A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a gate electrode of a transistor on an insulator layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, forming an isolation region by performing ion implantation of an impurity of a first conductivity type into the semiconductor substrate, forming a lightly doped drain region by performing, after forming a mask pattern including an opening portion narrower than a width of the gate electrode on an upper layer of the gate electrode of the transistor, ion implantation of an impurity of a second conductivity type near the surface of the semiconductor substrate with the mask pattern as a mask, and forming a source region and a drain region of the transistor by performing ion implantation of an impurity of the second conductivity type into the semiconductor substrate after forming the gate electrode of the transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device, a solid-state imaging device, and a solid-state imaging apparatus. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device in which isolation of a transistor is performed with a diffusion layer and to a solid-state imaging device and a solid-state imaging apparatus in which isolation of a transistor is performed with a diffusion layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in MOS semiconductor devices, local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) has long been used for isolation. However, in recent years, a shallow trench isolation (STI) method has been used for isolation in order to increase density.
It has become increasingly common to employ STI for isolation also in a solid-state imaging device such as a CMOS sensor.
FIG. 13 is a schematic view for illustrating the sectional structure of a main portion of a solid-state imaging device in which the STI method is used for isolation.
In a solid-state imaging device 101 shown herein, a p-type semiconductor well region 103 is formed on an n-type silicon substrate 102. A trench 104 is formed in the p-type semiconductor well region 103, and a silicon dioxide layer 105 is buried in the trench 104. With such a configuration, an isolation region, i.e., an STI region 106, is obtained for isolation within a pixel and between adjacent pixels.
The STI region 106 isolates adjacent pixels 110A and 110B, and isolates photodiodes PD, multiple transistors, and the like in the respective pixels 110A and 110B from one another.
It is noted that forming a lightly doped drain region in a source region or a drain region can improve transistor characteristic regarding noise or the like.
In the past, it has been generally considered that the transistor characteristic is not improved unless a lightly doped drain region is formed throughout all of the source region and the drain region. Thus, in order to reliably form a lightly doped drain throughout all of the source region and the drain region with consideration to a manufacturing error and the like, ion implantation has been performed using a mask including an opening portion 107 having a wider width than a gate electrode 130, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. Therefore, a lightly doped drain region 108 has been formed also in the STI region 106 located on the outside of the gate electrode 130 in the width direction.
Note that a width of a gate electrode refers to the length of the gate electrode in the width direction of a current path of a transistor, and is the length shown by a reference symbol W in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14A shows a plan view of the transistor, and FIG. 14B shows a sectional view along line XIVB-XIVB in FIG. 14A. Further, in FIGS. 14A and 14B, reference numeral 109 denotes the source/drain region and reference numeral 110 denotes a resist that functions as a mask material.
The STI method described above is advantageous in that a fine isolation region is formed since the deep trench 104 is formed in the silicon substrate and the isolation region 106 is formed by burying the silicon dioxide layer 105.
However, due to the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion or the like between the deeply buried silicon dioxide layer 105 and the silicon substrate, there is a problem that a crystal defect due to thermal stress easily occurs.
Although efforts have been made by applying a taper shape or the like in STI, applying the taper shape narrows the area for the photodiode PD, leading to a decrease in saturation signal amount or sensitivity.
Also, in the STI method described above, a p+ region 100 is formed (see FIG. 13) at the boundary between the silicon dioxide layer 105 in the trench 104 and the photodiode PD in order to prevent dark current or a white defect. However, thermal diffusion causes the p′ region 100 to expand toward the photodiode PD side to narrow the area for the photodiode PD, leading to a decrease in saturation signal amount or sensitivity.
Thus, in order to increase the saturation signal amount by reducing the width of the isolation region and increasing the photodiode area, isolation using a diffusion layer implanted with an impurity has been performed (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-158031).

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, solid-state imaging device, and solid-state imaging apparatus


A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality or higher in color. A laser beam focusing arrangement aligns a mechanical axis of a focusing lens with an optical axis along which a laser beam is directed to reduce pointing errors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to focusing and aligning one or more laser beams, especially for use in a color image projection system in which laser beams of different wavelengths are used for projecting a two-dimensional image in color on a viewing surface away from the system.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is generally known to project a two-dimensional image on a screen based on a pair of scan mirrors which oscillate in mutually orthogonal directions to scan a laser beam over a raster pattern. However, the known image projection systems project the image with limited resolution, typically less than a fourth of video-graphics-array (VGA) quality of 640×480 pixels, and not in true color.
To obtain a true color image, red, blue and green laser beams emitted by lasers are needed. The wavelengths of such beams are extremely small. For example, a red laser beam has a wavelength on the order of 635-655 nanometers, and a blue laser beam has a wavelength on the order of 430-505 nanometers. These very short wavelength beams must be focused by focusing lenses to a very high degree of accuracy to collect practically all the energy emitted by the lasers and to prevent blurring and aberrations in the projected image. Each focusing lens has a mechanical or centration axis which must be precisely aligned to coincide with the optical axis along which the respective laser beam is directed. Experience has shown that the necessary centration accuracy is too difficult and too expensive to achieve by current precision manufacturing and assembly techniques so that unacceptable pointing errors between the centration axis and the optical axis for each beam unavoidably occur, thereby degrading the projected image.

Laser beam focusing arrangement and method


A motor drive unit for an in-wheel motor includes a housing and one and capacitors and solid state switching devices arranged within the housing. The housing includes: a lower compartment including a bottom plate, sidewalls which extend from the bottom plate, and end sides at the transverse ends of the sidewalls and bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate is provided with cooling channels for receiving a liquid coolant; a separation plate covering the lower compartment, wherein the separation plate is in thermal contact with the sidewalls and with the capacitors. The solid state switching devices are arranged in the lower compartment between the bottom plate and the separation plate and in thermal contact with the bottom plate, wherein the capacitors are connected to DC bus bars and are arranged at a side of the separation plate that faces away from the lower compartment.

From WO 2013/025096 an electric vehicle with an in-wheel electric motor is known, in which the rotor of the electric motor is coupled to a rim of the wheel carrying one or more tyres. The stator is mounted on the frame of the vehicle via a wheel suspension system. The known in-wheel motor is part of a direct drive wheel in which the electromagnets of the motor directly drive the rim and the tyre without any intermediate gears. In this manner, weight and space are saved and the number of components in the drive assembly is minimized.
The torque that is generated by the in-wheel motor depends on the flux-carrying surface between the rotor and the stator and is a quadratic function of the rotor radius. The rotor magnets are placed as far outwardly as possible around the stator, to obtain a largest possible rotor radius and the motor design is optimised to minimize the gap between the rotor and the stator for delivering a maximum power and torque to the tyre. The gap width between rotor and stator is on the other hand designed to be large enough to absorb mechanical impacts on the wheel during driving conditions.
The windings of the stator are powered by control electronics that are situated within the stator, which control electronics convert electrical energy from a power supply system of the vehicle, e.g. a battery pack and/or an electric generator, to an AC current that is suitable for use by the electromotor. Such control electronics typically comprise power control electronics, e.g. IGBT current modules and a current regulator, such as described in EP 1 252 034. By using the control electronics to control the current and/or voltage supplied to the windings of the stator, the magnetic field vector of the flux generated by the stator is controlled and the electromotor is operated at the desired torque and/or speed of rotation. By integrating the control electronics within the stator, the length of bus bars which run from the control electronics to the electromagnets can remain short, which is highly desirable in view of minimizing losses of the high electrical currents and voltages generally required for operating such an electromotor, which may for instance amount to 300 A at 700V or more.
In order to cool the electrical motor and/or the control electronics, the known drive assembly is provided with a cooling system having one or more cooling channels that are situated close to an outer surface of the stator and/or the control electronics, through which liquid coolant can flow into and out of the drive assembly.
The in-wheel drive assembly can be embodied as a substantially self-contained module, without any moving parts of the vehicle attached to and/or extending into the rotor. The interior space defined by the rotor is preferably substantially closed off to prevent ingress of foreign particles, such as dust and/or wear particles released by a brake system of the vehicle and/or by the road, into said interior.
The in-wheel drive assembly may be mounted on the vehicle in a variety of positions by connecting the vehicle side of the drive assembly to the vehicle frame.
In the known in-wheel drive assembly, capacitors and IGBTs which form part of the motor drive and which may be arranged on a PCB, are cooled by a cooling system with channels which extend in a circumferential housing which substantially surrounds these electronic components. The known cooling system has as an advantage that it can also be used for cooling electromagnets of the in-wheel motor that are arranged on the outer surface of the circumferential housing. However, most of its cooling capacity is typically used for cooling the electromagnets, resulting in only a relatively small portion of the cooling capacity being left for cooling the electronic components. Thus can result in a decreased operating lifetime of the electronic components. For instance, for some capacitors the capacitor lifetime halves for every 10° C. rise in operating temperature.
EP 1 713 169 describes a semiconductor device, e.g. an inverter for an electric motor, comprising a housing that is provided with wall through which a refrigerant can run. Capacitors and power devices are mounted directly to walls through which the refrigerant runs. A fixing jig may be provided to fix the capacitors to such a wall. As both the capacitors and the power devices are mounted directly to a wall through which the refrigerant runs, particular care has to be taken when assembling or disassembling the housing to avoid refrigerant spilling.
It is an object of the invention to provide a motor drive unit for an in-wheel motor of a vehicle, with cooling system for the electronic components having a simpler construction. It is a further object to provide an in-wheel motor comprising such a motor drive unit.


The disclosure relates to a method of monitoring the stay time in a restricted conduit, such as a holding tube in a heat treatment plant. A first measurement registration x of a chemical or physical magnitude, such as the temperature, takes place in the beginning of the restricted conduit. A second measurement registration y of the same chemical or physical magnitude, i.e. the temperature, takes place in the end of the restricted conduit. X and y measure natural temperature variations in the product for which the intention is to control the stay time. The stay time is determined by the time lag t at the best co-variation between x and y. By filtering the measurement registration for y, it is possible to refine the measurement method and compensate for dispersion in the product.

In the heat treatment of pumpable liquid food products, the product is heated to a predetermined temperature. The temperature depends on the type of process that is intended, such as, for example, pasteurisation or sterilisation. When the product has reached the desired temperature, it is to be kept at this temperature for a given, predetermined interval of time. By combining temperature with stay time for different products, there will be obtained products with different shelf lives, such as sterile products that can be delivered at room temperature and such products as are to be delivered in an unbroken refrigeration chain.
The heat treatment may be put into effect indirectly or directly. In indirect heat treatment, the heating takes place in some form of heat exchanger, for example a plate heat exchanger or a tube heat exchanger. In the direct methods, steam is supplied direct to the product. Examples of direct methods are injection heating and infusion heating.
In order to be able to maintain the temperature which the product obtains as a result of the heat treatment during a given predetermined interval of time, use is made of a holding tube which is placed in immediate association with the heat treatment equipment. The holding tube is normally designed as a pipe loop, or alternatively a straight pipe length, or as a combination of both. The length of the pipe or the pipe loop corresponds to the time which for a given product at a given calculated capacity stays in the holding tube. It is important that the stay time be exact, since too short a stay time does not give the desired treatment of the product, with the result that a product is obtained which does not have the intended shelf life and which may rapidly become a downright health hazard. Excessively long stay times can destroy the product which, as a result of excessive thermal shock, suffers from changes in flavour, aroma or nutrient content.
Normally, temperature indicators are provided in holding tubes, the indicators being placed ahead of and after the holding tube, where the temperature indicator placed ahead of the holding tube is included in the control of the regulator loop for the heat treatment equipment. The temperature indicator placed after the holding tube is used to monitor that the product was at the correct temperature in the holding tube. On the other hand, at present there are few reliable methods of checking that the stay time is that intended.
The traditional methods that consist of the conductivity method and the dye method cannot be employed during production. The product must then be replaced by water and salt or a dye, respectively, is added to the water. Thereafter, the time it takes for the saline solution or the dyed water, respectively, to pass through the holding tube is measured. The saline water is registered by conductivity measurements and the dyed water is registered by means of observation. Both of these methods suffer from numerous drawbacks and the error sources are obvious.
Patent Specification WO 01/98738 discloses a method of monitoring the stay time in a restricted pipe length by inducing a temperature change in the product. This temperature change is registered by one temperature gauge ahead of the holding tube and one temperature gauge after the holding tube. The time which elapses between these registrations constitutes the stay time. The drawbacks inherent in this method are that it is necessary to induce a disruption which is sufficiently great for it to be able to be measured in a single measurement. There is always a danger in disrupting a process and a wealth of knowledge is required to be able to carry this out reliably.

Method for monitoring the stay time in a restricted conduit


A pump characteristics expression of a pump is developed based on a closed-state pressure detected when the pump is driven while a space between a pump passage and a first passage is closed, an open-time pressure detected immediately after the space is opened while the pump is operated, and a flow rate characteristics expression of the pump passage. A reference pressure is determined by an intersection point between the pump characteristics expression of the pump and a flow rate characteristics expression of an orifice having a predetermined passage area. A leak check portion determines whether a leak of fuel evaporation generated from a fuel tank is within an allowable range by comparing the reference pressure and a pressure detected when the pump is operated for a predetermined period while the space is opened.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an evaporation leak check system.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, emission control of fuel evaporation leaked from a fuel tank becomes severe. Especially US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) establish standard that requires detection of the evaporation leak from a minute opening in the fuel tank.
JP-B2-3896588 (US 2004/0000187) describes an evaporation leak check system. In the system, a reference pressure is defined by a pressure when air is made to flow through a reference orifice using a pump. Then, a pressure is detected when a fuel tank is decompressed or compressed by a pump, and the detected pressure is compared with the reference pressure. Thus, the system determines whether an evaporation leak amount from the fuel tank is within an allowable range or not.
In the system of JP-B2-3896588, air flowing through the reference orifice contains much foreign objects because the air is drawn from outside air, so that the reference orifice may be clogged by the foreign objects. If a diameter of the reference orifice is made smaller or if the reference orifice is completely closed by the foreign objects, the reference pressure is varied. In this case, the check of the evaporation leak may become inaccurate. If a filter that collects the foreign objects is arranged upstream of the reference orifice, the number of components included in the system is increased, and construction of the system may become complicated.
JP-A-2007-077950 (US 2007/0062495) describes an evaporation fuel handling apparatus. When a pump is driven in a state that a passage upstream or downstream of the pump is closed, a pressure in the passage is detected as a closed-state pressure. Further, a pressure difference is obtained between a pressure detected when air is made to flow through a reference orifice using a pump and a pressure detected when air containing evaporation fuel is made to flow through the reference orifice using the pump. A concentration of the evaporation fuel is calculated based on the pressure difference and the closed-state pressure. However, because it is necessary that each of the air or the air containing the evaporation fuel is made to flow through the reference orifice, the calculation of the concentration of the evaporation fuel may become inaccurate if the reference orifice is closed by foreign objects contained in the air or the air containing the evaporation fuel.


Aspects differentially drive the graphic display of links overlaid between people in a group photograph as a function of associated relationship type. Individuals are distinguished within the photograph and relationships are identified among the individuals that differ from one another with respect to type of relationship, by extracting relationship data via natural language processing relative to social network data of one or more of the identified individuals. The social network data includes business association data, family data and social network contact data. Thus, a graphic display device is driven to display the identified relationships via each of different overlay elements that are depicted directly on the photograph, link respective ones of the identified individuals, and use different graphic elements to convey differences in respective types of the relationships that are determined among the identified individuals.

Social network sites such as Facebook®, Google+®, Twitter®, LinkedIn®, etc. provide a variety of information to users, including the display of photographs. (FACEBOOK is a trademark of the Facebook Corporation in the United States or other countries; GOOGLE PLUS is a trademark of the Google Corporation in the United States or other countries, TWITTER is a trademark of the Twitter Corporation in the United States or other countries; LINKEDIN is a trademark of the LinkedIn Corporation in the United States or other countries.) Some sites enable users to tag other users that appear in photographs, using the photographs as key indexes to a variety of data associated with the other user, for example linking activity in the different user accounts.

Automated relationship categorizer and visualizer

International Business Machines Corporation


A character conversion apparatus for a portable information apparatus which can executes commands for selection of a character conversion candidate, determination, backspacing, escapement and so forth by a simple operation is disclosed. The character conversion apparatus includes a display apparatus, an inputting apparatus, a CPU, first to fourth acceleration sensors provided discretely on an upper side, a lower side, a left side and a right side of the body of the portable information apparatus, and a character database ROM. The acceleration sensors measure accelerations of the portable information apparatus when it is turned to be tilted longitudinally or laterally and measure directions of such turning movements of the portable information apparatus. Necessary functions regarding character inputting and character conversion are allocated individually to different results of the detection of the acceleration sensors, and the character conversion apparatus executes character inputting or conversion in response to one of the turning movements which is applied to the portable information apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a character conversion apparatus and a character conversion method for a portable information apparatus called PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a portable telephone set, and more particularly to a character conversion apparatus and character conversion method for a portable information apparatus which can input and execute a command such as selection of a character conversion candidate, determination, backspace or escapement.
2. Description of the Related Art
PDAs having various functions have been put into practical use including a PDA which implements functions similar to those of a personal computer of the notebook type and another PDA which attaches much importance to the portability while minimizing available functions. For example, one of such PDAs adopts a hand-writing inputting system which inputs a character or characters written on a liquid crystal display panel to achieve miniaturization of the apparatus body. Meanwhile, another PDA has a configuration similar to a personal computer of the notebook type in that it includes a liquid crystal monitor and a keyboard and is conveniently used to input data.
Conventionally, a small portable terminal such as a PDA or a portable telephone set which involves character conversion is disadvantageous in that it is difficult to operate it with one hand because a character inputting apparatus thereof has only a limited number of buttons or it is difficult to perform character conversion on it without taking a hand off a character inputting device. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 9-297654 discloses an apparatus wherein a character is inputted by a streak along which a pen called casing is moved using a character recognition technique and the casing is swung strongly to effect character conversion. When the user swings the casing strongly in its longitudinal direction, an expansion spring installed in the casing is moved back and forth by expanding and contracting actions thereof as in a counter of an instrument for measuring the number of walking steps to depress a switch so that a signal for initiating character conversion is sent to a control section.
However, some technical difficulty is involved in character inputting to a portable information apparatus. For example, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 9-297654 described above has the following problems.
The first problem is that a character obtained by character recognition cannot be settled. In order to settle a character obtained by character recognition, a key input is required. The reason is that only an amplitude in one direction is utilized and the forward and backward directions are not utilized.
The second problem is that erasure of a character before conversion and interruption of proceeding character conversion cannot be performed. In order to interrupt proceeding character conversion, a key input is required. The reason is similar to that of the first problem.
The third problem is that the order of conversion is limited to an ascending order from among order numbers of character conversion candidates. The reason is similar to that of the first problem.
The fourth problem is that the mechanism which performs character conversion when it is swung strongly is not suitable as a small portable terminal. The reason is that there is the possibility that the apparatus may drop because a character is not inputted while the apparatus is grasped strongly like a pen.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a character conversion apparatus for a portable information apparatus which can executes commands for selection of a character conversion candidate, determination, backspacing, escapement and so forth by a simple operation.
In order to attain the object described above, according to the present invention, a body of a portable information apparatus in which a character conversion apparatus is incorporated is operated to be turned in a direction in order to input a command such as selection or determination of a character conversion candidate, backspace or escapement. The character conversion apparatus detects the turning direction and the acceleration in the turning direction of the body of the portable information apparatus, and executes a command defined by the thus detected turning direction and acceleration. It is to be noted that the commands to be inputted and executed by the character conversion apparatus are not limited to those specifically mentioned above, but some other commands may be allocated to different operations for the portable information apparatus
More particularly, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character conversion apparatus for a portable information apparatus, comprising an inputting apparatus for inputting a character to the portable information apparatus, a character database memory in which character data are stored, a display apparatus for displaying a character or characters inputted from the inputting apparatus or a character or characters obtained by conversion with reference to the character database memory, acceleration sensor means for detecting an acceleration of the portable information apparatus when one of different turning operations is performed for the portable information apparatus, and a central processing unit for executing one of commands for character processing individually allocated to the turning operations for the portable information apparatus which corresponds to the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor means.
The acceleration sensor means may include a plurality of acceleration sensors mounted on the information processing apparatus, and different ones of the commands may be allocated individually to detection results of the acceleration sensors.
The acceleration sensors may be mounted on an upper side, a lower side, a left side and a right side of the portable information apparatus and individually detect accelerations which are generated by a turning movement of the portable information apparatus, and the central processing unit may execute commands of character conversion in an ascending order of numbers of character candidates, character conversion in a descending order of the numbers of the candidates, character deletion/cancellation and determination allocated to the detection results of the turning movements of the acceleration sensors to perform character conversion.
The commands regarding the character conversion may be allocated such that the command of ascending order conversion is allocated to a turning movement of the portable information apparatus in one direction and the command of descending order conversion is allocated to another turning movement of the portable information apparatus in the opposite direction.
Alternatively, the commands regarding the character conversion may be allocated such that the command of character deletion and the cancellation command are allocated to one turning direction of the portable information apparatus, and which one of the commands is to be used may be automatically changed over depending upon whether character inputting is proceeding or character conversion is proceeding such that the character deletion command is performed during character inputting whereas the cancellation command is performed during character conversion, whereby a plurality of commands are allocated to the turning movement of the portable information apparatus in one direction.
When each of the acceleration sensors measures a process wherein the magnitude of the acceleration of the turning movement of the portable information apparatus generated by a turning operation for the portable information apparatus first becomes greater than a preset threshold value and then becomes smaller than the threshold value, the central processing unit may execute the command allocated to the turning direction of the turning movement so that one command may be executed by one turning operation for the portable information apparatus.
The acceleration sensors may be mounted on a left side and a right side of the portable information apparatus and each detects an acceleration generated by a turning movement of the portable information apparatus, and the central processing unit may execute the commands of character conversion in an ascending order of numbers of character candidates, character conversion in a descending order of the numbers of the candidates, character deletion/cancellation and determination allocated to the turning operations for the acceleration sensors obtained as the detection results to perform character conversion.
In this instance, the commands regarding the character conversion may each be defined by a unique combination of a direction of a turning movement of the portable information apparatus and a number of times by which a turning operation is applied to the portable information apparatus within a predetermined period of time and may be allocated so as to effect reverse conversion by turning movements of the portable information apparatus in the opposite directions such that the command of ascending order conversion is allocated to a turning movement of the portable information apparatus in one direction and the command of descending order conversion is allocated to another turning movement of the portable information apparatus in the opposite direction.
Alternatively, the commands regarding the character conversion may be allocated such that the command of character deletion and the cancellation command are allocated to a predetermined number of times by which the portable information apparatus is turned in one turning direction, and which one of the commands is to be used may be automatically changed over depending upon whether character inputting is proceeding or character conversion is proceeding such that the character deletion command is performed during character inputting whereas the cancellation command is performed during character conversion, whereby a plurality of commands are allocated to a particular number of times of the turning movement of the portable information apparatus in one direction.
One turning operation may be determined when the magnitude of an acceleration of a turning movement of the portable information apparatus generated by a turning operation for the portable information apparatus becomes lower than a preset threshold value after the magnitude exceeds the threshold value, and a plurality of commands may be allocated to different numbers of times by which the turning operation is performed for the portable information apparatus within a predetermined period of time such that, when a turning operation is performed once for the portable information apparatus in one direction, the command of ascending order conversion is performed once, but when a turning operation is performed twice for the portable information apparatus in the one direction, the character or characters obtained by the conversion are determined, whereby a plurality of command are allocated to one turning direction of the portable information apparatus.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character conversion method for a character conversion apparatus of a portable information apparatus which includes an inputting apparatus for inputting a character to the portable information apparatus, a display apparatus for displaying a character or characters inputted from the inputting apparatus or a character or characters obtained by conversion, a central processing unit for executing control operation processing of the portable information apparatus, a plurality of acceleration sensors mounted on an upper side, a lower side, a left side and a right side of the portable information apparatus for detecting accelerations generated by turning operations for the portable information apparatus to which different commands regarding character conversion are allocated, and a character database memory in which character data are stored, the character conversion method comprising the steps of inputting characters through the inputting apparatus, detecting that one of accelerations generated by a turning operation for the portable information apparatus in a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction and detected by the acceleration sensors which has the highest absolute value, and executing that one of the commands regarding character conversion which is allocated to the turning operation of the detected acceleration.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character conversion method for a character conversion apparatus of a portable information apparatus which includes an inputting apparatus for inputting a character to the portable information apparatus, a display apparatus for displaying a character or characters inputted from the inputting apparatus or a character or characters obtained by conversion, a central processing unit for executing control operation processing of the portable information apparatus, a plurality of acceleration sensors mounted on a left side and a right side of the portable information apparatus for detecting accelerations generated by turning operations for the portable information apparatus to which different commands regarding character conversion are allocated, and a character database memory in which character data are stored, the character conversion method comprising the steps of inputting characters through the inputting apparatus, detecting that one of accelerations generated when the portable information apparatus is turned once or a plurality of times in a predetermined direction within a predetermined period of time and detected by the acceleration sensors which has the highest absolute value, and executing that one of the commands regarding character conversion which is allocated to the turning operation of the detected acceleration.
The character conversion apparatus and the character conversion methods are advantageous in that character conversion can be performed simply with the portable information apparatus without requirement for complicated operations of an inputting apparatus. Consequently, the character conversion can be utilized effectively on a PDA having an inputting apparatus of a small size or a small portable terminal such as a portable telephone set. The reason is that character conversion can be performed only by tilting the body of the portable information apparatus in a longitudinal direction or a transverse direction.
The character conversion apparatus and the character conversion methods are advantageous also in that character conversion can be performed without taking a hand off the inputting apparatus. The reason is that character conversion can be performed only by tilting the body of the portable information apparatus similarly as in the first advantage described above.

Character conversion apparatus and character conversion method for portable information apparatus


The invention is directed to a binding for retaining a boot on a gliding board, such as a ski, which includes a retaining device, a lower abutment surface, and a vertical spacer. The retaining device supports an upper abutment surface adapted to be in contact with at least one upper surface of a front portion of the boot. The lower abutment surface is adapted to be in contact with at least a portion of the sole of the boot. The lower abutment surface is connected to the retaining device so as to define an engagement height for the boot corresponding to the difference in height between the upper abutment surface and the lower abutment surface. The vertical spacer is rigid and includes a predetermined adjustment height. The vertical spacer is arranged relative to the retaining device and the lower abutment surface, so that the adjustment height of the vertical spacer makes it possible to adjust the engagement height. The vertical spacer is affixed directly to the retaining device in order to modify the vertical position of the upper abutment surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a binding for footwear, such as a boot, on a gliding board, such as a ski or a snowboard, and to a gliding board equipped with such a binding.
2. Background Information
A binding for securing a boot on a gliding board, such as a ski, generally includes a front retaining device, referred to as the "toe-piece", and a rear retaining device, referred to as the "heel-piece". The ski boot is interposed between the toe-piece and the heel-piece, these elements being fixed on the ski, i.e., on the gliding board. Thus, the combined action of the two retaining devices makes it possible to affix the boot to the ski longitudinally. To block the vertical movement of the boot, the toe-piece and the heel-piece are equipped with stop mechanisms acting on the boot.
Various solutions exist for making a toe-piece or a heel-piece. For example, the documents EP-A-241 360 (or family member U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,641), EP-A-1 151 765 (or family member U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,283), and EP-A-2 174 695 disclose various toe-piece embodiments. As shown in the drawing figures of these examples, the front retaining device has a pair of front wings forming a "V", whose legs partially cover a front extension of the ski boot. Moreover, the lower surface of the sole of the boot presses on a support element fixed on the ski. Consequently, the vertical immobilization of the boot in the area of the toe-piece is achieved by this double contact, i.e., the contact between the upper surface of the front extension of the boot and the wings of the toe-piece, on the one hand, and the contact between the sole of the boot and the support element, on the other hand.
For safety reasons, the toe-piece and the heel-piece often incorporate a safety mechanism for releasing the binding if necessary. These mechanisms make it possible to free the user's foot to avoid injuries in the event of an accidental transverse movement of the foot, which may occur during a fall, for example, or, generally speaking, to protect the foot from injuries when the forces exerted on the boot exceed predetermined values. Safety mechanisms for the toe-piece are also described in the documents mentioned above.
There are several types of ski boots, including alpine ski boots and touring ski boots. These two categories are classified by the NF ISO 5355 and NF ISO 9523 standards, respectively. These ski boots distinguish over one another in particular by the dimensions of the portions interfacing with the components of the binding. Due to these substantial dimensional variations, bindings are specific to a category of boot.
Certain toe-pieces include a mechanism enabling elastic adjustment of the height, or vertical positioning, of the wings. This elastic mechanism serves to compensate for small dimensional variations related to the manufacture of boots of the same category.
Similarly, there are bindings whose support element interfacing with the sole of the boot is mounted on an elastic mechanism in order to compensate for the dimensional variations inherent in a boot category.
Other toe-pieces are divided into two portions, the portion incorporating the wings being adjustable in height, via an adjusting screw, with respect to the other portion fixed to the ski. A toe-piece of this type is complex and expensive. This toe-piece is hardly compatible with a mechanism for compensating for the dimensional variations inherent in a category. This design does not make it possible to cover large dimensional variations. In addition, this solution can be fragile in that the portion incorporating the wings is retained only by the adjusting screw. Furthermore, the height adjustment of the wings for compatibility with a boot category is not obvious because the adjustment is endless, with the screw being driven without reference marking. It is therefore not easy to properly adjust the height of the wings for a particular boot category. Moreover, this type of adjustment to adapt to a boot category is not convenient for the user, as it is necessary to move the portion incorporating the wings over a long path, thereby requiring several turns of the screwdriver. Finally, the height configured can be altered relatively easily by acting on the adjusting screw.


A power adjustment circuit includes memory controller logic that is couplable to system memory or other memory if desired. The memory control logic is operative to provide a variable memory clock signal to the system memory and to place the system memory in a self refresh mode wherein the self refresh mode does not require a memory clock signal. Thereafter, the memory clock control logic adjusts the frequency of the memory clock signal to a lower (or higher) frequency clock signal, and in response to the frequency of the memory clock signal becoming stable, the memory clock control logic restores the memory to a normal mode using the lower adjusted frequency memory clock signal. As such, a dynamic memory clock switching mechanism is employed for quickly varying the frequency of memory modules for discrete graphics processors, graphics processors integrated on a chip, or any other processors such that the memory clock can be reduced to a lower frequency in real time to save power.

Saving power for mobile devices such as laptops, handheld devices and other devices are known which, for example, reduce overall system power consumption by reducing a memory clock that is controlled to run at a lower frequency such as when a laptop system is disconnected from an AC supply and operates in a battery mode. The memory clock may be provided, for example, by a phase lock loop circuit located on a graphics controller chip or any other suitable chip and provides clock and strobe pulses and other information to a memory chip, such as a DDRRAM, ROM or any other suitable memory. Memory clock frequency is typically reduced in connection with determining that a memory bandwidth requirement is at a low level, for frame buffer memories.
However, reducing a clock by reprogramming a phase lock loop circuit can typically require the use of a delay lock loop on a memory chip as well as a corresponding delay lock loop circuit on a graphics controller, or other suitable integrated circuit. For example, the delay lock loop on the graphics controller may be used to delay a STROBE signal when used for example in a double data rate RAM or any other suitable memory to compensate for delays on a circuit board or on other substrates. For example, controlling of such memory clock frequencies typically requires the need to wait for the DLLs to lock. There are typically DLLs on both the source chip that provides the memory clock such as a graphics controller, and in the memory element such as the RAM chip, ROM chip or any other suitable memory chip.
However, when system memory also contains the frame buffer used by graphics controller and the system memory clock is changed, the system runs the risk of locking up completely since the host processor also accesses the system memory.
In one example, a known method includes stopping memory access clients from making memory requests prior to changing the frequency of the memory clock that is supplied to the memory chip. Moreover, such power reduction systems typically are carried out by a host processor under the control of a software driver and the software driver may be too slow to program all of the registers necessary to change the memory clock to allow the DLLs to relock within one frame or refresh cycle. As a result, a user can see a flash on the screen.
Another problem can arise where a processor, such as a graphics controller, or other suitable processor is integrated in a memory bridge circuit, such as a north bridge circuit. In such systems, the system memory also contains the frame buffer used by the graphics controller to output pixel information for display on a display device. Prior methods would stop all memory requests and can result in a killed system since system memory requests are also stopped. As such, when client memory access are stopped, data being written for example may be corrupted causing the entire system to potentially lock up.
It is also known for memory chips to have a soft refresh mode which effectively shuts down the chip so that it need not employ an external memory clock but still retains and saves data. However, such a self refresh mode is not typically used in prior art clock frequency control based power reduction circuits.
Accordingly, a need exists to overcome one or more of the above deficiencies.

Dynamic memory clock switching circuit and method for adjusting power consumption


An antenna system (102) for receiving and transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals within a plurality of predetermined RF bands includes a ground leg (202), a feed leg (206), one or more capacitive patches (212) and one or more switching devices (214). The feed leg (206) is coupled to the ground leg (202) at one portion thereof. Each of the one or more switching devices (214) is associated with one capacitive patch (212) and selectably couples its associated capacitive patch (212) to a ground plane (204) in order to receive and transmit RF signals within an associated predetermined RF band.

The trend in cellular telephones is towards smaller handsets with greater capabilities. For example, it is preferable to have a single handset that can communicate on multiple cellular bands. Typically, such handsets include two or more antennas (i.e., multiple feed antennas) tuned to receive and transmit radio frequency (RF) signals within particular bands. However, the multiple antennas require more space in the handset. In addition, tuning the receiver circuitry and the transmitter circuitry to multiple antennas adds complexity to the modulation and demodulation circuitry.
Thus, what is needed is a single feed antenna and a control method for operation of the antenna, wherein the antenna occupies minimal physical volume while selectively covering multiple cellular bands. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Switched capacitive patch for radio frequency antennas


A blood pump for supporting a patient's heart includes a flow cannula having a distal portion including a distal end and a proximal portion including a proximal end opposite the distal end, the distal end of the flow cannula configured to be connected to the patient's heart or a blood vessel to establish fluid communication between the blood pump and the patient's heart and blood vessel, respectively. The flow cannula further includes an intermediate portion attached to the distal portion and the proximal portion, wherein the intermediate portion allows twisting thereof with a lower force than the distal portion and the proximal portion. The intermediate portion can be fully occluded by twisting it. At least a portion of the intermediate portion either alone or in combination with the distal portion is adapted to be permanently attached to the patient's heart or a blood vessel.

This invention relates to a flow cannula for a blood pump for supporting a patient's heart. The flow cannula is configured for connecting the blood pump to the patient's heart or a blood vessel. The flow cannula can be separated such that a part connected to the heart or blood vessel remains inside the patient's thorax after removing the blood pump. The invention further relates to a method of removing a blood pump from a patient.
Blood pumps may be inserted into a patient's vessel such as the aorta by means of a catheter, or may be placed in the thoracic cavity or even outside the patient's body. In some applications, and in particular in those cases in which the blood pump is not placed intravascularly, it may be necessary to establish a direct connection to a blood vessel or the heart, e.g. the left ventricle. The flow cannula of the blood pump is inserted into an opening of the heart and secured to the wall of the heart to establish a fluid communication between the blood pump and the patient's heart. An outflow of the blood pump may then be connected to the aorta to pump blood from the left ventricle directly into the aorta.
If the blood pump is no longer needed, e.g. because the heart has recovered, the blood pump is removed. However, complete removal of the flow cannula from the heart would usually require an open thorax surgery and would involve a high risk of severe bleeding, and the opening in the heart would have to be closed. Therefore, the flow cannula is usually separated, e.g. cut, such that the part connected to the heart remains inside the patient's thorax. A clip, clamp or the like is used to close the remaining part of the flow cannula. However, the flow cannula is usually cut close below the patient's skin to facilitate handling if complications occur. Thus, the remaining part of the flow cannula is usually relatively long and the clamp may be bulky. This may affect the surrounding tissue and may cause irritations or even inflammations. Apart from that, there may be a risk that the flow cannula, which may be relatively stiff and may have a relatively large diameter, cannot be clamped tightly such that blood leaks into the patient's thorax.


Systems and methods of providing a composite material that is bendable but substantially resists stretching under tension. One embodiment may take the form of a composite material formed by over-molding a woven glass fiber with silicone. The woven glass fiber may be rolled out with a silicon polymer melted into the woven fabric as the rolling process continues. The composite of the two materials may provide a material that bends easily but does not substantially stretch.

Silicone rubber is a synthetic elastomer that possesses excellent mechanical properties such as high tear strength, water and weather resistance. Silicone rubber also has a rubbery consistency which provides a smooth and comforting feel on contact with skin. Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically they are heat-resistant and rubber-like, having good elasticity low thermal conductivity, low chemical reactivity, low toxicity, and good thermal stability (with consistent properties between −100 to 250° C.). Silicone rubbers are used in medical applications, cookware, apparel, device covers, and insulation. Silicone rubbers have the ability to repel water and form watertight seals, although silicones are not hydrophobes. Silicones do not support microbiological growth. Silicones are resistant to oxygen, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) light. These resistances have led to widespread use of silicones in the construction industry (e.g. coatings, fire protection, glazing seals) and the automotive industry (external gaskets, external trim). Silicones also possess electrical insulation properties.
While silicone rubbers may have a variety of practical uses, they still may have a substantial drawback to their natural flexibility. The inherent flexibility of silicone is not necessarily desirable in all applications, especially in applications where flexibilty along a particular axis or direction may be undesirable. As such, modifying the natural flexibility of a silicone rubber product may provide improved utility in a variety of silicone rubber products.

Flexibility-controlled composite material and method of manufacture


The invention discloses a method for processing image objects in three-dimensional displays, wherein an image object is displayed by an image generating means in a virtual image space, wherein pixels of the three-dimensional image space can be reached by a selection device, and wherein a computer allocates coordinate values to the image object in accordance with its position. At least one pixel of the image object is marked for processing by the selection device. The invention also discloses an apparatus for processing and modifying three-dimensional displays, the apparatus comprising a computer for generating image data, a display screen for displaying the image data in three-dimensional form in a virtual image space, and a pointing device for manually influencing the three-dimensional display. The pointing device is freely movable in the image space and comprises a transmission means for transmitting its position, with the computer allocating a pixel of the three-dimensional display to the pointing device in accordance with its position.

The invention relates to a method of processing image objects in three-dimensional displays, wherein an image object is displayed in a virtual image space by an image generating means, wherein pixels of the three-dimensional image space can be reached by using a selection device, and wherein a computer allocates coordinate values to the image object corresponding to its position. The invention further relates to an apparatus for processing and modifying three-dimensional displays, the apparatus comprising a computer for generating image data, a screen for a three-dimensional display of the image data in a virtual image space, and a pointing device for manually influencing the three-dimensional display. According to the invention, this device may be used as selection device in the above-described method.
Various methods of representing three-dimensional image objects are known. In the case of the anaglyphic technique, perspectives for the right and the left eye are represented in the colors red and green. To obtain a three-dimensional effect, red-green spectacles will be needed. However, the anaglyphic technique does not allow a color representation.
Furthermore, the shutter technique is known, wherein the respective perspectives for the two eyes are represented one after the other. Channeling with respect to one eye occurs through spectacles, which switch the perspectives to the correct eye.
Also known is the autostereoscopic display, which requires no additional spectacles. Both perspectives are simultaneously displayed. Channeling occurs through optical means, such as lenses or prisms. The viewer motion is picked up and supplied via the optical means to the respective eye. Both perspectives are alternately contained in the LCD gaps of a display screen. Via prism masks of the display screen, the perspectives are supplied respectively to the right and the left eye. The three-dimensional image appears to float in front of the display screen.
Likewise known for image processing are selection devices, for example, a computer mouse, through which the individual pixels of the display can be reached. However, in this connection the display is present in two-dimensional or quasi three-dimensional form, so that the selection of a pixel is complicated. In this process, one makes do with rotating the image object, until a rearward layer of a three-dimensional image object is arranged on the two-dimensional display screen such that the desired pixel can be selected. In connection with the referenced three-dimensional display methods, this kind of image processing is, however, circumstantial, time-consuming, and inaccurate.
Apparatus for processing and modifying two-dimensional displays in graphic or CAD systems are known. In these systems, displays are processed on a screen of a computer with a so-called mouse that can be moved back and forth on a substrate by means of rolls. The movement of the mouse relative to its substrate is detected and converted into cursor movements. Because of the limited two-dimensional mobility of the mouse, three-dimensional displays have the disadvantage that it is complicated to select pixels in a virtual three-dimensional image space or in a rearward situated image layer. In most cases the three-dimensional display is resolved to a two-dimensional view, so that it is possible to select a certain image layer.
It is the object of the invention to describe a method and an apparatus for processing and modifying three-dimensional displays, which enable a simple selection and processing of three-dimensional image objects.

Method and device for processing imaged objects


A storage array for computational memory cells formed as a memory/processing array provides storage of the data without using the more complicated computational memory cells for storage. The storage array may have multiple columns of the storage cells coupled to a column of the computational memory cells. The storage array may have ECC circuitry.

Memory cells have traditionally been used to store bits of data. It is also possible to architect a memory cell so that the memory cell is able to perform some simple logical functions when multiple memory cells are connected to the same read bit line. For example, when memory cells A, B, and C are connected to a particular read bit line and are read simultaneously, and the memory cells and read bit line circuitry are designed to produce a logical AND result, then the result that appears on the read bit line is AND(a,b,c) (i.e. "a AND b AND c"), where a, b, and c represent the binary data values stored in memory cells A, B, and C respectively.
By themselves, these computational memory cells and read bit line circuitry allow for a single logical function (e.g. AND) to be performed across multiple memory cells connected to the same read bit line, when read simultaneously. However, in many cases, it is desirable to be able to store data associated with the computational memory cells. Since each computational memory cell is a dual port static random access memory (SRAM) cell, it would be inefficient to store data in the computational memory cells since these computational memory cells are significantly larger than other higher density memories. Thus, it is desirable to provide a storage array that is connected to an array of computational memory cells to store various data associated with the array of computational memory cells and it is to this end that the disclosure is directed.

Storage array circuits and methods for computational memory cells


Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for facilitating collaboration between participants of a process supported by a software application (e.g., a business process supported by a business application). According to one set of embodiments, a request to initiate a collaboration session for a transaction of the process is submitted through a user interface of the process itself within the software application. The collaboration session is then initiated using process and transaction context information retrieved from the software application. In some embodiments, portions of the process and transaction context information are made available to participants in the collaboration session. In further embodiments, the transaction and process context information is used to automatically match the initiator of the collaboration session with one or more appropriate collaboration participants. In this manner, the operational inefficiencies and delays associated with prior collaboration methods may be minimized or avoided.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to collaboration tools, and more particularly relate to techniques for facilitating collaboration between participants of a software-supported process or workflow.
In today's challenging and competitive business environment, organizations are constantly seeking to improve the productivity and efficiency of their business operations. To help achieve this goal, many organizations have invested significant resources in purchasing and implementing business application software (e.g., enterprise resource management (ERP) software, customer relationship management (CRM) software, employee relationship management (ERM) software, etc.). Generally speaking, these applications support the execution of business processes within an organization, thereby improving operational efficiency, adherence to organization policy, and realization of business objectives.
Occasionally, problems may arise in the course of operating of such software that prevent a particular execution instance (i.e., transaction) of a business process from being processed or completed successfully. These problems may occur, for example, if transaction details are incorrectly entered into the software by the originator of the transaction, or if an aspect of the transaction does not adhere to company policy. In these situations, some level of communication or collaboration between participants of the business process is generally required to discuss and resolve the issues.
In current practice, such collaboration is typically handled through manual means, outside of the context of the business application. For example, one business process participant (i.e., the collaboration initiator) may attempt to contact another participant via email, instant message, telephone, or the like to address an issue with a particular transaction. However, this type of manual approach is problematic for several reasons. For example, in order to attempt contact, the collaboration initiator must first switch away from the context of the business application to manually search for the contact information of the other participant (i.e., email address, telephone number, etc.). This process is cumbersome and potentially time-consuming, resulting in operational inefficiencies and delays.
Once the initiator does get in touch with the other participant, the initiator may have a difficult time conveying the context of the transaction or the problem. This is particularly true if the transaction/issue is complex, or if the other participant does not remember many details of the transaction. Thus, additional time may be expended on simply establishing the purpose or nature of the collaboration.
Further, there may be certain scenarios where the collaboration initiator does not know who she should contact in the first instance to resolve a problem with a transaction. For example, consider a situation where a business process end-user needs to contact a business function representative (i.e., a business owner of a step in a business process) to receive clarification on how to initiate a transaction, or to receive information regarding a completed or processed transaction. In many cases, the end-user will not know who to contact in order to address her issues or questions. In some organizations, the end-user may be able to contact a business function helpdesk or service center for guidance. However, the help desk or service center representative may not have the right skills or knowledge to fully resolve the end-user's issue. The end-user would then need to collaborate with another, hopefully more qualified representative, explain the context of the transaction/problem again, etc. This process may be iterated multiple times until the end-user is finally matched with an appropriate representative, thereby reducing the overall efficiency of business operations.

Framework and method for real-time embedded collaboration using business process and transaction context


A device for supplying milk from a storage tank to a dispensing element, having a supply line with an inlet end which is detachably connected to the storage tank, to improve the cleaning of such a device. A cleaning device is provided for the supply line, the cleaning device containing a hot water and/or water vapor outlet having a connection device for the detachable connection of the inlet end of the supply line.

Such a device is known from EP 344 859. The known device serves to dispense heated milk and further contains a frothing device, by means of which the milk can additionally be frothed. Most different operating principles of frothing devices for milk are known. In the device described, for example, the milk is drawn in from a storage tank by means of the Venturi principle. This is accomplished through a supply line in the form of a hose, the outlet end of which is connected to the frothing device and the inlet end of which is simply inserted into a storage tank for milk. A problem involved by all milk handling devices is the cleaning. Milk is a perishable product, so that the components coming into contact with milk should be cleaned as often and as thoroughly as possible. Inside the heating and frothing device this is not so problematical because steam is used therein, so that the frothing device is relatively easy to clean with a pure steam blast, without the introduction of milk, whereby, at least until the next thorough cleaning procedure involving the disassembly of the components and/or the use of cleaning agents, the growth of bacteria is safely prevented. However, as there is no natural way for the steam into the supply line, the supply line can, in this manner, not or at least not sufficiently be cleaned. In connection with the known device it is, therefore, proposed to place the inlet end of the supply line into a cleaning liquid in the meantime and, by operating the device, to draw in the cleaning liquid instead of milk through the supply line. However, this is complicated and may not lead to the desired result. To thoroughly clean the supply line, also hot, nearly boiling water could be used, which is difficult to handle, however, and is not always available either. Cold or merely warm water does not bring about the desired cleaning result. If chemical cleaning agents are used, a complicated rinsing has to be performed afterwards to make sure that all residues are removed from the device.

WMF Wuerttembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG


A controller for controlling a wiper unit including a wiper and an intermittent wipe cycle setting device for setting an intermittent wipe cycle of the wiper. The cycle setting device is set at a plurality of positions respectively corresponding to different intermittent wipe cycles. Further, the cycle setting device has a resistance value, which changes in accordance with each of the positions, and generates an output signal, which is in accordance with the change in the resistance value. The controller computes position information of the intermittent wipe cycle setting device from the output signal by using a learned value. The computer adjusts the learned value in accordance with the computation result of the position information to correct the position information. Accordingly, resistance value variances of the intermittent wipe cycle setting device are automatically corrected.

The present invention relates to a wiper controller and a method for controlling a wiper.
A wiper unit for use in an automobile includes a wiper and an intermittent wipe cycle setting device. When the wiper is intermittently wiping a windshield glass, the cycle setting device, which may include a knob, is operated by a passenger to adjust the cycle in which the wiper wipes the windshield (refer to, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-315919).
The cycle setting device includes a resistor circuit (volume), the resistance value of which varies in accordance with the position (e.g., knob position) of the cycle setting device. The intermittent wipe cycle of the wiper is adjusted in accordance with the resistance value of the resistor circuit.
However, the resistance value of the resistor circuit may differ between cycle setting devices. Thus, when using the resistance value of the resistor circuit to control the intermittent wipe cycle, the wipe cycle may not be properly adjusted. More specifically, the wiper may not be supplied with voltage that is in accordance with the position of the cycle setting device. Thus, the intermittent wipe cycle may not be controlled in accordance with the position of the cycle setting device.
For example, the variance tolerance for the resistance value of the resistor circuit may be ±30% relative to a reference resistance value, as shown in FIG. 4. In such a case, when the cycle setting device is located at a position where the resistance value of the resistor circuit becomes maximum (i.e., maximum wipe cycle position P4) and the reference resistance value at this position is 1000Ω, the resistor circuit may have a resistance value of only 700Ω. This resistance value is less than the reference resistance value of 750Ω for position P3. With such a cycle setting device, even when the cycle setting device is located at the maximum wipe cycle position P4, the wipe cycle of the wiper may not be maximum. Therefore, the wipe cycle must be corrected. However, due to the variance between different cycle setting devices, the correction must be performed for each cycle setting device. Such processing is burdensome.

Wiper controller and method for controlling wiper

Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho


Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may perform a digital simulation to determine a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) associated with a digital reception beam. A base station may send, to the UE, a reference signal. The UE may perform a coarse beam search on the reference signal using non-oversampled digital reception beams. The UE may measure the signal strength of the reference signal for each of the non-oversampled digital reception beams and select the non-oversampled digital reception beam with the strongest signal. The UE may perform a refined beam search procedure on the selected beam by using a set of oversampled digital reception beams which correspond to the selected non-oversampled digital reception beam. The UE may determine the PMI associated with the strongest oversampled digital reception beam and send the PMI in a report to the base station.

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).
A UE may communicate with a base station or other UEs using beamforming techniques. A UE may have multiple panels (e.g., antenna modules, antenna arrays) which are used to form a communication beam (e.g., a reception beam or transmission beam) to communicate with base stations or other UEs. As the number of antenna elements (e.g., in an antenna array) at a UE increase, selection of appropriate precoder information may become more difficult and computationally complex, which may result in increased latency and communication inefficiencies. Further, inaccurate selection of appropriate precoder information may lead to inaccurate feedback provided by the UE to a base station, resulting in unsuitable or subpar communication parameters being utilized by the UE or base station for subsequent communications.

Beam search for precoder for channel state feedback


A drivetrain layout that includes a primary gear reduction, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a peak torque limiting (PTL) device and a range box is provided. The primary gear reduction is operationally engaged to an output of a motor. The CVT includes a primary pulley and a secondary pulley. The primary pulley of the CVT is operationally engaged to the primary gear reduction. The primary gear reduction reduces a rotational speed of the output of the motor that is coupled to the primary pulley of the CVT. The range box is operationally engaged with the secondary pulley of the CVT. The range box is configured to coupled torque between the CVT and wheels of a vehicle. The PTL device in operational engagement between the secondary pulley of the CVT and the range box, the PTL device configured to protect the drivetrain layout from torque transients.

Side by side vehicles are commonly operated in off-road conditions. Vehicles that are operated in off-road conditions are subject to transient torque events that are greater than those seen by on-road vehicles. Example of conditions that generate transient torque include jumps, sharp bumps and even uneven terrain. Transient torque tends to be rapid, high in magnitude and unpredictable. Vehicles that use continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) that are subject to transient torque may result in a slip condition between a belt and pulleys of the CVT if a clamp load is not high enough to manage the transient torque. A slip may be damaging to the CVT and other components of the vehicle. Transient torque is difficult to manage through control strategies since reaction times of control strategies are generally not fast enough to manage the transient torque.
Further, pulleys of CVTs operated at high engine velocities, as is common in side-by-side vehicle operations, may experience hydraulic clamping due to velocity induced pressure gradients in the clamping piston. At pulley speeds greater than 10,000 RPM, the loads can become too high for an effective variator control. The secondary pulley may spin at 2.6 times the primary speed. Typical CVTs for on-road vehicles have an effective limit of around 6,500 engine RPM (eRPM) to be able to deal with hydraulic clamping. Some high performance off road side-by side vehicles may exceed 6500 eRPM.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an improved drivetrain layout that effectively deals with hydraulic clamping and transient torques.


The present application provides a cushioning device, a display screen storage device, and a display screen storage box. The cushioning device includes a cushioning block body and a cushioning pad. One side of the cushioning block body defines a holding groove configured for holding and supporting a display screen, and an inner surface of the holding groove is an arcuate surface. A shape of the cushioning pad corresponds to a shape of the arcuate surface. The extrados is fixedly connected with the arcuate surface.

In recent years, with the increasing popularity of display devices, a transporting volume of display screens is also increased. During a storage and transportation of a display screen, a cushioning device is required to be arranged in a display screen storage device to protect the display screen storage device and the display screen from cracking due to shocks and impacts.
A cushioning device for a display screen in the prior art generally includes a cushioning block body and a flat silicone attached to the cushioning block body. Specifically, when the display screen needs to protect, the cushioning block body is arranged on one side of the display screen, and the flat silicone contacts with an end plane of the display screen. Thus, when the display screen is shocked or impacted during transportation, the display screen can be cushioned by the flat silicone. However, a cushioning area on the display screen formed by the flat silicone is a contact area between the flat silicone and the display screen. An area of the flat silicone cannot be designed to be larger due to a limitation of the size of the cushioning block body. Therefore, a stress concentration is formed between the display screen and the flat silicone during transport, and thereby made a poor cushioning effect of the display screen, which is not conducive to the protection of the display screen.

Cushioning device, display screen storage device, and display screen storage box

CHONGQING HKC OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD


Disclosed is a method and apparatus for highly stably and accurately generating a PAL video signal by digital processing. The method and apparatus comprise generating a basic clock having a frequency which is 11.times.N times (N: an integer) as high as a horizontal synchronization frequency F.sub.H, producing digital data of orthogonal color subcarriers, color difference signals and a luminance signal respectively with the timing of the basic clock, multiplying the digital data D.sub.B-Y D.sub.R-Y of the color difference signals by the digital data Dsin and Dcos of the color subcarriers respectively to obtain digital data of two kinds of modulation signals, adding the digital data D.sub.Y+S of the luminance signal to the digital data of the two modulation signals, and effecting digital/analog conversion of the addition to provide the PAL video signal.

This invention relates to a method preferably used in a PAL video signal generator apparatus for generating a PAL video signal by digital processing.
Many proposals for the purpose of technological developments in regard to the PAL system have been made hitherto in an effort to provide an improved
video signal generator apparatus capable of operation with high performance.
A prior art PAL video signal generator apparatus will be first described before describing the present invention, so that the present invention can be clearly understood. In the case of a video signal of the PAL system, the relation between its color subcarrier frequency F.sub.SC and its horizontal synchronization frequency F.sub.H does not have a simple integral relation between them unlike those in an NTSC system because offset frequency is 25 Hz. Because of such frequency relation, it is difficult to realize a PAL video signal generator apparatus capable of generating a PAL video signal by digital processing. Therefore, it is common practice to generate such a PAL video signal by analog processing.
In such a prior art PAL video signal generator apparatus relying on the analog processing, it has been inevitable that the apparatus becomes large in size resulting in an undesirable increase in the number of points to be adjusted, and it has been difficult for the apparatus to highly stably and accurately generate the PAL video signal.

Method and apparatus for generating PAL video signal by digital processing

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A sizing agent for paper, which comprises 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl alcohol (component A) and from 1 to 20 parts by weight of a compound (component B provided with the following requisites (1) to (4):. (1) the backbone chain is a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, (2) in the backbone chain, the proportion of oxyethylene units is from 20 to 40% by weight, and the proportion of oxypropylene units is from 60 to 80% by weight, (3) of the two terminals, one terminal is a hydroxyl group, and the other terminal is a C.sub.1-10 alkoxyl group or a hydroxyl group, and (4) the weight average molecular weight is from 600 to 1,200.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sizing agent for paper, which is useful for sizing paper or paper board (hereinafter paper and paper board will be generally referred to simply as "paper") and paper sized with such a sizing agent.
2. Discussion of Background
Heretofore, various sizing agents have been used To improve various strength and printability of paper or the appearance of printed matters. Among such sizing agents, those using a polyvinyl alcohol, a starch or both of them, are typical.
However, paper sized with a starch has a drawback such that when it is subjected to printing, paper powder is likely to form, and such paper powder tends to deteriorate the appearance of the printed matter, or such paper powder is likely to accumulate between printing rollers, thus leading to a trouble of e.g. rupture of the paper. Further, paper sized with a starch tends to have inadequate strength, whereby defects such as picking and blistering are likely to occur at the printed surface, and such tendency is particularly remarkable when the printing speed is high. On the other hand, paper sized with a polyvinyl alcohol has a drawback such that it shows tackiness in a state wet with water, although it exhibits excellent properties with no substantial formation of paper powder or with no substantial deterioration of the appearance due to damage of the printed surface given by high speed printing. This drawback causes, for example, a printing trouble such that when the paper sized with a polyvinyl alcohol is subjected to offset printing, if the paper is wetted upon contact with damping water, tackiness will be created, whereby a trouble such as adhesion of the paper to itself or adhesion of the paper to the printing rollers, is likely to result. If such a trouble occurs during printing, the printing operation will have to be stopped, thus leading to a substantial loss in the productivity and a loss of materials, and further the machine is likely to be damaged.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 41611/1974 discloses a sizing agent having a non-ionic surfactant incorporated to a polyvinyl alcohol and having a third component such as urea, a urea derivative, thiourea, a thiourea derivative or a guanidine derivative incorporated. However, this sizing agent requires a third component such as urea, as an essential component. Besides, the effect for reducing the tackiness of the sized paper in a wet state, is still inadequate.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 295693/1993 discloses a surface sizing agent for paper comprising a polyvinyl alcohol resin and polyethylene glycol as essential components. However, this sizing agent has a problem with respect to printability.
Reflecting a trend in recent years for multi-color printing or weight reduction of medium or low quality paper such as paper for newspapers, which is subjected to high speed printing in a large quantity, it has become common to size such medium or low quality paper, and it has become common to employ an offset printing system as a printing system for such sized paper. Therefore, it has been desired to develop a sizing agent for paper which presents low tackiness even when the sized paper is in a wet state and which is excellent in printability.


A system and method including an agent for selecting at least two songs among simultaneously streaming songs based on user information and inserting additional content in the duration of time between the end of the earlier song and the start of the later song.

A variety of web sites transmit music over the Internet. One manner in which this occurs involves an end user computer connected to the Internet which sends a request for music to a radio station web site. When the web site gets that request, it "sends" music to the user by sending various digitally-encoded packets. Typically, the radio web site transmits whatever music is broadcast at the time by the radio station. In this scenario, the user is not getting files of specific songs, but rather the opportunity to listen to a radio broadcast over the Internet instead of airwaves. When the packets arrive at the end user's computer, the packets are reassembled in the correct order and converted into audio signals. The audio signals are then provided to the speakers connected to the computer.
There are many services which specialize in streaming music over the Internet, such as www.NetRadio.com. These services typically make a number of different audio streams available to end users. They may also be played using typical audio playing software such as RealNetworks, Inc.'s Real Player 7 and Microsoft's Windows Media Player 7.
It is common to analogize the availability of songs from different sources or the same source as "channels". Each channel may be considered to represent the connection between two computers whereby one computer sends audio signals to another over a network. For example, one channel on the web site www.a.com may stream rock songs whereas another channel on www.b.com may stream pop songs. When a user's computer connects to www.a.com, the web server hosting that web site will stream the currently-playing rock song to the computer. Channels may be available from URL's with different Internet domain names. Alternatively, two channels may originate from the same web site and server. In other words, two channels may comprise a computer simultaneously accessing two different songs from the same web server at the same time. For example, each of the two songs may be divided into discrete pieces of data, with a piece of the first song arriving, then a piece of the second song arriving, then another piece of the first song arriving, then another piece of the second song arriving, etc.
One of the current problems with Internet music channels is the number of available channels. There may be hundreds of channels to choose from and it is often difficult for the user to find a song they want to hear. Moreover, even if the user finds a song on a channel they like, the next song on the channel may not be as interesting to the user as another song on another channel.

System and method for filling content gaps


The present invention provides an ice storage detection switch for detecting an ice level in an ice storage chamber of an ice making machine including: a magnet lever rotatably fitted to the switch lever, for holding the magnet so that the magnet is located in a vicinity of the reed switch when the switch lever is not pressed; and a projecting portion formed on the switch case to be located between a rotational center of the magnet lever and the reed switch, the magnet separating from the reed switch through abutment of the magnet lever on the projecting portion and rotation of the magnet lever when the switch lever is pressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ice storage detection switch, and more particularly to a switch for detecting an ice level in an ice storage chamber of an ice making machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an ice making machine for storing blocks of ice produced by an ice making portion in an ice storage chamber, an ice storage detection switch as shown in, for example, FIG. 5 is installed in the ice storage chamber. This ice storage detection switch is intended to detect the ice level in the ice storage chamber and stop operation of the ice making machine. In this ice storage detection switch, a switch lever 2 is rotatably fitted about a rotational center 3 on the ice storage chamber side of a switch case 1 fixed to a wall surface or the like of the ice making chamber (e.g., see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 1-151177).
As shown in FIG. 6a, in the switch case 1, a reed switch 5 is embedded in a reed switch holding portion 4 formed protrusively toward the switch lever 2. On the other hand, a magnet lever 6 is rotatably fitted to a back surface of the switch lever 2, and a magnet 7 is held by the magnet lever 6. The switch lever 2 assumes a rotational position shown in FIG. 6a due to its own weight when the ice level in the ice storage chamber is lower than an installation height of the ice storage detection switch and no force is applied from the blocks of the ice to the switch lever 2. In this case, the magnet 7 held by the magnet lever 6 is disposed in close vicinity of the reed switch 5, which is ON.
When the ice level in the ice storage chamber rises approximately up to the installation height of the ice storage detection switch as the production of the ice by the ice making portion progresses, the switch lever 2 is pressed by the blocks of the ice and its rotational position gradually shifts toward the switch case 1 as shown in FIGS. 6b to 6d. In accordance with the shift of the rotational position of the switch lever 2, the magnet lever 6 comes into abutment with a corner portion of the reed switch holding portion 4 and rotates, so the magnet 7 held by the magnet lever 6 separates from the reed switch 5. The reed switch 5 is turned OFF as a result of a change in a clearance between the reed switch 5 and the magnet 7 at this moment, and outputs an ice storage detection signal. Based on this ice storage detection signal, the operation of the ice making machine is stopped.
In the conventional ice storage detection switch shown in FIG. 6a, however, the magnet lever 6 comes into abutment with the corner portion of the reed switch holding portion 4 to thereby rotate, the amount of change in the clearance between the reed switch 5 and the magnet 7 at the time when the switch lever 2 is pressed toward the switch case 1 is small. When variation of sensitivity exists across the reed switch 5, there is a fear in that the ON/OFF operation may not be performed accurately. For instance, the operational reliability of the ice making machine deteriorates if the reed switch 5 is not turned OFF even when the switch lever 2 is pressed to the extent of coming into abutment with the switch case 1 as shown in FIG. 6d, or if the reed switch 5 is not turned ON even when the switch lever 2 has returned to its unpressed state as shown in FIG. 6a.