An enclosable box for housing components from more than one telecommunication systems including a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a box mounting hinge that connects the first housing portion and the second housing portion, an internal telecommunication component compartment panel, a compartment panel mounting hinge that connects the internal telecommunication component compartment with one of the first and second housing portions. The box mounting hinge may be configured to allow the first housing portion and second housing portion to open and close in a clam like manner. The compartment panel mounting hinge may be configured to allow the compartment panel to open and close an internal compartment or cavity that is large enough to enclose at least a first telecommunications systems component.

Technical Field
Cable and/or Internet service providers may offer a variety of transmission technologies (e.g., radio, telephone, coaxial cable, twisted pair, fiber optic, broadband, wireless broadband, and satellite communications). Generally speaking, these telecommunication system services are routed via a signal-carrying cable (e.g., coaxial) to a subscriber's residence or office. Before entering a subscriber's residence/office, such cables generally pass through a secure enclosure (i.e., "house box," or "entry box"). During, for example, residential installation of cable service, the house box provides access to certain components necessary for installation of the cable service (e.g., coaxial male and female connectors that must be connected, installing a splitter (providing service connection endpoints at multiple locations within the residence/office), and/or an amplifier (boosting a signal being conveyed to a distal location within the residence/office).
The present disclosure relates to the above-mentioned telecommunication technologies, especially, enclosable house boxes and methods for installing telecommunication components. (Installing telecommunication components comprising: installation, removal, and modification). In particular, the disclosure provides a universal multi-purpose enclosure or enclosable house box for one or more types of telecommunication system components (e.g., a multi-purpose box that provides both RF network (coaxial cables) and fiber optic transmission technology). The multi-purpose house box may be configured to have an internal cavity that is large enough to allow the service provider (universal) flexibility in choosing and exchanging various components of various telecommunication systems of a variety of sizes (e.g., different telecommunication systems types, styles and manufacturers). The present disclosure shows an embodiment including a (first) fiber telecommunication system component(s) with an easily accessible (second) RF equipment (coaxial cable) system, but it should be appreciated that it may be desired to configure the box to house different types/sizes of telecommunication equipment.
In this embodiment, the universal house box may be configured to ensure safe and effective fiber handling (first telecommunication system) while allowing easy access for RF network changes and modifications (second telecommunication system). To do such, the enclosable box may provide an internal compartment panel that may both enclose (read: protect, prevent access to) a first type of telecommunication system, such as, fiber components (thereby minimizing inadvertent human error directed at/received by the second type of telecommunications system). In addition, the compartment panel and universal house box may be configured such that a second type of telecommunication system (e.g., non-fiber components, RF components) may be provided in (read: fit within) the space remaining (within the box) outside of the compartment created by/underneath the panel. Further, an upper surface of the panel may be configured to be mountable/attachable with a second communication system type component (e.g., a splitter). With the universal, multi-purpose house box, a telecommunications service provider may use only one box (instead of two) to provide both a first type of telecommunications service (e.g., a subscription cable television package (via RF equipment)), and a second type of telecommunications service (e.g., broadband (fiber optic-level) internet).
Not only does this embodiment remove the need for an unnecessary extra box (for dual-communication system type subscribers), but the panel, as an example, allows the service provider to be more efficient with human resources (by protecting (via access prevention) the first (fiber) communication system from untrained/under-trained installation technicians whose job function/task may be related to the second communication system only).
Thus, the service provider may have greater labor efficiency (by allowing untrained technicians to work on segregated fiber boxes). In a conventional telecommunication service installation in a conventional box, the technician must possess requisite knowledge of multiple systems each requiring a different skill or proficiency level. For example, an installation procedure may require the combined proficiency in each of fiber optic, coaxial and data communications systems. To address these requirements, a service provider may try training all technicians to the highest possible skill level (ensuring each technician an installation can be performed by a single technician). Alternatively, the service provider may try and manage technicians such that the "right" technician for the task at hand is delegated for the task. While this practice may result in greater efficiency, it may also adversely impact performance (e.g., if the installation is performed incorrectly). With respect to the latter, a technician installing coaxial cable may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of fiber optic cable (e.g., such as a need to maintain a minimum permissible bend radius to maintain signal integrity). In fiber-optic cables, the minimum permissible bend radius is very important. That is, inadvertently bending a fiber-optic cable beyond its permissible bend radius can result in a loss of signal performance.
Therefore, there is a need to overcome, or otherwise lessen the effects of, the disadvantages and shortcomings described above. For example, utilizing the disclosed box has, as an example, the advantage of allowing for error free installation of components related to a second telecommunication system (e.g., RF equipment, coaxial splitters) in an enclosable box that provides a hidden, nested compartment for equipment related to a first telecommunication system (e.g., fiber components). Thus, protecting the first telecommunication from harm, even if inadvertent (e.g., by an individual (service provider technician) who does not possess fiber optics handling training).
Related Art
House boxes (configured for telecommunication system components) are generally known. However, the majority of conventional house boxes are configured to house only one type of telecommunication system component (e.g., a fiber-only house box made by and for a specific manufacturer). Thus, with a conventional fiber house box, service providers must place at least two separate boxes on, for example, a homeowner's (residential) property with broadband subscriptions (The use of multiple component installation (house) boxes on a subscriber's residential property is undesirable both technically and esthetically).
Recently, some manufacturers have provided a large-size custom-built box on demand, but, as discussed above, conventional boxes are completely silent regarding providing access to certain components (e.g., RF equipment) while preventing access to (or hiding) other components (e.g., fiber optics components). For example, a service provider may desire to prevent access to components (e.g., fiber components) by individuals who do not have the requisite training to access those components (e.g., an untrained installation technician, residents who are attempting to install cable service on their own).
In other words, conventional boxes do not adequately allow for, inter alia, segregation of fiber components, proper fiber management and laser safety.

Universal multi-purpose compartmentalized telecommunications box


An optical memory storage media is described, e.g. a compact disc. A method of preparing the media (e.g. discs) is also taught. The storage media is formed from a substrate material having tightly bonded to the surface a highly reflective soft metal alloy formed of, for example, an alloy including at least five percent by weight of each of at least two metals selected from the group consisting of cadmium, indium, tin, antimony, lead, bismuth, magnesium, copper, aluminum, zinc and silver.

Optically retrievable information storage systems have been commercially available for some time in the form of video discs and audio discs (more commonly referred to as compact discs, i.e. CD's.) More recently, systems in other forms such as optical tape (Gelbart U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,585), and data information cards, like that developed by Drexler Technology Corporation, Mountain View, Calif. (Drexler U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,835) are beginning to attract commercial attention. Information carriers or storage media such as video discs and audio discs are often referred to as Read-Only Memories (ROM). The information is typically stored as extremely small structural relief features which are permanently molded into the substrate during the manufacturing process. Optical retrieval of such data is typically accomplished through differential reflection techniques using a frequency modulated laser light source.
Information can be placed on these optical memories in extremely high densities, the theoretical limit being determined by the absolute resolving power of a laser beam focused down to its diffraction limited size (.lambda./2NA, wherein .lambda. is the wavelength of the laser and NA is the numerical aperture of the focused beam). The information stored on these ROM media is, in principle, capable of being optically accessed an infinite number of times, and then subsequently electronically decoded, and presented in a format which is meaningful to the user.
In optical storage systems designed for Read-Only applications, the information is commonly stored on the media in the form of extremely small pits and/or protrusions (relief structures), which are present on a highly reflective background layer on the media. As the media is moved relative to the laser beam, the differences in the reflected light signal due to the presence or absences of these pits and/or protrusions are optically detected; thereby providing the coded signals which may then be electronically decoded. The nature of the detected signal modulation from the encoded structured in these systems is typically due to changes in the phase relationship between the reflected light off the relief structure and that off of the surrounding media. For maximum optical definition of the reflected signal during optical reading of the ROM media, the physical distance between the surface of the information carrying spots and the surface of the surrounding medium should be such that the laser light being reflected off the interface between these surfaces will be approximately 180.degree. out of phase with respect to each other. Destructive interference of the read beam results when the imaged laser spot scans over regions defined by the edges of the information spots; resulting in a decrease in the intensity of the reflected beam.
Typically, these relief structures are borne on grooves and/or ridges which provide tracking information to the servo system of the laser reading apparatus. These tracks accurately guide and focus the laser beam over the spots and thus ensure maximum signal contrast between data points. Generally, the pits and/or protrusions are of uniform width and depth but are often of varying lengths along a defined track. These marks can thus comprise a spatial representation of the temporal variation of a frequency modulated carrier signal for video applications, or alternatively represent a more complex form of digital data encoding.
Read-Only-Memory media such as discs are typically fabricated by compression/injection molding of these pits and/or protrusions and/or tracks into the surface of a substrate material, most commonly of a polymeric composition; or alternatively by a photopolymer process in which a photosensitive lacquer is coated directly onto the substrate. The former requires critical control of temperature and pressure cycles of minimize both the deformation of the disc and inclusion of optical nonuniformities (stress birefringence). These two induced defects are particularly critical for systems that are read through the substrate.
The thus molded surface of the ROM substrate is typically coated with a thin layer of a highly reflective material such as aluminum to provide for a reflective background upon which the incident laser beam can discriminate between the digital signals associated with the pits and/or protrusions. A suitable protective coating is then often applied onto the encoded reflective surface to protect this surface from both mechanical damage and environmental degradation, along with ensuring that any dust contamination or surface scratches will be sufficiently out of focus for those systems in which the laser reading is not done through the substrate.
In addition to ROM media, both Write-Once media; and Write-Read-Erase systems have been recently introduced into the marketplace. Typically, these systems utilize a diode laser to both "read" and "write" coded information from and to the media. Data can be of several forms: that which includes some permanent pre-recorded data (similar to ROM) in addition to that which can be permanently formed by the laser through direct or indirect interaction by the user (Write-Once); that in which all the information is recorded by the laser; or that which can be interactively formed and removed by the laser (Write-Read-Erase).
Write-Once applications for optical information storage are often referred to as "direct-read-after-write" (DRAW) or more recently, "write-one-read-many" (WORM) media. In this application, the optical storage media or disc is typically already preformatted with the appropriate tracking and associated access information. Some of the media incorporates suitably reflective and active layer into the multilayered structure.
Write-Once media which supports recording of audio or video signals are called recordable compact disc memory media. In order for media to be recordable on standard equipment under present industry guidelines, such media must have a reflectivity level of about 70% and at the same time be sensitive enough to be written upon at a rate of about 4.3 MHz, which is the sampling rate required for audio/video signal reproduction. At this sampling rate, the sensitivity of the media should be of sufficient degree to allow writability utilizing about a 10 mW laser. To data, no media has been introduced into the marketplace which can meet these criteria. One embodiment of the present invention does posses the capability for recording at about 4.3 MHz using a about a 10w laser at about a 70% reflectivity level.
In the present invention, the reflective and active layer are the same layer, i.e. The alloy. The active layer serves as the medium in which new data can be encoded through interaction with light. For example, a modulated laser beam operates to encode information into this surface by tightly focusing it down to a spot size in which the power per unit area ratio is sufficient to cause a detectable change in the optical characteristics of the active layer on the disc. The nature of the light signal modulation detected during the reading process is typically due to differences in the absorption-reflection coefficients of the material; phase relationships of reflected light; and/or polarization states of the reflected beam.
Typical forms of WORM media (typically grouped together by the mechanism in which the encoding of data is accomplished) include: phase change systems (Blonder et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,807), topography moldifications, magneto-optic media, photochromism, bubble formation, and ablative/melt media. A review of such medias can be found in Wen-yaung Lee, Journal of Vacuum Technology A3(3), pp 640-645 (1985). The ablative/melt media is the most commonly practiced form of WORM system. The data is typically stored in the form of small pits or depressions which are created through local heating by the laser radiation of a thin active layer (most commonly of a metal or a metal alloy) to a threshold level in which the material in the active layer begins to melt and/or ablate from the surface of the disc. Ablation in this application means modification of the surface resulting in structural changes that are optically detectable.
Examples of such media typically incorporate tellurium-based alloys as part of the active layer due to its relatively low melting/ablating point. By melting and/or ablating the tellurium alloy in a localized area, a void is produced that exposes the underlying substrate. The void can be optically detected using either of at least two structure configurations.
In the first type, a second substrate is suitably affixed to the first. It is spaced from the first tellurium-coated substrate, so as to provide an air space between the two substrates. Since the tellurium alloy has a smooth reflective surface, the radiation is suitably reflected back off this surface. After void formation, light traverses through the first transparent substrate and is internally reflected and lost in the air space. Thus, the unaltered surface appears reflective and the voids appear dark. This configuration is often called an Air-Sandwich Write-Once Disc (Kenny U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,282 and Lehureau et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,545).
In a second configuration, a low reflective tellurium alloy is deposited on a transparent dielectric which in turn overlies a metallized substrate (e.g. aluminum). This configuration is commonly referred to as an anti-reflection tri-layer structure. The thickness of the dielectric is carefully chosen to produce destructive interference of the incident light used for reading the information from the disc. Thus, before writing, the medium absorbs nearly all the radiation of the laser reading source. Where the voids are formed, the absence of the tellurium alloy precludes destructive interference of the laser radiation, and light is now reflected from the underlying metal surface.
Both of these configurations represent the digital information in the form of differential absorbing and reflecting areas within the disc and require complex design considerations to meet acceptable signal-to-noise standards.
Despite an extensive research effort, systems which are based on tellurium and alloys thereof exhibit many characteristics which are highly undesirable for commercial WORM systems and cannot be used for recordable compact disc memory media. First of all, alloys of tellurium are typically very unstable upon exposure to oxygen and/or moisture, thus making expensive hermetically sealed disc structures necessary in order to ensure a minimum archivability of the data for at least 10 years( Mashita et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,340). Secondary, the use of tellurium in the fabrication process requires great care due to the inherent toxicity of tellurium and alloys thereof. Addionally, the low light-reflective contrast ratios between the unaltered tellurium film and the laser created voids lead to significant errors in data storage and retrieval. Ideally, contrasts of greater than 5 to 1 are required to give accurate and reliable forms of media. Also, tellurium-based systems typically exhibit about 35% to 40% reflectivity which will not meet standards for recordable compact disc memory media.
Several criteria considerations made during the selection and design of an active layer are strongly dependent on optimizing these contrast ratios within the media. For example, because speed is an extremely important consideration in recording the retrieving data, it is highly desirable that the active thin metal alloys reflective layer, in an ablative/melt type of WORM or recordable compact disc memory media, be of a suitable composition so as to enable the laser to rapidly form the pit or depression as well as to minimize the large energy required. Further, it is important that the active/reflective metal surface area, surrounding the pit thus formed, remain relatively unaffected during data retrieval; as any distruption of this surface will result in degradation of the optical signal during the reading process, thereby leading to an increase in the bit-error-rate (BER) and decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio.
In all of the above referenced applications (ROM, WORM and recordable compact disc memory), it is extremely important that the active reflective surface be uniform and able to provide sharp, clear contrasts between the information spots and surrounding surface in order that the resulting signal-to-noise ratio may be maximized. Further, in order to ensure long term retrievability of the encoded information, it is desirable that the active reflective surface material be highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, which may result in degradation of the signal. It is important that the reflective material be firmly bonded to the supporting substrate and be dimensionally and environmentally stable. It is also advantageous that the active surface be highly reflective so that a secondary reflecting layer is not required. This results in a lower cost optical storage medium.


A magnetostrictive linear position transducer of the type having an acoustic magnetostrictive waveguide for propagating acoustic pulses generated by the interaction of a permanent magnetic field with a periodic excitation magnetic field. The mode convertor for converting acoustic pulse into an electrical signal indicative of the passage of an acoustic pulse propagated pat the mode convertor location along the waveguide includes a passband type filter for improving the detectability of the acoustic signal.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetostrictive transducer which includes a signal reception subsystem which improves the performance of the system in the presence of mechanical noise.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Magnetostrictive position transducers are well known in the art, and are widely used as position measurement devices. U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,555 to Tellerman shows a linear distance measuring device which utilizes magnetostrictive effects. This patent teaches the use of a tubular waveguide, having a coaxial wire running through the center, of the waveguide. An electrical excitation pulse sent through the wire produces a magnetic field in the vicinity of the waveguide. Perturbations in this magnetic field caused by a position indicating magnet generate torsional strain waves within the gauge. These acoustic waves are detected by a mode converter, affixed to one end of the transducer. The time of flight of the acoustic return signal indicates the position of the position magnet along the waveguide.
Mechanical noise communicated to the waveguide can corrupt the acoustic signal, making detection of the return signal difficult.

Magnetostrictive position transducer with band passed mode converter output for rejecting mechanical noise


An arrangement (60) for recording an analog signal in a track on a record carrier (82) is provided with an overload detection circuit (78) for detection an overload situation for the analog signal applied to the arrangement. Upon detection of an overload situation, the recording mode is terminated and the record carrier is rewound to the start location of the current recording. Further, the arrangement is provided with a variable attenuator means (66). The attenuation factor in the variable attenuator is increased upon detection of the overload situation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an arrangement for recording an analog signal in a track on a record carrier in a recording mode, comprising
an input terminal for receiving the analog signal,
variable attenuator means, having an input coupled to the input terminal and an output,
conversion means, having an input coupled to the output of the variable attenuator means, and an output, the conversion means being adapted for converting the signal applied to its input into a second signal and for supplying the second signal to the output,
writing means, having an input coupled to the output of the conversion means, for writing the second signal in at least one track on the record carrier,
record carrier transport control means for generating a control signal at an output, and
record carrier transport means, having a control signal input coupled to the output of the record carrier transport control means, for realizing a first relative movement of the write means relative to the record carrier during the writing of the second signal in the track in said recording mode, in response to a first control signal generated by the record carrier transport control means, so as to enable the writing of the second signal in the track.
The invention also relates to a combination of said arrangement and an analog signal generator means for supplying said analog signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
An arrangement as claimed in the opening paragraph is known in the form of present day magnetic audio recorders. If the signal to be recorded should be recorded in digital form, it is known to realize such digital recording by means of an RDAT or SDAT digital audio recorder. In such apparatuses, an analog audio signal is digitized and recorded in tracks on a magnetic tape, which tracks run in a slant or in a longitudinal direction respectively across the tape.
The arrangement as described in the opening paragraph can also be a disc recorder, e.g. a recorder in which the signal is recorded, for instance in digital form, on a disc shaped record carrier by means of, e.g. a magneto-optic recording method.
Prior to recording the analog signal, the signal can be amplified, so as to control the recording level of the signal to be recorded such that no overload occurs. The amplification factor can be controlled manually by actuating a volume control knob.
The known arrangement has the disadvantage that, with the amplification factor set to a specific value, still overloads can occur because of large signal amplitudes present in the signal to be recorded.

Overload detection in an arrangement for recording an analog signal on a record carrier


An inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is proposed. A flexible guiding element receives the used blisters strip.

GB 2 407 042 A discloses an inhaler with a rolled-up blister strip. The inhaler comprises a manually operated, pivotable actuator which operates a conveyor for stepwise moving the blister strip. The actuator supports a piercer and an associated mouthpiece. By pivoting the actuator, the blister strip and be moved forward and blister pockets of the blister strip can be pierced one after the other. When a patient breathes in an air stream passes through the pierced blister pocket, with the result that the inhalation formulation in the blister pocket mixes with the air and is discharged to the patient.


A method and telecommunication node for authenticating with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a nomadic user in an access network. The node receives from the access network, an access identifier defining a mobile terminal's physical location. In response, the node retrieves from a database, a registered access identifier associated with the user and determines whether the received identifier matches the registered identifier. If the identifiers match, the node authenticates the user in the IMS network. If the identifiers do not match, the node performs an alternate authentication method.

IP Multimedia (IPMM) is an example of a service that provides a dynamic combination of voice, video, messaging, data, etc, within the same session. By growing the numbers of basic applications and the media that it is possible to combine, the number of services offered to the end users will grow, and the inter-personal communication experience will be enriched. This will lead to a new generation of personalised, rich multimedia communication services, e.g. peer-to-peer multimedia communication, IPTV etc.
These services can be based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture, which is the technology defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to provide IP Multimedia services over mobile communication networks (3GPP TS 22.228, TS 23.228, TS 24.229, TS 29.228, TS 29.229, TS 29.328 and TS 29.329 Releases 5 to 7).
The IMS makes use of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to set up and control calls or sessions between user terminals (or user terminals and application servers). The Session Description Protocol (SDP), carried by SIP signalling, is used to describe and negotiate the media components of the session. FIG. 1 illustrates schematically how the IMS fits into the mobile network architecture in the case of a 3GPP PS access domain.
When a user wishes to access any network from a fixed line, the user may first be authenticated in an access network using a Network Attachment Sub-System (NASS) (ETSI TS 282 004 v1.1.1). The NASS allocates an IP address to the fixed line in use, and authenticates and authorises the user. The NASS can also be used to configure preferences in the access network, depending on a user profile stored by the NASS.
When authenticating the end user in the access network, the user's terminal sends an in-use Line Identifier (LID) associated with the fixed line that the terminal is using to access the network. The LID is forwarded to a NASS entity called a Connectivity Session Location and Repository Functions (CLF). The CLF then associates the user's LID with the user's assigned IP address.
For users accessing an IMS network from a fixed line, ETSI TS 183 033 TISPAN defines a method of authentication for IMS users. This method is known as NASS-IMS bundled (NAB). The NAB method allows the IMS layer to re-use existing Network Attachment Sub-System (NASS) authentication status, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The IMS network performs a Line ID check, and if it is successful then the TISPAN IMS network trusts the access network authentication status and marks the user as authenticated.
In more detail, upon IMS-SIP registration, a Proxy-Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) in the IMS network queries the CLF in the access network to retrieve the in-use LID and the IP address assigned to the in-use line. The P-CSCF uses the retrieved IP address in the SIP Register as a query key. The in-use LID is inserted into a SIP Register message using the P-Access-Network-Info (PANI) parameter of the SIP Register message. The REGISTER message containing the LID value is then sent to a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF). When the S-CSCF performs a Multimedia Authentication Request (MAR) operation, it may not know the authentication scheme in use, and so the S-CSCF sets the Authentication-scheme Attribute Value Pair (AVP) in the MAR to "unknown". The MAR is sent to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), which selects an authentication scheme based on the subscribed authentication method. The user's IMS Private Identity (IMPI) and IMS Public Identity (IMPU), that are used in the SIP Registration procedure, are included in the MAR sent towards the HSS.
The HSS retrieves a registered Line Identifier (LID′) from a database. LID′ is a registered line identifier that is associated with the user and stored in the user's profile.
When the HSS responds to the S-CSCF with a Multimedia Authentication answer, the HSS sets the Authentication-scheme AVP to "NASS Bundled", and includes LID′ in the Multimedia Authentication answer.
The S-CSCF compares LID′ returned by the HSS with LID received from the accessing terminal. If LID matches LID′, then S-CSCF sends a SAR message to the HSS. In this case, the user is considered successfully authenticated. The signalling sequence described above is illustrated in FIG. 3.
A problem with this solution is that it relies upon a correct association between the in-use Line Identifier (LID) value obtained from the CLF in the NASS, and registered Line Identifier LID′ stored in the user's IMS profile.
Referring to the example scenario illustrated in FIG. 4, a nomadic user makes use of a third party's fixed-line broadband connection (for example, the user may be a guest the third party's home and make use of the available DSL line or Fiber line). IMS registration relies on the registering user having an IMS identity, which is typically stored on a card. In order to register with an IMS network, the user must send their identity to the network. The nomadic user attaches to a fixed line connection in any one of a number of standard ways. For example, the nomadic could plug a 3G-enabled laptop into a modem, make use of an available WLAN router, or insert their smart-card/SIM-card/ISIM-card into local equipment. If authentication in the conventional NASS via the User Access Authorisation Function/Profile Database Function (UAAF/PDBF) is successful, the user can use the fixed-line broadband connection regardless of the user's IMS credentials. However, if the nomadic user then decides to register with an IMS network to make use of IMS services, the user sends its IMS Private Identity (IMPI) and IMS Public Identity (IMPU) to the IMS S-CSCF, according to 3GPP TS 24.229 V7.4.0 (2006-06). The S-CSCF sends the following information to the UPSF/HSS as part of the registration:                Authentication-scheme AVP set to "unknown"        User's IMPI and IMPU
If the user attempting IMS registration has a NASS-Bundled authentication scheme enabled in his subscription, then the HSS/UPSF will return the user's registered LID′ back to the S-CSCF. However, the in-use LID differs from LID′ stored in the user profile, as the user is not using a fixed-line connection registered to that user. As a consequence, the S-CSCF cannot authenticate the user and notifies the user terminal accordingly. Further attempts by the terminal to register with the IMS network may be interpreted by the IMS network as a Denial of Service attack or fraud attempt, resulting in the IMS end user being blacklisted or blocked. This situation is not solved by ETSI TS 183 033 TISPAN.
This problem can occur whenever an IMS user (for which NAB authentication is enabled) makes use of a fixed line connection with an in-use LID value that is different from the registered LID′ value associated with the user in their IMS profile and stored in the HSS, for example, whenever an IMS user makes use of a visited WLAN/Wimax access point (which ultimately connects to a network using a fixed line) as a guest user.

Authentication in an IP multimedia subsystem network where an in-use line identifier (LID) does not match a registered LID


The present invention relates to a method for preparing a carbon nanotube fiber aggregate formed of single-wall carbon nanotubes, and the manufacturing efficiency of a carbon nanotube fiber comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes can be improved by controlling the molar ratio of a carbon source and of a reducing gas in a carrier gas.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon, and are substances with a diameter of several to several tens of nanometers and a length of several hundred micrometers to several millimeters. These materials have been reported in the journal Nature in 1991 by Dr. Iijima and have been studied in a variety of fields due to their excellent thermal, electrical and physical properties, and high aspect ratio. The inherent characteristics of such carbon nanotubes result from the sp2 bond of carbon. Carbon nanotubes are stronger than iron and lighter than aluminum, and have an electrical conductivity similar to that of metals. Carbon nanotubes are roughly classified into single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNT), and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT), according to the number of walls of a nanotube. Also, carbon nanotubes can be classified into zigzag, armchair, and chiral structures according to their asymmetry/chirality.
Most research to date has been directed toward using carbon nanotubes as reinforcing agents for composites by dispersing powdered carbon nanotubes, or producing transparent conductive films using dispersed solutions containing carbon nanotubes. In some areas, commercialization has already begun. Meanwhile, in order to use carbon nanotubes in composite materials and transparent conductive films, dispersion of carbon nanotubes is important. However, it is difficult to disperse them at a high concentration and maintain dispersibility because of cohesive forces from the strong van der Waals force of carbon nanotubes. In addition, in the case of a composite material in which carbon nanotubes are used as reinforcing agents, it is difficult to sufficiently manifest the excellent properties of carbon nanotubes.
Recently, carbon nanotube fibrillation research have been carried out to produce carbon nanotube structures that fully manifest the properties of carbon nanotubes.
Coagulation spinning, liquid-crystalline spinning, and direct spinning are typical methods of producing fibers using a dispersion solution containing carbon nanotubes and a dispersant.
Coagulation spinning is a scheme for fiberizing carbon nanotubes in which a dispersing solution containing carbon nanotubes and a dispersant is injected into a polymer solution to allow the dispersant in the dispersing solution to escape into the polymer solution and the polymer is substituted for the site to act as a binder.
The liquid-crystalline spinning is a scheme in which a carbon nanotube solution is fiberized using a property of forming a liquid crystal under a specific condition. While this scheme has the advantage of being able to make carbon nanotube fibers with good orientation, the spinning speed is very slow and the liquid crystal forming condition of a carbon nanotube solution is complicated.
As shown in FIG. 1, direct spinning is a scheme for obtaining fibers in which a liquid carbon source and a catalyst are injected into the upper injection port of a vertically erected high-temperature furnace with a carrier gas. Carbon nanotubes are synthesized in the furnace, and the carbon nanotube aggregate which has been brought to the lower portion of the heating furnace together with the carrier gas winds its way up inside of the furnace (A in FIG. 1) or outside of the furnace (B in FIG. 1).
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be broadly divided into single-wall CNTs and multi-wall CNTs depending on the number of graphene layers. Among the multi-wall CNTs, the two-layered CNTs may be separately classified since they have a separate application area. The mechanical strength of the CNTs itself, particularly the tensile strength, is very high, exceeding 100 GPa. However, since synthesized CNTs are short fibers having a short length, the application area is very limited. In order to solve this problem, a method of making long CNT fibers by connecting CNTs which are short fibers has been recently studied.
Variables affecting the strength of CNT fibers may include length and diameter of CNTs, and bonding strength between CNTs, etc. In order to improve the strength of CNT fibers, the length of CNTs constituting CNT fibers must be long, the diameter thereof must be small, and the bonding strength between the CNTs must be high. In particular, in order to reduce the diameter of the CNT, it is necessary to produce CNT fibers composed of single-wall CNTs.

Method for preparing single-wall carbon nanotube fiber assembly


The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator and a method of producing the fuel cell separator. A first separator and a second separator are provided as the fuel cell separators. Firstly, the first separator and the second separator are heated. Thus, an Fe rich layer is formed in a surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator, and a Cr rich layer where a proportion of Cr is 60% or more is formed in an inner portion of each of the first separator and the second separator. Then, an electrolytic treatment is applied to each of the first separator and the second separator to remove the Fe rich layer. By the removal, the Cr rich layer is exposed to the outside on the outermost surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator used in combination with an electrolyte electrode assembly to form a unit cell of a fuel cell and a method of producing the fuel cell separator.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a fuel cell includes unit cells each formed by sandwiching an electrolyte electrode assembly between a pair of separators. In the unit cell having this structure, seals are formed at edges on both surfaces of the separators (e.g., see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-207071). In operation of the fuel cell, a fuel gas containing hydrogen is supplied to the anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly, and an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the cathode of the electrolyte electrode assembly. The seals are used to prevent leakages of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas to the outside of the fuel cell.
Further, as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-222764, the seals may be provided around a coolant flow field as a passage of a coolant. Further, the seals may be provided around an oxygen-containing gas flow field as a passage of the humidified oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas flow field as a passage of the humidified fuel gas. The seals are provided because condensation may occur in the oxygen-containing gas or the fuel gas, and water produced in the power generation operation of the fuel cell may be retained in the oxygen-containing gas flow field or the fuel gas flow field. It is a matter of course that the seals may be provided for all of the coolant flow field, the oxygen-containing gas flow field, and the fuel gas flow field.
As the seals (seal composition) of this type, silicone resin is adopted widely. The silicone resin has good elasticity, and easily absorbs expansion/contraction of the stack during operation of the fuel cell, or when operation of the fuel cell is stopped. Further, since the elasticity of the silicone resin is maintained even at the temperature below the freezing point, it is possible to prevent leakage of the reactant gases even in a cold region or the like. Therefore, the silicone resin can be used suitably for fuel cells in automobile applications.
However, the acid resistance of the silicone resin may not be sufficient in some applications. In general, the electrolyte membrane of the electrolyte electrode assembly has high acidity. Therefore, the silicone resin adjacent to the electrolyte membrane may be degraded, and the elasticity may be lowered undesirably. Likewise, since the primer provided between the silicone resin and the separator to adhere the silicone resin to the separator is degraded by the acid, the seal may be peeled off from the separator undesirably.
In this regard, in a proposed technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-083616, cross-linking reaction between predetermined liquids is induced to obtain a fuel cell packing material (seal) which is made of addition type silicone having good acid resistance. Further, in a proposed technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-206616, acid resistance is improved using resol-type phenolic resin and primer compound containing organic compound having a chelate ring and/or an alkoxyl group.
In operating the fuel cell, the temperature of the fuel cell is raised to a predetermined operating temperature. Then, as known in the art, by operation of the fuel cell, H2O (chiefly water vapor) is produced. This H2O is discharged from the flow field together with the fuel gas consumed at the anode or the oxygen-containing gas consumed at the cathode.
As can be seen from the above, hot and highly humid gases contact the fuel cell seal. Though the silicone rubber has sufficient gas sealing performance for preventing leakages of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas, the gas permeability of the silicone rubber is large in comparison with the Fluoro Rubber or the EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber. Since the silicone rubber has water repellency, the water permeability of the silicone rubber is extremely small. Therefore, in the case where the primer is made of the silicone rubber, the water vapor (gas) passes through the silicone rubber, and the water vapor is condensed into the liquid state at the interface between the silicone rubber and the separator. In this case, blisters may be formed undesirably. If the blisters are formed near the flow field, the sectional area of the flow field is reduced, and pressure losses occur undesirably.
Thus, it is desired to sufficiently prevent formation of blisters in the fuel cell seal. However, in the conventional techniques as noted above, it is difficult to reliably prevent formation of blisters.

Fuel cell separator with chromium rich surface layer and method of producing the fuel cell separator


A spacer for attachment to the wires of a reinforcement cage that must be held away from the surfaces of a concrete form or wall used in producing concrete products, such as concrete pipe. The cage spacer is formed of a continuous piece of round spring-steel wire and has a closed loop formed at one end that hooks on a wire of the reinforcement cage. The closed loop connects two parallel spaced-apart legs that provide a spacing nose, the legs terminating at the other end of the spacer in an S-shaped hook that snaps over another of the wires of the cage. In the preferred embodiment, one lower leg is wrapped over and around the other leg to provide additional stability to the spacer.

It is well known in the art of manufacturing concrete pipe and other similar structures, such as manholes, box sections, catch basins, septic tanks and the like (hereinafter simply "product" or "products"), that a reinforcing wire mesh cage or cages must be provided to produce a product of the required strength. In order to produce a quality concrete product, the reinforcing cage must be positioned so that it will be a predeterimed distance from the inside and outside walls of the finished product. In order to achieve this result, the cage must be properly positioned inside of the space between the forms used to produce the product. The cage cannot, of course, be manufactured to sufficiently close tolerances that it will fit perfectly in the space between the forms at the proper distance from the surfaces of the form walls. More importantly, the cage will be subjected to various forces during the manufacturing process, and it is therefore essential that the cage be properly positioned from the walls of the form and maintained the required distance throughout the casting process. In order to accomplish the proper spacing, there are commonly provided spacing elements which can be fastened to the cage to space it from and maintain it the proper distance from the form walls.
These spacers must also be designed so as to avoid the creation of voids in the finished product, since the product generally must meet specifications that require resistance to hydrostatic pressure. During the casting process, stresses are created on the spacers. When the forms are stripped and while the concrete is still uncured, the forms no longer hold the spacers and these stresses are relieved, allowing the spacers to "pop out". This can create surface bulges and cracks or voids which may produce a hydrostatic leak in the finished product that allows water to enter the structure. Once inside the concrete product, the water will follow leak channels throughout the entire structure because the water will follow the mesh reinforcing cage. Therefore, the structure must be water tight to meet the hydrostatic specifications for such structures, and in order to meet these specifications, it is essential that the spacers resist the forces exerted upon them during the casting process. Hydrostatic problems can also occur if voids are created around the spacers during the casting process. These voids occur if the profile of the spacer does not allow concrete to flow around the spacer.
The two commonly used methods of producing concrete products create different forces on a reinforcing cage and thus upon the spacers used in connection with the cage. In one such method of casting concrete products, an annular space is provided by an inner core and outer jacket which comprise the mold set. The most common procedure is to lower the jacket over the core after the cage is in place. Unless the spacer used is capable of resisting the downward axial forces applied as the jacket is lowered in place, the spacers can be dislodged or distorted.
In another commonly used method of producing concrete products, especially concrete pipe, a packer head rotates inside of an outer cylindrical form so as to pack the concrete through the reinforcing cage and against the wall of the outer form. In this process, the jacket or outer form hinges open and shut, and therefore there is a jacket splice which tends to get out of alignment creating a catch point at the splice. Thus, when this process is used, the spacers for the reinforcing cage must be capable of resisting not only the axial forces that occur, but also the forces upon the spacers as the cage tends to twist during rotation of the packer head. This twisting of the cage can not only dislodge or distort the spacers, but it also drags them along the inside of the jacket and across the jacket splice. The spacers then may tend to catch on the splice or gouge or scar the inner surface of the jacket. There are known a number of different spacers which have been designed in an attempt to resist all of the forces exerted upon the spacers during the casting process, especially those exerted during the packer head process. One such spacer is disclosed in Swenson U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,986, which shows a spacer formed from a flat band of spring steel so as to be provided with an open hook at each end between which is formed the spacing nose. Because of its design, this spacer often will snag on the packer head jacket splice during twisting of the cage. When this happens, the spacer may bend over causing improper spacing, the spacer may become dislodged or the spacer may become bent over and "pop out" when the form is stripped creating a void, or surface crack or bulge. "Pop out" can also occur with this spacer because it can be easily deflected inwardly due to its inherent design using a thin band of steel. Also, because of the solid and relatively large width of the band of this spacer, flow of the concrete during the casting process can be blocked and create voids that lead to hydrostatic leaks. This spacer also tends to gouge the inner wall of the form when the cage twists during the casting process due to the sharp edges of the band.
Another spacer is shown in Schmidgall U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,638 which discloses a spacer formed from a round spring-steel wire into a generally hair pin shape in which there are a pair of parallel legs joined by a closed loop at one end, with the free ends of the legs being formed into hooks. Although spacers of this type are very satisfactory for use in some of the casting processes, when used in the rotating packer head process, the legs tend to bend over or the spacers can become dislodged from the reinforcing cage.
There is therefore a need for an improved spacer useable in any of the casting processes and designed so as to be capable of resisting forces in all directions so that the spacer will not become dislodged, bent or stressed during the casting process resulting in voids or other defects in the finished product. There is a further need for a spacer that will not gouge the inner surfaces of the jacket, and a spacer which has a profile that will allow the concrete to flow completely around the spacer so as to prevent voids that can result in hydrostatic leaks in the finished product. Such an improved spacer should also be of a design that will permit easy and quick installations, preferably without the use of any special tools. Such an improved spacer should also be inexpensive since large quantities are necessarily used during the production of each concrete product.

Spacer for spacing reinforcing mesh wire from the form in the manufacture of concrete pipe and the like


A method and apparatus for providing a passphrase-based security setup for a hybrid network including multiple network interfaces configured for communicating over one or more communication media are provided. The method includes receiving a passphrase from a user at a network interface of the multiple network interfaces. The received passphrase is then used for authenticating the device for one or more network interfaces. The authentication can be performed irrespective of a communication medium used by the network interfaces.

Increasingly, there is a desire by service providers and consumers to distribute high-quality digitally encoded content (e.g., data, voice, and video) to both stationary and mobile devices, and to enable and control through these devices a rich set of content-related services. However, there is currently not an integrated network solution that can enable such content-related services while also allowing for a user-friendly way to create and/or modify a hybrid network having multiple devices that operate according to different network technologies.
Existing hybrid networks, which may operate wirelessly and/or over hardwire connections, typically incorporate multiple network technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi, HomePlug AV, and Ethernet) that are based upon various different networking standards. Typically, the configuration, operation, and communication protocols of these different network technologies are created by different groups and thus may vary. More specifically, not only are the network connection setup procedures (e.g., for creating new networks, adding devices to an existing network, discovering connected devices, bridging to other devices/networks, and so on) associated with Wi-Fi, HomePlug AV, and Ethernet systems different from each other, devices operating according to one of these standards typically has difficulty connecting to (and thus communicating with) devices operating according to another of these standards without the use of bridging devices and/or complicated connection setup operations. From a user standpoint, it is desirable to have a single simplified mechanism for setting up and/or modifying a hybrid network that employs a multitude of different networking technologies. It is also desirable for the hybrid network to function as a single, seamless network that integrates different network technologies in a manner that is entirely transparent to the user.
Typically, networking technologies include security mechanisms to prevent unauthorized devices from forming networks with authorized devices, from joining an existing network, and from decoding data sent over the network. Wi-Fi and HomePlug AV are examples of network communication technologies or protocols that support these types of security mechanisms.
One technique for preventing unauthorized devices from forming or joining a network is to require devices to demonstrate that they possess a secret security key (e.g., a "pre-shared key") or password that is known to both the joining device and the device authenticating the joining device to the network. Such security keys may be associated with a single device (e.g., a device key) or may be associated with a network and known to all devices in the network (e.g., a network key).
Security keys that are used to encrypt user data to protect the data from being decoded by unauthorized devices can be generated during the authentication process. A common technique of ensuring that the joining device and the authenticating device possess the same security key is to require the user to enter the same password on both the joining device and the authenticating device, and in response thereto the joining device and the authenticating device may generate the same (e.g., pre-shared) security key.
Unfortunately, the specifics (e.g., the acceptable lengths, formats, and/or valid character sets) of passwords and security keys typically vary between different network technologies. For example, while the HomePlug network protocol may specify its passwords to include a first range (e.g., between N and M instances) of a first set of allowable characters (e.g., printable ASCII characters), the Wi-Fi network protocol may specify its passwords to include a second range (e.g., between X and Y instances) of a second set of allowable characters (e.g., all ASCII characters), where N≠X, M≠Y, and the first and second sets of characters are not the same. Additionally, the minimum number of characters allowed for HomePlug passwords may be greater than the minimum number of characters allowed for Wi-Fi passwords, and some characters allowed in HomePlug passwords (e.g., characters "[" and "]") may not be allowed in Wi-Fi passwords. As a result, current hybrid networks typically require a user to enter a different password and/or key for each type of network technology device seeking to form and/or join the hybrid network, which is not only burdensome but may also require the user to determine which type of network technology each device employs or worse, enter different passwords on the same device for different technologies.
Therefore, there is a need for a simple and unified authentication mechanism that allows a user to form and/or expand a hybrid network using devices that operate according to different network technologies.


A double Schottky-barrier diode includes a semi-insulating substrate, a left mesa formed by growth and etching on the semi-insulating substrate, a middle mesa formed by growth and etching on the semi-insulating substrate, a right mesa formed by growth and etching on the semi-insulating substrate, two anode probes and two air-bridge fingers. The two Schottky contacts are closely fabricated on the same mesa (middle mesa) in a back-to-back manner to obtain even symmetric C-V characteristics and odd symmetric I-V characteristics from the device level. The output of a frequency multiplier fabricated using the double Schottky-barrier diode only has odd harmonics, but no even harmonics, which is suitable for the production of high-order frequency multipliers. The cathodes of the two Schottky contacts are connected by the buffer layer without ohmic contact.

Terahertz frequency is widely used in broadband communication, security imaging, radio astronomy, atmospheric observation, and the alike fields. At present, the development and utilization of terahertz technology urgently need efficient and stable room-temperature terahertz sources. In recent years, the development of transistor and monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technologies enables the design of active frequency multipliers and amplifiers towards the submillimeter-wave regime. However, the output power of the active frequency multipliers and amplifiers decreases rapidly with an increase of frequency.
The Schottky diode is a two-terminal device and typically used in applications such as terahertz power generation and signal detection because of its simple structure and low parasitic parameters. The design of a Schottky diode-based frequency multiplier uses different diode configurations at the chip level, for example, uses multiple diodes in anti-series configuration or in a series configuration to form a balanced structure, which is conducive to simplify the circuit design and improve the spectral purity. These configurations are typically used for low-order frequency multipliers, i.e. doublers or triplers. The terahertz transceiver front-end, however, generally requires multiple-stage frequency multipliers to reach frequencies of above 1 THz. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop high-order frequency multipliers, e.g., quintuplers and septuplers, to minimize the number of cascaded components. The current method adopts the connection of multiple diode dies in anti-series or in series. This method not only increases the extra ohmic contact loss (one Schottky contact corresponds to one ohmic contact), but also cannot obtain even symmetry Capacitance-Voltage (C-V) characteristics, making it difficult to be applied to high-order frequency multipliers.

UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRONIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF CHINA


Described are devices, systems and methods for scheduling multi-user (MU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmissions in a fixed wireless access (FWA) system. One method for scheduling a large number of user devices in a wireless communication system includes a preselection process to pare down the number of user devices to be simultaneously scheduled, and then scheduling that subset of users. In an example, and assuming each user device communicates over a corresponding wireless channel, the preselection process includes determining a number of sets based on a first characteristic of the wireless channels, where each set includes at least one user device, and then determining a subset of user devices by selecting at most one user device from each of the sets. The scheduling of the selected subset of users is based on a scheduling algorithm and a second characteristic of the wireless channels.

World-wide demand for wireless communication bandwidth is continually increasing. New technologies that increase the amount of data that can be transmitted per Hertz of frequency resources per unit time are continually being introduced. Furthermore, to achieve scale of economy, network operators are looking at new technologies that can accommodate a larger number of wireless users in a given geographic region than ever possible before.

Scheduling multi-user MIMO transmissions in fixed wireless access systems


Provided are an optical disc recording device and a recording signal generating device which enable to correct displacement between a reproducing position of a reproduction signal from a concave-convex mark preformed in an optical disc, and a recording position of second information to be recorded in synchronism with the reproduction signal, and stably and speedily record the second information. A digital signal processor (202) specifies a reproducing position in the concave-convex mark, using a reproduction signal and a channel clock. A recording signal generator (211) generates a recording signal alternately including a plurality of additionally recordable data, each of which includes second information and has a predetermined length, and a plurality of dummy data. A recording position controller (110) detects a recording position displacement amount representing a displacement amount between the reproducing position and a recording position of the additionally recordable data, using the reproducing position and the reading signal. A recording length adjustor (208) increases or decreases the recording length of dummy data in accordance with the recording position displacement amount.

In recent years, optical discs as represented by DVDs and Blu-ray discs are widely used as inexpensive and portable information recording media, and an optical disc recording device configured to additionally record data on optical discs such as DVD-Rs and BD-Rs as recordable information recording media has been put into practical use.
The optical disc recording device of this type is configured such that a light beam is irradiated onto a guide groove (a groove) or onto a prepit of a concave-and-convex shape which has been preformed in a track of an optical disc, and information (an address) on the track of the optical disc is acquired, using a reproduction signal to be obtained based on reflected light from the guide groove or from the prepit.
Further, the optical disc is constructed such that the guide groove is wobbled at a predetermined cycle. The optical disc recording device is configured such that a light beam is irradiated onto a rotating optical disc, and a signal component corresponding to the cycle of the wobble is extracted, using a reproduction signal to be obtained based on reflected light from the guide groove. The optical disc recording device acquires a timing signal at which data is to be recorded i.e. a recording clock signal by applying a signal processing such as PLL (Phase Locked Loop) to the extracted signal component.
Furthermore, generally, a block constituting an error-correction code is used as a base unit for the recording unit of data. The optical disc recording device performs a recording operation of data in the unit of blocks, referring to a position on a track correlated to position information.
For instance, a recording operation onto DVD-R is performed using a recording clock signal which is synchronized with a wobble, referring to position information acquired based on a reproduction signal from a prepit (a land prepit) of a concave-and-convex shape. Blocks are directly connected to each other, and data is sequentially written in the blocks. Accordingly, in the case where data is newly recorded on an optical disc in which data has already been recorded, an extremely high-precision recording position control is required so that discontinuity such as data interruption or data overwriting may not occur in a portion where already-recorded data and data to be newly recorded are written and connected to each other.
Heretofore, there have been proposed various techniques, as techniques for realizing high-precision recording position control at a portion where two data are written and connected to each other (see e.g. patent literature 1 and patent literature 2).
In the information recording device disclosed in patent literature 1, in additionally recording new data, the phase of a clock signal for a writing operation is synchronized with the phase of a clock signal for a reproducing operation of written data, and then, the frequency of the writing clock signal is recovered to a frequency unique to the writing clock signal at a predetermined time constant for avoiding generation of phase displacement at a portion where two data are written and connected to each other.
The optical disc device disclosed in patent literature 2 is configured such that a displacement amount between the position where data has been recorded and the position where the data is to be recorded is detected, and the frequency of a recording clock is controlled in such a manner as to eliminate displacement between the position at which the trailing end of new data is recorded, and the position at which the trailing end of new data is to be recorded in recording the new data. With this arrangement, the recording position of new data is adjusted, and accumulation of recording position displacement is avoided.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of the conventional optical disc device disclosed in patent literature 2. In the following, only the elements in the conventional optical disc device that are related to the invention are described.
The first timer 801 has a first counter that increments the count value by one in synchronism with a recording clock. The count value of the first counter is preset to a predetermined value (F) in response to a prepit sync detection signal, without depending on the state (an activated state or a non-activated state) of a recording gate signal.
The second timer 802 has a second counter that increments the count value by one in synchronism with a recording clock. The count value of the second counter is preset to a predetermined value (G) in response to a data sync detection signal, as far as the recording gate signal is in a non-activated state.
The subtractor 803 outputs a difference signal indicating a difference between the value of the first timer 801 and the value of the second timer 802.
The filter 29 restricts a time change amount of the difference signal to be outputted from the subtractor 803, and outputs a difference signal containing the restricted time change amount to the PLL 30, as a correction amount signal.
The PLL 30 controls the frequency of the recording clock in such a manner that the correction amount signal is approximated to zero level (in other words, the difference between the value of the first timer 801 and the value of the second timer 802 is set to "0").
In this way, new data is recorded, referring to a data sync detection signal in a portion where previously recorded data and data to be newly recorded are connected to each other. With this arrangement, it is possible to secure continuity between the previously recorded data and the data to be newly recorded. Further, even if the previously recorded data is displaced from the position where the data is to be recorded, the displacement amount is detected, and the frequency of a recording clock is controlled in accordance with the detected displacement amount. Thus, there is no likelihood that displacement of a recording position may remain.
Further, there has also been proposed a technique, wherein a buffer area is formed in a portion where the blocks are connected to each other so as to lower the demand of precisely positioning the recording position, and the data format is revised in such a manner as to eliminate a clearance between the blocks by overlapping the recording end of a preceding block and the recording start of a succeeding block with each other in the buffer area (see e.g. patent literature 3).
On the other hand, as disclosed in patent literature 4, there has been proposed a technique, wherein a reflection film is formed on a concave-convex mark preformed in accordance with modulated main information, and an additionally recordable mark is formed by irradiating laser light at an interval longer than the period corresponding to a longest mark of the concave-convex mark for changing the optical characteristic of the reflection film, whereby sub information synchronized with the main information is recorded in a superimposed manner.
All the techniques disclosed in patent literatures 1 through 3 have been proposed based on the premise that a recording clock signal is obtained with respect to a wobbled groove which has been preformed in a track. The technique disclosed in patent literature 4 has been proposed based on the premise that a recording clock signal is obtained with respect to a preformed concave-convex mark.
The conventional optical disc devices as described above have the following drawbacks to overcome.
In the arrangement disclosed in patent literature 1, although continuity in a portion where previously recorded data and new data are written and connected to each other can be secured, the positional displacement amount of the previously recorded data is carried to the new data, and positional displacement of recording data based on position information derived from a wobble or a prepit cannot be eliminated.
In the arrangement disclosed in patent literature 2, the frequency of a recording clock is corrected in such a manner that recording position displacement is eliminated at the recording end of new data, based on the positional displacement detection amount on recorded data. However, in the case where the frequency of a recording clock becomes unstable during a recording operation of new data, it is impossible to eliminate recording position displacement that may newly occur.
In the arrangement disclosed in patent literature 3, it is possible to avoid generation of a blank portion in a boundary portion between recording end of a preceding block and recording start of a succeeding block by forming a buffer area which overlaps the preceding block and the succeeding block. However, it is impossible to avoid generation of a blank portion that cannot be absorbed by forming an overlap portion of a predetermined length or to avoid generation of data overwriting in a portion between preceding and succeeding blocks that cannot be absorbed in the buffer area, at the recording end position, in the case where recording position displacement over the length of the overlap portion has occurred, or in the case where recording position displacement over the length of the buffer area has occurred, during an operation of sequentially recording new data in blocks.
In the arrangement disclosed in patent literature 4, it is required to reproduce position information from a concave-and-convex pit for obtaining a recording clock signal. As a result, as compared with a case where a recording clock signal is obtained from a continuous wobbled groove, a frequency displacement of a recording clock signal is likely to occur with respect to a defect on an optical disc or with respect to deterioration of S/N ratio of a reproduction signal.
Further, the S/N ratio of a reproduction signal is deteriorated, because the light amount of reflected light from an optical disc is also changed during a period when the light intensity of laser light is modulated, as a recording operation is proceeded. In particular, since the light intensity of laser light is modulated for a period longer than the period corresponding to a longest mark of the concave-convex mark, the S/N ratio of a reproduction signal may be intermittently deteriorated during a recording operation, with the result that the forming position of an additionally recordable mark may be displaced.

Optical disc recording device and recording signal generating device


A process is disclosed through which vias (50) can be formed by the reaction of an etchant species (52) with a mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) or zinc sulfide (ZnS) layer (42). The activating gases (20) are preferably a hydrogen gas or a methane gas which is excited in a diode plasma reactor (100) which has an RF power source (13) applied to one of two parallel electrodes. The etching occurs in selected areas in a photoresist pattern (44) residing over the ZnS or HgCdTe layer (42). Wet etching the layer (42) with a wet etchant (54) following the dry etching, improves the via (50) by making the walls (48) smoother, and allowing for expansion of the vias (50) to a dimension necessary for proper operation of a HgCdTe-based infrared detector.

An advanced method for detecting infrared light has recently been developed which utilizes mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe). A zinc sulfide (ZnS) layer is generally deposited onto the HgCdTe layer to act as an insulator for the detector. Dry etching techniques for etching through the HgCdTe and ZnS layers have used energy from a remote microwave plasma discharge for activating an etchant to reactively remove selected portions of the HgCdTe and ZnS layers of a wafer.
Despite advancements in this dry etching technique, special arrangements must be taken to excite a fluorine-containing gas in a microwave discharge remote from the reaction zone of the wafer. Additionally, precautions must be taken in handling the fluorine gas because of its corrosive nature. Other problems have resulted from using a hydrocarbon gas as the etchant, as under some conditions of flow rates and pressures the hydrocarbon gas will polymerize to form undesirable films on the surfaces of the wafer.
When forming vias in the wafer, prior dry etchants tend to damage other areas which are not intended to be contacted. This type of unintentional damage can result in electrical short circuiting of the integrated circuit. Additionally, dry etching techniques tend to leave rough surfaces when forming vias in a wafer due to non-uniform etching of the separate components in a multi-component system, such as HgCdTe. Such roughness can cause operational problems related to the damage produced in the material.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a process for dry etching infrared detector layers which does not require a remote microwave plasma source for exciting a fluorine gas. It would also be desirable to have a dry etching process available which can eliminate the polymerization of films on the surface of the wafer. Additionally, a need has arisen for a method of forming a via which does not damage the wafer surface by inadvertent etching in protected (resist-pattern-defined) areas and which forms smooth via walls.

Method for dry etching vias in integrated circuit layers


A system and method for non-linearity compensating interferometer position data includes receiving a plurality of groups of digital position values. A first group of the digital position values are digitally processed to generate a plurality of data values. The plurality of data values are digitally processed to generate at least one quasi-static non-linearity parameter. A second group of the digital position values are compensated based on the at least one non-linearity parameter.

This invention relates generally to interferometer systems. This invention relates more particularly to a system and method for interferometer non-linearity compensation.
Light leakage between beams in an interferometer in metrology produces measurement results that depart periodically from the idealxe2x80x94known as non-linearity.
One prior art technique for compensating for non-linearity in a homodyne interferometer involves balancing the two in-phase and quadrature signals within the interferometer for offset, gain and orthogonality. The signals are digitized, computed for imbalance, and analog electronics are used to inject offset and gain compensations. The compensation components are all contained within the interferometer itself. In a heterodyne interferometer, there are no in-phase and quadrature signals to balance. Thus, such a compensation method is not applicable to a heterodyne interferometer.
It would be desirable to provide a system and method for non-linearity compensation of interferometer position data using digital numerical processing.
One form of the present invention provides a method for non-linearity compensating interferometer position data. A plurality of groups of digital position values are received. A first group of the digital position values are digitally processed to generate a plurality of data values. The plurality of data values are digitally processed to generate at least one quasi-static non-linearity parameter. A second group of the digital position values are compensated based on the at least one quasi-static non-linearity parameter.

System and method for interferometer non-linearity compensation


An electronic personal assistant that uses task information to obtain task performance assistance and help content is provided. Tasks from an electronic tasks application may be utilized by the personal assistant application to search a variety of information sources for task performance functionality and help content related to the tasks. The personal assistant may provide functionality to help a user actually perform a given task. Alternatively, once help content is obtained, a new task may be generated or the related task may be modified to provide the help content or to provide a link to the help content. The personal assistant application may provide the help content in a separate user interface or cause an application from which the help content is obtained to be launched.

With the advent of computers and computer software, a number of advancements have been made to help people manage both their working and non-working lives. To help people who are trying to juggle numerous tasks at work, at home, and in between, electronic tasks and calendaring programs have been developed to assist with the often daunting task of maintaining, tracking and remembering all the things that must be accomplished on a daily basis. In addition to the large number of tasks people typically must accomplish on a daily basis, many tasks may be difficult to accomplish because completion of the tasks requires help information or assistance on various levels. For example, a simple task of picking up flowers after work can be difficult if the user does not know of a local or otherwise accessible florist. For another example, a person may be working on a school or work project, but are not sure which software application to use, for example, a word processing application, a slide presentation application, a spreadsheet application, or the like.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has been made.


A method of optically coupling one end of an optical fiber to a waveguide formed on a substrate, such that an end portion of the fiber is fitted in a groove formed in the substrate. The groove is formed by forming a beam-shielding mask having a cutout, on the substrate such that the cutout is aligned with a part of the substrate in which the groove is formed, and by irradiating the above-indicated part of the substrate with a high-energy beam. Alternatively, the groove is formed by a cutting tool. An inclined end surface of the groove left uncut by the tool may be irradiated with a high-energy beam, through a beam-shielding mask which has a cutout aligned with the inclined end surface. The end of the optical fiber, which has a flat face or has a coned or hemi-spherical shape, is positioned for optical coupling with a portion of the waveguide which is exposed to the groove.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of optically coupling an optical fiber to a waveguide formed on a substrate, and an optical device which includes the substrate whose waveguide is coupled to the optical fiber.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In recent years, interest in the field of opto-electronics has been much enhanced, by the development of various optical integrated circuits and solid optical deflectors, which include optical elements such as light-emitting elements, light converging elements, optical deflector elements, optical amplifier elements or light-sensitive elements. Generally, such optical elements are integrated on a suitable substrate which is formed with an optical waveguide for guiding a light beam therethrough.
On the other hand, optical information or signal in the form of a light beam is transmitted to or from the waveguide of the substrate, through an optical fiber or fibers. To this end, the optical fiber is optically coupled to the waveguide. However, methods presently available for optically coupling the optical fiber to the waveguide of the substrate suffer from various problems. Some known methods will be described by reference to FIGS. 20-22.
A first known method is shown in FIG. 20, wherein a suitably sized rectangular groove 112 is formed in one of opposite major surfaces of an optical IC substrate 110, such that the groove 112 is open at an end face 110a of the substrate 110. An end portion of an optical fiber 114 is positioned in the groove 112 and secured therein with a suitable bonding agent such as an ultraviolet-curable resin. Thus, the optical fiber 114 is connected to the substrate 110. This method is advantageous in that the end of a core 114a of the optical fiber 114 may be accurately positioned with respect to an exposed portion 118a of a waveguide 118 which is exposed to the inner or closed end portion of the groove 112. However, since the substrate 110 is formed of a relatively brittle material such as a glass and lithium niobate, which is hard to machine, it is generally difficult to form the groove 112 by machining. In other words, the substrate tends to easily crack or chip during a machining operation to form the groove 112, and consequently the ratio of reject of the substrate is comparatively high.
There is shown in FIG. 21 a second known method in which a light beam transmitted through the optical fiber 114 is converged by a converging lens 116, so that the converged light beam is incident upon the ground end face 118a of the waveguide 118 on the substrate 110. This method using the converging lens 116 leads to a relatively large-sized optical device, a relatively high cost of manufacture of the device. Further, the optical device suffers from difficulty in establishing alignment of the optical axis.
A third known method is illustrated in FIG. 22, wherein two rutile prisms 120, 120 consisting of titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2) are formed on the substrate 110 such that the rutile prisms 120 are optically coupled to the waveguide 118. An input light beam incident upon the input side prism 120 is directed to a predetermined point along the length of the waveguide 118. The light beam travelling through the waveguide 118 is incident upon the output side prism 120, from which the beam is emitted as an output light beam from the substrate. The present method is not economically justified because of a relatively high cost of the rutile prisms 120. Further, the prisms 120 protrude from the surface of the substrate 110, increasing a required space for the optical device, and complicating the optical system involved.
Also known is a method wherein a diffraction grating such as a Fresnel lens is formed in the waveguide of the substrate, so that the grating lens serves to convert an incident plane wave into a cylindrical wave by means of diffraction. However, this method is difficult to practice, requiring complicated process steps and resulting in a considerably high cost of manufacture of the optical device. Moreover, the optical device produced has a high degree of dependence upon the wavelength of a light beam, and the alignment of the optical axis is difficult.
There exists a recognized problem that the cracking or chipping of the substrate during a machining operation to form the groove 112, and light dispersion at an optical interface between the end of the optical fiber and the end face of the groove 112 cause a significant loss of optical energy. In view of this problem, a method of forming a groove in the substrate is proposed according to Japanese Patent Application No. 61-288331 filed in the name of the assignee of the present application. In this method, a cutting tool having a pyramidal cutting tip is moved along the groove to be formed in the substrate, while the tool is rotated about its axis. This cutting procedure permits the groove to be readily cut over a desired length, without the conventionally encountered chipping of the substrate, even where the substrate is made of a brittle material such as a glass or lithium niobate. Since the cutting tip has a pyramidal shape, however, the formed groove has an inclined end face at the closed end, at which the cutting motion of the tool is terminated. Therefore, if the end face of the optical fiber to be coupled to the substrate is perpendicular to the length of the fiber, there is left a gap indicated at S in FIG. 9, between the flat end face of the fiber and an exposed face of the waveguide which is exposed to the closed end of the groove. This gap S causes dispersion of the light emitted from the fiber, whereby the optical transmission efficiency is accordingly reduced.

Method of optically coupling optical fiber to waveguide on substrate, and optical device produced by the method


A substrate transfer device includes a casing and a substrate conveying robot. A size of the casing in a second direction Y is more than a size of the casing in a first direction X. The casing includes walls forming a conveying chamber and at least one opening or provided at at least one side of the conveying chamber in the first direction X. The substrate conveying robot includes a base, a robot arm, a robot hand, and a controller. When a space in the conveying chamber except for a predetermined exclusive region is defined as an effective conveying chamber, an entire link length DL of a link is less than a conveying chamber size Dx, and an entire hand length Dh of the robot hand is not less than an effective conveying chamber size Dx′.

Conventionally known is a substrate treatment facility configured to perform process treatments, such as formation of an element, with respect to a semiconductor substrate (hereinafter may be simply referred to as a "substrate") that is a semiconductor element manufacturing material. Typically, the substrate treatment facility is provided with a process treatment device, a substrate transfer device provided adjacent to the process treatment device, and the like.
For example, a substrate transfer device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-28134 (PTL 1) includes: a casing in which a conveying chamber is formed; a plurality of load ports provided at a front wall of the casing; and a substrate conveying robot provided in the conveying chamber. The substrate conveying robot includes a robot arm and a robot hand coupled to a wrist of the robot arm. For example, the substrate conveying robot loads the substrate into the process treatment device, unloads the substrate from the process treatment device, takes out the substrate stored in a sealable substrate carrier for interprocess conveyance, and stores the substrate in the substrate carrier. Examples of the substrate transfer device include a front end module (Equipment Front End Module; abbreviated as EFEM) and a sorter. One example of the substrate carrier is a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod).
To improve throughput of the substrate transfer device, a plurality of substrate carriers are coupled to one conveying chamber. Therefore, the number of load ports provided at the front wall of the casing corresponds to the number of substrate carriers communicating with the conveying chamber. As a result, a width of the substrate transfer device (i.e., a width of the casing) tends to be wide. On the other hand, to reduce the size of the substrate transfer device, a reduction in depth of the substrate transfer device is desired.
An entire link length of each of links constituting the robot arm of the substrate conveying robot is limited by the depth of the substrate transfer device. Proposed is a technology of expanding a movable range of the robot hand based on the limited entire link length of each of the links of the robot arm. For example, in each of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-6267 (PTL 2) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-169007 (PTL 3), proposed is a substrate conveying robot configured such that a robot hand or a tip end portion of the robot hand can linearly move forward and backward relative to a wrist portion of a robot arm while maintaining a constant posture.


Disclosed herein is an active seeker system for detection and/or tracking of moving targets. The system includes: an illumination module generating an illumination beam to be output from the system; an optical assembly for shaping the solid angle of the field of view (FOV) of the output beam; an optical path scanning module adapted for angularly deflecting the output optical path of the output beam about a scan axis to perform one or more scanning cycles; and an imaging module adapted to image light in the spectral regime of the beam, arriving from a certain field of view about the output optical path of the beam. In some cases, the solid angle of the output light beam is shaped such that it has an elongated FOV cross-section extending along a certain lateral of the beam; and the output optical path is angularly deflected in a direction travers to the longer axis of the elongated FOV of beam so as to swipe the elongated FOV of the beam to cover a desired field of regard (FOR) with one dimensional scanning. In some implementations, the system is adapted for monitoring the FOR for detecting and tracking the target. The monitoring may include a target detection stage during which the FOV of the light beam is set to an extent smaller than the FOR and the FOR is imaged in a scanning imaging mode. The monitoring may include a target tracking stage during which one or more imaging parameters are adjusted according to certain estimated properties associated with the target being tracked.

Seeker heads (herein after also referred to interchangeably as seeker) are guidance systems, typically mounted on movable platforms such as missiles, which are operable to capture/image radiation returning from a target (e.g. emitted and/or reflected/scattered radiation) and process captured/image radiation to detect the target and thereafter track and follow the target.
Seeker heads can be divided in to two principal types: passive seekers which do not actively illuminate the target with radiation beam, and active seekers which generally include a radiation sources for illuminating the target.
An example of a passive seeker head is disclosed for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,791 disclosing a conventional rate-stabilized IR seeker fitted with an improvement that results in a wider FOV as well as much-reduced image smear. The improvement includes a circular optical wedge rotatably mounted in front of the optics assembly of the seeker sensor. The combination of the primary scan vector generated by the circulating sensor of the seeker and the secondary scan vector generated by the rotating wedge produces a scan pattern that has a wider total FOV than that of the sensor alone while at the same time providing occasional points of zero or near-zero spatial scan velocity. Such points allow collection of "snapshot" data with little or no image smear.
A drawback of the passive seeker types is that the signal emission (intensity) from the target cannot be controlled by the interceptor, and may depends on many unpredictable parameters, such as target emissivity, target temperature, target trajectory etc. Therefore the signal to noise ratio (SNR) for these type of seeker heads may be relatively low. This is because the passive seekers generally do not include any radiation source, and do not actively illuminate the target but are only configured to detect radiation emission/scattering/reflection from the target.
It should be noted that in the following description the term SNR is used to designate ratio of the signal intensity to both the instrumental noise of the detector and the background (e.g. clutter) radiation senses by the detector. This drawback may be significant particularly when highly agile detection and tracking is required for following high angular velocity targets (due to target high speed, or large miss-distance), because in such cases detection should be carried out at high rates (short exposure times), and thus the signal intensity acquired at each image and accordingly the SNR, may be inferior, and may prevent reliable detection and/or tracking by passive seekers.
In some cases, in order to overcome the drawbacks of passive seekers, active seekers are used, which generally also include a radiation source (e.g. light source) in addition to the radiation detector. The radiation source is used to actively illuminate the target, so that sufficient radiation intensity returns from the target. Active seekers therefore typically provide improved seeking performance since the target is actively illuminated by the active seeker head and thus the intensity of the signal returning from the target and accordingly the SNR may be much higher than possible with passive seeker systems.
Examples of active seeker systems are disclosed for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,606, which discloses an apertured mirror that permits an outgoing, transmitted laser beam to pass and reflects a return reflected beam onto a detector array; and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,392, which discloses a gimballed active optical system having a laser beam output which coincides with the gimbal system instantaneous field-of-view over wide angles to produce an active laser seeker.


A foldable display apparatus includes a bendable display panel which folds with respect to a folding axis. The display panel includes a plurality of display devices and a window layer. Each of the display devices includes a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of color elements having different colors from each other. A plurality of color elements of a same color is linearly arranged in a direct line direction which is non-parallel to the folding axis. The window layer includes a soft material part including a soft material in a folding part of the display panel, and a protective window part other than the soft material part. The protective window part protects the display part of the plurality of display devices.

1. Field
Provided is a foldable display apparatus, and more particularly, a foldable display apparatus using a protective window structure including hard materials and soft materials for protection from external impact.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a display apparatus using a flat panel display panel, such as a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), a field emission display ("FED"), a plasma display panel ("PDP"), or an organic light-emitting diode ("OLED") display, is mainly applied to televisions ("TVs"), mobile phones, etc. Recently, as demand for a large screen in miniaturized portable devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), increases, devices realizing a large screen through a connection with a flat panel display panel are available in the market. Furthermore, attempts for utilizing a display made of a flexible substrate are increasing.
A foldable display apparatus having a bending and folding feature that is a large advantage of a display made of a flexible substrate is easy to carry and can implement a large screen. The foldable display apparatus can be applied to not only mobile devices, such as mobile phones, portable multimedia players ("PMPs"), navigation systems, ultra mobile personal computers ("UMPCs"), e-books, and e-newspapers, but also to various fields, such as TVs and monitors.
In particular, since the foldable display apparatus has a relatively small structural volume required to make a large screen size, the foldable display apparatus will be widely used for portable devices. However, the foldable display apparatus used for portable devices needs a protective window structure for protecting a display part from external impact, and the protective window structure must also be foldable.