An objective lens for converging a light beam emitted from a first light source on a recording surface (17a) of a first optical information recording medium covered with a transparent substrate (7a) and converging a light beam emitted from a second light source on a recording surface (17b) of a second optical information recording medium covered with a transparent substrate (7b) having a thickness greater than the transparent substrate (7a). On an incident plane for the light beam, there are formed a center region (A1), an intermediate region (A2) surrounding the center region (A1), and a peripheral region (A3) surrounding the intermediate region (A2). A diffraction grating (11) is provided on the lens surface of the intermediate region (A2). Between the intermediate region (A2) and the center region (A1), and also between the intermediate region (A2) and the peripheral region (A3), stepped portions (12) are provided for causing an advance or a delay of a phase of a light beam passing through the intermediate region (A2) with respect to the phases of the light beams passing through the center region (A1) and the peripheral region (A3). The stepped portions (12) are formed so that a value of a tertiary spherical aberration on the recording surface (17b) of the second optical information recording medium becomes a value that makes a jitter value of a reproduction signal from the second optical information recording medium not more than 15%.

Various optical systems, such as optical pick-up apparatuses for recording and reproducing information on optical information recording media such as CDs (compact disks), have been known. In addition to that, DVDs (digital video disks), which are similar in terms of size to conventional CDs and enhanced in terms of capacity, have been developed recently.
In comparing a CD and a DVD, an infrared semiconductor laser having an optical wavelength of substantially 0.78 μm is used for a CD, while a red semiconductor laser having an optical wavelength of 0.63 μm to 0.65 μm is used for a DVD. In a DVD, a numerical aperture (hereinafter, abbreviated as NA) of an objective lens of an optical pick-up is set to 0.6, and the thickness of its transparent substrate is set to 0.6 mm, or half of a conventional CD. Furthermore, a DVD has a track pitch of 0.74 μm and a shortest pit length of 0.4 μm. A CD has a track pitch of 1.6 μm and a shortest pit length of 0.83 μm, that is, about as twice those of a DVD. Namely, a DVD has higher density than a CD.
As mentioned above, various optical disks different from each other in the substrate thickness, the recording density, and the working wavelength are on the market, and thus objective lenses that can correspond to various optical disks have been proposed. For example, JP 10(1998)-143905 A describes an optical head apparatus that divides a light beam converged by an objective lens into a plurality of light beams, optimizing a light beam at a ring-shaped portion with respect to a CD, while forming a spot with a light beam positioned other than the ring-shaped portion and optimizing with respect to a DVD. The above-mentioned optical head apparatus is described further by referring to FIGS. 12 and 13.
FIG. 12 shows a conventional optical head apparatus and an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus. The optical head apparatus shown in this figure is substantially as same as an optical head apparatus described in JP 10(1998)-143905 A. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view showing an objective lens shown in FIG. 12 and also a light beam passing through a DVD as an optical disk. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing an objective lens shown in FIG. 12 and also a light beam passing through a CD as an optical disk.
A structure of a conventional optical head apparatus and an optical system will be described below, referring to FIG. 12. For example, when playing an optical disk 7 as a DVD, a light beam 2 having a wavelength of 650 nm is emitted from a semiconductor laser 1. The light beam 2 passes through a beam splitter 33, a collimator lens 3 and a beam splitter 5 in this order, and it is converged on the optical disk 7 by an objective lens 20. The light beam reflected by the optical disk 7 was reflected by the beam splitter 5 and received by a photodetector 4. The photodetector 4 has a photoreceptor, and thus the reflected light received by the photodetector 4 is converted into an electric signal.
When playing a CD as an optical disk 7, a light beam 32 having a wavelength of 780 nm is emitted from a semiconductor laser 31. The light beam 32 is reflected by the beam splitter 33, and converged on the optical disk 7 by the objective lens 20 in the same manner as the case of the light beam 2 used for playing a DVD. The light beam 32 reflected by the optical disk 7 is reflected further by the beam splitter 5, received by the photodetector 4 and converted into an electric signal.
Furthermore, a disk discrimination circuit 23 for discriminating the type of the optical disk 7 and a reproduction signal circuit 24 for selectively reading information of the electric signal corresponding to the type of the optical disk 7 are connected to the optical head apparatus shown in FIG. 12, thereby configuring an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 12, 6 denotes a mirror for directing a light beam upwards, 8 denotes a detection lens, 9 denotes an astigmatism generator, 21 denotes an actuator for adjusting focuses of the objective lens, and 22 denotes an actuator (ACT) driving circuit.
The objective lens 20 shown in FIG. 12 has a characteristic portion on at least either of an incident plane or an emission plane. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the objective lens is provided with an intermediate region A2 formed on the incident plane for a light beam. The intermediate region A2 is shaped like a doughnut or a ring having an outer diameter smaller than the entire effective diameter with respect to an optical path region. The interior of the intermediate region A2 makes a center region A1, and the exterior of the intermediate region A2 makes a peripheral region A3.
As shown in FIG. 13A, the center region A1 and the peripheral region A3 have optimized curvatures respectively, and thus when a light beam 2 having a wavelength of 650 nm enters, focusing is obtained on a recording surface of a DVD covered with a transparent substrate 7a. As shown in FIG. 13B, the intermediate region A2 has an optimized curvature, and thus when a light beam 32 having a wavelength of 780 nm enters, focusing is obtained on a recording surface of a CD covered with a transparent substrate 7b that is thicker than the transparent substrate 7a.
The intermediate region A2 is provided to form stepped portions between the intermediate region A2 and the center region A1, and also between the intermediate region A2 and the peripheral region A3. Therefore, an advance or a delay is generated in a phase of a light beam passing through the intermediate region A2 with respect to phases of light beams passing through the center region A1 and the peripheral region A3, thereby suppressing generation of a wavefront aberration on the recording surface of the disk 7.
As mentioned above, the objective lens 20 as shown in FIG. 13A or 13B can be used alone for both a DVD and a CD. Arrows in FIGS. 13A and 13B indicate traveling directions of light beams reflected on the recording surfaces of the optical disks. D1 in FIG. 13A indicates a light beam reflected on a recording surface of a DVD, and D2 in FIG. 13B indicates a light beam reflected on a recording surface of a CD.
However, such a conventional optical head apparatus causes a problem as shown in FIG. 13A. Namely, a light beam passing through the intermediate region A2 of the objective lens 20 does not contribute to recording or reproducing during a recording and a playback of a DVD, and thus an efficiency of a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 1 is low.
For a conventional optical head apparatus, a spherical aberration will be generated on a recording surface of a CD due to a light beam passing through the center region A1 of the objective lens 20 during a playback from the CD. As a result, the reproduction signal will deteriorate since the spherical aberration is not subjected to any substantial correction.
An object of the present invention is to provide an objective lens, an optical head apparatus and an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus, which can serve to improve optical efficiency during a playback of an optical information recording medium having a thin transparent substrate, and also suppress deterioration in a reproduction signal during a playback of an optical information recording medium having a thick transparent substrate.

Objective lens, optical head apparatus, optical information recording/reproducing apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A leg pad for a hockey goalkeeper playing hockey (e.g., ice hockey) is provided. The leg pad comprises a frontal portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion respectively configured to be positioned adjacent to a front, a medial side, and a lateral side of a goalkeeper's leg when the leg pad is worn on the leg. The leg pad comprises an outer shell comprising an outer surface of the leg pad, an inner liner for facing the leg, and protective padding disposed between the molded outer shell and the inner liner. The outer shell may comprise molded foam.

Leg pads are worn by hockey goalkeepers to protect their legs against impacts from pucks, balls, hockey sticks or other objects and/or to protect their legs when moving (e.g., dropping) them onto a playing surface.
A hockey goalkeeper's leg pad typically comprises protective padding for providing padded protection to the goalkeeper's leg and an outer covering disposed over the protective padding. The outer covering is typically made of one or more panels of synthetic pliable material such as synthetic leather (e.g., polyurethane (PU) leather) or fabric (e.g., nylon fabric, polyester fabric, Cordura™ fabric, etc.) that are cut into a desired configuration so as to cover the protective padding.
The synthetic leather or fabric used for a leg pad's outer covering may have some drawbacks. For example, in some cases, the synthetic leather or fabric may be limited in its ability to provide protection in and of itself and/or may require additional components to be added to the leg pad, such as fabric overlays for decoration and/or separate panels for attaching straps of the leg pad.
For these and other reasons, there is a need for improvements in a hockey goalkeeper's leg pads.


An apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal includes a first device for subjecting an information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The ortogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first device is outputted to a transmission line. The orthogonal-multi-carrier signal is received from the transmission line. The received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal is subjected to discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. A second device contained in the first device operates for subjecting the information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a transform result signal representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, where M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2. A third device contained in the first device operates for subjecting the transform result signal generated by the second device to N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M. The second stage follows the first stage.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal (an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal or an OFDM signal). In addition, this invention relates to a method of transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) employs multiple carriers which are orthogonal with respect to each other. The xe2x80x9corthogonalxe2x80x9d multiple carriers mean that the spectrums of carriers neighboring one carrier are null at the frequency of the latter carrier. The multiple carriers are modulated in accordance with digital information pieces to be transmitted, respectively. For example, phase modulation (phase shift keying or PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is used by the modulation of each carrier. The modulation-resultant multiple carriers are combined into an OFDM signal which has a form as a random signal. Since the multiple carriers are orthogonal, they do not interfere with each other. Accordingly, during transmission, the digital information pieces assigned to the respective multiple carriers are prevented from interfering with each other.
In general, OFDM employs a lot of carriers. Thus, the modulation rate for one carrier in OFDM can be lower than that in a transmission system using only one carrier. Therefore, an OFDM signal is less affected by multi-path signal distortions occurring in a spatial transmission line. Since the spectrum of an OFDM signal can be rectangular, the frequency band occupied thereby can be narrow. Thus, OFDM can provide efficient frequency use.
In OFDM-based signal transmission, a guard interval is added to every symbol interval related to an OFDM signal. During the guard interval, a redundant signal is transmitted. The guard interval is a buffer time for absorbing lags of delayed waves from a non-delayed wave and thereby reducing multi-path signal distortions. The transmitted redundant signal is remarkably smaller in bit rate than a main transmitted information signal. Therefore, the redundant signal causes only a small decrease in transmission efficiency.
Terrestrial digital broadcasting uses OFDM. A transmitter side of the terrestrial digital broadcasting implements IDFT (inverse discrete Fourier transform) for generating an OFDM signal. Information pieces to be transmitted are used as frequency-domain signals being phase and amplitude modulating signals with respect to multiple carries. The DFT converts the frequency-domain signals into time-domain signals composed of the multiple carries modulated with the information pieces. The time-domain signals are added and combined into a baseband OFDM signal. The baseband OFDM signal is up-converted into a radio-frequency (RF) OFDM signal. The RF OFDM signal is radiated by an antenna.
A receiver side of the terrestrial digital broadcasting down-converts an RF OFDM signal into a baseband OFDM signal. The receiver side implements DFT (discrete Fourier transform) for converting time-domain signals in the baseband OFDM signal into frequency-domain signals. Transmitted information pieces are recovered from the frequency-domain signals. In general, DFT is implemented by a signal processing circuit including a DSP (digital signal processor) or an LSI (large-scale integration circuit)
The terrestrial digital broadcasting uses an assigned frequency band divided into channels each having a width of 6 MHz and a predetermined number of carriers. The channels are separated by guard frequency bands. For example, the channels are distributed to a plurality of different users.
Data transmission based on OFDM is executed symbol by symbol. Each OFDM transmission symbol period is composed of a window interval and a guard interval. The window interval is assigned to IDFT. Multiple carriers are spaced at frequency intervals corresponding to the reciprocal of the symbol period. In general, all the multiple carriers are used for the transmission of information.
In the terrestrial digital broadcasting, multiple carriers are spaced at frequency intervals of about 1 kHz to 4 kHz. All the multiple carriers are used for the transmission of information.
OFDM is used in not only broadcasting but also communications and wireless LAN. Specifically, OFDM is widely used in radio communications because of its ability to reduce multi-path signal distortions.
In a prior-art OFDM signal transmission system, a signal processing circuit for implementing IDFT has a complicated structure. Also, a signal processing circuit for implementing DFT has a complicated structure.
It is a first object of this invention to provide a simple apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal (an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal or an OFDM signal).
It is a second object of this invention to provide a simple method of transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal.
A first aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting an information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; fifth means contained in the first means for subjecting the information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a transform result signal representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2; and sixth means contained in the first means for subjecting the transform result signal generated by the fifth means to N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal, the second stage following the first stage, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M.
A second aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting a multi-channel information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the multi-channel information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to discrete Fourier transform to recover the multi-channel information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; a plurality of fifth means contained in the first means for subjecting the multi-channel information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transforms and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and for generating transform result signals representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transforms, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2; and sixth means contained in the first means for subjecting the transform result signals generated by the fifth means to N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal, the second stage following the first stage, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M.
A third aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting an information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; fifth means contained in the first means for subjecting the information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform responsive to rotation factors depending on a desired transmission channel and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a transform result signal representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2; and sixth means contained in the first means for subjecting the transform result signal generated by the fifth means to N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal, the second stage following the first stage, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M.
A fourth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting an information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; fifth means contained in the first means for subjecting the information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a transform result signal representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2; and sixth means contained in the first means for feeding the transform result signal from the fifth means to input terminals of N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and subjecting the transform result signal to the N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal, the second stage following the first stage, the input terminals depending on a desired transmission channel, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M.
A fifth aspect of this invention provides a method of transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The method comprises the steps of subjecting an information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to a transmission line; receiving the ortogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; and subjecting the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; wherein the subjecting step comprises 1) subjecting the information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and generating a transform result signal representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2; and 2) subjecting the transform result signal to N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal, the second stage following the first stage, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M.
A sixth aspect of this invention provides a method of transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The method comprises the steps of subjecting an information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to a transmission line; receiving the ortogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; and subjecting the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; wherein the subjecting step comprises 1) subjecting the information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform responsive to rotation factors depending on a desired transmission channel and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and generating a transform result signal representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2; and 2) subjecting the transform result signal to N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal, the second stage following the first stage, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M.
A seventh aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting an information signal to inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to first discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; fifth means contained in the fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to N-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a first transform result signal representative of results of the N-point discrete Fourier transform, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 4; sixth means contained in the fourth means for subjecting the first transform result signal generated by the fifth means to M-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a second transform result signal representative of results of the M-point discrete Fourier transform, the second stage following the first stage, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than a half of N; and seventh means contained in the fourth means for converting the second transform result signal generated by the sixth means into the information signal.
An eighth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting a multi-channel information signal to inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the multi-channel information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to first discrete Fourier transform to recover the multi-channel information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; fifth means contained in the fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to N-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a first transform result signal representative of results of the N-point discrete Fourier transform, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 4; a plurality of sixth means contained in the fourth means for subjecting the first transform result signal generated by the fifth means to M-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating second transform result signals representative of results of the M-point discrete Fourier transform, the second stage following the first stage, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than a half of N; and seventh means contained in the fourth means for converting the second transform result signals generated by the sixth means into the multi-channel information signal.
A ninth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting an information signal to inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to first discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; fifth means contained in the fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to N-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a first transform result signal representative of results of the N-point discrete Fourier transform, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 4; sixth means contained in the fourth means for subjecting the first transform result signal generated by the fifth means to M-point discrete Fourier transform responsive to rotation factors depending on a desired transmission channel and thereby implementing a second stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a second transform result signal representative of results of the M-point discrete Fourier transform, the second stage following the first stage, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than a half of N; and seventh means contained in the fourth means for converting the second transform result signal generated by the sixth means into the information signal.
A tenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The apparatus comprises first means for subjecting an information signal to inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means for outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal generated by the first means to a transmission line; third means for receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal received by the third means to first discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; fifth means contained in the fourth means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to N-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a first transform result signal representative of results of the N-point discrete Fourier transform, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 4; sixth means contained in the fourth means for feeding the first transform result signal from the fifth means to input terminals of M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and subjecting the first transform result signal to the M-point discrete Fourier transform, and thereby implementing a second stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a second transform result signal representative of results of the M-point discrete Fourier transform, the second stage following the first stage, the input terminals depending on a desired transmission channel, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than a half of N; and seventh means contained in the fourth means for converting the second transform result signal generated by the sixth means into the information signal.
An eleventh aspect of this invention provides a method of transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The method comprises the steps of subjecting an information signal to inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to a transmission line; receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; and subjecting the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to first discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; wherein the subjecting step comprises 1) subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to N-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and generating a first transform result signal representative of results of the N-point discrete Fourier transform, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 4; 2) subjecting the first transform result signal to M-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and generating a second transform result signal representative of results of the M-point discrete Fourier transform, the second stage following the first stage, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than a half of N; and 3) converting the second transform result signal into the information signal.
A twelfth aspect of this invention provides a method of transmitting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal. The method comprises the steps of subjecting an information signal to inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; outputting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to a transmission line; receiving the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal from the transmission line; and subjecting the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to first discrete Fourier transform to recover the information signal from the received orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; wherein the subjecting step comprises 1) subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to N-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and generating a first transform result signal representative of results of the N-point discrete Fourier transform, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 4; 2) subjecting the first transform result signal to M-point discrete Fourier transform responsive to rotation factors depending on a desired transmission channel and thereby implementing a second stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and generating a second transform result signal representative of results of the M-point discrete Fourier transform, the second stage following the first stage, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than a half of N; and 3) converting the second transform result signal into the information signal.
A thirteenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus comprising first means for subjecting an information signal to first inverse discrete Fourier transform to convert the information signal into an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means contained in the first means for subjecting the information signal to M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a transform result signal representative of results of the M-point inverse discrete Fourier transform, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 2; and third means contained in the first means for subjecting the transform result signal generated by the second means to N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first inverse discrete Fourier transform to generate the ortogonal-multi-carrier signal, the second stage following the first stage, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than twice M.
A fourteenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus comprising first means for subjecting an orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to first discrete Fourier transform to recover an information signal from the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal; second means contained in the first means for subjecting the orthogonal-multi-carrier signal to N-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a first stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a first transform result signal representative of results of the N-point discrete Fourier transform, wherein N denotes a predetermined natural number greater than 4; third means contained in the first means for subjecting the first transform result signal generated by the second means to M-point discrete Fourier transform and thereby implementing a second stage of the first discrete Fourier transform, and for generating a second transform result signal representative of results of the M-point discrete Fourier transform, the second stage following the first stage, wherein M denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than a half of N; and fourth means contained in the first means for converting the second transform result signal generated by the third means into the information signal.

Method and apparatus for transmitting orthogonal-multi-carrier signal


Embodiment of the present invention features a device, method and kit for performing one or more processing steps on a sample. The device includes a housing and a processing component. The housing has a first vessel connector for receiving a first vessel and a second vessel connector for receiving a second vessel, and a passage, to provide fluid communication between the first and second vessels. The processing component is in fluid communication with the passage and for effecting a change in a fluid moving from the first vessel to the second vessel through the passage via centrifugal force.

An analytical procedure for analyzing a sample mixture requires sample preparation, which transforms a sample from its raw state into an ideal format for subsequent analysis using analytical techniques, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra high pressure liquid chromatography (UPLC), HPLC or UPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS), or gas chromatography (GC) coupled with MS or MSMS.
The term "sample" used in this application refers to any mixture or suspension or solid which an individual desires to analyze. The term "mixture" is used in the sense of a fluid containing one or more compounds of interest and unwanted interferences. The term "suspension" refers to a fluid in which particles or solids are held. The fluid may comprise water and/or other liquids and gases. A compound of interest is referred to as an analyte. The term "sample preparation" used herein refers to a process which involves a series of steps to extract or isolate analytes or compounds of interest from a sample mixture.
There are many extraction techniques such as centrifugal separation, filtration, liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, etc. Among them solid phase extraction (SPE) is one of most widely used sample preparation techniques for last two decades.
A SPE device typically comprises filters for filtration and separation media for chromatography. The term "filter" refers in the broadest sense to any device containing a porous material which can remove or block particles or solids held in a sample mixture or suspension passing through the device. For example, without limitation, a filter can be a membrane, a screen, or a frit. The term "separation media" refers to particles, porous monolith materials, and the like known in the art.
A SPE process typically involves steps of filtration and chromatography. Filtration and chromatography are separation methods for extracting or isolating one or more compounds or solids found in a mixture.
Filtration separates or isolates materials due to size. Particles and solids which have size dimensions which exceed the size of pores, channels, passages or openings of filters such as screens, frits, membranes and the like will not pass through.
Chromatography separates or isolates compounds due to the differences in affinity one compound has to the mixture in which it is dissolved and to another phase as the mixture and the other phase move in relationship to each other. Normally the mixture, sometimes referred to as the mobile phase, moves in relationship to a packed bed of particles or a porous monolith structure, referred to as the stationary phase.
Though SPE is viewed as one of most efficient, time-saving, and dynamic sample preparation techniques for decades, depending upon sample complexity, a SPE process can take from a few minutes to several hours. Further, a typical SPE process involves transferring a sample material from one container to another a number of times; this obviously increases the chance of losing analytes in a sample and thus sacrifices sensitivity.
It would be desirable to have a standardized SPE device and a standardized SPE method, by which a sample preparation process from beginning to end can be carried out in one place or container, such that less time is required to transform a raw sample from its original state to an ideal format, and such that less samples amount is required to achieve the same level of sensitivity.
It would also be desirable to use existing common laboratory equipments to effect sophisticated separations based on the affinity for or against a solid phase separation media or filters to isolate low concentration analytes from large volumes of solution.

Devices, kits and methods for performing chemical processing


Methods of pitch doubling of asymmetric features and semiconductor structures including the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a single photolithography mask may be used to pitch double three features, for example, of a DRAM array. In one embodiment, two wordlines and a grounded gate over field may be pitch doubled. Semiconductor structures including such features are also disclosed.

As a consequence of many factors, including demand for increased portability, computing power, memory capacity and energy efficiency in modern electronics, integrated circuits are continuously being reduced in size. To facilitate this size reduction, the sizes of the constituent features, such as electrical devices and interconnect line widths that form the integrated circuits, are also constantly being decreased.
The continual reduction in feature size places ever greater demands on techniques used to form the features. For example, photolithography is a conventional method of patterning features, such as conductive lines, on a substrate. The concept of pitch may be used to describe the size of these features. Pitch is defined as the distance between identical points in two neighboring features. These features are conventionally defined by spacings between adjacent features, which may be filled by a material, such as an insulator. As a result, pitch may be viewed as the sum of the width of a feature and of the width of the space separating that feature from a neighboring feature, or the distance between one edge of a feature and the corresponding same edge of the next adjacent feature. However, due to factors such as optics and light or radiation wavelength, photolithography techniques have a minimum pitch below which the particular photolithographic technique cannot reliably form features. Thus, the minimum pitch of a photolithographic technique may limit feature size reduction.
Pitch doubling, or pitch multiplication, techniques have been proposed for extending the capabilities of photolithographic techniques. One example of a method of pitch multiplication is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F herein and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,810, issued to Lowrey et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. With reference to FIG. 1A, photolithography may first be used to form a pattern of lines 10 in a photoresist material overlying a layer 20 of an expendable material and a substrate 30. As shown in FIG. 1B, the pattern may then be transferred by an etch step (preferably anisotropic) to the layer 20, forming placeholders, or mandrels 40. The photoresist lines 10 may be stripped and the mandrels 40 may be isotropically etched to increase the distance between neighboring mandrels 40, as shown in FIG. 1C. A layer 50 of material may be subsequently deposited over the mandrels 40, as shown in FIG. 1D. Spacers 60, i.e., material extending or originally formed extending from sidewalls of another material, may then be formed on sidewalls of the mandrels 40 by preferentially etching the spacer material from the horizontal surfaces 70 and 80 in a directional spacer etch, as shown in FIG. 1E. The remaining mandrels 40 may then be removed, leaving behind the freestanding spacers 60, as shown in FIG. 1F. The spacers 60 act as an etch mask for patterning underlying layers, as shown in FIG. 1F. Thus, where a given pitch formerly included a pattern defining one feature and one space, the same width now includes two features and two spaces. As a result, the smallest feature size possible with a photolithographic technique is effectively decreased.
However, conventional pitch doubling processes are limited in that they cannot be reliably used to pitch double asymmetric features, for example, in a DRAM array where symmetry is broken by the removal of the passing wordline over the field region. Problems arise at an array gate patterning level since three features need to be defined on a pitch: two wordlines and a grounded gate over field. The grounded gate over field balances the pattern density as well as ensures that a linear self-aligned contact etch may be performed to form cavities for conducting plugs to the storage and bit contact active regions. Conventional pitch doubling is not effective in this instance because the pitch-doubled feature on every other patterned form does not define the correct gap for the wordline versus wordline and grounded gate. Accordingly, there exists a continuing need in the art for methods of pitch doubling asymmetric features and semiconductor structures including such sub-lithographic features.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method and article of manufacture of intermixed tunable resistance composite materials. A conducting material and an insulating material are deposited by such methods as ALD or CVD to construct composites with intermixed materials which do not have structure or properties like their bulk counterparts.

This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is, inter alia, recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. Thin film materials of metal-metal oxides of nanocomposites can have many applications, including resistive layers for electronic applications, such as, for example, electron multipliers like microchannel plates, resistive memories, electro-chromic devices, biomedical devices and charge dissipating coatings on micro-electromechanical systems. A related application, U.S. Ser. No. 13/011,645, which is incorporated by reference herein, describes microchannel plate fabrication by atomic layer deposition ("ALD" hereinafter), which provide an example of how one can benefit from the tunable resistance coatings and methods of preparation described herein.


A handgun curved to correspond more closely with the contours of a person's body, achieving a comfortable fit when the handgun is worn for any appreciable amount of time on the person's body. The handgun housing is inclusive of a top portion, an intermediate portion, and a grip portion, which may be separately connected or integrally formed parts sharing a radius of curvature to form asymmetric left and right sides, particularly a concave side and a convex side. This asymmetry extends beyond the grip portion and includes at least a portion of the trigger guard and a portion of the magazine securing clip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to handguns, and specifically to pistols and revolvers. More particularly, the present invention relates to handguns having a curvature contoured to a person's body that enables the holder of the handgun to secure comfortably the handgun on his or her person for extended periods of time. The present invention further relates to contoured handguns having laser and light capabilities incorporated directly within the handgun casing, and handguns having a bore-axis sighting component.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, when a person of ordinary skill in the art considers a "curved" firearm, reference is made to those firearms with the ability for utilizing a barrel placed at an angle from the original line-of-sight to facilitate the firing of the weapon in a direction different from the line-of-sight, such as around a corner. There have been many attempts in the past to modify rifles and handguns in order to have these firearms shoot at an angle from the line-of-sight.
For example, the German Sturmgewehr (StG.44), like its earlier versions MP.43 and MP.44m, is a gas operated, selective firearm. The StG.44 also could be fitted with a special curved barrel attachment ("Krummlauf"), which allowed the gun to be fired "around the corner" or inside a tank, without exposing the shooter to the enemy fire. Several types of these attachments were developed, but only one type, the 30-degree "KrummlaufVorsatz J", was apparently manufactured in any significant numbers. This device had a special mirror sighting adapter and reduced the bullet velocity down to mere 300 meters per second due to the high friction in the curved barrel extension.
Reference to curved barrel firearms, such as the aforementioned, does not include or consider curving the firearm body for a form-fit placement against the user's body when held in a holster. As a practical matter, well over 99% of the time a concealable firearm is with a person, it is holstered against the person's body, and current holstering arrangements require an ergonomic consideration regarding the body—handgun interface to be borne by the holster alone.
The unresolved issue is that a person's body is curved or contoured a certain way, and firearms are not correspondingly curved or contoured for a comfortable fit. The more pronounced a person's curves are, the more uncomfortable it becomes to holster a gun against the person's body. Most likely, both ends of a straight piece of metal held securely against a curved waist will be driven into a person's body and be uncomfortably worn. Approaches in the prior art to solving this problem have focused solely on the holster and especially the holster placement. Holster placement has been divided into two broad categories: those which move the gun away from the waist, and those which move it away from the hip. A high-ride design raises a holstered gun so that more of the gun rides above the belt, and thus avoids pulling the gun into the waist curve. It is comfortable, stable, and easy to conceal, but with so much of the gun above the waist, drawing can be very difficult for "short-waist" persons or those with shoulder flexibility issues. Lowering the holster also gets the bulk of the gun off the waist. Comfortable when worn, a dropped holster design makes the gun very easy to draw. But the lower the gun rides, the more difficult it becomes to find a cover garment long enough to conceal the muzzle end.
Holster placement has long been a solution to concealment and comfort. Outside the waistband (OWB) or belt holsters, are most commonly used by police and military, and by citizens who choose to open carry. Belt holsters can be worn high and close to the body, slightly behind the hip bone, and can be concealed under a long, untucked shirt or jacket.
Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters, which clip or mount to a belt, allow one to securely holster the weapon inside the pants.
Shoulder holsters consist of two straps connected in a manner similar to a backpack, with the actual holster mounted to a strap on the right or the left side. Shoulder holsters are designed to position the handgun either in a vertical position with the barrel pointed generally toward the ground, in a vertical position with the barrel pointed generally upward, or in a horizontal position with the barrel pointed generally behind the wearer.
Sling holsters are similar to shoulder holsters, but instead consist of a band worn over one shoulder and another around the chest.
The "belly band" holster is a wide elastic belt with a built-in holster, usually worn under an untucked shirt to facilitate access. There are various types, worn at the belt line or higher, with the gun placement anywhere from in front to under the armpit. In order to remain in place, a belly band must be extremely tight, which is generally uncomfortable.
Pocket holsters are used for very small weapons, such as a back-up gun. In some designs, the end of the holster takes on shape of the bottom end of a garment pocket.
Small of back holsters place the weapon directly over the center of the back, allowing for even large handguns to be carried with little printing. While both comfortable and stylish, should the wearer fall onto the weapon (such as in a close quarters fight) serious spinal injury may occur.
Groin holsters place the handgun mostly below the waistline around the 12:00 position.
Thigh holsters are a popular military and police item that holds the sidearm on the right leg where the hand naturally hangs, making for a fast draw. Early U.S. cavalry units used these in the early 1900s with a leather thong strapping it to the leg. Modern ones often use a drop leg PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) grid with a modular holster attached, often with buckles for quick release. Police and military personnel wear these when a bulky vest makes belt carry impractical.
Ankle holsters offer excellent concealment and are used by law enforcement officials who wish to carry a secondary weapon to back up their primary firearm.
Chest holsters can be attached to compatible vests and chest carriers. Like shoulder holsters, chest holsters are often easier to draw from than belt holsters when the operator is seated inside a vehicle.
Strut holsters are used exclusively for concealed carry. They are worn above the trouser belt line as a cross draw holster located directly under one's arm (9 o'clock position) or toward the front of the body (10 to 11 o'clock position). The design contains a strut which is shaped to nest behind one's trouser belt and attach to the holster at the other end. The strut transfers the weight of the firearm to the belt and retains the weapon in place for secure removal.
In all instances, it is the holster placement and/or shape that aids in concealment and, most importantly, comfort for longtime wearing of a firearm. The firearm itself remains unchanged in design and contour.
Other ergonomic designs include reforming the pistol grip to allow the user better gripping and handling. Typically, this involves contouring the pistol grip for the shape of the hand such as disclosed in EP 0272819 issued to William Batterman Ruger on Aug. 4, 1993, titled "Grips For Handgun." Additionally, the pistol grip may be formed with indentations for receiving the trigger hand fingers, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D527,166 issued to Hogue on Sep. 30, 1980 titled "One Piece Pistol Grip." Pistol grips in the prior art are substantially symmetric in design, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,731 issued to Stevens on Apr. 18, 1995 titled "Handgun of Improved Ergonomic Construction."

Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc.


A laser oscillator system which transmits laser input beam pulses through a olarizer onto the surface of a rotating mirror which routes the laser beam pulses sequentially into a plurality of stationary phase conjugate amplifiers. The pulse repetition frequency of the oscillator input beam pulses is much higher than any one of the amplifiers can handle without overheating. The amplifiers are positioned in a circle around the laser oscillator axis. The polarizer and rotating mirror are positioned on the oscillator axis. The mirror is synchronized with the input beam pulses so that each subsequent input beam pulse enters the next amplifier in sequence. Each phase conjugate amplifier has associated therewith a quarter-wave plate and a phase conjugate mirror at its output. The phase conjugate mirror is preferably comprised of a focusing lens and a stimulated Brillouin scattering cell. The cell retroreflects the once amplified beam pulse back through the quarter-wave plate, which has now rotated the beam pulse polarization through 90.degree.. Each pulse is amplified a second time and is reflected off the mirror and the back of the polarizer and out of the laser system. The laser system makes possible the handling of a large pulse repetition frequency of amplified output laser beam pulses.

1. Field
The invention is in the field of high brightness laser systems which was a low energy master oscillator laser beam and a power amplifier usually limited to a low pulse repetition rate, and specifically to the time multiplexing of a plurality of phase conjugated power amplifiers in which succeeding oscillator laser beam pulses are reflected off rotating mirrors and directed toward each of a plurality of phase conjugated power amplifiers in a Gatling gun fashion of firing the amplifiers either sequentially or in bursts to provide a high pulse repetition rate for the laser system.
2. Prior Art
High brightness lasers are often of the design which involves a master oscillator and a power amplifier. When using solid state lasers, the maximum pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of these lasers is usually limited by thermal effects in the power amplifier laser rods. The PRF of the power amplifiers is usually limited to about 60 Hertz. Sufficiently low power master oscillators may be operated at arbitrarily high PRFs. One known high brightness laser which is limited in frequency is a laser oscillator and in optical alignment therewith a polarizer which pases the oscillator laser beam therethrough directly into a phase conjugate power amplifier. The solid state laser rod type amplifier has a quarter-wave plate at its output and a phase conjugate mirror comprised of a focusing lens and a stimulated Brillouin scattering cell. The quarter-wave plate converts the incident linearly polarized beam from the oscillator laser to circular polarization, the lens focuses the beam into the cell, and the cell retroreflects the beam back out and through the quarter-wave plate which converts the beam back to a linear polarization that is rotated by 90.degree. from the original polarization. The 90.degree. polarization rotated beam is amplified by the amplifier on the second pass therethrough and is reflected off the polarizer as an output beam from the laser system.
It has previously been demonstrated that stimulated Brillouin scattering of a laser beam results in a phase conjugated and distortion-free retroreturn of the incident laser beam even in the presence of a phase aberrator. Furthermore, the directionality of the output is not affected by any vibrations or small movements of the amplifier. Such a phase conjugate amplifier laser system is characterized by high-fidelity amplification and a stable output beam direction. The heat generated in the laser rods however limit their frequency of laser pulse amplification.
The present invention provides an increased pulse repetition frequency by the use of a plurality of the solid state laser rod type amplifiers and synchronously time-multiplexing the oscillator laser beam pulses sequentially into each of the plurality of amplifiers so that each individual amplifier operates at a rate of say no higher than 60 Hertz so that the individual amplifiers will not overheat. The outputs from each amplifier is automatically and stably aligned with the outputs of the other amplifiers. The result is an amplified laser output beam from the system which has a pulse repetition frequency of a single amplifier times the number of amplifiers.
A similar patent application is concurrently filed, titled "Gatling Gun Laser Amplifier Using An Optical Diode" by the present co-inventors and Richard Utano. The other application is however distinctly different from the present invention.

Gatling gun laser pulse amplifier using rotating mirrors

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


A sensor output correction system is provided which is capable of minimizing a risk that a correction value for use in zero-point correction differs from an actual deviation of a zero-point. An ECU includes a travel road information acquisition portion which obtains a curvature of a travel road on which a system-mounted vehicle is traveling and a vehicle information acquisition portion which obtains a detected value of a yaw rate sensor. The ECU determines whether the system-mounted vehicle is traveling on a straight path or not based on the curvature derived by the travel road information acquisition portion. The ECU determines a value (i.e., a zero-point equivalent value) which corresponds to a deviation of a current zero point of the yaw rate sensor based on detected values of the yaw rate sensor sampled while the system-mounted vehicle is moving on the straight path. The ECU determines a correction value which is subtracted from the detected value using the zero-point equivalent value.

There are vehicles in which various types of sensors, such as a yaw rate sensor, a steering angle sensor, and an acceleration sensor, are mounted. Errors contained in output values of such sensors (which will also be referred to as detected values) are preferably zero for use in various control operations.
Actually, the center value of a sensor output (i.e., a zero-point) is shifted from a design zero-point (i.e., zero) due to aging or temperature characteristics of the sensor or an initial deviation of the sensor output, thus resulting in an error of the detected value caused by the shift in the zero-point. In order to eliminate such a problem, various structures have been proposed which calculate an amount of deviation of the zero-point of the sensor and correct a detected value of the sensor using the calculated amount of the deviation.
For instance, Japanese Patent First Publication No. 2010-107244 discloses a structure which calculates a correction value corresponding to a deviation of the zero-point of an acceleration sensor using a detected value of the acceleration sensor in an interval between when a door of a vehicle is opened and when the door is closed, and uses an output of the acceleration sensor derived by subtracting the deviation of the zero-point from a detected value of the acceleration sensor.


The compounds of Formula (I) which can be used as CRTH2 receptor antagonists are provided. The compounds of Formula (I) can be used in the treatment and prevention of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, as well as other diseases mediated by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) at the CRTH2 receptor.

CRTH2 is a G-protein-coupled chemoattractant receptor, expressed on Th2 cells and eosinophilic granulocytes. Th2-polarization has been observed in allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Th2 cells generate Th2 cells factors, such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-3, to regulate allergic diseases. In allergic diseases, these Th2 cells factors directly or indirectly induce immigration, activation, priming and prolonged survival of effector cells, such as eosinophilic granulocytes and basophilic granulocytes.
PGD2 (prostaglandin D2), a ligand for CRTH2, is produced from mast cells and other important effector cells in allergic diseases. In human cells, PGD2 induces immigration and activation of Th2 cells, eosinophilic granulocytes and basophilic via CRTH2. Therefore, antagonists inhibiting the combination of CRTH2 and PGD2 should be useful for the treatment of Th2-dependent allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. It is reported that antagonists of CRTH2 receptors are also useful for the treatment of other eosinophilic granulocytes-related diseases such as Churg-Strauss syndrome and nasal sinusitis.
Conventionally, as CRTH2 inhibitors, indolyl acetic acid derivatives (see WO2005/019171, incorporated herein by reference), phenoxy acetic acid derivatives (see WO2005/115382, incorporated herein by reference), pyrimidinyl acetic acid derivatives (see WO2004/096777, incorporated herein by reference), di-fused ring derivatives (see CN103373996, incorporated herein by reference), isoquinoline derivatives (WO2010/074244, incorporated herein by reference) and the like have been reported.

Compounds as CRTH2 antagonist and uses thereof


An air suspension system for a vehicle such as a pick-up truck, wherein an air spring is mounted directly on the leaf spring of the vehicle and the air spring and leaf spring support the weight of the vehicle frame and load, effectively in series. The combination of the air spring and leaf spring provides a reduction in ride vibration whereby the vehicle rides as smoothly when it is unloaded as when it is carrying a load.

The present invention relates to an air suspension systems applicable or useful for vehicles, particularly for trucks and automobiles. The invention relates to and is and improvement over U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,379,572 and 4,518,171 both issued to William E. Hedenberg, the inventor of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,572 provided an air suspension system which could be relied on as a primary means for supporting the load carried by the vehicle and for absorbing the forces imparted by the road to the vehicle through the wheels and axle of the vehicle. The system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,572 permitted convenient location of that suspension system vertically and horizontally with respect to the vehicle axles while allowing the system to be mounted on most types of frames and on most types of vehicles.
The air suspension systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,572 functioned satisfactorily, however, the installation of that air suspension system on a vehicle required the removal of a number components and brackets included on the vehicle by the original manufacturer of the vehicle. Also, it was found that the installation was difficult and time consuming. Further, certain improvements in techniques, mounting and operation have been found which improve the performance of air suspension systems.


A semiconductor device includes a memory, a random number generation circuit, and a control circuit. The memory stores key information, and the random number generation circuit generates first and second random number signals. The control circuit generates sixth and seventh random number signals from the first random number signal and the key information, generates encrypted update data from update data using the seventh random number signal, transmits the first and second random number signals as request signals to an external terminal device, receives, from the external device, first and second response signals as response signals in response to the request signals, generates an eighth random number signal using the first response signal, the second and the sixth random number signals as input signals, and provides the encrypted update data for the external terminal device when the second response signal coincides with the eighth random number signal.

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become widespread. It has thus been expected that firmware will be updated in semiconductor devices such as microcomputers included in these IoT devices in a state in which a high level of security is ensured.
An exterior device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 stores update data including an update control program, and a program that implements means for calculating a digest value relating to the update control program, means for determining whether an operation after the update is normal, and means for transmitting a result of the determination as a response. Then the control apparatus receives update data transmitted from the exterior device via a relay device. Further, the control apparatus updates the control program by the update control program included in the received update data, executes the program and determines whether the operation after the update is normal, and sends back the result of the determination to the relay device.
An electronic device disclosed in Patent Literature 2 includes an application file pertaining to an operation of application software and updates the application file via a network. This electronic device stores the application file formed of one or more data pieces, and receives update data and location information that indicates a location updated by the update data in the application file from an external apparatus via the network. Further, the electronic device rewrites data that exists in the location indicated by the location information into the update data, updates only a part of the application file, and checks if the updated application file has been tampered with.
A program rewrite system disclosed in Patent Literature 3 retrieves difference data between a new program and an old program in a multi-protocol-compatible in-vehicle relay device, transmits the difference data in the new program to the ECU, and stores this difference data.
An embedded apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 4 sequentially performs a verification process for each of sections in which update data for updating software is divided into a plurality of parts. The embedded apparatus stores an intermediate value obtained during the verification process. The embedded apparatus compares, after completion of the verification process performed on all the sections, a value obtained in the verification process with verification data and confirms that data is not tampered with. After it is confirmed that the data is not tampered with, the embedded apparatus sequentially performs the verification process again on each of the sections. The embedded apparatus compares the intermediate value obtained in the verification process with the intermediate value stored previously. When the obtained intermediate value and the intermediate value stored previously coincide with each other, the software is updated.

Semiconductor device, update data-providing method, update data-receiving method, and program


The present invention has its object to provide a high performance studless tire for a passenger vehicle which has both good braking force and high handling stability on ice or snow. The studless tire for a passenger vehicle comprises a tread having a total sulfur content of 0.7% by mass or less and having a crosslink density of 2.0×10−5 mol/cm3 or higher.

Use of spike tires has been banned by law in Japan so as to prevent powder dust pollution resulting from the spike tires, and thus studless tires are now used instead of the spike tires in cold regions. In order to improve grip performance of the studless tires on ice or snow, there is a method that decreases an elastic modulus at low temperatures and improves traction. Particularly, the braking force on ice is largely affected by an effective-contact area between rubber and ice. In order to enlarge the effective-contact area, a rubber has been desired which is flexible at low temperatures.
On the other hand, where the hardness of rubber alone is decreased using a method that comprises, for example, increasing the amount of oil, studless tires for passenger vehicles have a problem that the handling stability decreases.
Generally, the tread rubber of a studless tire, not only for trucks, buses and light trucks but also for passenger vehicles, contains a natural rubber or a butadiene rubber as a main ingredient and is produced through vulcanization by adding sulfur as a vulcanizing agent in an amount of about 1.5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of a rubber component in many cases (for example, see JP 2007-176417 A). This is because these rubbers have a low glass transition temperature and flexibility even though they have high strength. However, reversion occurs when the natural rubber or butadiene rubber is sulfur-vulcanized. In this phenomenon, rubber degrades or its cross-linked state deteriorates, so that the elastic modulus at low temperatures also decreases. However, the inventors of the present invention have found from their studies that the hardness also excessively decreases and thus the handling stability decreases.
Recently, in many cases, tires are produced through vulcanization at high temperatures not less than 170° C. in order to improve the productivity of tires. However, it has been found that the reversion often occurs when the vulcanization is performed at such high temperatures; and this causes decrease in the handling stability. In addition, the reversion may decrease the abrasion resistance and increase tan δ at high temperatures excessively, thereby decreasing fuel economy which is a particularly important property.


The invention provides composite elastic nonwoven fabrics and the process of making them. The composite elastic fabrics of the invention include an elastomeric net and at least one fibrous web including binder fibers and which is intimately hydroentangled with the elastomeric net. At least a portion of the binder fibers in the hydroentangled fibrous web have been thermally activated thereby bonding the hydro-entangled web into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing the elastomeric net.

Nonwoven elastic fabrics have been the subject of considerable attention and effort. Elastic fabrics are desirable for use in bandaging materials, garments, diapers, supportive clothing and personal hygiene products because of their ability to conform to irregular shapes and to allow more freedom of body movement than fabrics with limited extensibility.
Elastomeric materials have been incorporated into various fabric structures to provide stretchable fabrics. In many instances, such as where the fabrics are made by knitting or weaving, there is a relatively high cost associated with the fabric. In cases where the fabrics are made using nonwoven technologies, the fabrics can suffer from insufficient strength and only limited stretch and recovery properties.
Elastomers used to fabricate elastic fabrics often have an undesirable rubbery feel. This is particularly true with thermoplastic elastomers rather than crosslinked elastomers. When these materials are used in composite nonwoven fabrics, the hand and texture of the fabric can be perceived by the user as sticky or rubbery and therefore undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,579 to Hagy, et al. discloses desirable composite elastic nonwoven fabrics containing staple textile fibers intimately hydroentangled with an elastic web or an elastic net. One or more webs of staple textile fibers and/or wood pulp fibers can be hydroentangled with an elastic net according to the disclosure of this invention. The resulting composite fabric exhibits characteristics comparable to those of knit textile cloth and possesses superior softness and extensibility properties. The rubbery feel traditionally associated with elastomeric materials can be minimized or eliminated in these fabrics.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,623 to Pieniak discloses a laminated structure such as a disposable diaper which can incorporate an elastic net into portions of the structure. The elastic net can be inserted in a stretched condition between first and second layers of the structure and bonded to the layers while in the stretched condition. Subsequent relaxation of the elastic net can result in gathering of the structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,407 to Ness discloses elastic fabrics which include an elastic member, which may be an elastic net, intermittently bonded to a substrate which prior to stretching is less easily extensible than the elastic member. The nonelastic member is bonded to the elastic member and the entire composite is rendered elastic by stretching and relaxation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,964 to Wideman discloses a bulked composite web which can be prepared by bonding a gatherable web to a differentially stretched elastic net. Subsequent relaxation of the differentially stretched net is said to result in gathering of the fabric.
These and other elastic nonwoven fabrics and the processes for manufacturing them can suffer from various disadvantages. In some instances, the fibers are not firmly anchored into the composite web so that following repeated stretch and relaxation, fiber shedding and pilling can be problematic. In other instances, the nonwoven net is insufficiently integrated into the composite fibrous structure so that separation of the net can occur and/or the fabric can lose elastic properties. In other instances, the fabric exhibits a low extensibility which is well below the possible extensibility afforded by the elastic net. In addition, the manufacturing processes associated with prior art fabrics can involve complicated and difficult manufacturing steps increasing the cost of the fabric and/or decreasing the fabric uniformity.


A docking module facilitates conversion of a portable computer between a lap-top mode of operation and a desk-top mode of operation by permitting simultaneous attachment of the computer to a plurality of electrical connectors thereby eliminating the need for individual cable connections between the computer and the respective individual apparatus. Toggle latches that attach the docking module to the computer chassis contain spring biased latches designed to emit an audible signal indicating proper alignment between the complementary connectors on the facing surfaces of the docking module and the computer chassis, whereby toggling of the latches can be undertaken without danger of damaging the connectors.

Lap-top computers are characterized by design demands that are unique as compared with personal or other computers of conventional design. Most importantly, in addition to being durable, they must be of compact construction in order that they will be sufficiently small and of light weight to enable their being readily carried, held and manipulated for lap-top use. Also, due the portable nature of the apparatus, recognition must be given to the fact that the computer will be employed in locations presenting diverse positional requirements and operational demands that must be accommodated. Furthermore, it is desirable that such apparatus be sufficiently versatile in design as to enable utilization also as a desk top apparatus. Consequently, the apparatus must be readily convertible from one form of apparatus to the other.
The invention described herein relates to equipment that facilitates electrical connection of a portable computer to one or more pieces of ancillary hardware to enhance utilization of the computer as a desk-top type of apparatus.
Personal computers having the dual capability of use in the desk-top mode as well as in a lap-top mode are known. One such computer organization is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,456, granted Feb. 18, 1986 to D. C. Paulsen et al. Such personal computer organizations, however, suffer the disadvantage that conversion from one form of use to the other necessitates the individual connection to or disconnection from the computer of the respective ancillary support devices, e.g., CRT, modem, etc., with which the computer can be used in its desk-top mode of operation. Separate attachment of the respective connectors that effect connection between the computer and the ancillary support devices is not only time consuming and arduous, but also introduces the danger of damage of the respective connectors each time that a connection is made or unmade.
It is to the amelioration of these problems, therefore, to which the present invention is directed.


A wireless communication device includes a mobile wireless communication signal creation and reception circuit (310) coupled to a resonator (320) capable of sending and/or receiving wireless communication signals. A parasitic element (340) is coupled to the resonator (320) in an approximately orthogonal arrangement such that the parasitic element (340) and the resonator (320) resonate together to send and/or receive a wireless communication signal. Preferably, the parasitic element (340) and resonator (320) are contained within a housing (520) of a wireless communication device handset (500) to provide improved communications with a satellite (700).

Wireless communication devices of various kinds are known in the art. Such devices necessarily employ resonators, antennas, or other means of sending and receiving signals. The design for a particular antenna will vary depending on the size and signal constraints for the wireless communication device or system.
Size and signal constraints are of particular importance in wireless communication device handsets such as mobile stations or mobile phones. As the use of such mobile units becomes more widespread, wireless communication system operators add more features to the units to increase their marketability and usefulness to users. As part of the increased scope of features, system operators now offer features that require communication between the wireless communication device and one or more satellites. An example of such a feature includes the detection of a Global Positioning System ("GPS") signal from GPS satellites that allows a user or system operator to track the geographic position of the phone. Many wireless communication devices, such as handheld mobile phones, however, have antenna reception patterns that prevent reliable performance of features dependant on communication with a satellite.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Wireless communication device antenna for improved communication with a satellite


A magnetic head assembly includes a thin film magnetic core and a conductive coil wound around the magnetic core. A constant direct bias current is applied to the conductive coil during a reading operation to reduce a noise caused by the "wiggles" phenomenon.

The present invention relates to a thin film magnetic head which is used for writing and reading information to and from a magnetic recording medium.
A thin film magnetic head includes a thin film magnetic core around which is wound a conductive coil. Conventional thin film magnetic heads exhibit an operational defect, known as "wiggles" to those skilled in the art. This defect may become more pronounced after a write current, applied to the coil during a write operation, changes the core magnetization (i.e., the magnetic domain patterns of the magnetic core), when such change persists after termination of the write current. In accordance with the "wiggles" phenomenon, when a magnetic field is applied from a recorded magnetic medium to the magnetic core in a read operation, there is a disturbance of the read signal from the coil caused by noise generated with a change in the magnetic core magnetization.
To help prevent this defect, it is necessary to stabilize the magnetic core magnetization against the strong magnetic field applied to the magnetic core during a write operation, as is proposed by K. Ohashi in the document entitled "Mechanism of 90.degree. Wall Motion in Thin Film Heads", IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. MAG-21, No. 5, pp, 1581-1583, September, 1985. To this end, the conventional thin film magnetic head is required to have a magnetic core whose contents (e.g., Ni, Fe, and so on) by weight percentages are strictly controlled to be within certain ranges, and whose axis of easy magnetization is at a right angle with respect to the applied magnetic field. As to the latter, i.e., the angle of the easy magnetization axis, to obtain the required angular relationship, strict control of the physical characteristic of almost all the magnetic head components is required. These components include the protective layer, the insulating layer, the conductive coil, etc. of the magnetic head. Conflicting with these requirements is the fact that the weight percentage control and the physical characteristic control have certain limits due to manufacturing limitations, so that the defect called "wiggles" is difficult to reduce.

Thin film magnetic head assembly and method of operation thereof immune from wiggles


A lens-fitted photo film unit includes an electronic flash unit. A flash readiness indicator is secured to a housing, for illuminating to signal readiness of the flash unit upon charging. An attention information indicator having optical transmittance is secured to an end portion of the flash readiness indicator removably to protrude from the housing, for illuminating in response to illumination of the flash readiness indicator visibly from an object side. Also, the flash unit includes a flash light source for applying flash light to a photographic field. A flash circuit controls the flash light source. A signaling light-emitting element emits light in response to completion of charging of the flash circuit. The flash readiness indicator comprises a light conducting optical element for conducting the light from the signaling light-emitting element to an outside of the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for photographing provided with a flash unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for photographing an image and with which attention of a person to be photographed can be drawn to the device body while flash light is applied to the person.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
Various types of cameras as optical instruments are known as devices for photographing an image of a landscape, person, animal and the like, for example a lens-fitted photo film unit, photographic camera, digital still camera and the like. A photographing lens in the camera is directed to a person as an object for framing. A shutter release button is depressed to photograph an image. In general, a user handling the camera makes the person draw attention to the camera by calling with voices or sounds for the purpose of pointing of a line of sight of the object. Also, a doll or other conspicuous articles may be moved or shaken in the vicinity of the camera to have the object look at the camera.
If a user wishes to photograph a baby, pet or other animals as the object, it is likely that the object does not watch the camera because of lack of understanding the intention of aiming at the object with the camera. It is very difficult to encourage him or her to draw attention to the camera.
JP-A 2003-078792 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,973 disclose a type of the camera having a sound source and light source, for encouraging a person to draw attention to the camera.
However, the use of the doll or other conspicuous articles for encouraging attention to the camera requires a large additional preparation. Also, an assistant to the user must cooperate for the purpose of shaking the doll or other conspicuous articles because the user cannot easily photograph an image in shaking the doll or other conspicuous articles. In relation to the known structure of the camera according to the above document, a controller and electric power are required in addition to the sound source and light source. This will raise the cost and enlarge the size of the camera.

Device for photographing provided with flash unit


A system and method for providing access to and gaining access to document services using a printed coupon. The printed coupon contains one or more machine-readable symbols describing the document services to which a holder of the coupon is entitled. The document services include faxing, printing, copying, email, electronic file access, scan to email, scan to file and document services.

It is often desirable to control access to devices and computer systems that provide document services. By document services, it is meant the capabilities and facilities for the processing and manipulation of documents, whether in digital or hardcopy form. Examples of document services comprise printing, copying, faxing, electronic mail, electronic file access, scanning and document processing. An example of a document processing service is optical character recognition.
Numerous approaches have been developed to control access to devices and computer systems that provide document services. These approaches include key-cards, biometric access control systems, traditional computer and network authentication systems such as password access control and device access lists, and coin-boxes requiring payment, and hence de facto authorization for access, at the point of need.
However, these approaches do not readily provide a mechanism to simply, rapidly and cost-effectively provide access to document services on one or more devices while still providing a simple means for distribution of the document-services access mechanism and the centralized management of document services access.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved method for providing access to document services.

System for providing document services using a coupon with a coupon scanning device


A crash box (10) for a motor vehicle, is made of a polymeric material and has a first open frontal extremity (12) and a second rear extremity (14). The crash box (10) includes a structure (20) substantially alveolar defined by a plurality of channels (30) realized in just one piece, each of which extends internally to the crash box starting form the first open frontal extremity (12) towards the second rear extremity (14). The crash box includes stiffening elements (50) of the second rear extremity, which are able to stiffen the plurality of channels (30) only in proximity of the second rear extremity 14. Preferably the stiffening elements (50) are directly integrated with the second rear extremity (14), in particular internally to the same, and are preferably made of a polymeric material having a good impact strength.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention refers to a crash box applicable in the automotive field and in particular usable as sacrificial element in a bumper structure of a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically a crash box is able to absorb a portion of kinetic energy during a crash of a motor vehicle against an obstacle fixed or mobile.
In particular the present invention is referred to a crash box of polymeric type, of the type realized in particular through injection molding and having a substantially alveolar structure, in such a way to have a good impact strength and high rigidity, accompanied with a reduced weight.
Each crash box shows a first frontal extremity which stand for first the crash, and a second rear extremity, which is constrained to a frame of the vehicle.
Each crash box is in fact designed for having in the case of crash a permanent plastic deformation and a programmed collapse starting from a frontal portion towards a second rear portion of the same determining consequently a plurality of folding starting from said frontal portion towards said second rear portion.
In this way each crash box is able to absorb and to progressively dissipate a portion of kinetic energy through plastic deformation and by means of the propagation of said plurality of folding, maintaining a reduced volume and weight.
A disadvantage of the polymeric crash boxes is that, in the case of a crash force angled respect to the first frontal extremity, it determines a bending moment which compromise the stability and, often determines a sudden failure or a deformation of the rear extremity of the crash boxes, compromising their correct working during the same crash.
Another analogue disadvantage is that in the case of a failure of a support element constrained to said second rear extremity, it determines an intensification of the stresses on said second rear extremity compromising the functionality of the crash box.
This because also in this case the plurality of folding start from said second rear extremity.


A method for testing a virtual network component deployed in a virtual private cloud (VPC) includes deploying a test agent in a first VPC. The method further includes establishing a VPC peering connection with a device under test (DUT) deployed in a second VPC separate from the first VPC. The method further includes transmitting test traffic from the test agent to the DUT over the VPC peering connection.

A virtual private cloud is a pool of computing resources within a public cloud that can be allocated to a cloud user and isolated from other users of the public cloud. When a user desires to test one or more virtual network components that operate within a VPC, one possibility for running the test is to instantiate a test agent within the same VPC as the component being tested (referred to herein as the device under test or (DUT)). However, one problem with deploying a test agent within the same VPC as the component being tested is that VPC resources consumed by the test agent are not available to the device under test. As a result, the presence of the test agent in the same VPC as the DUT can affect results of the test.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved method for testing virtual network components deployed in VPCs.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for testing virtual network components deployed in virtual private clouds (VPCs)