A film applying apparatus includes upper and lower mounting members for upper and lower suction plates, which are driven by a servomotor through pinions and racks to move the suction plates to positions located at a prescribed distance from a base plate. Thereafter, power is applied to the upper and lower mounting members by common pneumatic cylinders to move the upper and lower suction plates from their positions toward the base plate to tentatively apply films to the upper and lower sides of the base plate. The tentative applying forces of the upper and lower suction plates are equal to each other. After the tentative film application, the suction plates are quickly moved away from the base plate. A film applying method also is provided. With this structure and method, support members for first and second film feed members are dispensed with to reduce the operation time of the film applying apparatus and to simplify the structure thereof, and power from common drivers to the film feed members is applied to equalize the tentative applying forces to the suction plates.

This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Application No. HEI 3-352370 filed Dec. 13, 1991, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a film applying method and a film applying apparatus, and more particularly relates to a film applying method and a film applying apparatus, in each of which a base plate is conveyed, and first and second film feed members, opposed to the upper and lower sides of the base plate, which attract leading edges of films and which are then moved toward the leading edges of the upper and lower sides of the base plate conveyed to a film applying position, to tentatively apply the leading edges of the films to the leading edges of the base plate. Thereafter, the films are completely applied to the base plate under pressure by pressure applying rollers so that each of the films completely applied to the sides of the plate has a length corresponding to that of the plate.
Generally, a printed circuit board for an electronic machine such as a computer has wirings made of copper or the like in a prescribed pattern on one or both sides of an electrically insulating base plate. In manufacturing the printed circuit board, a stratified film consisting of a photosensitive resin layer, which is a photoresist layer, and a light-transmissible resin film, which is a protective film for protecting the layer, is first applied, under heat and pressure, to an electroconductive layer which is a thin copper film provided on the base plate. The heat and pressure applying operation is performed by mass production by a film applying apparatus. Thereafter, a wiring pattern film is overlaid on the stratified film. Then, the photosensitive resin layer is exposed to light through the wiring pattern film and the light-transmissible resin film for a prescribed time.
Thereafter, the light-transmissible resin film is peeled from the base plate by a peeling unit, and the photosensitive resin layer exposed to the light is developed to make an etching mask pattern. The unnecessary portions of the electroconductive layer are removed by etching, and the remaining portions of the photosensitive resin layer are removed. Thus, the printed circuit board having wirings in the prescribed pattern is manufactured. For such film applying apparatuses, various systems have been proposed including those disclosed in the Japan Patent Applications (OPI) Nos. 208037/88 and 7344/91 filed by the present applicant (the term "OPI" as used herein means an "unexecuted published application").
FIG. 12 is a side view of such a conventional film applying apparatus which illustrates the structure and operation thereof. Since the apparatus is nearly symmetrical upwardly and downwardly from a conveyance passage for an electrically insulating base plate, only the upper half of the apparatus is shown in FIG. 12.
In the apparatus, a three-layer stratified film 1 consisting of three layers which are a light-transmissible resin film, a photosensitive resin layer and a second light-transmissible resin film is continuously wound on a supply roller 2 in advance. The film 1 is unwound from the supply roller 2 so that a film separation roller 3 separates the film into the light-transmissible resin film 1A and a stratified film 1B consisting of the second light-transmissible resin film and the photosensitive resin layer exposed on one side thereof, which is to be applied to the base plate.
The separated stratified film 1B is supplied to the surface of a main vacuum suction plate 5 (which is a film feed member) along a tension roller 9. An auxiliary vacuum suction plate 13 and a cutter 14 are provided at the feed passage for the film 1B downstream of the suction plate 5 with regard to the film feed direction. A vacuum suction bar 15 and a pressure applying roller 16 are provided at the feed passage for the film 1B downstream of the cutter 14. The suction plate 5 tentatively applies the film 1B to an electroconductive layer on the base plate 6 while holding the film on the suction plate by vacuum suction.
The suction plate 5 is supported by a support member to be movable upwardly and downwardly. The support member 7 can be moved toward and away from the base plate 6 in directions B. The support member 7 is attached with a guide member 8 to the body frame 9 of the apparatus so that the support member can be moved in the directions B while sliding on the guide member. A pair of such support members 7 are provided above and below the base plate conveyance passage so that the support members are moved upwardly and downwardly in conjunction with each other through a rack-and-pinion mechanism by a first driver (not shown in FIG. 12). The mechanism includes racks 7A provided on the support members 7, and a pinion 7B engaged with the racks and supported by the body frame 9 of the apparatus.
The suction plate 5 is supported by the support member 7 so that the plate can be moved toward and away from the base plate 6 in directions C independently of the movement of the support member by a second driver 11, such as a pneumatic cylinder, through a rack-and-pinion mechanism provided on a support member 12. The mechanism includes a first rack 12A secured to the support member 7, a pinion 12B engaged with the rack to be moved upwardly and downwardly along the rack by the driver 11, and a second rack 12C engaged with the pinion to be moved upwardly and downwardly in parallel with the first rack. The suction plate 5 has a tentatively-applying downstream end portion 5A in which a heater 5B is provided.
To tentatively apply the film 1B to the base plate 6 by the suction plate 5, the end portion 5A is moved to the vicinity of the base plate or into contact therewith as the film remains wound on the end portion. At that time, the end portion 5A is heated by the heater 5B to tentatively apply the leading edge of the film 1B to the base plate 6 under heat and pressure.
The auxiliary vacuum suction plate 13 attracts the leading edge of the film 1B to hold the film at the edge on the end portion 5A of the suction plate 5 to tentatively apply the film to the base plate 6. Accordingly, the suction plate 13 is moved toward and away from the feed passage for the film 1B in directions D by a driver 13A such as a pneumatic cylinder, which is fastened to the support member 7.
The cutter 14 is opposed to the suction plate 13 across the feed passage for the film 1B to cut the film 1B to a length corresponding to that of the base plate 6.
A pair of pressure applying rollers 16 also are provided above and below the base plate conveyance passage. The upper and lower films 1B tentatively applied to the base plate 6 are pinched thereon under prescribed pressure by the rollers 16 and also are heated by the rollers so that the films are completely applied to the base plate.
To move the suction plate 5 of the conventional film applying apparatus, the support member 7 not only must be moved, but also the second driver 11 and the rack-and-pinion mechanism which are provided on the support member must be moved together with the support member. Thus, the load on the first driver for the support member 7 is so heavy that the main vacuum suction plate cannot be moved quickly. This hinders the rapid operation of the apparatus and restricts the processing capacity thereof. This is a problem.
Further, since not only the support member 7 and the first driver but also various other devices, such as the second driver and the rack-and-pinion mechanism, must be provided to move the suction plate 5, the structure of the apparatus is complicated. This also is a problem.
Additionally, the upper and lower suction plates 5 are usually moved by pneumatic cylinders independently of each other. Thus, when the cylinders are supplied with air having the same pressure, a downward force acts on each of the upper and lower suction plates 5 due to gravity so that it is difficult to operate the plates synchronously, and the tentative pressure applying force of the upper suction plate is made stronger than that of the lower one.
To prevent this problem, the air pressure for the upper and lower pneumatic cylinders is regulated to operate the upper and lower suction plates 5 synchronously. However, precisely regulating the pressure in such a manner is difficult. Alternatively, the problem can be prevented by stopping the lower suction plate in a prescribed position by a stopper or the like during the upward movement of the suction plate, and the air pressure in the cylinder for the suction plate is somewhat increased. However, the tentative pressure applying force of the lower suction plate rises to make it difficult to equalize the power of the upper and lower suction plates.

Film applying method and film applying apparatus


In order to be able to moderate the inclination of the PON burst reception characteristics and to improve the FEC effect, a first offset is used in a ranging window field, and a second offset, which is lower than the first offset value, is used in a burst data field other than the ranging window field.

The present invention relates to a Passive Optical Network (PON) system in which plural subscriber connection apparatuses share an optical transmission line, and an optical line terminal (OLT). More particularly, the present invention relates to a PON system and an OLT, in which the inclination of burst reception characteristics is moderate.
A PON system includes an OLT and plural Optical Network Units (ONUs). Each ONU converts an electrical signal from a terminal (such as PC) connected to the ONU into an optical signal. The individual ONUs transmit optical signals to the OLT through their subscriber optical fibers and an optical splitter. At this time, the optical signals are time-division multiplexed on the trunk fiber to the OLT. The OLT provides communication between a terminal of an ONU, and a terminal of a different ONU or a terminal of a different network (NW).
As specified in Sections 8 and 9 of ITU-T Recommendation G984.1, each ONU is located in one of the following three ranges: 0 to 20 km, 20 km to 40 km, and 40 km to 60 km in length of the optical fiber. However, the transmission distances of the nearest ONU and the farthest ONU differ as much as 20 km, and the transmission delays differ therebetween, so that the optical signals output from the ONUs may collide and interfere with each other. For this reason, the delays of the output signals from the ONUs are adjusted as if all the ONUs are located at an equal distance (such as 20 km) by the ranging technology specified in Section 10 of ITU-T Recommendation G.984.3. As a result, the optical signals from the ONUs do not interfere on the trunk fiber. Incidentally, the PON system can adjust the interference, but cannot adjust the attenuation due to the difference of the length of the optical fiber.
Further, as specified in Section 8.3.3 of ITU-T Recommendation G.984.2, a guard time, a preamble, and a delimiter are added to the head of the signal from the ONU. The guard time has 12 bytes and serves as a protection against the interference. The preamble is used for determination of the identification threshold of a receiver, as well as for clock extraction. The demiliter is used for identifying the boundary of the received signal.
In Section 8.2 of ITU-T Recommendation G.984.3, signals transmitted from plural ONUs to an OLT are referred to as upstream signals. The upstream signal includes a preamble, a delimiter, and a payload signal. Further, as shown in FIG. 8-2 of Section 8 of the recommendation, a guard time is provided immediately before each upstream signal in order to avoid collision with the last bust signal.
On the other hand, according to Section 8.1 of the recommendation, signals transmitted from the OLT to the plural ONUs are referred to as downstream signals. The downstream signal includes a frame synchronization pattern, a PLOAM field, a US Bandwidth MAP field, and a frame payload. As shown in Section 126.96.36.199 of the recommendation, the OLT specifies the timing of the upstream transmission permission for each ONU by use of the field called US Bandwidth MAP. The US Bandwidth MAP field includes a start value for specifying the start of the transmission permission, and an end value for specifying the end of the transmission permission, respectively on a per-byte basis. The values are also referred to as grant values, meaning that the transmission is permitted. The difference between the end value and the next start value is an upstream no-signal field corresponding to the guard time. Incidentally, it is possible to allocate plural bandwidth allocation units called T-CONTs to each ONU. The upstream transmission permission timing is specified for each T-CONT.
Ranging is performed in such a way that the OLT requests the ONU to transmit a distance measurement signal. The ONU returns a distance measurement frame to the OLT. Upon receiving the signal, the OLT measures the time period from the transmission request of the distance measurement signal to the reception of the distance measurement signal, namely, the OLT measures the round-trip delay time to discover how far the ONU is from the OLT. Next, the OLT transmits a message to each ONU to delay its transmission by a time called equalization delay so that all the ONUs appear to be located at an equal distance from the OLT. For example, the OLT specifies, for each ONU, an equalization delay that is equal to "(20 km round-trip delay time)-(measured round-trip delay time)" so that all the ONUs have the 20 km round-trip delay time. The ONU has a circuit for transmitting data with a delay fixed to the specified equalization delay. The above specification ensures that all the ONUs have the round-trip delay time of 20 km for the upstream data transmission.
In JP-A No. 2007-036920, there is a detailed description on the ranging in the PON system described above.
In such a PON burst receiving circuit, an offset is added to a threshold for determining "1" or "0", in order to guard against white noise (hereinafter referred to as noise) occurring in a no signal timeslot, called a ranging window that is used for the ranging. Because the offset is added to the threshold that would have been in the middle of the peak and bottom values of the received signal, the threshold approaches the peak value by the amount of the offset. Hence, the probability of misidentifying "1" as "0" is higher than when the offset is not used, and the inclination of the burst reception characteristics is steep. Meanwhile, ITU-T Recommendation G.984.3 specifies Forward Error Correction (FEC) technology that can correct an error rate of 1e-4 to an equivalent of 1e-12, using a Reed-Solomon code. Larger coding gain can be obtained as the inclination of the PON burst reception characteristics is moderate.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Passive optical network system and optical line terminal


In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for managing nodes in a cluster. The method includes obtaining metadata from controllers on a node, processing the metadata to obtain solution groups and a processing sequence of the solution groups, notifying a solution manager to initiate performance of pre-update tasks associated with the node, and performing, after the notifying, an update of the nodes in the cluster based on the processing sequence of the solution groups.

Computing devices may include any number of internal components such as processors, memory, and persistent storage. These computing devices may need to be updated once they are deployed. Traditionally, the mechanisms for updating a given computing device do not take into account the relationships between the computing device and the various related computing devices.

Metadata driven workflow semantics for management operations


A lightweight and portable service tool and method of use is provided for facilitating bushing replacement without removal of suspension from a vehicle. A tool end removably straddles the suspension and anchors the tool to the suspension. An actuator end, connected to the tool end, imparts a bushing jacking force along a common tool axis for extracting a bushing from, or installing a bushing into an eyelet of the suspension. The actuator end can form a jack or form a bore for receiving a portable jack as the source of the jacking force.

The suspension for heavy vehicles, including trucks and trailers, is typically supported with leaf springs and beam suspensions. Beam suspension and leaf springs are positioned between an axle, or axle assembly, and the load carrying frame. Beams and leaf springs are normally terminated at each of two ends with a circular eyelet. A bushing passes though the eyelet and connects at bushing pin ends to a hanger or other structure secured to the vehicle frame. The bushing includes an annular elastomeric element (rubber or polyurethane) about the pin to provide some vibration isolation and permit some limited rotation at the eyelet.
As an example, leaf springs are manufactured of spring steel and, over time, rust can form between the eyelet and the bushing, causing difficulty during eventual replacement. In highway trailer axle assemblies, which operate in severe conditions, bushings can require replacement at frequent intervals.
Applicant's experience has been that bushing replacement, such as that for suspensions including a variety of Henrickson suspension (Hendrickson Truck Systems Group, Woodridge, Ill., USA), can require removal of the suspension and use of a hydraulic press, typically found in a service shop environment, to force the bushing from the eyelet.
For example, refurbishing of bushings for a tri-axle trailer entails: removal of the six leaf springs, press removal of the bushings, installation of a new bushings and reinstallation of the six leaf springs on the trailer. This operation can take as much as 6 to 8 hours and require access to a shop press.

Suspension bushing service tool and method of use


An implantable medical device for electrically stimulating the heart to beat generally includes a processor, a plurality of electrodes, a sense amplifier, a pulse generator, and a heart status monitor. The processor can determine when the patient has entered an environment of high electromagnetic interference. When this occurs, the processor forces the implantable device into a safe noise mode. While in the same noise mode (which preferably continues while the patient is experiencing the electromagnetic interference), the implantable device paces the heart on demand and inhibits pacing during the vulnerable period. The processor determines when the vulnerable period is occurring and when the heart needs to be paced by monitoring a status signal from the heart status monitor. The status signal generated by the heart status monitor preferably is not sensitive to the electromagnetic interference, and thus the processor can determine the bio-mechanical state of the heart during a cardiac cycle even in the face of high electromagnetic interference. The heart status monitor preferably includes an impedance measurement circuit, but may include any type of cardiac sensor that can generate a status signal from which the processor can determine the beginning and ending of the vulnerable period. Accordingly, even during a period of high electromagnetic interference, the implantable device can provide on demand pacing support to the patient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cardiac stimulating devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an implantable cardiac pacemaker or cardioverter/defibrillator with a safe mode of operation during the occurrence of externally generated noise or interference.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the normal human heart, illustrated in FIG. 1, the sinus (or sinoatrial (SA)) node generally located near the junction of the superior vena cava and the right atrium constitutes the primary natural pacemaker by which rhythmic electrical excitation is developed. The cardiac impulse arising from the sinus node is transmitted to the two atrial chambers (or atria) at the right and left sides of the heart. In response to excitation from the SA node, the atria contract, pumping blood from those chambers into the respective ventricular chambers (or ventricles). The impulse is transmitted to the ventricles through the atrioventricular (AV) node, and via a conduction system comprising the bundle of His, or common bundle, the right and left bundle branches, and the Purkinje fibers. The transmitted impulse causes the ventricles to contract, the right ventricle pumping unoxygenated blood through the pulmonary artery to the lungs, and the left ventricle pumping oxygenated (arterial) blood through the aorta and the lesser arteries to the body. The right atrium receives the unoxygenated (venous) blood. The blood oxygenated by the lungs is carried via the pulmonary veins to the left atrium.
This action is repeated in a rhythmic cardiac cycle in which the atrial and ventricular chambers alternately contract and pump, then relax and fill. Four one-way valves, between the atrial and ventricular chambers in the right and left sides of the heart (the tricuspid valve and the mitral valve, respectively), and at the exits of the right and left ventricles (the pulmonic and aortic valves, respectively, not shown) prevent backflow of the blood as it moves through the heart and the circulatory system.
The sinus node is spontaneously rhythmic, and the cardiac rhythm it generates is termed normal sinus rhythm ("NSR") or simply sinus rhythm. This capacity to produce spontaneous cardiac impulses is called rhythmicity, or automaticity. Certain other cardiac tissues possess rhythmicity and hence constitute secondary natural pacemakers, but the sinus node is the primary natural pacemaker because it spontaneously generates electrical pulses at a faster rate. The secondary pacemakers tend to be inhibited by the more rapid rate at which impulses are generated by the sinus node.
If the body's natural pacemaker performs correctly, blood is oxygenated in the lungs and efficiently pumped by the heart to the body's oxygen-demanding tissues. However, when the body's natural pacemaker malfunctions, an implantable pacemaker often is required to properly stimulate the heart. Disruption of the natural pacemaking and propagation system as a result of aging or disease is commonly treated by artificial cardiac pacing, by which rhythmic electrical discharges are applied to the heart at a desired rate from an artificial pacemaker. An artificial pacemaker (or "pacer" as it is commonly described) is a medical device which includes an electronics assembly and one or more leads connecting the electronics assembly to the heart. Electrodes on the distal end of the leads include an exposed conducting surface adjacent to or in contact with the heart tissue. The pacemaker delivers electrical pulses via the electrodes to the patient's heart in order to stimulate the heart to contract and beat at a desired rate.
Pacemakers originally were designed to operate asynchronously. That meant the pacemaker emitted an electrical pulse that was delivered to the heart through the pacemaker's electrodes at a constant rate. Asynchronous pacemakers paced the heart at a constant, preselected rate generally thought to be sufficient for the particular patient (e.g., 70 pulses per minute). This type of pacing protocol, however, unnecessarily expended the energy of the pacemaker's battery (which has a limited life) because the hearts of many patients were capable of beating on their own, at least occasionally, without the need for an artificially generated pacemaker pacing pulse. Thus, an asynchronous pacemaker may expend energy pacing the heart at a time when the heart's natural pacemaker and conduction system are functioning properly and not in need of artificial stimuli.
Pacemakers today typically are provided with the capability to determine whether the heart is able to beat on its own, and if so, the pacemaker will not pace the heart. If, however, the heart cannot beat on its own, the modern pacemaker will pace the heart instead. This type of pacemaker is referred to as a "demand" pacemaker because pacing pulses are generated by the pacemaker only as needed by the heart (i.e., on "demand").
Some patients have disease processes that may cause an "arrhythmia," which is an abnormal cardiac rhythm. For some of these patients the arrythmias may be characterized by an excessively slow heart rate (termed "bradycardia") or an excessively fast and irregular heart rate (termed "tachyarrhythmia"). Tachyarrhythmia may degenerate into fibrillation in which the affected cardiac chamber merely quivers and loses all of its blood pumping capability. If the fibrillation condition occurs in a ventricular chamber of the heart (a condition commonly called "ventricular fibrillation").sub.1 the patient will normally die within minutes. In patients undergoing pacing therapy, a tachyarrhythmia hopefully can be terminated with an antitachyarrhythmia pacing protocol which generally includes a fast pacing rate to interfere with the focus of the arrhythmia. If antitachyarrhythmia pacing does not stop the arrhythmia, a defibrillation pulse is necessary to terminate the arrhythmia.
Patients that are susceptible to tachyarrhythmias are candidates for an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator ("ICD") which is a device that senses the onset of tachyarrhythmias and generates antitachyarrhythmia pacing pulses and, if needed, a subsequent defibrillation pulse to terminate the arrhythmia. Patients that require an ICD also generally require pacing support such as that provided by pacemakers. Thus, in addition to a defibrillation capability, an ICD typically also includes a pacing capability to pace the heart on demand.
In some patients with pacemakers/ICD's observed that the pacemaker/ICD itself has demonstrated the propensity to induce a tachyarrhythmia which may degenerate into a fatal fibrillation. The reason for this phenomenon can be described with respect to FIG. 2 in which a ventricular repolarization wave (during which the ventricle relaxes after contracting) is detected by the surface electrocardiogram ("ECG") as the so-called "T-wave". The T-wave occurs approximately 150-400 milliseconds after the occurrence of the ventricular depolarization wave shown on the surface ECG as the QRS complex. Around the time the T-wave is detected, various portions of the ventricles are undergoing repolarization, and as such are not sensitive to stimulation. This period of time in which cardiac tissue is not sensitive to electrical stimulation is called the refractory period.
If pacing occurs during the refractory period, a slowly propagating action potential initiated by tissue which is sensitive to stimulation may cause the stimulation of tissue which was not viable for stimulation at the time the original stimulus was generated. This propagating wave may later reach the tissue which was originally stimulated at a time when it has already repolarized, and thus cause its depolarization anew. If this sequence of events occurs, a reentrant loop is created which causes the ventricle to beat at a rate determined by the period of the reentrant loop. This sequence causes what is known as a "reentrant tachycardia," and may degenerate into fibrillation. The period of time during which a pacing pulse may cause tachycardia is referred to as the "vulnerable period," and an ICD should avoid pacing the heart during the vulnerable period. The implanted device determines the vulnerable period by monitoring the electrical activity of the heart.
A conventional pacemaker or ICD generally includes a sense circuit for monitoring the electrical activity of the heart. The sense circuit usually includes a highly sensitive amplifier. The electrodes and leads of the implanted device may act as antennae and pick up electromagnetic signals that have non-cardiac sources, including even signals generated from a source external to the body. Such sources of external signals generally are referred to as "electromagnetic interference" ("EMI"). Sources of EMI include metal detectors such as are used in airports, welders, radio transmitters, microwave ovens, etc. The electrical signals conducted to the implanted device from the electrodes implanted in the heart may thus include EMI superimposed on the heart's natural cardiac signal. The EMI component of the signal represents noise and preferably is ignored.
Although the implanted device usually has some filtering circuits for attenuating noise superimposed on a cardiac signal, in some situations the noise component may be such that the device's filters cannot adequately eliminate the noise. If a patient with an ICD walks through a metal detector, for example, the resulting EMI signal may overwhelm the cardiac signal picked up by the electrodes. Although the implanted device may be able to determine that it is receiving an excessive amount of noise, the device may be unable to extract the true cardiac signal from the noise. Because the true cardiac electrical signal cannot be accurately ascertained, the implanted device can not determine when the vulnerable period of each cardiac cycle is occurring. Such devices are thus often supplied with a "noise mode" of operation in which the device attempts to respond to the noise in some appropriate manner.
Up to now, pacemaker and ICD designers have been faced with a dilemma. If the implantable device is in a high noise field and the device discontinues pacing to avoid pacing during the vulnerable period, the patient may suffer severe harm or death if the patient indeed needed pacing support. On the other hand, if the device does provide pacing during a high noise event, the pacing will have to be performed asynchronously (fixed rate) rather than on demand because the noise disrupts the device's sensing ability to determine when the patient needs a pacing pulse. However, if the pacemaker or ICD provides asynchronous pacing support because the patient may need it, a pacing pulse may occur during the vulnerable period and the patients heart may fibrillate with serious or lethal consequences. This dilemma generally has been resolved in favor of continued pacing, although asynchronously, because the probability is greater that the patient will need pacing than the patient will enter into ventricular fibrillation as a result receiving a pacing pulse during the vulnerable period. Accordingly, the appropriate noise mode generally includes asynchronous pacing with no sensing capability. When the pacemaker or ICD enters the noise mode, the sense circuit is disabled, or ignored, and the device paces at a constant rate without regard to whether the heart is able to beat on its own.
Although this may be an appropriate response to noise for some patients, asynchronous pacing without sensing may cause harm to other patients. This latter group of patients includes patients for which a tachyarrhythmia may be induced by a pacing pulse that occurs during the vulnerable period of the cardiac cycle. For this group of patients, an asynchronous pacing mode of operation may result in the implantable device emitting a pacing pulse during the vulnerable period. If this were to happen, not only may the pacing pulse cause a tachyarrhythmia, but the arrhythmia may degenerate into a fatal fibrillation. However, because the sensing capability of the pacemaker or ICD is disabled during the noise mode in conventional devices, the device is not able to determine that the heart is experiencing the arrhythmia, and thus the device can respond with an appropriate antitachyarrhythmia pacing protocol or, if necessary, a defibrillation pulse. Thus, the classic asynchronous pacing noise mode may induce a fatal tachyarrhythmia and fibrillation in the patient at a time when the patient cannot be rescued by the delivery of a defibrillation shock. Although the probability of causing harm to a patient by pacing asynchronously during a high noise event is generally considered small, the possibility of harm nevertheless does exist and should be addressed.
Thus, there is a need for an implantable pacemaker or ICD to respond to the presence of noise in a more appropriate manner than current devices. The new device should not put the patient at risk from suffering a dangerous or fatal arrhythmia that is induced by the implanted device itself. The device preferably will able to determine the vulnerable period of each cardiac cycle during a high noise event and avoid pacing the heart during that period of time.

Implantable cardiac stimulator with safe noise mode


An optical finger navigation device includes a navigation cover. The navigation cover includes a tracking surface and an illumination surface. The tracking surface exhibits a first light reflection characteristic in a presence of a navigation object at the tracking surface and a second light reflection characteristic in an absence of the navigation object at the tracking surface. A light source generates illumination directed toward the illumination surface of the navigation cover. A redirection structure is interposed between the light source and the illumination surface of the navigation cover. A reflection surface of the first redirection structure is approximately facing the illumination surface of the navigation cover. An illumination surface of the redirection structure is approximately facing the light source. The redirection structure defines at least one hole therethrough to pass light generated by the light source toward the illumination surface of the navigation cover.

Optical finger navigation (OFN) sensors are used to sense relative movement of a user's finger. OFN sensors are mainly implemented using small lenses or optical imaging systems (lenses, prisms, and apertures). The current trend is to implement OFN sensors within devices that have relatively small form factors. However, the use of a small form factor results in design difficulties. For example, the requirements on the physical dimensions of the imaging system as a whole limit the overall size of the OFN sensors.
As the size of OFN devices becomes smaller and smaller, it is harder to design efficient imaging and illumination optics. Also, the integration of these two optical subsystems (e.g., imaging and illumination) becomes more difficult. The direct optical path for the illumination is either not present or would be positioned in a way that results in steep angles inside the transparent cover of the device. Total internal reflection (TIR) inside the navigation cover of the OFN device could limit the amount of light delivered to the navigation surface in such cases.

Compact optical finger navigation system with illumination via redirection surface holes

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


An information collecting system comprises an access terminal connectable to a data base through a network and a host computer, an IC memory card adapted for removable insertion into the access terminal, and a portable personal terminal. Requests for an item of information, from a customer, are inputted and recorded in the IC memory card using the personal terminal and the IC memory card is inserted into the access terminal. The request for information is transmitted through the access terminal to the data base and the requested information, transmitted from the data base, is stored in the IC memory card. Thereafter, the IC memory card, storing the information, is inserted into the personal terminal whereby the requested information is displayed on a display formed in the personal terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to information service systems or other service oriented systems which employ a portable display terminal for personal use, wherein the portable display terminal is capable of collecting and storing information, in association with an IC memory card, including written and/or graphics information available from radiowaves, leased telephone lines and public telephone lines.
2. Discussion of the Background
Examples of information services employing communication networks include VIDEOTEX services, services accessed using a personal computer, and services accessed via devices available publicly, for example, in the streets. In the VIDEOTEX services and services accessed via personal computers, a terminal for inclusive use, or a personal computer, is connected to a leased or a public telephone line, and information is supplied to specified members from on-line information services via the terminal or personal computer.
In the above-mentioned conventional VIDEOTEX services and services accessed by personal computers, it is necessary for common users to have at least a terminal capable of providing a telecommunication function by which information is accessible. If the users don't have such terminal, they can't obtain information other than printed data, in the form of written and/or graphic data, provided by means of a printer. Therefore, one drawback of these conventional arrangements is that the users are required to install a relatively large, expensive device in order to receive information. Further, there has been a problem that only specified persons can receive such services.
In service arrangements accessed through communication via devices installed publicly, persons, other than specified members, can receive information by using terminals installed in streets and buildings without fees or with payment by coins.
In these service arrangements accessed publicly, there are drawbacks because data cannot be obtained at places other than those locations where the devices were installed, a considerable amount of time is required to print data, and information cannot be obtained quickly when a large amount of data is requested.
Further, with respect to requested service arranging systems for the pre-engagement of goods or services, since various fields of industry and enterprise use different systems, a unified request service arranging system, covering widely different kinds of services, is not known.
Additionally, with respect to service industries which collect answers to questionnaires concerning marketing surveys and the like, typically, the questionnaires are printed and distributed to unspecified persons and once answered, the questionnaires are collected and the obtained answers are analyzed. However, such an approach requires a large expense, is labor intensive and experiences difficulty in selecting persons for survey.

Information collecting and/or service furnishing systems by which a user can request information from a central data base using a portable personal terminal and an access terminal

JAL Data Communication & Systems Co., Ltd.


A digital signal recording apparatus includes first circuitry for forming digital video data, and second circuitry for forming digital audio data. Third circuitry is provided for forming (a) video synchronizing blocks each of which comprises a predetermined number of digital video data and synchronizing data, and (b) audio synchronizing blocks each of which comprises a predetermined number of digital audio data and synchronizing data. Recording circuitry is provided for recording the video synchronizing blocks and the audio synchronizing blocks in tracks formed on a recording medium, the tracks being generally aligned in the direction of travel in the recording medium. The recording circuitry includes time-division multiplexing circuitry for time-division multiplexing a predetermined number of video synchronizing blocks and a predetermined number of audio synchronizing blocks to produce a data sequence for each of the tracks. The time-division multiplexing circuitry produces different data sequences for neighboring tracks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital signal recording apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for recording digital video signal and digital audio signals.
2. Related Background Art
In the field of such recording apparatus there is known a digital video tape recorder (DVTR) utilizing a magnetic recording-reproducing system as the transmission channel. In the following description such a digital video tape recorder will be taken as an example.
In the conventional digital video tape recorder, a recording area for the digital video signal (video area) and a recording area for the digital audio signal (audio area) are separately formed on the recording track, and these two signals are recorded and reproduced by separate signal processing circuits.
In case of recording audio signal and video signals on a same recording medium, there have generally been conducted separate signal processings for audio and video signals as explained above. For this reason there have been required two series of signal processing circuits, with inevitably increased magnitude of the circuits.
Besides, since the amount of audio data is smaller than that of video data, the audio area is designed smaller. Therefore, if the tape is damaged in the longitudinal or transversal direction, the audio data incur severer loss, thus eventually providing sounds of unacceptable quality.

Digital signal recording apparatus time-division multiplexing video and audio signals


A method of detecting double-symbol errors and correcting single-symbol errors in a data stream being transmitted in a computer system, e.g., from a memory array to a memory controller. The method includes decoding the data stream which was encoded using a logic circuit which had, as inputs, the data being sent and two address parity bits derived from the system address of the data. Data retrieved from the wrong address can be detected by this code. The logic circuit is described by a parity-check matrix for this (146,130) code comprising 128 data bits, 16 check bits, and 2 address parity bits. Although the symbol width of the code is four bits, the code can also be used effectively in memory systems where the memory chip width is eight bits.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the field of computer systems and, in particular, to error detection and correction of transmitted data to and from a memory controller.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Computer systems generally consist of one or more processors that execute program instructions stored within a memory medium. This mass storage medium is most often constructed of the lowest cost per bit, yet slowest storage technology, typically magnetic or optical media. To increase the system performance, a higher speed, yet smaller and more costly memory, known as the main memory, is first loaded with information from the mass storage for more efficient direct access by the processors. Program instructions are read from main memory and program data may be read or written. Error detecting and correcting codes can be used to detect errors in the information as it is read from main memory and to correct the errors, if possible.
Parity checks and error correction codes (ECCs) are commonly used to ensure that data is properly transferred between system components. For example, a magnetic disk (non-volatile memory device) typically records not only information that comprises data to be retrieved for processing, but also records an error correction code for each file, which allows the processor, or a controller, to determine whether the data retrieved is valid. ECCs are also used with volatile memory devices, such as DRAM, and the ECC for data stored in DRAM can be analyzed by a memory controller which provides an interface between the processor and the DRAM array. If a memory cell fails during the reading of a particular memory word, due to some external force or internal deficiency, then the failure can at least be detected. ECCs can further be used to reconstruct the proper data stream.
Some error correction codes can only be used to detect single-bit errors; if two or more bits in a particular memory word are invalid, then the ECC might not be able to determine what the proper data stream should actually be. Other ECCs are more sophisticated and allow detection or correction of double errors, and some ECCs further allow the memory word to be divided into clusters of bits, or symbols, which can then be analyzed for errors in more detail, such as the ECC in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,823, incorporated by reference herein. ECCs commonly use parity-check matrices to define the mathematical formula for deriving the check bits from the data bits.
For a memory array having a xe2x80x9cb-bit-per-chipxe2x80x9d configuration, the proper ECC is one that is capable of correcting all single symbol errors and detecting all double-symbol errors, where a symbol error is any one of the 20xe2x88x921 error patterns generated from a failure of an array chip. Using this single-symbol-correction double-symbol-detection, the memory may continue to function as long as there is no more than one chip failure in the group of array chips covered by the same ECC word. All errors generated from a single chip failure are automatically corrected by the ECC regardless of the failure mode of the chip. Sometime later, when a second chip in the same chip group fails, double-symbol errors may be present. These double-symbol errors would be detected by the ECC. To prevent data loss in this case, a proper maintenance strategy is executed to ensure the number of symbol errors does not accumulate beyond one.
In addition to data errors in computer systems, a separate class of errors based on failures in memory addressing also exist. Memory addressing errors can be caused by the same types of phenomenon that cause data errors internally in a memory chip. For example, these failures can cause data that was intended to be written to address location 0 to be written to address location 10 instead, resulting in the corruption of the proper data that was contained at address 10. A (78,66) ECC which corrects single-symbol errors and detects any combination of a single-symbol error and a single-bit error from a second symbol, as well as detects address errors, is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,294.
It would be highly desirable to provide a single-symbol correcting double-symbol detecting ECC system which detects address errors and additionally provides the ability to detect all combinations of bit errors in the second error symbol above and beyond the capability presented in above-referenced U.S. 5,768,294.
It would further be desirable to provide a (146,130) single-symbol correcting double-symbol detecting ECC which detects address errors.
It would additionally be desirable to provide a (146,130) single-symbol correcting double-symbol detecting ECC having capability for detecting address errors that can be implemented using industry standard DIMMs, and, advantageously, be implemented in such a way to achieve the more desirable 8-bit symbol width even though the ECC code is designed for 4-bit symbols.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a (146,130) single-symbol correcting double-symbol detecting ECC which detects address errors and provides the ability to detect all combinations of bit errors in a second error symbol.
It is a further object of the present invention to, provide a (146,130) single-symbol correcting double-symbol detecting ECC designed to detect 4 bit symbols, and which may be implemented in such a way to correct an 8-bit symbol width.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, digital signal encoding and decoding is accomplished through the utilization of a parity check matrix and two parity bits generated from the system address bits of a computing system with thirty-six (36) symbols and four (4) bits per symbol. The method of encoding data symbols which are four bits in length comprises generating first the address parity bits from the system address bits. The two address parity bits are then used in conjunction with the data bits to generate sixteen check bits. The data bits and check bits are then stored in the memory array of the computer.
A similar, but reverse methodology, is used for decoding the electrical signals for correcting errors in symbols which are four (4) bits in length. First, the information pertaining to the previously stored data bits, as well as the check bits, are retrieved from the memory array. The address parity bits are generated using the system address of the data. Using the data retrieved from memory and the address parity bits, new check bits are generated to form a 16-bit syndrome vector. The 16-bit syndrome is calculated by the exclusive-or of the new check bits and the retrieved check bits and the syndrome vector is decoded to determine if any of the thirty-two data symbols, four (4) check symbols, or the two (2) address parity symbols are in error. If an error is detected, it may either be corrected or deemed uncorrectable, depending on the type of error.

(146,130) error correction code utilizing address information

International Business Machines Corporation


A connectivity sled for docking and undocking a mobile computer and a payment device, comprises a first adapter plate assembly directly coupled to the payment device, including a configuration that couples to a surface of the payment device is exposes all ports, function keys, and interfaces of the payment device and at least one magnet. The sled further comprising a second adapter plate assembly directly coupled to the mobile computer, including a first portion that couples to a top surface of the mobile computer device, and at least one magnet that magnetically couples to the at least one magnet of the first adapter plate assembly.

A mobile checkout operation at a retail establishment such as a supermarket, department store, and so on typically requires a store employee to operate two different mobile electronic devices. The first is a mobile electronic device that performs barcode scanning and/or other point-of-sale functions. The second is a mobile payment computing device for performing electronic payment functions such as credit card processing. The two electronic devices may communicate with each other via Bluetooth™ or other electronic pairing technology. One or both mobile devices may communicate with a remote computer such as a database to perform such point-of-sale functions.
There may be instances where it is preferable for the two devices to be physically co-located and coupled to each other, and other instances where they must be separated from each other. For example, a user may be required to present only the mobile payment computing device to swipe a credit card, which is difficult to hold or use if attached to the barcode scanning device. In another example, the payment computing device may be large and bulky compared to the smaller mobile scanning device, which may have a footprint similar to a smartphone or related mobile electronic device.

Docking apparatus for handheld computer and mobile payment terminal


A vehicle damper including an electromagnetic damper configured to generate a damping force with respect to a motion of a sprung portion and an unsprung portion toward each other and a motion thereof away from each other and includes: an electromagnetic motor; a motion converting mechanism; and an external circuit which is disposed outside the electromagnetic motor and including a first connection passage and a second connection passage and which includes a battery-device connection circuit for connecting the motor and a battery device and a battery-device-connection-circuit-current adjuster configured to adjust an electric current that flows in the battery-device connection circuit, wherein the damper system further includes an external-circuit controller configured to control an electric current that flows in the electromagnetic motor by controlling the external circuit and configured to control a flow of an electric current between the battery device and the electromagnetic motor by controlling the battery-device-connection-circuit-current adjuster.

In recent years, there has been developed, as a suspension system for a vehicle, a so-called electromagnetic suspension system, namely, a system that comprises, as one constituent element thereof, a damper system constituted by including an electromagnetic damper which includes an electromagnetic motor and which is configured to generate a damping force with respect to a motion of a sprung portion and an unsprung portion toward each other and a motion thereof away from each other, on the basis of an electromotive force generated in the electromagnetic motor. For instance, the following Patent Literatures disclose such a system.


Embodiments of a soil mapping process include the step or process of receiving georeferenced field images of vegetation within an imaged crop field, the georeferenced field images transmitted from a field imaging source to an image-based soil mapping system. The image-based soil mapping system visually analyzes the georeferenced field images to identify and categorize non-crop vegetation distributions present within the imaged crop field; compiles a soil characteristic map for the imaged crop field based, at least in part, on a comparison between the non-crop vegetation distributions and data stored in a first database correlating different categories of non-crop vegetation with variations in one or more soil characteristics; and then provides the soil characteristic map for user viewing on a display device.

Soil characteristic maps are utilized to plot soil characteristics or traits (e.g., soil compaction, fertility levels, moisture content, nutrient levels, pH levels, or the like) as such characteristic vary geographically across the area of a crop field, typically as seen from a planform or top-down (aerial) perspective. An accurate soil characteristic map can provide a highly useful analytical tool in developing precision agriculture strategies and best practices addressing suboptimal soil conditions that, if left unaddressed, may otherwise hinder crop growth and yield. Such agriculture strategies can include the targeted application of soil amendments (e.g., fertilizer and organic nutrient sources), alterations to current (e.g., chemical) treatment practices, fine-tuning of mechanical processing (e.g., tillage) practices, and the installation (or modification) of field tiling to assist with drainage or moisture retention, to list but a few examples. Given these benefits, crop producers commonly invest appreciable financial resources in hiring third party services to travel to an agricultural area; extract dozens, if not hundreds of physical soil samples from sample sites across one or more crop fields; conduct on-site or lab analysis of the collected soil samples; and ultimately compile one or more soil characteristic maps of the sampled crop field for future reference in rendering soil treatment decisions.


A new cultivar of Viola plant named ‘SMEV3’ that is distinguishable by compact dome-shaped habit, fragrant bi-colored flowers consisting of mauve-pink upper petals and yellow lateral and lower petals which exhibit prominent dark violet veins. ‘SMEV3’ is hardy in USDA Zone 5 and blooms from early spring through fall.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Viola known commonly as violet and grown for use in border, container, and landscape. The new invention from the family Violaceae is known botanically as Viola hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name 'SMEV3'.
'SMEV3' resulted from a formal breeding program developed by the inventor, and conducted in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia with the goal of producing a series of perennial Viola exhibiting a range of flower colors borne on plants with a uniform dense domed habit. The breeding program commenced in 2001.
'SMEV3' is a hybrid seedling selection that resulted from the controlled cross-pollination in December 2006 of the female parent, Viola 'Tiger Eyes' (non-patented) and the male parent, Viola 'Lord Primrose' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,253). The resulting seed was collected, sown and raised to flowering during 2007. From an approximate 150 seedlings, ten were selected by the inventor, and then propagated asexually by cuttings. From these ten, 'SMEV3' was selected in March 2008 based on the criteria of novel flower color and prolific flower number.
'SMEV3' is distinguishable from each of its parents by flower color as follows. The flowers of 'SMEV3' are bi-colored, consisting of mauve-pink upper petals and yellow lateral and lower petals. In addition, the lateral and lower petals of 'SMEV3' exhibit prominent dark violet veins. The flowers of the female parent are golden yellow throughout except for dark brown to black central blotch and radiating veins. The flowers of the male parent are bi-colored, predominantly mauve with small yellow centers and absence of dark blotch or veins.
The closest comparison plant in commerce known to the inventor is the male parent, Viola 'Lord Primrose', with which 'SMEV3' is compared above.
The first asexual reproduction of 'SMEV3' was accomplished in 2008 in a cultivated area of Victoria, Australia. Asexual propagation was accomplished by the inventor, using the method, of vegetative cuttings. Since that time 'SMEV3' has been determined stable and true to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation.


An image recording device may include corrugate mechanisms to prevent undesired bending and jamming of a recording sheet. In some examples, the image recording device may include a first corrugate mechanism, a second corrugate mechanism and a third corrugate mechanism. The first, second and third corrugate mechanisms may be configured to create a corrugated shape in a recording sheet. The second and third corrugate mechanisms, in one or more arrangements, may be located downstream of the first corrugate mechanism and an ink nozzle. The third corrugate mechanism may further be configured such that no upper contact portion thereof may be disposed at a same position, with respect to the width direction, as endmost upper contact portions of the first corrugate mechanism with respect to the width direction. In yet other examples, the third corrugate mechanism may be located downstream of a reverse sheet conveying path.

A known image recording apparatus is configured to convey a sheet by a conveyor roller pair while holding the sheet by a platen, record an image onto the sheet held by the platen by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head, and discharge the sheet having the recorded image by a discharge roller pair.
The known image recording apparatus includes a plurality of ribs disposed on the platen, a recording-sheet pressing plate, and a plurality of spurs. The recording sheet-pressing plate is disposed between the conveyor roller pair (including a sheet-feed drive roller and a registration roller) and the recording head with respect to a conveying direction. The plurality of spurs are disposed between the recording head and the discharge roller pair (including a sheet-discharge drive roller and sheet discharge spurs) with respect to the conveying direction.
The plurality of ribs extend parallel to the conveying direction and define grooves therebetween. The recording-sheet pressing plate includes a plurality of protrusions that protrude toward the respective grooves. The plurality of spurs are located in the respective grooves. While the sheet passes between the ribs and the protrusions, the sheet is pressed by the ribs and the protrusions in opposite directions. Therefore, the sheet is formed into a corrugated shape such that the sheet has ridge portions that are held by the ribs and groove portions that are depressed by the protrusions. The corrugated sheet is conveyed while the ridge portions are held by the ribs of the platen, respectively. After the sheet passes the platen, the groove portions of the sheet are depressed by the spurs.


A strobe light provides uniformly intense, monochromatic illumination of an object photographed by a video camera. The strobe light includes a circuit board having a central aperture and a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the circuit board and generally surrounding the aperture. The circuit board is attached to the camera with the aperture positioned in front of the camera lens such that the video camera views the object through the aperture as the diodes illuminate the object. The strobe light further includes an oscillator providing an output square wave signal of adjustable frequency and duty cycle. A transistor switch controlled by the square wave signal periodically connects a constant voltage across the diodes, thereby causing the diodes simultaneously to generate flashes of light with a frequency and duty cycle determined by the square wave signal.

The present invention relates to light sources and in particular to a high frequency, low power light source employing light emitting diodes for illuminating an object photographed by a portable video camera.
Inspection systems sometimes employ a video camera to produce video signals representing light intensity at regularly spaced points on the surface of an object, for example a machine part to be engaged by an industrial robot. When a "frame grabber" converts the video signals into gray scale bit map data, a control computer can analyze the bit map data and determine the shape and position of the part. Some inspection systems use a variable frequency strobe light for illuminating a rotating or oscillating machine part monitored by the video camera to provide data representing the object as it appears at one or more selected positions during motion.
It is usually preferable that a light source uniformly illuminate a part under inspection. For example, if ambient light casts non-uniform shadows on the part, the camera can be fitted with a narrow band light filter for filtering out wavelengths of light other than the band of the light spectrum produced by the monochromatic light source. Since the intensity of ambient light "noise" within the narrow band is negligibly small compared with the intensity of the source, the ambient light interferes less with the monitoring process.
The light source should be light weight and rugged. It should require minimal maintenance, provide uniform illumination, generate little electrical noise or heat, and should not require a power source different from the one operating the camera. Incandescent, xenon, and fluorescent lights have been used as light sources, but have been found inconvenient or unacceptable in some applications because they require large, high voltage power supplies or generate too much heat or electrical noise. Such prior art light systems may also be too heavy or too fragile or may not be able to operate at a sufficiently high frequency or sufficiently low duty cycle.
Fiber optic ring lights provide a low infrared, uniform circle of light, but require a high intensity incandescent lamp as a source illuminator. The lamp is housed in a separate unit, and light is transmitted down a large diameter fiber optic cable to the ring light. The illuminator housings typically are very large in comparison to the ring light, require frequent replacement of the incandescent lamp, and generate large amounts of heat. In addition, the fiber optic cable coupling the lamp housing to the ring light is prone to internal fracturing due to the normal motions of a robotic end effector, requiring replacement. Fluorescent and cold cathode ring lights eliminate some of the above drawbacks in that they are light weight, generate minimal amounts of heat, and are uniform. However, problems inherent with these types of light sources are their requirement of a high voltage (>200 V.) power supply, mechanical fragility and low light output.

High frequency, low power light source for video camera


An information processing apparatus includes a communication interface and a controller. The communication interface receives, from a sensor container, information indicating an orientation of the sensor container. The controller, based on the information indicating the orientation of the sensor container, calculates a calculated value indicating a remaining amount of contents of the sensor container. The controller determines an estimated value of the remaining amount on the basis of the calculated value. The communication interface transmits the estimated value indicating the remaining amount to an external device. When the calculated value indicating the remaining amount decreases by a first predetermined value or more within a predetermined time period, the controller does not perform the determination of the estimated value on the basis of the calculated value.

In the prior art, techniques for obtaining information indicating a remaining amount of contents of a container have been developed. For example, patent literature PLT1 discloses a drink refill timing detection system in which, when a container is tilted at an angle larger than a predetermined angle, a refill signal is wirelessly transmitted by movement of a small ball provided to a bottom of the container. Also, patent literature PLT 2 discloses an instruction system which measures a remaining amount of the contents of a container with a remaining amount measuring instrument provided to the container and, when the remaining amount of the contents reaches a predetermined threshold or less, sends information to that effect to a server.

Information processing apparatus, information presentation apparatus, information presentation system, and recording medium


This invention provides a method to mix a relatively large amount of non-condensable gas with fuel prior to gasification heating thus reducing the residence time of the fuel adjacent to hot surfaces. The non-condensable gas may be air, a cryogenic such as methane, or a chemical fraction of the gasified fuel which by itself does not promote the formation of significant amounts of gums or coke deposits.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to heat exchange systems such as may be used in propulsion systems with particular application to gas turbine engine combustors and more particularly to apparatus and methods for avoiding thermally induced fuel deposits on surfaces of a gas turbine engine combustion system heat exchanger.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known to design aircraft propulsion systems to use gasified fuel. One purpose is to reduce production of oxides of nitrogen, NO.sub.x, during the combustion process, a very serious design consideration. U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,088, entitled "Apparatus for Reducing Formation of Oxides of Nitrogen in Combustion Processes", by Antonio Ferri, is typical of the many ideas for reducing NO.sub.x production by first gasifying the liquid fuel in a heat exchanger. The Ferri patent discloses the gasification of liquid fuel in a heat exchange apparatus and its subsequent mixing with air prior to combustion.
It is well known that gaseous fuel can be more readily mixed with air than liquid atomized fuel, thus reducing the problem of localized stoichiometric temperatures and NO.sub.x production. It is also known to mix gaseous fuel and oxidants, such as air, in order to further reduce NO.sub.x production which in turn leads to shorter combustor lengths.
The problem encountered with such a method and apparatus is the formation of fuel deposits on the surfaces of the heat exchange apparatus due to chemical reactions. The process creates gum and coke products in the form of deposits on the hot heat exchanger surfaces which are contacted by the fuel. The problem for aircraft fuel is particularly acute in the mid-temperature range temperatures from about 550.degree. to 900.degree. F. (heat exchanger surface temperature) which generates gum (primarily polymeric) products which adhere and grow from the surface. Gums embed coke and other solids as they grow into a thick surface deposit.
There are a multitude of mechanisms and chemical reactions associated with the formation of gum and coke deposits. NASA Technical Memorandum 83420 entitled "Research on Aviation Fuel Instability" by Charles E. Baker, David A. Bittker, Stephen M. Cohen and Gary T. Seng, prepared for the AGARD Propulsion and Energetics Panel Symposium on Combustion Problems in Turbine Engines, Cesme, Turkey, Oct. 3-7, 1983 provides an explanation of these phenomena in so far as rocket and gas turbine engine designers are concerned. The authors note that fuel flow rate and residence time as an important factor influencing the rate and amount of deposit which might form under any circumstances. Residence time is the foremost issue addressed by the present invention. All chemical reactions require retention of the reactants in close proximity and time to complete the reaction or series of reactions. The formation of gum and coke deposits involve an enormous number of sequential reaction steps. Therefore, if the deposit forming reactant and intermediates remain in close proximity to the hot surface which provides the thermal energy needed to promote the chemical reaction, the residence time is said to be long and the deposits will be large. However, quickly removing the reactants and intermediates from the hot surface results in a net residence time too short to complete the deposit chemical process. The potentially troublesome reactant and intermediates simple pass over and away from the hot surface with no detrimental effect.
Gasification of liquid hydrocarbon fuel has application to many combustion systems such as marine and industrial gas turbines, scramjet, ramjets, rockets and other combustion engines. The gumming and coking problem is endemic to all of these applications and the present invention may be used for all these types of applications.

Reducing thermal deposits in propulsion systems


An optical device is provided which includes a first electrode; a substrate disposed on the first electrode; a multi-layer structure disposed on the substrate, and the multi-layer structure consisted of a plurality of insulating layers with different refractive indices formed alternately; a first conductive semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate to cover the multi-layer structure; an active layer disposed on the first conductive semiconductor layer; a second conductive semiconductor layer disposed on the active layer; a transparent conductive layer disposed on the second conductive semiconductor layer; and a second electrode disposed on the transparent conductive layer, thereby, the multi-layer structure can increase the light reflective effect or anti-reflective effect within the optical device to improve the light emitting-efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is an optical device, and more particularly is to form a multi-layer structure over the substrate to increase the light reflective efficiency of the optical device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The conventional light emitting diode (LED) as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B comprises a substrate 100, a buffer layer 102, a multi-layer structure, a transparent conductive layer 110 and two electrodes 112, 114. The multi-layer structure includes an active layer 106 between the N-type semiconductor layer 104 and the P-type semiconductor layer 108. The active layer 106 is a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure made by a reactive nitrogen semiconductor compound. The voltage inputted between the electrodes 112, 114 of the LED will generate electrons and/or holes injecting into the N-type semiconductor layer 104 and P-type semiconductor layer 108 and passing through the active layer 106. The electrons and the holes will rejoin in the active layer 106 to generate light. The light generated in the illuminant layer will transmit to anywhere and release at the exposed surfaces of the LED. In order to generate the light, the light should be rejected at the predetermined direction.
Generally, the illuminant efficiency of the LED is based some parameters calculated at the LED. One is the light collection efficiency, which is the ratio of the light transmitted from the LED and the light generated by the LED. Practically, because of the absorption of the different layers within the LED, the light transmitted from the LED is less than the light generated by the LED. In order to increase the light collection efficiency, a reflective layer is added within the multi-layer structure of the LED in prior art to guide the light to transmit in the desired direction.
In order to improve the crystallized quality of the GaN compound layer, the problem of the lattice between the sapphire and the active layer of the GaN compound layer is needed to be solved. Therefore, in prior art, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a buffer layer 102 made by MN is formed between the substrate 100 and the N-type semiconductor layer 104. The crystal structure of the buffer layer 102 is non-single crystal such as microcrystal or polycrystal. The crystal structure of the buffer layer 102 is able to solve the problem of the crystal mismatching between the GaN compound layers. However, the prior art described above, the refractive index generated by the light in the active layer restrains the illuminant efficiency of the optical device.

Optical device and the forming method thereof


Systems and methods are provided for anesthetic agent level sensing. In one embodiment, a system for an inductive level sensor for an anesthetic vaporizer includes a measurement target positioned around a rod that extends within a chamber configured to hold liquid anesthetic agent, the rod configured to be at least partially submerged in the liquid anesthetic agent and the measurement target configured to slide vertically along a length of the rod and rest on a surface of the liquid anesthetic agent, and a strip of inductive transmitter coils and receiver coils positioned external to the chamber, a length of the strip aligned with the length of the rod, the transmitter coils configured to generate a magnetic field that surrounds the rod and the measurement target and the receiver coils configured to sense changes in the generated magnetic field at a vertical location of the measurement target on the rod.

During some medical procedures, such as surgical procedures, a patient may be placed under general anesthesia by administrating an anesthetic agent. In some examples, the anesthetic agent may be a volatile anesthetic agent that is administered to the patient via an anesthetic vaporizer. For example, the anesthetic vaporizer may induce and control vaporization of the volatile anesthetic agent from a liquid form at a vaporizing chamber. A carrier gas (e.g., a mixture of oxygen and fresh air) may flow into the vaporizing chamber and blend (e.g., mix and converge) with the anesthetic agent vapors generated by the vaporizing chamber before flowing to the patient, where they may be introduced via inhalation, for example.
Conventional anesthetic vaporizers include a sump for storing the liquid anesthetic agent before it is metered to the vaporizing chamber via a pump. The sump may be controlled based on a level of the liquid anesthetic agent in the vaporizing chamber to ensure sufficient anesthetic agent is available for vaporization. Further, an operator (e.g., an anesthesiologist or other clinician) may monitor a level of liquid anesthetic agent in the sump, both before use and during use, to ensure sufficient anesthetic agent is available for delivery to the patient during the medical procedure.

Systems and method for an inductive anesthetic agent level sensor


A square spacer and method of fabrication. The method includes forming a spacer film on a mandrel positioned on a substrate, forming an oxide film on the spacer film, performing a first etching, and performing a second etching. The spacer film is formed on perpendicular first and second sides of the mandrel. A first region and a second region of the spacer film are on the first side and the second side of the mandrel, respectively. The spacer film may include a conductive material such as polysilicon or tungsten. The spacer film may alternatively include an insulative material such as silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride. The oxide film is formed such that a first region and a second region of the oxide film are on the first region and the second region of the spacer film, respectively. The oxide film may include silicon dioxide. The first etching etches away the first region of the oxide film and a portion of the first region of the spacer film. The second etching forms the square spacer by etching away the remaining first region of the spacer film and also a portion of the second region of the oxide film, after which a top surface of the second region of the spacer film and a top surface of the second region of the oxide film are at about the same height above the substrate. The first and second etching may be accomplished by reactive ion etching or chemical downstream etching.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a square spacer and an associated method of fabrication.
2. Related Art
Sidewall features known as "spacers" are used in electronic packages and are formed in abutment with such electronic features as gates, conductive lines, transistors, and inherent topography. Such a feature is characterized by a vertical wall against which a spacer can be formed. In particular, a stack of spacers are commonly formed as arrayed in a horizontal direction with a first spacer of the stack abutting the vertical wall of the feature. Each spacer in the stack is parallel to the vertical wall and more distant from the vertical wall than the immediately preceding spacer. An array of 1 to 3 spacers in such a stack is common. With current methods of spacer formation, a spacer formed in abutment with a wall does not have a horizontal top surface but rather has a top surface with a rounded corner on that portion of the top surface that is most distant from the wall. The rounded corner results from a plasma etching process that utilizes isotropic distributions of particles, such as ionized plasma particles, for etching a material from which the spacer is formed, as well as from the topography of the material to be etched. Unfortunately, the rounded corner of a given spacer reduces the vertical height of the side of the spacer that includes the rounded corner. As a result, less vertical height is available for the next spacer in the stack in the horizontal direction away from the feature; i.e., the height of successive spacers in the stack are reduced. For example, if the first spacer (i.e., the spacer abutting the feature) in the stack is 2000 .ANG. high, then the second and third spacers in the stack may be limited to vertical heights of only 1400 .ANG. and 1000 .ANG., respectively. Even worse, the width of successive spacers in the stack are also reduced because fabrication methods generally limit a spacer width to be no greater than about two-thirds of the spacer height. Thus, current fabrication methods limit both successive vertical heights and the total cumulative width of a stack of spacers that abut a feature of the electronic package. A particular disadvantage associated with the limitation on successive vertical height is that insulative spacers between conductive structure on the electronic package may have insufficient height or width to prevent undesired diffusion of conductive material from one conductive structure to another, resulting in shorting over the spacer.
A method is needed for fabricating a square spacer having a flat horizontal top surface.

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention relates to equipment for supporting microfabrication tools, and in particular, to microfabrication tool pedestals including adjustable supports. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pedestal for a microfabrication tool is provided. The pedestal includes a frame constructed and arranged to support the microfabrication tool and a plurality of supports movable along and connected to the frame. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing a supporting for a microfabrication tool is provided. The method includes providing a pedestal comprising a frame constructed and arranged to support the microfabrication tool and a plurality of supports connected to the frame, and laterally repositioning the supports relative to the frame.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to equipment for supporting microfabrication tools, and, in particular, to microfabrication tool pedestals including adjustable supports.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Semiconductor manufacturing processes typically employ a series of relatively large tools. A typical tool may weigh approximately 7,500 pounds (3,400 kilograms) and may have approximately 3,500 pounds (1600 kilograms) of support equipment associated with it.
Semiconductor manufacturing facilities are traditionally designed to control air flow through the facility to reduce the risk of contamination of sensitive tools. In some facilities, air within the facility flows downward and through a sub floor before being purified and recirculated. Semiconductor manufacturing facilities are also traditionally designed to facilitate supply of chemicals and other tool inputs from an area beneath the tools.
Control of gas flow in a facility and easy supply of inputs to tools may both be facilitated by a sub floor having openings therein. Accordingly, sub floors having significant open area, such as poured concrete waffle sub floors, are common in semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Waffle floors conventionally include a grid with 18 inch (0.46 meter) openings therein.
The open nature of many semiconductor manufacturing facility sub floors means that placement of tools and other equipment must be planned so that portions of the tool or equipment requiring support are supported on the solid areas of the sub floor. However, the position of tools is often dictated by concerns other than the layout of the sub floor. Furthermore, a raised metal floor grid is traditionally installed above the sub floor. This raised floor is typically capable of supporting approximately 500 pounds per square foot (0.25 kilograms per square centimeter) of pressure, which is adequate for people and light equipment, but not for most semiconductor tools. Accordingly, a structure to support each tool on the sub floor and to raise it to the level of the raised floor is typically employed. This structure is commonly referred to as a pedestal.
Pedestals for tools are typically constructed of a metal frame resting on, and affixed to, the sub floor. Because tools vary in shape and size, the tops of pedestals also vary in shape and size and are conventionally custom made to fit the tool. Similarly, because the position of a tool is independent of the supporting portion of the sub floor, during installation of the tool, the legs of a pedestal may require removal and re-attachment to align with the supporting portions of the sub floor. In many cases, the legs are custom positioned by an engineer and a team of welders to support the pedestal and tool on the sub floor.
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) has published guidelines for pedestals, including SEMI E76-0299 and Related Information 1, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Standards regarding safety have also been promulgated by SEMI. For example, safety standards, such as the Uniform Building Code, state that semiconductor tools are not to be supported by gravity frictional connections, meaning that pedestals are typically constructed by welding.

Microfabrication tool pedestal and method of use


Hinge for a door which covers at least in part a compartment, of the type comprising a fixed support for coupling to a compartment frame, and a mobile support for coupling to a door, wherein such mobile and fixed support are at least rotatably constrained one to the other. The hinge also comprises a coil spring operatively interposed between the fixed support and the mobile support to impose a predefined law of motion to the mobile support with respect to the fixed support, and an actuator for applying a push or a pull force onto said mobile support with respect to the fixed one.

Hinges are known in the art, which comprise a motor drive, typically electric, acting to open/close the door.
For example, GB2350863 teaches to realize an oven provided with an electric-motor drive to open and close the cooking cavity. Such an oven provides the user with a manual control which, when operated, activates an electric motor for opening or closing the afore said doors. The electric motor, which acts directly as a door hinge, is sized to apply a force sufficient to fully open and close the doors, even when they are hinged along a horizontal axis.
In the known art such motor drives, for example constituted by electric motors coupled with a gearmotor or another kinematic chain connecting them to the fixed and mobile supports of a hinge, are therefore sized for moving the door completely and independently, and thus they are motor drives very expensive and bulky, also involving large power consumption.
Moreover, it is not possible to associate these solutions known in the art to pre-existing hinges, because the electric motor substantially replaces the conventional hinge.
Finally, in case of malfunctions of the motor or a power failure, such a solution makes it difficult to open the door, since the absence of a traditional hinge does not allow an easy opening and closing of the door, that are provided for example by means of a spring or other known means adapted to impose a predefined law of motion to the door itself, which are usually present in conventional hinges.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hinge which solves the above mentioned problems of the known art.
Another object of the present invention is to implement a hinge for doors which cover at least in part a compartment, preferably of a household appliance, provided with moving means that are simple, inexpensive and small in size.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for doors which cover at least in part a compartment, preferably of a household appliance, provided with motor means which can be easily coupled to the structure of pre-existing hinges.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge of the type provided with motor means which can operate even completely manually.


An improved multi-layered ceramic capacitor, and method of making the multi-layered ceramic capacitor, is described. The capacitor has an active area comprising first layers and second layers in alternating parallel arrangement with dielectric there between. The first layer comprises a first active electrode and a first floating electrode in a common plane and the second layer comprises a second active electrode and a second floating electrode in a second common plane. At least one shield layer is adjacent to an outermost first layer of the first layers wherein the shield layer has a first projection and the first layers have a second projection wherein the first projection and the second projection are different.

The present invention is related to improved multi-layered ceramic capacitors (MLCC's). More specifically, the present invention is related to multi-layered ceramic capacitors comprising at least two active overlap regions with shields which are not aligned with active electrodes.
In any component comprising two electrodes of opposed polarity there is a tendency towards arcing at given applied voltage. Many factors can affect the voltage at which the arcing occurs with the distance that separates the electrodes being but one key factor. The tendency for surface arcing in air has been exploited to dissipate energy to ground as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,757 wherein described is the relationship between the gap size and arc voltage in air. However, in electronic components, such as capacitors, if arcing occurs it can cause electrical breakdown, which can disrupt, or destroy, other components connected to the capacitor thereby compromising the entire circuit. In most applications surface arcing limits the voltage at which the capacitor can be used.
It is known in the art to apply coatings to either the capacitor, or to the circuit after assembly, to prevent arcing. In addition to the expense associated with additional coatings any mechanical damage to the coating can compromise performance.
Shield electrodes have been applied in lower voltage multilayer ceramic capacitors for ratings less than about 2500V. High voltage rated MLCC 500V) are known to be produced with serial designs and shield designs. Serial designs have 2 or more capacitors in series within the component wherein an even number of capacitors is employed which allows a symmetric electrode print pattern to be employed during manufacture. The voltage is divided between the serial capacitors resulting in high voltage capability at lower capacitance. For any given number of capacitors in series (N) the acting voltage on each capacitor is reduced by the reciprocal of the number of capacitors (1/N) but the effective total capacitance is reduced according to following equation:1/CEff=Σ1/CN.
Serial designs have been used in MLCC's for many years. Typically, an even number of coplanar active electrodes are arranged between floating electrodes so that within a given electrode print plane coplanar active electrodes of opposite polarity contact terminals of opposing polarity and the floating electrodes are parallel to the active electrodes and separated from the active electrodes by a dielectric. The floating electrodes are not in contact with either terminal. These arrangements of electrodes result in an even number of capacitors stacks in series within each MLCC. The serial designs exhibit very high voltage breakdown in inert fluid but in air the breakdown voltage is significantly lower. The inert fluid prevents arcing so the lower voltage breakdowns observed in air are due to surface arcing.
To avoid surface arcing MLCC's rated at greater than 2000V, with X7R dielectric for example, are coated thereby providing an arcing performance in air which is closer to the arcing obtained in inert fluid. However, coatings do have inherent disadvantages. Coatings are expensive either for the MLCC or for the circuit after assembly since it requires additional processing steps and additional materials. Coated MLCC's, or coated circuit boards, are not compatible will all types of subsequent assembly processes which limits the application. Uncoated parts are not easily screened at voltages>2 kV. Mechanical damage to the coating can compromise performance.
High capacitance, high voltage MLCC's, such as 22,000 pF, have been described with a shield electrode and a single electrode overlap area. The internal breakdown voltage is limited to the ability of the active area between the electrodes to sustain high voltage for prolonged periods without failing. Increasing the active thickness does increase the breakdown voltage but at the expense of lowering capacitance. In practice, the shield type designs therefore have an advantage with respect to achieving higher capacitance, such as <2 kV X7R MLCC with X7R dielectric.
In spite of the ongoing efforts those of skill in the art still do not have a suitable option for high capacitance, high voltage, MLCC's which are not susceptible to arcing at lower voltages. Such an MLCC is provided herein.


When operating the radio communication system in a mode for transmitting data for data communication instead of audio signal data, a transmission unit of a radio apparatus generates a packet in which data for data communication is inserted in positions in an audio frame, except for a given position, and in a data frame, and unique data is inserted in the given position in the audio frame. Also, data that is likely to cause an error when the data inserted in the audio frame is decoded by using an audio codec is used as the unique data.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio communication system employing digital audio communication, a radio apparatus used in the system, and a radio communication method, a packet data generation method, and a method for reproducing data from a packet, which correspond to the system.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a digitized and networked environment for audio communication has been developing in the field of amateur radio for example, so that the users can enjoy communication at higher speed and exchange clearer audio messages. In a radio communication system employing such digital audio communication, audio signals are encoded and converted into digital signals, and are transmitted after being packetized (for example, see JP 2006-157477A).
In the aforementioned radio communication system, data indicating call signs of the transmission destination and the transmission source, etc. are added to the header part of the packet, and accordingly the system can achieve many functions such as the function of performing communication with the designation of the communication party radio apparatus, which cannot be achieved by analogue radio communication systems.
Furthermore, according to the aforementioned radio communication system, audio frames and data frames, each having a predetermined length, are consecutively arranged one after the other, so that data for audio communication and data for data communication can be simultaneously transmitted.
Therefore, with use of this function, image signals captured by a camera can be transmitted from one radio apparatus to another radio apparatus during communication, so that the image is displayed on a display and the users can enjoy a conversation while seeing the image, for example.
However, the aforementioned conventional radio communication system is designed for audio communication, and the amount of data that can be transmitted in data communication is set to be smaller than the amount of data that can be transmitted by audio communication, and accordingly the communication speed of the data communication is not necessarily high.

Radio communication system, radio apparatus, radio communication method, packet generation method, and method for reproducing data from packet


A hidden tie down provides a round collar that is inserted into a like-sized round aperture formed in a planar surface. A cap and cap mount are attachable to the collar at the outer face of the surface. A fastener secures the collar to the surface at the inner face of the surface. Two opposing bushings are disposed within the collar to retain each end of a hook loop within them. The hook loop includes a round lid that closes off a like-sized round opening in the cap such that, in one position, the lid closes off the cap opening and creates a substantially flush surface across the cap. In another position, the hook loop extends outwardly from the cap opening to provide an attachment structure. Each bushing includes a detent to retain the hook loop in a stowed position.

Various surface-mountable devices are known in the art. They include tie down rings, loops and fingers, among other structures. Sometimes, such structures are permanently configured to extend outwardly from the surface that they are mounted to. This can affect the functionality and the aesthetics of the mounting surface. Other times, such structures provide the ring, loop or finger to be movable to a position that is flush with the mounting surface. While this may improve functionality, it does not necessarily improve the aesthetics of the mounting surface. In the view of this inventor, there is a need to provide a hidden tie down structure that provides the tie down structure that is necessary to secure an item to a surface and alternatively hides or conceals the tie down structure when such is desired or required. There is also a need to provide such a structure that is easy to use and aesthetically pleasing when the tie down structure is stowed away.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tie down structure that can be mounted into a surface such that the tie down structure is readily usable when such is desired or required while also providing the ability to conceal the tie down structure when it is not in use, and to do so in an aesthetically-pleasing way.