A sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter includes an integrator and a dither signal generator for generating a digital dither signal, and a plurality of comparators for converting an analog signal received from the integrator into an output digital value. A digital logic unit is in data communication with the digital dither signal and the comparators. The digital logic unit is configured to change the output digital value on the basis of the digital dither signal.

The invention relates to an SD-ADC (sigma delta analog/digital converter).
This application claims the benefit of the Aug. 29, 2001 priority date of German patent application 101 42 191.5, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,777 describes sigma delta analog/digital converters that operate in parallel with one another with independent dither signal generators. The sigma delta analog/digital converter contains at least one integrator and a comparator or quantizer for the analog/digital conversion of an analog input signal. Furthermore, a dither signal generator for generating a digital dither signal is provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,347 discloses an analog/digital converter with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The analog/digital converter likewise contains an integrator and a comparator for the analog/digital conversion of an analog input signal. Furthermore, a noise generator for generating a digital noise signal is provided.
Young C. A.: xe2x80x9cTHE ADVANTAGES OF STRICTLY DIGITAL DITHERxe2x80x9d in IEE Colloquium on advances analog/digital and digital/analog conversion technique applications, London, UK, 1989, pages 2/1-2/3, describes the use of a digital dither signal in an analog/digital converter, the digital dither signal being added to the digital circuit regions downstream of the analog/digital converter.
SD-ADC generally exhibit limit cycles (periodic audible free oscillation of the ADC with time constant xcfx84t), which are perceptible as interference signal in the area primarily in audio applications. Limit cycles occur principally when a constant signal is present at the input of the SD-ADC, or during a transmission intermission in which no audio signal is transmitted (so-called idle tones).
In order to avoid such limit cycles, at suitable points in time, a random signal (dither signal) is fed into the SD-ADC, which signal brings about a certain variance of the input signal and thus reduces the proportion of the interference frequency in the spectrum of the output signal. To date, the dither signal has usually been fed to the SD-ADC in analog form.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a known SD-ADC with analog dither signal feed-in. The SD-ADC illustrated is a two-stage SD-ADC with a feedback loop 6 (second order single loop SD-ADC), with two integrators 1 (only one of which is shown), at whose input an analog signal is present, and a comparator 2. The SD-ADC furthermore comprises a dither signal generator 4 for generating a digital dither signal that, after D/A conversion by means of a dither DAC 10, is added to the analog output signal of the second integrator 1 (addition node 12). The accumulated analog signal is fed to the comparator 2, whose switching threshold is usually 0V. Finally, the comparator outputs a corresponding digital value at its output.
The digital result is buffer-stored in a buffer 11 that is connected to the inputs of the integrators 1 via the feedback path 6. In addition, the digital result is fed to signal processing connected downstream (not shown).
The SD-ADC illustrated has the disadvantage, in particular, that the addition of an analog dither signal generates additional interference that adversely influences the performance of the SD-ADC. Furthermore, the known SD-ADC requires an additional dither DAC that, in today""s CMOS technologies, requires a relatively large amount of area and power.
Owing to the proximity of the feed-in of the analog dither signal to a highly nonlinear comparator, the feed-in of the dither signal at this location is particularly critical.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an SD-ADC that requires less area and power for the feed-in and processing of dither signals in today""s CMOS technologies.
The essential concept of the invention consists in carrying out the feed-in of the dither signal in the digital part of the SD-ADC, in feeding only the analog output signal of the integrator to the comparator, and in reinterpreting or changing the digital result output by the comparator in a manner dependent on the level of the dither signal. This means shifting more functionality into the digital region, since modern CMOS processes enable much smaller digital structures than analog structures.
For this purpose, a plurality of comparators with different switching thresholds are provided, which convert the analog signal fed from the integrator into a digital value. Furthermore, a digital logic unit connected to the output of the comparators is provided, to which the digital dither signal is fed and that changes the digital value output by the comparators in a manner dependent on the level of the dither signal.
In this case, the switching thresholds of the comparators preferably correspond to the possible levels of the dither signal.
The SD-ADC is preferably of fully differential construction, the comparators having positive and negative switching thresholds. In this case, the SD-ADC comprises at least three comparators.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the logic unit firstly checks the output of that comparator whose switching threshold corresponds to the negative dither signal level, and then changes, if appropriate, the bits at the outputs of the comparators with a switching threshold that is smaller in magnitude.
The digital result output by the digital logic unit is preferably fed back to the respective inputs of the integrators.
It has been shown that, for the dither signal processing, it is possible to use very simple comparators whose switching threshold is, in particular, significantly less accurate than in the case of comparators of the quantizer of the SD-ADC.

SD-ADC with digital dither signal processing


A method of producing an electron emission device having a low threshold electric field needed to emit electrons without unintentional electron emission includes a first step of preparing a first conductive film, second conductive film, and a material which constitutes an electron emission part connected to the first conductive film, and a second step of setting a threshold electric field strength, which is needed to start electron emission in a situation where a higher electric potential is applied to the first conductive film than that applied to the second conductive film, to a value greater than a threshold electric field strength, which is needed to start electron emission in a situation where a higher electric potential is applied to the second conductive film than that applied to the first conductive film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of producing an electron emission device using an electron emission film, and a method of producing an image display device having a plurality of electron emission devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electron emission devices can be classified into three types: a field emission (FE) type, an MIM type, and a surface conduction type. Basically, in any type, the electron emission device includes a cathode electrode including an electron emission part and a control electrode for controlling emission of electrons from the electron emission part or controlling electrons emitted from the electron emission part.
Electron emission devices of the FE type can be further classified into two types: a type (Spindt type) in which an opening is formed in a control electrode and a cathode electrode made of metal and having a sharp tip (formed in a cone shape) is disposed in the opening, and a type in which a cathode electrode having a diamond thin film (electron emission film) having a rather flat shape is disposed in an opening of a control electrode. An example of a Spindt-type electron emission device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3094459. In recent years, an FE-type electron emission device has been proposed which uses a carbon fiber such as a carbon nanotube instead of a cone-shaped cathode electrode of a Spindt-type electron emission device. Examples of electron emission devices of the surface conduction type may be found in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3062987, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-367508, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-162015, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-311596.
An example of an application of the electron emission device is a flat panel display composed of a large number of electron emission devices arranged on a single substrate. The flat panel display using electron emission devices is of emissive type (light emissive type), and thus it can display a high-quality image with a high brightness and high contrast even in a well-lit environment.
In recent years, there has arisen a need for flat panel displays capable of displaying an image with higher resolution. To this end, there is a need for an electron emission device capable of emitting electrons in the form of a small beam. In general, to reduce the beam diameter, it is effective to reduce the strength of the electric field which is formed when the electron emission device is driven (when electrons are emitted during its operation). Thus, there is a need for an electron emission device having an electron emission part capable of emitting electrons using low strength electric fields.
In flat panel displays, not only high brightness but also high-quality halftone (gray-scale image) representation is required. To achieve high-quality halftone representation, a large electron emission current and control of electron emission are required. To this end, it is desirable that the electron emission device has a clear threshold for electron emission. That is, it is desirable that the electron emission device does not emit any electron in electric fields lower than a threshold electric field Eth (or a threshold voltage Vth) and electron emission starts at the threshold electric field Eth. When such electron emission devices are used in a display, an off-state (a dark state) is obtained when the electric field is lower than Eth (Vth) and an on-state (bright state) is obtained when the electric field is higher than Eth (Vth). The contrast of the display is determined by the difference between the off-state (dark state) and the on-state (bright state). The higher the contrast, the better the halftone representation and the better the image quality.
It is also desirable that in the range of the electric field below Eth, no electrons be emitted and the current that has no contribution to the emission current (called a useless current or an ineffective current) should be as small as possible. That is, it is desirable that the electron emission device have as high an electron emission efficiency (=emission current/(emission current+useless current)) as possible. A high electron emission efficiency allows a reduction in power consumption and also a reduction in load imposed on a driver of the electron emission device.
It is also important that the electron emission device satisfying the above-described requirements can be produced with high repeatability and a high production yield.

Method of producing an electron emission device, method of producing an electron source, method of producing an image display device, and method of driving an electron emission device


The invention relates to methods for transmission of signalling data in cellular telecommunication networks. According to the invention, multiple radio bearers can be allocated for transferring signalling traffic, but all higher layer signalling is in any case taken through the RRC protocol. In the inventive method, MM and higher layer messages are sent using RRC DIRECT TRANSFER messages, but a separate RLC entity is set up for RRC DIRECT TRANSFER messages. In various embodiments of the invention, separate radio bearers can be set up for individual CN domains and/or upper layer protocols and/or for a group of RRC messages.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to methods for transmission of signalling data in cellular telecommunication networks. Especially, the invention is related to such a method as specified in the preamble of the independent method claim. 2. Description of Related Art
The current concept of a signalling radio bearer in the UMTS system (universal mobile telecommunication system) defines that there is only one radio bearer for signalling traffic between the cellular network and a mobile communication means. Both the RRC (radio resource control) and higher protocol layers use the same radio bearer, i.e. the same RLC (radio link control) entity. In some implementations it is possible to have two RLC entities for signalling traffic, one entity for unacknowledged mode transfer and one entity for acknowledged mode transfer. However, there is currently no means to treat these entities separately for example for setup, reconfiguration or release. The signalling radio bearer, sometimes called the signalling link, is set up during the RRC connection establishment procedure. In some implementations, it is even possible that the radio bearer service is actually provided by the PDCP layer. In this case the PDCP will run in transparent mode for signalling traffic.
Higher layer messages, such as MM (mobility management) or CM (connection management) layer messages are carried between a mobile communication means and the network in a RRC DIRECT TRANSFER message payload. The protocol stack is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a partial protocol stack of a circuit switched core network (CN) domain, which protocol stack comprises connection management (CM) and mobility management (MM) protocol layers, and an example of a protocol stack of a packet switched core network domain, which protocol stack comprises session management (SM) and packet switched domain mobility management (PMM) protocol layers. Both of these protocol stacks communicate with the RRC (radio resource control) layer, which handles the transmission of the higher layer protocol messages in a RRC DIRECT TRANSFER MESSAGE payload. The radio link control protocol can be set up to provide unacknowledged or acknowledged data transmission service. Each RLC instance is configured by RRC to operate in one of three modes: transparent mode (Tr), unacknowledged mode (UM) and acknowledged mode (AM). The transparent and unacknowledged mode are used by some of the RRC signalling procedures. Majority of RRC signalling procedures including the Direct Transfer procedure utilize acknowledged mode transfer. The service that the RLC layer provides to upper layers is called radio bearer (RB). A radio bearer with the corresponding Iu bearer comprises a radio access bearer (RAB).
The problems with the prior art solution used at the time of writing this patent application are mainly related to priority control of signalling traffic. A problem can arise for example in a case, when a very long higher layer message is passed to RLC layer which buffers the message, and when a time critical RRC message also needs to be sent. In this situation, the RLC layer transmits the buffered messages first before transmitting more recent messages, which results in a delay of the time critical RRC message. Currently there are no mechanisms allowing priorization of more recent messages over those messages waiting in RLC transmission buffer. It is also possible that higher layer signalling such as MM and CM will need some prioritization means between the various higher layer protocols.
At the time of writing this patent application, a requirement has recently been identified which may finally require that several signalling radio bearers can be set up so that different QoS (quality of service) parameters can be used for different types of signalling. One solution for this requirement has been proposed. According to this solution, MM and higher layer signalling is carried over the air interface like any user traffic, in a separate radio bearer. This solution creates some problems related to integrity control functionxe2x80x94which is defined as a RRC layer functionxe2x80x94and to the existing procedures in Iu interface.
FIG. 2 illustrates protocol stack configuration for signalling transfer according to a recently proposed solution. According to this solution, signalling traffic of MM and other higher layer protocols are transmitted directly using PDCP services. In this solution, only function that would be required from PDCP layer is the integrity protection. According to the solution, either one user plane radio bearer is used for all higher layer signalling protocols or a separate user plane radio bearer is allocated for each higher layer protocol stack. In the example of FIG. 2 each CN domain employs a different radio access bearer (RAB) for signalling between UE and each CN domain. According to this solution, priority control between MM and RRC messages can be handled in RLC/MAC using normal radio bearer/logical channel priority control mechanisms.
This proposal has some disadvantages. For example, the proposed solution increases the complexity of the MM and PMM protocol implementations, since primitive interfaces are needed not only for the RRC protocol, but for the PDCP protocol as well. The proposed solution would also be an addition to current PDCP functions and change radically the basic function of PDCP as a packet service dependent sublayer. This would add complexity to the implementations of the PDCP protocol. Further, since PDCP is only intended for transmission of user plane traffic, in the proposed solution UE-CN signalling would be treated like user plane traffic, which implies that some modifications will most probably be needed also to the current Iu interface specifications. Further, in the proposed solution integrity protection needs to be implemented in two places: in PDCP layer for MM and higher layer signalling and in RRC layer for RRC signalling. As a consequence, the complexity of PDCP protocol increases and an additional header field is needed in PDCP data payload data units (PDU), since the integrity function requires a counter value to be transmitted with each piece of integrity protected data for use by the integrity protection algorithm.
An object of the invention is to realize a signalling method, which alleviates the aforementioned problems of prior art. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for transmission of control signalling, which allows determining of quality of service levels for different signalling traffic streams.
A still further object of the invention is to provide the aforementioned objects of the invention, without adding complexity in the protocol layers above the RRC protocol layer.
The objects are reached by setting up at least two signalling radio bearers for transmission of signalling traffic, and specifying rules for routing of higher layer signalling to the signalling radio bearers.
The method according to the invention is characterized by that, which is specified in the characterizing part of the independent method claim. The network element according to the invention is characterized by that, which is specified in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a network element. The mobile communication means according to the invention is characterized by that, which is specified in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to a mobile communication means. The dependent claims describe further advantageous embodiments of the invention.
According to the invention, at least two signalling radio bearers are set up for transmission of signalling traffic and the cellular network configures how the signalling of higher layer protocols is mapped to said signalling radio bearers. Multiple radio bearers can be allocated for transferring signalling traffic, but all higher layer signalling is in any case taken through the RRC protocol.
In the inventive method, MM and higher layer messages are sent using RRC DIRECT TRANSFER messages, but separate RLC entities can be set up for RRC DIRECT TRANSFER messages. In various embodiments of the invention, separate radio bearers can be set up for individual CN domains and/or upper layer protocols and/or for a group of RRC messages.
Routing of messages to signalling bearers can advantageously be performed on the basis of CN domain identity information contained in every RRC DIRECT TRANSFER data unit. In embodiments, in which separate radio bearers are set up for different upper layer protocols or different groups of upper layer protocols, the routing of RRC DIRECT TRANSFER data units is advantageously performed on the basis of examination of the contents of data units and interpreting, with which protocol each data unit is associated.
The inventive method provides integrity protection of MM and higher layer messages as a consequence of the transmission of the messages in RRC DIRECT TRANSFER messages. The inventive method allows controlling of priority between MM and higher layer messages and RRC messages in the radio interface by adjusting the QoS parameters of bearers used to transfer the messages.


An organic light emitting display includes a display unit at the center of a panel and including a plurality of pixels at crossing regions of scan lines and data lines, a scan driver for supplying scan signals to the scan lines and on the panel, a pad unit on the panel and for supplying driving powers and control signals to the display unit and the scan driver, the pad unit including first and second pads for supplying a gate high level voltage to the scan driver and third and fourth pads and for supplying a gate low level voltage to the scan driver, a first power source supply line surrounding the display unit and coupling the first pad to the second pad via the scan driver, and a second power source supply line surrounding the display unit and coupling the third pad to the fourth pad via the scan driver.

1. Field
An embodiment of the present invention relates to an organic light emitting display.
2. Description of Related Art
An organic light emitting display is a kind of a flat panel display (FPD) in which an organic compound may be used as a thin and light (or lightweight) light emitting material having high brightness and chromatic purity which may be driven with low power. Therefore, the organic light emitting display may be used for various displays such as a portable display.
The organic light emitting display may include a display unit (or pixel unit or display region) including a plurality of pixels formed at crossing regions of scan lines and data lines, a scan driver for supplying scan signals to the scan lines, and a data driver for supplying data signals to the data lines.
The display unit, the scan driver, and the data driver are commonly located on a panel of the organic light emitting display to receive driving powers and/or driving signals through a pad unit formed on one side of the panel.
For example, the display unit, the scan driver, and the data driver may be electrically coupled to a film on glass (FOG) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) bonded on the panel through the pad unit to receive the driving powers and/or the driving signals from (or via) the FOG or the FPCB.
Pads for supplying each of the driving powers and the driving signals are commonly formed in the pad unit one by one. When the bonding process generates (or causes) pressure failure of a pad, the display unit, the scan driver, and the data driver that would otherwise receive the driving powers and the driving signals through the failed pad may operate erroneously.
In particular, pads for supplying a gate high level voltage VGH and a gate low level voltage VGL that are the driving powers of the scan driver are located at the edge of the pad unit so that pressure failure may be easily generated (or caused). In addition, the pressure areas of the pads may be designed to be reduced in order to reduce the dead space at the lower end (or lower portion) of the panel where the pad unit is formed. In this case, it may be difficult to stably supply the driving powers to the scan driver.


A multi-level hand apparatus includes a plurality of hands arranged to overlap with each other as viewed in a vertical direction, and each hand includes a hand body and a support body that supports the hand body at a base portion of the hand body. The multi-level hand apparatus further includes a guide for allowing and guiding movement of the hands in the vertical direction while maintaining the orientations of the hands, and a hand pitch limiter for defining a maximum pitch of the hands. The hands are divided into two groups, i.e., the first-group hands located at every other position and the second-group hands other than the first-group hands. The hand pitch limiter defines the maximum pitch between pairs of a first-group hand and a second-group hand that are vertically adjacent to each other.

A multi-level hand apparatus that can convey multiple plate-shaped workpieces such as semiconductor wafers at the same time is disclosed in JP-A-2013-135099, for example. This conventional multi-level hand apparatus is configured such that the hand pitch can be changed so as to be able to convey groups of workpieces between cassettes having different pitches.
The mechanism for changing the hand pitch described in JP-A-2013-135099 has a configuration in which support bases that each support a hand are overlaid in the vertical direction, the support bases are guided so as to be capable of sliding in the vertical direction while maintaining a horizontal orientation, elongated holes that extend in the horizontal direction are provided in appropriate portions of the support bases, an elongated pivot member that pivots about a lower portion thereof is provided with pins arranged at a predetermined interval, and the pins are engaged with the elongated holes of the support bases. According to this configuration, the vertical pitch of the support bases can be changed by pivoting the elongated pivot member between an inclined orientation and a vertical orientation, for example.
With the configuration described above, in order to make it possible to increase the number of support bases and change the pitch between them, it is necessary to extend the length of the elongated pivot member. However, this entails changing the lengthwise sizes of the elongated holes of the support bases, which incurs an unnecessary increase in the amount of planar space occupied by the mechanism and the weight thereof.

Multi-level hand apparatus and conveying robot provided with the same


A data processing method and apparatus for maintaining and customizing a list of words, phrases, and abbreviations that are standard in a profession, industry, trade or occupation, for insertion of abbreviations from the list into the text, for converting selected words and phrases in the text to abbreviations, for converting selected abbreviations in the text to words and phrases, and for automatically converting a number of words and phrases to abbreviations, and abbreviations to words and phrases, throughout the text, comprising the steps of: storing in a memory a first data structure encoding a plurality of words and corresponding abbreviations; storing in a memory a second data structure encoding a plurality of abbreviations and corresponding words; selecting a word in the text to be converted to an abbreviation and converting the selected word to a corresponding abbreviation using the first data structure; and selecting an abbreviation in the text to be converted to a word and converting the abbreviation to a word using the second data structure.

A number of professions, industries, trades and occupations use standard abbreviations for certain words and phrases. The data processing apparatus and method of this patent application enables users of word processing programs automatically to convert those words and phrases to the standard abbreviations, and to convert said abbreviations to their corresponding words and phrases, in a manner similar to a spell-checking apparatus and method. The data processing apparatus and method of this patent application also enables users of word processing programs to select from a list of standard abbreviations for insertion into the text. The data processing apparatus and method of this patent application also allows for adding to, editing, updating and customizing the list of words and phrases and of abbreviations which are to correspond to each other within the apparatus and method.
A number of existing products have some, but not all, features of the present invention. For example, the CiteRite™ II software from Lexis-Nexis checks legal citations only for proper form and flags errors. This software is not general enough to use with abbreviations in other fields, and does not convert abbreviations to words. The Oberon Citation7 software supports the proper generation of citations with abbreviations from user-defined tables, but does not convert abbreviations to words or allow the user to select from a list of abbreviations corresponding to a given word. The Quickwords™ software from Corel only works with a single word processor, WordPerfect™, and only converts words to abbreviations, not abbreviations to words.
There is a need for a completely generalized word-to-abbreviation and abbreviation-to-word converter program that works with any type of text containing abbreviations from any profession, industry, trade, or occupation. The software program must allow the user to select the word or abbreviation to be converted and should provide the user with a list of possible conversions. The program should also scan an entire text for a word or abbreviation to be converted and automatically make the conversion.

Data processing apparatus and method for converting words to abbreviations, converting abbreviations to words, and selecting abbreviations for insertion into text


In an embodiment, a CO2 recovery system has an absorber, a regenerator, and a circulation device. An absorption liquid has an aqueous solution of amine having an alcohol group, and dimethyl silicone oil in which a part of methyl groups is substituted by at least one type selected from an aminoalkyl group, a carboxyl group, and a hydroxyl-containing alkyl group. The absorber contacts a combustion exhaust gas of a fossil fuel and the absorption liquid to absorb CO2, which is contained in the combustion exhaust gas, into the absorption liquid. The regenerator releases CO2 by applying thermal energy to the CO2-absorbed absorption liquid. A circulation device circulates the absorption liquid between the absorber and the regenerator.

In recent years, the greenhouse effect due to CO2 is being pointed out as one of causes of the global warming phenomenon, and measures against it are urgently needed in view of the global environmental protection. Since a major CO2 generating source is found in areas of human activity where the fossil fuel is burnt, there are growing demands for limitation of CO2 emission. Accordingly, a method of recovering CO2 by removing it from the combustion exhaust gas by contacting the combustion exhaust gas to an absorption liquid has been studied vigorously for a thermal power plant using a large amount of fossil fuel.
As an example of the CO2 recovery system, there is a known CO2 recovery system (Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, 2006 Achievement Report). In a CO2 recovery system, the combustion exhaust gas containing CO2 to be recovered is guided to an absorption tower through a combustion exhaust gas supply line. Counterflow contact occurs between an absorption liquid supplied through an absorption liquid supply line and the combustion exhaust gas in the absorption tower, and CO2 contained in the combustion exhaust gas is absorbed for removal by the absorption liquid. The combustion exhaust gas from which CO2 has been removed goes upward, and it is exhausted through a combustion exhaust gas discharge line.
The absorption liquid having absorbed CO2 is sent to a heat exchanger via a discharge pump through an absorption liquid discharge line, heated therein and further guided to a regeneration tower 32. The absorption liquid guided to the regeneration tower is heated for regeneration by a regenerative heater such that CO2 is released and separated. The absorption liquid regenerated by the regeneration tower is guided again to the absorption tower by a supply pump. In this case, the temperature of the absorption liquid is adjusted by the heat exchanger or an absorption liquid cooler which is disposed if necessary.
And, CO2 separated from the absorption liquid within the regeneration tower is cooled together with steam, which is generated when the absorption liquid is heated by the regenerative heater, by a reflux condenser. Subsequently, CO2 and condensed water are separated from each other by a separator, and CO2 from which steam has been removed is guided to a CO2 recovery process through a recovery line. The separated condensed water is returned to the regeneration tower by a reflux pump.
As the absorption liquid in the CO2 recovery system described above, many aqueous solutions containing an amine are known. JP-A 61-71819 (KOKAI) describes an acid gas scrapping composition containing nonaqueous solvents such as a sterically hindered amine and sulfolane, and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol and the like as a sterically hindered primary monoamino alcohol.
JP-A 5-301023 (KOKAI) describes a particular aqueous hindered amine solution having as a typical example a hindered amine selected from a group consisting of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-(methylamino)-ethanol, 2-(ethylamino)-ethanol, 2-(diethylamino)-ethanol, and 2-(hydroxyethyl)-piperidine.
JP-A 8-252430 (KOKAI) describes an amine mixed solution which has secondary and tertiary amines each having a concentration in a range of 10-45 wt %. A CO2 absorption behavior of an aqueous solution of 2-amino-2-2 methyl-1-propanol which is a hindered amine is disclosed in Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 41, No. 4, pp. 997-1003.
In a case where the above absorption liquid is used, it is preferable that the absorption liquid is cooled to a given level and introduced into the absorption tower because the concentration of CO2 in the absorption liquid becomes high when its temperature is lower. And, since the release of CO2 is an endothermic reaction, the regeneration tower needs to heat the absorption liquid.
But, the release of CO2 by the regeneration tower requires an enormous amount of thermal energy, which contributes to the high cost when CO2 is recovered and becomes a major hurdle in view of practical realization of the CO2 recovery system. In other words, when the absorption liquid is heated in order to release CO2, 50 mass % or more of water generally contained in the absorption liquid is evaporated at the same time, and its evaporative latent heat is high. Therefore, about a half of the thermal energy supplied from the regenerative heater and the like is consumed for evaporating the water.
Meanwhile, the amine in the absorption liquid is hydrated with water molecules by a hydrophilic group, and OH groups present at this time play an important role in bonding with CO2, and more specifically with CO32−. Therefore, to provide the functions as the absorption liquid, it is necessary to have some water in the absorption liquid, and it is hard to eliminate water completely.


There is provided an hand-held pneumatic tool which has a body, a tool fitted to the lower end of the body and a handle at the upper end of the body. The handle is connected to the body by a resilient connection means which permits relative actual movement between the handle and the body.

This invention relates to hand held pneumatic tools of the type commonly used as demolition hammers.
It is well known to provide a pneumatic tool for use as a demolition hammer, which tool comprises a body forming a cylinder and having a handle at an upper end and a tool receptacle at a lower end, a piston being reciprocable within the cylinder under the action of compressed air so as to strike the tool repetitively. The operator holds the tool with both hands, one hand being on the top handle and the other hand on the body of the tool.
Known tools of this nature impose a high degree of vibration upon the operator. In recent times there has been increasing concern as to the risk to health which such vibration poses, and current health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom are now planned which will try to reduce vibration levels to which operators of such tools may be exposed. There is accordingly a need for a tool of this type which imposes significantly lower vibration upon the operator""s hands.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a hand held pneumatic tool comprising a body which includes a cylinder, a tool holder at a lower end of the body, a handle at an upper end of the body, a piston reciprocable within the cylinder between a lower position in which it strikes a tool in the tool holder and an upper position, an inlet for receiving compressed air, and a first valve means interposed between the inlet and the cylinder so as to cause the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder; and in which the handle is connected to the body by a resilient connection means which permits relative axial movement between the handle and the body; and a hand grip is provided around the body at a location spaced from the handle, the hand grip being connected to the handle for movement therewith.
Preferably, the hand grip is formed integrally with a muffler through which exhaust air from the tool passes.
In one form of the invention, said first valve means is secured to the handle for movement therewith. In an alternative form, said first valve means is secured to the body.
Preferably, the resilient connection means comprises a plurality of guide posts (which may be provided by shouldered bolts) and spring means which may suitably comprise respective coil springs around one or more of said posts.
In a preferred embodiment, the tool further includes flow control means for varying the supply of compressed air from the inlet into the cylinder.
Preferably, said flow control means comprises a second valve means located between the inlet for receiving compressed air and the first valve means.
Preferably, said flow control means is adapted to vary the extent of opening of an air passage connecting said inlet to said first valve means.
Preferably, said flow control means is adapted to vary the compressed air supply in a plurality of discrete steps.


A mixed-signal chip having a signal transformer located between analog circuitry and digital circuitry. The signal transformer includes a primary winding electrically coupled to the analog circuitry and a secondary winding electrically coupled to the digital circuitry. The primary and secondary windings are magnetically coupled with one another via a magnetic core. The magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary windings inhibits the coupling of electrical noise between the analog and digital circuitries.

As system on chip designs become more prevalent, analog circuitry, e.g., radio frequency transceiver circuitry, is more frequently being placed on the same chips as digital circuitry, e.g., digital signal processing circuitry. While this type of design has many benefits, such as compactness of design, challenges arise in preventing electrical noise from one type of circuitry interfering with the operation of the other type of circuitry. This noise coupling is often in the context of noise from the digital circuitry interfering with the operation of the analog circuitry. Noise coupling is becoming more and more critical as the speeds of digital circuitry continue to increase.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional electrical coupling of digital circuitry 10 and analog circuitry 14 with one another via an analog-to digital converter 18. While each of digital and analog circuitries 10, 14 are connected to separate respective power distribution networks 22, 24, these circuitries share a common ground network 28. Conventional technologies, such as deep trench and voltage island technologies (not shown), provide high substrate impedance between the digital and analog circuitries 10, 14 for isolating the noise. However, these technologies do not inhibit noise coupling through ground network 28 that is common to both the digital and analog circuitries 10, 14. What is needed is a solution that inhibits noise coupling between digital and analog circuitries 10, 14, yet permits signals to pass between these circuitries with high fidelity without pulse width distortion.

On-chip signal transformer for ground noise isolation

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and apparatus for accurately measuring an amount of exercise taken by a walker in terms of a walking speed, the distance traveled and the energy consumed. Impacts made by contacts of a foot of the walker with the ground are detected by a detector so as to produce corresponding contact signals. The number of the contact signals in a predetermined unit of time is counted by a processor to obtain a pitch in the unit of time, and a stride of the walker is calculated from said pitch and the height of the walker by the processor according to a predetermined empirical relationship of ST=(0.1688.times.HT)/(1-0.0174.times.PI.times.HT), where ST is the stride in meters, PI is the pitch in number of steps every 10 seconds, and HT is the walker's height in meters. The data on said height are inputted to the processor beforehand. Then the stride is multiplied by the pitch, to obtain and display a walking speed of the walker in said unit of time. The energy, e.g., in terms of calories consumed by the walker, is measured by the method of the present invention, utilizing an empirical relationship of C= (0.0005.times.PI.times.WT) (when PI.ltoreq.15) or C=(0.0013.times.PI-0.0126).times.WT (when PI>15), where C is the consumed energy in kcal in 10 seconds, PI is the pitch in number of steps every 10 seconds, and WT is the bodyweight of the walker in kg.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring an amount of exercise. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring an amount of exercise of a walker in terms of speed of the walker, traveling distance or in terms of consumed energy in calories.
II. Description of the Prior Art
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,769, such an exercise determination involves detection of a time t for which a foot of a runner comes into contact with the ground. On the basis of the time t, speed v, mileage 1 and consumed calories E are then calculated from the following empirical formulae: EQU v=-1.46+41.5.times.t EQU 1=vT EQU E=0.98.times.W.times.1
wherein T is the elapsed time, and W is the weight of a runner.
However, the known method has a disadvantage in that it is not possible to determine the number of steps taken in walking or running, because it is designed to detect a time length for which the foot of a runner or jogger is in contact with the ground, so that the speed v may not be accurately calculated.

Method and apparatus for measuring the amount of exercise


A solid state image sensor is constructed such that a plurality of linear image sensors are provided to have at least one row of photodiodes in each of the plurality of linear image sensors and a photodiode array is formed by arranging the plurality of linear image sensors side by side. A control gate electrode used to retrieve electric charges and a polysilicon electrode serving as a charge transfer electrode are provided between the pluraliielding conductive film is provided on the polysilicon electrode to partition the plurality of linear image sensors into individual linear image sensors. Accordingly, a light beam incident on a certain linear image sensor can be prevented from entering another linear image sensor adjacent to the certain linear image sensor, thereby reducing a difference between the amounts of signal charges outputted from different linear image sensors and suppressing smear.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of a solid state image sensor, and particularly to a solid state image sensor in which smear reduction is effected to an optimum extent.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically, a color image sensor is configured to have three rows of CCD (Charge Coupled Device) linear image sensors arranged therein in parallel with one another, each row including a CCD and having a function of transferring electric charges, and to form a color filter including, for example, a red color filter, a green color filter and a blue color filter, and corresponding to a color different from other colors on each of photodiodes of each of the three rows of linear image sensors.
FIG. 1 illustrates the entire configuration of an exemplified color image sensor having the aforementioned construction. The image sensor includes: two rows of photodiodes 121, 141, each photodiode of the row having a color filter (not shown) thereon consisting of one of a red (R) color filter, a green (G) color filter and a blue (B) color filter; and control gates 122, 142 for retrieving signal charges photo-electrically converted within a photodiode from the photodiode for transfer of the signal charges to charge transfer registers 126, 146. Thus, signal charges Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 . . . are retrieved and supplied to the charge transfer registers 126, 146 (denoted by a white arrow in the figure). Readout pulses xcfx86TG1, xcfx86TG2 and xcfx86TG3 (bus lines are not shown for simplification) for retrieving signal charges are applied to the control gates 122, 142. The charge transfer registers 126, 146 each include two-phase CCD registers, and signals xcfx861 and xcfx862 are applied to the charge transfer registers 126 and 146, respectively (pulse lines are not shown). The signal charges transferred through the charge transfer registers 126, 146 are transferred to a floating diffusion region. The signal charges transferred to the floating diffusion region are converted to a signal voltage through a charge detector. The signal voltage obtained by conversion of the signal charges is outputted as a color signal from an output circuit 103 including an analog circuit such as a source follower, inverter or the like to the outside.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a color image sensor having CCD linear image sensors, each linear image sensor including a single row of photodiodes and corresponding to an individual color, and configured to retrieve electric charges only from one side of the row of photodiodes. The configuration of CCD linear image sensor other than the aforementioned configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 1.
In recent years, need for high resolution and high integration density enhances reduction in pixel size. For this reason, a solid state image sensor incorporating a plurality of CCD linear image sensors, each linear image sensor having two rows of photodiodes, which are alternately arranged at an interval of half the pixel size in a direction of the row, potentially introduces a light beam incident on the photodiode in one row through an opening for the photodiode into another photodiode in the other row. When the aforementioned phenomenon occurs, a difference between the amounts of signal charges from different rows of photodiodes is caused even if the same amount of a light beam is irradiated on each of the two rows of photodiodes.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a conventional solid state image sensor. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the solid state image sensor, taken along the line Ixe2x80x94I of FIG. 3 and corresponding to a portion, enclosed by a dashed circle line, of the drawing of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a photodiode for photo-electrically converting a light beam incident thereon and a charge transfer register for transferring electric charges generated within the photodiode by photo-electric conversion. Though not clearly shown in the plan view of the entire solid state image sensor of FIG. 3, a boundary between photodiodes in a longitudinal direction (i.e., a direction of the row of photodiodes) includes boron ions implanted thereinto so that electric charges produced within a certain photodiode by photo-electric conversion are not able to enter a photodiode adjacent to the certain photodiode. In the figure, a color filter is also omitted for simplification.
As shown in FIG. 4, when viewing the paper from a direction vertical to the paper, a light beam 62 incoming through an opening 61 corresponding to a photodiode 1 on the left should typically be photo-electrically converted within the photodiode 1 (denoted by a dashed line) on the left. However, the light beam 62 incident on the opening 61 from a direction inclined relative to the normal to the opening 61 is reflected by an interconnect line 10 serving also as a light shielding material and then passes through an interlayer insulation film 36 between through holes 5, and finally enters the photodiode 1 on the right, producing a difference between the amounts of electric charges generated within the photodiodes on the adjacent rows of photodiodes.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the solid state image sensor, taken along the line IIxe2x80x94II of FIG. 3 and corresponding to a portion, enclosed by a dashed circle line, of the drawing of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5, a second polysilicon electrode 11 used to retrieve signal charges and the interconnect line 10 are connected to each other through an opening 13 provided in the interlayer insulation film 36. However, the interconnect line 10 is only filled within the opening 13 and is not configured to penetrate the interlayer insulation film 36 in the form of a one-piece conductive plate in a direction of the row. Accordingly, the light beam 62 incident on the photodiode 1 from a direction inclined relative to the normal to the photodiode 1 enters also a first polysilicon electrode 2 as a charge transfer electrode through the interlayer insulation film 36 between the openings 13. In this case, the light beam entering the first polysilicon electrode 2 probably permeates through defects or the like in the charge transfer electrode and then impinges on a charge transfer channel beneath the charge transfer electrode.
A solid state image sensor incorporating a plurality of CCD linear image sensors, each linear image sensor having a single row, corresponding to one color, of photodiodes, is shown in FIGS. 6 through 8. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the solid state image sensor including a plurality of CCD linear image sensors, each linear image sensor having a single row of photodiodes, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the solid state image sensor, taken along the line Ixe2x80x94I of FIG. 6 and corresponding to a portion, enclosed by a dashed circle line, of the drawing of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the solid state image sensor, taken along the line IIxe2x80x94II of FIG. 6. In the solid state image sensor of the type described above, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, a light beam 62 incoming from a direction inclined relative to the normal to a photodiode 1 on the left is reflected by an interconnect line 10 serving also as a light shielding material and passes through an interlayer insulation film 36 between through holes 6, and finally enters the photodiode 1 on the right, producing electric charges within the photodiode 1 on the right. The electric charge thus produced causes a difference between the amounts of electric charges generated within the photodiodes in the rows of photodiodes corresponding to the individual CCD linear image sensors, causing a difference between the amplitudes of output signals, i.e., causing smear.
The present invention is directed to a solid state image sensor incorporating a plurality of CCD linear image sensors, each linear image sensor having a single row or two rows of photodiodes, and being capable of reducing a difference between outputs from the plurality of linear image sensors and thereby reducing smear.
A solid state image sensor of the present invention includes: a linear image sensor having at least one row of photodiodes; a photodiode array formed such that the linear image sensor constitutes a plurality of linear image sensors, and the plurality of linear image sensors are arranged side by side; an insulation film covering the photodiode array; and a light shielding conductive film formed to penetrate the insulation film in a direction of thickness of the insulation film and partition the plurality of linear image sensors into individual linear image sensors, the light shielding conductive film serving as a light shielding film.
The solid state image sensor of the present invention further includes a charge transfer register disposed beside the at least one row of photodiodes and corresponding to the at least one row of photodiodes, in which the light shielding conductive film serves as a wall to separate the at least one row of photodiodes and the charge transfer register from each other.
The solid state image sensor of the present invention is further constructed such that the plurality of linear image sensors arranged in the photodiode array are provided to correspond to individual colors to be displayed.


An apparatus and method for preparing deep fried food portions. The apparatus consists of a floor and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the floor. The floor contains one screen-covered drain, two pinhole-sized drainage holes, and a plurality of substantially planar floor portions. The selected size of the holes in the screen covering the drain depends upon the size of particles which naturally detach from food portions during preparation. The apparatus is placed in a cooking liquid-filled conventional deep fryer, and cooking liquid enters the apparatus through the drain, drain holes, and openings in the side walls, partially filling the apparatus. Food portions are coated with either a batter or breading and are placed in the apparatus. The food portions immediately sink to the bottom of the apparatus, directly contacting the floor portions. Unlike typical mesh food baskets, the coating does not "grip" the floor portions. Upon initial hardening of the coating, the food portions, intact except for loss of particles which naturally detach during preparation, float to the surface of the cooking liquid within the apparatus. Upon completion of the cooking of the food portions, any particles which have accumulated in the cooking liquid are easily removed.

In the fast food industry, the preparation of deep fried food portions may be accomplished by placing an open mesh food basket in a conventional deep fryer, such as the Dean/ALCO Model 1414GTS Gas Fryer, manufactured by Dean Industries, Culver City, Calif. A typical food basket used in the industry is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,553, to DiPietro, at FIG. 4, reference no. 25, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,975,997, to DiPietro, at FIG. 4, reference no. 13 (both of these patents are herein incorporated by reference). Such conventional deep fryers contain a quantity of liquid, such as cooking oil, shortening, or water, which is heated to a required cooking temperature. The mesh design of typical food baskets permits easy entry of the heated liquid into the volume of the basket. For items such as french fried potatoes, the open mesh basket provides a sufficient means for preparation.
However, a currently popular type of deep fried food portions contains a coating of batter or breading which, as shown below, is not particularly suited for use with conventional mesh baskets. Small portions of a variety of food items, including but not limited to chicken, fish, shrimp, beef, and pork, may be dipped in a moist batter and deep fried, thus providing a cooked batter coating about the food. A conventional batter may consist primarily of flour, starch, baking powder, and sufficient quantities of water to obtain the thickness desired. When these batter-coated or breaded portions of food come into contact with the grids of the typical open mesh food basket, such as those illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,430,553 and 3,975,997, the batter may conform to the grids and adhere or "grip" thereto. Upon removal of the cooked portions of batter-coated food from the food basket, those sections of batter which "gripped" the grids of the basket remain stuck thereto, thus leaving part of the cooked portion of food exposed and bearing an undesirable appearance to consumers. For those food portions coated with breading, the ingredients comprising the breading, namely wheat starch, corn starch, sugar, salt, and leavening, may not be adequately contained within the typical open mesh food baskets. Consequently, the ingredients eventually settle to the bottom of the conventional fryer, and if they are not promptly removed, they facilitate the breakdown and colorization of the cooking liquid.
Currently, one manner in which deep fried, batter-coated food portions may be prepared for restaurants is in a multi-step, multi-location procedure. Initially, the food portions are deep fried at a central location, where they are then frozen. After the portions are transported to a specific restaurant, they remain frozen until preparation is required. The portions of food are then refried in the conventional deep fryer discussed above, and they are served to consumers. This process, if not properly followed, can result in the oil or shortening retained in the frozen food turning rancid. Additionally, the effect of double frying the food portions is to alter their natural tastes.
A natural effect of the preparation of deep fried food portions in the methods discussed above is the detachment of small particles from the food portions during cooking. Devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,430,443, 3,975,997, 2,635,527, to Overbeck, and 3,993,645, to Keramidas (also incorporated herein by reference), describe systems for keeping such particles from escaping into the main supply of heated liquid in which the food basket is immersed. However, none of the above-cited prior art references discloses a food basket which, in and of itself, accomplishes this goal.

Apparatus and method for preparing deep fried food portions


A method for migrating extents between extent pools in a tiered storage architecture maintains a data access profile for an extent over a period of time. Using the data access profile, the method generates an extent profile graph that predicts data access rates for the extent into the future. The slope of the extent profile graph is calculated and used to determine whether the extent will reach a migration threshold within a specified “look-ahead” time. If so, the method calculates a migration window that allows the extent to be migrated prior to reaching the migration threshold. In certain embodiments, the method determines the overall performance impact on the source extent pool and destination extent pool during the migration window. If the overall performance impact is below a designated impact threshold, the method migrates the extent during the migration window.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to data migration, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for efficiently migrating extents in multi-tier storage architectures.
2. Background of the Invention
Tiered storage, also known as hierarchical storage, is a storage architecture typically containing high-cost and lost-cost storage media logically arranged into tiers. This architecture may be used to efficiently utilize high-cost and lost-cost storage media to provide a desired level of cost and performance. For example, certain high-speed storage devices, such as solid state drives, are faster and more expensive than storage devices such as hard disk drives, which are in turn faster and more expensive than magnetic tape drives or optical drives. While it may be desirable to store all data on faster storage devices such as solid state drives, this can be impractical and prohibitively expensive. Instead, tiered storage enables slower and less expensive storage devices to store the bulk of an enterprise's data. This data may then be moved or copied to faster storage devices when needed. This may enable faster devices to act as cache for slower devices.
Current implementations for migrating extents (i.e., contiguous areas of data storage) within tiered storage architectures typically address why and where extents need to be migrated to improve performance. However, the decision as to when to migrate extents is either not addressed or not given the attention it deserves. The timing associated with migrating extents has large implications on performance. For example, migrating extents when storage devices are processing large amounts of I/O can significantly reduce the storage devices' I/O performance. In certain cases, migrating extents at inopportune times can be self-defeating as the goal of the migration may be that of improving I/O performance.
In view of the foregoing, what are needed are apparatus and methods to more effectively address when to migrate extents between extent pools in a multi-tier storage architecture. Ideally, such apparatus and methods will minimize I/O performance degradation on extent pools that are either the source or destination for the migration.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Dynamic look-ahead extent migration for tiered storage architectures


A lock formed from a body and a projection that is inserted into the aperture in the spindle to rotatably connect a sanding pad to the housing. The lock may include an arm rotatably mounted to the body that is movable between a first position wherein the arm can be manipulated to rotate the body with respect to the spindle and a second position where the arm is contained within the body.

The present invention relates to rotary or oscillating power tools, and in particular to hand held rotary or oscillating sanders. A typical hand held rotary or oscillating tool, such as a palm sander, includes a housing that encloses a motor with an output shaft that is connected to a spindle. The spindle is connected to a plate that rotates or oscillates along with the spindle and carries a sheet of sandpaper for engagement with a work surface. When this type of design is used with other types of hand tools, the plate can carry other types of working surfaces, such as grinding wheels, buffing pads, etc. Because the sheet of sandpaper contacts the workpiece during use, frictional forces are created with the sandpaper and requires periodic replacement of the sandpaper to allow for efficient operation of the tool.
Often, it is convenient or desirable to remove the plate from the tool to replace the sandpaper (or other working surface). In typical hand held rotary or oscillating tools, it is a time consuming evolution to remove the plate from the spindle, and often requires the use of external tools, such as screwdrivers or allen wrenches. The time that this evolution requires and the need for external tools at the worksite (that often serve no purpose other than removing the plate from the spindle) reduces the over all efficiency of the task. Therefore, it is desired to provide a sander, or similar tool with a rotating or oscillating plate that retains a working surface, where the plate can be quickly removed and replaced without the use of any external tools.


A system for detecting an aim point on a display screen targeted by a user comprises a microcomputer that has at least a power source, a processor, a non-volatile memory, an I/O interface, and a display output. A hand held enclosure includes a camera having a field-of-view defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis, a user input, and a microcomputer interface to transmit camera data and user input data to the microcomputer. The aim point is a point located centrally in the field-of-view. The microcomputer is adapted to display two or more reference icons on the display screen, detect the reference icons using the camera, calculate the aim point on the display screen based on the position of the reference icons within the field-of-view of the camera, perform a function based on user input settings and the calculated value of the aim point, and repeat the process as necessary.

In the days where CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) displays were the norm, the image was produced on the screen by an electron beam controlled by vertical and horizontal electromagnets. This would display a single dot on the screen which would start at the top left of the screen and then progress across the screen from left to right. The electron beam would then turn off briefly while the electromagnets adjust to the next line down horizontally during what is known as Horizontal Flyback. The image itself is only one dot (or perhaps 3 dots for color). The entire TV image appears on the eyes by a combination of a phosphorus coating on the TV screen causing a persistent glow, and our own persistence of vision.
Pointing devices such as light guns and light pens worked on CRT displays by measuring the time taken before the light emitted by the collision of the electron beam striking the phosphor coating. A light sensor on the device detects the time of the brightest value. The X and Y co-ordinates of the pointer could be calculated by X=(Total Time since Start of display) Modulus (Time required for one row) Y=(Total Time since Start of display)/(Time required for one row).
In this way a light gun for example could be used to 'shoot' at an image displayed on the screen, such as a duck. A light pen could be used to draw on the screen using a similar method.
As other display technologies have improved such as LCD and Plasma, CRT displays have all but disappeared. There is no longer a single raster beam to display a dot on the screen. A screen is now made up of millions of LEDs. These are typically red green and blue LEDs so as to be able to display a full color range from black to white. These lights are typically all turned on simultaneously. This makes the old method of pointing devices impossible as there is no longer a raster beam to key off of.
One popular solution to create a pointing device (such as a light gun) is to use a sensor, typically a lens, CCD array and microcontroller unit pointed at the screen. This method requires one or more reference points to 'calibrate' the device. It is common to use lights placed above or below the display pointing towards the sensor. These lights are often infrared so as not to distract the user and also to minimize interference from surrounding light sources.
In the same way that older people suffer from progressive nostalgia about many things such as music or movies being "better in the old days," people are the same about video games. The ones that played when they were young are what people often feel are the best. This creates, as is the case in music and movies, a market for playing older games and so called "retro gaming," which is a very popular pastime. People can spend thousands of dollars on a game that in the 1980's perhaps only cost some 10's of dollars. One type of game that usually cannot be played on modern, non-CRT screens without difficulty is gun-type games. Classic games such as Duck Hunt, Time Crises, and many other games cannot be played as raster timing cannot be used, since modern LED screens do not use a raster beam to excite a pigment on the screen.
"Emulation" is a way of playing older games with great accuracy by using programs to translate from older hardware to more modern and faster processors. Software is used to emulate older hardware and the software of the older game is translated to work with modern hardware. As a modern emulator is merely a program that translates the game software, many extra items can be added to such a program, including image filters such as up-scalers, adding cheat facilities and so on.
Therefore, there is a need for a system that displays reference points to an image displayed on a display screen that can be used to calculate which direction the user is pointing a camera device towards the display, that is, an aim point. Such a needed device, instead of requiring a light source, would simply overlay the reference points onto the game screen. Such a needed system would provide aim point and user input information, such as a trigger actuation, to the emulator through an I/O interface. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.


To obtain a laser light source module, a copper-based material is press-fitted into a through hole formed in a stem made of an iron-based material, thereby forming a first heat sink. A mount made of a copper-based material is fixed to the first heat sink and at least one semiconductor laser device is mounted on the mount. A second heat sink is bonded to lower surfaces of the stem and the first heat sink by a thermal conductive adhesive. An upper surface of the first heat sink is located on a same plane as that of the stem, and a lower surface of the first heat sink is located higher than that of the stem.

A laser light source module uses at least one semiconductor laser device as a light source. In the laser light source module, a light-collecting optical system collects laser beams emitted from the light source, and inputs the laser beams into an optical element such as an optical fiber. To protect the semiconductor laser device from oxidation, a cap is put on the semiconductor laser device or a semiconductor laser array, a lens barrel is located so as to surround the cap, and a light-collecting optical system is provided on a top of the lens barrel.
In a laser light source module having such a configuration, the calorific value from its semiconductor laser device is relatively high, and particularly the calorific value of a semiconductor laser array having a plurality of semiconductor laser devices is considerably high. When a high-power laser light source module using a semiconductor laser array as a light source is continuously used with high power without releasing heat, the semiconductor laser devices are degraded by heat generated by their own, and thus lifetime thereof is shortened considerably. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an efficient heat-releasing mechanism.
If a semiconductor laser array is mounted on a heat sink made of a copper-based material, the heat-releasing efficiency is enhanced; however, when the amount of the copper-based material used in the laser light source module is increased, the mechanical strength of the module is lowered and the cost of the module is increased. For this reason, many laser light source modules employ such a configuration that a semiconductor laser array is mounted on a stem made of an inexpensive iron-based material having high mechanical strength, and a heat sink made of a copper-based material is provided on the stem.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a stem with a heat sink in which the heat sink having an element-fixing surface is integrally formed on an iron eyelet by press-fitting a copper heat-sink forming material into a through hole or a recess formed in the eyelet. According to this manufacturing method, the heat sink and the eyelet can be integrally formed together without using brazing filler metal.
Patent Document 2 discloses a laser diode package stem in which a coupling groove whose width is increased from the bottom toward the top is formed in a stem, a copper rod member is inserted into the coupling groove, and the rod member is then struck in a row by a predetermined die, thereby expanding the rod member in the coupling groove, fixing the rod member to the stem, and forming the rod member into a heat sink. In the laser diode package stem, a laser diode is mounted on an upper surface of the heat sink.
In the laser light source module having the iron stem and the copper heat sink, because a coefficient of linear expansion of iron and a coefficient of linear expansion of copper are different from each other, a relatively large thermal stress acts on bonded portions between the stem and the heat sink due to temperature rise caused by an operation of the semiconductor laser device. If the heat sink is press-fitted into the stem, it is possible to prevent the stem and the heat sink from being separated from each other by a thermal stress.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-116943    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-223302


A system for exchanging electrical energy between an electrical energy source and an electrical energy store of a vehicle, wherein the system includes an electrical connection, at least one electronic component, and a cooling device having a heat transfer medium, wherein, when the electrical energy store of the vehicle is connected to the electrical connection and electrical energy is exchanged between the energy source and the electrical energy store via the at least one electronic component, the heat transfer medium of the cooling device is designed to provide heat, which arises during the exchange of electrical energy in the system, to a consumer of the heat, which is coupled to the system and is arranged in a building.

In order to supply an electric vehicle with electrical energy, its battery can be connected to a charging station provided for this purpose.
DE 10 2017 201 541 A1 describes a motor vehicle having at least one rechargeable battery, a system consisting of a motor vehicle and a charging station, and a method for controlling the temperature of a rechargeable battery of a motor vehicle.
A charging device for a motor vehicle is known from document DE 10 2011 001 633 A1.
Document DE 10 2016 004 851 A1 discloses a motor vehicle having a means for transferring heat produced during the charging process of a traction battery to a hot water system external to the vehicle.
Against this background, one problem addressed is to make a charging process efficient for charging a battery of a vehicle.


Method and plant to make tesserae (11) for glass mosaic, containing ornamental metal foil (14) inside. The method comprises the steps of positioning a first glass strip (30), with a metal foil (14) associated above, on a work plane (20) including first molding means (22), localized heating of the work plane (20) to obtain a softening of the first glass strip (30), casting a quantity of glass onto the metal foil (14), pressing the semi-worked product (29) in its plastic state, and molding the semi-worked product (29) to define the contours of the tesserae (11), by means of cooperation between second molding means (19) and the first molding means (22). One or more of the steps are performed sequentially in at least one work station (40-49).

The present invention concerns a method to produce tesserae or slabs of glass mosaic, of the type containing an ornamental metal foil, for example gold, called golden mosaic. In the following description we shall talk essentially about gold foil or leaf, but it should be understood that the foils can be of silver, gold or silver alloys or other enhancing materials of a more or less precious nature.
The method according to the invention is concerned particularly with a process to make tesserae or slabs containing gold foil, wherein the processing steps are performed in sequence, substantially automatically and without the need for subsequent trimming or other manual interventions on the product.
The invention also concerns the plant for the automatic production of the tesserae of mosaic with gold leaf, and also the tesserae or slabs thus obtained.
One of the techniques used to make glass tesserae for mosaics aesthetically particular and valuable is to insert at least a layer of metal material, with thicknesses which can reach about 10÷30 μm, between two or more layers of transparent glass. This technique, which has very ancient roots, has evolved in the history of art, without substantially changing its method of production. In fact, in our own day, such types of tesserae continue to be mainly produced manually.
Metal foil, or the so-called gold leaf, is made to adhere to a previously cast glass plate resting on a metal plane suitably heated until it softens the glass; attention must be paid, however, that the melting point of the metal is not reached, which in the case of gold is around about 1050÷1080° C. In this step molten glass is also poured above the metal leaf so as to form a single three layer element: glass-metal-glass. Instead of casting molten glass, glass powder is added which, when it melts, forms a protective layer on the metal foil. The three-layer element is carefully pressed to ensure that the layers adhere properly.
Subsequently, the semi-worked product thus obtained is inserted into an annealing furnace to eliminate the surface tensions and then it is squared and cut manually by means of diamond tools.
This method is totally manual, which entails very long times and high production costs. Moreover, since this technique is difficult to do, satisfactory results are not always achieved even when glass-workers of considerable experience are supervising.
Another disadvantage is that, since they are made manually one by one, the tesserae often have an irregular shape, particularly along the edges, a different thickness and a shape not coherent with the geometrical shapes, such as the double-opposed inclined plane shape, of the non-enhanced tesserae produced with automated systems, with which they are laid on the walls or floors. This entails considerable problems during the forming step of sheets of mosaics which comprise some golden tesserae inserted into mosaics with non-enhanced tesserae, and entails the need for particular attention during laying.
EP 844.218 A, as an example of prior art, discloses a method for manufacturing gold slabs for mosaic comprising a step of applying a fluid suspension containing gold to a glass sheet of a first greater thickness, a step of heating the glass sheet and the suspension so as to obtain a film-like coating of the sheet, a step of protecting film-like coating with a layer of molten glass of a second lesser thickness, and a step of heating the layers so as to obtain a single sheet composed of the two layers of glass and the gold coating. This document, however, does not solve the shortcomings related to the edge shape of the mosaic gold slabs thus obtained. Moreover, the method is slow and requires a preparatory step to prepare the suspension containing gold and requires much skill and experience to obtain the desired thickness of the gold leaf from a dust suspension.
Furthermore, this document does not disclose how can be designed an apparatus for performing the method and directed to a mass, automatic and standard production of the gold slabs.
DE 10 85 304 B discloses a method for producing glass mosaic slabs containing inside a metallic layer, in which the inner metallic layer is covered by glass dust before the sandwich is placed in a furnace for the fusion. This document refers to a known technique in the art of the mosaic and entails all the shortcomings listed above.
The present Applicant has devised and embodied this invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain further advantages.

Apparatus for producing tesserae of glass mosaic containing a metal foil


The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, which includes a backlight module and a liquid crystal panel disposed on the backlight module. The backlight module includes an optic film assembly. The optic film assembly includes a first prism plate. The liquid crystal panel includes a first polarization plate. The first polarization plate is arranged to directly confront the first prism plate. The first prism plate includes a first base plate and a plurality of parallel first prism bars formed on an upper surface of the first base plate. The first prism bars have an axial direction that forms an included angle with respect to a polarization direction of the first polarization plate. The liquid crystal display device omits the topmost diffusion plate that is conventionally used in the known the optic film assembly so as to reduce the manufacture cost.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of liquid crystal displaying, and in particular to a liquid crystal display device.
2. The Related Arts
Liquid crystal display (LCD) has a variety of advantages, such as compact device size, low power consumption, and being free of radiation, and is thus widely used. Most of the LCDs that are currently available in the market are backlighting LCDs, which comprise a liquid crystal panel and a backlight module. The working principle of the liquid crystal panel is that liquid crystal molecules are interposed between two parallel glass substrates and a plurality of vertical and horizontal fine electrical wires is arranged between the two glass substrates, whereby the liquid crystal molecules are controlled to change direction by application of electricity in order to refract light emitting from the backlight module for generating images. Since the liquid crystal panel itself does not emit light, light must be provided by the backlight module in order to normally display images. Thus, the backlight module is one of the key components of an LCD. The backlight module can be classified as two types, namely side-edge backlight module and direct backlight module, according to the position where light gets incident. The direct backlight module arranges a light source, such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or a light-emitting diode (LED) at the back side of the liquid crystal panel to form a planar light source that directly provides lighting to the liquid crystal panel. The side-edge backlight module arranges a backlight source, such as an LED light bar based light source, at an edge of a back panel that is located rearward of one side of the liquid crystal panel. The LED light bar emits light that enters a light guide plate through a light incident face of the light guide plate and is projected out through a light exit face after being reflected and diffused to thereby form, after transmitting through a set of optic films, a planar light source to be provided to the liquid crystal panel.
Both the direct backlight module and the side-edge backlight module comprise a set of optic films. A liquid crystal panel is set on the backlight module to directly confront the optic films. The optic films that are currently used include a lower diffusion plate, a prism plate that is disposed on the lower diffusion plate, and an upper diffusion plate that is disposed on the prism plate. The lower diffusion plate functions to concentrate light emitting from the light guide plate for uniform projection onto the prism plate, while the upper diffusion plate functions for hazing the light projecting from the prism plate to effect homogeneous emission of light and elimination of side lobe light shape thereby eliminating irregularity of brightness and darkness (being bright at front view angle and side lobe but dark therebetween) for observation made at a given view angle. However, the existence of the upper diffusion plate causes deterioration of gain of luminance to some extents. Experiments show that removing the upper diffusion plate will increase the luminance gain by 10%. An optic film assembly with the upper diffusion plate removed is generally used in small-sized displays that require low optical grades, such as display of notebook computer or display of desktop computer.
For large-sized liquid crystal displays, with the consideration that observation may be made at various view angles, to avoid non-homogeneous brightness, the side lobe must be properly removed. This requires the use of the upper diffusion plate so that homogeneity of brightness can be obtained at the expense of deterioration of luminance gain so that the optical grade of the large-sized liquid crystal display can be improved. This has been the common technical consensus of the industry.

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


In an example method, write commands for a solid-state storage medium having storage region are received. Selected write commands are filtered out according to criteria. The selected write commands are cached. Writing pursuant to the selected write commands is aggregated to within boundaries of one of the storage regions of the storage medium.

Solid-state storage devices, such as NAND-type flash memory devices, have predefined storage regions. During each write cycle, an empty erased storage region is written upon. When data is to be written to a previously stored file in a first storage region, the first storage region is erased and previously recorded file, along with additional data being added by the write operation, is written to a second unwritten upon or previously erased storage region. Such solid-state storage devices have an expected life of a limited number of write operations or cycles.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Extension standards are provided for outside micrometers and calipers. Sleeves engage the extension standards and the micrometer anvil and/or spindle, or the measuring surfaces of calipers, to selectably position the measuring gap and also to provide different sizes of such measuring gaps at those positions.

The well-known bow micrometer has a fixed anvil and a threaded spindle facing the anvil. The space between the face of the spindle and the face of the anvil is the measuring gap. The threaded spindle has 40 threads per inch so that each rotation represents 0.025 inch of measurement. The barrel around the spindle is calibrated to permit readout of measurements. Since many turns (40 turns) are required of the spindle to move it an inch, micrometers are provided in different measuring gap ranges. Furthermore, in order to reduce the number of micrometers and calipers needed for a full measurement range, they are provided with interchangeable anvils of different lengths.
Another problem arising from the use of interchangeable anvils is the fact that the measuring gap is always close to the spindle and to the micrometer bow. Sometimes the structure which is to be measured does not permit access in that way. For example, when a web is measured underneath a flange, it is desirable to be able to select the position of the measuring gap. Also, there are other configurations, such as pockets and steps, where it is desirable to check the thickness of all kinds of walls or the distance or depth of a variety of surfaces from the main surface. Thus, it is desirable to provide accessories which permit outside micrometers and calipers to have different sizes of selectable measuring gaps at a desired location between the anvil and spindle of the micrometer or measuring surfaces of the calipers.

Accessories for outside micrometers and calipers


A method of determining when liquid electrophotographic toner has been depleted using a means of detecting signals indicating the conductivity provided by toner solids in a liquid carrier and determining their concentration in relationship to the liquid dielectric carrier solvent.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus that uses liquid toner and particularly relates to a method of determining the percentage of toner solids in the liquid toner while the liquid toner is in the printer.
2. Background of the Art
In electrophotography, an organophotoreceptor in the form of a plate, belt, disk, sheet, or drum having an electrically insulating photoconductive element on an electrically conductive substrate is imaged by first uniformly electrostatically charging the surface of the photoconductive element, and then exposing the charged surface to a pattern of light. The light exposure selectively dissipates the charge in the illuminated areas, thereby forming a pattern of charged and uncharged areas. A liquid or dry ink is then deposited in either the charged or uncharged areas to create a toned image on the surface of the photoconductive element. The resulting visible ink image can be fixed to the photoreceptor surface or transferred to a surface of a suitable receiving medium such as sheets of material, including, for example, paper, polymeric materials, metal, metal coated substrates, composites and the like. The imaging process can be repeated many times on the reusable photoconductive element.
In some electrophotographic imaging systems, the latent images are formed and developed on top of one another in a common imaging region of the organophotoreceptor. The latent images can be formed and developed in multiple passes of the photoconductor around a continuous transport path (i.e., a multi-pass system). Alternatively, the latent images can be formed and developed in a single pass of the photoconductor around the continuous transport path by sequential imaging and electrostatic deposit of toner. A single-pass system enables the multi-color images to be assembled at extremely high speeds relative to the multi-pass pass system. At each color development station, liquid color developers are applied to the photoconductor, for example, by electrically biased rotating developer rolls. The color developer may be dry pigment particles or it may be a liquid ink made of small colored pigment particles dispersed in an electrically insulating liquid (i.e., a carrier liquid).
This colored developer is provided for use in the printing apparatus usually through an exchangeable developer cartridge, but occasionally also through xe2x80x9crefillingxe2x80x9d of the initial cartridge. It is, therefore, necessary for the user to be informed of the time such an exchange of cartridges or refill of the cartridge becomes necessary. As a result of this need, many different methods of determining toner cartridge life are known. Some of these methods work best with liquid toner; others are best used with dry toner.
The typical dry developer cartridge contains a sensor that is used to determine when the physical quantity of remaining toner drops below a predetermined level. Frequently this level is determined by applying a bias to one probe, roll, member or other element associated with the cartridge and reading that bias across a predetermined gap with another roll, probe, element or member. When the toner level is high, the current is transmitted easily from one probe to the next. When the toner level is low, air fills the gap and the machine is less able or unable to sense the current from the biased member, signaling to a controller that a xe2x80x9cchange cartridgexe2x80x9d indicator is to be activated. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,229,821 and 6,349,184 for examples of that format of toner level indication system. This type of sensor is essentially an on/off sensor, asking if there is toner in the cartridge or not.
For liquid electrophotography, a cartridge change indicator is not nearly so simple as the formats that may be used with dry or powder toner systems. As the toner particles within the liquid toner are transferred to the photoreceptor, fewer and fewer toner particles remain within the liquid. The concentration of toner particles in the toner liquid are not necessarily uniformly constant in the deposited or transferred toner, changing the concentration of toner particles in the liquid, although the level of liquid in the cartridge might remain the same or very nearly the same. Some prior art uses a light beam and window to determine the optical density of the liquid in the developer pod. If the optical density is above a certain value, there are enough toner particles in the developer to keep printing images of useful optical density levels. One problem with this solution is that sometimes the toner particles adhere to the window through which the light beam is directed at the liquid toner, causing the optical density measurement to be falsely high and failing to notify the user that the cartridge does not contain sufficient toner to keep printing. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,530 for one example. U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,959 also discloses in its background three additional conventional liquid level measuring apparatuses or methods.
To solve some of the problems associated with determining when it becomes necessary to exchange or refill a liquid toner cartridge, an easier method can be implemented by determining what concentration of toner solids remains in the liquid. This can be determined independently of or in concert with a determination of the absolute amount (weight or volume) of the liquid toner remaining. When that determined percentage falls below a unique threshold, it is time to change the cartridge, add a concentrate to raise the particle level (replenishment) or add toner (replacement). This concentration determination is not the same as measuring what quantity of liquid is in the cartridge, as with dry toner, since the liquid level may vary within a wide range of acceptable limits, while the actual concentration of charged toner particles in the liquid is what is being measured as an important determinant in toner replacement or replenishment.
In the invention, a method for determining the concentration of toner solids present or remaining in any quantity of liquid solvent is described. One embodiment of the invention involves a series of steps. An electrical signal generator is electrically connected to a first electrode. A second electrode, attached or electrically connected to a detecting device, is positioned at a prescribed gap distance (e.g., between 0.005 inches and 0.250 inches) from the first electrode. The two electrodes are submerged in a liquid printing ink (in the practice of the invention in an electrophotographic imaging system, within the toner cartridge), maintaining the prescribed gap distance from one another. The signal generator then transmits an alternating current electrical signal (AC signal) or a direct current signal (DC signal) having a known amplitude to the first electrode. The direct current signal may be pulsed, and the receiving/signaling system may respond to the lack of pulses over a period of time to indicate depleted toner. The second electrode then receives any residual signal that is transmitted or propagates across the prescribed gap distance. The amplitude of the received signal is either detected at an acceptable intensity or determined to be absent or below the acceptable level, and a warning is generating based on whether the signal is received at the acceptable level or not received at an acceptable level (the unacceptable level including no signal received). Additionally, decisions may be made based on the amplitude of the received signal.
In one embodiment of the method, the signal generator""s output is, by way of a non-limiting example, between about 0.1 and 10 MHz, e.g., between 0.5 and 5 MHz, such as at 1 MHz. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first and second electrical emitting and electrical sensing elements, e.g., the probes are between 0.035 inches and 0.045 inches apart.
There are various possible embodiments and formats of positioning of the detection device element that may be used to send the xe2x80x9cchange inkxe2x80x9d message. In the most basic embodiment, the electrical path is in a simple series connection with the sensing device. When insufficient current is received at the second electrode, the electrical series connection is broken and a light, LED, or other signaling device ceases to relay a message to a receiver or fails to provide a visual signal that the cartridge or ink is still good. In this embodiment, the absence of the signal to an observer is the warning indicator or the absence of the internal light signal may trigger a second imaging feature to engage to provide a visible light signal.
In another embodiment, the AC signal is converted to analog and can be read, interpreted or processed by such devices as meters, processors, and the like. In such an embodiment, the percentage of toner solids remaining in a cartridge may be accurately determined at any given time.
The invention includes a method for determining the percentage of toner solids remaining in liquid printing ink within a liquid printing ink storage device or use cartridge comprises the steps of providing an electrical signal generator on the storage device providing a first electrode electrically connected to the signal generator, the first electrode submerged in the liquid printing ink, providing a second electrode at a predetermined gap distance from the first electrode, the second electrode submerged in the liquid printing ink and connected to an electrical signal detector, transmitting an alternating current signal having an amplitude from the signal generator to the first electrode, detecting the AC signal or its absence with the electrical signal detector, determining the amplitude or absence of the AC signal at the second electrode, and generating a low toner solids warning signal in response to the amplitude being detected at the second electrode at an amplitude below a predetermined minimum level. The second electrode may be, by way of non-limiting examples, between 0.005 inches and 0.250 inches from the first electrode. The method may provide an indicator light that stays on in response to sufficient amplitude, and goes out in response to insufficient amplitude when the alternating or direct current signal is detected and its amplitude determined. The alternating current signal may be picked up at the second electrode by a detecting device which converts the alternating current signal to an analog signal. The resultant analog signal may be sent to a processor for conversion or translation into a warning indication for the user.

Method of determining liquid toner depletion