In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, an ambient energy powered electronic gasket includes an insulating gasket body adapted to engage a surface of a powered device, and an electronic circuit enclosed within the gasket body including a DC power supply powered by an ambient energy source related to the powered device with which it is engaged. The ambient energy source can be an AC power source, electromagnetic energy, mechanical, heat, chemical, fluid flow, etc., by way of non-limiting examples.

A gasket is a mechanical seal which fills the space between two or more mating surfaces, generally to prevent leakage from or into the jointed objects while under compression. Gaskets come in many shapes and sizes and are often cut or punched from a flat material. An O-ring is a form of gasket in the shape of a torus and is generally formed as a loop of elastomeric material with a round cross-section.
It is usually desirable that a gasket be made from a material that is, to some extent, yielding such that it is able to deform and tightly fill the space for which it is designed, including any slight irregularities. Gaskets for specific applications, such as high pressure steam systems, may include asbestos. Some (piping) gaskets are made entirely of metal and rely on a seating surface to accomplish the seal. However, most gaskets are made from paper, rubber, silicone, metal, cork, felt, neoprene, nitrile rubber, fiberglass, polytetrafluoroethylene (aka PTFE or Teflon) or a plastic polymer.
Energy harvesting (also known as power harvesting or energy scavenging) is the process by which energy is derived from external sources (e.g., solar, thermal energy, wind energy, salinity gradients, and kinetic energy), is captured and stored. Energy harvesting devices converting ambient energy into electrical energy have attracted much interest in both the military and commercial sectors. Some systems convert motion, such as that of ocean waves, into electricity to be used by oceanographic monitoring sensors for autonomous operation. Future applications may include high power output devices (or arrays of such devices) deployed at remote locations to serve as reliable power stations for large systems. Another application is in wearable electronics, where energy harvesting devices can power or recharge cellphones, mobile computers, radio communication equipment, etc. All of these devices must be sufficiently robust to endure long-term exposure to hostile environments and have a broad range of dynamic sensitivity to exploit the entire spectrum of wave motions.
Conventional energy harvesting apparatus are relatively large and bulky and are designed to provide considerable amounts of power, e.g. to recharge a cell phone. Such apparatus tend not to address the micro-sensor market which have very small form factors and which require very little power.
"SensorCS" cylinder-head gasket technology "integrates pressure and temperature sensors directly into gaskets." The SensorCS gaskets are described on-line by DANA Automotive. AZT online describes "SensoriCS" cylinder head gaskets with integrated temperature sensors. To the extent that these references are understood, it would appear that passive sensors, e.g. thermocouples and/or piezoelectric materials, are embedded in a gasket that is provided with a tab or dongle to allow the sensors to be connected to testing or monitoring equipment. There is no reference to the use of active components, energy generation devices, or wireless communication apparatus embedded within the gaskets.
These and other limitations of the prior art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the following descriptions and a study of the several figures of the drawing.

Ambient energy powered electronic gaskets


Disclosed is SARS-CoV-specific B-cell epitope and applications thereof. The epitopes are peptides and can either be expressed in phages or synthesized to diagnose SARS patients accurately. High sensitivity and specificity of the serologic detection are achievable by using a plurality of SARS-CoV-specific B-cell epitope-based peptides. Therefore, the peptides can be applied to SARS diagnosis and have potentials to be immunogens for producing antibodies against SARS.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to SARS-CoV-specific B-cell epitopes and the epitope-based peptides, which can be applied to SARS diagnosis and have potentials to be the immunogens for producing antibodies against the SARS virus or for development of a SARS vaccine.
2. The Prior Arts
In Feb. 26, 2003, an American businessman was admitted to a hospital in Hanoi after falling ill while on a business trip to Vietnam. He died after transferring to Hong Kong for treatment. Since then, cases of atypical pneumonia combined with respiratory tract infections are reported in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and Canada, respectively. The symptoms of this atypical pneumonia including diffuse pneumonia and respiratory failures are more serious than those of pneumonia caused by virus or bacteria. It was, therefore, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). WHO formally announced that the disease agent of SARS was identified as a SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) on Apr. 16, 2003. This new strain of Corona virus is designated as SARS-CoV that has not been previously identified in humans or animals and cannot be excluded from mutant virus. What is known about SARS-CoV so far is that human beings have no antibody protection against the virus. The virus has a very strong infection rate, propagation ability, toxicity and pathogenicity which may cause lung fibrosis to the patient, even induce shortness of breath or life-threatening respiratory failure and result in death.
According to the case definitions by WHO (World Health Organization), which are revised on May 1, 2003, are shown in the following:
Suspect Case:    1. A person presenting after 1 Nov. 2002 with history of:            high fever (>38° C.)        AND        cough or breathing difficulty        AND one or more of the following exposures during the 10 days prior to onset of symptoms:        close contact with a person who is a suspect or probable case of SARS;        history of travel, to an area with recent local transmission of SARS        residing in an area with recent local transmission of SARS            2. A person with an unexplained acute respiratory illness resulting in death after 1 Nov. 2002, but on whom no autopsy has been performed            AND one or more of the following exposures during to 10 days prior to onset of symptoms:        close contact, with a person who is a suspect or probable case of SARS;        history of travel to an area with recent local transmission of SARS        residing in an area with recent local transmission of SARS
Probable Case:    1. A suspect case with radiographic evidence of infiltrates consistent with pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) on chest X-ray (CXR).    2. A suspect case of SARS that is positive for SARS coronavirus by one or more assays.    3. A suspect case with autopsy findings consistent with the pathology of RDS without an identifiable cause.
The main symptoms of SARS include high fever (above 38° C.), dry cough, and shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. Changes in chest X-rays indicative of pneumonia also occur. SARS may be associated with other symptoms, including headache, muscular stiffness, and loss of appetite, malaise, confusion, rash and diarrhea. In most serious cases, the respiratory illness progresses to diffuse pneumonia, poor oxygen exchange, which causes lack of oxygen in lung and severe respiratory difficulty. The disease can progressively worsen and eventually result in death. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 7 days generally, and may get more than 10 days with the longest period and 3 to 5 days with the common period. It could extend to 14 days to allow an extra margin of safety.
Due to the long incubation period and the highly contagious characteristics of SARS-CoV, accurate and quick laboratory diagnostics are still not available and SARS diagnosis remains dependent on clinical findings. Therefore, many people are developing the technology for rapid detection of SARS. SARS diagnostic methods are mainly based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology up to now. When SARS-CoV RNA is detected by RT-PCR, at least two different clinical specimens (such as nasal swabs and stools), clinical specimens from the same portion but acquired at different dates (such as nasal swabs taken twice or more times), or an original specimen subjected to two respective different assays or repeated PCR. Although detection of SARS-CoV can be accomplished through PCR, this technology has several limitations. It may take several days to confirm the SARS-CoV from patient samples. The labor requirements and capital resources are large and the cost is not low enough for large-scale screening.
In early stage of the disease, the SARS patients are offered with supportive treatments to prevent the deterioration of the disease. Active treatments are offered for those developed early symptoms after close contact with SARS patients (short incubation period), the weak elderly, the small child, or patients accompanied with other diseases.
Treatments of SARS include antiviral medications (such as oseltamivir or ribavirin) and antibiotics (to prevent bacterial infection as well) since onset of SARS symptoms within 5 days (the early stage). However, no medication has been proven to cure SARS so far. A rapid diagnostic test that can reliably diagnose SARS-CoV infection during the early phase of illness, which is easy to manipulate, labor-saving and cost-effective, as well as an effective treatment drugs, are the key issues needed to prevent the spread of SARS.


A circuit for generating an on-die termination control signal can include a first signal generation block configured to generate a first signal to prevent a first on-die terminal control from being performed in a frequency/voltage switching period, a second signal generation block configured to generate a second signal to perform a second on-die termination control at an initial stage of operation, and a signal output block configured to generate the on-die termination control signal by combining the first and second signals.

1. Technical Field
The disclosures herein relate to a semiconductor memory apparatus and, more particularly, to a circuit for generating an on-die termination control signal to operate an on-die termination circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus.
2. Related Art
Conventional on-die termination control refers to an operation which allows a driver to have impedance identical to a reference impedance regardless of PVT (process, voltage and temperature) fluctuations. In order to perform the on-die termination control, an on-die termination circuit is provided in a semiconductor memory apparatus. In addition, a circuit for generating an on-die termination control signal is provided in the semiconductor memory apparatus in order to allow the on-die termination circuit to perform the on-die termination control.
As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary circuit for generating an on-die termination control signal includes a first pulse generator 11, a first NOR gate NR1, a first inverter IV1, a second inverter IV2, a NAND gate ND1, a third inverter IV3, an oscillator 12, a second pulse generator 13, a counter 14, a second NOR gate NR2 and a fourth inverter IV4.
Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional circuit for generating the on-die termination control signal will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
When an auto-refresh pulse signal (AREFP) is generated according to an auto-refresh command or a self-refresh signal (SREF) is deactivated, a first internal signal (INT_CALP1) is generated through the first NOR gate NR1 and the first inverter IV1. The first internal signal (INT_CALP1) is output as an on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP) through the second NOR gate NR2 and the fourth inverter IV4.
Meanwhile, if a system stabilizing signal (RES) is activated and a counting limit signal (CAL_MAX) is deactivated, then an oscillator enable signal (OSC_EN) is activated through the first NAND gate ND1 and the third inverter IV3. The system stabilizing signal (RES) is used to notify a semiconductor memory device of the stable operation of the system, that is, to notify the situation that a GPU (graphic processing unit) or a CPU (central processing unit) stably outputs clock signals. In addition, the counting limit signal (CAL_MAX) is activated when the counter 14 counts to a predetermined number. In the initial operation, the counting limit signal (CAL_MAX) is deactivated in a low level. As the oscillator enable signal (OSC_EN) is activated, the oscillator 12 generates a control signal generating clock (CAL_CLK).
The second pulse generator 13 is activated according to the system stabilizing signal (RES) and generates a pulse, that is, the second internal signal (INT_CALP2) by using the control signal generating clock (CAL_CLK). The second internal signal (INT_CALP2) is output as an on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP) through the second NOR gate NR2 and the fourth inverter IV4.
Meanwhile, the counter 14 counts the number of second internal signals (INT_CALP2) of the second pulse generator 13, that is, the generating number of pulses by using the control signal generating clock (CAL_CLK). The counter 14 activates the counting limit signal (CAL_MAX) in a high level when the count value reaches a predetermined level (for example, 30 times).
As the counting limit signal (CAL_MAX) is activated in a high level, the oscillator enable signal (OSC_EN) is deactivated, so that the operation of the oscillator 12 is stopped and the second pulse generator 13 does not generate the second internal signal (INT_CALP2).
In a conventional semiconductor memory apparatus, a frequency/voltage switching (FVS) period exists in a self-refresh period where the self-refresh signal (SREF) is activated. The FVS period is for switching voltage or frequency to save power consumption according to the operational mode change. Since the voltage or the frequency is switched in the FVS period, the voltage or the frequency is unstable in the FVS period.
In a first case (case 1) illustrated in FIG. 2, the on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP) can be generated according to the auto-refresh command generated in the FVS period (A). Since the voltage or the frequency is unstable in the FVS period, the toggling of the system stabilizing signal (RES) may occur. Due to the toggling of the system stabilizing signal (RES), the on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP) is generated several times (B).
In a second case (case 2), the on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP) can be generated according to the auto-refresh command generated in the self-refresh period (C). If the second case exists, then it is not the self-refresh mode since the clock enable signal CKE is activated. But, an internal circuit of the semiconductor apparatus maintains a self-refresh mode.
In a third case (case 3), as indicated by "D", the on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP), which is generated according to the auto-refresh command, may collide with the on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP), which is generated when the self-refresh period ends. In this case, the on-die termination enable signal (ODT_EN) is activated when the self-refresh period ends. Accordingly, the on-die termination circuit, which performs the on-die termination control, operates so that a supply voltage VDDQ can be temporarily dropped (E).
In a fourth case (case 4), the on-die termination control signal (ODT_CALP) is generated one time according to the auto-refresh command (F). However, since the self-refresh period ends and the supply voltage VDDQ is stabilized after being temporarily dropped, it is necessary to perform the on-die termination control several times as represented in "B".
However, a conventional circuit for generating the on-die termination control signal has the following problems: First, since the on-die termination control signal is generated in the self-refresh period including the FVS period to perform the on-die termination control, the accuracy of the on-die termination control is significantly lowered. Second, the on-die termination control signal caused by the auto-refresh command may collide with the on-die termination control signal generated when the self-refresh period ends so that the on-die termination control cannot be performed or the accuracy thereof is significantly lowered. Third, since the on-die termination control signal is generated one time after the self-refresh period ends, the on-die termination control is performed one time so that the control result does not reflect actual voltage and frequency variation.

Circuit for generating on-die termination control signal


A beer dispenser for use without electric power facilities. The dispenser includes a thermally insulated cabinet for receiving a beer barrel. The cabinet has an opening in the front provided with an insulated door through which the barrel is inserted. An ice chest is mounted above the cabinet. The partition between the ice chest and the cabinet serves in common as the base of the ice chest and a ceiling for the cabinet and is thermally conducting so that there is heat interchange between the interior of the cabinet and the ice chest. The ice chest contains a cold plate. The coil is connected to the barrel at the input and to a spigot at the level of the ice chest at the output. The dispenser is provided with a hand pump or with a CO.sub.2 tank for applying pressure to the beer in the barrel. The ice in the ice chest cools both the beer flowing through the coil and the beer in the barrel so that the formation of "picnic beer" is avoided.

This invention relates to beverage dispensers and it has particular relationship to readily portable beverage dispensers. The invention will be described herein as applied to a beer dispenser to which it is uniquely applicable. It is understood that to the extent that this invention is applicable to the dispensing of other beverages than beer, such application and use is within the scope of equivalents of this invention.
A portable beer dispenser includes a compartment for receiving a barrel of beer, a facility for cooling the beer, a beer-drawing mechanism and a gas tank, or the like, for applying pressure to drive the beer through the beer-drawing mechanism. The facility for cooling the beer is an ice chest in which there is a cold plate through which the beer is conducted. Ice is deposited in the ice chest to provide the cooling. Cserny, U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,668, typifies the prior art of portable beverage dispensers. Cserny suffers from the disadvantage that it includes a refrigerator which requires electrical power for operation. The demand for electric power is a serious impediment to portability and to the uses to which a beverage dispenser can be put.
Rice, U.S. Pat. No. 1,772,111, also typifies the prior art of portable beverage dispensers. Rice discloses a dispenser which does not require electric power facilities, but it has other disadvantages. In Rice, the beverage container is disposed in an open compartment. The beverage is supplied from the container to a spout through cooling coils which are contained in a cooling chamber insulated from the compartment in which the beverage container is disposed. Beer dispensers as disclosed in Rice would produce what is called "picnic beer". A glass or mug of "picnic beer" is mostly foam. Another disadvantage of a dispenser such as is shown in Rice, is that it does not lend itself to use in the home over a period of several weeks. Since only the cooling coils are cooled, the beer in the barrel would remain warm when not in use and would disintegrate and sour.
It is an object of this invention to provide a portable beverage dispenser, particularly a beer dispenser, which shall not require electric power facilities and in whose use a palatable cold beverage, free of the properties of "picnic beer", shall be delivered.


An apparatus includes, among other components, a frame adapted to be connected to the exterior surface of a device that has a touchscreen. A retractable cover is operatively connected to the frame. The size of the retractable cover is equal to at least the size of the touchscreen, and the retractable cover is positioned to extend so as to cover the touchscreen. At least one ultraviolet light is also operatively connected to the frame. The ultraviolet light is positioned to direct ultraviolet lighting toward the touchscreen when the retractable cover extends to cover the touchscreen.

Systems and methods herein generally relate to touchscreens and to sanitizing devices for such touchscreens.
The interactive touchscreen interface has been widely used to provide access to information and has applications for communication, commerce, entertainment, or education in various industries (retail, food service, hospitality etc.) to improve customer service and streamline operations. Kiosk devices with touchscreens are typically located in high foot traffic settings such as shops, hotel lobbies, or airports and the touchscreens can potentially act as focal points for virus transmission between successive users.
Current sanitizing techniques primarily operate by having either a user or a dedicated individual manually wipe down the touch areas with disinfecting wipes/disinfectant spray. Alternatively, the user may be asked to sanitize their hands with a sanitizer before accessing the touchscreen. Neither of these solutions are automated, each creates tremendous waste, and both are prone to improper implementation. In addition, any protocol that relies on specific individual action may be quite difficult to implement and enforce consistently.
One area of extensive use of touchscreen interfaces is in office and retail printing solutions. Touchscreens in such devices are expected to be shared between multiple users and present similar challenges to those described above. This issue is especially critical for retail applications where self-serve printing installations (e.g., kiosks) are provided in retail stores.


A verify sense amplifier (19) reads data from a non-volatile memory cell to be rewritten. The readout data is compared to expected data in a comparator circuit (21). Upon completion of rewriting, the comparator circuit (21) outputs a match signal MCH. A selector (23) outputs a decode signal STR(i) or SWP(i) indicative of a volatile data retaining unit (25), in correspondence with the non-volatile memory cell MC to be rewritten. According to a verify instruction signal PGV/ERV, the readout data read by the verify sense amplifier (19) is stored in the volatile data retaining unit (25). Control is performed with a match signal MCH instead of the verify instruction signal PGV/ERV, thereby storing the data in the volatile data retaining unit (25) upon completion of rewriting. Therefore, there is no need to re-read operational information from the non-volatile storage.

In the semiconductor device disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2002-117699 (Patent Document 1), an initial setting data area for storing initial settings is provided for a memory cell array 110 composed of electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cells, as shown in FIG. 7. A bad column address register 190 is provided for storing bad column addresses corresponding to bad columns which occurred in the memory cell array 110. In addition, trimming data registers 210, 230 are provided for storing adjustment data used for generating various voltages in an internal voltage generator circuit 200 and adjustment data used for generating various timing pulses in a timer circuit 220, respectively.
As a result of wafer test, adjustment data for various voltages generated in the internal voltage generator circuit 200 and adjustment data for various timing pulses generated in the timer circuit 220 are set in the trimming data registers 210, 230, and bad column addresses are set in the bad column address register 190.
The data in the trimming data registers 210, 230 and in the bad column address register 190 are stored as initial settings in the initial setting data area of the memory cell array 110 composed of non-volatile memory cells.
In the image input device disclosed in Japanese unexamined patent publication No. H08(1996)-125914 (Patent Document 2), when the power switch is turned ON to supply system power, a check is made to determine whether a request for updating control information has been input from a remote control unit or externally connected computer, as shown in FIG. 8 (S100 and S200). If an update request has been made, control information stored in RAM is updated or new control information is stored in the RAM, and data on execution of the updating is stored in a specified location of the RAM (S300).
When the power source is turned OFF, the RAM is examined to determine the presence or absence of updated control information (S500). If updating has been done, the control information stored in the RAM is then written into an EEPROM (S600). A voltage retaining circuit is designed to maintain a system power source voltage for a certain period of time until at least the process S600 is completed after turning-OFF of the power switch.

Method and apparatus for setting operational information of a non-volatile memory


A method of generating an output video signal includes processing two or more input digital video signals so as to manipulate images that they represent and combining the processed signals to form the output video signal, which represents a composite image in which the manipulated images appear to fly through one another. In a first pass, a digital video effect generator (1) is supplied (4) with one of input video signals and is responsive to data (5) representing at least the manipulation to which the image represented by that one input signal is to be subjected to process that one input signal to subject the image represented thereby to the manipulation intended for that image. The processed signal resulting from the first pass is recorded (VTR1). In at least one subsequent pass, the generator 1) is supplied with the other or another of the input video signals and is responsive to data representing the manipulations to which the images represented by all of the input signals are to be subjected to process the other input signal so as to subject the image represented thereby to the manipulation intended for that image so as to crop or remove from the manipulated image any one or more portions thereof to be hidden in the composite image. The processed signal resulting from the at least one subsequent pass is keyed (16) into the recorded signal resulting from the previous pass.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the generation of video signals, and is more particularly concerned with the generation of a video signal which represents a composite image and is formed by combining plural digital input video signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the art of creating digital video effects, a requirement may arise to create an effect in which two or more images or pictures appear to fly through one another in three-dimensional space. For example, referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a requirement may exist to move three individual pictures P1, P2 and P3 about a display screen S, for example a display screen of a cathode ray tube, so that they appear to fly though one another. FIG. 1 shows the resultant composite image or picture as displayed on the screen S as frozen for a particular instant in time when all three of the pictures P1, P2 and P3 intersect one another, and FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show, on a reduced scale, the parts of the pictures P1, P2 and P3 that are displayed at that particular instant.
A known technique for creating such an effect will now be described with reference to FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings. The technique employs three separate digital video effect (DVE) generators--also known as digital multi effect (DME) generators--DME1, DME2 and DME3. Three conventional digital video signals S1, S2 and S3, each comprising a series of samples representing successive picture cells (pixels), are supplied to the DME generators DME1, DME2 and DME3, respectively. The signals S1, S2 and S3 represent the pictures (planes) P1, P2 and P3, respectively, prior to manipulation, that is to say while they are still conventional pictures, namely undistorted and occupying the whole of a screen. The DME generators DME1, DME2 and DME3 process the signals S1, S2 and S3, respectively, so as to manipulate ( crop, reduce in size, rotate, shear, etc.) the pictures (planes) that they represent, on a field by field basis, to produce processed signals on video busses VB1, VB2 and VB3 that represent the manipulated pictures P1, P2 and P3. These processed signals, if viewed, would each comprise a respective one of the pictures P1, P2 and P3, each as shown in FIG. 1 except that it would be seen in full ( rather than having parts hidden by the other pictures), each picture being keyed (inset) into a neutral (for example, plain blue or black) background picture B corresponding to the full size of the screen S.
The video busses VB1, VB2 and VB3 are connected to respective inputs of a combiner CB, which combines together the three processed signals from the DME generators DME1, DME2 and DMEB. The combiner CB cannot simply mix the three processed signals since this would result in the parts of each of the pictures P1, P2 and P3 that should be invisible (hidden) being mixed with, rather than concealed by, the pictures that should be shown as being in front of them. To achieve the desired concealment, the combiner CB controls the combination of the signals on the video busses VB1, VB2 and VB3 by using information supplied to the combiner from Z-busses ZB1, ZB2 and ZB3 which extend from the DME generators DME1, DME2 and DME3 to the combiner. The information on the Z-busses ZB1, ZB2 and ZB3 represents, for each pixel of the signals on the video busses VB1, VB2 and VB3, the displacement behind the plane of the screen (depth) of that pixel of the associated picture, namely the position of that pixel in a Cartesian coordinate system in which the X and Y axes lie on the screen and the Z axis is orthogonal to the screen. The combiner CB compares the depth information on the Z-busses ZB1, ZB2 and ZB3 on a pixel by pixel basis and selects for output that pixel having the smallest value of Z, that is the pixel that should be closest to the viewer. That is, based on the depth information on the Z-busses ZB1, ZB2 and ZB3, the combiner performs the required hidden surface removal.
The technique described above is subject to two disadvantages. The first is that it necessitates the use of three DME (DVE) generators. This imposes a large cost penalty because DME generators are expensive even for conventional definition television systems, and even more so in the case of high definition television (HDTV) systems.
The second disadvantage is degradation of the quality of the composite picture along the edges where the individual pictures meet. This is due to the fact that the switching between the pictures is controlled, as explained above, by the depth information, and the depth information is generated at the sampling (pixel) frequency whereby the above-mentioned edges become jagged. This will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings, which shows a case similar to that of FIG. 1, but somewhat simpler in that only two pictures (planes), PA and PB, are combined, the two planes intersecting along an edge or boundary p1-p2 whereby the abovementioned problem of jaggedness occurs at that edge. The problem arises due to the spatial resolution of the pictures PA and PB. In this regard, the individual pictures PA and PB are represented by digital video signals which comprise samples representing respective cells (pixels) of the picture. That is, each picture can be considered to comprise an orthogonal array or grid of pixels, each horizontal row thereof being centred on a horizontal scanning line and the horizontal rows being spaced apart by the distance between the scanning lines. (See, in this regard, FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings, which shows part of a composite picture like that of FIG. 6, but with an edge or boundary B1, corresponding to the edge p1-p2, orientated differently, divided into pixels p with the scanning lines represented at L). Thus, the spatial resolution is determined by the pixel size, which is in turn determined by the number of lines per field or frame of the video system employed.
Obviously, in general, when the pictures PA and PB are combined to form a composite picture, the edge B1 (p1-p2) at which the two pictures PA and PB intersect will not coincide precisely with pixel boundaries. Instead, in general, the edge will intersect pixels. Therefore, when the pictures PA and PB are combined together, a decision has to be made on the picture content of each pixel intersected by an edge. Thus, if, for example, the decision is to the effect that each such pixel will comprise either wholly one of the pictures PA and PB or wholly the other of the pictures depending upon whether the majority of that pixel should be occupied by the one picture or the other picture, respectively, the result is that the desired boundary between the pictures is in practice provided by a step-wise approximation thereto at pixel resolution. This can be more clearly appreciated by referring further to FIG. 7, in which the desired boundary (corresponding to the edge p1-p2) is shown by the line B1 and the step-wise approximation thereto by a line B2. Thus, the actual edge is jagged and there is aliasing between the pictures PA and PB. The degree of jaggedness becomes particularly noticeable when the edges are close to the horizontal or close to the vertical.

Composite image generation with hidden surface removal using a single special effect generator


A diaphragm valve includes a valve seat disposed in a valve chamber in a body, an annular groove provided on the outer periphery of the valve seat, a diaphragm provided so as to be able to make contact with and leave the valve seat via a pressurizing device, and a primary-side flow path communicating the valve chamber, in which an inner diameter of a secondary-side flow path contiguously provided to the annular groove is 2.0 to 4.5 times a groove width of the annular groove, and an intersection cross-sectional area between the annular groove and the secondary-side flow path is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the secondary-side flow path and the intersection cross-sectional area is configured to be equal to or larger than 35% with respect to a sectional area of the secondary-side flow path to acquire a predetermined Cv value.

In general, as a control valve for a gas supply system in semiconductor manufacturing process or the like, a so-called direct-touch-type diaphragm valve is mainly used. The direct diaphragm valve has its advantages in which the seat is directly closed also with a metal diaphragm for use as a material for sealing outside, a very simple flow path without having extra components in a gas contact part can be configured, and this is thus thought to be an optimum structure for cleaning a fluid, without a part where metals slide each other inside the gas contact part. However, there is a limit to the stroke that can be ensured, and it is structurally difficult to ensure a large flow rate, compared with other valve types such as a bellows valve.
Also, to manufacture highly accurate devices such as semiconductor elements with high quality, semiconductor manufacturing process facilities such as a gas supply system as described above are required to be entirely accommodated in a so-called clean room. The clean room is a hermetic space where airborne particles and microbes are controlled at a predetermined level of cleanliness (contamination control); workers to enter the room, as well as materials, chemicals, water, and so forth to be brought in, are ensured to have a predetermined level of cleanliness; and environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, and pressure are also controllable as required. In introducing the clean room, initial cost of equipment, which increases with capacity, and running cost for maintenance and continuous operation are required, which are a large burden as cost of production equipment. Thus, in introducing the clean room, the clean room has to be designed so as to have capacity and structure that are optimum in accordance with the use purpose and prevent the occurrence of waste.
Thus, it is a basic requirement that the diaphragm valve as described above be downsized to a compact form as much as possible. For example, in an integrated gas system, a valve body is incorporated and integrated in a compact base block without joints together with other devices and the like. In particular, in recent years, specifically, it has become general to also use, for example, a valve body significantly downsized to a compact form to the extent that the flow diameter is on the order of several millimeters and the valve body can fit in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with one side being on the order of 3 cm.
On the other hand, in recent years, demands for higher performance, more power saving, an improvement in performance, and so forth of semiconductor-mounted devices such as smartphones are increasing more. Accordingly, microfabrication and high integration are more required for semiconductor elements, and diversification of semiconductor manufacturing process has been significantly advancing. Thus, also for various process gases for use in manufacturing process, higher temperature, higher pressure, and so forth are involved in accordance with individual use purposes. In particular, in accordance with an increase in the diameter of a silicon wafer, an increase in the size of a liquid-crystal panel or the like, an increase in the size of a production system, a change to a special gas supply scheme, and so forth, a further increase in a supply flow rate (high flow) has become a basic demand. Thus, also for the diaphragm valve as described above for use as a supply gas control valve, valve development optimum for individual use purposes is thought to be required. In contrast to the demands for compactization, in particular, demands for a larger flow rate (increase in a Cv value) are increasing more.
The Cv value of the valve is basically defined in accordance with the size of a flow-path sectional area or the magnitude of fluid resistance, apart from fluid property and so forth. Therefore, for making a high flow, it is only required to increase flow-path capacity while appropriately designing a flow-path structure without increasing the fluid resistance or so as to decrease the fluid resistance in the valve. Thus, basically, if a flow path is appropriately formed by increasing the size of the valve structure (or applying a large-sized, large-capacity valve) to enhance flexibility of flow-path design, a high flow in accordance with a necessary Cv value can be achieved relatively easily.
However, as described above, the diaphragm valve is integrated so as to eliminate a dead space as much as possible together with other devices and the like, and also diaphragm valves are normally provided at a plurality of locations. Therefore, if the size is increased, its occupying space is also increased, thereby not only impairing the basic demands for compactization but also impairing optimization of the occupying space of the entire gas supply system and, in turn, it is unavoidable to also increase the capacity of the clean room which accommodates this. This brings an increase in cost of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and poses a problem of worsening manufacturing cost of semiconductor products. In particular, in recent years, with diversification and sophistication of manufacturing process, tendencies to require switching and control of gases of many types are high, and therefore the number of valves to be installed tends to be increasing. Thus, the need to decrease the footprint of individual valves to reduce an increase in the installation area is increasing more. Therefore, the valve for use in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus has to keep its size or be further downsized and then stabilize the flow rate and increase the flow rate.
Thus, means is thought in which the size of the valve body (in particular, valve body of a compact size on the order of several centimeters) is kept or further downsizing is sought after and, in the capacity inside the body of this limited size, a large-capacity flow-path space capable of achieving a high Cv value is appropriately formed to exhibit a stable high flow. According to this optimization of the flow-path structure and shape, a high flow can be achieved in the simplest way without further using another member for the valve or excessively making the structure of the valve complex, with the number of components being kept and also regardless of the fluid for use. This is optimum also from aspects of productivity and cost of the valve and so forth. Conventionally, in view of the above circumstances, various diaphragm valves have been suggested, examples of which are PTLs 1 and 2.
Depicted in PTL 1 is a groove part formed on the periphery of a valve seat on the inner surface of a valve chamber. This groove part includes a groove mouth that is open with an area wider than a circle with the groove width taken as a diameter. Also, at least a part of this groove mouth is open to a groove side surface. Furthermore, the groove part has a predetermined groove depth and a groove bottom surface, and this groove bottom surface has a shape deeper toward the groove mouth.
A metal diaphragm valve disclosed in PTL 2 includes a metal diaphragm having a center part swelled upward. The case is such that an intersection cross-sectional area between an annular groove formed in a lower part of a valve chamber and communicating an outflow path and the outflow path is larger than the cross-sectional area of the outflow path. Also, the case is such that the annular groove includes both side surfaces and a bottom surface, the outflow path is connected to both side surfaces and the bottom surface of the annular groove, and the diameter of the outflow path is made larger than the groove width of the annular groove or the structure is such that the diameter of the outflow path assuming a circular cross section is made 1.5 to 2.5 times larger than the groove width of the annular groove. This structure allows flowing at a large flow rate as a whole flow path from the valve chamber to the outflow path.


An apparatus, method and computer program product for determining a concentration of a high-Z material in a material sample. The method comprises steps of: receiving a material sample and subjecting the material sample to a first sensor device that is substantially ash insensitive for generating a first sensor response signal, and a second sensor device that is sensitive to presence of high-Z material and generating a second sensor response signal. Both the first and second sensor response signals from the first and second sensor devices are processed simultaneously to extract a weight of the high-Z material additive. The weight of the high-Z material additive is determined in a single scan of the material sample.

High-Z (high atomic weight) materials are used in coatings and fillers in the Continuous Web Solution (CWS) market that provide flat sheet materials, e.g., rubbers, plastics, metals and hybrid materials, e.g., organic materials including High-Z material additives. Typically these are expensive materials and it is of interest to control the amount of High-Z material used very carefully. Online measurements are therefore required. Currently, dual-point (subtractive) techniques using two scanners (implementing sensors) are used to measure the amount of an additive and are typically an expensive solution.
It would be advantageous to provide a single-point measurement technique for non-destructive measurement of an amount of high-Z material (e.g., a heavy metal) in such flat sheet materials.

Single-point measurement of high-Z additives in sheets


A DPDT switch includes first and second output signal electrodes opposite each other in an active region on a semiconductor substrate, a third output signal electrode opposite the second output signal electrode in the same active region, and first and second input signal electrodes disposed respectively between the first and second output signal electrodes and between the second and third output signal electrodes, and first control signal electrodes respectively disposed between the first input signal electrode and the first output signal electrode and between the second input signal electrode and the second output signal electrode for switching a signal between the input and output signal electrodes, and second control signal electrodes respectively disposed between the first input signal electrode and the second output signal electrode and between the second input signal electrode and the third output signal electrode for switching an input signal from the first and second input signal electrodes to the second and third output signal electrodes. The DPDT switch including an FET switch in the single active region enables a large reduction in the area of a switching circuit and miniaturization of the device to a large extent.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a prior art high frequency DPDT switch. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing detail of an FET part of the signal switch of FIG. 8.
In FIG. 8, reference numerals 2 and 3 designate a first input signal line I.sub.1 and a second input signal line I.sub.2 which are disposed to receive a first signal and a second signal input from the left and the right edge of the DPDT switch respectively. Numerals 4 and 5 designate a first output signal line O.sub.1 and a second output signal line O.sub.2 which are disposed to output either of the first and the second signals from the upper edge of the switch and the other of the first and the second signals from the lower edge of the switch, respectively, perpendicular to the input signal lines 2 and 3. A first FET 50 is arranged to output a signal from the first input signal line I.sub.1 to the first output signal line O.sub.1 or to cut off its output. A second FET 51 is arranged to output a signal from the first input signal line I.sub.1 to the second output signal line O.sub.2 or to cut off its output. A third FET 52 is arranged to output a signal from the second input signal line I.sub.2 to the first output signal line O.sub.1 or to cut off its output. A fourth FET 53 is arranged to output a signal from the second input signal line I.sub.2 to the second output signal line O.sub.2 or to cut off its output. Numerals 6a and 7a designate a first and a second control signal line G.sub.1 and G.sub.2, respectively, which are disposed in parallel with the input signal line 2 to control "on" or "off" switching of the first and the second FETs 50 and 51. Numerals 7b and 6b designate a second and a first control signal line G.sub.2 and G.sub.1, respectively, which are disposed in parallel with the input signal line 3 to control "on" or "off" switching of the third and the fourth FET switch 52 and 53. Numeral 100 designates a signal switch (high frequency DPD switch) comprising the above described elements.
In FIG. 9 showing details of an FET that is part of the signal switch, numeral 8 designates an active layer of the first FET 50 formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. An input electrode I 17 of the FET 50 comprises its main electrode part 17a formed on the active layer 8 and its line connecting part 17b formed integrally with the main electrode part 17a. An output electrode O 18 of the FET 50 comprises its main electrode part 18a formed on the active layer 8 and its line connecting part 18b formed integrally with the main electrode part 18a. A control electrode G 19 of the FET comprises its finger part 19a formed between the main electrode parts 17a and 18a of both electrodes on the active layer 8 and its lead part 19b formed extending from the finger part 19a.
Here, the detailed structures of the first to the fourth FETs 51 to 53 are all the same and when constituting the high frequency DPDT switch, the directions of arrangement of the FETs should be appropriately chosen to enable connections with the input and output lines.
A description is given of the operation.
In the FET switch of FIG. 9, when an ON voltage, for example, 0V is applied to the control electrode 19, a high frequency signal input to the input electrode 17 flows through the active layer 8 to the output electrode 18, resulting in the switch being is the "on" state. On the other hand, when an OFF voltage, for example, -5V is applied to the control electrode 19, the input signal cannot flow to the output electrode 18 due to a depletion layer generated in the active layer 8, resulting in the switch being with "off" state. The signal switches 50 to 53 each comprising an FET operate to switch the high frequency signal, by utilizing these two states of the FET. The DPDT switch of FIG. 8 switches the high frequency signals between the two input signal lines I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 and the two output signal lines O.sub.1 and O.sub.2 by employing four FETs.
Now, in FIG. 8, the signal switch FETs 50 and 53, whose control electrodes 19 are connected with the first control line 6a and 6b, respectively, are connected between the first input signal line 2 and the first output signal line 4 and between the second input line 3 and the second output line 5, respectively. The signal switch FETs 51 and 52, whose control electrodes 19 are connected with the second control line 7a and 7b, respectively, are connected between the first input signal line 2 and the second output signal line 5 and between the second input signal line 3 and the first output signal line 4, respectively. When mutually complementary ON/OFF voltages are applied to the first control signal line 6 and the second control signal line 7 respectively, the high frequency first and second input signals received at the first input signal line 2 and the second input signal line 3 are switched between a state where they are output to the first output signal line 4 and the second output signal line 5, respectively, and a state where they are output to the second output signal line 5 and the first output signal line 4, respectively, without interferring with each other in both states.
The above described operation makes it possible to receive the two input signals at the first input signal line 2 and the second input signal line 3 and output respective signals switched between the output paths of the first output signal, line 4 and the second output signal line 5, without interferring with each other.
In the prior art high frequency DPDT switch device constituted as described above, it is necessary to employ at least four FET switches. In addition, because the respective FET switches require input and output electrodes having a certain area in order to enable transmission and cutting off of respective signals, many input and output electrodes have to be disposed in the vicinity of the active layer of the respective FET switches, resulting in the DPDT switch unfavorably occupying a large area on a wafer. Further, it is required to provide output line connecting parts 4a and 5a for connecting the output lines of FET switches 50 and 52 and the output lines of FET switches 51 and 53, respectively, to constitute the output lines 4 and 5, respectively. Also, it is required to make the direction of arrangement of the input line and that of the output line of the DPDT switch perpendicular to each other in view of the structure of the FET switch.

High frequency double pole double throw switch


A cooling microcircuit for use in a turbine engine component is provided. The cooling microcircuit has at least one leg through which a cooling fluid flows. A plurality of cast vortex generators are positioned within the at least one leg to improve the cooling effectiveness of the cooling microcircuit.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling microcircuit for use in turbine engine components, such as turbine blades, that has a plurality of vortex generators within the legs through which a cooling fluid flows to improve cooling effectiveness.
(2) Prior Art
A typical gas turbine engine arrangement includes at plurality of high pressure turbine blades. In general, cooling flow passes through these blades by means of internal cooling channels that are turbulated with trip strips for enhancing heat transfer inside the blade. The cooling effectiveness of these blades is around 0.50 with a convective efficiency of around 0.40. It should be noted that cooling effectiveness is a dimensionless ratio of metal temperature ranging from zero to unity as the minimum and maximum values. The convective efficiency is also a dimensionless ratio and denotes the ability for heat pick-up by the coolant, with zero and unity denoting no heat pick-up and maximum heat pick-up respectively. The higher these two dimensionless parameters become, the lower the parasitic coolant flow required to cool the high-pressure blade. In other words, if the relative gas peak temperature increases from 2500 degrees Fahrenheit to 2850 degrees Fahrenheit, the blade cooling flow should not increase and if possible, even decrease for turbine efficiency improvements. That objective is extremely difficult to achieve with current cooling technology. In general, for such an increase in gas temperature, the cooling flow would have to increase more than 5% of the engine core flow.

Serpentine microcircuit vortex turbulatons for blade cooling


When an inputted audio signal is outputted from a speaker device having a predetermined input-output characteristic, the predetermined input-output characteristic being selected such that the linearity of an output level with respect to an input signal is approximately assured at a level equal to a predetermined level or more and the output level with respect to the input signal is lowered at a level equal to the predetermined level or less, a correction process for compensating a lowered output level is carried out with respect to a signal component approximately of a level equal to the predetermined level or less in the inputted audio signal. Owing to the correction process, the reproduction characteristic of a small volume signal from a speaker is improved.

The present invention relates to an audio signal processing method and apparatus which carry out characteristic correction in case of reproducing an audio signal from a speaker device and more particularly relates to a technology preferably to be applied in case of using a speaker device for HIFI reproduction by which reproduction of a high-quality sound is possible.
In the past, various kinds of constitutions were in practical use as a speaker device for HIFI reproduction by which reproduction of a high-quality sound is possible. For example, there is known a speaker device having a three-way constitution in which reproduction bands of the audio signal are divided into three bands of a low band, a middle band and a high band and individual speaker units are provided for respective bands thereof. Reproduction faithful to an input audio signal from a low band to a high band becomes possible in the speaker device having a three-way constitution by using units as speaker units for respective bands in which reproduction characteristics thereof are favorable in respective bands and generally, the reproduction characteristic thereof becomes favorable as compared with a so-called full-range type speaker unit which outputs audio of all bands by a single speaker unit.
Also, other than the constitution in which the reproduced sound of the speaker device is made to be a high-quality sound by adopting such a three-way constitution or a two-way constitution, there has been adopted a constitution in which the characteristic of the audio signal itself supplied to the speaker device is corrected on the side of an amplifier device which is an audio signal processing apparatus such that the audio characteristic outputted from the speaker device is to be improve accordingly. For example, there is a case in which a correction referred to as a loudness control is carried out by an audio amplifier device which performs a processing of amplification of an audio signal driving the speaker device or the like. This loudness control is a control for carrying out a correction process which strengthens a bass portion and a treble portion in the output level thereof as compared with a midrange portion such that a phenomenon that the bass and treble portions sound insufficiently mainly on an occasion of a small volume is to be corrected.
In Jap. Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-171589, there is a description with respect to one example of a reproducing constitution in case of carrying out a loudness correction.
However, the loudness controlled reproduced sound simply strengthens a signal in a specific frequency band approximately uniformly regardless of its level, so that it cannot be said in the strict sense of the word that a faithful reproduction with respect to the input audio signal is achieved and a development of a speaker device capable of achieving a more faithful reproduction with respect to the input audio signal has been desired. More specifically, since the reproduced sound which was loudness-controlled according to a conventional way strengthens a sound which cannot be caught easily on an occasion of a small volume to be reproduced, the bass portion and the treble portion become audible easily as compared with a reproduced sound which is not loudness-controlled and there is an effect of improving the sound quality to a certain degree, but the signal in a specific frequency band is to be strengthened uniformly regardless of a small level of a large level, so that it might happen that it may strengthen also with respect to a signal component which is unnecessary to be strengthened and as a result there is a case in which an unnatural reproduced sound is obtained.
Here, it will be explained with respect to a problem of the reproduced sound in a speaker device of related art, wherein there is a problem of a signal having a small amplitude as an example in a case when the reproduced sound does not reproduce the input audio signal faithfully. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a case is assumed in which an input audio signal S1 of a continuous waveform having a waveform of a relatively large amplitude and a waveform of a relatively small amplitude. At that time, as a waveform of an audio signal S2 outputted from the speaker, it becomes approximately comparable with the input signal S1 with respect to a waveform of a relatively large amplitude and with respect to a waveform of a relatively small amplitude, there is a trend such that the amplitude thereof becomes smaller than that of the input signal S1. This is because the reproducing characteristic of a signal having small amplitude of a small volume is bad in a speaker unit having a shape provided with a general diaphragm capable of outputting in a relatively large sound and linearity of the input-output characteristic of a small volume signal cannot be assured.
Similarly as shown, for example, in FIG. 1B, when an input audio signal S3 having a waveform of a relatively large amplitude and an input audio signal S4 having a waveform of a relatively small amplitude overlap in time, an audio signal S5 composed by both the signals S3 and S4 is expected to be outputted primarily, but it becomes a state in which an output audio signal S6 having a waveform which is lowered in level as compared with the waveform of that composed signal S5 is to be outputted from the speaker. In a case, for example, when sounds of various musical instruments are to be reproduced concurrently such as a symphony as an audio to be reproduced from the speaker, such an output state may happen.
Further, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1C, in a case when there is an impulse signal as an input audio signal S7 in which a signal amplitude of a specific single frequency lowers gradually, it is true with respect to the waveform of an output audio signal S8 from the speaker that a following characteristic becomes deteriorated more as the level thereof becomes lower.
In any one of the examples of FIGS. 1A to 1c, the output level the signal having amplitude of a small volume becomes smaller than the input signal level with respect to the output from the speaker and it becomes a state in which linearity of a small signal cannot be maintained. When frequency-analyzing the state shown in FIGS. 1A to 1c, it becomes a state shown, for example in FIG. 2. The example of FIG. 2 is an example in which sensitivity is analyzed with respect to a fundamental wave f1 and its harmonics f 2 and f 3 which are higher harmonic waves of the fundamental wave. With respect to the fundamental wave f1 having a high level, it is outputted by a level as it was, but with respect to the harmonics f 2 and f 3 having smaller levels than the fundamental wave, the output sensitivities thereof become as shown by solid lines which are lowered than the primarily expected levels shown by dotted lines.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are drawings showing output characteristics from a low band to a high band in signal levels of a plurality of steps, wherein FIG. 3A shows an ideal characteristic and FIG. 3B is a drawing showing an output characteristic of an actual speaker. As shown in FIG. 3A, it is assumed in an ideal state such that four levels L1, L2, L3 and L4 were spaced approximately equally and it was a flat characteristic from a low band to a high band. At that time, with respect to the levels L1, L2 and L3 having high output levels for the output characteristic of an actual speaker shown in FIG. 3B, output characteristics approximately comparable with the ideal characteristic can be assured, but with respect to the characteristic of the lowest level L4, the levels are to be lowered from the primarily necessary levels by sensitivity a in any frequency bands.
The input-output characteristic diagram of FIG. 4 is a drawing when such sensitivity lowering is seen as a specific frequency characteristic. As shown in FIG. 4, while it is necessary primarily that the output level increased linearly with respect to the increase of the input signal level to the speaker so as to obtain a characteristic x of a dotted line, actually, the level changes approximately linearly in a level of a certain degree or more, but motion of the diaphragm with respect to the input is bad in a specific level or less such that a curved characteristic y is obtained in which the output sensitivity with respect to the input is very bad.
Specifically, in case of, for example, assuming that the maximum level for listening by a general speaker is to be 70 to 100 dBspl (sound pressure level), it can be said that a signal which is lowered from the maximum level by −30 dB to −60 dB does not output a sound volume which is correctly lowered by −30 dB to −60 dB with respect to the maximum level (is not proportional). Tentatively, when assuming a reproduction by a sound volume in which the output of the amplifier device is lowered from 100 dBspl by an amount of 50 dBspl, a sound volume before and after 50 dBspl should be obtained under an ordinary circumstance, but it happens actually, for example, that only an output of 40 dBspl which is lower than that by 10 dBspl can be obtained. In other words, it was recognized by an analysis of the present inventor that linearity cannot be fulfilled precisely and it becomes one of big causes for a phenomenon that a satisfied sound quality cannot be obtained.
It should be noted that the characteristic explained so far is the characteristic in case of a speaker unit having a relatively large diaphragm capable of outputting a relatively large sound volume, but conversely, in case of a speaker unit having a small sized and lightweight diaphragm which is produced for a small volume output such as, for example, a speaker unit for a headphone, there also exists a constitution in which linearity of the input-output is maintained relatively favorably on an occasion of a small volume and linearity of the input-output characteristic cannot be maintained on an occasion of a large sound volume.

Audio signal processing method and apparatus


A method, computer program product and computing device for offering complementary products/services includes monitoring one or more actions taken by a user while browsing a website. One or more search terms are assigned to at least one of the one or more actions taken by the user. One or more complementary terms are assigned that define one or more products/services that complement the one or more actions taken by the user. A query is executed on a datastore based on at least a portion of the one or more search terms and at least a portion of the one or more complementary terms to generate a result set.

When a user browses a website, the actions taken by the user may be indicative of the various likes and dislikes of the particular user. For example, if the browser of a website reviews material concerning a particular type of music, these actions may be indicative of the user being a fan of that type of music. Further, if the browser of a website reviews material concerning a particular political party, these actions may be indicative of the user being a member of/interested in that political party. Accordingly, by monitoring the actions taken by a browser of a website, the particular tastes of the user may be discernible.
Additionally, once the particular likes and dislikes of the user are determined, the user may be interested in purchasing complementary products/services if the user was made aware of the availability of such complementary products/services.

System and method for generating referral fees


A connecting shaft includes a fixed connecting part on one end and a connecting part on the other end for engaging with a socket, the connecting part is in curved part, a shoulder for connecting to the inner circumference of the socket is disposed between the connecting part and the connecting shaft, the purpose of the shoulder is for the connecting shaft to be able to turn or position with the socket, an axial hole is disposed inside the connecting part for a axial rod to insert into, a ball hole is disposed on each side of the connecting part and the two ball holes are connected to the axial hole, a steel ball is inserted into each ball hole, when the axial rod moves, it will also drives the two steel balls to move, one end of the axial rod is connected to a sliding control element, so that the sliding control element will drive the axial rod to move together on the axis, so as to control the two steel balls to allow the socket to turn upon the connecting shaft or to engage together in position.

Conventional power driven tools for socket structure are normally driven either manually or by electrical power. Electrical tools are usually connected to pneumatic power source to take advantage of the output of compression air to provide constant torque to achieve locking operations. Pneumatic tools usually use torque connecting shaft to output torque to achieve locking purpose.
Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a conventional torque connecting shaft 91 which includes a protruded sleeving part 911 and a sleeving hole 912 provided at each end of the shaft, for connecting to a pneumatic tool and for engaging with a socket. This type of conventional torque shaft can only work on a straight line and if the socket required to be locked is located away from the straight line, it will be difficult to reach the socket. Besides, when the torque connecting shaft 91 is connecting with the socket, the protruded sleeving part 911 engages with the socket. It is not convenient to adjust a steel ball 913, so that when engaging with the socket, it will not be easy to operate speedily. Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is another conventional connecting shaft, arranged for a socket to easily engage onto the shaft, but the protruded sleeving part can only be operated in straight direction and cannot turn to the other angular positions.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, another connecting shaft is shown and allows a limited turning angle, a driven head is disposed at one end of the connecting shaft, a positioning ball is disposed on the driven head at a desirable location, a concave part is located between the driven head and the positioning ball. Referring to FIG. 3, in operation, the connecting shaft and the socket can be connected in a straight manner, the socket can also turn within a limited angle on the connecting shaft as referring to FIG. 4. When in a straight manner, the positioning ball can help to position the tool. But when it operates in the manner of angle turning, the connection between the connecting shaft and the socket depends only on a simple insertion mechanism, there is no element to help positioning, if the operating angle is not suitable the socket will easily fall apart from the connecting shaft. Even though the positioning ball can achieve positioning function when operating in a straight manner, the socket can still detach from the connecting shaft when the force acting on the socket from a pneumatic tool is bigger than the positioning force of the ball. Thus will affect safety of using the tool.


A card connector is provided with an ejection mechanism using a cycle cam. It is configured that a pin slides in a groove of the cycle cam along a direction that a card moves according to a movement of the card when the card is inserted into the card connector or pulled out from the card connector. A plurality of elastic members is provided along the direction that the card moves for pressing a specific portion of the pin against the groove of the cycle cam.

The present invention relates to a card connector, and more specifically, to a card connector with an ejection mechanism using a cycle cam such as a hart cam.
In a conventional card connector with an ejection mechanism using a hart cam, it is configured that a pin slides in a groove of the hart cam of the ejection mechanism. In this type of connector, an elastic member such as a pressing spring is provided on an upper portion of the pin, so that the pin is controlled and held in the groove of the hart cam. As disclosed in Patent Reference, such a pressing spring is disposed at one location along a direction that a card is inserted.
Patent Reference: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-291553
In the conventional ejection mechanism described above, when the card moves, a relative position between the pin and the pressing spring is shifted. To this end, it is necessary to hold the pin over a whole stroke that the pin moves for stably holding the pin at a specific location. Accordingly, it is necessary to increase a length of the pin, thereby making it difficult to reduce a size of the ejection mechanism.
In view of the problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a card connector with an ejection mechanism capable of stably holding a pin without increasing a length of the pin.
Further objects will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

Card connector having ejection mechanism


A method for making a mask for optical lithography or other projection printing, wherein the mask is represented by a mask pattern, is disclosed herein. The mask provides a substantially binary output image on the surface of a wafer as light is applied to the mask. Light passes through the mask and onto a wafer at varying intensities, such intensities represented by output intensity values, the threshold values of which produce output images within predetermined constraints. The method includes the steps of defining sampling points which are representative of the binary output image. These sampling points are used in defining local objective functions, which are combined to give a total objective function. The present invention further includes the steps of adjusting the mask pattern to provide for minimization by optimization of the objective function, transferring the mask pattern to a mask generating machine to generate a mask, and generating a mask. Moreover, the present invention includes the step of providing an output image which is focused on a plurality of optical planes. Furthermore, the present invention includes the step isolating three of the plurality of optical planes so that their output intensity is optimized at these planes, thereby producing a focusing plane shift at the center focal plane as well as producing an extended depth of focus.

As the minimum feature size of VLSI circuits drops to submicron regions, distortion due to optical diffraction can no longer be neglected. An established practice in microphotolithography to overcome distortions is to introduce deliberate distortions in the mask artwork. The corrections are usually based on experience gained by a process of trial and error. For the recently developed phase-shifting masks, experience is scarce, and intuitions are hard to develop. Therefore, a systematic technique to determine suboptimal, if not optimal, pre-distorted masks can facilitate conventional, chromeless, and phase-shifting mask design.
While phase-shifting masks are used to overcome the diffraction consequences of conventional (binary) masks, and hence provide better resolution than conventional masks, phase-shifting masks contain more information than a conventional transmission mask, and therefore require more complex patterning procedures. For example, a designer of phase-shifting masks should not only take into account the need to compensate for diffraction, but should also provide destructive interference at the wafer's surface for good resolution, therefore making use of the diffraction. Moreover, a designer should also build mask topography which projects a three-dimensional image that adapts to the expected wafer topography. Accordingly, there is a need for a method of designing and, therefore making masks which provides the aforedescribed characteristics.


A planer silicon-based displacement amplification structure and a method are provided for latching the displacement. The displacement amplification structure may include a first actuation beam and a second actuation beam coupled to the first beam with an angle, the ends of the first beam and the second beam coupled to fixture sites, and an end of the second beam coupled to a motion actuator; a motion shutter coupled to an opposing end of the first and second beams; and a latching thermoelectric displacement structure blocking the shutter return path and have faster response than the shutter structure.

MEMS actuation technologies can be categorized into electrostatic, thermoelectric, and electromagnetic. Electrostatic technology is commonly used in MEMS structures and has the advantage of low power consumption and ease in achieving multiple directional motions. In additional to potential stiction issues due to their large surface area-to-volume ratio, electrostatic MEMS have a disadvantage in that they require hematic sealing to prevent moisture-induced high electrical field shorting, resulting in increased cost. Electromagnetic MEMS requires integration of coils or magnets, which is not compatible with conventional MEMS processes, leading to difficulties in production. Thermoelectric MEMS structures have a relatively simple device configuration that can be produced by a low cost semiconductor batch fabrication process with relaxed tolerance. However, conventional thermoelectric MEMS structures consume large amounts of energy, which limits their applications.

Large motion latching microelectromechanical displacement structures


A coupling device designed to securely connect adjacent weigh platform modules of a vehicle scale. Such a device may include corresponding coupling elements, each adapted for attachment to a respective one of a pair of adjacent weigh platform modules. The coupling elements are designed for mating contact and include fastener assembly receiving cavity sections that, when the coupling elements are properly mated, form a fastener assembly receiving cavity in an exposed top surface of the coupling device. A fastener assembly is located in the fastener assembly receiving cavity and is operative to secure the mated arrangement of the coupling elements, thereby rigidly connecting the associated weigh platform modules. The accessible location of the fastener assembly facilitates both installation and subsequent service/repair procedures.

The present invention is directed to a coupling device for joining sections of a vehicle scale. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a cost effective coupling device for joining adjacent weigh platform modules of a vehicle scale, wherein installation and subsequent servicing of said coupling device are facilitated by its design.
A typical vehicle scale includes at least one weigh platform (or deck) for receiving a vehicle to be weighed. The weigh platform may be comprised of a metal framework with a steel plate deck, or the weigh platform may be comprised of concrete (typically enclosed within a steel frame). The weigh platform may be supported from beneath by a number of weighing elements, such as load cells, mechanical or hydraulic sensors, etc. When a vehicle is placed on the weigh platform, each weighing element produces an output signal that reflects the portion of the vehicle weight borne by that load cell. The signals from the load cells are added to produce an indication of the total weight of the vehicle residing on the weigh platform.
Vehicle scales, and their associated weigh platforms, can be of various size. For example, such vehicle scales are commonly of a size that is sufficient to accommodate a semi-truck trailer. Vehicle scales of such size are typically assembled using multiple weigh platform segments (modules) that are connected end-to-end to provide a full-length weigh platform.
The connection of weigh platform modules in such an end-to-end arrangement generally requires the use of couplers, numerous ones of which have been employed in the art. However, these known weigh platform couplers and coupling techniques suffer from various deficiencies. For example, known weigh platform couplers are typically difficult to install. Such known weigh platform couplers may also be difficult to service after installation, possibly requiring coupler and/or platform disassembly to perform such service. Further, known weigh platform couplers and coupling techniques do not typically permit easy correction of weigh platform misalignment.
The present invention is directed to a weigh platform coupling device and coupling method that overcomes these deficiencies. A weigh platform coupling device of the present invention and its associated method of joining weigh platform modules is cost effective, provides for simple installation and service, and results in an overall weigh platform that is structurally sound.


A mounting arrangement is provided for mounting the air cleaner for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle. The air cleaner generally includes a casing having air inlet and outlet openings and an open side, a pot-shaped housing containing a filter element and having an open side selectively attachable to the open side of the casing. The mounting arrangement provides two substantially parallel and horizontal rods upon which the air cleaner can be placed. The air cleaner can be held to the rods by a variety of techniques, including hooks and guide rings. The mounting structure allows the housing to be detached and slid away from the casing for cleaning or replacement of the filter element, then be accurately realigned with the casing so that an accurate seal can be engaged.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a mounting arrangement for the air cleaner of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle, where the air cleaner includes a casing and a pot-shaped housing that accommodates a filter element.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,000 shows an air cleaner with a generally cylindrical housing and a tangential raw air inlet. The housing encloses a filter element through which air flows radially. The housing itself can be attached by a bayonet lock to a cylindrical intake air collector. A safety shield is located in this intake air collector to prevent entry of dust and dirt into the intake air duct during replacement of the filter element. The safety shield is sealed against the filter element by moving the filter element axially in the direction of the safety shield with an adjusting screw after engaging the bayonet lock, so that the end face of the filter element is brought into contact with the end face of the safety shield. This axial movement simultaneously secures the bayonet lock.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,557 describes an intake air cleaner for an internal combustion engine in which a filter element is arranged in a pot-shaped housing. The end face of the housing can be brought into contact with an attaching device that carries a locking arrangement. To secure the housing to the attaching device the locking ring is rotated and engages with sliding surfaces behind cams extending from the housing in the manner of a bayonet lock.
Problems can arise in the course of assembling the air cleaners described above during fastening of the housing to the casing. The bayonet lock requires exact alignment of the housing and casing before the bayonet lock is secured by rotation. Only if both components are aligned with each other and brought into contact without any angularity can the bayonet lock be secured without problems.


An improved resonator and optical cavity is adapted for use with a chemical laser that has a nozzle upstream of the resonator that emits a gain medium in a flow direction, and a pressure-recovery system downstream of the resonator. The optical resonator comprises first and second optical elements that are spaced apart from one another along an optical axis. Each of the optical elements has a selected geometry and a selected optical transmissivity to permit transmissive outcoupling of a beam of laser radiation from the resonator, the outcoupled beam being transmitted about the optical axis. The transmissivity and geometry of each optical element is selected to define an unstable region between the optical elements and around the optical axis, and a stable region in a region surrounding the unstable region and spaced apart from the optical axis.

The invention of the gas dynamic CO2 laser and, subsequently, the HF/DF laser, indicated the feasibility of gas-flow lasers of high power. These are continuous wave (cw), supersonic flow devices, and, at a high-power level, have a large saturated gain volume. An optical resonator or cavity is used to resonate photons from the gain volume into a coherent and collimated laser beam. Because the flow is supersonic, the cross-sectional area of this gain volume is roughly rectangular (or trapezoidal) and not a disc. Because of this rectangular gain volume, conventional spherical optical elements in the resonator are difficult to use.
If the outcoupled beam from the resonator (the "laser beam") is rectangular in cross section, it requires clipping and manipulation to transform it into one with a circular cross section. For a laser system, this process is costly and reduces the beam's power. On the other hand, if the beam emanating from the resonator or optical cavity has a circular cross section, then much of the radiative energy inside the rectangular, box-like optical cavity may, unfortunately, contribute to gas heating and/or parasitic lasing. It is, therefore, difficult to couple the radiative energy in a box-like region into an axially-symmetric outcoupled beam.
The first type of optical cavity or resonator that was used for a laser is referred to as a stable resonator and is described in Wrolstad, K. H., Avizonis, P. V. and Holmes, D. A., "Stable Resonators with Increased Fundamental Mode Volume for CO2 Laser Oscillations" J. Phys., Part E, 4, pp. 143-145 (1971). This reference reports obtaining single transverse mode operation (TEM00) with CO2 in a 1.2 cm diameter discharge tube. This beam size diameter, however, is far too small for use with a large, supersonic laser. With a stable resonator, it was realized that operation with a single, low-order mode was not possible. The laser would be multi-mode, which results in an undesirable amount of beam spread when the beam is focused on a distant target. In addition, because the area of the gain volume is rectangular, a stable resonator may fail to fully saturate all of the gain medium. Among other adverse effects, destructive parasitic lasing can then ensue, especially for a large, high-gain laser.
In a conventional chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL), the stagnation temperature, static pressure, and Mach number M are about 300 K, a few Torr, and about 2, respectively. The gas is largely helium with most of the balance being oxygen, some of which is in the excited 1Δ electronic state. The stagnation pressure for this gas is about 60 Torr.
Current COIL practice uses a gain medium that is linear rather than toroidal. In the linear case, the mirrors are located at the far end of two optical ducts, away from the supersonic flow where the gain is located. With a purge gas (helium), the ducts are maintained at a slightly higher pressure than the optical cavity to keep the mirrors from degrading. Some means must be provided, such as a material or aerodynamic window, for transmitting the beam into the ambient atmosphere.
All current chemical lasers utilize an unstable resonator for a variety of reasons that include the following important features:
(i) A large mode volume.
(ii) Transverse mode discrimination.
(iii) Single-ended output.
(iv) A confocal beam, if desired.
(v) A central main lobe in the far field.
(vi) The outcoupled beam stems from an annular portion of the coherent wave that is incident on the mirror. Nevertheless, the outcoupled beam is also coherent.
See Siegman, A. E., "Stabilizing Output with Unstable Resonator," Laser Focus, 42, pp. 42-47 (May 1971) for an early discussion of the benefits of this type of resonator. Krupke, W. F. and Sooy, W. R., "Properties of an Unstable Confocal Resonator CO2 Laser System," IEEE J. Quant. Elect., QE-5(12), pp. 575-586 (1969) describes a three mirror optical system that is current practice. All three mirrors are highly reflective and the resulting beam is toroidal, i.e., in the near field the beam has a hole in it.
To outcouple a beam, current unstable resonators typically use the diffractive loss from the outer portion of a mirrored surface. In the far field, the hole fills in, but as a result of its annular origin, the side lobes contain a larger fraction of the power than if the beam originated from a uniformly illuminated disc with a diameter equal to the outer annular diameter. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate schematically these types of resonators, with the lines having arrows representing the outcoupled beam. In FIG. 1, the outcoupled beam simply diffracts around the smaller mirror. In FIG. 2, a "scraper" mirror is used to outcouple a beam. In both cases, the outcoupled beam in the "near field" (close to the resonator) is annular or donut-shaped. In the "far field" (a distance from the resonator), the beam "fills in," but does not have an optimal energy distribution.
As mentioned, the saturated gain region is generally box-like in a gas flow laser. There is a misfit between the geometry of this region and an axially symmetric outcoupled beam. In a large laser, this misfit can result in nonuniform saturation of the gain region. A poorly saturated part of the region, means, at least, some loss of laser power, or, at worst, destructive parasitic lasing. On the other hand, more nearly uniform saturation poses the risk of optically coupling gain and absorption regions. The loss of power may be severe when this happens. In this regard, each type of chemical laser is different. For instance, in COIL the absorbing state is the electronic ground state of the iodine atom. This atom is in its diatomic (non-absorbing) form when the fluid is in chemical equilibrium. Because of its low concentration, however, the three-body recombination rate of iodine atoms is slow. Hence, ground state iodine atoms can remove energy from a coherent radiative field, and then lose this energy by spontaneous emission or collisional deactivation. This loss process can occur in the absorbing, supersonic flow just downstream of the saturated gain region.
Accordingly, a need exists for a resonator or optical cavity design that is particularly adapted to the modern, supersonic flow chemical laser, in particular to the COIL.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Stable/unstable optical cavity resonator for laser


A hoist with built-in load sensitive automatic speed change device includes: a high-torque input member coupled to a hand wheel, a magnetic clutch coupled via a speed-increasing mechanism and configured to transmit a low load, and an output transmitting means configured to transmit a rotational operating force of the hand wheel to mechanical brakes via the high-torque input member or magnetic clutch, wherein the hand wheel is axially supported by a drive member coupled to the output transmitting means of the mechanical brakes and rotated thereby, the magnetic clutch is arranged between the speed-increasing mechanism and the hand wheel, the hand wheel and the speed-increasing mechanism are coupled by a hollow input member provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the magnetic clutch, the output transmitting means is fitted onto a boss portion of the drive member so as to allow torque transmission to the boss portion.

In the related art, an automatic speed changer of a hoist including two clutch mechanisms and enabling high-speed hoisting when no load is applied is developed. However, since a contact-type switching system in which a transmission plate is mechanically slid is employed, there is a problem that an internal resistance at the time of switching is large, and hence the operability is not good. Therefore, a hoist with built-in load sensitive automatic speed change device in which an operator needs not to perform a cumbersome gear-shifting operation every time when the state of a load changes, and when hoisting a predetermined load or larger, is allowed to perform power transmission between a low-speed side rotating member and an output member smoothly, and hence an impact or a noise at the time of switching may be reduced is proposed by the present applicant (Patent Literature 1). Also, in the hoist described above, a device which realizes reduction in size of the load sensitive automatic speed change device is also proposed by the present applicant (Patent Literature 2) (Patent Literature 3).    Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2010-116957    Patent Literature 2: JP-A-2011-106666    Patent Literature 3: JP-A-2012-52572

Hoist with built-in load sensitive automatic speed change device


An interface system (100) configured for interaction between a client browser portal (105) and a server-based information handling system (102) includes an interaction controller (110) and a workflow processor (115). The interaction controller (110) and workflow processor (115) operate to transfer, deliver, operate upon, and manage data objects flowing to and from the system from the client browser portal (105). In one embodiment, a web step manager (112) and a flow step manager (113) work to execute workflows that ensure data is delivered to and from the information handling system (102) in an efficient manner. In another embodiment, process activities are executed to do the same. The system (100) facilitates automated on-line systems, such as an on-line installment loan system, to operate with off the shelf information handling systems (102).

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a system and method for interfacing with a data management system, and more particularly to a system and method configured to interface, transfer, format, and manage data between a user interface, such as a web page, and a data management system, such as a call center interface used by customer service representatives to manage customer data.
2. Background Art
Advances in technology have revolutionized the way companies do business. Not too long ago, when a customer called a company with an issue, the customer service representative had to retrieve a paper file prior to talking with the customer. With the advent of computers, customer service representatives became able to access files electronically. This electronic access made responding to customer issues more efficient.
As technology continued to advance, companies began to track more and more information. For example, rather than providing a customer service representative with basic customer information, such as name, address, and account number, companies found that customer service representatives could be more helpful with greater information. Many companies want to provide all of this information to customer service representatives when they address customer issues.
Managing all of this customer information in an efficient manner is cumbersome. Where there are many customer data fields, records, and files, intelligent organization and formatting of this information becomes essential. To address this need, application service providers began to develop data viewer applications. These applications facilitate the presentation of multiple-file data to a customer representative in a clean and efficient manner.
While such tools work well for this application, it is often difficult to customize these application specific tools to automated process. For example, many of these tools have specifically defined interfaces. Data must be entered and retrieved in a very specific manner, using tool-specific commands and rules. When data organization tools are paired with other automation tools, and the interfaces do not match, numerous problems occur, including corrupt or lost data, error messages, and incomplete data operations. One place where such problems occur is where business processes are developed outside the data management tool, including web-page interfaces.
There is thus a need for an interface tool for information handling systems that facilitates data entry and retrieval from the information handling system.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

Method and system for loan application non-acceptance follow-up


A resistive random access memory system includes a plurality of bitlines, a plurality of wordlines, and an array of resistive random access memory cells. Each of the resistive random access memory cells in the array includes a transistor and a resistive random access memory element connected in a common gate configuration.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
A resistive random access memory (RRAM) array includes RRAM cells arranged at intersections of word lines and bitlines. A RRAM cell includes an insulating material (e.g., a dielectric) as a resistive element. The resistance of the insulating material increases when current is passed through the insulating material in one direction and decreases when current is passed through the insulating material in an opposite direction. Accordingly, the RRAM cell can be programmed to a high resistance state by passing current through the RRAM cell in one direction and a low resistance state by passing current through the RRAM cell in an opposite direction. The high resistance state can be used to denote logic high (binary 1), and the low resistance state can be used to denote logic low (binary 0), or vice versa. Once written, read operation can be performed using either direction of current flow.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a memory 100 including a plurality of RRAM memory cells 102-1, 102-2, . . . and 102-R (collectively RRAM memory cells 102), where R is an integer greater than one. The RRAM memory cells 102 in FIG. 1 are located along a bitline. Each of the RRAM memory cells 102-1, 102-2, . . . and 102-R includes a transistor T1, T2, . . . TR and an RRAM element represented by resistors RRRAM—1, RRRAM—2, . . . , and RRRAM—R, respectively.
One end of the RRAM elements RRRAM—1, RRRAM—2, . . . , and RRRAM—R is connected to first terminals of the transistors T1, T2, . . . TR. Another end of the RRAM elements RRRAM—1, RRRAM—2, . . . , and RRRAM—R is connected to a first bitline terminal BLP. Second terminals of the transistors T1, T2, . . . TR are connected to a second bitline terminal BLN, which may be a ground reference. Gates of the transistors T1, T2, . . . TR are connected to wordlines WL1, WL2, . . . , WLR, respectively.
As can be appreciated, the memory 100 may include additional columns and rows of RRAM memory cells 102. Additional bitline terminals BLP and BLN may be connected to the other columns of RRAM memory cells (not shown) in a similar manner. The wordlines WL1, WL2, . . . , WLR may be connected to the RRAM memory cells 102 arranged in the same row.
The RRAM memory cell 102 may be read by asserting the wordline and driving either positive and negative current or voltage on the first bitline terminal BLP. The voltage or current is compared to one or more thresholds to identify a state of the RRAM memory cell. The RRAM elements may be damaged when the read or write current or voltage is too high.

Systems and methods for increasing the read sensitivity of a resistive random access memory (RRAM)