A flexible elastic container having a configuration matching an internal configuration of a standard bucket is provided. The flexible elastic container clings to the inner surface of a bucket without any bubbles or wrinkles due to a specially selected wall material. Container walls are made of a thin plastic film. A bottom surface of the container is made from a bubble wrap material with a high number of bubbles per container's bottom. The film material making the container walls is attached to a bubble wrap material of the container bottom by glue or by a thermal impulse method.

Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to containers, and, in particular, to a flexible disposable bucket-like container.
Description of the Related Art
Plastic buckets of various shapes and sizes are commonly used all over the world. The field of use of these buckets is also quite broad from preparing concrete mixtures to storing chemicals. The most commonly used buckets are made in 1, 2 and 5 gallon sizes.
The main problem with the conventional bucket is their cost and utilization (recycling). Often, such expensive buckets are only used once, because they cannot be effectively cleaned from the mixture that they store, like paint or concrete. Therefore, the bucket needs to be disposed. However, proper disposal of the plastic buckets is also costly, since it requires for the plastic material of the buckets to be clean in order to have it melted (i.e., recycled).
The rigidity of the conventional plastic buckets also increases the disposal costs. For example, it requires a large area or a container for collecting a required minimal number of buckets for disposal. Collecting and transporting a large number of buckets to a cleaning and melting suite can also be very expensive. Cleaning and melting/recycling of the buckets might be not environmentally friendly as well.
In order to use the plastic buckets longer, disposable inserts (or bucket liners) had been introduced. However, the disposable inserts are only slightly less expensive than the buckets. Also, the inserts cannot be used without the bucket, as they lack the required characteristics (i.e., strength, stiffness and durability) for carrying the material in the insert without the bucket.
Accordingly, there is a need for light, flexible easily disposable buckets that provide all of the characteristics of the conventional rigid buckets.

Flexible bucket-type disposable container


A light source apparatus includes a polarization conversion element, a fluorescent substance and a light source element. The polarization conversion element has a p/s-polarizing beam splitter film to separate polarization components of incident light into p-polarization component and s-polarization component. The fluorescent substance emits visible light as the incident light that is incident on the p/s-polarizing beam splitter film, which visible light is generated by that the fluorescent substance is excited by excitation light, and has a wavelength of longer wavelength region than a wavelength of the excitation light. The light source element emits a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength as the excitation light to irradiate the fluorescent substance with the excitation light so that a laser beam having a polarization plane between the polarization plane of p-polarized light and the polarization plane of s-polarized light exiting from the fluorescent substance is emitted as the incident light.

The present disclosure relates to a light source apparatus and a projector utilizing this light source apparatus.
In recent years, techniques with the use of a laser light source as a light source of a projector have been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-3042 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) proposes the way of using laser light, which is coherent light emitted from a laser light source, by scattering the laser light by a scattering element in which a fluorescent material is mixed. In this light source apparatus, while reducing coherency of the laser light to reduce speckle noise in the outgoing light, it is possible to reproduce the color of the image by combining the luminescent colors of both the laser light itself and the fluorescence emitted from the scattering element excited by the laser light (see, for example, paragraph [0018] of Patent Document 1, etc.).
As the light source apparatus of Patent Document 1 uses fluorescence, which is randomly-polarized (as in the state of natural light, with its polarization direction being random) light whose optical loss tends to be large, it is configured to arrange the polarization directions of the fluorescence to be the same direction using a polarization conversion element, in order to enhance the utilization efficiency of light. The polarization conversion element has a polarizing beam splitter, a reflecting mirror and a polarization rotation element. The light that was incident on the polarizing beam splitter is emitted branched into two optical paths, by being isolated into a polarization component in a first polarization direction (p-polarization component) and a polarization component in a second polarization direction orthogonal thereto (s-polarization component). The polarization rotation element provided in one of the two optical paths causes the polarization plane of light to be rotated by 90°. By the reflecting mirror and the like, the two optical paths are directed to an exit surface of the polarization conversion element in parallel. Thus, one light beam incident on the polarizing beam splitter is allowed to be emitted being converted into two light beams having the same single polarization component.


Crystal growth performed in situ facilitates interconnection of prefabricated nano-structures. The nano-structures are immersed in a growth solution having a controllable saturation condition. Changing the saturation condition of the solution modifies a size of the immersed nanowires. The solution includes a solute of a nano-structure precursor material. The saturation condition is changed to one or both etch material from a surface of the nano-structures and initiate crystal growth on the nano-structure surface. A nano-structure interconnection system includes the growth solution and equipment to deposit the prefabricated nano-structures on a substrate. An interconnected structure includes a plurality of nano-structures disposed on a substrate in a cluster and a liquid phase-grown crystal lattice on surfaces of the nano-structures to form physical interconnections between the plurality. An ink formulation includes the plurality of nano-structures suspended in the growth solution.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to nanotechnology. In particular, the invention relates to structures having nano-scale feature sizes fabricated using nano-structures.
2. Description of Related Art
Nanotechnology is concerned with the fabrication and application of so-called nano-scale, crystalline structures, structures having at least one linear dimension between 1 nm and 200 nm. These nano-scale crystalline structures are often 50 to 100 times smaller than conventional semiconductor structures. Hereinafter, a nano-scale, crystalline structure may be referred to as a 'nano-structure' that includes, but is not limited to, a nanoparticle and a nanowire. Nanoparticles and nanowires are individual, low dimensional, nano-scale, crystalline structures. Specifically, nanoparticles are generally characterized as having three quantum confined dimensions or directions (i.e., width, height, and length) while nanowires typically are characterized as having two quantum confined dimensions or directions (i.e., width and height) along with one unconfined dimension or direction (i.e., length). The presence of the unconfined dimension in nanowires facilitates electrical conduction along that dimension. As such, nanowires may be used in applications requiring true electrical conduction instead of other forms of electron transport such as tunneling. Moreover, the confined and/or unconfined directions provide a specific density of electronic states that may impart significantly different electrical, optical and magnetic properties to nanoparticles and nanowires as well as structures composed thereof when compared to structures comprising more conventional bulk crystalline materials. As such, nanoparticles and nanowires, especially semiconductor nanoparticles and nanowires, offer intriguing possibilities for use in structures comprising aggregated numbers of such nanoparticles or nanowires.
Nano-structures, such as nanoparticles and nanowires may be fabricated by a number of different techniques. For example, nano-structures may be simultaneously fabricated in relatively large quantities and then 'harvested' or otherwise collected together as detached or free nano-structures. These free nano-structures may be deposited on a substrate or surface to provide more complex structures composed of many of the nano-structures. For example, nanowires may be deposited on the substrate in a narrow linear cluster made up of a large number of nanowires. Such nanostructure-based, linear clusters may be employed to interconnect circuit elements or components in an integrated circuit, for example, such as a circuit trace or a wire-like interconnect. Alternatively, a large number of nanowires may be deposited on a substrate in a broad planar cluster to form a film or sheet of nanowires (e.g., a nano-layer film). Such nanostructure-based films may be patterned or otherwise modified to become a portion of a circuit element or component (e.g., a gate conductor of a field effect transistor) and/or a portion of a circuit interconnect. Similarly, nanoparticles or combinations of nanowires and nanoparticles may be employed as deposited clusters or aggregations.
Unfortunately, individual nanowires and nanoparticles deposited on a substrate as either a linear, wire-like form or a planar film often exhibit a relatively high aggregate resistivity as a deposited structure. In particular, the aggregate resistivity is often independent of a resistivity of the individual nano-structures that make up the deposited cluster. The high aggregate resistivity is generally due to a relatively small average physical contact area between the individual crystalline nano-structures of the cluster formed during deposition. For example, if a nanowire is assumed to have an essentially cylindrical shape, the physical contact or connectivity between adjacent nanowires, whether the nanowires are deposited with a generally oriented distribution or a generally random or unoriented distribution, is essentially confined to point contacts along a circumference of the nanowires. Such point contacts make for poor electrical as well as mechanical interfaces between deposited nanowires leading to an unexpectedly high aggregate resistance.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an approach to create and/or improve connectivity between clusters of nano-structures. Such an approach would solve a long-standing need in the area of nanotechnology and in the use of nano-structures, such as nanowires and nanoparticles.

Fusing nanowires using in situ crystal growth

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An apparatus for positioning a device. The apparatus includes a coupling member, a first arm, a second arm, and a sloped support member. The coupling member defines a first opening and a second opening. The first arm passes through the first opening, and the coupling member is movably connected to the first arm. The second arm passes through the second opening. The sloped support member is releasably connected to the second arm. The apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom.

This application discloses an invention that is related, generally and in various embodiments, to an apparatus for positioning a device.
In conventional surgery, surgical devices are often supported by the hands of one or more surgeons or assistants positioned proximate a patient. For applications involving robotic surgery, surgical devices are generally supported by one or more robotic arms. In many cases, the number, size and positioning of such robotic arms tend to interfere with the desired movements of the surgeons and/or assistants proximate a patient.


An automatic tape affixing apparatus includes a tape affixing head movable in X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, A-axis and C-axis directions, a roller carrying member being vertically movably supported by the tape affixing head, a tape presser roller rotatably supported by the roller carrying member, a sensor for detecting a vertical relative moved amount of the roller carrying member relative to the tape affixing head, and control means for controlling vertical movement of the tape affixing head in accordance with a signal from said sensor so as to eliminate the vertical relative moved amount of the roller carrying member, whereby when the roller carrying member is moved relative to the tape affixing head, the sensor detects the relative moved amount and the tape affixing head is vertically moved in accordance with the relative moved amount so that the relative moved amount of the roller carrying member to the tape affixing head is eliminated.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically affixing a tape of composite material on the surface of an adhesion form having various contours to make a lamination of the tape.
In recent years, lightweight plate materials have been produced from a tape of composite material, i.e. a tape prepared by impregnating carbon fiber, aramid fiber or like reinforcing fiber with a thermosetting resin, by affixing the tape on the surface of an adhesion form (body) having specified contours to make a lamination, and thereafter subjecting the lamination to a curing treatment with application of heat and pressure. Unexamined Japanese patent application No. SHO 58-45057, for example, discloses a known method of automatically affixing such a tape of composite material. With this method, the tape is continuously paid off from a reel and pressed against the surface (curved surface) of the adhesion form with a press roller, the press roller is moved along a predetermined path to successively affix tape portions without leaving a clearance therebetween, and the tape affixing direction is changed from layer to layer, whereby a lamination is obtained. When the presser roller comes near a border of an adhesion region, the tape is cut with a cutter disposed between the reel and the presser roller and the cut edge is positioned at the border of the adhesion region.
In the above apparatus, however, the cut edges are not uniformly positioned at the border of the adhesion region due to the fact that the tape is cut without taking into consideration differences between actual paths of the presser roller and programmed paths. As shown in FIG. 1, a tape is cut when a presser roller 20 reaches a predetermined position P before a border of an adhesion region. The presser roller 20 is stopped at the position P and the tape is cut with a cutter 41 (only an adhesion layer of the twolayer tape is cut). However, the contour of a surface 300 of an actual adhesion form is different from the contour of a surface 400 of a programmed adhesion form due to errors on manufacture. A tape affixing head 1 carrying the presser roller 20 is moved in accordance with a programmed path. The presser roller 20 which is moved with coming in contact with the actual surface 300 moves up and down relative to the tape affixing head 1. Consequently, when the tape affixing head 1 is positioned at a solid line and the presser roller 20 moves up to a position illustrated by a solid line, a distance from the lowermost end of the presser roller 20 at the position P to a cutter 41 is different from the programmed one. The difference between the actual distance and programmed distance result in the irregularity of cut edges on the border of the adhesion region. In other words, as shown in FIG. 10, the length of a cut tape 10 is insufficiently long or short to a predetermined border 10a.

Shinnippon Koki Kabushiki Kaisha (Shinnippon Koki Co., Ltd.)


A system and method are provided which enable a print media color to be used, as a replacement for a mixture of one or more colorants, in rendering portions of a print job. One or more multidimensional look-up tables are provided. Each table provides for an identified input color, in a device-independent space, to be equated to no colorant, when printed on the respective print media. The identified input color is one of a set of input colors, which, when printed and measured, has an output color that is closest to a measured color of the print media.

The exemplary embodiment relates to color printing and finds particular application in a system and method for defining output color values for rendering an image on colored print media.
Printers are usually provided with a set of colorants, such as inks or toners, for printing images on print media, such as paper or fabric. By using combinations of three, four, or more colorants, a wide range of printed colors (the printer's color gamut) can be achieved. When printing on colored media, a white colorant is often used an underlay to block the media color from showing through. The colors in the printer's gamut are then achieved with a mix of cyan, magenta, and yellow (C, M, and Y) colorants over the white (W) colorant. This helps in creating vibrant and true to life colors in the printed output. However, use of colorants over the entire printable area can be costly and does not take advantage of the natural color of the print media. It is therefore desirable to leave portions of the print media blank, i.e., without colorant.
Graphic designers that create documents intended for printing on colored media often use graphic design tools, such as Adobe Illustrator, to create and view documents prior to printing. However, such tools do not take the color of the selected print medium into account. Thus, for example, a designer may create a design on a "white" background, assuming this will be left blank, when printed. However, when the print job reaches the printer, the printer's software may recognize that the background should appear white, and thus apply a layer of white toner to mask the color of the print medium. This is both costly and does not achieve the designer's intent.
One approach to overcome this problem is for the designer to manually identify those areas which are to be left blank by specifying the RGB or CMYK color of the colored print medium for these areas. However, this is time consuming and has to be repeated if the designer changes the print media color. Additionally, the printer may not recognize the input color and may recreate the designer's selected color with a mix of C, M, Y, and W. This can result in the unnecessary use of significant amounts of colorant.
The present system and method enable eliminating or reducing the use of colorants where the output color value matches the print media color, providing a reduction in colorant usage.

System and method for printing colored media when input color matches media color


A linear motor is used to actuate an elevator door in response to a control signal for counteracting rotational torque caused by a variable-length moment arm about the center of gravity of the door by varying the magnitude of a linear force exerted on the door acting through a fixed-length moment arm about the center of gravity of the door for providing an opposing rotational torque, thereby counteracting the rotational torque caused by the normal force. The first and second rotational torques may be controlled to decrease and increase linearly as the door goes through its motion. In this way, the velocity profile varies in a curve similar to one side of the major axis of an ellipse. The normal force may be provided so as to levitate the door to reduce gravitational forces acting on door rollers. The control may be carried out in an open- or closed-loop fashion.

Elevator door systems generally consist of single or dual sliding doors which are normally powered to provide for automatic opening and closing. The actual door panels slide open in a horizontal plane to provide access and closed to provide security to the elevator passengers. Traditionally, these automatic operation systems have been powered by an electric motor which provides rotational torque, as shown in FIG. 1. A mechanical linkage system is there shown that converts the rotational force produced by the motor into a linear force required to move the door. Two common forms of mechanical linkages used include a two-bar linkage and a threaded lead screw.
The concept being advanced by the present invention is to replace the combination of rotational motor and linkage with a linear electric motor. Linear electric motors have been suggested in the prior art for operating sliding doors and elevator doors.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,883 shows a sliding door actuated by a linear induction motor having a control circuit including a plurality of switches sequentially actuated by the door moving in either direction for effecting variable deceleration. Speed sensing is also used to modify the deceleration control.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4067,144 and 4,090,113 disclose a method of driving a door of an automatic door assembly by a linear motor mounted within the automatic door assembly. The door is driven by a normal propulsion force which is augmented during a final portion of the stroke of the door, thereby overcoming the reaction force of cushioning devices provided near the ends of the door stroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,622 discloses a linear motor for driving a pair of sliding doors, wherein the stator is fixed relative to the frame of the doors and its armature connected to a pulley and rope assembly, which is movable therewith to effect opening of the doors. Means are provided for adjusting the axis of rotation of the pulleys in three planes to adjust the tension on the rope and adjust the alignment of the pulleys.
Linear motors are known for various types of doors, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,134,324; 4,858,452; 4,188,552; 3,793,944; 4,365,442; and 3,708,915.
Various speed control and control circuits are known for linear motors, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,907 and British Patent Specification 1,148,144.
However, inasmuch as it is desirable to place the linear motor at a top or bottom end of the door to be actuated, there will be developed an undesirable torque about the doors due to the moment arm for the horizontal force. This moment arm, which is the distance between the point of horizontal force application and the door unit center of gravity, remains constant over the door travel distance. This undesirable torque may be substantial and for a rapidly accelerating door will produce rotation or oscillation of the door about its center of gravity. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the prior art solves this problem for high-acceleration doors by placing the holding point somewhere near the middle of the door or close to the center of gravity so as to minimize a rotational torque problem that would otherwise arise.
In addition to the desirable horizontal force, the linear motor also produces an attractive force between the primary and secondary of the motor. In previous art unrelated to door systems, for example, a linear motor for lifting an elevator in the hoistway, this force was opposed by rollers or bearings located on the primary parts, thus maintaining the air gap required between the secondary and primary components of the motor.


In a printer device and method for printing on a print medium with a print head and with a transport device for the print medium, wherein the print head is not moved during printing, a controller is connected to sensors and actuators of a displacement device and the transport device. The transport device and the displacement device are mechanically coupled to a displaceable transport device in the printer device that is controllable by the controller for at least one alternative printing position. The transport device transports the print medium downstream in the alternative printing position during printing. The print medium is transported downstream in the X-direction and orthogonally thereto in the Y-direction, the displaceable transport device is returned into a first printing position with reference to the Y-coordinate of a Cartesian coordinate system when all printing jobs have been processed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a printer device and to a method for printing on a print medium of the type employable for a number of printing jobs, wherein recording medium such as a letter is supplied to the printer device by a transport device which holds it in a defined position. As used herein, the terms letter, piece of mail or print medium include all types of envelopes or other recording media. Postal matter, file cards, labels or self-adhesive tapes of paper or similar material can be employed as a recording medium. The printer device is particularly provided for printing letters in a postage meter/addressing machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Given greater volumes of postal matter, the processing of postal matter such as letters, cards, packages, etc., is usually undertaken by employing two independent printer devices before the delivery to the carrier. The labeling of the postal matter with the address of the consignor and of the recipient generally ensues with a less expensive printer (open system) and independently of the franking. Automatic franking machines print monetary values and therefore must exhibit a high security standard to prevent tampering (closed system). The use of both systems makes the mail processing correspondingly expensive.
German OS 40 37 186 discloses a stand-along addressing printer that works independently of an automatic franking machine. The printout ensues on one or more tapes, such as self-adhesive labels. The mail customers should additionally apply the bar code onto the postal matter in order to be able to automatically sort and distribute mailings. A personal computer containing the address data file is required in order to additionally print the addresses. The Cod data logic (alpha 39) address printer is used in common for the analog writing of the address as well as for the bar code printing, however, franking is not possible with this printer. The device is intended for public institutions such as post offices, etc. Here, the address encoding printer should be coupled with a specific postage meter machine with which the postal matter can be more inexpensively franked. It is uncertain whether the post offices will offer a rebate so that the customers will prefer this system, or whether the customers will continue to utilize a postage stamp for franking mail. A security check is not undertaken when the automatic franking machine is used, to determine whether the intended letter has been correctly addressed or whether another letter, not addressed with the customer's device, is franked. This is because coupling ensues only for the electronic transmission of fee reduction information via interfaces with the automatic franking machine. A check of the letter weight would also still have to be implemented with a scale before the franking. Three difference devices would thus be required, still without assurance that the with the correct postage fee. Moreover, it is not possible to utilize the same printer device for a number of different printing jobs.
German OS 40 18 166 discloses a franking module that prints both data types, i.e. franking data and address data for parts thereof as barcode. This device is arranged in a slot of a slide-in drive module of a personal computer. A detent, up to which the letters are inserted, and a light barrier are provided in the franking module at the end of a delivery chute for the letters. The light barrier activates a holding means for the duration of the printing event that fixes the letter in this position. The printing unit prints vertically downwardly and can be coupled to a tape dispenser for franking the postal matter that deviates from a standard size. A labeling of the letter with addresses and the calling of the franking program by user prompting ensue in conjunction with the personal computer. In the franking, the processor system of the franking module works independently and stores the accounting data. The letter must be introduced in the longitudinal direction into an introduction slot in which, however, only letters having specific, standardized dimensions fit. The device is intended for SOHO employment (soft offices home offices). It is disadvantageous that only letters having a standard size can be labeled and franked in the apparatus and that the printout must ensue on a self-adhesive tape. A high mail volume thus cannot be processed because the printed tapes must be manually glued.
German Utility Model G94 20 734.8 discloses an arrangement for a postage meter machine, wherein a tape with the franking imprint and a second tape with the address can be printed respectively with a separate printer device. The difficulty is thereby avoided of having to move a printer device. The mechanically immobile arrangement of the printer module cannot be arbitrarily adapted to other printing jobs. The tapes must be glued onto a recording medium; this, however, is not recognized as permissible by every mail carrier because tampering cannot be completely precluded.
In all such machines, the print medium is conducted along a printer device and the franking respectively address is printed in one pass.
It is standard to conduct the print carrier along the printer device either lying flat--see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,709--or standing on one edge (German PS 25 24 670, U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,386, German PS 196 05 014 and German PS 196 05 015). In any case, it is important that the print medium and the printer device proceed into a defined position relative to one another so that the imprint ensues at the intended location and with adequate quality.
Given horizontal transport, a relatively large seating surface is required in conformity with the largest print medium format being employed, and as a result a correspondingly large standing surface is in turn required for the machines. In the solution according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,709, printing is carried out in non-contacting fashion with an ink printer head that is displaceable into a second position in order to print a franking tape. The print head should be moved and thus must be relatively small and light. An ink tank can be arranged directly at the print head and is co-moved with it. If movement to another printing position were to be necessary in order, for example, to print an address, then the ink consumption would be higher and the print head together with the ink tank would have to be replaced more often. The print head must be easily accessible for replacement. Moreover, the print head must be protected against drying out during longer pauses; this, however, is only possible with a cleaning and sealing station that is applied with an exact fit. A third position, which is at a relatively large distance from one of the two printing positions must be assumed for cleaning. Only slow movements are thereby possible. An alternating printing of an address and a franking imprint would be practically possible only at very low speed with such a device.
The letter usually lies against a longitudinal guide plate that includes a conveyor belt. The longitudinal guide plate is provided with a recess adapted to the conveyor belt and with a rectangular recess for the ink print head which has diagonal rows of jets. The conveyor belt, the longitudinal guide plate and the ink print head are arranged over the letter. The letter is conveyed clamped between the driven conveyor belt and resiliently seated pressure rollers. The resiliently seated pressure rollers and a pressure roller resiliently seated in the printing region are arranged under the letter. The spring bias movement of the pressure rollers and of the pressure plate corresponds to the maximum thickness of the letters, which can fluctuate between 0.2 mm and 20 mm. The spring power must be capable of handling the entire weight range of the letters--approximately 20 through 1000 g--and must also allow the letters to lie adequately flat in the region of the recess for the print head. As a result of the clamping, hard parts such as, for example, metal clips in or on documents contained in the postal matter can bulge through the envelope, which leads to the reduction of the distance of the envelope surface from the print head or can even cause damage thereto.
An optimally small distance between the print medium and the ink print head must be adhered to for the non-contacting ink printing method so that splatters have little effect and so that the print medium does not touch the nozzle surface, which would produce smears. The risk of smearing is still present, however, when the letter leaves the region of the recess and then slides along the longitudinal guide plate under forced drive. All of these conditions cannot be adhered to given rapidly changing mixed mail.
German PS 25 24 670 discloses a system for processing outgoing letter mail differing in weight and differing in dimensions, whereby the letters are conveyed on edge along a conveying path. The conveying path has driven roller pairs and a conveyor belt. In the region preceding the franking imprint, the letter is arrested by the conveyor belt operating as a friction belt and is transported over guide rollers to a postage drum or printing drum with a counter-pressure drum. The counter-pressure drum is seated on a movable printing base whose distance from the printing drum can be set in conformity with the thickness of the letter passing through the franking station at the moment. Aside from the fact that printer drums will no longer satisfy the increased demands of the future, the printing base contains a considerable number of moving parts. This requires a correspondingly high energy expenditure in order to overcome the inertia of the masses of the components.
A postage meter machine is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,386 wherein the letters are conveyed on edge, slightly inclined on a circular conveyor belt. The letters thereby lie against a guide block in which a print window is provided. A thermal printing head is arranged in the printer window so as to be displaceable laterally and in height, with the franking imprint on the letter proceeding line-by-line. The outlay for the adjustment of the thermal print head is substantial. The size of the print window must be adapted to the maximum length and width of the print format. The individual letter is moved up to the print window and is then arrested and pressed against the guide plate or the print window with a pressure plate. The pressure plate is driven by a motor a lever and gear articulation. This is a relatively significant mechanical outlay and the counter-pressure forces which must be exerted for thermal printing are likewise high. After the printing, the letter is released and conveyed further. Clearly, only low letter throughput quotas can be achieved with this intermittent operation. The aforementioned disadvantages when metal parts or other hard parts are contained on the document in the letter again arise due to the clamping.
It is likewise known to incorporate postage meter machines into a system for address and franking printing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,903 discloses that address and postage value imprinting be undertaken in a fast printer device, the printer device having two separate print heads or a single print head width, with the entire printing width of the letter being moved correspondingly past the printer device.
Postal machines are also known that, given a non-horizontal letter transport, enable both franking and address printing with two ink jet print heads or with a common ink jet print head behind a guide plate adjustable in position between two recesses (German PS 196 05 014 and German PS 196 05 015). For the version with two ink jet print heads, however, two cleaning and sealing stations and corresponding actuators, sensors, control and ink delivery means must be redundantly implemented.
The mechanism required for the version with one ink jet print head adjustable in position is extremely complicated because, if the sealing is not tightly done, the print head can dry out. Moreover, the problems that were already explained in conjunction with U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,709 can still occur.

Printer device and method for printing on a print medium


Communication systems include a transmitter that modulates a radio signal transmitted from two differently polarized antennas during a state time in which a wave state of the radio signal conveys information and is based on one or more polarization states selected from a constellation of polarization states comprising at least three polarization states. The communication system includes a receiver that intercepts the radio signal by two differently polarized antennas during the state time, and demodulates the signal. The polarization states may identify user devices or may quantify a portion of the information intended for a user device.

The quest for increasing channel capacity and data rates within restrictions of limited resources (especially bandwidth limited by allocation and power limited by portable battery life) has led to the advancement of various technologies. One technology in which such advancement has been made is in techniques for modulation and channelization using domains based on phase, amplitude and frequency. One example of such advanced modulation techniques is orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM), which has been successfully utilized in wireless local area network (WLAN) applications such as 802.11a and HiperLAN/2. In OFDM, the data are sent simultaneously over equally-spaced carrier frequencies using Fourier transform techniques for modulation and demodulation. By proper choice of frequencies in the Fourier transform conversion, OFDM can squeeze multiple modulated carriers into a prescribed band while substantially preserving orthogonality to eliminate inter-carrier interference. The resulting OFDM transmission can be made robust to multipath while still providing high data rates under varying channel conditions.
Another domain proposed for enhancing channel capacity is the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna structures. In spatial multiplexing, the input data stream is split into a number of parallel streams and transmitted simultaneously. Despite its benefits, MIMO systems are not yet popular due to their inherent complexity and need for multiple antenna structures.
Finally, the polarization domain has been used in a particular manner in which two orthogonally polarized antennae are used to generate two corresponding orthogonal polarization states that are employed to improve data throughput. An example of this is in satellite communications, in which one antenna (and polarization state) is used to transmit a first set of data and an orthogonally polarized antenna is used to transmit a second set of data, thus doubling data throughput without increasing the bandwidth.
A need exists for technology that will further increase data throughput within systems that have limited resources.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

Polarization state techniques for wireless communications


A method includes a step of forming a sacrificial layer on a first film, a step of forming a second film on the sacrificial layer, a step of forming an etching opening that extends through at least one of the first film and the second film so as to communicate with the sacrificial layer, and a step of forming a hollow portion by etching the sacrificial layer using a gas containing a fluorine-containing gas and hydrogen via the etching opening, wherein a composition ratio of silicon to nitrogen in a first region having a face in contact with the sacrificial layer is larger than a composition ratio of silicon to nitrogen in a second region not including the first region.

Capacitive transducers produced by micromachining technology have been studied as an alternative of piezoelectric devices. Hereafter, capacitive transducers may also be referred to as capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs). CMUTs generally include a hollow portion and a vibration film and are capable of transmitting and receiving acoustic waves (ultrasonic waves) using vibration of the vibration film, and good wide-band characteristics are achieved particularly in a liquid. One of methods for producing a CMUT is a method in which films are formed by stacking materials on a substrate such as a silicon substrate. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-288813 (PTL 1) discloses that an insulating film, a silicon film serving as a sacrificial layer, and a vibration film are stacked on a substrate in this order, and the sacrificial layer is etched via an etching opening partly formed in the vibration film to form a hollow portion. Although xenon difluoride is used to remove the sacrificial layer, a sufficient etching selectivity is achieved between the sacrificial layer and the insulating film or the vibration film by using silicon oxide films as the insulating film and the vibration film that are in contact with the sacrificial layer. This suppresses etching of the insulating film and the vibration film.
From the viewpoint of improving the transmission and reception sensitivity of acoustic waves, silicon nitride films having a higher relative dielectric constant than silicon oxide films can be used as the insulating film and the vibration film.
However, when a silicon film is used as the sacrificial layer and silicon nitride films are used as the insulating film and the vibration film that are in contact with the sacrificial layer, a sufficient selectivity is not achieved during etching of the sacrificial layer with xenon difluoride. Consequently, the silicon nitride films may also be etched.

Method for producing hollow structure and hollow structure


Embodiments of a hydraulic bump stop assembly may include a telescoping hydraulic cylinder containing hydraulic fluid. The telescoping cylinder may be located on a vehicle shock. Components of the shock may engage and compress the telescoping cylinder during the final stages of compression of the shock to prevent the shock from bottoming out. The telescoping cylinder has damping properties during compression and expansion due to hydraulic fluid being forced through orifices of one or more hydraulic fluid lines to and from a reservoir. Damping ratios may be adjusted by adjusting the size of the orifices. In some embodiments, the damping ratios may be adjusted remotely, such as from the driver compartment of the vehicle.

When a vehicle is driven over bumps or rough terrain, the suspension system may bottom out. Bottoming out may include a shock absorber being compressed to the fullest extent. Bottoming out of a shock may cause damage to the shock and/or to other vehicle components, in addition to causing an uncomfortable, or even dangerous, ride for passengers.
To prevent bottoming out, some conventional shock absorbers have integrated bump stops that serve as a suspension cushion to keep shock parts from coming together or from traveling too far. These are typically made of rubber or urethane, or other similar material for absorbing shock, and are formed with a through hole for coupling around the shaft of the shock. They are sized appropriately to be engaged during only the last portion of travel of the shock during the final stages of compression. Some are "stepped" to provide incremental damping and spring ratios as they are compressed. A disadvantage of a conventional rubber or urethane bump stop is that it dissipates energy into the suspension rebound, causing stress on the shock. These bump stops offer little damping and often behave much like a pure coil spring.
An alternative that has become popular in recent years is a gas pressurized nitrogen bump stop (often called an air bumps or hydraulic bump stop). These cylindrical units consist of a short stroke shock mechanism that is velocity sensitive. Oil is used inside and moves through orifices much like a standard shock. This allows the bump to effectively dampen, or slow, the suspension movement through its final inches of travel. In contrast with an air or gas shock, they have large shaft diameters and are much shorter. Hydraulic bump stops also exhibit some rebound dampening as well. Conventional hydraulic bump stops are not integrated components of a shock. They are typically mounted separately to the vehicle suspension system and operate independently from the shock absorbers of the vehicle. This takes up additional space on the vehicle, requires additional labor and significant cost for materials and labor. In addition, many vehicle racing organization rules prohibit these hydraulic bump stops separate from the shocks.


A multi-layer ceramic capacitor includes a first region, a second region, a multi-layer unit, and a side margin. In the first region, crystal grains including intragranular pores are dispersed. In the second region, crystal grains including intragranular pores are not dispersed. The multi-layer unit includes ceramic layers that are laminated in a first direction and include the second region, and internal electrodes disposed between the ceramic layers. The side margin covers the multi-layer unit from a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and includes a region, the region being adjacent to the multi-layer unit and including the first region.

The present disclosure relates to a multi-layer ceramic capacitor including side margins provided in a later step, and to a method of producing the multi-layer ceramic capacitor.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 2016-001721 and 2017-028013 each disclose a technique of providing side margins in a later step in a method of producing a multi-layer ceramic capacitor, the side margins protecting the periphery of internal electrodes. In this technique, a multi-layer unit including internal electrodes, which are exposed on side surfaces of the multi-layer unit, is produced, and side margins are provided to the side surfaces, thus providing a ceramic body.
However, in the technique of providing side margins in a later step, it is difficult to ensure reliability of moisture resistance or the like. Thus, the technique disclosed in each of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 2016-001721 and 2017-028013 achieves improvement in sinterability of the side margins by adding silicon, as a sintering additive, to the side margins. Accordingly, the reliability of the multi-layer ceramic capacitor is improved.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multi-layer ceramic capacitor and method of producing the same


The invention relates to bodies that have a structuring with connecting elements formed around the entire girth of the body. Furthermore, the invention relates to packages including an arrangement of at least two bodies according to the invention, with the connecting elements of a first body cooperating with the corresponding connecting elements of a second body in a form-locking manner. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing packages from bodies. The device has an alignment unit and at least one sliding device for form-lockingly connecting the aligned bodies, with at least two bodies at a time being rotated about their longitudinal axes in order to align corresponding connecting elements of the two bodies so that they can cooperate. The invention moreover relates to a method for producing packages from bodies, whereby at least two bodies are aligned first and subsequently assembled to form a first package, with the oppositely arranged connecting elements form-lockingly interlocking.

For purposes of transportation, storage, and/or sale, filled bodies, such as bottles, cans, or similar packed goods are often packaged together in a bundle of several such bodies. Several bodies, for instance, are packed together in completely sealed cartons in one manufacturing process.
A further possibility is the use of so-called trays or pads on which the bodies, especially bottles, are placed. In order to fasten them together, foil is additionally wrapped around the majority of bottles and they are subsequently heat-shrunk. The foil can, however, also be used without applying trays or pads, namely in a so-called "shrink-only" process.
A major disadvantage of the processes described consists in the necessary use of additional packaging materials, i.e. in utilizing additional costly packaging material in combination with the appropriate packing machines. An especially adverse effect is the high energy consumption for shrinking the outer packaging in the shrink tunnel.
Functional bodies with connecting elements are known from DE 102004047830 A1. Said document shows a bottle with latches or snap-fits for connecting a number of such bottles to form constructive units. In this way, these units can be conveniently transported and stored and can be put to versatile uses when empty. In an empty condition the bodies are thereby easy to collect and to stack, whereas the latched connections require considerable effort for disconnecting.
DE 202005019327 U1 describes a body from plastic with a minimum of one notch, variable in depth and length, across at least a portion of the body. In the present case, the notch serves to withstand the pressure of carbonated drinks, in order to avoid a highly visible deformation of the bottle.
GB 18752 A shows a bottle with ribs arranged in a longitudinal direction, intended to prevent the bottles from rolling about, especially when they are arranged to lie on top of each other.
JP 52-96169 A shows a bottle with an octagonal outer cross-section and a circular inner cross-section, whereby the octagonal outer cross-section enables optimal close packing of a number of bottles.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,199 A shows an improved light weight bottle which is stackable. The bottle is preferably of rectangular cross-section with parallel, oppositely disposed mating indentations or elevations, permitting secure and space-saving stacking of the bottles.
The U.S. Design Pat. No. D52,0376 S shows a bottle form comparable to a puzzle piece with circular indentations on two and appropriate circular projections on the other two sides. The bottles can therefore be connected in the fashion of puzzle, forming a horizontal plane when lying.
WO 1990008068 A1 shows a bottle with a minimum of two indentations or recesses along the outer bottle surface, resulting in at least two handles, which are intended to allow a baby or infant to easily hold the bottle by itself.
WO 2008002579 A2 describes interlocking rectangular bodies made from plastic with the lateral area featuring at least two movable vacuum panels. The shoulder region and the base portion of the body define an interlocking structure suitable to achieve a nesting relationship with complementary mating surfaces of the adjacent bodies.

Bodies, packages of bodies, and a device and method for packaging bodies


Described is a catheter for being retained inside the body for extended periods, and a catheter mating device that can connect to the catheter to move the catheter inside of the body or remove it from the body. The catheter mating device has a stem with an apparatus at its distal end. The apparatus is moveable between a first position and a second position. When in its first position, the distal end is configured to fit in the proximal end of the catheter. When in its second position, the distal end engages the proximal end of the catheter and connects the catheter mating device to the catheter.

Many people suffer from lower urinary tract dysfunction, also known as neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder can be defined as impaired urinary function due to neurological injury or disease, such as spinal cord injury (SCI). Current methods for managing neurogenic bladder and other chronic urinary retention disorders are to drain the bladder using (a) intermittent catheterization (IC), or (b) indwelling Foley catheters. These methods, however, are associated with relatively high rates of urinary tract infection and genito-urinary (GU) injury, each of which diminishes a patient's quality of life. Furthermore, because some individuals with neurogenic bladder lack bladder sensation, and thus cannot accurately perceive bladder fullness, they are susceptible to bladder over-filling. This can result in urinary "accidents" and/or urinary reflux, and urinary reflux presents a risk of infection and tissue damage to the upper urinary tract.
To avoid these problems, individuals with neurogenic bladder on an IC program commonly rely on a timed catheterization schedule. This approach is imprecise and may lead to catheterization more frequently than necessary, which can increase the risk of infection and GU injury. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved urinary prosthesis that helps to alleviate one or all of the preceding problems.

Catheters and catheter mating devices and systems


A real-time wireless system for recording natural tongue movements in the 3D oral space. By attaching a small magnetic tracer to the tongue, either temporarily or semi-permanently, and placing an array of magnetic sensors around the mouth, the tracer can be localized with sub-millimeter precision. The system can also combine the tracer localization with acoustic, video, and flow data via additional sensors to form a comprehensive audiovisual biofeedback mechanism for diagnosing speech impairments and improving speech therapy. Additionally, the system can record tongue trajectories and create an indexed library of such traces. The indexed library can be used as a tongue tracking silent speech interface. The library can synthesize words, phrases, or execute commands tied to the individual patterns of magnetic field variations or tongue trajectories.

The present invention generally relates to the field of speech and language impairments, speech therapy, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interfaces. Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for real-time wireless tracking of a subject's tongue during speech by systems and methods of using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for real-time tracking of a subject's tongue during speech by way of a tracer unit carried by the tongue of a subject and a plurality of sensors for detecting at least one position and/or orientation of the tracer in real time, such that movements of the tongue by the subject during speech may be continuously tracked and displayed directly for review or embedded indirectly in a game-like environment to further motivate the subject to improve the subject's speech.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise a multi-functional, scalable tongue tracking system (TTS) that can continuously and wirelessly track the tongue's position in real time and use that information, for example and not limitation, to measure, guide, create, and improve speech. The TTS can provide the user with, for example, audiovisual biofeedback through displaying three dimensional (3D) tongue movements or derivatives of such movements as well as audible speech/non-speech waveforms, or tactile vibrations on the skin, enabling fluid real-time interaction between the end-user (patient), the therapist, and the system. The TTS can also be used as a silent speech interface by using the acoustic-kinematic recordings of a subject who may have a voice disorder, for example, to automatically build, index, and reproduce speech from a database of phonemes, words, phrases, and commands based on that user's specific acoustic-kinematic recordings.
Speech is a complex and intricately timed task that requires the coordination of numerous muscle groups and physiological systems. While most children acquire speech with relative ease, it is one of the most complex of all patterned movements accomplished by humans, and thus susceptible to impairment. Additionally, the ability to communicate is one of the most important requirements of independent living and a key factor in the quality of life.[1] This motivates the development of both novel speech impairment diagnostic and therapy systems, and new alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) methods.
Speech and language therapy has a long history that includes many different technologies and techniques for both experimental and clinical settings. Traditional speech intervention relies on a trained speech and language pathologist (SLP) providing directive feedback to the patient about proper placement of the articulators and manner of articulation.[2] Common elements of speech therapy can include repeated practice, visual feedback via a mirror, and mimicking the clinician's accurate production. While these practices are generally effective for readily viewable speech sounds (visemes, such as /b/p/m/, any of several speech sounds which looks the same on the face when produced), they are often largely unsuccessful for sounds produced inside the mouth. Each viseme can be representative of more than one phoneme, which can be produced by the same mouth posture. The TTS system can allow clinicians to easily demonstrate the subtle differences between phonemes beyond what the viseme presents. Words such as pet, bell, and men can often be difficult to distinguish, as all look alike. However, there can be differences in timing and tongue gesture in terms of representing a visual signature of a given phoneme. A major benefit of the TTS system is to clarify and enhance these visual differences even when they are completely hidden inside the mouth.
The tongue is the primary articulator for these obstructed sounds and its movements within the mouth can be difficult to capture. Thus, clinicians often use diagrams and other low-tech means (i.e., placing edible substances on the palate, physically manipulating the oral articulators, etc.) to show clients where to place their tongues in order to produce obstructed sounds. While sophisticated research tools exist to measure and track tongue movements during speech (e.g., electromagnetic articulography and electropalatography), they can be expensive, obtrusive, and impractical for wide-spread clinical use. Moreover, considering that the therapy sessions fill only a fraction of the patients' weekly or monthly routines, a clinician-supervised means for practicing speech are generally not available to the patients in their home and work environments, where they spend the majority of their time.
For people with voice disorders, who can have either no audible speech to correct (aphonia) such as individuals post-laryngectomy, or very weak or faint speech (dysphonia) due to, for example, old age, there are a limited number of communication modalities available. Currently, there are three possible methods for partially restoring the vocal function, each with a major limitation: A) Oesophageal speech: the sound created by swallowing air and belching. This method can be difficult to learn, and may not allow fluent speech. B) Electrolarynx: vibrates the soft tissues of the throat and creates sound, which can be articulated into speech, but the voice is hoarse and robotic, and can be difficult to understand. C) Voice prosthesis: A small silicone-based "tracheo-oesophageal" fistula speech valve that is currently the "gold standard". Although these fistula speech valves work very well initially, in many patients, they rapidly become colonized by biofilms and fail after only 3 to 4 months. Various modifications have been tried over the years to discourage biofilm growth, but to date none of them appears to provide a long-term solution for voice replacement.
A new modality that is currently under research in academia is a silent speech interface (SSI). An SSI is a device that collects data from various elements of the human speech production process (e.g., articulators, neural pathways, or the brain) using different types of sensors to detect the intended phonemes and words to produce a digital representation of speech, which can be synthesized into speech.[3] Depending on the individuals' impairments, various types of sensor and data acquisition strategies have been developed, leading to these categories:
1. Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) sensors that capture the movement of fixed points on the articulators.[4] [5]
2. Ultrasound and optical imaging of the tongue and lips that lead to real-time characterization of the vocal tract.[6]
3. Non-audible murmur microphone for digital transformation of the signals.[7]
4. Electromagnetic and vibration sensors for analysis of glottal activity.[8]
5. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the articulator muscles or the larynx
6. Electro-encephalography (EEG).[9]
7. Implantation of microelectrode arrays in the speech-motor cortex:[10]
Each of the above methods has its own pros and cons for clinical translation. For instance, (1) and (2) are precise but can be quite bulky and expensive; (3), (5), and (6) may not be robust and reliable enough, and usually require intensive training on the user's part; (4) only works for users who have an intact glottis; and (7) is highly invasive and may not be attractive to the majority of end users.
None of the above systems are optimized for those users who often retain a certain level of volitional tongue motion, but suffer from the absence or weakness of their voices. This group can include, for example and not limitation, individuals who have undergone a laryngectomy, older citizens who require a substantial effort for speaking with normal tone, and people who have paralyzed articulators (e.g., vocal fold paresis/paralysis), yet have retained sufficient tongue motion, e.g. certain types of cerebral palsy, stroke, and early stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Other potential users are those who have temporarily or permanently lost their voices due to various reasons, for example and not limitation, infections, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux, spasmodic dysphonia, abnormal growths due to a virus or cancer, and diseases that paralyze the vocal folds. This group is a major population that can significantly benefit from a wireless and wearable SSI system at a reasonable cost.
Users of the TTS and associated software and systems can be SLP practitioners and speech-language researchers. These groups have distinct requirements that can be met by different TTS implementations. Additionally, there are good indicators that the entire speech pathology industry and associated markets are growing at a rapid pace. As the large "baby-boom" population grows older, there will likely be further increases in instances of health conditions that can cause speech or language impairments, such as stroke and hearing loss. In addition, new federal laws guarantee special education and similar services to all children with disabilities. The increase in awareness of speech and language disorders may correspond to an increase in awareness about effective treatment modalities. Other sources of user demand for such a technology include medical advancements that improve premature infant survival rate, victims of stroke, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), many of whom need help from SLPs. The number of SLPs in private practice is also rising due to an increase in the use of contract services by hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities.
What is needed, therefore, is a system that can unobtrusively and continuously track the subject's tongue movement and position in real time during speech and use that information, for example and not limitation, to measure, guide, and create speech. The system should take advantage of a plurality of highly precise sensors to precisely track the tongue's movement and position, and translate that information into a format that can be graphically and easily understood by the user, such as a SLP, speech-language researcher, or subject. For example and not limitation, the graphical representation of the user's tongue movement and position can be audiovisual, and can be used to provide biofeedback to the subject and/or user. Yet another major benefit of the TTS system, thanks to the quantitative and software-defined nature of its outputs, is that it can log, analyze, demonstrate and report the patients' progress in improving their speech over the course of the therapy. This can indicate to the SLP whether a certain type of therapy or exercise is working or no. It can also provide the healthcare providers, insurance companies, and reimbursement mechanisms with a much more accurate and objective measure of their clients' and clinicians' performance. It is to such a system that embodiments of the present invention are primarily directed.

Wireless real-time tongue tracking for speech impairment diagnosis, speech therapy with audiovisual biofeedback, and silent speech interfaces


The invention provides an ultra-high numerical aperture imaging device (1) comprising two rotationally symmetric curved mirrors (11h, 12b), which can be used to achieve very high concentrations of light or other sorts of wave (or other sorts of physical entities that satisfy equivalent xe2x80x9cballisticxe2x80x9d equations of motion) or can be used in reverse to form a beam that has a small angle spread, and which can be combined with a further plane, partially transparent mirror (if necessary with additional components to attenuate and rotate the polarisation of the waves involved), to create a device able to achieve a materially better resolution than that implied by the traditional Rayleigh resolution criterion. A detailed method for designing such a device is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to ultra-high resolution imaging devices, including devices using light or other sorts of electromagnetic waves for high resolution lithography for, say, semiconductor or microchip manufacture. The invention involves a combination of an ultra-high numerical aperture imaging system in conjunction with a suitably structured mirror and other associated components designed to result in the boundary conditions to the wave equation arising from the device more nearly approximating to that required to generate an imploding dipole solution to Maxwell""s equations. The invention also provides an ultra-high numerical aperture imaging system using two suitably shaped reflectors, of relatively simple construction which have further potential uses beyond those conventionally relating to ultra-high resolution.
In the context of the present invention xe2x80x9cultra-high resolutionxe2x80x9d means having a resolving power better than that implied by the Rayleigh resolution criterion and xe2x80x9cultra-high numerical aperturexe2x80x9d means that the range of angles that rays make when striking the image plane (if the device is being used to concentrate light) span a high proportion of the total 2xcfx80 it steradians possible for light falling onto one side of a plane. To create sharp images (at least for small objeds), an optical system needs to be aplanatic. Geometrical optical theory indicates that such a system must have at least two surfaces at which the waves are deflected, see e.g. Schulz, G. xe2x80x9cHigher order aplanatismxe2x80x9d, Optics Communications, 41, No 5, 315-319 (1982). The invention provides a two-mirror aplanatic lens arrangement that simultaneously facilitates ultra-high resolution and achieves a very high angle span into a plane.
Attempts to achieve a complete angle span using a combination of a mirror and a refracting surface, rather than two mirrors, have previously been described by Benitez, P. and Mixc3x1ano, J. C. Ultrahigh-numerical-aperture imaging concentrator, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14, No 8, 1988-1997 (1997), and in other papers by the same authors. However, the mirror plus refractor arrangement they describe requires the image plane to be embedded within a material with refractive index greater than unity, which is considerably less practical than an approach in which both deflecting surfaces are mirrors.
Benitez and Mixc3x1ano appear to have developed their ideas from non-imaging systems of relatively similar layout that were able to achieve very high concentrations for sources that were not very small. Their imaging layouts are in effect limiting cases of their non-imaging systems when the (far away) source object becomes very small. Other more traditional forms of non-imaging system are known, such as the Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) described in Welford, W. T. and Winston, R. High collection nonimaging optics (Academic Press, 1989). However, the present invention differs from these systems in that it is imaging rather than non-imaging and, as is apparent from a cross-section taken through an axis of symmetry, a device according to the present invention comprises two separate deflecting surfaces not one, as is the case with a CPC. Additionally, in the limit for the CPC as the (far away) source becomes small, the CPC simply becomes arbitrarily long. A device according to the present invention is readily distinguishable.
Some aplanatic two-mirror arrangements have also been previously described. These include:
(a) Siemens-Reiniger-Werke Aktiengesellschaft xe2x80x9cImprovements in or relating to optical mirror systems having aspherical surfacesxe2x80x9d, in GB Patent No GB 0 717 787 (1952). This patent describes a two-mirror aplanalic device, without explicitly specifying any limitation on the numerical aperture involved. However, it does not indicate how to achieve an ultra-high numerical aperture, nor do the Figures that it contains envisage such a device. The patent relates primarily to the design of X-ray telescopes which, because of the physical nature of reflection of X-rays, would not work if the device involved had a very high numerical aperture. Furthermore, despite making reference to a two-mirror aplanatic device, the Siemens-Reiniger-Werke Aktiengesellschaft patent does not indicate how to define the shape of the two mirrors involved.
(b) Mxc3xa4chler, Glxc3xcck, Sclemmer and Bittner xe2x80x9cObjective with aspheric surfaces for imaging microzonesxe2x80x9d, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,555 (1984) concentrates on mirrors that use total internal reflection. It includes reference to a special case of an aplanatic two-mirror arrangement involving two confocal equally-sized ellipsoids. It concentrates on other confocal mirror arrangements (as does Hunter xe2x80x9cConfocal reflector systemxe2x80x9d in U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,075 (1980)), although these mirror lay-outs are not actually aplanatic except in the special case of the two confocal equally-sized ellipsoids). However, U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,555 also refers to an article by Lawrence Mertz entitled xe2x80x9cGeometrical Design for Aspheric Reflecting Systemsxe2x80x9d. Applied Optics, 18, pages 4182-4186 (1979), which does appear to describe (in its FIG. 10) a very high numerical aperture aplnatic two-mirror arrangement, again focusing on microscopy. Pioneer xe2x80x9cManufacture of reflective type multiple-degree aspherical optical control systemxe2x80x9d in Japanese Patent JP 57141613 (1981) refers to an efficient means of producing a two mirror aplanatic arranement using a grip and press work plated by aluminium by vapour deposition.
(c) Dxc3x6ring in German Patent DE 2916741 notes that such arrangerrents can be used as optical collectors for solar cells, and the figures suggest reference to aptanatic rather than merely confocal arrangements.
However, none of the above indicate how the precise positioning of the mirrors can be identified. The present invention therefore embodies a significant departure from and advance over the various prior art systems not only because it refers to ultra-high resolution devices but also because it provides a simple methodology for identifying the precise positioning of such aplanatic mirror pairs. In certain preferred embodiments it also incorporates other refinements not described in the above references.
According to one aspect of the present invention a high numerical aperture imaging device comprises first and second axially-symmetric curved mirrors for focussing the image of an object onto an image plane, wherein the first and second curved mirrors are arranged to effectively create inwardly imploding dipole-like solutions to the applicable wave equation, to concentrate the light flux arriving at the image plane from a given point in the object more than would be possible were the image formation to be subject to the diffraction limits that generally apply to far field devices.
In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a plane mirror, wherein the plane mirror is partially transparent and is positioned in or closely adjacent to the image plane.
A device according to the invention may further comprise a wave attenuation element and/or wave polarisation-rotating element to attenuate and/or rotate the polarisation of the waves traversing the device so that the spatial distribution of the amplitude and polarisation of a wavefront as it approaches the plane mirror is rendered more closely consistent with that required to generate dipole-like solutions to the wave equation.
Two mirror ultra-high numerical aperture imaging devices according to the invention may have practical application for several possible uses, including, for example:
(a) use to concentrate sunlight to a high temperature, indeed the second law of thermodynamics indicates that the temperatures reached could be dose to the temperature of the sun""s photosphere, i.e. to in excess of 4,000xc2x0 K. At such temperatures, unusual ways of converting sunlight to electric power (e.g. use of thermionic emission) could be facilitated by a device according to the invention;
(b) as solar concentrators made out of lightweight mirrors (for example, using thin films whose shapes remain stable because of rotation [which may require only an initial impetus in a suitable frictionless environment, such as a vacuum, or which could otherwise be achieved with a suitable drive mechanism] or because they are part of an inflated device) such that the power to weight ratio of such an apparatus if used with a lightweight way of converting sunlight to energy could be sufficiently high to permit powered flight (e.g. the sunlight could be used to create direct thrust by evaporation of a solid or liquid propellant);
(c) to concentrate other types of waves such as sound waves or other sorts of electromagnetic radiation like radio waves (e.g. as an alternative to existing parabolic satellite TV dish design);
(d) (when used in reverse) to create narrow beams, e.g. efficient beam formation from light emitted by a light emitting diode in say an optical network;
(e) to create uffra-high resolution imaging devices probably in tandem with additional xe2x80x9cnear fieldxe2x80x9d components;
(f) for concentrating or projecting objects such as gas or dust particles (the trajectories of objects travelling xe2x80x9callisticallyxe2x80x9d are the same as light rays, i.e. straight lines until the object bounces off a surface in the same sort of fashion as a light ray bounces off a mirror, thus the same layouts might also be relevant in the context of such xe2x80x9cballisticxe2x80x9d materials).
In such examples, an ultra high numerical aperture usually provides advantages, e.g. in (a) and (b) it makes it possible to approach more closely the temperature defining the thermodynamic upper limit, in (c) it improves the quality of the signal received for the same aperture area, in (d) it reduces the power required for the same usable energy output and in (e) it ensures that the required boundary conditions can approximate those required to generate an imploding dipole solution to the wave equation. [The xe2x80x9ctraditionalxe2x80x9d parabolic dish achieves about xc2xc of the thermodynamic ideal according to Welford, W. T. and Winston, R. High collection nonimaging optics (Academic Press, 1989).]
Alternative embodiments according to the present invention may include one or more additional focussing mirrors (above two) and/or non-imaging elements for further improving the device to achieve higher order aplanatism.
The invention further provides a method for designing the curved mirrors for use in such high numeric aperture imaging devices.


A theft deterrent device includes a base, a plug, and a cable assembly that is selectively connected to the base and the plug. The plug may be locked to the base to form a closed loop that may be used to hold merchandise. In situations where the plug cannot be threaded through the merchandise, the cable assembly may be disconnected from the plug to provide a smaller cross-section so that it may be threaded through the merchandise. The cable assembly is then reconnected to the plug so that the loop may be locked. The cable assembly is also replaceable so that the user does not have to discard the entire device if the cable is cut.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to theft deterrent devices for retail establishments and, more particularly, to an EAS tag-carrying device that may be secured to an item of merchandise. Specifically, the present invention relates to a theft deterrent device having a cable that is used to connect the device to an item of merchandise; the cable having a small head that allows it to be threaded through small openings on an item of merchandise while also being selectively connected to a plug that includes one of the portions of the lock mechanism.
2. Background Information
Various retail establishments use theft deterrent systems to discourage shoplifting. A common theft deterrent system uses electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags attached to items of merchandise. The EAS tags are configured to activate an alarm that is positioned at the exit of the establishment.
Securing the EAS tags to merchandise is a problem faced by most retail establishments. The tags must be connected in a secure manner that prevents unauthorized removal while not damaging the items of merchandise. The tags must also be readily removable by authorized personnel so that the tags do not unduly delay checkout.
The prior art is replete with EAS tag carriers designed to secure EAS tags to merchandise. Various types are known in the art such as frames that extend around items, pins that pierce items, and cables that wrap around items. The present invention relates to the types of devices that use cables to wrap around a portion of the merchandise. A problem with these types of devices is that the leading end of the cable is often too large to fit through the openings on the merchandise where the retail establishment wishes to secure the device. Another problem is that the devices must be discarded if the cable portion of the device is broken by the shoplifter. A further problem is that the devices are not always easy to unlock. The invention described in this application addresses these issues.
The invention provides a theft deterrent device that includes a base, a plug, and a cable that is selectively connected to the base and the plug. The plug may be locked to the base to form a closed loop that may be used to hold merchandise. In situations where the plug cannot be threaded through the merchandise, the cable assembly may be disconnected from the plug to provide a smaller cross-section so that it may be threaded through the merchandise. The cable assembly is then reconnected to the plug so that the loop may be locked. The cable assembly is also replaceable so that the user does not have to discard the entire device if the cable is cut.


When a DEBUG HALT signal is generated in a target processor during a test procedure, a debug halt sync marker is generated in a program counter trace stream. The debug halt sync marker includes a plurality of packets, the packets identifying that the sync marker is the result of a DEBUG HALT signal. The packets also identify the program counter address at the time of the generation of the DEBUG HALT signal and relate the debug halt sync marker to a timing trace stream.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the testing of digital signal processing units and, more particularly, to the signals that are transmitted from a target processor to a host processing to permit analysis of the target processor operation. Certain events in the target processor must be communicated to the host processing unit along with contextual information. In this manner, the test and debug data can be analyzed and problems in the operation of the target processor identified.
2. Description of the Related Art
As microprocessors and digital signal processors have become increasingly complex, advanced techniques have been developed to test these devices. Dedicated apparatus is available to implement the advanced techniques. Referring to FIG. 1A, a general configuration for the test and debug of a target processor 12 is shown. The test and debug procedures operate under control of a host processing unit 10. The host processing unit 10 applies control signals to the emulation unit 11 and receives (test) data signals from the emulation unit 11 by cable connector 14. The emulation unit 11 applies control signals to and receives (test) signals from the target processing unit 12 by connector cable 15. The emulation unit 11 can be thought of as an interface unit between the host processing unit 10 and the target processor 12. The emulation unit 11 processes the control signals from the host processor unit 10 and applies these signals to the target processor. 12 in such a manner that the target processor will respond with the appropriate test signals. The test signals from the target processor 12 can be a variety types. Two of the most popular test signal types are the JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) signals and trace signals. The JTAG protocol provides a standardized test procedure in wide use in which the status of selected components is determined in response to control signals from the host processing unit. Trace signals are signals from a multiplicity of selected locations in the target processor 12 during defined period of operation. While the width of the bus 15 interfacing to the host processing unit 10 generally has a standardized dimension, the bus between the emulation unit 11 and the target processor 12 can be increased to accommodate an increasing amount of data needed to verify the operation of the target processing unit 12. Part of the interface function between the host processing unit 10 and the target processor 12 is to store the test signals until the signals can be transmitted to the host processing unit 10.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the operation of the trigger generation unit 19 is shown. The trigger unit provides the main component by which the operation/state of the target processor can be altered. At least one event signal is applied to the trigger generation unit 19. Based on the identity of the event signal(s) applied to the trigger generation unit 19, a trigger signal is selected. Certain events and combination of events, referred to as an event front, generate a selected trigger signal that results in certain activity in the target processor such as a debug halt. Combinations of different events generating trigger signals are referred to as jobs. Multiple jobs can have the same trigger signal or combination of trigger signals. In the test and debug of the target processor, the trigger signals can provide impetus for changing state in the target processor or for performing a specified activity. The event front defines the reason for the generation of trigger signal. This information is important in understanding the operation of the target processor because, as pointed out above, several combinations of events can result in the generation of a trigger signal.
In order to analyze the operation of the target processing unit, the portion of the code resulting in the trigger signal must be identified. However, the events in the host processor leading to the generation of event signals can be complicated. Specifically, the characteristics of an instruction at a program counter address can determine whether a trigger signal should be generated. A trigger signal can be an indication of when an address is within a range of addresses, outside of a range of addresses, some combination of address characteristics, and/or the address is aligned with a reference address. In this instance, the address can be the program address of an instruction or a memory address directly or indirectly referenced by a program instruction.
In testing the target processors, certain events must be identified. The debug halt signal is generated when specified conditions within the target processor indicates that an event has occurred that requires analysis of the target processor operation. However, it is important to determine the point in the processing procedure where the debug halt condition signal was generated. In additions, the relationship of the debug halt signal to the target processor clock, to the program execution, and to the data generated as a result of the program execution can be needed by the host processing unit to determine the origin of the debug halt.
A need has been felt for apparatus and an associated method having the feature that a debug halt signal is identified in a target processor and generation of the debug halt signal is communicated to the testing apparatus. It is another feature of the apparatus and associated method to transfer information concerning the generation of the debug halt procedure the testing processing unit using a trace stream. It is a still further feature of the apparatus and associated method to communicate to the testing apparatus where the debug halt signal is initiated during the program execution. It is yet another feature of the present in invention to communicate to the testing processing unit the relationship of the generation of the debug halt signal to the target processor clock.

Apparatus and method for trace stream identification of a processor debug halt signal


An elastically coupled joint comprises a shaft for transmitting rotary motion, a housing in which the shaft is concentrically inserted, an elastic member provided between the shaft and the housing, and a stopper for preventing excessive displacement between the shaft and the housing. The housing is provided, at an end thereof with a yoke for supporting a spider of a universal joint. The elastic member is provided with a tubular outer ring and a cylindrical elastic body fixed on the inner side of the outer ring. The shaft is pressure fitted into the central portion of the elastic member. The stopper is composed of a pin member inserted in a penetrating hole formed in the housing, the elastic member and the shaft. The penetrating hole may be formed such that the stopper pin is received in the shaft with a press fit, with each end portion of the pin having a predetermined uniform circumferential gap to the housing and the outer ring.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an elastically coupled joint capable of absorbing vibration, and in particular to an improvement on an elastically coupled joint employed in a steering mechanism of a vehicle.
2. Related Background Art
FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of an elastically coupled joint provided in a steering shaft for absorbing the vibration of wheels resulting from the movement of a vehicle or the vibration of engine, thereby isolating the steering wheel from such uncomfortable vibration. In particular, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a torque transmitting assembly, as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,695, composed of a sleeve 15 of an elastomer fitted in a radially compressed state between a shaft 13 and a concentric tubular member 14, and a washer 17 fixed on said shaft and having a projection 16 loosely engaging with a notch provided at an end of said tubular member.
In another example of prior technology Japanese Laid-open Utility Model No. 57-17872 discloses a damper device for a steering shaft, which is constructed by inserting an inner tube with an oval cross section into an outer tube with a circular cross section, filling the gap therebetween with a vibration-absorbing member such as rubber, press-fitting a shaft with an oval cross-section into said inner tube with an elastic member, forming a penetrating hole in said, tube, and inserting a stopper pin in said penetrating hole and through said inner tube and said shaft in such a manner as to allow a relative movement between said inner tube and said outer tube.
In the torque transmitting assembly disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,695, the notch of the tubular member engaging with the projection of the washer is provided at an end of the tubular member opposite to the end thereof constituting the yoke of a universal joint, and the sleeve consisting of elastomer material is directly fixed to the tubular member, so that the engaging part of the washer has to be formed outside of the sleeve, namely at the far side of the shaft. For this reason the assembly inevitably becomes long and heavy. The assembly is therefore not desirable for being incorporated in a limited space of the vehicle, and does not contribute to the weight reduction thereof. Also, in order to prevent slippage between the sleeve consisting of elastomer material and the tubular member, said sleeve has to be directly adhered to the inner face of the tubular member. However, the adhering step is difficult to automate if the shaft is relatively long, thus leading to a manufacturing increase. Also, the washer cannot be assembled with the tubular member after being fixed to the shaft in advance, but requires complicated assembling steps, with an increased cost. In addition, the circumferential gap between the projection of the washer and the notch of the tubular member is determined by the positional accuracy during assembling, so that the gaps at right and at left may become unbalanced. Consequently, the projecting portion of the washer and the notch of the tubular member are mutually engaged with a smaller torque in one rotating direction than in the other rotating direction. Thus, when a large torque is involved, for example, rotating the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped, the rotating angle of the steering wheel until the tubular member comes into contact with the washer becomes different in both rotating directions, thereby undesirably affecting the feeling of driving. At the side with the smaller gap, the contact between metals takes place even under a small torque, thus transmitting the vibration to the steering wheel, and a vibration absorbing effect balanced in both directions cannot be achieved.
Also, in the damper device for the steering shaft disclosed in the Japanese Laid-open Utility Model No. 57-17872, a vibration absorbing material such as rubber is fixed between an inner tube and an outer tube, said outer tube is welded to the yoke, and a stopper pin pressed into the shaft is loosely fitted in an axially elongated penetrating hole provided in said outer tube. In such case, the outer tube is axially long and is not made light in weight. Also, the axially elongated penetrating hole in the outer tube and the hole provided in the shaft for pressing in the stopper pin cannot be simultaneously prepared in other, the components have to be separately manufactured and then assembled. Thus, due to manufacturing error or assembling error, the circumferential gap at either side of the stopper pin cannot be made equal, so that the above-mentioned drawbacks are unavoidable.