A cover for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The cover can include at least one electrical component. For example, in one embodiment, an electrical component can be embedded in the cover. When the cover is placed on or mated with the portable electronic device, the electrical component embedded in the cover is able to interact with electrical circuitry of the portable electronic device. Advantageously, the cover can not only provide a protective and/or ornamental covering for the portable electronic device but can also augment the electrical capabilities of the portable electronic device.

Portable electronic devices are commonplace today. Some examples of portable electronic devices include portable digital assistants, portable media players, mobile telephones, and portable game players.
FIGS. 1A-1C are diagrammatic illustrations of a conventional portable electronic device 100. More specifically, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the portable electronic device 100, FIG. 1B is a front view of the portable electronic device 100, and FIG. 1C is a back view of the portable electronic device 100. The portable electronic device 100 includes a housing 102 that forms an external surface of the portable electronic device 100. The housing 102 supports a display 104 and a user input region 106. The display 104 can present a graphical user interface for a user of the portable electronic device 100. The user input region 106 typically includes one or more user input devices that allow the user to interact with the portable electronic device. These user input devices can pertain to buttons, touchpads, and/or dials. The housing 102 of the portable electronic device 100 can also include an external connection port 108 at a bottom side surface 110 of the housing 102. The external connection port 108 allows the portable electronic device 100 to be connected to a host device (e.g., personal computer) or other electronic devices (e.g., docking station), so as to exchange data or to charge a battery (not shown) utilized by the portable electronic device 100. FIG. 1B illustrates a front surface 112 of the portable electronic device 100 having the display 104 and the user input region 106. FIG. 1C illustrates a back surface 114 of the portable electronic device 100. The back surface 114 typically offers no user input or user output capabilities.
Typically, the surfaces of portable electronic devices are relatively easily damaged such as by scratches, dents and the like. Covers, skins or cases have been conventionally utilized to provide protection for the exterior surfaces of portable electronic devices. Accordingly, users can protect their portable electronic devices by placing covers or skins around their portable electronic devices.
Additionally, accessories have been utilized to provide additional functionality to portable electronic devices. Typically, accessories are small electrical products that can attach who a portable electronic device, such as through the external connection port 108. One example of an accessory is a FM receiver provided as a small electrical product that can be attached to a portable electronic device via a cable, which is useful when the portable electronic device does not already include a FM receiver. Another example of an accessory is a wireless data capture device.

Accessory for portable electronic device


Fluid connection (12) for a wiper blade (14) of a windshield wiping system, wherein a heating element (16) is arranged in a lumen (18) and protrudes from an opening (18) of the lumen (18), wherein a tubular sealing means (10) is able to be arranged on the opening (20) and closes the opening (20) in a fluid-tight manner and fixes the heating means (16).

The invention relates to a fluid connection for a wiper blade. The invention further relates to a wiper blade having a fluid connection.
Wiper blades which are part of a windshield wiping system of a motor vehicle and which are provided for wiping, for example, a windshield are known. The windshield of the vehicle to be wiped is moistened with cleaning fluid by means of a spray nozzle which is fixed to the engine hood and which is spaced apart from the wiper blade. The moistened windshield is cleaned by the wiper blade. To this end, the wiper blade performs an oscillating motion effected by the windshield wiping system whilst the cleaning fluid is applied. At the same time the applied cleaning fluid occasionally obscures the view through the windshield. The view through the windshield remains obscured until the wiper blade wipes away the cleaning fluid.

Fluid connection for a wiper blade and such a wiper blade


A method for dividing communication services in smart substation into different priorities, the method including: determining the priority of a message to be sent according to the service type and its priority definition; the communication services includes trip message, state change message, sampled value message, device status message, time synchronization message, and file transfer message; the corresponding priority is respectively defined as 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 1; and filling the user priority field of IEEE802.1Q label in a message header with a binary value corresponding to its priority.

The disclosure belongs to the field of communication technology for smart substation, and in particular, to a priority scheme of communication services in smart substation, a queue scheduling method for the priority scheme, a sending module, and a forwarding module.
The further development of the smart grid puts forward the requirement of unified networking for all communication services in the smart substation. That is, the structure of the communication network in the smart substation develops towards the mode that all intelligent electronic devices (IED) in the station are connected to the same network. This networking construction maximizes information sharing and improves network efficiency, but increases the uncertainty of network load and network delay at the same time. When the smart substation meets system disturbance or network attacks, the burst traffic may cause network congestion, thus making switches become the bottleneck of the network, and the network quality of service (QoS) decreases. Burst traffic will lead to the communication delay of key service increases, affect the action behavior of sensitive equipment, and eventually affect the safe and stable operation of the power grid. Therefore, how to ensure the real-time and reliability of key services under network congestion is a problem that must be solved when there is just one network in the smart substation.
IEC61850 gives preliminary suggestions that messages within the station use IEEE802.1Q priority tags to give different priority levels, while in the current actual project, two-level priority is adopted by default. The services carried by Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messages and Sampled Value (SV) messages are set as high priority 4. And the remaining services are set as low priority 1. Switches use Strict Priority Queue (SPQ) algorithm to schedule messages. However, in the smart substation, different types of services have different real-time requirements, and service failure also causes varying degree damage to a primary power system. The two-level priority and SPQ scheduling strategy lack more detailed research on distinguishing services according to their different characteristics, and thus are difficult to guarantee the real-time and reliability of key services in case of network congestion.

Method and module of priority division and queue scheduling for communication services in smart substation


A motorcycle 1, in which rear portions of glove bars 2 and a seat cowl 24 are formed integrally, and front and rear portions of the glove bars 2, respectively, are mounted to a body frame 8. Accordingly, with the motorcycle 1, while reduction in cost is achieved, any clearance is prevented from being formed at connecting portions of the glove bars and the seat cowl to mar an outward appearance, and a load applied to the seat cowl from the glove bars is decreased, thus leading to reduction of the seat cowl in weight.

Conventionally, motorcycles of this type include, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP-A-5-286469 (pages 2-3, FIGS. 1, 10, 11, 13)). The motorcycle disclosed in the Patent Document 1 comprises a seat cowl that covers a lower portion of a seat rear part from both left and right sides and the rear. The seat cowl is mounted to a body frame and provided on a rear portion thereof with glove bars, which project laterally of a vehicle body.
When a fellow rider seated on a rear portion of a seat stabilizes the upper part of the body, or a driver lifts a rear portion of a vehicle body in order to stand a main stand, the glove bars are grasped and mounted to the body frame and the seat cowl by struts, which are provided at both ends of the vehicle body in a longitudinal direction to extend inside the vehicle body.
The glove bars mounted to the body frame has the struts extending through the seat cowl and inside the vehicle body, and ends of the struts inside the vehicle body are mounted to the body frame. The glove bars mounted to the seat cowl has the ends of the struts inside the vehicle body mounted to the seat cowl.
In addition, the applicant of the present application could not find a prior art document closely related to the invention until the filing of the present application except prior art documents specified by information of prior art documents described in the specification of the present application.


A sample analyzer for analyzing the characteristics of a plurality of samples. The analyzer includes a movable sample support for holding samples arranged in a first plurality of holders in a sequence for movement in a first direction. An indexing drive for the sample support advances the sample support in the first direction in a set of one or more increments, wherein one increment in the set is a net amount equal to a second plurality of holders greater than one holder and less than the first plurality such that the second plurality is relatively prime with respect to the first plurality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to conveyor systems. The present invention has a specific application to conveyor systems for sample analyzers such as chemical analyzers for testing characteristics of bodily fluids.
2. Related Art
Automated analyzers for chemical, immunochemical and/or biological testing of samples taken from patients are well known. Chemical or physical tests are performed on biological fluids such as urine, blood serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and the like. A sample of the fluid is typically combined with a prepared reagent liquid, buffer liquid and/or diluting liquid and thereafter maintained at a controlled temperature until analytical measurements can be taken, such as by a photometer. For example, the measurement process analyzes the presence in the original sample of a given biochemical substance or characteristic.
There are several types of automatic sample analyzers. Preferably, each analyzer occupies a minimum of physical space, has a high throughput, analyzes dynamic as well as completed reactions and optimizes the placement of equipment. One type of analyzer has a plurality of parallel, simultaneously operating channels, each of which is arranged to accomplish a specific analysis. The analyses may be identical, to maximize throughput, or they may be distinct, to provide a variety of tests. A second type operates in series having one single processing channel for carrying out a specific analysis. Samples are supplied in sequence and analyzed sequentially according to the specific analysis assigned to the apparatus. In both of these types of systems, physical positioning of the various processing apparatus, such as sample load units, reagent add units, reagent mix units and sample unload units, is highly constrained for small systems. Such processing apparatus must be positioned relatively closely to one another so that each apparatus can accomplish its desired function at the proper time in the testing sequence. For large analyzers, processing apparatus, which might be spaced further apart physically from one another because of spacing requirements, often are too far away from the starting point for a sample to be processed within the required reaction or sensing time. Therefore, there are both close physical constraints and time restrictions on conventional sample analyzers. Limitations created by unique analysis procedures such as for dynamic reactions also restrict analyzer design and operation. These physical and time constraints lower sample throughput and inhibit the maximum use of mechanical equipment or the number of operations available in a given time period or step.
Accordingly, there is a need for a sample analyzer and process which increases sample throughput, which permits analysis of dynamic reactions and provides for multiple scans of a given sample, maximizes the use of processing apparatus and the number of operations occurring during the process, optimizes the residence time for a given sample in the system and which analyzes a large number of samples with a single analyzer. There is also a need for a sample analyzer which disassociates physical and temporal space, e.g. which separates the logical processing steps from the physical limitations of a given system, thereby allowing discrete processing apparatus to be spaced out over the architecture of the system and so that the processing apparatus can still conform to the spacial and timing requirements for the analyzer.
It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus for efficiently, in terms of both time and space, transporting samples or other items for processing, which provides a high throughput, which maximizes the use and positioning of processing apparatus, which maximizes the number of operations occurring in a given amount of time and which optimizes the residence times of and analysis steps for the samples or other items. It is a further object of the present invention to disassociate logical and physical space with respect to the samples or other items being analyzed and with respect to the processing apparatus, and to permit operation on a large number of samples or items with a single processing apparatus. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a sample analyzer which moves samples a plurality of times and which can perform an operation such as scanning for all samples every time the samples are moved. It is an additional object to provide a sample analyzer which can track blank sample areas for calibration or other processing.

Method and apparatus for the stepwise movement of items


A method of performing automated object inspection includes obtaining a plurality of test images. For each of the plurality of test images, the method includes quantitatively determining a respective transformation from a predefined contour of the reference marker in the predefined common layout to a respective anchor contour corresponding to the reference marker as captured in the test image; and applying an inverse of the respective transformation to at least a portion of the test image to obtain a respective regularized version of the test image, such that the reference markers captured in the respective regularized versions of the plurality of test images share an image-independent location and orientation. The method further includes performing independent automated inspection on each of two or more sub-portions of the respective regularized versions of the test images.

Manufacturers implement various quality control measures to reduce the amount of defective products that enter the stream of commerce. Some quality control measures involve human workers and/or devices visual inspecting products. However, current visual inspection techniques face low accuracy and low efficiency for complex object inspection and also do not provide convenient user interactions with the system. As such, challenges exist in identifying product defects for a complex product including multiple components and multiple types of defects.

Methods and system for improved quality inspection


A voltage measuring apparatus comprises an optical probe furnished with an electro-optic material whose refractive index is changed in accordance with a voltage developing in a given part of an object and an auxiliary electrode for terminating electric lines of force coming from the given part, a light source for producing light to be inputted to the electro-optic material, a light polarization detector for detecting a polarization state of output light from the electro-optic material, and a power source for applying a variable voltage to the auxiliary electrode. An absolute value of the voltage in the given part can be determined as a specific value of the variable voltage obtained when no change is detected in the polarization state of the output light.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the voltage of an object of interest using an optical probe furnished with an electro-optic material which exhibits the electro-optic effect.
Apparatus have been known that measure the voltage at a given part of an object of interest such as an integrated circuit using an optical probe furnished with an electro-optic material such as LiTaO.sub.3 which exhibits the electro-optic effect (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,425 issued May 1, 1984; IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Vol. QE-22, No. 1, pp. 69-78, published January 1986; J. A. Valdmanis, CLEO '78, pp. 352-353, published 1987; and LLE Review, July-September, pp. 158-163, published 1987).
FIGS. 10 and 11 show the principle for the method of voltage measurement described in these references. An optical probe 50 (or 60) shown in FIG. 10 (or 11) uses an electro-optic material 52 (or 62) cut out in such a way that the Z-axis of the crystal is parallel to the bottom end face 51 (or 61). In the system shown in FIG. 10, the bottom end face 51 of the electro-optic material 52 is further furnished with a total reflection mirror 53 formed of a dielectric multilayer film.
An object of interest 70 has both an electrode 71 for developing the voltage to be measured and an electrode (e.g. ground electrode) 72 for terminating the electric field lines coming from the electrode 71. In order to measure the voltage of the electrode 71 on the object 70, the optical probe 50 (or 60) is positioned as shown in FIG. 10 (or 11) and in such a way that the Z-axis of the electro-optic material 52 (or 62) will lie parallel to the line joining the electrodes 71 and 72. This arrangement enables detecting the intensity of an electric field (electric field lines) acting in a direction horizontal to the surface of the object 70. The refractive index of the electro-optic material 52 (or 62) varies in accordance with the intensity of a horizontal field, so in the case shown in FIG. 10, an incident light beam I.sub.1 that is launched along the central axial line B-B of the optical probe 50 is reflected from the total reflecting mirror 53; and in the case shown in FIG. 11, the incident light beam I.sub.1 is totally refracted three times by the inside surfaces of the optical probe 60. By extracting the change in the state of polarization of the light beam R.sub.1 emerging from each probe, the strength of the horizontal field is detected so as to measure the voltage developing at the electrode 71.
The prior art voltage measuring apparatus which employs the optical groove 50 or 60, however, has had the problem that theoretically it is only capable of measuring the field strength between the two electrodes 71 and 72 on the object 70, rather than the absolute voltage developing at the electrode 71.


A seal assembly for a nested dual drill pipe includes a tube having a female seal assembly and a male seal assembly at the longitudinal ends. The female seal assembly includes a larger internal diameter portion, a taper adjacent thereto and a smaller internal diameter portion adjacent to the taper. The male seal assembly includes a smaller external diameter portion, a seal groove adjacent thereto and a larger external diameter portion adjacent to the seal groove. The smaller internal diameter portion and the larger external diameter portion have diameters selected to enable free longitudinal movement of the male seal assembly into the female seal assembly while limiting axial displacement to maintain the seal ring fully energized.

The disclosure relates generally to the field of drill pipe used in drilling wellbores through subsurface formations. More particularly, the disclosure relates to "dual" drill pipe, in which two separate fluid conduits are provided within a single pipe extending from a drilling unit into a wellbore, and to seals for maintaining fluid tight connections between inner fluid conduits within such dual drill pipe.
Dual drill pipe is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,539 issued to Henderson. Generally, dual drill pipe includes conventional, threadedly connected drill pipe, such as conforms to standards set by the American Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C. An inner conduit or tube may be disposed in the interior of the conventional drill pipe to provide an additional fluid conduit. As explained in the Henderson '539 patent, the additional fluid conduit may be used to transport drill cuttings from a drill bit back to the surface during drilling operations. A possible advantage of using the additional conduit for such purpose is that the conduit has smaller cross-sectional area than an annular space between the exterior of the conventional drill pipe and the wall of the wellbore. Such smaller cross-sectional area enables higher drilling fluid velocity, thus requiring less drilling fluid flow to entrain the drill cuttings and return them to the surface. Another possible advantage of using the additional conduit for cuttings return is in drilling highly inclined wellbores. In such wellbores, cuttings tend to settle on the bottom of the wellbore, sometimes leading to "packing", and having the drill pipe become stuck in the wellbore as a result.
Dual drill pipe structures known in the art may require extended seal engagement features for the inner tube to be sealingly engaged between segments of the dual drill pipe, and such seal engagement features may not accommodate extensive axial misalignment of the segments of drill pipe during assembly or disassembly. There exists a need for improved sealing devices for the inner pipe of a nested dual drill pipe.

Seal assembly for nested dual drill pipe


Disclosed is a wafer support member including a base substrate, a support adhered at a predetermined width to the edge of the base substrate, the support having a round outermost part, and a coating layer provided on the outermost edge of the support.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wafer polishing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pad-in template assembly which contacts a wafer during the final polishing process in the fabrication of silicon wafers for semiconductor devices.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Wafers are generally used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. A wafer is a circular plate formed by thinly slicing an ingot in which a silicon crystal as a semiconductor material is grown on the circumference thereof.
In the fabrication of silicon wafers for semiconductor devices, cylindrical silicon (ingot) is cut (sliced) into separate wafers. At this time, the surface of the cut wafer is protruded or grooved. Accordingly, polishing is required to planarize the wafers.
A wafer polishing machine comprises a surface plate, a mounting block, a polishing unit head, a central guide and a peripheral guide. While the polishing unit rotates, the wafer is polished via the interaction of a polishing cloth and a polishing solution provided on the surface plate.
At this time, pressurization of the polishing unit onto the wafer is as follows.
A wafer is provided on a wafer support member, e.g., template assembly and the wafer support member is adhered to the mounting block. While the polishing unit applies a predetermined pressure to the mounting block and rotates at the same time, it generates friction between the wafer and the polishing cloth and thus evenly polishes the surface of the wafer to produce a mirror finish.
The template assembly is used in the final wafer polishing process.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional wafer support member. Hereinafter, the conventional wafer support member will be illustrated with reference to FIG. 1.
As mentioned above, the conventional wafer support member has a structure in which an epoxy glass 110 is laminated at the edge of a back material 120. Since a plurality of layers are laminated on the epoxy glass 110, the wafer support member serves as a retainer ring to guide and support such that the wafer is not separated from the head in the wafer polishing process.
However, the conventional wafer support member has the following problems.
FIG. 2A is a view illustrating the front surface of a polished wafer.
The front surface of the wafer is measured using an LLS measurement apparatus, SP2, after polishing. And, as shown in FIG. 2A, ARC typed fine scratches are present on the front surface of the wafer. The scratches are caused by fine glass fibers and foreign materials from the edge of the wafer support member.
FIG. 2B is a detailed view illustrating scratches present on the front surface of the wafer. As a result of detecting the front surface of the wafer using AFM, shallow scratches having a depth of 0.2 to 0.4 nm and a width of 300 to 600 nm were observed.

Wafer support member, method for manufacturing the same and wafer polishing unit comprising the same


There are disclosed nucleosides having Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is H or acyl. These compounds have anticancer activity.

This invention relates to certain 2'-F, 2-halo substituted purine nucleosides.
Certain arabinofuranosyl nucleosides have well known antiviral (araA) and anticancer (araC) activity. Some arabinofuranosyl nucleosides with 2'-substituents other than a hydroxyl also have shown useful biological effects. All of these nucleosides require activation (phosphorylation) to be effective, and generally this is accomplished by different enzyme than the corresponding ribofuranosyl nucleosides.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,221 to Watanabe et al discloses nucleosides represented by the following formula: ##STR2## wherein
X and Y are the same or different and are hydrogen, OR.sup.3 (keto or enol), SR.sup.3, NR.sup.3 R.sup.4, NH acyl or halogen such as chlorine or bromine;
R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and are hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and the like, aralkyl such as benzyl, benzhydryl, p-methoxybenzyl and the like, or aryl such as phenyl, p-chlorophenyl, toluyl, p-methoxyphenyl, naphthyl and the like;
NH acyl may be an alkanoyl or aroyl amide; and
R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different hydrogen or acyl groups which may be alkanoyl groups of 1 to 20 carbon atoms such as formyl, acetyl, propionyl, isopropionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, tert-butyryl, valeryl, pivaloyl, caproyl, capryl, lauryl, myristyl, palmityl, stearyl, arachidyl, stilligyl, palmitoleyl, oleyl, linolenyl, arachidonyl and the like.
Montgomery et al, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1986, Vol. 29, No. 11, pps. 2389-2392 disclose nucleosides having the following formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same and may be Cl or NH.sub.2, R.sub.3 may be benzoyl or hydrogen, and R.sub.4 may be acetyl or hydrogen.


The present disclosure provides a method of semiconductor fabrication including forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer on a semiconductor substrate. The ILD layer has an opening defined by sidewalls of the ILD layer. A spacer element is formed on the sidewalls of the ILD layer. A gate structure is formed in the opening adjacent the spacer element. In an embodiment, the sidewall spacer also for a decrease in the dimensions (e.g., length) of the gate structure formed in the opening.

The integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. In the course of IC evolution, the functional density has generally increased while feature size has decreased. This scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. Such scaling down has also increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC manufacturing are needed.
In order to continually meet performance requirements, there has been a desire to replace some of the polysilicon gate electrodes of an integrated circuit with metal gate electrodes. One process of implementing metal gates is termed a "gate last" or "replacement gate" methodology. In such a process, a dummy (e.g., sacrificial) polysilicon gate is initially formed, various processes associated with the semiconductor device are performed, and the dummy gate is subsequently removed and replaced with a metal gate.
As feature size decreased, it may also be desired to provide shorter effective gate length of a field effect transistor (FET). The shorter gate length may increase the speed of the transistor. However, due to photolithography limitations, providing a shorter gate length for a smaller dimension feature sizes may be difficult to obtain. The characteristics and performance of semiconductor devices can be altered by changing the sizes (e.g., length) of the FETs used. For example, it may be desired to decrease the effective gate length of a device to increase the speed, decrease the current, and/or alter other parameters of the FET.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A herbicidal composition is provided, the composition comprising: (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione); and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate (metsulfuron-methyl). A method of controlling plant growth at a locus comprises applying to the locus herbicidally effective amounts of both (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione); and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate (metsulfuron-methyl).

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a synergistic herbicidal composition. The composition finds use in controlling the growth of undesirable plant, particularly in crops, including using the aforementioned composition.
2. Description of Related Art
The protection of crops from undesirable plant, which inhibits crop growth, is a constantly recurring problem in agriculture. To solve this problem, researchers are trying to produce an extensive variety of chemicals and chemical formulations effective in the control of such undesirable growth. Chemical herbicides of many types have been disclosed in the literature and a large number are in commercial use.
Some herbicidal active ingredients have been shown to be more effective when applied in combination rather than applied individually, this effect being referred to as "synergism." According to Herbicide Handbook of the Weed Science Society of America, Seventh Edition, 1994, page 318, "synergism" is an interaction of two or more factors such that the effect when combined is greater than the predicted effect based on the response to each factor applied separately.
The compound 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione has the common name "mesotrione". Mesotrione is a substance that can form polymorph crystals. Two different forms, crystalline modifications I and II, of mesotrione are described in WO2006021743, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Mesotrione is active as a herbicide and is now commercially available in a range of formulations for controlling the growth of undesirable plant.
Metsulfuron-methyl, i.e., methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate is a member of the sulfonylurea group of chemicals and used as herbicide. Metsulfuron-methyl is a residual sulfonylurea herbicide against broadleaved weed and is one of the most important in its class for use in the cereals sector, where it competes against broad-spectrum commodity products. The commercially available metsulfuron-methyl, which is usually manufactured by the process described in EP 0318276, which is incorporated herein by reference, where it is present in an amorphous state having a melting point of about 158° C.

Synergistic herbicidal composition and use thereof

ROTAM AGROCHEM INTERNATIONAL COMPANY LIMITED


A clock data recovery circuit with feedback type phase discrimination. The clock data recovery circuit has an output signal of B bits and comprises a sampler, a phase region decision circuit, a phase status register and a multiplexer. The sampler oversamples k*B bits per cycle from a data input signal according to a sampling clock signal. The phase region decision circuit generates a plurality of binary up-down decision signals according to the oversampled data input signal and a current phase status signal. The phase status register generates the current phase status signal according to the binary up-down decision signals. The multiplexer selects data of B bits from the oversampled data input signal according to the current phase status signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to clock data recovery and, in particular, to clock data recovery circuits with phase decision circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some data streams, especially high-speed serial data streams, (such as the raw stream of data from the magnetic head of a disk drive) are sent without an accompanying clock. The receiver generates a clock from an approximate frequency reference, and phase-aligns to the transitions in the data stream with a phase locked loop (PLL). In order for this scheme to work, the data stream must have frequent enough transition to correct any drift in the PLL's oscillator. Thus, clock data recovery circuits can be a key circuit block in a receiver.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional clock data recovery circuit as disclosed in "A 0.5 um CMOS 4 Gbit/s Serial Link Transceiver with Data Recovery Using Oversampling", IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 33, pp 713-722, May. 1998, by C. K. Yang and M. Horowitz. The clock data recovery circuit comprises a sampler 110, an XOR circuit block 120, a shift register 130, a voter 140, a multiplexer 150 and a post process logic circuit 160. The sampler 110 receives an input data stream IN and a sampling clock signal CLK. The XOR circuit 120 is coupled to the sampler 110 and receives the oversampled input data stream IN′. The shift register 130 is coupled to the XOR circuit block 120. The voter 140 is coupled to the shift register 130 and generates a voting result according to the oversampled input data stream IN′. The multiplexer 150 is coupled to the voter 140 and selects data from the oversampled input data stream IN′ according to the voting result. Data processing of the selected data is performed by the post process logic circuit 160 and thus an output signal is provided. In this conventional clock data recovery circuit, number of voting needs to be large enough such that voting error rate is reduced. Hardware cost is also an issue.
FIG. 2 shows another conventional clock data recovery circuit as disclosed in "Multi-Gigabit-Rate Clock and Data Recovery Based on Blind Oversampling", IEEE Communication Magazine, pp. 68-74, December 2003, by J. Kim and D. K. Jeong. The clock data recovery circuit comprises a sampler 210, an XOR circuit block 220, a first voter 230, a shift register 240, a second voter 250, a multiplexer 260 and a post process logic circuit 270. The sampler 210 receives an input data stream IN and a sampling clock signal CLK. The XOR circuit 220 is coupled to the sampler 210 and receives the oversampled input data stream IN′. The first voter 230 is coupled to the XOR circuit block 220 and performs a first voting. The shift register 240 is coupled to the first voter 230 and receives the first voting result. The second voter 250 is coupled to the shift register 240 and generates a second voting result according to an output signal of the shift register 240. The multiplexer 260 is coupled to the second voter 250 and selects data from the oversampled input data stream IN′ according to the second voting result. Data processing of the selected data is performed by the post process logic circuit 270 and thus an output signal is provided. In this conventional clock data recovery circuit, number of voting still needs to be large enough such that voting error rate is reduced. Hardware cost, while lower than in the previous conventional clock data recovery circuit, remains an issue.

Clock data recovery circuit with phase decision circuit


An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a memory configured to store a high-speed video captured with a first number of frames per second and a processor configured to be electrically connected with the memory. The processor is configured to detect an amount of image variation based on at least one of the first number of frames and generate a slow motion interval, a playback time of which is extended, by dividing or sampling the first number of frames into a second number of frames which are less than the first number of frames with respect to a video interval having an amount of image variation which meets a specified condition.

An electronic device may collect an image using its camera. For example, a conventional electronic device may collect a still image or a moving image using its camera. The collected image may be output on a display.
The above-mentioned conventional electronic device may provide a high-speed video capture function for capturing a video at a high speed. This conventional electronic device may simply provide only a function of storing a video captured at a high speed, or playing back the video or transmitting the video to a server or the like according to a user request.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Method for providing video content and electronic device for supporting the same


The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for coding overlays in a scalable bitstream environment. H.265's Video Parameter Set (VPS) may be augmented to include syntax elements indicative of a type of an auxiliary picture, which can, for example, be an overlay picture, an overlay layout, an alpha picture (which controls semi-transparency of pictures), and so on. A Supplementary Enhancement Information (SEI-) message may be used to describe the overlay layout and associate the aux type layers.

Video compression using scalable techniques in the sense used herein allows a digital video signal to be represented in the form of multiple layers and/or in multiple views for multiview environments such as stereoscopic view environments. Henceforth, the described are only multiple layers, with the understanding that with respect to the disclosed subject matter, multiple views can in many cases substitute for multiple layers. Scalable video coding techniques have been proposed and/or standardized since at least 1993.
ITU-T Rec. H.265, entitled High Efficiency Video Coding, version April 2013, (available from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), is referred herein as HEVC. HEVC may be enhanced by a scalable extension known as SHVC (see JCT-VC-O1008, available from http://phenix.it-sudparis.eu/jct/doc_end_user/current_document.php?id=8527, incorporated herein in its entirety.) SHVC, in contrast to HEVC. may include the feature of coding multiple spatial or SNR enhancement layers in addition to a base layer in one scalable bitstream. Other extensions to H.265 may cover the multiview case.
In SHVC, the layer functionality has, as of the time of this writing, focused on traditional use cases for scalability, such as support for a heterogeneous receiver/decoder population utilizing the same scalable bitstream, or error resilience.
JCT-VC-O0358, entitled "Proposal for Supporting Optional Overlays with MV-HEVC", available from http://phenix.it-sudparis.eu/jct/doc_end_user/current_document.php?id=8500 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses certain techniques to enable overlays using the multiview extension known as MV-HEVC. These techniques can have certain limitations; for example, they are described as being limited to MV-HEVC, support only a single overlay picture, and require an overlay layout for each overlay picture (in contrast to allowing for a single overlay layout for multiple overlay pictures).
It would be advantageous if the aforementioned shortcomings could be avoided.


A display method and apparatus for navigation system for displaying a guidance map showing appropriate number of upcoming and subsequent turns on the route to the destination with an appropriate and enlarged display size. The guidance map includes a highlighted route indicating the directions of turns. The navigation system applies various test conditions to the geometry of the streets to determine the number of turns to be displayed. Then, the navigation system enlarges the guidance map so that the map covers the area that can show the adjusted number of turns and the streets at the maximum size.

This invention relates to a display method and apparatus for navigation system, and more particularly, to a display method and apparatus for a navigation system which is capable of displaying a guidance map showing appropriate number of upcoming and subsequent turns on the route to the destination with an appropriate display size.
A vehicle navigation system performs vehicle travel guidance for enabling a driver to easily drive the vehicle to a selected destination. Typically, a navigation system displays a direction of the next turn in a highlighted route format on the guidance map. This invention is directed to a display method and apparatus for displaying directions of turns when there are two or more turns in succession within a short distance on the route to the destination.
First, basic technology of a navigation system is briefly described here. Such a navigation system detects the position of the vehicle, reads out map data pertaining to an area at the vehicle current position from a data storage medium, for example, a CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory) or a DVD (digital versatile disc), and displays a map image on a monitor screen (display) while superimposing a mark representing the current location of the vehicle on the map image.
The vehicle position is determined by a self-contained navigation sensors (e.g. Ea distance traveled sensor and a bearing sensor) mounted in the vehicle or by a global positioning system (GPS) including an artificial satellite (satellite navigation). The satellite enables absolute position detection and higher position accuracy than the self-contained navigation sensors. However, the satellite navigation involves problem of position detection failure such as in a tunnel or a building where the satellite radio signals are obstructed. Therefore, recent navigation systems utilize both self-contained navigation and satellite navigation to achieve improved performances.
As the present position of the vehicle changes with the travel of the vehicle, the vehicle current position mark in the map image on the screen is changed accordingly. Alternatively, the map is scrolled while the vehicle current position mark is fixed at a predetermined position, for example, at the center of the image. In either method, the navigation system enables the driver to recognize the map information of the area at the vehicle position at a glance.
When a destination is not set, such a navigation system functions as a locator map which indicates the current location of the vehicle on a map image. When the destination is set, the navigation system starts a route guidance function for setting a guided route from the starting point to the destination. Typically, the route guidance function performs an intersection guidance process in which a monitor screen displays an enlarged intersection diagram and the direction in which the vehicle is to travel while displaying the guide route on a map. When a destination is input, a CPU in the navigation system determines a most suitable guided route from the current vehicle position to the destination and successively stores nodes (expressed in longitude and latitude) constituting the guided route in a memory.
During actual traveling, the node series stored in the memory is searched for a portion of the guided route to be displayed in a map display area of the monitor screen, and the portion of the guided route is highlighted so as to be discriminable from other routes. When the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of an intersection it is approaching, an intersection guidance diagram (an enlarged or highlighted intersection diagram with an arrow indicating the direction in which the vehicle is to turn at the intersection) is displayed to inform a driver of the desired one of roads or directions selectable at the intersection.
FIG. 1A shows an example of a locator map display containing a vehicle current position mark VCP on a map image 21. Typically, a navigation system shows the street on which the vehicle is running in the map image 21 and a name of the street such as xe2x80x9cW 190TH STxe2x80x9d in an information box 23 on the monitor screen. Other information such as a north pointer NP, a map scale and a current time may also be illustrated on the display screen. In this manner, the locator map display shows the current position of the vehicle on the map image, however, it does not perform the route guidance function because the destination is not set in the navigation system.
FIG. 1B shows an example of route guidance display which performs the route guidance function. The route guidance display is activated after specifying the destination. In addition to the map image 21 similar to the locator map of FIG. 1A, this example further shows an arrow indicating the direction (left) in which the vehicle is to turn at the intersection in a guidance information box 22 at the top of the screen. The guidance information box 22 also shows a name of the street xe2x80x9cPRAIRIE AVExe2x80x9d which intersects with the current street xe2x80x9cW 190TH STxe2x80x9d and a distance to the intersection. Thus, the navigation system indicates that the vehicle should make a left turn at the intersection with xe2x80x9cPRAIRIE AVExe2x80x9d.
Typically, the current street xe2x80x9cW 190TH STxe2x80x9d and the left side of the street xe2x80x9cPRAIRIE AVExe2x80x9d will be highlighted in the map image 21. Further, such route guidance is accompanied by voice instructions. If the direction of travel in the next intersection is left, the navigation system gives spoken guidance such as xe2x80x9cturn left at the next intersectionxe2x80x9d. In this example, an information box 24 at the bottom of the display screen includes information regarding the remaining distance to the final destination and an estimated time to reach the final destination.
In order to be guided by the route guidance mode such as shown in FIG. 1B, a destination must be specified in the navigation system so that the system can find one or more routes to get to the destination. FIGS. 2A-2F show examples of display shown on the monitor screen during the operation of inputting the destination.
By operating a menu key, a main menu 25 such as shown in FIG. 2A is displayed on the navigation system and a menu item xe2x80x9cDestinationxe2x80x9d is selected from the main menu. This allows the navigation system to display a xe2x80x9cEnter Destination byxe2x80x9d menu 27 as shown in FIG. 2B for specifying an input method for selecting the destination. The xe2x80x9cEnter Destination byxe2x80x9d menu 27 lists various methods for selecting the destination including xe2x80x9cAddressxe2x80x9d for specifying the city and address of the destination, xe2x80x9cIntersectionxe2x80x9d for specifying the names of two streets in the city which intersect with one another, and xe2x80x9cPoint of Interestxe2x80x9d for selecting the programmed destination based on the name, category or telephone number.
Other methods in the xe2x80x9cEnter Destination byxe2x80x9d menu 27 include xe2x80x9cRecent Routexe2x80x9d for specifying the destination based on the recent destinations saved in the navigation system, xe2x80x9cAddress Bookxe2x80x9d for selecting the address of the destination out of the addresses stored in the system, and xe2x80x9cMap Cursorxe2x80x9d for specifying the destination by pointing a cursor to the destination on the map. For example, the information in the address book is formed of a list of names and addresses of the places that the driver frequently visits.
When selecting, for example, the xe2x80x9cPoint of Interestxe2x80x9d in FIG. 2B, the navigation system displays a xe2x80x9cCategory Listxe2x80x9d menu 28 such as shown in FIG. 2C. The xe2x80x9cCategory Listxe2x80x9d menu 28 contains various different categories such as xe2x80x9cBankxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cRestaurantxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cHotelxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cShoppingxe2x80x9d and others. Supposing the category xe2x80x9cShoppingxe2x80x9d is selected, the navigation system displays xe2x80x9cName Listxe2x80x9d such as shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E. The xe2x80x9cName Listxe2x80x9d shows names of shops and shopping malls sorted by, for example, distance from the vehicle. In an address information box 31 on the display, the address and phone number of the highlighted name in the list 33 will be displayed. The address information box 31 may also show the distance to the highlighted shop. Typically, the navigation system stores several tens or hundreds of names of shops within predetermined distances and displays several shops per page of display screen, and a user may scroll the display screen to see other names of shops in the name list 36 such as shown in FIG. 2E.
When the destination is not prestored in the navigation system, a user can input the destination by selecting, for example, the xe2x80x9cAddressxe2x80x9d method or xe2x80x9cIntersectionxe2x80x9d method in the xe2x80x9cEnter Destination byxe2x80x9d menu 27 of FIG. 2B. Then, the navigation system displays an xe2x80x9cEnter Street Namexe2x80x9d shown in FIG. 2F for inputting the city and address in an address input box 37 by means of a key board (keypad) 38 displayed on the monitor screen.
After inputting the destination, the navigation system determines a route to the destination based on, for example, the shortest way to reach the destination, the route preferring freeways to surface roads or the route without using toll road, and the like. Thus, the navigation system moves to the route guidance display such as shown in FIG. 1B which performs the route guidance.
In the route guidance, the direction of next turn is illustrated by arrow (arrow guidance) or highlighted route (map guidance) as shown in FIG. 1B. Such route guidance by the navigation system is also given by voice instruction. When there is a second turn relatively close to the first turn, the navigation system shows the first and second turns on the display depending on predetermined conditions.
Such an example of displaying the first turn or both of the first and second turns is shown in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B. This conventional technology is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,772 which is directed to the arrow guidance. FIGS. 3A and 3B show a case where the distance D1 between the first turn P1 and the second turn P2 is smaller than a predetermined amount. In contrast, FIGS. 4A and 4B show a case where the distance D2 between the first turn Q1 and the second turn Q2 is larger than the predetermined amount.
When the second turn is near the first turn, as in the case of FIG. 3A, the navigation system detects that the distance between the first turn P1 and the second turn P2 is smaller than the predetermined amount. Then the navigation system displays two arrows respectively indicating the directions of the first turn P1 and the second turns P2 on the screen in a partially overlapped manner in FIG. 3B.
When the second turn is away from the first turn, as in the case of FIG. 4A, the navigation system detects that the distance between the first turn P1 and the second turn P2 is larger than the predetermined amount. Then the navigation system displays only one arrow indicating the direction of the first turn P1.
In this conventional technology, only one or two arrows will be displayed on the screen. Thus, it is not possible to provide a driver sufficient information or a route image regarding the subsequent turns, such as how soon the subsequent turn comes or whether there is a further turn immediately after the subsequent turn, etc. Therefore, there is a need in the navigation system to illustrate an optimum number of turns on the guidance map with an optimum size of the map so that the driver is able to grasp the upcoming turns and succeeding turns at a glance.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a display method and apparatus for navigation system which enables a user to easily and quickly grasp the turn maneuvers and directions in the map guidance mode with optimum window sizing.
The navigation system is designed to enable a user to quickly observe the two or more turn maneuvers on the map image to fully prepare for the turns coming in succession. The navigation system applies various test conditions and determines optimum number of turns to be displayed and enlarges the guidance map by removing the unnecessary turns from displaying on the screen. Not all of the test conditions may necessarily be used but various combinations of test conditions can be advantageously used in the navigation system.
More specifically, the method of the present invention includes steps of: displaying a guidance map for guiding a user to a destination by indicating a maneuver point on the route and a direction of turn at the maneuver point; detecting a plurality of maneuver points in succession on the route to the destination and applying at least one test condition to the maneuver points based on geometry of the maneuver points; adjusting a number of maneuver points to be displayed on the guidance map; and enlarging a size of the guidance map while including the adjusted number of maneuver points in the guidance map.
The step of enlarging the guidance map includes a step of maximizing the size of the guidance map while sufficiently including all of the adjusted number of maneuver points. The step of adjusting the number of maneuver points includes a step of including a maneuver point which forms a street shorter than a predetermined length defined by the test condition in the guidance map and a step of removing a maneuver point which forms a street longer than the predetermined length defined by the test condition from the guidance map.
The test condition includes a test condition (1) which determines L(n, n+1)xe2x89xa6Lmax, where L(n, n+1) is a drive length along a street between two adjacent maneuver points Pn and Pn+1, and Lmax is a maximum allowable drive length of the a street between the two adjacent maneuver points.
The test condition includes a test condition (2) which determines L(n, n+1)xe2x89xa6KDD(1, 2), where L(n, n+1) is a drive length along a street between two adjacent maneuver points Pn and Pn+1, D(1, 2) is a straight-line length between a first maneuver point P1 and a second maneuver point P2, and KD is a relative factor for determining maximum allowable straight-line maneuvers. This test condition can be modified to D(n, n+1)xe2x89xa6KDDD(1, 2), where KDD is a relative factor equivalent to KD above but is applicable to the straight-line length between points Pn and Pn+1 instead of the drive length between the two maneuver points.
The test condition includes a test condition (3) which determines L(n, n+1)xe2x89xa6KLDD(n, n+1), where L(n, n+1) is a drive length along the street between two adjacent maneuver points Pn and Pn+1, D(n, n+1) is a straight-line length between the two adjacent maneuver points Pn and Pn+1, and KLD is a relative factor for determining a maximum drive length with respect to the straight-line distance.
The test condition includes a test condition (4) which determines D(1, n+1)xe2x89xa6Dmax, where D(1, n+1) is a straight-line distance between a first maneuver point P1 and a farthest maneuver point Pn+1, and Dmax is a maximum allowable distance between the first maneuver point P1 and farthest maneuver point Pn+1. Further, the test condition includes a test condition (5) which determines mxe2x89xa6Mmax, where m is a number of maneuvers in succession, and Mmax is a maximum allowable number of maneuver points that can simultaneously appear on guidance map.
Another aspect of the present invention is a display apparatus for a vehicle navigation system. The display apparatus is configured by various means for achieving the display methods described above which applies the various test conditions to the series of turns on the route to the destination and adjusts the number of maneuver points and produces the enlarged guidance map.
According to the present invention, the vehicle navigation system enables the user to easily grasp the consecutive turns and their directions on the route to the destination. The driver can check and grasp the maneuver points at a glance and fully prepare for the next turn such as by changing lanes. Accordingly, the driver can travel to the destination comfortably and with confidence.

Display method and apparatus for navigation system


Described is a lateral field emission device emitting electrons in parallel with respect to a substrate. Electron emission materials having a predetermined thickness are arranged in a direction with respect to the substrate on a supporting portion. An anode is disposed on a side portion of the substrate, the anode corresponding to the electron emission materials.

1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a lateral field emission device. More particularly, example embodiments of the present invention relate to a lateral field emission device of emitting electrons in parallel with respect to a substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Carbon nano tube (hereinafter, referred as to "CNT"), as an acicular electron emission material, has good characteristics of the electric, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties. Thus, CNT has been employed in a variety of applicable fields. CNT relatively has a low work function, a high aspect ratio and a nanosized end portion having a small radius of curvature such that CNT relatively has a large field enhancement factor (hereinafter, referred as to "β"). Accordingly, CNT has good electron emission efficiency even under a low electric field and in addition, CNT has good mechanical and chemical stabilities and high thermal and electrical conductivities.
Nowadays, research has been actively conducted on a planar electron emission material like graphene, graphite, etc. as well as the acicular electron emission material. Currently, the field emission device has a vertical structure in that a cathode and an anode are arranged perpendicular to faces of a substrate (ex. both a front face and a rear face of the substrate). Thus, it may be necessary to form a spacer in order to secure electron transport pathway between the cathode and the anode. In order to form the spacer, complicate processes may be required. Further, it may be difficult to integrate the field emission device due to the spacer.

KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION


An LED backlight driving circuit including a boost circuit and a transformer current balance circuit is provided. The boost circuit provides a total current for n LED strings, and the transformer current balance circuit is coupled to the LED strings and includes n−1 transformers. A first LED current-balance-circuit (CBC) includes a switching-transistor connected to a secondary-winding of a first-transformer, and an nth LED CBC includes a switching-transistor connected to a primary-winding of an (n−1)th transformer. An ith (1<i<n, n>2) LED CBC includes a switching-transistor sequentially connected to a primary-winding of an (i−1)th transformer and a secondary-winding of an ith transformer. The passive-transformers are applied in the LED driving circuit to implement current balance/equalization, such that the LED backlight driving circuit is suitable for a system with any odd or even number (greater than 1) of the LED strings connected in parallel, so as to reduce the cost of the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a driving circuit, more particularly, to a light emitting diode (LED) backlight driving circuit with transformers for current balance in an LED driving field.
2. Description of Related Art
A backlight source of a conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) is mainly formed by cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), though with development of light emitting diode (LED), since the LED has advantages of high light emitting efficiency, fast response speed, good color representation, long service life and none mercury, etc., in large panel applications such as an LCD TV, it has replaced the CCFLs and becomes a main backlight source.
In order to obtain enough brightness, a plurality of LEDs is connected in series for utilization. However, considering a specific power conversion and security, etc., the number of the LEDs of each LED string is generally limited, so that in an actual large size of LCD backlight application, the LEDs are generally connected in series to form LED strings first, and then the LED strings are connected in parallel to form an LED array. To unify the brightness of the whole LCD screen, each of the LED strings has to provide a same brightness. According to a characteristic of the LED, the brightness of the LED is proportional to a driving current thereof, and a small variation of a voltage difference between two ends of the LED may lead to a large variation of a current flowing through the LED. Therefore, to produce the constant brightness, a constant current control has to be performed to each LED string of the LED backlight source.
A typical structure of LED backlight source (shown in FIG. 1) is generally composed of three stages of circuits, where a first stage is a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, a second stage is a direct current (DC)-DC isolation converter, and a third state is an LED driving circuit. The conventional LED driving circuit is as that shown in FIG. 2. The LED driving circuit is used for driving the LED strings, and performing a current balance/equalization to each of the LED strings, so as to make each of the LCD strings have the same brightness.
An LED current balance circuit is generally implemented by active devices such as operational amplifiers, transistors, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), or a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller integrated by the above devices. When the LED current balance circuit composed of the active devices (shown in FIG. 3) performs current balance/equalization, a device conduction loss is huge, so that a heat dissipation problem of the whole backlight system is hard to be resolved. Moreover, in the active current balance circuit, each LED string requires a specific current balance/equalization control circuit to individually control a current of each LED string, which may increase system complexity and cost and reduce system efficiency, so that the active current balance/equalization method is not applicable when the number of the LED strings is large.
In order to overcome the defect of the active current balance circuit, passive current balance circuits composed of passive devices such as capacitors, inductors are developed, which include 1. a capacitor current balance circuit, shown in FIG. 4(a), which is consisted of a capacitor and two anti-parallel LED strings, wherein the capacitor and the two anti-parallel LED strings are connected in series. An input of the circuit is a high-frequency alternating current (AC) signal, and a waveform of the current flowing through each LED string is an AC half-wave, so that a maximum duty cycle of each LED string is only 50%, and only the two anti-parallel LED strings connected in series with the same capacitor can implement a good current balance/equalization effect, and the other LED strings cannot implement the current balance/equalization; and 2. a transformer current balance circuit, shown in FIG. 4(b), in which a primary side and a secondary side of a transformer are respectively connected to two LED strings in series to implement the current balance/equalization, though such method can only be applied in applications when the number of the LED strings is an even number.

Light emitting diode backlight driving circuit


Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an optimal manufacturing method of a microlens to diffuse light. According to exemplary embodiments, a manufacturing method of microlens includes forming a generally convex shaped lens portions made from a light transmissive resin on a substrate having light transmissivity, and curing the lens portions, forming the lens portions being a process in which a plurality of the lens portions are formed so as to be coupled on the substrate.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a microlens, a microlens, an optical film, a screen for projection and a projector system.
2. Description of Related Art
The related art includes lens portions of a lenticular sheet included in a screen for projection, as shown in FIG. 11. The lens portions are in a shape in which a plurality of half-cylindrical shaped cylindrical lenses 80 are disposed on a transparent substrate 4 so that their longitudinal directions are parallel. The lenses have a function to diffuse light to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular direction. For this reason, the lens portions of the lenticular sheet have an effect to enlarge the visible range of the image or the like projected on the screen. Specifically, the effect is to enhance or improve visibility from directions other than the front of the screen. For example, the shape is shown inrelated art document Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-31842 (FIG. 44). The lens portions of this lenticular sheet are generally manufactured by molding resin by an injection molding machine using a die.

Method of manufacturing microlens, microlens, optical film, screen for projection, and projector system


A method and device produce an optical link with laser pulses between an emitter of the pulses and a receiver of the pulses. The optical link is used by a locating device for locating a body moving at constant speed away from the locating device. The locating device delays the start of emission of the laser pulses with respect to the departure of the moving body and varies the energy of the successive laser pulses in proportion to the square of the time elapsed since the start of emission of the pulses.

In the known devices of this type, the emitter of the said light pulses, which can be mounted on board the said missile or placed in a fixed station, the optical link then comprising a mirror mounted on board the missile and returning the said light pulses to the said detector, is generally a flash lamp, which is bulky and which consumes a large amount of energy.
Because of this, the replacement of the said flash lamp by a laser source has already been considered. But then the emitted laser energy must be high in order to ensure a long range optical link withstanding possible jamming. This therefore results not only in high ocular risks for the operators of the said devices, but also in high power laser sources.
The purpose of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by making it possible to produce a laser optical link with low ocular risk and with low energy consumption.

Method and device for producing an optical link with laser pulses


A surgical closure device comprises an elongate tubular member having a balloon attached in a collapsed configuration to the tubular member at the distal end thereof. A disk is attached to the tubular member at the distal end thereof, proximally of the balloon. During a surgical operation, the distal end of the instrument, including the balloon but not the disk, is inserted through a perforation in an internal body organ of a patient. The balloon is inflated while inside the organ and presses a wall of the organ against the disk to effectively close the perforation. The tubular member may then be subjected to a suction force to enable evacuation of liquid from the organ. After the suctioning operation, the tube is clamped and severed, the balloon remaining at least temporarily attached to the organ.

This invention relates to a surgical closure device. This invention also relates to a surgical method utilizing the closure device. The closure device and associated method are particularly useful in laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopy involves the piercing of the abdominal wall and the insertion of a tubular port member through the perforation. Various instruments may be inserted through the tubular member to perform surgical operations inside the abdomen.
Generally, upon the disposition of the first tubular member so that it traverses the abdominal wall, the abdominal cavity is pressurized to distend the abdominal wall and provide a safety region between the wall and the body organs inside the cavity. Moreover, several perforations are made. One perforation receives a laparoscope which enables visual monitoring of organs and surgical activities inside the abdominal cavity. Other perforations serve for the insertion of different surgical instruments.
Laparoscopic surgery provides several advantages over conventional incision-based surgery. The laparoscopic perforations, in being substantially smaller than the incisions made during conventional operations, are less traumatic to the patient and provide for an accelerated recovery and convalescence. Hospital stays are minimized. Concomitantly, laparoscopic surgery is less time consuming and less expensive than conventional surgery for correcting the same problems.
Laparoscopic surgery frequently requires the temporary closure of perforations in internal organs and body tissues. Such closure is in some cases especially critical. For example, if a gall bladder is inadvertantly perforated during dissection thereof in laparoscopic surgery, bile is spilled, which potentially contaminates other organs and tissues in the abdominal cavity. It is imperative, therefore, that the perforation be closed immediately.
In a conventional technique for closing a perforated gall bladder, a clamp is attached to the organ at the perforation. A loop is then passed around the clamp and drawn shut. This technique is difficult and time consuming. Moreover, a significant quantity of bile generally escapes the bladder into the abdomen.
Another kind of surgery requiring closure of perforations in internal organs arises where a patient is a victim of violence. In such cases of trauma, it frequently happens that many organs have perforations through which blood flows at a high rate into the patient's abdominal cavity. The closure of such wounds must be effectuated as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimize blood loss and trauma to the patient.

Surgical closure disk and balloon method


A pivoting lever that is designed to hold open by same polarity magnets or hold closed by opposing polarity magnets using a difference in lever arm lengths. The magnet pair closest to the pivot point will repel to hold the lever open. The magnet pair furthest from the pivot point will attract to hold the lever closed, retaining an object. The magnet pair that keeps the lever open has a magnetic force advantage compared to the magnet pair that keeps the lever closed. The magnet pair that keeps the lever closed has a mechanical advantage due to the longer lever arm. An external force is required to either open or close the lever. Once open it will remain open until acted upon by an external force. Once closed it will remain closed until acted upon by an external force.

In many latching systems the retention force required to hold a lever or latch open or closed is provided by an over-center device or detent mechanism. Other latching systems use magnetic force to hold a system closed, or latched only. A latch which requires a detent mechanism to remain open or closed can require somewhat complex mechanisms with moving parts. This invention utilizes magnets to function in place of a mechanical detent, over-center, or spring loaded mechanism. With the use of fixed permanent magnets the possibility of mechanical failure of a detent mechanism, over-center device, or other spring loaded mechanism is eliminated.

Latch with magnetic hold-open and magnetic hold-close


A radiation detector assembly is provided that includes a plurality of multi-detector arms (e.g., between 2 and 5), and plural detector head units disposed in each multi-detector arm. Each of the multi-detector arms defines a cavity therein. At least two detector head units are disposed within the cavity of each multi-detector arm. Each detector head unit includes an absorption member and associated processing circuitry, with the processing circuitry configured to generate electronic signals responsive to radiation received by the absorption member. Each detector head unit is configured to pivot along a sweep direction.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to the use of multiple detector units within a single arm or housing of a medical imaging system.
In nuclear medicine (NM) imaging, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, radiopharmaceuticals may be administered internally to a patient. Detectors (e.g., gamma cameras), typically installed on a gantry, capture the radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals and this information is used, by a computer, to form images. The NM images primarily show physiological function of, for example, the patient or a portion of the patient being imaged.

Systems and methods for multiple detector heads in a single arm or housing


A method for contacting at least one printed circuit board or at least one punched grid and at least one hybrid includes the steps of: forming contact elements in a contacting foil, positioning the contacting foil over the hybrid in such a way that the contact elements are arranged at preselected positions between the printed circuit traces of the hybrid and the printed circuit traces of the printed circuit board, and etching away at least a portion of the contacting foil, such that the contact elements are at least partially freely accessible.

The many different methods are known for producing printed circuits from at least one printed circuit board and a hybrid.
For example, in the case of hybrids arranged on printed circuit boards, electrical connections between the printed circuit board and the hybrid are produced by solder edges, it being necessary in this case for soldering points to be present both on the printed circuit board and on the hybrid. Arranging these soldering points is time-consuming and not always reliable, since deficiencies can occur in the contacting.
German Patent No. 40 28 440 A1 describes a method for producing printed circuits from at least one printed circuit board and a hybrid, in which at least one unsintered ceramic foil is printed with printed circuit traces, thereupon deformed, subsequently fixed in this form by sintering, and joined to the printed circuit board and/or another hybrid. It may be that the solder edges can be omitted in such a contacting of the printed circuit board and the hybrid. However, it is nevertheless necessary to form electrically conductive connections, e.g., by solder or a conductive adhesive, between the printed circuit board and the hybrid arranged on it. This must be done simultaneously with the mounting of the hybrid on the printed circuit board, and likewise involves the danger that contacting deficiencies can occur.

Method for metallizing at least one printed circuit board or at least one pressed screen and at least one hybrid


From an image-processing apparatus that can communicate via a network, updated configuration information is received, and configuration information for display is not updated based on the received configuration information so that an item to be processed is not reflected in configuration information of an item manually set by a user, and the configuration information for display is updated based on the received configuration information so that an item to be processed is reflected in the configuration information of an item that is not manually set by the user. Accordingly, the configuration information can be manually set while effectively using the configuration information received from the information-processing apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to means for controlling an image-processing device and computer implemented method for updating an item of configuration information.
2. Description of the Related Art
Printer drivers are software for causing application software running on an operating system (OS) to instruct a printing device such as a printer to perform print processing. The printer drivers enable various print mode settings, for example, selection of a paper-feed cassette corresponding to a printing-device configuration, setting of a color processing method, and selection of a paper discharge method. The printer drivers have user interfaces (UI) for managing configurations of printing devices, and can set configurations corresponding to actual installation conditions and usage conditions. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-44344 discusses a technique for automatically acquiring configuration information of a printing device in response to a request from a printer driver.
As the methods for setting configuration information of printing devices, there are two methods. One method is to manually set configuration information using options provided on a printer driver UI. The other method is to acquire configuration information from a printing device and automatically reflect the information in a printer driver UI. The printer driver performs control so that only functions that can be realized according to the setting of the configuration information, can be selected. Therefore, the printing is performed as instructed by a user.
The manual setting is used in a case where a printing device and a printer driver cannot perform two-way communication with each other and configuration information cannot be acquired from the printing device, so that a user needs to manually set the configuration information. In addition, the manual setting is used for the following purposes.
For example, an environment for generating print data differs from an environment for executing printing, and in respective environments, configuration information of printing devices differ from each other. In the environment for generating the print data, it is enough if an inexpensive paper-discharge device that can perform test printing is provided. However, in the environment where the actual printing is performed, an expensive paper-discharge device that has a bookbinding function and the like is required. In such an environment for generating print data, printing is performed using the application software that generates the document, and the print data is generated as a file without sending the print data generated by a printer driver to the printing device. The generated file is moved to the environment for performing printing and the printing is executed.
In this case, the printing device in the environment for generating print data may not have the same paper-discharge device as the printing device used in the environment for performing printing. Accordingly, it is not possible to select on the printer driver the functions that can be performed only by the paper-discharge device. As a result, it is not possible to generate print data that specifies configuration including a paper discharge method. In order to solve the problem, it is necessary to manually set the configuration information that is different from the actual configuration.
Further, in a case where the paper-discharge device is mounted but the use of the device is not allowed in light of authority, or in a case where the paper-discharge device is broken and the use should be regulated, it is also necessary to manually set the configuration information that is different from the actual configuration.
In the above-described cases, a part of the configuration information is manually set. However, if a function for automatically notifying a printer driver of change in the configuration from the printing device and changing configuration information settings on a UI is mounted, even if the setting of configuration information different from the actual configuration information is manually performed, the setting is automatically changed. In order to solve the problem, it is possible to prevent the printing device from conducting update in a case where the manual setting is performed. However, in this case, all information including information to be automatically acquired from the printing device is stopped. Further, if manual setting/automatic setting is provided for each item, configuration of the printer driver UI becomes complicated.

Apparatus for controlling an image-processing device, computer implemented method for updating an item of configuration information for controlling an image-processing device, computer-readable storage medium, and means for controlling an image-processing device


A data storage device includes a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to identify groups of bits that match any bit pattern in a first set of bit patterns. Each of the groups of bits includes a first bit of first data, a second bit of second data, and a third bit of third data to be stored at the memory. The controller is configured, based on determining that a count of the identified groups exceeds a threshold, to change multiple bits of the first data. Changing the multiple bits of the first data reduces a number of the groups of bits that match any bit pattern in the first set of bit patterns.

Error detection and correction processes help maintain data integrity within memory storage devices. Error correction code (ECC) processes are commonly used for error detection in computer memory subsystems. For example, an ECC may be used during a read operation to determine whether accessed data bits (e.g., memory cells representing information retrieved by a processor) have incorrect values. ECC processing may increase operational reliability of memory devices by detecting a number of erroneous bits and correcting the erroneous bits based on the correction capacity of the particular ECC technique that is applied. Despite the advances afforded by use of the ECC, it would be desirable to be able to reduce a number of errors occurring during storage of data at memory storage devices.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Data modification based on matching bit patterns


A surface paving apparatus (10) and a method for using the apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus is comprised of a mesh material (12) having parallel ribs (14) attached, laid upon a surface to be paved. A paving material (16) with grooves (24) cut into its underside is then placed upon the mesh material (12) such that the ribs (14) on the mesh material (12) frictionally engage the grooves (24) on the paving material (16). The frictional engagement between the grooves (24) and ribs (14) is stable enough to render the paving surface laterally immovable from any direction. The surface paving apparatus (10) can also be disassembled and moved, should this be desired.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to surface paving, and more particularly to a surface paving apparatus which can be easily assembled into an immovable, durable, surface and which can be subsequently disassembled and moved.
2. Description of the Background Art
When civilization arose, so arose the necessity for paved surfaces to facilitate the movement of people and the goods of commerce. In general, the utilitarian requirements of a reliable paved surface have been that it remain immovable in the face of heavy traffic, that it be durable in the face of the elements, that it be adaptable to varying terrain and soil conditions, that it provide for adequate drainage and that it be simple to maintain. To achieve the requirement of immovability, most prior art paving surfaces have employed borders of rock or cement, to hold the paving material in place, or else in addition to borders, have used packed sand, or some other suitable material placed in between the sections of paving material, to achieve the requirement of immovability.
For example, British Pat. No. 244,504 applied for by Cardell, on Aug. 19, 1924, discloses a paving surface comprised of grooved paving blocks, wherein the grooves are designed to accommodate the bars of a structural "rebar" lattice, laid upon a roadbed. Wet cement or mortar is poured into the rebar lattice and the paving blocks are set upon the wet cement, such that the grooves settle upon the bars of the lattice, thereby bonding the blocks, rebar lattice and cement, together.
Belgian Pat. No. 540850 applied for by Desmedt et. al. on Aug. 27, 1955, discloses a tile laying apparatus wherein the tile have wide channels on their undersides. A series of rods are placed in the channels for purposes of aligning adjacent pieces of tile. Once the tile is laid and aligned, the rods are removed.
U.S. Pat. No. 123,219 issued to Beidler on Jan. 30, 1872, discloses a wooden paving surface comprised of wedge-shaped wooden blocks, cut away at the outer edges, to form a tenon and shoulder, which allows the blocks to rest upon strips laid parallel with the street. The spaces between the blocks are then filled with gravel, sand, tar, or pitch, to create an immovable surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 112,239 issued to Grant on Feb. 28, 1871, discloses a wood pavement comprised of a set of grooved upper and lower blocks; the lower blocks being set upon the road bed and the upper blocks serving as the road surface. The blocks are joined by the nature of their interlocking grooves, as well as by a system of hooks which wrap around the grooves, to form a sturdy paving surface. Any spaces between the blocks are then filled with sand or gravel to create an immovable surface.
British Pat. No. 373,715 applied for by Russell on Apr. 1, 1931, discloses a wooden pavement surface comprised of a series of wooden blocks with grooved bottoms. The grooves in the bottoms of the blocks match the configuration of a series of ribs laid upon the surface to be paved, such that when the ribs are matched to the grooves, they become interlocked, thereby holding the blocks in position.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,482 issued to Neale on Sep. 15, 1964, discloses a composite floor structure comprised of bricks laid upon a metal grid. At intervals, the grid has projections which are spaced according to the width of the bricks used. When the bricks are placed between the projections on the grid, the projections abut against the edges of tile bricks, such that the bricks are held fast between the projections.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,825 issued to Lundahl on Sep. 13, 1977, discloses a pavement apparatus comprised of a wire grid, possessing brick-size grid spaces, which may be transported, or stored on a roll and when unrolled onto a flat path, the bricks can subsequently be individually mounted in each of the grid spaces. Sand or mortar can then be driven into the spaces between the bricks, to create an immovable surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,811 issued to Adams on Mar. 21, 1989, discloses a prefabricated pavement device which has a support layer consisting of wire or plastic mesh.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,172 issued to Blackburn on Sep. 16, 1975, discloses a method for laying wooden floors, wherein slices of wood material are placed on an asphalt or bitumen foundation and then adhesives are poured between the slices of wood material to fill in any gaps.
The foregoing paving surfaces achieve a degree of permanence which make it difficult for them to be moved once they are in place. Should a need arise for these paving surfaces to be moved, movement can only be achieved through a significant expenditure of energy and by incurring damage to the paving surface itself, thereby necessitating replacement of whole or part of the surface with an entirely new paving surface. Attempts to create a surface which is durable and immovable in place, yet which can be easily disassembled and moved, have met with marginal success.
U.S. Pat. No. 321,403 issued to Underwood on Jun. 30, 1885, describes a system of grooved paving blocks adapted to be assembled upon a series of ribbed base plates. The ribbed plates serve as a base material and have perforations to allow for drainage. The grooves in the paving blocks accommodate the ribs on the baseplate, allowing for the assembly of a paving surface, by placing numerous blocks over the ribs on the base plates. The outermost ribs on the base plates are half as wide as the center ribs, specifically so that two base plates can be joined by fitting a grooved paving block over the outermost ribs of the two adjoining base plates, effectively locking them together. This design was created so that whole sections of pavement could be removed by merely lifting the blocks off the ribs and subsequently removing the baseplates, should a section of road bed or sewer beneath the pavement require repair. While Underwood allows for the disassembly and removal of small sections of pavement, the cumbersome and rigid nature of the base plates, make it difficult to disassemble and move the entire pavement in a quick and efficient manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 658,868 issued to Rosenbaum on Oct. 2, 1900 discloses an improvement in securing vitreous slabs to walls, floors or ceilings. In Rosenbaum, the wall, floor, or ceiling to be covered, possess parallel, hollow, dovetailed ridges, the parallel nature of the ridges thereby creating channels. The vitreous slabs are pressed into the channels and are held secure by the spring-like characteristics of the hollow dovetailed ridges. While it may be inferred that the spring-like nature of the dovetailed ridges allow for simple disassembly of the invention, it is not specifically stated as such. Also, in Rosenbaum, no mention is made of the utility of this invention for use as a pavement surface.
A need therefore still exists for a paving surface which is durable and immovable when in place, yet which can be easily disassembled, moved, and reassembled in another location without incurring any damage to the paving surface. Additionally, it is also important that a movable paving surface be free from weeds and plants, which can protrude through the joints of the paving surface and degrade it. The surface paving apparatus disclosed herein, satisfies these requirements.
The foregoing patents reflect the state of the art of which the applicant is aware and are tendered with the view toward discharging applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information which may be pertinent in the examination of this application. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that none of these patents teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, applicant's claimed invention.

Movable surface paving apparatus and method for using the same


A race track conveyor having at least two conveyor belts. Each conveyor belt includes a separate drive allowing each conveyor belt to independently transport a group of products from a first end to a second end of the race track conveyor. Each conveyor belt may include two belts, each belt being driven by the respective drive of the conveyor belt. The present race track conveyor may include three conveyor belts. The present race track conveyor may be configured to process different formats when loading and unloading product onto the race track conveyor allowing the race track conveyor to move product machines that have different work cycles.

Race track conveyors are known to comprise up to three race tracks that are each drivable separately from each other so that each race track can transport a group of products. Such triple belt conveyors comprise three axles with drive wheels and deflection rollers, where a respective drive is attached to each axle in order to separately/independently drive each conveyor belt using the drive wheel and drive associated with that drive axle. Current race track conveyors have a significant drawback in that the conveyor belt that is driven by the axle disposed at the beginning of the transport path is operated in a pushing manner, which is unfavorable from a perspective of drive technology, in particular driving belts having long transport distances. The arrangement of three axles for three race tracks leads to an angle of wrap of only 90° for at least one axle. This brings about the drawback or reducing the number of teeth which engage the belt at the drive roller and, thereby, either limits the transfer of power to the belt or requires an increase in the diameter of the drive roller.

Race track conveyor and packaging facility

MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. KG


The present disclosure discloses method and system for extracting relevant entities from a text corpus. The method comprises receiving, by the entity extraction computing device, a text corpus and an entity, determining at least one feature for each block of text from the text corpus, where the at least one feature corresponds to predefined one or more feature heads, calculating a score for each block of text from the text corpus based on training of the entity extraction system, determining a template from one or more templates based on the score, where the one or more templates are generated based on the training of the entity extraction system, and extracting at least one relevant entity from the text corpus, with respect to the entity, based on the template. The method and system disclosed in the present disclosure may be used to extract relevant entities across various domains by training the system.

Data extraction is a process of extracting text from an unstructured text corpus. Very often, certain text has to be extracted from the unstructured text corpus for data analysis. Also, there exists a need to extract relevant text with respect to a given text for data analysis. The text or a group of text is extracted from text corpus by existing systems by employing custom methods to extract specific text from the text corpus. However, this process is very tedious and lacks flexibility to extract text not defined in the system.
Traditional text extraction systems are domain specific, i.e., the extraction systems are configured to extract text for a specific domain. Thus, the traditional systems cannot be used for extracting text across domains. Also, the traditional systems rely highly on training models with large set of supervised data. The large set of supervised data consumes a large amount of memory and training for the large set of data incurs additional cost and resources.
The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Method and system for extracting relevant entities from a text corpus