Compositions comprising from about 0.5 to about 40 percent by weight of black cohosh extract, from about 0.5 to about 20 percent by weight of nonionic surfactant, and from about to 40 about 99 percent by weight of hydroxylated solvent are effective in reducing and preventing eyebrow hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Hair is composed of keratin, a tough and insoluble protein. Each individual hair comprises a cylindrical shaft and a root, and is contained in a follicle, a flask-like depression in the skin. The bottom of the follicle contains a finger-like projection termed the papilla, which consists of connective tissue from which hair grows, and through which blood vessels supply the cells with nourishment. The shaft is the part of the hair that extends outwards from the skin surface, and the root is the part of the hair that remains buried beneath the skin surface. The base of the root expands into a hair bulb, which rests upon the papilla. Cells from which the hair is produced grow in the bulb of the follicle and are extruded in the form of fibers as the cells proliferate in the follicle. "Hair growth" refers to the formation and elongation of the hair fiber by the dividing cells.
Hair growth occurs by a cycle of activity that is divided into three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Anagen is the active phase, during which the epidermal stem cells of the dermal papilla divide rapidly. Daughter cells move upward and differentiate to form the concentric layers of the hair itself. Catagen is the transitional stage, where follicular stem cell division has ceased. Telogen is the resting stage, where the hair is retained for several weeks before an emerging new hair developing below it dislodges the telogen-phase shaft from its follicle. Hair is thus undergoing constant renewal. Among approximately 125,000-150,000 hairs on a scalp, at any given time approximately ten percent are at rest and will be replaced within a few months.
The location in which hair originates affects its characteristics. Eyebrow hair, for example, differs from scalp hair in several respects. For eyebrow hair, the growth cycle is very short, typically completing in approximately 4 months, whereas the scalp hair growth cycle requires 3 to 4 years to complete. This difference in growth cycle duration is the reason eyebrow hairs are much shorter than scalp hairs. Another distinction is that eyebrow hair emerges from the follicle at a very acute angle, which produces growth that is essentially parallel to the skin surface. By contrast, the angle between scalp hair and the skin can be 45 degrees or more. Eyebrow hairs also grow as single strands, whereas several hair strands typically arise from a single follicle on the scalp.
Disruption of the hair growth cycle causes alopecia (hair loss), a condition that affects millions of men and women. Alopecia encompasses any loss of hair, including not only from the scalp, but also from other areas such as the eyebrows. Certain chemotherapeutic agents can induce alopecia. Chemotherapy works by damaging the structure or metabolism of rapidly dividing cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapeutic agents do not selectively target only diseased or otherwise undesirable cells, such as the rapidly proliferating tissue of a cancerous tumor, and instead also attack normal cells that multiply rapidly in the body, including those in bone marrow, the lining of the mouth, stomach, and hair follicles.
Due to its long anagen phase, the scalp is a common location for chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Hairs of the beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, axillary regions, and pubic regions are also variably affected by chemotherapy. During anagen, cells in the bulb of the hair follicle exhibit the greatest activity in building up the hair shaft. Chemotherapeutic agents impair mitotic and metabolic processes in actively growing hair follicles and lead to a weakening of the partially keratinized, proximal portion of the hair shaft, resulting in a thinning of the hair shaft, which becomes fragile and susceptible to breakage with minimal influence (anagen effluvium). Evidence exists suggesting that telogen hair is also lost during chemotherapy (telogen effluvium). Braun-Falco, Dynamics of normal and pathological hair growth, ARCH. KLIN. EXP. DERMATOL. 227(1):419-52 (1966).
In human skin, alopecia can start at any time after initiation of chemotherapy, but hair loss typically occurs 2 to 4 weeks after treatment begins. Hubbard, Chemotherapy-induced alopecia, CLIN. ONCOL. 4:387-457 (1985); Hussein, Chemotherapy-induced alopecia: New developments, SOUTHERN MED. J. 86:489-496 (1993). The rate and pattern of hair shedding varies with the degree to which anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium occur. Accordingly, the hair may fall out very quickly in clumps or it may fall out gradually.
The extent of chemotherapy-induced hair loss depends on the drug being used, how long the drug is used, and whether other treatments (such as radiation) are concurrently employed. There are four major classes of chemotherapeutic agents that can induce alopecia, with the extent of induced hair loss differing across the classes: antimicrotubule agents (e.g. paclitaxel (trade name Taxol®)); topoisomerase inhibitors (e.g. doxorubicin); alkylators (e.g. cyclophosphamide); and antimetabolites (e.g. 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin). Drugs with high potential for inducing alopecia include adriamycin, cyclophosphamide daunorubicin, docetaxel (trade name Taxotere®), epirubicin, etoposide, ifosphamide, irinotecan, paclitaxel, topotecan, vindesine, and vinorelbine. Taxol® typically induces complete hair loss, including scalp and eyebrows. Adriamycin causes complete hair loss on the scalp, and very often causes loss of eyebrows in patients. Chemotherapeutic agents such as methotrexate, cytoxan, carboplatin, and 5-fluorouracil can cause hair loss in some patients but not others. There are many similar examples of chemotherapeutic agents that can induce partial or complete hair loss in various locations throughout the body. The overall incidence of chemotherapy-induced hair loss is estimated to be 65 percent. Trueb, Chemotherapy-induced alopecia, SEMIN. CUTAN. MED. SURG. 28(1):11-14 (2009).
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia can be profoundly traumatic, and ranks among the most psychologically devastating side-effects of cancer treatment. Kiebert et al. Effect of perioperative chemotherapy on the quality of life of patients with early breast cancer, EUR. J. CANCER 26:1038-1042 (1990); Macquart-Moulin et al. Discordance between physicians' estimations and breast cancer patients' self-assessments of side-effects of chemotherapy: an issue for quality of care, BR. J. CANCER 76:1640-1645 (1997). Indeed, studies show that for many women, losing their hair is more emotionally distressing than losing a breast, because one can conceal loss of a breast but hair loss is so obvious and apparent. For men as well, hair loss during chemotherapy can negatively affect perceptions of masculinity, and loss of eyebrows in particular provides an unwelcome signal of having cancer. More than 80 percent of patients who receive chemotherapy consider hair loss to be the worst aspect of their treatment (Kiebert et al.; Macquart-Moulin et al.), and 8 percent of female cancer patients would even decline treatment for fear of that side-effect. McGarvey et al., Psychological sequelae and alopecia among women with cancer, CANCER PRACT. 9(6):283-289 (2001); Munstedt et al., Changes in self-concept and body image during alopecia induced cancer chemotherapy, SUPPORT CARE CANCER 5(2):139-143 (1997). Although cranial prostheses (wigs) sometimes can be used to conceal loss of scalp hair, it is far more difficult to conceal loss of other facial hair, such as eyebrows. Eyebrows are a critical facial feature that serve to frame the eyes (the single most important facial element) and they convey key non-verbal information.
Though the structure and growth cycle of hair is well known, the exact mechanism(s) by which chemotherapeutic agents cause hair loss is not well understood. Although morphological changes that occur in hair follicles during chemotherapy were initially described in the early 1960s, there has been little progress in elucidating the mechanism(s) underlying such morphological changes.
Several diverse measures have been suggested for limiting or preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Some researchers suggest that massive induction of apoptosis (a process of programmed cell death (PCD) that may occur in multi-cellular organisms) in the hair follicle is one mechanism by which chemotherapeutic agents damage growing hair follicles. These researchers propose that a pretreatment with topical calcitriol-analogs can suppress chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in vivo. Schilli et al., Reduction of Intrafollicular Apoptosis in Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia by Topical Calcitriol-Analogs, J. INVESTIGATIVE DERM. 111:598-604 (1998). However, topical application of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 failed to prevent or retard hair loss in human scalp after administration of cyclophopshamide. Hidalgo et al., A phase I trial of topical topitriol (calcitriol, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia, ANTICANCER DRUGS 10:393-395 (1999).
Other investigators suggest that cleansing follicle openings of sebum may reduce hair loss and reduce the time necessary for hair re-growth in cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,828 to McCullough discloses compositions for cleansing the scalp and hair follicles. However, the disclosed compositions include anionic surfactants, which can be harsh and irritating. Moreover, the disclosure provides only a single example of use of the claimed compositions in a patient undergoing chemotherapy. Though that example suggests that the patient experienced hair re-growth while continuing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the disclosure provides no information regarding the patient's previous or current chemotherapy regimen. Because certain chemotherapeutic agents do not cause hair loss, it is not clear whether that patient experienced hair re-growth due to application of the disclosed composition, or instead simply due to natural hair re-growth where the presently-employed chemotherapeutic agent was one that did not induce hair loss. Furthermore, the disclosure nowhere discusses or exemplifies preventing (as opposed to reducing) hair loss in chemotherapy patients, and nowhere discusses or exemplifies reducing or preventing eyebrow loss.
Still other researchers suggest that scalp cooling may be effective in preventing hair loss in patients treated with certain chemotherapeutic agents. Such proponents contend that cooling the scalp to a temperature that produces a subcutaneous temperature of 20° C. (68° F.) constricts blood supply to hair follicles, preventing high chemotherapy dose delivery during the initial phase of treatment, and reducing metabolic rate of hair follicle cells. However, such treatment can be uncomfortable for a patient to endure. Moreover, scalp cooling does not prevent loss of other facial hair, such as eyebrows.
Still further methods that do not interact directly with existing hair follicles have also been proposed for concealing hair loss, and in particular eyebrow loss. For example, micropigmentation (tattooing) is sometimes used to simulate eyebrows that have been permanently lost. Micrograft transplants can also sometimes be used to restore eyebrows. However, such methods are time-consuming, often painful, and expensive.
As the discussion above demonstrates, previously proposed treatments for preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss are uncertain and unsatisfactory in many respects. So far, no satisfactory composition or method exists for limiting or preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia in humans. Accordingly, there remains a need for compositions and methods for preventing hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and in particular for preventing eyebrow loss in such patients.

Formulations and methods for preventing eyebrow hair loss


A steering holding determination device determines a steering holding state in which a driver of a vehicle holds a steering wheel of the vehicle in a steerable manner. The device includes a torque recognition unit that recognizes a steering torque based on a detection result of a torque sensor, a contact state recognition unit that recognizes a contact state or a non-contact state, a threshold value setting unit that sets a threshold value used for the steering holding state determination, based on a recognition result of the contact state recognition unit, and a steering holding determination unit that determines that the driver is in the steering holding state, when the steering torque is equal to or greater than the threshold value. When the non-contact state is recognized, the threshold value setting unit sets the threshold value to a larger value compared to a case when the contact state is recognized.

In the related art, a driving assistance device is disclosed with regard to a driving assistance control, which determines that a gripping driving state has occurred if any one of the following cases is satisfied: when a contact detection sensor detects that a driver is in contact with a steering wheel and when a magnitude of a steering torque measured by a steering torque sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-75849).

Steering holding determination device and autonomous driving system


The invention relates to a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) which is suited for the administration of a peptide to a patient through skin treated with ablation. The transdermal therapeutic system incorporates a back layer and an active substance-containing layer that includes at least one peptide and a carrier substance.

Transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) as pharmaceutical administration forms have been known for a long time. For the transdermal administration of active pharmaceutical ingredients by means of TTS, the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin, in the majority of cases constitutes the real barrier for the permeability and for the rate of passage of the active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Peptides and proteins and also other high-molecular molecules, with a molecular weight of more than 500 daltons—such as, for example, tacrolimus, heparin, and numerous salts of betamethasone—are generally not absorbed transdermally, owing to their molecular size and to their physicochemical properties.
Moreover, the majority of peptides possess a low oral bioavailability and are subject to severe, proteolytic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. For these reasons, peptides are commonly administered parenterally, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. This involves injections or infusions which are administered below the skin, into the muscle or directly into the bloodstream.
The transdermal route here would offer a noninvasive alternative—with high patient compliance—to this invasive, parenteral administration. Consequently there are numerous approaches to facilitating the permeability of the skin for molecules having a molecular weight of more than 500 daltons. These approaches include, primarily, the use of permeation enhancers or the additional use of heat.
Another technique for making molecules with poor skin transit amenable to transdermal administration is to facilitate the passage of an active ingredient of this kind through the stratum corneum by partly destroying or removing this layer beforehand. These techniques, referred to as "skin ablation", use thermal or mechanical energy in order to effect partial destruction or removal of the stratum corneum and hence to create direct channels into the living epidermis. The permeability of the skin is increased and the transdermal absorption of high-molecular-weight molecules can therefore be made possible.
As a result of this pretreatment of the skin, moreover, it is also possible for hydrophilic active ingredients to be administered transdermally, the transdermal route having hitherto been closed to such ingredients on account of their hydrophilicity. Ingredients contemplated here include, for example, fentanyl citrate, granisetrone HCl, Na diclofenac, and apomorphine sulfate. Furthermore, the TTS area of existing TTS systems can be reduced significantly, for the same blood levels, by means of skin ablation pretreatment.
The skin ablation technique commonly generates a multiplicity of microchannels through the stratum corneum, and yet the percentage "perforated" proportion of the treated skin area is relatively small. A description of the laser skin ablation technique is present in WO 2007/039646, whose US equivalent is United States Patent Publication No. 2008/255034.A1.
Triptorelin is a peptide hormone having a molecular weight of 1311 Da. It is employed for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, in endometriosis, and in premature puberty. Another area of application is in in vitro fertilization (assistive fertility therapy). For these purposes, triptorelin is available as a ready-to-inject solution (under the brand name DECAPEPTYL ®, UROPEPTYL DEPOT®), and as a dry substance with solvent for producing a suspension for injection (under the brand name PAMORELIN®). Triptorelin here is used as salt in the form of the diacetate or embonate, respectively. In a triptorelin treatment, the solution, optionally prepared by the patient shortly before administration of the solution, is administered by injection. Triptorelin therapy may last for a period of several weeks to months and may require once-daily injection.
Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of the peptide hormone vasopressin, having a molecular weight of 1069 Da, and is used as a pharmaceutical (antidiuretic). Desmopressin is an antidiuretic. In addition there is also an indication for enuresis nocturna (bedwetting). Desmopressin can also be given as an antihemorrhagic in cases, for example, of hemophilia, uremic thrombocytopathy or Willebrand-Jürgens syndrome. For these purposes, desmopressin is available in the form of tablets (MINIRIN®), an injection solution (MINIRIN PARENTERAL®) or a nasal spray (MINIRIN®, Desmopressin TAD®).
Vasopressin is a peptide hormone having a molecular weight of 1084 Da. Vasopressin is used as a highly hypertensive substance successfully in patients in a state of shock. Diabetes insipidus centralis (ICD-10: E23.3 and N25.1) can be treated by administration of vasopressin.
The known products, however, possess certain disadvantages, which are attributable in particular to the low stability of the peptides in solution, this low stability being common knowledge.
For instance, the time for which ready-to-inject solution can be kept is only 3 weeks. The greatest disadvantage, however, is the low level of patient compliance with injection, owing to the invasive nature of the treatment. Molecules of high molecular weight have to date been closed off from transdermal administration as a result of their physicochemical properties. Transdermal administration of these molecules is made possible only by pretreatment of the skin.
In order to increase the stability and hence the time for which the peptide preparations can be kept, the injection solution is prepared not until immediately prior to administration, by mixing of the dry active ingredient (usually freeze-dried) with the solvent. The approach of allowing the injection suspension to be prepared by the patient not until shortly before its administration entails the risk of an imprecise dosing. In addition, the dispensing of powders on the industrial scale represents a task which imposes very exacting requirements on accuracy, particularly in the case of such a highly efficient active ingredient as a peptide hormone. In the pharmaceutical industry, therefore, the aim as far as possible is to avoid operating with solids.
Lastly, injection itself may be accompanied by difficulties, which lie primarily in pain during application, a risk of injury, and the risk of infections.

Transdermal therapeutic system for the administration of peptides


The present invention provides a RRAM communication system including at least one RRAM controller and a master controller. The master controller is communicatively coupled to each of at least one RRAM controller. The master controller is suitable for loading test input parameters into at least one RRAM controller, starting execution of a test and obtaining a result of test execution from at least one RRAM controller. Each of at least one RRAM controller is suitable for executing different tests depending on commands received from the master controller.

Platform-based IC (integrated circuit) design is a powerful concept for coping with the increased pressure on time-to-market, design and manufacturing costs encountered in the current IC market. A platform is a large-scale, high-complexity semiconductor device that includes one or more of the following elements: (1) memory; (2) a customizable array of transistors; (3) an IP (intellectual property) block; (4) a processor, e.g., an ESP (embedded standard product); (5) an embedded programmable logic block; and (6) interconnect. RapidChip™ developed by LSI Logic Corp. is an instance of a platform. The basic idea behind the platform-based design is to avoid designing and manufacturing a chip from scratch. Some portion of the chip's architecture is predefined for a specific type of application. Through extensive design reuse, the platform-based design may provide faster time-to-market and reduced design cost.
Under a platform approach, there are two distinct steps entailed in creating a final end-user product: a prefabrication step and a customization step. In a prefabrication step, a slice is built on a wafer. A slice is a pre-manufactured chip in which all silicon layers have been built, leaving the metal layers or top metal layers to be completed with the customer's unique IP. For example, RapidSlice™ developed by LSI Logic Corp. is an instance of a slice. One or more slices may be built on a single wafer. It is understood that a slice may include one or more bottom metal layers or may include no metal layers at all. In a preferred embodiment of the prefabrication step, portions of the metal layers are pre-specified to implement the pre-defined blocks of the platform and the diffusion processes are carried out in a wafer fab. The base characteristics, in terms of the IP, the processors, the memory, the interconnect, the programmable logic and the customizable transistor array, are all pre-placed in the design and pre-diffused in the slice. However, a slice is still fully decoupled because the customer has not yet introduced the function into the slice. In a customization step, the customer-designed function is merged with the pre-defined blocks and the metal layers (or late-metal components) are laid down, which couple the elements that make up the slice built in the wafer fab, and the customizable transistor array is configured and given its characteristic function. In other embodiments, early-metal steps may be part of the pre-fabricated slice to reduce the time and cost of the customization step, resulting in a platform which is more coupled and specific. It is understood that a prefabrication step and a customization step may be performed in different foundries. For example, a slice may be manufactured in one foundry. Later, in a customization step, the slice may be pulled from inventory and metalized, which gives the slice its final product characteristics in a different foundry.
A slice such as RapidSlice™ may contain several RRAMs (Reconfigurable RAMs, or Redundant RAMs, or RapidSlice™ RAMs). Each RRAM is a set of memories of the same type that are placed compactly. RRAMs include built-in testing and self-repairing components and include a set of tools for mapping arbitrary customer memories (logical memories) to the memories from the matrix (physical memories). All RRAM memory ports are ports of customer memories. Ports of memories from the matrix are invisible from outside a RRAM. Thus, from the customer's point of view a RRAM is a set of customer memories.
The conventional strategy for testing memory matrices is to test every memory of every matrix separately. Thus, the conventional strategy for RRAM testing requires that many additional ports are added to a RRAM and these additional ports are connected with a TAP (Test Access Port) controller. Specifically, all ports of physical memories need be added. Moreover, different non-trivial test-vectors need be prepared for testing every memory.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a RRAM communication system, which may reduce the amount of routing between memory matrices (e.g., RapidChip™ memory matrices, or the like) and a TAP controller.


According to one embodiment, an access control apparatus includes a medium communication module configured to perform communication with a removable medium, a access module configured to perform access to the removable medium using the communication module, a wireless communication module configured to perform wireless communication with a external device, and to receive access request to the removable medium, and a controller configured to assign an access right to access the removable medium to one of the access module and the external device, the control module assigning the access right in response to a request of assignment of the access right, the request being transmitted from the external device or the access module.

Removable media such as SD memory cards and built-in storages such as Embedded SDs have been widely used for storage of image data and video data.
It is required to mount a removable medium simultaneously from a plurality of devices, and enable the devices to access the removable medium.
In addition, it is required to mount a removable medium and a built-in storage such as an Embedded SD simultaneously from a plurality of devices, and enable the devices to access the removable medium.

Controlling access to a removable medium from a module and an external device


An airbag cover for a vehicle that includes an airbag cover body that has a tear line to allow the airbag cover body to be torn off when an airbag cushion is deployed, and a bezel ring coupled to the airbag cover body. The airbag cover includes a plurality of separating protrusions having first and second separating protrusions that are formed on the bezel ring to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the bezel ring and to be adjacent to each other. In addition, the separating protrusions have third and fourth separating protrusions adjacent to each other at a position facing the first and second separating protrusions. The separating protrusions include first to fourth separating protrusion insertion apertures that are formed within the airbag cover body to allow the first to fourth separating protrusions to be inserted therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an airbag cover for a vehicle and, more particularly to an airbag cover for a vehicle including a bezel ring on which no separate tear line is formed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a vehicle is equipped with an airbag system used a safety device, to protect a driver or passenger from impact during a sudden stop or crash while the vehicle is being driven and to minimize the risk of injury to a driver or passenger. Such an airbag system includes an airbag cover installed in a steering wheel or an instrument panel, an airbag module that has an inflator and an airbag cushion, and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to explode an inflator in response to an impact signal.
Furthermore, due to a trend toward luxury vehicles, more vehicles include an emblem representing various logos attached to an airbag cover mounted on a steering wheel to improve the interior image of the vehicle and to promote a vehicle manufacturer. Further, a bezel ring is mounted on the airbag cover around the emblem to provide a decorative effect. Such a bezel ring is intended to be broken when the airbag cover is torn off due to the deployment of the airbag cushion.
In the related art, a tear line is formed on an inner surface of the bezel ring to allow the airbag cover to be easily torn off. However, when a driver performs a horn function (perhaps repeatedly) by pushing on the airbag cover to transmit a warning sound to a pedestrian or driver in the vicinity of the vehicle, a portion of the bezel ring on which a tear line is formed is relatively thinner than the remaining portion, and the portion with the tear line may be undesirably torn off, regardless of a driver intention.


The invention provides a die seal ring structure. The die seal ring structure includes an inner seal ring portion surrounding an integrated circuit region. An outer seal ring portion is surrounded by a scribe line, surrounding the inner seal ring portion, wherein the outer seal ring portion has an outer top metal layer pattern with a first width extending over the inner seal ring portion and connecting to an inner next-to-top metal layer pattern of the inner seal ring portion. A first redistribution pattern is disposed on the outer top metal layer pattern, having a second width which is narrower than the first width. A second redistribution pattern is disposed on the first redistribution pattern. A redistribution passivation layer covers the second redistribution pattern and the inner seal ring portion, wherein the redistribution passivation layer is separated from the scribe line by a second distance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a die seal ring structure, and in particular, to a die seal ring structure having a crack stop function without attachment of a metal layer thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
A die seal ring is generally formed between scribe lines and a periphery region of integrated circuits of each die of a wafer, composed by alternatively laminating dielectric layers and metal layers, which interconnect by vias through the dielectric layers. When a wafer dicing process is performed along the scribe lines, the die seal ring can block unintended stress cracks from the scribe lines to the integrated circuits produced by the wafer dicing process. Also, the die seal ring can block moisture penetration or chemical damage like acid, alkaline containing or diffusion of contaminating species. In the current semiconductor technology, a double die seal ring structure has been developed to solve the more significant problem of cracks. However, the top-most layer has a poor crack stop function due to further scaling of the semiconductor device and demand for smaller dimensions and increased functions of consumer products.
Thus, a novel die seal ring structure with a good crack stop function is desirable.


An apparatus for merging two or more parallel conveyor lanes of product into one final lane includes a pair of parallel conveyors, one disposed above and in spaced relationship over the other. A pivotally mounted slide at the discharge end of the first conveyor feeds product from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A timing member is pivotally mounted above the second conveyor for engagement with product flowing along the second conveyor at a preselected position beneath the discharge end of the slide and upon engagement with product on the second conveyor simultaneously engages with the slide to force the slide out of a feeding position. The slide is provided with at least one lifting tab thereon for engaging with at least one arm of a pivotally attached stop member whereby engagement or disengagement of the tabs with the arm of the stop member determines the position of the stop member in relationship with product moving along the first conveyor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to an apparatus for handling packages, particularly cartons of cigarettes. More particularly, this invention is directed to an apparatus for the merging of products from two conveyors wherein the conveyors are in parallel and one is spaced above the other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the manufacturing industry and particularly in the transportation of products from a plurality of machines to a common point for further processing, conveying systems for such purpose are well know. For example, in the cigarette manufacturing industry such transport or conveying systems include conveying individual packages from a plurality of packaging machines into a multi-package container such as a cigarette carton, or the transportation of cigarette cartons from a plurality of machines to a shipping container. In the conveying sequence, the packages or cartons coming from the plurality of machines are merged into a single product line. And, many different types of devices are known in the art wherein a plurality of first transporting or conveying means are merged into a second conveying means so that all of the product from several sources are merged into a single conveying line.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,408 teaches an apparatus for handling rod like articles, particularly cigarettes or filter rods, which includes a conveyor arrangement comprising upper and lower band conveyors which convey a multi-layered stream of product from a delivery device to a conjunction device, wherein a downwardly extending path between the delivery device and the conjunction device is utilized. Sensing means and a closure device are arranged adjacent to the junction for controlling the flow from the upper conveyor to the lower conveyor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,894,625 teaches a lumber sorting system with overhead infeed and includes a by-pass conveyor including a diverter arm capable of pivoting between the diverting position and an inactive position for controlling boards coming from an upper conveyor on a transition conveyor and then to a lower conveyor. When the diverter arm is in its inactive or non-diverting position, boards from the upper conveyor are allowed to descend along an infeed conveyor system to the lower conveyor.

Apparatus for merging multiple lanes of product


A wiring board comprising: a conductor layer comprising Fe and Cu; and at least one of a radiator, a connection terminal, a cover and a circuit component, connected to the conductor layer through a joining member, which is obtained by coating a copper paste comprising a copper powder, an organic vehicle and an Fe2O3 particle as a conductor layer on a ceramic green sheet and firing it.

In recent years, accompanying the speeding up of information communication, the wiring board is used in a high frequency region of GHz band or more and demanded to be reduced in the transmission loss. To satisfy this requirement, the wiring board is produced by forming a conductor layer composed of a metal having a low conductor resistance and a low melting point, such as silver and copper, on a ceramic substrate having a relatively low dielectric constant. With the progress of high-density packaging of a circuit, copper is used for the conductor layer so as to prevent migration. The ceramic substrate having printed thereon copper as the conductor layer is fired in a wet nitrogen atmosphere (in a mixed atmosphere of water vapor and nitrogen gas) so as to obtain a wiring board reduced in the transmission loss while preventing the oxidation of copper.
Generally, for producing a wiring board, a slurry is prepared using a ceramic raw material powder and an organic binder, a solvent or the like and formed into a ceramic green sheet by a sheet-forming method such as doctor blade method. Thereafter, a wiring pattern is printed on the ceramic green sheet by using a copper paste and dried. Subsequently, the ceramic green sheet is debindered at a temperature of hundreds of ° C. in a mixed atmosphere of water vapor and nitrogen gas to remove organic components contained in the copper paste and ceramic green sheet and then fired by elevating the temperature to nearly 1,000° C. or more, thereby producing a wiring board.
With the progress of high-density packaging and multifunctionalization of equipment, a semiconductor element such as transistor and diode, heat radiation parts, terminals and various circuit components are mounted and therefore, the adhesive strength of the conductor layer formed on a wiring board is demanded to have higher reliability.
Particularly, in a wiring board having mounted thereon a semiconductor element such as transistor and diode, the semiconductor element generates heat due to input signal to cause elevation of temperature and this causes deterioration in the properties of semiconductor element or other circuit component mounted on the circuit board. Therefore, heat radiation is important. For this purpose, in the wiring board, a radiator is connected through a conductor layer in many cases and the conductor layer formed on the wiring board is required to have an adhesion strength high enough to cause no bulging or separation against heat load.
As a technique for preventing the bulging or separation of the semiconductor layer formed on a wiring board, a method of using a thick film copper conductor ink as the copper paste described in JP-A-1-128488 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") is known.
In the thick film copper conductor ink described in JP-A-1-128488, by taking notice of the fact that an organic vehicle contained in a conductor ink generates a gas in the firing step to cause bulging or separation of the conductor layer, a devitrifying glass flit selected from a zinc-calcium aluminum silicate glass flit, a zinc-magnesium-barium-aluminum silicate glass flit and a mixture thereof, and a specific oxide such as bismuth oxide and cadmium oxide are added to the copper paste to thereby suppress the generation of gas and prevent the separation or bulging of conductor layer.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Copper paste and wiring board using the same


A verification system for negotiable instruments, such as checks, that gathers and transmits information about the negotiable instrument and biometric data. The system preferably has the ability to scan the magnetic number off of checks, digitally encode fingerprints, scan driver""s licenses or other identification cards, and take a signature of a customer, all at a point of sale for purposes of fund verification. The check verification system preferably digitizes various indicia of the check, preferably the magnetic ink on the check, at the point of sale and transmits the check information data to a remotely located main system whereby the main system compares the inputted data with an existing database of information to determine if the customer at the point of sale is in fact authorized to use the account, and if the account is in satisfactory condition for check approval. The check verification system alternatively includes a biometric data device for recording and/or transmitting biometric data, such as the fingerprint of the customer, taken at the point of sale, and the device alternately prints the biometric data on the check, either in actual or digitally encoded form, such that the biometric data can be later checked against a database at the time the check is processed at a bank. The system alternately includes a device for scanning an information card which contains biometric data such as a proper fingerprint and/or a signature, and the remotely gathered data can alternatively be compared to the recorded data on the card, in addition to or instead of, transmission of the gathered data to the database(s).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to credit and identity verification systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to credit approval systems at the point of sale which utilize biometric data such as fingerprints, signatures, and/or other methods to ascertain if the identity of the person attempting to pay by a negotiable instrument, such as a check is an authorized person for that particular checking or credit account, and if that account is in order.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are devices known in the art which gather biometric data from persons for storage or for comparison with stored biometric data for purposes of identity verification. An example of storing biometric data for identity verification is U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,038 to Silverman, et al., for an access security system. Silverman, et al., discloses storing a fingerprint on a card, in either an actual print or xe2x80x9cmicropattern,xe2x80x9d and the card is read by a control means. The fingerprint recordation is ancillary to the preferred function of the card which is identification based upon solely the microperforation of the card, which is not directly related to the fingerprint.
Check funds verification systems are also known in the art which allow merchants and others to verify that customers have funds available in a specific checking account. U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,988 to Hills, et al, discloses a check-writing point of sale system that provides for remote verification of funds availability. Hills, et al., is particularly directed to the purchase of goods through an electronic funds transfer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,086 to Szwarcbier discloses a process and apparatus for positive identification of customers that is particularly disclosed as using a fingerprint on a credit card and comparing the fingerprint of the customer to that on the card, and selectively, with a master print on file. Szwarcbier also discloses a printed fingerprint card.
There are xe2x80x9csmart cardsxe2x80x9d known in the art which include fingerprint identification means, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,086 to Lilley, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,985 to Lxc3x6fberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068 to Piosenka, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,901 to Hiramatsu. All of these references disclose smart cards which have, at least, a stored fingerprint in a local memory (such as magnetic tape or integrated circuit) which interacts with a reading means at the point of sale to assist in customer identification.
An example of an actual fingerprint sensor is U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,096 to Hsumi, et al., which is for a surface-shaped sensor identification device. The Hsumi, et al. device is focused on the specific element of sensing and recording the fingerprint, as opposed to a complete identity verification system.
The present invention, in one preferred embodiment thereof, comprises a verification system for negotiable instruments, preferably being checks, which has the ability to scan the information from checks such as the magnetic check number, and gather biometric data such as fingerprints. The system alternately scans driver""s licenses or other identification cards, and obtains and transmits a signature of a customer, preferably all occurring at a point of sale, for purposes of identity and fund verification. The verification system preferably digitizes various indicia of the check, the preferred indicia being the magnetic ink on the check, tendered by the customer at the point of sale and transmits the data to a negotiable instrument information database, preferably through a modem or other dial-up connection, whereby the inputted data is compared with an existing database of information to determine if the customer at the point of sale is in fact authorized to use the account, and if the account is in satisfactory condition for check approval.
The verification system alternatively includes a device and method for recording and/or transmitting the fingerprint of the customer at the point of sale and printing the fingerprint on the check, either in actual or digitally encoded form, such that the fingerprint can be later checked against a biometric database of existing fingerprints at such time as the check is processed at a bank, which provides an added means of security in the event the check is returned. If the system includes a device for scanning an information card which contains biometric data, such as a proper fingerprint such as on a driver""s license, and/or signature, then the fingerprint and signature of the customer can alternatively be compared to the recorded data on the card, in addition to or instead of, transmission of the various databases.
In an alternate embodiment of the verification system, a check is swiped and the fingerprint is simultaneously taken and digitized whereby the combined data is transmitted to a main system that includes a check information database and a biometric database, and the transmitted data is compared with identification data already on file, and the main system determines if the identification data of an authorized user on file matches with the transmitted data from the customer at the point of sale. The system then returns the results of the decision on approval to the point of sale. A device at the point of sale displays the decision data and/or prints out a hard copy indicating whether the check was approved or denied.
In operation, the main system receives data from the point of sale and then determines if the xe2x80x9cABAxe2x80x9d magnetic number on the check is a valid number, if the fingerprint data is that of an account owner authorized to use that account, and/or if the signature is that of the authorized account owner, whereby any negative response to these decisions preferably causes return of the data indicative of the negative response to the point of sale. Upon affirmative indications in the decisions, the main system retrieves the frequency of the account accesses to determine if the current requested access is in excess of a pre-determined limit of an allowable number of accesses. If the current access is in excess of the pre-determined allowable limit, then the data is returned to the point of sale indicating the unacceptable request to exceed the limit, and thus, denial of approval. If the current access is not in excess of the allowable determined limit, then the verification of the check is approved and such verification is used to update the frequency of account access database, and the approval is returned to the point of sale.
The verification system preferably includes the capability to provide reports on customer activity to a retailer upon request. The retailer directs an inquiry to the main system which is in communication with a series of databases and which preferably includes databases indicative of: a number of checks cashed for a specific account; the location of the checks cashed for such account; and a customer list and relevant data associated with the customer. Depending upon the inquiry generated from the retailer, the main system retrieves the requested information to generate a report on a specific customer, and then returns the report to the retailer.
Alternatively, the verification system can be used in conjunction with a bank proofing machine during batch processing of checks. When the proofing machine scans the magnetic number from the check, the identification data imprinted on a check at the point of sale is compared with account owner identification data as recorded and maintained by the bank to determine if the correct account owner submitted the check.
Accordingly, the present invention has a practical application in that it provides a negotiable instrument verification system to a retailer for use at a point of sale which determines if the customer is authorized to use a specific account, and if the account is satisfactory to remit funds for the negotiable instrument drawn thereagainst.
The present invention of the verification system further has industrial applicability in that it provides a computer system which correlates biometric data that is precise and not easily forgeable measurements of a customer, such as fingerprints and/or data from identification cards can be digitally encoded and processed along with the information relative to a negotiable instrument such that the risk of the retailer accepting a bad check is greatly reduced. Thus, the present invention can be quite economically beneficial to a retailer utilizing the system.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one of skill in the art after review of the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, and Detailed Description of the Invention and the claims.


A system for serializing input data signals and generating an output data signal includes a FIFO memory that launches the input data signals at different phases of a clock signal. The system further includes multiple stages of a serializer circuit, and each stage of the serializer circuit receives a clock signal. Each successive stage includes half the number of serializer circuits that are included in the previous stage, and each successive stage is clocked by a clock signal that transitions at twice the frequency of the previous stage clock signal. The serializer circuits that belong to a single stage receive the clock signal with different phase. The phase and frequency of clock signals of serializer stages are adjusted such that a launched input data signal is outputted as the output data signal. Further, a critical path for each serializer circuit is equal to full clock cycle of the clock signal.

Typically, a wireline transmitter includes a digital circuit and a serializer circuit for providing an output data signal to a wireline. The digital circuit provides a parallel stream of input data signals to the serializer circuit. The serializer circuit converts the parallel stream of input data signals into a serial stream of output data signal and provides the serial stream of output data signal to the wireline. In one example, the digital circuit is a first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory that receives a clock signal and provides the parallel stream of input data signals when the clock signal is activated (also referred to as "launching the input data signals").
In one example, a 2:1 serializer circuit is used to serialize two input data signals. The 2:1 serializer circuit includes a multiplexer and a latch. The multiplexer has a first input terminal connected to the FIFO memory to receive a first input data signal, a second input terminal connected to the FIFO memory by way of the latch to receive a second input data signal, and a select terminal to receive the clock signal. The FIFO memory launches the first and second input data signals at the same time instance. When the clock signal is deactivated, the latch latches the second input data signal and the multiplexer outputs the first input data signal. After half cycle of the clock signal, when the clock signal is activated, the latch provides the latched second input data signal, and the multiplexer outputs the latched second input data signal, thereby serializing the first and second input data signals. The timing interval between launching of the first and second input data signals by the FIFO memory and receiving of the first and second input data signals by the multiplexer is also referred to as a "critical path". The critical path in the 2:1 serializer circuit is half cycle of the clock signal. Since, the FIFO memory launches the first and second input data signals at the same time instance, the 2:1 serializer circuit delays the second input data signal by half cycle of the clock signal to ensure that the first and second input data signals are outputted successively. Thus, the second input data signal is delayed to serialize the first and second input data signals. However, the delay of the second input data signal may introduce latency in the serializer circuit. Further, the multiplexer introduces additional delays due to set-up and hold time delays thereof because of which the critical path that is equal to half cycle of the clock signal is not sufficient to serialize high speed input data signals. Such a 2:1 serializer circuit provides incorrect input data signals. Moreover, a physical path between the FIFO memory and the 2:1 serializer circuit is large that further increases the time interval between outputting of the first and second input data signals by the FIFO memory, and receiving of the first and second input data signals by the 2:1 serializer circuit.
A known technique to overcome the aforementioned problems is to connect first and second flip-flops at the first and second input terminals of the multiplexer, respectively. The first and second flip-flops are placed in close proximity to the multiplexer. The first and second flip-flops receive the first and second input data signals, respectively, from the FIFO memory at the same time instance and launch the first and second input data signals, respectively, based on an external clock signal. Thus, the first and second flip-flops provide the first and second input data signals to the 2:1 serializer circuit based on the external clock signal. Since, the first and second flip-flops are placed in close proximity to the multiplexer, the time interval between outputting of the first and second input data signals by the first and second flip-flops, respectively, and receiving of the first and second input data signals by the serializer circuit is reduced. However, the first and second flip-flops introduce latency in the 2:1 serializer circuit which is undesirable. Further, as the first and second input data signals are launched at the same time instance, the critical path in such a 2:1 serializer circuit is half cycle of the external clock signal. Thus, for serializing high speed input data signals, the critical path is not sufficient.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an N:1 serializer circuit that has reduced latency in outputting launched input data signals, and that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the existing serializer circuits.

System for serializing high speed data signals


A microelectronic package and method for manufacture. The package can include first and second microelectronic substrates, each having a first surface with a connection site, and a second surface facing opposite the first surface. The second microelectronic substrate can be coupled to the first microelectronic substrate with the second surface of the second microelectronic substrate facing towards the first surface of the first microelectronic substrate. A conformal conductive link formed, for example, from sequentially deposited portions of conductive material, can be coupled between the first and second connection sites to provide for electrical communication between the substrates. Accordingly, the substrates can be stacked and electrically connected to reduce the footprint occupied by the substrates.

The present invention relates generally to multi-substrate microelectronic packages, such as stacked microelectronic substrate packages, and methods for manufacturing such packages. Conventional packaged semiconductor products typically include a microelectronic die at least partially surrounded by a protective encapsulant. The die within the encapsulant is electrically connected to external terminals accessible from outside the encapsulant for coupling the die to other microelectronic components. The coupled microelectronic components can be housed in a computer, telecommunication device, or other consumer or industrial electronic product.
As the size of the electronic products into which the microelectronic packages are incorporated has decreased, it has become necessary to decrease the size of the packages. One approach to reducing the size of the microelectronic packages is to stack one die on top of another within the package, which reduces the total planform area or footprint occupied by the two dies. The stacked dies within the package are then electrically connected to each other with wire bonds. One drawback with this approach is that wire-bonding the dies can place stresses on the dies that can ultimately cause the dies to fail. Another drawback is that the wire bonds can break loose from the dies. Still another drawback is that signals may travel too slowly between the dies, due to the length of the wire bonds. Yet another drawback is that the individual dies can be difficult to handle during the stacking and bonding operation, due to the relatively small size of the dies.
The present invention is directed toward multi-substrate microelectronic packages and methods for forming such packages. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes positioning a first microelectronic substrate proximate to a second microelectronic substrate and coupling the microelectronic substrates to form a substrate assembly. Each microelectronic substrate has a first surface with a connection site, and a second surface facing opposite the first surface. The microelectronic substrates are coupled such that the first surface of the first microelectronic substrate faces toward the second surface of the second microelectronic substrate. The method can further include sequentially disposing at least first and second portions of a conductive material on the substrate assembly to build up a conductive structure connected between the connection sites of the microelectronic substrates.
In a further aspect of the invention, a plurality of second microelectronic substrates can be attached to a corresponding plurality of first microelectronic substrates while the first microelectronic substrates are attached to each other to define at least a portion of a microelectronic wafer. Conductive material can then be sequentially disposed to connect connection sites of the first microelectronic substrates with connection sites of the second microelectronic substrates. The resulting substrate assemblies are then separated from each other.
The invention is also directed toward a microelectronic device package. In one aspect of the invention, the device package can include a first microelectronic substrate having a first surface with a first connection site, and a second surface facing opposite the first surface. The package can further include a second microelectronic substrate having a first surface with a second connection site and a second surface facing opposite the first surface. The second microelectronic substrate can be coupled to the first microelectronic substrate with the second surface of the second microelectronic substrate facing toward the first surface of the first microelectronic substrate. A conformal conductive link can be coupled between the first and second connection sites, and can conform at least generally to a contour of the substrate assembly immediately adjacent to the conformal conductive link. In a further aspect of the invention, an adhesive film can be disposed between the first and second microelectronic substrates. In still a further aspect of the invention, the first microelectronic substrate can have an exposed edge between the first and second surfaces. In yet a further aspect of the invention, the microelectronic device package can be positioned in the housing of an electronic device.

Multi-substrate microelectronic packages and methods for manufacture


The objective of the present invention is to provide a mattress including a plurality of cells provided on a body pressure working surface of a substrate that supports a human body, and a pressure control means that changes a setting of a height of each cell by adjusting a pressure in a fluid chamber formed within the cell. An elastic cushion layer is provided on a body pressure working surface of the cells, and a constricted portion is formed in a middle in the height of the each cell so that the body pressure working surface of the cell is allowed to tilt following deformation of the cushion layer as a result of the cells' precession-deformation at the constricted portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mattress used for a nursing care bed and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in a part of a bed for supporting the human body, a mattress with a cushion function has been used to improve the comfort of sleeping by elastically supporting the human body. This type of mattress is made of elastic materials such as urethane foam, for example.
When a user, who has a difficulty in turning over in bed, continues to use a conventional mattress for a long period of time, reaction forces against the body pressure (due to the body weight) are exerted continuously on the user's body part, thus posing a risk of developing bedsores caused by interrupted blood circulation and the like. Therefore, in order to prevent bedsores from developing, a movable mattress is proposed that can disperse the reaction forces substantially applied against the body pressure of the user, by means of changing the working points of the user's body pressure through the use of fluid pressure. In other words, such a mattress has its working portion of the body pressure (that supports the human body) composed of multiple cells, wherein the cell heights are set to change at a prescribed timing by means of drawing fluid such as outside air into a fluid chamber of each cell and exhausting it therefrom to adjust the inner pressure of the cells. This causes the cells that substantially support the user's body and those that do not to interchange with each other at a prescribed timing, thus preventing the user's body parts from being compressed for a long time due to the body pressure. An example of such a mattress is explained in Publication of Japanese Patent No. 4494818.
However, in case of the movable mattress described in Japanese Patent No. 4494818 wherein the body supporting portion can be varied by periodical expansion and contraction of the cells, the user may be shaken on the mattress more than necessary to experience a discomfort feeling similar to sea sickness, which can cause nausea and vomiting, and that is why improved sleeping comfort has been sought for.
Also, Publication of Japanese Patent No. 2615206 describes a mattress that can bring its surface configuration in line with the body contour by controlling the cell heights for the purpose of dispersing the body pressure. It was considered that, using such a mattress, the user can prevent concentration of loads from working on the bulging parts of the user's body (e.g. buttocks), and at the same time, can avoid nausea and vomiting caused by a feeling of shaking.
However, the mattress described in Japanese Patent No. 2615206 is provided with a support member that connects cells with each other in order to keep each cell in a given direction, and deformation of the cells was too restricted to an approximately vertical direction to provide enough dispersion of the body pressure. In other words, the structure of the mattress described in Japanese Patent No. 2615206 had a risk of developing bedsores by concentrated body pressure around the contact portion between the outer periphery of the cells and the human body, for example, due to the surface configuration of the mattress capable of following the body contour having a curvy and smooth shape only in a series of steps.
In addition, deformation and displacement of the mattress surface in the planar direction is restricted by the mutual positioning of the cells by the support member in the planar direction of the mattress, which generates frictions between the user and the mattress surface when the user moves his body in the planar direction of the mattress, thus posing a risk of developing bedsores.

Kyushu University, National University Corporation


An apparatus for charging products to be frozen onto a freezer plate comprises a conveyor arranged to place the products in front of a charging opening of a freezer, and a device for transferring the products in a translatory movement from the conveyor through the charging opening onto the freezer plate. To obtain a strong transfer force and effective control, the transferring device comprises a pusher bar arranged to engage the products to be frozen on the conveyor, a chain drive arranged to impart the translatory movement to the pusher bar engaging the products, the chain drive comprising chains to which the pusher bar is attached and driving pinions about which the chains are trained, the chains having links short enough to enable the chains to engage the pinions over about a quarter of a circle and the pinions being affixed to a rotary shaft, a reduction brake motor floatingly mounted on the rotary shaft and comprising a return arm. The motor is coupled to the shaft, and a dynamometer connects the return arm to a support frame for the conveyor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging products to be frozen onto a freezer plate extending in a horizontal plane and arranged in a freezer housing defining a charging opening in this plane.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Freezers which comprise a stack of horizontally extending hollow freezer plates, through which a refrigerant fluid circulates and which are vertically movably mounted in an insulated freezer housing are well known. The freezer housing has a front wall and a rear wall respectively defining a charging opening for receiving the products to be frozen from a charging conveyor and a discharge opening through which the frozen products are discharged onto a discharge conveyor. Means is provided for vertically displacing the stack of freezer plates in increments to move the freezer plates successively to the level of the openings and for transferring the products to be frozen from the charging conveyor through the charging opening onto the freezer plate moved to this level and for simultaneously transferring the frozen products from this freezer plate through the discharge opening onto the discharge conveyor. The charging conveyor is normally a horizontally extending endless conveyor belt and a pusher bar transfers the products to be frozen from the conveyor belt to the freezer plate. These products are arrayed on the conveyor belt side-by-side in a row and the length of the row is equal to the useful width of the freezer plate so that all the products are charged at the same time as the pusher bar pushes the row of products through the charging opening. As the row of products is pushed in through the charging opening in the front wall of the freezer housing, a row of frozen products at the other end of the freezer plate is simultaneously pushed out through the discharge opening in the rear wall, rows of products being arranged side-by-side on the freezer plate in a continuous freezing operation
The translatory movement of the pusher bar required for charging and discharging row after row of products is relatively short. However, the pusher bar is generally also used for completely emptying the freezer before stopping the freezing operation, for example to defrost the freezer. Therefore, the translatory movement stroke of the pusher bar must exceed the length of the freezer plates (3 to 4 meters). For this reason, it is not possible to use conventional jacks for driving the pusher bar and, generally, special drive chains are utilized, which curvilinearly extend in only one direction from their rectilinear course so that they may exert traction as well as pushing forces under certain operating conditions. These chains, like racks, are moved by sprocket gears which engage the rectilinear and horizontal section of the chains, and the ends of the chains are attached to the pusher bar. Behind the sprocket gears, the chains are guided in shafts which are upwardly curved to reduce obstruction. The sprocket gears engage the chains only with one or two gear teeth and, therefore, the force they can exert upon the pusher bar is limited. However, sometimes it is necessary to exert considerable pushing force upon the bar to detach the frozen products from the freezer plate before charging the plate again, and this may be impossible with an arrangement such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,975.


In one embodiment, an electrical activity measurement system includes a catheter to be inserted into a body part and including at least one electrode, signal processing circuitry coupled to receive an intracardiac electrogram (IEGM) signal from the at least one electrode and process the IEGM signal for output to a recording apparatus via a cable, which picks up surrounding electrical noise, and feedback circuitry configured to receive at least some of the electrical noise picked up by the cable, and provide a feedback signal indicative of the received electrical noise to the signal processing circuitry, which is configured to compensate at least partially for the electrical noise, which is not yet in the IEGM signal but will be added to the IEGM signal in the cable, responsively to the feedback signal to produce a noise-compensated IEGM signal for output to the recording apparatus via the cable.

Electrical noise can be a significant problem in recording electrophysiological signals.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,591,981 to Levin, et al., describes a method for acquiring electrical signals from a living subject, including injecting, via an injection electrode attached to the subject, a known calibration signal to the subject and measuring respective levels of output signals generated at input electrodes attached to the subject in response to the calibration signal. The method further includes deriving respective weighting factors for the input electrodes in response to the respective levels, and applying the respective weighting factors to physiological signals acquired by the input electrodes, so as to generate respective corrected physiological signals.
US Patent Publication 2010/0114201 of Donofrio, et al., describes electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a non-myocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
US Patent Publication 2002/0133208 of Connelly describes an electromagnetic immune tissue invasive system includes a primary device housing. The primary device housing having a control circuit therein. A shielding is formed around the primary device housing to shield the primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference. A lead system transmits and receives signals between the primary device housing. The lead system is either a fiber optic system or an electrically shielded electrical lead system.
US Patent Publication 2017/0112405 of Sterrett, et al., describes an integrated electrode structure comprising a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.
US Patent Publication 2018/0303414 of Landy, et al., describes systems, devices, and methods for performing precise treatment, mapping, and/or testing of tissues, for administering an agent to one or more precise regions within a tissue mass, for treating targeted regions within a tissue mass are disclosed. Systems, devices, and methods for identifying, localizing, monitoring neural traffic in the vicinity of, quantifying neural traffic in the vicinity of, and mapping neural traffic near targeted regions within a tissue mass are disclosed.

Recording apparatus and method for noise reduction


Apparatus for projecting selected images of a scene onto a screen, such as images of a golf course looking toward a green, and for projecting and moving a spot of light on the screen superimposed on the scene, such as to represent the travel of a hit golf ball toward the green in the scene, provides both a scene projector and a light spot projector secured in fixed relationship in the same housing and provides dedicated control circuitry for controlling the apparatus in response to instruction signals received from outside the apparatus. The spot projector includes two rotatable mirrors controlled by two stepper motors to control the movement of the spot on the screen. Special circuitry is provided to generate control signal pulses for the stepper motors using a combination of a count signal pulse and a synchronizing pulse. Compensation for nonlinearities in the stepper motors may be provided by reference to a correlation table stored in memory. The scene projector may be provided with automatic focus control using a modulated light beam and stepper motor position control.

Field PA1 State of the Art
The invention is in the field of projection equipment for controlling the projection of an image in a sports simulation game and for projecting a spot of light superimposed on the image which simulates the travel of an object through the image such as the travel of a golf ball in an image of a golf course projected on a screen.
Various arrangements are used for simulating the playing of a game of golf in small areas, such as indoors, to provide opportunities for people to play who might not otherwise be able to play because of crowded golf course conditions or because of bad weather. In addition, such golf simulators can simulate play on various famous golf courses not otherwise accessible to the players.
Most golf simulation equipment includes at least three components: a central control unit which keeps track of play and calculates ball travel and lie, a sensor unit which senses how a ball is hit to enable the control unit to calculate the trajectory and resulting lie of the hit ball, and a projection unit for projecting an image showing the green to which the ball is to be hit from the location of the ball. Because the equipment senses how a ball is hit and the distance and direction of travel of the ball, such equipment could also be adapted to simulate various other sport games, such as baseball or soccer, or at least various practice aspects thereof.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,150,825 and 4,437,672 show a type of golf simulation game. In the game of the patents, one to four players initially enter information into the control unit regarding the players and the men's, women's, or championship tees from which each will play, and the particular course and holes to be played, e.g., the front nine, back nine, etc. The control unit then operates a display to show who is to tee off and operates a projector to project an image on a screen in front of the players showing the view toward the green from the tee. The designated player hits his or her ball from the tee toward the green as he or she would on a regular golf course, the ball flying toward and hitting the screen which is specially designed for that purpose and is usually located about twenty feet in front of the player. Special sensors in the form of photosensor arrays are arranged to detect passage of the ball through three separate sensing planes, the third plane being positioned with respect to the screen so as to sense the ball's movement toward the screen and also the ball's rebound from the screen. With the information from the sensors, the ball's trajectory can be calculated and the position at which the ball lands along the fairway can be determined relatively accurately. The control unit keeps track of each player's ball and the position at which it landed. After all players have teed off, the control unit determines which player's ball is farthest from the hole and causes operation of the projector to move to and project an image on the screen showing the view from the position of the farthest ball looking toward the green. The player again hits his or her ball toward the green shown on the screen and again the trajectory of the ball is calculated and the new position along the fairway determined. The control unit then again determines the farthest ball from the hole, displays the name of the player, and instructs the projector to provide the new appropriate image. The identified player then hits his or her ball. Play is continued in this manner until all players reach the green. At that time, a simulated green is lighted and the players actually putt the ball into a hole in the simulated green.
In order to fully simulate the game, it is necessary to provide a representation of the ball traveling down the fairway toward the green so that players can watch the ball as it travels as they would do in a real game. Thus, ball projecting apparatus in the form of light spot projectors which project a small spot of light onto the screen to simulate the hit ball have been added to the equipment shown in the referenced patents. The light spot projector used with such equipment is aligned with the projector projecting the image of the golf course and moves the light spot to correspond with the calculated trajectory of the travel of the ball.
The prior art light spot projector utilizes two mirrors, each controlled by a separate stepper motor to provide the vertical and horizontal deflections, respectively, of a light spot on the screen. However, since the light spot projector is located near the image projector, both about twenty feet from the screen, very small movements of the mirrors projecting the light spot cause large movements of the light spot. Further, uneven movements or stepping of the mirrors causes unrealistic, uneven jumping of the light spot. The prior art projectors used mechanical stops to determine the home reference or starting positions of the mirrors, which, because of the characteristics of the stepper motors and their step controls, were not accurate in providing the same starting position from unit to unit and were very difficult to adjust.
While the light spot projectors add greatly to the simulation of a game, improvements in the control of the light spot to provide a smooth, accurate movement representative of the trajectory of the ball are desirable.

Apparatus for projecting and moving a spot of light in a scene projected on a screen and for controlling operation of a stepper motor used therewith


A detection apparatus is provided to detect the direction of arrival and the position of an emission source of radio wave with high accuracy. The apparatus comprises; a first and a second directional antenna 1 and 10 which rotates with a desired angle of elevation; a first and a second phase integral means 2 and 11 for outputting an integration of the output from an antenna; a first and second phase differential means 3 and 12 for outputting an difference of the outputs from an antenna; a first and a second frequency dividing means 4 and 13 for dividing frequency of the integral component of the output from an antenna; a first and a second differential gain control means 5 and 14 for controlling a gain of the differential component of the output from an antenna; a first and a third receiving means 6 and 15 for receiving an output of the frequency dividing means; a second and a fourth receiving means 8 and 17 for receiving an output of the differential gain control means; a first and a second subtraction means 7 and 16 for subtracting one detection signal output from the other detection signal output of each of receiving means 6 and 8 and receiving means 15 and 17; a first and a second calculation means 9 and 18 for determining a direction of arrival of radio wave based on an output from the subtraction means; and a position determining calculation means 19 for determining the position of the emission source of the radio wave based on an output from the calculation means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a direction and position finding apparatus which receives radio wave and determines the direction of arrival and the position of the emission source thereof with high accuracy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One of the well-known prior basic direction finding apparatuses to detect the direction of arrival of radio wave is, for example, Yagi antenna which detects the direction of arrival of the radio wave using a directional antenna. Another direction finding apparatus is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application No. H3-67789, which uses a non-directional antenna and a directional antenna to determine the direction. These conventional types of detection apparatuses provide a system to assume an azimuth angle using the directional characteristic of the antenna.
However, as conventional direction finding apparatuses are constructed as mentioned above, the accuracy of finding direction of the maximum received electric power is limited to +/xe2x88x9210 to 20 degrees due to a half value angle of a directional antenna (a beam spread angle at a half of the peak electric power (xe2x88x923 dB)). Therefore, high accuracy detection has not been obtained.
The present invention is made to solve the problems described above, and an object thereof is to provide a direction and position finding apparatus capable of not only detecting the direction of arrival of radio wave with high accuracy, but also performing a highly accurate position finding of the emission source thereof, in other words, to provide a direction and position finding apparatus capable of performing detection of both the direction of arrival and the emission source of radio wave with a higher accuracy than used to be.
In order to accomplish the object, the radio direction and position finding apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises; a first directional antenna which rotates with a desired angle of elevation; a first phase integral means for producing an output through an integration of output from the first directional antenna; a first phase difference means for producing an output as a difference of the outputs from the first directional antenna; a first frequency dividing means for dividing frequency of integral component of the output from the first directional antenna; a first differential gain control means for controlling gain of differential component of the output from the first directional antenna; a first receiving means for receiving output from the first frequency dividing means and producing a detection signal output; a second receiving means for receiving output from the first differential gain control means and producing a detection signal output; a first subtraction means for subtracting one detection signal output from the other detection signal output of the first and the second receiving means; a first calculation means for determining a direction of arrival of radio wave based on output from the first subtraction means; a second directional antenna which rotates with a desired angle of elevation; a second phase integral means for producing an output through an integration of output from the second directional antenna; a second phase difference means for producing an output as a difference of outputs from the second directional antenna; a second frequency dividing means for dividing frequency of integral component of the output from the second directional antenna; a second differential gain control means for controlling differential component of the output from the second directional antenna; a third receiving means for receiving output from the second frequency dividing means and producing a detection signal output; a fourth receiving means for receiving output from the second differential gain control means and producing a detection signal output; a second subtraction means for subtracting one detection signal output from the other detection signal output of the third and the fourth receiving means; a second calculation means for determining a direction of arrival of radio wave based on output from the second subtraction means; and a position determining calculation means for determining the position of the emission source of the radio wave based on outputs from the first and the second calculation means; wherein the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna rotate interlockingly.
With the arrangements described above, it is possible to detect the direction of arrival of the radio wave with a high accuracy and specify the position of the emission source of the radio wave with high accuracy.
According to the radio direction and position finding apparatus of the present invention, each of the first and the second directional antennas may use at least two vertical polarized waves.
With this arrangement, it is possible to determine the direction and the position of the emission source of the radio wave based on the integral output and the differential output of two vertical polarized directional antenna patterns. The term xe2x80x9cantenna patternxe2x80x9d as used herein means received signals corresponding respectively to the horizontal plane and the vertical plane of each of the directional antennas.
According to the radio direction and position finding apparatus of the present invention, one of the first and the second directional antennas may use a vertical polarized radio wave with acute horizontal directivity, and the other of the first and the second directional antennas may use a vertical polarized radio wave with acute vertical directivity.
With this arrangement, it is possible to determine the direction of arrival and the position of the emission source of the radio wave based on the integral output and the differential output of the antenna pattern of one-column two-row vertical polarized wave directional antenna and the integral output and the differential output of the antenna pattern of two-column one-row vertical polarized wave directional antenna.
According to the radio direction and position finding apparatus of the present invention, the phase integral means may be constructed to integrate the strength of electrical field component received at the first and the second directional antennas.
With this arrangement, signals of the same frequency are integrated so that it is possible to intensify the same phase components and detect more accurately the direction of the emission source of the radio wave.
According to the radio direction and position finding apparatus of the present invention, the phase difference means may be constructed to be capable of setting the phase difference based on outputs from the first and the second directional antennas in providing the difference.
Thus, it becomes possible to detect the direction of the emission source of the radio wave based on the differential output as obtained from the outputs of the directional antennas by offsetting the phase differences.
According to the present invention, the radio direction and position finding apparatus may be provided with means for controlling the gain of the differential component of the output from each of the first and the second directional antennas to thereby determine the position of the emission source of the radio wave.
The apparatus constructed as described above can determine the direction of arrival of the radio wave by interlockingly rotating the two directional antennas to maximize the integral output and also determine the position of the emission source of the radio wave by controlling the angle of elevation while controlling the gain of the differential output.

Radio direction and position finding apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A high-pressure, inert gas cushion assembly for the ram or bolster of a metal stamping press includes a manifold having fluid-flow passages defined therein, along with a plurality of cylinder mounting locations each in communication with at least one of the fluid-flow passages. A plurality of cushion cylinders are located respectively in the cylinder mounting locations. Each cylinder includes a body having an inner wall that defines a bore of diameter D. A piston is located in the bore and includes opposite inner and outer faces, wherein the outer face is oriented outwardly relative to the bore and manifold. A fluid seal is supported on the piston and is slidably engaged with the wall defining the bore. One or more bearings are supported on the piston and slidably engaged with the inner wall that defines the bore. The bearing(s) support the piston slidably in the bore for reciprocal sliding movement between extended and retracted positions. The bearing(s) define a bearing-length L that is less than or equal to 40% of said bore diameter D.

In metal stamping operations and apparatus, it is well-known to utilize a manifold cushion assembly having multiple separate cushion cylinders on the ram and/or bolster of a press to allow for use of multiple different dies without providing a dedicated manifold cushion assembly for each die. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the cushion apparatus comprises a plate-like manifold member M defined from steel or the like including gas-flow passages G drilled or otherwise formed therein. A plurality of cylinders C are operatively secured to the manifold M and are pressurized by nitrogen or other inert gas N held under high-pressure within the gas-flow passages G of the manifold. As used herein the term high-pressure is intended to mean a pressure of at least 300 pounds per square inch (psi) or at least 2068.5 kilopascal (kPa). As shown in FIG. 1A, each cylinder C comprises a metal body B including an inner wall BW that defines a bore BR. A metal piston P is slidably mounted within the bore BR and is adapted to reciprocate slidably in the bore axially a stroke distance S. The nitrogen or other inert gas contained in the passages G under pressure flows into the cylinder bore BR (see arrows N) and biases the piston P of each cylinder C to a normal, extended position as shown in FIG. 1, so that the piston P abuts a flange FB located at an outer end of the body B.
In use, a die is fitted over the cushion assembly (the cushion assembly comprises the manifold M and a plurality of cylinders C) and actuation pins of the die are aligned with the pistons P of at least some of the cylinders C. When the die portions are mated in the press to perform work, a die actuation pin engages an outer surface O of a piston P and strokes the piston axially inward for at least part of the stroke distance S against the pressure of the gas as indicated by the arrow A. As such, the cylinders C cushion the mating engagement of die portions in a press. Parting of the die portions is also facilitated owing to the biasing force exerted on the piston P by the pressurized gas contained in the manifold M.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1A, the body B of cylinder C is received in a mounting location bore MB of the manifold and is typically connected to the manifold M via mating threads T formed on the body and manifold or otherwise. An O-ring seal OS closely surrounds the cylinder body and sealingly engages the manifold M to prevent escape of gas between the body B and manifold M. The outer end of the body B includes a sleeve bushing E fitted thereon that closely received and surrounds the actuation pin of a die and guides same into engagement with the piston P.
The piston P is slidably supported in the bore BR by first and second axially spaced-apart annular bearings BE1,BE2. The first bearing BE1 is seated against an inward side of a flange FP of the piston. An annular seal member SL1 is located outwardly of the first bearing BE1 on the opposite side of the flange FP relative to first bearing BE1. The seal SL1 is seated against the piston P in a groove G1 and slidably engages the inner wall BW defining cylinder bore BR to prevent entry of metal particles or other contaminants therepast into bore BR. A second seal SL2 is located inwardly of the first bearing BE1 and is seated against first bearing BE1. The seal SL2 encircles piston P and slidably abuts the inner wall BW defining bore BR to prevent escape of gas N from passages G between piston P and body B in bore BR.
An annular spacer or carrier member SP defined from a metal such as aluminum or a polymeric material supports one or more annular wiper members SPW that slidably engage the inner wall BW defining bore BR. The wiper members SPW can be provided by foam members impregnated with oil so as to clean and lubricate inner wall BW when piston P reciprocates in bore BR. The second bearing BE2 axially abuts the inner end of spacer/carrier SP and is retained on piston P via snap-ring SN or the like.
The bearings BE1,BE2 are typically defined from a phenolic resin or the like. The seals SL1,SL2 are conventional polymeric seals and are typically U-cup seals or the like.
As noted, the bearings BE1,BE2 slidably support the piston P in the bore BR. As such, the bearings BE1,BE2 define inclusively therebetween an axial bearing-length L. The bearing-length L is the maximum axial distance between the outermost bearing (in this case BE1) and the innermost bearing (in this case BE2). In the case where only a single bearing member is used, the bearing-length L would correspond to the axial length of the single bearing member. The bore BR defines a diameter D. Heretofore, cylinders C for high-pressure inert gas cushion assemblies of the type described above as used for metal stamping have typically been manufactured with a ratio of bearing-length L to bore diameter D, L:D of about 1:1, i.e., in conventional cylinders C for high-pressure inert gas cushion assemblies, the bearing-length L has typically been at least nearly equal to or greater than the bore diameter D. Known cylinders of this type have not been provided with a L:D ratio of significantly less than 1:1, i.e., the dimension L has always been nearly equal to or greater than the dimension D. This has been found to be required with cylinders for high-pressure cushion assemblies, such as the cylinder C illustrated herein, to prevent jamming of the piston P in the bore BR or leakage of the high-pressure inert gas when the piston P is actuated under less than perfectly aligned conditions as are commonly encountered in use and which can cause tipping of the piston relative to the axis on which the piston P reciprocates. This can occur, e.g., when a metal chip becomes trapped between the die actuation pin and the piston P or due to misalignment. It should be noted that, unlike low-pressure cushion system that are continuously or periodically connected to a source of compressed air or "shop air," the high-pressure inert gas cushion assemblies of the type just described are charged with the pressurized inert gas only periodically and must function for a very large number of cycles without leakage of the biasing gas.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that for a given required stroke distance S, maintaining an L:D ratio of about 1:1 or greater requires the overall height H of the cylinder C to be increased to accommodate the required length L of the piston P. In certain applications, however, it has been deemed desirable to reduce the overall height of a cylinder C while maintaining a constant stroke distance S. For example, in certain applications, it has been deemed desirable to minimize the height H of the cylinder so that the height of the manifold M and overall cushion assembly can be correspondingly reduced, thereby increasing the press-open space available for dies.

Cushion and cushion cylinder for ram or bolster of a press


A method for producing a compound semiconductor device includes covering all but the top part of an electrode comprising a refractory metal or refractory metal silicide disposed on a compound semiconductor substrate with an insulating film, producing a photoresist which completely covers the insulating film at a first side of the electrode, the top part of the electrode, and at part of a second side of the electrode using the photoresist as a mask and removing the insulating film at the second side of the electrode, removing the photoresist, and ion implanting using the insulating film remaining at the first side of the electrode and the electrode as masks.

FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are cross-sectional views showing a prior art method for asymmetrical ion implantation relative to a refractory metal or a refractory metal silicide electrode. In the figures a refractory metal or a refractory metal silicide electrode 1 is disposed on a compound semiconductor substrate 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes a photoresist covering substrate 2 at only one side of the electrode 1 and a portion of electrode 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a region of the substrate 2 in which ions are implanted using the resist 5 and the electrode 1 as a mask.
A production method of the device will be described.
First of all, as shown in FIG. 5(a), a refractory metal or a refractory metal silicide is deposited on the entire surface of the compound semiconductor substrate 2 and etched to produce a desired configuration of electrode 1.
Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), a photoresist 5 is deposited and paterned by photolithography so that one side of the electrode 1 is completely covered from the top surface of the electrode 1 to the substrate 2. Thereafter, ions are implanted using the photoresist 5 and the electrode 1 as a mask.
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5(c), after the photoresist 5 is removed, activate the implanted impurity ions are activated by annealing, thereby to produce an active region 4.
Thus, a semiconductor device having an active region at only one side of the refractory metal or refractory metal silicide electrode is completed.
In the prior art method, the photoresist 5 is used as a mask for ion implantation relative to the refractory metal or refractory metal silicide electrode 1. Therefore, it is necessary to pattern the photoresist 5 in alignment with the top surface of the electrode 1 which is difficult when the electrode is narrower than the mask alignment precision. For example, when the mask alignment precision is in a range of .+-.0.2 micron, the width of the electrode must be at least 0.4 micron to adjust the edge of the photoresist 5 to the center of the electrode 1. Actually, an electrode finer than 0.6 micron cannot be produced.

Method of producing an asymmetrically doped LDD MESFET