Disclosed is an optical mouse which can move a cursor on a display screen of a computer system by totally reflecting light, which is emitted from a light source and is reflected upon a surface after transmitting a glass, using a prism and varying a light path to condense the light on a light-receiving lens so as to allow an optical sensor to sense an image. The optical mouse includes a light source for emitting light, an irradiating lens for irradiating the light emitted from the light source to a surface, a light-receiving lens for condensing light irregularly reflected upon the surface in the light emitted from the light source and irradiated through the irradiating lens, a total reflection prism for allowing the light emitted from the light source and irradiated through the irradiating lens to be located on a path where totally reflected light upon the surface advances, after transmitting a transparent material such as a glass, and reflecting incident light through a reflecting surface to be condensed on the light-receiving lens, and an optical sensor for sensing the light condensed through the light-receiving lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical mouse, and more particularly to, an optical mouse which can move a cursor on a display screen of a computer system by totally reflecting light, which is emitted from a light source and is reflected upon a surface after transmitting through a glass, using a prism and varying a light path to condense the light on a light-receiving lens so as to allow an optical sensor to sense an image.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, in a mouse used as a main input means of a computer, a mechanically moving portion, for example, a ball mouse having a ball has problems in that sliding occurs due to dust and a user""s movement may not be exactly transferred to a display screen of a computer system when the user moves the ball mouse. Also, a problem arises in that it is difficult to use the ball mouse for a long time due to abrasion of the ball and parts in contact with the ball.
To solve such problems, there has been suggested an optical mouse. The optical mouse includes a sensor array consisting of a plurality of optical sensors, optical parts for condensing light reflected upon the optical sensors, and mechanical structures.
FIG. 1 shows a relationship between a surface and a sensor array. Referring to FIG. 1, light emitted from a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) is reflected upon the surface, and cells of optical sensors of the sensor array sense the reflected light.
FIG. 2 shows tracking by comparison of bitmaps. Referring to FIG. 2, a sensor array consisting of a plurality of optical sensors compares bitmaps generated by sensing light, so that movement and direction of devices are provided by movement of a cursor of a computer system.
At this time, the generated bitmaps are constituted by a quadratic equation (1 or 0).
FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a related art optical mouse.
Referring to FIG. 3, a reference numeral 11 denotes a button pressed by a user, a reference numeral 12 denotes a switch turned on/off depending on the operation of the button 11, and a reference numeral 13 denotes a circuit board that supports the switch 12.
Also, a reference numeral 14 denotes a light source that emits light, a reference numeral 15 denotes a lens for condensing light, and a reference numeral 16 denotes a housing that supports the overall structure. A reference numeral 17 denotes a lens integrated circuit (IC) that includes a sensor array, a logic circuit, and an inverter. A reference numeral 18 denotes a surface and a reference numeral 19 denotes an optical guide that guides light from the surface 18 to the lens IC 17.
The operation of the aforementioned optical mouse will briefly be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Light emitted from the light source 14 and reflected upon the surface 18 is condensed by the lens 15 and transferred to cells of the optical sensor of the lens IC 17, so that the optical sensor array converts moving optical images sensed by light to circuit signals. Thus, the converted circuit signals are transferred to a computer system to be displayed on a display screen by moving a cursor.
That is, since most of the emitted light is reflected upon a general surface, sufficient light to be sensed by the sensor is obtained. Accordingly, no problem arises in that the optical mouse is operated.
However, the optical mouse, as shown in FIG. 5, has a surface far away from a glass by a thickness of the glass in transferring the light to the sensor. In this case, light of 90% or greater is transmitted on the glass to cause the amount of the reflected light to be inadequate, thereby resulting in that the sensor fails to sens the light. For this reason, a problem arises in that the sensor does not function as a control device.
In other words, the aforementioned optical mouse is based on light irregularly reflected upon the surface. As shown in FIG. 5, light which has not passed through a transparent medium such as a glass is absolutely lacking in the amount of irregularly reflected light. After all, the aforementioned related art optical mouse has several problems. The optical sensor fails to sense images on the glass so as not to move a cursor of a display screen of the computer system. This is because the light-receiving lens and the sensor are set at a particular point in an irregularly reflected light path on the surface under the circumstances that there is no transparent medium, at the time of design of the optical mouse, so as not to allow the reflected light which has transmitted through the transparent medium to advance the light-receiving lens and the sensor.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an optical mouse which can move a cursor on a display screen of a computer system by totally reflecting light, which is emitted from a light source and is reflected upon a surface after transmitting a glass, using a prism and varying a light path to condense the light on a light-receiving lens so as to allow an optical sensor to sense an image.
To achieve the above object, there is provided an optical mouse which includes a light source for emitting light, an irradiating lens for irradiating the light emitted from the light source to a surface, a light-receiving lens for condensing light irregularly reflected upon the surface in the light emitted from the light source and irradiated through the irradiating lens, a total reflection prism for allowing the light emitted from the light source and irradiated through the irradiating lens to be located on a path where totally reflected light upon the surface advances, after transmitting through a transparent material such as glass, and reflected incident light by a reflecting surface to be condensed on the light-receiving lens, and an optical sensor for sensing the light condensed through the light-receiving lens.
The optical mouse according to the present invention is characterized in that the irradiating lens, the light-receiving lens, and the total reflection prism are formed in an integral form with one another.

Optical mouse using a total reflection prism


To provide a write amplifier that is connected to bit lines, a read amplifier that is connected to the bit lines via a first switch, and a relief memory element that includes a write port that is connected to the bit lines via a second switch, and a read port that is connected to the read amplifier via a third switch. When there is a request to access a defective memory cell, during a write operation, the second switch is turned on and write data is supplied from the write amplifier to the relief memory element via the bit lines, and during a read operation, the first switch is turned off and the third switch is turned on, and then read data read from the relief memory element is supplied to the read amplifier without being routed via the bit lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a data processing system including the same, and more particularly relates to a semiconductor device that can relieve sporadically occurring bit defects and a data processing system including the semiconductor device.
2. Description of Related Art
A memory capacity of semiconductor memory devices, represented by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), is increasing in recent years due to progress in downsizing techniques. However, advancement in downsizing has given rise to increasing numbers of defective memory cells per chip. When a memory cell is defective, it is replaced by a redundant memory cell, and the defective address is relieved.
Generally, a defective address is stored in a fuse circuit including a plurality of program fuses. When an access request is made with respect to a defective address, a control is performed in the fuse circuit whereby a redundant memory cell is accessed instead of the defective memory cell. Such defective addresses are detected during a screening test performed at a wafer state. The program fuse is cut by irradiation of a laser beam, according to the detected defective address.
However, even after the address replacement described above, there may be sporadic occurrences of defective bits due to heat stress or the like during packaging. If the defective bits are found after packaging, address replacement by irradiation of the laser beam can no longer be performed, due to which the product will have to be regarded as defective.
To provide a solution to the above problem, a method has been proposed whereby, in addition to address replacement by irradiation of a laser beam, there is provided a defect relief circuit that can relieve a small number of defective bits found after packaging. In this method, instead of a fuse circuit that requires irradiation of the laser beam, a non-volatile storage circuit that is writable electrically is used as a storage circuit for storing defective addresses. A so-called "anti-fuse circuit" in which dielectric breakdown of an oxidized film is employed is used as such a memory circuit.
Because the number of defective bits found after packaging is very few compared to the number of defective bits found during a screening test, it is preferable that replacement is performed in units of bits instead of in units of word lines or bit lines. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 2002-298596, 2008-71407, 2004-158069, and 2006-268970 describe such a semiconductor device that can relieve sporadic bit defects.
A semiconductor memory device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-298596 is a DRAM in which relief memory elements constituted by SRAM cells are placed in a sense amplifier array of a memory cell array to relieve sporadic bit defects.
A semiconductor memory device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-71407 is also a DRAM in which relief memory elements are connected to an output terminal of a read amplifier and an input terminal of a write amplifier to relieve sporadic bit defects.
In the semiconductor memory device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-71407, a relief circuit is placed at a previous stage to an input/output circuit (a FIFO circuit) that is connected to an external data terminal and in parallel to a main amplifier (150) that reads data from a regular memory cell (110) (FIG. 1). Furthermore, the relief circuit is placed in parallel to a write amplifier WB that writes the data to the regular memory cell (110) (FIG. 3).
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-158069, there is described an arrangement whereby a relief circuit is placed within a LOGIC macro located outside of a DRAM macro (FIG. 2). Furthermore, the relief circuit is placed in parallel, via a selector, to an input/output bus (MUXOUT) that connects the DRAM macro and the LOGIC macro (FIG. 3).
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-268970, there is described an arrangement whereby a first relief bit register is placed in parallel to a first read/write amplifier via a read/write bus that is connected to a DQ input/output buffer circuit.
However, in the semiconductor memory device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-298596, because the relief memory elements are placed in the sense amplifier array, it is necessary that a line and space value (L/S) of transistors, wirings, and contacts that constitute the relief memory elements is identical, respectively, to a line and space value (L/S) of transistors, wirings, and contacts that constitute the sense amplifiers, to prevent an area of the memory cell array from increasing. This can lead to an increase in the possibility of a defect occurring in the relief memory element itself. Redundant I/O circuits can be used to relieve the defect in the relief memory element. However, it is not realistic to have a defect occurring in the circuit itself that is introduced to relieve sporadic bit defects, and then having to increase the number of I/O bus to relieve the defect.
Furthermore, in the semiconductor memory device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-298596, because the relief memory elements are placed inside the memory cell array, a distance between the main amplifier (a circuit including a read amplifier and a write amplifier) and the relief memory elements can increase largely depending on a position of a memory block. Moreover, a distance of each of the relief memory elements dispersed throughout the memory block from the main amplifier greatly differs from that of the other relief memory elements. As a result, a read margin and a write margin of the main amplifier for each relief memory element differs greatly, making it necessary to vary operation timings of the main amplifier and the relief memory elements according to the position of the memory block. This makes controlling very complicated.
Furthermore, in the semiconductor memory device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-298596, when the sense amplifier and the main amplifier are connected by hierarchized data buses (for example, lower local I/O lines and upper main I/O lines) to take care of the greatly increased distances between the main amplifier and the relief memory elements, contact resistances and the like among multi-layer hierarchy degrade a time constant of the hierarchized data buses having large parasitic capacitances. This leads to a prominent difference in access margins that differ according to the position of the memory block.
Meanwhile, in the semiconductor memory device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-71407, the relief memory elements are connected to the output terminals of the read amplifiers and the input terminals of the write amplifiers. Therefore, it is necessary to connect a large number of elements to the relief memory elements, and this makes controlling complicated.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Semiconductor device and data processing system including the same


On account of the constructional form of the tool head (17) according to the invention, the opposite sides (18, 19) of a tool (13) attached to the tool spindle (14) of a numerically controlled continuously generating gear grinding or hobbing machine are capable of machining the upper and lower sets of teeth (2, 3) of a double-sided face-gear (1) in one and the same set-up and without disturbing the synchronization between the rotations of the grinding worm and workpiece maintained during the grinding of the first set of teeth, without risk of collision. This eliminates the need to reset the workpiece (1) between the machining of the two sets of teeth (2, 3), thereby shortening the overall machining time substantially, and allowing the avoidance of accuracy losses due to the resetting of the workpiece (1).

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a process and a device for the grinding or hobbing of the teeth of face-gears.
2. Prior Art
Thanks to the modern NC technology on present day machine tools, it has become possible to machine the teeth of crown-gears or face-gears to maximum precision by the continuous generating process. The decisive step to this end was the solving of the task of making the required geometrically very intricate worm-shaped tool to the necessary degree of accuracy.
High precision face-gears afford advantages in helicopter gears, amongst other things, because angular drive designs are then possible which would be impossible or at least far more difficult to construct with bevel gears. There are gear designs in existence, for example, which in spite of high transmitted power are of compact dimensions and light in weight, thanks to torque splitting. Torque splitting means that in the course of transmission to an output shaft the input torque is divided up and applied to the same driven gear via two or more tooth engagements. For a specified power, this measure allows the driven gear to be made smaller, and hence lighter.
An advantageous design for such a gear stage with torque splitting requires a driven face-gear which has two opposite sets of teeth on its periphery. Engaging with each of these sets of teeth is a pinion which transmits half of the total torque. It is of particular importance for the optimum exploitation of torque splitting that the division of the torque is very exact. With respect to their angular position about the axis of rotation, therefore, the two sets of face-gear teeth must be aligned very accurately one to the other.
The manufacture of such double-sided face-gears has as yet been very complicated, and must be performed in two operations:
1. Machining of the first set of teeth; then removal, reversal and renewed setting up of the workpiece.
2. Exact alignment of the already machined set of teeth relative to the machining tool, such that the second set of teeth is machined at the specified position relative to the first set; then machining of the second set of teeth.
This process is time consuming, and embodies the risk of accuracy loss.
It is an object of the invention to introduce a process and a device which considerably facilitate the manufacture of such double-sided face-gears, and which assure a higher attainable accuracy. This task is achieved by way of a process for the continuous grinding or hobbing of the teeth of a double-sided face-gear having a first and a second set of teeth on a numerically controlled face-gear grinding or hobbing machine, the machine comprising NC machine axes X, Y and Z and a grinding or hobbing tool, the process comprising the steps of
machining said first set of teeth (3), wherein said face-gear and said grinding or hobbing tool are rotated in a synchronized manner relative to each other during the machining,
moving and aligning said grinding or hobbing tool by means of said NC machine axes X, Y and Z with respect to its angular position and its location relative to said double-sided face-gear in a position required for machining said second set of teeth, wherein said movement and alignment is made without interrupting said synchronization between the rotations of said grinding or hobbing tool and said face-gear, and
machining said second set of teeth
This task is furthermore achieved by a device for the continuous generating grinding or hobbing of teeth of a double-sided face-gear having a first and a second set of teeth on a numerically controlled continuous generating gear grinding or hobbing machine, the device comprising
a work spindle defining a workpiece axis,
a work fixture for setting up said face-gear on said work spindle,
a tool head movable relative to said face-gear via NC-axes X, Y and Z of the grinding or hobbing machine, the tool head comprising a tool spindle and
a worm-shaped tool attached to said tool spindle and located in bearings in said tool head, the tool having on its circumference a first and a second zone, wherein the second zone is located opposite the first zone,
wherein the rotations of said face-gear and said worm-shaped tool being synchronized one to the other according to a total number of teeth of said first set of teeth and a total number of thread starts on said worm tool, wherein due to the constructional form of said tool head, both said first zone and said second zone of said tool can alternatively be brought into machining engagement with said first set of teeth and the second set of teeth of said face-gear, without collision between the latter and said tool head.
The invention is explained in the following by the example of grinding the two sets of teeth of a double-sided face-gear on a numerically controlled continuous generating face-gear grinding machine. It is however equally applicable in the same sense to a numerically controlled face-gear hobbing machine.
According to the invention the process consists in the use of an especially designed tool head that allows the worm-shaped tool to be engaged on two opposite sides to machine the two sets of teeth of a double-sided face-gear in one and the same set-up, without disturbing the synchronization maintained between the grinding worm rotation and workpiece rotation while grinding the first set of teeth.
A number of advantages are thereby gained simultaneously:
1. The removal and resetting of the workpiece to grind the second set of teeth are dispensed with, which shortens the overall machining time substantially.
2. The workpiece and work fixture need therefore only be designed for one set-up configuration.
3. The two machined sets of teeth run very exactly concentric and in angular definition to each other, which results in an improved quality in load distribution.
4. The mutual rotational alignment of the sets of teeth can be effected very easily and to high precision via the control system, which likewise contributes to an increase in the overall gearing quality.
A further special advantage of the process according to the invention is that it is possible to grind topologically corrected double-sided face-gears, where the topology is produced by modifications to the tool flank profile, one after the other without having to re-profile or exchange the tool between the two operations. This is due to the fact that during machining, the working and non-working flanks of both sets of teeth make contact with the same portions of the tool, whereas in the conventional method with resetting of the workpiece between the machining of the first and second sets of teeth the allocation of the tool flanks to the workpiece flanks alters.

Machining the teeth of double sided face gears


In a system, at least two picker support elements are positioned adjacent a transport surface that is moving workpieces, and at least two picking elements are connected to each of the picker support elements. The picking elements have physical picking features that remove the workpieces from the transport surface and move the workpieces to another location. A controller is operatively connected to the picker support elements and the picking elements, and the controller independently controls the picker support elements and the picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with a dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of the workpieces being moved by the transport surface.

Embodiments herein generally relate to manufacturing transport systems, and more particularly to systems that use a controller to independently control picker support elements and picking elements to dynamically position the picking elements in coordination with the dynamic size, spacing, and transport speed of workpieces being moved by a transport surface.
High-speed digital printing systems exist that offer the ability to print, cut, and package custom signage. This is accomplished through tandem or individual printers, a programmable laser sign cutter, a stacking system, and shrink-wrap packaging line. Since only the sign printing and cutting methods are completely flexible, the collating/stacking system remains as the limiting factor in having a fully flexible system (since it is limited to only compiling signs of a certain size and shape). Major redesign of the collating/stacking system would be required in order to efficiently handle anything other than the current fixed-size options. There is now demand for a more flexible system to enable a wide variety of quick turnaround, variable data signage with a much broader range of size and shape.


Perfluorocarboxylic acid fluorides represented by the formula A-B, wherein A is either ##STR1## and B stands for a perfluoro-di-substituted amino group, and perfluoro(dialkylaminopropenes) represented by the formula A"-B", wherein A" stands for ##STR2## and B" has the same meaning as B defined above, are novel compounds. Methods for the production of these novel compounds are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to novel perfluorocarboxylic acid fluorides, nitrogen-containing perfluoropropenes, and a method for the production of these compounds. More particularly, this invention relates to perfluoro(dialkylaminobutyryl fluorides) and perfluoro(dialkylaminopropenes) which are useful intermediates for the manufacture of fluorine-containing products such as surfactants, agricultural pesticides, and medicines and for the synthesis of fluorine-containing macromolecular monomers and to a method for efficient production of these compounds from readily available raw materials.
2. Prior Art Statement
In recent years, fluorine-containing compounds of various kinds have been developed. For example, perfluorocarboxylic acid fluorides such as perfluorocaprylyl fluoride and olefin compounds such as perfluoroolefins containing a perfluoro(N,N-dialkyl)amino group (described more fully later) have found extensive utility as intermediates for the synthesis of surfactants, dyes, agricultural pesticides, and medicines and as monomers for the manufacture of fluorine-containing macromolecular compounds, for example.
The perfluorocarboxylic acid fluorides mentioned above have been heretofore produced mainly by the electrolytic fluorination method. Beside this method, a method employing the reaction of R.sub.f I with SO.sub.3 or with ClSO.sub.3 H (French Pat. No. 1,343,661 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,240) and a method employing the oxidation of R.sub.f CH.dbd.CCl.sub.2 (Japanese Patent Public Disclosure SHO 60(1985)-188345) (wherein R.sub.f stands for a perfluoroalkyl group) are known to the art.
The only perfluorocarboxylic acid fluorides containing a nitrogen atom as a hetero atom known to the art are, perfluoro(N,N-dimethylaminoacetyl fluoride) ["Journal of American Chemical Society", vol. 80, page 1,889 (1959)], perfluoro (.beta.-alkylaminopropionyl fluorides) (U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,484), and perfluoro(.alpha.-alkylaminopropionyl fluorides) (Japanese Patent Applications SHO 60(1985)-103042 and SHO 60(1985)-166,888). No other long-chain carboxylic acid fluoride containing a perfluorodialkylamino group are known to exist.
Fluorine-containing olefin compounds will now be described. For example, perfluoroolefins containing a perfluoro(N,N-dialkyl)amino group possess a double bond as a portion for reaction. By using these compounds as an intermediate raw material, therefore, various useful compounds possessing the perfluoro(N,N-dialkylamino) group can be produced. When these perfluoroolefins are copolymerized with other fluoroolefins to effect incorporation of the perfluoro(N,N-dialkylamino) group in the products of the copolymerization, the produced copolymers enjoy improvements in crystallinity and mechanical properties.
As the perfluoroolefins described above, perfluoro(N-vinylamines) such as perfluoro(N,N-dimethylvinylamines) (U.S. Pat. No. 3,311,599), perfluoro(N-vinylpyrrolidines) (Japanese Patent JP 62-22755(1987)), perfluoro(N-vinylmorpholines) ["Journal of Chemical Society", Perkin I, page 5 (1973)], and perfluoro(N-vinylpiperidine) ["Journal of Chemical Society", (C) page 2,608 (1968)] and perfluoro[3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-2-propene] ["Journal of Chemical Society", Perkin I, page 1,633 (1975)] are currently known. Among these perfluoroolefins, perfluoro[3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-2-propene], which is the only known perfluoro[(N,N-dialkyl)propenylamine], is synthesized by a two-step reaction methodologically, i.e. (1) first causing radical addition reaction of N-bromobistrifluoromethylamine with 1H-pentafluoropropene-1 thereby obtaining a 1:1 adduct and (2) then subjecting the 1:1 adduct to a dehydrogen bromide reaction thereby forming an unsaturated bond in the reaction product.
To be specific, the two-step reaction is represented by reaction formulas as follows. ##STR3##
This method, however, has an inherent defect in that it is incapable of synthesizing (CF.sub.3).sub.2 NCF.sub.2 CF.dbd.CF.sub.2 as a terminal olefin. Further, the synthesis of(CF.sub.3).sub.2 NBr and CH.sub.3 CF.sub.2 .dbd.CHF as raw materials requires many complicated treatment steps. Since this method necessitates the two-step key reaction mentioned above, it has another disadvantage in that it is complicated operationally. When this method is applied to the synthesis of another kind of perfluoroalkenylamine, ##STR4## the synthesis of a perfluoroalkylamino radical donor, ##STR5## wherein X is Cl, Br, or F), indispensable to the synthesis of the 1:1 adduct as a precursor, is difficult. Thus, this method has a disadvantage in that it cannot be easily utilized for general purposes.

Agency of Industrial Science & Technology

Ministry of International Trade & Industry


The production method of an SiC single crystal is a production method of an SiC single crystal by a solution growth process. The production method includes a contact step A, a contact step B, and a growth step. In the contact step A, a partial region of the principal surface is brought into contact with a stored Si—C solution. In the contact step B, a contact region between the principal surface and the stored Si—C solution expands, due to a wetting phenomenon, starting from an initial contact region which is the partial region brought into contact in the contact step A. In the growth step, an SiC single crystal is grown on the principal surface which is in contact with the stored Si—C solution.

One method for producing an SiC single crystal is a solution growth process. In the solution growth process, a seed crystal is brought into contact with an Si—C solution to make an SiC single crystal grow on the seed crystal (see for example Patent Literature 1). The Si—C solution here refers to a solution in which C (carbon) is dissolved into a melt of Si or Si alloy. A seed crystal to be used for the solution growth process has generally a flat principal surface. The principal surface here refers to a dominant plane on which an SiC single crystal is to be grown. The seed crystal is disposed, for example, above the Si—C solution with the principal surface facing downward. Then, the principal surface is brought into contact with the liquid surface of the Si—C solution. Further, the seed crystal is put into a state in which only a vicinity of the principal surface is in contact with the Si—C solution, thereby making an SiC single crystal grow on the principal surface.
When an SiC single crystal is grown while only the vicinity of the principal surface of the seed crystal is in contact with the Si—C solution, the resulting SiC single crystal can be taken out without damaging it. Further, it is possible to suppress the formation of polycrystals. On the other hand, when an SiC single crystal is grown while the whole seed crystal is immersed in the Si—C solution, the aforementioned advantages will be hardly achieved. If, after the SiC single crystal is grown, the Si—C solution is caused to solidify with the whole seed crystal and the SiC single crystal that has grown thereon being immersed in the Si—C solution, the grown SiC single crystal may be subjected to stress due to shrinkage of the Si—C solution during solidification, thereby being broken. To avoid such a situation, it is conceivable that the seed crystal is immobilized at a shaft and immersed in the Si—C solution, thereby making an SiC single crystal grow. In this case, after the SiC single crystal is grown, the seed crystal and the SiC single crystal which has grown thereon can be taken out by lifting the shaft before the Si—C solution is solidified. For that reason, it is possible to suppress damage of the grown SiC single crystal. However, since polycrystalline SiC grows on the shaft in this method, the SiC crystal which grows on the seed crystal is likely to be polycrystallized.


A radio receiver includes a device for decreasing the data rate of reception data in accordance with the channel frequency of the reception data, and a device for performing signal processing for the reception data whose data rate has been decreased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio receiver and, more particularly, to a low-power-consumption radio receiver which can receive a plurality of different channel frequencies and can reduce power consumption.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various radio receivers such as portable telephones and mobile computers have been proposed. Recently, a software radio system has been proposed and developed.
This software radio system is characterized in that the same device can perform communications at different frequencies or by different communication schemes by making software changes.
A reduction in power consumption presents a significant challenge to a radio receiver, and more specifically, a portable radio receiver, and demands have arisen for the development of low-power consumption radio receiver.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation in the prior art, and has as its object to provide a low-power-consumption radio receiver which reduces power consumption by decreasing the data rate of reception data.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radio receiver comprising a device for decreasing a data rate of reception data in accordance with a channel frequency of the reception data, and a device for performing signal processing for the reception data whose data rate has been decreased.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radio receiver capable of receiving a plurality of different channel frequencies, comprising an A/D converter for A/D-converting a reception signal, a signal processing section for performing digital signal processing for a signal having undergone digital conversion in the A/D converter, and a sampling frequency changing device for changing a sampling frequency in the A/D converter in accordance with a frequency of the reception signal, or a data rate changing device for changing a data rate of the signal input to the signal processing section and having undergone digital conversion.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power consumption reducing method in a radio receiver, comprising the steps of decreasing a data rate of reception data, and performing signal processing for the reception data whose data rate has been decreased.
Power consumption poses a significant challenge to portable telephones, mobile computers, and the like. It is known that power consumption can be reduced in signal processing by decreasing the clock used for the processing. In the present invention, the clock required for signal processing is decreased by decreasing the data rate, thereby realizing a power consumption reducing effect.


A modular heat exchange system for use in a central heat exchange installation in buildings, including at least one heat exchange element equipped for exchanging heat between environmental air and a fluid which is conducted through the heat exchange element. The heat exchange element has a predetermined first shape with opposite lateral sides. At least one non-heat-exchange add-on element, equipped for adding a given additional functionality to the system, has a predetermined second shape with a complementary lateral side to one of the opposite lateral sides of the heat exchange element.

From EP 1 684 045 A2 a building heating system is known which is 10 composed of a plurality of plastic modular heat exchange elements. Each of the modular elements is composed of two horizontal sleeves and vertical ducts or branches, the ends of which are connected to the sleeves so as to enable the passage of heat exchange fluid, which enters from one of these sleeves, flows through the ducts or branches and exits from the other sleeve. Several modular elements are joined together to form a radiator by axially coupling the horizontal sleeves.
From EP 0 524 085 A1 a radiator is known which is made up of identical or similar heating elements, through which a heating fluid circulates, and making it possible to adapt its outer dimensions by juxtaposition of the heating elements. In accordance with the invention, each heating element forms a module comprising a square or rectangular body having a hydraulic circuit on the inside and hydraulic connection means for fluidly joining two juxtaposed modules together. The dimensions of each module are furthermore chosen such that the adjacent hydraulic connection means of two juxtaposed modules are spaced apart by a fixed distance which also corresponds to the distance separating two adjacent hydraulic connection means of the same module. This radiator system is applied in particular to the production of modular cast iron radiators, capable of being installed in situ with a desired geometry.
GB 2 243 678 A discloses a hot water radiator comprising a casing in which one or more modular units may be placed in order to adapt its length. Each unit uses a plastic flexible tubing arranged as a spiral or a coil as a source of radiant or convected heat.
EP 1 167 890 A2 discloses a system for the thermo regulation of a room, including radiant panels. The radiant panels are built up from thin rectangular cross-section channel elements which are assembled side-by-side by inserting them by extremities thereof into slits made in two manifolds for feeding them with thermovector liquid. The manifolds have ports that open into said slits. In one embodiment, the system has an angled configuration.
EP 1 069 390 A1 relates to a radiator having a feed and a return for a heating fluid and a plurality of hollow heating bodies, joined together by axially coupling their horizontal sleeves. One or more of the heating bodies shows an aperture for the insertion of electric lights.
From EP 0 115 674 A2 a room heating and/or cooling device is known comprising a housing, means for mounting the housing on a ceiling, a heat exchanger in the housing with an inlet and outlet connection for circulating heating water or cooling water, a room lighting fitting mounted directly below the housing and completely covering the bottom of the housing, an air inlet and an air outlet positioned in the margin of the light fitting, and a fan adapted to draw air into the inlet, over the heat exchanger and out through the outlet.
Many other heating systems are known which are composed of modular heating units which are coupled adjacent to each other.
These known heating/cooling systems have the disadvantage that their functionality is limited.

Modular room heat exchange system with light unit


A system that automatically configures the behavior of the display devices of a video conference endpoint. The controller may detect, at a microphone array having a predetermined physical relationship with respect to a camera, audio emitted from one or more loudspeakers, each loudspeaker having a predetermined physical relationship with respect to at least one of one or more display devices in a conference room. The controller may then generate data representing a spatial relationship between the one or more display devices and the camera based on the detected audio. Finally, the controller may assign video sources received by the endpoint to each of the one or more display devices based on the data representing the spatial relationship and the content of each received video source, and may also assign outputs from multiple video cameras to an outgoing video stream based on the on the data representing the spatial relationship.

Video conference endpoints are deployed in conference rooms. The conference rooms can differ in size and configuration which affects the, layout/placement of the video conference endpoint components in the conference room, and use of the conference room. The placement of the components within the conference room, such as the relationship and placement of the display screens with respect to the camera(s), affects the experience of participants of a conference session within the conference room. Because no two conference rooms are the same size and shape, a standard layout for a conference room is not possible. This results in different placements of the camera(s) with respect to the display screens of a conference room. Typically, an operator has to manually select which display screen is to receive specific video sources, including which display screen, or portion of a display screen, is to display the live video stream of the participants of the conference session that are present at another video conference endpoint. Such manual selection is cumbersome and inconvenient, and often does not place the live video stream of participants of the conference session from another video conference endpoint at a position that maximizes eye contact between participants at separate video conference endpoints.

Automated configuration of behavior of a telepresence system based on spatial detection of telepresence components


An automatic locking and unlocking unit for a vehicle will lock the doors of the vehicle when the ignition is turned on and will eventually unlock the doors when the ignition is turned off. The unit senses voltage levels in the wires attached to the ignition lock and then activates the appropriate functional circuit to either lock or unlock the doors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lock systems and more particularly pertains to an automatic door locking/unlocking device for an automotive vehicle which is designed to automatically lock and unlock the vehicle's doors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of automatic locking and unlocking devices for vehicles is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,718, which issued to Sasaki, et al on Mar. 5, 1985 discloses a door lock/unlock system for an automotive vehicle to include a safety device for preventing a mis-operation thereof. Another patent of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,776 which issued to Marcus Metz on Dec. 1, 1987 and which is directed to an electrical circuit that automatically locks door locks of a motor vehicle at a predetermined speed. A further patent of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,114 that issued to Mary Rippe on Jul. 18, 1989 and directed to a locking system for the doors of an automotive vehicle.
While all of these above-mentioned patents illustrate the fact that automatic locking technology is available in the prior art, non of these devices and their associated circuits provide for both automatic locking and unlocking of vehicle doors without any driver input. As such, there appears to be a need for some type of device which would provide both automatic locking and unlocking of vehicle doors without driver input and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

Automatic locking and unlocking unit for a vehicle


A fast installation/removal structure includes an upper board, a lower board, and an installation/removal lever. The upper board has hooking grooves and at least a positioning pin. The lower board has snap fitting devices and at least a sliding slot through which slidably inserts the positioning pin. A front end of the lever is pivotally connected to the lower board there below, and has a guide groove through which the positioning pin inserts. A rear end of the lever is externally accessible to allow manipulation by the user. With the circuit board securely fastened thereon, the upper board is placed on the lower board. The snap fitting devices respectively engage through the hooking grooves. By turning the lever, the positioning pin slides along the sliding slot to have the snap fitting devices respectively snap fit through the hooking grooves, thereby fastening the upper board to the lower board.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a fast installation/removal structure for a circuit board of an electric appliance. More particularly, the invention provides a fast installation/removal structure that uses a slidable snap fitting to install and remove easily the circuit board so that the maintenance of the electric appliance is convenient.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among the different components of an electric appliance, such as a computer unit, are usually a circuit board, a power supply, and a casing. The design of the circuit board conventionally determines the principal functions of the electric appliance. The power supply provides the electric power necessary to operate the electric appliance, and the casing externally protects all the components of the electric appliance. The circuit board of the electric appliance is further usually provided with the possibility of multiple extension connections to flexibly accommodate the need of the user.
The different components of the electric appliance conventionally:are produced by different manufacturers and are finally assembled in an assembly site. A fast and convenient assembly structure, suitable for different component designs from different manufacturers, is needed to reduce the assembly time and satisfy a demand of fast product delivery.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional installation/removal structure for the circuit board of the electric appliance consists of screw assembly 8 that engages through threaded holes of the circuit board 5 and lateral panel 7 of the casing of the electric appliance for attachment. In mass production, a tool is therefore needed to lock multiple screws 8, which is time-consuming and may be cumbersome.
When the circuit board of the electric appliance has to be tested or replaced, an adequate tool therefore has to be at hand to remove the screws. When the circuit board is installed, the manipulation of the screws, usually of small size, may cause the screw to be dropped and lost. As a result, an insufficient number of mounted fastening screws or, alternatively, the biased engagement of the screws, cause a poor attachment of the circuit board, which may be detrimental to normal operation of the electric appliance. In the worst situations, the screws may drop into the electric appliance and cause a short-circuit. Therefore, the conventional installation/removal structure not only is cumbersome, but may also cause a deterioration of the performance of the components of the electric appliance.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a fast installation/removal structure for a circuit board of an electric appliance that allows easy installation and removal of the circuit board and is suitable for different types of circuit board design. The maintenance of the circuit board is thereby convenient and the efficiency of the production is further improved.
It is another object of the invention to provide a fast installation/removal structure for a circuit board of an electric appliance that allows a secure assembly of the circuit board, which ensures a normal operation of the electric appliance.
To accomplish the above and other objectives, the fast installation/removal structure of the invention comprises an upper board, a lower board, and an installation/removal lever. The upper board includes a plurality of hooking grooves and at least a positioning pin. The lower board includes a plurality of snap fitting devices corresponding to the hooking grooves to fasten with the upper board, and at least a sliding slot through which slidably inserts the positioning pin. A front end of the lever closely lies under the bottom of the lower board and is pivotally connected thereto. The front end includes a guide groove through which the positioning pin inserts after the sliding slot of the lower board. A rear end of the lever is externally accessible to allow manipulation by the user. With the circuit board being securely fastened thereon, the upper board is placed on the lower board. The snap fitting devices of the lower board respectively engage through the hooking grooves of the upper board. By turning the rear end of the lever, the user drives the slide of the positioning pin along the sliding slot of the lower base to have cause the, snap fitting devices respectively to snap fit with the hooking grooves, thereby fastening the upper board with the lower board.
To provide a further understanding of the invention, the following detailed description illustrates embodiments and examples of the invention that are provided for explaining the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

Fast installation/removal structure for circuit board


Methods and apparatus for providing data security, in particular for cloud computing environments, are described. In an embodiment, a software component monitors events at a node in a computing system and on detection of an event of a particular type, interrupts a message associated with the event. Before the message is allowed to continue towards its intended destination, a security template is selected based on the message (e.g. the data in the message and identifiers within the message) and this template is used to determine what data protection methods are applied to each data element in the message. A modified data packet is created by applying the security template and then this modified data packet is inserted into the message in place of the data packet in the interrupted message.

Traditionally, enterprises have maintained the security of their data by keeping the data within a firewall. The advent of cloud computing, however, offers two main benefits to the consumer: sharing of infrastructure (computer storage and processing services) and sharing of applications (software services) to reduce capital expenditure and total cost of ownership. With cloud computing, software, platforms, and infrastructure can be provided as services to enterprises or individual users. The benefits of cloud computing solutions, however, come with increased risks in relation to data security because potentially sensitive data is stored and processed on servers owned by third parties and is likely to be passed between servers within the cloud.
There are many known methods which can be used to obfuscate data (which may also be referred to as 'data masking') to protect the sensitive parts, e.g. identifiable patient data in a healthcare application or personal financial data in a banking application, and these methods include encryption of the data (e.g. using a data transformation algorithm such as AES128) and surrogation of the data (e.g. by systematically replacing certain text with alternative values). In an example of a data security system, data that needs to be accessed by a third party may be copied from a database storing the original data to a second database and stored in obfuscated form on that second database. The third party can then be granted access to the obfuscated data in the second database and this prevents the third party from having any ability to access to the original sensitive data. Such a system, however, is not suitable for implementation in a cloud computing environment, because the system provides a very static solution and cannot respond to the dynamic transportation of data across multiple servers or the setting up of processing capability on demand.
The embodiments described below are not limited to implementations which solve any or all of the disadvantages of known methods of providing data security.

Data security in a cloud computing environment


A method of operating a transformerless inverter connected on the input side to a generator and on the output side to a multiphase AC grid and comprising a multi-phase inverter bridge with a switch between a midpoint of a DC intermediate circuit on the input side and a terminal for a neutral conductor of the multiphase AC grid, includes feeding electric power from the DC intermediate circuit into the AC grid by the inverter bridge with the switch closed when first operating conditions are present, and opening the switch when there is a transition from the first operating conditions to second operating conditions different from the first operating conditions. The method further includes feeding electric power from the DC intermediate circuit into the AC grid by the inverter bridge with the switch open when the second operating conditions are present, and closing the switch when there is a transition from the second operating conditions to the first operating conditions.

An inverter connected on the input side to a generator and on the output side to a multiphase AC grid and with a switch between a midpoint of a DC intermediate circuit and a terminal for a neutral conductor of an AC grid is known from EP 2608375 A2. Whenever electric power is fed from a photovoltaic generator connected to the DC intermediate circuit into the AC grid by this known inverter, the switch is closed. The switch is an electromechanical switch connected in series with a further electromechanical switch. Such series arrangements of two electromechanical switches are also provided between an inverter bridge of the inverter and the terminals for the phase conductors of the AC grid. In order to test the electromechanical switches between the midpoint of the DC intermediate circuit and the terminal for the neutral conductor with respect to their separation performance, the switches may be opened and closed individually.
Even for testing the electromechanical switches, no state of the inverter in which all electromechanical switches between the inverter bridge and the terminals for the phase conductors of the AC grid are closed, while one or both electromagnetic switches between the midpoint of the DC intermediate circuit and the terminal for the neutral conductor is or are closed, respectively, is described in EP 2608375 A2.
From EP 2107672 A1 a three-phase inverter connected on the input side to a generator and on the output side to a multiphase AC grid without connection between the neutral line of the AC grid and the midpoint of the DC intermediate circuit is known. This inverter has a high efficiency, and it is functioning at a low intermediate circuit voltage in the DC intermediate circuit. However, it turns out that in this inverter a leakage current flowing from a generator connected to the DC intermediate circuit is relatively large. In addition, no asymmetric feed of electricity into the different phases of the AC grid is possible.
In the three-phase inverter known from EP 2107672 A1, the midpoint of the DC intermediate circuit is connected via filter capacitors to lines leading from the midpoints of the half-bridges of the inverter bridge of the inverter to the phase lines of the grid and with filter inductances being arranged in these lines. The half-bridges are configured as multi-level circuits, in particular as three-level circuits. The midpoints of the inverter bridges are each connected to the midpoint of the DC intermediate circuit via a bidirectional switch composed of two series-connected semiconductor switches with opposite blocking directions.
From EP 2375552 A1 an operating method of an inverter as described in EP 2107672 A2 and connected on the input side to a generator and on the output side to a multiphase AC grid is known. In this known method, the leakage current occurring during operation of the inverter is reduced by increasing the intermediate circuit voltage of the DC intermediate circuit on the input side of the inverter. This is possible in the range of low intermediate voltages, which is permitted by an inverter without connection between the midpoint of its DC intermediate circuit and the neutral line of the AC grid connected on the output side. In this voltage range between the peak value of the phase-to-phase line voltage of the AC grid and the double value of the peak phase-to-neutral line voltage of the AC grid, the switches of the inverter bridge are driven such that the AC currents fed into the phase lines are formed by so-called overmodulation. This overmodulation results in a leakage current that increases with increasing degree of overmodulation at decreasing intermediate circuit voltage. Accordingly, the leakage current, which further depends on the leakage capacitance of the generator connected to the DC intermediate circuit, may be reduced by increasing the intermediate circuit voltage.
From EP 2367272 A2 an inverter connected on the input side to a generator and comprising a three-phase bridge circuit is known, wherein phase lines at the output side of the inverter may be connected to a three-phase AC grid. The inverter comprises no connection to the neutral line of the AC grid. A capacitor is connected to each phase line, respectively, the capacitors being connected to a common connection point. An intermediate circuit on the input side of the inverter is connected to a serial arrangement of balancing capacitors being connected to the connection point via a damping resistor.
From US 2013/0229837 A1 a transformerless converter is known that is operated as an active filter to improve the power quality of an AC grid. The converter comprises a three-phase converter bridge connected on the AC side to the AC grid and on the DC side to a DC intermediate circuit. A controllable switch is provided between a midpoint of the DC intermediate circuit and a terminal for a neutral conductor of the multi-phase AC grid. The switch is combined with two separate choke modules in two branches of the neutral line connected to the midpoint of the actual DC intermediate circuit on the one hand and to the center point of an auxiliary capacitor module on the other hand. The converter may be configured by the switch to be either in a 3p3w configuration at open switch or in a 3p4w configuration at closed switch. The auxiliary capacitor module, which increases the capacity of the DC intermediate circuit in order to suppress ripple currents, forms part of the 3p4w structure then.

Method for operating an inverter and inverter comprising a switch between a center point of a DC link and a connection for a neutral conductor of an AC grid


There is disclosed an electronic imaging device having an imaging element, a mechanism which removes dust attached to the imaging element or an optical element disposed in front of the imaging element, and a display section which displays that at least the mechanism is operating. Consequently, an operator of the electronic imaging device can exactly recognize whether or not the mechanism to remove the dust is operating. Examples of the mechanism which removes the dust include an excitation mechanism which vibrates a dustproof filter disposed in front of the imaging element, a mechanism which removes the dust by a gas flow and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic imaging device provided with an imaging element for outputting an image signal corresponding to light irradiating a photoelectric conversion surface. Examples of this electronic imaging device include a lens-interchangeable single lens reflex digital camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there has been generally put to practical use a so-called "lens-interchangeable" type of digital camera constituted in such a manner that a plurality of types of imaging optical systems are selectively usable in a single camera main body. For example, the single lens reflex type of digital camera has a finder unit, and the imaging optical system is detachably attached to a camera main body. Therefore, a user can selectively use the imaging optical system as desired.
In this lens-interchangeable digital camera, when the imaging optical system is detached from the camera main body, dirt sometimes enters the camera main body. Since various types of mechanically operating mechanisms, such as a diaphragm shutter mechanism, are disposed inside the camera main body, dust or the like are sometimes generated from these mechanisms during the operation.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-229110, there is described an art to remove dust and dirt on a front surface of an imaging element. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-32191 describes an art in which there is disposed a dust control member for sealing or protecting the side of a photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging element to thereby prevent the dust and dirt from being attached to the photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging element. Further in this publication, as to the dust and dirt sticking to the surface of the dust control member, there is described removing means for applying to the dust control member a vibration having a predetermined amplitude by excitation means to thereby remove the dust and dirt. In the electronic imaging device of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-32191, a vibration mode is selectively changed to drive the device by the excitation means, accordingly at least the vibration is generated, and sound for announcement of a state is generated if desired.


A device receives session information and subscription information, for a service request, from an originating evolved packet system (EPS) network, and forwards the session information and the subscription information to a destination policy control and charging rules function (PCRF) device associated with a destination EPS network. The device receives, from the destination PCRF device, a connection admission control (CAC) decision for the destination EPS network; determines, based on the CAC decision for the destination EPS network, a dual CAC decision for the originating EPS network and the destination EPS network; and forwards, to the destination PCRF device, the dual CAC decision.

Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) is a new architecture developed so that IP networks can rapidly deploy new IP-based multimedia services. An evolved packet system (EPS) network is a next generation packet network architecture developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). EPS includes long term evolution (LTE) access networks and evolved packet core (EPC) networks (also referred to as system architecture evolution (SAE) networks). IMS over EPC networks is envisioned to be a next generation network architecture that supports a variety of access technologies and provides advanced IP multimedia services with seamless mobility.
An objective of call or connection admission control (CAC) is to determine whether an arriving call or connection with specified Quality of Service (QoS) requirements (e.g., bandwidth, packet loss probability, packet delay, jitter, etc.) should be admitted to the network. A new connection request is admitted, if the QoS requirements for the call can be satisfied without jeopardizing the QoS constraints of existing connections in the network. Otherwise, the request is rejected. The goal of CAC is to guarantee QoS for all connections in the network, while at the same time making efficient use of network resources (e.g., accommodating as many connections as possible).
The application of CAC to guarantee end-to-end QoS requirements of any connection can be quite complex. In a real network, such as an EPS network, control messages have to be sent along the end-to-end connection path to ascertain whether the QoS objective could be met without adversely affecting other connections in progress. Because of this, CAC is typically implemented only at a gateway for an originating call or connection. While this approach guarantees QoS requirements at the originating access node, it fails to guarantee any other nodes on a connection path beyond the originating node. In particular, there is no guarantee at a destination access node, which may be as important as the originating access node.

Dual connection admission control (CAC) at origination and destination points in LTE and EPC networks


This invention relates generally to a unique device in which the several guide wires for catheters or other interventional devices used in a typical endovascular procedure for diagnostics or other purposes are temporarily stored and presented to surgical team and in which the used devices and collected bodily fluids are securely disposed of after sealing lid is attached.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to a unique device in which the several guide wires for catheters or other interventional devices used in a typical endovascular procedure for diagnostics or other purposes are presented, stored and disposed of in a secure, ordered and easily accessible manner.
2. Prior Art
Guide wires of different diameters, lengths, materials and construction may be used in the same procedure. These wires are typically delivered to the operating room in sterile bags in a coiled form and start at approximately 75 cm. in length. They are removed from the bags and inserted into a patient's body into a tubular structure of interest. The external portion is coiled by hand and typically stored under a sterile towel or placed in a bowl filled with a saline solution. Once a guide wire is in place, a balloon catheter, stent or atherectomy device may be sent along the wire and the wire removed and later reused for another stenosis or sight of interest or it may be advanced further into the patient. These wires are difficult to handle while avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces. It is not easy for a physician to select the desired wire or catheter for the procedure if several are stored together and tangling of adjacent wires is also a problem. If a wire should uncoil unexpectedly a chance for contact with a non-sterile surface occurs. Open bowls filled with various wires are not very stable. A device which attempts to provide an ordered storage of wire catheter devices during an endovascular procedure was described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,825 Samuels 2000 wherein a long tube which can be coiled or elongated with a funnel type opening on one end and a slotted cover for the funnel end is disclosed. The various catheters are inserted through the various slots which separate the ends of the catheters but do not keep them isolated from each other and in a sterile environment. A ring or collar can be placed around the base or the face of the funnel such that it is held in an elevated attitude keeping fluids in the elongated tube from escaping. The most significant problem with these type storage devices is that the various catheters are all enclosed within the same tube and cross contamination or tangling is not only possible but likely. The described device also is not very stable and spills in use or post procedure handling are possible.


A light-collecting accessory for an electronic device includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface. The housing can form an opening adapted to receive the electronic device. A light guide is communicatively coupled to the housing. The light guide can have a first end and a second end. The first end can be communicatively coupled to the outer surface of the housing. The second end can be communicatively coupled to the inner surface of the housing. In the event the electronic device resides in the opening of the housing, light emitted from the electronic device passes from the second end of the light guide to the first end of the light guide.

With the advent of more robust electronic systems, advancements of electronic devices are becoming more prevalent. Electronic devices can provide a variety of functions including, for example, telephonic, audio/video, and gaming functions. Electronic devices can include mobile stations such as cellular telephones, smart telephones, portable gaming systems, portable audio and video players, electronic writing or typing tablets, mobile messaging devices, personal digital assistants, and handheld computers. Additionally, as electronic devices advance, so must the accessories that accommodate the electronic devices.

Light-collecting accessory for an electronic device