Diversity and inter-frequency mobile-assisted handoff (MAHO) are achieved under continuous reception cellular access methods by using strategic timing and switching optimizations. Strategic timing is achieved by avoiding the non-reception of power control bits. For example, the mobile terminal can make measurements for diversity in the last eight bits of a sub-frame of an IS-95 downlink transmission. Switching is optimized, for example, by storing rake taps for a first antenna prior to switching to a second antenna so that the rake tap positions can be restored upon returning to the first antenna. With these and other disclosed measurement techniques, the benefits of diversity and inter-frequency MAHO can be achieved in continuous reception cellular systems.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telecommunication systems and, in particular, to measurement techniques for achieving diversity and inter-frequency mobile assisted handoff (MAHO).
2. Description of Related Art
Mobile wireless communication is becoming increasingly important for safety, convenience, and efficiency. One prominent mobile communication option is cellular communication. Cellular phones, for instance, can be found in cars, briefcases, purses, and even pockets. Cellular phones, like most mobile communication options, rely on the transmission of electromagnetic radiation from one point to another.
In general, a cellular system is composed of many cells, each with a base station antenna for receiving transmissions. From the base station, the cellular system has interfaces for routing a call through or to the land-based, or terrestrial, telephone network, often referred to as the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The base stations form one half of the cellular system. Cell phones, called mobile stations, mobile terminals, or merely terminals, form the second half of the cellular system. In short then, electromagnetic radiation transmissions between terminals and base stations are an essential component of cellular systems, and such transmissions must be optimized by the cellular system to maximize cellular phone service, quality, and availability.
Properly operating cellular systems also requires significant planning, organization, and management. For instance, there must be a sufficient number of base stations to ensure a minimum level of service. Also, base stations must communicate with one another sufficiently to be able to coordinate a mobile terminal's transfer from one cell to another, termed handoff or handover. Furthermore, the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is allocated to a cellular system must be efficiently utilized.
Many different cellular phone system standards have been developed in response to these service, coordination, and efficiency requirements. Two examples of standards are the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and the Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS). Early standards were analog, but subsequent ones were digital. One standard, TIA/EIA/IS-95-A: Mobile Station-Base Station Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular System (IS-95) that was promulgated in May of 1995 by the Telecommunications Industry Association, combines analog and digital concepts to enable cellular phone users to access both analog and digital systems. With IS-95, a dual-mode terminal will interface with a digital system when possible, but the terminal can also connect to an analog base station as well.
When communicating via the transmission of electromagnetic radiation, diversity can be used to counteract signal fading, which occurs when a signal's strength decreases. A given radio signal will usually take several diverse paths from the transmitter to the receiver. As a result, the receiver actually has several versions of the same signal from which to choose for processing. Often, the different paths will not be fading simultaneously, so if the receiver can always be processing the version of the signal with the least fade at a given moment, then the overall transmission will be more reliably received and processed. Diversity, then, is a term applied to various techniques for creating and/or selecting the current optimum version of the signal.
Some examples of diversity schemes are space, polarization, angle, frequency, time, and path diversity. Path diversity was explained above as occurring when an original signal follows multiple paths. These multiple paths arise from the signal taking a direct path or any one of many reflective paths. As a second example, polarization diversity is noted. In polarization diversity, the output from one of two antennas is selected by choosing the antenna that is properly polarized with the strongest signal. It offers benefits because signals transmitted on orthogonal polarizations exhibit uncorrelated fading. While only two diversity branches are available, polarization diversity can be especially important for hand-held mobile terminal communications because the hand-held devices are held at various angles during a phone call.
Another benefit of diversity results from the reduction in transmission power requirements. Transmission power requirements are reduced because selection by a receiver of the strongest signal from among diverse, uncorrelated signals enables a transmitter to reduce power. This power reduction improves interference tolerance, which results in an ability to support additional users within a given cell. In short, the entire range of diversity techniques provides increased interference immunity, which is especially important for interference-limited systems such as IS-95.
Another technique to improve cellular phone service and quality that some cellular system standards use is inter-frequency mobile assisted handoff (MAHO). Inter-frequency MAHO improves the process a mobile terminal undertakes when moving between microcells and macrocells. With inter-frequency MAHO, the mobile terminal provides assistance by making measurements on frequencies that differ from the frequency currently being used. Inter-frequency MAHO is especially important when dealing with hierarchical cell structures. In cellular systems with hierarchical cell structures, handoffs between microcells and macrocells can be more effectively performed by using the measurements provided by the mobile terminal. Consequently, the ability to make measurements on other frequencies is highly desirable when a mobile terminal is in motion.
Different multiple access methods are used by the different cellular system standards. Each method attempts, among other things, to efficiently utilize the limited resources of base stations and electromagnetic spectrum allocation. Other goals of access methods include maximizing capacity and service quality while minimizing implementation costs.
One access method is Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA). It divides the allocated spectrum into nonoverlapping segments and allots to the terminal of each cellular user a frequency segment on which to transmit.
Another access method is Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). It permits each terminal to use a given frequency for a limited time. Then a different terminal is permitted to use the same frequency. Shortly, the original terminal is again permitted a slice of time in which to use the frequency. In this technique, several cellular users share the same frequency or frequency segment over time in a nonoverlapping, round-robin fashion.
Yet another access method is Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). In this spread-spectrum technique, each terminal is permitted to use the entire spectrum allocated for a channel in a given cell at all times. The base station differentiates one terminal's signal from that of another by detecting a digital code embedded in the transmission of each terminal's signal. This code arises because the transmitted signals have very small cross-correlation. Therefore, correlators can be used to extract individual signals from a mixture of signals even though they are transmitted simultaneously and in the same frequency band. IS-95's digital mode, for example, utilizes CDMA.
As explained above, diversity is important to efficient cellular communication, regardless of the cellular system standard or access method employed. To achieve diversity, the diverse signals must be combined in some preferably optimum way. In short, the best signal or the best combination of signals should be extracted. One such combination technique is selection combining, or specifically pre-detection selection diversity (or merely pre-selection diversity). In selection diversity, the receiver attempts to choose the diversity branch with the highest carrier to noise ratio (C/N). More specifically, in pre-detection selection diversity, the selection of the antenna is made before reception of the desired signal.
Pre-detection selection combining has typically been proposed for TDMA systems, in which a mobile terminal does not need to receive continuously. Hence, the TDMA mobile terminal can simply sample the signal on both antennas during non-allotted time frames. Then it can make an appropriate selection before its allotted receive time frame occurs. In TDMA systems, pre-detection selection combining enables the use of only one receive chain when implementing selection combining.
In contradistinction to TDMA systems, CDMA systems in general and IS-95 systems in particular normally require a mobile terminal to receive signals from a base station continuously. Hence, the CDMA mobile terminal (with only one receive chain) cannot simply sample the signal on the second antenna during non-allotted time frames because IS-95 does not specify any non-allotted time frames. Similarly, because the signal is being received continuously, the CDMA mobile terminal cannot switch to another frequency for the purpose of making measurements for inter-frequency MAHO. Thus, heretofore, continuous reception cellular system standards hindered the implementation of selection diversity and inter-frequency MAHO and thus the enjoyment of the accompanying benefits.
Therefore, one object of the present invention is to enable diversity and inter-frequency MAHO in continuous reception systems, such as IS-95.
Another object of the present invention is to provide measurement techniques for achieving diversity and inter-frequency MAHO in continuous reception systems, such as IS-95.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method to perform pre-detection selection diversity combining in continuous reception systems, such as IS-95.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple method for implementing a diversity receiver for the downlink of a continuous reception system, such as IS-95.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for selecting between two antennas for phones in continuous reception systems, such as IS-95, based on signal strength measurements.
Yet another object of the present invention is to implement the above methods and apparatuses while minimizing bit error rates.

Measurement techniques for diversity and inter-frequency mobile assisted handoff (MAHO)


The present invention provides a positive electrode composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, wherein the composition includes a lithium-transition metal composite oxide represented by the following compositional formula:LiaNi1-x-yCoxM1yM2zMoαNbβO2 wherein 1.00≤a≤1.50, 0.00≤x≤0.50, 0.00≤y≤0.50, 0.000≤z≤0.020, 0.002≤α≤0.020, 0.002≤β≤0.020, and 0.00≤x+y≤0.70, M1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn and Al, and M2 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Ti, Mg, Ta, and V, and a boron compound including at least boron and oxygen.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a positive electrode composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and a method for producing the same.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, mobile electric devices, such as VTRs, cell phones, and laptop personal computers, have spread and are miniaturized, and, as a power source for the mobile device, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion secondary battery, is used. Further, recently, environmental problems must be dealt with and therefore, the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is attracting attention as a power battery for, e.g., an electric vehicle.
As a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, LiCoO2 (lithium cobalt oxide) is generally widely employed, in which LiCoO2 is able to constitute a secondary battery at a level of 4 V. When using LiCoO2 as a positive electrode active material for a secondary battery, the resultant secondary battery achieves a discharge capacity of about 160 mAh/g, and such a secondary battery has been practically used.
Cobalt, which is a raw material for LiCoO2, is a resource that is scarce and unevenly distributed, and therefore LiCoO2 as a positive electrode active material has disadvantages not only in that the cost tends to increase, but also in that the supply of the raw material for the active material is likely to be unstable. In consideration of such circumstances, a lithium-transition metal composite oxide having a layer structure, such as nickel-cobalt-lithium manganate, which is obtained from LiCoO2 by substituting a part of Co in the LiCoO2 by another metal element, such as Ni or Mn, has been developed. As a metal element other than the above metal elements for substituting Co, for example, molybdenum is selected depending on the purpose.
International Patent Application Publication No. 02/041419 proposes a technique in which, with respect to a lithium composite oxide including nickel, cobalt, and manganese as essential components, a metal element, such as molybdenum, is introduced to the composition of the lithium composite oxide so that a composite oxide of the introduced metal element and lithium exhibits a diffraction peak, improving the heat stability of the battery in a charged state at a high capacity.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-181839 proposes a technique in which, by using a composite oxide comprising lithium, nickel, cobalt, and a specific additive element as essential components, the positive electrode active material is improved in the heat stability and charge-discharge capacity. As examples of additive elements, combinations of elements, such as Nb+Mn+Al, and Mo+Mn, are specifically disclosed.
On the other hand, in accordance with various purposes, a technique for mixing a boron compound, such as boric acid, with a lithium-transition metal composite oxide, and a technique for allowing a boron compound to be present on the surface of a lithium-transition metal composite oxide have been known.
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-146739 discloses a positive electrode active material obtained by coating composite oxide particles, such as Li1.03Ni0.77Co0.20Al0.03O2, with a boric acid compound, such as ammonium pentaborate, and subjecting the resultant particles to heat treatment. The positive electrode active material obtained as mentioned above is expected to enable a secondary battery to be increased in the capacity and improved in the charge-discharge efficiency.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-164053 discloses a positive electrode active material having, on a core including a lithium compound, such as Li1.03Ni0.69Mn0.19Co0.1Al0.07Mg0.07O2, formed a surface treatment layer including a coating element, such as boron. As a coating method, specifically, a method is disclosed in which a core is treated with an alkoxide solution of a coating element and then subjected to heat treatment. The positive electrode active material obtained as mentioned above is expected to be improved in the heat stability.

Positive electrode composition for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method of manufacturing thereof


A matrix printer (1) or other imaging device in a memory (7) stores fonts of character data (11, 11') in defining bit maps for each character of the fonts. The memory also stores shift values for each font which vary with the nature of the font for double strike, emphasize, and combined double strike and emphasize, from which character bit maps are modified before printing by being shifted and overlayed. Improved images for double strike and emphasize are achieved, and the combined double strike and emphasize need not be the overlay of double strike and emphasize.

Double strike and emphasize are believed to be supported in existing printers by defining the bit map of each character as the overlay of the bit map image of the standard character and that bit map image offset from the first image. For double strike the second image is shifted vertically, and for emphasize the shift of the second image is horizontal. For combined double strike and emphasize the character image bit map is the result of the standard image and the two shifted images as shifted for double strike and emphasize. When the image is printed, a single dot or pel (a standard term believed derived from the phrase "picture element") is printed once at each bit position in which one of the bit maps as so combined defines a dot to be printed.
Typically, the shift of the bit maps for double strike and for emphasize is two pel positions, and the final bit map is obtained from that of the standard character by a digital data processor employing an algorithm to determine the result of such shifting. In accordance with this invention the expanded characters are obtained by an algorithm, but the offsets are not necessarily just horizontal or just vertical or just their direct combination. This is achieved by including modification information in the data stored for each standard font. The expansion of characters is then defined for each character of each font by the modification information of that font, which will be different for fonts having different visual characteristics.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,424 to Williams discloses a display apparatus of the video type in which a preceding code character defines the attributes of the display of characters following that code. At column 7 several attributes called out by the code, such as strike out, underline, and double wide, are discussed. An attribute unique to the type style is not suggested.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin article entitled "Energy Management for an Electronic Font Used in a Resistive Ribbon Printer, " Vol. 30, No. 5, October 1987 at pp. 254-255 is illustrative of known prior art in which a code is associated with each character defining the bit density of the character, to which a thermal printer reacts by changing the heat applied to the bits of each character as the character is printed.

Matrix character modification information unique to a given font

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods and apparatus for displaying a language specific text string in a pre-boot environment are disclosed. A disclosed system loads certain device drivers in a pre-boot environment (i.e., before an operating system is loaded) based on a boot block in a flash memory device. The user is then presented with a text-based interface in the pre-boot environment. The system allows the user to select a language for the text-based user interface. Text strings used to display the text-based user interface in the selected language may be stored in the same flash memory device used to store the boot block. In addition, other resources may hold additional text strings in other languages. For example, a hard disk drive and/or a network device may store additional text strings in other languages for use in the pre-boot text-based user interface.

Prior to loading a full operating system with a graphical user interface (e.g., Microsoft Windows®), most computers are capable of presenting a text-based user interface in a pre-boot environment. For example, most DOS (Disk Operating System) based systems enter a text-based environment if the F2 key is pressed during start up. Typically, instructions and data used to generate this text-based interface are stored in a flash memory device. For example, text strings displayed as part of the text-based interface are typically stored in the flash memory device.
In order to accommodate different geographical regions, the flash memory device may store the text strings in more than one language. However, flash memory space is limited by size and cost. As a result, very few languages are typically supported within the same computer.
Instead, most manufacturers produce different Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) for different geographical regions, wherein each SKU may have a flash memory device with different languages supported. However, this approach is cumbersome. Requiring different SKUs for different regions complicates the overall manufacturing and distribution process.

Method and apparatus for displaying a language specific text string in a pre-boot environment


The present invention relates to a damping valve for a shock absorber, comprising a base body with a first support body and with a second support body and comprising one or more valve spring discs which separate a first damping fluid space from a second damping fluid space, wherein the valve spring discs are supported against the first support body via an inner edge support, and against the second support body via an outer edge support, and which control a passage of damping fluid in both directions by virtue of the fact that the valve spring discs lift-off either from the inner edge support or from the outer edge support, by elastic deflection. According to the invention, a stroke movable control body is provided which is prestressed against the valve spring discs, so that the control behaviour of the valve spring discs can be adjusted via the edge supports by the prestress of the control body.

DE 1 265 501 A presents a damping valve for a shock absorber with a base body which is attached at one end to a piston rod of the shock absorber. The base body of the damping valve separates a first damping fluid space from a second damping fluid space, whereby the base body has passages via which the damping fluid spaces are fluidically connected to one another. Valve spring discs, which close the passages within the base body when the pressure difference of the damping fluid between the damping fluid spaces remains below a limiting value, are held on the base body. If the base body of the damping valve is moved via the piston rod, a pressure difference occurs between the damping fluid spaces, which pressure difference can exceed the limiting value, and the valve spring discs either lift-off from their inner edge support or from their outer edge support, depending on the direction of movement of the base body which can be moved to and fro in a shock absorber tube.
The valve spring discs are held centered on the base body via the inner edge support, and the behavior of the elastic deflection of the valve spring discs is determined by geometric and material properties of the valve spring discs, wherein the degree of elastic prestress of the valve spring discs on the base body also further determines the opening behavior. For example, strongly prestressed valve spring discs of more rigid design lift-off from their edge support to a lesser degree than more elastic, less prestressed valve spring discs.
In the damping arrangement shown by means of the valve spring discs, the disadvantage arises that the opening behavior of the valve spring discs is already defined by the lift-off of the employed valve spring discs from the inner edge support and from the outer edge support. Consequently, via the valve spring discs used, the force/speed behavior of the shock absorber is already determined by the valve spring discs both in the pressure stage during retraction and in the traction stage during extension. Thus there is disadvantageously not the possibility of a separate adjustment of the force/speed behavior between the traction stage and the pressure stage during operation of the shock absorber.


An ultrasonic cleaner includes: a cleaning tank; an ultrasonic transducer; a vibration head which extends from the ultrasonic transducer toward the cleaning tank and of which a tip portion includes a cylindrical hole having a longitudinal direction aligned to a vertical direction; and an air layer or a metallic member that is provided in an area formed by projecting at least the vibration head in the vertical direction under the cleaning tank, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is driven at a frequency at which the vibration head is vibrated resonantly in a vibration mode accompanied by a deformation in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical hole and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein an area formed by projecting at least the vibration head in the vertical direction in a bottom portion of the cleaning tank is formed of a material mainly including resin.

In an automatic analyzer, the same nozzle is repeatedly used to dispense the samples. Therefore, the tip end of the nozzle is cleaned before sucking another sample. If the tip end of the nozzle is not sufficiently cleaned, the component of the previous sample is carried over to the next sample, and the measurement accuracy is worsened. However, the automatic analyzer having a high throughput performance performs the dispensing process at a high speed. Therefore, sufficient time is not spent for cleaning the nozzle. PTL 1 discloses that the sample deposit of the nozzle is removed by cavitation generated in the liquid by using an ultrasonic cleaner provided with a Langevin vibrator at the bottom portion of the cleaning tank.

Ultrasonic cleaner and automatic analyzer using the same


The method makes possible the production of iron aluminide raw materials which consist of a Fe.sub.3 Al-base alloy containing 18-35% Al, 3-15% Cr, 0.2-0.5% B and/or C, and altogether 0-8% of the following alloying additives: Mo, Nb, Zr, Y and/or V, as well as iron as dominant remainder. In accordance with the invention additives are added to the melt of a known alloy, from which dispersed crystallites, dispersoids, are formed which thanks to good wettability become upon solidification, embedded in the monocrystalline phase. From the solid alloy, through hot rolling at a temperature between 650.degree. and 1000.degree. C., a fine grain structure may be generated.

The invention is concerned with a method of production of iron aluminide materials as well as iron aluminide base alloys which occur as an end product of a method of that kind.
From the patent application WO 90/10722 it is known that certain iron aluminide base alloys are suitable as the material for the execution of industrial constructions, in particular for constructions which must exhibit at high temperature (up to 650.degree. C.) and in an aggressive ambient (for example, H.sub.2 S+H.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O) a good resistance to corrosion as well as good mechanical strength. Such alloys present themselves, for example, as a cheap substitute for nickel-base alloys or high-alloy steels. Iron aluminides which consist mainly of Fe.sub.3 Al are distinguished by an orderly crystalline structure with DO.sub.3 -symmetry: the one half of the lattice sites which form a cubical lattice are occupied by Fe atoms; the other half of the lattice sites which lie spatially centred with respect to the cubes of the first lattice, exhibit a checkerboard-like arrangement of Fe and Al atoms. The alloy on the iron aluminide base is an orderly intermetallic alloy. In what follows it is called the Fe.sub.3 Al base alloy. The proportion of the aluminium in this alloy with a DO.sub.3 -structure exhibits a value in the range between 18 and 35% by atomic weight. Besides the DO.sub.3 -structure there is partially present in the Fe.sub.3 Al base alloy a B2 structure (or CsCl-structure) or a disorderly spatially centred alpha-structure.
In the case of known Fe.sub.3 Al base alloys with which are admixed up to 10% by atomic weight of chromium and in smaller amounts molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, yttrium, vanadium, carbon and/or boron, no low-melting-point eutectics are formed. Fe.sub.3 Al base alloys exhibit a protective layer of aluminium oxide covering the surface. However, iron aluminides and many of the Fe.sub.3 Al base alloys have a very poor ductility at room temperature. Only if the great brittleness of these materials can be overcome can they be employed as raw materials.
Ductility can as a rule be improved if by means of alloying additives the grain of the structure is made finer. From one publication (S. A. David et al (1989), Welding Research Sup., page 372), a Fe.sub.3 Al base alloy comprising 18-35% by atomic weight of Al, 3-15% by atomic weight of Cr, 0.2-0.5% by atomic weight of at least one of B and C, 0-8% by atomic weight of at least one of Mo, Nb, Zr, Y and V, and the remainder consisting of iron is known in which an increase in the ductility at room temperature has been achieved by means of the addition of titanium diboride (TiB.sub.2). In the case of welding experiments (by electron beam, arc welding), however, a hot crack formation was observed. Experiments with secondary ion mass spectrometry yielded that at the face of the crack boron and titanium occurred enriched. This discovery led to the following opinion: The titanium diboride goes into solution in the melt; it has no influence upon the formation of grain. Titanium and boron are not incorporated into the crystalline structure of the grains, therefore these constituents are to be found finally after the solidification of the Fe.sub.3 Al base alloy on the interfaces of the grains. Through the influence of heat during welding the force locking between adjacent grains becomes severely reduced because of the titanium diboride (because of local lowering of the melting point at the grain boundaries), so that a heat crack formation can arise. Consequently it is advisable in spite of improvement in ductility to waive the addition of titanium diborides or substances which lead to similar phenomena.

Method of production of iron aluminide materials


In one aspect, a medium voltage power converter includes a plurality of slices each having: a transformer including a plurality of primary windings to couple to a utility source of input power and a plurality of secondary windings; and a plurality of power cubes coupled to the plurality of secondary windings, each of the plurality of power cubes comprising a low frequency front end stage, a DC link, and a high frequency silicon carbide (SiC) inverter stage to couple to a high frequency load or to a high speed machine.

Typical medium voltage (MV) power converters or so-called drive systems are formed of silicon-based topologies. Such systems do not meet advanced requirements being demanded by various industries to improve overall system performance and cost. Specific system challenges include higher fundamental frequency operation than currently available, e.g., up to 1000 Hertz (Hz) for direct drive applications, high performance MV drives to handle power demand within a medium power range (e.g., up to 20 megawatts (MW)), overall converter system efficiencies better than 97%, and reduced volumetric power density and footprint to improve system power density and cost. Current systems are not capable of such operation.
Rather, traditional multi-megawatt and multi-level medium voltage power converter technology based on silicon devices operate within the range of 0-120 Hz of fundamental frequency, 600 Hz switching, and efficiencies up to 95%. Operation at higher fundamental frequencies is prohibited due to high switching loss causing stiff system de-rating, dramatic system efficiency and power density reductions.

High frequency medium voltage drive system for high speed machine applications


A printing apparatus includes a defect detection unit, and when print data to cause all of one line to be blank is inputted to a thermal head, in parallel with printing of a blank line, a transistor for short-circuiting a current detection resistor becomes in an OFF state, the current detection resistor is made conductive, values of currents flowing through respective heaters are compared with a predetermined comparison signal in order of first to fourth strobes for dividing a heater array of the thermal head, and the defect of the thermal head is detected from this comparison result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus using a line type thermal head for printing on a recording sheet such as a thermal paper or thermal transfer sheet, capable of automatically detecting a defect of the thermal head, and a communication apparatus and an information processing apparatus, provided with the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in a printing apparatus which uses a thermal head to print on a recording sheet, there has been a problem that when a defect occurs in the thermal head, respective heaters of the thermal head generate heat, and a trouble such as destruction or burnout of the thermal head occurs. When such a trouble occurs, a serious influence is exerted also on a printed image. In view of such a problem, for the purpose of confirming the quality of a printed image, a method in which a current is made to flow through a thermal head during printing or at the point of time when the thermal head is not used, for example, immediately before the printing, and a defect of the thermal head is detected through the value of the current, is known as a well-known technique.
Besides, a method of detecting a defect of a thermal head or preventing a trouble is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications JP-A 63-227356 (1988), JP-A 63-145058 (1988), JP-A 3-193367 (1991), JP-A 7-9691 (1995), or JP-A 11-254722 (1999).
JP-A 63-227356 discloses a method in which an inspection signal as data is inputted to a thermal head which is divided into a plurality of parts of data by a plurality of strobe signals which sections of data are printed in different printing timings, blocks divided by the plurality of strobe signals are forcibly turned on, a power source of the thermal head is switched to an inspection power source line, and currents flowing through respective heaters are detected, so that a defect of the thermal head is detected.
JP-A 63-145058 discloses a method in which a current flowing through a thermal head is detected at every printing line, the detection current is compared with a reference value set in accordance with a thermal head current corresponding to the minimum number of printing dots per line, defect detection of the thermal head is carried out through the number of lines at which the value of the detection current exceeds the reference value, and the quality of printing is judged.
JP-A 3-193367 discloses a method in which a current flowing through a thermal head in a time other than a printing time is detected by a voltage drop through a resistor provided in a supply power source of the thermal head, and when abnormality is detected by detection means, the supply power source is turned off.
JP-A 7-9691 discloses a method in which dot information for specifying at least one heater used for abnormality detection is generated, electric power is supplied from a power source to only the heater used for abnormality detection, and a voltage drop of the heater supplied with the electric power is compared with a threshold voltage so that abnormality is detected.
JP-A 11-254722 discloses a method in which when first power supply means does not supply electric power for printing, second power supply means supplies electric power for detection to a thermal head through failure detection means, and defect detection of the thermal head is carried out based on a current flowing through at least one heater.
However, in the publication, in the case where defect detection of the thermal head is carried out during the printing, a specific procedure for interrupting the printing and for detecting a defect of the thermal head is required. Besides, the detection of the defect of the thermal head is carried out during the printing or immediately before the printing. Accordingly, it is impossible to detect such a trouble that for example, the thermal head suddenly fails in a state where printing is not made, or a control program is out of control, and a current flows through the thermal head in a time other than a printing time to cause heat generation with a heater, so that destruction, burnout or the like of the thermal head occurs.
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus using a thermal head in which defect detection of the thermal head is carried out during printing by a simple method without interrupting the printing and the thermal head is always monitored with respect to abnormality over a period including a printing time and a waiting state, to prevent a trouble such as destruction and burnout of the thermal head, and a communication apparatus and an information processing apparatus, provided with the same.
The invention provides a printing apparatus comprising:
a line type thermal head having a heater array composed of a plurality of heaters, for printing on a recording sheet; and
defect detection means for, in the case where print data to cause all of one line to be blank is inputted to the thermal head, detecting a defect of the thermal head based on a current flowing through each heater at a time of printing of the blank line.
Since the thermal head prints by heat generation, if a defect occurs in the thermal head, abnormality occurs in a printed image, and the thermal head generates heat, so that the trouble such as destruction and burnout of the thermal head can occur. According to the invention, in the case where the print data to cause all of one line to be blank is inputted to the thermal head at the time of the printing, the defect of the thermal head can be detected based on the current flowing through each heater. Accordingly, the defect of the thermal head can be detected during the printing without interrupting the printing.
In the invention it is preferable that print data for one line is divided into a plurality of parts of data by strobe signals which parts of data are printed in different print timings, and defect detection of the thermal head is carried out for respective blocks divided by the strobe signals.
According to the invention, the print data is divided into the plurality of parts of data by the strobe signals, and defect detection of the thermal head can be carried out for each block of the thermal head. Accordingly, a defect portion of the thermal head can be specified. Besides, since the element number of the heaters detected at the same time becomes small, even if leak currents of drive circuits of the respective heaters are accumulated, the influence on the detection of the defect of the thermal head becomes weak.
Besides, the invention is characterized in that the defect detection means comprises a resistor which is interposed in a power source line of the thermal head and detects a current supplied to the thermal head when print data to cause all of one line to be blank is inputted to the thermal head, and a circuit for short-circuiting the resistor in the case where all of one line is not blank.
According to the invention, in the defect detection means, in the case where the print data to cause all of one line to be blank is inputted to the thermal head, the current supplied to the thermal head is detected by the current detection resistor interposed in the power supply line of the thermal head, and in the case where the print data not to cause all of one line to be blank is inputted to the thermal head, the current is supplied to the thermal head through the circuit for short-circuiting the resistor. The circuit for short-circuiting the current detection resistor can prevent the current applied to each heater from being changed by the voltage drop at the current detection resistor.
Besides, the invention is characterized in that the defect detected by the defect detection means is classified into a plurality of stages in accordance with the stage of the defect, a processing after defect detection is also classified into a plurality of stages made of a combination of an alarm occurrence and a printing stop, and a processing classification after the defect detection is assigned in accordance with the classification of the defect.
According to the invention, the defect detected by the defect detection means is classified into, for example, three stages in accordance with the stage of the defect, and the alarm of the trouble of the thermal head is issued at the respective stages to notify the user, and at the same time, when the stage of the trouble is raised, for example, the printing is automatically stopped, so that it is possible to prevent the trouble such as the poor quality of a printed image and the fatal destruction and burnout of the thermal head caused by the heat generation of the heater.
Besides, according to the invention, defects detected by the defect detection means are classified into the plurality of stages in accordance with levels of the defect, the measures after the defect detection are also classified into the plurality of stages composed of combinations of alarm occurrence and printing stop, and assignment of measure classification after the defect detection is carried out in accordance with the classification of defects, so that it is possible to prevent the trouble such as poor quality of printed image and the fatal destruction and burnout of the thermal head caused by heat generation of the heater.
In the invention it is preferable that in the case where print data to cause all data of one line to be blank is not inputted to the thermal head with respect to a predetermined printing amount, or every predetermined printing amount, print data to cause all of one line to be blank is forcibly inserted.
According to the invention, when the printing amount, for example, the number of pages, the number of lines, or the length of printing (the number of characters) is predetermined, and when printing of the printing amount is carried out, the print data to cause all of one line to be blank is forcibly inserted. Alternatively, the blank data of one line is inserted every predetermined printing amount, for example, in the first line of every page, irrespective of whether or not all of one line is blank. Accordingly, even in the case where the print data to cause all of one line to be blank does not exist in an image to be printed, the defect of the thermal head can be certainly detected.
In the invention it is preferable that when the print data to cause all of one line to be blank is forcibly inserted, a recording sheet is not advanced in printing of this line.
According to the invention, the recording sheet such as a thermal paper or a thermal transfer paper is not advanced with respect to the line in which the print data to cause all of one line to be blank is forcibly inserted. Accordingly, even if the print data to cause all of one line to be blank is forcibly inserted, the blank line is not printed.
The invention provides a printing apparatus comprising:
a line type thermal head having a heater array composed of a plurality of heaters, for printing on a recording sheet; and
defect detection means for, over a period including a printing time and a waiting state, detecting a current flowing through the thermal head by inserting print data to cause all of one line to be blank each time when a predetermined time elapses, or detecting the current flowing through the thermal head at a point of time when a strobe signal is not inputted, and detecting a defect of the thermal head based on the detected current.
According to the invention, the defect of the thermal head can be detected each time the predetermined time elapses over the period including not only the printing time but also the waiting state. Accordingly, since the defect of the thermal head can always be detected irrespective of the printing, it is possible to prevent the trouble such as destruction and burnout of the thermal head caused by the heat generation of the heater.
In the invention it is preferable that when the detection means detects the defect of the thermal head, a current to the thermal head is cut off.
According to the invention, when the defect detection means detects the defect of the thermal head, the current to the thermal head is cut off, so that it is possible to prevent the trouble such as destruction and burnout of the thermal head caused by the heat generation of the heater in advance.
The invention provides a communication apparatus comprising the above-mentioned printing apparatus.
Besides, the invention provides an information processing apparatus comprising the above-mentioned printing apparatus.
According to the invention, the printing apparatus can be used for the communication apparatus such as a facsimile or the information processing apparatus such as an Internet facsimile.

Printing apparatus and communication apparatus and information processing apparatus having the same


A system, method and apparatus for implementing a wireless point-to-point interface that securely and robustly delivers digital content from a generalized content source to a generalized content sink. The system, method and apparatus performs in a manner that is sufficiently secure and robust to serve as a replacement for the delivery of HDMI content over cable. The system, method and apparatus is also applicable to the delivery of other types of content traditionally delivered over cable, including but not limited to Digital Video Interface (DVI) content, composite video (CVSB) content, S-video content, RGB video content, YUV video content, and/or various types of audio content.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed to wireless communication systems. In particular, the present invention is related to a system, method and apparatus for the wireless communication of analog and/or digital information from a generalized content source to a generalized content sink.
2. Background
Wireless interfaces offer a compelling value proposition for the transfer of photos, music, video, data and other forms of media content amongst networked consumer electronics, personal computers (PCs), and mobile devices throughout the home. The promise of simple and inexpensive installation coupled with the potential elimination of bulky and unsightly cables has created a buzz throughout the industry. Seeing this opportunity, technology vendors have rushed to develop and position Bluetooth™, 802.11 WiFi®, and 802.15.3a Ultra Wide Band (UWB) for emerging in-home content transfer applications as these wireless techniques offer adequate coverage area, throughput, and quality levels for generic content transfer.
Media content transfer is not the only in-home wireless application, however, and it may not even be the most appealing one for the consumer. Many industry analysts are projecting that high-performance digital cable replacement may, in fact, be the more lucrative in-home opportunity for wireless technology.
For example, most high-definition plasma/LCD displays, digital projectors, and DVD players being introduced in the market today include a high-definition media interface (HDMI) connector to facilitate the high-fidelity transfer of digital content from source devices (e.g. digital set top boxes, DVD players, etc.) to display devices via digital cable. The HDMI interface standard supports all common high-definition formats including 720p and 1080i high-definition television (HDTV) which require data rates of 1.5 Gbps at a bit error rate (BER) of 10−9. HDMI also incorporates the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)-approved High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) which ensures the security of the digital content as it is transferred between source and display. The comprehensively designed HDMI standard has garnered widespread industry support and sales of HDMI equipped units is projected to grow from 50 million in 2005 to over 200 million in 2008.
Technology vendors are attempting to position 802.11 and UWB as candidate solutions for digital cable replacement. Unfortunately, the coverage area, throughput, and quality levels for 802.11 and UWB are woefully inadequate to serve as a replacement for the demanding high-performance digital cable market, particularly that related to 720p and 1080i HDTV. For example, the wireless replacement of the HDMI cables requires 7-10× greater throughput and 1000× better quality than what 802.11 and UWB were designed to provide.
By way of illustration, generic content transfer techniques share the following characteristics: shared multiple access communication, a 1% BER, latency acceptance, transfer of compressed data, use of retransmissions, and support for data rates up to 200 Mbps. In contrast, data transfer over high-performance digital cable is characterized by: dedicated point-to-point communication, 10−9 BER, low latency, transfer of uncompressed data, best effort communication (i.e., no retransmissions), and support for data rates in excess of 1 Gbps. Thus, existing wireless technologies such as 802.11 and Bluetooth along with proposed UWB solutions fail to provide the throughput and quality needed for in-home high-performance digital cable replacement.
Currently, 802.15.3a UWB is being touted as a solution to both generic content transfer and wireless HDMI cable replacement. Unfortunately, because of the emphasis on generic content transfer applications, 802.15.3a UWB performance falls dramatically short of what is required for wireless HDMI cable replacement. For instance, the maximum 802.15.3a data rate will be restricted to roughly 200 Mbps with potentially large data transfer latencies. 802.15.3a contains a general purpose media access control (MAC) that cannot exploit the inherent data rate asymmetries associated with HDMI where the display to source backchannel data rate requirement is negligible relative to the source to display forward channel—as a result overall throughput suffers. Even more troubling is the 802.15.3a acceptance of a 1% BER (8% packet error rate (PER)) which has potentially disastrous quality implications that could impact consumer acceptance of wireless cable replacement products.
So while 802.15.3a certainly addresses the needs of generic content transfer applications, it falls far short of the data rates and error performance required for wireless HDMI cable replacement. Many have focused on compressing digital content using MPEG-2 to overcome the data rate limitations of 802.15.3a, but the cost associated with adding MPEG-2 encoders to source devices makes this impractical. Even if cost constraints could be overcome, transmission of MPEG-2 encoded video is one of the most demanding applications in terms of quality of service (QoS). MPEG-2 can not tolerate large variations on delays such as those introduced by the 802.15.3a MAC layer and MPEG-2 quality is severely degraded when BER approaches 10−5, far below the 1% BER target of 802.15.3a.
What is needed then, is a system, method and apparatus for the wireless delivery of content from a generalized content source to a general content sink. The proposed solution should perform in a manner that is sufficiently secure and robust to serve as a replacement for the delivery of HDMI content over cable. The solution should also be applicable to the delivery of other types of content traditionally delivered over cable, including but not limited to Digital Video Interface (DVI) content, composite video (CVSB) content, S-video content, RGB video content, YUV video content, and/or various types of audio content.

System, method and apparatus for wireless delivery of content from a generalized content source to a generalized content sink


A movable hook of a shed-forming device for a weaving loom which includes a supple tongue which is urged toward engagement with the tip of a pivotable retention hook by a spring element mounted on the movable hook. The supple tongue is engageable with the retention hook to pivot an opposite end thereof into contact with an electromagnet which is selectively controlled to either retain the retention hook or release the retention hook to subsequently engage a notch in the movable hook spaced from the tongue and thereby retain the movable hook in fixed relationship to the retention hook.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to shed-forming devices n a weaving loom which includes a plurality of systems for opening and closing the shed. Each system comprises movable hooks made of plastic material which move vertically in reciprocating manner, as well as two hooks for retaining the movable hooks and an electro-magnet. Each of the movable hooks is provided with a tongue cooperating with the corresponding retaining hook with a view to effecting what is called "levelling" in the art. This operation consists in pivoting the retaining hook by means of the tongue of the movable hook in order to urge the retaining hook against the pole piece of an electromagnet.
2. History of the Related Art
Applicants U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,806 discloses a device of the type in question, of which the movable hooks are made of an appropriate plastics material giving the levelling tongue the ability to flex. However, being given that this tongue is subjected to very considerable stresses of friction and deformation, even with the use of high-performance materials, there are risks of permanent deformation or of creeping of the tongue, of which the mechanical properties are thus altered. A loss of the elasticity of the tongue brings about defects in levelling which lead to defects in weaving.
The improvements forming the subject matter of the present invention aim at overcoming these drawbacks and at producing a tongue which does not lose its elasticity.

Mobile hook of electromagnetic shed-forming device


A gripper device for holding a flexible flat sheet around an elongated form such as a cord, rope, protruding edge or the like. The device is formed in the preferred embodiment with an inner hinged gripper which is positioned around the elongated form such as a protruding edge on a bed mattress. An outer clamp is formed in a C-shaped configuration and slides over the inner hinged gripper. To apply a force or pressure on the gripper, a tapered surface is formed on the outer side of the inner gripper and on the inner side of the outer C-shaped clamp.

This invention relates generally to a gripping device and more particularly to a novel gripping device designed to grip a flexible flat surface such as a bed sheet, blanket, canvas, tarpaulin or the like around an elongated form such as a cord, rope, protruding edge or the like.
It is known by most people that a bed sheet can be easily pulled out of place on the bed by a restless sleeper moving around during the sleeping process. While tucking the lower ends of the bed sheet under the mattress helps somewhat, it would be more desirable to provide a more positive way to hold the sheet in its proper place on the mattress.
Certain types of bed sheets also pose more problems for the typical sleeper that tosses and turns during the sleeping process. Sheets made of silk or satin material are especially prone to easy dislocation, since they usually have extremely smooth, slick surfaces that do not have a frictional restraining surface such as is common with cotton sheets. As a result, the prior art method of tucking the sheet edges under the mattress is usually only initially cosmetic. The first movement of the sleeper in the bed can and usually does act to pull this type of sheet out from under the mattress.
It is also known that small infants in cribs often kick off their sheets as well as blankets and their turning over will do the same thing. It would be desirable to also have some gripping device that could be used on infant beds with the device being large enough to hold both a sheet and a blanket onto the crib mattress. In addition the device would have to be formed of a size sufficiently large to prevent the infant from putting it into his mouth where it could be easily swallowed.
In the outdoor area, it is often necessary to tie down weather covers over a truckload or on a boat and the usual way is to provide a large tarpaulin with grommets sewn around the edges. A rope or cord is then threaded into the grommets and is tied down to an appropriate anchor or tie-down post. While such tie-downs are usually satisfactory for standard sizes, they require a lot of time to initially thread the rope or cord through the grommets and then to reverse the process whenever the cover is to be removed. It would be desirable to have a means of quickly and easily covering and uncovering a load as well as to be able to handle oversized bulky loads without the use of special shaped tarps with their installed grommets.
Another area of use for a new type holding device would be for outdoorsmen such as hunters, hikers or the like, who might need to set up a quick weather shelter such as a tent or lean-to during sudden weather changes or during an emergency. It would be very desirable to have such a device which could be used with lightweight covers that would not need to be prepared with grommets and could easily be packed in a knapsack or the like.


An image processing device for controlling data transfer includes an image scanner, an image printer, a facsimile control unit, bus lines for data transfer, a bidirectional parallel interface unit, and a main CPU in a housing. The device is connected to an external data processing device through the parallel interface unit. In addition to the functions which are obtained independent from the external data processing device, the image processing device realizes various kinds of functions by controlling the image scanner, the image printer facsimile control unit and the interface unit by the main CPU in response to commands from the data processing device. As a result, various kinds of image processing functions are carried out.

The following devices are known as conventional image processing systems: a device which records or prints image information read by an image scanner by an image printer and/or supplies a computer with information; a facsimile device which memorizes image information received through a telephone line in an internal memory prior to recording the information; and similar devices.
In such conventional image processing systems, units such as the image scanner, image printer, facsimile device, and personal computer are independent of each other, and therefore, the systems cannot transmit image information read out of the image scanner or information produced at the personal computer via facsimile without the help of a separate facsimile device. Also, the traditional systems cannot synthesize image information received by the facsimile device with another image information by using the personal computer or a similar device. According to the traditional systems, units having respective functions are not connected to each other internally, so that data reciprocation between units is impossible and moreover transmission of data produced by other units via facsimile are time-consuming and troublesome.

Image processing device of multifunctional type


An apparatus for facilitating the attractive and simple display of an illuminated address or sign comprising an elongated cover, which is adapted with slots for plugs; one or more illumination figures; and electrical conduction strips. The apparatus may further be adapted with mounting and weatherproof covering members for outdoor use and also with an automatic on/off switch for power conservation. The device is meant to facilitate the simple modification, installation, and interchange of any desired pattern of illuminated numbers or letters.

The invention relates to illuminated signs, particularly those designed to convey identifying or locational information such as business names or street addresses.
A number of inventions teach apparatus and methods for providing an illuminated display for the letters and numerals of identifications of addresses and business identities. Most of this prior art, however, concerns articles which are specifically prepared for a single display and cannot be readily changed to make a different display.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,265, issued to Davis (9/9/86) teaches a lighted address display in which the light from an incandescent bulb is reflected into a translucent wall upon which address indicia appear. The invention teaches the use of opaque, stick-on numerals to form the address figures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,535, issued to Stock (3/1/77) teaches the illumination of a plastic template in which the desired figures are cut out. By illuminating one side of the plastic template light will pass through the cutouts and be visible in the shape of the desired figures on the other. Once such a template is cut out the only way to change the display would be to create a new template.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,253, issued to Coad on June 3, 1969, teaches a series of figures which may be clamped to a pair of mounting rails. The mounting rails can be used to conduct electricity to the clamps, which further conducts electricity through an insulating mounting board upon which illuminated figures may be displayed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,432, issued to Gold on Dec. 7, 1965, teaches a plurality of casings which are affixed in a linear array and adapted to accept figures for illumination. The installation and display of each figure also requires the installation and positioning of a receiving casing.
While a variety of different apparatus may be available to meet the needs of different situations, it is still a goal of the inventor to improve the art by continuing to enhance both the versatility of such a device and the attractiveness of the resulting display.
Such illuminated sign devices necessarily entail providing means for mounting upon an exterior or visible surface, delivering electrical energy to some form of mounting base, and a means whereby desired letters or numerals (illumination figures) may be fixed upon the mounting base for illumination. Accordingly, it is seen that such a device essentially amounts to an electrical appliance. Typically such devices come in discrete sizes and shapes and the consumer of such devices is somewhat restricted by the sizes and shapes available in the marketplace. Modification of the dimensions of such devices is a task which would normally require an electrician.
It should also be pointed out that electrical plugs and other apparatus associated with the connection of electricity from a power source to an applicance are made in certain standard sizes. Such standard sizes are made to accommodate particular uses such as for appliance outlets or track lighting slots. Despite the existence of such widespread standarization of electrical connection means and the need for more attractive and customized electrical illumination displays, it is still difficult to find a product enabling one to simply create an attractive yet versatile electrical illumination display.


In a component placement machine, a placement head (4) is driven by a linear motor (5). The stationary part (7) of the motor is attached to the machine frame (1) on which a PCB (8) is attached. The movable part (6) of the motor is connected to a slide (2) on which the placement head (4) is attached. During driving the placement bead, reactive forces of the motor generate vibrations in the stationary part (7) of the motor and thus in the machine frame (20). This causes inaccuracies during the placement of components (9) on the PCB (8). To diminish this problem, the reactive forces are intercepted in a separate force frame (10) which is dynamically disconnected from the machine frame (1).

The invention relates to a component placement machine comprising
a machine frame over which printed circuit boards can be transported and on which the printed circuit boards can be fixed, which machine frame is provided with a guide member over which a slide can be moved,
a placement head for placing components on the printed circuit boards, which placement head is coupled to the slide,
a linear motor for driving the slide along the guide member in a drive direction, which motor has a stationary part and a movable part, which movable part is connected to the slide.
Such a component placement machine is known from WO-A1-97/38567. The principle of such a machine is diagrammatically represented in FIGS. 5 and 6, which show, respectively, a plan view and a side view of the machine. The stationary part 7 of the linear motor 5, i.e. a magnetic chuck, is rigidly attached to the machine frame 1. During operation, the coils, which constitute the movable part 6 of the linear motor and are situated on the slide, are energized in order to drive the slide 2 along the guide member 3. As a result, a reactive force is exerted on the magnetic chuck, which force is transmitted to the machine frame. These forces are largest during starting and stopping of the slide. The machine frame starts vibrating and hence also the printed circuit board 8 which is fixed onto the machine frame. The size of the frequency of the vibration and of the amplitude of the vibration are governed to a substantial degree by the size of the reactive forces and the rigidities and masses of the various machine parts. The machine parts serve as a mass-spring system. When the vibrations come close to the natural frequency of such a mass-spring system, unacceptable vibrations having large amplitudes may develop in the machine frame. The position where a component 9 must be placed on a printed circuit board by means of the placement head 4, which is attached on the slide 2, is determined by means of a vision system (not shown). However, said vision system cannot take into account the vibrations of the printed circuit board. The placement of a component takes place immediately after the slide has stopped, i.e. within, for example, approximately 10 xcexcm. Since such vibrations generally do not damp out within this time interval, nor damp at least to an amplitude of a few xcexcm, an inaccuracy occurs during the placement of the component. Postponing the placement until the vibrations have decreased to an acceptable level is unacceptable because it leads to an unacceptable increase of the process time.
It is an object of the invention to minimize the influence of said reactive forces, caused by the drive of the slide, on the machine frame.
To achieve this, the invention is characterized in that the stationary part of the motor is attached onto a force frame which is dynamically disconnected with respect to the machine frame. The reactive forces are now predominantly dealt with in the force frame instead of in the machine frame as in the state of the art. This is important because the position of the slide is measured with respect to the machine frame, not with respect to the force frame. By virtue of the dynamic disconnection, the vibrations caused thereby in the force frame are no longer, or only to a very limited degree, transmitted to the machine frame. Particularly the vibrations with a frequency close to the natural frequency of the whole of machine parts serving as the mass-spring system are not, or hardly, transmitted to the machine frame. As a result, the drive of the slide has no, or hardly any, influence on the position of the printed circuit board. This results in an increase of the accuracy with which the components are placed on the printed circuit board.
The disconnection between the frames could be achieved, for example, by placing both frames separately on the shop floor so as to be disconnected. In this case, the vibrations in the force frame could still be transmitted to the machine frame via the floor. However, the vibrations are then damped to such an extent that the influence thereof on the machine frame is negligible. In practice, however, such a disconnection is almost unfeasible owing to, inter alia, the handling of the machine, the tolerances and calibrations.
Preferably, the force frame is dynamically disconnected with respect to the machine frame, only in the drive direction of the slide. In other directions, the force frame may be coupled to the machine frame. The reason for this being that the reaction forces in a linear motor extend substantially in the direction of the drive of the slide. Thus, the vibrations of the force frame are oriented substantially in this drive direction. As a result, it is possible to mechanically connect the force frame to the machine frame, so that one coherent framework is obtained.
An embodiment thereof is characterized in that the force frame is coupled to the machine frame by means of leaf springs, in such a manner that the leaf springs exhibit a small rigidity in the drive direction of the slide and a great rigidity in the other directions. A leaf spring has a very small mass and, in one direction, a very small rigidity.
Another embodiment is characterized in that a second slide is present on which the placement head is attached and which can be driven along a guide member of the first slide in a second drive direction at right angles to the first drive direction of the first slide by means of a second linear motor, a movable part of which is connected to the second slide, and a stationary part of which is dynamically disconnected with respect to the first slide. This enables the placement head to be positioned in two mutually perpendicular directions with respect to the machine frame and hence with respect to the printed circuit board, the reactive forces of the motors causing no, or hardly any, vibrations in said directions. Preferably, the stationary part is dynamically disconnected with respect to the first slide, only in the drive direction of the second slide. This can be achieved, in the same manner as in the first force frame, by coupling the stationary part of the second linear motor to the first slide by means of leaf springs, in such a manner that the stationary part has a small rigidity with respect to the first slide in the drive direction of the second slide, and a large rigidity in the other directions.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.


A fixing apparatus for fixing a hard disk drive includes a bottom plate, and two pairs of fixing members mounted on the bottom plate to sandwich the hard disk drive. The hard disk drive includes two opposite sidewalls, and a bottom wall connected between bottoms of the sidewalls. Two pairs of fixing holes are defined in the bottom wall. Each of the fixing members includes a base to support the hard disk drive, a resilient arm extending up from the base to engage with a corresponding one of the sidewalls of the hard disk drive, and a hook formed on a top of the resilient arm to engage with a top of the hard disk drive. A post extends up from each base, to engage in a corresponding one of the fixing holes of the hard disk drive.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for fixing a hard disk drive.
2. Description of Related Art
An electronic device, such as a computer, generally includes a frame, and a plurality of screws extending through the frame to fix a hard disk drive and connect the hard disk drive to ground. However, these screws are usually small and difficult to handle, and so the installation of the hard disk drive in the computer is labor-intensive.


Disclosed is a thermoplastic elastomer composition having excellent thermal resistance, and which includes a hard segment of a resin component, an elastic soft segment of a rubber component and the like. The thermoplastic elastomer composition has properties of both a plastic and a rubber, and, in particular, it has an elasticity as a function of a rubber at room temperature, and is further plasticized at high temperatures so as to be molded. Further, by increasing a proportion of the hard segment, the thermoplastic elastomer composition has improved heat resistance and grease resistance. Accordingly, the present invention provides a thermoplastic elastomer composition having excellent thermal resistance, which can be applied to an automotive constant velocity joint boot and the like.

(a) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition having excellent thermal resistance, and more specifically to such a thermoplastic elastomer composition which improves heat resistance, grease resistance and the like of the composition and which can be applied to an automotive constant velocity joint boot and the like. In particular, the thermoplastic elastomer composition increases a hard segment proportion of the thermoplastic elastomer, which comprises a soft segment and a hard segment, and further comprises an amine-based additive.
(b) Background Art
A constant velocity joint boot plays a role of transferring rotational power from a vehicle engine and transmission to the wheels. The joint boot typically includes a joint part made of a bearing for smoothly transferring rotational power, grease at a joint part for reducing friction of the joint part, and a rubber material covering the connecting part. However, long-term durability is not maintained with the conventional rubber material due to a temperature increase around the boot which occurs when a discharge system for high power of vehicles changes.
Further, this reduced durability results in tearing of the rubber of the constant velocity joint boot, which allows the grease to flow out between the torn rubber. This flow of grease, causes a reduction of engine power, a reduction of vehicle lifespan, and an increase of noise under suspension.
In attempt to solve these problems, a heat resistance-improved composition based on a chloroprene rubber has been used. Conventional chloroprene rubber has been extensively used for a constant velocity joint boot due to its excellent grease resistance. However, in order to increase heat resistance of the chloroprene rubber composition, which has a use temperature of up to 100° C., a cross-linking accelerator was added, and a sulfur cross-link was changed to a peroxide cross-link. This increased the temperature range at which the chloroprene rubber composition can be used by about 20° C. Further, in order to secure low temperature flexibility of the chloroprene rubber composition, a plasticizer was further added thereto thereby expanding the temperature range at which the chloroprene rubber composition can be used to about −45˜120° C.
However, although the temperature range at which the chloroprene rubber composition can be used became wider, there was a problem of continuous difficulty of use because the lifespan of the composition is short and variation in lifespan was wide based on external conditions.
Accordingly, it is needed to develop a composition, which can maintain the performance of the constant velocity joint boot even at high temperature, and has excellent performance such as grease resistance, salt water resistance and the like.
The description provided above as a related art of the present invention is just for helping understanding the background of the present invention and should not be construed as being included in the related art known by those skilled in the art.

Thermoplastic elastomer compositions having excellent thermal resistance