Disclosed are a terminal for controlling uplink transmission power and an uplink transmission power control method in a wireless communication system. In the terminal according to the present invention, if the total sum of uplink transmission power values respectively determined for a plurality of transmission channels is greater than the maximum transmission power value of the terminal, a processor can allocate respective uplink transmission power values sequentially in accordance with priority rankings across the plurality of transmission channels which have been determined in advance, starting from the transmission channel corresponding to the highest priority ranking. An emitter can simultaneously transmit the plurality of transmission channels with each of the allocated uplink transmission power values.

A next-generation multimedia wireless communication system, into which extensive research is ongoing, is required to process various types of information such as image data and radio data at high data transmission rate, beyond initial voice-oriented services.
Recently, attention has been paid to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) capable of processing data at high transmission rate. OFDM refers to a multi-carrier modulation scheme in which a frequency band is split into a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers to transmit data. OFDM can attenuate inter-symbol interference with low complexity. In OFDM, serially input data symbols are converted into N parallel data symbols and the converted parallel data symbols are transmitted in the N split subcarriers.
Subcarriers maintain orthogonality in the frequency domain. Each orthogonal channel experiences independent frequency selective fading and inter-symbol interference can be minimized because the interval between transmitted symbols is increased. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) refers to a multiple access scheme for achieving multiple access by independently providing a part of available subcarriers to each user in a system using OFDM as a modulation scheme. OFDMA provides each user with frequency resources called subcarriers. Respective frequency resources are independently provided to a plurality of users so that frequency resources do not overlap in general. Consequently, the frequency resources are exclusively allocated to users. In an OFDMA system, frequency diversity for multiple users can be obtained through frequency selective scheduling and subcarriers can be allocated in various forms according to a permutation scheme for subcarriers.
When a User Equipment (UE) transmits an uplink (UL) signal to an eNode B (eNB) in some wireless communication systems, a UL control channel on which control signals are transmitted can be physically distinguished from a UL data channel on which data is transmitted and a plurality of control/data channels may be simultaneously transmitted using one symbol. The transmit powers of UL transport channels (or transmission channels) may be determined through a specific equation.
Meanwhile, a maximum transmittable power that can be allocated for UL transmission by the UE is determined according to bandwidth allocated to the UE, processing performance of the UE, battery performance of the UE, and the like. Accordingly, if the total sum of transmission powers necessary for simultaneously transmitting a plurality of transport channels exceeds the maximum transmittable power, proper UL transmission cannot be performed.
Accordingly, there is needed a method for effectively allocating powers to a plurality of UL transport channels transmitted simultaneously using different physical regions.

Terminal for controlling uplink transmission power and an uplink transmission power control method in a wireless communication system


A touch pad controller includes a voltage generator and a selector circuit. The voltage generator has a plurality of output terminals, each of the plurality of output terminals for being coupled to a corresponding pad of a plurality of capacitive touch pads. The voltage generator provides a predetermined voltage to each of a plurality of touch pads in a predetermined sequence. The selector circuit has a plurality of input terminals. Each input terminal of the plurality of input terminals is coupled to an output terminal of the plurality of output terminals of the voltage generator. The selector circuit sequentially couples each output terminal of the plurality of output terminals of the voltage generator to a touch pad shield for charging the touch pad shield to the predetermined voltage.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to touch sensors, and more specifically, to a touch sensor controller for driving a touch sensor shield.
2. Related Art
Touch sensors have been available for a number of years as a relatively inexpensive alternative to mechanical switches. One type of touch sensor, commonly known as a capacitive touch sensor, or pad, detects a change in capacitance when an object, such as a human finger touches the pad. In an application such as a telephone touch pad, a number of capacitive touch pads are arranged as an array, or matrix, of touch pads that are spaced apart and arranged as the telephone shape, size and design allows.
A touch sensor controller is used to control operation of the touch sensor and provides detection circuitry for determining when a pad is touched. As part of the function of the detection circuitry, a baseline capacitance may be established on each pad. Touching a pad changes the capacitance and the change is detected by the touch sensor controller. A touch sensitivity of the pads is established, as least in part, by the baseline capacitance. An increase of the baseline capacitance can decrease sensitivity.
There are many environmental and design conditions that can affect the baseline capacitance of the capacitive touch pads. For example, the baseline capacitance of the pads can be increased by the presence of a person's hand near the touch pads. Shielding around the touch pads can be used to reduce the effects of stray capacitance. Typically, the shielding is formed as a ring around each pad, or as a plane or casing on the backside of a printed circuit board (PCB) supporting the pads, or both. The shielding may be grounded. A potential difference between the pads and the shield may result in a parasitic capacitance between the shield and the pads, thus changing the baseline capacitance and reducing touch sensitivity.
Therefore, what is needed is a touch sensor controller that solves the above problems.

Touch sensor controller for driving a touch sensor shield


A deposited film forming method and apparatus includes a belt-like member continuously conveyed through a film-forming chamber, one side of which is formed of the belt-like member. A reactive gas is introduced into the film-forming chamber, the interior of the film-forming chamber is evacuated, a high-frequency power induces a plasma therein, and a deposited film is formed on the belt-like member A discharge confining means is provided opposite to a deposited film forming side of the belt-like member to maintain constant contact with the belt-like member while it changes shape.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a deposited film forming method and a deposited film forming apparatus and, more particularly, to a functional-deposited-film forming method of forming a stack element on a belt-like member by a roll to roll system and an apparatus for carrying out the method.
2. Related Background Art
As a method of continuously forming a functional deposited film of a semiconductor or the like for use in a photovoltaic element or the like on a substrate, there is known a method wherein there are provided independent film-forming chambers for formation of various semiconductor layers, these film-forming chambers are coupled by a load lock system through a gate valve, and the substrate is successively moved through the film-forming chambers to form various semiconductor layers on the substrate. As a method for remarkably enhancing mass productivity, U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,409 discloses a continuous plasma CVD process employing the so-called roll to roll system. This process is described as using a long magnetic belt-like member as a substrate, in which the substrate is continuously conveyed in the longitudinal direction thereof while desired conductive semiconductor layers are deposited in a plurality of glow discharge regions, whereby elements with semiconductor junctions can be continuously formed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,333 discloses a continuous plasma CVD process employing the roll to roll system, in which a deposited film is formed by the use of a double chamber system wherein a pair of top plates with an aperture cover the edges of a substrate. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-162133 describes an invention titled xe2x80x9ccontinuous forming method and apparatus of functional deposited filmsxe2x80x9d in which a semiconductor film is deposited by a plasma CVD process with means for preventing leakage and diffusion of a discharge and an activated gas. It is described that in this apparatus a belt-like member constitutes a member for partitioning an activation region, and a member provided widthwise outside the belt-like member, for partitioning off the activation region is kept in contact with a back surface opposite to a deposited film forming surface of the belt-like member to prevent leakage and diffusion of a discharge and an activated gas. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-160345 discloses an invention titled xe2x80x9cfunctional-deposited-film forming method and forming apparatus thereforxe2x80x9d in which a top plate is kept in contact with a belt-like member to keep the belt-like member well at the earth potential relative to high-frequency waves, thereby stabilizing a discharge.
In these methods of continuously forming a functional deposited film of a semiconductor or the like for use in a photovoltaic element or the like on a substrate, efforts have been made to enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency, characteristic stability, or characteristic uniformity, or to reduce the production cost, or the like. In these methods, however, an attempt for increasing the conveyance speed of a belt-like member resulted in occurrence of unevenness of the surface of the belt-like member due to fine undulation at the edges in the width (cross) direction of the belt-like member, or a gap of the discharge space generated by the unevenness and the change thereof to which the shapes of surrounding components failed to correspond. This sometimes caused a leakage of the discharge to degrade the discharge stability and characteristic uniformity.
When a semiconductor thin film was formed on a belt-like member with application of a bias in addition to application of a high-frequency power, sparks were generated because of a change in the contact state of the belt-like member with surrounding components due to the fine undulation or unevenness of the edges in the width direction of the belt-like member, or the vibration of the belt-like member itself.
Further, the undulation and unevenness of the width-direction edges of the belt-like member will always vary in the longitudinal direction thereof as well and the mechanical property and shape of the belt-like member supplied from a substrate roll will vary from roll to roll when replacing the belt-like member. It was thus difficult to preliminarily set the conventional surrounding components so as to adapt to the variations.
The present invention has been accomplished to solve the problem in the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a deposited film forming method and a deposited film forming apparatus capable of decreasing the discharge leakage and sparks and maintaining a stable discharge even during high-speed conveyance, with increase in the film-forming speed, with replacement of the roll, or the like and, particularly, to provide a functional-deposited-film forming method and a functional-deposited-film forming apparatus enabling formation of amorphous silicon films that are excellent in electrical and optical characteristics and that can increase the yield of elements in mass production.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a deposited film forming method and a deposited film forming apparatus configured as in (1) to (10) below.
(1) A deposited film forming method of, while continuously conveying a belt-like member in a longitudinal direction thereof, passing the belt-like member through a film-forming chamber, one side of which is formed of the belt-like member and which is located in a vacuum-sealable reaction vessel, introducing a reactive gas into the film-forming chamber, evacuating the interior of the film-forming chamber by evacuation means to maintain the interior of the film-forming chamber at a given pressure, introducing a high-frequency power into the film-forming chamber to induce a plasma, and forming a deposited film on the belt-like member passing through the film-forming chamber,
wherein on a side opposite to a deposited film forming side of the belt-like member that forms the said one side of the film-forming chamber, there is provided discharge confining means always maintaining contact with the said opposite side of the belt-like member while following a change in shape of the belt-like member, whereby the deposited film is formed in a state of reduced discharge leakage and sparks in the film-forming chamber.
(2) The method according to above (1), wherein the discharge confining means is comprised of a member always maintaining contact with the said opposite side of the belt-like member by at least one of elasticity, pressure, gravity, and magnetism.
(3) The method according to above (2), wherein the member is of a store curtain shape, saw-tooth shape, spring shape, brush shape, roller shape, or hinge shape.
(4) The method according to any one of above (1) to (3), wherein the discharge confining means is electrically conductive.
(5) The method according to above (4), wherein the high-frequency power introduced into the film-forming chamber has a frequency of not less than 10 MHz nor more than 10 GHz.
(6) A deposited film forming apparatus comprising means for continuously conveying a substrate consisting of a belt-like member for formation of a deposited film, in a longitudinal direction thereof: a vacuum-sealable reaction vessel having therein a film-forming chamber, one side of which is constituted of the belt-like member; means for introducing a reactive gas into the film-forming chamber; means for introducing a high-frequency power from a high-frequency power supply into the film-forming chamber; and means for evacuating the interior of the film-forming chamber,
wherein on a side opposite to a deposited film forming side of the belt-like member that forms said one side of the film-forming chamber, there is provided discharge confining means always maintaining contact with said opposite side of the belt-like member while following a change in shape of the belt-like member.
(7) The apparatus according to above (6), wherein the discharge confining means is comprised of a member always maintaining contact with the opposite side of the belt-like member by at least one of elasticity, pressure, gravity, and magnetism.
(8) The apparatus according to above (7), wherein the member is of a store curtain shape, saw-tooth shape, spring shape, brush shape, roller shape, or hinge shape.
(9) The apparatus according to any one of above (6) to (8), wherein the discharge confining means is electrically conductive.
(10) The apparatus according to above (9), wherein the high-frequency power introduced into the film-forming chamber has a frequency of not less than 10 MHz nor more than 10 GHz.

Deposited film forming method and deposited film forming apparatus


A network appliance receives a communication from a client device that includes a request to establish a network connection to a server. The network appliance establishes, in response to the communication, a single connection between the network appliance and the server based on application of a policy that causes the network appliance to determine not to decrypt data transmitted between the client device and the server. The network appliance transmits encrypted data between the client device and the server over the single connection.

Traffic in a computer network can be analyzed to improve real-time decision-making for network operations, security techniques, or other considerations. Given the complexity and volume of traffic routed through many infrastructures, various types of network tools are often used to analyze the network traffic. These network tools often sit between other devices in the network, establishing a connection with each device that enables the network tool to pass data streams transparently from one device to another while analyzing the network traffic. Some of these network tools provide capability to selectively decrypt traffic based on application of a policy. However, the policy may not be applied until after the tool has established a connection, or has nearly completed the establishment of a connection, with both the client and the server. If the network tool determines not to decrypt data after establishing the server connection, the server connection is torn down and a new connection reopened. As a result, two connections are opened between the tool and the server for each no-decrypt decision. Tearing down and reopening a connection causes increased latency, decreased connection rate, and a slower response to the client, negatively impacting network performance from the perspective of the client.

Managing decryption of network flows through a network appliance


A data administration unit for updating a first data structure in a first memory may comprise a second memory, a data structure generator for setting up a second data structure in the second memory, a pointer generator for setting at least one of a dynamic change indicator and a pointer in the first data structure, a waiting unit for waiting for a finalization of a data access of a data access unit, and a data structure over-writer for overwriting the first data structure using data of the second data structure. An data access unit for accessing a first data structure in a first memory may comprise a data access driver, a first synchronization signal evaluator for reception and evaluation of a first synchronization signal, and a synchronization approval signal generator for generation and submission of a first synchronization signal.

For transmission of a data packet in a local area network (LAN), the data packet may be packed into a frame. A MAC address (MAC=Media Access Control) of a target computer may be entered into said frame. On the basis of the MAC address valid in the local network the data packet may be sent to the target computer. Using a protocol as ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), the MAC address valid in the local network corresponding to an IP address of the target computer may be requested by a network element which forwards the data packet. Assignments of the MAC address to an IP address of the target computer, or vice versa, may be stored in an address table. Then, assignments do not have to be determined for each data packet to be sent to a specific target computer of the LAN. The address assignments in this address table may be provided with a timer value limiting a period of validity of the address assignment. After time-out an address assignment may be deleted from the address table.

Data administration unit, data access unit, network element, network, and method for updating a data structure


In an electrochemical cell including a cathode 7, an anode 6, electrolyte 10, a hollow container 1 accommodating these members, and terminals extending from the inside to the outside of the hollow container 1, the terminals include a plurality of inner terminals 5a formed on the inner surface of the hollow container 1, a cathode outer terminal 5b1 formed on the outer surface of the hollow container 1, and an inner layer wire 5c formed on the inner layer of the hollow container 1 for commonly connecting the plurality of inner terminals 5a to the cathode outer terminal 5b1.

A surface attachable electrochemical cell (electric double layer capacitor and battery) is used in a backup power supply for a clock function, a backup power supply for a semiconductor memory, and the like. In such compact electrochemical cells, the need for larger capacitance and larger current is reducing as progress is being made in the non-volatilization of semiconductor memories and the lowering of the power consumed by clock function elements. However, demands for resistance to reflow soldering, reduction in the attachment area, and the like are increasing due to environmental concerns and miniaturization of the attached devices.
When attaching an electrochemical cell, solder cream etc. is applied in advance to the portion of a print substrate that is to undergo soldering. The electrochemical cell is attached on this portion. Alternatively, a small solder ball (solder bump) is applied to the portion that is to undergo soldering after the electrochemical cell is attached on the print substrate. The print substrate on which the electrochemical cell is attached is then conveyed through a furnace having an atmosphere set at a high temperature so that the soldering portion becomes higher than or equal to the solder melting point (e.g., 200.degree. C. to 260.degree. C.). This melts the solder and solders the electrochemical cell. Thus, it is strongly required that the electrochemical cell have heat resistance and mechanical resistance relative to reflow soldering.
Further, in the prior art, an electrochemical cell includes a case with a round form like a coin or a button. In such an electrochemical cell, terminals and the like must be welded to the outer surface of the case in advance. Furthermore, space for the terminals must be provided on the print substrate. Therefore, miniaturization of attachment devices has resulted in a strong demand for reduction in the attachment area for the electrochemical cell.
The electrochemical cell of patent document 1 uses a hollow ceramic container (hereinafter referred to as hollow container) as the case, and electrodes and electrolyte are accommodated in the hollow portion (accommodation compartment) to answer the demand for heat resistance and reduction. A metal film arranged on the outer bottom surface of the hollow container is used as a terminal.
The terminals of patent document 1 include an inner terminal formed in the hollow portion and outer terminals formed on the outer surface of the hollow container, and the cathode arranged in the hollow portion and the outer terminals are electrically connected. Such terminals are formed in the following manner using a plate-shaped ceramic green sheet and a frame-shaped ceramic green sheet that configure the hollow container. Pattern printing with a material that is mainly based on tungsten or molybdenum having a high melting point is performed on the upper surface of the plate shaped ceramic green sheet. The frame-shaped ceramic green sheet is laminated on the plate shaped ceramic green sheet having the pattern, and the two sheets are sintered together at approximately 1500.degree. C. The inner terminals and the outer terminals are both formed as a result.
However, the material forming the terminals is corroded by charge or discharge current when contacting electrolyte such as a liquid. As the corrosion proceeds, wire breakage may ultimately occur and hinder functioning.
Such problem is considered to be avoidable by relying on protection provided by a protective film formed on inner terminals to protect the inner terminals from electrolyte. The protective film uses materials mainly based on aluminum or carbon and causing less corrosion and is formed through any method of vapor deposition, sputtering, thermal spraying, injection, paste application, and the like. However, microscopic pin holes may form since the film is obtained by depositing particles in each of these methods. As a result, if the protective film does not have pin holes, satisfactory property would be realized over a long period of time. However, if the protective film has pin holes, electrolyte may gradually permeate into the protective film and ultimately corrode the inner terminals thereby causing wire breakage in the terminals. The production of pin holes may be reduced by increasing the film thickness of the protective film. However, this would increase the time required for film formation and cause the electrochemical cell to be expensive. Furthermore, the thickness of the electrode must be reduced by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the protective film. This would reduce the capacitance of the electrochemical cell.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-216952.


Systems and methods for dynamically selecting and adjusting energy detection thresholds (EDTs) in uncoordinated radio nodes deploying Listen Before Talk to improve throughput on shared spectrum are disclosed. The uncoordinated radio nodes dynamically adjust an EDT to avoid harmful collisions with neighboring radio nodes or otherwise improve throughput over shared spectrum. A radio node can detect a collision or radio frequency (RF) interference from a neighboring radio node. Once the collision or RF interference is detected, the EDT of the radio node is dynamically adjusted. In some cases, the collision or RF interference can be avoided by calculating a throughput of the radio node while operating on each of a plurality of EDTs and selecting the EDT predicted to result in a higher throughput. In other cases, the EDT may be dynamically adjusted based on an iterative approach which incorporates measurements of the neighboring radio node.

The disclosure relates generally to wireless communications systems and related networks, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTSs), its offspring Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5th Generation New Radio (5G-NR) described and being developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and more particularly to dynamically selecting and adjusting energy detection thresholds (EDTs) in uncoordinated radio nodes deploying listen before talk to improve throughput on shared spectrum.
Operators of mobile systems, such as UMTS and its offspring including LTE and LTE-Advanced, are increasingly relying on wireless macrocell radio access networks (RANs) (e.g., traditional cellular base stations), along with wireless small cell RANs in order to deploy, for example, indoor voice and data services to enterprises and other customers. Such small cell RANs typically utilize multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communications with multiple users using radio frequency (RF) signals and sharing available system resources such as bandwidth and transmit power. Evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) is the radio interface of 3GPP's LTE upgrade path for UMTS mobile networks. In these systems, there are different frequencies where LTE (or E-UTRA) can be used, and in such systems, user mobile communications devices connect to a serving system, which is represented by a cell.
For both macrocell RANs and small cell RANs, increasing demands for wireless throughput make access to additional wireless spectrum desirable. Examples of such additional wireless spectrum include unlicensed spectrum, shared spectrum, spectrum licensed from a third party, spectrum associated with citizens broadband radio service (CBRS), and so on. In these cases, spectrum allocation, or channel allocation, may be performed by a technique or procedures that occur independently or semi-independently of a mobile network operator (MNO), such as by a spectrum access system (SAS) for example. In this regard, radio nodes within the RANs may operate in the same wireless channel with neighboring radio nodes, which can result in collisions, or instances in which the neighboring radio nodes communicate at a same time, causing RF interference which impairs wireless communications.
Due to the desire by communications service providers to use shared spectrum, such as unlicensed spectrum, to gain additional bandwidth, potentially without additional licensing costs, mechanisms have been designed and implemented to avoid or reduce RF interference issues, including collisions, with use of shared spectrum. One such mechanism is "Listen Before Talk (LBT)." LBT is a mechanism proposed by the 3GPP for LTE in Unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) and/or License Assisted Access (LAA) for minimizing RF interferences between two transceivers operating in the same shared channel(s) (e.g., unlicensed channel(s)). In this regard, a transceiver can start signal transmission of a communications signal in a shared channel after verifying that the shared channel is free for use, meaning that another transceiver is not presently transmitting signals in the same shared channel. Before transmission, the transceiver first listens to the activity "on the air" (i.e., on the shared channel where it intends to transmit), or verifies that the shared channel is not occupied by another transmission. If a transmission in the same shared channel is detected, the transmitter postpones its intended transmission until the shared channel is free. When two transceivers coordinate their activity through use of LBT, each transceiver will have a certain likelihood of finding transmission opportunities where a shared channel is free for transmission signals. Radio nodes incorporating LBT set an EDT at which the radio node "hears" traffic on the shared channel. In other words, if the radio node detects wireless signals at an energy level which exceeds the EDT, the channel is determined to be occupied and the radio node waits before communicating over the channel.
In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates two neighboring radio nodes 100(1), 100(2) having different EDTs. A first radio node 100(1) has a higher EDT, such that it will only "hear" (e.g., respond to) radio signals which exceed a defined high EDT, represented here as a relatively small listening range 102(1). A second radio node 100(2) has a lower EDT than the first radio node 100(1), such that the second radio node 100(2) will hear radio signals exceeding a defined low EDT, represented here as a relatively large listening range 102(2). The listening range 102(1) of the first radio node 100(1) indicates that the first radio node 100(1) only hears signals which originate within the listening range due to its higher EDT. Accordingly, because of the higher EDT, the first radio node 100(1) does not hear signals from the second radio node 100(2), and while employing LBT the first radio node 100(1) will transmit signals even if the second radio node 100(2) is transmitting over the same channel. However, the listening range 102(2) of the second radio node 100(2) indicates that due to its lower EDT, the second radio node 100(2) hears signals from the second radio node 100(2), and while employing LBT the second radio node 100(2) will not transmit signals if the first radio node 100(1) is transmitting over the same channel.
In this manner, the second radio node 100(2) having a lower EDT can ensure that the second radio node 100(2) does not transmit when its transmissions might interfere with the first radio node 100(1) (e.g., a neighboring radio node), which can improve signal quality while reducing the amount of time the second radio node 100(2) occupies the shared channel. In contrast, a higher EDT can enable the first radio node 100(1) to occupy the same channel as the second radio node 100(2) (e.g., a neighboring radio node), increasing the amount of time the first radio node 100(1) occupies the channel while decreasing signal quality. Standards such as LTE-U or LAA may set a limit to the EDT (e.g., a maximum EDT value), but may otherwise allow radio nodes operating within the standard to set lower EDT values.
No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of any cited documents.

Systems and methods for dynamically selecting and adjusting energy detection thresholds (EDTs) in uncoordinated radio nodes deploying listen before talk to improve throughput on shared spectrum


The present invention relates to a method for determining the antibiotic sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms present in milk obtained from mammals afflicted with mastitis, an apparatus for use with the same and an antibiotic sensitivity test kit containing the same.

Mastitis is the most common and most costly disease of dairy animals in the world. Mastitis is diagnosed by observing heat, swelling, redness, pain and abnormal milk in the affected gland. Most dairy farmers treat this disease with antibiotics. Treatment is usually instituted immediately upon diagnosis of the disease. The antibiotic chosen for treatment is based upon past experience with what has been working pure guess work or the results of an antibiotic sensitivity test.
Farmers generally do not submit milk samples for antibiotic sensitivity tests because of the unacceptable lag time between the submission of milk samples and the receipt of the test results. That is, by the time the antibiotic sensitivity test results are reported to the farmer, i.e., 48 hours to 1 week, most cases of mastitis have either cleared up or progressed to a much greater severity. Some animals may even lose function of the affected quarter while others may die from septicemia. Thus antibiotic sensitivity tests are not generally employed.
The two types of antibiotic sensitivity tests which are currently employed are the disc sensitivity test (Bauer. A. W. et al, Am. J. Chem. Path., 45:493 (1966)) and the broth or agar dilution antibiotic susceptibility test (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Vol. 5. No. 22 (1985)). To date, the disc sensitivity test is the most commonly employed antibiotic sensitivity test for mastitis.
In the disc sensitivity test, milk, collected using sterile techniques, is streaked out on a blood agar plate. Then, pathogenic microorganisms, i.e., Staphlococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species, which account for over 90% of bovine mastitis pathogens, are isolated after 12 to 24 hours of incubation on the blood agar plate. After isolation, a standard amount of the microorganisms, sometimes diluted in trypticase soy broth, is streaked on a Mueller Hinton agar plate and allowed to grow, thereby forming a carpet of microorganisms after 18 to 24 hours. Then, discs, which have previously been impregnated with various antibiotics, are placed in the plate. If the antibiotic is effective against the particular type of microorganism present. a ring or zone of inhibition appears on the plate. A sliding scale is used to measure how strongly the antibiotic inhibits the bacterial growth.
The disc sensitivity test is disadvantageous not only because of the length of time required to run the test, i.e., 36 to 48 hours but, also, because sometimes there is a poor correlation between the in vitro results and the in vivo response to a particular antibiotic. This is believed to be due to the fact that antibiotics behave differently in milk than in agar (Laboratory and Field Handbook on Bovine Mastitis, Eds. Research Committee of National Mastitis Council, National Mastitis Council Inc., Arlington, Va. (1987): and Owens, W. E. et al J. Dairy Sci., 70:1946 (1987)). In addition the disc sensitivity test is less accurate than the broth or agar dilution antibiotic sensitivity test (Turck M. et al. Ann. Int. Med., 58:56 (1963)).
The broth or agar dilution antibiotic sensitivity test, in its miniaturized form, is believed to more closely predict the effect of an antibiotic in vivo because it uses specific concentrations of antibiotics that correlate with known serum concentrations necessary to be effective against a mastitis causing microorganism infection. In spite of this, due to the expense, availability and lack of veterinary antibiotic panels, this test is rarely performed on milk.
In the broth or agar dilution antibiotic sensitivity test, a known quantity of microorganisms, usually isolated on a blood agar plate from the original sample, is placed in wells of a microtiter plate, a series of tubes or a commercially available cassette consisting of many wells. The quantity of microorganisms is measured by adding the microorganisms to culture medium until the turbidity matches that of a standard, i.e. the MacFarland Standard. The greater the turbidity the more microorganisms are present. The MacFarland Standard is employed because if there are not enough microorganisms, some wells will not receive any microorganisms and no growth would give false results. Further if too many microorganisms are present, they might overgrow and overwhelm the antibiotic, again giving false results.
The wells of the microtiter plate the series of test tubes or the commercially available cassette to which the microorganism-culture medium mixture is added, contain serial dilutions of various antibiotics. After 6 to 16 hours of incubation the wells, test tubes or cassette are observed for turbidity. High turbidity indicates growth and means the microorganisms are resistant to the antibiotic at that level. Low turbidity means the microorganisms are sensitive to the antibiotic at that level. Low turbidity in a well, test tube or cassette having a low concentration of antibiotic indicates high sensitivity. Antibiotic concentration can be correlated with serum levels achieved using typical therapeutic dosages. Thus, this test is more quantitative than the disc sensitivity test.
However, the broth or agar dilution antibiotic sensitivity test is disadvantageous not only because of the length of time required to run the test, i.e., 18 to 40 hours but, also, because this test is not carried out on the original sample of milk. i.e.. the original sample of milk is first cultured and the microorganisms identified. Further this test is carried out in a culture medium or laboratory broth rather than in milk. Antibiotics behave differently in milk than in culture media (Laboratory and Field Handbook on Bovine Mastitis, Eds. Research Committee of National Mastitis Council, National Mastitis Council, Inc., Arlington, Va. (1987): and Owens, W. E. et al, J. Dairy Sci., 70:1946 (1987)). In addition the currently available test procedure is too difficult and expensive to run in a veterinarian's office or on a farm.
Thus, to date, a cost effective, fast, and accurate test for determining the antibiotic sensitivity of the major pathogenic microorganisms present in milk obtained from mammals afflicted with mastitis has not been developed (Laboratory and Field Handbook on Bovine Mastitis, Eds. Research Committee of National Mastitis Council, National Mastitis Council, Inc., Arlington, Va. (1987)). Moreover, the method of the present invention is unique in that it tests for antibiotic sensitivity without the need for first identifying the microorganism.
The fermentation of lactose to lactic acid is common to many microorganisms. This fact is used by microbiologists as an aid in the identification of microorganisms. That is, an unknown microorganism is either a lactose fermenter or it is not.
The Hotis test, developed in 1936 (Hotis, R. P. et al, U.S. Dept. Agr. Cir. 400 (1936)), takes advantage of lactose fermentation and the use of a pH color indicator in an attempt to screen milk samples for the presence of Streptococcus aqalactiae (Bovine Mastitis, Schalm, O. W. et al, Lea Febiger, Philadelphia (1971), particularly pages 150-164). The purpose of the Hotis test is only to identify the presence of Streptococcus agalactiae in the cow.
The Hotis test is not applicable to the method of the present invention because it is not an antibiotic sensitivity test. Further, the Hotis test is disadvantageous because it is generally not accurate in clinical cases of mastitis (Bovine Mastitis, Schalm, O. W. et al, Lea Febiger, Philadelphia (1971), particularly pages 150-164).

Antibiotic sensitivity test for pathogenic organisms present in mastitic milk


An apparatus, and method for laying up structural filaments. The apparatus includes an openable race providing a circular path for a carrier bearing a filament source. The carrier moves circumferentially within the race and may be formed as a centerless wheel. The carrier may be formed in sections to facilitate opening of the race to insert a workpiece.

Composite materials are the latest generation of lightweight and extremely strong materials. Currently, most military and commercial aircraft include large amounts of composite materials to achieve a strong, lightweight structure. However, the full potential of composite materials has not yet been realized in many commercial applications.
A typical composite material includes an extremely strong fiber, such as fiber glass, carbon (or graphite) fiber, boron fiber, KEVLAR®, or the like, suspended within a matrix, which is typically made of a polymer resin, such as epoxy. The matrix is typically much weaker structurally than the fiber.
The most common composite materials include short sections of chopped fiber mixed in with a resin. The resin-fiber mixture can be easily sprayed or smeared on a form to create a wide variety of shapes, such as fiberglass boat hulls. Such "engineering composites," as they are called, offer flexibility and ease of use but fail to capture the full strength of the fiber. The composite is limited by the relative weakness of the resin matrix in which the fiber is suspended.
"Advanced composites" seek to remedy this problem by using continuous fibers wrapped around a form or mandrel. Advanced composites also seek to align the fibers such that their load bearing capacity is improved. Prior apparatus and methods for forming advanced composites are very limited in the shapes that may be made therewith. The principle limitation stems from the fact that prior systems rotate the part relative to a spool of filament. Shapes having closed loops, substantially closed loops, sharp angles, and branches are all impossible to wrap with a continuous filament where the workpiece is rotated. At higher speeds in particular, such shapes are eccentric and prone to vibration. Typically, parts made using prior systems are symmetric about a single axis and substantially straight, such as tubes or cylindrical tanks.
A "centerless wheel" approach has been used in the field of composites for in situ wrapping of roadway support pillars and for other large, straight structural members. In the centerless wheel method, a filament source moves within a circular race, or "centerless wheel," surrounding the part. Such apparatus typically require that the entire workpiece pass through a permanently closed race around which the filament source moves or to which the filament source is mounted. Accordingly, shapes having closed loops, substantially closed loops, and branches cannot pass through the race. Other apparatus require extensive setup operations to assemble the circular race around the part to be wrapped and therefore are only practicably used for large straight shapes.
In other fields, tape and wire are applied to toroids and other shapes by mounting the tape or wire source to a circular carrier mounted within the circular race. Some of these systems provide a small gap in the carrier which is allignable with a corresponding gap in the race to permit insertion of a part. However, the small size of the gap limits the size of the part that may be processed. Furthermore, such systems have not been used in the field of composites.
In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a winding apparatus for laying continuous strands of composite material on structural members, including branched, closed loop, substantially closed loop, and sharply angled portions. The race should be readily opened and closed. The race when opened should allow insertion of parts occupying substantially all of the area encircled by the centerless race. It would be a further advancement in the art to provide such an apparatus that may be readily opened is and closed during the processing of an individual part to accommodate parts of varying size and structure.

Centerless and openable tool carrier for processing of complex shapes


A speed reducing device is provided for use with a multi-purpose woodworking tool such that faceplate turning operations may be performed on large diameter workpieces. The device includes a housing which partially supports input and output shafts passing through opposite sides of the housing. An end of the input shaft located within the housing is formed with a hole for receiving an end of the output shaft within the housing such that the input and output shafts coact with one another to support each other and prevent one another from pivoting about the points at which they are supported by the housing. The input and output shafts rotate relative to one another and are both connected to a sheave by a pair of belts such that the input shaft may be driven by the output spindle of a woodworking tool at a first speed and the output shaft will be driven by the belts and sheave at a slower speed which is acceptable for turning large diameter workpieces.

The present invention relates to speed reduction devices and, more particularly, to speed reduction devices for use with powered multi-purpose woodworking tools.
Multi-purpose woodworking tools typically include a frame, a pair of parallel way tubes extending along a longitudinal dimension of the frame, and a headstock mounted for slidable adjustment on the way tubes. The headstock includes a motor and power transmission system having an output spindle. The output spindle of the headstock may drive various woodworking tools such as tablesaws, lathes, shapers, disc sanders, jointers, bandsaws and the like, which are mounted on the way tubes.
An example of a typical multi-purpose woodworking tool is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,309 to Parker et al in which a variety of woodworking tools may be powered directly by the output spindle of the headstock of the machine. The headstock is typically provided with means for varying the speed of the output spindle to accommodate the requirements of the particular tool being used. Thus, a higher spindle speed may be used for operations such as sawing and a slower spindle speed may be used for operations such as lathe turning. While such an arrangement is acceptable for many woodworking operations, the lowest spindle speed available is often too high for faceplate turning operations involving large diameter workpieces such as plates and bowls.
Devices which are designed exclusively for lathe turning are typically provided with a series of shafts and interconnecting belts as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,103,464 to Judelshon and U.S. Pat. No. 2,394,209 to Scuse. These two patents disclose devices in which an intermediate shaft is driven through a belt by a motor and the intermediate shaft drives an output shaft at a lower speed than the motor output shaft speed. Both of these machines require a great deal of space and are not readily adaptable for use with a multi-purpose woodworking tool such as the one shown by Parker et al.
Consequently, there is a need for a speed reduction device which may be attached to an existing powered woodworking tool having a headstock mounted on a pair of parallel way bars such that the output speed of the speed reduction device is sufficiently low to permit faceplate turning operations to be performed with large diameter workpieces.
In addition, a speed reduction device is needed which is compact enough to be supported by the way bars of a multi-purpose woodworking tool and which has an output shaft located at the same height as the output spindle of the headstock.


A variety of applications can include a memory device having a memory die designed to control a power budget for a cache and a memory array of the memory die. A first flag received from a data path identifies a start of a cache operation on the data and a second flag from the data path identifies an end of the cache operation. A controller for peak power management can be implemented to control the power budget based on determination of usage of current associated with the cache from the first and second flags. In various embodiments, the controller can be operable to feedback a signal to a memory controller external to the memory die to adjust an operating speed of an interface from the memory controller to the memory die. Additional devices, systems, and methods are discussed.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory, including volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatile memory requires power to maintain its data, and includes random-access memory (RAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), or synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), among others. Non-volatile memory can retain stored data when not powered, and includes flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), resistance variable memory, such as phase-change random-access memory (PCRAM), resistive random-access memory (RRAM), magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), or three-dimensional (3D) XPoint™ memory, among others.
Flash memory is utilized as non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically include one or more groups of one-transistor, floating gate or charge trap memory cells that allow for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Two common types of flash memory array architectures include NAND and NOR architectures, named after the logic form in which the basic memory cell configuration of each is arranged. The memory cells of the memory array are typically arranged in a matrix. In an example, the gates of each floating gate memory cell in a row of the array are coupled to an access line (e.g., a word line). In a NOR architecture, the drains of each memory cell in a column of the array are coupled to a data line (e.g., a bit line). In a NAND architecture, the drains of each memory cell in a string of the array are coupled together in series, source to drain, between a source line and a data line.
In some NAND memory dies, peak power management (PPM) logic is implemented to control peak power consumption in the memory die. Existing PPM designs focus on memory array operations, such as erase, program array, read array, or independent wordline reads (iWL). These designs do not consider current in cache operations of a cache used with the memory array operations in a data path to or from the memory array, such as, for example, read and write data pattern to a cache. In conventional practice, enough budget for cache operations is simply reserved, which reduces efficiency of NAND memory array operations. For example, in a Universal Flash Storage (UFS) device implementation, 20%-50% of a 800 mA system budget may be allocated to NAND cache operations without consideration of actual current use of the cache operations.

Peak power management in a memory device


A system, computer program and method for inspection of a system under inspection. The system may include an inspection program configured to access information available at the system under inspection and generate inspection data for the system under inspection. A runtime platform independent from the inspection program at the system under inspection is configured to limit the limit the contents of the inspection data to a maximum information content. A trusted third-party computer system may assist in selecting the inspection program and transferring the resulting inspection data.

There are many situations in which one computer needs to evaluate whether or not it is desirable to interact in a certain way with another computer. For example, a network gateway, used to control access to a computer network, may need to decide whether or not to allow a particular laptop computer to connect to the network. Similarly, a computer system containing private data concerning a given person may need to decide whether it can transmit that data to another computer system, or whether doing so would unacceptably jeopardize the privacy of the data.
In some traditional statically-configured computer systems, a human administrator configures access control policies that precisely determine which types of interaction, if any, a given computer system may engage in with specific other computer systems or groups of other systems. This configuration is based upon human knowledge or beliefs as to the nature and properties of the other computer systems. However, many computer systems are wholly or partially autonomic or self-managing. Such computer systems may not have a human administrator available at the moment in time when the decision about interaction must be made. In fact, computer systems potentially may not have a human administrator at all.
Other methods of computer system evaluation known in the art involve requiring that a computer allow itself to be inspected in various ways. For instance, network infrastructure known in the art can forbid any computer from joining the network unless it can be determined what anti-virus software that computer has installed, and that the installed software is on a list of approved anti-virus software packages. However, these methods have the disadvantage that they can only be used if a computer is willing to disclose the required information about itself to the outside world generally.
Other methods known in the art involve evaluating a system based only on information that it inherently exposes through the normal course of its operation. For example, a first computer system may determine which network ports on a second computer system are open and accepting connections. Also, a first system may determine how the second system responds to various, pre-defined queries and probes. However, these methods have the disadvantage that they are limited in their evaluations to algorithms that use already-exposed information about computer systems.

International Business Machines Corporation


Provided is an abnormality detection apparatus for a passenger conveyor, including: a first sensor arranged at an upper horizontal portion; a second sensor arranged at a lower horizontal portion; and a control device configured to receive respective outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are each configured to measure a distance to a side surface of each of steps along a traveling direction of each of steps, and wherein the control device is configured to detect abnormality of the passenger conveyor based on a change amount of each of measurement values given by the first sensor and the second sensor.

Hitherto, a gap is defined between each of steps and each of skirt guards of a passenger conveyor so as to prevent contact of each of the steps with the skirt guards at the time of traveling. Each of the steps is caused to travel along a traveling direction thereof by step chains which are arranged on both side surfaces of each of the steps. In some cases, each of the step chains is extended due to a temporal change or an external factor. When the step chains are not evenly extended, in some cases, each of the steps may travel while being inclined with respect to the traveling direction. In such a case, the side surfaces of each of the steps may be brought into contact with the skirt guards and cause damage on the skirt guard.
In view of the circumstance described above, there has been disclosed an apparatus having the following configuration. Specifically, at a position at which step horizontally move and at which postures of the steps are not corrected, a distance sensor configured to measure a distance to a side surface of the step is disposed, and a change in width of a gap between the steps is measured based on measurement values given by the distance sensor, to thereby detect extension of chains for the steps (for example, see Patent Literature 1). Moreover, there has been disclosed an apparatus having the following configuration. Specifically, sensors are arranged on one end side and another end side of a landing plate, and it is determined that inclination of a step surface is abnormal when a time difference in passage of the step surface through the sensors exceeds a threshold value (for example, see Patent Literature 2).

Abnormality detection apparatus for passenger conveyor


According to the present invention, the attitude of the article with the RF tag can be automatically detected by detecting the attitude of the directional antenna of the RF tag relative to that of the directional antenna of the RF tag attitude detection apparatus based on the signal intensity of the radio signal received from the RF tag.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to RF tags, and apparatuses and systems using the same, and more particularly to a RF tag attitude detection system for detecting the attitude of an article with a RF tag, and a RF tag and RF tag attitude detection apparatus used in the system.
2. Related Art
Heretofore, there has been proposed a method of retrieving the position of an article by mounting an RF tag (Radio Frequency tag) on the article during the course of distribution to use an RF tag retrieval apparatus equipped with a directional antenna (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-271229). Also, there has been hitherto proposed a method of identifying the position of an article based on a phase difference of response signals from an RF tag (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-101550).

RF tag, RF tag attitude detection apparatus, and RF tag attitude detection system


Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-program products for performing dynamic bandwidth switching between control signals and data signals of differing bandwidths are disclosed. A mobile device receives a control signal having a first bandwidth. The mobile device receives a data signal having a second bandwidth different from the first bandwidth. The control signal and the data signal are received over a single carrier frequency. The data signal is transmitted after the control signal such that the data signal and control signal are separated by a time interval. The time interval is based on a switching latency of the mobile device.

The demand for wireless data services continues to increase exponentially. As the demand for data grows, techniques capable of delivering higher data rates to mobile devices continue to be of interest. One way to deliver higher data rates is to increase the spectral bandwidth available to wireless communication systems.
Reflecting the trend to use increasing bandwidth, current versions of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks have up to 100 megahertz (MHz) available for communication. Moreover, it is possible that future networks, such as fifth generation (or 5G) networks, may utilize several hundred MHz or more in an attempt meet future demand for data services.
As system bandwidth increases, data transmission can increase roughly proportionally without incurring a similar proportional increase in control overhead. Thus, in future time division multiplex (TDM) systems that multiplex control and data channels, there may be scenarios in which it would be inefficient for control channels to occupy as much bandwidth as data channels. There are inefficiencies both because spectral resources may be used unnecessarily that could be better utilized for other purposes and because mobile devices would be tuned to a larger bandwidth than needed, thereby wasting energy resources. Thus, there is a need to more efficiently multiplex control and data channels as available bandwidth increases in wireless communication systems.

Dynamic bandwidth switching for reducing power consumption in wireless communication devices


Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a sophorolipid surfactant and a bio-synergist and the methods of using the same.

Petroleum-based surfactants are produced to yield a wide range of performance attributes, but have many inherent disadvantages, with the greatest being their contribution to the depletion of non-renewable resources. Many can cause environmental problems due to bio-degradability issues or simply incompatibility with nature. Plant-based surfactants, such as palm, coconut or soybean oils, do have the advantage of being based on renewable sources. But some of these sources are also having a negative impact on the environment, as these trees are grown in rainforest areas and their cultivation leads to global rainforest depletions. Further, both plant and petroleum-based surfactants potentially contribute to skin irritation and allergies.
A relatively new family of bio-surfactants, known as sophorolipid surfactants, is beginning to gain popularity. Sophorolipids are glycolipids with a hydrophobic fatty acid tail of about 16 to 18 carbon atoms and a hydrophilic sophorose head, and are produced by various non-pathogenic yeast species such as Candida apicola, Rhodotorula bogoriensis, Wickerhamiella domercqiae, and Starmerella bombicola.

Compositions and methods for enhancing efficiencies of microbial-derived biosurfactants


A terminal and a network connection method to automatically connect devices to a network and transfer data to the devices using the received signal strength indication (RSSI) levels of signals respectively received from the devices. The terminal may transfer different data to devices based on the RSSI level of the signals received from the devices and/or the locations of the devices.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to terminal and network connection methods that can automatically connect devices to a network.
2. Discussion of the Background
Wireless networking technologies and infrastructures have rapidly developed. Desired data can be obtained using mobile terminals, such as smart phones, notebook computers, and personal digital assistant (PDAs).
Wireless networking technologies include wireless local area network (hereafter "wireless LAN"), Bluetooth®, and the like. Wi-Fi® is a type of wireless LAN that has been widely used. In order to communicate with a network server using Wi-Fi®, a device must connect to an access point (AP) terminal of the network that has an AP mode function.
The AP terminal establishes a service set identifier (SSID) and a security level, and sets data to be shared and provided to the devices, thereby establishing an accessible network. In order to connect with the network server, each of the devices searches the AP terminal, and is connected to the network by inputting a password based on the SSID or security level. Then, each of the devices accesses the data shared and provided by the AP terminal.
However, in the network connection method, each of the devices may require many preliminary operations, such as an operation of inputting an SSID, a password, and the like, so as to access the data, and therefore, the accessibility of a user to data is considerably degraded. Particularly, when a user accesses data with commonality in public places, such as public institutions, such a complicated procedure may be required, and therefore, may be inefficient.

Terminal having transfer mode and network connection method


Provided is a display apparatus including an image processing module and a display main body, wherein the image processing module includes: an image signal processor processing an image signal; a module terminal transmitting the processed image signal in a wired manner; and a module wireless communication unit transmitting wirelessly the processed image signal, and wherein the display main body includes: a main body terminal receiving the image signal from the module terminal which is detachably connected to the main body terminal; a main body wireless communication unit receiving the image signal from the module wireless communication unit; and a display unit displaying an image corresponding to the image signal; and a controller controlling the image signal to be transmitted selectively from the module terminal to the main body terminal or from the module wireless communication unit to the main body wireless communication unit.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a display apparatus which displays an image with an image signal received from the outside, and more particularly, to a display apparatus which has an improved installation configuration of processing an image corresponding to an installation location of a display main body.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display apparatus processes an image signal input from the outside according to various image processing operations and displays an image based on the processed image signal. Generally, the display apparatus may be a television (TV) or a computer monitor. To perform the foregoing operation, the display apparatus includes a display panel to display an image thereon, and an image processing board to process and output an image signal received from the outside to the display panel.
The display panel and the image processing board are accommodated in a single casing to form a display main body. The display apparatus may further include a stand to support the display main body. The display main body is supported by the stand on a flat surface.
Technological development makes the display panel larger and slimmer, and an increasing number of display panels are hung on the wall, instead of being supported by the stand, to meet users' demand. If the display main body is hung on the wall, a supporting frame may be installed on the wall to be coupled with the display main body, or the display main body may be partly embedded in the wall.
However, if the display main body is hung on the wall as above, a wired connection for the input of an image signal from the outside is not that feasible compared to the display main body supported by the stand. In particular, an increased number of image supply sources connected to the display main body in a wired manner may aggravate the foregoing problem.


The present disclosure provides a light conversion substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display panel. The light conversion substrate may include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other. A plurality of first grooves may be defined on the first surface of the substrate. A plurality of second grooves may be defined on the second surface of the substrate. The plurality of first grooves and the plurality of second grooves are arranged alternately. A first light conversion body may be arranged in each of the plurality of first grooves. A second light conversion body ma be arranged in each of the plurality of second grooves. In the present disclosure, light conversion materials may not interfere with each other during the manufacturing method, so that the present disclosure may be suitable for a display panel with high pixel density.

With the development of display technology, a basic feature of the current display panel is color displaying. In order to realize the color displaying, three-color light RGB is generally required. In a field of display technology, a three-color light source can direct emit three-color light, or a single-color light source can be used in combination with a light conversion substrate to emit three-color light. The light conversion substrate can convert light of a certain color into other colors light, to achieve the three-color light generation.
However, in the manufacturing process of existing light conversion substrates, the manufacturing process of different light conversion bodies on the substrate are likely to affect each other, and thus the interval between different light conversion bodies cannot be too small. Therefore, the existing light conversion substrates are not suitable for a display panel with high pixel density.

Light conversion substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display panel

CHENGDU VISTAR OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD.


A regulator circuit comprising an input for receiving an input voltage; an output stage, configured to switch between said input voltage and a reference voltage to generate an output voltage, in dependence on a modulated signal; a controller, configured to receive an error signal (VERROR) on a control input and to provide the modulated signal to said output stage; an error amplifier, for providing the error signal to the controller in dependence on the output voltage; and presetting circuitry, configured to estimate the error signal in dependence on at least the input voltage, and for presetting the control input with the estimated error signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power regulators having a control node for an error signal, and in particular to methods and apparatus for estimating the error signal and charging the control node accordingly.
2. Description of the Related Art
In electronic equipment in general, and particularly for fast-moving segments such as portable consumer devices (e.g. mobile phones, MP3 players etc), there is a relentless push to use the latest processor technology to increase the device capability and feature set while reducing power and cost. As the next generation of processors becomes available, lower operating voltages are used than in previous-generation processors so as to allow a reduction in process feature size, i.e. W/L, that enables a greater level of integration. This is beneficial in terms of reduced die size, reduced die cost and reduced power consumption.
Such progress results in two design challenges for power supply circuitry (e.g. DC-DC converters) to service these processors: one induced by the choice of the value of the low voltage; the other by battery technology lagging behind the change to lower processor supply voltages.    (i) The reduction in processor supply voltage requires a much tighter control—in absolute terms—of the DC-DC converter output voltage under prevailing processor load and battery conditions. If the control over the processor supply voltage is not sufficient, problems with under- or overvoltage may occur; both are equally undesirable.    (ii) Since the battery terminal voltage has not dropped appreciably, and the duty cycle of a DC-DC converter is given by the ratio of VOUT/VIN, duty cycles must therefore reduce. This, coupled with the desire for small external components, pushes the DC-DC converter to high operating frequencies, resulting in extremely short switch on i.e. conduction, times. The increase in switching speed afforded by the reduction in transistor feature size is not normally available for the power switches since the interface components must be rated to battery voltage.
Since small conduction periods i.e. on times, of the power switches are difficult to control, a more robust method needs to be found in order to control the lower processor output voltages with adequate accuracy. Fortunately, one such method exists: Valley Current Mode (VCM). This method of DC-DC loop control controls the input transistor off i.e. non-conduction, time, rather than the on time. For the low duty cycle required, the non-conduction time is longer than the conduction time, so is therefore easier to control. Also VCM DC-DC converters are known to offer an inherently higher bandwidth and an improved transient response.
Consider a buck converter, with an inductor switched between a supply VIN and Ground by a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor respectively. Under high or medium current demand, the inductor current, composed of an average component and a ripple, remains above zero through every cycle. This is termed Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM). As the load current demand decreases, it is advantageous for efficiency reasons to alter the control so that the current in the inductor goes to zero for some of each cycle to avoid ripple being large enough to cause a reverse in the current in the inductor. This is termed Discontinuous Current Mode (DCM). At even lower load currents it is advantageous to "pulse-skip" so the PMOS switch does not recharge the inductor in some cycles, but this can lead to undesired behaviour.
These various modes present different control problems and dynamics, and it is important to be able to transition between modes seamlessly without transients appearing during change over. There is also the opportunity for other modes, where current is saved by using simpler control schemes adequate for lower currents, such as unclocked hysteretic modes. For low currents, it may even be advantageous to use a linear regulator such as an LDO (Low Drop Out) regulator rather than a switched voltage regulator. For optimum performance the open-loop transfer function has to be tightly toleranced, and internal signal swings maximized.
FIG. 1 shows a typical application where processor circuitry 101, which may, for example, be a processor of a portable electronic device, is supplied with a voltage VOUT (102) by a DC-DC converter 100. The DC-DC converter 100 receives an input voltage VIN (103) and an external clock signal CLK (104) and outputs the required voltage output VOUT (102). It is usual for the supply voltage of a processor to be reduced when it is idling in order to save power, and then to ramp up to a more normal operating voltage where it may achieve full operating speed. The processor circuitry 101 therefore provides voltage select signals VSEL (105) to the DC-DC converter 100 to select an appropriate voltage output VOUT. The voltage select signals may be digital signals for controlling a programmable element of the DC-DC converter, such as a level shifter, as will be described later. The DC-DC converter 100 may also be operable in various modes, as will be described later, and the processor circuitry may select a particular mode of operation by appropriate mode control signals MODE (106). It will be appreciated that DC-DC converters may be used to provide power to device sub-systems other than processors and the embodiments described herein are generally applicable to any DC-DC converter or switched voltage regulator used for any application.
A conventional current-mode buck (i.e. step down) DC-DC converter 200 is shown in simplified form in FIG. 2. The converter 200 comprises two nested feedback loops: an inner Current Control loop and an outer Voltage Control loop.
The Current Control loop block 201 takes an input signal VERROR and a current sense signal ISNS fed back from the output stage and generates pulse-width modulated drive signals for the output stage 202. The voltage on the output stage output node LX is switched between ground and supply, VIN, at a controlled duty cycle, resulting in a triangular current waveform in the inductor L. The inductor L and output capacitor C1 act as a filter to reduce voltage ripple superimposed on the average voltage of VOUT at an output node 203.
In operation the inductor current is sensed, and compared with VERROR. So this feedback loop generates an output sensed current varying according to the input signal VERROR. In many conventional DC-DC converters the sensed current is a peak current, although it is known to use an average current in some converters. In embodiments of the present invention to be described the minimum or "valley" current is used to control the duty cycle of the converter.
Variation of the delivered output current, smoothed by the output filter L, C1, modulates the output voltage at VOUT. This voltage VOUT is fed back, translated down to an appropriate voltage VOUT—LS by a Level Shifter, or Voltage Shifter, block 204, to the input of a Voltage Error Amplifier block 205. The Voltage Error Amplifier block 205 compares this processed version of VOUT with a supplied reference voltage VREF and provides the error signal VERROR which drives the above described inner feedback loop to close the outer feedback loop and thus stabilize VOUT at the desired voltage.
The Level Shifter 204 is illustrated as a resistive potential divider. The level shifter applies a conversion to the level of VOUT such that, when VOUT is equal to the desired or target output voltage, the level shifted signal VOUT—LS has a known relationship to the reference voltage VREF (e.g. the level shifted signal VOUT—LS may be equal to VREF when VOUT is exactly the desired output voltage). The Level Shifter 204 may be programmable, mechanically or digitally, to provide different voltage scaling or shifting circuitry, so as to allow the converter to be configurable to output different values of VOUT. For instance, it may be programmable by a digital multi-bit signal, such as the VSEL signal generated by a processor as shown in FIG. 1.
The Voltage Error Amplifier 205 is illustrated as an Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) 206 driving an RC network 207, but could be some other amplifier. Generally it may include some passive impedances, such as this RC network, to provide closed-loop stabilization.
The Current Loop Control block 201 receives a signal 208 from the output stage 202 which passes through a Current Sensor Amp block 209 to pre-condition it, for instance to scale or strobe the signal, representative of the inductor current, to generate a convenient current sense signal ISNS. A Ramp Generator 213 may generate a slope compensation ramp signal ISLP which may be added either in whole or in part to the ISNS signal to generate a summed signal VISUM, so as to prevent sub-harmonic oscillations as would be well understood by one skilled in the art. A duty modulator 210 compares the VISUM signal to the input VERROR to derive drive signals of the appropriate duty cycle to drive the output stage devices (10, 20) on and off via a Switch Driver buffer stage 211. The Duty Modulator 210 may require a clock signal 212 to generate the necessary sequence of pulses as would be understood by one skilled in the art.
The Output Stage 202 in general will have a high-side driver device such as a PMOS transistor 10 to switch the output to the high-side supply rail 214 (VIN) and a low-side driver device such as an NMOS transistor 20 to switch the output to the low-side supply rail 215 (Ground). The Stage 202 is also required to supply information, i.e. an indication, of inductor current signal 208, to feed back to the Current Control block 201.
The DC-DC converter 200 of FIG. 2 requires a voltage shifter, e.g. a potential divider, to translate the output voltage VOUT down to a (nominally) convenient reference voltage. Also this is a convenient place to adjust or trim the converter output voltage VOUT by use of a programmable voltage shifter.
As described above, the Duty Modulator 210 compares the VERROR signal with a signal VISUM that is a sum of a signal ISNS representative of the current in the inductor L, plus a ramping signal designed to prevent sub-harmonic oscillations. In an alternative arrangement (not illustrated), the ramping signal may be subtracted from the VERROR signal to provide the same effect.
FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the various waveforms in the Duty Modulator 210 over one cycle of the DC-DC converter 200 operating in Valley Current Mode (VCM). VERROR is shown by a dashed line 310; VISUM is shown on the same plot by a solid line 320; a clock signal is shown as line 330; and the resultant pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal is shown as line 340.
The bandwidth of the outer Voltage Control loop is considerably lower than that of the inner Current Control loop, and therefore the feedback signal VERROR 310 may be considered to be constant across a single cycle.
As the clock signal 330 is asserted, the PWM signal 340 goes low, causing the NMOS 20 to switch on, and the PMOS 10 to switch off. The current in the inductor therefore decreases, and VISUM 320 also decreases. When VISUM 320 becomes equal to VERROR 310, the PWM signal 340 goes high, causing the NMOS 20 to switch off, and the PMOS 10 to switch on. The current in the inductor therefore increases, and VISUM 320 also increases. (In some implementations, VISUM may no longer be generated after the decision point is reached, as it is not used in this part of the cycle.)
It can therefore be seen that the switching of the PMOS 10 and NMOS 20 devices depends on the level of the feedback signal VERROR, and in particular on the point at which VERROR intersects with VISUM.
In order to save power during low power modes, it is possible to turn off most of the inessential analogue circuitry. In some arrangements the outer Voltage Control feedback loop may be disabled. That is, the Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) block 206, the current sensor amplifier 209, the slope compensation ramp generation block 213 and the duty modulator block 210 may all be powered down, or otherwise disconnected and/or made inactive to render the error amplifier non-operational, i.e. no longer supplying a VERROR responsive to the amplifier inputs. This may also occur in modes where a fault has been detected in the system to which the converter 200 is connected, or in the converter 200 itself. In such fault condition modes, the blocks mentioned above may be similarly powered down, disconnected or made inactive.
This leaves the problem of how to transition from one of these modes, where the feedback loop is inactive (e.g. a start-up mode), to a normal mode of operation (e.g. CCM) where the feedback loop is operational, as the value of VERROR will initially be poorly defined. For example, if the VERROR signal is initially high, the PMOS 10 may be instantly switched on and remain on for an entire cycle; if the VERROR signal is initially low, the PMOS 10 may not switch on at all in the first cycle. These situations are likely to lead to overshoot and undershoot of the output voltage VOUT, respectively. Although such errors will be corrected in time as VERROR moves to its correct value, this correction may occur only after an unacceptable number of cycles. In other words, a poorly defined value of VERROR when first powering on the control loop (for example on a transition between modes) leads to a loss of control in the output voltage: the resulting output voltage undershoot or overshot may cause mis-operation of, or even damage to, downstream circuitry

Switched power regulator with error signal estimation and presetting


According to this invention, there is provided an image pickup unit for an endoscope, including a lens barrel portion includes a movable lens holding barrel that holds the movable lens and is movable to advance and retract and a drive mechanism portion which is disposed at a side surface portion of the lens barrel portion and drives the movable lens holding barrel. The unit has a holding portion which is disposed at the side surface portion of the lens barrel portion and is configured to position and hold the drive mechanism portion, a gap between the lens barrel portion and the drive mechanism portion is filled with an adhesive which is made to have a difference in hardness such that hardness is lower on a proximal end side than on a distal end side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup unit for an endoscope having a movable lens drive section which is disposed at a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion and moves some or all of objective lenses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Endoscopes which can be introduced from outside of a living body or a structure into an inside and include an image pickup unit for picking up an optical image are utilized in, e.g., fields of medicine and industry in order to observe a spot difficult to observe, such as an inside of a living body or an inside of a structure.
An image pickup unit of an endoscope includes an objective lens which forms an object image and an image pickup device (typically, a CCD (charge coupled device) or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor) which is disposed at an image formation surface of the objective lens.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-229155 discloses an image pickup unit for an endoscope which has a movable lens among objective lenses and is provided with a function of changing a photographing magnification by moving the movable lens in an optical axis direction (a variable-power function or a zoom function).
In a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-229155, the image pickup unit for an endoscope is configured to include a lens barrel portion including a movable lens holding barrel which holds the movable lens and is capable of moving to advance and retract in the optical axis direction and an image pickup device and a drive mechanism portion which is disposed at a side portion of the lens barrel portion. An arm portion protruding outwardly in a radial direction is provided at the movable lens holding barrel. The drive mechanism portion is configured to drive the movable lens holding barrel in the optical axis direction by pushing and pulling the arm portion. The lens barrel portion and the drive mechanism portion of the image pickup unit for an endoscope are shaped to extend in a direction toward a proximal end separately from each other.


An information processing apparatus that can execute a start-up process properly, even when electric power is cut off without performing a normal power turn-OFF process. A first storage unit stores a program. A second storage unit continues holding information even when a power supply stops. A third storage unit stores information showing a power-OFF-timing state of the information processing apparatus. A control unit determines whether the information showing the power-OFF-timing state obtained from the third storage unit needs read-out of a program at a power ON timing of the information processing apparatus, performs a start-up process after reading and developing the program from the first storage unit to the second storage unit when the read-out of the program is needed, and performs the start-up process without reading and developing the program from the first storage unit to the second storage unit when the read-out of the program is not needed.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that enables high-speed start-up, a control method therefor, and a storage medium storing a control program therefor.
Description of the Related Art
Many conventional information processing apparatuses store operating systems (OS) and various application programs in external storage units, such as hard disk drives (HDD) and FLASH memories. Then, when starting an information processing apparatus from a power-OFF state, the OS and the programs are read out to a volatile DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) as a main memory, and is executed. Accordingly, data including the OS and the programs read to the DRAM is lost whenever the power is turned OFF, and there is a problem that start-up of an information processing apparatus takes time. In regard to this problem, there is a hibernation technology that suspends a system after saving the entire data on a main memory at the timing just before turning OFF the power to an external storage unit, and that develops the saved data to the main memory in order to shorten the start-up time of the information processing apparatus.
In recent years, there is a proposed method for shortening start-up time using a nonvolatile MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) that holds data even if power supply stops and that differs from a volatile memory like a DRAM (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2005-11120 (JP 2005-11120A)).
An access speed of an MRAM is similar to that of a DRAM, and an MRAM can hold data after turning power OFF as well as an HDD. Accordingly, when an MRAM is used as a main memory, a state of the main memory can be held even if the power is turned OFF and ON without saving data to an external storage unit and reading therefrom unlike the hibernation technology. As a result, the start-up time can become shorter than that using the conventional hibernation technology.
On the other hand, when an MRAM is used as a main memory, the memory contents will be rewritten successively during executing a program. Accordingly, when electric power is cut off without performing a normal power turn-OFF process, the contents of the MRAM may be saved in a state where a program is running, and the program may not be normally executed when the power is turned ON at the next time.

Information processing apparatus enabling high-speed start-up, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor


An improved temporary guard rail system for use by residential and commercial builders on construction sites in those areas of building structures where an accidental fall may result in serious bodily injury. In particular, the temporary guard rail system of the present invention includes a plurality of upright stanchions having mounting brackets integrally formed or attached thereto that are connected by a plurality of vertically spaced, generally horizontal side rails extending end to end. The vertically spaced side rails are adapted for 360 degree rotational movement in both horizontal and vertical planes. In addition, the tubular guard rails are fabricated in a plurality of sections that may be slideably engaged, one inside another, to provide a telescoping adjustment of length. The temporary guard rail system may be adapted and secured to various features of a building such as balconies, elevated platforms, stair cases, and the perimeter of a floor prior to the external walls or permanent protective railings being erected to prevent accidental injury. Further, the temporary guard rail system is designed and manufactured to conform to OSHA requirements for temporary guard rails. This system also provides a versatile safety device which is easy to install, ready to dismantle, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

During the construction of buildings, both commercial and residential, there has been a problem in providing safety rails prior to permanent railings being installed on decks, balconies, and even elevated floors prior to the construction of exterior walls.
Quite often, 2×4 lumber has been temporarily nailed to form makeshift railings. Structures of this type, however, are usually not strong in structure and a worker or other person falling thereagainst can easily dislodge the makeshift railing causing such persons to fall. This of course can result in grievous injury or even death.
The above mentioned problems are of such a serious nature that the Occupational Hazards Safety Act, or OSHA agency has become so alarmed that regulations have been promulgated to require temporary railings on all open elevated building structures that will withstand at least two hundred pounds pressure without failing. No structure, however, has been detailed to meet these requirements.


Provided is a tail cylinder attaching and detaching fixture that attaches and detaches a tail cylinder to and from a casing, the tail cylinder being included in a combustor inserted into the casing so that the front end is connected to an inlet portion of a combustion gas passageway, the tail cylinder attaching and detaching fixture including: a guide portion of which the front end is disposed inside the casing and the front end and the base end are respectively supported by the casing and which supports the tail cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction of the combustor; and an advancing and retracting mechanism that advances and retracts the tail cylinder in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas turbine 200 generally includes a compressor 201 that produces compressed air, a plurality of combustors 1 that produces a combustion gas by mixing fuel with the compressed air produced in the compressor 201, and a turbine 202 that is driven by the combustion gas produced in the combustor 1. The combustor 1 includes an inner cylinder 2 to which compressed air and fuel are supplied to be burned and a tail cylinder 3 that introduces the combustion gas produced in the inner cylinder 2 into a combustion gas passageway 203 of the turbine 202. The plurality of combustors 1 are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the turbine rotor, and are respectively connected to an inlet portion 203a of the combustion gas passageway 203 inside the turbine 202.
In each of the combustors 1, the tail cylinder 3 is inserted into the casing 4 so as to be connected to the inlet portion 203a of the combustion gas passageway 203, and the inner cylinder 2 is connected to the base end of the tail cylinder 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an opening portion 4a of the casing 4 is blocked in a manner such that a cover body 7 is fixed to the cover fixing bolt hole 4b which is a cover fixing portion formed along the outer edge. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pipes 8 is arranged around the plurality of combustor 1 arranged in an annular shape, where the plurality of pipes include a fuel supply pipe that supplies fuel, a cooling air supply pipe that cools the combustor 1, and the like.
Here, the above-described combustor 1 is assembled by being inserted from the opening 4a into the casing 4 in order from the tail cylinder 3 and the inner cylinder 2 after the compressor 201, the casing 4, and the turbine 202 are constructed. Further, the respective components constituting the gas turbine 200 are worn in accordance with the activation thereof, are periodically inspected according to the individual cycles of the respective components, and replaced as necessary. Generally, since the inspection cycle of the combustor 1 is shorter than the inspection cycles of the turbine 202 and the compressor 201, there are many occasions where it is necessary to detach and inspect the combustor 1. The combustor 1 has a weight (for example, about 100 kg) such that the tail cylinder 3 or the inner cylinder 2 cannot be separately lifted by a person. Furthermore, it is difficult to ensure a foothold above an installation surface 200a of the gas turbine 200 in the vicinity of the casing 4. For this reason, in order to inspect the combustor 1, various devices which attach and detach the tail cylinder 3 to and from the casing 4 are proposed.
Specifically, there is proposed a device that includes an annular rail provided along the arrangement of combustors and a disassembling and assembling device provided on the rail (for example, see PTL 1). The disassembling and assembling device includes a hand portion that grips components of the combustors, an inserting and extracting portion that moves the hand portion forward and backward in the direction of the axis line of the combustor, and a circumferential traveling portion that makes a frame supporting the inserting and extracting portion travel along the rail. In the device of PTL 1, the positions of the frame, the inserting and extracting portion, and the hand portion are adjusted to a position corresponding to a desired combustor in a manner such that the circumferential traveling portion is made to travel along the rail. Then, the components of the combustors gripped by the hand portion may be inserted or extracted in a manner such that the hand portion is moved forward and backward by the inserting and extracting portion supported by the rail through the frame.
As another device, there is proposed a device that includes a column attached to a seat surface of a cylindrical seat of a casing of a gas turbine, a housing attached to the column, a screw bar rotatably attached to the housing, a holder attached to the lower side of the screw bar so that the inner cylinder is attached thereto, and a handle bar advancing and retracting the screw bar (for example, see PTL 2). In such a device, when the holder is attached to the inner cylinder so as to lift the screw bar, the inner cylinder is extracted from the tail cylinder.

Mounting/dismounting jig for combustor tail pipe and tail pipe installation method


The present invention relates to a method for feedback of states of an electric component to an engine control device of an internal combustion engine using a control unit for the electric component including a detection device configured to detect faults. The method includes configuring the control unit, connecting the control unit to the engine control device via a signal line, receiving a PWM signal generated in the engine control device, tying the signal line to ground for a feedback of data of the electric component to the engine control device; and identifying a fault based on a duration of the connection to ground.

In the field of automobile technology, there has recently developed an ever more frequent demand that electric components such as e.g. pumps and actuators, should be able to return to the engine control device a feedback message indicating states of the components. Normally, these components are driven by the engine control device through pulse width modulation. This is performed via a sole existing signal line which serves both for transmission of the desired signal in the form of a PWM coding from the engine control device to the control unit of the component and which, conversely, shall also be used for communicating a possibly existing fault state or actual state of the component to the engine control device.
Such feedbacks of states for diagnostic purposes are known as far as the component will tie the signal line to ground if any fault is present. This will be detected by the engine control device because this device is used as a master. At the same time, the engine control device will measure the voltage on the signal line so that, if the engine control device tries to output a high level while, however, the line remains on a low level because of the ground connection, this will indicate that either the component does not work properly or the line is short-circuited. In the past, for this reason, the switching of the signal line to ground as performed by the electric component has commonly been used to communicate to the engine control device that a fault has occurred.

Method for feedback of states of an electric component to an engine control device of an internal combustion engine