Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory includes a row and/or column redundancy architecture that uses binary cells to indicate whether a given row or column of memory cells is faulty. The binary cell is adapted to store a “repair true” signal in response to a conventional access to the corresponding row or column and also the assertion of a set signal.

Abstract: A portable device (114) includes a power source (120), a volatile memory (118) requiring refreshing to avoid data loss, and a memory management module (116). The volatile memory (118) is operably coupled to the power source (120) for power. The memory management module (116) is operably coupled to the volatile memory (118). The memory management module (116) is also adapted to refresh the volatile memory (118) at a refresh rate which causes refresh-based errors and to correct the refresh-based errors. Also disclosed is a method for reduced power consumption by a volatile memory requiring refreshing to avoid data loss in which such a volatile memory is refreshed (122) at a refresh rate. All defective bits are detected (124) at the refresh rate. An error correction code is selected (126) for correcting the defective bits.

Abstract: A pulsed ring oscillator circuit for storage cell read timing evaluation provides read strength information. A pulse generator is coupled to a bitline to which the storage cell to be measured is connected. The storage cell thereby forms part of the ring oscillator and the read strength of the storage cell is reflected in the frequency of oscillation. A pulse regeneration circuit is included in the ring so that the storage cell read loading does not cause the oscillation to decay. Alternatively, a counter may be used to count the number of oscillations until the oscillations decay, which also yields a measure of the read strength of the storage cell. The pulse generator may have variable output current, and the current varied to determine a change in current with the storage cell enabled and disabled that produces the same oscillation frequency. The read current is the difference between currents.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for decreasing the frequency of refreshing a memory cell in communication with a word line and a bit line. A method according to one embodiment includes: providing a DRAM circuit having a memory cell, a sense amplifier including a pre-charge circuit connected to a first voltage source and a back-to-back inverter including a first NMOS transistor having a source, a second NMOS transistor having a source, a first PMOS transistor having a source and a second PMOS transistor having a source; maintaining the voltage of the sources of the first and second PMOS transistors at a first voltage during normal operation; and raising the voltage of the sources of the first and second PMOS transistors from the first voltage to a second voltage during a refresh operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sensing in low voltage DRAM memory cells. A method according to one embodiment includes: providing a DRAM circuit having a memory cell, a sense amplifier including a pre-charge circuit connected to a first voltage source and a back-to-back inverter including a first and second NMOS transistor, each having a source and a first and second PMOS transistor, each having a source. The method further includes the steps of maintaining the voltage of the sources of the first and second NMOS transistors at a first voltage during normal operation and lowering the voltage of the sources of the first and second NMOS transistors from the first voltage to a second voltage during a read operation.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor device has a memory cell array having electrically erasable programmable non-volatile memory cells, reprogramming and retrieval circuits that temporarily store data to be programmed in the memory cell array and sense data retrieved from the memory cell array. Each reprogramming and retrieval circuit has first and second latches that are selectively connected to the memory cell array and transfer data. A controller controls the reprogramming and retrieval circuits on a data-reprogramming operation to and a data-retrieval operation from the memory cell array. Each reprogramming and retrieval circuit has a multilevel logical operation mode and a caching operation mode. In the multilevel logical operation mode, re-programming and retrieval of upper and lower bits of two-bit four-level data is performed using the first and the second latches to store the two-bit four-level data in one of the memory cells in a predetermined threshold level range.

Abstract: When a main block address held in a memory refresh address counter coincides with an access block address corresponding to an access request, its counter value is transferred to a sub refresh address counter. Thereafter, a sub refresh address counter operates with priority over a main refresh address counter until its counter value reaches a final value. Consequently, an access operation and a refresh operation can be simultaneously executed without interfering with each other. As a result, it is possible to execute the refresh operation with a minimum increase in circuit scale and without any deterioration in access efficiency.

Abstract: In a semiconductor memory device, a repair circuit includes mode fuses to select one of plural repair modes corresponding to plural kinds of defects, respectively. The semiconductor memory device can repair a defective memory cell having operational margin defect without using redundancy memory cells.

Abstract: A static random access memory system used within a microprocessor includes a static random access memory array including a plurality of static random access memories, a storage unit configured to store a context ID used in the execution of a program or a process in association with an access pattern of the plurality of static random access memories in the execution of the program or the process, a search unit configured to, every time context switching occurs, search the storage unit for an access pattern that is associated with a context ID corresponding to a context ID of a program or a process to be executed after the context switching; and a power control unit configured to cause a static random access memory to be readable and writable on the basis of the access pattern of the plurality of static random access memories found by the search unit.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic memory includes a size-variable Read Only Memory (ROM) region and a size-variable Random Access Memory (RAM) coupled to different ports for parallel access to the ports, respectively. A memory system allowing fast and efficient data transfer can be achieved.

Abstract: A memory device is configured to operate in first and second data input/output modes. The memory device includes a first electrode pad, a second electrode pad, a clock signal line, a first switching unit, and a second switching unit. The clock signal line is configured to transmit a clock to an integrated circuit inside the memory device. The first switching unit switches to electrically connect the first electrode pad and the clock signal line in response to a control signal occurring for the first data input/output mode. The second switching unit switches to electrically connect the second electrode pad and the clock signal line in response to an inverse signal of the control signal occurring for the second data input/output mode.

Abstract: A memory device comprising a memory array having a plurality of memory cells, and a plurality of peripheral devices for reading data out of and writing data into the memory array, the peripheral devices include a first write driver connected to a first input/output line, the first input/output line being associated with a digitline connected to certain of the plurality of memory cells, a first read amplifier connected to the first input/output line, a first input/output device responsive to a first column select signal for connecting the first input/output line to the digitline, a second write driver connected to a second input/output line, the second input/output line being associated with the digitline, a second read amplifier connected to the second input/output line, and a second input/output device responsive to a second column select signal for connecting the second input/output line to the digitline.

Abstract: An array of non-volatile memory cells arranged in logical columns and logical rows, and associated circuitry to enable reading or writing one or more memory cells on a row in parallel. In some embodiments, the array of memory cells may include a phase change material. In some embodiments, the circuitry may include a write driver, a read driver, a sense amplifier, and circuitry to isolate the memory cells from the sense amplifier with extended refresh.

Abstract: Provided are a circuit and method for sampling a valid command using a valid address window extended for a high-speed operation in a double pumped address scheme memory device. A method for extending the valid address window includes: inputting a valid command signal and a first address signal at the first cycle of a clock signal; inputting a second address signal at the second cycle of the clock signal; generating a decoded command signal and extended first and second internal address signals respectively in response to the command signal and the address signals; and latching and decoding the extended first and second internal address signals in response to the decoded command signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the speed of a wordline in a memory device. A wordline structure includes a main wordline for selectively distributing a main wordline signal and a plurality of wordlines selectively coupled to the main wordline. Each of the wordlines is selectively coupled to a lower resistivity shared interconnection line by way of a selected one of a plurality of switching elements each commonly coupled on one end to the shared interconnection line and individually coupled on an opposing end to the plurality of wordlines. Each of the plurality of switching elements is selectively activated to couple one of the plurality of wordlines to the shared interconnection line when the main wordline signal is selectively coupled to one of the plurality of wordlines.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device for driving a word line is provided. The enabling timing of a word line is advanced using a block information signal that contains no redundancy information, thereby improving a RAS to CAS delay (tRCD). A sub word line driving enable signal for controlling a driving of a sub word line and a main word line driving enable signal for controlling a driving of a main word line are controlled by the block information signal that contains only mat information but does not contain the redundancy information. Accordingly, the word line control signal may be activated earlier than the sub word line driving enable signal and the main word line driving enable signal, thereby advancing the enable timing of the word line.

Abstract: A memory control device is disclosed that comprises a clock generator that generates a reference clock, a DLL circuit that receives the reference clock from the clock generator and outputs an output value indicative of a clock cycle of the reference clock, a delay setting circuit that receives the output value from the DLL circuit and outputs a delay setting value based on the output value according to at least one parameter, and plural delay elements that receive the delay setting value and introduce a delay responsive to the delay setting value. One or more of the delay elements receive input signals from corresponding one or more flip-flops driven by drive clocks generated by the clock generator, and send output signals to corresponding one or more output buffers that are to be connected to a memory.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing counters in two different clock domains within a memory device is comprised of generating a start signal for initiating production of a running count of clock pulses of a read clock signal in a first counter downstream of a locked loop and delaying the input of the start signal to a second counter upstream of the locked loop to delay the initiation of a running count of control clock pulses by an amount equal to a predetermined delay. Another disclosed method is for controlling the output of data from a memory device comprising deriving from an external clock signal a control clock for operating an array of storage cells and a read clock, both the control clock and the read clock being comprised of clock pulses. A start signal is generated for initiating production of a running count of the read clock pulses in a first counter. The start signal may be produced when a locked loop achieves a lock between the read clock and the control clock.

Abstract: A continuous feed mixer for cement or other mixtures includes a mixing tube which is inclined downward from a feed end to a mixing end. Cement solids are deposited at the feed end. Water is introduced at various locations along the length of the mixing tube to provide a proper proportion of solids and water. The mixing tube is rotated to provide the desired mixing process. A scraper is positioned within the mixing tube to remove material from an inner wall of the mixing tube during the mixing process.

Abstract: A concrete mixing drum includes a wall having a first section (41) and a second section (43). The first section (41) extends in a spiral along an axial centerline (31) of the drum. The second section (43) extends in a spiral along the axial centerline (31) of the drum adjacent to the first section (41).

Abstract: A machine for the production of dough mixes for foodstuffs includes a fixed tank and at least two kneading implements with fixed axes of rotation.

Abstract: A stirring vessel is for stirring a retained liquid by an acoustic wave, and includes at least one acoustic wave generating unit that emits an acoustic wave into the liquid and is provided as deviated on the stirring vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adding a powdery or granulated flocculation aid to a liquid. The device includes a container for receiving the flocculation aid to be added, the flocculation aid being mixed with a liquid by a controllable dosing element. The device is provided with scales for determining the weight of the flocculation aid to be supplied by the dosing element, and the quantity of flocculation aid is adapted to the quantity of liquid flowing through by a control system. A rotor-stator arrangement has a plurality of perforated disks arranged downstream from each other in the axial direction, used for the final reliable dissolution of the flocculation aid in the liquid.

Abstract: A programmable blender having record and playback features includes a record mode and a playback mode. When the blender is placed into the record mode, a processor stores a user created blending sequence to a memory unit. Alternatively, when the blender is placed into a playback mode, the processor automatically controls the operation of the blender in accordance with the stored blending sequence.

Abstract: An improved canister assembly for a multi-fluid dispenser is shown and described. The canister assembly comprises an annular outer shell with an outer cylindrical wall connected to a bottom which, in turn, is connected to an inner cylindrical wall that serves as a standpipe. The bottom includes an outlet connected to a pump A hollow agitator shaft slides over the inner standpipe and includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades for stirring or “agitating” the fluid. An annular screen element is disposed below the bottom end of the agitator shaft. Beneath the annular screen element is a lower agitator blade element The lower blade element and the lower end of the agitator shaft are snap-fitted together with the annular screen element sandwiched therebetween. The screen element includes a cylindrical shell with the annular screen disposed upwards from the lower end of the cylindrical shell so that the screen is spaced above the bottom wall and to make room for the lower blade element.

Abstract: A dynamic helical mixer and a mixing head apparatus using that mixer are disclosed. Highly efficient mixing of two or more component reactive systems that have drastically different viscosities and ratios can be achieved because the mixer provides high shear in a mixing apparatus with a very small hold-up volume in the mixing head. The mixing head utilizes a hydraulic motor to transfer power to the dynamic helical mixer.

Abstract: A plurality of signal transmitters are respectively configured to produce a pulse current by repeatedly switching the connection state of a switching element. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are respectively configured to transmit an ultrasonic pulse to a subject to be examined upon receiving said pulse current, and to produce a receiving current upon receiving the reflected wave. A signal receiver is configured to receive said receiving current. A test signal generator is configured to produce a test signal and to output said test signal to a connection point of said signal transmitter, said ultrasonic transducer, and said signal receiver by switching said connection state of said switching element to a state through which said test signal is conducted.

Abstract: Method for identifying one or more fracture clusters in an area of interest. In one implementation, the method may include determining a first inclination of each fracture cluster using borehole data. The first inclination refers to a first average angle with respect to horizontal. The method may further include extracting a first set of fracture clusters from seismic data using a filter based on the first inclination and a strike azimuth of each fracture cluster.

Abstract: There is described a method of moveout or velocity analysis of seismic signals using the steps of obtaining such signals 5 from a plurality of receivers, identifying receiver functions within the acoustic signals, analyzing said receiver functions for velocity or moveout characteristics, using the result of said analyzing step to determine, properties of multiple layers of earth located below said 10 receivers. The analyses can involve the use of representation of the traveltime differences as approximated power series of slowness or horizontal distances. The method is the first to comprehensively deal with a multi-layered earth or velocity model.

Abstract: Implementations described herein provide methods and devices for interpolating or estimating data from previously acquired data. Furthermore, implementations described herein calculate optimum interpolation operators by maximizing the spatial bandwidth of interpolation operators within a specified acceptable mean square error. According to one implementation, spatial bandwidth may be maximized by selecting a local grid within a global grid having nodes corresponding to desired interpolation locations. According to another implementation, spatial bandwidth may be maximized by specifying maximum wave numbers when calculating interpolation operators.

Abstract: A submersible electronics device for use in a body of water and a substratum floor below the body of water includes a submersible housing, an operational electronics system, and a mobility system. The operational electronics system is mounted in and/or on the housing. The operational electronics system is adapted to communicate with another device and/or to sense at least one of a physical signal and an environmental parameter. The mobility system is selectively operable to fluidize the substratum, vibrate the housing, and/or adjust a buoyancy of the submersible electronics device to selectively move the housing into the substratum to at least partially bury the housing in the substratum and/or to selectively move the housing out of the substratum to at least partially unbury the housing from the substratum.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic protection system used to secure a determined zone of interest and to remotely control an individual or a group of individuals within this zone and with a potentially hostile behavior. The system comprises at least one set of N electro acoustic sound sources forming a network and a generator used to create N electrical signals output from a same reference and that can be controlled in phase individually. Each electrical signal is input into a determined sound source, the assembly creating a resulting emission for which the diagram depends on the direction of the zone of interest and the distribution of required active and quiet zones. The device also comprises means capable of determining the relative positions of the different sources after they have been deployed, thus limiting positioning constraints imposed on operators responsible for deployment and making the work faster. The purpose of the invention is more generally the domain of non-lethal protection devices.

Abstract: A watch provides a chronographic function while the watch is in a “sport” mode. If a user activates a button relating to the chronographic function, such as a “start/lap” button, then the light for the watch will automatically activate. The light may remain active for a significantly long time, such as a period of six seconds or more. Alternately or additionally, if a user activates a button while the watch is in a “performance” or “sport” mode, then the light will automatically activate regardless of the button being activated. Still further, the chronographic function of the watch may be configured to not measure a lap time that is lower than a preset threshold value, such as, for example, three seconds.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a timepiece including a movement fitted with a power reserve indicator device, said timepiece including a barrel closed by a cover, a mainspring housed in said barrel and respectively connected to a barrel arbour and means for winding said mainspring, said indicator device including a differential gear kinematically connected by a first input to the barrel arbour, by a second input to the barrel and by an output to a power reserve indicator member and wherein the differential gear frame is arranged coaxially to the barrel arbour, characterized in that the second differential gear input is secured to the barrel cover, in that the differential gear output is formed by an inner toothed crown, in that the inner toothed crown is kinematically connected to the first input by at least first and second planetary wheel sets meshed with each other and in that the at least two planetary wheel sets are carried by the cover.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece with a generator function, including a generating means, a storage means that stores electrical energy produced by the generating means, a timekeeping control means that is driven by the electrical energy stored in the storage means, a time display means that is controlled by the timekeeping control means and displays time, a power generation detection means that detects the power generation state of the generating means, and a power generation display means that displays the power generation state based on a detection result signal output from the power generation detection means. The power generation detection means includes a hand and an actuator that drives the hand in both forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece with a generator function, including a generating means, a storage means that stores electrical energy produced by the generating means, a timekeeping control means that is driven by the electrical energy stored in the storage means, a time display means that is controlled by the timekeeping control means and displays time, a generator output detection means that detects the power generated by the generating means, a remaining operating time calculation means that integrates the power output detected by the generator output detection means and calculates a remaining operating time, and a remaining operating time display means that displays the remaining operating time calculated by the remaining operating time calculation means.

Abstract: A watch case construction incorporating a pair of watch band lugs. The watch case may include an upper casing portion defining two opposing pairs of upper casing apertures and a lower casing portion defining two opposing pairs of lower casing apertures, with the upper casing portion being mated to the lower casing portion so that each upper casing aperture overlaps a lower casing aperture. The watch case also has a pair of opposing band lugs, with each band lug having a band portion for affixing a band thereto and a pair of attachment portions each defining a lug aperture. The attachment portions are interposed between the upper casing portion and the lower portion so that each lug aperture overlaps an upper casing aperture and a lower casing aperture. Still further, the case will include a plurality of fasteners, with a fastener extending through each of the upper casing apertures, the lug apertures, and the lower casing apertures to secure the band lug to the watch casing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for securing a back cover on a middle part of a watchcase, characterized in that it includes an intermediate element to which the back cover is connected, said intermediate element being screwed onto the middle part of the watch, means being provided to allow the back cover to drive the intermediate element in rotation until the latter reaches a locked position on the middle part, the back cover also being able to be pivoted relative to the intermediate element without the latter being unscrewed for alignment with the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock axis of the watch.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for multitrack recording of audio information using handheld digital electronic devices such as suitably equipped portable digital music players. Recording of video tracks by digital electronic devices to complement the audio is also contemplated. One device serves as a master; the remainder are slaves. A key aspect of the invention is the transmission of start and stop recording signals by the master, which facilitates synchronization of the various tracks. In certain embodiments of the invention, some slaves may begin preliminary sampling of audio information prior to the start recording signal. This prepares these slaves to begin the actual track recording without delay. Upon receiving the command to start recording, each slave chooses as the first frame of its, say, audio track that sample closest to the time the signal to record was received. The task of stopping recording is typically handled similarly.

Abstract: A method of reproducing data from a recording medium, each of the data including reference time information indicating a reference time and including packet data, the method including: reproducing the data from the recording medium; obtaining a difference between respective reference times indicated by the reference time information of the reproduced adjacent data; rearranging the data on a time axis such that a time interval between adjacent data is equal to the obtained reference time difference; and outputting the rearranged data.

Abstract: A method for recording a movie (30) is described, the method comprising the steps of: —receiving a broadcasted video stream (10; 31); —recording the received video stream on an information carrier (2RE); —receiving additional metadata (32), preferably via internet (40); —recording the received metadata (32) on the information carrier (2RE) in association with the video recording (31).

Abstract: Compensation for repeated runout (RRO) error, such as in a data storage device servo circuit, is preferably carried out by obtaining a population distribution of RRO error values from at least selected ones of a subset of tracks. An RRO error compensation value is determined for each one of the subset of tracks when a variance characteristic of said population distribution meets a selected criterion. Preferably, a first track of a storage medium has a servo field at a first angular position on the medium, a repeated runout (RRO) error compensation field at a second angular position on the medium, and a user data field at a third angular position on the medium. An immediately adjacent second track preferably has a servo field at the first angular position and a user data field at the second angular position in lieu of an RRO error compensation field.

Abstract: A method for pre-calibrating a balance gain of an analog front end in an optical disk drive to calibrate a variation of a focus balance. The method includes the steps of: adjusting the balance gain of the focus balance; moving a lens and getting an S curve; and comparing a positive half cycle of the S curve with a negative half cycle of the S curve. When the positive half cycle is equal to the negative half cycle, it represents that the balance gain of the focus balance is optimized and the procedure ends; or otherwise the above-mentioned steps are repeated to adjust the balance gain of the focus balance again. Because the balance gain is pre-calibrated, the optimal power calibration, the successful disk-reading possibility, the write-in quality and the stability of the disk judging mechanism can be enhanced and the consistency and the stability of the product can be improved.

Abstract: A method and system for cross-talk cancellation in a three-spots push-pull tracking error signal in an optical disc system is disclosed. A tracking error signal (TES) is determined from a plurality of error signals (PPa, PPb, PPC). A noise signal (N) is determined from at least two of the plurality of error signals. The noise signal is filtered in a first filter (406).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a feedback loop (30) used with a servo controller (14) to control an actuator (13, 17) of an optical disc drive. The gain (18) in the feedback loop (30) determines the bandwidth of the actuator (13, 17) in accordance with predetermined parameters for predetermined intervals. High rotational disk speeds, especially during writing, necessitate that the actuator servo controller feedback loop have a high loop gain and can become critical. Higher gains will cause oscillations in the loop. Loop gain spread from sources such as detector sensitivity differences on recorded and non recorded areas, is controlled by setting the control gain at an initial value lower than the maximal value in order to avoid oscillations. The control gain is then adjusted to a maximum value by means of an AGC mechanism. This AGC mechanism is activated for short periods of times to adjust the gain.

Abstract: An audio reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes the following: an extracting unit which extracts starting position information from audio packets; a position calculating unit which calculate, based on audio data information included in the audio packets, a position of a starting audio frame; a first difference calculating unit which calculates differences between positions indicated in the starting position information which is extracted by the extracting unit and positions calculated by the position calculating unit; a first reproduction judging unit which judges availability of reproduction for coded audio data based on a change of each of the differences that is calculated by the first difference calculating unit and is calculated for the respective plural audio packets; and a decoding unit which decodes the coded audio data in the case where the first reproduction judging unit judges the coded audio data to be reproducible.

Abstract: A disc-shaped information recording medium has a first and a second recording layer. A buffer area is arranged adjacent to a recording area of each of the layers for preventing deviation of the recording position onto/from each of the layers. A first part of the information is written along a first track path on the first recording layer, a predetermined amount of first buffer data in a part of the buffer area of the first recording layer is written into the first recording layer, and inter-layer jump is performed from the first recording layer to the second recording layer. A predetermined amount of second buffer data in the buffer area of the second recording layer is written in the second recording layer and write element is controlled to write a second part of the information to be recorded, on the second recording layer by changing the recording direction.

Abstract: This optical disc drive has an optical pickup head that emits a light beam to an optical storage medium, detects the light beam reflected from the optical storage medium, and outputs a signal based on the received reflected light; a jitter measuring unit for measuring jitter in signals output from the optical pickup head; and an evaluation unit for determining from the measured jitter if the optical storage medium is good or defective. The jitter measuring unit measures jitter in a train of 3T or longer marks or spaces from an optical storage medium to which digital information is recorded as a train of marks or spaces of length kT based on a period T and an integer k of two or more.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical apparatus capable of reproducing/recording information from/to an optical carrier, e.g. a DVD or BD disk. The apparatus has control means for positioning/focusing a radiation beam (5) on the carrier and photo detection means for detection of radiation reflected from the carrier. Additionally, defect detection means (DEFO) for detection of surface defect areas (A1, A2) can indicate where surface defects, e.g. scratches etc., are present. Processing means are adapted for integrating, and preferably differentiate, error signals (RE, FE) immediately after the beam (5.b) is exiting a defect area (A1) for generating adaptive control signals (AD_RE, AD_FE). The optical system is adapted to apply the adaptive control signals (AD_RE, AD_FE) when the beam is positioned in the defect area (A1) again, thereby reducing off-track deviation as the beam (5.d) exits the defect area (A1).

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided that includes a data area for recording user data and a defect management area for recording a defect list for managing N number of defect areas existing in the data area, where N is an integer satisfying N?0. The defect list includes two or more blocks, and further includes a header located at a fixed position in the defect list and N number of defect entries, located subsequent to the header, including position information on the respective positions of the N number of defect areas. An anchor is located subsequent to the defect entries, and the header includes first update times information representing the number of times that the defect list has been updated. The anchor includes second update times information representing the number of times that the defect list has been updated.