A memory includes a plurality of first-in-first-out (FIFO) cells, an output pointer counter and a write training block. The output pointer counter is for switching a value of a FIFO output pointer among the FIFO cells. The write training block is for generating information for moving the FIFO output pointer based on data read from the FIFO cells.

Graphics-intensive applications executed by a processor-based device, such as a computer, are becoming increasingly pervasive. Such applications include computer-aided design (CAD) applications, video games, imaging applications, and the like. A number of these applications operate in real-time, requiring the processing device to render the graphics at very fast speeds. As consumers and programmers continually demand greater graphics complexity in their applications, the devices rendering the graphics must continually improve as well.
The processor-based device may rely, at least in part, on a graphics (i.e., video) card for displaying graphics on a display device, such as a monitor. A graphics card typically includes one or more dedicated graphics processors, which are optimized for graphics rendering. A graphics card typically also includes one or more dedicated memories, such as a synchronous graphics random access memory (SGRAM), which are essentially a specialized synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) for use on graphics cards.
A continuing challenge for memory designers is increasing performance, that is, the speed at which data is transferred to and from memory. Double data rate dynamic random access memory (DDR DRAM) increases performance by providing for two data accesses within a single clock cycle, that is, by enabling the memory to read data on both the rising and falling edges of each clock cycle. This essential concept of the DDR DRAM has been extended to SDRAMs and SGRAMs, resulting in DDR SDRAM and DDR SGRAM.
A number of graphics cards utilize graphics double data rate (GDDR) SGRAM. The Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council (JEDEC) maintains, inter alia, a GDDR4 SGRAM specification, which defines a minimum set of requirements for JEDEC-standard-compatible GDDR4 SGRAM devices. For illustrative purposes only, we refer to Ballot Template Version draft rev. G of the GDDR4 SGRAM specification (hereinafter "GDDR4 SGRAM specification"), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The GDDR4 SGRAM specification defines the use of two uni-directional data strobe signals: a read data strobe signal (RDQS) and a write data strobe signal (WDQS). The RDQS is a data strobe transmitted by the GDDR4 SGRAM during READs, and is edge-aligned with data for READs. The WDQS is a data strobe sent by a memory controller during WRITEs, and is center-aligned with data for WRITEs.
During a write access, the first valid data-in element is registered on the rising edge of the WDQS following the write latency (WL), which is programmable via the mode register (MR). Subsequent data elements are registered on successive edges of the WDQS. According to the GDDR4 SGRAM specification, the WL may be set from one to seven clock cycles.
The time between the WRITE command (i.e., at the rising edge of the external clock (CLK)) and the first valid edge of WDQS is referred to as the TDQSS. According to the GDDR4 SGRAM specification, the TDQSS is specified relative to the WL between (WL−0.25CLK) and (WL+0.25CLK).
A proposed graphics standard known as GDDR5 SGRAM defines the TDQSS by a specific range, −500 to +500 picoseconds (ps), from the CLK. This presents a potential problem at higher operating frequencies not present with GDDR4 SGRAM. For example, at an operating frequency of 1.25 GHz, the tolerance of −500 ps to +500 ps results in more than one-half clock cycle in each direction. By having a tolerance greater than one-half clock cycle in either direction, distinguishing between a very early phase (i.e., more than one-half clock cycle) versus a slightly late phase (i.e., less than one clock cycle) or between a very late phase (i.e., more than one clock cycle) versus a slightly early phase (i.e., less than one clock cycle) becomes difficult.
For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.


A method and computer-readable storage media are provided for reorganizing a database. The method may monitor the database to determine whether the database reorganization is required. The method may also include determining the database reorganization is required. The method may further include determining a first and second amount of space to add to the database for additional entries of a category of data according to a first and second predictive sizing calculation. The method may further include the selecting of either the first or second amount of space to add to the database for additional entries of the category of data during the reorganization. The method may further include performing the reorganization of the database including allocating the selected amount of space to add to the database for additional entries in the database of the category of data by using the computer system operatively coupled to the storage device.

Databases are used to store information for numerous types of applications. Examples include various industrial, commercial, technical, scientific, and educational applications. Database management systems (DBMSs) are a typical mechanism for accessing data stored in a database. DBMSs may use a model in which data is first stored and indexed in a memory before subsequent querying, accessing, or analysis. Databases may contain large amounts of data, which may create performance issues when a user queries the database for specific information. Organization and formatting of the data and the index may affect the system performance, reliability, power usage, durability, and user experience.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Management of database allocation during reorganization

International Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments disclose herein describe systems and methods for a dynamic light fixture. More particularly, embodiments disclose a light fixture with dynamic components that may be moved to change an irradiance distribution of a light pattern.

Field of the Disclosure
Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for a dynamic light fixture. More particularly, embodiments disclose a light fixture with dynamic components, wherein the dynamic components may be moved to change the spatial light exitance distribution and/or rotated to change the light irradiance distribution over a region of interest.
Background
A light fixture is an electrical device used to create artificial light. Conventional light fixtures include a fixture body and a light socket, wherein the light socket holds a light source in place.
Conventionally, the fixture body may be moved or rotated, but the physical dimensions of the fixture body remain geometrically static. When moving and/or rotating a conventional light fixture, the irradiance distribution of the fixture's light pattern will be modified based on the distance and angle between the light source and the region of interest, but the exitance distribution of the fixture's emitted light will remain constant. Therefore, conventional light fixtures do not allow the modification of exitance distribution of emitted light.
Furthermore, conventional light fixtures remain geometrically static because conventional light fixtures are utilized to illuminate a region of interest positioned far away from the light source. In situations where the region of interest is positioned far away from the light source, the region of interest can be much larger than the light source. Due to beam divergence of the emitted light affecting the faraway region of interest, the light irradiance distribution on the faraway region of interest may be modified by changing the irradiance distribution of the light source.
However, situations may arise when the light source is positioned proximate to a region of interest, where the emitted light does not have space to diverge. However, when the emitted light does not have space to diverge, the light exitance distribution on the proximate region of interest cannot be changed by only modifying the intensity distribution of the light fixture. Therefore, if the light source does not have space to diverge, the light irradiance distribution caused by conventional light fixtures on proximate regions of interest will not be uniform. This is problematic when plants are positioned within a proximate region of interest, and the plants require the same light irradiance.
Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods for light fixtures to modify the light exitance distribution for a near field region of interest.

Systems and methods for a dynamic light fixture


The present invention is directed to improved formulations for dihydroergotamine in which the drug is present at a concentration of at least 2.9 mM. The invention encompasses methods for using these formulations in treating patients for migraine headaches and the packaging of formulation into prefilled syringes for self-administration by patients.

The present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing dihydroergotamine (DHE) and methods in which these pharmaceutical compositions are administered to patients, particularly for the treatment of migraine headaches. The invention also encompasses the packaging of injection syringes prefilled with DHE preparations.
Dihydroergotamine (DHE) is an ergot alkaloid that was identified as an effective treatment for migraine nearly fifty years ago (Raskin, Neurology 36:995-997 (1986); Silberstein, et al., Headache 30:334-339 (1990); Saadah, Headache 32:18-20 (1992); and Winner, Headache 33:471-475 (1993)). It is presently marketed both as an injectable product (DHE 45(copyright)) and as a nasal spray (Migranal(copyright)). DHE is typically administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection (Belgrade, et al., Neurology 39:590-592 (1989); Winner, Headache 33:471-475 (1993)), but it is also effective when given subcutaneously (Klapper, et al. Headache 32:21-23 (1992); Winner, et al., Arch. Neurol. 53:180-184 (1996); and Becker, et al., Headache 36:144-148 (1996)).
Although effective in the treatment of migraine, DHE administration is often accompanied by side effects such as nausea, vomiting and chest pain (Winner, et al., Arch. Neurol. 53:180-184 (1996)). At least one side effect, nausea, occurs more frequently after intravenous administration than after intramuscular or intranasal administration. When given subcutaneously at a concentration of only 1.5 mM, DHE has been reported to cause nausea in nearly 16% of treated patients (Winner, et al., Arch. Neurol. 53: 80-184 (1996)). New drug formulations and methods for administering DHE which reduce its adverse side effects would represent a significant advance in migraine therapy.
The present invention is based upon the discovery that the side effect profile of DHE can be unexpectedly improved when the drug is administered to patients in a novel, high-potency form. More particularly, it has been found that when the concentration of DHE in compositions is increased from 1.5 mM (the concentration in commercially available injectable preparations) to 2.9 mM or more, side effects, particularly nausea, are reduced even though the total quantity of DHE administered remains constant.
In its first aspect, the invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition in unit dose form containing DHE dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid vehicle. The concentration of DHE must be at least 2.9 mM and a xe2x80x9cunit dosexe2x80x9d should contain a sufficient amount to be effective in the symptomatic treatment of migraine headache when administered to a patient. This means that enough drug must be given to significantly reduce or eliminate migraine-related pain. In order to preserve drug activity, steps should be taken to inhibit the oxidation of DHE. Preferably, this can be accomplished by dissolving sufficient CO2 and/or N2 compositions to retard oxidative degradation and/or including one or more antioxidants. Although any salt form of DHE can be effectively used in compositions, dihydroergotamine mesylate at a concentration of 2 mg/ml or more is preferred. A typical example of a formulation might contain 2 mg/ml of DHE in a vehicle containing glycerin and anhydrous alcohol in sterile water for injection, pH adjusted to 3.6 with methanesulfonic acids/sodium hydroxide. If desired, other agents may also be included in pharmaceutical preparations. For example, the rate at which DHE enters the bloodstream of a patient may be adjusted by including vasodilators or uptake enhancers (e.g., caffeine) in compositions.
The invention also includes a method of treating a patient for the symptoms associated with migraine headache by administering one or more unit doses of the pharmaceutical composition described above. Preferably, compositions will contain dihydroergotamine mesylate and sufficient dissolved CO2 and/or N2 to retard its oxidative degradation. Subcutaneous injection is preferred in order to obtain the greatest improvement in the side effect profile, but other routes of delivery may also be used. The total dosage of DHE that will be administered to a patient per migraine attack should generally be between 0.5 mg and 5.0 mg. The term xe2x80x9cper migraine attackxe2x80x9d refers to the period immediately preceding a migraine headache and extending for about the next twenty-four hours. Since headache may recur, it may be necessary to administer a second therapeutic dose of the drug during this period.
In addition, the invention is directed to a process for preparing a therapeutic package in which the unit dose pharmaceutical composition described above is made and then used to prefill a syringe for injection. As used herein, a xe2x80x9cprefilledxe2x80x9d syringe is one that has been loaded with pharmaceutical composition for a period of at least twenty-four hours prior to the time that it is administered to a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the prefilled syringes are enclosed in an opaque, sealed package from which oxygen has been excluded. For example, oxygen may be displaced with CO2 and/or N2. In addition to including these processes, the present invention also encompasses the therapeutic packages that are their end result.
A surprising discovery that has been made is that caffeine greatly increases the solubility of DHE in aqueous formulations. As a result, compositions having DHE at a concentration of greater than 4, 5 or 6 mM, can be obtained for administration to patients. Caffeine appears to be most effective when present in compositions roughly at a weight ratio of between 0.1:1 and 10:1 relative to DHE. In addition, there are some indications from animal studies that caffeine at high concentrations, e.g., at a 10:1 weight ratio relative to DHE improves drug absorption characteristics, e.g., by producing a more consistent time of absorption.
Based upon these findings, the invention is, in another aspect, directed to a pharmaceutical composition in unit dose form containing: a) DHE in an amount such that one or more unit doses are effective in the symptomatic treatment of migraine headache when administered to a patient; (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid vehicle in which the DHE is dissolved at a concentration of at least 2.9 mM; and (c) caffeine at between a 0.1:1 and 10:1 weight ratio relative to DHE. The most preferred composition contains caffeine in a 1:1 weight ratio. In order to retard the rate of oxidative degradation of the composition, CO2 and/or N2 may be dissolved in preparations and one or more antioxidants may be added. Any salt of DHE may be used but the mesylate salt is generally preferred.
The compositions containing caffeine may be used in a method for the symptomatic treatment of patients suffering from migraine headache. Preferably, preparations are administered by subcutaneous injection and, in general, patients will receive a total dosage of between 0.5 and 5.0 mg per migraine attack. The compositions may also be used in a process for preparing a therapeutic package in which a unit dose is present in a prefilled injectable syringe. As part of the process, the prefilled syringes may be enclosed in an opaque, sealed package from which oxygen has been excluded. The invention includes not only these processes for making therapeutic packages but also the packages themselves.
Finally, the invention encompasses improved pharmaceutical compositions and treatment methods involving the combination of DHE at high concentration and caffeine. With respect to unit dose pharmaceutical compositions, the improvement comprises the presence of a concentration of DHE of at least 2 mg/ml; sufficient carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen to retard oxidative degradation; and caffeine at between a 0.1:1 and 10:1 weight ratio relative to DHE. The use of this composition results in an improved method for the symptomatic treatment of a patient suffering from or susceptible to the development of a migraine attack.

High potency dihydroergotamine compositions


An ophthalmic surgical microscope can include a first light source configured to project a first light beam at an observer's eye. The microscope can include a first wavefront sensor. The first wavefront sensor can be configured to determine aberrations in the first reflection wavefront of a reflection of the first light beam. The microscope can include adaptive optical element(s). The adaptive optical element(s) can be controlled to modify the phase of incident light. The microscope can include a computing device in communication with the first wavefront sensor and the adaptive optical element(s). The computing device can be configured to generate the control signal to compensate for the aberrations and to provide the control signal to the adaptive optical element(s). A second light source and second wavefront sensor can be provided to compensate for aberrations of a subject's eye.

Technical Field
Embodiments disclosed herein are related to ophthalmic surgical microscopes. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to an ophthalmic surgical microscope including adaptive optical element(s) and wavefront sensor(s) to dynamically compensate for optical aberrations.
Related Art
Doctors can use surgical microscopes during ophthalmic surgical procedures to see fine details of a patient's eye. A successful procedure can depend on the doctor's ability to view the patient's eye clearly using the microscope. This can be challenging, however, because of artifacts of the doctor's eye and/or the patient's eye. For example, the doctor and/or the patient can have static vision problems. These can include refractive errors, astigmatism, other low order aberrations, and/or high order aberrations. Further, dynamic errors can arise during a surgical procedure. These include the presence of tear film in the doctor's eye, saline solution in the patient's eye, among others. The artifacts of the doctor's eye and/or the patient's eye interfere with the doctor's vision of the surgical field and can hinder the efficacy of a surgical procedure.
Some conventional methods can partially compensate for a doctor's and/or a patient's vision problems when using current surgical microscope models. The doctor can have refractive surgery to correct some vision problems, such as long term refractive errors. The doctor can wear spectacles to compensate for refractive errors and astigmatism. Wearing spectacles during the surgical procedure, however, can be uncomfortable for a doctor. Turning oculars of the microscope can be used to compensate for spherical refractive errors of the doctor and the patient. However, no microscope currently compensates for high order aberrations of the doctor's eye. And no microscope currently compensates for astigmatism and high order aberrations of the patient's eye. Further, no microscope compensates for dynamic errors that arise during the surgical procedure.

Ophthalmic surgical microscope with adaptive optics for optical wavefront compensation


Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention log information by reading a configuration file to determine a destination for sending logging information. The logging information is sent to the destination. Additional logging information is generated. It is determined whether the configuration file has been updated to indicate a new destination instead of the destination. When the configuration file has not been updated to indicate the new destination, the additional logging information is sent to the destination. When the configuration file has been updated to indicate the new destination, the additional logging information is sent to the new destination.

As is known, it can be useful to log information on data processing systems. For example, program developers can log data and other information during program execution to determine whether a program is executing as desired. To do so, the program developer can insert instructions in the program code that invoke logging services to write log data to output devices.
A logging service executes either locally on the computer where the log data is generated or remotely on a server connected to the computer via a network. An instruction in the program code typically invokes a predetermined logging service that suits the program developer's logging requirements. In a typical data processing system, however, if the program developer wants to invoke a different logging service, then program developer must stop execution of the program and modify the instruction.
Based on the above-described problems of invoking logging services, it is therefore desirable to improve them.

Distributed plug-and-play logging services


A gas sensor (1) with a detector element (2), which is specific to a gas to be measured and sends a measured signal that depends on the measured gas concentration, has increased measuring sensitivity for measurements in the concentration range from less than 1 ppb to a few ppb. The detector element (2) is exposed in a gas admission adapter (4) to a gas to be measured via a diaphragm (3) arranged in front of the detector element (2), wherein the gas admission adapter (4) has at least a first opening (20) for the entry of the gas to be measured as well as at least a second opening (30), which is connected with a pressure modulator, which generates periodic gas pressure vibrations in the gas admission adapter (4) and is designed, for example, as a pump (5).

Such gas sensors have a detector element, which is specific to the gas to be measured and sends a measured signal that depends on the concentration of the measured gas. In particular, electrochemical gas sensors have been provided with a detector element designed as a measuring electrode that is specific to the gas to be measured. As they are described, for example, in DE 101 44 862 A1, semiconductor sensors with a usually heated ceramic semiconductor element consisting, for example, of SnO2 or an organic polymer semiconductor element, for example, Cu phthalocyanine, as well as catalytic heat tone sensors with a detector element, which is designed as a pellistor (detector bead) and is specific to the gas to be measured, are known. Because of their principle of action, catalytic heat tone sensors are used especially for measuring combustible and explosive gases, for example, methane.
Due to the steadily increasing requirements imposed on the maximum allowable gas concentrations at the workplace and because gases occurring in industry, for example, arsine, are also toxic even in the ppb (parts per billion) range and even at concentrations below 1 ppb, there is an increased need for compact, possibly portable gas sensors, in order to measure specific gas concentrations ranging from a few ppm to below 1 ppb, without having to resort to the very complicated measuring techniques that have hitherto been necessary, for example, mass spectrometry.

Gas sensor with increased measuring sensitivity


The invention provides a toy light projector or light gun and player-worn and self-propelled toy targets which detect light emitted by a toy light gun, and a toy shooting game which includes at least one toy light gun, and at least one toy target. The game is played by a player attempting to "hit" a target which provides a feelable output upon detecting light projected by the gun, e.g., an ejection or release of a material, object, vibration, electrical shock, etc. The output is intended to be received and felt (other than by sight or sound) by a person playing the game. In the preferred embodiments, the target squirts water or bursts a water-filled balloon when a hit is detected or after a given number of hits is detected. Audio/visual effects may also be provided in response to hits.

The invention disclosed herein relates to an interactive toy shooting game played by radiating energy, e.g., light, towards a target which detects appropriately directed radiated energy and in response thereto provides an output that a person can feel, e.g., an ejection or release of a material, object, vibration, electrical shock, etc. The output is intended to be received and felt (other than by sight or sound) by a person playing the game. The target may be carried by a player or by a self-propelled or stationary device. The game may also provide audio and/or visual effects associated with the detection of radiation and/or the feelable output. The invention extends the play value of the toy shooting game disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 08/795,895, filed Feb. 5, 1997, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Toy shooting games played by shooting some form of light and detecting when the shot light strikes a target typically include a light emitter and a light detector. The light detector may be located with the target and detect light impinging on the target, or the light detector may be provided with the light emitter to detect light reflected from a reflector provided with the target. Many remote control applications, including remote control of consumer electronics devices and toys, use transmitted and detected light. Some of the above toys and remote control applications disclose pulsing, modulating and/or coding the light which may be infrared light. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,220,732, 3,499,650, 3,870,305, 3,995,376, 4,164,081, 4,171,811, 4,266,776, 4,267,606, 4,586,715, 4,629,427, 4,754,133, 4,781,593, 4,802,675, 4,898,391, 4,375,106, 4,426,662, 4,931,028, 5,029,872, 5,375,847, 5,437,463, 5,552,917 and 5,577,962.
Yes! Entertainment Corporation of Pleasanton, Calif. currently sells a line of remote activated "prank" devices which squirt water, burst a water-filled balloon, release insect resembling figures and emit sounds intended to embarrass or annoy. The devices each include a remote transmitter and a remote receiver. The transmitter and receiver do not operate as a shooting game since the receiver may be activated by the remote from anywhere within the proximity range of the device, apparently even through interior walls. Thus, operation is not substantially limited to line-of-sight, and these prank device are not shooting games.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,486 discloses a remotely activated water squirting toy vehicle. The toy vehicle is not a shooting game and is activated similar to remotely-controlled toy vehicles.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,903,864 and 5,158,212 disclose toys which include an electric pump for squirting water, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,795,400, 4,890,838, 4,900,020 and 4,991,847 disclose toys which include a water-filled balloon that is burst by gravity or a motor-driven mechanism.
None of the toys and remote control devices described above or in the patents cited above provide an output that a person can feel when a target is struck by directed radiation in a toy shooting game.

Interactive toy shooting game having a target with a feelable output


The invention discloses phase-shifters, modulators, and method that produces a smaller π by means of a field excitation using multiple electrodes. A negative signal is introduced that travels with the positive signal, which enhances the electric field significantly. The field enhancement is provided by the superposition of the fields accumulated from each electrode. A base or substrate material can be made from any compound having linear electro-optic properties, such as lithium niobate, lithium tantalite, potassium lithium niobate, potassium titanyl phosphate or gallium-arsenide. For lithium niobate, there are two possible orientations of electric field, z-cut orientation or x-cut orientation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of optical devices, and particularly to light modulators such as traveling-wave modulators, phase shifters, and switches.
2. Description of Related Art
Telecommunication companies seek to increase the amount of information throughput with fatter pipes and at higher speed to meet the demand from the industrial, business, and consumer markets. This in turn requires a light transmitting system to enlarge transmission and receiving capacity drastically. At present, the light transmission speed of 10 Gb/second has already been reduced to practice for commercial use, with the next hurdle set at 40 Gb/second.
Several testings are underway to find a suitable material for use as an optical waveguide in a traveling-wave light modulator that is capable of operating in broad band at high frequency, such material includes lithium niobate (LiNbO), lithium tantalite, potassium lithium niobate, potassium titanyl phosphate or gallium-arsenide. Lithium niobate and lithium tantalite are excellent ferroelectric materials, with large electro-optical coefficients, which can control a light phase proportional to an electrical field strength within an optical waveguide generated by an electrical signal applied to electrical electrodes.
Factors which effect the modulation of a traveling-wave light modulator include velocity mismatch, impedance mismatch, dispersion, electrode power loss, and the electrical field generation. Among them, velocity mismatch, impedance mismatch and dispersion are principally determined by the structure of the traveling-wave light modulator, which can be achieved with careful electrode design. However, the electrical field strength is determined by the applied electrical signal amplitude, the electrode power loss and the electrode structure, and the excitation mode in the electrode structure. For 40 Gb/sec. modulation, one of the major challenges is to reduce the required driving voltage of the modulator, which is generally dictated by high electrode loss and the difficulties of generating high-voltage swing with semiconductors at this speed.
In electrical field generation and the phase modulation, at the input of one electrical waveguide or electrode, a high-speed electrical signal is applied and triggers an electromagnetic wave propagating along the waveguide. The field strength at a certain point along the waveguide is determined by the particular way in which the EM wave was excited for a given input voltage, and the propagation attenuation along the waveguide. The optical index of the optical waveguide is changed linearly by the applied electrical field, and the overall phase change of the optical signal is an integration of all the incremental phase changes along the waveguide and is proportional to the product of the driving voltage and the modulation length. Due to bandwidth considerations, the effective modulation length cannot be increased beyond a limit and hence a driving voltage above a threshold is required to achieve a required optical modulation. For high-speed communications systems transmitting at 10 Gb/sec or higher, the electrode loss is significant and typically leads to a very high required driving voltage.
Given the high loss and the limited voltage swing, it adds more complexity and cost to realize a practical communication system using such a modulator, if not impossible. The under-driven modulator would lead to significant degradation of the modulated light signal and significantly limits its use to many communication systems. Therefore, a light modulator having a lower driving voltage is in demand.
Attempts have been made to reduce a driving voltage. One method has been a two stage electrode design which uses the first stage of the electrode to primarily achieve the maximum overlap of the electrical field and the optical field, and uses the second stage to achieve the phase velocity match the between the electrical and the optical signals. However, it is difficult to realize due to phase matching required of the two stages of the electrode. Further, it just introduces one more freedom to alleviate the constraints for simultaneous phase and field matching. It does not provide an effective means to reduce the driving voltage.
A ridge structure is a modification of a conventional CPW (co-planar waveguide) design, by raising the center electrode conductor above the two grounding planes. It does provide the advantage of lowering the driving voltage. For example, see K. Noguchi et al, "Highly efficient 40-GHz bandwidth Ti: LiNbO optical modulator employing ridge structure", IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 5, No. 1, January 1993. However, it is difficult to realize due to the additional processes and the additional optical signal losses incurred by fabricating the ridge. Moreover, the reduction of the driving voltage is very limited, which is about 20% typically.
A conventional broadband optical communication uses a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to modulate laser signals in a transmitter. An electric field applied to an optical waveguide changes its index of refraction. A signal strip and ground plane (a zero voltage), form an electrical waveguide (EWG), where the induced electric field creates a change in the refractive index of the inlayed optical waveguide (OWG). The index of the material, for example, LiNbO3 or GaAs, depends on the amplitude and direction of the applied electric field.
Lithium-Niobate Mach-Zehnder modulators require a large voltage and length to provide a π phase shift through an active length L. The voltage level required is too large relative to amount provided by ultra-fast electronic transistors. The length of the modulator is limited by the synchronism of the electric and optical propagating waves. For this reason, the length cannot be increased without a regenerative amplification of the signal or a multistage system that requires precise synchronization.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have phase shifters, modulators, and methods that decrease a Vπ value or shortening of an active length.

Dual-electrode traveling wave optical phase shifters and methods


A construction and fabrication process for a two piece vacuum brake power booster housing is described which eliminates the surface tensions which are caused by forming during assembly to prevent damage to a protective surface finish. Localized radially weakened zones are each formed by two opposing tongues created by circumferential and axial slots which tongues in the assembled condition of the housing engage behind an outwardly and reversely formed rim (3) of the other housing half (1).

The invention is related to a housing for a pneumatic power booster of a type comprised of a first and a second bowl shaped housing half which are coated with a protective surface finish. The housing halves are assembled with their open sides facing each other and telescoped one into the other and permanently fixed to each other. The first housing half has a rim which is bent out and back reversely and the second housing half is formed with an edge of a preferably cylindrical configuration. An elastic diaphragm is compressed between the housing halves to create a seal. The diaphragm comprises a movable wall dividing the inner space of the housing into two pneumatic chambers. The edge of the second housing half is formed with a plurality of uniformly distributed circumferential slots having portions which are parallel to the cylindrical edge and to the bent-over rim of the first housing half, so that localized zones weakened in the radial direction are formed.
This invention is also concerned with a process for manufacture of this type of housing.
A housing of this kind and a process for its manufacture are described in European patent application EP-A-0 300 857. The housing half having the cylindrical edge is formed about its edge with a plurality of circumferential slots which are symmetrically distributed about its circumference and preferably have an oval or rectangular shape, and which, with the outer edge of the cylindrical edge, define web-like zones weakened in the radial direction, which upon the two housing halves being telescoped one into the other are pressed in in such a way that their center portions move away in an axial direction from a plane running parallel to the bent-over rim of the other housing half through the end points of the webs. In this manner, the risk of corrosion is largely eliminated in particular along the connecting seam of the two housing halves.
In the prior-art pneumatic power booster, the extremely high surface tension which occurs due to the pressing-in of the webs in particular in their central portions, on the inside and on the outside, may lead to damaging of the applied protective coating layer. Those portions which are no longer protected against corrosive attack, are subjected to a considerable axial stress especially during operation of the power booster, and thus are particularly subject to corrosive attack and can, upon an extended service period, cause the failure of the power booster.
It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a coupling of the two housing halves of a pneumatic power booster which does not result in areas of high surface tension.

Housing for a pneumatic power booster and process for its manufacture


A method for inferring production of a rod pumped well. Inferred production is estimated in a well manager which not only performs pump-off control with a down-hole pump card, but also estimates liquid (oil-water) and gas production using the subsurface pump as a meter. Methods are incorporated in the well manager for identifying and quantifying several conditions: pump leakage, unanchored tubing, free gas and oil shrinkage. Quantifying such conditions in the well manger enables accurate inferring of production thereby eliminating the need for traditional well tests.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to oilfield equipment for monitoring and controlling wells that are produced by rod pumping where subsurface fluid pumps are driven via a rod string which is reciprocated by a pumping, unit located at the surface. The pumping unit may be of the predominate beam type or any other type that reciprocates the rod string.
In particular, this invention concerns using a down hole dynagraph, i.e., a pump card, with information as to the size of the down hole pump, to infer automatically the hydrocarbon production of the well.
Still more particularly, the invention concerns methods for use in a Well Monitor Controller where surface and pump cards are produced, whereby traditional well tests of a producing well can be eliminated.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Traditional Production Testing
A production test is a time-honored procedure in oil producing operations. It is involved in several activities including operation of the oilfield as a business venture, governmental regulation, well troubleshooting, and reserve estimates. With respect to its business role, it provides for division of leaseholder royalties and costs. To encourage prudent operation and enhance the stability of the nation, conservation authorities usually require periodic production tests. Also the production test is employed as a diagnostic indicator which calls attention to well problems that need to be addressed. It is important in reserve estimates, because cumulative production from each well needs to be known.
The use of the production test as a diagnostic indicator is perhaps the most recognized application among production specialists. A decline in production rate compared with a previous test can indicate a mechanical problem. The down hole pump may be worn or a tubing leak may have developed. The mechanical malfunction should be identified and remedied. The decline may also be caused by a change in reservoir conditions in the drainage area of the well. The receptivity of an offset injection well may have diminished. This may have resulted in a producing pressure decline and a decrease in production rate. The problem in the secondary recovery system should be rectified.
Conversely, an increase in productivity as measured by a well test may indicate that the well is responding to secondary recovery efforts. In this case, the well should be pumped more aggressively to obtain the increased production that is available.
The production test is a good tool for sensing that a change in the well has occurred, but it does not pinpoint the exact reason for the change. Usually a unique cause and effect relationship does not exist between a change in production rate and its cause. Because different causes may lead to the same effect, ambiguity exists. For example, a production decrease can have any number of causes such as a worn pump, a tubing leak, a failed tubing anchor, the onset of free gas production, secondary recovery deficiency, etc.
In the early years of the oil industry, each well had its own tankage and oil-gas-water separation equipment. The well was tested by measuring daily production into its tank. To decrease capital and operating costs, the handling and measurement system evolved into a centralized facility with flow lines extending from the individual wells. Production from the individual wells comes to a header. At the header a given well is placed either "on test" or has its production sent with that of other wells through a separate facility for separating and treating salable products. Ultimately the oil produced from the well(s) on test is combined with production from the remainder of the wells. The total production is then measured a final time and sold. The individual well test is used to determine the contribution of the subject well to total production from the lease 230. As mentioned previously, individual well tests are also used to equitably divide operating costs between the wells and to provide information for reserve estimates 230.
Meter malfunction is a significant problem for traditional production tests. In addition, the well test can be wrong even when the meters are working perfectly. Actual production is normally much lower than the test, primarily because of down time for equipment failures or other reasons. In principle, downtime is noted and accounted for, but down time measurement accuracy is poor. Downtime is often neglected entirely. The net effect is that traditional tests and actual production from individual wells can differ substantially, as much as from 10 to 20 percent. Accurately knowing actual production from each well is not only important for effective production operations but is also important for reservoir management 230.
Well test systems have evolved significantly. Automatically controlled diverting valves have replaced manual valves. Computers for scheduling well tests have been introduced. Significant improvements in the accuracy and reliability of measuring devices have also been made. Traditional production testing has come a long way since the pumper manually operated the system and recorded the results in an oily notebook with a stubby pencil.
Diagnostic Methods
As mentioned above, a production test has been used as a diagnostic tool to discover that a change has occurred in the well 230. The test itself does not point to the cause for the change. To determine specific cause(s) for change, diagnostic methods are employed. The best diagnostic methods are based on dynamometer analyses. Trial and error searches with the service rig (pulling unit) can also be used, but these searches are more costly to perform. Trial and error solutions require more time, and revenue is lost before the problem is identified.
Like the production test, a fluid level instrument is not capable of identifying the specific cause for a change. A change in fluid level can indicate several causes. If a relatively high fluid level is found, for example, the well operator only knows that the well is not producing at capacity. More investigation with diagnostic methods is required to identify the cause: it could be a worn pump, tubing leak, secondary recovery problem or something else.
Modern diagnostic analysis with the dynamometer began in the 1960's. The epochal development was the method for inferring the down hole pump card from surface dynamometer data. It was described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,409 (Gibbs). The down hole pump card (hereinafter called the "pump card") was originally introduced in 1936. It was measured directly with a dynamometer located at the subsurface pump. The measured pump card had to be retrieved by a costly process of pulling the rods and pump. By 1960, computers were available which could solve the complicated equations required to calculate the pump card from data measured at the surface of the well. To produce the pump card 212, solutions to the wave equation are obtained which satisfy dynamometer time histories of surface rod load 208 and position 210.
Qualitative Evaluation of Down Hole Pump from the Shape of Pump Card
The pump card is very useful. Its shape reveals defective pumps, completely filled pumps, gassy or pounding wells, unanchored tubing, parted rods, etc. The pump card can also be used to compute producing pressure, liquid and gas throughput, and oil shrinkage effects. It can also be used to sense tubing leaks.
Quantitative Determination of Pump Leakage
Quantitative computation of pump leakage from pump cards was described in "Quantitative Determination of Rod-Pump. Leakage with Dynamometer Techniques", Nolen, Gibbs, SPE Production Engineering, August 1990. Prior to this work, pump mechanical condition was obtained by (1) pulling the pump or (2) comparing the production test with estimates of pump capacity or (3) qualitative eyeballing of valve leakage rates measured with the dynamometer. The quantitative methods of Nolen and Gibbs to determine leakage involved use of scaled traveling or standing valve tests and information as to the manner in which the surface unit stops when turned off and information as to: the pump velocity measured from the pump card. These methods are discussed below in greater detail.
Pump Off Control Technology
Pump off control (POC) attained status as a viable method in the early 1970's. It was originally intended merely for stopping the well to prevent the mechanical damage of fluid pound and the power waste associated with operating an incompletely filled pump. From this humble beginning, the POC evolved into a distributed diagnostic system with well management capabilities 230. Gradually the phrase "pump off control" was replaced with terms like "Well Manager," "Pump Rod Controller," etc. (Lufkin Automation uses the trademark SAM to identify its Well Manager system). These new terms imply more than pump off control. The modern systems include diagnostic capability, collection and analysis of performance data and operation of the well in an economic fashion 230. The term WM is used below in this specification as an abbreviation for Well Manager of the type presently available through Lufkin Automation.
Over the years, POCs have used different algorithms to sense pump off. Some of these involve surface load change, motor current, motor speed, set points, dynamometer card area, and the down hole pump card. U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,031 to Gibbs describes pump off control through the use of "pump" cards. Because of its ability to sense liquid and gas throughput using the subsurface pump as a meter, POCs which use the pump card for control are desired for implementing Inferred Production (IP).
Inferred Production (IP) using a POC Well Manager (WM)
Current WMs infer production rate with considerable accuracy by using the subsurface pump as a flow meter. In other words inferred production (IP) can be determined without continuous use of traditional metering equipment. The current WM accumulates inferred fluid production with time and displays it for (1) manual recording and dissemination or (2) automatic transmittal to a central location via SCADA. A SCADA or telemetry system is helpful but not an absolute requirement. The WM always displays inferred production that can be retrieved during periodic visits by the pumper. However when a group of pumping wells is already under SCADA surveillance, IP is interfaced with SCADA for unattended telemetry of inferred production to a central collection point. The pump card based WM excels in the IP application over a SCADA produced pump card system. This is because the WM is monitoring its well continuously, stroke after stroke. The SCADA system can interrogate the well only a few times each day to retrieve dynamometer data. Therefore down hole or "pump" cards can be computed in SCADA only a few times each day. This causes errors in inferred production, particularly in wells where pump fillage varies rapidly.
Even in its incomplete state, the present system of gathering production data has the advantage of providing continuous well tests. This decreases the time lag between discovery and remediation of problems that affect production. Traditional well tests are often brief in duration (4 hours or less). In many cases these are not representative of true production rate. If the test system is serving a large number of wells, the traditional tests are infrequent, maybe only monthly. This acts to increase the time lapse between problem discovery and remediation.
It is important to identify the assumptions upon which a production test is inferred with a current prior art system.                1) The pump is in good mechanical condition and leakage is minimal.        2) The tubing is anchored at or near the pump.        3) Free gas volume in the pump is negligible at the time of traveling valve (TV) opening.        4) Oil shrinkage effects are negligible.
FIG. 1 shows a typical rod pumping system, generally indicated by reference number 10, including a prime mover 12, typically an electric motor. The power output from the prime mover 12 is transmitted by a belt 14 to a gear box unit 16. The gear box unit 16 reduces the rotational speed generated by prime mover 12 and imparts a rotary motion to a pumping unit counterbalance, a counterweight 18, and to a crank arm 20 which is journaled to a crank shaft end 22 of gear box unit 16. The rotary motion of crank arm 20 is converted to reciprocating motion by means of a walking beam 24. Crank arm 20 is connected to walking beam 24 by means of a Pitman 26. A walking horsehead 28 and a cable 30 hang a polished rod 32 which extends through a stuffing box 34.
A rod string 36 of sucker rods hangs from polished rod 32 within a tubing 38 located in a casing 40. Tubing 38 can be held stationary to casing 40 by anchor 37. The rod string 36 is connected to a plunger 42 of a subsurface pump 44. Pump 44 includes a traveling valve 46, a standing valve 48 and a pump barrel 50. In a reciprocation cycle of the structure, including the walking beam 24, polished rod 32, rod string 36 and pump plunger 42, fluids are lifted on the upstroke. When pump fillage occurs on the upstroke between the traveling valve 46 and the standing valve 48, the fluid is trapped above the standing valve 48. A portion of this fluid is displaced above the traveling valve 46 when the traveling valve moves down. Then, this fluid is lifted toward the surface on the upstroke. A schematic description of pump valve operation is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the rod string 36 is in an upstroke, the traveling valve 46 is closed and the fluid is lifted upward in the tubing 38. During the upstroke, fluid is drawn upward into the pump barrel 50 through the open standing valve 48. Referring to FIG. 2B for a description of the down stroke, as the plunger 42 is lowered, the traveling valve 46 is open thereby permitting fluid within the pump barrel 50 to pass through the valve to allow the plunger 42 to move downward. The fluid within the tubing 38 and the barrel 50 is held fixed in place by the closed standing valve 48. The rod string 36 does not carry any weight of fluid during the down stroke, but does lift the entire column of fluid during the upstroke.
A well manager unit 52 (see FIG. 1) receives or derives surface rod and load information 210, 208 (or equivalent measurements), draws a surface card and computes a pump card 212. Information about the subsurface pump 44, including surface and pump cards can be sent to a central location via telemetry equipment including antenna 54.
A current Inferred Production System can be described by reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. These Figures show traveling and standing valve action and the shape of typical pump cards that are computed by WM 52. FIG. 3E shows the familiar rectangular pump card shape 500 indicating full liquid fillage of the pump. FIG. 3F depicts a "fluid pound" card 510 showing incomplete liquid fillage. In both cases the pump is in good mechanical condition and the tubing is anchored near the pump. At low producing pressure, oil shrinkage effects and the volume of free gas at TV opening are negligible. Under pump off control, the pump normally fills completely with liquid for a time after startup. At a later time depending upon the well, pump fillage decreases and fluid pound develops. Eventually the WM 52 will stop the pumping unit 10 to prevent waste of power and the damaging effects of fluid pound. In FIG. 3E the gross stroke Sg and the net stroke Sn are shown. When the pump is filling completely with liquid, there is no free gas passing through the pump and Sn=Sg. The net liquid stroke is the distance traveled by the pump from TV opening (Point C) to the bottom of its stroke (Point D) FIG. 3E.
FIG. 3F represents the situation of an incompletely filled pump with a volume of liquid and low pressure free gas therein. At point B, the pump is at top of its stroke, and the standing valve (SV) has just closed. FIG. 3D. Later, on the down stroke (Point C) the traveling valve opens. The free gas has been compressed into a tiny volume that satisfies Assumption 3. The computer in the WM 52 is programmed to determine 214 when the traveling valve opens. Thus, the net liquid stroke is defined 232 with little error as the distance the pump travels from TV opening to the bottom of its stroke. See Sn in FIG. 3F.
In most cases the shut-down criterion for pump off control is based on liquid fillage of the pump. Fillage is defined as
                    Φ        =                              100                                                                                S              n                                            S            g                                              (        1        )            in which Θ is fillage percentage. The term fillage is defined by equation 1, and is commonly used and understood by practioners of rod pumping. The shut down percentage is chosen by the well technician and causes the WM 52 to stop the unit 10 when the calculated fillage drops below a preset value. For example a cut-off fillage of 90 percent causes the unit to shut down when liquid fillage drops below 90 percent of the full barrel volume. The digital computer in the WM is programmed to recognize when the traveling valve 46 opens, and this helps define the net liquid stroke Sn.
Using the Subsurface Pump as a Meter
The subsurface pump can be used as a meter to measure liquid and gas volumes. On a given stroke, the liquid volume (oil and water) passing through the pump is
                              Δ                                                                          V            l                          =                              π            4                                          d            2                                          S            n                                              (        2        )            in which ΔV1 is measured in cubic inches and d is the diameter of the pump measured in inches. Equation 2 is the formula for computing the volume of a cylinder of diameter d and height Sn. If the unit 10 is turned off by the WM 52, the liquid volume isΔV1=0
The prior art WM 52 is programmed to obtain an estimate of liquid production passing through the pump in an interval of time. Stroke after stroke the WM derives the liquid stroke (i.e., Sn from FIG. 3E or 3F) from the pump card and computes the liquid volume from Equation (2). It accumulates (integrates) the liquid volumes during pumping strokes, whatever the fillage. The WM 52 has information when the unit 10 is stopped and no fluid is passing through the pump. The WM controls when the unit runs and when it is stopped. When 24 hours have passed, the WM 52 computes the inferred daily production rate RIP 228 in barrels per day from the elapsed time and accumulated volumes. This is expressed analytically as,
                              R          IP                =                  8.905                                              ∑                                                                                Δ                                                                                V                  l                                                                    (                                                T                  d                                +                                  T                  p                                            )                                                          (                  3                    a                )            in which Td and Tp are the accumulated downtimes and pumping times during the day, expressed in seconds. The coefficient 8.905 converts cubic inches per second into barrels per day. The integrated volume of liquid passing through the pump, stroke after stroke, is the sum, ΣΔV1.
Equation (3a) defines the prior art method for Inferred Production IP of liquids using the WM 52 or unit 10. Such equation, as described above, is based on assumptions of
(1) negligible pump leakage,
(2) anchored tubing,
(3) negligible free gas volume in pump at time of traveling valve (TV) opening, and
(4) oil shrinkage effects are negligible.
The prior art method for determining liquid volume daily production rate RIP (equation 3a) has been to provide a "k" factor to account for differences between measured production and inferred production using the pump as a meter. But when any of the basic assumptions above are not correct, the accuracy of the IP method decreases. The prior art "k" factor is
                    k        =                              R            t                                R            IP                                              (        4        )            in which Rt is the daily production rate measured in a traditional well test and RIP is the unadjusted inferred daily liquid rate. The k factor is multiplied by the unadjusted inferred daily liquid rate (determined from eq. 3a) to estimate the actual daily liquid rate of the well without actually measuring it by a traditional well test. The formula is,Rt=k RIP,  (5)where Rt is the adjusted value that is taken to be equivalent to the traditional well test. Ideally, the k factor is just below 1.0, for example in the range of 0.85 to 0.9. This factor accounts for the fact that the fundamental assumptions above are not always correct. All pumps leak, at least slightly. Tubing is not always anchored at or near the pump. A small volume of free gas is often present in the pump at the instant of traveling valve opening. If pressure in the pump is relatively high (the well is not completely pumped-off), the volume of free gas in the pump may not be small at all. Finally, most oil shrinks as gas evolves from it while passing up the tubing to the stock tank. Ideally the combined effect of these departures from the assumptions is small such that the k factor is slightly less than one as mentioned above.
The prior art method of using the subsurface pump as a meter for liquid volume inferred production (IP) is illustrated in the examples below.

Inferred production rates of a rod pumped well from surface and pump card information


A image processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a parallax amount calculating step of calculating a parallax amount of each pixel of a plurality of viewpoint images constituting a multi-viewpoint image; and a parallax amount correcting step of correcting the parallax amount of each pixel, based on a zoom value of the multi-viewpoint image and the calculated parallax amount of each pixel, in such a manner that a different in parallax amount corresponding to an object distance is kept unchanged even if the zoom value is changed, when a parallax amount of each pixel of at least a portion of the multi-viewpoint image is corrected by image processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an imaging apparatus, a reproduction apparatus, and an image processing method that change a magnification of a multi-viewpoint image composed of a plurality of viewpoint images, and in particular to an image processing apparatus, an imaging apparatus, a reproduction apparatus, and an image processing method that facilitate stereopsis followability when zoom is changed, so that the viewer's feeling of fatigue can be reduced.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, changing a magnification of a multi-viewpoint image composed of a plurality of viewpoint images is performed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-052058 describes matching the respective centers of a left eye image and a right eye image with each other according to a change in magnification, and controlling the respective horizontal shift amounts of the left eye image and the right eye image according to the change in magnification.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-317429 describes cutting out a stereoscopic image in accordance with the respective cutout areas of right and left images so determined as to fall within a binocular fusional area of a viewer.

Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, reproduction apparatus, and image processing method for processing zoom in 3D imaging


A method of manufacturing a GaAs field effect transistor comprises depositing a silicon thin film 202 on a semi-insulating semiconductor substrate 201, forming a first sensitive film 203 by a photolithography to define channel areas and ion-implanting n-type dopants into the substrate to form an activation layer, removing the first sensitive film, forming a second sensitive film 203a on the silicon thin film by photolithography to define an ohmic contact area and then forming a highly doped impurity layer on the side of the activation layer by way of an ion-implantation process, depositing a passivation film 206 over the entire surface of the substrate 201 after the removal of the sensitive film, and effecting an annealing or heat treatment, forming a third sensitive film of a predetermined pattern by using an ohmic contact forming mask, effecting a recess etching process to the surface of the substrate and forming an ohmic contact on the etched portion, and patterning a gate region by using the gate forming mask, recess-etching the surface of the substrate and depositing a low resistivity metal to form a gate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a GaAs metal semiconductor field effect transistor (GaAs MESFET), which method implants ions and diffuses silicon from a silicon thin film deposited on a surface of a GaAs compound semiconductor to dope silicon in an ohmic contact portion at a high concentration and which etches the contact portion by way of recess etching, thereby improving an electrical property of the transistor.
2. Description of related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 (A) through (F), a process of manufacturing such a GaAs field effect transistor employing a self-aligned gate structure made of a thermostable metal (heatproof metal) is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1 (A), a sensitive film 102 having a predetermined pattern is deposited over a GaAs substrate 101 and an impurity ion is implanted into the substrate 101 to form a n-channel impurity implanted layer 101a in the substrate 101. After the sensitive film 102 is removed, a tungsten silicide thin film 103 which is a thermostable metal thin film is formed on the substrate 101 by way of a sputtering method, as shown in FIG. 1 (B). Consequently, as shown in FIG. 1 (C), a sensitive film 102a of a predetermined pattern is formed on the film 103 and this film 103 is etched by a dry ion etching method using the sensitive film 102a as a mask to form a gate electrode 103a as shown in FIG. 1 (D).
Next, as shown in FIG. 1 (E), a sensitive film 102b is formed on the substrate 101 except on the impurity implanted layer 101a and an impurity of a high concentration is implanted to provide a highly concentrated n-type impurity layer 101b below the n-type impurity implanted layer 101a between the sensitive film 102b and the gate electrode 103a. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1 (F), the sensitive film 102b is removed and an ohmic contact 104 is then formed on the n-type impurity implanted layer 101a to complete a desired transistor.
By the way, the gate electrode 103a thus formed is substantially formed with a thermostable gate made of a tungsten compound such as tungsten silicide to prevent it from reacting with the GaAs substrate in a heat treatment such as an annealing. The ohmic contact 104 is typically formed by ion-implanting an impurity such as silicon at a high concentration with use of the gate electrode as a mask and activating the impurity by way of a subsequent heat treatment.
With such a conventional method, a thermostable alloy such as a tungsten silicide is employed as a gate electrode material because it prevents the substrate from the high temperature during the heat treatment and is unchanged in property. The gate, however, has a relatively large resistivity, thereby resulting in the problem that the transistor is reduced in operating speed. With such a conventional method, also, it is difficult to employ it to fabricate a high speed transistor or microwave transistor.
To reduce such a resistivity of the gate, a two-layered gate is employed. In the structure, when the gate is etched by dry etching, it is difficult to know an etching stop timing because the gate has a etching selection ratio different from the gate material.
Further, the substrate is roughened by the high concentrated impurity ion implantation executed to form the ohmic contact. For this reason, if electrical activation of the impurity is insufficient, then the resistance of the contact portion is increased, decreasing the electrical property of a channel area.

Method of manufacturing GaAs metal semiconductor field effect transistor

Electronics & Telecommunications Research Institute


An attachable accessory for a hand-held, stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, the invention comprises a hammer arm with a hammer head at one end which pivots at the opposite end. Actuating rods, which are struck by the fingers, press the hammer arm downward causing the hammer head to strike the strings of the instrument. The apparatus is clamped to the bridge pins of the guitar or are otherwise removably attachable to the instrument. The instrument is playable in the conventional manner with the apparatus attached. A bias means returns the hammer arm to its initial position after displacement by the actuating rod.

Stringed musical instruments have strings which are vibrated to produce sound. Conventional methods for causing the strings to vibrate include both striking and plucking of the strings. Each of these two methods has advantages and disadvantages. Plucking, including strumming, involves forcing the string in one direction and then quickly releasing it and allowing it to vibrate freely. Plucking of a single string is accomplished very easily with the fingers, but plucking several strings at once or a few strings among many is quite difficult and requires quickness and dexterity of the fingers. In addition, some chords or patterns of notes are extremely difficult or altogether impossible to play with the plucking method.
Striking of the strings is normally accomplished by a complex series of linkages, levers and hammers which is activated by pressing a key with a finger. The linkage apparatus is typically quite large making the instrument either large and heavy or small, intricate and very expensive due to high manufacturing costs. The large apparatus also makes it very difficult to play the instrument the conventional way while the striking apparatus is in place. A striking apparatus, however, may enable even an intermediate musician to play virtually any pattern of notes and produce a sound quality different than that produced by plucking.
Hand-held, stringed instruments are usually played by plucking the strings either with the fingers, or with a pick. The method of plucking the strings is used since attaching a conventional, piano-type, multi-link lever and striker apparatus would prove impractical on a hand-held instrument. However, the advantages which striking mechanisms have over conventional plucking are significant, especially if a striking apparatus can be used in conjunction with, and does not prevent the use of the conventional finger plucking method.
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,137,562, Winlund discloses a linkage apparatus for a dulcimer which is mounted above the strings of the instrument and is activated by keys. Winlund's complex apparatus contains at least three levers having two fulcrums for each string of the instrument. This apparatus comprises a series of linkages that, when struck with a finger, strike the string of the dulcimer. While this mechanism appears to accomplish its string striking goal, the complexities of the linkages and the sheer size of the entire apparatus would prohibit the simple and economical use of this on a conventional hand-held instrument, especially if conventional plucking or strumming are also desired.
In U.S. Pat. No. 726,084, Menze discloses a cithern mounted string striking apparatus which is also operated through a plurality of levers and fulcrums by striking a key. The Menze key striking apparatus is, in the main embodiment, attached to the cithern at one end requiring that the cithern be played in an abnormal vertical position. This apparatus has an additional requirement that one play it in a vertical, upright position and then move it to the conventional horizontal position to play it in the conventional manner. Additionally, the linkages involved in Menze's apparatus are quite complex decreasing the reliability of it and requiring the apparatus to be either large and heavy or prohibitively expensive. The attachment of the apparatus to the cithern does not appear to facilitate easy attachment and removal since it covers one end entirely.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,380,689, Goodwin discloses a string striking apparatus which is actuated by a foot actuator which causes bent wire arms to strike the strings. The Goodwin string striking apparatus is gear driven so that certain strings are struck with each foot actuated rotation of the gear. The pattern of notes which is to be played is pre-selected prior to actuation of the arms by the foot lever and therefore one can not freely play the stringed instrument as is most often desired. It additionally appears as though it would be difficult to play the stringed instrument in the conventional manner with this apparatus attached. This apparatus also appears to be complex in its gearing and linkages, increasing the likelihood of malfunctions.
It is desirable to have an apparatus that can be removably attached to a hand-held, stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, to facilitate striking of the strings and access to additional sound qualities inherent in striking of strings. It is also desirable that the apparatus offer the player new note pattern playing ability while allowing conventional strumming or picking of the guitar with negligeable interference from the apparatus. It is additionally desirable that the apparatus be simple in construction to decrease the possibility of it malfunctioning, and allowing it to be inexpensive and therefore accessible to the intermediate, amateur musician.
Therefore there is a need for a removably fastenable, simple and unobtrusive means for striking the strings of a hand-held, stringed musical instrument.

Hammer mechanism for hand-held, stringed musical instrument


Peripherals and data processing systems are disclosed which can be configured to interact based upon sensor data. In one embodiment, a peripheral, which is configured to be used with a data processing system, includes an interface to couple the peripheral to the data processing system, and at least one sensor, such as a proximity sensor, to sense a user of the peripheral, and a processor coupled to the interface and to the at least one sensor, wherein the processor configures the peripheral in response to data from the at least one sensor. The peripheral may communicate sensor data from its sensors to the data processing system, which may be a wireless PDA, and the data processing system analyzes the sensor data from its sensors and from the peripheral's sensors to decide how to configure the peripheral and/or the data processing system based on the sensor.

Electronic devices, such as computer systems or wireless cellular telephones or other data processing systems, may often be used with peripheral devices. A peripheral device, such as a wired or wireless headset or a wireless or wired keyboard or a wired or wireless cursor control device, is coupled to the electronic device which may be referred to as a host system. The peripheral typically provides input and/or output capabilities to the electronic device.
The peripheral may also be configured to operate with only one particular electronic device or host. For example, a wireless headset peripheral may be paired with a designated wireless cellular telephone so that it communicates with that designated wireless cellular telephone rather than other wireless cellular telephones which are within radio range of the wireless headset. This allows a user to operate the wireless headset with its designated wireless cellular telephone even though it may be surrounded by other wireless cellular telephones which are within the radio range of the wireless headset. Thus, the wireless headset in this case includes some intelligence or data which allows it to selectively operate with a designated host system, but there is no further processing or sensing capability in the wireless headset. A Bluetooth pairing or partnership is an example of a relationship created between a peripheral and a host. It is created by the user in order to exchange information in a secure manner. Creating a Bluetooth partnership between two devices involves entering the same personal identification number (PIN) or passkey on both devices; creating such a partnership is a one-time process. Once a partnership is created, the devices can recognize the partnership and exchange information without entering a PIN again.
Certain wireless telephones described previously include sensors, such as a proximity sensor, which are used to determine a context of the system that relates to how a user is using the system. However, those wireless telephones rely on sensors on the telephone to determine the context.

Methods and systems for automatic configuration of peripherals


An improved system for control of a gas oven appliance is provided. A valve provides for control of the flow of gas to the burner. After preheating the oven, the valve is cycled between high and low (or zero) gas flow rates at frequency that provides the overall desired heating rate of the cooking chamber during cooking operations. A variety of valve types may be used including proportional types and predetermined set point types (e.g., high-low, high-medium-low, or on-off). During cooking operations, between periods of cycling, the valve is at least partially closed (e.g., set to a lower gas flow rate or an off state).

Gas ovens typically control temperature in the cooking chamber of the oven by using a valve to control the rate of gas flow to a gas burner that provides heat energy into the cooking chamber through combustion of the gaseous fuel. Upon starting a gas oven, the cooking chamber is preheated based on the desired set point temperature and, once obtained, the valve is manipulated in an effort to regulate the temperature around the desired set point. More specifically, typically the valve is cycled between completely on and completely off states in an effort to maintain an average temperature at or around the desired set point temperature.
Gas oven appliances used for baking can suffer disadvantages in heat control and distribution compared with oven appliances that use electric heating elements (e.g., resistance based heating elements). One important shortcoming of certain gas ovens can be the very high rate at which heating occurs. While a high heating rate is advantageous in terms of reducing the time for preheating the cooking chamber to the desired temperature, during cooking operations the high heat rate used to maintain the set-point temperature is too fast for certain food loads that cook better at lower heat rates (such as e.g., sugar cookies, cakes, pastries, dough).
Additionally, because of the large flue needed to enable good combustion of the gaseous fuel, a gas oven cools down rapidly when the gas burner is in the off state. This characteristic increases the amount of time during cooking operations such as baking that the burner must be fired (a short cycling period), which also increases the amount of time the food is exposed to a heating rate that is excessive.
FIG. 1 illustrates a plot of the temperature (measured at the oven center—i.e. the center oven temperature or "COT") versus time for a typical electric oven placed at a set point temperature of 350° F. FIG. 2 illustrates a plot of COT versus time for a typical gas oven placed at a set point temperature of 350° F. As stated, the gas oven operates with higher heating and cooling rates and must also cycle on and off more frequently as compared to the electric oven to maintain similar amplitudes. More specifically, in FIG. 1, the period of the typical electric oven temperature plot is about 6 to 8 minutes, the heating rate is about 8° F. per minute, and the cooling rate is about 4° F. per minute. For FIG. 2, the period of the gas oven temperature plot is about 1 to 2 minutes, the heating rate is about 29° F. per minute, and the cooling rate is about 15° F. per minute.
FIG. 3 sets forth an additional problem that occurs in conventional gas oven operation. Temperature measurements of the oven chamber (COT) are shown over time with a door opening event (DO) shown at approximately 27 minutes. After preheating and then entering a cycling state around the temperature set point, a transient response occurs when the oven door is opened and food is introduced into the cooking chamber. The gas oven drops in temperature as heat escapes due to opening of the door and the addition of a relatively cold food load. As such, the gas oven effectively reverts back to a preheat mode where the gas burner runs on high and then reinitiates cycling around the desired temperature set point temperature. Again, this relatively high rate of heating exceeds the rate that results in optimum baking performance of certain foods. The problem is particularly exacerbated for short cooking cycle foods that bake in only about e.g., 10 minutes. The rapid reheat phase can affect as much as 50% of the baking period. Efforts to offset these responses by adjusting the calibration point of the ovens does not effectively correct the outcome and negatively impacts the cooking times of long cycle foods such as casseroles, meats, etc.
A final issue with certain conventional gas ovens is the tendency for the heat entering the oven to do so in a single flow pattern (a developed flow field). This means the heat circulates through the oven in a similar flow pattern for the bulk of the heating time because the heat source is constant. As a result, heating within the oven and heating of the food loads in particular is not performed uniformly. It is inherent that some portions of the foods will be heated more or less than others with the constant supply of convective heat.
Accordingly, an improved system for gas oven control would be useful. Such an improved system that can also provide more uniform heating of the cooking chamber and foods placed therein would also be useful.


A socket connector includes an insulating housing, at least one terminal set and a switch module. The insulating housing defines an inserting hole. The terminal set and the switch module are respectively received in the insulating housing. The switch module includes a fixed terminal, a movable terminal and an insulating guider. The insulating guider is connected to the moveable terminal and electronically insulated from the moveable terminal for preventing signal transmitted by the socket connector from influence. Because the movable terminal is molded with the insulating guider, the strength of the switch module of the audio socket connector will be improved. Since, the audio socket connector has strong structure and high reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket connector, more specifically, to an audio socket connector with a switch module having strong structure and high reliability.
2. The Related Art
Nowadays, various connectors are developed for adapting to various electrical devices. The connectors are used for interconnecting various electrical devices and transmitting electrical signal. Especially, an audio socket connector for transmitting audio signal is a necessary component in an electrical with audio function such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a MP3, a MP4, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc. Due to the high quality demand of above devices, the audio socket connector with strong structure and high reliability is demand.
A conventional audio socket connector includes an insulating housing, a switch terminal set and a plurality of terminals. The insulating housing includes an inserting hole formed therein and connected outside. The switch terminal set and the terminals are received in the insulating housing. The switch terminal set includes a fixed terminal and a movable terminal. The movable terminal includes a resilient curved arm extending into the inserting hole.
If an audio plug is inserted into the inserting hole of the audio socket connector, the resilient curved arm of the movable terminal can be pressed by the audio plug to connect the fixed terminal for switching on the audio function. If the audio plug is pulled out the inserting hole of the audio socket connector, the resilient curved arm of the movable terminal can be separated from the fixed terminal by resilient force thereof for switching off the audio function.
However, the signal interference will be caused, because the audio plug electronically connects the resilient curved arm of the movable terminal. The signal interference will reduce the quality of the audio function. Moreover, it is inconvenient to manufacture the resilient curved arm of the movable terminal due to audio socket connector with a compact size.
After a long term use, the resilient curved arm of the movable terminal may be easily broken due to the elastic fatigue. Therefore, the audio socket connector has low quality and low reliability.

Audio socket connector and switch module


The present invention relates the use of a compound, a pharmaceutical composition, compounds and a kit for treating or preventing disorders in a mammal responsive to TSH receptor mediated pathways, including disorders such as hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, Graves Ophthalmopathy, Graves' associated pretibial dermopathy, nodular goitre and thyroid cancer comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a tetrahydroquinoline compound of Formula (I) or an pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Thyrotropin or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism and development. TSH is released from the anterior pituitary under the influence of thyrotropin—releasing hormone. It targets the thyroid gland to stimulate the release of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine and thyroid growth. The actions of TSH are mediated by a specific G protein-coupled receptor which couples preferentially to Gs proteins leading to activation of adenylyl cyclase. This signal transduction pathway is predominantly responsible for the production of thyroid hormones and proliferation of the thyrocytes (Krohn et al. (2005) Endocrine Rev. 26, 504-524).
The TSH receptor on the thyroid is also directly involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Graves' disease. Graves' disease is characterized by hyperstimulation of the thyroid as a result of circulating TSH receptor-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI), which persistently activate the receptor (Gerding et al. (2000) Clin. Endocrinol. 52, 267-271). TSI may also directly participate in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Graves' ophthalmopathy and Graves'-associated pretibial dermopathy as TSH receptors are present in orbital tissue and affected skin regions of these patients, respectively (Gerding et al. (2000) Clin. Endocrinol. 52, 267-271; Daumerie et al. (2002) Eur. J. Endocrinol. 146, 35-38). In addition, the TSH receptor plays a crucial role in toxic and non-toxic nodular goitre. In (toxic) nodular goitre, the thyroid gland contains autonomously functioning thyroid nodules that secrete excess thyroid hormone as a result of mutations in the TSH receptors which render them constitutively active with significantly increased cAMP levels (Krohn et al. (2005) Endocrine Rev. 26, 504-524).
Blocking the TSH receptor or inhibiting the signaling which is induced after TSH-, or TSI-mediated receptor stimulation, or as a result of constitutively active mutations of the TSH receptor will inhibit thyroid hormone secretion and thyrocyte proliferation. Low molecular weight TSH receptor antagonists could therefore be used to treat or prevent hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, nodular goiter, Graves' ophthalmopathy and Graves'-associated pretibial dermopathy. In addition, low molecular weight TSH receptor antagonists could be used to prevent stimulation of growth of residues or metastases of thyroid cancer, which is thought to be promoted by (over)stimulation of the TSH receptor. In a more general sense, TSH receptor antagonists could be used to prevent or treat all of those ailments in which (over)activation of the TSH receptor plays a role.
Tetrahydroquinoline derivative compounds are described in WO2003/004028, WO2004/056779 and WO2004/056780. These compounds can be used to regulate fertility.
FSH receptor modulators reported in the literature have high specificity towards the FSH receptor. Yanofsky et at (2006, J. Biol. Chem. 281, 13226-13233) and Pelletier et at (2005, Bioorg. & Med. Chem. 13, 5986-5995) demonstrated that low nanomolar potent LMW FSH receptor agonists with a thiazolidinone scaffold are neither TSH recepotor antagonists nor agonists. Also (bis)sulfonic acid, (bis)benzamides, have been identified as FSH receptor antagonists, but they show no or little ability to inhibit TSH receptor activity (Wrobel et al., 2002, Biorg. Med. Chem. 10, 639-656). Another series of low micromolar FSH receptor antagonists (diazonapthylsulfonic acid derivatives) did not show affinity towards the TSH receptor (Arey et al., 2002, Endocrinology 143, 3822-3829).
In addition, mutagenesis studies on the FSH receptor and the TSH receptor have demonstrated that activation of the TSH receptor is distinct from that of the FSH receptor indicating that FSH receptor antagonists will not necessarily inhibit TSH receptor as well (Schulz et al., 1999, Mol Endocrinol 13, 181-190). This differential activation is underscored by the knowledge that the TSH receptor, in sharp contrast to the FSH receptor, also couples efficiently to phospholipase C via Gq proteins, a pathway which is required for thyroid hormone synthesis (Kero et al, 2007, J. Clin. Invest. 117, 2399-2407) and also activated by TSI in Graves' disease.

TSH receptor antagonizing tetrahydroquinoline compounds


A modular table top display having a first upright sub-assembly, a second upright sub-assembly, and upper and lower horizontal cross-members, which extend between the first and second upright sub-assemblies, to span the desired length of the table top. A horizontal cross member extension may be selectively used to extend the length of the display apparatus for longer displays. A flexible sheet material with indicia thereon is releasably secured to the modular table top display apparatus at assembly, and may be rolled up for transport or storage. A clamp extends beneath the table top to secure each of the first and second upright sub-assemblies directly to the table top. Optional lighting may be supported by the rigid frame. The modular table top display apparatus my be disassembled and compactly stored in a carrying case or bag, for ease of transport and storage.

There are many types of display devices known in the art. One popular type of display device is known as the pop-up display. Pop-up displays have been adapted for floor use as well as for table top use. These devices have multiple arms which pivot and expand to support graphics or other indicia. They are light weight, compact and portable, but require a foot print that takes up hundreds of square inches of the available table area, and are expensive to make.
There are rigid panel displays, which fold for transport or storage, and fold out to rest upon a table top. These also take up substantial table space when erected upon a table, and viewing from the side is partially restricted.
There are vertical roll-up displays similar to a projection screen. Vertical roll up displays are supported from the floor and not adapted for securement to a tabletop. Roll up displays are best used indoors, as the vertical sides of the display are not supported, and tend to twist and flutter in the wind.
Inflatable displays are also known, which are supported from the floor. These displays are very compact when deflated, but will deflate during use, if accidentally punctured, and require a large footprint to support the display.
Rigid frames have been used to support graphics or indicia. Rigid frames are usually supported upon a wall, or other vertical support, and will easily fall over in a gust of wind, if placed upon a table top without additional support.
Many trade shows and conventions take place in Hotels, Convention Centers, and indoor or outdoor common areas. The vendor is often limited in usable display space to a six foot or eight foot long table. Some trade shows require the vendor's display to be placed only upon the table top, and restrict use of floor mounted displays.
Therefore, what is needed is a compact, portable modular display apparatus, which is attractive and eye catching, is easily set up or taken down without tools, requires a minimum of table top space, is clamped directly to the tabletop and not supported from the floor, requires a minimum footprint on the table top, is adjustable to suit the length of the table top, provides optional lighting, and will withstand gusts of wind without falling down.