A semiconductor device, wherein contact between bonding wires is prevented, and a method for producing the same are disclosed. A contact prevention member is placed on outer bonding wires so as to be interposed between the outer bonding wires and inner bonding wires, thereby preventing the inner wires and the outer wires from coming into contact with each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a QFP (Quad Flat Package) semiconductor device 100, which is a typical IC package.
The semiconductor device 100 is formed by adhering a semiconductor element 104 into a die pad 102 with an adhesive, and connecting electrodes 108 of the semiconductor element 104 to Ag-plated electrodes 112 of lead frames 110 via wires 114.
The wires 114 are connected to the electrodes 108 of the semiconductor element 104 by ball bonding (first bonding) and to the Ag-plated electrodes 112 of the lead frames 110 by wedge bonding (second bonding).
The semiconductor element 104 and the wires 114 are enclosed in a sealing resin 116 for protection against external stresses and environmental conditions.
The rows of the electrodes 108 are disposed near each edge of the upper surface of the semiconductor element 104. Inner wires 114B, which bond inner electrodes 108B with the Ag-plated electrodes 112, and outer wires 114A, which bond outer electrodes 108A with the Ag-plated electrodes 112, are positioned at different heights.
Therefore, there is a risk that the inner wires 114B and the outer wires 114A may come into contact with each other. If the inner wires 114B and the outer wires 114A come into contact with each other, the semiconductor device may not function whereas signals for the respective electrodes 108 are different.
In view of the aforementioned problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device, wherein a member is placed between bonding wires to prevent the bonding wires from coming into contact with each other, and a method for producing the semiconductor device.
A first aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor element having arranged thereon rows of electrodes connected via bonding wires to electrodes of lead frames, wherein the bonding wires comprise inner bonding wires which connect to electrodes disposed at an inner side of the semiconductor element and outer bonding wires which connects to electrodes disposed at an outer side of the semiconductor element, and a member for preventing contact between the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires is placed on the outer bonding wires so as to be interposed between the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires.
Next, the operation and effects of the semiconductor device according to the first aspect are described.
The semiconductor device is provided with the inner bonding wires which connect to the electrodes disposed at the inner side of the semiconductor element and the outer bonding wires which connect to the electrodes disposed at the outer side of the semiconductor element. If the inner and outer bonding wires come into contact with each other, the semiconductor device will not function.
In the present invention, the contact prevention member is placed on the outer bonding wires so as to be interposed between the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires, thereby preventing the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
Contact between the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires could also be prevented by providing a supporting rod between them. However, if the supporting rod is provided, a structure for fixing the supporting rod is necessary. This increases the number of production steps involved in as well as cost of producing the semiconductor device.
In the semiconductor device of the present invention, a looped contact prevention member is used instead of the supporting rod. The looped contact prevention member is stabilized merely by being placed on the outer bonding wires. Therefore, there is no need for an additional structure for fixing the contact prevention member, and increases in the number of required production steps and in production costs can be avoided.
The required strength of the outer bonding wires could present a problem since they support the contact prevention member placed thereon.
However, by forming the contact prevention member as a loop, the contact prevention member can be supported by all of the outer bonding wires when, for example, the outer bonding wires are connected to each side of the semiconductor element. Therefore, the load applied to each of the outer bonding wires is small. Thus, the required strength of the outer bonding wires can be kept from presenting a problem.
A second aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device wherein the contact prevention member comprises a multiple loop structure and makes contact with each of the bonding wires at two or more points.
Accordingly, this structure effectively prevents the bonding wires from coming into contact with each other even when the lengths thereof are long.
A third aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device wherein the contact prevention member has disposed on surfaces thereof protruding members for preventing mutually adjacent bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
The protruding members formed on the contact prevention member function as guides for the wires and hold the bonding wires in their respective places. Thus, this structure prevents mutually adjacent bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
Particularly, when a semiconductor package is sealed, the bonding wires may be pushed by a sealing resin. However, by providing the protruding members, the bonding wires can be held in their respective positions, thereby preventing mutually adjacent bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor element having arranged thereon rows of electrodes; inner bonding wires for connecting electrodes disposed at an inner side of the semiconductor element and electrodes of lead frames; outer bonding wires for connecting electrodes disposed at an outer side of the semiconductor element and the electrodes of the lead frames; and a member for preventing contact between the bonding wires comprising a loop shaped base placed on the lead frames and a loop shaped supporting portion interposed between the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires, for supporting the inner bonding wires from below to suspend the semiconductor element and for preventing the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the contact prevention member is placed on the lead framed and on the outer bonding wires so as to be interposed between the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires, thereby preventing the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
In a typical semiconductor device, a semiconductor element is disposed on a die pad in order to provide sufficient strength. However, if the die pad is provided, the semiconductor device must be thicker and this leads to an increase in the size of the semiconductor device.
If the size of the semiconductor device is increased, the size of an accommodating device, into which the semiconductor device is incorporated, must also be increased. This, in turn, increases the costs of producing the semiconductor device and the accommodating device.
In the present invention, the contact prevention member comprises the loop shaped base which is placed on the lead frames and the loop shaped supporting portion which support the inner bonding wires from below. Therefore, the semiconductor element is suspended via the inner bonding wires in this structure.
Since the supporting portion can support the weight of the semiconductor element and can also provide reinforcement, the die pad becomes unnecessary, allowing a die pad-less structure. As a result, the thickness of the semiconductor device can be reduced to make it smaller, and production costs thereof can also be reduced.
Further, the device for accommodating the semiconductor device can also be made smaller, and this allows reduction in the cost of producing the accommodating device.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device wherein the supporting portion of the contact prevention member has a multiple loop structure and makes contact with each of the bonding wires at two or more points thereon.
Similarly to the second aspect of the present invention, this structure effectively prevents the bonding wires from coming into contact with each other even when the lengths thereof are long.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device wherein the supporting portion of the contact prevention member comprises protruding members disposed on surfaces thereof for preventing mutually adjacent bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
Similarly to the third aspect of the present invention, this structure prevents mutually adjacent bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a semiconductor device of any of the first to the third aspects, comprising the steps of bonding the electrodes disposed at the outer side of the semiconductor element and the electrodes of the lead frames via the outer bonding wires; placing the contact prevention member on the outer bonding wires; and bonding the electrodes disposed at the inner side of the semiconductor element and the electrodes of the lead frames via the inner bonding wires.
According to the method described above for producing a semiconductor device, placing the contact prevention member on the outer bonding wires prevents the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
Moreover, the contact prevention member can be stabilized merely by being placed on the outer bonding wires and does not require formation of an additional mechanism for fixing it. Therefore, an increase in the number of production steps required to produce the semiconductor device can be avoided, along with the increases in production costs that additional production steps would entail.
An eighth aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a semiconductor device of any of the fourth to the sixth aspects, comprising the steps of placing the semiconductor element and the lead frames directly on a bonding stage; bonding the electrodes disposed at the outer side of the semiconductor element and the electrodes of the lead frames via the outer bonding wires; placing the contact prevention member on the lead frames and the outer bonding wires; and bonding the electrodes disposed at the inner side of the semiconductor element and the electrodes of the lead frames via the inner bonding wires.
According to the method described above for producing a semiconductor device, placing the contact prevention member on the lead frames and on the outer bonding wires prevents the inner bonding wires and the outer bonding wires from coming into contact with each other.
Furthermore, the semiconductor element and the lead frames are placed directly on the bonding stage in the first production step, and there is no need for a die pad. A step for placing the die pad on the bonding stage can therefore be omitted, and the production process can be simplified.
Moreover, the semiconductor device produced according to the production method of the present aspect is thinner than a typical semiconductor device by the thickness of the omitted die pad. Therefore, the size of the semiconductor device, as well as production costs thereof, can be reduced.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor element mounted on a die pad and including a surface having a central area and a peripheral area surrounding the central area; first electrodes disposed at the peripheral area; second electrodes disposed at the central area; first bonding wires for respectively connecting the first electrodes and first lead frames; second bonding wires for respectively connecting the second electrodes and second lead frames; and a loop shaped insulative member placed on the first bonding wires and under the second bonding wires and supported by the first bonding wires.
A tenth aspect of the present invention is a method for producing semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor element including a surface having a central area and a peripheral area surrounding the central area; first electrodes disposed at the peripheral area; second electrodes disposed at the central area; first bonding wires for respectively connecting the first electrodes and first lead frames; second bonding wires for respectively connecting the second electrodes and second lead frames; and a fixing member comprising a loop shaped base placed on the first and the second lead frames and a loop shaped supporting portion connected to the base and placed on the first bonding wires and under the second bonding wires; wherein the semiconductor element is supported by the fixing member and the first and the second lead frames.
An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a semiconductor device having a semiconductor element which includes on a surface thereof a central area and a peripheral area surrounding the central area; first electrodes disposed at the peripheral area; second electrodes disposed at the central area; first lead frames respectively and electrically connected to the first electrodes via first bonding wires; and second lead frames respectively and electrically connected to the second electrodes via second bonding wires; comprising the steps of: fixing the semiconductor element on a die pad; bonding the first electrodes and the first lead frames via the first bonding wires after fixing the semiconductor element; placing and supporting a loop shaped insulative member, which has a perimeter longer than a perimeter of the semiconductor element, on the first bonding wires; and bonding the second electrodes and the second lead frames via the second bonding wires which pass above the insulative member.
A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a semiconductor device having a semiconductor element which includes on a surface thereof a central area and a peripheral area surrounding the central area; first electrodes disposed at the peripheral area; second electrodes disposed at the central area; first lead frames respectively and electrically connected to the first electrodes via first bonding wires; and second lead frames respectively and electrically connected to the second electrodes via second bonding wires; comprising the steps of: placing the semiconductor element and the first and the second lead frames on an upper surface of a bonding stage; bonding the first electrodes and the first lead frames via the first bonding wires; placing a fixing member which comprises a loop shaped base having a perimeter reaching the first and the second lead frames, and a loop shaped supporting portion connected to the base and having a perimeter which is shorter than that of the base and longer than that of the semiconductor element, such that the base is placed on the first lead frames and the supporting portion is placed on the first bonding wires, and supporting the fixing member with the first lead frames and the first bonding wires; and bonding the second electrodes and the second lead frames via the second bonding wires which pass above the fixing member.

Semiconductor device and method for producing the same


In a roller bearing cage which holds the set of rollers in the raceway of aninner ring to form a structural unit, the lateral rings are interrupted by slots. Webs extend between the lateral rings. In this way, the cage gives way radially, which makes it possible to push the rollers over one of the flanges of the inner ring to assemble the bearing. To stabilize the cage during operation, projections are provided on the webs, which, as needed, contact the raceway of the outer ring and secure the radial position of the webs.

In the roller bearing art, it is commonplace that the inner ring, the set of rollers and the cage often form an integral structural unit to facilitate assembly and transport where the parts are formed in such a manner that they do not disassemble. Thus, the inner ring is provided with flanges and the cage serves to retain the rollers in the radial direction. When the rollers cannot be inserted radially from the outside into the pockets as is the case, for example, in an arrangement where the cage is located outside the pitch circle of the set of rollers, the structural unit can no longer be assembled. In this instance, the pockets are smaller than the longitudinal profile of the rollers. However, in spite of this structural configuration, it may be possible to insert the rollers over the flange of the inner ring provided the flange is the proper height so that the cage can yield at least at some appropriate point.
A cage meeting the above identified description which functions in the manner described is known from British Patent No. 1,604,570. In accordance with one of the embodiments shown in this British Patent, one of the lateral rings, is interrupted by slots in the area of every other pocket. The sections so formed can therefore be spread radially apart via the webs and consequently the set of roller can escape radially on the side of the cage in question when they are pushed over the flange of the inner ring. It has been observed, however, that a roller bearing assembled in this way is at considerable risk because of the lack of stability of the cage resulting from the slotted radial ring. This is particularly true for sheet metal cages made of relatively thin material or plastic cages wherein the webs yield in the outward radial direction under the load of the rollers and thus lose their separating function.


A window covering with improved controls enhances several aspects of window covering operation. A control mechanism provides a clutch module for selective locking and unlocking of a drive shaft used to retract and extend the shade element between storage and extended positions. The clutch module includes a reciprocator element that engages a key extending from an outer surrounding housing. A locking member between the reciprocator element and a coupling element carried by the drive shaft selectively locks and unlocks rotational coupling between the reciprocator element and the coupling element, thus selectively locking and unlocking the drive shaft. In a cushioning mechanism, a unidirectional dampening or frictional deceleration is provided for the drive shaft. The cushioning mechanism includes an impeller or rotor immersed in a cushion medium that impedes rotation of the rotor, and hence the drive shaft to which the rotor is coupled. A combination of the clutch module and cushioning mechanism is also disclosed as are window coverings containing one or more of the control mechanisms.

Window coverings come in a variety of styles and sizes. Examples of such window coverings may include Roman shades, Venetian blinds and cellular shades. One feature common to many window coverings is the ability of the shade element to be deployed in a number of different operating positions either fully or partly covering a window opening. In the case of the listed window coverings, the shade elements are typically suspended by way of cords from a head rail and are retracted by winding the cords on a winding drum or roller, which may be mounted on a drive axle. Winding of the cords is accomplished by causing the cords to be wound on the winding drum or roller, and thereby raising the shade element. More particularly, the suspension cords are connected to a bottom rail or bottom member, and raising of the bottom member raises the shade element. The shade element is deployed by rotating the roller in an opposite direction so as to unwind increasing amounts of the shade element with each counter rotation. A control mechanism is typically provided to control operation of the window covering.
For a variety of reasons, including safety concerns and aesthetics, efforts have been expended to eliminate the use of operating cords and wands. The Assignee of the present invention has contributed significant improvements in providing control mechanisms which do not require the use of external operating cords and wands. These and other features are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,785 entitled "self-raising window covering" that issued Dec. 1, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. Despite advances in the art of so-called cordless control mechanisms, there is a need to improve operation of a window covering at intermediate positions that is compatible for use with self-raising window coverings.
In the case of a self-raising window covering, a drive unit, such a spring motor, may be operatively connected to the drive axle. Typically, a coil spring is charged either initially, prior to operation, or as the shade element is pulled free of the roller causing the roller to rotate in a counter direction. A problem often encountered with self-raising window coverings, however, relates to the controlled operation of the vertical position of the window covering. In some instances, the force exerted by the spring motor on the winding drum may not be properly balanced with the suspended weight of the shade element. Such imbalances may result in unintended drift, either upwards or downwards, of the window shade element.
Attempts to address these problems have included the incorporation of a clutch member or locking member. One example is found in the assignees co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/584,229, which is incorporated herein by reference. As a window covering is raised, the amount of shade element being raised increases. For example, in a Venetian blind, as the slats are stacked on a bottom rail during raising, the overall weight being lifted increases. Because of this, the spring motor must provide sufficient force to raise increasing amounts of weight, and often requires a relatively strong spring motor. This spring motor may tend to exert excessive stress on the clutch of locking member, thereby causing undue wear or unintended slippage.


a wager administration system comprises a primary wagering facility operable by a player to place an initial wager on a desired primary individual number in a turn of the game of roulette, and a secondary wagering facility instructable by the player to place an additional wager on an individual number adjacent the primary individual number on a layout of a roulette wheel. The secondary wagering facility is also instructable by the player to place additional wagers on each on of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 or 16 individual numbers, selectively, located closest to the primary individual number and circumferentially to one side of thereof on a layout of a roulette wheel. The secondary wagering facility is still further instructable by the player to place additional wagers on each one of a pair of individual numbers adjacent the primary individual number and on both sides thereof on a layout of a roulette wheel, or to place additional wagers on each of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 or 16 pairs of individual numbers, selectively, located closest to the primary individual number and circumferentially on both sides thereof on a layout of a roulette wheel. Each additional wager is the same size as the initial wager.

One of the most well known and widely played casino games is that of roulette, which is played at most land-based and on-line casinos.
At the simplest level, in a conventional game of roulette, a player may place a wager associated with any one or more of 37 locations on a playing surface. The locations on the playing surface are laid out in a standard configuration, which is well known in the art and requires no further elaboration. A number in the range 0 to 36 uniquely identifies each location on the playing surface, and each location has a corresponding colour that is red, black or green. The outcome of the game is determined by a spin of a ball against a rotating roulette wheel having 37 pockets in which the ball may come to rest, each pocket being uniquely identified by a number in the range 0 to 36, respectively. This version of the game is known in the art as "European" roulette. The pockets are arranged circumferentially on the roulette wheel in a standard configuration.
A variant of the game of roulette is the so-called "American" roulette and is one in which the playing surface has 38 locations and the roulette wheel has 38 pockets, each location and pocket being identified uniquely by a number in the range 0 to 36, as well as the "number" 00.
In the description that follows, the invention will be described with particular reference to the European version of the roulette game. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the invention is also applicable to the American version of the game.
If the ball comes to rest in a pocket corresponding to a location on the playing surface on which the player has placed a wager, the player is paid an amount of 35 times the amount of the wager. The player forfeits all other wagers of this type on the playing surface to an operator of the roulette game.
Additional types of wagers are allowed on the playing surface, such as a wager on any two, three, four or six adjacent locations thereon, a wager on any one of locations 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36, a wager on any one of the numbers in any column arrangement on the playing surface, a wager on any even or any odd number, a wager on any red location or any black location, or a wager on any one of locations 1 to 18, or 19 to 36. The payout on successful wagers of these types is determined to give an appropriate advantage to the operator of the roulette game.
In the light of the large number and variety of different types of wagers that are possible in the game of roulette, it is customary for a player to place numerous different wagers on a turn of the game of roulette. After the outcome of the spin of the roulette wheel is known, each one of the different wagers must be individually evaluated and paid, if successful. This can be tedious, particularly when the game is played in a land-based casino.
An even greater problem is the time required by a player to place a large number of different wagers on the playing surface prior to a spin of the roulette wheel, an activity which can be laborious and can cause the player's interest in the game to wane rapidly. The problem is exacerbated for players who place multiple wagers on the playing surface according to a system, or in a set pattern, prior to each spin of the roulette wheel, or as a function of the outcome of previous wagers, which can be tedious.

Wager administration system and method of operation thereof


In an insertion and engagement operation of a coil spring into the high tension terminal, the insertion end portion of the coil spring is inclined so that the projection portions may be located at upper and lower positions, and the outer diameter of the projection portions is approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the coil spring. The engagement portion of the high tension terminal includes an engagement hole, so that it can be visually confirmed that the insertion terminal portion of the coil spring has been engaged, the insertion end portion of the coil spring having been inclined in advance.

The present invention generally relates to a high tension terminal in an engine ignition apparatus to be directly connected with an ignition plug of an engine, and more particularly, to improvements in the engagement construction of the coil springs to be inserted into the interior of the high tension terminal.
Conventionally, an ignition apparatus of the engine is provided wherein a high tension terminal 2 is located within the high tension power source 1. Conductive coil springs 5 for or electrically connecting the high tension terminal 2 with the top terminal 4 of the ignition plug 3 are inserted into the interior of the high tension terminal 2, as disclosed within Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 3-47475.
The above described coil springs are required to engage the insertion end portion 5a with the high tension terminal 2 to an extent so that the coil springs may not naturally drop. As shown in detail in FIG. 18 (A), an annular engagement concave groove 2a is provided on the peripheral face of the cylindrical portion of the high tension terminal 2, and also, the outer diameter d1 of the insertion end portion 5a of the coil spring 5 is made larger in diameter (d1>d2) than the outer diameter d2 of the coil spring 5. The insertion end portion 5a is inserted into the interior of the high pressure terminal 2 while the insertion end portion 5a is being contracted in diameter by the rotation in a reverse direction to the winding direction so that the insertion end portion 5a is adapted to be engaged with the engagement concave groove 2a. It was difficult to insert the insertion end portion 5a of a larger diameter than the coil spring 5 into the interior of the high tension terminal 2 so that the inserting operation was inferior. Also, it could not be visually recognized that the insertion end portion 5a of the coil spring 5 was engaged into the engagement concave groove 2a of the high tension terminal 2.
As shown in FIG. 18 (B), there is also a method of inserting the coil spring 5 into the interior of the high tension terminal with the inserting end portion 5a of the coil spring 5 being made the same diameter as the outer diameter d2 of the coil spring 2, thereafter drawing out, or inwardly projecting one portion of the outer peripheral wall of the high tension terminal 2, and engaging the insertion end portion 5a with the drawn out portions 2b, 2b.
When the insertion end portion 5a is engaged with the above described drawn out portions 2b, 2b, it is necessary to effect a drawing out working operation at another step after the insertion of the coil spring 5. When the bending of the inner portion side of the drawn out portion is small, and inconsistencies exist in the vertical direction of the spring, springs are often invisible through the gaps of the drawn out portion, with a problem that the spring engagement is hard to visually confirm from the outside.

Coil spring engagement construction of a high tension terminal in an engine ignition apparatus


Methods are described for measuring the amount of a vitamin B2 in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying vitamin B2 in a sample utilizing on-line extraction methods coupled with tandem mass spectrometric techniques.

The following description of the background of the invention is provided simply as an aid in understanding the invention and is not admitted to describe or constitute prior art to the invention.
Vitamin B2 (also known as riboflavin) is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins. It is the central component of the cofactors flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), and is therefore required by all flavoproteins. As such, vitamin B2 is required for a wide variety of cellular processes. Like the other B vitamins, it plays a key role in energy metabolism, and is required for the metabolism of fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates, and proteins. Vitamin B2 is also required for the health of the mucus membranes in the digestive tract and helps with the absorption of iron and Vitamin B6.
Riboflavin is continuously excreted in the urine of healthy individuals, making deficiency relatively common when dietary intake is insufficient. However, a deficiency of riboflavin may also be due to secondary causes, i.e., the result of conditions that affect absorption in the intestine, the body's inability to use vitamin B2, or an increase in the excretion of vitamin B2 from the body.
In humans, signs and symptoms of riboflavin deficiency (ariboflavinosis) include cracked and red lips, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, mouth ulcers, cracks at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis), and sore throat. A deficiency may also cause dry and scaling skin, fluid in the mucous membranes, and iron-deficiency anemia. The eyes may also become bloodshot, itchy, watery and sensitive to bright light.
Riboflavin deficiency is classically associated with the oral-ocular-genital syndrome. Angular cheilitis, photophobia, and scrotal dermatitis are the classic remembered signs.
Methods have been reported for extracting vitamin B from food/drink samples or dietary supplements. See, e.g., Leporati, A., et al., Analytica Chimica Acta 2004, 531:87-95; Zougagh M, et al., Electrophoresis 2008, 29:3213-9; Chen, P., et al., Anal Bioanal Chem 2007, 387:2441-8; Aranda, et al., J. Chromatrogr. A 2006, 1131:253-60; Gentili, et al., Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2008, 22:2029-43; and Grant, D., et al., Anal Bioanal Chem 2008, 391:2811-2818. Additionally, various mass spectrometric techniques for measuring vitamin B2 in a sample have been reported. See, e.g., Leporati, A., et al., Analytica Chimica Acta 2004, 531:87-95; Guo, et al., J. Chromatographic Science 2006, 44:552-6; Midttun, Ø., et al., Clin. Chem. 2005, 51:1206-16; Chen, P., et al., Anal Bioanal Chem 2007, 387:2441-8; and Grant, D., et al., Anal Bioanal Chem 2008, 391:2811-2818.

Vitamin B2 detection by mass spectrometry


A press installation that has working stages with a press frame having press supports, a press bed, a headpiece, and turnbuckles which rigidly connect the press supports, the press bed, and the headpiece with one another. The press installation has a slide for forming that extends along a plurality of the working stages, a transfer device that transfers workpieces between the working stages, and driving devices that drive the slide and the transfer device. Connecting rods link the slide without pressure points and therefore directly in four linking points. The centers of the two linking points respectively of one side of the slide and of two turnbuckles situated opposite one another in the press frame are arranged on a common line which is aligned horizontally and vertically with respect to a press passage. The slide is an outer slide, while inner slides are provided in the working stages, these inner slides being vertically slidably disposed via guides. At least one overload safety device is respectively arranged between each of the inner slides and the outer slide, the overload safety device including a pressure space in a pressure cylinder and a piston. The pressure space is prestressed for operation of the press installation while admitting pressure via pressure lines to the piston and thereby to the inner slide in a vertically downward direction.

The present invention relates to a press installation that has working stages with a press frame having press supports, a press bed, a headpiece, and turnbuckles which rigidly connect the press supports, the press bed, and the headpiece with one another. The press installation has a slide for forming that extends along a plurality of the working stages, a transfer device that transfers workpieces between the working stages, and driving devices that drive the slide and the transfer device.
In such a press installation, the working of sheet metal parts (workpieces) takes place in several working steps. The necessity for reducing investment and operating costs has resulted in a combining of working steps carried out on individual presses in press trains by using compact, multistage multiframe presses.
The previous development direction of such press installations is shown in FIGS. 1A to 1F of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,665.
An object of the present invention is to significantly lower the investment and operating costs of such press installations. This goal can be achieved by the reduction of the number of component parts and by the taking-over (integrating) of several functions into remaining components, as in the present invention.
This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which provides a press installation that has working stages with a press frame having press supports, a press bed, a headpiece, and turnbuckles which rigidly connect the press supports, the press bed, and the headpiece with one another. The press installation has a slide for forming that extends along a plurality of the working stages, a transfer device that transfers workpieces between the working stages, and driving devices that drive the slide and the transfer device. Connecting rods link the slide without pressure points and therefore directly in four linking points. The centers of the two linking points respectively of one side of the slide and of two turnbuckles situated opposite one another in the press frame are arranged on a common line which is aligned horizontally and vertically with respect to a press passage. The slide is an outer slide, while inner slides are provided in the working stages, these inner slides being vertically slidably disposed via guides. At least one overload safety device is respectively arranged between each of the inner slides and the outer slide, the overload safety device including a pressure space in a pressure cylinder and a piston. The pressure space is prestressed for operation of the press installation while admitting pressure via pressure lines to the piston and thereby to the inner slide in a vertically downward direction.
One of the advantages of the present invention is the provision of a compact, short press installation while intermediate depositing areas are eliminated and the press driving elements are reduced.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Press installation with slides connected at linking points by connecting rods to a press frame


An intermediary device, which behaves as a proxy for two entities after the entities have established a connection between themselves, is disclosed, as is a method that may be performed by such a device. The intermediary device can inspect a complete message, whose parts may be spread among multiple separate packets, without engaging in handshake phases with the message's origin or destination. As a first entity negotiates connection parameters with a second entity, the intermediary device stores the connection parameters as the parameters flow through the intermediary device. After the two entities have established an original connection, the intermediary device uses the intercepted parameters to form two separate connections in the place of the original connection: one between the intermediary device and the first entity, and another between the intermediary device and the second entity. To the entities, the newly formed connections appear to be same as the original connection.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
It is commonplace nowadays for two entities, such as a client application and a server application, to communicate with each other via a network or combination of networks such as the Internet. Often, the entities communicate with each other via one or more intermediary devices such as routers. The entities may communicate by sending data packets towards each other through one or more intervening networks. Routers, which are positioned between the entities, may intercept the data packets and forward the data packets towards the data packets' destinations. The entities typically remain unaware of the path taken by data packets through intervening networks and intermediary devices.
Two entities communicating with each other through one or more intervening networks typically do so using a suite of protocols. For example, the entities may use the Internet Protocol (IP), Transport Control Protocol (TCP), and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) in combination to communicate with each other. Some of these protocols are connection-oriented. Connection-oriented protocols typically require connection-related parameters to be negotiated between entities to the connection before the connection is "opened." Data can be sent through the connection only after these parameters have been negotiated and the connection has been opened.
Parameter negotiation is often achieved through a "handshake" phase of a protocol. A handshake phase usually requires a significant amount of communication between the entities. When encryption is involved, a handshake phase also may require a significant amount of processing by the entities. Due to this communication and processing overhead, the transmission of substantive content between the entities may be delayed significantly.
Intermediary devices sometimes include devices that take a relatively active role in the communications between two entities. For example, instead of merely forwarding intercepted data packets toward the data packets' destination, an intermediary device such as a firewall device might perform operations that require the accumulation of multiple data packets at the intermediary device prior to the sending of any of those data packets toward the destination. Due to some TCP characteristics, which are provided to enable TCP packet senders to verify that their TCP packets reach intended destinations, accumulating TCP packets at an intermediary device is more complicated than it might initially seem.
According to TCP, whenever a receiving entity receives a TCP packet, the receiving entity is supposed to respond to the sending entity, from which the TCP packet originated, with an acknowledgement that identifies the TCP packet. If the sending entity receives the acknowledgement, then the sending entity can rest assured that the receiving entity actually received the corresponding TCP packet. Alternatively, if the sending entity does not receive the acknowledgement within a reasonable period of time, then the sending entity may assume that the receiving entity did not receive the corresponding TCP packet, and the sending entity may re-send the corresponding TCP packet.
Under some circumstances, the sending entity will not send additional TCP packets until the sending entity has received acknowledgements for TCP packets that the sending entity has already sent. If a firewall device has been intercepting and accumulating TCP packets instead of forwarding the TCP packets to the intended receiving entity, then the intended receiving entity will not have been returning any acknowledgements to the sending entity. Due to the missing acknowledgments, the sending entity may re-send TCP packets that the firewall device has already accumulated instead of sending additional TCP packets that the firewall device needs to accumulate in order to determine whether to forward any of the accumulated TCP packets toward the intended receiving entity. The sending entity and the firewall device each end up waiting for the other to perform an action that the other will never perform.
This situation could be avoided by allowing the firewall device to behave as a "proxy" device. As a proxy device, the firewall device would send acknowledgements to the sending entity for each TCP packet that the firewall device received. The sending entity would receive the acknowledgements and continue to send TCP packets toward the firewall device. However, this would also necessitate the shifting, from the sending entity to the firewall device, of the burden of ensuring that the TCP packets reached the intended receiving entity; having received an acknowledgement for a particular TCP packet, the sending device will not re-send the particular TCP packet thereafter, even if the particular TCP packet never actually reaches the intended receiving entity. Thus, as a proxy device, the firewall device would need to receive acknowledgements from the receiving entity, and re-send any TCP packet for which no acknowledgement was received within a reasonable period of time.
To enable the firewall device to behave as a proxy device in this manner, two separate TCP connections need to be established: one between the sending entity and the proxy device, and another between the proxy device and the receiving entity. As is discussed above, establishing a TCP connection between two entities involves a time-consuming handshake phase. Thus, to enable the firewall device to behave as a proxy device, the sending entity engages in a first handshake phase with the firewall device, and then the firewall device engages in a second handshake phase with the receiving device. Because the negotiation of the second handshake phase depends on the negotiation of the first handshake phase, the two handshake phases cannot be performed concurrently. Until both handshake phases have been completed, TCP packets cannot flow between the sending entity and the receiving entity. The communication delay (latency) resulting from having to wait for two separate handshake phases to complete is both significant and undesirable.
This is not the only detrimental effect that may occur as a result of the proxy scheme discussed above. As is discussed above, a TCP connection between a sending entity and a proxy device may be opened before the proxy device attempts to open a TCP connection with the intended receiving entity. However, the receiving entity might not be available; the receiving entity might not respond to the proxy device's attempts to open a TCP connection with the receiving entity. Nevertheless, because the sending entity already successfully established a TCP connection between the sending entity and the proxy device, the sending entity may be left with the mistaken impression that a complete communication path to the receiving entity is available, when, in reality, the path ends at the proxy device. If the sending entity proceeds under this mistaken impression, the outcome may be unexpected and undesirable.
A connection technique that allows an intermediary device to accumulate multiple separate TCP packets before sending the TCP packets toward a destination, and that additionally avoids the delays produced as a result of a series of handshake phases, is needed.

Delayed network protocol proxy for packet inspection in a network


A camera, together with a light source, is pointed by means of a mirror system at a projection surface which lies on the apparatus or adjacent to it. Transmitted light pictures, such as slides, can be placed in front of the light source, the said pictures thus being reproduced on the projection surface and being recorded from there. Instead of such projected images, it is possible to illuminate and record articles. Connecting two pieces of apparatus with one another, each apparatus having a monitor, provides a universal video telephone.

The term "pictures or images" is understood as meaning both pictures in the conventional sense, such as photographs, slides, drawings, etc., and other information records, such as pages of text, written items, etc., as well as living or dead objects.
Such known pieces of apparatus usually have a housing, a video camera with a lens, and a light source, which are generally fixed, in the form of a plurality of lamps, to flexible supports and serve for illuminating the picture or object; in a known apparatus, a mirror is located before the video camera in order to deflect the beam into the video camera. Consequently, the camera may point upwards, and a smaller height is possible. A light source in the sense of the invention produces predominantly visible light.
Thus, in the known pieces of apparatus, pictures are recorded by a video camera and are then reproduced on a screen or recorded or otherwise further processed in a known manner.
The disadvantage is that the known pieces of apparatus have only poor image definition. Furthermore, the illumination is generally very difficult to adjust so that there is frequently reflection on the pictures or the occurrence of shadows, which interferes with reproduction. In addition, heating of the lamps leads to disadvantages with regard to operation; contact with the lamps may cause burns. It is difficult to point the video camera at a desired point in the picture and to reduce or enlarge the latter, so that, in various known pieces of apparatus, orientation aids, such as light beams or the like, have to be projected onto the picture to permit orientation, for example on maps, and the lamps constantly have to be readjusted to achieve uniform illumination. This means additional expense and is not user-friendly.

Apparatus and method for converting pictures or images into video signals


The invention relates to palladium(0) tris{tri-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-phosphine} complex of formula (I), as well as to its preparation and use.

The gross process of cross coupling reactions can be described as
wherein    R and R′ represent organic groups to be coupled with a C—C bond,    M is the metal component of the catalyst complex,    L represents the ligands present in the catalyst complex,    n is the number of ligands present,    X is a leaving atom or group (e.g. Cl, Br, I, triflate, mesylate, tosylate), and    M′ is a metal or metal-containing group corresponding to the type of the cross coupling reaction concerned (e.g. this metal component is boron for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, copper for Sonogashira coupling, magnesium for Kharash coupling, silicon for Hiyama coupling, tin for Stille coupling, zinc for Negishi coupling, etc.).
The general mechanism of cross coupling reactions is shown below.

However, from the aspects of practical utilization these methods have some disadvantages, which are particularly pronounced in the field of pharmaceutical industry. One of them is that rather high amounts of catalyst (1-5 mol % related to the substrate) are required, furthermore metal impurities originating from the catalyst can be removed from the end product generally only by tedious and expensive operations. This latter is particularly valid for palladium catalysts, which, in addition, are highly liable to decomposition. As an example, when palladium(0)-tetrakis(tri-phenyl-phosphine) of formula (II),
which is still an industrially frequently used catalyst, is stored in air at room temperature, a considerable amount of palladium black separates within a short time, thus it is advisable to store it in a refrigerator under argon atmosphere. Although cross coupling reactions utilizing the catalyst of formula (II) are performed under inert atmosphere, separation of palladium black is still common, which causes not only a considerable loss in catalyst, but tedious time-consuming and expensive purification steps should also be introduced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Palladium catalyst, method for its preparation and its use

Abstract: This compound is outstandingly stable, and can be used as catalyst with excellent results.

CHINOIN GYOGYSZER-ES VEGYESZETI TER-MEREK GYARA ZRT


One aspect of the invention is a Fabry-Perot cavity which has in part a waveguiding portion and in part a nonwaveguiding portion. In this manner, a cavity is constructed whose length would be too short to manipulate effectively if it were comprises exclusively of a waveguiding portion, and whose length might have unacceptable diffraction losses if it were comprised exclusively of a nonwaveguiding portion. In the inventive device the resonant wavelength can be adjusted by varying the length of either the gap or the waveguide or both. The device can be advantageously constructed and aligned using fiber coupling technology.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention involves Fabry-Perot cavities, and optical communication systems which include such cavities.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The economic advantages, envisioned years ago, of transmitting information in the form of optical signals have now been realized in commercial systems. Accordingly, designs for future optical communication systems go beyond the simple transmission of information on an optical carrier, and include the processing of signals while still in optical form. Current optical transmission systems must convert the optical signal to an electronic one before processing can take place. Such processing involves standard electronic devices. In the next generation of optical communication systems the optical signal itself often will be processed without conversion to an electronic signal. Such optical processing will require optical devices which are analogous to the electronic devices used for processing electronic signals, e.g., amplifiers, modulators, filters, etc. One aspect of this invention relates to a new type of Fabry Perot cavity which can be used to process optical signals and to a frequency shift key (FSK) modulation transmission system which uses a Fabry Perot cavity located at a receiver in combination with a laser such as a single electrode distributed feedback semiconductor laser diode.
The Fabry-Perot cavity was invented in the late 19th century. Its operation is well understood and discussed in most of the classic texts. See, for example, Born & Wolf, Principles of Optics, MacMillan, 1959, pages 378 et seq. An exemplary Fabry-Perot comprises a region bounded by two plane, parallel mirrors. The structure, as an entity, transmits only certain wavelengths, for which the cavity is said to be in "resonance"--a condition obtained by appropriately adjusting the cavity parameters. At resonance the cavity transmits a series of equally spaced wavelengths. The spacing between these wavelengths, called the "free spectral range" of the cavity (FSR), is a function of, among other parameters, the spacing between the mirrors.
The use of Fabry-Perot cavities to process optical signals, for example as filters, is well known. However, the application of such devices to the processing of optical signals in commercial communication systems has been hampered by, among other constraints, the lack of practical designs which had the proper characteristics, such as appropriate values of free spectral range. Nevertheless designs have been suggested that more closely meet the needs of a commercial system. For example, in Electronics Letters, Vol. 21, pp. 504-505 (May 12, 1985), J. Stone discussed a Fabry-Perot design in which the cavity was an optical fiber waveguide with mirrored ends. The free spectral range of the resulting cavity is determined by the length of the fiber segment, and accordingly different free spectral ranges can be obtained by using fibers of different lengths. The cavity can be "tuned" over one free spectral range by changing the cavity optical length by one-half the wavelength value of the light entering the cavity. In this way the cavity can be "tuned" to resonate at, and therefore transmit, light of different wavelength values. To obtain such tuning, the cavity length can be changed by means of an exemplary piezoelectric element attached to the fiber, which, when activated, will stretch the fiber and increase the associated cavity optical length accordingly.
Among the advantages of this "fiber Fabry-Perot" is the fact that the fiber is a waveguide. This eliminates deleterious diffraction effects present in long Fabry-Perot cavities which are not waveguides. The elimination of the deleterious diffraction effects is associated with the guiding characteristics of the fiber. However, the difficulty of working with small lengths of optical fiber precludes large values of free spectral range when using fiber Fabry-Perots, and consequently limits the usefulness of the fiber Fabry-Perot design.
Large free spectral ranges can be obtained using "gap" Fabry-Perots in which the cavity is a small gap. However, because of diffraction losses longer gap cavities are less practical, and therefore the gap Fabry-Perot is not adequate for applications which require the smaller free spectral ranges otherwise associated with larger gaps. Other techniques are known to minimize diffraction losses in large gap cavities, such as the use of expanded beams. However, those techniques involve other limitations which the practitioner may desire to avoid.
It is clear that while fiber Fabry-Perots can be used where short free spectral ranges are required, and gap Fabry-Perots can be used where large free spectral range Fabry-Perots are required, there is no effective design to answer the need for mid-range Fabry-Perots.
Another aspect of this invention relates to a frequency shift key (FSK) modulation transmission system which uses a single electrode distributed feedback semiconductor laser diode in combination with a Fabry-Perot cavity located at a receiver.
Optical communications systems are currently of commercial importance because of their ability to carry large amounts of information. Optical communication systems normally have a light source optically coupled to a photodetector via an optical fiber. Systems presently in use carry information at rates which are in excess of 100 Mbit/sec and, it is believed that future systems will carry information at very much higher rates.
For the higher transmission rates and greater distances between the light source and the photodetector, the light source currently preferred by those skilled in the art is a semiconductor laser diode. These diodes are relatively compact and can emit radiation with a relatively narrow spectral width in the wavelength regions presently of greatest interest. Diodes can now be fabricated having both single transverse and single longitudinal mode output. Such diodes are commonly referred to as single frequency lasers. These diodes are desirable in many applications because they, for example, maximize light coupled into the fiber and, at the same time, minimize the deleterious aspects of the fiber chromatic dispersion. Chromatic dispersion may broaden the light pulse which results in limiting the attainable bit rate and distance between the source and the photodetector. If either the bit rate or the distance between the source and the photodetector becomes too great, adjacent light pulses will overlap as a result of fiber dispersion and information will be lost. Normally, to avoid a loss of information due to dispersion, one or more regenerators will be inserted in the fiber between the source and the photodetector. The regenerator reconstructs the broadened, stretched-out light pulse into a more clearly defined light pulse.
Although a variety of modulation techniques are available, present systems normally use intensity modulation of the laser output to convey information. That is, information is conveyed by variation in the intensity of the light output from the laser. This system is normally referred to as Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) System.
However, other modulation techniques offer specific advantages over intensity or amplitude shift keyed modulation. For example, higher transmission rates are possible with frequency modulation than are possible with intensity modulation for at least two reasons. First, the combination of the inherent frequency modulation or intensity modulation response with RC parasitics results in a more efficient high frequency response with frequency modulation than with intensity modulation. Second, the roll-off in response above resonance is slower for frequency modulation than for intensity modulation.
Moreover, direct intensity modulation of a semiconductor laser becomes increasingly difficult as the bit rate increases. Direct intensity modulation means that the intensity of the light output is varied by varying the current through the laser. This type of modulation has at least three problems which become significant at high bit rates. First, current modulation sufficient for intensity modulation causes large changes of the semiconductor laser diode wavelength which broadens the spectral width of the emitted radiation. This effect is commonly termed chirp and can be as large as, for example, five Angstroms. Chirp is often undesirable during intensity modulation because of the dispersive properties of the fiber. Second, intensity modulation of a laser requires a large amount of current, typically more than 60 mA which must be rapidly switched on and off. This switching becomes more difficult as the bit rate increases. Third, unless special precautions are taken, many single frequency lasers cannot be fully intensity modulated because of laser mode hopping--the laser output shifts from one longitudinal mode to another. This is commonly referred to as the "extinction ratio penalty".
Because of these reasons, alternatives to direct intensity modulation have been considered. One alternative commonly contemplated is the use of an external modulator positioned adjacent to the laser which might be, for example, an integrated optic modulator. The laser emits radiation continuously and the desired intensity modulation is supplied by signals to the modulator which vary light absorption within the modulator. Potentials normally greater than ten volts are often required for efficient operation of external modulators currently contemplated for use at high frequencies. The voltages required generally increase as the frequency increases. Additionally, there is the problem of obtaining simple, efficient, high speed modulators. There is also the additional problem of signal loss which results from the coupling between the laser and modulator as well as between the modulator and the optical fiber.
Another approach uses coherent optical techniques which require frequency locking two oscillators separated by an intermediate frequency (IF). While high sensitivity is obtained, locking the oscillators together can be difficult as they may be at diverse locations which can be as far as 100 km apart. In addition, processing of the IF signal adds complexity to the receiver.

Optical communication systems using Fabry-Perot cavities


An airtight mechanism of a mold-holding unit for forming a vacuum environment around a held mold, including: a base section; an elongated support section, one end of the support section being vertically fixedly connected with the base section; a top section bridged between the other end of the support section above the base section and in alignment therewith, a mold-holding space being defined between the top section and the base section, in which the mold is held; an airtight tubular chamber reciprocally linearly movable along an axes of the support section between an airtight position and an open position, whereby when positioned in the airtight position, the airtight tubular chamber is positioned in the mold-holding space around the held mold; a first closed end piece disposed on the base section and having a first closed connecting loop, whereby one end of the airtight tubular chamber in the airtight position coaxially airtight abuts against the first closed connecting loop; and a second closed end piece disposed on the top section and having a second closed connecting loop, whereby the other end of the airtight tubular chamber in the airtight position coaxially airtight abuts against the second closed connecting loop.

The present invention is related to a polymer molding/processing technique, and more particularly to an airtight mechanism of a mold-holding unit for forming a vacuum environment around a held mold.
Taiwanese Utility Model Patent No. 093219334 discloses a middle heating disc module of a vacuum sulfur-adding machine. Such module utilizes a conventional vacuum chamber technique. Basically, such module includes a vertical mold-holding unit having an upper fixed mold seat. A guide column projects from lower side of the upper fixed mold seat. A vacuum chamber is slidably fitted on the guide column to provide airtight sealing effect for a mold positioned thereunder. An external negative pressure device is used to suck away the gas in the close space defined by the vacuum chamber. Accordingly, a vacuumized space is achieved for the polymer manufacturing/processing procedure.
The conventional technique is widely applied to the manufacturing. However, such structure is still not perfect. Mainly, for the mold-holding unit with the conventional vacuum chamber, it is necessary to reserve a considerable room under the upper fixed mold seat, in which the vacuum chamber can be disposed. Under such circumstance, the mold-holding unit must have a considerable total height. This makes it inconvenient to maintain and operate the mold-holding unit.

Airtight mechanism of a mold-holding unit for forming a vacuum environment around a held mold


A laser imaging apparatus includes a scanning unit that emits at least one scanning laser beam, which scans on a surface to be scanned in a main scanning direction to form a scanning section. A plurality of position marks formed on the surface are detected to determine the distortion of the surface to be scanned. A calculating system is provided to calculate an inclination of each scanning section with respect the main scanning direction, and a scaling factor of each scanning section with respect to a predetermined length in the main scanning direction based on the shape of the surface to be scanned. Then, when image is formed, the rotational position of the surface to be scanned is changed in accordance with the inclination, and a start position of each scanning section on the surface to be scanned is changed in accordance with the scaling factor.

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus utilizing a laser beam or laser beams, and more particularly, to an imaging device that scans an objective surface, on which an image is formed, with the scanning beam(s) modulated in accordance with raster data representing an image to be formed, and simultaneously controls a table on which the objective surface is located to move.
Conventionally, imaging apparatuses utilizing a laser beam are widely used for forming minute patterns on objective surfaces. As a typical example of application of such an imaging apparatus, formation of circuit patterns for a printed circuit board in accordance with a photolithograph method is widely known. A photo resist layer is formed on a base board, on which, the circuit pattern is to be formed. The circuit pattern is designed/edited at the CAD/CAM stations, and then transmitted to an imaging apparatus as vector data. At the imaging device, the vector data of the circuit pattern is converted into raster data. Based on the raster data, and in accordance with a clock pulse having a predetermined frequency, the circuit pattern is formed on the photo resist layer on the base board.
In order to form the printed circuit board at high accuracy, formation of the circuit pattern is performed such that the size and position of the image are adjusted precisely. Assigning of an actual size to the circuit pattern (which is called as a xe2x80x9cscalingxe2x80x9d) is performed at the CAM station, and the adjustment of the position with respect to the objective surface is performed at the imaging apparatus by positioning the objective surface accurately with respect to the scanning beam when the image is formed. However, it is unavoidable that a base board have individual differences depending on the manufacturing conditions and ambient conditions, which result in differences of board size among the base boards. If the size error exceeds an allowable range, the scaling of the circuit pattern should be compensated so as to meet the base board.
In Japanese Patent Provisional Publication HEI 9-323180, an imaging device which compensates for the scaling in order to form an image on a base board which is evenly contracted or expanded in a main or an auxiliary scanning direction is described. In this publication, the size error in a main or an auxiliary scanning direction is compensated using an appropriate clock signal which is generated by gradually shifting a phase of a reference clock pulse. However, if the size of the base board changes unevenly, e.g., the size of the board gradually changes in the main or auxiliary scanning direction, the above-described scaling compensation may not work sufficiently.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved laser imaging apparatus which is capable of compensating for the size of an image, e.g., a circuit pattern, in correspondence with a relatively complicated contraction/expansion of an objective surface, on which the image is to be formed.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a laser imaging apparatus, which is provided with a scanning unit that emits at least one scanning laser beam, which scans on a surface to be scanned in a main scanning direction to form a scanning section, the at least one scanning laser beam being modulated in accordance with image data, a moving system that moves the surface to be scanned in an auxiliary scanning direction which is parallel to the surface to be scanned and different from the main scanning direction, a rotating system that rotates the surface to be scanned about a predetermined rotation axis, a detecting system that detects a plurality of position marks formed on the surface to be scanned, a calculating system that calculates an inclination of the scanning section with respect the main scanning direction, and a scaling factor of the scanning section with respect to a predetermined length in the main scanning direction based on a shape of the surface to be scanned, the shape being determined in accordance with the positions of the plurality of position marks, and an adjusting system that adjusts the rotational position of the surface to be scanned in accordance with the inclination, and a start position of the scanning section on the surface to be scanned in accordance with the scaling factor.
Since the rotational position and start position of each scanning section is determined and adjusted, even if the shape of the surface to be scanned is changed gradually, the image can be formed on the surface precisely.
Optionally, the plurality of position marks include four position marks defining a quadrilateral, and the calculating system determines the inclination of the scanning section located at the sides, which are aligned along the auxiliary scanning direction (i.e., extends substantially in the main scanning direction), of the quadrilateral based on the coordinates of the four position marks, the calculating system determining the inclination of the scanning section located between the sides of the quadrilateral by applying a linear approximation to the inclinations of the scanning section located at the sides.
In particular, the four position marks include first and second marks P1, P2 aligned in the main scanning direction, and third and fourth marks P3 and P4 aligned in the main scanning direction, the first and second marks P1 and P2 being spaced from the third and fourth marks P3 and P4 in the auxiliary scanning direction, two-dimensional coordinates of the marks P1, P2, P3 and P4 as detected being defined as (PX1, PY1), (PX2, PY2), (PX3, PY3) and (PX4, PY4), the inclinations of the scanning sections located at the sides of the quadrilateral being expressed as:
S1=(PX2xe2x88x92PX1)/(PY2xe2x88x92PY1); and
SN=(PX4xe2x88x92PX3)/(PY4xe2x88x92PY3).
In this case, the surface to be scanned is rotated for each scanning section to compensate for the inclination with respect to the main scanning direction, an imaging start position of each scanning section being compensated in accordance with a distance of the scanning section from the axis of rotation and an angle of rotation.
Still optionally, the plurality of position marks may include four position marks defining a quadrilateral, wherein the calculating system determines the scaling factors of the scanning sections located at the sides, which are aligned along the auxiliary scanning direction, of the quadrilateral based on the coordinates of the four position marks, the calculating system determining the scaling factor of the scanning section located between the sides of the quadrilateral by applying a linear approximation to the scaling factors of the scanning section located at the sides.
In particular, the four position marks include first and second marks P1, P2 aligned in the main scanning direction, and third and fourth marks P3 and P4 aligned in the main scanning direction, the first and second marks P1 and P2 being spaced from the third and fourth marks P3 and P4 in the auxiliary scanning direction, two-dimensional coordinates of the marks P1, P2, P3 and P4 as detected being defined as (PX1, PY1), (PX2, PY2), (PX3, PY3) and (PX4, PY4), two-dimensional coordinates of positions Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4, which represent designed positions of the four marks P2, P2, P3 and P4, being (QX1, QY1), (QX2, QY2), (QX3, QY3) and (QX4, QY4), the scaling factors T1 and TN of the scanning sections located at the sides of the quadrilateral being expressed as:
T1=(PY2xe2x88x92PY1)/(QY2xe2x88x92QY1); and
TN=(PY4xe2x88x92PY3)/(QY4xe2x88x92QY3).
Further optionally, the laser imaging apparatus may include a first table that mounts a member, a surface of which being the surface to be scanned, wherein the rotating system includes a second table that mounts the first table, the first table rotating as the second table rotates, and wherein the moving system includes a third table that mounts the second table, the first and second table moving in the auxiliary scanning direction as the third table moves in the auxiliary scanning direction.
Yet optionally, the auxiliary scanning direction is perpendicular to the main scanning direction.
Further optionally, the detecting system may includes at least one camera system fixed with respect to the imaging apparatus, the camera capturing an image of the plurality of position marks, and an image processing system that processes the image captured by the at least one camera and determines two-dimensional coordinates of the plurality of position marks.
Furthermore, the scanning unit may be constituted to emit a plurality of laser beams parallel to each other, and aligned in the auxiliary scanning direction.


Disclosed herein are improved systems, methods, and machine readable media for implementing a service for enriching patient documents using natural language processing and a semantic health taxonomy, among other types of information. Enriched documents may be mined for improved diagnostic coding and health services documentation purposes, for example to identify missed and/or inaccurately coded diagnosis codes and quality gaps.

Accurate diagnoses and information about patient health can be lost in the large volume of structured and unstructured data that document a patient's health history. There is a need for improved systems for understanding the content of that volume of data and mining it for actionable information in order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of identifying patient medical acuity, treatments and health management and associated record-keeping. Disclosed herein are embodiments of an invention that address those needs.

Health information system for searching, analyzing and annotating patient data


A method of manufacturing a modified atmosphere package is provided which comprises the steps of: providing a portion of packaging material; providing a portion of produce; forming, from the portion of packaging material and the portion of produce, a closed package defining a package volume and containing in the package volume the portion of produce and a modified atmosphere. The modified atmosphere is modified with respect to the ambient atmosphere. The method comprises providing the modified atmosphere in the package volume by providing a gas mixture of at least one atmosphere modification gas and pressurised air in the package volume. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Natural produce such as flowers, vegetables, fruits and/or herbs tend to respire after being harvested. The respiration continues for prolonged periods, in particular if the produce has undergone little to no processing, e.g. having been washed and possibly peeled and/or chopped up, but otherwise fresh and uncooked. When such produce is packaged, the atmosphere within the package is affected by the respiring produce. Conversely, an atmosphere surrounding produce affects the respiration, maturation, aging and/or deterioration of the packed produce.
It has therefore become customary to package fresh produce in packages with a modified atmosphere (Modified Atmosphere Package or MAP) or with a controlled atmosphere (Controlled Atmosphere Package or CAP). In MAP the produce is packaged and an artificial gas mixture is used to establish a distinct interior atmosphere in the package, which may however change later on due to the respiration of the packed produce. In CAP the produce is packaged and the composition of the package atmosphere is controlled by including an active absorber for an atmosphere component, e.g. an oxygen scavenger or by adapting transmission of the packaging material to allow exchange with an exterior atmosphere outside the package. Modified and controlled atmosphere packaging (MAP/CAP) preserve produce quality by reducing the aerobic respiration rate but avoiding anaerobic processes that may lead to adverse changes, e.g. in one or more of colour, texture, flavour and aroma.
E.g., as explained in U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,837, the quality and shelf life of many food products is enhanced by enclosing them in packaging that modifies or controls the atmosphere surrounding the product. Increased quality and longer shelf life result in fresher products for the consumer, less waste from spoiled produce, better inventory control, and appreciable overall savings for the food industry at both the retail and wholesale levels. U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,837 discusses that in MAP, sometimes the package is gas-flushed with N2 or a combination of CO2 and N2, or a combination of O2, CO2, and N2 before sealing the package to rapidly establish the desired gas composition inside the package. U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,837 further discusses that in CAP the package may (micro-)perforated.
Providing packages and packaging material with perforations is also disclosed in, e.g., EP 0 351 115, WO 93/22207, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,441,340, 6,730,874, WO 02/12068, US 2003/029850, WO 2006/063609, FR 2,873,992, WO 2009/132663 and EP 1 935 787, and in scientific literature such as L. Jacxsens et al, "Validation of a systematic approach to design equilibrium modified atmosphere packages for fresh-cut produce", Lebensm. Wiss. u. Technol. 32:425-432 (1999), C. Sanz et al, "Quality of strawberries packed with perforated polypropylene" J. Food Sci. 64:748-752 (1999) and J. G. Kim et al, "Effect of initial oxygen concentration and film oxygen transmission rate on the quality of fresh-cut romaine lettuce", J. Sci. Food. Agric. 85:1622-1630 (2005).
WO 2014/129904 discloses that a combination of MAP and CAP may be used.
In common MAP packaging apparatus and methods, the modified atmosphere is established by flushing the produce filled package and/or the location where the package is to be closed with one or more pure gases thus establishing an operative atmosphere comprising a surplus amount of the pure gas; the actual modified atmosphere within the package is then the result of a mixture of the flushing gas and the ambient atmosphere. These methods result in inaccurate composition of the modified atmosphere. Further, this slows down the packaging process significantly, e.g. by 50% when compared to a process without gassing, and thus raises the costs of the packages obtained. Moreover, the packaging costs are raised by the gases and by losing these gases to the ambient atmosphere.
Improved Modified Atmosphere Packages and methods of producing them more cost-efficient are therefore desired.

Method and apparatus for packaging respiring produce


A system and method for controlling an electrically controlled pressure relief valve may use a soft position control loop to control the position of the valve. A pressure relief valve may also include a modified orifice shape to improve stability, to uniformly distribute the effective bandwidth over the valve operating range, and to provide a tunable default mode.

In general, a pressure relief valve may be designed to open at a specific pressure to prevent pressures in a system from exceeding certain limits. Pressure relief valves are widely used in a variety of applications. Pressure relief valves may be used for the purpose of providing safe operation in high pressure environments, for example, in hydraulic systems. Pressure relief valves may also be used to establish a known pressure for the purpose of providing control over a process, flow or motion. One example of an application for a pressure relief valve is a shock absorber application such as the semi-active shock absorber control system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,033, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
Electrically controlled pressure relief valves may include an actuator that is electrically controlled, for example, in response to a command. Existing electrically controlled pressure relief valves may control the valve actuator electrically based upon a desired output pressure of the valve. While such electrically controlled pressure relief valves provide performance advantages, such as safety and known set pressure nearly independent of flow, there may also be disadvantages. Existing electrically controlled pressure relief valves may be unstable or may have a very long response time. The instability can be attributed to the interaction of the output pressure variation of the valve with other hydraulic system components such as the hydraulic compliance in the system or the inertia of the hydraulic fluid running in the hoses. To mitigate the instability, those of ordinary skill in the art may change the command to the valve slowly, reduce the system compliance or inertia, and/or slow down the step response of the valve to the command by adding a large amount of damping.
Another approach to providing control in a hydraulic system is to utilize a position-based valve that is controlled externally by electronics but is not hydraulically assisted with a pressure term. Such a valve may include precision machined components to shape the valve orifice geometry as a function of position. In practice, these valves can achieve a high level of control from a precision stand-point; however, the bandwidth is still very low because large amounts of damping may be required to avoid instability. These valves are also expensive, and since they are multi-stage, may require a high pressure source to function at any level of performance.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the subject matter be viewed broadly.

Electrically controlled pressure relief valve and system and method for controlling same


In a television signal transmission system, CS broadcasting signals received via a master antenna are converted into intermediate frequency signals in an LNB (Low Noise Block Down Converter). The CS intermediate frequency signals then undergo conversion of the modulation format, for example, from QPSK into 64-QAM, so that CS broadcasting signals from each transponder, having a bandwidth of, for example, 27 MHz, are accommodated in a narrower bandwidth, for example, 6 MHz, which is equivalent to one channel of terrestrial broadcasting services. Then, the signals accommodated in the narrower bandwidth is frequency-shifted into a vacant frequency band in the VHF band or the UHF band. Accordingly, the CS signals accommodated in the narrower band and frequency-shifted into the vacant band are multiplexed with terrestrial broadcasting signals in the VHF and UHF bands and BS intermediate frequency signals so that all these signals are delivered to each household via a single cable.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to television signal distributor apparatuses, receiver apparatuses, and television signal transmission systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a television signal distributor apparatus, a receiver apparatus, a television signal transmission system and method, which are particularly suitable for implementing a small-scale television signal distribution network in which television signals received via a master antenna provided on the rooftop at collective housing, such as an apartment building, are delivered to each household via a cable.
2. Description of the Related Art
In collective housing such as an apartment building, there is usually provided a television signal transmission system in which television signals received via a master antenna provided on the rooftop are delivered to each household via a cable. In VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting services, broadcasting stations are allocated with respectively different frequency bands. The television signal transmission system mixes signals received via a VHF antenna and a UHF antenna while adjusting the gain thereof, and then delivers the mixed signals to each household via a single cable.
Recently, BS (broadcasting satellite) broadcasting services are available as well as VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting services. BS broadcasting signals are transmitted on electromagnetic waves in the 12-GHz band, and the signals received via a parabola antenna are converted into intermediate frequency signals in the 1-GHz band in an LNB (Low Noise Block Down Converter) provided in association with the parabola antenna. The BS intermediate frequency signals in the 1-GHz band do not overlap the terrestrial broadcasting signals in the VHF and UHF bands. Thus, it is feasible to mix the 1-GHz band BS intermediate frequency signals and the VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting signals so that the mixed signals are delivered to each household via a single cable.
Furthermore, with the increasing popularity of CS broadcasting services, it is desired that a television signal transmission system which delivers CS broadcasting signals via a cable to each household be provided in collective housing such as an apartment building.
However, CS broadcasting signals are broadcast using the 12-GHz band and CS intermediate frequency signals are in the 1-GHz band, which overlaps the band allocated for BS intermediate frequency signals. Thus, it is not feasible to simply mix the CS intermediate frequency signals, the BS intermediate frequency signals, and the VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting signals and to deliver all these signals to each household via a single cable.
More specifically, BS broadcasting signals and CS broadcasting signals are both broadcast using the same 12-GHz Ku band, the local oscillation frequencies of LNBs for BS broadcasting signals and CS broadcasting signals being, respectively, 10.678 GHz and 11.2 GHz. Furthermore, CS broadcasting signals includes both vertically polarized signals and horizontally polarized signals. Thus, there exists an overlap between the frequency band BS-IF for the BS intermediate frequency signals and the frequency band CS-IF for the CS intermediate frequency signals. Accordingly, it is not feasible to simply mix the CS intermediate frequency signals, the BS intermediate frequency signals, and the VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting signals, and to deliver all these signals to each household via a single cable.
In view of the above, in conventional television signal transmission systems which are made compatible with CS broadcasting signals, CS intermediate frequency signals are frequency-shifted into the frequency bands above the frequency band for BS intermediate frequency signals.
More specifically, when BS intermediate frequency signals and the VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting signals are mixed for transmission via the same cable in the conventional television signal transmission systems, the frequency allocation of the mixed signals is as shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the frequency allocation includes the VHF low band A11, the VHF mid band A12, the VHF high band A13, the VHF super high band A14, the UHF band A15, and the frequency band A16 for BS intermediate frequency signals. When CS intermediate frequency signals are also mixed with the BS intermediate frequency signals and the VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting signals for transmission via the same cable, frequency bands A17 and A18 above the frequency band A16 for BS intermediate frequency signals are allocated respectively for vertically polarized signals and horizontally polarized signals of the CS intermediate frequency signals. The vertically polarized signals and the horizontally polarized signals of the CS intermediate frequency signals in the 1-GHz band B11 and B12 are frequency-shifted into the frequency bands A17 and A18.
As described above, by frequency-shifting CS intermediate frequency signals so that the CS intermediate frequency signals are allocated in the frequency bands A17 and A18 above the frequency band A16 for BS intermediate frequency signals, the frequency band A16 for BS intermediate frequency signals and the frequency bands A17 and A18 for CS intermediate frequency signals do not overlap, allowing the VHF-band and UHF-band terrestrial broadcasting signals, the BS intermediate frequency signals, and the CS intermediate frequency signals to be transmitted via a single cable.
However, some broadcasting services employ two satellites for broadcasting, for example, the Japanese SKY PerfecTV. In that case, vertically polarized signals and horizontally polarized signals from each of the two satellites are transmitted using the same carrier frequency.
Thus, if the CS intermediate frequency signals are frequency-shifted into a frequency band above the frequency band for the BS intermediate frequency signals, the frequency allocation extends up to an extremely high frequency in order to accommodate the vertically polarized signals and horizontally polarized signals from each of the two satellites.
More specifically, a single band for CS intermediate frequency signals requires a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz. Thus, in order to accommodate all the four signals, the required bandwidth is on the order of 500 MHz×4=2000 MHz. If the 2,000-MHz is allocated above the frequency band for BS intermediate frequency signals, i.e., 1,035 MHz to 1,335 MHz, the frequency allocation extends up to as high as approximately 3,500 MHz.
The frequency range compatible with the current transmission apparatuses is up to approximately 2,150 MHz; thus, compatibility with the frequency range of up to 3,500 MHz poses a technical difficulty of developing new apparatuses. In addition, implementation of such a system in a wide area involves sophisticated design techniques which are beyond the techniques of ordinary works.
It may be technically possible to provide a separate cable for transmission of CS intermediate frequency signals in addition to a cable for transmission of terrestrial broadcasting signals in the VHF and UHF bands and BS intermediate frequency signals, so that the CS intermediate frequency signals can be transmitted to each household even if the CS broadcasting service employs two or more satellites. However, the approach requires the complex work of providing new cables in existing collective housing, which is quite costly. In addition, if separate cables are provided for terrestrial broadcasting signals in the VHF and UHF bands and BS intermediate frequency signals, and for CS intermediate frequency signals, respectively, an additional equipment for switching between the cables is required at each household.

Television signal distributor apparatus, receiver apparatus, television signal transmission system and method