Communications methods and apparatus for providing and/or adding STIR/SHAKEN Diversion Information to requests. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: receiving at a second communications network a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Invite request from a first communications network, the SIP Invite request being directed to a first SIP address corresponding to a first user equipment device located within the second communications network, the SIP Invite request including a SIP Identity shaken header and one or more SIP Identity div headers; determining at the second communications network whether or not the received SIP Invite request was previously diverted by the second communications network to another network; and when the SIP Invite request is determined to have been previously diverted by the second communications network to another network, processing the SIP Invite request at the second communications network as a previously received and diverted SIP Invite request.

Providing secure/high fidelity calling party information is important for various services, e.g., voice calls. This information may be, and sometimes is, used by end user devices and/or end users to accept/reject calls, by core network elements/devices to classify a session or call as a robocall or for further analysis to determine robocall determination criteria. STIR (which stands for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited) and SHAKEN (which stands for Secure Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) are telecommunications industry standards designed to enable service providers to cryptographically sign calls in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) header. STIR/SHAKEN provides a way for the calling party information to be securely transferred through several hops (network equipment devices, e.g., routers). This is achieved by using a SIP Identity header with a shaken claim set. The claim set includes calling/called party information and is accompanied by a signature generated by the service operator which has authenticated the calling party. An Identity (shaken) header is valid for a calling party/called party pair and any change in the respective SIP header fields, e.g., From, To, Request-URI header fields would cause the signature verification to fail.
A diversion is a change in the ultimate endpoint destination of a request. Call diversion is a common scenario in communication networks where the called party forwards the call to another party. This results in information in the SIP INVITE Request-URI header field to be changed but the information in the To/From header fields stay intact, that is the To and From headers are not changed. There is a need to provide fidelity for this operation as well and that is provided with Identity (div). A div claim includes information about this diversion process by including original calling/called party information as well as the new target. Verification is performed on an Identity (shaken) and one or more Identity (div) headers to make sure that the claims add up to a complete chain from original calling/called party to the final target. There could be multiple Identity (div) headers if the call is diverted several times.
In its most generic form, call diversion may involve multiple operators/administrative domains. For example, a call (or call initiation request) can be diverted several times by different operators before reaching the call's (or call initiation request's) final target or destination. STIR/SHAKEN as explained above is an initiative to provide high level fidelity for calling party information. This requires operators involved in calling party authentication and diversion to generate cryptographic signatures. These signatures together with the information they protect are carried in Identity(shaken) and Identity(div) headers respectively for authentication and diversion.
When a call is diverted several times across operator boundaries, the call is expected to include several Identity(div) headers. Furthermore, the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE request would include several diversion related headers, e.g., History-Info headers and/or Diversion headers, added by multiple operators. An operator receiving such a SIP INVITE request needs to deduce or determine which information needs to be used for an Identity(div) the operator is going to generate.
Operators usually prefer signing (adding an Identity header) at the egress point to other operators. This is due to the fact that signing is a computing intensive operation and an operator's own network is considered "secure". Therefore, operators prefer to sign only when needed.
From the foregoing it should be appreciated that there is a need for a technological solution to the technological problem of how to efficiently determine what information included in diversion related headers of received session initiation requests to use for generating an Identity(div). There is a further need for new and/or improved methods and apparatus for eliminating or reducing the possibility of generating Identity(div) headers with information which may be misleading and/or wrong. Furthermore, there is a need for operators to reduce or minimize the number of times they sign calls which are diverted multiple times across operator boundaries.

Methods and apparatus for adding and/or providing stir/shaken diversion information

Ribbon Communications Operating Company, Inc.


An eyecup of an eyecup mounting mechanism includes an eye rubber, a fixing member that holds the eye rubber in a predetermined position, a movable member held movably by the fixing member, and an elastic member that presses the movable member against the fixing member to fix the movable member to the fixing member, and wherein a mounting member provided in the camera body is fitted between the fixing member and the movable member against a pressing force of the elastic member, and the mounting member is sandwiched by the fixing member and the movable member, for the purpose of providing a highly reliable eyecup mounting mechanism and an optical apparatus including the eyecup mounting mechanism.

An eyecup is provided in an eyepiece portion of a viewfinder of an optical apparatus, for example, a camera. In particular, in high-end models, a removable configuration is provided so that dirt on the eyecup provided on the eyepiece portion can be easily removed, and the eyecup can be replaced according to the shooting purpose and shooting scene.

Eyecup mounting mechanism and optical apparatus including eyecup mounting mechanism

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A passive-adaptive indentor is provided for cold working a material that includes a material surface and a depth extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the material surface. The passive-adaptive indentor has a first member that includes a first working end that is configured to create a first residual stress field that extends to a predetermined depth in the material. The passive-adaptive indentor also has a second member that includes a second working end that is configured to create a second residual stress field that extends to a generally fixed second depth of the material regardless of the depth to which the first residual stress field extends. A method of using a passive-adaptive indentor for cold working a material is also presented.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cold working a material and, more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for cold working a material by separately applying various forces to the material in a single application.
In aerospace structures, materials such as structural members including spars, stringers, ribs and an outer skin, e.g., aluminum sheeting or planar material, may be joined together by the use of fasteners. For example, a stringer having an engaging or faying surface may be juxtaposed with a corresponding faying surface of a planar material. Thereafter, holes or apertures may be drilled into the materials and fasteners, such as rivets, inserted into the apertures to form a fastened joint.
The fastened joints are potentially subject to failure from fatigue by the formation of fissures or cracks in the materials after substantial use. In airplanes, for example, cyclical pressurization and depressurization during each flight causes various stress cycles on the fuselage skin. These stress cycles likely contribute to a formation of cracks, which typically start at the apertures in the material where fasteners join the airplane skin to the skeleton or rib structure of the airplane. This is because, e.g., varying loads caused by pressurization changes that are carried by the skin must be routed around the periphery of the apertures.
During assembly of the skin of an airplane, such as along the fuselage and along the wing structure, it is well known to first cold work the apertures prior to assembly with a fastener in order to create a residual compressive stress about the periphery of the aperture. The residual compressive stress functions to counteract a loading that generally includes, in the case of fuselage pressurization changes, tensile strain variations. In this way, the useful life of the fuselage skin is greatly enhanced.
Current cold working methods require completion of a substantial number of steps. For example, a prior art method for cold working a material (which may include a joint) is diagrammatically shown at 10 in FIG. 1. In a first drill step 11, a drill 12 is used to create an aperture 14 in a material 16 to be cold worked. In a subsequent inspect step 18, an inspection device 20 may be employed to inspect the aperture 14 to determine if the diameter is within tolerance. Thereafter, in a cold work step 22, a mandrel 24 having a diameter that is about 3% larger than that of the aperture 14 is forced through the aperture 14 from one side of the material 16. Accordingly, the aperture 14 is thereby expanded which compresses the material surrounding the aperture 14 so as to create a residual stress field in the material 16 surrounding the aperture 14. In a ream step 28, the aperture 14 may be bored to a proper size for receiving a fastener (not shown) using a ream 30. In a counter sink step 32, the aperture 14 is counter sunk with a bit 34 to recess a head of a fastener (not shown). Thereafter, in a cleaning step 36, a solvent may be used by a mechanic 40 to remove lubricating oil from the cold work step, prior to another inspection step 42 using the inspection device 20.
Recently, it has been proposed that the material located, e.g., at a joint, be compressed or coined, prior to creating an aperture, so as to create a residual stress field which extends within a material to be fastened. One example of such a two step method is shown in FIG. 2a where in a coining step 43, a pair of indentors 44 and 46 are urged under a force in the direction of arrows 50, 52 into contact with a material 48.
As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2b, the indentors 44 and 46 each include a blunt end 54, 56 and a shoulder 58, 60 in fixed relationship. The blunt ends 54, 56 function to create a residual stress field, represented by arrows 62, which extends deep within the material 48 to a joint 64. The shoulders 58, 60 function to create a larger diametrical residual stress field, represented by arrows 66, but which extends generally closely to surfaces 68, 70 of the material 48. The use of shoulders 58, 60 is to overcome the tensile stress created at the part surface by the blunt ends 54, 56. The depth and configuration of the residual stress field is dependent on, e.g., the force applied to the indentors 44, 46 and a length between the blunt ends 54, 56 and the shoulders 58, 60. Generally, it is desired that the residual stress field created by the shoulders 58, 60 remain near the surface of the material while the stress field created by the blunt ends 54, 56 extend to the joint 64.
Thereafter and referring again to FIG. 2a, in a drill and counter sink step 72, an aperture 74 is created by a drill and a counter sink bit 76.
While suitable for its intended purpose, a problem arises in that the apparatus and the method illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b requires employing a different indentor with a different configuration depending on the desired depth and configurations of the residual stress fields. This is particularly cumbersome in the manufacture of airplanes as there are numerous joints to be fastened, most of which, vary in depth from the skin.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for cold working that does not require the changing of the indentors depending on depth of the joint.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a passive-adaptive indentor is provided for cold working a material that includes a material surface and a depth extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the material surface. The passive-adaptive indentor comprises a first member that includes a first working end that is configured to create a first residual stress field that extends to a predetermined depth in the material. The indentor also comprises a second member that includes a second working end that is configured to create a second residual stress field that extends to a generally fixed second depth of the material regardless of the depth to which the first residual stress field extends.
In another aspect of the invention, a passive-adaptive indentor is provided for cold working a material that includes a material surface and a depth extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the material surface. The passive-adaptive indentor comprises a first member that has a first working end that is configured to create a first residual stress field and which extends to a predetermined depth in the material. The first member is subjected to a first force whereby the first working end strikes the material surface at a force sufficient to create the first residual stress field. A second member is disposed in slidable relationship with the first member and comprises a second working end. The second member is configured to create a second residual stress field that extends to a generally fixed second depth of the material regardless of the depth at which the first residual stress field extends. The second member also is subjected to a second force whereby the second working end strikes the material surface at a force sufficient to create the second residual stress field.
In a further aspect of the invention, a passive-adaptive indentor is provided for cold working a material that includes an aerospace structure. The aerospace structure includes a planar material having a planar material faying surface, a support material having a support material faying surface and a joint located at a contact portion of the planar material faying surface and the support material faying surface. The planar material includes a planar material surface and a depth extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the planar material surface. The passive-adaptive indentor comprises a first member that is configured to create a first residual stress field in the material that extends to the joint. The first member may be subjected to a first force whereby the first working end strikes the planar material surface at a force sufficient to create the first residual stress field and the first member may comprise a shaft terminating in a first working end which comprises an end surface. The indentor may also comprise a second member that is subjected to a second force whereby the second working end strikes the planar material surface at a force sufficient to create a second residual stress field that extends to a depth that is substantially less than that of the first residual stress field. The second member may comprise a tubular structure that terminates in a second working end that comprises a shoulder surface. The tubular structure may be dimensioned and configured to be in a co-axial relationship with the shaft and to be movable along an axial direction of the shaft. The tubular structure may also comprise a collar and a radially extending portion. The indentor may further comprise a housing having a cavity defined by an inner surface and an opening and the housing is in fixed relationship with the shaft which extends within the cavity and through the opening. The tubular structure also extends through the opening.
In an additional further aspect of the present invention, the indentor may further comprise an elastic deformation and rebound element which is suitable for providing resilient reciprocal spring action and which is positioned on a surface of the second member for providing a resilient cushion for the second member, this embodiment being particularly useful in the case of embodiments having a housing and a second member is capable of reciprocating and which may be configured as a tubular structure and also for cold working an aerospace structure, and in that case, the deformation and rebound element is disposed between the inner surface of the cavity and a surface of the radially extending portion of the tubular structure.
In still a further aspect of the invention, a method of cold working a material using a passive-adaptive indentor to create plural stress fields in the material is provided. The indentor is capable of varying a depth at which a first stress field is to extend while a second stress field extends to a fixed depth in the material. The material includes a material surface, a depth extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the material surface and the method comprises the steps of: providing a material having multiple locations to be cold worked; identifying a first location and a particular depth of interest to which a first stress field is to extend at the first location; identifying a particular force to apply to a passive-adaptive indentor depending upon the particular depth of interest; applying the particular force to the first passive-adaptive indentor to simultaneously create a first residual stress field that extends to the particular depth of interest and a second residual stress field that extends to a generally fixed depth of the material regardless of the depth to which the first residual stress field extends; and moving the passive-adaptive indentor to another location.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

Passive-adaptive indentor for stress wave cold working


The present invention relates to burst mode digital communication systems where data transmission is preceded by a preamble for acquisition of carrier and clock synchronization using maximum likelihood (ML) principle. The preamble is sampled and the set of samples obtained is processed using the optimization algorithms of the present invention to provide the ML timing estimate. The optimization algorithms in the present invention consist of three parts. The first part deals with isolating the desired optimal estimate from non-optimal extremes satisfying the same necessary condition, and provides the initial conditions for activating the binary search schemes. The second part performs the binary search for the optimal timing estimate that guarantees the convergence. On the basis of the obtained iterative sequence, the last part constructs a more rapidly convergent sequence to obtain the ML symbol timing estimate. Using the obtained symbol timing estimate, the ML carrier phase estimate can be computed explicitly, and synchronization performed.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus, computer readable medium, transmission medium, and method for achieving bit timing synchronization of a received signal based on a maximum likelihood (ML) principle using a bisection technique. The invention is applicable to, for example, burst mode digital communication systems where data transmission is preceded by a preamble for acquisition of carrier and clock synchronization using the maximum likelihood principle.
2. Related Art
In burst mode digital communications, data transmissions are often preceded by a preamble consisting of L symbols to provide the rapid acquisition of both carrier and clock synchronization. Where the transmission utilizes M-ary PSK modulation, maximum likelihood symbol synchronization can be obtained by maximizing the following equivalent log-likelihood function F(xcfx84) based on the received signal samples during preamble period,
F(xcfx84)=[A(xcfx84)]2+[B(xcfx84)]2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
where A(xcfx84) and B(xcfx84) are given as                               A                                (            τ            )                          =                              ∑                          n              =              0                                      L              -              1                                                      [                                                                                y                    R                                                                          (                                          nT                      +                      τ                                        )                                                                  cos                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  θ                  n                                            +                                                                    y                    I                                                                          (                                          nT                      +                      τ                                        )                                                                  sin                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  θ                  n                                                      ]                                              (        2        )                                          B                                (            τ            )                          =                              ∑                          n              =              0                                      L              -              1                                                      [                                                            -                                                            y                      R                                                                                (                                              nT                        +                        τ                                            )                                                                                sin                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  θ                  n                                            +                                                                    y                    I                                                                          (                                          nT                      +                      τ                                        )                                                                  cos                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  θ                  n                                                      ]                                              (        3        )
In Eqs. 2 and 3, yR(nT+xcfx84) and yI(nT+xcfx84) are the received signal samples of the nth symbol, taken at instant nT+xcfx84 at the outputs of the matched filters in the in-phase and quadrature dimensions, respectively. xcex8n is the phase of nth symbol of the preamble, determined from the MPSK constellation.
The necessary conditions for the estimates of xcfx84 to be the maximum likelihood estimates requires that the partial derivative of likelihood function (1) with respect to the timing parameter be equal to zero:                               f                                (                                          τ                ^                            ML                        )                          =                                            [                                                                    A                                                              (                      τ                      )                                                                                ∂                                              A                                                                          (                          τ                          )                                                                                ∂                      τ                                                                      +                                                      B                                                              (                      τ                      )                                                                                ∂                                              B                                                                          (                          τ                          )                                                                                ∂                      τ                                                                                ]                                      τ              =                                                τ                  ^                                ML                                              =          0                                    (        4        )
Therefore the maximization of likelihood function can be implemented by tracking the zeros of equation (4).
Conventionally, there are optimization schemes that can be used to maximize equation (1) or track the zeros for equation (4). One method used in synchronization is the steepest ascent method. Using the steepest ascent method, the iterative sequence is generated by: xcfx84k+1=xcfx84k+xcex1kƒ(xcfx84k). The iteration proceeds from an initial guess xcfx841 for the maximizing point to successive points: xcfx842, xcfx843, . . . , until some stopping condition is satisfied. This method has several disadvantages, however.
One of the primary disadvantages is that the rate of convergence can be relatively slow unless the initial approximation is sufficiently close to the solution. Further, the choice of step length xcex1k always results in a compromise between accuracy and efficiency, and finding the optimal step length is generally non-trivial and may increase computational complexity significantly. Finally this method is susceptible to noise. Noise and interference may result in divergence using the steepest ascent method.
The rate of convergence can be improved by using the Newton-Raphson method that makes use of the curvature information of the function. This method is a powerful and known numerical method of optimization. It involves generating the sequences {xcfx84n} defined by xcfx84k+1=xcfx84kxe2x88x92ƒ(xcfx84k)/ƒxe2x80x2(xcfx84k ). However, rapid convergence occurs only when the initial approximation is close to the actual root, and many problems can occur if the initial approximation is not sufficiently close to the actual root. The computational intensity of the Newton-Raphson method is significantly large because the derivative ƒxe2x80x2(xcfx84) (2nd derivative of likelihood function) needs to be evaluated in every iteration. Also, it is clear that the Newton-Raphson method can not be continued if ƒxe2x80x2(xcfx84k)≈0 for some k. These properties make the Newton-Raphson method less attractive in the implementation of the symbol synchronization.
It is an object of this invention to overcome the foregoing problems. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus, computer readable medium, transmission medium, and method for achieving symbol-timing synchronization of a received signal that are robust to noise, based on a maximum likelihood (ML) principle using a bisection technique.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, computer readable medium, transmission medium, and method for achieving symbol-timing synchronization of a received signal that will always converge to the optimal solution.
It is a yet a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, computer readable medium, transmission medium, and method for achieving symbol-timing synchronization of a received signal using a maximum likelihood (ML) principle and improving the linear convergence rate of bisection technique synchronization to second order by using the Aitken""s xcex942 method without adding much computational complexity.
These and other objects may be achieved in accordance with the present invention.
In the present invention, the preamble of the data transmission is sampled and the set of samples obtained is processed using optimization algorithms to provide the ML timing estimate.
In a first part of the invention, optimization algorithms are used in the isolation of the desired optimal estimate from non-optimal extremes satisfying the same necessary condition, and provide the initial conditions for activating the binary search schemes. Next, a binary search is conducted to obtain the optimal timing estimate. In another embodiment of the invention, a more rapidly convergent sequence can be constructed from bisection sequence to obtain the ML symbol timing. Using the obtained symbol timing estimate, the ML carrier phase estimate can be computed explicitly, and a synchronization can be conducted accordingly.

Apparatus, computer readable medium, transmission medium, and method for synchronizing a received signal based on a maximum likelihood principle using a bisection technique


A recording apparatus includes a rotating body that opens and closes an apparatus main body which is provided with a recording portion that performs recording on a medium and rotates between a first posture that is a closed posture and a second posture that is an open posture, a biasing unit that biases the rotating body in an opening direction, and a biasing release unit that releases an action of a biasing force applied by the biasing unit to the rotating body in a range from a third posture, which is a posture between the first posture and the second posture, to the second posture.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a medium. In addition, the invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document.
2. Related Art
An ink jet printer will be described below as an example of the recording apparatus. An ink jet printer is provided with a scanner on an upper portion of a recording mechanism portion that performs recording on a paper sheet as an example of a recording medium, and is a type that is referred to as a so-called multifunction printer. In addition, a tiltable operation panel as indicated in JP-A-2013-209190 is provided in such a type of ink jet printer.
In the ink jet printer in JP-A-2013-209190, the operation panel is tilted in response to a motive force of a motor. However, in a configuration in which the operation panel is tilted in response to a motive force of the motor, there is a risk that a jarring operation sound is generated in some cases.
In addition, there is demand for the operation panel to be provided with an automatic tilt range and a manual tilt range. The ink jet printer that is provided with a conventional tiltable operation panel is unable to deal with both of the problem and the demand described above.

Recording apparatus and image reading apparatus


A method of auto-determination a three-dimensional image format includes a processor receiving an image signal; the processor capturing a plurality of frames from the image signal; the processor determining whether a red sub-pixel gray-level, a green sub-pixel gray-level, and a blue sub-pixel gray-level of each pixel of a right half side of each frame of the plurality of frames are the same; and the processor determining that the image signal has a two-dimensional image plus depth information three-dimensional image format when the red sub-pixel gray-level, the green sub-pixel gray-level, and the blue sub-pixel gray-level of the pixel are the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of auto-determination a three-dimensional image format, and particularly to a method of auto-determination a three-dimensional image format that can utilize a processor to determine an image format of an image signal according to characteristics of various three-dimensional image formats.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a side-by-side three-dimensional image format, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a top-and-bottom three-dimensional image format, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a frame packing three-dimensional image format, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a two-dimensional image plus depth information three-dimensional image format. As shown in FIG. 1, each frame of the side-by-side three-dimensional image format includes a left eye image and a right eye image side by side. As shown in FIG. 2, each frame of the top-and-bottom three-dimensional image format includes a left eye image and a right eye image from top to bottom, where vertical size of the left eye image and the right eye image is decreased to 50% and horizontal size of the left eye image and the right eye image is not changed. As shown in FIG. 3, an image arrangement method of the frame packing three-dimensional image format is the same as an image arrangement method of the top-and-bottom three-dimensional image format, but the frame packing three-dimensional image format has a 45 pixels black frame between a left eye image and a right eye image of each frame. As shown in FIG. 4, an image arrangement method of the two-dimensional image plus depth information three-dimensional image format is the same as an image arrangement method of the side-by-side three-dimensional image format, but a right side image of each frame of the two-dimensional image plus depth information three-dimensional image format is changed to gray-level depth information. Therefore, the two-dimensional image plus depth information three-dimensional image format can be used for calculating multi-view images for an auto-stereoscopic technology.
When a server or a player for playing three-dimensional images receives a three-dimensional image file uploaded by a user, if the user does not know a three-dimensional image format corresponding to the uploaded three-dimensional image file, a problem may occur when the user decodes the uploaded three-dimensional image file. For example, when a three-dimensional image file uploaded by the user has the top-and-bottom three-dimensional image format, if the user utilizes the side-by-side three-dimensional image format to decode the uploaded three-dimensional image file, the decoded image does not have a three-dimensional effect.

Method of auto-determination a three-dimensional image format


An electroless nickel plating film layer is formed over a surface of a base material of a forceps piece made of austenitic stainless steel. The forceps are chemical resistant. The electroless nickel plating film layer displays a hardness suitable for the forceps and superior toughness, and allows an edge to be put on the electroless nickel plating film layer more easily than a hardened steel that has the same hardness.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to biopsy forceps and scissors forceps with blades, which an endoscope is equipped with for removing a piece of tissue from an inner part of a body, and a manufacturing method of the forceps.
2. Description of Related Art
A biopsy forceps is used to remove a piece of tissue from an inner part of a body by being inserted into the inner part of the body through a treatment tool insertion opening of an endoscope (e.g. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 59-90553 and 61-128954).
A base material of pieces of the biopsy forceps is conventionally made of martensitic stainless steel or austenitic stainless steel. The forceps piece made of martensitic stainless steel is hardened by a heat process, and has a superior ability as a blade. However, in view of chemical resistance, the forceps piece made of martensitic stainless steel is corroded with acidic chemical, and thus its sharpness is deteriorated quickly and corroded dirt may fall into the body. On the other hand, the forceps piece made of austenitic stainless steel displays superior chemical resistant property (anti-disinfectant). However, the forceps piece made of austenitic stainless steel has insufficient sharpness due to its low hardness.
The present invention has been developed in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object the provision of a forceps for an endoscope and a method for manufacturing the forceps which has good chemical resistance as well as good sharpness.
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention is directed to a forceps for an endoscope, the forceps being inserted through a treatment tool insertion opening of the endoscope for treating a part of a body to which the endoscope is inserted, wherein: an electroless nickel plating film layer is formed over a surface of a base material of a piece of the forceps.
Moreover, in order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a forceps for an endoscope, the forceps being inserted through a treatment tool insertion opening of the endoscope for treating a part of a body to which the endoscope is inserted, the method comprising the steps of: forming an electroless nickel plating film layer over a surface of a base material of a piece of the forceps by electroless plating; and putting an edge on the electroless nickel plating film layer.
According to the forceps for the endoscope of the present invention, the electroless nickel plating film layer is formed over the surface of the base material of the forceps piece; thus, the forceps has a good chemical resistance. Moreover, since the electroless nickel plating film layer has a hardness suitable for the forceps piece and also has superior toughness, an edging process can be easily performed on the electroless nickel plating film layer. Furthermore, by forming a thick electroless nickel plating film layer, re-edging process can be easily performed even in a case where a blade is broken by an external force or where an error in a processed size is corrected; thus the maintenance for the forceps improves. The base material for the forceps piece may be made of martensitic stainless steel or austenitic stainless steel, but if it is made of austenitic stainless steel, the chemical resistant properties still improve greatly.

Forceps for endoscope and manufacturing method of forceps


In a sensor system, a detection waveform-forming unit detects a vibration component and forms a waveform of a detected angular velocity based on the vibration component. Components of the waveform are of opposite phases relative to each other and acceleration waveform components are in phase relative to each other. An acceleration signal-forming unit operates on the waveform to cancel the waveform of opposite phases to each other, and produces a second kind acceleration signal. An abnormal condition-detecting unit detects an abnormal condition in either the angular velocity sensor unit or an acceleration sensor unit provided separately based on the second kind acceleration signal and a first kind acceleration signal.

Angular velocity sensors (gyro sensors) such as mechanical type utilizing the precession of a rotary body, optical type utilizing a change in the timing for receiving a laser beam circulating in a housing caused by the turn of the housing, and fluid type which injects a gas for sensing onto a heat ray in a housing and detects a change in the amount of injection caused by the turn of the housing relying upon the temperature of the heat ray are generally known. Recently, demand has been rapidly increasing for angular velocity sensors used in car navigation systems for detecting the vehicle direction. Further, a vibration-type angular velocity sensor which is inexpensive and light in weight in comparison to the above-mentioned sensors is now commonly being used. The vibration-type angular velocity sensor detects a vibration component (hereinafter also called angular velocity vibration component) when an angular velocity acts upon a vibrator which vibrates in a predetermined reference direction based on the Coriolis' force in a detection direction perpendicular to the reference direction, and produces the angular velocity data based on the vibration component.
Conventional systems for controlling the vehicles utilize the angular velocity sensor in, for example, a vehicle stabilizing control system for maintaining the vehicle in a normal state by detecting transverse skidding of the vehicle and providing optimum control of wheel braking and torque, and a four wheel steering control system which controls the steering angle of the rear wheels or the front wheels of the vehicle. In such systems, an abnormal condition of the vehicle such as the transverse skidding of the vehicle is detected by relying upon angular velocity signals from the angular velocity sensor. Therefore, highly reliable angular velocity signals have been demanded.
One example of the above described conventional system is disclosed in JP-A-2001-153659. In this system, when the driving amplitude of the vibrator goes out of a specified range in the vibration-type angular velocity sensor, abnormal condition occurs at the zero point in the angular velocity sensor output and in the sensitivity. By detecting the driving amplitude, therefore, it is judged whether the driving amplitude is lying within the specified range. Further, when a large shock is imparted to the vehicle when, for example, the vehicle hits a curb, a large shock is also imparted to the angular velocity sensor mounted on the vehicle. In this case, the signal is saturated in the processing circuit of the angular velocity sensor due to the shock, often producing a signal different from the correct angular velocity (yaw rate). Therefore, the system determines that an abnormal condition is occurring in the vehicle control system when the signal of the angular velocity sensor exceeds a predetermined level. Concretely speaking, the driving amplitude of the vibrator is detected by a piezoelectric element and is converted into a charge voltage and is, further, rectified to use a DC signal thereof as an amplitude monitoring signal. An abnormal condition can be detected by checking whether the level of the amplitude monitoring signal is lying within the specified range.
Recently, in order to meet the demands for miniaturization, the piezoelectric vibrator has been replaced by a semiconductor capacitance type vibrator which detects the vibration by capitance change. However, the zero point and sensitivity of this angular velocity sensor is affected by the adhesion of even tiny foreign matters. Therefore, the sensor can not meet the satisfied requirements for detecting the abnormal vibration amplitude of the vibrator and abnormal condition thereof due to disturbance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A wheel bearing assembly includes a wheel hub, a knuckle member defining a bore, and a bearing arranged in the bore and configured to rotatably support the wheel hub. The bearing includes a seal member configured to cover internal workings of the bearing. The wheel bearing assembly also includes an annular slinger arranged on the wheel hub and configured to at least partially screen the seal member to minimize ingestion of contaminants by the bearing from the ambient. The wheel bearing assembly additionally includes an annular shield configured to at least partially shield the slinger from the contaminants and generate a labyrinth path from the ambient to the seal member for any of the contaminants. A vehicle employing the above described wheel bearing assembly is also disclosed.

Contemporary on- and off-road going vehicles typically employ suspension systems that include a variety of bearings for supporting drive shafts and other rotating members. During operation of the vehicle, such bearings may be exposed to various contaminants, such as road debris and slurry. Such contaminants may impact the bearing and penetrate the bearing's outer construction, which, in turn, may cause corrosion and other damage to the bearing's inner workings and negatively impact the bearing's performance and reliability. Accordingly, it may be desirable to protect the bearing's internal components, such as seals, races, and balls or rollers from possible contamination and damage from such potential damage.


An artificial intelligence server for determining a route of a robot includes a communication unit and a processor. The communication unit is configured to receive image data for a control area from the robot or a camera installed inside the control area. The processor is configured to calculate a current density for the control area from the image data, calculate a future density for the control area using the calculated current density, determine a priority for each of group areas included in the control area based on the calculated future density, and determine the route of the robot based on the determined priority.

The present invention relates to an artificial intelligence server for determining a route of a robot and a method for the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for determining a route of a robot in such a manner that an artificial intelligence server controlling at least one robot expects a density for a control space.
Recently, with the explosive growth of airport users and efforts to leap to smart airports, methods for providing services through artificial intelligence robots in airports or multiplexes are being discussed.
In a case in which artificial intelligence robots are introduced at airports or multiplexes, it is expected that robots can take on the unique role of human beings, which traditional computer systems could not replace, thereby contributing to the quantitative and qualitative improvement of provided services.
Artificial intelligence robots can perform various operations such as informing the users of directions at airports and various places where a lot of people gather.
However, in general, artificial intelligence robots are located only in the area allocated thereto, and thus, there is a problem that cannot actively cope with a situation where guidance services of more robots are needed when the density of people is increased.

Artificial intelligence server for determining route of robot and method for the same


The invention provides an assay method for detection and/or quantification of a plurality of nucleic acid or protein targets in a sample. In the method probes are used to associate a detectable tag sequence with each of the selected targets present in the sample. Probes or primers sufficient to identify at least 25, and preferably at least 500, different targets are used. The method involves segregating aliquots of the sample from each other and detecting the tag sequences in each aliquot.

The ability to detect specific nucleic acid sequences in a sample has resulted in new approaches in diagnostic and predictive medicine, environmental, food and agricultural monitoring, molecular biology research, and many other fields. High-throughput detection of specified epitopes, proteins, and protein complexes promises to have a similar impact.
Various methods for such analysis have been developed, including multiplexing methods that allow simultaneous detection of large numbers of targets. Additional methods, especially methods that allow detection of many targets across a broad range of concentrations in a sample would be of great benefit.

Methods for detection and quantification of nucleic acid or protein targets in a sample


An optical arrangement with a light source includes an optical element that is fastened in a mount. The light source emits radiation and the optical element is acted on thereby such that the heat that results lacks symmetry corresponding to the shape of the optical element. A connecting structure is provided between the optical element and the mount and has a symmetry that does not correspond to the shape of the optical element and effects an at least partial homogenization of the temperature distribution in the optical element.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical arrangement with a light source and an optical element, and more particularly to projection exposure systems for microlithography, in which a thermal effect that is not rotationally symmetrical that results from the irradiation from the light source is compensated. Microlithography notoriously is the art of producing structures in the micrometer and submicrometer range—inter alia for microelectronic devices—by photolithography.
This situation is of particular importance in wafer scanners with a slit-shaped image field: either a narrow rectangle slit with a width to length ratio of e.g. typically 1:5 to 1:9, or an arcuate shape, particularly in mirror systems.
2. Discussion of Relevant Art
Active compensation of the imaging errors resulting from asymmetric thermal effects is known from European Patent EP-A 0 678 768, and its corresponding application U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,273 to Unno by regulated or controlled non-rotationally-symmetrical heating or cooling and also, by way of a suggestion, by mechanical stressing.
The like was described earlier in European Patent EP-B1 0 532 236, preferably as heating for mirrors.

Optical arrangement and projection exposure system for microlithography with passive thermal compensation


A method and device for visually recording hydraulic conductance through a sectioned piece of dentin; and which can be used to measure the effectiveness of treatments to reduce the permeability of dentin.

A large portion of US households (60%) have at least one family member that suffers from hypersensitive teeth. Products, such as toothpaste, targeting consumers suffering from tooth sensitivity are the fastest growing segment of the oral care market; however, the results provided by sensitivity toothpastes leave a majority of users (60%) unsatisfied, with 57% of sufferers willing to try products other than toothpaste.
Tooth sensitivity can be activated by hot and cold drinks and certain acidic or hypertonic foods. This sensitivity often occurs when gum tissue recedes from the necks of teeth, exposing root surfaces that are not covered by hard enamel but by soft cementum. The cementum is so thin and soft that it can be removed by tooth brushing, thereby exposing the sensitive underlying dentin. The dentin can also become exposed under restorations. The pain that patients feel from exposed dentin is called dentin sensitivity, as reported in Pashley, Arch Oral Biol 39 (Suppl) 735-805 (1994).
Dentin sensitivity, whether on exposed surfaces at the necks of teeth or under restorations, is reportedly due to minute fluid shifts across dentin in response to painful stimuli (Brannstrom, Oper Dent 9: 59-68, 1984). This theory, called the hydrodynamic theory, (Brannstrom and Astrom, Int Dent J 22: 219-j226, 1972), assumes that fluid can move within or through the microscopic tubules making up dentin, at a rate that activates mechanoreceptor nerves in the dentin pulp. When the surface of the tooth is eroded, the dentinal tubules become exposed to the external environment. The exposed dentinal tubules provide a pathway for transmission of fluid flow to the pulpal nerves and this is induced by changes in temperature, pressure and ionic gradients. By blocking the tubules, the external stimuli have a diminished effect, and less pain will be felt. A number of agents have been previously screened for their ability to occlude dentinal tubules, including potassium oxalate (Greenhill and Pashley, J Dent Res 60: 686-698, 1981).
Hypersensitive teeth can cause pain and discomfort when subjected to changes in temperature, pressure, or chemical action. Exposure of the dentin frequently leads to hypersensitivity. Dentin exposure may occur due to recession of the gums, periodontal disease and improper dental care.
Hypersensitive teeth are commonly treated with a nerve desensitizer such as potassium nitrate or potassium chloride. Alternatively, hypersensitive teeth may also be treated with an ingredient intended to occlude the tubuli, such as strontium acetate, strontrium chloride, stannous fluoride, ferric oxalate or potassium oxalate. Application of the therapeutic ingredient may be via a non-prescription preparation, such as a dentifrice or rinse, or via products professionally applied or prescribed.
There have been various in vitro methods that have been developed to measure the effectiveness of various treatments and compositions to treat dentin so that it's less permeable. An effective method should reproduce the microenvironment in and around the tubule orifice, provide the correct geometry, appropriate surface chemistry, and relevant fluid composition and movement. One method was developed by Pashley (J. Periodontology, vol. 55, no. 9, pg. 522, September 1984). Pashley utilizes sectioned dentin discs of predetermined thickness which are placed between two o-rings within a two part chamber. Positive pressure is used to drive a testing fluid through the bottom chamber to the dentin section; the amount of fluid passing through the dentin is then measure to determine hydraulic conductance. The system was used to measure the effect of any desensitizing toothpastes had on reducing the permeability of the dentin.
One of the issues with the Pashley device has been with visualization. The upper portion of the device is usually covered so direct visualization of fluid moving through dentin is not possible. Further, as the dentin is covered by the top portion of the device in order to treat the dentin, for example by brushing with toothpaste or application of a tooth whitening strip) after a baseline measurement has been taken the top portion must be removed and then reattached, which could damage the dentin and/or alter the results.
Therefore, what is needed is a device allowing for direct manipulation of a dentin section while the dentin section is secured within the testing device, and which allows the dentin section to be visible during testing.

Method and device for measuring dentin permeability


A lateral double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor component and a manufacturing method therefor. The lateral double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor component comprises: a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate being provided thereon with a drift area; the drift area being provided therein with a trap area and a drain area, the trap area being provided therein with an active area and a channel; the drift area being provided therein with a deep trench isolation structure arranged between the trap area and the drain area, and the deep trench isolation structure being provided at the bottom thereof with alternately arranged first p-type injection areas and first n-type injection areas.

In the development of high-voltage MOS, there are two main types: vertical double-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (VDMOS) and lateral double-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (LDMOS). Although VDMOS has small on-resistance and small layout, it is not easy to be compatible with low-voltage CMOS circuits because of its longitudinal structure. However, LDMOS has better thermal stability and frequency stability, higher gain and durability, lower feedback capacitance and thermal resistance, constant input impedance and simpler bias circuit. Therefore, it has been widely used at present.
In the current high-voltage LDMOS devices, the conventional structure Single Resurf (SR, Resurf is reduce surface field technology), Double Resurf (DR), triple Resurf (TR) and multi Resurf LDMOS devices have been widely used. In order to obtain lower on-resistance based on the same voltage resistance, super-junction (SJ) technology is required. However, so far SJ technology has only been maturely used in vertical discrete transistors, such as VDMOS or IGBT. When SJ technology is used in laterally transistors (e.g. LDMOS), there are many problems, firstly the reliability for example, secondly the realization of the process.

Lateral double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor component and manufacturing method therefor


A class D amplifier includes: an amplifier circuit in which a high side switching element and a low side switching element are connected in series between power sources; a high side gate driving circuit for driving a high side gate of the high side switching element; and a low side gate driving circuit for driving a low side gate of the low side switching element. In the class D amplifier, the high side gate driving circuit is configured so that a charging time of the high side gate is shorter than a discharging time of the high side gate, and the low side gate driving circuit is configured so that a charging time of the low side gate is longer than a discharging time of the low side gate.

Recently, devices for processing digital audio signals have been actively developed. This accompanies development of digital audio signal techniques used for connection between devices. A well-known example of such techniques is a data communication system (Document 1) in which: when audio data is transmitted by use of an infrared communication device (IrDA: Infrared Data Association), a 1-bit data sequence having been subjected to a PDM (Pulse Density Modulation) is transmitted.
FIG. 19 illustrates a structure of a data receiving apparatus which uses such infrared communication device.
As illustrated in FIG. 19, the data receiving apparatus includes a receiving section 1001, a speaker driving section 1002, and a speaker 1003. The data receiving apparatus causes the receiving section 1001 to receive a 1-bit data sequence having been subjected to a PDM and causes the speaker driving section 1002 to drive the speaker 1003. Examples of conventional means for receiving infrared ray, which is used in the receiving section 1001, include an IrDA receiving device and an infrared remote control receiving device. In consideration of a communication rate, an IrDA receiving device having 1.152 Mbps (MIR) or 4 Mbps (FIR) is appropriate for the infrared receiving means.
TABLE 1Specs of IrDA receiving deviceCommunication ratePulse widthT4 Mbps (FIR)(¼)*T500μ sec1.152 Mbps (MIR)(¼)*T868μ sec2.4 Kbps~115.2 Kbps(SIR)( 3/16)*T8.68μ sec~104μ sec
TABLE 2Specs of infrared remote control receiving deviceCommunicationratePulse widthT1 Kbps or lessDifferent withDifferent withrespect to eachrespect to eachtransmission codetransmission code
Further, the data receiving apparatus receives audio data having been converted into coarse-to-fine data of a pulse sequence by use of a PDM. Therefore, by including the receiving section 1001, the speaker driving section 1002, and the speaker 1003 which serves as an LPF, the data receiving apparatus can easily convert audio data into audio. In this way, the data receiving apparatus can be applicable to a wireless phone or other apparatuses by causing the infrared communication device to communicate audio data which is a 1-bit data sequence having been subjected to the PDM.
In reproducing audio from such 1-bit digital signal (PDM signal) or PWM signal, these modulation signals have small amplitudes and therefore a load (speaker) cannot be directly driven in response to the modulation signals. Therefore, in order to amplify the amplitudes of the modulation signals so that the load can be driven in response to the modulation signals, a class D amplifier is used in the speaker driving section 1002.
FIG. 20 illustrates a circuit structure of a switching amplifier stage in a conventional class D amplifier. FIG. 21 illustrates an operational waveform of the switching amplifier stage.
The class D amplifier which drives a speaker by use of a PDM signal or PWM signal includes the switching amplifier stage illustrated in FIG. 20. The switching amplifier stage includes: a high side switching element HSW provided at the side of a high potential power source; a low side switching element LSW provided at the side of a low potential power source (alternatively, ground); and transistors Q101 to Q104.
The high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW are made of a power MOSFET (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) for example. Further, a high side gate driving circuit includes an inverter made of the transistor Q101 which is a pMOS transistor and the transistor Q102 which is an nMOS transistor. On the other hand, a low side gate driving circuit includes an inverter made of the transistor Q103 which is a pMOS transistor and the transistor Q104 which is an nMOS transistor.
As illustrated in FIG. 21, in the switching amplifier stage, when an input signal IN is Hi ("1"), a logic level of a high side gate GH (a gate of the high side switching element HSW) and a logic level of a low side gate GL (a gate of a low side switching element LSW) are Lo and an output signal out(p) is Hi. Further, in the switching amplifier stage, when the input signal IN is Lo ("0"), the logic level of the high side gate GH and the logic level of the low side gate GL are Hi and the output signal out(p) is Lo.
In the switching amplifier stage, when the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW are ON simultaneously, a shoot-through current flows between the high potential power source and the low potential power source via the switching elements HSW and LSW.
FIGS. 22(a) to 22(d) illustrate operations of two switching elements which constitute the last stage of a class D amplifier.
Here, the high side switching element HSW is a p channel MOSFET and the low side switching element LSW is an n channel MOSFET. When the logic level of the high side gate GH is "0", the high side switching element HSW is ON. When the logic level of the high side gate GH is "1", the high side switching element HSW is OFF. On the other hand, when the logic level of the low side gate GL is "1", the low side switching element LSW is ON. When the logic level of the low side gate GL is "0", the low side switching element LSW is OFF.
In a general operational condition, the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW operate in the manner illustrated in FIG. 22(c) or 22(d). In the operational condition illustrated in FIG. 22(c) (when an input signal IN is Hi), the switching element HSW is ON and the low side switching element LSW is OFF. Consequently, a driving current Id flows toward a load LD via the high side switching element HSW, which causes an output signal out(p) to be Hi. On the other hand, in the operational condition illustrated in FIG. 22(d) (when the input signal IN is Lo), the high side switching element HSW is OFF and the low side switching element LSW is ON. Consequently, the driving current Id flows from the load LD via the low side switching element LSW, which causes the output signal out(p) to be Lo.
As illustrated in FIG. 22(a), in a condition under which the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW which are connected with each other in series are ON, a shoot-through current Is flows via the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW. Contrary to the condition, as illustrated in FIG. 22(b), in a condition under which the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW are OFF, the shoot-through current Is does not flow.
Digital audio data is generally represented in a PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) format. In order to amplify the digital audio data by use of a class D amplifier, it is necessary to convert a PCM signal supplied from a medium such as a CD, an MD, and a DVD into a PDM signal for example (to perform a PDM conversion), by use of a special IC.
A data receiving apparatus which receives audio data as described above performs wireless communication and therefore is driven by use of a battery. A class D amplifier provided in the data receiving apparatus which is driven by use of a battery has such a problem that power consumption caused by the shoot-through current quickens consumption of a battery.
In order to solve the problem, there is adopted a driving method which makes an operational condition illustrated in FIG. 22(b), in which no shoot-through current flows. The operational condition in which the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW are OFF is generally referred to as a dead time. In a class D amplifier, in order to reduce a shoot-through current, there is generally provided a circuit for generating a dead time (see Document 2 for example).
FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a structure of a dead time generating circuit in a class D amplifier. FIG. 24 illustrates operations of the dead time generating circuit and a switching amplifier stage in the class D amplifier.
The dead time generating circuit illustrated in FIG. 23 includes an inverter 101, a delay circuit 102, an NOR circuit 103, and an NAND circuit 104.
In the dead time generating circuit, an input signal IN having been inverted by the inverter 101 is inputted to the NOR circuit 103 and the NAND circuit 104 as it is, whereas the input signal IN is delayed by the delay circuit 102 for a predetermined time and then is inputted to the NOR circuit 103 and the NAND circuit 104. Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the NOR circuit 103 outputs a logical NOR between an output of the inverter 101 (inverter output) and an output of the delay circuit 102 (delay output). Further, the NAND circuit 104 outputs a logical NAND between the inverter output and the delay output. Consequently, the logic level of the high side gate GH is Hi while the NOR output is Lo, so that the high side switching element HSW is OFF. On the other hand, the logic level of the low side gate GL is Hi while the NAND output is Lo, so that the low side switching element LSW is ON.
Here, the NOR output falls from Hi to Lo and after a delay time td0 given by the delay circuit 102, the NAND output falls from Hi to Lo. The NAND output rises from Lo to Hi and after the delay time td0, the NOR output rises from Lo to Hi. Consequently, during the delay time td0 from a time when the logic level of the high side gate GH changes to Hi to a time when the logic level of the low side gate GL changes to Hi, the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW are OFF. In the same way, during the delay time td0 from a time when the logic level of the low side gate GL changes to Lo to a time when the logic level of the high side gate GH changes to Lo, the high side switching element HSW and the low side switching element LSW are OFF. In this way, dead times dt1 and dt2 are obtained based on the delay time td0.
In the dead time generating circuit, a dead time is determined by use of a predetermined delay time given by the delay circuit, so that it is difficult to change the delay time. In order to avoid such inconvenience, Document 3 discloses an arrangement which allows prompt and easy adjustment of a dead time. This arrangement includes a dead time adjusting circuit for monitoring gate signals of a high side switching element HSW and a low side switching element LSW, generating, from the gate signal, a DC voltage signal which is proportional to a dead time, and adjusting the dead time on the basis of the DC voltage signal.
Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 135321/2004 (Tokukai 2004-135321; published on Apr. 30, 2004)
Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 170608/1982 (Tokukaisho 57-170608; published on Oct. 20, 1982)
Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 338715/2003 (Tokukai 2003-338715; published on Nov. 28, 2003)
A dead time may comparably vary with respect to each product. Therefore, the dead time adjusting circuit is adopted so that a dead time can be easily adjusted after a class D amplifier is produced (at a time of shipping the class D amplifier). However, the dead time adjusting circuit is not used after the class D amplifier is shipped as a product. Consequently, the dead time adjusting circuit merely complexes the structure of the class D amplifier, which prevents the class D amplifier to be produced in low costs.
On the other hand, if a dead time can be appropriately set in accordance with specs of a class D amplifier in designing the class D amplifier, then it is possible to almost omit the adjustment of a dead time.

Class D amplifier and infrared data receiving apparatus using the same