Focusing balance adjustment of adjusting a servo mechanism is executed so that reproduction quality is optimum in a state where a focusing servo is active (#5). Thereafter, tracking balance adjustment of adjusting the servo mechanism is executed so that a tracking balance deviation is cancelled which is an amplitude difference between the upper side and lower side relative to a reference level of a waveform generated in a tracking error signal when the focal point of a light beam applied to the disk crosses a track of the disk (#7).

This invention relates to a disk device for carrying out at least one of recording and reproducing of information by irradiating a disk-shaped recording medium or a disk with a light beam, and a method of adjusting a servo mechanism of creating a focusing error signal indicative of a deviation of the focal point of a light beam applied onto a disk from a recording face of the disk and a tracking error signal indicative of a deviation of the focal point of the light beam applied onto the disk from a track on the disk on the basis of the common light reflected from the disk and further executing a focusing servo of controlling the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk to follow a recording face of the disk and a tracking servo of controlling the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk to follow the track on the disk.
The disk device is provided with a servo mechanism of creating a focusing error signal indicative of a deviation of the focal point of a light beam applied onto a disk from a recording face of the disk and a tracking error signal indicative of a deviation of the focal point of the light beam applied onto the disk from a track on the disk on the basis of the common light reflected from the disk and further executing a focusing servo of controlling the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk to follow a recording face of the disk and a tracking servo of controlling the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk to follow the track on the disk.
In a disk device for carrying out recording or reproducing of information for a DVD which is a kind of an optical disk, a single-beam phase difference system is generally adopted in order to create a tracking error signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the single beam phase difference system is to take a sum of output signals A and C and a sum of output signals B and C from four segments on diagonal lines into which a photo-diode 101 divided to receive light reflected from the disk to acquire a tracking error TE which is a signal indicative of a phase difference between these two sum signals A+C and B+D. In this case, generally, a level difference between the two sum signals A+C and B+D is used as a focusing error FE. Namely, the focusing error and tracking error are created on the basis of the common light reflected from the disk.
Meanwhile, whenever the disk is replaced by another disk, the disk device performs focusing balance adjustment and tracking balance adjustment. The focusing balance adjustment is to adjust the servo mechanism so that the reproduction quality is optimum while the focusing servo is active.
Incidentally, information is reproduced from the disk when the full-added signal (sum signal of A+B+C+D of output signals A, B, C and D from the four segments of the photo-diode 101 in FIG. 3) is processed as a signal read from the disk). The reproduction quality is improved as the amplitude of the full-added signal increases. Therefore, in order to perform the focusing balance adjustment, for example, the servo mechanism may be adjusted so that the amplitude of the full-added signal is maximum while the focusing servo is active.
The tracking balance adjustment is to adjust the servo mechanism so that the amplitude difference (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9ctracking balance deviationxe2x80x9d) between an upper side and lower side relative to zero (reference level) of a waveform occurring in the tracking error signal when the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk crosses a track of the disk is cancelled.
Incidentally, since the disk has eccentricity, in a state where the disk rotates and the tracking servo is not active, the focal point of the light beam applied to the disk crosses the track of the disk. Therefore, in order to perform the tracking balance adjustment, the servo mechanism may be adjusted so that the DC component of the tracking error signal is zero (reference level) in a state where the disk rotates and the tracking servo is not active.
In order to perform the focusing balance adjustment accurately, since this adjustment is performed on the basis of the amplitude of the full-added signal, it must be performed in a state where the tracking servo operates normally (the focal point of the light beam applied to the disk follows the track on the disk).
On the other hand, if the tracking balance deviation is too large, the tracking servo does not operate normally (even when the tracking servo is made active, the focal point of the light beam applied onto the disk does not follow the track on the disk). In other words, unless the tracking balance is somewhat small, the tracking servo does not operate normally and hence the focusing balance adjustment cannot be performed.
In view of the fact as described above, in a conventional method of adjusting the servo mechanism, in order to assure accurate focusing balance adjustment, the focusing balance adjustment was performed after the tracking balance adjustment had been performed. Further, in a series of operations for adjusting the servo mechanism, the tracking balance was not performed after the focusing balance adjustment had been performed.
Incidentally, the Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. Hei7-153210 discloses that the tracking balance adjustment is performed after the focusing balance adjustment is performed. However, this is not relative to a servo mechanism in which the focusing error signal and tracking error signal are created on the basis of the common beam of light reflected from the disk as in a single beam phase difference system, but the servo mechanism of a three-beam system (in which the focusing error signal and tracking error signal are created on the basis of different beams of light reflected from the disk).
However, in a servo mechanism in which the focusing error signal and tracking error signal are created on the basis of the common beam of light reflected from the disk as in a single beam phase difference system, implementation of the focusing balance adjustment influences the tracking error signal.
Therefore, in the conventional method of adjusting the servo mechanism, even after the tracking balance adjustment is performed, the subsequent focusing balance adjustment generates the tracking balance deviation. As a result, the tracking balance deviation cannot be cancelled. In the state where the tracking balance deviation has not been cancelled, the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk cannot follow the track of the disk so that the recording quality of information and the reproducing quality for the disk will be attenuated.
Thus, this invention intends to provide a method of adjusting a servo mechanism in which the focusing error and tracking error are created on the basis of the common light reflected from a disk and which tracking balance deviation can be surely shifted.
In order to attain the above object, this invention provides a disk device for carrying out at least one of recording and reproducing of information by irradiating a disk-shaped recording medium or a disk with a light beam, comprising:
a photo-diode divided into four segments for receiving light reflected by the disk;
a focusing error signal creating circuit for creating a focusing error signal which is a level difference between a first sum signal indicative of a sum of output signals from two segments on one diagonal line of the photo-diode and a second sum signal indicative of a sum of output signals from two segments on the other diagonal line thereof;
a tracking error signal creating circuit for creating a tracking error signal indicative of a phase difference between the first sum signal and the second sum signal;
a focusing drive signal creating circuit for creating a focusing drive signal to set the value of the focusing error signal at the reference level;
a tracking drive signal creating circuit for a tracking drive signal to set the value of the tracking error signal at the reference level;
a focusing actuator for moving a focal point of the light beam applied on the disk in an optical axis direction of the light beam;
a tracking actuator for moving a focal point of the light beam applied on the disk in a radial direction of the disk;
a driver for driving the focusing actuator and the tracking actuator on the basis of the focusing drive signal and the tracking driving signal, respectively;
a servo mechanism adjusting circuit for performing focusing balance adjustment of adjusting the focusing error signal creating circuit so that the reproduction quality is optimum in a state where focusing servo of controlling the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk to follow a recording face of the disk is active, tracking balance rough adjustment of adjusting the error signal creating circuit so that tracking balance deviation becomes small to such an extent that a tracking servo operates normally, the tracking balance deviation being indicative of an amplitude difference between an upper side and lower side relative to the reference level of a waveform generated in the tracking error signal when the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk crosses a track of the disk, the tracking servo controlling the focal point of the light beam applied on the disk to follow a track of the disk, and tracking balance fine adjustment of adjusting the tracking error signal creating circuit so that the tracking balance deviation is cancelled, wherein when it is recognized that a disk is replaced by another disk, the balance adjusting circuit executes the adjustment in the order of the tracking balance rough adjustment, the focusing balance adjustment and the tracking balance fine adjustment.
In accordance with this configuration, even when the tracking balance deviation occurs as a result of the focusing balance adjustment, the tracking balance deviation can be surely cancelled. In addition, prior to executing the focusing balance adjustment, the tracking servo operates normally. This assures accurate focusing balance adjustment.
This invention also provides a method of adjusting a servo mechanism wherein a focusing error and a tracking error are created on the basis of common light reflected from a disk which is a disk-shaped recording medium, the focusing error being indicative of a deviation of a light beam applied on the disk from the recording face of the disk, the tracking error being indicative of a deviation of the light beam applied to the disk from a track of the disk, and focusing servo and tracking servo are executed, the focusing servo controlling the focal point applied to the disk to follow the recording face of the disk, the tracking servo controlling the focal point applied to the disk to follow the track of the disk, wherein after focusing balance adjustment of adjusting the focusing error signal creating circuit is executed so that the reproduction quality is optimum in a state where the focusing servo is active, tracking balance fine adjustment of adjusting the servo mechanism so that the tracking balance deviation is cancelled the tracking balance deviation being indicative of an amplitude difference between an upper side and lower side relative to the reference level of a waveform generated in the tracking error signal when the focal point of the light beam applied to the disk crosses the track of the disk.
In accordance with this method, even when the tracking balance deviation occurs as a result of the focusing balance adjustment, the tracking balance deviation can be surely cancelled.
Incidentally, preferably, prior to executing the focusing balance adjustment, tracking balance rough adjustment of adjusting the servo mechanism is executed so that the tracking balance deviation becomes small to such an extent that the tracking servo functions normally. In this way, the tracking servo operates normally prior to executing the focusing balance adjustment. This assures accurate focusing balance adjustment.

Disk device and method for adjusting servo mechanism


An electrosurgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery, the instrument including two gripping parts which can be brought together into a gripping direction or moved apart counter to the gripping direction. At least one gripping part includes three or more electrically conductive sections, electrically insulated relative to each other. Each electrically conductive section may be separately connected to a high frequency (RF) current generator such that each electrically conductive section can be configured in various electrical configurations by the RF current generator.

European Patent EP 1 151 723 B1, by the Applicant, discloses a surgical instrument that includes two gripping parts that can be brought together in a gripping direction or moved apart counter to the gripping direction. Each of the gripping parts has a first inner and a second outer limb with a bending region, the limbs being at a distance from each other in the gripping direction. The surgical instrument's inner limbs of the gripping parts are arranged inside a guide sleeve and can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the guide sleeve relative to the outer limbs of the gripping parts in such a manner that, with a movement of the limbs relative to each other in their longitudinal direction, the respective gripping part can be moved in the gripping or counter-gripping direction. One limb of the first gripping part can be connected to a first connector of an RF (high frequency) current generator and the inner limb of the second gripping part can be connected to a second connector of the RF generator, and the limbs are electrically insulated from each other.
Such surgical instruments are used in minimally invasive surgery, for example, for grasping tissue, small vessels or similar such materials. Like forceps or pincettes, such an instrument includes movable gripping parts that can be brought together or moved apart for gripping in a gripping direction or a counter gripping direction. Due to their small dimensions, the instruments can preferably be used in the working channel of an endoscope.
The instrument in accordance with EP 1 151 723 B1 has proven itself in clinical applications. However, the need for further improvement has arisen. Therefore, it is the object of the disclosed embodiments to provide an improved electrosurgical instrument that offers further increased efficacy and safety when handled in practical applications.


A method of making a masonry block employing a mold assembly having a plurality liner plates each having a major surface that together form a mold cavity having an open top and an open bottom, wherein at least one liner plate is moveable between a retracted position and a desired extended position within the mold cavity. The method includes providing a negative of a desired texture on the major surface of the moveable liner plate, moving the moveable liner plate to a retracted position, closing the bottom of the mold cavity by positioning a pallet below the mold assembly, filling the mold cavity with dry cast concrete via the open top, vibrating the mold assembly and dry cast concrete therein, and moving the moveable liner plate to a desired extended position during the vibrating.

Concrete blocks, also referred to as concrete masonry units (CMU's), are typically manufactured by forming them into various shapes as part of an automated process employing a concrete block machine. Such machines typically employ a mold frame assembled so as to form a mold box, within which a mold cavity having a negative of a desired block shape is formed. To form a block, a pallet is moved by a conveyor system onto a pallet table, which is then moved upward until the pallet contacts and forms a bottom of the mold cavity.
The mold cavity is then filled with concrete and a head shoe assembly is positioned to form a top of the mold cavity. The head shoe assembly then compresses the concrete (typically via hydraulic or mechanical means) to a desired psi rating (pounds-per-square-inch) while simultaneously vibrating the mold cavity along with the vibrating table. As a result of the compression and vibration, the concrete reaches a level of "hardness" which enables the resulting finished block to be immediately removed from the mold cavity. To remove the finished block, the mold frame and mold cavity remain stationary while the shoe assembly, pallet, and pallet table move downward and force the finished block from the mold cavity. The conveyor system then moves the pallet bearing the finished block away and a clean pallet takes its place. This process is repeated for each block.
For many types of CMUs (e.g. pavers, patio blocks, light-weight blocks, cinder blocks, etc.), retaining wall blocks and architectural units in particular, it is desirable for at least one surface of the block to have a desired texture, such as a stone-like texture, for instance. When arranged to form a structure with the textured surface visible, the structure will have the appearance of being constructed from natural stone.
One technique for creating a desired texture on a block surface is to provide a negative of a desired texture or pattern on a moveable side wall of the mold cavity. During the manufacturing process, the side wall is moved to an extended position to form the mold cavity. As described above, the mold cavity is then filled with concrete and compressed/vibrated. The side wall is then moved to a retracted position and the finished block, as described above, is forced from the mold cavity and onto the pallet by the head shoe assembly. The finished block, including a surface having the desired texture, is then transported on the pallet by the conveyor for curing.
While such a technique is effective at forming a textured surface, air pockets trapped between the textured surface of the moveable side wall and concrete fill are forced out during the compression/vibration process, causing the concrete to settle proximate to the textured surface and resulting in the finished block having a height along the textured surface (e.g. front face of block) which is shorter than that along an opposite surface (e.g. rear face of block). Consequently, unless compensated for in some fashion, a structure (e.g. a retaining wall) will tend to have an undesirable lean in a direction toward the textured surface.


The present document describes a method in which a terminal performs a bandwidth request procedure when a single terminal makes a bandwidth request for a plurality of flows. The present document also describes an improved bandwidth request header. When the terminal is allocated with an uplink resource for the transmission of a bandwidth request header from a base station during the bandwidth request procedure, the terminal may notify the base station, using a bandwidth request header indicating a bandwidth size of zero, that it has no data for which a bandwidth request is to be made to the base station, if the terminal has no data for which a bandwidth request is to be made to the base station.

In an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16e system, a Base Station (BS) allocates resources to a Mobile Station (MS) that has requested a bandwidth using a ranging code through a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) allocation Information Element (IE).
Ranging codes are classified into four types according to purpose, i.e., a ranging code for initial ranging, a ranging code for handover ranging, a ranging code for periodic ranging, and a ranging code for bandwidth request. Conventionally, a plurality of ranging codes is generated and classified into four types according to purpose. Thus, the ranging codes have different indexes.
Table 1 illustrates a CDMA allocation IE.
TABLE 1SizeSyntax(bit)NotesCDMA_Allocation_IE( ) {——Duration6—UIUC4UIUC for transmissionRepetition Coding Indication20b00: No repetition coding0b01: Repetition coding of 2 used0b10: Repetition coding of 4 used0b11: Repetition coding of 6 usedFrame Number Index4LSBs of relevant frame numberRanging Code8—Ranging Symbol8—Ranging subchannel7—BW request mandatory11: Yes0: No}——
In Table 1, a duration field indicates the amount of resources, which a BS allocates to an MS by the CDMA allocation IE, in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) symbols. A repetition coding indication field indicates a coding rate of data that the MS is to transmit through the allocated resources.
A frame number index indicates a frame in which the MS has transmitted a CDMA code and four Least Significant Bits (LSBs) of a frame number are used as the frame number index.
A ranging code field indicates a CDMA code transmitted by the MS, a ranging symbol field indicates an OFMA symbol through which the MS has transmitted the CDMA code, and a ranging subchannel field indicates a ranging subchannel through which the MS has transmitted the CDMA code.
FIG. 1 illustrates an initial ranging/handover ranging procedure among competition-based random access ranging procedures.
An advanced mobile station (AMS) may transmit a ranging preamble sequence (ranging code) for initial/handover ranging to an advanced base station (ABS) (S101). The ABS may transmit a reception state and a physical layer (PHY) adjustment value (for example, timing, power, frequency, etc) of a ranging code transmitted by each AMS to the AMS through an AAI_RNG-ACK message (S102). When the ABS has normally received a ranging code, the ABS may allocate uplink resources to the AMS through a CDMA allocation A-MAP IE. The AMS may transmit an RNG-REQ message through the allocated resource region (S103). The ABS may transmit an RNG-RSP message to the AMS in response to the RNG-REQ message (S104).
FIG. 2 illustrates a periodic ranging procedure among competition-based random access ranging procedures.
The AMS may transmit a ranging code for periodic ranging to the ABS (S201). The ABS may transmit a reception state and a physical layer adjustment value (for example, timing, power, frequency, etc.) of a ranging code transmitted by each AMS to the AMS through an AAI_RNG-ACK message (S202).
The AMS may perform a bandwidth request ranging procedure for uplink data transmission to the ABS. The bandwidth request procedure may be mainly divided into a 3-step procedure and a 5-step procedure. The bandwidth request may also be simply referred to as a BR.
FIG. 3 illustrates a competition-based 3-step random access uplink bandwidth request procedure.
The AMS may transmit a quick access message including a BR preamble sequence (BR code) and uplink bandwidth request information (for example, a station ID, a BR index indicating a requested bandwidth size, etc.) to the ABS (1). The ABS may transmit reception states of a quick access message and a BR code transmitted by each AMS to the AMS through a BR ACK A-MAP IE (2). When the ABS has normally received the BR code and the quick access message, the ABS may allocate grant information for allocating UL resources to the AMS through a UL basic assignment A-MAP IE (2). This allows the AMS to transmit UL data through the allocated resource region (3).
FIG. 4 illustrates a competition-based 5-step random access uplink bandwidth request procedure. The 5-step bandwidth request (BR) procedure may be mainly divided into a fallback mode and a normal mode.
First, the 5-step BR procedure is described below assuming the fallback mode.
An AMS may transmit a quick access message including uplink bandwidth request information (a station ID, a BR index indicating the size of a requested bandwidth, etc.) to the ABS (1). The fallback mode corresponds to the case in which the ABS has received only the BR code among the BR code and the quick access message transmitted by the AMS, i.e., in which the ABS has not received the quick access message.
The ABS may transmit the reception states of a BR code and a quick access message transmitted by each AMS to the AMS through a BR ACK A-MAP IE (2). When the ABS has normally received only the BR code transmitted by the AMS, the ABS may allocate uplink resources, which allow the AMS to transmit a BW-REQ message (a BR header), to the AMS through a CDMA allocation A-MAP (2).
The AMS may transmit a BW-REQ message (in the form of a header) to the ABS through the allocated resource region (3). When the ABS has received the BW-REQ message transmitted by the AMS, the ABS may allocate uplink resources to the AMS through a UL basic assignment A-MAP IE (4). The AMS may transmit data to the ABS through the allocated uplink resource region (5).
An overall procedure of the general 5-step BR procedure is similar to the fallback mode with the only difference being that the AMS does not transmit a quick access message at the first step.
In the procedure described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the AMS may start a BR timer after transmitting a BR code and may transmit data through an allocated resource region upon receiving an uplink grant from the ABS and then may terminate the BR timer. The AMS may request uplink resources from the ABS if an uplink grant is not received from the ABS before the timer expires.
When the ABS has received only the BR code, the ABS allocates uplink resources for BR header transmission to the AMS through a CDMA allocation IE and, when the ABS has also received a BR header or a quick access message, the ABS may allocate uplink resources to the AMS in a unicast manner through a station ID (STID).
In the IEEE 802.16e system, a bandwidth request message is transmitted through a signaling header which has a format described below.
FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling header format used in the IEEE 802.16e system.
In the case in which a Medium Access Control (MAC) header format as shown in FIG. 5 is used in the IEEE 802.16e system, payload is not transmitted subsequent to the MAC header. A type field in the signaling header shown in FIG. 5 may be 3 bits long and may indicate 8 types as illustrated in the following Table 2.
TABLE 2Type field (3 bits)MAC header type (with HT/EC = 0b10)000BR incremental001BR aggregate010PHY channel report011BR with UL Tx power report100BR and CINR report101BR with UL sleep control110SN Report111CQICH allocation request
As shown in Table 2, a BR-REQ message may be transmitted alone and may also be transmitted together with Tx power, CINR, or UL sleep control information.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a BR signaling header format used in the IEEE 802.16e system.
In FIGS. 6 and 7, a BR field indicates the size of an uplink bandwidth required by an AMS in bytes. The BR may be performed regardless of physical layer modulation and coding. The BR corresponds to each respective Connection ID (CID). Through the BR, it is possible to request a size of 0 to 524,287 bytes when the length of the BR field is 19 bits and to request a size of 0 to 2,047 bytes when the length of the BR field is 11 bits.
In FIGS. 6 and 7, the CID field includes a connection identification having a length of 16 bits indicating which service flow of which AMS corresponds to the header.

Method for performing a bandwidth request procedure, and terminal apparatus for same


A sand dune bridge is configured with a suspension span which spans a sand dune from first pilings on a landward side of the dune to second pilings in or adjacent to a seaward side of the dune. A ramp extends from the second pilings to the beach. The ramp may also be in the form of a suspension bridge wherein step carriages are suspended intermediate the ends thereof so that pilings are needed only at the ends of the carriages. The suspension arrangement uses a pair of cables extending between the pilings with bridge decking supported on stringers which are attached to lateral beams suspended from hangers extending downwardly from the cables. The bridge decking and step treads have openings therethrough for the passage of sand, air and water.

A general practice for accessing a beach from a landward area such as a dwelling site, parking lot, road, campground or any other landward area, is passage over pressure treated wooden walkways. Where there is a sand dune present, some wooden walkways simply rest on the dune and others are supported by a wooden piles that penetrate the dune itself and usually have a square cross section. It has been found that current bridging structures can themselves create erosion sites, which while usually protecting dunes, can result in dune breaches, which if not repaired widen, and eventually result in substantial sand dune destruction.
In addition, when beaches are subject to heavy surf and tidal surges, sand dune walkways and bridges of current designs are frequently destroyed and washed away. Moreover, dune walkways of current design tend to interfere with natural phenomenon that encourage the accretion of sand. This is because current walkways both retain sand particles on top of planks which are used for walking surfaces and create conditions underneath the walkways which can accelerate wind speed and thus cause local erosion beneath the walkways.

Sand dune bridges and methods of protecting sand dunes


Systems and methods for discovering approximations for compilers to apply through genetic programming and deterministic symbolic regression heuristics are provided. A method for discovering approximations for compilers and runtime optimization can include profiling a program to identify performance critical functions, determining appropriate candidates for approximation and developing application and architecture specific approximations through machine learning techniques, genetic programming, and deterministic heuristics. Such approximations can target any optimization goal, with a primary emphasis on parallelism, or can provide a set of Pareto-optimal tradeoffs.

The end of Dennard Scaling and the increasing difficulty of satisfying Moore's Law have compelled computer researchers to search for creative new ways to enhance computing capability without relying on additional transistors. Approximate computing is an emerging technology that enables such improvements in performance, scalability, and/or energy.
Approximate computing is a computation technique which returns a possibly inexact result rather than a guaranteed exact result, and can be used for applications where an approximate result is sufficient for its purpose. Approximate computing is based on the idea that the output accuracy of an application often significantly exceeds requirements and can be reduced to improve efficiency. One example of such situation is for a search engine where no exact answer may exist for a certain search query and hence, many answers may be acceptable. Similarly, occasional dropping of some frames in a video application can go undetected due to perceptual limitations of humans. Approximate computing is based on the observation that in many scenarios, performing exact computation requires large amount of resources, whereas allowing bounded approximation can provide disproportionate gains in performance and energy, while still achieving acceptable result accuracy.
Machine learning is an ideal candidate for approximate computing due to many of the results already being approximate and in many cases not having a formal definition of correctness.
Existing approximation methods suffer from significant problems, such as the approximations being too difficult to discover, being too application specific to be supported by existing development tools, providing limited improvement and applicability, and being limited by overly restrictive approximation and acceptability definitions.
The inventors have identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with existing approximation methods. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED


An inorganic hard mask composition, which is useful in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. When an underlying layer pattern of a semiconductor device is formed, an inorganic hard mask film having an excellent etching selectivity to an organic hard mask is further coated over an organic hard mask film and used as a hard mask, thereby facilitating etching of fine patterns.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to a hard mask composition for a lithography process. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an inorganic hard mask composition, which are useful in processes for etching fine patterns of a semiconductor device.
2. Related Technology
In order to prevent collapse of fine patterns of less than 100 nm, preferably less than 80 nm, a photoresist film is required to have a thickness of less than 100 nm. However, because the thickness of less than 100 nm is not enough to survive an etching process of a lower layer, a new hard mask is required, such as an amorphous carbon film.
Amorphous carbon that has the properties of organic materials can be thickly coated and shows a sufficient selectivity when the lower layer is etched. As a result, amorphous carbon can be used as a hard mask for etching the thick lower layer even when the photoresist film is thinly formed. This is also caused by that a silicon oxide nitride film that serves as a different hard mask can be deposited over the hard mask formed of amorphous carbon because amorphous carbon can survive at high temperatures of over 400° C.
FIGS. 1a through 1e are cross-sectional diagrams illustrating a conventional method for forming an underlying layer pattern of a semiconductor device using the above-described amorphous carbon film as a hard mask.
Referring to FIG. 1a, an underlying layer 12, an amorphous carbon film 14, a silicon oxide nitride film 16, an anti-reflective coating (hereinafter abbreviated to "ARC") film 18 and a photoresist film 20 are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. The amorphous carbon film 14 is typically formed at a thickness ranging from 100 nm to 800 nm by chemical vapor deposition equipment. The photoresist film 20 is typically formed at a thickness ranging from 40 nm to 200 nm.
Referring to FIG. 1b, the photoresist film 20 is selectively exposed and developed to form a pattern of the photoresist film 20.
Referring to FIG. 1c, a common etching process is performed to remove sequentially the lower ARC film 18 and the silicon oxide nitride film 16 with the pattern of the photoresist film 20 as an etching mask, thereby forming a pattern of the ARC film 18 and a pattern of the silicon oxide nitride film 16.
Referring to FIG. 1d, a common etching process is performed to remove the lower amorphous carbon film 14 with the pattern of the photoresist film 20, the pattern of the ARC film 18 and the pattern of the silicon oxide nitride film 16 which remain after the above etching process, thereby forming a pattern of the amorphous carbon film 14.
Referring to FIG. 1e, the lower underlying layer 12 is etched with the pattern of the amorphous carbon film 14 and the residual patterns after the above process to form a pattern of the underlying layer 12. Then, the residual patterns used as etching masks are removed by cleaning.
As noted above, the additional chemical vapor deposition equipment and a chemical vapor deposition gas have been conventionally required to deposit the amorphous carbon film 14 when the pattern of the underlying layer 12 is formed so that high cost is needed.
As a material for forming a hard mask used for etching fine patterns of semiconductor device, an organic polymer having a strong heat resistance can be used instead of the amorphous carbon. And an inorganic hard mask film having an excellent etching selectivity has been required which is formed over the organic hard mask film.

Hard mask composition for lithography process


A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachthirtyone’, and which produces an attractively colored white-fleshed, free stone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately September 10 to September 17 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of prunus, malus and juglans species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.
The seedling, 'Burpeachthirtyone' was originated by us, and selected from a population of seedlings growing in our experimental orchards which is located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were derived from a cross using the 'Burpeacheighteen' peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,496) which as the seed parent, and an unnamed white-fleshed freestone peach was used as the pollen parent. After a period of stratification, the seed was placed in a greenhouse, by population, and then field planted for tree establishment, and ultimately to exhibit fruit for evaluation. One white fleshed peach seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was then designated as 'P7.102'. This seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 2006 fruiting season, the new variety of peach tree was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.


A headlight unit includes a reflector that is concave in shape and has left and right reflection surfaces for reflecting light emitted by a headlight bulb in a desired direction. Protection covers cover outer edge sections of the reflector and have a color different from that of the left and right reflection surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a headlight unit for a straddle-type vehicle having a reflector with a concave shape and a reflection surface that reflects light emitted from a headlight bulb in a desired direction.
2. Description of Related Art
Straddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles often include a front cowl (exterior cover) having a headlight unit arranged in front of a steering head pipe.
The headlight unit generally has a head light bulb, a concavity shaped reflector that reflects light emitted from the headlight bulb toward a desired direction and a headlight lens disposed in front of the reflector. A reflection surface deposited with aluminum or the like is typically formed on the reflector in order to efficiently reflect light emitted from the headlight bulb.
An aiming mechanism may turn the reflector up and down along with the headlight bulb in order to adjust a direction of light emitted from the headlight unit (bulb) (see, for example, JP-A-Hei 8-148004 (page 3, FIG. 3)).
However, the headlight unit described above has a problem in that the delicate reflection surface deposited with aluminum or the like is damaged by contact between an outer edge section of the reflector and the headlight during assembly of the headlight unit.
In addition, when the reflector is rotated up and down excessively using the aiming mechanism, the outer edge section of the reflector may contact the headlight lens and damage the reflection surface.

Headlight unit and straddle-type vehicle


A medical system has a detecting device for detecting three dimensional image information about a living body, a signal processing circuit for processing the image signal transmitted from the detecting device, and an object information reproduction device. The object information reproduction device comprises a movable displacement element which is touched by the operator and acts according to the output from the signal processing circuit so as to cause the operator to tactually sense information about the object. Thus, the operator is able to recognize the degree of unevenness in a tactile manner by touching the displacement element. Other embodiments include means for sensing and reproducing hardness and temperature of the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a medical system having an object information reproduction means which is able to reproduce information about the unevenness and the like of a diseased part of a patient, so that a doctor is able to diagnose the diseased part of the object similarly to a case in which the diseased part is directly touched.
2. Description of the Related Art
An endoscope capable of observing a part of an object such as a diseased part in the colon which cannot be directly observed and, if necessary, capable of curing the diseased part by using a curing device has been widely used in a medical field.
For example, if the diseased part of an object is diagnosed in an observation by using an endoscope, it is important for a doctor to know the degree of swelling. Since an image having a parallax cannot be obtained with an ordinary endoscope, it is difficult to visually confirm the unevenness of a diseased part. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-216403, there is disclosed an apparatus having a three-dimensional endoscope which includes two object optical systems in order to enable the operator to three-dimensionally observe an object.
Although the shape can be three-dimensionally confirmed with the aforesaid three-dimensional endoscope, an operator (a doctor) cannot confirm in a tactile manner the object. Therefore, information cannot be effectively utilized. For example, a problem arises in that, if there is unevenness the diseased part of an object, the degree of the unevenness of the diseased part cannot be confirmed in a tactile manner.
The aforesaid problem also arises in medical devices except for the endoscopes.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-92650 has disclosed a technology which has a detection means for detecting a load current to be applied to a motor for electrically driving a warp-enabled section formed in an endoscope. As a result, an increase in the load current which takes place when the leading portion of an insertion section of the endoscope comes in contact with the inner wall of the colon can be detected. If the aforesaid increase exceeds a predetermined level, an LED is caused to emit light in the visual field of the ocular section via a comparator so as to cause an operator to visually confirm that the subject warping operation is in a dangerous state.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-87530 has disclosed a structure having a motor for electrically driving a warp-enabled section formed in an endoscope, a pressure sensor located adjacent to the leading portion of the insertion section and a brake mechanism constituted so as to brake an operation of a warp operating member for warping the warp-enabled section if the pressure detected by the pressure sensor has exceeded a predetermined level. As a result, if the leading portion of the insertion section comes in contact with the inner wall, it is detected by the pressure sensor. If the warp-enabled section is further warped in a direction in which it comes in contact with the inner wall, the operation of the warp operating section for performing the displacing operation is safely inhibited.
Since the aforesaid two publications have been constituted in order to prevent a dangerous warping operation, they cannot improve the diagnosing function of an operator.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Utility Model Publication No. 2-33761 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-65903) has disclosed a structure having a motor which is, via a transmitting shaft, connected to a warp operating member for driving a warp-enabled section formed in an endoscope. The structure further includes a strain gauge connected to the motor for detecting the quantity of the strain of the driving force for warping the member, the driving force being transmitted by the transmitting shaft. If the quantity of the strain detected by the strain gauge is determined to be an abnormal level, a piezoelectric element fastened to the lever for performing the warping operation is driven by an alarm device driving circuit so as to give vibrations to the operator.
In addition, the aforesaid disclosure is arranged in such a manner that the alarm device driving circuit is operated in response to a signal transmitted from a detecting device for detecting the output from the strain gauge whenever a determination has been made that there is a risk that the warp-enabled section of the insertion section is further warped. If a large output from the strain gauge has been detected, the piezoelectric element is vibrated more strongly so as to notify the greater danger.
In general, a doctor intends to synthetically make a diagnosis by maximally utilizing the sense in a tactile manner with the hand in a case where the diseased part can be directly touched by the hand. That is, a doctor makes a diagnosis by utilizing information in a tactile manner (the degree of unevenness, the hardness and/or the fever of the diseased part) obtained in a case where the doctor touches the diseased part by the hand.
However, the conventional technologies have not disclosed a medical system or a medical apparatus with which a diagnosis can be made by utilizing information obtained by palpation if a diseased part which cannot be directly touched by the hand is diagnosed. Therefore, there is a need for a medical system or a medical apparatus with which a further accurate diagnosis can be made.

Medical system having object information reproduction means for palpation


A block interleaving apparatus for block interleaving M-bit input streams to be transferred with a modulus k using a mixed radix system in a multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system, including an array processor having an array including M cells in which the number of columns is k and the number of rows is M/k. The array processor inputs the input streams from the bottom-right cell up to the top-left last cell in the horizontal direction, and, after the first bit of the input streams reaches the last cell, generates interleaved output streams by changing the output of the array processor from horizontal direction to vertical direction.

MB-OFDM communication system is being widely used as one of standards for UWB (Ultra Wide Band) systems. The MB-OFDM system has the characteristic of low power consumption and data transfer rate up to 480 Mbps. Requirements for such performances make it difficult for system developers to implement MB-OFDM systems.
Interleaver is one of the most important elements used in most communication systems as well as the MB-OFDM systems. The interleaver performs an interleaving process of rearranging input bit sequences such that they are not adjacent each other, in order to increase robustness to burst errors in a data transmission channel.
The interleaver of the MB-OFDM system performs three successive sub-processes: symbol interleaving, tone interleaving and cyclic shift.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram for a structure of general interleaver. Referring to FIG. 1, an interleaver 100 includes a symbol interleaving part 110, a tone interleaving part 120, a cyclic shifting part 130 and two memories 140 and 150. An input signal to be transmitted is subjected to three-phase processes of symbol interleaving, tone interleaving and cyclic shift in the interleaver 100. The first and second memories 140 and 150 serve as buffers for temporarily storing data produced by the interleaving sub-processes.
The interleaving sub-processes may be expressed as the following Equations 1 to 3 representing symbol interleaving, tone interleaving and cyclic shift, respectively, as follows:
                                          a            S                                          [            i            ]                          =                  a                                [                                          ⌊                                  i                                      N                    CBPS                                                  ⌋                            +                                                6                                      N                    TDS                                                  ×                                  mod                                                        (                                          i                      ,                                              N                        CBPS                                                              )                                                                        ]                                              [                  Equation                                                              1                ]
                                          a            T                                          [            i            ]                          =                              a            S                                          [                                          ⌊                                  i                                      N                    Tint                                                  ⌋                            +                              10                ×                                  mod                                                        (                                          i                      ,                                              N                        Tint                                                              )                                                                        ]                                              [                  Equation                                                              2                ]            b[i]=at[m(i)×NCBPS+mod(i+m(i)×Ncyc,NCBPS)]  [Equation 3]
In the above equations, a, aS, aT and b represent input bits to the interleaver 100, output bits from the symbol interleaving part 110, output bits from the tone interleaving part 120 and output bits from the cyclic shifting part 130, respectively. m(i) └i/NCBPS┘, and NCBPS, NTDS, NTint and Ncyc are constant values related to data rate in the MB-OFDM system.
TABLE 1ToneTDSCoded Bits/InterleaverCyclicData RateFactorOFDM SymbolBlock SizeShift(Mb/s)(NTDS)(NCBPS)(NTint)(Ncyc)53.3210010338021001033106.7220020661602200206620022002066320120020334001200203348012002033
In general, the three-phase processes are implemented with dedicated memories (for example, 140 and 150 in FIG. 1) such as interface buffers that temporarily store results of the sub-processes. Since the sub-processes have to be performed in series, delay and performance of the interleaver are determined by the sum of performance matrices of the sub-processes. For example, the general interleaver shown in FIG. 1 produces a total of eight-symbol delay, which consist of six-symbol delay for the symbol interleaving, one-symbol delay for the tone interleaving and one-symbol delay for the cyclic shift.
As one of measures taken to avoid such a delay, a pipeline structure may be considered to improved system performance. However, this pipeline approach requires a memory system which is even more complicated than that of a non-pipeline approach. Moreover, this pipeline approach has a demerit of high power consumption.

Apparatus and method for block interleaving using mixed radix system in MB-OFDM


A face detecting unit detects presence/non-presence of a face and its position from an input image or its reduced image. A parameter calculation control unit calculates a correction parameter according to the presence/non-presence of the face. When the face is detected, a face area correction parameter calculating unit calculates a correction parameter having characteristics such that as a representative luminance value is larger, the image becomes darker, and as smaller, the image becomes brighter based on a boundary luminance level. When a face is not detected, a standard correction parameter calculating unit 4 calculates the correction parameter based on image data of the input image or its reduced image regardless of image contents. An image converting unit converts a pixel value of the input image using the obtained correction parameter so as to correct tone.

An example of tone correcting apparatuses which correct tones of images is a lightness (value) correcting apparatus which is described in Patent Document 1. The lightness correcting apparatus described in Patent Document 1 divides an image into some areas, and calculates a parameter on the basis of average luminance of the respective divided areas, so as to make a gamma correction.
A method for extracting a human skin area on the basis of color information and correcting a color of the human skin area into a desired skin color on the basis of a parameter determined in advance (for example, Patent Document 2) is used as a method for correcting a tone of a figure image. Patent Document 3 describes an image processing method for processing an image by using a face detecting unit. With the image processing method described in Patent Document 3, the face detecting unit obtains face area image data SH, and determines an image state such as backlight on the basis of a characteristic value of SH. A desired color skin image and an original image are weighted by weighting coefficients obtained by using the determined image state and they are added, so that the image process is executed. Further, Patent Document 4 describes an image processing method which corrects density so that a density value of a face area falls within a target range.
Further, Patent Document 5 describes an image processing method for determining a correction parameter on the basis of image information attached to an image to be corrected so as to execute an image process. Patent Document 5 describes that a gamma correction value is determined on the basis of reduced image (preview) data of an input image and thus a suitable image correcting process can be executed for a short time.    Patent Docent 1: JP-A 10-150566 (paragraphs 0013-0014)    Patent Document 2: JP-A 11-267937 (paragraphs 0006-0008)    Patent Document 3: JP-A 11-328359 (paragraphs 0016-0023)    Patent Document 4: JP-A 2000-196890 (paragraph 0005)    Patent Document 5: JP-A 2000-137805 (paragraphs 0017-0018)

Tone correcting method, tone correcting apparatus, tone correcting program, and image equipment


When a predetermined time has elapsed after a handheld game apparatus received “game information” from another handheld game apparatus, a character corresponding to a player of the another handheld game apparatus appears as a passerby in a shopping center in a game world of a game of the handheld game apparatus. The predetermined time is determined based on the positional relationship between the shopping center in the game world and the present position of the player character of the game of the another handheld game apparatus.

Conventionally, a system has been known in which a handheld game apparatus performs an automatic communication with another handheld game apparatus that is present within a communicable range, and thereby a character registered in the another game apparatus appears in the game apparatus.
A main object of the present technology is to provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method that are capable of appropriately controlling the timing at which an object is caused to appear in an information processing apparatus, which object corresponds to another information processing apparatus that is present within a predetermined range around the information processing apparatus.
The above object is achieved by configuration examples as follows.
A first configuration example is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an information processing program for causing a computer of an information processing apparatus having a communication function to execute a reception process, a determination process, an object control process, and a display control process. In the reception process, object data is received from another unspecified information processing apparatus which is present within a predetermined range, by using the communication function. In the determination process, it is determined whether a predetermined object appearance condition is satisfied, after the reception of the object data. In the object control process, an object corresponding to the received object data is caused to appear in a virtual world, in response to that the object appearance condition is satisfied. In the display control process, an image of the virtual world is displayed on the display device.
The information processing apparatus is typically a handheld game apparatus, but is not limited thereto, and may be any information processing apparatus (e.g., a mobile phone, a notebook personal computer, a stationary game apparatus, a desktop personal computer, etc.).
In the reception process, the object data may be directly received from the another unspecified information processing apparatus, or the object data may be received via the Internet, a mobile phone network, or the like. In the case where the object data is received via the Internet, a mobile phone network, or the like, the another unspecified information processing apparatus existing within the predetermined range around the information processing apparatus (e.g., within a predetermined distance from the information processing apparatus) may be detected by utilizing a mechanism for detecting the position of the information processing apparatus (e.g., a GPS, a location information service using information of access points, or the like.).
The object data is data for characterizing the object caused to appear in the virtual world by the object control process, and is typically data representing the appearance of the object. The object data is not limited to the appearance data, but may be data representing the name or the like of the object.
The object may be a character that simulates a human, or any other object.
The object appearance condition may be a condition regarding time.
The object appearance condition may be that a predetermined time elapses from the reception of the object data.
In the reception process, present position information may be received from the another information processing apparatus together with the object data. The present position information represents the position of a player object in the virtual world, which player object is operated by a player of the another information processing apparatus. The information processing program may cause the computer to further execute a determination process of determining the predetermined time, based on the present position information received together with the object data.
In the object control process, the object may be caused to appear in a predetermined area in the virtual world. In the determination process, the predetermined time may be determined based on the positional relationship between the position indicated by the present position information received together with the object data, and the predetermined area.
In the determination process, the longer the distance between the position indicated by the present position information received together with the object data and the predetermined area is, the longer the predetermined time may be determined.
The object corresponding to the received object data may be an object that is automatically controlled in the virtual world by the computer.
In the object control process, the object may be caused to appear in a predetermined area in the virtual world, in response to that the object appearance condition is satisfied. Even when the predetermined area is displayed on the display device by the display control process, if the object appearance condition is not satisfied, the object may not be displayed on the display device.
The information processing program may be stored in any computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disc, magneto-optical disc, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, semiconductor memory card, ROM, RAM, etc.).
A second configuration example is an information processing apparatus having a communication function. The information processing apparatus includes a reception section, a determination section, an object control section, and a display control section. The reception section receives object data from another unspecified information processing apparatus which is present within a predetermined range, by using the communication function. The determination section determines whether a predetermined object appearance condition is satisfied, after the reception of the object data. The object control section causes an object corresponding to the received object data to appear in a virtual world, in response to that the object appearance condition is satisfied. The display control section displays an image of the virtual world on the display device.
A third configuration example is an information processing system having a communication function. The information processing system includes a reception section, a determination section, an object control section, and a display control section. The reception section receives object data from another unspecified information processing apparatus which is present within a predetermined range, by using the communication function. The determination section determines whether a predetermined object appearance condition is satisfied, after the reception of the object data. The object control section causes an object corresponding to the received object data to appear in a virtual world, in response to that the object appearance condition is satisfied. The display control section displays an image of the virtual world on the display device.
A fourth configuration example is an information processing method executed in an information processing system having a communication function. The information processing method includes: executing a reception process of receiving object data from another unspecified information processing apparatus which is present within a predetermined range, by using the communication function; executing a determination process of determining whether a predetermined object appearance condition is satisfied, after the reception of the object data; executing an object control process of causing an object corresponding to the received object data to appear in a virtual world, in response to that the object appearance condition is satisfied; and executing a display control process of displaying an image of the virtual world on the display device.
According to the present technology, it is possible to appropriately control the timing to cause an object to appear, which object corresponds to another information processing apparatus that is present within a predetermined range.

Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method


An operating shaft (1) for operation of switching contacts in a multipole electrical power breaker has a shaft tube (2), which is intended to provide a rotating bearing, and levers (4) which project from it and are composed of dye-cast metal. These levers (4) are mounted on the shaft tube (2), which is formed from a tubular semi-finished product composed of a metal which has a higher melting point than that of the levers (4). All the levers on an operating shaft (1) can be formed as an integral dye-cast body (3) or as individual dye-cast bodies. The described configuration allows operating shafts (1) for power breakers of different sizes to be manufactured integrally.

This application is the national phase application under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/DE99/03770 which has an International filing date of Nov. 24, 1999, which designated the United States of America.
The invention relates to an operating shaft for operation of switching contacts in a multipole electrical power circuit breaker having levers, which project from a central shaft tube (which is intended to provide a rotating bearing) and which are composed of die-cast metal, for connecting the operating shaft to the switching contacts and to an energy store which operates the switching contacts. The invention also relates to a method for producing such an operating shaft.
An operating shaft has been disclosed in DE 197 27 853 C1. In order to simplify the production of relatively long operating shafts, such as those which are required for four-pole power circuit breakers and those with a high rated current, the cited document provides for relatively short operating shaft units to be coupled to one another. In contrast, it would appear to be advantageous if it were possible to provide integral operating shafts with identical characteristics for all sizes in a range of power circuit breakers, and which are produced using the same method. The invention is based on the object of providing an operating shaft having these characteristics.
According to the invention, the above object is achieved in that the shaft tube is formed by a section of a tubular semi-finished product which is composed of a metal which has a higher melting point than that of the levers which project from the shaft tube, and in that the levers are mounted on the shaft tube.
The invention combines with one another the advantages of operating shafts which are produced from prefabricated individual parts by soldering or welding, and those which are produced as die-cast parts in accordance with the cited DE 197 27 853 C1. The fitting of the levers to a shaft tube comprising a tubular semi-finished product allows operating shafts to be produced cost-effectively of any required length and with any required number of levers. The advantageous characteristics of the new operating shaft are thus related to the production of die-cast parts of smaller size than is the case according to the cited DE 197 27 853 C1. Among other factors, this considerably reduces the quality assurance effort.
Relatively short operating shafts, such as those which are required for power circuit breakers having a normal number of poles and with a low to medium rated current can be constructed, according to one refinement of the invention, in such a manner that all the levers are formed by an integral die-cast body, with sections of the die-cast body which enclose the shaft tube in the form of a casing being arranged between the levers. However, to produce long operating shafts, it may be better to form each lever as a unit with concentric projections adjacent to it on both sides. This allows there to be exposed sections of the tubular semi-finished product between the levers.
Should it be found that the fitting of a die-cast material to the tubular semi-finished product does not at the same time achieve a strength which is sufficient for transmitting the required forces, then suitable roughening, profiling or the arrangement of depressions in the semi-finished product can be used to improve the force fit. A good connection can in consequence be achieved with particularly low effort in that the tubular semi-finished product for the shaft tube is composed of steel and is at least externally electrochemically galvanized in conjunction with die-shaft zinc being used as the material for the levers.
An expedient method for producing operating shafts with the characteristics described above comprises the following steps:
provision of a shaft tube composed of a tubular semi-finished product,
provision of a split casting mold for at least one of the levers and concentric projections which extend in the axial direction of the semi-finished product on both sides of the lever,
positioning of the shaft tube in the casting mold with a sealed closure on the circumference of the shaft tube,
introduction of a molten liquid die-casting material into the casting mold in order to form the lever and the adjacent projections, which are concentric with respect to the shaft tube,
opening of the casting mold once the die-casting material has cooled down to a reasonable extent, and removal of the shaft tube with die-cast bodies, which are attached thereto and have at least one lever and adjacent sections in the form of casings.

Operating shaft for a multiple electrical power circuit breaker and method for its production


A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.

Consumer refrigerators such as might be found in a household typically include a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigerator is provided with an evaporator for maintaining the fresh food compartment at a temperature range of about 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit. The same or an additional evaporator may be used to maintain the freezer compartment below freezing, usually near 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Traditionally, the freezer compartment has been provided above the fresh food compartment in a so-called top mount refrigerator. The freezer compartment may also be located side-by-side with the fresh food compartment. A bottom mount refrigerator is one in which the freezer compartment is mounted below the fresh food compartment. These bottom mount refrigerators are popular because they provide easier access to the frozen food compartment, and provide relatively more storage space than the freezer section of a similarly sized side-by-side model.
Ice makers are commonly provided within the freezer compartments of consumer refrigerators to automatically make ice. These ice makers are attached to a water line to provide fresh water to make ice. A sensing mechanism is provided to determine when the supply needs to be replenished and more ice made. There are numerous well-known structures for making and storing ice in the freezer compartment of a consumer refrigerator.
A popular feature on consumer refrigerators that include automatic ice makers, especially side-by-side models, is ice dispensing through the freezer door. According to this feature, a user can obtain ice without opening the door to the freezer compartment. A passage, cavity, or the like is provided through the door to the freezer, and ice can be automatically dispensed from the ice maker in the freezer compartment through the freezer door. Preferably the ice is dispensed at a convenient height for a user. Bottom mount refrigerators have presented a unique challenge because the freezer compartment is located lower than desired for an ice dispensing location. If the ice is formed in the bottom mount freezer compartment, it is necessary to lift the ice to dispense it at a comfortable dispensing height. Heretofore, this has not been practical.

Apparatus and method for dispensing ice from a bottom mount refrigerator


A cutting tool assembly having a tool holder and a cutting tool. The cutting tool has a shank that is matingly received within an axial bore in the lower end of the tool holder. The shank includes an eccentrically-shaped driver portion. The tool holder's axial bore includes an enlarged eccentrically-shaped drive opening which is complementary in shape to, but slightly larger than, the driver portion. When the shank is inserted into the axial bore, the driver portion and drive opening are aligned allowing the cutting tool to be partially rotated relative to the tool holder. This partial rotation abuts a portion of the eccentric driver portion against the drive opening wall to provide rigid support of the cutting tool against further rotation as the tool assembly cuts. A cammed fastener releasably interlocks the partially rotated cutting tool within the tool holder.

The present invention provides a novel coupling or interlocking feature for mechanical applications, namely a tapered pin passing laterally through a hollow body and a telescopically received insert. The insert includes a tapered upper surface which is forced upwardly further into a socket when the pin is passed further into the insert. The pin includes an enlarged forward head which, during disengagement, abuts the upwardly drawn insert when the pin is withdrawn and pushes downwardly to direct the insert out of the body.
In one non-limiting embodiment, a tool holder assembly is connected to a conventional drive spindle. The tool holder is received in a rotatable spindle. The tool holder has an elongated body having an axial bore in the lower end. The cutting tool includes a stepped shank that is telescopically received in the body. A retention sleeve cooperates with a tapered pin to releasably interlock the cutting tool to the tool holder body by drawing the cutting tool into a contoured axial opening in the body.
In my previous U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,666 filed Jan. 4, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference, I described a cutting tool shank and the tool holder having complementary polygonal drive sections that ensure that there are multiple flat surfaces that create an interference fit upon rotation of the cutting tool and resist deflection when the cutting tool is cutting. The interference fit provided a desired resistance to deflection or rigidity between the removable cutting tool and the machine mounted tool holder. This polygonal drive section, however, utilizes an axially mounted threaded member or "drawbar" that pulls the cutting tool into the tool holder. While the drawbar configuration is effective to rigidly mate the cutting tool and tool holder, the tool holder must be removed from the spindle to change cutting tools.
The present invention eliminates the drawbar while providing a rigid interference fit between the cutting tool and tool holder. Complementary oval or elliptical shaped drive portions are provided allowing the cutting tool to partially rotate within the tool holder until opposite facing portions of the outer wall of the oval section of the cutting tool's shank abut a complementary-shaped, albeit slightly larger, inner wall of an opening in the tool holder.
The present invention further includes a cylindrical retention sleeve which is received within the tool holder opening ahead of the cutting tool shank. The sleeve includes an eccentrically shaped opening that receives a lobed head on the end of the shank prior to rotating the shank within the tool holder, once the shank is rotated within the tool holder and the drive portions abut, the lobed head is locked axially within the eccentric sleeve opening.
The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanical coupling which secures and ejects a telescopically received insert within a surrounding body.
Another broad purpose of the present invention is to provide a tool holder chucking structure providing a positive drive member and limiting movement of the cutting tool relative to the tool holder while allowing the cutting tool to be quickly connected and disconnected from the tool holder.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a mechanical coupling between a telescopically received insert and a surrounding hollow body. The mechanical coupling having tapered forward and rearward surfaces which engage mating surface to draw the insert and body together and to disengage the insert from the body.
It is another advantage of the present invention that the he coupling includes a pin having a conically tapered rearward end which is passed transversely through both the body and an aperture in the insert. The tapered rearward end abuts a similarly tapered upper surface of the insert aperture directing the insert further into the body. A narrow stem projects from the tapered rearward end and terminates at an enlarged head at the forward forward end of the pin. The enlarged head having a rearwardly-facing sloped surface.
It is still another advantage of the present invention to provide a cutting tool to tool holder interface having two distinct sections: an oval interface and a tapered interface.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to include a third cylindrical interface between the cutting tool and tool holder that resists movement of the cutting tool along the angled profile of the tapered interface.
It is yet still another advantage of the present invention to provide a quick disconnect feature allowing the cutting tool to be rapidly and easily removed from and attached to the tool holder to minimize machine downtime.
Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cutting tool with an eccentric drive and pinned fastener with de-binding release feature


According to a composite substrate manufacturing method of the present invention, (a) a piezoelectric substrate having minute asperities formed in a rear surface thereof, and a support substrate having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the piezoelectric substrate are prepared, (b) a filler is applied to the rear surface 11a to fill the minute asperities, thereby forming a filling layer, (c) a surface of the filling layer is mirror-polished to such an extent that an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the surface of the filling layer is smaller than an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the rear surface 11a in a state of above (a), and (d) the surface of the filling layer and a surface of the support substrate are bonded to each other with an adhesive layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming a composite substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composite substrate manufacturing method and a composite substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, a surface acoustic wave device is known which employs a composite substrate including a support substrate and a piezoelectric substrate bonded to each other, and which has comb-shaped electrodes formed on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate and being capable of exciting surface acoustic waves. By bonding, to the piezoelectric substrate, the support substrate having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the piezoelectric substrate, changes in dimensions of the piezoelectric substrate depending on temperature changes are suppressed, and changes in a frequency characteristic when used as the surface acoustic wave device are also suppressed. For example, a surface acoustic wave device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure that a piezoelectric substrate and a support substrate are bonded to each other by using an adhesive layer. In the disclosed surface acoustic wave device, the occurrence of the spurious is suppressed by forming minute asperities on a surface (rear surface) of the piezoelectric substrate at which the piezoelectric substrate is bonded to the support substrate. More specifically, bulk waves are generated as one type of acoustic waves along with the surface acoustic waves near the comb-shaped electrodes and then reach the rear surface of the piezoelectric substrate. However, the bulk waves are scattered by the asperities formed in the rear surface. Thus, the bulk waves are avoided from reaching the comb-shaped electrodes after being reflected at the rear surface of the piezoelectric substrate, whereby the occurrence of the spurious is suppressed.

Composite substrate manufacturing method and composite substrate


In an oxygen sensor having a plate-shaped oxygen sensor element, a measuring electrode on the broader width surface of the plate-shaped sensor element, and a protective cover covering the plate-shape sensor element, wherein the protective cover has gas inlet holes for introducing a gas to be measured therein and guide plates for changing the direction of the flow of a gas to be measured. The gas inlet holes have different spacings compared to each other, the guide plates and the gas inlet holes have different lengths compared to each other in the axial direction of the protective cover, and/or the gas inlet holes have different opening extents compared to each other. Consequently, the oxygen sensor always can provide a homogeneous swirling flow of the gas to be measured in the protective cover as well as precise measurement of the gas and a constant .lambda. controlling point.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oxygen sensor, particularly to an oxygen sensor having a plate-shaped oxygen sensor element.
2. Related Art Statement
Heretofore, in order to improve precision of measurement of an oxygen sensor using a plate-shaped oxygen sensor element, applicants disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 60-150,447 an oxygen sensor wherein gas vent holes 5 for ventilating a gas to be measured are positioned on a protective cover 3 protecting a plate-shaped sensor element 2 such that they do not face the surface of the plate-shaped sensor element 2, as shown in the attached FIGS. 7a and 7b.
However, in the oxygen sensor of the above Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 60-150,447, the measuring electrode 1 is arranged on a broader width surface of the plate-shaped sensor element 2, as shown in the attached FIG. 7b, so that the oxygen sensor has a drawback in that the gas to be measured impinges differently on the measuring electrode 1 depending on the attached direction of the oxygen sensor. Namely, the gas to be measured impinges in different manners on the measuring electrode 1 of the sensor element 2, depending on the direction A or B of the entrance of the gas in the protective cover 3.
If the manner of impingement of the gas to be measured on the measuring electrode 1 varies just as described above, highly precise measurements can not be performed, because the .lambda. controlling point of the oxygen sensor varies and the response at the low flow rate of the gas varies by the later-described reasons.


A new proppant comprises a proppant particle substrate, a water-soluble external coating on the proppant particle substrate and a microparticulate reinforcing and spacing agent at least partially embedded in the water-soluble external coating in a manner such that the microparticulate reinforcing agent is substantially released from the proppant particle substrate when the water-soluble coating dissolves or degrades.

Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,183 describes proppants in which a microparticulate reinforcing agent is provided in the boundary region between inner and outer resin coatings. This is done by adding the reinforcing agent after the inner resin coating is applied but before it is cured, whereby the reinforcing agent becomes dispersed on and in the uncured inner resin coating. The inner resin coating is then cured, followed by addition of the outer resin coating which is also cured. The reinforcing agent enhances bonding of the inner and outer resin coatings to one another and, in addition, increases the overall strength and durability of the product proppant obtained.
In accordance with this invention, a microparticulate reinforcing agent is provided in a water-soluble external coating on a particulate proppant substrate. As a result, not only is the overall strength and durability of the inventive proppant increased, but in addition the permeability of a proppant pack formed from the inventive proppant is also enhanced. In the same way, other techniques for using a particulate material to improve the operation and/or productivity of a well in a subterranean formation can also be enhanced by this invention.
Accordingly, this invention provides a new particulate material for improving the operation and/or productivity of a well in a subterranean formation, the new particulate material comprising a subterranean particle substrate, a water-soluble external coating on the subterranean particle substrate and a microparticulate reinforcing agent at least partially embedded in the water-soluble external coating in a manner such that the microparticulate reinforcing agent is substantially released from the subterranean particle substrate when the water-soluble coating dissolves or degrades.
In addition, this invention also provides a new method for enhancing the operation and/or productivity of a well in a subterranean formation comprising introducing this new particulate material into one or more of this subterranean formation, the wellbore in this formation or the well in this formation.

Proppants with soluble composite coatings


The present disclosure relates to a control device, and a control method, a program, and a mobile body that enable efficient search for surrounding information when it is in an own position indefinite state. When it is in an own position indefinite state, on the basis of an own position, obstacle position information around oneself, and information of a surface sensing possible range of a surface sensing unit including a stereo camera for determining the own position, information of a surface-sensed area of an obstacle is recorded, and a search route is planned on the basis of the information of the surface-sensed area of the obstacle. The present technology can be applied to a multi-legged robot, a flying body, and an in-vehicle system that autonomously move according to a mounted computer.

In order to achieve autonomous traveling of a mobile body such as a robot, it is necessary to recognize and estimate an own position thereof, which is a starting point for planning an action. Accordingly, a technology has been proposed to recognize a surrounding situation of itself by a device such as a sensor, estimate the own position, and plan autonomous traveling.
For example, in a case of sequentially estimating the own position using information of own positions continuously detected in the past, if traveling to an own position completely different from a previous own position occurs due to some external force, continuity with information of the own position in the past is lost, making the own position unrecognizable.
In such a case, in order to re-estimate the own position, the mobile body needs to search the surroundings while traveling around itself, sense the surroundings to obtain information, and estimate the own position from the obtained surrounding information.
At this time, if the mobile body travels around itself at random, it may repeatedly sense an area that has already been sensed, and it is possible that the surroundings cannot be searched efficiently.
Accordingly, it is conceivable to apply a technique to travel while covering the entire area by using a mapping module that indicates "unsearched", "traversed", "edge", and "occupied" (see Patent Document 1).
Furthermore, it is conceivable to apply a technique to store indoor structure data indicating a sensed travelable area in an already searched place, and to sequentially travel in a travelable direction (see Patent Document 2).
Moreover, it is conceivable to apply a technique to store an operation of searching for an obstacle or store a sensed area in order to obtain an area where the own apparatus can travel (see Patent Documents 3, 4).

Control device, control method, and mobile body


Embodiment of systems and methods for the sending, delivery or receiving of faxes are disclosed herein. In particular, certain embodiments include a fax connector that may be deployed at users' sites, and a fax registration system that may be deployed remotely from these users' site. The fax connector can be accessed at a user's site over a computer based network in order to perform functions associated with faxing, including sending, receiving and obtaining status on faxes. The fax connector deployed at a sending user's site communicates with the fax registration system to obtain destination data associated with a recipient user's fax connector and transmits the fax to the destination fax connector over the computer based network based on the destination data obtained from the registration system. The fax can then be presented to the recipient at the recipient user's site.

Entities such as consumers, organizations, enterprises, governments, etc. need to exchange data for a variety of reasons, as may be easily imagined. In the modern world, this data exchange is often times accomplished electronically using a variety of methodologies. These methodologies include, for example, local storage (e.g. a thumb driver holding the data which can be physically delivered to a recipient), file transfer using particular protocols (e.g. file transfer protocol (FTP)), sending an email with an attachment, fax, etc.
While all these methods serve the same end, each of these methodologies has differing capabilities with respect to various characteristics such as ease of use, speed, security (e.g. the ability to resist interception or tampering), traceability, cost, etc. For example, using local storage may not feasible if two entities are widely dispersed geographically, while email attachments may not be secure enough to address some entities' concerns.
Faxing, while still heavily utilized by individuals and the workflows of various enterprises, may also present some difficulties. A facsimile (fax) comprises a document in a digital image format. The document is associated with a destination specified with respect to a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN). Thus, typically for at least a portion of the transmission, the document is transmitted over the PSTN. Faxing provides a secure, traceable and non-repudiable mechanism for content delivery and can be particularly useful in business environments.
Faxing, however, has limitations. For example, conventional fax machines can only transmit black and white files with limited resolution in a specific format such as the Tagged Image File Format (TIFF). Further, the transmission speed over the PSTN can be very slow compared to today's computer based networks. Additionally, as faxing may use the PSTN, faxing between two entities that are in different geographic area may require an expensive phone call. Accordingly, traditional faxing may be expensive as well as slow.
Thus, what is desired is a way of exchanging data in manner that is easy to use, relatively fast, secure and cost effective and yet still may be compatible with previous methods for data exchange, especially those that that may have been utilized in various workflows, such as faxing, etc.

System and method for selective sending, delivery or receiving of faxes through computer based networks based on a destination on a publicly switched telephone network


Machine logic for: receiving data set (for example, a website) that includes a plurality of links, with the links respectively identifying logical locations of data stored on a set of server computer(s); and making a deep copy of the servable data set on the set of server computer(s), with the deep copying including: copying each link of the plurality of links of the servable data set from a respective source logical location to a respective target location, and adding each copied link of the plurality of links as a record in a mapping table. The mapping table can help to automatically update/replace links wherever they are found in related system artifacts. If the resolution can't be automatically determined then the system suggests possible target links for manual inspection/updates based on the likelihood of correctness, artifact types, and user roles.

The present invention relates generally to the field of managing links that link content in one piece of content to items or locations in another piece of content.
US published patent application number 2009/0172154 ("Aviles") discloses as follows: "A method for implementing autonomic detection and repair of broken links in Web environments includes receiving a request for additional Web content in a server in response to a link present in an originating Web content held on a host server; determining the present state of the received link; wherein the server performs in response to the received link: returns the requested additional Web content to a user; returns a Web content not found notification to a user; returns a Web content has moved notification with a valid link; wherein the notifications are digitally signed by the server; wherein in response to the returned notifications, the user's browser sends the notifications to the host server; and wherein in response to the reception of the notifications the host server notifies a content manager of the link state, stores the notification in a database, and repairs the link."
Data mapping is the process of creating data element mappings between multiple different data models. Data mapping is used in various types of data integration tasks, such as: (a) data transformation or data mediation between a data source and a destination, (b) identification of data relationships as part of data lineage analysis, (c) discovery of hidden sensitive data such as the last four digits of a social security number hidden in another user id as part of a data masking or de-identification project, and (d) consolidation of multiple databases into a single data base and identifying redundant columns of data for consolidation or elimination. A business that wants to transmit and receive purchases and invoices to and from other businesses could use data mapping to create data maps from the data stored by the business in a format specific to that business into corresponding standardized format messages for items like purchase orders and invoices.

Fixing embedded richtext links in copied related assets

International Business Machines Corporation