A tape reel for cassette tape including: a hub; a pivot placed concentrically on a top face of the hub and having a head portion and a circumferential flange projecting radially outwards from the head portion, the head portion being adapted to be urged toward the top face of the hub by a leaf spring mounted to a casing of the cassette tape; a pivot holder, formed with a top face of the hub, for resiliently holding the circumferential flange of the pivot so that the pivot is placed concentrically on the top face of the hub; and an upper flange having a center hole formed therethrough, the upper flange being joined to the top face of the hub so that the head portion of the pivot passes through the center hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tape reel of a cassette tape such as video cassette tape.
2. Prior Art
FIG. 5 illustrates an axial section of a central portion of a conventional tape reel, in which reference numerals 10 and 12 designate a hub and an upper flange of the tape reel, respectively. The hub 10 and the upper flange 12 are formed of a synthetic resin. The reference numeral 14 indicates a leaf spring mounted at one end to a cassette casing (not shown) for urging at the other end a pivot 16 which is integrally formed with the center of the upper face 18 of the hub 10.
There is a possibility of wearing of the pivot 16 by the leaf spring 14 since the tape reel is rotated at a high speed during traveling of the tape. To reduce this possibility, a polyacetal resin which is excellent in wear resistance is used for the hub 10. Polyacetal resins are however poor in molding productivity and expensive as compared to styrene resins.
For these reasons, an attempt has been made in which a hub 20 is made of a styrene resin, and a separate pivot 22, made of a polyacetal resin, is placed concentrically on the top face of the hub 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B). The pivot 22 includes a head portion 23 and a circumferential flange 25 projecting radially outwards from the lower end of the head portion 23. The pivot 22 is sandwiched at its circumferential flange 25 between the hub 20 and an upper flange 24 for holding it in position. More specifically, the upper flange 24 has an inverted, generally funnel-shaped center through hole 27 formed through it and a rim 24B defining an upper wall 24A of the center through hole 27. The circumferential flange 25 of the pivot 22 is sandwiched between the rim 24B of the upper flange 24 and the top face of the hub 20. The pivot 22 is urged at its head portion 23 toward the top face of the hub 20 by the leaf spring 14. The pivot 22 is small in volume as compared to the hub 20 and hence use of a polyacetal resin for the hub 20 does not considerably affect both the productivity and the cost of the tape reel.
For assembling the tape reel of FIG. 6, firstly the pivot 22 is placed concentrically on the top face of the hub 20, secondly the upper flange 24 is disposed over the top face of the hub 20 so as to sandwich the pivot 22, and finally the hub 20 and the upper flange 24 are joined together by ultrasonic welding. During handling of the hub 20 with the pivot 22 on it for assembling it to the upper flange 24 in the assembly line, the pivot 22 is liable to slip out of the hub 20 and be lost or to dislodge from the concentric position of the hub 20.
For solving such problems during transportation of the hub with a pivot, other attempts have been made in which pivots are temporarily secured to respective hubs by resiliently holding the former to the latter.
One typical attempt is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in which the hub 26 is provided at the center of its top face with an axial through hole 28, into which is resiliently fitted a boss 32 of a pivot 30. The provision of the axial through hole 28 does not pose a problem in fitting of the boss 32 of the pivot 30 but it raises a problem to the molding of the hub 26: that is, for producing the hub 26 it would be necessary to provide a gate on the mold for injecting a molten resin from the center portion of the mold with respect to the hub 26 but it is not possible to do so in the presence of the axial through hole 28.
In the prior art tape reel in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a hub 34 is provided on its top face with a boss 36, and a pivot 38 has a blind hole 40 formed on the bottom face thereof. The shape of the hub 34 requires a draft (taper for removing a work from tis mold) to be provided to the circumferential face of the boss 36 for molding the hub 34 whereas another draft must be provided to the inner circumferential face of the blind hole 40 of the pivot 38 as well. When the boss 36 is fitted into the blind hole 40, no clutching effect is produced because of the two drafts of same orientation, and thus holding the pivot 38 on the hub 34 is not secure. In addition, it is not easy to examine by visual inspection whether or not the pivot 38 is securely fitted around the boss 36.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tape reel of a cassette tape which solves the above-mentioned problems.


A semiconductor device having a grooved field plate(s), a grooved field limiting ring(s) or a combination of a grooved field plate(s) and grooved field limiting ring(s) is disclosed. The grooved modification of the conventional semiconductor results in an increased break-down voltage over the conventional semiconductor device. A method for manufacturing the grooved semiconductor device is disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor device which is constructed to a have high break-down voltage and to a method for manufacturing the device, and more particularly to a high voltage semiconductor device with an etched groove formed around a main junction by known etching technology, on which a grooved field plate and a grooved field limiting ring are utilized in order to increase the break-down voltage, and a method for manufacturing such semiconductor device.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
Generally, in order to make a high voltage semiconductor, many P-N junctions are arranged in parallel on a silicon substrate. When a high voltage is applied to such a structure in the reverse direction, there are problems which cause failure of the semiconductor device in normal operation since break-down occurs, very often, at the edge of a highly integrated chip.
In the prior art, attempts had been made to protect the semiconductor device against such failure. For example, one attempt at solving the problem formed a field limiting ring with diffusion material having the same type of impurity as that of the P+ diffusion region of the main junction at the edge of highly integrated chips.
However, this prior art method results in a design problem of the device because the number of field limiting rings must be increased at high voltage, resulting in problems manufacturing the integrated device.
A second approach had been proposed to eliminate the problem occurring in the prior art. This approach used as an anode electrode a field plate which was formed on an insulating layer to a desired length around the main junction of the device at the edge of highly integrated chips so that it is possible to make a large depletion of the main junction of the P+ type diffusion region and N- epitaxial layer. Due to this structure, the break-down voltage is increased, and failure in the device could be avoided.
However, there is a problem integrating the devices because of the extension of the field plate. Also, a further problem occurs when the length of field plate is over a certain length, since the break-down voltage does not increase further and the thickness of the insulating layer must be of a thickness that is difficult to obtain in the known semiconductor treatment process.
A third prior art device is formed by a combination of the first and second prior art devices. This device is constructed by a combination of the field plate and the field limiting ring around the main junction of the device in a highly integrated semiconductor device. Here the field plate is extended to a desired length from the main junction, and the field limiting ring is formed by a diffusing process with the material (the same material as the main junction) having the opposite type of semiconductor substrate. With this process, high break-down voltage semiconductor devices have been manufactured.
However, in the case of manufacturing a high break-down voltage semiconductor device using the combined structure of the field plate and the field limiting ring, a large amount of space is needed. Furthermore, problems occurred in designing the semiconductor device because of the plurality of field rings required, resulting in a high cost of the device.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a high voltage semiconductor device that provides a significant advancement over the prior art devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device having an improved high break-down voltage in a reverse direction and to provide a method for manufacturing such semiconductor devices.

High breakdown voltage semiconductor device

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides an exhaust gas treatment unit for an internal combustion engine. A first catalyst unit produces ammonia from corresponding constituents in a rich exhaust gas composition. A second catalyst unit that is located downstream of the first catalyst unit temporarily stores the ammonia produced by the first catalyst unit in the presence of a rich exhaust gas composition. In the presence of a lean exhaust gas composition, the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas are subjected to a reduction reaction using the temporarily stored ammonia as reducing agent. The exhaust gas treatment unit also contains a third catalyst unit that is located between the other two catalyst units, and oxidizes the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas at lean exhaust gas conditions to a such an extent that 25 to 75 vol. % of the nitrogen oxides entering the second catalyst unit consist of nitrogen dioxide.

The present invention relates to the field of exhaust gas treatment.
Recently, in order to reduce fuel consumption, the motor vehicle industry has developed gasoline engines that operate with lean air/fuel mixtures. An air/fuel mixture is considered to be lean when it contains more oxygen than would be required for complete combustion of the fuel. By contrast, in a rich air/fuel mixture, there is less oxygen than is required for complete combustion of the fuel. Engines that run on lean air/fuel mixtures are referred to as lean-burn engines.
For the quantitative representation of the relationship of the amount of air to fuel that is supplied to an engine, the air/fuel ratio or normalized air/fuel ratio lambda (xcex) is used. The air/fuel ratio indicates how many kilograms of air per kilogram of fuel are supplied to the engine. For stoichiometric combustion, the air/fuel ratio for conventional engine fuels is 14.7. The associated normalized air/fuel ratio xcex is the air/fuel ratio normalized to stoichiometric conditions, and therefore has the value 1.0 for a stoichiometrically composed air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel ratio of the exhaust gas leaving the engine is the same as the air/fuel ratio of the fuel supplied to the engine when no selective storage processes for specific exhaust gas components occur in the engine.
Lean-burn engines run with air/fuel ratios corresponding to normalized air/fuel ratios of more than 1.3 under normal operation. The oxygen content of the exhaust gas from these engines is usually between 3 vol. % and 15 vol. %. When accelerating and also under full load, stoichiometric, or slightly rich air/fuel mixtures are also supplied to lean-burn engines in order to be able to provide the high power required.
The treatment of exhaust gases from lean-burn engines causes considerable problems. When operating lean-burn engines, nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas under lean operation cannot be reduced via a chemical route due to the high oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. Usually, from about 60 vol. % to about 95 vol. % of the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas consist of nitrogen monoxide, depending on the operating status of the engine. The remainder is made up of nitrogen dioxide and other nitrogen oxides.
To solve the exhaust gas problems associated with lean-burn engines, it has been suggested that the nitrogen oxides be converted to nitrogen and water using the principle of selective catalytic reduction, which makes use of ammonia and the oxygen present in lean exhaust gases, on a suitable catalyst, such as an SCR catalyst. This type of catalyst contains, for example zeolites, silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide and/or titanium oxide as support material for copper, iron, platinum, palladium and/or rhodium, vanadium and/or tungsten and also always has a certain storage capacity for ammonia.
It is also known in the art that in order to improve the reduction of nitrogen oxides in lean exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust gas may first be increased to 50 vol. %. This knowledge is described in DE 198 20 682 A1, which is incorporated by reference herein. The concentration is increased by oxidation of nitrogen monoxide to nitrogen dioxide in an electric gas discharge. The treated exhaust gas is then passed over an SCR catalyst, while a reducing agent, preferably ammonia, is supplied. Catalysts known from denitrifying the waste gas of power stations and also copper cation exchanged ZSM-5 zeolites are mentioned as suitable SCR catalysts.
It has also been proposed that the ammonia required for the SCR reaction be synthesized on board a motor vehicle from constituents of the exhaust gas. This proposal was described in EP 0 773 354 A1, which is incorporated by reference herein. For this purpose, the exhaust gas is passed over a three-way catalyst and then over an SCR catalyst, and the engine is operated alternately with lean and rich air/fuel mixtures. During operating phases with rich air/fuel mixtures, the three-way catalyst forms ammonia from the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas, which is temporarily stored on the SCR catalyst. During operating phases with lean air/fuel mixtures, the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas pass through the three-way catalyst virtually unchanged and are reduced to nitrogen and water by the ammonia adsorbed on the SCR catalyst.
A further development of this process has also been proposed. In this process, a third catalyst is introduced in the exhaust gas stream, upstream of the other two catalysts. This method is described in DE 198 20 828 A1, which is incorporated by reference herein. This third catalyst temporarily stores the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas in the presence of a lean exhaust gas composition and releases it again in the presence of a rich exhaust gas composition. Due to the use of the much larger amounts of temporarily stored nitrogen oxides produced under lean operation than under rich operation, a correspondingly large amount of ammonia can be produced and temporarily stored in a particular rich combustion management phase. This provides for effective nitrogen oxide reduction in a subsequent lean operating phase. Overall, this should enable operation with a high proportion of lean phases and as a result with correspondingly low fuel consumption.
Although the aforementioned proposals lead to improved conversion of the nitrogen oxides emitted by lean-burn engines, a further improvement in nitrogen oxide conversion is required to comply with future exhaust gas standards. The object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas treatment unit that enables a further improvement in nitrogen oxide conversion in the exhaust gas from lean-burn engines.
The present invention provides an exhaust gas treatment unit for internal combustion engines. A first catalyst unit produces ammonia from relevant exhaust gas constituents of a rich exhaust gas composition. A second catalyst unit, located downstream of the first catalyst unit, temporarily stores the ammonia produced by the first catalyst unit and under lean exhaust conditions, enables nitrogen oxides (NOx) present in the exhaust gas to undergo a reduction reaction using the temporarily stored ammonia as a reducing agent. Prior to introduction of the lean exhaust gas to the second catalyst unit, it is exposed to a third catalyst unit in which a portion of the nitrogen oxides is oxidized.
Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides an exhaust gas treatment unit for an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas treatment unit comprises:
a. a first catalyst unit, wherein said first catalyst unit comprises a three-way catalyst;
b. a second catalyst unit, wherein said second catalyst unit is located downstream of the first catalyst unit and comprises an SCR-catalyst; and
c. a third catalyst unit, wherein said third catalyst unit is located downstream of said first catalyst unit and upstream of said second catalyst unit, and said third catalyst unit is capable of oxidizing the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas at lean exhaust gas conditions so that from 25 to 75 vol. % of the nitrogen oxides entering the second catalyst unit are nitrogen dioxide.
The present invention also provides a process that provides for an improved conversion of nitrogen oxides. Under one embodiment, the process comprises:
a. exposing a rich exhaust gas to a first catalyst unit to generate ammonia;
b. storing said ammonia of step (a) in a second catalyst unit, wherein said second catalyst unit is located downstream of said first catalyst unit;
c. exposing a lean exhaust gas to a third catalyst unit, wherein said third catalyst unit is located downstream of said first catalyst unit and upstream of said second catalyst unit, and wherein said lean exhaust gas comprises nitrogen oxides;
d. oxidizing said nitrogen oxides to form oxidized nitrogen oxides; and
e. exposing said oxidized nitrogen oxides to said second catalyst unit.
For a better understanding of the present invention together with other and further advantages and embodiments, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the examples, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

Exhaust gas treatment units for internal combustion engines and processes for operating them


A method for reflecting color data of back or far surfaces of a plurality of transparent polygons overlapped with each other in an eyes direction, on a display screen. The method for generating image data of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined view point, comprises: determining a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces in the virtual three-dimensional space; operating an angle between an eyes direction at the predetermined view point and a normal direction to each of the transparent primitive surfaces; deciding a description order of the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces so as to give priority one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an acute angle over one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an obtuse angle; and describing the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces by composing color data of the transparent primitive surfaces in the description order.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates a method, an apparatus, a storage medium, a program, and a program product, for displaying a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces (transparent primitive surfaces or translucent primitive surfaces) provided in a virtual three-dimensional space.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a game apparatus for displaying a virtual three-dimensional space created by three-dimensional computer graphics is known. Such a game apparatus arranges objects consisting of a plurality of polygons (primitive surfaces) in a virtual three-dimensional space represented in a world coordinate system, and generates images viewed from a view point in the virtual three-dimensional space.
That is, the game apparatus operates coordinate values and a direction of each object (polygons constituting each object, vertexes constituting each polygon) in the world coordinate system. Then, the game apparatus determines a view point, an eyes direction, and a view volume (a field of view; a pyramid determined by a field of view angle and a Z direction depth of field) of the view point, and transforms the coordinate values and the direction of each object represented in the world coordinate system to those represented in a viewing coordinate system. Then, the game apparatus performs a hidden surfaces processing to the polygons, and perspective projects the polygons in a screen coordinate system. Thereby, the game apparatus decides a color of each pixel of a frame buffer (a screen).
As one algorithm of the hidden surfaces processing, it is a Z buffer algorithm. In order to perform the Z buffer algorithm, the game apparatus prepares a Z buffer that is a storage area therein. The Z buffer is a storage area storing Z values in the screen coordinate system, corresponding to pixels stored in the frame buffer, respectively. According to the Z buffer algorithm, the game apparatus perspective projects all polygons on the screen in voluntary order. Herein, when perspective projecting any one of polygons on the screen, the game apparatus performs the following processing.
That is, in case Z values of pixels occupied by the perspective projected polygon are not stored in the Z buffer, the game apparatus stores the color of the point of the polygon corresponding to each pixel in the frame buffer, in the pixel of the frame buffer. On the other hand, in case Z values of pixels occupied by the polygon are stored in the Z buffer, the game apparatus compares the Z value of the point of the polygon corresponding to each pixel with the Z value of the pixel. Then, in case the Z value of the point of the polygon is smaller than the Z value of the pixel corresponding to the point, the game apparatus rewrites the Z value of the pixel to the Z value of the point, stores the Z value of the point in the Z buffer, and provides the color of the point to the pixel. On the other hand, in the case the Z value of the point of the polygon is larger than the Z value of the pixel corresponding to the point, the game apparatus does not rewrite the Z value of the pixel, and does not provide the color of the point to the pixel. When the game apparatus outputs values stored in the frame buffer after performing the above-described processing to each pixel, it is possible that the game apparatus performs the hidden surfaces processing to all polygons.
As another algorithm of the hidden surfaces processing, it is a back surfaces clipping algorithm. The back surfaces clipping algorithm is an algorithm of performing the hidden surfaces processing without perspective projecting all polygons. According to the back surfaces clipping algorithm, the game apparatus performs the following processing to each object provided in the virtual three-dimensional space.
That is, the game apparatus determines whether each polygon constituting the object is at the view point side (the front) of the object or the opposite side (the back) to the view point, on the basis of an eyes direction and direction of a normal of each polygon. More specifically, the game apparatus operates an angle between a normal vector of each polygon and an eyes vector, decides that the polygon is at the back in case the angle is an acute angle, and decides that the polygon is at the front in case the angle is an obtuse angle. Then, the game apparatus transforms only the polygons at the front to those represented in the screen coordinate system, and thereby determines the color of each pixel stored in the frame buffer. Therefore, because the game apparatus displays only the front of each object, it is possible that the game apparatus performs the hidden surfaces processing to all polygons.
By the way, in order to display more realistic images on a display screen, there is a case a transparent object or a translucent object such as a window glass or a water surface is provided in the virtual three-dimensional space. Hereinafter, the transparent object and the translucent object will be called a transparent object. The game apparatus displays the transparent object on the screen by performing the following processing.
That is, the game apparatus perspective projects the transparent object on the screen coordinate system, and determines colors of pixels corresponding to points included in each transparent polygon of the transparent object, according to an alpha value of the transparent object. More specifically, the game apparatus composes the color of each pixel decided before displaying the transparent polygon on the screen and the color of the transparent polygon, according to the alpha value, and thereby determines each pixel of the frame buffer. When the game apparatus performs the above-described processing to all transparent polygons constituting the transparent object, the transparent object is displayed on the screen.
In the game apparatus according to an earlier development, there are the following problems in case the game apparatus performs the hidden surfaces processing to the transparent polygon.
When the game apparatus carries out the hidden surfaces processing according to the Z buffer algorithm, because the game apparatus perspective projects all polygons in voluntary order, there is a case the display on the screen is influenced by the projection order. For example, in case another polygon is provided at the far side of the transparent polygon in the eyes direction, there is a difference in the display on the screen between the case the game apparatus perspective projects the transparent polygon first and the case the game apparatus perspective projects another polygon first.
That is, in case the game apparatus perspective projects the transparent polygon after perspective projecting another polygon first, because the Z value of the point included in the transparent polygon is smaller than the Z value of the pixel stored in the frame buffer, that is the Z value of the point included in another polygon, the game apparatus composes the color of the transparent polygon and the color of the frame buffer, that is the color of another polygon. Therefore, the images are displayed on the display screen so that another polygon is always at the far side of the transparent polygon. On the other hand, in case the game apparatus perspective projects another polygon after perspective projecting the transparent polygon first, because the Z value of the point included in another polygon is larger than the Z value of the pixel stored in the frame buffer, that is the Z value of the point included in the transparent polygon, the game apparatus does not provide the color of another polygon to the pixel. Therefore, in spite of the transparent polygon, the color of another polygon is not reflected in the transparent polygon on the display screen.
Further, according to the Z buffer algorithm, even if another object is not provided at the far side of the transparent object in the eyes direction, there is a difference in displaying the transparent object on the screen between the case the game apparatus perspective projects the front polygon constituting the transparent polygon after perspective projecting the back polygon and the case the game apparatus perspective projects the back polygon constituting the transparent polygon after perspective projecting the front polygon.
That is, in case the game apparatus perspective projects the front polygon of the transparent polygon after perspective projecting the back polygon first, because the Z value of the front polygon is smaller than the Z value of the pixel stored in the frame buffer, that is the Z value of the back polygon, the game apparatus composes the color of the front polygon and the color of the frame buffer. On the other hand, in case the game apparatus perspective projects the back polygon of the transparent polygon after perspective projecting the front polygon first, because the Z value of the back polygon is larger than the Z value of the pixel stored in the frame buffer, that is the Z value of the front polygon, the game apparatus does not provide the color of the back polygon to the pixel.
Therefore, concerning the transparent object, the game apparatus avoids that the projecting order of polygons has an influence on the display of the transparent object, by performing the hidden surfaces processing according to the back surfaces clipping algorithm.
However, according to the back surfaces clipping algorithm, because the color of the back polygon of the transparent polygon is not reflected on the display screen, there is a case the reality lacks. For example, in case the color of the back polygon of the transparent object is different from the color of the front polygon, the color of the back polygon is not reflected on the pixel. Accordingly, in spite of the transparent object, only the color of the front polygon of the transparent object is displayed on the display screen. Further, for example, in spite of the fact that the light is irradiated and reflected to the back of the transparent object, it is impossible that images are displayed on the display screen so that the light is reflected on the back of the transparent object.
The present invention was developed in view of the above-described problems.
It is an object of the present invention to reflect color data of back surfaces (far sides) of a plurality of transparent polygons overlapped with each other in an eyes direction, on a display screen.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a method for generating image data of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined view point, comprises:
determining (for example, a space operation unit 110 shown in FIG. 4) a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces in the virtual three-dimensional space;
operating (for example, a space operation unit 110 shown in FIG. 4) an angle between an eyes direction at the predetermined view point and a normal direction to each of the transparent primitive surfaces;
deciding (for example, a projection order decision unit 154 shown in FIG. 4) a description order of the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces so as to give priority one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an acute angle over one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an obtuse angle; and
describing (for example, a perspective projection unit 156 shown in FIG. 4) the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces by composing color data of the transparent primitive surfaces in the description order.
According to the method of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether a front of each of the transparent primitive surfaces is turned to the view point or not, by operating the angle between the eyes direction and the normal direction of each of the transparent primitive surfaces.
For example, in case a plurality of transparent primitive surface constitute one object (model), the transparent primitive surface the front of which is not turned to the view point (Hereinafter, it will be called a back transparent primitive surface.) is a primitive surface constituting a back of the object, and the transparent primitive surface the front of which is turned to the view point (Hereinafter, it will be called a front transparent primitive surface.) is a primitive surface constituting a front of the object. In other words, basically, the front transparent primitive surface is positioned at the nearer side of the view point than the back transparent primitive surface.
Therefore, because when color data of the back transparent primitive surfaces are composed prior to the front transparent primitive surfaces, the back transparent primitive surfaces are described, the color data of the back transparent primitive surfaces are reflected on color data of the front transparent primitive surfaces, and the front transparent primitive surfaces are described. Accordingly, it is possible to express an image as the back transparent primitive surface is at the far side of the front transparent primitive surface. Consequently, for example, because it is possible to express an image as the reflection of light on the back transparent primitive surface is reflected on the front transparent primitive surface, it is possible to display the realistic image on a screen.
Herein, the primitive surface is a surface constituting a model (object). In case the model is a surface model, the primitive surface is at least one polygon constituting the model. Further, in case the model is a solid model, the primitive surface is a plane constituting a face of the model.
Preferably, the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprises: deciding the description order of the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces so as to give priority one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an acute angle over another of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an acute angle in order of far from the predetermined view point and so as to give priority one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an obtuse angle over another of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an obtuse angle in order of far from the predetermined view point.
According to the above-described method, although there is a case a plurality of front transparent primitive surfaces are overlapped with each other in the eyes direction at some view point, because the plurality of front transparent primitive surfaces are described in order of far from the view point, one front transparent primitive surface is described with color data on which color data of another front transparent primitive surface at the far side of the one front transparent primitive surface are reflected. Consequently, it is possible to express an image as one front transparent primitive surface is at the far side of another front primitive surface.
In case a plurality of back transparent primitive surfaces are overlapped with each other in the eyes direction like the case of the front transparent primitive surfaces, it is possible to express an image as one back transparent primitive surface is at the far side of another back primitive surface.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method for generating image data of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined view point, comprises:
determining (for example, a space operation unit 110 shown in FIG. 4) a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces in the virtual three-dimensional space;
deciding (for example, a projection order decision unit 154 shown in FIG. 4) a description order of the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces in order of far from the predetermined view point; and
describing (for example, a perspective projection unit 156 shown in FIG. 4) the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces by composing color data of the transparent primitive surfaces in the description order.
According to the method of the second aspect of the present invention, because the description order of a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces is decided in order of far from the view point, color data of the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces are composed in the decided description order, and the transparent primitive surfaces are described, the transparent primitive surface at the near side in the eyes direction is described with color data on which color data of the transparent primitive surface at the far side in the eyes direction from the view point are reflected. Consequently, it is possible to express an image as one transparent primitive surface is at the far side of another transparent primitive surface. Further, because the description order of all transparent primitive surfaces is decided, even if a number of transparent primitive surfaces are overlapped in the eyes direction from the view point, the transparent primitive surface at the nearest side can be described with color data on which color data of the transparent primitive surface at the farthest side are reflected.
Preferably, the method according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, further comprises: describing a primitive surface other than the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces before describing the transparent primitive surfaces.
According to the above-described method, for example, in case a transparent primitive surface and a primitive surface (Hereinafter, it will be called a different primitive surface.) other than the transparent primitive surface are positioned in order and overlapped with each other, in the eyes direction from the view point, it will take the following effect. That is, because the different primitive surface is described first, the transparent primitive surface at the near side can be described with color data on which color data of the different primitive surface is reflected.
Preferably, the method as described above, further comprises: performing a predetermined hidden surfaces processing to the primitive surface other than the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces and the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces, and describing the transparent primitive surfaces.
According to the above-described method, for example, in case the different primitive surface and the transparent primitive surface are positioned in order and overlapped with each other, in the eyes direction from the view point, because the hidden surfaces processing is performed to the different primitive surface, even if the transparent primitive surface is to be described, it is impossible to described the transparent primitive surface.
Preferably, the method according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, further comprises:
deciding the description order so as to give priority an object including primitive surfaces other than the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces over an object including the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces, for every object; and
describing the primitive surfaces other than the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces and the transparent primitive surfaces, for every object, in the description order.
According to the above-described method, because the description order of the transparent primitive surfaces and the different primitive surfaces is decided for every object, the processing of deciding the description order can be carried out faster than the processing of deciding the description order for every primitive surface the number of which is more than one of objects.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a method for generating image data of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined view point, comprises:
determining (for example, a space operation unit 110 shown in FIG. 4) a plurality of primitive surfaces including an opaque primitive surface and a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces in the virtual three-dimensional space;
deciding (for example, a projection order decision unit 154 shown in FIG. 4) a first description order of the plurality of primitive surfaces so as to give priority the opaque primitive surface over the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces;
operating (for example, a space operation unit 110 shown in FIG. 4) an angle between an eyes direction at the predetermined view point and a normal direction to each of the transparent primitive surfaces;
deciding (for example, a projection order decision unit 154 shown in FIG. 4) a second description order of the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces so as to give priority one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an acute angle over one of the transparent primitive surfaces when the angle is an obtuse angle; and
performing (for example, a perspective projection unit 156 shown in FIG. 4) a hidden surfaces processing to the plurality of primitive surfaces according to a Z buffer algorithm, writing color data of the opaque primitive surface in a frame buffer (for example, a frame buffer 170 shown in FIG. 4), and writing color data composed of color data of each of the transparent primitive surfaces and the color data written in the frame buffer, in the frame buffer, in the first description order and the second description order.
According to the method of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether a front of each of the transparent primitive surfaces is turned to the view point or not, by operating the angle between the eyes direction and the normal direction of each of the transparent primitive surfaces.
For example, in case a plurality of transparent primitive surface constitute one object, a front transparent primitive surface constitutes one of a back of the object, and a back transparent primitive surface constitutes one of a front of the object. In other words, basically, the front transparent primitive surface is positioned at the nearer side of the view point than the back transparent primitive surface.
Further, on the basis of the first description order and the second description order, the order of the primitive surfaces is decided to be an order of the opaque primitive surface, the back transparent primitive surface and the front transparent primitive surface.
For example, in case of any one of (1) the opaque primitive surface, the front transparent primitive surface and the back transparent primitive surface are positioned and overlapped in order, (2) the front transparent primitive surface, the opaque primitive surface and the back transparent primitive surfaces are positioned and overlapped in order, and (3) the front transparent primitive surface , the back transparent primitive surface and the opaque primitive surface are positioned and overlapped in order, in the eyes direction from the view point, it is possible to display the realistic image on the screen.
That is, in case of (1), although color data of the opaque primitive surface is written in the frame buffer first, because the front transparent primitive surface and the back transparent primitive surface are hidden according to the Z buffer algorithm, color data of the front transparent primitive surface and the back transparent primitive surface are not composed to the color data written in the frame buffer. Accordingly, because the image is generated as the opaque primitive surface is at the nearest side of the view point, it is possible to display the realistic image on the screen.
Further, in case of (2), although color data of the opaque primitive surface is written in the frame buffer first, because the back transparent primitive surface is hidden according to the Z buffer algorithm, color data of the back transparent primitive surface are not composed to the color data written in the frame buffer. On the other hand, because the front transparent primitive surface is not hidden according to the Z buffer algorithm, color data of the front transparent primitive surface are composed to the color data written in the frame buffer, and the composed color data are written in the frame buffer. Accordingly, because the image is generated as the opaque primitive surface is at the far side of the front transparent primitive surface, it is possible to display the realistic image on the screen.
Further, in case of (3), although color data of the opaque primitive surface is written in the frame buffer first. Then, because the back transparent primitive surface is not hidden according to the Z buffer algorithm, color data of the back transparent primitive surface are composed to the color data written in the frame buffer, and the composed color data are written in the frame buffer. Then, because the front transparent primitive surface is not hidden according to the Z buffer algorithm, color data of the front transparent primitive surface are composed to the color data written in the frame buffer, and the composed color data are written in the frame buffer. Accordingly, because the image is generated as the back transparent primitive surface is at the far side of the front transparent primitive surface, and the opaque primitive surface is at the far side of the back transparent primitive surface, it is possible to display the realistic image on the screen.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for generating image data of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined view point, comprises:
determining (for example, a space operation unit 110 shown in FIG. 4) a plurality of primitive surfaces including an opaque primitive surface and a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces in the virtual three-dimensional space;
deciding (for example, a projection order decision unit 154 shown in FIG. 4) a first description order of the plurality of primitive surfaces so as to give priority the opaque primitive surface over the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces;
deciding (for example, a projection order decision unit 154 shown in FIG. 4) a second description order of the plurality of transparent primitive surfaces in order of far from the predetermined view point; and
performing (for example, a perspective projection unit 156 shown in FIG. 4) a hidden surfaces processing to the plurality of primitive surfaces according to a Z buffer algorithm, writing color data of the opaque primitive surface in a frame buffer (for example, a frame buffer 170 shown in FIG. 4), and writing color data composed of color data of each of the transparent primitive surfaces and the color data written in the frame buffer, in the frame buffer, in the first description order and the second description order.
According to the method of the fourth aspect of the present invention, regarding the transparent primitive surface and the opaque primitive surface, the opaque primitive surface has priority over the transparent primitive surface on the description order, and a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces have priority in order of far from the view point on the description order. Consequently, even if a plurality of transparent primitive surfaces and the opaque primitive surface are positioned in any order in the eyes direction, it is possible to display the realistic image on the screen.
That is, for example, in case of any one of (1) the opaque primitive surface, a first transparent primitive surface and a second transparent primitive surface are positioned and overlapped in order, (2) the first transparent primitive surface, the opaque primitive surface and the second transparent primitive surfaces are positioned and overlapped in order, and (3) the first transparent primitive surface , the second transparent primitive surface and the opaque primitive surface are positioned and overlapped in order, in the eyes direction from the view point, it is possible to display the realistic image on the screen, like the case described in the third aspect of the present invention.
Preferably, the method of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, further comprises:
determining (for example, a light sources determination unit 140 shown in FIG. 4) a light source in the virtual three-dimensional space;
operating (for example, a brightness operation unit 158 shown in FIG. 4) brightness of the transparent primitive surfaces on the basis of the light source; and
deciding (for example, a RGBxcex1 value decision unit 160 shown in FIG. 4) color data of the transparent primitive surfaces on the basis of the brightness.
According to the above-described method, because the brightness of the transparent primitive surfaces are operated on the basis of the light source, and the color data of the transparent primitive surfaces are decided on the basis of the brightness, for example, it is possible to express an image as light is reflected on the transparent primitive surface by bringing the color data of the transparent primitive surface into white color. Consequently, it is possible to display the more realistic image on the screen.
Preferably, the method of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, further comprises: determining at least one of the transparent primitive surfaces to be at least one portion of a predetermined vehicle object or a predetermined plane object in the virtual three-dimensional space.
According to the above-described method, because at leas one of the transparent primitive surfaces is determined to be at least one portion of the vehicle object or the plane object, it is possible to express a window glass of the vehicle object or the plane object as the transparent primitive surface. Further, as described above, it is possible to express an image as one transparent primitive surface is at the far side of another transparent primitive surface, that is one window glass is at the far side of another window glass. Consequently, it is possible to generate the more realistic images of the vehicle object and the plane model.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method for generating image data of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined view point, comprises:
composing color data of one of a plurality of transparent surfaces determined in the virtual three-dimensional space and color data of another of the transparent surfaces, to describe the transparent surfaces.
According to the method of the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, in case one transparent surface is overlapped with another transparent surface in the eyes direction from the view point in the virtual three-dimensional space, because color data of the one transparent surface is composed to color data of the another transparent surface, it is possible to express an image as the another transparent surface is at the far side of the one transparent surface. Consequently, for example, because it is possible to generate an image as light reflected on the another transparent surface is reflected on the one transparent surface, it is possible to display the realistic image on the screen.
Preferably, the method of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, performed on a game apparatus (for example, a game apparatus shown in FIG. 1), further comprises:
executing a predetermined game; and
generating game image data of the predetermined game, comprising the image data of the virtual three-dimensional space.
In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is adapted to carry out the method as described above.
In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, a storage medium has a program recorded thereon, when the program is loaded onto an operating apparatus, the program making the operating apparatus execute the method as described above.
In accordance with a eighth aspect of the present invention, a program, when the program is loaded onto an operating apparatus, makes the operating apparatus execute the method as described above.
In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention, a program product comprises a storage medium having a program recorded thereon, when the program is loaded onto an operating apparatus, the program making the operating apparatus execute the method as described above.

Method, apparatus, storage medium, program, and program product for generating image data of virtual three-dimensional space


An improved system (30) provides fast contact in a conversational video system by use of a screen pointer (200) in connection with a windowed display of a financial data page and a unique subscriber identification code with or without an interest message code. When an interest message code is provided, the prestored interest message is expanded and inserted in the command line. If a double click is employed with the mouse 200 screen pointer, contact is automatically initiated with the called party and the interest message transmitted. However, if only a single click is detected, the interest message is inserted in the command line without being automatically transmitted. The subscriber may then double click his mouse screen pointer (200) at the location of the code in the display (76) or may press the TRANSMIT key on the keyboard (72) to send the interest message to the called party. The system (30) may also use CONTACT LISTS to initiate conversational contacts.

Communication systems for transmitting data point to point are well known, such as conventional telex systems and data base access systems. In addition, of course, telephone systems are well known two-way conversational communication media with the disadvantage being that a telephone system does not provide any hard copy nor does it allow you to, on the same device, obtain supplementary data while carrying on the conversation. Such supplementary data may be particularly important if the purpose of the conversation is commodity dealing such as in the money market. With respect to the telex communication, apart from its associated rate of speed, it does not enable you to readily carry on two different two-way telex communications alternatively so that you can carry on "telex conversations" with two different subscribers at substantially the same time. Moreover, neither the telex communication systems nor telephone communication systems provide a listing of incoming callers prior to acceptance of the message by the recipient. With respect to two-way data-base access systems, such prior art systems do not in reality provide a real time conversational communication in that they merely provide for remote storage of information which may subsequently be retrieved upon request by a subscriber or, in certain instances, can be provided to the subscriber if he is accessing the particular storage location to which the data is being provided. However, this is still not a real-time conversation type of video communication system in which a pair of subscribers or users can interact in real time in a conversational mode. With respect to prior art telephone and data-base access systems, a prior art system merging these two technologies is known as the Delphi system which is a telephone message management system in which speech messages may be pre-recorded and stored in a data base for subsequent automatic transmission to incoming callers and in which incoming messages may be stored for subsequent later transmission to proscribed recipients. However, this system is not a true conversational video communication system nor does it enable a particular user to carry on multiple conversations substantially simultaneously. These disadvantages were overcome by the interactive conversational video systems described in the aforementioned commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,531,184 and 4,525,779, incorporated by reference herein, which systems are capable of providing interactive conversational type of video communication between pairs of uses or subscribers, as well as enabling multiPle conversations to be carried out by a given user or subscriber in real-time and in association with data-base retrieval of supplementary data, such as in the commercially available Reuters Dealing System employed for commodity dealing such as in the money market. In such systems, such as in the money market, speed of contact is important in initiating and making deals usually involving substantial sums of money where slight delays can result either in a lost deal or a substantial variation in exchange rate. Thus, although the use of a keyboard to manually type in contacts to be made is often satisfactory, there are many instances when such manually initiated contact is not fast enough in the rapidly paced foreign exchange market, such as when important new financial information which could affect a trade or deal is being displayed to the subscriber, such as via a Reuters Monitor page. The present invention is an improvement on the previously described systems contained in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,531184 and 4,525,779 so as to enable faster contact to be achieved when needed by the subscriber who can, thus, using the present invention, automatically initiate contact via the use of a pointer on the screen displaying the financial data.

Fast contact conversational video system


A display panel including a display region and a sealant region is provided. The display panel includes a first and a second substrate opposite to each other, a dielectric layer, a planarization layer, a display medium and a sealant. The dielectric layer is disposed on the first substrate. The planarization layer is disposed on the dielectric layer, and has at least one opening exposing the dielectric layer. The opening is disposed at a corner of the sealant region, where a width of the opening is gradually reduced as away from the corner. The display medium and the sealant are respectively disposed in the display and the sealant region between the first and the second substrate. The sealant is filled in a part of the opening without covering at least a sidewall of the opening of the planarization layer, and contacts the dielectric layer through the opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a display panel, more particularly to a display panel with improved strength.
2. Description of Related Art
In display panels, a planarization layer is usually adopted to reduce the coupling effect generated between the metal circuits in different layers so as to increase the aperture ratio. Accordingly, the space between the metal circuits in different layers can be reduced, so that the metal circuits in different layers can be overlapped. Generally, the planarization layer covers the entire substrate except contact holes and bonding pads. Thus, a sealant used for adhering two substrates is substantially disposed on the planarization layer and contacts with the planarization layer. However, the adhesion between the planarization layer and a metal layer or an insulation layer is poor. When performing a strength test to the panel, the planarization layer usually peels off from the metal layer or the insulation layer easily, thereby affecting the strength of the panel.
In order to enhance panel strength, the planarization layer below the sealant can be removed for the sealant to contact the metal layer or the insulation layer directly, so as to provide stronger adhesion to prevent the peeling. Nevertheless, a peripheral circuit is usually disposed at a position corresponding to the sealant in panels with small dimension, and the removal of the planarization layer may cause damages such as oxidation and corrosion, thereby affecting the reliability of the panel. Therefore, researchers are now trying to minimize the negative effects causing by the removal of the planarization layer on the panel.


A computer-implemented method for propagating changes to a live website includes logically moving a second immutable delta partition located in a staging database of a staging environment to a production environment. The second immutable delta partition is a replica of a first immutable delta partition located in the staging database of the staging environment. The computer-implemented method further includes logically moving a second delta index located in the staging database to the production environment based on altering the second delta index for the staging database to reference: (i) unique network addresses corresponding to data partitions located in a production database of the production environment and (ii) a unique network address of the second immutable delta partition located in the staging database.

The present invention relates generally to the field of relational database management systems, and more particularly to software deployment.
A relational database management system (RDBMS) is a type of database management system (DBMS) used to perform create, update, read and delete functions on a relational database. With a relational database, data is organized in tables containing rows and columns. Each table (i.e., "relation") includes one or more columns comprised of data categories or "attributes." Each row (i.e., record or tuple) includes a unique instance of data for those categories defined by the columns. Each table further has a unique primary key, which identifies the information included in the table. The relationship between tables is tracked by a foreign key, which is a field in a table that links to the primary key of another table.
Software deployment is the process of integrating software from a staging environment to a production environment. A staging environment is an environment for making changes and testing said changes to software or websites that resembles or mirrors an actual application of said software or website running in a production environment. The primary use of a staging environment is to test installation, configuration, migration scripts and procedures before they are applied to the production environment to ensure the smooth transition of changes made to the production environment. The production environment, also known as a "live" environment, is the environment where the software is actually put into operation for its intended use by end users.

International Business Machines Corporation


A space vehicle includes: an aerospike nozzle formed on an aft end of the vehicle; a truncated spike including an outer edge and a surface formed on a rear portion of the truncated spike; and an annular ring outlet formed at the aft end of the vehicle between the outer edge of the truncated spike and an inner edge of the aft end of the space vehicle.

Space flight launch vehicles may be either expendable wherein all or some components of the vehicle are expended after launch of the system or reusable wherein all or some of the components of the vehicle return to earth after launch for reuse in later launches. In a reusable system, costs of additional launches may be substantially reduced by reusing components of the initial system. However, a system may be subject to additional stresses during reentry of the reusable components and those components must be protected to remain viable for reuse during a later launch.
Typical space flight launch vehicles are shaped for maximum efficiency during forward flight of the system, such as during launch. Conventional launch vehicles are characterized by elongate cylindrical bodies having a relatively constant cross-sectional shape from a nose of the vehicle to a tail of the vehicle. This conventional shape induces various aerodynamic and thermal stresses on the vehicle during launch and flight. Increased stresses on the vehicle may require additional supporting structure or thermal resistant materials, thereby increasing a weight of the vehicle.
Conventional launch vehicles are further not typically effective in withstanding forces on the vehicle during reentry and descent of the system. For example, when the launch vehicle descends, various aerodynamic and thermal loads are placed on a fuselage of the system that differ from loads placed on the vehicle during launch and ascent of the vehicle. Reinforcing the launch vehicle to withstand loads placed on the vehicle during reentry and descent may further increase a weight of the vehicle, thereby increasing a required fuel load for launch of the vehicle.
What is needed, therefore, is a space vehicle system that has improved aerodynamic characteristics that increase an aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle during launch and that is capable of withstanding aerodynamic and thermal stress during reentry and descent of the vehicle.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Reusable vertical take-off and landing space launch vehicle


The present embodiments relate to generating 3D objects in an artificial reality environment and collapsing 3D objects into 2D images representing the 3D objects. Users operating extra reality (XR) devices controlling the artificial reality environment can collaboratively create or modify content in the artificial reality environment, using real-world creation objects (such as a hand of the user or a pen held by the user) to create 3D objects. In response to a user triggering a collapse for a 3D object, a 2D image of the 3D object can created, from the user's perspective. The 2D image can replace the 3D object in the artificial reality environment. Presenting the 2D image can reduce the amount of data, processing resources, and power needed to provide the artificial reality environment while also reducing clutter and cognitive load on the user.

Users interacting with extra reality (XR) devices can view content in an artificial reality environment that includes real-world objects and/or virtual objects. An artificial reality environment can include a computer-generated space that depicts real-world objects and/or virtual objects. For example, the artificial reality environment can include a virtual environment depicted by a virtual reality (VR) device showing a set of virtual objects. As another example, the artificial reality environment can depict real-world objects and virtual objects supplemented over the real-world objects. A user can view the objects in the artificial reality environment and modify content in the artificial reality environment. For example, a user can add new content to a three-dimensional (3D) object or annotate content in the artificial reality environment.
Further, multiple users interacting with XR devices can view and modify content in the artificial reality environment. The multiple users can interact with 3D objects in the artificial reality environment from various perspectives and collaborate with one another in the artificial reality environment.
The techniques introduced here may be better understood by referring to the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

Collapsing of 3D objects to 2D images in an artificial reality environment


In a method for the production of a rim hole in hollow profiles, a tubular piece is pushed into the hollow profile and placed there in such a way that it coaxially surrounds the location of the rim hole to be produced. The hollow profile is then acted upon from outside to inside at this location by a tool, with the rim hole being formed. In order to make possible a rim hole in hollow profiles in a relatively simple manner, this rim hole also satisfying high strength requirements even in the case of a small wall thickness of the hollow profile, it is proposed to first punch two opposite holes out of the hollow profile. At least one of these holes has a diameter which is smaller than that of the rim hole to be produced. The tubular piece is then inserted into the hollow profile interior, so that it comes to lie there coaxially to the common axis of the holes. The hollow profile material of the hollow profile section located between the hole edge and the inside of the tubular piece is then drawn into the hollow profile interior by at least one punch until it bears flat against the inside of the tubular piece.

This invention relates to a method for the production of a rim hole in hollow profiles.
A method of this general type has been disclosed by German document DE 43 22 632 A1. In this case, the hollow profile is used as a vehicle strut for the mounting of axles, wheel suspensions or the like and is shaped in a first step by hydroforming into an outer contour corresponding to the loading requirements. Then, in a second step, centering holes are incorporated at the ends of the hollow profile, which are to have a mounting seat for accommodating rubber mounts, and a spacer in the form of a tubular piece is inserted into the hollow profile centrally relative to the centering holes. Finally, a flow drill is inserted into the centering holes in the end region, with the flow drill forming a rim hole during operation, and the rim hole extending inside the tubular piece. In this case, the rim hole forms the mounting seat. However, a precondition of the flow drilling process is that there must be a certain ratio between the wall thickness of the hollow profile and the diameter, to be produced, of the rim hole. The wall thickness of the hollow profile is to be especially large in relation to the diameter. This usually cannot be maintained when applied in automobile construction, since the need to save weight leads to thinner and thinner sheets. Furthermore, due to the process, the wall thickness of the rim hole decreases to virtually zero in the direction of application during flow drilling. This has an adverse effect on the strength and rigidity properties of the mount to be produced, despite the inserted tubular piece mentioned.
The object of the invention is to develop a method of the type mentioned in which a rim hole can be made in hollow profiles in a relatively simple manner, and in which the rim hole complies with high strength requirements even in the case of a small wall thickness of the hollow profile.
The object is achieved according to the invention.
Owing to the invention, in order to produce the rim hole, it is merely necessary to punch out two opposite holes and bend over at least one of the hole edges, which are drawn into the hollow profile interior in the process and thus form the rough contour of the rim hole to be produced. In order to achieve the desired exact contour of the rim hole, a tubular piece is inserted into the hollow profile interior and placed at the location of the rim hole to be produced, before the drawing-in from the open end of the hollow profile. In this case, the inside of the tubular piece serves at least as a pattern for the desired contour of the rim hole, the hole edges being pressed against the inside of the tubular piece when they are being drawn in, as a result of which they achieve this same contour. Owing to the fact that the hole edges are not subjected to any change in wall thickness when being bent over into the hollow profile interior, the tubular design of the rim hole, in addition to the already rigid tubular form per se, has especially high rigidity, which enables the rim hole, without sustaining damage, to cope with even higher mechanical loads, for which sufficient rigidity and strength are indispensable. This is additionally promoted due to the fact that the tubular piece remains in the hollow profile. In contrast to the flow drilling, the ratio of diameter to length of the rim hole is not limited to a specific value during the production of the rim hole, so that rim holes of virtually any desired dimensions can be advantageously formed. As a result of the uniformity of the wall thickness of the hollow profile, smaller wall thicknesses may also be selected when designing the hollow profile, while maintaining sufficient rigidity in the region of the rim hole. This contributes to the reduction in weight of the corresponding component and, when the component is used in the motor vehicle, to a reduction in weight of the latter. Furthermore, the method according to the invention has an advantageous effect for the painting of the component, i.e. of the hollow profile, since the surface of the rim hole is relatively regular and thus the paint can adhere to that surface. When steel is used for forming the hollow profile, there are advantageously no corrosion problems, as are brought about, for example, as a consequence of the flow drilling process.
In a preferred development of the invention, the hollow profile is perforated by the interaction of a perforating die, pushed into the hollow profile, and two opposite perforating punches, between which the hollow profile lies. In a mechanically simple manner, this enables holes having a highly precise hole pattern to be formed and enables the hole edge to run uniformly. This ensures the uniformity of the subsequent drawing-in operation and is therefore beneficial to the process reliability of the production of the desired rim hole.
In a further, especially preferred development of the invention, the hollow profile is formed by the internal high pressure forming process and perforated in the internal high pressure forming tool required for this purpose. Here, too, a highly precise hole pattern is obtained, the holes being formed by perforating punches which act upon the hollow profile with a cutting action against the internal high pressure which prevails in the hollow profile and which functions as supporting pressure suppressing subsidence or collapse. In an economical manner in terms of the method, the hollow profile is shaped in the same tool in accordance with the requirements, thereby resulting in a production plant which is extremely compact in terms of apparatus due to the integration of the perforating punches in the internal high pressure forming tool.
In a further preferred configuration of the invention, the drawing-in operation is effected by a follow-on contour of the perforating punch, this follow-on contour adjoining a cutting edge formed on the end face of the perforating punch. Due to the arrangement of a follow-on contour on the perforating punch, the perforating and drawing-in operation is simplified and the production time for the rim hole is reduced, since the hollow profile has to be acted upon, at least from one side, merely by a perforating punch which is lowered further into the hollow profile interior in a simple manner, so that the follow-on contour of the perforating punch comes into contact with the hole edge and then uniformly bends the latter over and thus draws it into the hollow profile interior. The entire production apparatus for producing the rim hole is further simplified to a considerable extent by combining the functions of two tools, namely the drawing-in tool and the perforating tool, in the perforating punch.
In a further preferred development of the invention, the hollow profile material of the hollow profile section is drawn into a recess of the tubular piece, this recess encircling in an annular manner and being open toward the end face of said tubular piece. On account of the drawing-in in this way, part of the tubular piece forms a center section of the rim hole. This may be done to such an extent that, with a relatively small drawing-in length, the drawn-in hollow profile material serves only to fasten the tubular piece, which fully maintains the function of the rim hole, for example as a bearing in an axle strut. The tubular piece in this case may be made of bronze or plastic, as a result of which it can additionally perform the function of a plain bearing. No large wall thickness of the hollow profile is required in order to hold the tubular piece, as a result of which said wall thickness can be reduced to such an extent that the drawn-in hollow profile material if necessary produces low rigidity and strength. These properties are alternatively provided by the tubular piece, which is relatively thick-walled. The tubular piece may also be made of a light alloy or of a steel material, as a result of which it can likewise be shaped by the internal high pressure forming process.
In a further preferred configuration of the invention, the hollow profile material is drawn in in such a way that it engages behind undercut surfaces of the recess of the tubular piece. In this way, not only is a frictional connection achieved between the hollow profile and the pushed-in tubular piece, as is apparent in the directly preceding development of the invention, but positive locking is also achieved by the catching behind the undercut surfaces of the recess of the tubular piece, so that the tubular piece is held in the hollow profile in an especially reliable manner.
In a preferred development of the invention, the hollow profile is perforated with holes of the same size being formed. As a result of holes of the same size being formed, uniform process control during perforating, and in particular during drawing-in, is ensured. In addition, the control of the tools during the drawing-in operation is simplified, since the same amount of hollow profile material is bent over on both sides of the hollow profile, a factor which produces a uniform drawing-in length and whereby the sequence of movements of the drawing-in tools is identical, so that the latter can be connected to a single control loop.
In a further preferred development of the method according to the invention, the hollow profile is perforated with holes of different size being formed. Furthermore, the larger hole is dimensioned in such a way that its hole edge terminates flush with the inside of the tubular piece. The hollow profile material is drawn in only on the side of the smaller hole, the hole diameter and the hollow profile section having the hollow profile material being dimensioned in such a way that the hollow profile section extends across the entire length of the tubular piece after the drawing-in. In this way, firstly the production process is shortened, since hollow profile material only needs to be drawn in from one side, whereas only the hole is formed on the other side. Secondly, from this one side on which the smaller hole is formed, so much hollow profile material is drawn in that the latter extends at least up to the edge of the larger hole on the other side of the hollow profile. In this case, firstly the tubular piece is reliably enclosed and secondly a rim hole is formed which is completely gapless and level on account of its one-piece configuration. Thus, due to its freedom from discontinuities and its high surface quality, the rim hole is given especially high bending rigidity and strength and also above average slidability properties, so that the rim hole is suitable in an especially effective manner for the use of plain bearings. This special configuration of the invention applies in particular to bushes of large diameter.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

Method for the production of a rim hole in hollow profiles


A method and device for controlling a headrest, in which the headrest is controlled its displacement between use and non-use positions as well as its fore-and-aft adjustment movement, through an automatic control system or a manual control system. A changeover switch is provided to select one of those automatic and manual control systems, and further, during operation of the automatic control system, the manual control system can be actuated simply by operating an associated manual adjustment switch. Additionally, a safety arrangements are included, which protects an occupant against the headrest which will contact him or her due to its erroneous operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a headrest of an automotive seat so as to move the same to a non-use position where it is lowered away from the view field of an occupant on the seat, thereby enabling him or her to attain a good view over the seat back.
2. Description of Prior Art
There has been known a movable headrest for an automotive seat, which is moved by a motor under a switching control, so that the headrest body may adjustably be displaced to a use position upon the top of the seat back, where the headrest body erects thereon to readily support the head of an occupant sitting on the seat, or to a non-use position where the headrest body is located away from the forward view field of another occupant sitting on the other seast. Conventionally, in this sort of headrest device, an automatic operation switch is provided for effecting such headrest displacement with one-touch operation, and therefore, a driver on a front seat can operate this switch to cause a headrest on a rear seat to rotate forwardly below his or her backward sight line, to attain a good backward view field over the rear seat and further, an occupant sitting on the rear seat can cause the same displacement of a headrest on the front seat to a point below the forward sight line, by operation of the automatic operation switch, to secure a good forward view field over the front seat. On the other hand, the headrest body can be returned from that non-use position to the use position, through one-touch switching operation of the automatic switch.
In addition to this switch-type headrest control system, there has been known a well-computerized headrest control system, which automatically controls the movement of the headrest upon the seat back of the seat, responsive or sensitive to the degrees of running speed of the automobile, the opened/closed state of its door(s), some partial actions the automobile, or the ambient conditions in which the automobile runs along. According to such system, for instance, assuming that, during driving the automobile, with the headrest located at a use position, an increased speed of the automobile exceeding a predetermined one is detected by a speed sensor, then the headrest is automatically displaced from the use position to a non-use position away form the sight line of a driver or rear-seat occupant, without his or her operation of a partinet switch. Further, let us assume that the automobile is parked somewhere. With the headrest located at the non-use position, an occupant comes up to it and open the door, and such opening of the door is detected by a door switch. Then, there occurs an automatical return of the headrest from the non-use position to the use position upon the top of seat back, thus standing ready to support the head of the occupant. Accordingly, whenever entering the car, the headrest is always located at the use, head-supporting position that gives no hindrance or interference against the occupant intending to climb onto the seat.
However, such highly improved headrest control system has been solely directed to the displacement of the headrest between the use and non-use positions, and not designed to extend care towards an occupant on the assistant's seat next to the driver's seat as well as a rear-seat occupant on the rear seat. That is, the system does not permit theose occupant to effect the displacement of the headrest between the use and non-use positions and adjustment of the same in fore-and-aft position upon the seat back, as a result of which, occupant, excepting the driver, can not attain a desired position of the headrest for taking a better seating posture. Moreover, there would be such trouble that the displacement of the headrest to the non-use under switching operation of the automatic operation switch is to be interrupted by a signal from the door switch being turned on due to the opening of the door, and the the headrest is moved back to the non-use position against the wish of an original operator.

Method and device for controlling headrest


A conveyor system having a roller-engagement mechanism and a method for conveying articles. The conveyor system includes an infeed conveyor feeding articles to a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. The conveyor belt comprises obliquely rotatable rollers—single rollers or stacked sets of rollers—selectively activated by the roller-engagement mechanism. The roller-engagement mechanism has a rack supporting a plurality of flat belts. The flat belts advance in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The rack is movable between a first position in which the flat belts advancing with the conveyor belt contact the belt rollers to inhibit their rotation and carry articles atop the belt in the direction of belt travel and a second position in which the flat belts are out of contact with the belt rollers. In the second position, the roller-engagement mechanism can allow the belt rollers to rotate freely or can include a parallel set of elongated rollers between the flat belts put into rolling contact with the belt rollers to rotate them as the conveyor belt advances in the direction of belt travel.

The invention relates generally to power-driven conveyors and more particularly to a conveyor using a belt with rollers selectively disabled to sort conveyed articles.
Some conveying applications require that selected articles being conveyed along a main conveying path be diverted off the main path and conveyed away in another direction transverse to the main path.

Belt conveyor system, roller-engagement mechanism, and related method


A single-use syringe having a needle which retracts upon a full depression of its plunger and thus, renders the syringe non-reusable. The plunger selectively engages the barrel of the syringe so as to limit the withdraw of the plunger relative to the barrel. The barrel has formations extending therefrom which selectively and matingly engage formations extending from the plunger so as to selectively limit the travel of the plunger relative to the needle and retract the needle into a concealed position. The nose of the barrel carries a split ring which is contractible to permit a rearward displacement of the barrel and the needle attached thereto relative to the stationary housing upon a full depression of the plunger. The travel of the barrel relative to the stationary body is terminated by dogs located proximate the forward end of the nose which are engageable with the notches in the stationary housing upon the rearward displacement of the barrel relative to the stationary housing. A cap may be provided for sheathing the needle prior to use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a syringe and, more particularly, to a syringe having a needle which retracts upon a full depression of its plunger, rendering the syringe non-reusable.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Health care professionals who work in proximity to hypodermic needle type syringe devices are susceptible to accidental and potentially infectious contact with contaminated syringe needles resulting from careless handling and disposal of the same after use. Moreover, the spread of infectious diseases has reached epidemic proportions among users of controlled substances who exchange syringes. To combat the spread of disease on both fronts, there is a need to prevent both accidental needle strikes from as well as repeat usage of a syringe. This invention provides that protection automatically.
Several attempts have been devised to meet this end. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,571,653, issued Oct. 16, 1951 to Victor G. Bastien, discloses a syringe cover which may be snap-locked in an extended position after use to sheath the needle and offer protection against accidental needle strikes. The syringe cover proposed by Bastien must be extended manually as opposed to being automatically extended to sheath the needle. Moreover, this syringe cover may be retracted after use to expose the needle for reuse.
An automatically retractable syringe needle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,306,290, issued Feb. 28, 1967 to Harold S. Weltman. Unlike applicant's instant invention, Weltman does not discloses a syringe in which the needle is conditionally fixed in an initially extended position where it can be covered with a protective cap. Further, Weltman does not disclose a needle which is retracted from the conditionally fixed position upon a full depression of the plunger and is retained in this retracted position so as to be non-reusable.
A syringe is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,368, issued Jun. 27, 1972 to Lothar Schwarz, wherein the syringe has a plunger for advancing a plug forward to empty a cartridge through a needle. An auxiliary plunger slides a needle forward into an operating position and an arresting device engages the needle to retain the needle in an advanced position. The actuating and auxiliary plungers are operated independent of one another. Further, the needle is not retractable and retained in a retracted position after use.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,971, issued Jun. 24, 1975 to Thomas A. Leeson et al., discloses a single-use syringe having a slidable needle cap which is mounted over the needle end of the barrel housing and is movable inwardly in order to expose the needle. A cap safety lock means is provided for moving the protective cap outwardly over the needle and locking the cap against further inward movement after the syringe has been used.
A shielded needle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,057, issued Dec. 23, 1986 to Charles B. Mitchell, wherein the shielded needle comprises a body, a needle coupled to the body, and a needle guard mounted on the body for movement from a retracted position in which the guard does not shield the needle to an extended position in which the guard shields the needle. The guard can be releasably retained in the retracted position and locked in the extended position. Mitchell does infer that force can be applied to retract the needle guard after use and expose it for reuse.
A protective needle sheath is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,372, issued Feb. 14, 1989 to Joseph P. Laico et al. The sheath is manually extendable for protecting the sharpened needle point of a hypodermic needle. The sheath comprises a pair of telescopic enclosure shields mounted to the needle base. Detent locking members lock the shields in a non-retractable protective position.
Another single-use safety syringe in disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,133, issued Sep. 17, 1991 to Joee A. Villen Pascual, who teaches a syringe provided with a needle and a spring coiled around the needle wherein the spring is capable of expanding upon a full depression of the plunger to retract the needle into the body of the syringe. The syringe includes means for retaining the needle in a position for use and for preventing the needle from moving after use. The plunger can be withdrawn to fill the barrel of the syringe, however, there exists no apparent means for limiting its withdrawal.
A movable shield member, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,251, issued Oct. 29, 1991 to Paul R. Juhasz, is interconnected to a syringe member to prevent accidental needle strikes when a syringe device is not in use. The shield member is manually movably to expose the needle and is spring biased to shield the needle.
Yet another single-use syringe is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,029, issued Jan. 28, 1992 to Carla Nacci nee Tagliaferri et al., wherein the syringe has a needle which retracts into the barrel of the syringe upon a depression of the plunger.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.