This invention relates to spreadable gelled food products and process for the production of the same.
Syrups, such as honey, maple syrup, molasses, sugar cane syrups, and other viscous syrups principally containing sucrose, glucose, fructose and/or other sugars dissolved in water, find wide application as industrial food ingredients, in cooking, beverages, and as spreads. Syrups referred to here typically contain at least about 50%, and generally 70% or more, of dissolved sugars and are substantially self-preserving.
Of all the syrups, honey has a particularly universal appeal. Whilst it has many uses as an industrial food ingredient and in cooking and beverages, honey is used most widely as a spread on bread, toast or crackers and the like.
When used as a spread, honey has one much disliked aspectxe2x80x94that of being very runny or fluid. When spooned from a jar it is difficult to stop the honey from dribbling where it is not wanted. This aspect is even more unpopular when honey is applied to hot toast. The honey becomes even more fluid due to its absorption of heat and consequent reduction in viscosity. As a result, the honey dribbles on to the fingers and the clothes of the consumer, as well as on his plate or the table. Similar problems are found with other syrups.
Clearly, it is of advantage to be able to supply to consumers honey and other syrups in such a form that the above negative aspects of fluidity, especially at an elevated temperature, are overcome. Such an idea is not of itself new. Thus, it is traditional to convert honey to a candied form resulting in the formation of sugar crystals, preferably very fine crystals. The viscosity of candied honey is much higher than normal honey and therefore the tendency to run off toast or bread is reduced. However, candied honey (also referred to as creamed honey) often suffers from the opposite negative aspect in being so viscous that it is spread only with diffculty, often resulting in breakage of slices of bread or toast on which it is spread. This problem is a particular problem in cold weather, when candied honey becomes even more viscous.
Several references exist which describe efforts to produce honey products which overcome the runny character of honey when used as a spread. Zelenak (Hungarian Patent T41974) describes a gelled honey requiring use of carrageenan, water, pH adjustment with citric acid, potassium sorbate as preservative, a buffer salt such as disodium hydrogen or sodium hexametaphosphate as well as some xanthan gum or sodium alginate. The final preferred soluble solids content of the gelled honey product was 65%. Thus the honey content in the final product was somewhat dilutedxe2x80x94no doubt as a consequence of the water required to dissolve the carrageenan and other gums and salts prior to mixing with honey.
Brain et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,143) produced a semi-gelled honey using a mixture of two different pectins preferably at a final soluble solids content of 62-68%, the final composition being substantially free of supplemental acid or alkaline earth metal cations.
A minimum of 0.5% pectin was necessary to obtain the benefits of the invention the preferred range being 0.5-2%, more especially 0.75-1.25% of the pectins. The product finally was pasteurised. During processing the product is subject to high temperatures, such as from about 66xc2x0 C. to 94xc2x0 C. (150xc2x0 C.-200xc2x0 F.).
It is a characteristic of honeys that exposure to elevated temperatures results in deterioriation of flavour aroma and colour. The higher the temperature and the longer the exposure the more severe will be the quality deterioration. Temperatures in excess of about 60xc2x0 C. can be deleterious. A safer range is 50 to 55xc2x0 C. or even 45-46xc2x0 C. Quality aspects which can be lost as a consequence of excessive heating include loss of delicate flavour character, loss of brilliance and clarity and darkening of colour. Excessive heating can result in development of opacity to some degree. It can also result in the more rapid development of hydroxymethylfurfural which has a deleterious effect on honey quality.
This invention has as its main aim the production of a form of syrup, particularly honey, whereby the syrup loses to a substantial extent its tendency to be runny or fluid (especially at warm temperatures) without involving the mandatory use of added acids, salts, buffers or other mineral salts and not requiring the mandatory use of pectins, gums or other hydrocolloids or of mixtures of hydrocolloids other than agar-agar (agar). Surprisingly, it has been found that use of very low levels of agar, in amounts sufficient to form a gel, can be effective in changing the physical characteristics of the syrup as required. It is possible to produce a well-gelled form of honey or other syrup having a tender melting texture in the mouth but with a stable gel structure in storage even for extended periods as well as in a warm or hot situation as, for example, on hot toast. Thus, as little as 0.05% of agar will produce an acceptable result. From about 0.2 to 0.5% w/w, of agar in the final preparation is preferred. Agar may be used in excess of this indicated range if required. Because of the low concentration of hydrocolloid required, a relatively small amount of water or other aqueous solutions will suffice to pre-dissolve the agar before mixing with syrup. As a consesquence, a composition having a very high proportion of syrup, such as honey, results.
In accordance with a first aspect of this invention there is provided a spreadable gelled syrup composition which comprises said syrup, and agar in an amount sufficient to form a gel. The syrup is preferably honey. Some examples of other syrups which may be used in the invention include maple syrup, molasses, sugar cane syrup (sometimes known as xe2x80x9cgolden syrupxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9ctreaclexe2x80x9d) and malt extract. The composition may additionally contain added water in which the agar is initially pre-dissolved.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the production of a spreadable gelled syrup composition which comprises dispersing solubilised agar through a syrup at a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of the agar, and thereafter cooling the composition so as to allow formation of a gel.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention there is provided a process for the production of a spreadable gelled syrup composition which comprises dissolution of agar in water in the presence of heat, warming a syrup to a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of agar, and dispersing the dissolved agar uniformly in the warm syrup, and thereafter cooling the composition so as to allow formation of a gel.
In a further aspect there is provided a process for the production of a spreadable gelled honey composition which comprises dispersing solubilised agar through honey at a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of the agar and which is not deleterious to the honey, and thereafter cooling the composition so as to allow formation of a gel. On cooling to ambient temperature (between about 15xc2x0 C. to about 30xc2x0 C.) the composition remains fluid and non-gelled for about six hours or longer.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the production of a spreadable gelled honey composition which comprises dissolution of agar in the presence of heat, warming honey to a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of agar and which is not deleterious to the honey, and adding the dissolved agar to the honey so as to disperse the agar therethrough, wherein on cooling to ambient temperature (between about 15xc2x0 C. to about 30xc2x0 C.) the resultant honey composition remains fluid and non-gelled for about 6 hours or more, after which gelation develops.
In contrast, according to the invention as presently claimed, a syrup, preferably honey, is heated to a temperature between 35xc2x0 C. and 60xc2x0 C. being a temperature non-deleterious to the syrup in particular honey solution, and above the gelation temperature of the agar (see claim 29).
The high concentration of honey in the final product may be achieved by the following features:
1. Because a gelled product can be achieved by use of very low concentrations of hydrocolloid, very little water is required in which to pre-dissolve it. Hence the degree of dilution is very modest when this small amount of solution is mixed with honey. Thus the final honey concentration in the finished product can be in excess of 70% and typically in excess of 90%.
2. By further processing as will be described hereafter, a gelled honey product can be prepared containing effectively no added water, so that the honey concentration in the finished product is about 99%xe2x80x94the only final non-honey component being the hydrocolloid used.
An advantage of using agar in the production of a spreadable, gelled honey composition is that the honey temperature throughout processing can be kept low, for example 50-60xc2x0 C. or even lower. The relatively small amount of hot agar solution has only slight impact on the temperature of the predominant proportion of honey in the composition. As agar has the unique property of not gelling below about 35xc2x0 C. to about 40xc2x0 C., the honey-agar blend can be held satisfactorily during processing and filling operations at moderate temperatures without the problems of pre-gelation as can occur with hydrocolloids such as pectins, alginates and the like. It has however further been found most surprisingly, that when agar is used in honey as will be described hereafter, the development of the gelled condition is delayed such that when the honey-agar mixture reaches ambient temperatures (about 15xc2x0 C. to about 30xc2x0 C., generally about 20xc2x0 C. to about 30xc2x0 C.) at which agar would normally gel, the mixture remains fluid. A tender spreadable gel begins to develop after about 6 hours or more. However, the firmness of the gel structure continues to develop over several days. This unexpected feature has important implications in relation to ease of industrial handling of a honey-agar gelled product, as will be described hereafter.
It is further observed that because a solution of agar in water is relatively fluidxe2x80x94much more fluid than honey and very much more so than other hydrocolloids or hydrocolloid mixturesxe2x80x94there is no increase and indeed actually a decrease in the tendency to air inclusion in the honey-agar product during blending and other industrial operations. Consequently deaeration of the final product is not required as a consequence of mixing the agar solution into the honey.
The gelled honey product according to the embodiment of the invention has a very tender easy to spoon and spread texture, with good clarity and a soft mouthfeel without any graininess. The honey flavour is readily released in the mouth so a full flavour impact is achieved. When the product is spread on hot toast it remains in its gel form and does not run off the surface of the hot toast as is the case with natural honey. The tendency of normal honey to dribble from a spoon is completely overcome. The gelled honey is tender, easy to spoon and spread and overcomes the spreading difficulties often associated with candied honey.
The invention is also applicable to spreadable gelled syrup products based on mixtures of 2 or more syrup-type foods with or without other flavourants or normal food components.
Syrups which may be used in this invention include honey, maple syrup, molasses, sugar cane syrups, and other syrups which principally contain sucrose, glucose, fructose and/or other, sugars dissolved in water. Honey is particularly preferred and the following description refers largely to the use of honey. It is to be understood that the invention is not so limited and extends to compositions and processes involving other syrups including those discussed above, and combinations thereof.
Honeys used in this invention may be of any type. There is, world-wide, an enormous variety of honeys. Some are very characteristic in their flavour, aroma and colour while others, while having generic honey characteristics, are not all that different or unique. It has been found that any type of honey is suitable for use in the products of this invention. Typically natural honeys vary from 80-82% soluble solids (SS) but some will be lower and others higher. Such variation in SS levels represents no problem in the implementation of this invention. Likewise the pH of honey, normally about 4, is quite suitable for production of a stable agar gel.
As mentioned above, agar has been found to give highly advantageous results in the production of spreadable gelled syrups, particularly honey. Agar is a hydrocolloid extracted from selected seaweeds and discovered originally in Japan. It is widely used in special foods, in microbiological media and also in special confectionery products. Various grades of agar are available and these differ in gel strength from as low as 150 up to 1000 g/cm2 or above (Japanese Agar Gel Strength Standard in xe2x80x9cFood Gelsxe2x80x9d Elsevier 1990, pp 23-25). It is preferred to use agar having a gel strengh from about 500 to about 1200 g/cm2. It is particularly preferred to use agar having a gel strength of about 1000 g/cm2, which is the grade of agar exemplified herein. It will be understood that use of grades of agar having different gel strengths will require adjustment of rates of usage.
The amount of agar used will depend upon the gel strength of the agar. Less agar is generally required in the situation where the gel strength is greater than 1000 g/cm2, compared with that required when the gel strength is less than about 800 g/cm2. For agars having a gel strength from about 500 to about 1200 g/cm2 a satisfactory gel is generally formed when the agar is present in an amount from about 0.05% to about 2.5% (w/w). Where the gel strength of the agar is, for example, between about 800 g/cm2 and 1200 g/cm2 it is generally preferred to utilise agar in an amount from about 0.05% to about 1.5% (w/w/).
In accordance with a first aspect of this invention there is provided a spreadable gelled syrup composition which comprises said syrup, and agar in an amount sufficient to form a gel. Where the composition contains added water, it is present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 15% (w/w). Very small amounts of agar may be used to form a gel with honey or other syrup. By way of example, agar in amount from 0.05% to 2.5% (w/w) may be used, particularly from 0.1% to 2%, more particularly from 0.2% to 0.5% w/w. The agar may be dissolved in a small amount of aqueous solution (generally water) in the presence of heat, as is described in more detail hereafter.
The spreadable gelled honey composition is in the form of a gel, this gelation being conferred by the agar. The honey forms part of the gel matrix. The gel is spreadable in the sense that it is capable of being spooned or spread onto an edible substrate. The gel is not fluid in the sense that it does not dribble like conventional honey, instead retaining an integral or coherent structure which is sufficiently soft to enable the gel material to be spread in a manner which is not dissimilar to pectin containing jams and like products.
The honey composition may comprise from 70% to about 99% weight/honey, the remainder comprising agar and water. Water may be used to dissolve the agar prior to its addition to the honey. This added water may be substantially removed from the honey composition utilising standard methods as described herein. As a consequence, the honey composition may comprise solely honey and agar. Agar is generally present in an amount from 0.05% to about 2.5%, such as from 0.1% to 1% w/w, more particularly from 0.1% to 0.5% w/w.
The soluble solids of the honey composition according to this invention may be in the range from about 70% to about 85%.
In one embodiment, the invention thus relates to a spreadable gelled honey composition which comprises from about 0.05% to 2.5% (w/w) agar, from about 70% to about 99% (w/w) honey, and optionally water. Added water (i.e. water other than that contained in honey or other syrup-type components), where present, may be in an amount from about 0.5% to about 15% (w/w). The composition preferably has a soluble solids content between about 70% to about 85% (w/w).
Honey compositions which contain from 80% to about 99% honey, and soluble honey solids in the range from about 70% to 85% (w/w), which may be produced in accordance with this invention, have the distinct advantage of maintaining the colour, clarity and organoleptic properties of honey. The product is therefore essentially identical with regard to colour, taste and smell, with that of conventional honeys.
Supplementary ingredients may be included in the honey compositions of this invention where it is desired to modify the taste or appearance of the honey. Supplementary ingredients may include spices or spice extracts, plant extracts, fruit flavours or fruit concentrates, flavour modifying agents such as bittering agents, salts, acids, and other commonly used food ingredients. When present such materials may be employed in an amount from about 0.01% to about 10% w/w of the final composition.
Honey compositions may also include added sugars, such as sugars corresponding to those normally present in honey, namely glucose and fructose. Where other syrups are used, sugars which are conventionally found in such syrups may also be added. The addition of sugars, which may be dissolved in the agar solution prior to its addition to the honey or other syrup, have the effect of increasing the soluble solids content of the gelled product. Such materials may be included to increase the soluble solids content in an amount such as from about 0.5% to 10% w/w of the final composition.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the production of a spreadable gelled syrup composition which comprises dispersing solubilised agar through a syrup at a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of the agar, and thereafter cooling the composition so as to allow formation of a gel.
In another aspect this invention is directed to a process for the production of a spreadable gelled syrup composition which comprises dissolution of agar in water in the presence of heat, warming a syrup above the gelation temperature of agar, adding the dissolved agar to the warm syrup so as to disperse the dissolved agar therethrough, and thereafter cooling the composition so as to allow formation of a gel.
In a further aspect there is provided a process for the production of a spreadable gelled syrup composition which comprises dispersing solubilised agar through the syrup at a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of the agar and which is not deleterious to the syrup, and thereafter cooling the composition so as to allow formation of a gel. On cooling to ambient temperature (between about 15xc2x0 C. to about 30xc2x0 C.) the composition remains fluid and non-gelled for about six hours.
In a particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a process for the production of a spreadable gelled honey composition which comprises dissolution of agar in water in the presence of heat, warming honey to a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of agar and which is not deleterious to the honey, and adding the dissolved agar to the honey so as to disperse the agar therethrough, wherein on cooling to ambient temperature, which is below the gelation temperature of agar, the resultant honey composition remains fluid and non-gelled for a period of time thus facilitating processing of the honey composition. Generally, when cooled to an ambient temperature between about 15xc2x0 C. to about 30xc2x0 C. the honey composition does not gel for about six hours. At a temperature around 20xc2x0 C. gelation generally occurs at around 18 to 24 hours, a tender gel structure being formed. The firmness of this gel increases after about a further 24 hours.
Where it is indicated that the solution of agar in water is added to syrup which has been heated to a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of the agar solution, the underlying reason is to ensure that none of the aqueous agar solution is cooled to below a temperature at which pre-gelation of said aqueous solution may occur. In fact, once the aqueous agar solution is thoroughly admixed with the syrup its tendency to pre-gel is completely overcome, such that the syrup-aqueous agar solution, when thoroughly admixed, will not be subject to gelation for several hours after the mix cools to a temperature at which formation of a gel may occur.
While it is not always practicable, it is conceivable that if the mixture of syrup and aqueous agar solution can be instantly mixed homogeneously, the temperature of the syrup would not have to be above the temperature at which the aqueous agar solution would gel.
However, in practice, it is most convenient to warm the syrup to a temperature above the aqueous agar solution geling temperature. Such warming also reduces the viscosity of syrup and this improves its handling and mixing characteristics.
A feature of an embodiment of this invention is that the honey is not subject to heating to the extent that its intrinsic qualities are negatively affected, that is, honey may be heated to a temperature which is above the gelation temperature of agar and which is not deleterious to the honey. It is common practice in the honey industry for honey to be carefully warmed to reduce its viscosity to allow for more efficient pumping, filtration, blending, deaeration and filling of the product into the final container. However, persons skilled in the art are careful not to exceed about 50-55xc2x0 C. and preferably 45-46xc2x0 C. to avoid deterioration of flavour, colour and brightness. At the same time, for some honeys it is necessary to heat the honey to about 60xc2x0 C. in order to avoid granulation (sugar crystallisation) on subsequent storage. In practising this invention it is not ncessary to exceed a product temperature of 50-55xc2x0 C. or even the most preferred temperature 45-46xc2x0 C. The fluidity of the product during preparation is such that it may be readily pumpted, filled and generally handled without problems.
To prepare a gelled honey product in accordance with an embodiment of this invention it is convenient, though not mandatory, for the honey to be carefully warmed to about 50xc2x0 C. in order to increase its fluidity and its ease of mixing. This is because a concentrated agar solution in water is required to be thoroughly and uniformly admixed throughout the honey. However, if a honey is especially heat sensitive it will suffice to warm the honey to about say 40-45xc2x0 C. though the viscosity at 40-45xc2x0 C. will be greater than 50xc2x0 C.
The gelation temperature of agar in water is somewhat variable depending on the grade, source and concentration of the agar. Generally, however, the gelation temperature of agar is normally 30xc2x0 C. to about 40xc2x0 C.
Separately a solution of agar in aqueous solution, generally water, is prepared. The amount of agar used is that which is capable of forming a gel in the presence of honey or another syrup or mixtures thereof. From about 0.05% to 2.5% (w/w) may be used, such as from 0.1% to 1% (w/w), more preferably 0.1% to 0.5% (w/w) of the final composition. A greater amount of agar may be used, however, it is preferred to use small amounts of agar such as from 0.01% to 1% (w/w). To achieve complete solution of agar in water, it is generally necessary to hold the agar-water mix at close to 100xc2x0 C. (or above) until all the agar particles are totally dissolved. Depending on the grade of agar used, solution can require as little as a few minutes or as much as half an hour or more. It is desirable to maintain a uniform proportion of agar and water so that the exact composition of the ultimate agar-water-honey mix is known. Hence during dissolution of agar evaporation of water is minimised. Alternatively, the proportion of agar to water is maintained by controlled addition of water to make up the water lost by evaporation.
A solution of agar in water is relatively fluid, indeed much more fluid than is the case with most other hydrocolloids. This contributes to the ready dispersiblity of an agar solution throughout the honey, and also tends to reduce viscosity after mixing thoroughly with the honey.
In its simplest form a gelled honey product based on this invention comprises mixing a quantity of agar, completely dissolved in water, with a measured quantity of honey, generally in an amount of 70% to 95% w/w, at a temperature which will facilitate easy mixing without loss of honey quality. The honey and the agar solution may be mixed together at say 40-50xc2x0 C. (the agar may be cooled to 40xc2x0-50xc2x0 C., or added at a temperature from 50xc2x0 to 100xc2x0 C., given the small volume of addition), without any problems of agar pre-gelation or of overheating effects on honey. The mixture so produced will not gel immediately on cooling to a temperature at which a simple agar solution in water would gel, which, while somewhat variable depending on grade, source, concentration and other aspects, is normally about 30xc2x0 to 40xc2x0 C.
Surprisingly, the honey-agar mixture does not set immediately on cooling to a temperature such as 15xc2x0 to 30xc2x0 C. which is below the normal gelation temperature of agar. This has a number of advantages. Firstly, there is no need to maintain a critical temperature for filling to avoid pre-gelation, as is the case with pectin gels and gels produced by other hydrocolloids or hydrocolloid mixtures. In industrial operations this is very important. For example, if a pectin-based product is allowed to pre-gel, the whole batch of product is lost and this is of considerable financial concern. Secondly, it is much easier to clean up industrial equipment if the remaining food has not formed a gel in the pumps, pipes, valves and other machine parts. Thirdly, since the basic product of the invention comprises honey (or other syrup) and agar solution, it is easy to standardise products awaiting final filling, the only test required being to confirm a desired level of soluble solids. By contrast, pectin gels usually require tests, in addition to soluble solids, such as pH, and setting capability, with other systems additionally require control of mandatory additions of acids, mineral salts and the like.
The above described mixing of an agar solution with honey results in a product which does not gel for at least about 6 hours at a temperature between about 15xc2x0 C. and 30xc2x0 C.
By about 24 hours the composition will show the initial formation of a gelled structure. By this is meant that the product, when spooned from a jar and placed on a flat surface. will to a large extent retain its shape and if inclined will not flow in a manner typical of normal honey. With the passage of time the firmness of the gel will increase such that after a few days of storage a gel having tender mouthfeel and excellent flavour release will have formed.
As mentioned above, additional sugars may be added to the honey composition in order to increase the SS of the final product and to off-set any dilution due to the addition of water in which the agar is dissolved. If it is desired to do this it is preferable to add the principal sugars which are naturally present in honeys. These sugars are fructose and glucose, and may be added in a proportion to each other which would not be conducive to granulation (crystallisation) of the honey sugars (for example 1.65:1 or more being the ratio of fructose to glucose, say 6.3 parts of fructose to 3.7 parts of glucose). This results in maintenance of a natural level of sweetness in the final product.
As a further alternative to the basic gelled honey product, a final product can be achieved containing only honey and agar, wherein the quantity of water required to dissolve agar can be first totally or almost totally removed from the base honey before mixing with the agar solution. Alternately the mixture of honey/agar solution can be treated to remove all or almost all of the mosture added as part of the agar solution. Removal of moisture as herein described can be effected at a comparatively low temperature (for example 50xc2x0 C.) by vacuum concentration until the required moisture removal is achieved. In the above procedures, that water required to pre-dissolve agar may be regarded as xe2x80x9ctemporaryxe2x80x9d being utilised solely for the purpose of achieving an agar solution, then being removed in effect after transferring the agar in a dissolved form into the liquid honey.
This invention is based on the surprising finding that agar may be used to produce a spreadable gelled honey product, which product maintains the colour, clarity and organoleptic properties of honey. Whilst the prior art has contemplated the use of carrageenans (Hungarian Patent T41974) and pectins (U.S. Pat. No. 4,532.143) to produce gelled honey, such proposals having been made in excess of ten years ago, it has hitherto never been contemplated to utilise agar in the production of spreadable gelled honey. The use of agar may not have been contemplated due to perceived problems of gel formation, adverse effects on colour, clarity and/or organoleptic properties of honey, or other factors.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices, methods, and systems of coded images. More particularly, an aspect of the present invention relates to lensless imaging and to spatially coded imaging.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
Fixed (non-programmable) coded-aperture technology and programmable masks realized with Spatial Light Modulators were heretofore known in the art. The SLM elements are controlled so that the modulated transmission forms an aperture mask, encoding the image with a programmable function. The goal of decoding is to use knowledge of the aperture mask programmed with the programmable function to recover the object scene from the encoded image.
Information-theoretic analyses had identified two such classes of programmable masks used in association with recovering an object scene from an encoded image. The two classes are Uniformly Redundant Arrays (URAs) and Modified URAs (MURAs). Each may be used during the decoding process, however each has some drawbacks. A need therefore exists for an improved method for spatial decoding.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ESD protection device, and particularly to a low capacitance ESD protection device and a manufacturing method thereof applicable to RF circuits.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, extensive research has been carried out on the possibility of using pure CMOS, rather than bipolar or BiCMOS technologies, for RF applications. It is forecasted that by 2003, a large number of applications will use CMOS technology for RF system-on-chip, such as remote control, radio modems, home system automation, etc. For example, in the home system automation, the concept is to replace the data cable between appliances by wireless link centered at 2.4 GHz, with a range of approximately 8 m. The reliability of the components used in these applications is therefore obviously very important.
One of the major bottlenecks for the transition from bipolar/BiCMOS to pure CMOS is the immunity of the circuits against Electro-Static Discharge (ESD). The detrimental effects of ESD in sub-micron devices have been widely known and reported. Further, the use of pure CMOS imposes a greater demand for adequate protection circuitry against ESD, due to the greater sensitivity of CMOS for electrical overstress in general and ESD in particular. RF circuits typically require a high performance and have tight design specifications. The conventional approach to achieve higher device ESD robustness is to incorporate on-chip ESD protection networks, as well as, in many cases external protection elements. As shown in FIG. 1, the standard approach to on-chip ESD protection involves incorporating protection at inputs, outputs, which consist of elements such as diodes, nMOSFETs, etc., provide a known current path to the ESD pulse away from the core circuitry. In the classical sub-micron CMOS technology devices, this common approach could yield enough ESD robustness if the protection circuits are implemented properly.
FIGS. 1xcx9c3 are diagrams respectively showing three conventional ESD protection devices for CMOS, which are disclosed in xe2x80x9cESD Reliability Issues in RF CMOS Circuitsxe2x80x9d, M. K. Radhakrishnam, V. Vassilev, B. Keppens, V. De Heyn, M. Natarajan, and G. Groeseneken.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a ggnMOS (gate grounded nMOS) used for ESD protection. It includes a p substrate 11, isolation layer 12, n source and drain regions 131 and 132, p doped region 14, and a gate 15. The p doped region 14 couples the p substrate 11 to a cathode. The source region 131 and gate 14 are also coupled to the cathode. The drain region 132 is coupled to an anode.
FIG. 2 show a cross-section of an oxide-isolated diode used for ESD protection. It includes a p substrate 21, oxide layer 22, a n or p well 23, n doped region 241 and p doped region 242 in the well 23, and poly-silicon layer 25. The p doped region 242 and n doped region 241 are respectively the cathode and anode of the diode.
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a LVTSCR (low voltage triggered silicon controlled rectifier) used for ESD protection. It includes a p substrate 31, isolation layer 32, a transistor formed by an n source region 331, n drain region 332 and gate 34, p doped region 35, a n well 36, and n doped region 371 and p doped region 372 in the n well 36. The gate 34, source region 331 and p doped region 35 are coupled to the cathode while the n doped region 371 and n doped region 372 are coupled to the anode.
The previously described ESD protection devices provide ESD path between their cathode and anode. The cathode and anode may be coupled to power lines or I/O pads.
However, for RF applications, the parasitic capacitance and the series resistance of the ESD protection structure directly impacts the RF performance. For example, an unaccounted parasitic capacitance of 1 pF from an ESD protection network or device at 2.4 GHz corresponds to a load of 66 Ohms. It is important to note that the typical input pin capacitance specification for a Low Noise Amplifier used in the 1-5 GHz is less than 100 fF.
Obviously, it degrades the performance of the RF circuits if the conventional ESD protection devices for pure CMOS are applied.
The object of the present invention is to provide a low capacitance ESD protection device and a manufacturing method thereof applicable to RF circuits.
The present invention provides a low capacitance ESD protection device. The device comprises a substrate, a well of a first conductivity type in the substrate, a first and second transistor of the first conductivity type respectively on two sides of the well, a guard ring of a second conductivity type in the substrate, surrounding the well, and the first and second transistor, and a doped region of the second conductivity type in the well, wherein profiles of a drain and source region of each of the first and second transistor are un-symmetrical.
The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a low capacitance ESD protection device. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate, forming a well of a first conductivity type in the substrate, forming a first and second transistor of the first conductivity type respectively on two sides of the well, wherein profiles of a drain and source region of each of the first and second transistor are un-symmetrical, forming a guard ring of a second conductivity type in the substrate, surrounding the well, and the first and second transistor, and forming a doped region of the second conductivity type in the well.
The present invention provides another low capacitance ESD protection device. The device comprises a substrate, a well of a first conductivity type in the substrate, a first and second transistor of the first conductivity type respectively on two sides of the well, a guard ring of a second conductivity type in the substrate, surrounding the well, and the first and second transistor, and a doped region of the second conductivity type in the well, wherein, for each of the first and second transistor, a width of a drain region is substantially equal to that of a source region and a length of the drain region is shorter than that of the source region.
The present invention also provides an integrated circuit comprising a core circuit, and a low capacitance ESD protection device protecting the core circuit from ESD damages. The low capacitance ESD protection device comprises a substrate, a well of a first conductivity type in the substrate, a first and second transistor of the first conductivity type respectively on two sides of the well, a guard ring of a second conductivity type in the substrate, surrounding the well, and the first and second transistor, and a doped region of the second conductivity type in the well, wherein profiles of a drain and source region of each of the first and second transistor are un-symmetrical.


1. Field
These inventions relate to lining fasteners, including for example insulation blanket fasteners, insulation blanket fasteners for aircraft, and including for example apparatus and methods of making and using lining fasteners.
2. Related Art
In many aircraft, body portions such as the fuselage, passenger areas and/or cargo areas are lined with insulation panels and/or blankets. The panels are held in place with a plurality of fastener assemblies that are riveted, adhered or otherwise fixed to a fuselage structure such as a beam, stringers, frames or the like. Example fastener assemblies are molded from nylon or other plastic materials, and typically include a disc and a fastener stud having a base portion and a barb, where the barb may be used to puncture the blanket, for example. The barb typically includes a plurality of circumferential ridges or catches for engaging an opening in the disc placed over the barb. The plurality of ridges allows the disc to be placed at one of a number of axial positions along the barb as a function of the insulation panel thickness. For example, pressing the disc onto a barb past a given ridge on the barb may serve to hold the insulation panel in place, but further pressing the disc against the insulation panel may move the disc further along the barb and under another, further ridge for holding the insulation panel in place.
The fastener stud can be supported from the base portion on a portion of the fuselage, on a stringer, on a frame stud, or the like. The configuration of the base portion is generally formed to accommodate the profile of the underlying support structure.


The majority if not all houses require the construction of a bricked-in-gable under the roof. In constructing such gables, it is common practice to use a guide line suspended above the bricks that are being mortared into place under the gable. By following the guide line, the brick mason is assured that the stacked bricks and mortar remain even and level as the stack is built up even with the guide line suspended under the gable. Over the years, many devices have been utilized to suspend this guide line. Such a device is commonly referred to as a mason's guide line holder. In a classic arrangement for such a device, a pair of clamps suitable for holding a suspended line are attached to opposite ends of the gable face boards under the roof.
Over the years, various improvements have been made to the classic arrangement with respect to having to un-fasten and move, and re-set and re-fasten the pair of clamps as the stack of bricks becomes taller.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,571,931 (Williams) uses a pair of clamps suitable for holding a mason's guide line and can be affixed to the gable face boards on the opposite sides of the roof. The problem is that the clamps must be adjusted and moved over and over and they are attached at the gable face boards farthest apart. Constructing a bricked-in-gable under a large roof overhang becomes quite time consuming and labor intensive because of the all the un-fastening, re-fastening, and adjustment of the clamps and guide line.
Obviously, having to move the clamps and re-adjust and re-fasten them takes time and creates an inefficiency in the task of building a bricked-in-gable. U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,042 (Carper) shows a device for holding a mason's guide line that utilizes a pair of clamps and a pair of angle irons. The angle irons are attached to the underside of the gable and the clamps are slid up and down the angle irons and provide an alternative clamping surface and trackway. Unlike the present invention, when the gable overhang is greater than 4.5 inches, this device requires that angle irons be affixed to the underside of the gable by screwing or nailing the angle irons under the gable, thus adding additional labor to the task of building a bricked-in-gable. Also, additional expense is added to the manufacture and ultimate purchase price of the device because additional metal and fabrication must take place to produce the appropriate angle irons to be used with the clamps.
Accordingly, the present invention describes an adjustable gable end line puller that solves all of the above problems.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a rack for carrying a snowboard. Specifically, the present invention relates to a snowboard rack, for holding and carrying a snowboard, designed to be mounted to a frame of a snowmobile.
2. Background and Prior Art
The use of various types of equipment racks for carrying skis, wakeboards and snowboards are well known. More particularly, however, an example of a rack designed for carrying a snowboard in connection with operating a snowmobile is absent from the prior art. Commonly, snowboard racks in the prior art are taught to be attached to trucks, cars, or various types of water craft. As a result, the present invention seeks to provide a snowboard rack designed for mounting to a frame of a snowmobile for carrying a snowboard without hindering the snowmobile operator's ability to safely drive the snowmobile, and for securing the snowboard to the snowmobile in a safe manner to withstand various driving styles and conditions.
The following United States patents are herein incorporated by reference for their supporting teachings:                1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,638 issued to Meeks discloses a rack for storing one or more pairs of water skis and wake boards including one or more pairs of forks having parallel prongs extending from and coplanar with a base plate section. The pairs of forks are mounted on a support bar extending through an opening in the base plate section and may be positioned axially along and orientationally around the bar then clamped in the selected position such that each fork is aligned with its pair member. A strap is provided for each fork so that a water ski or wakeboard may be nested between neighboring prongs;        2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,265 issued to Deloza discloses a snowboard rack for transporting a snowboard in a pickup truck having a cab and a bed. The carrier has a carrier sleeve which extends over a header shaft to allow slidable movement thereupon. The carrier has a pair of cradles which support the snowboard therein, and a strap mechanism which secures the snowboard;        3) U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,753 issued to Kalhok et al. discloses a carrier rack for use primarily on a watercraft. The carrier rack has preferably two resilient, elastomeric cradles adapted to receive an object to be carried. Th cradles are adapted to be mounted on an outside surface of the watercraft, most preferably the gunwales;        4) U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,304 issued to Baldacchino discloses a rack that adjustably attaches to an inboard wall panel of a boat for securing water sport equipment in the cockpit of the boat. The device is configured so that the rack adjustably attaches to the inboard wall panel and secures a variety of equipment such as water skis and wake boards;        5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,837 issued to Ruffolo Jr. discloses a snowboard rack which is readily mountable to any roll-up window on an automotive vehicle; and        6) U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,683 issued to Stuck discloses a rotatable apparatus for servicing or repair of snowmobiles, including a frame or rack with a pair of generally parallel curved frame members which are located along a side of the snowmobile.


As shown in FIG. 1 (the drawing showing the various parts of the eye), the lens 11 is perhaps the most critical element within the eye in providing vision for the human or animal. It is suspended behind the cornea 12, the anterior chamber 13 and the iris 14 by the zonular fibers which connect it with the ciliary body of muscles 15 around its periphery.
The lens is composed of a central region, the nucleus 16, surrounded by a softer outer region, the cortex 17. It is encapsulated in the lens capsule 18o which is a thin transparent membrane. The front part of the membrane is called the anterior capsule 20, and the rear part, the posterior capsule 21.
The function of the lens is to focus light rays upon the sensitive retina 19. To focus light from a distant object, the ciliary muscles 15 relax, thus tightening the zonular fibers and reducing the thickness of the lens to its minimal dimension. To focus light from a near object, the ciliary muscles 15 release the tension on the zonular fibers to increase the thickness of the lens, the lens assuming a near spherical shape. This change increases the lens refractive power to again obtain focusing of the light rays on the retina 19.
The lens consists of about 35% protein and 65% water. When the proteinaceous material hardens or becomes suffused with minerals, the lens becomes cloudy or opaque. A cloudy lens or an opaque, non-functional lens is a cataract. Most cataracts are not visible to the casual observer until they become dense enough to cause blindness.
Cataract surgery involves the removal of the "diseased" lens from the eye. Two principal procedures for lens extractions are practiced currently. Intracapsular surgery involves removal of the lens together with its surrounding capsule. Where the posterior capsule may be attached slightly to the vitreous membrane, extracapsular extraction of the lens is much preferred. Rupturing the vitreous membrane, a definite hazard in intracapsular surgery, has serious consequences, including vitreous loss, vitreous hemorrhage, retina detachment etc.
This invention relates to extracapsular extraction, the procedure considered the safest. However, even in extracapsular surgery where a probe or similar instrument is used to remove the lens, either as a complete lens or by first dissolving the cortex and then shattering or breaking down the nucleus into smaller bits or pieces and extracting the bits, the danger of the surgical instrument penetrating through the posterior capsule exists, even with the most careful surgeon. Vitreous loss or hemorrhage, retina detachment, etc. may result.
One of the currently used procedures for extracapsular extraction of cataracts is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,935. For this procedure, the anterior capsule is first ruptured and removed, followed by removal of the cortex and nucleus of the lens, leaving the posterior capsule intact.
The primary object of the present invention is to reduce the chances to substantially zero of penetrating the posterior capsule in performing cataract surgery while retaining the anterior capsule substantially intact.
A further object is to provide an instrument or device for achieving a successful procedure for removing unwanted objects from within the body without injuring neighboring body tissue.
A still further object is to provide a device that will not only almost insure success in cataract surgery, but provide an option to the surgeon for simplifying the procedure, using a smaller incision to retain the anterior capsule substantially intact and to use less complicated secondary instrumentation than had previously been necessary.


1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an assembly structured to maintain a secure engagement between a louver and an associated carrier assembly of a vertical blind assembly and includes a support plate connected to and/or defining an upper end of the louver. A retaining clip is removably disposed in clamping engagement with anyone of a plurality of different types of connecting portions associated with the carrier assembly such that attachment between the connecting portion and the support plate is securely maintained.
2. Description of the Related Art
Use of vertical blind assemblies to cover windows, sliding doors, etc. has gained wide popularity over the last few years. Conventionally structured vertical blind assemblies normally include a header having an elongated configuration of sufficient length to extend along the upper periphery of the window, door, etc. intended to be covered. The header includes an interior track extending along substantially the entire length thereof and a plurality of carrier assemblies, at least equal in number to the number of louvers, blinds, vanes, etc. associated with the vertical blind assembly. Each of the carrier assemblies include structural features which facilitate easy passage thereof, as well as the louver or blind attached thereto, along the length of the track. A connecting portion is movably connected to each of the carrier assemblies and extends downwardly therefrom to an exterior of the header and in supporting engagement with a corresponding one of louvers.
The structural and operative features of each carrier assembly and associated connecting portion is such as to facilitate movement thereof, and the louver supported thereby, along the length of the track of the header assembly, as set forth above. In addition, each of the carrier assemblies are connected to a “tilt rod” also extending along the length of the header assembly and rotatably connected to mechanical linkage of each of the carrier assemblies so as to facilitate selective turning or tilting, in a concurrent, simultaneous fashion, of each of the louvers. Therefore, in typical fashion the plurality of louvers may extend along any portion of the length of the header in overlying relation to the corresponding door, window, etc. and/or be concurrently disposed into any type of slanted or tilted orientation so as to regulate the amount of light passing through the portal. Admittedly, vertical blind assemblies of the type generally described above include distinguishing structural features depending, at least in part, on a particular application for which a vertical blind assembly is intended. In addition, the vertical blind industry is replete with structurally modified components designed to improve the efficiency of the various types of vertical blind assemblies conventionally known and/or commercially available. Efforts to improve vertical blind assemblies include structural variations in the carrier assembly, connecting portion, track configuration, tilt rod, and selectively operable controls for regulating the position and orientation of the plurality of louvers or blinds associated with the vertical blind assembly.
By way of example, the structure of the various known carrier assemblies and their corresponding connecting portions may differ significantly. Common to a majority of such carrier assemblies and connecting portions is the ability of the connecting portion to be removably secured to an upper supporting end of a corresponding one of the louvers to which it is intended to be connected. Removable attachment between the connecting portion and the louver is provided to facilitate an effective connection there between while allowing quick and easy removal of individual ones of the louvers for repair or replacement. However, one disadvantage associated with the conventional manner of interconnecting the upper end of the louver to the connecting portion is the tendency for the louvers to become easily detached therefrom. Such undesirable detachment is particularly prevalent when the collection of louvers or blinds are forced along the length of the track and header assembly in a brisk manner, while a user simultaneously attempts to change the tilted or slanted orientation thereof.
Other factors commonly affecting the stability of the interconnection between the connecting portion and the individual louvers is the weight, configuration and overall structure of the louver. By way of example only, a louver may be formed, at least in part, from heavy material components such as decorative chain links disposed in depending relation from and supported by a support structure disclosed adjacent an upper most end of the louver. Accordingly, when the aforementioned support portion is removably secured to anyone of a plurality of different types of connecting portions, the weight of the louver or blind may be such as to facilitate its detachment from the connection portion. Such inadvertent detachment is also common when the louver is subjected to unusual forces, such as engagement with people or objects, exposure to wind gusts, or rapid and simultaneous movement and tilting of the louvers through operation of the controls of the vertical blind assembly.
Therefore, there is a significant and long recognized need in the vertical blind industry for an assembly which securely and consistently maintains a supporting interconnection of the connecting portion and individual louvers or blinds associated with the vertical blind assembly. Such an improved retaining assembly should be structured to not interfere with the normal operation of the vertical blind assembly, especially in terms of the collective movement of the louvers or blinds relative to the header assembly and track structure associated therewith. In addition, an improved retainer assembly of the type needed to overcome known disadvantages and problems of the type set forth above should have sufficient structural and operative versatility to be used with any of the different types of connecting structures known or commercially available, especially when such a large number of structurally distinguishable connecting structures are prevalently used in the vertical blind industry.


The present disclosure relates to a gas turbine engine, and more particularly to a reduction in purge air.
The core engine of a gas turbine engine typically includes a multistage axial compressor, a combustor and a high pressure turbine nozzle with one or more stages. Typical turbine nozzles, such as high pressure and low pressure turbine nozzles, define annular rings located adjacent to each turbine blade row to define axially alternate annular arrays of stator vanes and rotor blades.
To ensure that the rotatable blades and the static vane components do not contact each other under normal operating conditions, an annular gap is provided between the stator vanes and the bladed rotor. This requires, however, that the hot gases which pass through the turbine do not leak through the annular gap. Such leakage may result in a loss in turbine efficiency.
The conventional method to minimize hot gas leakage is the supply of high pressure purge air into the gap between the stator vanes and the bladed rotor. The purge air is directed radially outwardly over the surface of the rotatable disc and adjacent vane platform structure to exhaust through the gap into the core gas path. This minimizes hot gasses entrance into under-platform regions. These purge flows may cause some aerodynamic losses.


The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Buddleja plant botanically known as Buddleja hybrid and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Bosedaze’.
The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Guadalupe, Calif. during September 2011. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Buddleja having distinctive flower coloration, good repeat blooming, and well-branched habits.
The new Buddleja cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is ‘Attraction’, not patented, characterized by its dark red-purple colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, upright growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is ‘Miss Ruby’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,950, characterized by its dark red-purple colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during August 2012 in a controlled environment in Guadalupe, Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since August 2012 in Guadalupe, Calif. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.


In a typical alarm system within a building, such as a fire or burglar alarm system, many types of sensors, detectors, lights, strobes, sounders and other associated devices may be located throughout the building as part of the system. Groups of these devices are often wired together along a pair of lines serving the communication and power requirements of the devices. A group of such devices on a pair of lines is often referred to as a "line of devices". Typically, many lines of devices can connect back to-a control panel that controls the overall operation of the alarm system.
A typical line of devices, such as a line of smoke detectors, for example, may operate on 36 volts of line power supplied from a power source within or attached to the control panel.
According to certain fire codes, alarm systems, such as those used in commercial establishments, must operate correctly during unintentional losses of AC power. To do so, most commercial alarm systems have battery backup power supplies. These alarm systems may also need to operate only on battery backup power during an emergency, for example, when AC power to the building is intentionally turned off. Typically, codes require alarm systems to be able to operate anywhere from twenty four to ninety hours before battery power is exhausted in a nonalarm condition.
An alarm system described in Takahashi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,683, provides intermittent alarm system device operation in order to conserve power when operating on batteries. In Takahashi, the control panel intermittently supplies power to each line of devices in a sequentially repeating order. While power is being applied to a line of devices, each device on that line is individually polled by the control panel for an alarm condition. In response to the poll, each device responds individually with a status message indicating either a normal or an alarm condition at that device. When all devices have been polled and have responded with a normal status, the application of power to the line of devices is terminated. The control panel then repeats the process with the next line of devices or with the same line after a short time interval has passed. In this manner, power is applied to the devices only when needed in order to check for an alarm condition at that device location. Thus, Takahashi conserves power by applying power to devices only when needed.


Whereas light sources are visible by their own emitted light, objects and materials appear to the eye according to how they modify incident light. The sensation of the color of an object is evoked by the physical stimulation of light-sensitive receptors in the human retina. The stimulation consists of electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum comprising wavelengths between about 380 and 780 nanometers.
Perceived color of the object is the result of a combination of factors, such as: (1) the spectral power distribution of an illuminant emitted by a light source that is incident upon the object, (2) the modification of the spectral power distribution of the illuminant by the spectral reflectance or transmission characteristics of the illuminated object, (3) the excitation of light sensitive receptors in the eye by the modified light from the object, and (4) the perception and interpretation by the brain of signals produced by the light sensitive receptors.
The perception of color is attributed to the differing spectral sensitivities of the light sensitive receptors. The trichromacy of color sensation implies that many different spectral distributions can produce the same perceived color. Such equivalent stimuli, which produce the same perception even though they are physically different spectral distributions, are called metamers, and the phenomena metamerism. For example, it is known that the perceived color of an object can change quite markedly when the object is moved from incident daylight into incident artificial light. The spectrum of the illuminating light source is also known to have an effect on the perceived colors of a printed image in spite of the considerable physiological compensation that the eye makes for differences in illumination. Light sources of differing relative spectral power distributions are therefore known to have different color rendering properties; for example, light sources which emit very narrow band, or almost monochromatic, light are considered to render colors very poorly.
According to the concept of metamerism, the respective colors of two objects may appear to be identical even though typically the spectral power distributions produced from the objects are different. Such power distributions, or stimuli, which are spectrally different but visually identical, are considered as metameric pairs. Because we measure light using only three cone types, the differences in these power distributions are indistinguishable. Two objects with different spectral reflectance functions may be perceived to match in color under one illuminant and not match under a different illuminant.
Certain aspects of perceived color have been employed to disguise images by printing an image in one color and then overprinting the first image with a pattern in a different color having approximately the same apparent brightness. Adjacent zones of equal brightness appear to be visually blended, even though they are of differing colors, thereby confusing the perception of the original image.
It is known to print patterns in different colors such that the patterns may be viewed through one or more filters having certain correlated colors, such that the patterns will change, depending upon the colors involved. It is also known to print characters in different colors in an overlapping relationship such that the overlapped characters, when viewed through one colored filter, will give the appearance of only certain ones of the superimposed characters, and when viewed through a second and differing colored filter, will reveal certain other ones of the superimposed characters. Such approaches are known for encoding (or encrypting) information to prevent recognition of the information content of the pattern until the pattern is decoded and made comprehensible. These approaches have been applied to promotional gaming technology and in document security and document verification applications.
Techniques are known for rendering flat, two-dimensional images that can stimulate an illusion of depth perception, that is, of a three-dimensional object or scene. Three-dimensional imaging can be classified into two major groups according to the quantity of information required to record the images: (1) binocular stereoscopic imaging, and (2) autostereoscopy, or three-dimensional spatial imaging. See Takanori Okoshi, Three-dimensional Imaging Techniques, Academic Press Inc., New York, (1976). Devices for performing binocular stereoscopic imaging include binocular viewers, parallax stereograms, lenticular-sheet binocular stereoscopic pictures, and binocular displays using Polaroid glasses or color filters. Devices for performing autostereoscopy include parallax panoramagrams, lenticular-sheet three-dimensional imaging, projection type three-dimensional displays, and integral photography.
In stereoscopy, a three-dimensional image is created by a series of two-dimensional images of an object captured from different perspectives, and therefore the three-dimensional image so produced contains multiple-angle information about the object. Physically displaced views of the same image are presented simultaneously to the eyes of an observer to convey the illusion of depth. These techniques typically employ a multiplexed pair of images, wherein the images are nearly identical and differ only so as to simulate parallax. The multiplexing is performed according to color, polarization, temporal, or position differences between the constituent images. For example, anaglyphic stereoscopy is a well-known process, in which left and right nearly-identical images are color-encoded by use of respective complementary color filters (e.g. cyan and red) for subsequent viewing through correspondingly colored lenses to separate the images as necessary for a simulated three-dimensional effect. When viewed through colored spectacles, the images merge to produce a stereoscopic sensation. The encoded image pair is known as an anaglyph, as it is typically rendered as two images of the same object taken from slightly different angles in two complementary colors.
This stereoscopic viewing of the multiplexed image pair typically requires the use of optical devices to channel each of the paired (left and right) images solely to the appropriate eye of the observer. A few autostereoscopic display techniques are known for providing subjectively three-dimensional viewing of a fixed image plane, without resort to eyewear and the like, by use of alternative devices based upon direction-multiplexed image displays. These devices typically employ optical diffraction, lenticular imaging, or holographic phenomena.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to business process management, and more particularly, to a unified architecture and a common syntactical framework for representing context of business process data, and management and tracking of the business processes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Business process management is an increasingly popular area of research and current software development. To date, there is no unified mechanism for a convenient representation of business processes data and data context. Typically, most software vendors provide one piece of the “puzzle”, such as CRM (customer relationship management), invoice tracking, order tracking, Gantt chart software, and so on. Many of the vendors in this area are relatively small companies, and typically the software product grows out of their own initial need to solve a particular problem, and the product is often tied to a particular world view of the vendor.
For a typical business enterprise, it is necessary to buy and integrate several pieces of software—for example, project management software typically does not “talk” to accounting software. Customer relationship management software does not talk to parts ordering software, and so on. Additionally, most such software packages have very limited ability to alter or change the way the data is presented to the user. Frequently, a relational database is used as part of the engine, with the attendant limited ability to manually add fields to the database. However, for most end users, the need to change the “candid” data representations represents a substantial difficulty, and often requires hiring consultants or additional IT staff.
The semantic web, see FIG. 1, comprises the standards and tools of XML, XML Schema, RDF, RDF Schema and OWL that are organized in the Semantic Web Stack. The OWL Web Ontology Language Overview describes the function and relationship of each of these components of the semantic web stack
XML provides an elemental syntax for content structure within documents, yet associates no semantics with the meaning of the content contained within.
XML Schema is a language for providing and restricting the structure and content of elements contained within XML documents.
RDF is a simple language for expressing data models, which refer to objects (“resources”) and their relationships. An RDF-based model can be represented in XML syntax.
RDF Schema extends RDF and is a vocabulary for describing properties and classes of RDF-based resources, with semantics for generalized-hierarchies of such properties and classes.
OWL (see FIG. 2) illustrates additional vocabulary for describing properties and classes: among others, relations between classes (e.g. disjointness), cardinality (e.g. “exactly one”), equality, richer typing of properties, characteristics of properties (e.g., symmetry), and enumerated classes.
Accordingly, what is needed is a unified architecture that permits a business enterprise to easily represent the context for business analysis in business processes that occur within the enterprise, and to provide an easy interaction mechanism between users representing various aspects of the business, and the data stored within the business model.


Advances in lightwave technology have made optical fiber a very popular medium for large bandwidth applications. In particular, optical technology is being utilized more and more in broadband systems wherein communications between systems take place on high-speed optical channels. As this trend continues to gain more and more momentum, the need for efficient utilization of the precious real estate on circuit boards, racks/shelves, back planes, distribution cabinets, etc., is becoming ever increasingly important. In order to fulfill expectations across the industry, opto-electronic modules and optic fiber devices need to continue to become miniaturized, thereby taking full advantage of the maturity of micro- and opto-electronic technologies for generating, transporting, managing and delivering broadband services to the ever increasing bandwidth demands of end users at increasingly lower costs. Thus, the industry has placed an emphasis on small form factor optical connectors, such as the LC connector from Lucent Technologies, Inc. However, miniaturization is tempered by the requirements of transmission efficiency. For instance, with the advent of new standards such as gigabit Ethernet, wherein the transmission efficiency is becoming more and more critical, the performance of optical connectors is becoming correspondingly important for healthy operation of the system. Thus, it is desirable to obtain component miniaturization without sacrificing transmission efficiency, and preferably while improving transmission efficiency.
With the miniaturization of optical modules and optical fiber devices, the management of optical fiber congestion has become an issue at optical interfaces and connection distribution points. One solution is the use of multi-fiber ribbon in which a plurality of optical fibers are organized and molded side by side in a plastic ribbon. It is known to interconnect these ribbon cables by supporting the fibers between two support members made of a monocrystalline material, such as silicon. In the support members are V-grooves formed utilizing photolithographic masking and etching techniques. The fibers are placed side by side in individual V-grooves of one support member and the other mating support member having corresponding V-grooves is placed over the fibers so as to bind or hold the fibers in a high precision, spatial relationship between the mating V-grooves. The top and bottom support members sandwiching the multi-fiber ribbon are typically bonded together with a clamp or adhesive, forming a ferrule of a multi-fiber connector. Two mating ferrules with the same fiber spacing may then be placed in an abutting relationship so that the ends of the fibers of the respective ferrules are substantially co-axially aligned with one another, thereby forming a multi-fiber connection. If desired, such ferrules can be stacked in order to increase the interconnection density.
Multi-fiber ribbons and connectors have numerous applications in optic communication systems. For instance, some opto-electronic and optical application specific integrated circuits (OASIC) devices, e.g, optical switches, optical power splitters/combiners, routers, etc., have several input and/or output ports arranged as linear arrays to which a plurality of fibers are to be coupled. Further, since optical fibers are attached to launch optical signals into these devices and extract optical signals out of these devices, splicing of arrays of fibers (i.e., a multi-fiber ribbon) to such devices can be achieved using mutifiber connectors. Yet another possible application relates to an optical fan-out fabric where an array of fibers in a multi-fiber ribbon may be broken into simplex or duplex channels for distribution purposes, as is often desired.
A critical factor to the optical efficiency of a multi-fiber connector, whether or not stacked, is the precise alignment of the mating ferrules with regard to one another. As the ferrule structures utilized to achieve the precise axial alignment of corresponding optical fibers of a multi-fiber connection become smaller, there exist a need for connectors that are likewise space efficient so that full advantage of the miniaturized ferrule can be realized with higher interconnection density. Further, there also exist the need for multi-fiber connectors to be user friendly so that the operation and utility of the multi-fiber connector is intuitive to the workers that will be installing systems utilizing optical components. For example, it is desirable for multi-fiber connectors to have plug-and-play capability, in that they can be quickly and easily coupled to a piece of equipment, device, or one another.
In summary, there continues to exist a need for miniaturized multi-fiber connectors in order to take advantage of the more space efficient optical ferrules while, at the same time, increasing the functionality and ease of use of such multi-fiber connectors.


In the service industry, delivery of services with expected quality is of utmost importance in order to fulfill end user requirements. In the present scenario, the global economy highlights issue of significantly increasing pressure experienced by the service industry to operate at higher speeds to deliver the services with the quality desired and value to cope up with cut throat competition present in the global market. An information technology (IT) service is one of among various other services which have always played a key role in dealing difficulties related to delivery of various services for the industries or organizations. The IT service delivered by an IT vendor may result in generation of a business value for the industry or the organization. Generally, the business value of any industry or an organization is articulated quantitatively based on Return on Investment (ROI) which is widely used to measure the effectiveness of the investment made for the IT services in the industry and also to compute the business value generated by the industry or the organization after implementing the IT services.
Most of traditional methods of articulation of the business value are based on improvement in the quality levels of the service delivered by the IT services. One of such methods, a business value gained by an organization for the qualities procured in the IT services is determined in terms of value realization index (VRI). In this method, the VRI is articulated based upon delivered quality level and promised quality level of the IT services. In the method for articulation of the VRI, the articulation of the VRI is dependent on a single-scale of 0 to 100. Further the present method fails to represent various quality levels of the IT services and hence failed to represent direct measures of various qualities of the IT services.


1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to audio peak limiters and other audio control systems, more particularly to the cancellation of lower sideband modulation distortion in such systems.
2. Prior Art
Fast audio peak limiters include simple peak clippers, radio frequency clippers, Hilbert transform limiters as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,643, delay-line limiters, and others. Some of these operate directly on an input audio signal such as the simple peak clipper, which replaces any positive or negative instantaneous level exceeding a preset positive or negative threshold with the corresponding threshold value. Other peak limiters operate by multiplying a control signal by the input signal. All systems that operate directly on the signal have equivalent systems (producing the same outputs) that multiply the input signal by a control signal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,526 discusses how such an equivalent system can be synthesized.
Any system in which the input signal is multiplied by a control signal can be considered an amplitude modulator, where there are multiple "carriers" corresponding to each Fourier frequency component of the input signal and the "modulating signal" is the control signal. It is well known that amplitude modulators produce a pair of symmetrical, mirror-image sidebands on each side of the carrier. The frequencies in the upper sideband are the sum of the carrier and each Fourier frequency component in the modulating signal. The frequencies in the lower sideband are the difference between the carrier and each Fourier frequency component in the modulating signal. In the case of the peak limiting systems, the modulating process adds to each Fourier frequency component of the input signal a pair of sidebands corresponding to the frequency components in the control signal. This is true of all prior art processes enumerated above.
Psychoacoustic research has established that strong frequency components in an audio signal have the ability to "mask" weaker signals so they cannot be heard in the presence of the strong signals, although they would otherwise be audible in the absence of a strong signal. As the weak frequency becomes more distant in frequency from the strong signal, the strong signal must become stronger and stronger to mask the weak signal.
This effect is asymmetrical with frequency. Strong signals are more able to mask weak signals "x" octaves above a strong signal than to mask weak signals "x" octaves below a strong signal. Therefore, in any of the prior art peak limiting systems discussed, the lower sideband (representing distortion induced by the peak limiting process) is much more likely to be audible than is the upper sideband because the undistorted input signal is less able to psychoacoustically mask the lower sideband. This is particularly true because the lower sideband is arithmetically symmetrical to the upper sideband, occupying many more octaves than does the upper sideband.


This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications No. 8-349939 filed on Dec. 27, 1996 and No. 9-059600 filed on Mar. 13, 1997, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data communications technologies, and more particularly to real time data communications technologies. A xe2x80x9creal timexe2x80x9d response to an event is essentially simultaneous with the event itself. However, in communications, because of time delay for transmission time, signal synchronization, other necessary signal process or the like, xe2x80x9creal timexe2x80x9d does not mean strictly simultaneous.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a standard specification for communications between electronic musical instruments, a music instrumental digital interface (MIDI) specification is known. Electronic musical instruments equipped with interfaces of the MIDI specification can communicate with each other by transferring MIDI data via a MIDI cable.
For example, an electronic musical instrument transmits MIDI data of a musical performance by a player, and another musical instrument receives it to reproduce it. As one electronic musical instrument is played, another electronic musical instrument can be played in real time.
In a communications network interconnecting a plurality of general computers, various types of data are transferred. For example, live musical tone data or other MIDI data can be transmitted from one computer, which once stored the data in its storage device such as a hard disk, via the communications network to another computer which stores the received data in its storage device. A general communications network is, however, configured to perform only general data communications, and is not configured to properly process MIDI data.
Specifically, although the MIDI specification allows the xe2x80x9creal timexe2x80x9d communications to be performed between electronic musical instruments, it is not suitable for long distance communications and communications via a number of nodes. The general communications network is essentially configured to provide services of long distance communications and multiple-node communications, but it does not take account of xe2x80x9creal timexe2x80x9d communications between electronic musical instruments.
Real time communications of musical information uses a large amount of information per unit time, and the traffic of the communications line becomes heavy. As compared to point-to-point communications, point-to-multipoint communications of musical tone data is more likely to make the traffic of communications lines heavy. The heavy traffic of communications lines generates a transmission delay and hinders a real time musical performance.
It is an object of the present invention to provide technologies of musical tone data communications capable of a real time musical performance at multiple nodes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide technologies of data communications capable of avoiding a heavy traffic of communications lines.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a musical tone data communications system, comprising: transmitting means for transmitting inputted MIDI data in real time over a communication network.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data communications system comprising: receiving means for receiving data; access checking means for checking the number of communications lines accessed externally; and transmitting means capable of reducing the amount of data received by the receiving means in accordance with the number of communications lines accessed externally, and transmitting the reduced data to the communications lines accessed externally.
If the number of accessed communications lines is large, the amount of received data is reduced to thereby alleviate the traffic congestion, whereas if the number of accessed communications lines is small, it is not always necessary to reduce the data amount.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system having a plurality of communications apparatuses each having receiving means and transmitting means, wherein: the receiving means of the plurality of communications apparatuses receive the same data; the transmitting means of the plurality of communications apparatuses can reduce the amount of data received by the receiving means and can transmit the reduced data; and the data reduced by one of the communications apparatuses is different from the data reduced by another of the communications apparatuses.
Since the data reduced by one and another of communications apparatuses is different, the quality of data transmitted from each communication apparatus is different. For example, the type or reduction factor of the reduced data may be made different at each communication apparatus. Therefore, a user can obtain data of a desired quality by accessing a proper communication apparatus.
According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a musical tone data communications method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting MIDI data over a communications network; and (b) receiving the transmitted MIDI data and supplying the received MIDI data to a tone generator in real time.
MIDI data can be transmitted to a number of nodes by using a communications network. At each node, the MIDI data is reproduced in real time to generate musical tones.
According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a musical tone data communications method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting MIDI data; and (b) transmitting recovery data after the MIDI data is transmitted, the recovery data indicating a continuation of transmission of the MIDI data.
If there is no communications error, transmitted MIDI data can be correctly received at a partner communications apparatus. If there is a communications error, transmitted MIDI data cannot be correctly received at a partner communications apparatus. Even in such a case, the communication error can be remedied by transmitting the recovery data.


An assembly as well as systems and methods for performing parallel crystallisation experiments are known from WO 02/06802. The known assembly comprises a microplate having multiple microwells having an opening at the top. Sealing of the wells is effected by O-ring seals around the top of each well, which are interpositioned between the microplate and a cover plate.
The known assembly is not sufficiently practical when conducting parallel experiments in high volumes, known as high throughput experimentation. In particular the known assembly is unsatisfactory when conducting parallel crystallisation experiments.


The patterning of radiation sensitive polymeric films with high energy radiation such as photons, electrons, or ion beams is the principle means of defining high resolution circuitry found in semiconductor devices. The radiation sensitive films, often referred to as photoresists regardless of the radiation source, generally consist of multicomponent formulations that are coated onto a desired substrate such as a silicon wafer. The radiation is most commonly ultraviolet light at wavelengths of 436, 365, 257, 248, 193 or 157 nanometers (nm), or a beam of electrons or ions, or ‘soft’ x-ray radiation, also referred to as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or x-rays. The radiation is exposed patternwise and induces a chemical transformation that renders the solubility of the exposed regions of the films different from that of the unexposed areas when the films are treated with an appropriate developer, usually a dilute, basic aqueous solution, such as aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH).
Typical photoresists contain a polymeric component and are generally comprised of a polymeric matrix, a radiation sensitive component, a casting solvent, and other performance enhancing additives. The highest performing photoresists in terms of sensitivity to radiation and resolution capability are “chemically-amplified” photoresists, allowing high resolution, high contrast and high sensitivity that are not generally provided by other photoresists. Chemically amplified photoresists are based on a catalytic mechanism that allows a relatively large number of chemical events such as, for example, deprotection reactions in the case of positive photoresists or crosslinking reactions in the case of negative tone photoresists, to be brought about by the application of a relatively low dose of radiation that induces formation of the catalyst, often a strong acid.
Although chemically-amplified resists have been developed for 248, 193 and 157 nm lithography, certain barriers to achieving higher resolution and smaller feature sizes remain due to physical, processing and material limitations. One such phenomenon that arises for imaging in the sub-50 nm regime, resulting in diminished image integrity in the pattern, is referred to as “image blur” (see, e.g., Hinsberg et al., Proc. SPIE, (2000), 3999, 148 and Houle et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol B, (2000), 18, 1874). Image blur is generally thought to result from two contributing factors: gradient-driven acid diffusion and reaction propagation, the result being a distortion in the developable image compared to the projected aerial image transferred onto the film. Although, both factors contribute to image blur, the degree of the effect from each is different. Temperature also has a differing effect on each factor.
Acid diffusion is further thought to depend on several factors, including the type of photoacid generator (PAG) and the mobility in the photoresist polymer. In turn, the acid mobility in the polymer is dependent on a variety of factors, including, among others, the chemical functionality of the polymer, and the temperature and time of baking during resist processing.
Reaction propagation likewise depends on a number of factors, such as the activation energy (enthalpy) and the volatility of products (entropy).
Thus, as the need for better resolutions, minimum feature sizes, improved sensitivity and process latitude increases, image blur due to both contributing factors must be minimized. While both may be reduced to a degree by the use of acid-quenchers, or bases, the extent of thermally induced image blur estimated to be on the order of 10-50 nm with conventional resists and processing (see also Breyta et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,546) suggests that improvements are necessary in order to achieve sub-50 nm imaging.
An ongoing need therefore exists for new photoresist materials and compositions, as well as methods of patterning substrates, which can lead to improved high resolution photoresist applications.


Billboards are structures typically used to display large-scale signage in outdoor locations. These billboards may be free-standing, such as those seen along highways and roads, or installed on another structure, e.g., atop a building or stadium. During daylight hours, the signage may be visible without any additional lighting. Traditional billboards usually contain lighting, such as flood lights, installed on the front of the billboard structure and directed toward the signage in order to light the sign and improve visibility, for instance, during nighttime hours. Newer types of billboards, such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) billboards, use a different lighting system and require an entirely different structure than the lighting system and structure of traditional billboards.


Inductors are known in the art, and are used to resist against changes in current through the coil. Inductors typically include a coil of conductive material wrapped around a magnetic core. Often, such cores are formed in a closed loop. Known inductors include coils that are wrapped manually, such as by a winding machine. Typically, the inductor's magnetic core and windings are placed between an outer wall and an inner wall.
In some applications, inductors dissipate significant quantities of heat. Because of this, known inductors are potted in heat dissipating materials. The pottant is typically poured between the inner wall and the outer wall to surround the windings and to provide environmental, thermal, and structural support to the cores and windings. Pottants must have a high degree of plasticity to fully fill the cavity between the windings and the outer casing when poured. Furthermore, the pottant selected should have as high of a coefficient of thermal transfer as possible, in order to maximize heat transfer to the outer casing.
Known pottants attempt to provide both desired rheological attributes (i.e., high plasticity/flowability for pouring) as well as high coefficients of thermal transfer.


The present invention relates to a differential amplifier having high gain at a low frequency signal input.


With the increasing clock speed of integrated circuits (ICs), the relative timing between two or more signals received at the same component is becoming more and more of a design consideration and constraint. Generally, in ICs, there is a typical propagation rate through a given component of an IC. Therefore, the time of propagation of a signal that arrives over a first signal path is synchronized with a computer clock, and a second signal that arrives over a signal path is also synchronized with the computer clock. These signal path propagation times can be calculated and appropriate design choices made. However, if two signals are received at the separate inputs at substantially the same time or relatively close in time to one another, the propagation speed of the resulting signal through that component can be either substantially shorter or substantially longer than the design considerations typically allow for. This can create two potential error conditions in chip design.
The first error condition is generally known as a “late mode” failure, wherein the signal takes longer to propagate, due to simultaneous reception by a component of two incoming signals, than was accounted for in the ideal “non-simultaneous reception” case. The “late mode” case can typically be compensated for slowing the computer clock cycle speed, thereby allowing the signal time to get to the next clock-synchronized component.
The second error condition is an “early mode” failure. In a race condition, due to the substantially simultaneous receipt of two different signals, the resulting signal propagates out of the component faster than anticipated. This is especially irksome, as typically the simultaneous receipt of two independent signals is itself not a function of a received clock cycle, so slowing down the clock cycle typically will not prevent an early condition. Conventional technologies and methods for calculating acceptable design margins to account for both the early and late conditions tend to be either unwieldy, unacceptably inaccurate, or both.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and/or system for estimating design parameters for both early and late race conditions in IC design that addresses at least some of the problems associated with conventional methods and/or systems for estimating design parameters for both late and early race conditions.


“Health care professionals” is used broadly here to refer to anyone who participates in the diagnosis or treatment of medical problems. For example, medical doctors, dentists, nurses, nurse-practitioners, medical technologists, physical therapists, and other health workers that assist in examination of patients, diagnosis, or treatment are all included by this term.
A health care professional diagnoses an illness by collecting and evaluating information about the patient, then determining what disease or condition best fits the information. The information gathered from the patient usually is processed to reach a diagnosis by using a protocol learned during the professional's professional training and modified and updated by his or her medical experience. The protocol is an ordered process by which a health care professional ascertains information that allows the professional to rule out possible diseases until enough information is gathered to eliminate all but the diagnosed condition. Alternatively, the protocol may end when an appropriate treatment is identified. Recently, medical associations, health maintenance organizations, and hospitals, among others, have prescribed protocols. Employed health care professionals in particular are often subject to mandated protocols.
One problem in the field of medicine is how to improve diagnostic protocols to take into account advances in medical knowledge. A related problem is how to ensure that health care professionals update their skills to take advantage of advances in medical knowledge. Still another problem is how to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions that should be treated quickly, so treatment can begin soon enough to be most effective.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,973 discloses a data processing system and method for evaluating the treatment of chest pain patients in a medical facility.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,138 discloses a decision support system for the selection of a diagnostic test or therapeutic intervention, which are both called “studies” in that patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,713 discloses a program for reducing hospital errors in the delivery of medications, goods, services or procedures in patient treatment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,397 describes an automated system for use in decision-making processes, which is said to improve the quality and consistency of decisions made.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,585 discloses a common user interface to allow different medical personnel access to centralized files regarding patients.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,450 describes an electronic medical record system that stores data about individual patient encounters in a convenient form.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,255 describes an electronic prescription creation system for physician use that includes an adverse indication review and online access to comprehensive drug information including scientific literature.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,132 discloses diagnosing and treating patient diseases using a epidemiological database containing medical, personal or epidemiological data relevant to a presented set of symptoms, test results, a diagnosis, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,240 discloses a context-sensitive medical lookup reference computer system for accessing medical information over a network.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,074 discloses a medical records system that is said to create and maintain all patient data electronically.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,704 discloses a system in which a user inputs information related to the health condition of an individual.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,315 discloses a system and method for providing computerized, knowledge-based medical diagnostic and treatment advice to the general public over a telephone network or a computer network.
There is currently a need in the medical field for a system that communicates to a health care professional carrying out a diagnosis that a certain symptom, combination of symptoms, or other patient information recorded by the physician is associated with an increased risk of a missed medical care opportunity leading to a less favorable patient outcome. (A “medical care opportunity” is defined as an opportunity to correctly or more quickly diagnose or treat the patient's condition and thus provide a better patient outcome.) Further, there is also a need in the medical field for a system for communicating to the health care professional special steps to take to avoid the missed medical care opportunity.