A method and apparatus for configuring compressed mode operation comprises detecting a compressed mode pattern or pattern sequence scheduling three or more consecutive compressed mode frames and taking appropriate mitigation action. In a first aspect a non activation construction is suppressed and the compressed mode pattern sequence is activated. In the second aspect if a pattern or sequence scheduling three or more consecutive compressed mode frames is identified, activation is suppressed. In a third aspect if such a patent or sequence is identified, a normal frame is inserted in the pattern sequence replacing a compressed mode frame.

This application relates to telecommunications systems in general, having for example application in UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). In particular, this application relates to a method and apparatus for configuring compressed mode.
In a typical cellular radio system, a mobile communications apparatus communicates via a radio access network (RAN) to one or more core networks. The mobile communications apparatus or User Equipment (UE) comprises various types of equipment such as mobile telephones (also known as cellular or cell phones), laptops with wireless communication capability, personal digital assistants (PDAs) etc. These may be portable, hand held, pocket sized, installed in a vehicle etc and communicate voice and/or data signals with the radio access network.
In the following, reference will be made to UMTS and to particular standards. However it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular mobile telecommunications system or standard.
UMTS is a third generation public and mobile telecommunication system. Various standardization bodies are known to publish and set standards for UMTS, each in theft respective areas of competence. For instance, the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) has been known to publish and set standards for UMTS based upon GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), and the 3GPP2 (Third Generation Partnership Project 2) has been known to publish and set standards for UMTS based upon CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). Within the scope of a particular standardization body, specific partners publish and set standards in their respective areas.
Consider as an example a wireless mobile device which complies with the 3GPP specifications for the UMTS protocol. Such a wireless mobile device is generally referred to as user equipment (UE). The 3GPP technical specification 25.331, V5.18.0, referred to herein as the 25.331 specification, and incorporated herein by reference, addresses the subject of Radio Resource Control protocol for the UE-UTRAN (UTRA Network) interface.
A UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) is designed to operate in bands using Frequency Division Duplex (FDD).
A UE arranged to communicate on an FDD network may utilize compressed mode (CM) during communication with the network. Compressed mode is needed inter alia when making measurements on another frequency (inter-frequency) or on a different Radio Access Technology (inter-RAT). Inter-frequency measurements are performed between the channels of different frequencies within the same or a different UMTS band. Inter-RAT measurements are performed between the channels of different Radio Access Technologies (e.g. GSM and UMTS). In the compressed mode, transmission and reception by the UE transceiver on the band the UE is camped on is stopped for a short time. This time is called the Transmission Gap. This allows the transceiver to be used to perform measurements on the other frequency. Once the measurement has been made, transmission and reception resumes on the band the UE is camped on. Compressed Mode (CM) is the term used to define the method whereby the average data rate is maintained by compressing data in the frame either side of the transmission gap required for the measurement.
FIG. 1 illustrates the implementation of compressed mode. Time is on the horizontal axis and instantaneous transmit power is on the vertical axis. In FIG. 1, one frame (e.g. 307) is shown as having duration of 10 milliseconds. Each frame comprises a plurality of slots. A series of frames 301 have transmission gaps 303 and 304. A more detailed view 302 of four frames around the transmission gap 303 is also shown. In compressed mode, a series of slots are not used for transmission of data. The number of consecutive slots in the series not used for transmission defines the transmission gap length where the gap is within the compressed mode frame. Either side of the transmission gap 303 the instantaneous transmit power of the slots of the frame remaining (305, 306) for data transmission is increased in order to keep the quality of the communication link unaffected by the reduced time available for transmission. Alternatively the transmission gap may occur at the respective end and start of consecutive CM frames. Examples of the measure of quality are Bit Error Rate (BER) and Frame Error Rate (FER), although any other appropriate measure of quality may be used. The size of the increase in instantaneous transmit power is dependent upon the transmission time reduction method and may be zero.
A transmission gap is necessary because UEs typically only have one transceiver. UE capabilities vary and the capabilities of a particular UE define whether it requires compressed mode in order to monitor cells on other frequencies. Accordingly, it is necessary for a UE to communicate its compressed mode requirements to the UTRAN. The compressed mode requirement may be expressed for any number of bands and radio access technologies.
The mechanism allowing information transmitted during at least one portion of a frame to be compressed in time, and a transmission gap to be created, include: reducing the spreading factor; and higher layer scheduling.
Reducing the Spreading Factor: the Spreading Factor is reduced by a factor of 2 so the data rate is doubled in the frame in which compression is to be carried out. The Spreading Factor is the ratio of the chips to base band information rate, the chips being the smallest element of a slot. Because the data rate is doubled the same amount of data can be transmitted in half the time. Measurements can be performed in the transmission gap that remains.
Higher Layer scheduling: The higher layers are aware of the compressed mode schedule, so they may lower the data rate in the frame in which measurements need to be performed. This avoids the need for a new spreading factor and new channelization codes. For example, higher layers may set restrictions so that only a subset of the allowed Transport Format Combinations (TFCs) are used in a compressed frame.
The bit rate available for communication between the UE and the UTRAN is determined by a Transport Format Combination. Accordingly, by defining a subset of Transport Format Combinations available for use, the maximum number of bits that will be delivered to the physical layer during the compressed radio frame is then known and a transmission gap can be generated. In the downlink, the Transport Format Combination Indicator field is expanded at the expense of the data fields and this shall also be taken into account by higher layers when setting restrictions on which TFCs may be used.
In both downlink and uplink, both the above methods are supported. The network decides which frames are to be compressed. In compressed mode, compressed frames can occur periodically, as indicated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, compressed frames can occur on request or upon demand. The rate and type of compressed frames used is variable and depends on the environment and measured variables.
The UTRAN can schedule compressed mode patterns for implementation by the UE. A pattern can be finite in which case it will terminate at a given connection frame number (CFN) or can be infinite and terminated by the UTRAN which subsequently specifies the CFN where the pattern should end. Frames are numbered 0 to 255 cyclically independent of CM gaps.
This can be further understood from FIG. 2. At step 200 the UTRAN provides a transmission gap pattern sequence. At step 202 the user equipment activates the transmission gap pattern sequence. At step 204 the UE may take appropriate additional steps for example performing a measurement as described above.
According to section 8.1.2 of the 25.133 standard the UTRAN must ensure that with the activation of one or more transmission gap pattern sequences, no more than two frames can contain a transmission gap within any window of three consecutive frames, if the UTRAN schedules three or more CM gaps in a row, then the signal to interference ratio (SIR) calculation can not be performed which can lead to incorrect UE operation. However, in practice, it is found that in some instances the UTRAN appears to schedule three or more CM frames in a row for example due to transmission delay. In particular this can occur in the scenario shown, for example, in FIG. 3 in which a first 310 is deactivated and a second pattern 312 is subsequently activated. The patterns include normal frames 314, and compressed mode frames 316 and it will be seen that the first sequence 310 terminates in two compressed mode frames containing transmission gaps whereas the second pattern 312 commences with two compressed modes frames containing transmission gaps. In such circumstances the device can reset as a failure mode.
The invention is set out in the claims:

Method and apparatus for configuring compressed mode


A phase modulation apparatus has a light source outputting continuous light, two phase modulators, and an intensity modulator. The phase modulation apparatus is provided with an RZ phase modulation circuit, in which the phase modulators phase-modulate the continuous light from the light source with data signals input to the phase modulators and generate two phase modulation optical signals, a phase shifter shifts the phase of one phase modulation optical signal by π/2, and an intensity modulator intensity-modulates a multiplexed signal, combined with the other phase modulation optical signal, with an input clock signal CLK to convert the signal into an RZ signal, and, thus, to output the RZ signal, and a phase control circuit which adjusts the phases of the phase modulation optical signals generated by the phase modulator of the RZ phase modulation circuit so that the output of the RZ phase modulation circuit is maximum.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a phase modulation apparatus which modulates a phase of light in a digital signal sequence.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
As a method of modulating light with a digital signal, Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) and Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DQPSK) have been known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In a long-haul transmission system, in order to suppress interference between codes and to realize the high sensitivity, a QPSK modulated or DQPSK modulated optical signal is sometimes further subjected to RZ (Return to Zero) intensity modulation. FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a phase modulation apparatus 300 employing an RZ-QPSK modulation method. The RZ-QPSK modulation is performed by the following procedure.
(1) Continuous light LD of a light source 10 is branched by a 1:2 coupler 11.
(2) Phase modulators (12-1, 12-2), based on the digital input signal (DATA1, DATA2) convert the continuous light (LD1, LD2)
into binary phase modulation optical signals (LN1, LN2), the phase of which is 0 or π.
(3) A 2:1 coupler 14 combines two phase modulation optical signals (LN1′, LN2) in a state that the phase of LN1′ is shifted from the phase of LN1 by π/2 phase by a phase shifter 13 and outputs a quadrature phase modulation signal QPSK.
(4) An intensity modulator 15 intensity-modulates the phase modulation signal QPSK with a clock signal CLK synchronized with the digital input signal and outputs an optical signal RZ-QPSK converted into an RZ signal.
The above procedure will be further described in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a process for generating the quadrature phase modulation optical signal from the binary phase modulation signal generated by phase modulators 1 and 2. In this example, an intensity modulator is used as a phase modulator. Namely, the amplitude of the digital input signal is set to twice a half-wave voltage of the intensity modulator, and, at the same time, a '0'/'1' level of the signal is set to a maximum transmission point of the intensity modulator, whereby digital '0'/'1' bits are converted into optical bits having a relative optical phase 0/π. Thus, the binary phase modulation optical signals LN1 and LN2 are generated. In this constitution, optical output is temporarily 0 at a phase transition point at which the optical phase is changed from 0 to π, or contrary to this. LN1 further becomes LN1′ in which the optical phase is shifted by π/2 by a π/2 phase shifter. LN1′ and LN2 are combined at a timing where the respective bits are overlapped, whereby QPSK phase modulation light in which the optical phase has four values of π/4, π/4, 5π/4, and 7π/4 is generated.
FIG. 3 shows eye diagrams of signals in a phase modulation apparatus 300. FIG. 3A shows the continuous light LD emitted from the light source 10. The light intensity of the continuous light LD does not change. FIG. 3B shows the binary phase modulation optical signal LN1 (LN2) output by the phase modulator 12-1 (12-2). Although the phase modulation optical signal LN1 maintains a constant light intensity in such a state that the optical phase is confirmed, the light is temporarily extinguished at the phase transition point as described above, and therefore, a notch N is generated in the eye diagram. FIG. 3C shows the quadrature phase modulation optical signal, QPSK, output from the 2:1 coupler 14. As described above, the two phase modulation optical signals (LN1′, LN2) are combined at a timing in which the respective bits are overlapped, whereby QPSK involves four phase states. Since the timing in which phase transition occurs is overlapped, the depth of the notch N is determined by two patterns depending on whether the phase transition occurs simultaneously in LN1′ and LN2 or whether the phase transition occurs in either one of LN1′ and LN2. FIG. 3D shows the RZ optical signal RZ-QPSK output from the intensity modulator 15. The RZ optical signal RZ-QPSK is obtained by applying RZ pulse modulation to a region where the optical phase is confirmed by a clock signal CLK synchronized with the digital input signal. As shown in the same drawing, this state is optimum when modulation is applied at a timing in which the peak of CLK overlaps an optimum phase (in between the notches). By virtue of conversion into the RZ signal, intersymbol interference between close signals is suppressed, and a high pulse peak value is obtained with respect to an average light intensity; therefore, a long-haul transmission system having high sensitivity and excellent nonlinear tolerance can be realized.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-208472
An RZ-QPSK generating method will be described by such a procedure that two binary phase modulation lights are synthesized at a timing in which the respective bits of the binary phase modulation lights overlap to thereby generate quadrature phase modulation light, and RZ modulation is applied with a clock signal, using the center between the notches as an optimum phase. As seen from above, it is obvious in the RZ-QPSK generation, there is a problem that the timings of three kinds of signals including two data sequences (LN1′, LN2) and the clock CLK are aligned in parallel. The effect of a case where the timings between those signals are not aligned in parallel will be hereinafter described.
FIG. 4 shows the influence of deviation (skew between data and clocks) of the timing between the quadrature QPSK phase modulation light and CLK. When there is no skew, an output waveform is a repetitive pulse having constant time width as shown in FIG. 4A. However, when skew occurs, a notch and an RZ modulation clock interfere to remove a pulse, so that the output waveform becomes a distorted pulse as shown in FIG. 4B. Such distortion becomes lack of information to lead to significant deterioration of transmission characteristics.
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the influence of the skew between data of the binary phase modulation light LN1′ and LN2 input to the 2:1 coupler 14. As described above, the quadrature QPSK phase modulation light includes a phase confirmation region R1 where four phase states are confirmed and a phase transition region R2 where the phase transition occurs and a notch is generated. When there is no skew, since the timings of phase transition between two signals are aligned in parallel equal, notches having different depths and the same width as shown in FIG. 5A are generated in the eye diagram. However, when the skew occurs, since multiplexing is performed while the timings of phase transition between two signals are deviated, the notch seen in the eye diagram is separated. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5B, the phase confirmation region is narrowed, and even if the clock phase is corresponded to the optimum timing, the interference with the phase transition region cannot be avoided, so that the transmission characteristics are significantly deteriorated.
Factors that the skew occurs between those three signals include variation in a delay time of individual parts (such as the modulator 12 and a driver) and wiring, delay variation depending on temperature and power supply variation, and variation in a long term. In the variation in the delay time of individual parts, the variation is individually adjusted by, for example, selection of parts having equal delay or adjusting by a phase shifter upon manufacturing, whereby it is possible to tentatively correspond to the variation in the delay time of individual parts. However, it is impossible to correspond to the delay variation due to temperature and power supply variation and variation in a long term only by initial adjustment, and such correction that operation is always performed at an optimum operating point is required.
In order to solve the above problem, this disclosure provides a phase modulation apparatus in which each component part is not required to have the same delay in the assembling and skew adjustment is easily performed even if temperature characteristics of parts and the change with time occur.

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION


This invention relates to a photodetector including a package having a window disposed in a light incident part, and a light detecting element installed in the package. The light detecting element includes a first region formed of a second conduction-type semiconductor and embedded in a first conduction-type semiconductor layer; a second region formed of second conduction-type semiconductor and embedded so as to be spaced from and to surround the first region; and a conductor layer provided both on at least one part of top surface of the first conduction-type semiconductor layer and on at least one part of top surface of the second region. The first region is surrounded by a second conduction-type second region. On the surface of the semiconductor crystal layer, an electrode is formed on the first region, and a reflection preventing layer is formed on that part of the first region inside the electrode, and a device protecting film is formed on that part of the first region outside the electrode. On the semiconductor crystal layer, a metal film is formed in contact both with the semiconductor crystal layer and with a second region. This structure enables the second region to capture unnecessary charges and further to recombine and extinguish them.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a photodetector for use in light output monitoring devices of semiconductor lasers, receiving devices of optical communication systems, etc.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 1A is a top view of the structure of a conventional light detecting element, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view along the line X--X' in FIG. 1A. As shown, the conventional light detecting element comprises a first conduction-type semiconductor substrate 1 with a first electrode 8 formed on the underside; a first conduction-type semiconductor crystal layer 2 including a light absorbing layer; and a second conduction-type first region 3 formed in the first conduction-type semiconductor crystal layer 2 by selectively diffusing a dopant. Thus formed is a pin photodiode structure. This pin photodiode structure includes an n-layer (or a p-layer) provided by the semiconductor substrate 1, a p-layer (or an n-layer) provided by a first region 3, and a light detecting region 10 provided by the pn junction (the depletion layer or the i layer). A second electrode 5 is provided on the first region 3 in the semiconductor crystal layer 2. The top of the first region 3 inside the electrode 5 is covered with a reflection preventive film 6, and the top of semiconductor crystal layer 2 outside the electrode 5 is covered with a device protective film 7.
In the semiconductor device of the above-described structure, when an reverse bias is applied, an electric field is generated in the depletion layer. Electrons and holes generated by incident light on a light detecting region 10 are divided respectively to the first conduction-type region 3 and are accelerated. Thus a photocurrent can be taken outside, and an optical signal can be detected.
In the above-described structure of FIG. 1A and 1B, when light is incident on the light detecting region 10, photo-carriers are generated in the depletion layer, and a good response characteristic can be obtained. But when light is incident outside the light detecting region 10, due to a density gradient, the generated carriers are diffused to reach the depletion layer, and are taken out in a photocurrent. The transfer of the diffused carriers is slow. When the carriers reach the light detecting region 10, adversely a tail is generated at the last transition of a light-pulse-responding waveform as shown in FIG. 2.
In using such light detecting element in photodetectors for use in optical communication, etc., a lens 11, such as a spherical lens, a SELFOC lens or others, is disposed at the light incident part of the cap of the package as shown in FIG. 3 so as not to affect the response characteristic. This arrangement enables all the signal light emitted from an optical fiber or others to be focussed to be incident on the light detecting region 3. But this condensation increases an incident light intensity per a unit area of signal light incident on the light detecting region 3, and accordingly more carriers are generated in the depletion layer 10. Resultantly because of the space-charge effect produced by an increase of a carrier density in the depletion layer 10, the intensity of an electric field in the depletion layer 10 is decreased, and a drift rate of the carriers in the depletion layer 10 is lowered. Also tails occur at the falls of light pulse response waveforms. In view of this, the light amount to be incident on the light detecting element 20 has to be limited, and it is a problem that a maximum incident light amount on the semiconductor photodetector cannot be increased. This effect is more conspicuous especially when the reverse bias voltage is low, which makes it difficult to operate the semiconductor photodetectors at low bias voltages.
In controlling a light output of a laser diode to be constant, the light emitted from the rear end surface of the laser diode is detected by a light detecting element, and an operating current of the laser diode is feed-back controlled. But because the light output of the laser diode is so intense that when light is focussed and incident on the light detecting region 3, the space-charge effect occurs, and as described above, the drift of the carriers is increased, and tails occur at the falls of response waveforms. The feed-back control of the laser diode is affected.


A coating system comprises a high gloss coating ink supply source, and a low gloss coating ink supply source. The system includes a coating module configured to receive the high gloss coating ink and the low gloss coating ink. The coating module includes a first and second group of nozzles configured to emit the high gloss and low gloss coating inks, respectively. The coating system has a controller that is configured to selectively actuate the first group and second group of inkjet nozzles to deposit the high gloss and low gloss coating inks onto the image receiving surface in accordance with a halftone pattern to form a gloss coating, the halftone pattern specifying a halftone density for the high gloss coating ink and for the low gloss coating ink, the halftone densities of the high and low gloss coating inks corresponding to a gloss level for the gloss coating.

In general, inkjet printing machines or printers include at least one printhead unit that ejects drops or jets of liquid ink onto an image receiving surface such as an image substrate. A phase change inkjet printer employs phase change inks that are in the solid phase at ambient temperature, but transition to a liquid phase at an elevated temperature. The melted ink can then be ejected as drops or jets by a printhead assembly onto a heated image substrate. In some printers, the image receiving surface is a recording media, in which case the ink is ejected directly onto the image substrate. In other printers, the image receiving surface is an intermediate transfer surface onto which ink is ejected and subsequently transferred to a recording media.
One issue faced in inkjet printing technology is controlling the gloss level of all or parts of an image, page, or print job. Gloss is a measure of the reflective properties of a surface. High gloss indicates that the surface reflections are mirror-like or specular, which means the angle of reflection closely matches the angle of incidence of light illuminating the surface. Low gloss indicates that the surface produces diffuse reflections where incident light is scattered over a broad range of angles during reflection. Gloss levels may be influenced by both the type of colorant as well as the type of media used to form a printed image. Controlling gloss levels of a printed image may be difficult because ejected ink has a gloss level that differs from the gloss level exhibited by unprinted media. In addition, variations in the density of the ink ejected onto the media to form an image may cause corresponding variations in the gloss level of the image. These variations in gloss levels across a printed image may not be acceptable to consumers.
One method that has been used to control gloss levels of printed images is to coat the entire printed media with a colorless coating material that is designed to provide a protective layer on the printed media as well as to provide a substantially uniform gloss to the printed media. There are many types of coating materials that may be used. For example, coating inks have been developed that are capable of being jetted using standard printheads. The composition of these coating inks can be adjusted to provide substantially any level of gloss to a printed image such as high gloss, matte, satin, etc.
In some cases, consumers may desire to be able to select and print specific gloss levels to all or part of a printed image, page or print job. The various gloss levels, e.g., high gloss, semi-gloss, matte, etc., may each have characteristics that are desired for various printing applications. For example, color images having a high gloss level may have more vibrant colors than color images having a lower gloss level. Similarly, printed text having a low gloss level may be easier to read than printed text having a high gloss level. By selectively varying the gloss level across the printed media, different areas of the printed media may be enhanced and/or contrasted to produce aesthetically striking results.
Most previously known printers, however, are capable of providing only a single gloss finish to printed images, e.g., a high gloss finish. Some printers have been developed that are capable of providing multiple gloss finishes to printed images. In order to provide the multiple gloss levels in these systems, however, a separate coating ink is typically provided for each desired gloss level. Because coating inks having different gloss levels are typically manufactured at an off-site location, supplies of each desired gloss coating ink may have to be ordered well in advance of their actual use. In addition, customers may be required to order quantities of the different gloss inks from the supplier greater than they need.


Disclosed is a semiconductor device including: an active region defined by an element isolation region; a gate trench going across the active region to define source/drain regions on both sides thereof, respectively, and to define, between the source/drain regions, the channel region having a first, second, and third protruding portions which are arranged in a gate width direction; and a gate electrode formed in the gate trench so as to cover the channel region through a gate insulating film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device having a fin field-effect transistor and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Along with recent miniaturization of transistors, it becomes difficult for a conventional planer transistor to suppress short channel effect. To solve this problem, a DRAM cell transistor for which a higher level of integration is required uses so-called a trench gate transistor (buried gate transistor), as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-129566 and No. 2011-129771, in which agate electrode is formed in a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate with an intervention of agate insulating film, and the gate electrode is buried below the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
In the buried gate transistor as described above, forming the gate electrode in the trench and at a portion below the surface of the semiconductor substrate allows three surfaces (bottom and both side surfaces of the trench) to serve as channels. Thus, as compared to a planer transistor in which only one surface serves as the channel, a longer channel length can be obtained with a smaller area. As a result, an occupation area of the transistor can be reduced while suppressing the short channel effect. Further improvement of characteristics of such a buried gate transistor is now demanded.

Semiconductor device having fin-shaped field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof


Disclosed embodiments are directed at systems, methods, and architecture for providing microservices and a plurality of APIs to requesting clients. The architecture is a distributed cluster of gateway nodes that jointly provide microservices and the plurality of APIs. Providing the APIs includes providing a plurality of plugins that implement the APIs. As a result of a distributed architecture, the task of API management can be distributed across a cluster of gateway nodes. The gateway nodes effectively become the entry point for every API-related request. Some embodiments of the disclosed technology describe an auto-documentation plugin that can automatically generate documentation for an API by monitoring, parsing, and sniffing requests/responses to/from the API.

Application programming interfaces (APIs) are specifications intended to be used as interfaces by software components to communicate with each other. For example, APIs can include specifications for routines, data structures, object classes, and variables. Thus, an API defines what information is available and how to send or receive that information.
Setting up multiple APIs can be a challenge. This is because deploying an API requires tuning the configurations or settings of each API individually. Because API functionalities are individually tied to each API and servers hosting multiple APIs have to be individually set up for hosting the APIs, this makes it very difficult to build new APIs or even scale and maintain existing APIs. This becomes even more challenging when there are tens of thousands of APIs and millions of clients requesting API-related services per day. Consequently, this results in reduced system productivity.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for distributed API gateways


There is provided a liquid oxidatively modified ethylenic random copolymer, which is an oxidatively modified product of a liquid ethylenic random coplymer comprising 20 to 80 mol % of ethylene and 80 to 20 mol % of .alpha.-olefin, and has (i) a number average molecular weight (Mn) in the range of from 200 to 10,000, (ii) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) given as weight average molecular weight (Mw) divided by number average molecular weight (Mn) in the range of up to 4, and (iii) an oxygen content of from 0.1 to 20% by weight, an acid value of from 0.1 to 50, and a saponification value of from 0.1 to 100. It is prepared by contacting a corresponding ethylenic random copolymer with oxygen-containing gas at 100.degree.-250.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a liquid oxidatively modified ethylenic random copolymer, a process of making the same and use thereof.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A variety of additives are blended in lubricant oils including gear oil, engine oil, grease, metal processing oil and mold release agent in order to improve their performance. The additives are selected depending on the intended use and most additives are polar compounds. In order that the additives attain their intended purpose, the additives are desired to be soluble in base oil of lubricant. Some additives having less affinity to the base oil are not dissolved in the base oil, but are only dispersed in the base oil. Mineral oils were used as the lubricant base oil in the past, but are now largely replaced by synthetic lubricant oils as typified by olefin polymer oils. The above-mentioned tendency is more outstanding with the synthetic lubricant oils, which often fail to fully improve the performance of lubricant oil. In the lubricant oil field, there is a strong need for a compatibilizing agent which can improve the solubility of various additives in the base oil.
A variety of additives are also blended in coating compositions depending on the intended use. For example, micronized silica, micronized precipitating calcium carbonate, bentonite, and organic bentonites are used in the prior art as anti-filler-settling agents, anti-sag agents, and low-temperature flexibility imparting agents. These additives do not function to a full extent in some intended applications. In the painting field, there is a need for a formulating agent which can exert its full function in painting compositions.

Liquid oxidatively modified ethylenic random copolymer, process of making and use


An etching method capable of controlling the film thickness of a hard mask layer uniformly is provided. A plasma etching is performed on a native oxide film by using an etching gas containing, for example, CF4 and Ar while a thickness of a silicon nitride film is being monitored and the etching is finished when the thickness of the silicon nitride film reaches a predetermined value. Then, a plasma etching is performed on a silicon substrate by employing an etching gas containing, for example, Cl2, HBr and Ar and using the silicon nitride film as a mask while a depth of a trench is being monitored and the etching is finished when the depth of the trench reaches a specified value.

An STI is known as a technique for electrically isolating a device formed on a silicon substrate. The STI process involves the steps of etching a silicon substrate through a mask of, for example, a silicon nitride film to form a trench therein; filling the trench with an oxide film such as SiO2; and finally planarizing the substrate by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) by way of using the mask (silicon nitride film) as a stopper (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,265).
The silicon trench etching process of the STI includes a break-through (BT) step of performing an etching to remove a native oxide film formed on the surface of a silicon layer after patterning by using, for example, the silicon nitride film as a mask and a main step of performing an etching on the silicon layer from which the native oxide film is removed, to thereby form a trench in the silicon layer (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H11-214356).
Moreover, as a technique related to the STI, there is proposed a method for forming in advance an end point detection layer in the mask to facilitate the detection of an end point of a CMP process, to thereby control a thickness of a device isolation film (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2003-45956).
Meanwhile, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0191932 discloses a method for performing a plasma etching on a silicon oxide film by using a resist film as a mask, while monitoring the thickness of the resist film by employing an optical method, to thereby prevent a reduction in the thickness of the resist film.
Since the native oxide film formed on the surface of the silicon substrate after the patterning can be removed in a relatively short period of time ranging from about 5 to 10 seconds, the end point of the etching in the BT step is conventionally set based on a lapse of predetermined time. Though the BT step is performed under a condition in which even a hard mask such as a silicon nitride film can be easily etched, if the end point of the BT step is controlled indiscriminately based only on time, the etching will be terminated at a predetermined time point regardless of the residual film thickness of the mask, resulting in non-uniformity in the film thickness of the mask after the BT step. That is, since in general there is variation in the film thickness of the mask present even prior to performing the etching, the film thickness of the mask may still remain non-uniform after the BT step is performed. In the main step following the BT step, the etching rate of silicon is high, whereas etching is performed very slowly on an oxide film or a nitride film. Therefore, a surface polishing is to be conducted during the subsequent CMP process under a condition in which the film thickness of the mask is not uniform.
In the CMP process, since polishing is typically set to be finished upon the exposure of the mask layer such as the silicon nitride film, the residual amount of the buried oxide film may become irregular if the film thickness of the mask layer is non-uniform. Moreover, if the film thickness of the mask is non-uniform, some part of the mask may be left as a residue when the mask is removed after the CMP process by, for example, wet etching. Though it is technically possible to prepare an end point detection layer in the mask to avoid these problems, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-45956 cited above, it is not considered practical since it will increase the number of processes required.


Described herein are methods and system for sharing a wireless interface (102) among various multiple host processors in a multi-processor computing system (100) to provide simultaneous access of a wireless network to the host processors. In one implementation the multi-host computing system (100), comprises a wireless interface (102) configured to connect to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks; and a wireless network access virtualization (WNAV) processor (108) communicatively coupled to the wireless interface (102), wherein the WNAV processor (108) is configured to multiplex data packets received from the plurality of hosts, transmit the multiplexed data packets to at least one of the plurality of wireless networks through the wireless interface (102), receive data packets from one of the plurality of wireless network through the wireless interface (102) and route the data packets to each of the plurality of hosts based on a media access control (MAC) address associated with each of the plurality of hosts.

Computing systems, such as laptops, netbooks, workstations, and desktop computers typically include a central processing unit (CPU), also known as a host processor, running an operating system for carrying out various functionalities of the computing system. The host processor generally includes a class of software modules, known as drivers, which interact with and control various peripheral devices connected to the computing systems for providing the functionalities. The peripheral devices include, for instance, mass storage devices for reading and writing data, media devices like audio players for providing output of audio files playing in the computing system, and network interfaces for connecting to a network environment. One example of a network interface may be a Wi-Fi interface.
The system drivers generally interact with the peripheral devices through hardware interfaces, known as device controllers provided in the computing systems for controlling the peripheral devices. For example, a computing system may include a network interface controller for controlling the Wi-Fi interface of the computing system.
With the advent of technology, computing systems with multiple processors supporting different operating systems have come into existence. In order to reduce system costs and power consumption, and often times to maintain compactness of the computing systems, the host processors are configured to share the same peripheral devices.


A valve structure for a fluid pressure device. A valve element for constituting a pressure reducing valve is provided with a first housing which is interconnected with a stem, a second housing which is provided on the outer peripheral side of the first housing, and packing which is provided between the first housing and the second housing. The packing is mounted and sandwiched between a tapered section of the first housing and an outer wall section of the second housing, and thereby the packing is affixed. A first tube section of the first housing is inserted into a second tube section of the second housing, and the first housing and the second housing are affixed integrally to each other by, for example, welding or adhesion.

Heretofore, a fluid pressure device (for example, a relief valve, a pressure reducing valve, etc.) has been used to control the flow rate of a pressure fluid that flows through a flow path.
In a relief valve, which functions as a fluid pressure device of this type, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-329353, a valve plug is provided that is movable in an axial direction in the interior of a main valve body. The valve plug is made up from a shaft, and an umbrella-shaped valve plug member that is formed on one end of the shaft, the valve plug member being arranged inside a flow path through which a fluid flows. A seal member is disposed through an annular groove on the outer circumference of the valve plug member, such that when the valve plug is moved, by abutment of the seal member against an inner circumferential surface of the main valve body, communication between a fluid inlet passage and a relief passage that constitute parts of the flow path is blocked.
With the valve structure of the above-described relief valve, for example, although the seal member is mounted in the annular groove of the valve plug, in the event that fluid flows in between the annular groove and the seal member, there is a concern that the seal member can be made to peel away and separate from the annular groove by the fluid. As a result, it is thought that the sealing performance, i.e., the capability of the seal member to seal the fluid, tends to be lowered. With the aim of preventing peeling away of this type of seal member, it has been considered to bond the seal member with respect to the annular groove using an adhesive or the like. However, in this case, a step is required to apply or coat the adhesive, which increases the number of assembly steps needed to assemble the relief valve.

Valve structure for fluid pressure device


Systems and methods for vehicle controllers for agricultural and industrial applications are described. For example, a method includes receiving image data, captured using one or more image sensors connected to a vehicle, depicting one or more plants in a vicinity of the vehicle; detecting the one or more plants based on the image data; responsive to detecting the one or more plants, adjusting implement control data; and controlling, based on the adjusted implement control data, an implement connected to the vehicle to perform an operation on the one or more plants.

Autonomous vehicles have been made for automated navigation on roads and obstacle courses. These autonomous vehicles uses sensors, such as cameras and lidar, to sense objects in their environment. For example, an autonomous vehicle may generate motion plans and affect those motion plans by controlling wheels of the vehicles via control of an engine and transmission system, a braking system, and a steering system.

Vehicle controllers for agricultural and industrial applications


An enclosure, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, comprises a plurality of peripheral frame members, a plurality of corner frame members, a plurality of corner members, a plurality of primary surface sheets, and a plurality of secondary surface sheets. In preferred embodiments, the components of the enclosure are joined together in a manner that inhibits liquids from accessing the junctions between the components. In this manner, the interior of the enclosure can be shielded from various weather and other conditions.

Portable electrical power distribution systems are used for providing electrical power for various applications in which electrical power is not available. Conventional power distribution systems typically include a number of different electrical components such as circuit breakers, input and output connectors, indicator lights, etc. These electrical components are typically enclosed within a structure for safety and other reasons. The enclosure is then moved to an indoor or outdoor location where electrical power is needed for purposes such as an outdoor performance, outdoor stalls, the motion picture industry, convention and exhibit halls, etc.
Prior art teachings and attempts at providing portable power distribution boxes include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,544,003, 5,202,538, and 7,848,085. However, each such attempt has significant drawbacks. Accordingly, there exists a need for a portable electrical power distribution box.


An electrical cable and connector assembly for electrically coupling equipment to a power source, and having an electrical cable with a plurality of power conductors and a pilot conductor releasably coupled to an electrical contact in an electrical connector, so that the pilot conductor releases from the electrical contact of the connector when a mechanical stress or force is applied to the cable. The pilot conductor releases from the contact of the connector prior to damage occurring to the remaining conductors from the stress or force applied to the cable. The power conductors are spirally wrapped about the centrally located pilot conductor so that the power conductors can stretch while the pilot conductor is pulled from its electrical contact upon application of the force or stress on the cable. In another embodiment, a non-conducting line or wire is connected to the ends of one of the conductors so that the stress or force applied to the cable is transmitted to the non-conducting line instead of to any of the conductors. Specifically, the non-conducting line is shorter than the conductors so that when the non-conducting line is stressed, the releasable end of the conductor will disconnect from its contact before stress is transmitted to the conductors.

The number of automobiles being operated is continuing to increase which has significantly increases the worldwide air pollution problem. This air pollution problem from automobiles has prompted many countries to regulate the exhaust emissions from automobiles. In fact, the exhaust emissions standards are constantly becoming stricter each year. For example, California regulators have recently passed a law requiring 2% of all vehicles sold in California to be "zero-emissions" or electric powered by 1998. Failure to meet the new emission standard would result in significant fines to automobile manufacturers selling automobiles in California. Accordingly, automobile manufacturers' ability to sell automobiles in California will be hurt if they do not produce an automobile with zero-emissions.
In view of these increasingly stricter emission requirements, automobile manufacturers are beginning to develop electric powered vehicles. Accordingly, it will be necessary to provide the owners of the electric vehicles with a safe and easy way of recharging their batteries. Moreover, electric vehicles have a limited range of travel before requiring their batteries to be recharged. Thus, recharging stations will be needed which are conveniently located and easy to operate in substantially the same manner in which gas stations are currently available for gas powered vehicles.
Currently, there are many methods of transferring power from a power source to a device, equipment vehicle, etc. The most common method is to use a pair of electrical connectors, i.e., a plug and receptacle. However, current electrical connectors do not provide a safety feature to prevent an electrical accident in the event of the electrical cable receiving a mechanical stress, such as if the vehicle is towed away from the recharging station, or struck by another vehicle, while the vehicle is still electrically coupled to the recharging station by the cable.
One example of an electric vehicle and a recharging station for recharging the batteries of electric vehicles is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,802 to Rose, II. The electric vehicle and the recharging station disclosed in the patent issued to Rose, II have many drawbacks. For instance, the contact surface of the vehicle is exposed to the environment which can cause the electrical contact surfaces of the vehicle to corrode. Also, the electrical contact surfaces of the vehicle and the recharging station are exposed to the driver such that the driver of the vehicle could accidentally touch one of the electric contacts and receive an electrical shock. Furthermore, this recharging station would require all electric vehicles to be manufactured within a certain range of sizes and shapes.
Examples of prior electrical cables utilizing a safety mechanism to prevent an electrical accident are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 554,263 to Guilleaume; 1,690,580 to Hedley et al, 1,947,503 to Shunk; 2,478,147 to Wilson; and 4,011,483 to Meadows.
In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need for an electrical cable and connector assembly for electrical equipment or systems such as electric vehicles and electrical recharging stations which will overcome the above problems of the prior art, and which are safe and convenient to operate. This invention addresses this need in the art along with other needs which will become apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure.

Electrical cable and connector assembly with safety pilot line disconnect, especially for electric vehicle


A method, system, and apparatus may initialize a fixed plurality of page table entries for a fixed plurality of pages in memory, each page having a first size, wherein a linear address for each page table entry corresponds to a physical address and the fixed plurality of pages are aligned. A bit in each of the page table entries for the aligned pages may be set to indicate whether or not the fixed plurality of pages is to be treated as one combined page having a second page size larger than the first page size. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Many processors may make use of virtual or demand-paged memory schemes, where sections of a program's execution environment may be mapped into fixed sized segments or frames of physical memory as needed. Virtual memory schemes may allow the use of a physical memory that may be much smaller in size than the linear address space of the processor and may also provide a mechanism for memory protection so that multiple tasks or programs sharing the same physical memory do not interfere with each other. The effectiveness of caching techniques employed to facilitate translation of a linear or virtual address to physical address may be limited by the page or frame sizes used in some computing systems.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity or several physical components included in one functional block or element. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Moreover, some of the blocks depicted in the drawings may be combined into a single function.

Method, system, and apparatus for page sizing extension


A system for a host vehicle and includes a memory and a vehicle control module. The memory stores autonomous status bits for each local vehicle. The autonomous status bits indicate whether the corresponding local vehicle is operating in a non-autonomous, semi-autonomous, or fully autonomous mode. The vehicle control module: generates autonomous status bits indicative of an autonomous status level of the host vehicle and transmits the autonomous status bits in a message to first vehicle communication devices; determines that local vehicles are in a local environment of the host vehicle; receives messages including the autonomous status bits of the local vehicles from second vehicle communication devices; and unless operating in a fully autonomous mode, generates a request for a driver of the host vehicle to take control of the host vehicle based on the autonomous status bits of the host vehicle and the local vehicles.

The background description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Autonomous capabilities of vehicles are ever increasing. Autonomous vehicles systems include vehicle alert and information systems for informing drivers of impending objects and/or providing driver assistance signals indicating suggested actions to be performed. Some autonomous vehicle systems detect a surrounding environment and control vehicle operations such as steering, braking, and acceleration. Currently, there are vehicles on the road having various levels of autonomous capabilities from vehicles providing no driver assistance to fully autonomous vehicles having no driver input.

Driver assistance system operating based on autonomous statuses of host and local vehicles while in a multi-level autonomous environment


A method of accurately printing a target color is provided. The method comprises: in a first step measuring the light spectrum (106) of a first printed color sample (104), which has been printed with a first ink coverage; and from the measured light spectrum calculating a color discrepancy between the first printed color sample and the target color. The method further comprises in a second step calculating an improved ink coverage (112), and printing a second color sample with the improved ink coverage (104). The aforementioned steps are repeated until a predetermined condition for accuracy of the target color has been reached (110).

Colour accuracy is a critical performance specification of a printing device. In many applications very high accuracy (up to an accuracy of ΔE≦0.5) is required for a number of reasons. ΔE is a measure of the colour difference between two colours, which is perceivable to the human eye. A ΔE value of one is the smallest colour difference perceivable to the human eye. Company logos are an example where a high degree of precision is required. Another example is when colour matching is required between a few printing devices, for example when digital prints are used to complete a run of a non-digital printing device, or when several prints are presented together. Consumer product packaging are often comprised of a plurality of prints originating from different sources. In such applications, colour accuracy between the different prints is crucial. One of the most demanding applications requiring high accuracy (possibly the highest) is when a label is required to match the colour of a product—this is the case when printing labels for ink cans, wall paint cans, hair dye, etc.
Currently several methods are used to achieve the requirements of high colour accuracy. The most common method is to use the Pantone colour conversion tables. These are colour conversions that were built specifically to match the Pantone swatch books. However, in some cases, due to a number of reasons such as press variability, ink variability, different type of substrates, etc., the first printed run of the colour, using the given values of the conversion, will produce a result that can be improved and needs to be improved for the given application. This improvement is usually done by an iterative procedure using an external measuring device or by a visual match to get closer to the desired target, increasing the setup time for each job. In cases where the desired colour is not part of the Pantone swatch book the regular conversions that are used produce even less accurate results.
Another solution is to use special inks with the exact colour of the desired target colour. This can be an acceptable solution where only very few colours are printed and where very long runs of the press are performed using the specific ink. This solution requires that an additional ink be supported and maintained in the press. In applications where several specific colours are required for a particular job, or where short runs of the press each with a different colour are required, this solution is not acceptable.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention relates to an analog wristwatch including a watch body and at least two bezels. The watch body further includes a face, along with an hour hand and a minute hand for telling time. The at least two bezels surround the circumference of the face and are rotatably mounted to the watch body. The bezels are used to measure elapsed time.

Typical prior art analog wristwatches have a single graduated rotating bezel surrounding the face of the watch, which is used to keep track of elapsed time. Such a bezel is often referred to as an elapsed time rotating bezel. Generally, the bezel is labeled in increments of five (5), from zero (0) to fifty-five (55). When a wearer wishes to keep track of elapsed time from one point-in-time to another, the wearer can align the zero of the bezel with the watch's second or minute hand. After a period of time has passed, the wearer can read the elapsed time off the bezel, which saves the wearer from having to perform the necessary subtraction that would occur if the wearer had used the watch's face dial.
Many types of analog wristwatches are produced with such a prior art bezel for measuring elapsed time. However, elapsed time rotating bezels are most commonly found on dive watches because divers are required to estimate their remaining air supply when underwater. On such watches, the rotating bezel is unidirectional, moving only in a counterclockwise direction. Because the bezel only moves in a counterclockwise direction, a diver who unwittingly knocks the bezel off its original position will safely underestimate their remaining air supply. Many watches featuring elapsed time rotating bezels, including dive watches, are also ratcheted to keep the bezel locked in place during use.
One significant problem with wristwatches having prior art elapsed time rotating bezels is that a user can only reliably measure time in increments that are less than one hour. It has been found that many applications require a wearer to monitor elapsed time that is greater than one, or even several hours. For instance, pregnant women must monitor the elapsed time between sequential contractions and breastfeeding mothers must monitor the elapsed time in-between feedings, naps, medicine administration, etc. Furthermore, monitoring slow cooking foods, air supply estimation during advanced diving activities, and athletic training are just a few of the numerous applications that can require a wearer to monitor time increments exceeding one hour.
Thus it can be seen that needs exist for improvements to analog wristwatches that allow a wearer to monitor time increments exceeding one hour. It is to the provision of these needs and others that the present invention is primarily directed.

Analog wristwatch having a multi-bezel timing mechanism


A coffee brewing apparatus wherein the housing supports a thin-walled container for fresh water. The container has an open top and a marginal portion which surrounds the open top and carries a reinforcing frame which supports a closure having one or more pivotable lids serving to expose or close the open top of the container. A downwardly extending portion of the frame can be inserted into or can surround the marginal portion of the container, a horizontal flange-like second portion of the frame serves as a rest for the lid or lids of the closure, and a third portion of the frame integrally connects the first and second portions and surrounds the closure. The third portion of the frame has bearings for one or more pintles connecting the lid or lids of the closure to the frame. The combined thickness of marginal portion of the container and first portion of the frame equals or approximates the thickness of third portion of the frame and/or the thickness of major portion of the container.

The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for making hot beverages, such as chocolate, coffee and tea. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in apparatus of the type wherein an open-top container for temporary storage of a liquid (such as milk or fresh water) is carried by a housing and serves to dispense its contents at a desired rate so that the dispensed liquid can be heated prior to contacting an aromatic substance, for example, tea leaves, comminuted coffee beans or pulverulent chocolate. The invention will be described with reference to a coffee making apparatus but it is to be understood that the invention can be embodied with equal or similar advantage in apparatus for making tea or other hot beverages.
It is known to provide a coffee making apparatus with a hollow housing which serves to confine an electric water heater and many other components of electric circuitry. The housing further serves as a support or includes a container for cold fresh water which is caused to flow through the heating unit to be heated to proper temperature prior to contacting comminuted coffee beans in a filter holder. The latter can be mounted on the housing or is placed on top of a coffee pot which gathers freshly brewed coffee and rests on a heater or warming plate so that the supply of freshly brewed coffee is maintained at an optimum temperature. Coffee brewing apparatus wherein the filter holder is supported by the housing are manufactured by the assignee of the present application in a variety of forms and sizes and include those known as "Coffee Time", "Coffee Aroma", "Euro/Brew Aroma" and "Euro/Brew Signal". The assignee of the present application further produces a variety of apparatus wherein the filter holder is placed directly on top of the coffee pot. Certain apparatus of such character are known as "Brewmaster", "Brewmaster II" and "Brewmaster Jr.".
As a rule, the container of a coffee making apparatus has an open top which can be closed by a pivotable or otherwise movable lid and is exposed prior to refilling the container whenever the supply of liquid in the container is exhausted or nearly exhausted. The container is reinforced in the region of the open top. Such reinforcement forms an integral part of the container and can constitute an outwardly extending portion of the container wall in the region of the open top. The outwardly extending portion resembles a flange which can be disposed at right angles to the adjacent major portion of the container wall or is curved to be provided with a convex upper side. A drawback of such containers is that they are rather expensive, mainly because they must be produced in complex forms. Moreover, an integral reinforcement is satisfactory only if the wall of the container is relatively thick. In other words, the container must be heavy because its wall thickness cannot be reduced at will without unduly weakening the reinforcing flange around its open top.
It was further proposed to install a separately produced closure or lid in a support which is placed on top of the container in a coffee brewing apparatus. The support is separable from the container and the lid is separable from the support.

Device for reinforcing liquid-dispensing containers in apparatus for making hot beverages


A vacuum guide roll apparatus is disclosed for guiding a web between an upstream dryer and a downstream dryer of a dryer section. The apparatus includes a perforate roll shell having a first and a second end. The shell defines an elongate chamber which extends between the first and the second ends. A first and second shaft are rigidly secured to and disposed coaxially relative to the shell. The shafts are disposed adjacent to the first and second ends respectively of the shell. The shafts define respectively a first and second journal. A first and second bearing cooperate with the first and second journals respectively for rotatably supporting the roll shell. A housing is disposed coaxially relative to the shell and adjacent to one of the shafts. The housing defines a passageway which is connected to a source of partial vacuum. A first annular seal is disposed between the housing and the one shaft for sealing the housing relative to the one shaft. A second annular seal is disposed between the housing and the shell for sealing the housing relative to the shell so that when the shell rotates relative to the housing, the passageway is sealingly connected to the elongate chamber such that a partial vacuum is generated within the chamber for urging the web towards the perforate shell.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vacuum guide roll apparatus and method for guiding a web between an upstream dryer and a downstream dryer of a dryer section. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vacuum guide roll in which the vacuum is supplied via a housing rather than through a support journal.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
Although much of the water is removed from a formed web during passage of the web through a press section, further water must be removed from the web in order to provide a paper web having the requisite printing characteristics and the like.
A dryer section typically includes a plurality of heated dryer drums, or dryers, around which the web to be dried is trained. Various dryer section arrangements have been proposed and it has been found desirable to continuously support the web on one or more dryer felts during transit through the dryer section.
More particularly, the TOTAL BELRUN system provides such web support from press section to calendar. TOTAL BELRUN is a registered trademark of Beloit Corporation. The TOTAL BELRUN system includes dryer drums and vacuum guide rolls disposed between adjacent drums such that the web is brought into intimate contact with the external surface of each dryer drum. By the aforementioned arrangement, the greatest thermal transfer between the dryers and the web is obtained. The web supported by a dryer felt extends around a vacuum guide roll such that the dryer felt is sandwiched between the web and the roll. By the application of vacuum to the guide rolls, any tendency for the web to sag relative to the felt during transit around the guide roll is inhibited.
Furthermore, particularly when the guide roll is disposed in close proximity to the adjacent dryers, the tendency for the web to flutter between a dryer and adjacent guide roll is minimized.
Additionally, by the aforementioned arrangement, the web is effectively restrained during transit through the dryer section so that shrinkage of the web is inhibited.
In the prior art arrangements, particularly with dryer arrangements including an open draw or unsupported span of the web between dryers, such tendency to shrink causes cockling of the resultant web.
In order to provide the necessary relatively high vacuum to guide rolls in order to inhibit the aforementioned problem of cockling, various proposals have been set forth as exemplified by co-pending patent application Ser. No. 07/014,569 to Beloit Corporation. U.S. Ser. No. 07/014,569 teaches incorporating vacuum seals in a guide roll and the like.
In order to simplify the aforementioned arrangement while providing the necessary vacuum level, the present invention includes a perforate shell for applying a vacuum along the cross-machine direction of the web.
Although vacuum guide rolls have been known, such vacuum has been achieved by means of passages defined by the support journals, these passages being connected to a source of partial vacuum. However, the provision of channels, or passageways, through the support journals of a guide roll of necessity require the provision of relatively massive journal bearings.
The present invention seeks to overcome the need for such massive bearings by the provision of a stationary housing disposed adjacent to one end of a perforate roll shell. The housing is connected to a source of partial vacuum. The housing is sealed relative to an adjacent rotatable shaft and roll shell so that vacuum can be pulled through the perforate shell via the housing.
Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a vacuum guide roll apparatus that overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and which makes a considerable contribution to the dryer section art.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum guide roll apparatus which includes a housing disposed coaxially relative to a perforate roll shell and adjacent to one support shaft rigidly secured to the shell. The housing is connected to a source of partial vacuum and is sealed relative to the shaft and the roll shell so that air is drawn through the perforate shell and the housing for urging the web towards the roll shell.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum guide roll which includes a first and second shaft disposed respectively adjacent to a first and second end of a roll shell and rigidly secured thereto so that the vacuum guide roll does not include a continuous center shaft.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum guide roll having a housing and a further housing disposed respectively adjacent to a first and second shaft of the roll shell, the arrangement being such that the edges of the web are held against shrinkage thereby preventing cockle and curl of the web.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description contained hereinafter taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings.


A flow lens element is obtained by integrally molding a resin layer on a glass member. A relief portion for preventing the resin material from adhering to an outer circumferential portion of the glass member is provided between the circumferential portion and an optical portion of the glass member.

This invention relates to a lens element consisting of a glass member on which a resin layer is integrally molded, and to a lens barrel in which such a lens element is incorporated.
In the prior art, a method is known in which a thin film comprising a resin material is molded on the surface of a glass member to form a lens element having an aspherical shape, which is difficult to work when the material is glass. The lens element molded by this method generally is referred to as a replica lens.
As shown in FIG. 1, the method of molding a replica lens includes placing a glass element 50, which has been worked into a spherical shape having a curvature approximating an aspherical shape, upon a mold member 52 having a molding surface 52a of a desired aspherical shape, filling a space 54 between a surface 50a of the glass member 50 and the molding surface 52a of the mold member 52 with a liquified resin and allowing the resin to harden, thereby forming a replica lens 55 having the desired aspherical shape.
The glass member 50 used in this molding method has a rim portion 50b for positioning the completed replica lens 55 relative to a lens barrel. In the prior art, the rim portion 50b is obtained by extending, in the circumferential direction, the surface 50a worked into a spherical shape in order to form the resin layer, or by working the circumferential portion of the glass member 50 into the shape of a flange.
In this example of the prior art, however, the resin material may overflow from the space 54 between the surface 50a of the glass member 50 and the molding surface 52a of the mold member 52, adhere to the rim portion 50b in the manner shown in FIG. 1, and solidify in this state. When the replica lens 55 completed in this fashion is mounted in a lens barrel, the replica lens 55 cannot be positioned accurately due to the protruding hardened resin material, and optical performance deteriorates as a result.
Furthermore, in order for the rim portion to be abutted against a positioning portion of the lens barrel to perform the function of positioning the replica lens with respect to the lens barrel, it is required that the rim portion be worked to a high precision. Consequently, in the case where the outer circumferential portion of the glass member 50 is worked to a flange-shaped configuration to form the rim portion, it is necessary that rim portion be worked to have a high precision. Such working of the glass member 50 requires labor and raises the cost of the replica lens.
In a case where the replica lens is incorporated in a lens barrel, the method adopted in the prior art involves fitting the outer circumferential surface of the replica lens into the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel in a lightly press-fitted state, whereby the optic axis of the replica lens is aligned with the optic axis of the lens barrel, and subsequently securing the replica lens in the lens barrel by a counter spring. With this method of incorporating the replica lens, however, the inner peripheral surface of the lens barrel is shaved off by the outer circumferential surface of the replica lens when the replica lens is press fitted into the lens barrel. A problem which arises is that shavings produced attach themselves to the optical portions of the replica lens. Since the replica lens ordinarily is an insulator, the shavings are attracted by static electricity produced on the surface of the lens and therefore readily adhere to the lens.
In order to prevent unnecessary light rays reflected at the inner wall of the lens barrel for impinging upon the replica lens and detracting from the overall optical performance of the lens, the conventional practice is to provide the inner wall of the lens barrel with a light shield in such a manner that light reflected at the inner wall of the lens barrel will not impinge upon the lens element. Consequently, if the lens barrel is made of metal, working the light shield requires labor. In a case where the lens barrel is molded of a resin material, the shape of the mold is complicated. This is a hindrance to a reduction in the cost of the lens.
In the case where a resin layer is molded on the surface of the glass member 50 by the above-described method, the resin material contracts as it hardens. More specifically, before hardening occurs, the resin material is introduced so as to fill the space 54 between the molding surface 52a of the mold member and the surface of the glass member 50. After hardening, the resin contracts so that the volume thereof becomes smaller than the volume of the space 54 defined by the molding surface 52a and the surface of the glass member 50.
The following phenomena occur due to this reduction in the volume of the resin material:
(a) The glass member 50 itself flexes under a pulling force from the contracted resin. PA1 (b) The resin material peels off the surface of the glass member 50. PA1 (c) The resin material peels off the molding surface 52a of the mold member 52.
If the glass member 50 itself flexes as set forth in (a) above, the molded aspherical shape will merely undergo a slight shift from the shaped desired. However, if the resin material peels off the glass member 50 as set forth in (b) above, the result is a fatal defect. Further, in the case where the resin material peels off the molding surface 52a, as in (c) above, the entire resin material does not peel off uniformly but only partially. As a consequence, a difference in the ratio of contraction occurs between the portion of the resin material which has peeled off and the portion still clinging to the molding surface 52a. This causes the surface of the resin to be molded into a shape having a curvature which is discontinuous, with the borderline being the portion of the resin material which has peeled off and the portion still clinging to the molding surface.
With regard to the peeling phenomenon between the glass member 50 and the resin material in (b) and between the molding surface 52a and the resin material in (c), the ratio of peeling varies depending upon the type of resin material and the curing conditions. Accordingly, there are cases in which peeling can be prevented by changing these conditions. However, the ratio of peeling is largely dependent upon the shape to which the resin layer is to be molded, and there are instances where peeling cannot be prevented merely by changing the molding conditions.
A method proposed in the prior art as an expedient for preventing (b) and (c) involves enlarging the outer diameter of the glass member 50 to a size greater than necessary and supporting the glass member 50 at a position as close to its outer circumferential edge as possible, thereby intentionally enlarging the deformation [mentioned in (a) above] of the glass member 50 itself so as to prevent the peeling phenomenon.
However, when the outer diameter of the glass member 50 is enlarged in this manner, the lens barrel in which the glass member is mounted is increased in size and, hence, so is the camera or video camera which uses the lens.


Techniques are disclosed for coding image data adaptively at different levels of downscaling. Such techniques may involve partitioning input data into pixel blocks for coding and performing content analysis on the pixel blocks. The pixel blocks may be input to block coders that operate at different pixel block sizes, which may code the pixel blocks input to them at their respective sizes. Except when a block coder operates at the partitioning size, block coders that operate at different pixel block sizes may perform downscaling of the pixel blocks to match their size with the block coders' respective coding size. A block decoder may invert the coding operations performed by the block coders, decoding coded image data at respective pixel block sizes, then upscaling decoded image data obtained therefrom to a common pixel block size. Image reconstruction may synthesize a resultant image from the decode pixel block data output by the decoders. Quality enhancements may be added by neural network processing systems that have been trained to other segmented images.

The present disclosure relates to coding of image content, for example, in still-image and motion picture image data.
Image coding generally refers to compression of image data to achieve bandwidth compression. Typically, image coding exploits spatial and, in the case of motion picture content, temporal redundancies in data. When redundancies are identified, redundant content may be coded differentially with respect to other, previously-coded content, which achieves compression. Oftentimes, source image data is partitioned into spatial regions, called "pixel blocks" for convenience, and searches for redundancies are performed on a pixel block by pixel block basis.
Still other compression operations may be performed. In one technique, pixel values within pixel blocks may be converted to frequency coefficients by, for example, a discrete cosine transform or a discrete sine transform. These coefficients may undergo quantization and entropy coding. Quantization often incurs data losses that cannot be recovered during inverse quantization operations. In such applications, decoding operations are likely to generate reconstructed image data that resembles source image data with some errors. In many cases, the errors may be perceptible to human viewers as errors, called "artifacts" for convenience.
Coding protocols have been developed to adaptively select the sizes of the pixel blocks that will be coded. Improper selection of pixel block sizes can be disadvantageous and create artifacts that are easily perceived by viewers.

Deep quality enhancement of adaptive downscaled coding for image compression


The invention generally relates to a flat box finisher for applying mud (or mastic or joint compound) over taped joints on walls and ceilings. Usually, paint or wallpaper is then applied over the finished mud. The flat box finisher has no external springs, but has at least one internal support bar which acts as a spring for applying pressure to a corresponding dry wall finishing handle affixed to the flat box finisher. The internal support bar is surrounded by the mud while the device is in use. As a result of having no external spring, the flat box finisher may be reduced in size for smaller jobs or difficult to reach areas of a room. The internal support bar may also eliminate problems with external springs, such as the spring wearing out or becoming damaged during use or storage.

The invention generally relates to a flat box finisher for applying mud (or mastic or joint compound) over taped joints on walls and ceilings. Usually, paint or wallpaper is then applied over the finished mud. The flat box finisher has no external springs, but has at least one internal support bar which acts as a spring for applying pressure to a corresponding dry wall finishing handle affixed to the flat box finisher. The internal support bar is surrounded by the mud while the device is in use. As a result of having no external spring, the flat box finisher may be reduced in size for smaller jobs or difficult to reach areas of a room. The internal support bar may also eliminate problems with external springs, such as the spring wearing out or becoming damaged during use or storage.
Flat box finishers have been around for a long time. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,716 to Castagnetta discloses a tool for applying mastic to drywall, having a flexible trowelling bar for smoothing and shaping the applied mastic. The curvature of the trowelling bar is controlled by the rotation of a cam that is positioned on a rigid support and that is directly coupled to the trowelling bar through a link. Springs are positioned between the rigid support and the trowelling bar to maintain tension on the link during rotation of the cam. The springs exert pressure on the trowelling bar through plungers having rounded feet that maintain consistent contact with the trowelling bar as the curvature of the trowelling bar changes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,039 to Pool discloses a mud box having a bottom surface with an outlet orifice, sides, a cover pivotally attached along one edge, and a handle attached to the cover for positioning the box on a surface and applying extruding pressure to the cover for ejecting material through the orifice. A spring assembly is attached to the box and connected to apply extruding pressure to the cover. A primary lock is coupled to the spring assembly and the box, the primary lock has a locked position in which the spring assembly is prevented from applying extruding pressure to the cover and an unlocked position in which the spring assembly applies extruding pressure to the cover. The primary lock is activated by a wheel assembly which moves it into the locked position when the box and wheel assembly are disengaged from a surface and which moves it into the unlocked position when the wheel assembly and box are engaged with a surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,264 to MacMillan discloses a flat finishing box having attachable/detachable heads each of which have a structural part incorporating a mouth and to which an edge assembly and edge assembly adjustment apparatus are attached. Heads are provided for dispensing mud in each of the three standard swath widths, 7″, 10″ and 12″, so that any swath width can be dispensed from one box by interchanging heads attached to the box. The box cover is one extrusion and the bottom and back are another. The hinged edge of the cover has a cylindrical segment along the edge which fits into a partial cylindrical groove in the back, providing a leak proof hinge. Channels are provided to enhance mud flow from portions of the box beyond the width of the mouth of the head being used to the portion within the mouth width.
However, these existing flat box finishers fail to provide an internal support bar which acts as a spring and allows the top surface area of the flat box finisher to be reduced while still accommodating the surface area of the handle connector portion. Further, these existing flat box finishers fail to provide an internal support bar which acts as a spring therein making the device cost effective and efficient. A need, therefore, exists for an improved flat box finisher which allows a user to easily, cheaply and conveniently apply mud to a limited area around tape while preparing drywall.


This electromotive-vehicular motor control apparatus includes: a motor; a power drive unit; a torque control unit that controls an output torque of the motor; an electric current control unit; a number-of-revolutions detection unit; a target number-of-revolutions setting unit; a number-of-revolutions deviation calculation unit; and a removal unit that outputs a signal of a second number-of-revolutions deviation, in which the torque control unit controls the output torque based on the second number-of-revolutions deviation that has been output from the removal unit.

Conventionally, a control apparatus for correcting a torque command value is known. For example, in order to suppress fluctuations in an output torque of a motor due to a vibration from a mechanical system or the like, the control apparatus calculates an average value of detection values of a number of revolutions of the motor. With the average value as a target value of a number of the revolutions, the control apparatus corrects the torque command according to a difference between the target value and the detection value (for example, see Patent Document 1 below.).
However, as with the control apparatus according to the aforementioned conventional techniques, the target value of the number of the revolutions is an average value of the detection values of the number of the revolutions of the motor, or is an output value obtained by a bass pass filter, which extracts only a frequency component at not more than a predetermined frequency from the detection value of the number of the revolutions of the motor. In this case, the average value and the output value have a temporal delay with respect to the detection value. Therefore, there is a possibility that it is difficult to properly correct the torque command due to the temporal delay.
Especially in a transient state of the number of the revolutions during an acceleration or a deceleration of the motor, if out of the difference between the average value or the output value and the detection value, the component due to the aforementioned temporal delay increases, then there arises a problem of inappropriately an excessive correction amount of the torque command.
Against that such a problem occurs, conventionally, for example, the target value of the number of the revolutions of the motor is calculated based on the number of the revolutions of the drive wheels or non-drive wheels of an electric automobile whose traveling drive source is the motor. A control apparatus of the electric automobile is known that uses this method to prevent the occurrence of the temporal delay with respect to the detection value in the target value of the number of the revolutions of the motor (for example, see Patent Document 2 below.).

Electromotive-vehicular motor control apparatus


Machinable composite molds for use in making a composite structure. The mold includes a mold body having a tool surface that is shaped to provide the molded surface of the composite structure. The mold body is made up of at least one mold layer composed of a quasi-isotropic material composed of a plurality of randomly oriented fiber bundles or chips impregnated with a resin. The use of randomly oriented fiber chips allows post-cure machining of the mold body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods used to mold composite materials to form composite structures. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the molds/tools that are used to form such composite structures.
2. Description of Related Art
Many processes for making composite structures utilize a mold or tool to provide desired surface contours and shapes. The mold is particularly important in autoclave processes where the uncured resin/fiber material is heated in the mold, under vacuum, to relatively high cure temperatures (350° F. and above) to form the final composite part or structure.
Molds made from steel alloys, such as INVAR36, are being presently used because they are extremely strong and can easily withstand the elevated cure temperatures used in autoclaves for composite material curing. These molds are also commonly referred to as "tools" or "tooling". Steel alloy molds can be machined to obtain tight surface profile tolerances. In addition, steel alloy molds can be modified to provide different surface configuration and/or reconditioned by simply machining and polishing the mold surface. A further advantage is that steel alloy molds can be reused many times (in excess of 500 cycles) before they need to be reconditioned. Although steel alloy molds are well suited for their intended purpose, there are a number of drawbacks associated with the use of steel alloy molds. For example, steel alloy molds tend to be heavy and expensive. In addition, the time required to heat and then cool a massive steel alloy mold increases the cycle time during molding of composite structures.
Molds made from composite materials have been developed as an alternative to steel alloy molds. Composite molds have been popular because they are typically lighter and less expensive to make than steel alloy molds. The composite molds are generally formed using a highly accurate master mold that is made from a steel alloy or other suitable material. Examples of prior composite molds are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,280.
Bismaleimide and polyimide resins have been used widely in combination with carbon fibers as the materials of choice for composite molds. Woven carbon fabric that has been hand cut into square pieces is applied to the master mold to form multiple individual layers. The pieces of woven fabric are oriented in the master mold to provide smooth tooling surfaces. Resin can be introduced into the woven fiber pieces in a number of ways. For example, the resin can be added through automated impregnation by the material manufacturer (prepreg). Alternatively, the resin can be introduced into the woven pieces when they are in the master mold. This is accomplished by vacuum infusion or simple hand application of the resin.
In general, a lower aerial weight woven fabric is used as the surface ply and/or surface resin gel coat for the composite mold in order to obtain a pit-free surface. Aerial weights for the surface fabric are usually on the order of 250 grams per square meter (gsm). The use of the low aerial weight woven fabric at the mold surfaces also tends to minimize the transfer or telegraphing of the relatively rough texture of underlying higher aerial weight woven fabrics (around 650 gsm) to the mold surface. The higher aerial weight fabrics are typically used in the body of the mold to build up the laminate bulk/thickness that is needed to achieve desired mold strength.
A problem with composite molds is that they are difficult to machine or repair. In addition, it is difficult to process the mold to obtain tight surface tolerances or accommodate changes in the profile of the mold surface without degradation of vacuum integrity and compromising dimensional stability. This problem arises because machining the surface of the mold exposes the heavier weight woven material and changes the quasi-isotropic characteristics of the laminate. The removal of layers of different weight material also leaves an unbalanced laminate that can distort and affect the dimensional integrity of the mold and compromise vacuum integrity. In addition, the heavier weight materials tend to be porous due to the woven characteristics of the material. When machining into these layers, the porosity affects vacuum integrity and vacuum leaks can develop along the interlaminar shear planes that are formed due to the material being applied to the master mold as layers. Machining of composite molds is further complicated because the resins used in composite molds tend to be brittle.


An amplifier circuitry for an envelope modulator including: a linear amplifier configured to receive an input representing an envelope of a signal to be amplified; a charge storage device coupled to the amplifier for providing an amplified envelope signal for driving a load, the amplifier and charge storage device configured to receive a supply voltage; wherein the amplifier circuitry is configured such that responsive to the voltage of the input envelope signal reaching or exceeding a defined threshold value, an input voltage based on the voltage of the received envelope signal is provided to the amplifier to enable the charge storage device to supply a charge above the supply voltage such that the output voltage of the load driven by the amplifier circuitry is increased above the supply voltage. An envelope modulator incorporates the modulator and a method for amplifying an envelope signal utilizes the modulator.

Envelope modulators often use a linear class AB or a class B amplifier to amplify high frequency AC signal components. Envelope modulators that use such an amplifier to amplify the entire bandwidth of a signal are inherently inefficient. Another type of envelope modulator splits the frequencies of the signals to be operated upon and applies only a higher signal frequency component to a linear amplifier and a low frequency signal component to a switched mode power supply, thereby increasing the efficiency to some degree. However, this configuration has two draw backs. Firstly the frequency response of the modulator is distorted by a null present in the amplitude response and a phase flip in the phase response. These effects degrade the signal fidelity which contributes to the error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR). Secondly, splitting the envelope in the frequency domain requires a large inductor in a combining network, which takes up considerable board space making this architecture unsuitable for integrated circuit integration and expensive. A further type of envelope modulator includes two or more amplifiers cascaded or stacked with power supplies, where the output of one amplifier drives the power supply of the next amplifier in the amplifier stack for providing an amplified output. The presence of multiple amplifiers in this type of envelope modulator requires synchronisation of the amplifiers in gain and in the time domain, which can cause distortion.

Amplifier circuitry for envelope modulators, envelope modulators incorporating said amplifier circuitry and method of modulating a signal envelope