A physical design method optimizes the performance of an integrated circuit much more efficiently. After an initial layout is obtained for an integrated circuit, a set of process steps, including evaluating the overall performance of the integrated circuit, selecting a candidate cell and changing the performance of the cell, is carried out a number of times. In the step of selecting a candidate cell, a cell, which should have its performance changed, is selected from multiple cells included in the integrated circuit based on the performance evaluation result obtained. Then, by reference to a library, a characteristic representing the performance of the candidate cell is determined in accordance with an external condition imposed thereon.

The present invention relates to physical design technology for an integrated circuit like CMOS or LSI.
In a known design process, a library of cells, causing delays of various lengths or having mutually different areas, is prepared for a circuit being designed to optimize the performance setting parameters of the circuit such as area, power dissipation and operating clock frequency. According to a method of this type, trial-and-error is inevitable before desired circuit performance is realized. That is to say, a combination of cells should be changed many times for that purpose. Also, to accurately estimate a characteristic value (e.g., wire capacitance) that is changeable depending on the layout adopted and will have a considerable effect on the resultant performance of an integrated circuit, the cell layout and replacement process is sometimes carried out repeatedly.
In any cell included in an integrated circuit being designed, the best specifications for realizing the desired performance are subject to change with various external conditions (e.g., load capacitance and drive) imposed on the cell. According to the known design process, however, an integrated circuit is designed using an existent cell library. Thus, not every cell in such a library is best suited for a given integrated circuit considering the external conditions thereof. In other words, it is not always possible to realize the best performance for each and every integrated circuit with a common library like this. Nevertheless, a design process should include a huge number of process steps if a broad variety of cells were prepared for a library while taking actual external conditions into account more fully.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to optimize the performance of an integrated circuit being designed much more efficiently.
Specifically, an inventive physical design method is applicable to an integrated circuit made up of multiple cells. The method includes the steps of: a) evaluating the overall performance of the integrated circuit; b) selecting, as a candidate cell that should have its performance changed, at least one of the cells from the integrated circuit based on a result of the step a); and c) changing the performance of the candidate cell selected in the step b). In the step c), a characteristic representing the performance of the candidate cell is determined in view of an external condition imposed on the candidate cell.
According to the present invention, a performance characteristic is determined for a cell, selected as a candidate cell, in view of an external condition imposed thereon. Thus, the performance characteristic of the cell can be estimated much more accurately. As a result, the overall performance of the integrated circuit being designed can be optimized.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the performance of the cell is preferably changed in the step c) by reference to a library, on which information about the respective cells is stored and on which two or more mutually different performance characteristics, associated with a single external condition, are stored for at least one of the cells. If two or more mutually different performance characteristics, associated with the external condition imposed on the candidate cell, are stored on the library, one of these performance characteristics is preferably selected.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the external condition imposed on the candidate cell preferably includes at least one of output load capacitance, input drive and input waveform. In still another embodiment, parameters representing the performance characteristic of the candidate cell preferably include at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of delay, area, power dissipation, output drive and input load capacitance.
Another inventive physical design method is also applicable to an integrated circuit made up of multiple cells. The method includes the steps of: a) evaluating the overall performance of the integrated circuit; b) selecting, as a candidate cell that should have its performance changed, at least one of the cells from the integrated circuit based on a result of the step a); and c) changing the performance of the candidate cell selected in the step b). The steps a), b) and c) are performed repeatedly. And in the step a), one of multiple evaluating approaches prepared is selected on a predetermined condition and the performances of the cells, included in the integrated circuit, are evaluated by the approach selected.
According to the present invention, the performances of cells, included in an integrated circuit, are evaluated by an approach selected from multiple approaches on a predetermined condition. Thus, the processing speed can be increased without decreasing the accuracy of cell performance estimation.
In one embodiment of the present invention, according to one of the approaches, the size of transistors, which make up each said cell, is preferably optimized with the area and performance of the cell taken into account. And then the performance of the cell, made up of the transistors of the optimized size, is evaluated.
In an alternative embodiment, according to another one of the approaches, the performance of at least one of the cells is preferably evaluated by reference to a library, on which information about the respective cells is stored and on which two or more mutually different performance characteristics are stored for the cell, and by interpolating and approximating the two or more performance characteristics.
In another embodiment, the predetermined condition may be presented considering at least priority levels of a specified length of a design process and target performance of the integrated circuit.
Alternatively, the predetermined condition may also be presented considering at least the number of times the steps a) through c) should be performed repeatedly.
In still another embodiment, the performance of each said cell may be evaluated in the step a) by reference to a library on which various performance characteristics, associated with respective external conditions, are stored for at least one of the cells. In that case, the predetermined condition is preferably presented considering at least difference between an external condition currently imposed on the cell and the external condition stored on the library for the same cell.
In yet another embodiment, the performance of each said cell may also be evaluated in the step a) by reference to a library on which size information is stored as one of the performance characteristic. In that case, the predetermined condition is preferably presented considering at least difference between information about the current size of the cell and the size information stored on the library for the same cell.
In yet another embodiment, the performance of each said cell may also be evaluated in the step a) by reference to a library on which the performance characteristics of the respective cells are stored. In that case, an alternative performance characteristic, which has been obtained for the cell as a result of the performance evaluation, is preferably newly registered with the library. In this manner, the performance characteristic of each cell can be more accurately estimated by reference to a library without increasing the number of process steps needed for building up a library.
Still another inventive physical design method is also applicable to an integrated circuit made up of multiple cells. The method includes the steps of: a) determining relative positions of the cells and wires interconnecting the cells together in the integrated circuit; b) evaluating a performance of the integrated circuit; c) selecting, as a candidate cell that should have its performance changed, at least one of the cells from the integrated circuit based on a result of the step b); and d) changing the performance of the candidate cell selected in the step c). The steps b), c) and d) are performed repeatedly. No matter how many times the steps b) through d) are performed, the same relative positions of the cells and wires, determined in the step a), are maintained.
According to the present invention, the same relative positions are maintained for cells and wires throughout the design process of an integrated circuit. Thus, the performance of an integrated circuit, which usually changes depending on the particular layout, can be estimated accurately, and an optimum solution can be obtained without getting stuck in a local solution or infinite loop.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the relative positions of the cells and wires may be determined in the step a) so that the area of the integrated circuit is minimized.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the relative positions of the cells and wires may be determined in the step a) so that the cells are placed at a uniform density in the integrated circuit.
In still another embodiment, the cells may be arranged in columns and rows in the step a). In the step b), the area of the integrated circuit may be estimated from a product of a maximum cell row length and a maximum cell column length.
In yet another embodiment, it may be estimated in the step b) how the shape of at least one of the wires changes when the area of the cell, having had its characteristic changed in the step d), changes. In that case, the performance of the integrated circuit is preferably evaluated while taking the estimated wire shape change into account.
Yet another inventive physical design method is also applicable to an integrated circuit made up of multiple cells. The method includes the steps of: a) evaluating the overall performance of the integrated circuit; b) selecting, as a candidate cell that should have its performance changed, at least one of the cells from the integrated circuit based on a result of the step a); and c) changing the performance of the candidate cell selected in the step b). The steps a), b) and c) are performed repeatedly. Each said cell should have a minimum area initially. And in the step c), the performance of the candidate cell is changed by allowing the candidate cell to just increase its area.
According to the present invention, each cell may have its performance changed so that its area just increases. That is to say, the performance of the cell can be estimated with its computational complexity reduced. As a result, the processing speed increases.
Yet another inventive physical design method is also applicable to an integrated circuit made up of multiple cells. The method includes the steps of: a) evaluating the overall performance of the integrated circuit; b) selecting, as a candidate cell that should have its performance changed, at least one of the cells from the integrated circuit based on a result of the step a); and c) changing the performance of the candidate cell selected in the step b). The steps a), b) and c) are performed repeatedly. And in the step a), the size of transistors, which make up each said cell, is optimized with the area and performance of the cell taken into account, and then the performance of the cell, made up of the transistors of the optimized size, is evaluated.

Method of physical design for integrated circuit

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A battery module includes a plurality of battery units, each including an electrode assembly and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a bus bar connecting the electrode terminal of a first battery unit of the plurality of battery units and the electrode terminal of a second battery unit of the plurality of battery units; and a position arrangement unit configured to maintain a position of the bus bar relative to the electrode terminals of the first and second battery units.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery module in which a plurality of batteries are electrically connected.
2. Description of the Related Art
Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries generally may be rechargeable. A secondary battery may be used as an energy source, such as for mobile devices, electric automobiles, hybrid automobiles, electric bicycles, and uninterruptible power supplies. Depending on the types of external devices in which batteries are used, such secondary batteries may be used in the form of a single battery or in the form of a battery module in which a plurality of batteries are electrically connected and are packaged as one unit.
Small-sized mobile devices such as mobile phones may operate with an output and capacity of a single battery for a predetermined amount of time. On the other hand, battery modules are usually used in motor-operated bicycles requiring high power and in hybrid electric motor vehicles that need to be driven with high power for a long period of time since battery modules provide higher output power and higher capacity batteries. Battery modules are capable of increasing an output voltage or an output current according to the number and connection structure of batteries arranged in the battery modules.
Typically, such battery modules achieve a required output voltage or current by connecting a plurality of batteries in series or in parallel.


A method and system in a server cluster for monitoring and controlling a resource object, such as a physical device or application. A cluster service connects to a resource monitoring component to control and monitor the health of one or more resource objects. The resource component includes a plurality of methods, common to all such resource components, for calling by the resource monitor to control and monitor operation of the resource object therethrough. The common methods enable the cluster server to treat all resources similarly without regard to the type of resource.

A server cluster is a group of at least two independent servers connected by a network and managed as a single system. The clustering of servers provides a number of benefits over independent servers. One important benefit is that cluster software, which is run on each of the servers in a cluster, automatically detects application failures or the failure of another server in the cluster. Upon detection of such failures, failed applications and the like can be quickly restarted on a surviving server, with no substantial reduction in service. Indeed, clients of a Windows NT cluster believe they are connecting with a physical system, but are actually connecting to a service which may be provided by one of several systems. To this end, clients create a TCP/IP session with a service in the cluster using a known IP address. This address appears to the cluster software as a resource in the same group (i.e., a collection of resources managed as a single unit) as the application providing the service. In the event of a failure the cluster service "moves" the entire group to another system.
Other benefits include the ability for administrators to inspect the status of cluster resources, and accordingly balance workloads among different servers in the cluster to improve performance. Dynamic load balancing is also available. Such manageability also provides administrators with the ability to update one server in a cluster without taking important data and applications offline. As can be appreciated, server clusters are used in critical database management, file and intranet data sharing, messaging, general business applications and the like.
A cluster works with a large number of basic system components, known as resource objects, which provide some service to clients in a client/server environment or to other components within the system. Resource objects range from physical devices, such as disks, to purely software constructs, such as processes, databases, and IP addresses.
As can be appreciated, these resource objects are rather disparate in nature. Notwithstanding, the cluster software on each system needs to control and monitor the operation of the resource objects on its systems, regardless of their type. For example, the Windows NT Cluster design provides failure detectors and recovery mechanisms for working with a system's resources. However, because of the widely disparate types of resource objects, the software for resource monitoring heretofore needed to be highly complex so that the cluster was able deal with each type of resource object it was controlling.

Method and system for resource monitoring of disparate resources in a server cluster


This invention provides a hard capsule that has excellent stability even when filled with a solvent for dissolving poorly soluble drugs, and that also achieves reduction in disintegration time, thereby ensuring excellent solubility.

Many of the active substances of medicines, i.e., pharmaceutical active ingredients, have poor water solubility. Such substances are poorly absorbed from the alimentary tract, and the bioavailability and drug efficacy expression are easily reduced or are subject to fluctuation. For this reason, in preclinical tests that evaluate drug efficacy or obtain biopharmaceutical parameters using lab animals or the like, the pharmaceutical active ingredients are often dissolved in some solvent to make them more easily absorbed. For a poorly soluble pharmaceutical active ingredient, it is possible to use a polyethylene glycol having relatively low molecular weight and a derivative thereof, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, a fatty acid having 6 to 12 carbon atoms or a salt thereof, polyoxyethylene castor oil, a diethylene glycol derivative, or the like. However, these solvents are usually in liquid form and not easily processed into tablets. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the ultimate dosage form of these solvents for sale in the market. If these solvents could be directly formulated into pharmaceutical preparations, the time required for formulation could be greatly shortened. A capsule is highly anticipated to serve as such a dosage form.
Capsules hitherto known are those produced using gelatin or a cellulose derivative as a base material. When a known gelatin hard capsule is filled with a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of 400 (PEG 400), the moisture in the capsule film migrates into the solvent, causing the capsule to break (see Non-Patent Literature (NPL) 1). Moreover, in known cellulose derivative-based capsules, the aforementioned solvents act as plasticizers, causing them to, for example, permeate the capsule film and be exuded to the capsule surface.
In order to solve such problems, Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a hard capsule comprising a film that comprises a specific polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and polyvinyl alcohol. This hard capsule has improved fracture resistance and impact resistance. However, because of the low solubility of polyvinyl alcohol particularly under a low temperature, it takes a long time to dissolve this hard capsule. Therefore, the capsule was not suitable to contain, in particular, medicaments that must be quickly absorbed.

Hard capsule and method for producing same

Abstract: Specifically, the hard capsule of the present invention has a film comprising:                (A) a polymer or copolymer obtained by polymerizing or copolymerizing, in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol and/or a derivative thereof, at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer represented by Formula (1):H2C═C(R1)—COOR2  (1)        wherein R1 represents hydrogen or methyl, and R2 represents hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and        (B) native gellan gum.


An apparatus disclosed herein includes a heel-shift lever. When the heel-shift lever is coupled to a motor vehicle, a first portion of the heel-shift lever is disposed higher than a first area of a floor of a floorboard of the motor vehicle, a second portion of the heel-shift lever is disposed lower than the first area of the floor of the floorboard, and a third portion of the heel-shift lever is disposed higher than a second area of the floor of the floorboard. The second portion is disposed between the first portion and the third portion.

Typical motorcycles and other vehicles often include floorboards to enable a rider to rest his or her feet in a variety of positions. A heel-toe gearshifter assembly may be disposed above a floorboard on a left side of the motor vehicle. The heel-toe shifter assembly often includes two levers: a toe-shift lever extending forward from a fulcrum and a heel-shift lever extending rearward from the fulcrum. In such applications, to shift the motor vehicle into a lower gear, the rider may press down on a distal end of the toe-shift lever. To shift the motor vehicle into a higher gear, the rider may press down on a distal end of the heel-shift lever. In some configurations, the toe-shift lever and the heel-shift lever are integrated into a single piece that pivots up and down around a fulcrum located at a central portion of the unitary piece.


A multi-use resupply system for a space-based platform may include a multi-use tug to swap old and new cargo containers on a launch vehicle upper stage. The system can rely on the launch vehicle upper stage to provide the function of cargo de-orbit and disposal. The launch vehicle upper stage may be provided with sufficient propellant and propulsion functionality to operate for a long enough period in space to maneuver a new cargo container to a rendezvous trajectory, support the swapping of cargo containers, and then perform a de-orbit burn with the old cargo container.

The description provided in the background section, including without limitation, any problems, features, solutions or information, should not be assumed to be prior art merely because it is mentioned in or associated with the background section. The background section may include information that describes one or more aspects of the subject technology.
To sustain operations at the International Space Station (ISS), it is necessary to deliver cargo from the ground on a regular basis and dispose of waste cargo with each mission. Systems currently in use today, to provide cargo services to and from the ISS, are single use solutions that are destroyed by reentry at the end of a single cargo delivery mission. Alternatively, such systems utilize a reentry capsule that is recovered and must be refurbished after each mission.


A control device for a vehicle drive device. A start control section executes internal combustion engine start control. A start slip control section executes start slip control of bringing one of the plurality of shift engagement devices into a slip engaged state. An intended engagement device deciding section that decides as an intended engagement device, based on a set determination speed. The intended engagement device deciding section decides as the intended engagement device a special engagement device that is the shift engagement device having been in the direct-coupling engaged state in order to form the reference shift speed, and that is disengaged when a transition is made to a special shift speed on an opposite side of the specific shift speed from the reference shift speed in order of speed ratios of the plurality of shift speeds.

A device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-207643 (JP 2008-207643 A) (Patent Document 1) is already known as such a control device that controls a vehicle drive device as described above. The names of members in Patent Document 1 that correspond to members in the present invention are referred to in parentheses "[ ]" in the description of this section "BACKGROUND ART." In this control device, one of a plurality of shift engagement devices [fastening elements] included in the speed change mechanism [automatic transmission AT] is brought into a slip engaged state upon a change from EV mode to HEV mode. In this state, the disconnecting engagement device [start clutch CL1] is engaged, and the rotational speed of the rotating electrical machine [motor-generator MG] is increased to crank the internal combustion engine [engine E]. Such slip of the predetermined shift engagement device reduces start shock due to unstable torque during this period being transferred to the wheels.
As also recognized in Patent Document 1, a target shift speed in the speed change mechanism is sometimes changed in the mode switching operation involving starting of the internal combustion engine. For example, in the case where a large driving force is required in order to drive a vehicle, starting of the internal combustion engine and downshift (change to a shift speed with a relatively high speed ratio) are sometimes requested. Taking such a case into consideration, the control device of Patent Document 1 slips the shift engagement device, which is disengaged when shifting from a shift speed that has been formed at the time the internal combustion engine start control is started to a shift speed adjoining this shift speed, as the "predetermined shift engagement device" described above. Slip control for reducing start shock and slip control for shifting is thus performed by common control. Accordingly, even if an internal combustion engine start control request and a shift request are received at the same time, each control can be smoothly executed.
An actual rotational speed of an input-side rotating member in the speed change mechanism increases with the internal combustion engine start control. This increase in actual rotational speed can be regarded as being about the same regardless of the vehicle speed or the shift speed. On the other hand, a virtual increase in synchronous rotational speed due to the change in shift speed is determined proportionally to the vehicle speed according to the speed ratio of each shift speed as well. Accordingly, depending on the vehicle speed, the rotational speed of the input-side rotating member which increases with the internal combustion engine start control exceeds a synchronous rotational speed at the changed shift speed (the degree of progress in shifting reaches 100%). As a result, the shift control is immediately terminated, and subsequently the rotational speed of the input-side rotating member decreases (see FIG. 16 of the present application), whereby comfortable traveling performance may not be ensured. It is not impossible to suppress the increase in rotational speed of the input-side rotating member by adjusting an oil pressure to be supplied to the shift engagement device to be slipped (see FIG. 17 of the present application). In this case, however, the torque that is transferred to the wheels rapidly increases accordingly, whereby comfortable traveling performance may not be ensured.


A liquid delivering apparatus including: at least one piezoelectric element; a plurality of electrodes which generate an electric field for deforming the at least one piezoelectric element; a drive circuit which supplies a drive voltage to the plurality of electrodes; a plurality of liquid chambers which store liquid, the liquid being given pressure by deformation of the at least one piezoelectric element, so that the liquid is delivered from the plurality of liquid chambers to an exterior of the apparatus; and an insulating sheet and a plurality of wires which connect the plurality of electrodes to the drive circuit, the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of wires being formed on the insulating sheet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a liquid delivering apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to, in such an apparatus which delivers liquid by giving pressure thereto owing to deformation of a piezoelectric element, an electric connection structure between an electrode for generating an electric field in the piezoelectric element and a drive circuit.
2. Discussion of Related Art
There is known a liquid delivering apparatus which delivers liquid accommodated in a liquid chamber to an exterior of the apparatus, by giving pressure to the liquid owing to deformation of a piezoelectric element. In such an apparatus, a drive voltage is supplied to an electrode for producing an electric filed in the piezoelectric element, so that the piezoelectric element is deformed to thereby give the pressure to the liquid in the liquid chamber. As one example of such a liquid delivering apparatus, JP-A-2002-240278 or its corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,628 discloses a piezoelectric-type ink jet recording head to be installed on an ink jet printer. The ink jet recording head disclosed in the Publication includes a cavity unit including a plurality of ink ejection nozzles from which ink is ejected and a plurality of pressure chambers corresponding to the respective nozzles, a piezoelectric actuator in which a plurality of internal electrodes provided for the respective pressure chambers and a plurality of piezoelectric sheets are arranged such that each internal electrode is interposed between adjacent two piezoelectric sheets, and a flexible flat cable on which a plurality of wires for supplying a drive voltage from a drive circuit to the internal electrodes are printed, the cavity unit, the piezoelectric actuator and the flexible flat cable being superposed on each other in this order.
On the uppermost surface of the piezoelectric actuator which is opposed to the flexible flat cable, there are formed surface electrodes which are connected to the wires of the flexible flat cable. The surface electrodes are connected, via an electrically conductive material filled in through-holes that are formed through the plurality of piezoelectric sheets in the direction of stacking thereof, to the respective internal electrodes which are aligned with the surface electrodes in the direction of stacking. The flexible flat cable is superposed or laminated on the uppermost surface of the piezoelectric actuator such that the surface electrodes are connected to the wires of the flexible flat cable, so that the drive circuit and the internal electrodes are electrically connected via the wires of the flexible flat cable. In the thus constructed ink jet recording head, when the drive voltage is applied from the drive circuit to the internal electrodes via the wires, the piezoelectric sheets interposed between the internal electrodes are deformed, whereby the ink in the pressure chambers are given the pressure, so that the ink is ejected from the nozzles.


Provided is a semiconductor device capable of reducing its size, increasing density, preventing a deterioration in circuit characteristics. And increasing flexibility in wiring design. The semiconductor device comprises a chip core region and an IO region on a semiconductor substrate. In the chip core region, a large number of circuits are arranged. In the IO region, a ring wiring of a laminated structure with a top layer corresponding to a first potential, and a bottom layer corresponding to a second potential is provided. The top layer of the ring wiring and the circuits are connected via first connecting lines, and the bottom layer and the circuits are connected via second connecting lines, so electric power is supplied to the circuits.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device such as memory or microprocessor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a semiconductor device such as memory and microprocessor comprises a plurality of circuits provided on a semiconductor substrate. Each of the circuits is a combination of a plurality of transistors etc. so as to carry out a certain process. Therefore, the circuits are also called function blocks.
FIG. 11 shows a plane view of an example of a conventional semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises a plurality of circuits 102, each of which has a specific function, mounted on, for example, a rectangular semiconductor substrate 101. The semiconductor substrate 101 includes an Input/Output region (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9cIO regionxe2x80x9d) 103, which is formed with a predetermined width along the outer region of the substrate 101, and a chip core region 104 surrounded by the IO region 103. The circuits 102 are mounted in the chip core region 104.
FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the IO region 103 and its vicinity in the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 11. The IO region 103 includes signal cells 103C for transmitting signals between each of the circuits 102 and external devices, as well as first power supply cells 103A and second power supply cells 103B for supplying electric power to each of the circuits 102. The first power supply cells 103A and the second power supply cells 103B are connected to external devices (not shown) so as to obtain a first potential (for example, a ground potential) and a second potential, respectively.
In order to distribute the electric power supplied via the first power supply cells 103A and the second power supply cells 103B throughout the semiconductor device, the IO region 103 includes a pair of ring wirings arranged around the chip core region 104, that is, a first trunk 105 and a second trunk 106. The first trunk 105 and the second trunk 106 are formed on the first power supply cells 103A, second power supply cells 103B and signal cells 103C so as to be at the same level with respect to the semiconductor substrate 101 (that is, on the same surface). The first trunk 105 and the second trunk 106 are not shown in FIG. 11.
As the first trunk 105 and the second trunk 106 are formed on the same surface, it is difficult to expand their areas, so necessary power supply cannot be obtained. Therefore, the chip core region 104 further includes another pair of ring wirings, that is, a third trunk 107 and a fourth trunk 108. The third trunk 107 and the fourth trunk 108 are connected to the first power supply cells 103A and the second power supply cells 103B, respectively, so as to have the first potential and the second potential, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, the third trunk 107 and the fourth trunk 108 extend so as to be arranged around each of the circuits 102 in the chip core region 104, and are connected to each of the circuits 102 via branch lines 109 and 110.
However, such a conventional semiconductor device must have the third trunk 107 and the fourth trunk 108 in the chip core region 104, so it is difficult to improve the packing density of circuits 102 in the chip core region 104, which leads to an obstacle to downsizing and higher integration of the semiconductor device.
Further, as the third trunk 107 and the fourth trunk 108 must be arranged in the chip core region 104, there is a problem that the conventional semiconductor device has a low degree of flexibility in wiring design.
Moreover, as power supply paths from the first power supply cells 103A and the second power supply cells 103B to each of the circuits 102 are long, a large voltage drop occurs, which results in a deterioration in circuit characteristics.
The present invention has been achieved in light of the foregoing problems. It is an object of the invention to provide a semiconductor device capable of reducing its size, increasing its packing density, preventing a deterioration in circuit characteristics, and increasing flexibility in wiring design.
A semiconductor device according to the invention comprises a substrate including a first region and a second region having a ring shape arranged around the first region; a circuit provided in the first region of the substrate and having a predetermined function; and a power supply wiring provided in the second region of the substrate to supply electric power to the circuit, and having a laminated structure with a first power supply layer corresponding to a first potential, and a second power supply layer corresponding to a second potential.
In the semiconductor device according to the invention, as the power supply wiring of a laminated structure includes the first power supply layer and the second power supply layer, compared with a case where the first and second power supply layers are arranged on the same surface, each area of the first and second power supply layers can be expanded, so a enough supply capability of electric power can be obtained without providing additional trunks.


A multiple pass complementary dot pattern ink jet printing process for enhancing the uniformity and consistency of dot (drop) formation during color ink jet printing. Such enhancement in turn directly affects and improves the total print quality over a color printed area by minimizing the undesirable characteristics of coalescence, beading, hue shift, bending, cockeling and color bleed when printing on both transparencies and plain or special papers. Using this process, successive printed swaths are made by depositing first and second partially overlapping complementary dot patterns on a print media. Simultaneously, the dot spacing in coincident dot rows within the overlapping portions of the dot patterns is alternated between dots in the first pattern and dots in the second pattern. This invention is also directed to the novel process of combining complementary pass ink jet printing as described above with dot-next-to-dot (DND) super pixeling in order to further optimize the ink drop drying conditions desirable for producing the above optimized uniformity and consistency of dot formation over a given color printed area.

Substantial advances have been made in recent years in the field of color ink jet printing, and many of these advances relate to improving the print quality of the printed media, which include plain paper, special papers and various types of transparencies. Typical of these advancements in this art and technology are the various improvements embodied in the Hewlett Packard "PAINTJET" printer and described in some detail in the Hewlett Packard Journal, Volume 39, No. 4, August 1988, incorporated herein by reference.
In this field of color ink jet printing, various approaches have been used to control the overall pattern, size and spacing of individual ink drops ejected from an ink jet printer (hereinafter "dots") and printed within a given surface area of media in order to control the print quality of the printed media. This control is desirable to insure that the drops printed on one "pass" or traverse of an ink jet printhead relative to adjacent print media have an adequate time to dry before another overlying pass is made within that same printed area.
Inadequate drying time of these printed dots will produce a number of undesirable characteristics in resultant print quality, depending upon the type of print media used. For example, in the field of color ink jet printing on transparencies where ink colors such as cyan, yellow, and magenta have been printed over a given area in dot-on-dot (DOD) fashion, excessive volumes of ink per unit area on these transparencies will cause the ink to bead up, coalesce and sometimes produce banding as a result of an over-saturation of ink on some areas of the printed media.
It is also desirable that dots of different passes and within a given pass dry uniformly and consistently in addition to having adequate time to dry. Non-uniform or inconsistent drying will also produce a number of undesirable print quality effects depending upon the media used. Inadequate drying time is one possible cause of non-uniform drying of the ink, but there are also other causes which are discussed below.
In an effort to avoid the above problems of beading, coalescence and over-saturation using dot-on-dot (DOD) printing, some color ink jet printers have used dot-next-to-dot (DND) printing processes wherein successively printed dots are ejected onto side by side pixels in a given printed area. These pixels may, for example, form quadrants or other sections of a larger or super pixel as is known in the art, and color mixing takes place at the side by side or DND interface boundaries within the super pixel. This DND approach to color ink jet printing is preferable to DOD printing processes where either large ink drop volumes or largely water based inks, or both, are used in printing on plain paper.
One approach to solving some of the above problems with printing on transparencies is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,453 issued to Lin et al and incorporated herein by reference. In this patent, there is disclosed one type of complementary multiple-pass DOD ink jet printing process which was developed to avoid some of the above problems related to beading on transparencies. The Lin et al process of U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,453 successive multiple passes of an ink jet pen relative to the print media in a DOD process wherein a first ink swath is completed by the use of two successive ink passes having complementary dot patterns therein. Thereafter, a second swath is laid down immediately adjacent to the first swath and also by the use of two or more successive ink jet passes having corresponding complementary dot patterns therein.
Whereas the above described Lin et al process has to some extent minimized the problems of hue shift and beading on certain types of transparencies, this process can nevertheless still be characterized by the problem of "banding" at the boundaries between adjacent print swaths. This type of banding occurs frequently when largely water based inks are used on plain paper with accelerated drying. The characteristic of banding is one evidenced by repeated variations in the optical density, hue, reflectance, or anything else which visibly delineates the individual swaths or dot rows which make up a printed area. Banding is most visible in printed areas of solid color where it often appears as a narrow white or dark (over-saturated) line within a printed area. Banding can be caused by a number of things that effect dye placement, such as ink concentration, penetration, reaction on, into or with the print media or within the ink itself. Banding can also be caused by variations in ink surface tension which lead to beading, puddling and coalescence of the ink. These latter characteristics in turn can produce variations in ink drying times and non-uniform drying, and these variations can cause banding.
This characteristic of banding is particularly noticeable if the Lin et al process of U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,453 is used on paper instead of transparencies. For example, using the complementary multiple pass process of Lin et al, there are two different kinds of banding which can occur on plain paper depending on the properties of the ink used. A wettable (low surface tension) ink will rapidly cover the printed area, and in this case, drying is most rapid at the edges of the swath where the dye is concentrated after drying as a result of the edge evaporating water. A non-wettable (high surface tension) ink will tend to bead up in the middle of the printed area, thus causing the edges of the printed area to be of a lighter color than in the middle of the printed area where dye is concentrated in puddles or beaded areas. Thus, either a light band or dark band is possible depending on the ink additives used, and both types of banding are produced by non-uniform drying.
In addition to the above, the Lin et al process also exhibits the characteristic of beading on transparencies if the dots per inch or dot size per se exceeds a given threshold, or if the ink used has a low degree or speed of absorption into the transparent media coating. Thus, the Lin et al process of U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,453 is primarily directed to solving print quality problems associated with transparencies where it has met with limited success. The Lin et al process meets with still other more exaggerated problems such as banding when it is applied to either plain or special papers or when the ink formulation used is largely water based. In addition, the Lin et al process does not utilize super pixeling printing in order to minimize the above problems of banding.
Nozzle direction errors and ink drop volume variations as well as paper motion errors, carriage motion errors and paper shrinkage can also produce banding. In the normal mode of operation, weak nozzles in a printhead or missing nozzles therein can produce banding; and the concentration or lack of dye at the interface boundary between successive scans or swaths can also produce banding as previously indicated.

Method for enhancing the uniformity and consistency of dot formation produced by color ink jet printing


This disclosure pertains to a lockdown mechanism for an electric drive screw telescoping mast. The lockdown mechanism comprising a plurality of elongated tube sections which are telescopingly attached to each other, each tube section comprising a substantially hollow body. An elongated drive screw is disposed within the hollow body and includes a plurality of threads for extending and retracting the elongated tube sections. A lock subassembly includes a housing and a center hub, the housing comprises a load bearing top and a hollow cavity, the lock subassembly being rigidly attached to said center tube and axially aligned along a central axis with said plurality of elongated tube sections. The center hub is movably engaged within the hollow cavity of the housing and includes at least one locking pin adapted to the center hub that is movably engaged to the structural envelope when the mast is in the lockdown position.

The present embodiment relates to a lockdown mechanism for use in telescoping mast systems and more particularly to a lockdown mechanism for an electric drive screw telescoping mast system. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications.
Telescoping masts are utilized in many different capacities including civilian, industrial and military applications throughout the world. Quick erecting telescoping masts are particularly suited for applications wherever there is a need for portable masts requiring fast setup and teardowns with minimum power and effort. In addition to numerous military applications, including target acquisitions, surveillance and field communications, quick erecting telescoping masts are utilized commercially to support a wide variety of antennas elevated testing equipment, floodlights and cameras. Free standing masts can be installed on a wide variety of vehicles and shelters.
Generally, the body of the mast includes a series of tubes that typically comprise cylindrical shaped bodies, each having a generally hollow interior wherein each cylinder is axially adjacent and interconnected with a passage for communication therethrough. Each tube generally has a flanged lip radially disposed away from a central axis at a bottom end and a flanged lip radially disposed toward the axis at a top end. The tubes concentrically engage one another wherein the exterior tube has a width greater than a first intermediate tube disposed therein. The first intermediate tube having a greater width than a second intermediate tube disposed therein and so on. This arrangement can comprise any number of tubes wherein the pinnacle of the mast includes a top or center tube having a width that is smaller than any other tube in the mast. The top tube is attached to the load intended to be deployed and/or retracted.
Telescoping masts are known to be automated using hydraulic, pneumatic, chain driven or axial screw driven arrangements. Particularly, an axial drive screw is centrally located in the mast assembly for extending and retracting a plurality of elongated tubes to any position between a fully nested position and a fully extended position. A base ring and a threaded nut are secured to a bottom portion of each of the plurality of elongated tubes respectfully. The threaded nuts include internal threads and engage corresponding threads on the drive screw wherein rotation of the drive screw acts to extend or retract the plurality of elongated tubes by mechanical force.
However, most telescoping mast systems experience some difficulty during transport because of shock or vibration as there may be some loose parts within the system. An associate user must remove the payload from the top of the mast prior to transport to avoid risking damage therein and to lock the otherwise loose parts in place. This step becomes time consuming for the user and prevents rapid and efficient use of the telescoping mast system.
Therefore, there is a need to provide an automatic locking support member for a telescoping mast system to eliminate the need for the user to remove the payload and lock down the mast after use. There is also a need to provide a mast system that is able to survive increased shock and vibration exposure especially in vehicle mounted systems.

Lockdown mechanism for an electric drive screw telescoping mast system


In an image processing apparatus having a designator for designating an area of a document image and a processor for carrying out a predetermined process to the designated area when the document image is input, the document image area designator has a document table at an image input unit, made of a transparent and vibration-transmitting plate, and a coordinate input device for detecting coordinates of a vibration input point by detecting vibration applied to the document table, by vibration sensors arranged in the document table.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus which has means for designating an area of document image and which carries out a predetermined process to the area designated by the designation means when the document image is input.
2. Related Background Art
An image processing apparatus which has an edit function such as partial reproduction by designating a reproduction area by a combination of a copying machine and coordinate input means such as a digitizer pad has been known.
FIG. 4 shows a prior art apparatus of this type. Numeral 22 denotes a digitizer pad for designating an area on a document image. It is arranged on a pressure plate 21 for pressing the document sheet at a document read station on a main body 24 of the apparatus. Data to the digitizer pad 22 is input by an input pen 23.
The apparatus reads the document image set in the image reader by a digital read system by using electrographic system or CCD sensor, and reproduces the read image onto a copy sheet. In the digital reading, not only the reproduction but also reading and storing of the image data are performed.
In order to designate an area of the reproduced image to be edited, an edit mode is selected by actuating a switch on a console panel, and the document sheet is placed face-up at a predetermined position on the digitizer pad 22.
The area on the document sheet to be edited is designated by the input pen 23 and coordinates thereof are input to the pad 22. Then, the pressure plate 21 is lifted upward, the document sheet is placed face-down at the reader and the reproduction is started.
In this manner, the reproduction operation including editing such as partial reproduction of the document is carried out.
However, since the designation of the area of the document sheet and the subsequent reproduction operation require lifting up and lowering the pressure plate 21, the manipulation of the pressure plate 21 is necessary, and the operation is very troublesome.
In those cases where the digitizer is available as a separate optional unit, a cost for the facilities of image processing is very high if a user wishes to have such an edit function.

Image processing apparatus wherein vibrations are used to designate a portion of an image to be reproduced


A moving module and an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a first body, a second body, and the moving module disposed between the first and second bodies. The moving module includes a rail, a moving element, and an elastic element. The moving element is in contact with the rail. The elastic element is connected between the moving element and the first body. When the moving element moves from a first end of the rail to a curved portion of the rail, a force exerted on the elastic element by the moving element is gradually increased. When the moving element passes the curved portion, an elastic restoration force of the elastic element drives the moving element to move toward a second end of the rail. When the moving element reaches the first end or the second end, the first body and the second body interfere with each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to a moving module and an electronic device, and more particularly, to a thinner moving module and electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
With the development of technology, people are more and more relying on electronic devices. Today's users are demanding the electronic devices to have higher performance and to be lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller. Various electronic devices, such as, ultra mobile personal computers (UMPC), tablet PCs, pocket PCs, personal digital assistants (PDA), cell phones and notebook PCs, have been developed accordingly.
In order to facilitate typing characters, hand-held electronic devices may be provided with a standard keyboard on its body. However, if the keyboard and the display are both disposed on one side of the same body, a body of a large size is required to accommodate the keyboard and the display. Accordingly, electronic devices having two slide bodies have been developed.
The electronic device having two slide bodies is typically provided with a moving module between the two bodies. The moving module utilizes moving elements slidable on rails and springs connected between the two bodies to enable a relative movement between the two bodies.
However, this type of moving module has some defects. Firstly, the springs occupy the space in both bodies. Therefore, it is unable to reduce the volume occupied by the moving module, which makes it impossible to reduce the thickness of the hand-held electronic device. Secondly, the springs are compressed or stretched by relative slide movement of the two bodies. Therefore, the structural relationship between the bodies and the springs needs to be considered during design and fabrication. When it is necessary to modify the driving elements of the moving module, for example, to modify the type or number of the springs, the springs and relevant structures on the two bodies inevitably need to be modified accordingly. This not only increases the complexity of fabrication of the hand-held electronic device, but the commonality in use of the moving module is also reduced.


The present disclosure relates to adapting a commonly used lighting fixture that is generally specified as the primary lighting source for illuminating a particular area as the apparatus for enclosing an additional UV lighting mechanism. Further, the disclosure relates to a device that can be integrated into a light fixture used with a suspended grid ceiling or a solid ceiling. Also, the present disclosure relates to a germicidal fixture used in association with a light fixture, and to an apparatus for a new germicidal light fixture and for replacing or converting an existing light fixture for efficient germicidal use.

Typically in facilities with high traffic of human presence is where the possibility of airborne germs are most likely to be present and the need to reduce the percentage of transmitted airborne microorganisms associated to infectious disease is desired. The effect to humans of such transmitted disease as it relates to immediate sickness from direct exposure or to the delayed effects associated to secondary infections are well documented. The industry acceptance for reducing these airborne germs and microorganisms is widely desired and sought after. Also, it is appreciated that the use of Ultraviolet Light or UV light over other methods such as chemicals is widely appreciated.
The use of UV light in water treatment for fortifying potable water and for its use in Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning ("HVAC") systems for reducing mold and containment build up on coils has a proven and successful track record. The ability of UV light to kill bacteria on surfaces of general use equipment such as hair clippers and other utensils, as used in beauty salons, can be observed in use on a daily bases.
The most common practice for eradicating microorganisms in areas such as hospital rooms is usually related to microorganisms that are transmitted through direct contact with an object, not airborne. The methods currently in practice for controlling surface related bacteria are associated to chemical wipes, or disinfectant sprays and other various contact methods. All of these methods require direct contact with the microorganisms, and some for prolonged periods of time, to effectively eradicate the bacteria. In most cases, a large percentage of microorganisms present are not killed. The microorganisms are not killed for many reasons, such as for example, because the chemical evaporates to quickly, allowing the microorganism to either mutate or build an immunity to the chemical thus becoming more dangerous and harder to eradicate in the future because of its mutation capabilities. None of these methods addresses the eradication of airborne microorganism.
Whereas, the advantage of UV light which has a higher percentage of effectiveness for eradication and does so with the capability of eliminating the bacteria's capacity to mutate and become more dangerous and problematic to eradicate in the future. The current UV lighting devices only kill the airborne microorganisms that come in site of the light. This UV technology is static in design, it can be seen in other industries such as food preparation areas and restaurant dinning rooms, but their effectiveness still relies on the volume of air that passes within its line of site. Because of the danger of ultraviolet exposure to the skin and eyes, the placement of lamp technology within these designs is not usually conducive with treatment for high volumes of air, thus limiting their effectiveness to treat large volume areas effectively.
Therefore, the use of an "Ultraviolet Light" system capable of eradicating "airborne" bacteria designed as either a retrofit kit or a stand-alone design to be coupled into the body of a light fixture designed for use in a suspended grid ceiling or a solid ceiling applications would be both desirable and practical.
Typically in buildings, suspended ceilings having a metallic grid that supports panels in grid openings are common. Generally, in such ceilings, direct lighting fixtures replace panels in selected grid openings to provide room illumination. Such light fixtures are usually open bottom boxes that have a number of fluorescent lamps mounted in the box, in parallel, with a translucent or parabolic cover on the bottom of the box. The box is supported on the grid. In direct lighting, light from the lamps shines directly downward through a translucent or parabolic cover into the room. Generally, the lamps are visible from below. Such direct form of fluorescent lighting is relatively inexpensive, but very plain and utilitarian, without much decorative effect or the ability to upgrade to future lamp technologies of various lengths or quantities and without consideration for simplifying the related maintenance issues associated with the normal operations of a florescent lighting fixture.
Also an indirect or reflected type of fluorescent lighting is used with suspended grid ceilings as well as fixed ceilings. In such indirect lighting, the fluorescent lamps are less visible or cannot be seen, but the lighting yields a glow over the room, which can be used to achieve desirable decorative effects. Translucent to opaque covers, panes or lenses are normally used with this type of lighting. The light shines through open space into the room after being reflected. In one form of indirect lighting, the lamps are positioned below the ceiling panels of the suspended ceiling, and reflect against the ceiling into the room. An opaque shield conceals viewing the lamps from the room below. Such installations are generally custom designed and installed, with attendant, generally extensive, expense.
To avoid the expense of custom designing and installing indirect lighting which reflects against the ceiling, indirect lighting fixtures can be supported in grid openings as in direct lighting fixtures. In this form of indirect lighting in suspended grid ceilings, the fixture reflects light through a grid opening itself, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,460. In the referenced patent, the lamps are positioned above and behind panels adjacent the openings. The lamps are concealed from view. The light is reflected from a dome over the opening and lamps, into the room below, through the grid opening. A mask or trim is optionally secured to the fixture to reduce the area of the opening through which the reflected light travels, and to further conceal the lamps from view from below. The fixture, including the reflector dome, rests on the grid beam flanges.
The light produced by a fluorescent lamp is generated by an electric current being conducted through mercury and inert gases. Fluorescent lighting is generally used, but not always, in indoor applications for both ambient and task lighting. The most commonly used types of fluorescent lamps are 2 foot by 2 foot (2′×2′), 2 foot by 4 foot (2′×4′) and 1 foot by 4 foot (1′×4′) lamps, and others exist of different dimensions, but the others are not as common when associated with applications for ambient or task lighting indoors. Fluorescent fixtures and lamps are preferred for ambient and task lighting in large areas because their visual efficiency creates less direct glare than do incandescent bulbs, and because fluorescent lighting is several times as energy efficient as incandescent lighting.
Although fluorescent lamps are generally energy efficient, there are more efficient lamps that use improved electrodes and coatings when compared to older fluorescent lamp types. These lamps produce increased lumen output with improved and substantially lower power consumption. The current lamps can be replaced with energy-saving lamps of lesser wattage and improved visual aspects, but the current fixtures are currently restricted by the necessity of having to use the same length and configuration of lamps as originally designed by the manufacturer, even when lamps of shorter lengths exist and the shorter lamps would allow an even greater improvement in energy savings or more practical to an application task. Also, more energy efficient ballasts are available. These improved ballasts can measurably increase the energy efficiency of the fixture.
A large market exists for new light fixtures as well as for the upgrading of existing fluorescent lighting in any appropriate applications, including but not limited to office buildings, residential buildings, warehouses, retail centers, hospitals, airports, schools, colleges, municipal buildings and factories, to install modern energy efficient lamps and ballasts. In addition, many older fluorescent light fixtures were installed because at that time they were the most efficient. With today's concern for energy efficiency and cost reduction, it is desirable to upgrade a current fluorescent fixture to one having a more energy efficient design related to the application task. When upgrading a fixture, it is important to use a fixture that is flexible and expandable to provide options for future lamp trends and standards. As used herein, expandability refers to the length of the lamps and the flexibility refers to the number of lamps in each fixture.
Often times, a single building will have a plurality of fixture sizes. At present, a separate different light fixture is required for each fixture configuration holding one or more fluorescent lamps. In a given structure, this may vary from one or two different fixture configurations to a multiple number of configurations, but is typically not restricted. Manufacturers must therefore make and stock a commensurate number of individual, different fixture configurations for fluorescent lamps.
There exists, therefore, a need for a fixture apparatus having enhanced expandability and flexibility with respect to existing structures and the fixtures therein.
It would therefore be useful to provide a light fixture that can hold a multiple number of lamp configurations of various fluorescent lamp lengths and lamp types, and the fixture is interchangeable via kit(s) or specifically designed to incorporate the configuration of ultraviolet lighting for the purpose of germicidal eradication of certain airborne microorganism.
A feature of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanical device that can pull large volumes air into a cleansing chamber containing ultraviolet lighting.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to wash the air of the harmful contaminates before it is returned back into to the same area through the use of germicidal ultraviolet lighting.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to have the ability to incorporate the use of multiple UV lamp technologies such as LED, fluorescent, excimer, incandescent and others, without limitation.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to totally encapsulate the UV lamps eliminating the possibility of light exposure to harmful UV rays during normal operation and periodical maintenance issues.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to be contained in tandem within a common light fixture that can be placed safely in areas and used as general lighting in highly populated areas by the general public.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is the capability to monitor itself for maximum effectiveness of germicidal eradication, coupled with warning sensors capable of notifying the proper entities the need for maintenance.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is the capability of automatically turning off power to UV Lamps and mechanical air movement devices once the area containing the UV apparatus within the fixture housing is opened for any reason.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is designed for all parts to be handled and maintained with the use of general labor without the need of tools or specialty training for replacement of parts.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is the ability to supply kits that are various in design and scope that are able to achieve different configurations of lamps and motor controls, and have various aesthetic concepts for numerous markets.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to supply these kits with plug and play capability for ease of replacement or addition of technologies as a kit to the existing fixture.
It would therefore be useful to provide a single light fixture that can hold a multiple number of lamp configurations of various fluorescent lamp lengths and lamp types, and thus the fixture is interchangeable.
A feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system with the capacity to be converted from a direct lighting fixture to an indirect lighting fixture and capable of providing the various aesthetic, maintenance, and improved efficiencies and options as requested or required to improve or meet desired task lighting.
A feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having a fixture housing equipped with various removable perforated slots allowing the fixture the ability to use various lamp lengths, lamp types and lamp configurations without having to purchase or use a new fixture housing.
A feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having all the necessary parts being removable and re-configurable in the field or at manufacturing facility to accommodate various lamp configurations reducing the need for an electrician or other skilled technician, or only requiring a non-skilled technician as allowed by the relevant laws or ordnances.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having all the necessary parts being removable and re-configurable in the field or at manufacturing facility to accommodate various lamp types, lengths, wattage, sizes and parts while reducing the need for an electrician or other skilled technician as allowed by the relevant laws or ordnances.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having all the necessary parts being removable and re-configurable in the field or manufacturing facility to accommodate various lamp quantities reducing the need for an electrician or other skilled technician as allowed by the relevant laws or ordnances.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that can be easily reconfigured without disengaging the fixture from the ceiling or, in many cases from, its power source.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that can be easily serviced without disengaging the fixture from the ceiling or, in many situations from, its power source and typically without the need for an electrician, skilled laborer or other qualified technician as allowed by the relevant laws or ordnances.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system such that the fixture is easily accessed for replacement of electronic parts or other possible maintenance considerations without the need of specialty tools or an electrician, skilled laborer or other qualified technician as allowed by the relevant laws or ordnances.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that provides for the installation of the fixture of the present disclosure without the removal of the existing fixture housing.
A feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has Shadow Box™ that is functional with respect to providing proportionality between the fixture configuration and the lamp characteristics of type and length.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim that is decorative.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim, which trim can be made of various materials, colors, textures, cuts, logos and designs.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim, which trim can be functional for illuminating a logo, image or slogan for advertising, branding or personalizing the fixture and the like.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim, which trim can be removed and replaced without the use of tools, special equipment or a qualified technician.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim, which trim is illuminated by light from the lamps in the fixture or from an auxiliary light source associated with the fixture.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that provides lamp holders for various lamp configurations for several different types of lamps with no restriction as to the length of the lamp.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system for converting a fixture to a different configuration.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim, which trim is designed for the functionality of maximizing the performance parameters of the fixture in regards to but not limited to shorter lamp lengths, lamp positioning, lamp quantities, lens attachment, and other related features necessary to perform a preferred lighting task such as by way of example indirect lighting.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim, in regards to but not limited to, advertising a logo, image or slogan, or illuminating or projecting an image for the purpose of personalizing the fixture to custom specifications.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim for advertising, illuminating or projecting an image for the purpose of personalizing the fixture to custom specifications that uses the lamps incorporated in the fixture specifications designed for the task.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that has trim for advertising, illuminating or projecting an image for the purpose of personalizing the fixture to custom specifications that uses an alternate illumination source for the purpose of illuminating or projecting the image, where such alternate illumination sources are, without limitation, LED lighting, cold cathode devices, CFLs, fluorescent, and the like.
Yet another feature of the disclosure is to provide a light fixture system where the ballast is mounted to the outside of the fixture so as to be away from the lamps and the associated heat generated thereby for providing a cooler running temperature for the ballast and lamps so as to optimize energy use, ballast life and lamp life.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that can use various ballast lengths as deemed necessary by the lamp and power requirements.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system wherein the ballast can be changed without the need of tools, special equipment or a skilled technician, i.e., plug and play characteristics.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having a ballast that is mounted on the outside of the fixture which ballast is easily accessed for replacement or maintenance.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that provides a ballast cover that may be mounted on the back of the fixture which cover is perforated to allow excess heat to escape in models used in a non-insulated area of operation in which the ceiling insulation does not engage the ballast cover.
Yet another feature of the disclosure is to provide a light fixture system that provides a ballast cover with no openings for use when the fixture is used in an operation where ceiling insulation may contact the ballast cover or wiring surfaces of the fixture.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having a ballast having a heat sink engaged therewith to optimize energy use, ballast life and lamp life.
Still another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system adaptable for use with multiple ballasts as well as multiple ballast lengths and sizes.
Yet still another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having an install apparatus that engages the perimeter of an opening into which a fluorescent fixture will fit for removably accepting the fixture.
A feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having an install apparatus upon which an old fixture rests such that a new fixture can be engaged to the install apparatus without removing the old fixture.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having an install apparatus for accepting a fixture which fixture can be opened by pivoting or disengaging from the install apparatus.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having an install apparatus for associating with the perimeter in which the install apparatus is engaged for providing an air return path.
Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having an install apparatus for accepting a fixture which fixture can be disengaged and dropped for removal from the install apparatus with or without pivoting with respect to the install apparatus.
Yet still another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture system having an install extension apparatus that engages the perimeter of an opening into which a fluorescent fixture will fit for removably accepting the fixture and for lifting a low-profile fixture so that a deeper, new fixture can be used under the low-profile fixture.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture that does not directly engage the ceiling, wall or T-grid into which it fits.
Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture that is adapted for use with a surface mount box, which surface mount box accepts the install apparatus of the present disclosure.
Yet still another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a light fixture that has light guides for directing light through the opening of a trim member or any desired angle with respect to the Shadow Box™ trim.
Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized by means of the combinations and steps particularly pointed out in the appended claims.


A system that manages a unified sandbox environment activates a plurality of components in the unified sandbox environment, each component being configured to manage the lifecycle of its own component data. The system orchestrates an operation across the unified sandbox environment, the orchestrating including delegating one or more operations to the components, the components being configured to wait until all delegated operations are completed successfully before committing changes based on the delegated operations. The system manages a central label repository including distributing labels to the components, the components being configured to associate the centrally managed labels with versions of their respective component data. The system then creates a unified sandbox view across the respective component data of all components based on a selection of one or more of the centrally managed labels.

For many software applications, and Software as a Service ("SaaS") applications in particular, the ability to customize the applications is very important Customers rarely use the application as it comes "out of the box". Instead, customers will tailor the application for their particular needs, including business needs, look and feel needs, particular business processes, etc.
With some known SaaS implementations, customers have separate environments. For example, SaaS applications from Salesforce.com Inc. use both a sandbox test environment and a production/publish environment to perform customizations and publish them to all users. One problem with this approach is a new separate environment is required for each sandbox. Each environment is expensive and requires separate maintenance.
With some other known SaaS implementations, sandbox coverage is only available for certain forms of customizations and configurations. For example, MetaData Service ("MDS") from Oracle Corp. provides an MDS sandbox for only those customizations that use MDS as a metadata store. However, there are other customizations and configurations that customers can perform that do not directly use MDS as a metadata store, and in tum, cannot use MDS sandboxing. Changes to these objects may be directly written into the database and become immediately active for all users.


A bed rail support and mounting mechanism for attachment to a bed frame comprising a folding multi-link framework, a folding diagonal locking linkage and a spring counterbalance whereby a bed rail may be easily lowered or raised and locked in position. A bed including the mechanism is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to bed safety rail mechanisms such as are commonly found on hospital beds. Bed safety rails are typically of a rectangular or trapezoidal configuration and attached to the bed frame by a mechanism which allows the bed rail to be raised and lowered.
The typical bed rail mechanism uses vertical support members which are slidably attached to the bed frame such that the bed rail can be raised and lowered vertically. These sliding-type mechanisms typically lock the bed rail in the raised position by use of a pin engaging a hole in the vertical support member or by a clamping means.
The above-described mechanism has been subject to the loss of component parts. Further, such bed rails can be relatively heavy and awkward for a given operator to raise and lower. If such bed rails are not lowered evenly, they tend to bind, become difficult to move and can jam in an undesired position.

AmFab, Incorporated, Division of Bissell, Inc.


A mold for producing a variety of fenestration members having different predetermined lengths is disclosed. Generally, the mold has a first lineal mold part that has an extended length and a second lineal mold part also having an extended length. The mold may also have mold end parts that are adapted to form end features of the fenestration member. In use, the first lineal mold part and the second lineal mold part fit together to define a profile. The first and second mold end parts can be positioned in a range of positions to define the lengths of a variety of different molded fenestration members.

A longstanding concern in the window industry is that water may accumulate in the lower part of the window and leak into the house or other structure. Of particular concern is the potential for water to leak into the rough opening and into the wall of the structure, where it could go undetected and decay could occur. While sealing of the joints between the various parts of the window has proven beneficial, failures can still occur, due, for example, to shifting of the building structure that may deform the window and open sealed joints, and potential deterioration of the sealant material itself. A more reliable approach would be to eliminate or improve the joints between members where water could accumulate and leaks could occur. It is to the provision of a mold and molding method that addresses the above and additional needs that this disclosure is directed.

Lineally adjustable molds, molding methods, and products therefrom


A space dividing system which includes vertically disposed posts and space dividing panels. Each post includes a center core and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending T-shaped members having a stem or leg portion integrally joined to the core, and a flange spaced outwardly from the core. The space between the core and inner surfaces of the flanges defines vertical wire ways. Each space dividing panel has upper and lower hook-like connector assemblies fixed to its vertical edges. The T-shaped members have predetermined portions of their associated flanges removed to define access openings having flange-defined support edges for supporting the upper and lower hook-like connector assemblies. Flanges of T-shaped members not associated with a space dividing panel are concealed by one or more post covers having retaining beds which removably engage lateral edges of predetermined flanges.

Certain types of open plan office space dividing systems utilize posts to support space dividing panels, while other types connect the vertical edges of the panels directly together. Pole-based systems have the advantage of providing "center line modularity", fixing the dimension for a string of panels regardless of how many branches are created at each post or pole. Non-post based systems increase the dimension of a string of panels by the panel thickness at each branch, called "creep", which can complicate laying out the system, including selection of work surface widths and other accessories which are supported from the panels.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,116, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application, discloses a post-based space dividing system of the prior art. A hollow tubular post has panel connector adapters secured to each end which define vertically oriented annular slots adapted to receive complementary shaped hook connectors fixed to vertical edges of the space dividing panels. When different height panels are to be joined to a common post, it presents a panel-to-post attachment problem. U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,142, which is also assigned to the same assignee as the present application, illustrates the number of additional parts and special post construction resulting from an innovative solution to this problem.
It would be desirable, and it is an object of the present invention, to provide a new and improved post-based space dividing system which preserves the advantage of centerline modularity, while utilizing the same post construction for connecting equal height panels and/or unequal height panels, as desired, with no extra or special parts being required.
It would also be desirable and is another object of the invention to be able to utilize the post for vertical wire ways, which is not possible in the post-based systems of the hereinbefore mentioned U.S. patents.


An automatic focusing apparatus includes an image pickup optical system; an image pickup device for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup optical system into an electric image signal at a predetermined cycle and outputting the electric signal; a focusing device; an optical flow calculation device for calculating optical flows in accordance with the image signals in a first image plane at a first time and a second image plane at a second time different from the first time, and for calculating an average of magnitudes and directions of the optical flows; and a judgment device for determining whether or not the focusing device is to be driven in accordance with calculated average of the magnitudes and the directions of the optical flows.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic focusing apparatus which is particularly suitable for an electronic endoscope.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an electronic endoscope having an automatic focusing apparatus has been developed. In a conventional automatic focusing apparatus, focus detection is carried out in such a way that when the evaluation value of the high frequency component of an image signal picked up by a CCD-type or CMOS-type image pickup device becomes maximum, i.e., when a high frequency component for a contour portion of an object image becomes maximum, it is deemed that the image is in focus. During a diagnosis using an electronic endoscope, as the object to be detected frequently changes in accordance with the endoscopic operation, hunting of the automatic focusing optical system occurs if the automatic focusing apparatus is continuously activated. Alternatively, in order to activate the automatic focusing apparatus only when automatic focusing is necessary, a separate switch must be provided to activate the automatic focusing apparatus. However, such a switch must be operated each time the automatic focusing apparatus is activated or deactivated.
An electronic endoscope having an automatic focusing apparatus is disclosed, for example, in References No. 1 through No. 4 below.                Reference No. 1: Japanese Kokai (Unexamined Patent Publication) No. 2001-154085        Reference No. 2: Japanese Kokai (Unexamined Patent Publication) No. 2000-5127        Reference No. 3: Japanese Kokai (Unexamined Patent Publication) No. 2000-197604        Reference No. 4: Japanese Kokai (Unexamined Patent Publication) No. 2000-342533

Automatic focusing apparatus including optical flow device calculation


A control unit includes a hydraulic fluid system, a lubricant system, at least one sensor cable, an electronics module in communication with the at least one sensor cable, the hydraulic fluid system, and the lubricant system. A housing of the control unit contains the hydraulic fluid system, the lubricant system, the sensor cable(s), and the electronics module.

Drilling and well systems typically employ a number of different equipment units, which may require a number of different operational systems. For example, a tree, also referred to as a Christmas tree, may include a set of valves, spools, and fittings connected to the top of a well to direct and control the flow of fluids from the well. Trees may be installed, for example, on wells for fracturing operations (referred to as a frac tree), on a well for production (referred to as production trees), or on a subsea well (e.g., a horizontal tree designed to minimize the assembly height and reduce sway from surrounding water currents). Valves used with trees may be actuated using hydraulic pressure, which may be supplied by a hydraulic pressure unit (HPU). Such valves are supplied with hydraulic pressure using a hydraulic system, where the hydraulic system may also be used to supply hydraulic pressure to other valves and equipment units. Control of a main hydraulic system may also include use of electrical cables for sending and receiving electrical signals and instructions to monitor and control operation of each component using hydraulic pressure.
Additionally, valves and other components in well equipment units may be periodically lubricated to ensure proper functionality. Lubricant (e.g., grease) may be pumped into the valve or other well equipment component from a central lubrication system through lubricant hoses.
Master control units are often used to control operation of one or more of the systems in a well operation. For example, a control unit may be used to operate sub-controllers for different systems in the well operation, such as a sub-controller for a hydraulic system and a sub-controller for a lubrication system. Control units may include automatic programming to perform one or more functions under a preset condition, or control units may be operated on a case-by-case basis.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a convention well system 100 having multiple frac trees 110 assembled at a well site. Each frac tree 110 may include multiple valves 112 (e.g., more than 8 valves), connections, and flow lines to direct and control the flow of fluids into the well. Valves 112 in a frac tree 110 may be hydraulically actuated using hydraulic pressure supplied by a centrally located HPU 120. Additionally, each valve 112 actuator may include two piston chambers connected to the HPU 120 through different hydraulic hoses 122 (hoses that carry hydraulic fluid). Thus, depending on the number of hydraulically operated valves 112 in each frac tree 110, dozens of hydraulic hoses 122 may be required to connect all of the valve actuators in a single frac tree 110 with the HPU 120. Additional frac trees 110 may likewise use additional HPUs 120 and hydraulic hoses 122 to provide hydraulic actuation to the valves 112 in the additional frac trees 110.
Additionally, an automatic greasing system (AGS) may be provided at the well site in order to keep the valves 112 lubricated. The AGS may include a grease pump 130, e.g., which may be held on a trailer 135 with an air compressor 132 for pump operation, a central controller 134, individual lubrication units 136, and grease lines 138 fluidly connecting the components of the AGS.
A master control unit 140 may be used to control operation of one or more systems at the well site, including as the hydraulic system and the AGS. As shown, electrical cables 144 may be provided between the master control unit 140, the AGS central controller 134, and a controller for the HPUs 120 to the different frac trees 110 to send communication signals between the different systems (e.g., signals including instructions for operation of one or more component in the systems). Additionally, sensors 150 may be positioned in various locations at the well site to monitor operations, where sensor data may be processed by the master control unit 140.
By providing a centralized system for each functionality, such as a centralized hydraulic system and a centralized lubrication system, a single master control system may be used to monitor and manage the well site. However, in typical well systems, such as shown in FIG. 1, hundreds of feet of hydraulic hoses 122, grease lines 138, and electrical cables 144 are often used for system functioning, which can lead to complications during the well system set-up, take-down, and maintenance when trying to keep track of which line goes where.

Modular control systems with umbilical deployment


A gaming system of the present invention includes: an input device which starts a base game awarding a payout according to a given winning; a data storage device storing special game condition data which defines, within a given value range, a plurality of sub ranges respectively allotted to special game conditions or “No Special Game” meaning no special game is run, each of the special game conditions being associated with an average payout different from those associated with the other conditions. In the system, a random number is sampled based on an input from the input device. A base game is run using the random number, and a payout according to a resulted winning is awarded. One of the sub ranges each allotted to one of the special game conditions or “No Special Game” is selected, based on a given condition with reference to the random number and the special game condition data. When the selected sub range is allotted to a special game condition, the special game is run under that special game condition and a payout is awarded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming system which determines whether to shift to a special game, and a control method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
There have been known gaming machines configured to display plural types of symbols scrolled and then stopped, and to award a predetermined amount of game media (e.g. a predetermined amount of coins or money) according to a combination of symbols stopped and displayed. Such gaming machines are disclosed in the specifications of U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,133, No. 6,012,983, and No. 6,093,102, for example.
Further, as the specifications of U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,728, No. 5,116,055, No. 4,964,638, No. 4,842,278, No. 7,056,215, and No. 7,108,603 disclose, there are known gaming systems each having plural gaming machines linked to each other via a network. Among these gaming systems is a system which pools part of game media input in each gaming machine, and paying out the pooled game media to a gaming machine having won the progressive jackpot.
Further, among the gaming machines is a gaming machine which runs a free game (special game) when a predetermined condition (e.g. rearrangement of a particular symbol during a game) is met during a game. The free game is a game playable without a need of betting a game media. For example, the specification of the publication of Australian patent application No. 200119729 discloses a gaming machine which runs a free game as a sub game, when a predetermined condition (e.g. a particular arrangement of symbols) is met during a base game.
Since the free game is played without consuming a game medium, players in general plays a game with a strong hope for occurrence of the free game. For this reason, there is a demand for a gaming machine which draws more attention of players to the game, with additional characteristics of conditions for occurrence of a free game, effects used when the free game occurs, the number of times the free game is repeated, or effects used during the free game.
Another known problem of such a gaming machine running a free game or the like as a special game is a complicated program for running the games. This is attributed to the need for a program or control for running the special game. Simplification of the program or control therefore is also required.
The present invention is made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system with a simplified program for running a special game and control, which is capable of drawing more attention of players to the game. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a control method of such a gaming system.

Gaming system and control method thereof which determines transition to special game