A dispersion plate for dispersing a fluid includes two surface sides, a peripheral side and at least one through-opening which extends between the two surface sides, the opening including an inlet on one surface side, a passage, and an outlet on the other surface side, and the inlet, the passage and the outlet being delimited by an opening wall of the dispersion plate. The inlet, the passage and the outlet have a common longitudinal axis, the part of the opening wall delimiting the passage being substantially parallel to the common longitudinal axis, and the part of the opening wall delimiting the outlet, from the passage to the surface side where the outlet is located, being divergent relative to the common longitudinal axis. A method for producing a dispersion plate by electroplating is also described.

A dispersion plate is known from the international patent application WO-96/22460, in which a spray nozzle is disclosed which is composed of a number of layers, which layers have been obtained by electroforming, the passage causing a turbulence by being positioned such that the direction of the fluid stream of a fluid which flows from the inlet to the outlet is changed at least once, as is described in more detail on page 6, lines 10-17 of the application. This change in the flow direction results in turbulence of the fluid stream. Preferably the longitudinal axis of the passage is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the inlet and outlet. A dispersion plate of this type improves the atomization of the fluid for the purpose of spraying it in the form of a mist (i.e. dispersion into small droplets). However, the structure of a dispersion plate of this type is relatively complex as a result of the multilayer construction and the directional differences of the longitudinal axes of the passage on the one hand and the inlet and the outlet on the other hand. In addition, a multilayer construction has the drawback that the layers are produced in stages during the production of the dispersion plate, in which case the positioning of the various layers relative to one another is critical, making the production process laborious and costly in order to minimize deviations in the positioning of the layers. Furthermore, there is a general demand for a dispersion plate which sprays a mist in a reproducible spraying direction and which sprays the mist in a conical manner suitable for its applications.

Dispersion plate for dispersing a fluid, method for producing a dispersion plate and use of a dispersion plate


An intrusion detector comprising a passive sensor for detecting a person entering a space to be monitored, said intrusion detector comprising a housing provided with a window for said passive sensor, optical means for directing electromagnetic radiation from said person onto the passive sensor, alarm means connected to said passive sensor for generating an alarm in case the electromagnetic radiation from said person being detected by the passive sensor corresponds to a signal value that exceeds a maximum level or falls below a minimum level, a special feature being the fact that the optical means are provided with a mirror curved in two directions for forming at least one protective curtain extending in a vertical plane in the space to be monitored, wherein the passive sensor is disposed on the optical axis at the focus of the mirror, and wherein the mirror directs a beam of electromagnetic radiation from the person, rotated through at least 45°, preferably through at least substantially 90°, onto the passive sensor.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to an intrusion detector comprising a passive sensor for detecting a person entering a space to be monitored, said intrusion detector comprising a housing provided with a window for said passive sensor, optical means for directing electromagnetic radiation from said person onto the passive sensor, alarm means connected to said passive sensor for generating an alarm in case the electromagnetic radiation from said person being detected by the passive sensor corresponds to a signal value that exceeds a maximum level or falls below a minimum level.
2. Background
Such an intrusion detector is known from the present Applicant's International (PCT) patent publication No. 2006/107203. Disposed behind the window of the housing of the known intrusion detector is a passive infrared sensor in the form of a pyro-electrical sensor which is sensitive to infrared light in the far infrared wavelength range. When a burglar, for example, enters the space to be monitored, infrared light (with a wavelength of 6-50 μm) emitted by the burglar (on account of the burglar's body heat) will be detected by the pyro-electrical sensor functioning as a passive infrared sensor, and subsequently an alarm signal will be generated. The intrusion detector, through its pyro-electrical sensor, thus functions as a motion detector. To prevent the intrusion detector being sabotaged while in its state of rest, for example when the pyro-electrical sensor is deactivated during the daytime, for example as a result of lacquer or paint being sprayed on the window or of the intrusion detector as a whole being covered with a hat, a coat or the like, the known intrusion detector is configured with a so-called "anti-masking" or "anti-sabotage" system. Said system thus functions to protect the intrusion detector generally against sabotage attempts, in particular against being approached, masked or damaged. Such "anti-masking" systems generally comprise a light source and a light detector optically coupled thereto, which "monitor" the direct vicinity of the housing as well as the window. When a person approaches the housing and/or the window therein, this will lead to a significant increase or decrease (viz. diffusion/reflection or absorption of emitted light by the person) of the light being detected by the light detector and consequently to an alarm signal being generated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,034 (Guscott) likewise discloses a passive infrared intrusion detection system disposed in a space to be monitored. The intrusion detection system disclosed therein comprises a focussing mirror and a cylindrical mirror which cooperates therewith to form a protective curtain in the space to be monitored, with a pyro-electrical sensor being disposed on the optical axis at the focus of the focussing mirror. When an intruder moves through the protective curtain—in the operative condition of the intrusion detection system—the focussing mirror will focus infrared light emitted by the burglar (on account of the latter's body heat) onto the pyro-electrical sensor via the cylindrical mirror, which will detect said infrared light. Detection signals corresponding thereto are subsequently electronically processed in order to produce an alarm output to signal the presence of the intruder.
A drawback of the use of several protective curtains as described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,034 in passive infrared intrusion detectors known from the aforesaid International (PCT) patent publication No. 2006/107203 is that only a limited number of protective curtains can be formed, whilst in practice there is a growing need for a higher monitoring density, i.e. a larger number of protective curtains. After all, the passive sensor, for example a pyro-electrical sensor which is sensitive to infrared light, has a limited aperture angle, which limits the number of focusing mirrors to be used. Moreover, the use of a larger number of smaller focussing mirrors does not offer a solution, since this would have a disproportionate adverse effect on the desired signal/noise ratio.

UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.


Optical elements and backlight modules employing the same are provided. The optical element can be a brightness enhancement diffusion complex film, comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal film and a transparent optical film directly disposed on the cholesteric liquid crystal film. Particularly, the whole transparent optical film directly contacts to the cholesteric liquid crystal film, in the absence of an intermediate located between the transparent optical film and the cholesteric liquid crystal film.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical element, and more particularly to an optical element achieving the requirements of light polarization, light integration, and brightness uniformity.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to the advantages of compactness, light weight, and low power consumption, liquid crystal displays (LCD) have become widely used in electronic product applications, such as monitors, notebook computers, digital cameras, projectors, and mobile phones.
A backlight module is one of the key components of an LCD. Since the LCD panel does not generate light itself, the backlight module is responsible for providing sufficient light and uniform luminance for the LCD panel. Presently, LCDs are broadly used in several electronic products, such as monitors, notebooks, and large-size LCD-TVs. Consequently, the demand for backlight units and related components is growing.
FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a conventional backlight module 10 including a light source 12, reflector 14, diffusion plate 16, diffusion sheet 18, and a prism sheet 20, assembled and joined together. As illustrated, it is difficult to further improve the brightness, light weight, and thin characteristics of the conventional backlight module 10.
Thus, a backlight module with a combined diffusion plate and brightness enhancement film has been developed. The backlight module enhances the brightness by integrated optical and polarized light effect. However, the brightness enhancement film increases costs and complicates fabrication of the LCD.
As such, U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,036 discloses a liquid crystal display 100 including a liquid crystal display panel 102 and a backlight module 110, as shown in FIG. 2. The liquid crystal display panel 102 includes a top substrate 104, a bottom substrate 106, and a liquid crystal layer 108, and the backlight module 110 includes a brightness enhancement film 114 on a prism sheet 112, a bottom diffusion sheet 116, diffusion plate 118, reflector 120 and a light source 122. Thus, illumination of the liquid crystal display 100 is enhanced, diffused, and integrated. However, since the backlight module 110 is assembled from a plurality of laminations, fabrication of the LCD is complicated and yield of the backlight module 110 is decreased. Further, disadvantages concerning transfer problems, superimposed traces, and structural damage caused during assembly significantly limit practical applications of the backlight module 110 in the LCD industry. Specifically, the brightness enhancement film 114 is a complex film made by coextrusion of a multitude (one thousand or more) of alternating polymer layers with distinct reflective indexes in an optical axis. Moreover, due to optical characteristics of the LCD, the backlight module 110 is combined with the prism sheet and the bottom diffusion sheet, thus increasing weight and thickness of the backlight module 110, which is contrary to present trends.
Therefore, a novel, light, thin, low powered, and bright backlight module, fabricated at low cost and applicable to large-sized application is desirable.

Optical elements, backlight modules, and liquid crystal display employing the same

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A vibration isolator includes: a housing which is filled with a fluid; an intermediate plate inserted in the housing for partitioning the interior of the housing into two liquid chambers, the intermediate plate having therein a cylinder and at least two passageways for allowing the two liquid chambers to communicate with each other, the cylinder being formed at a position midway in one of the passageways, and one of the liquid chambers being provided with an elastic wall to render the capacity of that liquid chamber variable; a piston capable of opening and closing one of the passageways as the piston moves in the cylinder; and a pressure changeover valve disposed outside the housing and capable of moving the piston by means of a change in pressure by applying a gas pressure to the piston.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vibration isolator for use in a vehicle, a general industrial machine or the like and adapted to absorb and attenuate vibrations from a vibration-generating portion thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an automobile engine, a vibration isolator serving as an engine mount is interposed between the engine and the chassis, so as to prevent the vibrations of the engine from being imparted to the chassis. Vibrations of the engine include low-frequency vibrations such as shaking vibrations, as well as high-frequency vibrations such as idling vibrations, and vibration isolators of a liquid-sealed type have been proposed to absorb and attenuate the vibrations of both high and low frequencies.
The vibration isolator of the liquid-sealed type is provided with a pressure-receiving liquid chamber (a main liquid chamber) and an auxiliary liquid chamber, which are filled with a liquid and communicate with each other through two passageways. The sizes (cross-sectional areas and lengths) of these passageways are set for absorbing the shaking vibrations and the idling vibrations, respectively.
A valve is connected to the passageway for high frequencies, and this valve is closed during the occurrence of low-frequency vibrations so that the liquid does not flow through the passageway for high frequencies. Consequently, during the occurrence of the low-frequency vibrations, the liquid flows only through the passageway for low frequencies, thereby making it possible to effectively absorb the low-frequency vibrations.
An actuator such as a motor is used for opening and closing the valve for opening and closing the passageway. However, in order to open and close the valve, it is necessary to precisely control the rotating direction of a motor shaft and the rotational speed or rotational angle thereof. As a result, a control circuit becomes complicated, and a sensor or the like for detecting the opening and closing of the valve is required. In addition, to ensure the efficiency in assembling the vibration isolator and the reliability of an electric system, the actuator such as the motor is mounted on an outer surface of a body of the vibration isolator. Consequently, the size of the body of the vibration isolator becomes large, and there are sometimes restrictions in the space where the vibration isolator is installed. In addition, the control circuit is complicated, and the cost of the motor itself is high, so that there is a problem in that the cost of the vibration isolator as a whole becomes high.
In addition, although a method has been proposed for opening and closing the valve by mounting as an actuator a cylinder means on the outer side of the body of the vibration isolator instead of the motor, the size of the body of the vibration isolator becomes unavoidably large as in the case where the motor is used.


The present invention discloses a detection apparatus, comprising a base layer, wherein the base layer comprises a groove for containing a testing element and a sample chamber for collecting a fluid sample. The detection apparatus can achieve fast, efficient and accurate detection of analytes in liquid samples, make operators to perform testing conveniently and freely, without causing incorrect results. In some preferred modes, the sample chamber comprises a liquid channel.

The following background art is provided to assist readers in understanding the present invention rather than a prior art.
At present, illegal drug abuse has become a recognized and increasingly worsening social problem. In 2003, the survey conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services revealed that about 19.5 million Americans or 8.2% of people over the age of 12 are taking illegal drugs. "Recent use of illegal drugs" refers to the use of an illegal drug within one month before the US Department of Health and Human Services conducted a survey. Cannabis is found to be the most commonly used illegal drugs, accounting for 6.2% (14.6 million). Now about 2.30 million people (1.0%) are using cocaine, 604,000 people use Crack, and 1 million people are using hallucinogens, and it is estimated that 119,000 people are using heroin.
In order to fight against the drug abuse monitor this social problem, the drug testing has become a standard test procedure in various industries such as hiring, education, sports, and law enforcement, etc. To promote this effort, the drug testing industry has formed. This industry has provided a wide range of drug testing products. The urine sample collection cup for sample analysis is a classic testing product. These devices may be complex, difficult or dirty for users, or may cause the problem of adulteration in the sample to conceal the use of illegal drugs recently. In addition the urine samples cannot be collected in some cases, for example, on the roadside or in the public places.
Many other sample collection and testing devices are inefficient in extracting samples from the collection device, with many problems, such as environmental contamination caused by leakage of samples, or the test results are affected by less or more samples collected, or the detection is complicated with a number of operating steps. Many of these devices are very complex in the design and manufacturing, requiring expensive materials. Therefore, it is necessary to collect and test samples with better method and apparatus.

Detection apparatus for detecting analyte in a liquid sample and method thereof


A coating such as liquid milk chocolate is applied to articles such as confectionery bars. The bars are conveyed by conveyor under a curtain of liquid chocolate issuing through an outlet slot in a trough. A layer of air is caused to flow through the outlet slot in the trough so as to modify the flow characteristics of the curtain. The layer of air permits a curtain of even thickness to be achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, in a first of its aspects, to a method of and an apparatus for applying a coating to articles, eg an edible coating to food articles. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with the application of edible coating materials which exhibit non-Newtonian behaviour, for example chocolate, to articles of confectionery and the like. The present invention also relates, in a second of its aspects, to an improved method of forming a curtain of material eg edible material which can be used to coat articles eg articles of food or which can be used in other ways in the formation of articles, eg articles of food.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known to enrobe articles of food such as chocolate assortmnents, confectionery bars, biscuits, cookies and cakes with a layer of chocolate. This coating process is known as chocolate enrobing and is traditionally effected by moving the articles on a mesh-type conveyor belt through a curtain of liquid chocolate whose consistency is carefully controlled. However, it is difficult to achieve the desired coating because of the high viscosity. It is therefore common practice to subject the articles to a greater than needed coating, then controlling the amount of chocolate remaining on the articles by blowing by air from fans and using vibration to remove the excess.
Also, the temperature of chocolate cannot be increased so as to reduce its viscosity as it will lose its temper, causing problems of incorrect fat crystallisation which can deleteriously affect the appearance and/or eating quality of the chocolate. Thus, it is common for enrobing chocolate to have a higher fat content than standard chocolate used for making chocolate bars in order to reduce its viscosity. This has adverse cost implications.
In order to establish the curtain of chocolate, it is known to allow chocolate to pass under the action of gravity through an outlet slot in the bottom of a trough having inclined side walls leading to the slot. This type of apparatus has a relatively low throughput because of the high viscosity of the chocolate and the relatively low rate at which it can flow through the outlet slot. The common solution to this problem is to use a wider slot, which results in a thicker curtain which then requires removal of more excess from the articles. Because of the physical characteristics of the chocolate which passes through the slot, the curtain can xe2x80x9cneckxe2x80x9d to a substantial extent. In other words, the width of the chocolate curtain becomes substantially less than the length of the slot from which it issues. This means that the effective cover of the curtain over the width of the conveyor belt used to carry the articles through the curtain is reduced.
Another known form of apparatus for producing a chocolate curtain utilises a roller along which liquid chocolate is distributed and carried to a blade which causes the layer of chocolate on the roller to become detached and thereby establish the curtain. This can provide higher coating rates with a better control of curtain thickness, but difficulties still arise in coating.
With both of the above types of known apparatus, the amount of chocolate in the descending curtain is greatly in excess of that required to coat the articles. The excess drains through the mesh-type conveyor belt and needs to be recycled and its condition carefully controlled.
It is an object of a first aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least some of the above disadvantages.
In accordance with said first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of applying a coating to articles, comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a curtain of solidifiable liquid coating material;
(ii) effecting relevant movement between articles to be coated and the curtain so as to coat the articles with the solidifiable liquid coating material; and
(iii) subjecting the solidifiable liquid coating material to the action of at least one stream of gas under pressure whereby to modify the flow characteristics of the curtain.
Also in accordance with said first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for applying a coating to articles, comprising:
(i) supply means arranged to provide a curtain of solidifiable liquid coating material;
(ii) means for effecting relative movement between articles to be coated and the supply means whereby in use the articles are coated with the solidifiable liquid coating material in the curtain; and
(iii) means arranged to subject the solidifiable liquid coating material to the action of at least one stream of gas under pressure whereby to modify the flow characteristics of the curtain.
Preferably, the articles are articles of food and the coating material is an edible coating material.
In the case where the present invention is used in a coating apparatus of the type in which the coating material is caused to flow along a surface of the supply means (eg a trough) towards an outlet slot through which the coating material flows under the action of gravity to form the curtain, it is preferred for said at least one stream of gas to be introduced between the coating material and the surface of the supply means. In this way, a layer of gas can be introduced between the surface and the coating material as it flows towards the outlet slot. Preferably, in the case of a trough where the coating material flows over opposed surfaces towards the outlet slot, a layer of gas is introduced between the coating material and each of the opposed surfaces. This can not only substantially reduce the resistance to flow of the coating material over the surfaces, but can also reduce the viscosity of the coating material if it is of a type whose viscosity is reduced when subjected to shear.
It is particularly preferred to cause said at least one stream of gas under pressure to become attached to the surface of the supply means so as to assist in establishing the layer of the gas between the surface and the coating material. This may be achieved by positioning one or more gas-admission slots in such a way as to direct the gas against the surface of the supply means. The spacing between the outlet slot and the or each gas-admission slot depends upon the nature of the coating material and the geometry of the supply means, which may comprise a trough having V-shaped walls defining opposed surfaces which converge towards the outlet slot. If the or each gas-admission slot is disposed too close to the outlet slot, then the flow of gas through the outlet slot may actually restrict the flow of coating material therethrough. On the other hand, if the or each gas-admission slot is disposed too far away from the outlet slot, the coating material flowing over the surface may become re-attached to the surface of the supply means before it reaches the outlet slot.
In the case where the above-mentioned trough is employed, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide said at least one stream of gas under pressure at one or both convergent opposed surfaces of the trough leading to the outlet slot.
Said at least one stream of gas under pressure may be applied to the coating material after the curtain has been established in order to change the direction of the curtain and/or a physical property of the coating material forming the curtain. It is also within the scope of the present invention to subject the coating material to the action of at least one stream of gas both before and after the curtain has been established.
A curved surface may be provided adjacent to part of the curtain, and means may be provided for causing a stream of gas to flow over the curved surface by virtue of the Coanda effect and to use this to induce a change in the direction of travel of the curtain. In this way, it is possible to control the direction of flow of the curtain from any angle from vertical to substantially horizontal. This effect can be used whether or not the coating material is subjected to the action of at least one stream of gas under pressure before the curtain is established. In this regard, the curtain may be established by flow of the coating material through an outlet slot or by distributing the coating material over the length of a roller and causing it to be transported to a blade which removes the coating material from the roller and thereby establishes the curtain.
It is within the scope of the present invention to use one or more curtains of coating material to coat the articles and to control the direction of movement of these curtains simultaneously or independently in such a way as to ensure maximum coverage. For example, one of the curtains may be controlled so that its direction of movement is an acute angle (e.g. 45xc2x0) relative to the direction of relative movement between the articles and the curtain, whilst the other curtain can be controlled so that its direction of movement is at an obtuse angle (e.g. 135xc2x0) with respect to said direction of relative movement. In this way, coating of upstream and downstream ends of the articles may be facilitated.
In certain embodiments, the control of the pressure of the stream of gas can be employed to control the speed of descent of the curtain. Thus, by controlling the rate of descent of the curtain and the rate of relative movement between the articles and the curtain, a variety of different effects can be achieved. For example, if the rate of descent of the curtain is matched with the rate of relative movement, then a smooth coating can be achieved. If the rate of curtain descent is greater than the rate of relative movement, then a surface patterning effect can be achieved by the resultant folding of the applied curtain onto the articles. On the other hand, if the rate of descent is less than the rate of relative movement, a degree of stretching of the coating material as it becomes attached to the articles may be achievable with resultant thinning of the layer of coating material, applied to the articles. The effects achieved will also depend upon the physical properties of the coating material.
The present invention is applicable to the use of non-Newtonian liquids such as chocolate or Newtonian liquids such as caramel as coating materials.
In the case of chocolate (or other non-Newtonian liquid, a liquid whose viscosity reduces when subjected to shear), a very high degree of control is achievable because the stream of gas under pressure can be caused to contact the surface of the chocolate in such a way as to reduce its viscosity by application of a shear force. This has the particular advantage that the chocolate flows much more easily but then rapidly thickens once the shear force has been removed. The application of the stream of gas under pressure to the chocolate before the curtain has been established can enable the previously mentioned necking problem to be mitigated and can also enable a much higher throughput to be achieved for a given size of coating apparatus. Because of the viscosity reduction achieved, it is possible to coat with a much higher viscosity chocolate than has heretofore been considered possible. For example, it is possible to coat with relatively viscous tempered chocolate, rather than having to coat with a chocolate composition having an increased fat content and subsequently lowered tempered viscosity in order to establish and maintain the desired liquid curtain. The need to effect air blowing and/or vibration on the coated articles may be obviated or mitigated. The present invention permits a curtain of even thickness to be achieved and may also enable a thinner curtain to be produced than has heretofore been possible.
Conveniently, the gas is air. The temperature of the gas may be substantially the same as that of the solidifiable liquid coating material. This is particularly advantageous in the case where the material is liquid chocolate.
It will be appreciated that the present invention in its first aspect involves the control of a curtain of solidifiable liquid coating material for the purpose of coating or enrobing articles. However, it will be appreciated that similar techniques can be employed for controlling a curtain of a solidifiable liquid material for use in the production of other articles. For instance, the curtain can be controlled for the purpose of enabling a layer of the material to be deposited into a mould or moulds (e.g. to produce shells of solidified material which can then be used to contain filling material), or onto a conveyor for solidification as a layer thereon which can be subsequently cut to size or otherwise shaped. The fact that the curtain can be very accurately controlled in terms of the thickness of the curtain and/or its angle/speed of descent means that a close control over the thickness and/or texture of the deposit can be obtained which can be difficult to achieve with standard confectionery shell technology.
Thus, in its second aspect, the present invention resides in a method of controlling a curtain of a solidifiable liquid composition comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a curtain of solidifiable liquid material; and
(ii) before, during and/or after step (i), subjecting the solidifiable liquid material to the action of at least one stream of gas under pressure whereby to modify the characteristics of the curtain.
Also in accordance with said second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for controlling curtain of a solidifiable liquid composition comprising:
(i) supply means arranged to provide a curtain of solidifiable liquid coating material; and
(ii) means arranged to subject the solidifiable liquid coating material to the action of at least one stream of gas under pressure whereby to modify the characteristics of the curtain.
The method and apparatus may further include provision for (a) depositing the modified curtain of solidifiable liquid composition to form a layer in a mould or on a surface, and (b) solidifying the deposited composition.
The solidifiable liquid composition is preferably an edible composition.

Method and apparatus of coating articles


A scheduler in a process of a computer system includes a local collection of tasks for each processing resource allocated to the scheduler and at least one general collection of tasks. The scheduler assigns each task that becomes unblocked to the local collection corresponding to the processing resource that caused the task to become unblocked. When a processing resource becomes available, the processing resource attempts to execute the most recently added task in the corresponding local collection. If there are no tasks in the corresponding local collection, the available processing resource attempts to execute a task from the general collection.

Processes executed in a computer system may include task schedulers that schedule tasks of processes for execution in the computer system. These schedulers may operate with various algorithms that determine how tasks of a process are to be executed. The algorithms, however, may not take full advantage of the underlying hardware topology of the computer system. For example, the algorithms may not fully exploit memory locality effects in a computer system with a memory hierarchy and multiple processors. As a result, a scheduler may not optimize the execution of a process in a computer system.

Local collections of tasks in a scheduler


A probe for use in a sensing application includes an elongate body having a first end and a free end, wherein the first end is to be attached to a support. The probe also includes a plurality of nano-fingers having respective bases and tips, wherein each of the plurality of nano-fingers is attached to the free end and is composed of a flexible material, and wherein the plurality of nano-fingers are collapsed toward each other such that the tips of the plurality of nano-fingers are substantially in contact with each other.

Detection and identification or at least classification of unknown substances has long been of great interest and has taken on even greater significance in recent years. Among advanced methodologies that hold a promise for precision detection and identification are various forms of spectroscopy, especially those that employ Raman scattering. Spectroscopy may be used to analyze, characterize and even identify a substance or material using one or both of an absorption spectrum and an emission spectrum that results when the material is illuminated by a form of electromagnetic radiation (for instance, visible light). The absorption and emission spectra produced by illuminating the material determine a spectral 'fingerprint' of the material. In general, the spectral fingerprint is characteristic of the particular material or its constituent elements facilitating identification of the material. Among the most powerful of optical emission spectroscopy techniques are those based on Raman scattering.
Raman scattering optical spectroscopy employs an emission spectrum or spectral components thereof produced by inelastic scattering of photons by an internal structure of the material being illuminated. These spectral components contained in a response signal (for instance, a Raman signal) may facilitate determination of the material characteristics of an analyte species including identification of the analyte.
The Raman signal level or strength may be significantly enhanced by using a tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) technique. In recent years, TERS has emerged as a routine and powerful tool for investigating molecular structures and characterizing interfacial and thin-film systems, and even enables single-molecule detection.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Devices, methods and systems disclosed herein relate to the application of a protective film on a surface of an electronic device that instantly reduces air bubbles and eliminates the waiting time usually required when using a wet fluid solution. In one embodiment, a roller device may include a carriage or housing and one or more rollers coupled or integrated with the housing, configured to apply a protective material to a surface of the electronic device in a first orientation, and configured to function as a device stand in a second orientation. In addition or alternatively, a roller guide apparatus and/or a wedge may be utilized to assist the roller device in applying the protective material to the surface of the electronic device.

1. Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and/or system for applying a protective material or layer to a surface of a device. For example, the present invention may allow a user to apply a protective material or layer to the surface or screen of an electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic devices such as cellular phones, portable tablet computers and the like are gaining widespread popularity. For example, the Apple® iPhone® is estimated to reach 100 million users by the end of 2011. In addition, almost 15 million Apple® iPads® have been sold to date. The sheer volume of electronic devices sold by other major competitors such as Motorola®, Samsung®, HTC®, etc. only further confirms that consumers find these products very desirable. It should not come as a surprise that these same consumers want to protect their products from accidental denting, scratching or otherwise damaging these electronic devices. Accordingly, manufacturers have produced different cases, protective films and the like to help the consumer keep their electronic devices safe.
However, with the progress of touch-based screens for operating these electronic devices, thick cases might not be suitable, as these cases may prevent the user from operating the device. Accordingly, many manufacturers are now producing clear films that keep, for example, the display of the electronic device clean while at the same time protecting the screen from accidental damage such as scratching.
Despite the benefits that these films or screen protectors provide, many drawbacks remain in this relatively new technology. For example, many of these protectors require the use of a wet fluid solution to enable the film to adhere to the electronic device. Using a wet fluid solution is messy, requires a lot of work by the user to "squeegee" the excess out, and might not eliminate all annoying air bubbles immediately. Indeed, many of these products warn that 24-48 hours may be needed before the user can effectively determine if the trapped air bubbles are going to disappear. In other words, some consumers may have to wait for days before determining if the film was applied correctly. To some consumers, this long wait is annoying and may reduce the enthusiasm of an otherwise exciting moment of obtaining a cutting-edge electronic device. Moreover, the electronic device might not be functional until the solution dries out in 24-48 hours. Alternatively, the consumer might not want to risk using the device in fear during this time period as he or she may believe that usage may impact the film prior to drying of the wet fluid solution.
What is needed is an applicator that eliminates the drawbacks above and allows a user to apply the protective film effectively for use without waiting for the protective film to dry and/or waiting for the air bubbles to disappear.


In a multivalue modulation type with one pilot symbol inserted for every 3 or more symbols, signal points of each one symbol immediately before and after a pilot symbol are modulated using a modulation type different from that for pilot symbols. In this way, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the accuracy in estimating the reference phase and amount of frequency offset by pilot symbols and improve the bit error rate characteristic in the signal to noise ratio in quasi-coherent detection with symbols whose symbol synchronization is not completely established.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for digital wireless communications using a multivalue modulation type.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional digital mobile wireless communication system, a familiar example of frame configuration method to estimate a frequency offset is described in xe2x80x9cTerrestrial Mobile Communication 16QAM Fading Distortion Compensation Methodxe2x80x9d (Sanbe, TECHNICAL REPORT OF IEICE, B-II, Vol. J-72-B-II, No.1, pp. 7-15, January 1989). FIG. 1 shows a frame configuration according to a 16QAM system.
As shown in FIG. 1, this frame configuration has one pilot symbol inserted for every Nxe2x88x921 information symbols. With such a frame configuration, quasi-coherent detection is performed by estimating the reference phase, amount of frequency offset and amount of amplitude distortion using pilot symbols.
However, during quasi-coherent detection with such a frame configuration with one pilot symbol inserted for every few information symbols, symbol synchronization gets the jitters. Therefore, in quasi-coherent detection with symbols whose symbol synchronization is not completely established, the accuracy in estimating the reference phase, amount of frequency offset and amount of amplitude distortion using pilot symbols deteriorates. This results in deterioration of a bit error rate characteristic in the signal to noise ratio.
This is explained more specifically using FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams to explain the relationship between the time and amplitude of a reception signal. In FIG. 2, reference code 1 indicates the time when pilot symbol 3 is detected with an ideal judgment time and reference code 2 indicates the time when pilot symbol 3 is detected with a time offset (jitter) generated. Reference code 4 indicates the information symbols immediately before and after pilot symbol 3.
Both a transmitter and receiver are provided with their respective clock generation functions. Because of this, the receiver has different clock generation sources, and therefore the receiver may detect waves at timing such as time 2, at which a time offset from ideal judgment time 1 has occurred. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the time offset originates errors (amplitude errors) XI and XQ respectively, from the signal point. This deteriorates the error rate. Furthermore, the receiver estimates the phase, amplitude variation and frequency offset on the I-Q plane from the pilot symbol. However, when detected at time 2 when the time offset occurred, the pilot symbol signal has an error from the pilot symbol signal point, and therefore the accuracy in estimating the phase, amplitude variation and frequency offset deteriorates.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for digital wireless communications capable of improving the accuracy in estimating the reference phase and amount of frequency offset when the receiver (demodulation side) carries out quasi-coherent detection and improving the bit error rate characteristic in the signal to noise ratio.
This objective is achieved by a digital wireless communication apparatus that uses a modulation type including QPSK modulation and modulates the signal points of each one symbol immediately before and after a pilot symbol using a modulation type different from the modulation type for the pilot symbol in a frame configuration with one pilot symbol inserted for every 3 or more symbols.
This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the accuracy in estimating the reference phase and amount of frequency offset using pilot symbols in quasi-coherent detection with symbols whose symbol synchronization is not completely established and improve the bit error rate characteristic in the signal to noise ratio.
Furthermore, this objective is also achieved by a digital wireless communication apparatus that increases the amplitude at pilot symbol signal points more than the maximum amplitude at signal points according to the multivalue modulation type with 8 or more values.
This apparatus can not only suppress deterioration in the accuracy in estimating the reference phase, amount of frequency offset by a pilot symbol in quasi-coherent detection with symbols whose symbol synchronization is not completely established, but also improve the bit error rate characteristic in the signal to noise ratio without deteriorating the power efficiency of the power amplifier on the transmitting side.

Apparatus and method for digital wireless communications

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A system and method for using licensed radio technology for determining the operation parameters which should be used by a terminal. The present invention involves the terminal using its GSM system, if activated, to determine whether mobile country code for a nearby cellular terminal is located within the United States or Canada. If the code designates the United States or Canada, then the terminal uses the US domain and the corresponding transmission channels and power levels. If the code does not designate the United State or Canada, then an ETSI domain is used, along with the appropriate transmission channels and power levels.

In wireless communication systems, it can be difficult to obtain the operating location information from a wireless local area network (WLAN) in a reliable manner for the purpose of adjusting various WLAN parameters. As used herein "operating location information" refers to information concerning the geographical region where a wireless device or terminal is located at a given moment.
Current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations state that WLAN systems can only operate among channels 1-11 within the United States. In accordance with FCC regulations, the end user cannot modify the regulatory domain as defined in the IEEE 802.11m standard. The regulatory domain defines parameters, such as the list of channels, maximum power level, etc., that relate to the operation of the WLAN device. Therefore, this regulation makes it difficult to allow the use of tri-band Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)-WLAN devices, as either FCC approvals would not be obtainable for the device, or the WLAN service providers would need to limit the number of channels available in Europe.
Previously, vendors have implemented two different types of WLAN multimode devices, with one type designed for the European Union (EU) and the other type designed for the United States (US). Under this arrangement, however, devices brought from the United States to Europe would not be able to operate within WLAN 2.4 GHz channels 12-13. There is therefore a need for using licensed radio technology to determine the operating parameters of an unlicensed radio technology in a mobile terminal.

System and method for using licensed radio technology to determine the operation parameters of an unlicensed radio technology in a mobile terminal


A vehicle can include a pair of right and left main frames extending from a head pipe of a front portion to a rear direction. An engine is disposed below the main frames, a fuel tank is disposed above the main frames, and an air cleaner is disposed above the engine E and adjacent to the fuel tank. The air cleaner is disposed in the front direction side of the fuel tank, and a part of the air cleaner is disposed in the lower direction side of the fuel tank. An inner side portion disposed between the pair of right and left main frames and outer side portions disposed so as to bulge to the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle of the pair of right and left main frames are connected.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a straddle type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, especially to the straddle type vehicle which can secure the capacity of an air cleaner.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a widely known an ordinal straddle type vehicle in which an engine is mounted below pair of right and left main frames extending to the rear direction from a head pipe in a front portion of the vehicle body. A fuel tank is disposed above the main frames for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-213250 (PATENT DOCUMENT 1). In the straddle type vehicle, the air cleaner is disposed in the upper direction of the engine and in the lower direction of the fuel tank, and between the pair of right and left main frames, in order to secure the intake air capacity of the air cleaner and to simultaneously shorten an intake passage.


The invention disclosed herein comprises a method for visually representing music to be played on a musical instrument by providing a tablature staff which is divided into individual measures by segmenting the tablature staff with measure lines. Each measure is then further divided into proportional time subdivisions using subdivision lines. Alphanumeric notes are then printed between these subdivision lines on the tablature staff, wherein each alphanumeric note represents a tone to be played on a musical instrument and wherein the duration of each alphanumeric note is indicated by the number of time subdivisions within a measure and its corresponding font size.

Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a system for music notation, more specifically to methods for music tablature and particularly to tablature methods wherein the duration of notes is indicated by the font size of an alphanumeric note.
Description of the Related Art
Standard musical notation typically represents the rhythm and duration of a set of musical notes by indicating their pitch on a staff further specified by a clef, usually with a time signature and key signature, whose pitches are further modifiable by the use of accidentals. In contrast to the standard form musical notation, an alternative form of notation has arisen that is often called tablature notation. The general premise of tablature notation differs from standard musical notation because it does not indicate a note's pitch, but rather indicates a specific location on an instrument (such '5', indicating the 5th fret), without specifying the positioning of the hand, the finger to be used, or the posture (spacing) of the fingers on the instrument. These representations of locations on an instrument generally indicate, but do not fully specify, the mechanical operations to be performed on the instrument, and these representations stand in for the musical notes of standard musical notation. However, the main difference between conventional tablature and conventional standard music notation is that conventional tablature does not convey any information concerning pitch.
Since prior art tablature methods represent mechanical operations on the instrument, it makes sense for the tablature representation to visually recreate a physical portion of a physical instrument. Prior art tablature methods for keyboards typically represents a portion of a keyboard, whereas tablature for a stringed instrument typically depicts an instrument's strings. In each case the tablature then indicates the key or string to manipulate. In cases of instruments such as woodwinds, their tablature shows the particular key holes of the instrument to open or close to perform a particular note.
The chief advantage of tablature, as compared to conventional musical notation, is that the tablature describes the operations to be played on an instrument, allowing them to be played without need for traditional music notation. Using tablature, the musician is shown the specific set of operations in lieu of the pitches of the notes. In comparison, with pitch-based standard musical notation the musician must often interpret various fingering possibilities when a pitch can be rendered in more than one location on an instrument. For example, on a guitar in standard tuning, the note "C" could be played on the B string on the first fret, or on the G string at the fifth fret. In standard notation, the note is simply represented as the pitch C, while string, finger posture, and hand position determinations are interpreted by the musician. In prior art tablature, the string and fret position is specified, thus, tablature is more specific in this regard.
However, standard tablature notation has several disadvantages, chiefly that it does not indicate hand positioning or finger posture (finger spacing). In addition, polyphony, or multiple simultaneous musical voices, are not distinguished. Further, the play-style is not represented in the alphanumeric characters of prior art tablature notation. Furthermore, standard tablature is specific to one instrument and is difficult to translate, for instance from violin to cello, without first translating the music into standard pitch-based notation. This limits a student using prior art tablature to a particular instrument and makes translation to another musical instrument painstaking.
Prior art tablature replaces the information regarding the duration and timing of notes with fingering or operation information necessary to perform the note, therefore the rhythm and timing of the notes is only loosely provided, usually requiring tablature to be placed adjacent to rhythm indicators of standard musical notation. This forces the user of standard tablature to either guess at the intent of the composer, or to have a preconceived notion of the timing of the notes when reading unaccompanied tablature. Alternatively, the user is forced to simultaneously interpret both the traditional musical notation and the tablature to correctly render the musical information. Attempts to convey this information, such as by adding flags and stems to the tablature, long for improvement, especially in the form of enhanced precision and simplification.
The invention described herein solves these disadvantages by providing a method for musical notation wherein the duration of notes is indicated by the font size of an alphanumeric note in conjunction with a tone extension symbol providing rhythmic information to the musician using a newly invented tablature format. Additionally, the system described herein indicates the intended string, and explicitly provides the fingering and its posture. Further, this novel system renders alphanumeric notes isomorphically so that the selected font visually represents an articulated play style. Moreover, the alphanumeric notes may be color coded to distinguish polyphonic voices. These advantages and more are presented in further detail herein.


A device for deblocking optical workpieces, having a first moving device for rotating a workpiece, which is blocked on a blocking piece, about a workpiece rotational axis and a nozzle for dispensing a pressurized stream in a direction that is essentially transverse to the workpiece rotational axis onto a point of incidence in an edge region between the blocking piece and the workpiece. The device also has a second moving device for generating a relative movement between the nozzle and the workpiece. The second moving device has a nozzle guiding portion on which the nozzle is mounted and by which the nozzle can be positioned with respect to the blocking piece in a cam-controlled manner in order to aim the pressurized stream towards the point of incidence in a defined manner.

There is no lack of proposals in the prior art on how a device for deblocking spectacle lenses can be constructed, wherein use is made of a pressure medium such as water in order to release the spectacle lens from the block piece by application of hydraulic forces and, in particular, either from "inside" by way of a pressure-medium channel in the block piece, which opens at the blocking surface of the block piece facing the spectacle lens (for example, DE 10 2005 038 063 A1, FIG. 12; WO 03/018253 A1, FIG. 4), or from the "outside" by a high-pressure water jet which is delivered by a nozzle and which is incident on an edge location between block piece and spectacle lens (for example, WO 2008/003805 A1, FIG. 1).
A disadvantage of the "inside" application of the hydraulic forces is that the block piece is provided with cavities which are open towards the blocking surface and which oppose a desirable whole-area support of the spectacle lens on the block piece. The opening in the blocking surface can in principle be reduced in size in order to achieve an approximately whole-area support, but then it is hardly possible to apply the hydraulic forces required in order to separate the spectacle lens from the block piece.
The use here of a small piston in the (separate) block piece, which bounds the blocking surface, as proposed as an alternative in WO 03/018253 A1 (FIGS. 14 to 22), can admittedly be of assistance. However, mechanical forces are then applied by way of this piston during the deblocking to a relatively small, central area at the spectacle lens, which can have the consequence of destroying the spectacle lens. In any event, for the detaching it is necessary to generate forces which are higher than the adhesion forces between spectacle lens and block piece. In the case of the above-described piston solution the releasing forces act exclusively axially on the center of the spectacle lens, whereas the adhesion forces act predominantly in an annular zone at the spectacle lens edge. This can lead, particularly in the case of thin spectacle lenses, to comparatively strong deformations and high stresses in the spectacle lens to be deblocked, which ultimately can produce breakage of the spectacle lens, never mind the cost involved in providing such a piston in the block piece.
The previously known "outside" solution according to WO 2008/003805 A1, does indeed make possible a whole-area support of the spectacle lens at the block piece and beyond that reduces the risk of damage of the spectacle lens during deblocking, but this prior art is in need of improvement in another respect.
The deblocking method disclosed there was developed specifically for the deblocking of spectacle lenses blocked by a thermoplastic blocking material. In that case, melting of the blocking material is initially constrained by immersion of the composite of spectacle lens, blocking material and block piece in a bath with hot water. Block piece and blocking material as well as a protective film on the spectacle lens are then detached from the spectacle lens by a high-pressure water jet. For this purpose the water of the jet is heated to a temperature between 50° C. and 65° C. so as to further soften the blocking material and ultimately liquefy it a consequence of the heating. The high-pressure water jet is here fanned relatively widely and is, in addition, rotated about the longitudinal axis of the nozzle in order to also penetrate under the protective foil on the rotating spectacle lens and lift the blocking material and foil off the spectacle lens.
A disadvantage of this prior art can be seen particularly in that—as a consequence of the interposed pre-heating step in the hot water bath—the deblocking of a spectacle lens lasts for a relatively a long time, which is contrary to efficient use of this method in RX workshops. Moreover, this temperature-assisted method would be disadvantageous in connection with blocking methods in which use is made of non-thermoplastic blocking materials.
Finally, in the older German Patent Application 10 2009 048 590.2-14 of the same applicant a deblocking device of the "outside" type is described in which a high-pressure jet of pressure medium delivered by a nozzle is directed in the manner of CNC technology onto a predetermined point of incidence in the edge region between spectacle lens and block piece, namely through positional regulation of motor-driven movement axes, which produces a relative movement between the nozzle and blocked spectacle lens. The equipment outlay connected therewith is not, however, insignificant, so that this deblocking device is primarily suitable for larger RX workshops with a high level of automation. However, there is also a need in smaller RX workshops with a low level of automation for a device-assisted deblocking of spectacle lenses.
What is desired is a device of simplest possible construction for deblocking optical workpieces, particularly spectacle lenses, by which the optical workpieces can be deblocked as securely, free of damage and rapidly as possible.

Device for deblocking optical workpieces, in particular eyeglass lenses


In a magnetic tape cassette storage and magnetic tape cassette record/reproduce system, disclosed is an accessor which inserts or extracts a cassette from a storage location or a record/reproduce device. The accessor includes a cassette gripper assembly which handles different sizes of cassettes. Lateral motion of the accessor (a) actuates the gripper assembly to grip and ungrip a cassette and (b) effects locking and unlocking of the gripper assembly. A pair of accessors are mounted on an accessor platform so that one accessor can insert a cassette while the other accessor extracts a cassette, either at the same location (record/reproduce device) or at different locations (storage compartments).

This invention relates in general to magnetic tape cassette storage and record/reproduce apparatus, and, more particularly, to a magnetic tape cassette accessor which inserts and extracts cassettes at cassette storage locations and record/reproduce location and grips a cassette for transport between locations.
In applications in which a large amount of information is stored in a plurality of magnetic tape cassettes of different sizes and used in one or more record/reproduce locations, it is desirable that each magnetic tape cassette, be accessed in a minimum amount of time. For example, it is desirable to minimize the time required to change over from one cassette to another cassette used at a magnetic tape record/reproduce device. Where the cassette storage system includes a large number of cassette storage compartments, it is also desirable that the cassette be handled and transported between a storage compartment and a record/reproduce device, in a gentle and reliable manner. Different sizes of cassettes should be accommodated without having to use different cassette handling devices.
Various arrangements have been proposed to transport an object between spaced locations in a storage system. The simplest type of arrangement uses manual power for actuation of the transport system and for loading and loading articles at storage locations. (See: U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,119, issued Sept. 12, 1978, entitled APPARATUS FOR LOADING ARTICLES ONTO VERTICALLY SPACED HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SHELVES.) Although such an arrangement is relatively inexpensive, it is disadvantageous because it is not readily adaptable for use as an automatic storage and handling system. In order to ameliorate this deficiency in manual transport and handling systems, it has been proposed to use motors in order to actuate the transport assembly. Typically, at least one or more of the actuating motors are mounted on the transport assembly itself. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,977, issued Jan. 26, 1971, entitled LOAD DETECTING DEVICE FOR WAREHOUSING SYSTEM, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,474, issued Sept. 30, 1986, entitled DEVICE FOR EXCHANGING DISKS.) However, drive motors and drive motor supports, add considerable weight to the transport assembly, thus increasing the stresses on the transport assembly drive and on the transport assembly load-bearing components. Moreover, reliability is reduced and maintenance is made more difficult.
Automatically operated, article gripping mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,391, issued Dec. 28, 1971, entitled "Work Gripper", and U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,616, issued Jul. 14, 1959, entitled "Automatic Material Handling Mechanism". In both patents, the gripping mechanisms are actuated by pneumatic power sources mounted on the mechanisms. This is disadvantageous due to the weight of the mechanism and the necessity of using moving conduits for the actuating fluid.

Apparatus for transporting magnetic tape cassettes of different sizes


A sequential decoder for use in broadband mobile communications and a receiver including the sequential decoder. The sequential decoder computes likelihood values by referring to histories of paths to reduce the required computational effort. The paths include signal points having small tap coefficient values in an equalizer with a transversal filter, and may also include paths within a constraint length which are old in time.

The present invention relates to a sequential decoder and a receiver using a sequential decoder, and more particularly to a sequential decoder which can be applied to broadband mobile communications and reduces the computational efforts of a sequence estimation, and a receiver equipped with the same.
There are a block code and a convolutional code as error correction codes. There are Viterbi decoding and sequential decoding as decoding of the convolutional code. The Viterbi decoding is a method of decoding which utilizes a repetition structure of the convolutional code and efficiently performs maximum likelihood decoding. The sequential decoding utilizes a tree structure and approximately performs maximum likelihood decoding with a given memory capacity and a limited number of computations.
However, the Viterbi decoding handles equal-length paths at each time, while the sequential decoding handles a variable-length path. Thus, the sequential decoding does not use a metric used in the Viterbi decoding. For example, although the Hamming distance in a binary symmetric channel takes a metric of the Viterbi decoding, it is not suitable for a case where paths having different lengths are objects to be compared. That is, the Hamming distance of even the maximum likelihood path from a received sequence increases as it becomes longer, and thus the maximum likelihood path has a metric greater than any paths shorter than the same.
Thus, let us consider the following branch metric xcexc(yt,wt) with respect to a q-ary convolutional code (code rate k/n) in which the length of the information block is k and the length of the encoded block is n:                               μ                                xe2x80x83                                          (                                          y                t                            ,                              w                t                                      )                          =                                            -              log                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  P                                                  (                                                            y                      t                                                                                ❘                                                                                w                      t                                                        )                                                            P                                                  (                                      y                    t                                    )                                                              +                      k                                      xe2x80x83                                    log                                      xe2x80x83                                    q                                              (        1        )
where yt and wt respectively denote a received block and encoded block (a branch in the trellis diagram) at time t. Also, P(yt) denotes a probability that the received block at time t is yt. Further, P(yt|wt) denotes a conditional probability that the received block at time t is yi when the encoded block at time t is wt.
A metric between a received sequence YL=y0y1y2 . . . yLxe2x88x921 and an encoded sequence (path) WL=w0w1w2w3 . . . wLxe2x88x921 is defined by the following equation:                               μ                                xe2x80x83                                          (                                          y                L                            ,                              w                L                                      )                          =                              ∑                          i              =              0                                      L              -              1                                                      μ                                      xe2x80x83                                                  (                                                y                  t                                ,                                  w                  t                                            )                                                          (        2        )
It is assumed that the communication channel is a memoryless, stationary channel. The metric thus defined above is called a Fano metric (sometimes, an expression obtained by multiplying equation (2) by xe2x88x921 is defined as the Fano metric).
When an information sequence is random, in the normal convolutional code, all patterns of a length n appear in the code block at each time with an equal probability except for a few times in the commencement of encoding. Now, it is further assumed that the communication channel is a q-ary symmetric communication channel. In this case, all patterns of length n appear in each block of the received sequence except for a few times in the commencement. Thus, P(yi)=qxe2x88x92n. By substituting this into equation (1), the following is obtained:
xcexc(yt,wt)=P(yt|wt)xe2x88x92(nxe2x88x92k)log qxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(3)
The first term of equation (3) is no more than the branch metric in the Viterbi decoding. Thus, the Fano metric is biased with xe2x88x92(nxe2x88x92k)log q which is not involved in the branch metric of the Viterbi decoding. The metric of the maximum likelihood does not increase even if it is longer, and does not have any disadvantage as compared to short paths.
A description will now be given of computation of the Fano metric in the sequential decoding by exemplarily describing a case where the sequential decoding is applied to a sequence estimation in mobile communications. A feature of mobile communications is that the radio propagation environment is a multipath propagation. When considering an up (transmission from a mobile station, reception in a base station) communication channel, a bundle of transmitted element waves which have been subject to scatter, diffraction and reflection around the mobile station arrives at the base station directly or after it is reflected at a great distance. Hence, the base station receives the transmitted signal in such a fashion that a plurality of components resulting from the transmitted signal have different incoming angles. These respective paths are subject to independent fading.
When a communication takes place in the mobile communication environment as described above, phenomena different from each other due to the bandwidths of the signals appear in the received signals. In a case where the transmitted signal has a low bit rate and the bandwidth thereof is much narrower than a coherence bandwidth in the channel, the differences in propagation delay time among the signals propagated through the above-mentioned paths are much smaller than the symbol time length (which is normally equal to the reciprocal number of the symbol rate) of the signals. In this case, the same information symbol is received on the reception side, and a waveform distortion due to intersymbol interference does not occur in the received signals.
When the bit rate of the transmitted signals increases and the bandwidth of the signals becomes approximately equal to the coherence bandwidth in the channel, information symbols different from each other in the respective paths are received. In this case, a waveform distortion due to intersymbol interference over a few past and future symbols occurs in the received signals. Since the paths are subject to the respective, independent fading as has been described above, the intersymbol interference over a few past and future symbols is a time-varying intersymbol interference in which the intersymbol interference varies with time.
Thus, an equalizer which eliminates the intersymbol interference is required to estimate a channel impulse response (which is equivalent to an arrangement in which the complex amplitudes of the paths are arranged in the order of arrival time) and to thus estimate the transmitted sequence. An algorithm based on the maximum likelihood sequence estimation theory (MLSE theory) can be applied to estimation of the transmitted sequence. When the intersymbol interference results from a few past and future symbols, the joint signal processing of channel estimation and MLSE can be achieved with reasonable complexity. This is described in detail in, for example, a literature: Fukawa, Suzuki, xe2x80x9cRecursive Least Squares Adaptive Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (RLS-MLSE)xe2x80x94An Application of Maximum Likelihood Estimation Theory to Mobile Radioxe2x80x9d, The Transaction of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers (B-11), J76-B-II, No. 4, PP. 202-214, April 1993.
As the transmission bit rate increases, the received signal is affected by an increased amount of intersymbol interference. Theoretically, the above-mentioned joint signal processing of the channel estimation and the MLSE can be applied to equalization of the intersymbol interference. However, the number of states in the Viterbi algorithm used in the MLSE increases exponentially with respect to the length of the intersymbol interference (equal to the channel memory length). For example, in a case where binary phase shift keying (BPSK) is used as a modulation method, if there is a channel memory length of 11 symbols, the number of states (involved in a 12-path channel) is 2048, which exceeds the practical complexity limit.
It will be seen from the above consideration, it can be said that technical drawbacks to be solved in order to achieve an adaptive equalizer in high-bit-rate channels on the megabit order are involved in the sequence estimation and channel estimation corresponding to the above sequence. Of the above drawbacks, an adaptive equalizer using a sequential sequence estimation instead of the maximum likelihood sequence estimation MLSE is proposed, as means for avoiding the difficulty in the sequence estimation, in a literature: Matumoto, xe2x80x9cSequential Sequence Estimation and Equalization in High Speed Mobile Communicationsxe2x80x9d, Proceedings of The 1997 Communications Society Conference of IEICE, B-5-149.
Sequential sequence estimation was originally developed as an algorithm for decoding convolutional codes having a long constraint length. More particularly, from a historical point of view, the sequential sequence estimation was directed to developing an application for deep space communication which applies to a constraint length as long as 40 to 60. The process in which the intersymbol interference occurs is no more than convolutional computation on a complex number field. Thus, it is apparent that sequential sequence estimation has affinity with adaptive equalization. The above document shows that a sequential sequence estimation is performed in 12 channels by using the BPSK, and the results of the above estimation show good performance can be obtained by reasonable complexity.
When sequential decoding is applied, as sequential sequence estimation, to mobile communications, the Fano metric can be computed by the following formula (see: F. Xiong, xe2x80x9cSequential Sequence Estimation for Channels with Intersymbol Interference of Finite or Infinite Lengthxe2x80x9d, IEEE Trans. Commun. vol.COM-38, No.6, PP.795-804, 1990):                                           P            0                                          (                          z              k                        )                          =                              1                          M              L                                                      xe2x80x83                                                        ∑                              j                =                1                                            M                L                                                                xe2x80x83                                                                  1                                                                            2                                                                    xe2x80x83                                                                  π                                                                          σ                                                                          xe2x80x83                                          exp                                            xe2x80x83                                                          {                                  -                                                                                (                                                                              z                            k                                                    -                                                      y                            j                                                                          )                                            2                                                              2                                                                    xe2x80x83                                                                                σ                        2                                                                                }                                                                        (        4        )                                                      P            n                                          (                                          z                k                            -                              y                k                                      )                          =                  xe2x80x83                                              1                                                            2                                                        xe2x80x83                                                      π                                                          σ                                                      xe2x80x83                              exp                                xe2x80x83                                          {                          -                                                                    (                                                                  z                        k                                            -                                              y                        k                                                              )                                    2                                                  2                                                        xe2x80x83                                                                          σ                    2                                                                        }                                              (        5        )                                          λ                                xe2x80x83                                          (                                          y                k                            ,                              z                k                                      )                          =                              log                                      xe2x80x83                                                                                P                  n                                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  (                                                            z                      k                                        -                                          y                      k                                                        )                                                                              P                  0                                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  (                                      z                    k                                    )                                                              -                      log                                      xe2x80x83                                    M                                              (        6        )
where in equations (4), (5) and (6), M is a modulation multiplicity, L is the constraint number (the channel memory length), "sgr"2 is noise power, zk is the received sample value, yi is a replica of the received signal, and xcex(yk,zk) is the Fano metric.
According to equation (4), in P0(zk) forming the Fano metric xcex(yk,zk), all of items of information (1 to ML for j) which may be transmitted with respect to the constraint length L are added.
Thus, the computational efforts of computation of equation (4) increases exponentially to a very large value as the value of L becomes greater. Thus, it takes a huge amount of time to achieve the computation process.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the computational efforts necessary for obtaining Fano metrics and reduce the time necessary for computation in a sequential decoder and a receiver equipped with such a decoder.
The present invention includes the following means as means for achieving the above object.
In the invention described in claim 1, a sequential decoder which performs decoding using Fano""s likelihood values is characterized in that decoding is performed by referring to a history of a path and computing a likelihood value.
In the invention described in claim 2, the sequential decoder as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that there is provided a transversal filter which generates a replica of a received signal, a history of a path related to a corresponding signal in modulation constellation applied to a given small tap coefficient of the transversal filter is referred to.
In the invention described in claim 3, the sequential decoder as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that histories of some paths related to corresponding signals in modulation constellation applied to given small tap coefficients of the transversal filter are referred to in an increasing order of the tap coefficients of the transversal filter.
In the invention described in claim 4, the sequential decoder as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that histories of consecutive paths which are paths within a constraint length and are the oldest in time are referred to.
In the invention described in claim 5, a sequential decoder which performs decoding using Fano""s likelihood values is characterized in that there is provided a transversal filter which generates a predicted value of a received signal, a path related to a signal phase point signal applied to a given small tap coefficient of the transversal filter is ignored.
In the invention described in claim 6, the sequential decoder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 is characterized in that the decoder performs decoding using the Fano""s likelihood values with respect to a signal of a channel which has a constraint length L (L is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) and a modulation multiple-valued number M, and performs the decoding by computing the likelihood values with regard to ML-A paths (A is an integer satisfying 0 less than A less than L).
In the invention described in claim 7, a receiver is equipped with the sequential decoder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6.
According to the invention described in claims 1 to 6, it is possible to provide a sequential decoder capable of reducing the amount of computation for computing Fano metrics and reducing the time necessary for the computing process.
According to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to provide a receiver equipped with a sequential decoder capable of reducing the amount of computation for computing Fano metrics and reducing the time necessary for the computing process.

Sequential decoder, and receiver using sequential decoder


Methods for determining a transmission timeslot at an endpoint in a communications network are provided. The method includes receiving a message having a received downlink strength at an endpoint; determining an uplink strength for the endpoint based on information in the received message; and allocating a timeslot for uplink transmission from the endpoint based on the determined uplink strength. Related endpoints and computer program products are provided.

An ALOHA system, or simply ALOHA, is a computer networking system providing a wireless packet data network. In a pure Aloha system, a user can transmit at any time but risks collisions with other users' messages. A modified version of the Aloha system, slotted Aloha, provides a reduced chance of collisions by dividing a communication channel into time slots and generally requiring that a user send only at the beginning of a time slot.
Slotted ALOHA performs better than Pure ALOHA as the probability of collision is less in slotted ALOHA as compared to Pure ALOHA because the base station waits for the next time slot to begin, which lets the frame in a previous time slot pass and avoid the collision between the frames. Slotted ALOHA is a refinement over the pure ALOHA. Slotted ALOHA requires that time be segmented into slots of a fixed length exactly equal to the packet transmission time. A packet arriving to be transmitted at any given base station is delayed until the beginning of the next slot.
As ALOHA presently exists, any strength can be competing with any other strength at the same instant, thus increasing the likelihood of collisions. In other words, ALOHA functions as a survival of the fittest protocol, where the weaker endpoints are adequately exceeded in strength by a competitor so that the stronger endpoint is demodulated and decoded. Demodulation generally requires an adequate carrier to interference ratio over competing radio frequency signals. If all the endpoints' uplink attempts were within each other's carrier to interference ratio requirements, none would succeed. Thus, improved methods of managing communication networks to reduce the likelihood of collisions are needed.

Methods, systems and computer program products for slotted-ALOHA collision improvement by population density timeslot selection per radio frequency propagation pathloss


A monopole antenna assembly mounted onto a bracket (2) of an electronic device includes an electronic connector (1) having a long contact (12) extending outwardly. The long contact acts as a radiating element of a monopole antenna. The long contact can be easily obtained by modifying the size of contact in stamping process. The connector electrically and mechanically cooperates with a socket, such as a female connector, of the electronic device. Thus an electrical path is formed between the monopole antenna and the electrical device via connector and the socket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna assembly, and in particular to a monopole antenna assembly employed in an electronic device.
2. Description of the Prior Art or Related Art
Today some products applied in Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as WLAN Cards for desktop or laptop computer and WLAN Access Points (APs) under IEEE802.1a/b standards have been introduced into the market. These communication devices benefit from external antennas or internal antennas. In order to fully utilize the space of the laptop computer, the internal antenna is mostly adopted to be assembled into a hinge or a backplane of a liquid crystal display of the laptop computer. But for the desktop computer, the efficient of utilizing space is not very important. So a simple antenna assembly with a perfect radiating pattern is especially important.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,630 has disclosed an antenna assembly. This antenna assembly comprises an adaptor 10, an antenna 35 and a socket 13. The adaptor 10 comprises an end 11 for electrically and mechanically coupling with a plug 31 of the antenna 35 and a connection means 12 for cooperating with the socket 13. The antenna 35 electrically couples to a transceiver via the adaptor 10 and the socket 13. However, this antenna assembly is not simple enough. Respectively manufacturing the antenna, the adaptor and the socket also result in a complex process.
Hence, an improved antenna assembly is desired to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.


A data storage device that can be reversibly associated with one or more of a plurality of hosts. A “trusted” host on which the device is mounted is allowed access to a secure data area of the device automatically, without the user having to enter a password. Ways in which a host is designated as “trusted” include storing the host's ID in a trusted host list of the device, storing a representation of the host's ID that was encrypted using a trust key of the device in a cookie in the host, or storing a storage password of the device in a password list of the host. Alternatively, an untrusted host is allowed access to the secure data area if a user enters a correct user password.

The present invention relates to portable storage devices and, more particularly, to a secure portable storage device.
Portable storage devices such as floppy disks, optical disks, flash memory disks and digital tapes, serve users for various purposes, such as copying files from one computer to another, carrying a backup copy of one's files, or synchronizing work spaces among the hard disks of an office PC, a home PC and a laptop computer.
Portable devices can be lost or stolen, exposing their owner to the risk of others reading sensitive information from his/her work or private files. Therefore, it is highly desirable to secure information stored on a portable storage device under the user's password or biometric signature. An obvious way to do so is by encrypting the files on a source computer prior to copying the files to the portable storage device and then retrieving the encrypted version at a target computer and decrypting the files there for further use. This requires both manual effort at both ends, as well as having the same security software at both ends, which are inconvenient and often impractical.
Some recent portable storage devices include an onboard processor, which allows incorporating security functions within the device. For example, DiskOnKey™, a commercial portable flash disk produced by M-Systems Flash Disk Pioneers, Ltd. of Kfar Saba, Israel, features a locking utility called KeySafe, which offers a secure partition within the storage device, A user's password is required both for accessing the secure partition and reading files therefrom, because files are encrypted on-the-fly by the unit's onboard processor when written onto the secure partition and decrypted on-the-fly when read from the secure partition. The security mechanism of KeySafe is described in co-pending U.S. patent application publication No. 2004/0103288 titled "Apparatus and method for securing data on a portable storage device", which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
In a typical scenario, the user mounts his/her portable storage device on a computer, unlocks the portable storage device by keying-in a password (or entering a biometric signature, e.g. through a fingerprint reader), and then copies files from one device to another. File copying can be done either manually, or by using backup or synchronization utilities, such as the Briefcase folder synchronization utility which is part of the Microsoft Windows™ operating system.
Entering a password or a biometric signature each time the portable storage device is mounted is inconvenient. This inconvenience will often drive users to give up security and carry all their files in clear thus overlooking the risk of loss or theft. The current conflict between security and convenience is a drawback of current securable portable storage devices.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a portable storage device on which data can be securely stored and retrieved in a manner that would overcome the disadvantages described above.

System and method for securing portable data


An electric receptacle module is disclosed. The receptacle module includes a remote control device and a power outlet device. The remote control device has a signal transmission unit and an adjusting key. The signal transmission unit launches a timing signal when the adjusting key is pressed, and the adjusting key comprises a plus key and a minus key. The power outlet device has a signal receiving unit, a counting unit, a full-time power output interface and a timed power output interface. The power outlet device is configured to receive a power, the counting unit starts to count a predetermined time when the signal receiving unit receives the timing signal, the full-time power output interface supplies the power at all times, the timed power output interface supplies the power during the predetermined time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an electric receptacle, especially to an electric receptacle module with a remote control device and a power outlet device.
2. Description of Related Art
Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional electric receptacle apparatus with timer function. The electric receptacle apparatus 1 comprises a body 10 and a timer 12, wherein the timer 12 is disposed on the body 10, and the timer 12 can be a mechanical countdown timer. A user can set a countdown time by a turntable disposed on the timer 12 for controlling the electric receptacle apparatus 1 to supply a power for a period of time, so as to save the power consumption of an electrical device plugged into the electric receptacle apparatus 1.
However, for considering a cable distribution and an aesthetic appearance of circumstances, the electric receptacle apparatus 1 is positioned behind the electrical device or hidden under a desk. The user needs to move the electrical device or squat down before operating the timer 12. Therefore, it is inconvenient to operate the conventional electric receptacle apparatus with timer function.


At least one of lower and upper magnetic cores is composed of magnetic films each of which contains two or more elements of Co, Ni, and Fe, which are formed by electroplating in a plating bath with pH 2 or less, and which have a saturation magnetic flux density of 23,000 gauss or more.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a magnetic head, typically used in a magnetic disk drive, and more particularly to a thin film magnetic head.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, a recording medium with a higher coercive force is required, due to an ever-increasing recording density of a magnetic disk drive. Under such circumstances, the magnetic core of a write head is formed from a material with a high-saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) that generates a strong magnetic field.
One of the examples of the material having a high saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) is a CoNiFe alloy (Bs>1.7 T). This Bs value is greater than that of a Ni45Fe55 alloy (Bs: 1.6 T), which has been used in magnetic core materials. CoNiFe alloys are described in, for example, Japanese published patent application, JPA 6-89422, JPA 8-241503, JPA 6-346202, and JPA 7-3489. Further, Japanese Patent JP 2821456 describes a method for fabricating a magnetic film with high Bs values by plating in a plating solution that does not contain saccharin sodium. As another example, in Japanese published patent application, JPA 2002-280217, materials based on Co—Fe alloys is disclosed as having a high Bs value.
For a magnetic disk drive capable of high-density recording, a magnetic head with a magnetic core that generates a stronger magnetic field is required. Recently, forming a stable magnetic core with a thick film, using a material that has a high saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) is under study. Such material is required to generate a strong magnetic field that permits writing on a recording medium having a high coercive force.
However, even with the reported CoNiFe material we could not stably make a luster film with enough thickness by electroplating, because of white turbidity, bumps of the film surface. Also, Co—Fe two element series alloy did not have corrosion resistance.
Accordingly, what is needed is a magnetic head having a magnetic core that is capable of generating a stronger magnetic field, and at the same time having high corrosion resistance.

Magnetic head utilizing a CoNiFe alloy with 60-80 weight percent Fe and method for production therefor

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Japan, Ltd.