for rotary heads or rotation control signals of the rotary heads are utilized to start writing and reading of the field memories. In the case of still image reproduction or stroboscopic reproduction, in order to correct skew corresponding to 0.5 H (H: horizontal period), the switching signal and the rotation control signal are utilized to drive a counter to generate a period signal of one vertical period .+-.0.5 H, and the period signal is employed to start writing and reading of memory. In this arrangement, one period of reading or writing of memory is made approximately equal to an integral multiple of one horizontal period, and writing and reading are performed in units of horizontal scanning periods, thereby preventing occurrence of skew of 0.5 H.
However, the aforesaid conventional arrangement has a number of problems. For example, if a video signal input to a memory includes jitters due to variations in the speed of rotation of the rotary head during recording and reproduction, a video signal written into the memory during each period is not always equal to an integral multiple of one horizontal scanning period. With regard to reading from the memory, the period of an output video signal is not always equal to an integral multiple of one horizontal period. For these reasons, if writing to the memory is halted or intermittently repeated while reading from the memory is repeated as in the case of still image reproduction, stroboscopic reproduction or slow-motion image reproduction, a skew may be formed at the gap between successive reading cycles. If such an output video signal is supplied to a television set, the image displayed on a screen is too curved to be easily identified.

Video memory device for processing a digital video signal comprising a separation means which separates a horizontal synchronizing signal from a digital video signal


Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a mobile terminal including a touch screen supporting a multi-touch input. The method includes: determining a number of one or more points inputted as a first touch input on the touch screen; when the number is 3, determining the first touch input as a three-point input; determining a size of a largest internal angle of a triangle generated by connecting points of the three-point input on the touch screen; displaying one of a linear tool and a circular tool based on a size of the largest internal angle of the triangle; receiving a second touch input; generating a line corresponding to the second touch input by interworking with one of the linear tool and the circular tool; and displaying the generated line on the touch screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a terminal including a touch screen supporting a multi-touch input, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal capable of drawing a line or a figure by using a drawing tool, and a method of controlling the mobile terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile terminals now support a multi touch function, which simultaneously recognizes a plurality of touch points on a display. However, applications able to utilize the multi touch function have been slower to develop. For example, a drawing tool may only support drawing functions such as, for example, drawing a straight line, a quadrangle, and a circle using a single touch input, even though the drawing tool is installed in a terminal supporting the multi-touch input. The single touch input lacks accuracy or precision. More particularly, when a user who uses a device desires to draw a straight line using a drawing tool, it is difficult to change a start point after the start point is determined and to draw the straight line in a desired direction. Further, when a circle is drawn, it is difficult to determine a position of a center of the circle. When an oval is drawn, a plurality of touches is required.
In a conventional terminal supporting the multi-touch function, the user is required to add a figure through a menu in a drawing state, or change a mode to a tool use mode in a drawing mode of the drawing tool. After changing the mode to the tool use mode, the user draws a figure, moves the drawn figure to a desired position, and then returns back to the drawing mode. Such a process is complex and inefficient. Further, since the mode is required to be changed each time the drawing tool is used, the number of operations increases along with a processing time.

Mobile terminal including touch screen supporting multi-touch input and method of controlling the same


Internal combustion engine exhaust filter devices and the like are regenerated by placement in a reclamation or burn-off furnace, raising the temperature to at least about 800° F. to 900° F. and conducting relatively low volumes of low pressure air through the filter media to combust entrapped particulates and other materials residing on the filter media. The reclamation furnace includes an afterburner for combusting materials discharged from the filter devices into the furnace chamber so that complete combustion of materials is accomplished before discharge from the furnace. The flow of combustion air for the filter devices is controlled by manifolding and valving connected to a source and the oxygen content of combustion air may be enhanced by a separate source of oxygen injected into the combustion air flow stream.

Regulatory authorities around the world have established that emissions from internal combustion engines, including gasoline and diesel engines, will be regulated. Diesel and gasoline engine exhaust streams present unique filtration problems. The only solution to these problems is the development of a particulate (soot) filter to extract particulate material from the exhaust stream. However, filters which include fluid and particulate filtration media, typically ceramic honeycomb type structures, eventually become clogged with matter trapped by the media and such filters must either be discarded or subjected to a time consuming and expensive regeneration or cleaning process. The capital cost of such filters is not inconsequential, as compared with conventional engine intake air filters and the like, for example. Accordingly, discarding engine exhaust filters is expensive and regeneration of the filter media is desirable. The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for regenerating or cleaning filters, including ceramic filters for gasoline and diesel engines, in particular.

Method and apparatus for regenerating engine exhaust filters


A printer comprises a fixed line type first head, a serial type second head, an ink cartridge which stores an ink to be supplied to the first and second heads, a first cap which is to be installed to the first head, and a second cap which is to be installed to the second head. The ink cartridge and the first and second heads are connected in series in this order by using tubes. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the lengths of the tubes. The serial type head, in which the drying is hardly caused from a nozzle and the influence is exerted to a small extent on the jetting performance when any viscosity-increased liquid and/or bubbles is/are supplied, is arranged on the downstream side. Accordingly, it is possible to decrease the frequency of the recovery operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid droplet jetting apparatus for jetting liquid droplets.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an ink-jet printer, which records images, letters or the like on a recording medium such as the printing paper, comprises an ink-jet head (liquid droplet jetting head) which has nozzles for jetting liquid droplets of the ink, and an ink cartridge (liquid storage container, ink tank) for storing the ink to be used for the ink-jet head. Usually, the ink-jet head and the ink cartridge are connected to one another by means of a tube made of resin. The ink, which is stored in the ink cartridge, is supplied to the ink-jet head via the tube.
In recent years, it is investigated that a plurality of ink-jet heads, which jet an ink of the same type (same color), are provided in one printer, for example, in order to improve the recording speed. However, when a plurality of ink cartridges are provided in the printer corresponding to the plurality of ink-jet heads respectively, then the number of the ink cartridges is increased, the cost is increased, and the printer is large-sized. Therefore, it is preferable that the ink can be simultaneously supplied from one ink cartridge to the plurality of ink-jet heads.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-95129 discloses an ink cartridge provided with two ink supply ports. The two ink supply ports of the ink cartridge are connected in parallel to two ink-jet heads by means of two supply tubes (tubes). Therefore, it is possible to supply the ink of the same color to the two ink-jet heads respectively.
When one ink cartridge is connected to two ink-jet heads individually (in parallel) by means of a plurality of tubes, the total length of the tubes is consequently long as compared with a case in which one ink cartridge and two ink-jet heads are connected in series, which results in the increase in the cost. When the tubes are made of resin, and the tubes have the gas permeability to some extent, then the following problem arises. That is, the ink contained in the tubes is dried little by little, and the viscosity is increased (increase in viscosity), and/or the air bubbles make invasion into the tubes from the outside of the tubes. As described above, the ink containing a large amount of air bubbles and the viscosity-increased ink generated in the tubes bring about a large factor to cause the jetting failure in the nozzle. Therefore, when the total length of the tubes is increased as a result of the connection of the ink cartridge and the two ink-jet heads in parallel, then the amount of the ink subjected to the increase in viscosity in the tubes is increased, and/or the amount of air bubbles to make invasion into the tubes is increased. The jetting failure of the nozzle is frequently caused. In view of the above, the present inventors have investigated that one ink cartridge and two ink-jet heads are connected in series in order to shorten the total length of the tubes.
However, when one ink cartridge and two ink-jet heads are connected in series, the length of the tubes is increased for the ink to pass therethrough until arrival at one head of the heads from the ink cartridge in relation to the one head which is separated or disposed far from the ink cartridge and which is positioned on the more downstream side in the ink supply direction. Therefore, the viscosity-increased ink and/or the ink containing a large amount of bubbles is/are apt to be supplied to the one head which is disposed far from the ink cartridge. In other words, the jetting failure tends to arise in the nozzle of the one head which is separated far from the ink cartridge. It is necessary to frequently perform the recovery operation (restoring operation) for recovering the jetting performance in order to remove impurities such as the viscosity-increased ink and the air bubbles, the recovery operation including the purge operation for forcibly discharging the ink from the nozzle.


The present invention is a system for adjusting the height of vehicles. The vehicle is supported by a hollow cylinder and a piston having an undersized piston skirt is mounted on the suspension system's coil spring, and sealingly slidable within the cylinder bore. When a fluid is introduced into the expandable pressure space between the piston and the cylinder top, the piston and cylinder are forced apart, raising the vehicle. The undersized piston skirt can extend beyond the end of the cylinder, allowing the piston a greater travel length within the cylinder bore. The invention may be operated manually by a vehicle driver through push buttons, which can be the vehicle's existing cruise control buttons. Alternatively, the system can be automated using a control unit to automatically adjust ground clearance to avoid collision with obstacles in the vehicle's path. In another embodiment, the lift system, or any lift system, is prevented from activating, and deactivates (if previously activated) if the vehicle is travelling at excessive speed.

Ground clearance is the distance between any part of a vehicle (other than those parts designed to contact the ground, such as tires, tracks, skis, etc.) and the surface upon which the vehicle travels. Vehicle suspension systems maintain the distance between the axles of a vehicle's wheels and the other parts of the vehicle, and are usually designed to maintain a sufficiently high ground clearance to avoid obstacles anticipated to be in the vehicle's path, including (for example) to avoid scraping when going over a speed bump. Some vehicles, such as off-road vehicles, are designed with a high ground clearance to avoid obstacles encountered in rugged terrain, while other vehicles are designed with low ground clearance for high speed performance and/or sportier appearance. However, if the surface over which a vehicle travels has a speed bump, slope or other obstacle, then even if the distance between the vehicle's axles and other parts of the vehicle is maintained by the suspension system, the ground clearance at the ends or other parts of the vehicle may not be maintained, so that those ends or other parts may scrape that surface. A suspension system can use mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, electronic, electro-magnetic, electro-mechanical or other means to support the weight of a vehicle and maintain the distance between the vehicle's axles and other parts of the vehicle. Conventionally, a suspension system is mechanical, and contains springs to provide a restoring force, and shock absorbers to provide a damping force, to restore the distance between the vehicle's axles and other parts of the vehicle after the vehicle encounters a bump or other obstacle. By contrast, a lift system is a system that increases the ground clearance when activated, and decreases the ground clearance when deactivated. A lift system can be used together with an active suspension system, that is, a suspension system that actively restores the distance between the vehicle's axles and the other parts of the vehicle when the vehicle encounters an obstacle, such as a bump. An active suspension system can be, for example, a system that senses an obstacle or change in the distance between the vehicle's axles and other parts of the vehicle, calculates an appropriate mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, magnetic or other restoring force or damping force or other force (in response to the sensed obstacle or sensed change in distance between the axles and other parts), and then applies that calculated force to the suspension system when the vehicle encounters the sensed obstacle or sensed change in ground clearance, to restore the distance between the axles and other parts. By contrast, passive suspension systems, such as conventional spring and shock absorber systems, do not sense obstacles or changes in distance between the axles and other parts, calculate forces in response to the sensed obstacle or sensed change in distance between axles and other parts, and then apply the calculated forces to the suspension system.
The benefits of low ground clearance and lower vehicle height are numerous and include less wind resistance, better fuel economy, better acceleration, better cornering, and better braking. Another significant advantage of low ground clearance is that it allows for better aesthetics such as providing a lower, sleeker, and sportier appearance that is desired by many drivers.
Many modern vehicles are designed and built with low ground clearance for the sportier appearance. Vehicle owners also lower their vehicles, through after-market modification, for enhanced performance, fuel economy and sportier appearance. One of the most common ways to lower a vehicle is through the use of a coilover, a vehicle suspension device that incorporates a coil spring positioned over and around a shock absorber shaft that is connected to a shock absorber body. Use of a coilover allows for a limited amount of height adjustment by adjusting the height of the coil spring's lower mounting point.
Other common ways to lower a vehicle include using shorter coil springs on the vehicle's suspension or adjusting the height or length of the suspension springs.
Reducing a vehicle's ground clearance height frequently results in undesired contact (collisions or scraping) between the vehicle and obstacles in the vehicle's path, such as speed bumps, sloping driveways and uneven surfaces. Unfortunately, when contact occurs, the vehicle is often damaged from the contact. Sometimes the obstacles are too large or too tall for the vehicle to travel over them. In the past, other vehicle lift systems have been developed, but they fall short of providing an adequate solution for many reasons. For example, some lift systems are designed and built to be vehicle-specific and are not readily adaptable to other vehicles. On the other hand, lift systems designed to fit a variety of vehicles often require the removal or replacement of existing components, resulting in added costs for the replacement components and loss of performance from the removal of critical or beneficial existing components. Such removed components may include coil springs, dust sleeves and bump stops.
Some prior art lift systems employ pressurized rubber air bags or air sleeves to replace coil springs in a suspension system. These systems do not retain the performance characteristics and benefits of metal coil springs, and incur the added cost of replacing the existing shock absorbers and/or metal coil springs with air bags or air sleeves. Moreover, components in lift systems that use metal coil springs may be so tall or thick that they do not fit into vehicles with the existing suspension springs. In such cases, the coil springs must be replaced with shorter springs resulting in a loss of suspension performance from the shorter spring.
Some prior art lift systems use hollow double-walled cylinder designs having concentric inner and outer cylinder walls. This design is complicated, more costly to manufacture, and more difficult to protect against dust and contaminants. These systems are also less efficient in the use of stored air pressure. They also have reduced pressurized surface areas on which the pressure to the piston can act, resulting in inefficient use of power and the need for a larger storage tank to hold the compressed air (or other fluid), which is used to lift the vehicle. The tank required may reduce useable storage space, or even be so large that it cannot fit into many vehicles in a practical manner, and therefore is not able to be used in those vehicles.
It is a further object of the present invention to eliminate or reduce the effects of environmental contaminants and the damage they cause to lift system components. Lift system components are typically installed near the vehicle's suspension system's coil springs and the tires. The lift system components are typically exposed to environmental contaminants such as dust, water, mud, sand or snow.
Prior art lift systems with cylinder and piston actuators that are positioned around the coil springs, and that have exposed cylinder bores, are susceptible to damage caused by such environmental contaminants. While the damage to the cylinder bores and the piston-bore seals is an obvious problem, an effective solution for protecting these components from environmental contaminants has not been obvious. Developing a solution for protecting the cylinder bores from environmental contaminants has been problematic because: 1) the cylinder bores are adjacent to a moving coil spring, and 2) because a piston must be able to slide within the cylinder bore without restriction, and 3) because the space for the cylinders is limited, and 4) the cylinders are frequently located near a spinning tire that may move and turn as the vehicle is operated. These space constraints and moving elements impose many design limitations that prevent the use of many conventional solutions that would otherwise be suitable to protect the cylinder bore.
For example rubber bellows would not be an effective solution for sealing around an active and long coil spring. Even if a rubber bellows were to be used, it would be bulky and it would introduce another component that would be subject to wear and deterioration and it would introduce additional problems.
Prior art vehicle lift systems with cylinder and piston actuators that are positioned around the coil springs, such as those used by Umbrella Auto Design, Roberuta, Phantom VIP, Fortune Auto Muller and Stance-Solutions do not provide protection from environmental contaminants to their cylinder bores. They all use exposed and unprotected cylinder bores with the problems described above.
Prior art vehicle lift systems with cylinder and piston actuators that press against a coil spring are prone to misalignment of the piston within the cylinder bore because the coil spring exerts uneven forces upon the piston. The spring pressure against the lift system's piston is uneven for many reasons such as off-centered springs or movement of the suspension system. In some cases, the springs could be mounted off-centered relative to the piston, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The uneven spring pressure against the lift system's piston causes uneven forces upon the piston and this can result in the piston tilting or moving off center (mis-alignment) within the cylinder bore.
In prior art, the tilting of the piston can result in the piston rubbing against the cylinder bore and causing damage to the cylinder bore and to the piston-bore seal(s). In extreme cases, the piston can tilt enough to become seized within the cylinder bore.
In prior art lift systems, the pistons are made longer than would otherwise be necessary to reduce tilting or misalignment of the piston within the cylinder bore. The pistons are cylindrical with piston-bore seals at the top of the piston and at the bottom of the piston. The pistons are relatively long with seals at the top and the bottom of the piston in an attempt to reduce the tilting or misalignment of the piston and the resulting damage and malfunctions that could occur. In these prior art lift systems, increasing the length (height) of the piston helps to reduce damage to the cylinder bore, however it reduces the effective stroke or length of travel within a cylinder of a given length. These relatively long pistons usually require the use of shorter coil suspension springs to offset the added piston height. The use of shorter coil springs reduces the suspension's travel and performance.
Prior art lift systems that use bump stops, typically do so in a manner that reduces the effective pressurized area above the bump stop, making the system less efficient and requiring more air pressure and/or stored pressurized air to operate properly. They also do not provide a means for having the bump stop travel in tandem with the piston without touching and causing any wear upon the shock absorber rod.
Some other prior art systems use hydraulic pumps and pressurized liquid to raise the vehicle, and use hollow, double-walled cylinders having concentric inner and outer walls. This type of system is less efficient and requires significantly higher operating pressures to be effective. Hydraulic systems also require more costly hydraulic pumps and/or tanks filled with heavy hydraulic fluid and have the risk of fluid leaks and/or oil spills.
Hydraulic systems typically use cylinder and piston assemblies that are relatively thick (tall) positioned on the top or bottom of the coil spring. They add considerable height to the spring and usually require the use of shorter coil springs. Using shorter coil springs normally results in a reduction of suspension travel and reduced suspension performance.
Hydraulic systems also pump fluid only when it is needed to lift a vehicle. Thus, they are slower acting systems that require strong pumps to raise a vehicle with enough speed to be effective. They draw higher amperage on a vehicle's electrical system. Further, because hydraulic systems typically raise vehicles slowly, they are not practical to use in many driving situations.
Prior art lift systems also do not have an adjustable, automated activation system that automatically senses obstacles in a vehicle's path and raises or lowers the vehicle based on the vehicle's proximity to the obstacles and its speed.
Other lift systems use components, such as large pneumatic cylinders or large air tanks that are often too large to install into many vehicles. These larger components also add undesirable weight to the vehicle, thus decreasing vehicle performance and efficiency.
Other systems that use compressed air tanks may also allow condensation (water) in the air tank to be passed through the air outlet port under certain driving conditions, which may cause surges of the water (surge water). Examples of such conditions include acceleration, braking and cornering. The surge water that passes through the air lines to the valves, pressure sensors, cylinders and other components has detrimental effects on these components.
Prior art lift systems include: Umbrella Auto Design, Roberuta, Phantom VIP, Fortune Auto Muller, Stance-Solutions, Top Secret, Mode Parfum, Skipper, KW Hydraulic Lift System, Tech-Art, Ram Lift Pro, AirForce, AirRex, Air Lift, and Accuair.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an affordable lift system that is adaptable to a large variety of vehicles.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an efficient lift system that only requires small pressurized cylinders and storage tanks and to provide increased piston travel (stroke) within a cylinder of a given length to provide increased lifting capabilities while using shorter cylinders.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lift system that adds only a small amount of height to the coil spring.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an effective means to eliminate wear and damage to cylinder bores caused by contact of the pistons with the cylinder bores by eliminating contact of the pistons with the cylinder bores.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an effective means to control the tilting of pistons in cylinder bores of lift systems and to eliminate the problems associated with the tilting of pistons in cylinder bores of a lift systems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an effective means to eliminate wear and damage to cylinder bores and to piston-bore seals caused by environmental contaminants.
It is a further object to provide means for operating the system in safe manner that does not require the driver to take his eyes off the road (to look for and operate switches), and to make the operation of the system automatic and hands-free.
It is a further object to provide an effective means to automatically adjust the height of a vehicle to provide adequate ground clearance to traverse over obstacles in the vehicle's path.
It is still a further object to overcome the drawbacks relating to the prior art devices discussed above and to provide at least some of the benefits described below.

Device for adjusting the height of a vehicle


Containers formed of consumable materials of compatible chemistry with the remelting of molten metal are disclosed, the individual containers being capable of retaining molten metal having impurities and the like therein until the same is solidified and recharged into the furnace along with the individual consumable container.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a charge box comprising a consumable container for use individually or in an assembly for receiving the final portion of a molten metal pour from a furnace or other vessel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are no known prior art devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 152,326 discloses wooden boxes forming molds embedded in sand, clay, or earthy materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 478,936 discloses molds formed of asbestos board in which steel ingots may be cast.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,043 discloses a consumable fiber liner for an ingot mold.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,158,911 discloses tubes formed of inorganic fibrous material positioned in ingot molds to receive molten metal from a ladle.
The remainder of the known prior art comprises a plurality of the present applicant's earlier U.S. patents relating to consumable hot tops for ingot molds and blast furnace runners as follows: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,165,798, 3,212,749, 4,121,805, 4,186,908, 4,262,885 and 4,350,325.
Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,950 relates to an expandable consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels.
The present invention discloses a novel, expendable consumable charge box and assembly for recharging material into a furnace or a vessel for producing molten metal and where the charge boxes in the form of consumable containers are of a shape and size that enables the container and solidified molten metal therein to be picked up and charged back into the furnace for rapid remelting due to residual heat contained before total solidification of the final part of a molten metal pour has taken place.

Consumable charge box and assembly for recharging material into a furnace or vessel for producing molten metal


An extrinsic Fizeau fiber optic sensor comprises a single-mode fiber, used as an input/output fiber, and a multimode fiber, used purely as a reflector, to form an air gap within a silica tube that acts as a Fizeau cavity. The Fresnel reflection from the glass/air interface at the front of the air gap (reference reflection) and the reflection from the air/glass interface at the far end of the air gap (sensing reflection) interfere in the input/output fiber. The two fibers are allowed to move in the silica tube, and changes in the air gap length cause changes in the phase difference between the reference reflection and the sensing reflection. This phase difference is observed as changes in intensity of the light monitored at the output arm of a fused biconical tapered coupler. The extrinsic Fizeau fiber optic sensor behaves identically whether it is surface mounted or embedded, which is unique to the extrinsic sensor in contrast to intrinsic Fabry-Perot sensors. The sensor may be modified to provide a quadrature phase shift extrinsic Fizeau fiber optic sensor for the detection of both the amplitude and the relative polarity of dynamically varying strain. The quadrature light signals may be generated by either mechanical or optical means. A plurality of the extrinsic sensors may connected in cascade and multiplexed to allow monitoring by a single analyzer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fiber optic interferometric sensors and, more particularly, to extrinsic Fizeau interferometric fiber optic sensors having particular application in hostile environments for dynamic monitoring of strain, temperature or pressure in mechanical structures. The extrinsic fiber optic sensors according to the invention are capable of both relative and absolute measurement of strains and, with suitable modification, can be used for the detection of the relative polarity of dynamically varying strain, temperature or pressure. As used herein, the word "strain" will be understood to mean strain, temperature, pressure, magnetic fields (i.e., magnetostrictive materials), and other like phenomena that can be translated into a displacement depending on the specific application.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fiber optic Fabry-Perot sensors reported in the literature have been highly sensitive to temperature, mechanical vibration, acoustic waves and magnetic fields. See T. Yoshino, K. Kurosawa, K. Itoh, and T. Ose, IEEE J. Quantum Electron., QE-18, 1624 (1982). Techniques to create the Fabry-Perot cavity have varied from the creation of Bragg gratings in or on the fiber, as described by K. L. Belsley, J. B. Carroll, L. A. Hess, D. R. Huber, And D. Schmadel, in Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum., Eng. 566, 257 (1985), to the use of air-glass interfaces at the fiber ends as the reflectors, as described by A. D. Kersey, D. A. Jackson, and M. Corke, in Opt. Comm., 45, 71 (1983). A relatively new technique described by C. E. Lee and H. F. Taylor, in Electron. Lett., 24, 193 (1988), involves fabricating semireflective splices in a continuous length of fiber.
Applied strain at high temperature for intrinsic optical fiber sensors can cause plastic deformation (i.e., creep), making such sensors unsuitable to many hostile environments. The intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer described by Lee and Taylor, ibid., exhibits stress-induced birefringence in the air gap which causes polarization changes between the reference and the sensing reflections. This, in turn, causes signal fading observed as a decrease in fringe contrast. Extremely high magnetic fields can also cause polarization changes inside an optical fiber which again would cause a changing state of polarization between the reference and sensing reflections in an intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensor.
Most Fabry-Perot sensor described in the prior art have been useful in the measurement of quasi-static strain alone. That is, when the induced strain changes its polarity, the Fabry-Perot interferometers would not be able to detect this change if the switch in direction took place at a maximum or minimum of the transfer function curve. Methods for obtaining directional strain information by using thin-film or resistive gauges have been reported by J. Putz, J. Putz, a. Wicks, and T. Diller, in "Thin-film shear stress gauge", presented at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Winter Annual Meeting, Dallas, Tex., Nov. 26, 1990; however, no corresponding capability has been demonstrated in Fabry-Perot optical fiber sensors in the prior art.

Extrinsic fiber optic displacement sensors and displacement sensing systems


A memory cell of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment of the invention has a MONOS structure. The charge storage layer of the memory cell includes insulating material layers. The relationship between the conduction band edge energy and valance band edge energy of the insulating material layers either increases gradually or decreases gradually from the tunnel insulating film toward the block insulating film. Furthermore, when the relative permittivity of the block insulating film is expresses as ∈r, an energy barrier between the charge storage layer and the block insulating film is equal to or larger than 4.5 ∈r−2/3 (eV) and is equal to or smaller than 3.8 (eV).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a memory cell of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and more particularly to a NAND flash memory with MONOS memory cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
A MONOS memory cell is defined as a memory cell whose charge storage layer is comprised of an insulating material that has a charge trap function.
A MONOS memory cell used in a miniaturized NAND flash memory is comprised of a first insulating film formed on an Si substrate, a charge storage layer formed on the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed on the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode formed on the second insulating film.
The first insulating film is referred to as a "tunnel insulating film." A high electric field is applied to the first insulating film, thereby injecting  charges from the Si substrate into the charge storage layer. A silicon oxynitride film into a part of which nitrogen has been introduced to improve the characteristic is often used as the first insulating film. The reason why the first insulating film is referred to as a tunnel insulating film is that charge movement between the charge storage layer and the Si substrate is made by an FN (Flower-Nordheim) tunneling current flowing through the insulating film at the time of writing/erasing.
Furthermore, a silicon nitride film is used as the charge storage layer because the film functions as an insulating film which captures and emits electrons and holes easily. The silicon nitride film may contain some oxygen.
The second insulating film is referred to as a "block insulating film." A material whose insulating quality is higher than that of the first insulating film is used for the second insulating film.
Specifically, a high-permittivity (high-k) insulating film comprised of metal oxide or the like is generally used as the second insulating film. The reason why the second insulating film is referred to as a block insulating film is that charge movement between the charge storage layer and the control gate electrode is blocked by the insulating film at the time of writing/erasing.
Polycrystalline silicon is used for the control gate electrode. In addition to this, a metal, a metal nitride, or a metal carbide gate electrode has been used as the control gate electrode in recent years.
When a MONOS memory cell with a nanometer scale gate length (about 30 nm or less) is formed using these techniques, the following two problems concerning the charge storage layer occur.
The first problem is a charge capture efficiency problem in a silicon nitride film serving as the charge storage layer.
FIG. 1 is an example of plotting the trapped currents obtained from the write/erase characteristics and the theoretical values of the currents flowing through the tunnel insulating film (Fowler-Nordheim tunneling currents) as a function of an effective electric field of the tunnel insulating film in a MONOS (electrode (e.g., metal)-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon) structure. The symbols indicate data points and the thick solid lines represent a theoretical formula of an electron current and that of a hole current.
As seen from FIG. 1, the silicon nitride film has trapped only an amount of charges much less than the theoretical value of current (Fowler-Nordheim tunneling current) flowing through the tunnel insulating film in the high electric-field region. That is, in the high electric-field region, the charge capture efficiency of  the silicon nitride film decreases.
This tendency is not so serious in trapping holes. When electrons are trapped, the trapped current in a high electric-field region is one digit or more smaller than the injected current (Flower-Nordheim tunneling current), with the result that the charge trapping rate is as low as 10% or less. In this state, without applying a high voltage to the control gate of the memory cell, there is a problem that the desired threshold voltage shift cannot be obtained. Moreover, since the amount of charge passing at the time of writing/erasing is large, this causes the problem of decreasing the reliability of the memory cell.
A second problem is that, as the memory cell is miniaturized further, the number of trapped electrons (in writing) or the number of trapped holes (in erasing) decreases.
Typically, the number of trapped carriers in a memory cell with a gate length of the order of 10 nm is on the order of several tens of carriers. A phenomenon intrinsically occurring with the decrease in the number of carriers in the memory cell causes the following problem: a variation in the retention characteristic increases.
Specifically, for example, as has been discussed in G. Molas, D. Deleruyelle, B. De Salvo, G. Ghibaudo, M. Gely, L. Perniola, D. Lafond, and S. Deleonibus,  "Degradation of Floating-Gate Memory Reliability by Few Electron Phenomena," IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, 53, 2610 (2006), the retention time of a memory cell varies due to the random nature of the emission of trapped charges. Therefore, when a set of many memory cells is used, a problem of "tail bits" whose retention time is short inevitably occurs.

Memory cell of nonvolatile semiconductor memory device


The invention relates to a missile guidance method, more particularly for anti-armor projectiles fired directly at a target. In order to avoid missing a target by a narrow margin, the invention provides that the distance to the target (3) be measured with a range finder (8) before the projectile is fired. The flying time previously calculated on the basis of target distance is inputted to the projectile (1). The projectile (1) has one or several sensors which are activated after a predetermined flying time, said sensor or sensors determining whether the projectile (1) will fly over the target at a minimum distance. Optionally, the projectile (1) conducts a single trajectory adjustment with a fixed value.

The invention relates to a missile-guidance method and to a missile for carrying out the guidance method.
There are a wide variety of types of guided missile and these have a large number of guidance methods, as described, for example, in the book xe2x80x9cGuided Weaponsxe2x80x9d, R. G. Lee et al, published by Brassey""s.
Besides missiles which are guided from launch, there are also so-called xe2x80x9cterminally guidedxe2x80x9d missiles which, with the aid of a seeker head or with the aid of sensors, only locate and head for the target towards the end of their flying time (see NATO""s Sixteen Nations, Special Edition, 1990).
In the case of missiles, such as, for example, unguided anti-armour projectiles, which only miss their target in a few cases, such guidance methods are too expensive for avoiding the small number of misses. A guidance method is therefore required which, by means of simple systems, avoids misses that only miss the target by a narrow margin.
A guidance method is proposed that is characterised in that
before firing, the distance to the target is measured by means of a range finder,
the precalculated flying time, is inputted into the missile on the basis of the target distance
the missile is provided with one sensor or a plurality of sensors which are activated after a predetermined flying time,
the sensor or sensors ascertains or ascertain whether the missile will fly past the target at a short distance therefrom, and
if applicable, the missile carries out a single trajectory adjustment by a fixed amount.
Advantageously, the data transmission from the range finder to the missile is effected in a contact-free and without use of wires. As a result, no wiring is required, whereby possible damage is avoided.
Furthermore, advantageously the one sensor or the plurality of sensors is or are rigidly connected to the missile. The selected search range of the at least one sensor should be such that the target is detected as long as it is located in the trajectory-adjustment range of the missile.
An important feature is that the at least one sensor ascertains the direction in which the trajectory adjustment is to be effected.
A missile in accordance with the invention for carrying out this method is distinguished in that at least one rocket propulsion unit, which acts laterally for a short time, is used in order to control the missile (correct the missile shortly before impact).
Advantageously, the at least one sensor and the at least one rocket propulsion unit can be built onto existing missiles subsequently.

Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und Systemtechnik


A detection unit 113 measures scattered light intensity E as a coagulation index. A first curve fitting function 120B-a c calculates, at a predetermined time interval, a parameter for an approximate curve of a coagulation curve by curve fitting, based on the measured scattered light intensity E. An early reaction checking function 120B-b determines whether there is a lag phase as an early coagulation index change, based on the parameter for the approximate curve. The parameter has been calculated at the predetermined time interval by the first curve fitting function 120B-a. A clotting time calculation function 120B-f calculates clotting time, based on whether there is the lag phase.

A blood coagulation examination is conducted for grasping a clinical condition of a coagulation-fibrinogenolysis system, diagnosing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), confirming a therapeutic effect on thrombus, and diagnosing hemophilia. In particular, measurement of blood clotting time is an examination that directly checks whether a coagulation reaction generating fibrin correctly functions. The blood clotting time is prolonged in a case where there is a congenital or acquired abnormality.
Therefore, the blood coagulation examination is important as a means for checking, with screening, a bleeding tendency caused by various factors, such as abnormalities of a blood coagulation factor and a von Willebrand factor, hepatopathy, vitamin K deficiency, production of an inhibitor, and DIC.
Conventionally, the blood coagulation examination is conducted by visually capturing fibrin precipitation which is an end point of the blood coagulation reaction. Since the 1960s, an automatic analyzing apparatus developed for improvement of the processing number of specimens and high precision, has been used for an ordinary examination.
For example, an electric resistance detecting method, an optical method, and a mechanical method are mainly used for detecting fibrin precipitation by the automatic analyzing apparatus. The optical method (transmitted light detection, and scattered light detection) and the mechanical method (viscosity detection) that have excellent processing performance, have been mainly used.
In a clinical examination field, a measurement result of a patient specimen is required to be reported as soon as possible.
In relation to this, in measurement of a substance to be measured included in a sample by an automatic analyzing apparatus, the following calculating method has been known. A parameter in an approximate expression is calculated using a measurement value that varies with time. Then, the degree of convergence of reaction is determined in accordance with the degree of convergence of the parameter. A measurement value at the end of the reaction is calculated using a parameter at the time when it is determined that the reaction has converged (for example, refer to PTL 1).
As a result, measurement time can be changed for each specimen, and processing performance can be improved.

Automatic coagulation analyzing apparatus and analyzing method


A semiconductor device is formed by providing a substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate. Beveled surfaces are formed at upper portions of sidewalls of the trench opposite a bottom surface of the trench, respectively. An oxide layer is formed in the trench such that the oxide layer is thicker on the beveled surfaces of the trench than on other surfaces of the trench.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods of forming a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to methods of forming semiconductor devices having field isolation layers.
2. Description of Related Art
In a procedure for forming semiconductor devices, it may be necessary to form field isolation layers. Conventionally, the edge of a field isolation layer is formed to have a substantially right angle. If a gate pattern is formed to reach the edge of the field isolation layer in a subsequent process, then leakage current may be generated at the edge of the field isolation layer.
Specifically, in a semiconductor device such as a NOR flash memory device, a process of forming a field isolation layer may have a direct effect on a profile of a tunnel oxide layer. Thus, program and erase operations and the reliability of the semiconductor device may be affected.
A conventional method of forming a field isolation layer and a floating gate electrode using self-alignment will now be described. A pad oxide pattern and a mask pattern are sequentially stacked on a semiconductor substrate. Using the patterns as etch masks, the semiconductor substrate is patterned to form trenches thereat. After filling the trench with field isolation material, a planarization process is performed to form a filled isolation layer. The mask pattern and the pad oxide pattern are sequentially removed. Generally, the removal of the pad oxide pattern is done using a wet etch. During the wet etch, a boundary portion of the field isolation layer and the pad oxide layer is etched more than the other portions. Accordingly, the edge of the field isolation layer may be dug. A thermal oxidation process is performed on a semiconductor substrate exposed by removing the pad oxide pattern to form a tunnel oxide layer. Oxygen is rarely supplied to the dug portion during the thermal oxidation process, which may prevent smooth formation of a tunnel oxide layer. As a result, the tunnel oxide layer may be thinly formed. A polysilicon layer is stacked to bury spaces between the field isolation layers. A planarization process is performed to form a floating gate electrode. In a subsequent process, an intergate dielectric and a control gate electrode are formed to construct a flash memory device. Thus, the edge of the field isolation layer may be dug and the tunnel oxide layer may be thinly formed in a flash memory device. When the flash memory device is programmed/erased or generally operates, leakage current may be generated at the edge of the field isolation layer, which may decrease the reliability of the semiconductor device.

Methods of forming semiconductor devices having a trench with beveled corners


Methods and systems for dynamically adjusting credits used to distribute available bus bandwidth among multiple virtual channels, based on the workload of each virtual channel, are provided. Accordingly, for some embodiments, virtual channels with higher workloads relative to other virtual channels may receive a higher allocation of bus bandwidth (more credits).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to exchanging data on a bus between a shared buffer and one or more processors using a plurality of virtual channels and, more particularly to dynamic adjustment of credits used to allocate bandwidth of the bus to the virtual channels.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system on a chip (SOC) generally includes one or more integrated processor cores, some type of embedded memory, such as a cache shared between the processors cores, and peripheral interfaces, such as external bus interfaces, on a single chip to form a complete (or nearly complete) system. Often these systems include some type of buffer device used to store data passed between the SOC and an external device, such as an external memory controller. The buffer is typically shared between the processor cores of the SOC, which may pass data to and from the buffer pool over an internal bus as streams of data, commonly referred to as virtual channels.
Because the needs of each processor core may vary, many systems utilize a shared credit system to allocate bus bandwidth among the virtual channels. Typically, a pool of credits is allocated among the virtual channels, with each virtual channel allocated a certain number of credits, for example, based on an expected workload. In other words, each virtual channel's credit share determines its bus bandwidth relative to the other virtual channels. Typically, the credit allocation does not change (i.e., is static) over a given period, such as a power on cycle, or the running of a particular application. However, during this period changes in workload of the core processors may cause the current allocation to become non-optimal, for example, resulting in some of the virtual channels waiting a relatively long time to use the bus.
Accordingly, what is needed are methods and systems that dynamically re-allocate the credit shares among the virtual channels to allow the system to optimize itself to the current workload of the processor cores.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


An on-line frequency award program is disclosed. A user may access the program on-line and may browse a product catalog for shopping. The user may electronically place an order, upon which the program automatically checks the user's credit and electronically issues a purchase order to the supplying company. The program also calculates award points, updates the award account of enrolled users, and communicates that number of awarded points to the user. Enrolled users may browse through an award catalog and electronically redeem an amount of awarded points towards an award. The program then electronically places an award redeeming order with the fulfillment house and updates the user's award account.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to frequency and award redemption program. More particularly, the present invention relates to an on-line, interactive frequency and award redemption program which is fully integrated.
2. Description of Related Art
Frequency programs have been developed by the travel industry to promote customer loyalty. An example of such a program is a "frequent flyer" program. According to such a program, when a traveler books a flight, a certain amount of "mileage points" are calculated by a formula using the distance of the destination as a parameter. However, the mileage points are not awarded until the traveler actually takes the flight.
When a traveler has accumulated sufficient number of mileage points, he may redeem these points for an award chosen from a specific list of awards specified by the program. Thus, for example, the traveler may redeem the points for a free flight ticket or a free rental car. In order to redeem the accumulated points, the traveler generally needs to request a certificate, and use the issued certificate as payment for the free travel.
While the above program may induce customer loyalty, it has the disadvantage that the selection of prizes can be made only from the limited list of awards provided by the company. For example, a traveler may redeem the certificate for flights between only those destinations to which the carrier has a regular service. Another disadvantage is that the customer generally needs to plan ahead in sufficient time to order and receive the award certificate.
According to another type of frequency and award program, a credit instrument is provided and credit points are accumulated instead of the mileage points. In such programs, bonus points are awarded by using a formula in which a price paid for merchandise is a parameter. Thus, upon each purchase a certain number of bonus points are awarded, which translate to dollar credit amount. According to these programs, the customer receives a credit instrument which may be acceptable by many enrolled retailers, so that the selection of prizes available is enhanced. An example of such a program is disclosed in E.P.A. 308,224. However, while such programs may enhance the selection of prizes, there is still the problem of obtaining the credit instrument for redeeming the awarded points. In addition, the enrollee must allow for processing time before the bonus points are recorded and made available as redeemable credit. Thus, the immediacy effect of the reward is lacking in these conventional incentive programs.

Internet-based frequency and award redemption system and method


An article that comprises novel means for modulating the transparency of a semiconductor body in accordance with a modulating signal is disclosed. The body comprises one or more quantum wells (QWs), and the modulation mechanism comprises changing the free carrier distribution function in the QWs. An important feature of the inventive article is the use of (relatively long wavelength) inter-subband radiation (ISBR) to change the transparency of the body for (relatively short wavelength) inter-band radiation (IBR). In preferred embodiments the modulating signal is an electric field applied across the QWs, such that ISBR absorption can be tuned by means of the Stark effect. One embodiment of the invention makes it possible to rapidly modulate IBR, and another embodiment can form narrow (typically less than 10 ps) IBR pulses.

In many areas of technology (e.g., optical data processing, optical communications) it is necessary to modulate optical radiation [including continuous wave ("CW") radiation] in accordance with a given signal. A conventional technique for modulating the output of a semiconductor laser is the modulation of the laser drive (pump) current. This technique can be used for modulation frequencies up to the so-called electron-photon resonance (EPR) frequency, which typically is of order 10 GHz. However, for fundamental reasons the above conventional technique does not result in efficient modulation of the laser output for modulation frequencies substantially above the EPR frequency. However, it can be expected that the trend towards higher and higher bit rates in, e.g., optical communications systems will continue, demanding means for modulating optical radiation at higher and higher frequencies, ultimately at frequencies above the EPR frequency.
Recent work in the USSR inter alia has shown that the optical output of a semiconductor heterojunction laser can be modulated at frequencies above the EPR frequencies, exemplarily as high as 100 GHz or even higher, by a novel mechanism that involves heating of the free electrons in the active layer of the laser by an electric field applied parallel to the active layer, driving a lateral electric current through that layer. See V. B. Gorfinkel et al., Soviet Physics Semiconductor, Vol. 24(4), April 1990, p. 466; S. A. Gurevich et al., Joint Soviet-American Workshop on the Physics of Semiconductor Lasers, May 20-Jun. 3, 1991, p. 67; and V. B. Gorfinkel et al., International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, June 1991, all incorporated herein by reference. In the cited publications is disclosed a AlGaAs-GaAs separate-confinement heterostructure single quantum well (QW) ridge laser that comprises, in addition to the conventional pumping contact, two contacts for carrier heating. By means of current pulses applied to the heating contacts it was possible to raise the temperature of the free carriers about 100K above the ambient (lattice) temperature, resulting in modulation of the laser output.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates modulation in the above discussed laser. Curve 11 represents the conventional situation, namely, laser emission when the free carrier temperature is equal to the lattice temperature. Raising the free carrier temperature above the lattice temperature by means of the heating current results in increased loss in the active region, shifting the lasing onset to a higher drive current, resulting in curve 12. As can readily be seen, modulation of the free carrier temperature thus results in modulation of the laser power. For instance, if a constant drive current of value 13 is applied, the laser output power can be switched between 0 and value 14. Since the free carrier temperature can be raised very quickly and also relaxes to the lattice temperature extremely quickly, in a time of order 10.sup.-12 s, high modulation frequencies are in principle possible.
However, free carrier heating by means of electric current frequently will be undesirable, since the heating power derives solely from the logic controlling circuit. Moreover, in the prior art device relatively large power is dissipated by the holes, due to their large effective density of states. Furthermore, in practice it will frequently be difficult to achieve uniform heating of the free carriers, again resulting in performance deterioration. Thus, in view of the importance of efficient very high frequency modulation means, it would be highly desirable to have available such means that are substantially free of at least some of the above such discussed drawbacks. This application inter alia discloses such modulation means.

Article comprising means for modulating the optical transparency of a semiconductor body, and method of operating the article


A biodegradable substrate in sheet form which acts as a source of carbon and hydrogen in oxygen-poor water in biological water-treatment stages. The substrate is covered with at least one layer of a population of spontaneously growing denitrifiers. The substrate is a spun-bonded non-woven fabric weighing 10 to 1500 g/m.sup.2. It has a prescribed effective area that results in an ideal rate of denitrification per clarification stage at a prescribed rate of flow per area and time. The fabric is comprised of at least 50% continuous poly-.epsilon.-caprolactone filament with a mean molecular weight of 20,000 to 70,000. The individual filaments adhere to each other at their intersections.

The present invention concerns a biodegradable sheet for culturing sewage denitrifiers that multiply spontaneously. Denitrifiers are bacteria and other microbes that decompose nitrates.
A biodegradable culture medium (polyhydroxybutyrate plus polyhydroxyvalerate) derived from poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid and poly-.beta.-hydroxyvaleric acid and intended for biological nitrate elimination (denitrification) is described by Wolf-Rudiger Muller in the article "Abwasser mit zerkleinertem Kunststoff reinigen" in Umwelt, Vol. 20 (1990). Sheets of the material are obtained biotechnologically in fermenters by bacterial metabolism. Colonization with populations of denitrifiers and the potential for denitrification without introducing other, foreign, organic hydrogen-and-carbon donors has been studied. The nitrogen-oxide level subsequent to denitrification has never been investigated.
Since the microbes can obtain hydrogen and carbon from the sheet, there is no need of the toxic methyl alcohol as a donor. This feature is particularly desirable from the aspect of rendering the water potable. The material also makes it possible to carry out denitrification in a column or basin subsequent to filtration and nitrification as a stage in the treatment of sewage and underground water. The process involves intermediate accommodation of the used substrate in a column to allow fresh denitrifier populations to grow.
One drawback of this system is the expense incurred in biosynthesizing the substrate, which prevents its extensive use. Another is that not very much polyhydroxybutyrate plus polyhydroxyvalerate (PHB-PHV) can be biotechnologically produced in fermenters per year. Again, the systems can be processed only into sheets with a limited and unexpandable surface and hence a limited capacity for absorbing denitrifiers.

Biodegradable sheet for culturing sewage denitrifiers


A cellular telephone includes an internally integrated digital entertainment module. The telephone includes a transceiver unit and a headset which is connected to the transceiver unit by wired or wireless link. The entertainment module includes an interchangeable ROM and/or expansion RAM for storing music or other audio signals for playback through the telephone's headset. Music or other audio signals in digitized form is stored in the interchangeable ROM or is loaded into the expansion RAM from a CD player, computer, or other source of digitized audio signals. Under control of the cellular telephone's microprocessor, the digitally stored audio signal is played back through the telephone's headset. The entertainment module may be located in the transceiver unit, a removable battery pack, or in a separate adapter.

In the past two decades, advances in digital electronic technology have led to a rapid growth in the area of entertainment oriented consumer electronic devices. In particular, portable electronic devices such as audio CD players, FM/AM radio receivers, and even television or video tape/disc players have become increasingly popular among consumers as they have become small, lightweight, and easy for an individual to carry.
While quite popular with consumers, the mass storage type devices (audio CD, video tape/disc) typically suffer from motion induced distortion otherwise known as bouncing or skipping. These problems arise, in part, as a result of the required motion of the mass storage medium during normal operation. That is, in the case of an audio CD or a video disc, the disc which comprises the storage medium is typically spun or rotated at a relatively high speed while the information stored on the disc is read by an associated read head. Proper and precise alignment of the read head with respect to the spinning storage medium must be maintained at all times in order to insure error free reading of the stored data. Such precise alignment is often difficult to maintain when the audio or video player is being used in manner which is conducive to extreme vibration or mechanical shock. In practice, mechanically harsh activities such as jogging or running are common among users of portable electronics, particularly with regard to the use of portable audio CD players. In such cases, skipping or bouncing artifacts induced in the CD player can seriously impair the overall performance of the player.
With further regard to the recreational athletic activities of portable electronics consumers, it is often the case such consumers will carry not only an audio CD player for entertainment purposes, but also a cellular telephone for safety and security. Although such equipment provides the desired entertainment/security services to the athletically active consumer, the need to carry multiple pieces of equipment is generally viewed as inhibiting or impairing to their athletic endeavors.
Therefore, there is and continues to be a need for a practical and efficient technique for incorporating the functionality of audio and/or video playing devices within wireless communications devices such as cellular telephones.

Cellular phone with expansion memory for audio and video storage