A throw-away insert for low-depth-of-cut finish cutting can be used over a wide range of feed rates. A breaker groove is provided between the center land and each cutting edge. An arcuate small protrusion is formed on the bisector of each nose portion. A narrow groove is formed in the small protrusion. Thin chips, which are produced while the feed rate is low, are curled and broken by the groove formed in the protrusion. Thick chips, which are produced while the feed rate is high, are guided along the grooves and collide with an edge of a side wall of the center land. Thus, thick chips are also smoothly curled and broken by the edge.

The present invention relates to a throw-away insert for use as a cutting blade of a cutting tool, especially suited for use in finish cutting.
It is desirable that chips produced during cutting be broken into as small of pieces as possible. Long chips not broken are not only dangerous but may hamper the cutting operation because they are likely to get entangled with the tool or the workpiece.
Chips produced during finish cutting tend to be narrow and thin because during finish cutting, both the depth of cut and the feed rate are low, It is rather difficult to break such chips. Such difficult-to-break chips have been a major obstacle in robotizing or automating cutting operations.
Various chip breakers have been proposed to effectively dispose of chips produced during finish cutting, for example, in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication 51-19271, a small spherical protrusion is formed on an inclined rake face near each cutting edge to curl chips when they collide with the protrusion.
Another arrangement is proposed in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication 57-50004 in which a narrow ridge extends from the center land to each nose portion to break chips produced during light cutting.
In order to respond to the increasing demand for high efficiency in a cutting operation, there is a growing tendency to shorten the cutting time by increasing the feed rate even during finish cutting in which the depth of cut is small. In other words, cutting inserts are used more frequently than before under low-depth, high-feed cutting conditions.
Chips produced under such conditions tend to be narrow and thick and thus are difficult to curl. If the breaker protrusions are provided near to the cutting edges, such chips will be curled sharply by colliding with the protrusions. Such sharply curled chips are likely to cause seizure and clogging, thus increasing the cutting resistance and hastening the tool wear.
The higher the feed rate, the higher the chip flow speed and the more unstable the chip flow angle tends to be. However, the above-described simple breaker protrusion cannot control the chip flow direction effectively. Thus, the chip flow angle tends to vary widely, so that the curl diameter cannot be kept constant. This makes it difficult to curl and break chips.
Conventional inserts are provided with small spherical protrusions or trapezoidal ridges to dispose of chips by causing them to collide with these protrusions and ridges. However, since there is a big difference between the collision energy produced when the feed rate is high and that when it is low, even if the depth of the cut is low, the position, shape and height of the breaker protrusions have to be adaptable to either a high-feed condition or low-feed condition. There has been no insert which is adaptable to a wide range of feed rates.
Many conventional inserts for finish work have breaker protrusions applicable to a low depth of cut and low feed rate. We will describe one of such conventional inserts and how chips are disposed of with such an insert, with reference to FIGS. 9-13.
FIG. 9 shows an insert having a small spherical protrusion 3 provided on an inclined rake face near each nose. A thin chip A produced while the feed rate is low collides with the small protrusion and is curled and broken as shown in FIG. 10. However, a thicker chip A, produced when the feed rate is higher, is likely to be curled sharply as shown by the solid line in FIG. 11. If this happens, the flow of the chip will stop or, such a thick chip may slide on the small protrusion 3 and protrude in a random direction without being curled as shown by the chain line in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 shows an insert having a ridge 8 which extends from a center land 2 toward each nose. Chips are curled and broken by the ridge. With this insert, too, chips produced when the feed rate is high tend to flow in the manner shown in FIG. 13. Thus, this insert has the above-described problem, too.


Provided is a method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device comprising a touch screen, the method including selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device via the touch screen, sequentially displaying a plurality of user interfaces, usable for controlling the function selected with an input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one, and controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a remote control device and a method of controlling other devices using the remote control device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent electronic devices have remote control devices for remote controlling the electronic devices. For example, TVs, CD players, DVD players, and video recorders have their corresponding remote control devices. However, if each of the electronic devices has a remote control device different from the others, too many remote control devices for remote controlling the electronic devices are required. Thus, a universal remote control device is suggested to resolve the problem.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a universal remote control device according to related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, the universal remote control device according to the related art includes a touch screen 110 and buttons 120.
The touch screen 110 detects a touch, and displays user interfaces corresponding to each electronic device.
The buttons 120 include volume adjust buttons, channel switch buttons, directional buttons, etc.
Accordingly, a universal remote control device is capable of remote controlling various electronic devices by including the touch screen 110.

Remote control device and method of controlling other devices using the same


A head suspension assembly for a rigid disk drive. The load beam has a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region connecting the mounting region and the rigid region. A pair of rails extend along a portion of the rigid region. The rigid region has a railed region and a non-railed region adjacent to the spring region. A stiffener is attached to the load beam in a multi-layered structure. The stiffener has a proximal portion extending along at least a portion of the non-railed region without extending into the spring region, and a distal portion extending along 50% or less of a length of the railed region closest to the spring region.

The present invention is directed to a head suspension with a rigid region having a railed region and a non-railed region. A stiffener that extends along at least part of the non-railed region and 50% or less of the length of the railed region closest to the spring region is attached to the rigid region.
Information storage devices typically include a head for reading and/or writing data onto the storage medium, such as a disk within a rigid disk drive. An actuator mechanism is used for positioning the head at specific locations or tracks in accordance with the disk drive usage. Linear and rotary actuators are known based on the manner of movement of the head. Head suspensions are provided between the actuator and the head and support the head in proper orientation relative to the disk surface.
In a rigid disk drive, head suspensions are provided which support a read/write head to xe2x80x9cflyxe2x80x9d over the surface of the rigid disk when it is spinning. Specifically, the head is typically located on a slider having an aerodynamic design so that the slider flies on an air bearing generated by the spinning disk. In order to establish the fly height, the head suspension is also provided with a spring force counteracting the aerodynamic lift force.
A head suspension of the type used in a rigid disk drive comprises a load beam and a flexure to which the slider is to be mounted. Load beams normally have an actuator mounting portion, a rigid section, and a spring region between the actuator mounting region and the rigid section that provides the aforementioned spring force. The flexure is provided at the distal end of the load beam to which the slider is mounted and permits pitch and roll movements of the slider to follow disk surface fluctuations. Flexures are known that are integrated into the design of the load beam and those formed as a separate element fixed to the rigid region of the load beam.
In providing the spring force to the rigid section of the load beam for counteracting the aerodynamic lift force against a slider, a preformed bend or radius is made in the spring region of the load beam. The radius provides the spring force and thus a desired gram loading to the slider for a predetermined offset height, the offset height being a measurement of the distance between the mounting height of the head suspension and the slider at xe2x80x9cflyxe2x80x9d height. Constraints of the drive design, including the spacing of the disks within the drive, factor into the predetermined offset height. In any case, the gram load at the offset height provides the counteracting force to the aerodynamic lift force to establish the xe2x80x9cflyxe2x80x9d height of the slider above a disk surface. As used hereinafter, the term xe2x80x9cloadedxe2x80x9d refers to a head suspension and slider at xe2x80x9cflyxe2x80x9d height and in equilibrium under the influence of the aerodynamic lift force and the oppositely acting spring force of the head suspension.
The radius area of the spring region is not only responsible for loading, but has also been determined to have a large impact on torsional resonance characteristics of the head suspension. Resonance frequencies of the head suspension, if not controlled, can lead to off-track error within such a disk drive. Head suspensions are designed to optimize performance even at resonance frequencies, which include a lateral bending mode and torsional modes. More particularly, it is a design criterion to increase certain resonance frequencies to be higher than the vibrations experienced in the disk drive application. Additionally, it is desirable to reduce or eliminate the movement or gain of the head at the resonance frequencies of the head suspension.
Torsional and lateral bending modes are beam modes that are dependent on cross-sectional properties along the length of the load beam. These modes also result in lateral movement of the slider at the end of the head suspension assembly. Torsional modes sometimes produce a mode shape in which the tip of the resonating head suspension assembly moves in a circular fashion. However, since the slider is maintained at an offset height by the stiffness of the applied spring force, only lateral motion of the rotation is seen at the slider. The lateral bending mode (often referred to as xe2x80x9cswayxe2x80x9d) is primarily lateral motion.
The lateral bending mode is normally controlled by the design of the cross-section of the load beam, i.e., side rails, channels, and the like. It is typically desirable to control the resonance frequency of the lateral bending mode so that it is higher than the frequencies that are experienced in the disk drives within which they are to be used.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,946 (Matsuzaki) discloses a head suspension with side rails and a longitudinal plate of polymeric resinous material. The polymeric material extends from the mounting region, across the spring region and along at least a portion of the rigid region. U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,319 (Tangren) discloses a head suspension with a shorter spring region and a stiffener formed in the top profile of the load beam. The stiffener covers the proximal portion of the rigid region for increasing lateral and torsional stiffness. The stiffener decreases in width extending toward the distal end of the load beam.
Torsional modes, however, typically occur at lower frequencies, but typically have less of a lateral effect. Torsional modes are further subdivided depending on the number, if any, of nodes present along the length of the suspension assembly between a fixed end thereof and its free end. The slider would be supported near the free end. These various torsional mode shapes occur at different resonance frequencies. A single twist of the head suspension between a fixed end and its free end is referred to as first torsion mode. The off-track motion at the first torsion resonance frequency is the first torsional gain. Second torsional mode means a torsional mode shape having a single node along the length suspension between its fixed end and its free end. The position of the node divides the head suspension into first and second twisting motions on either side of the node point. Second torsional resonance frequencies occur at higher frequencies than the first torsional mode. Higher order torsional modes, i.e., third torsional mode having two node points, etc. typically occur at frequencies higher than those experienced within a typical disk drive environment.
The mass of the head suspension and how that mass is distributed along the head suspension has a large impact on the head suspension resonance frequencies, gain characteristics, and shock performance. For example, the addition of mass at a location of maximum displacement for a particular mode (bending or torsional) will generally reduce the natural frequency. Moreover, the lowering of the natural frequency may also increase the gain and shock performance. Mass located closer to the spring region is less detrimental to shock performance than mass loser to the distal end. To complicate matters, mass added at a specific location may advantageously increase lateral stiffness and thus the lateral bending mode resonance frequency, for example, but at the same time have a negative effect on a torsional resonance frequency.
To provide a high lateral bending frequency, the head suspension needs to be stiff in both the lateral direction and torsionally along the entire length of the head suspension. If a head suspension is designed with only one of these conditions in mind, the head suspension may have a low resonance frequency of torsional or lateral bending with a high degree of off-track motion or gain. A head suspension having a high lateral stiffness but a low torsional stiffness will not move strictly laterally due to the high lateral stiffness, but may twist at a lower resonance frequency. If the head suspension has high torsional stiffness and low lateral stiffness, the head suspension may deflect primarily laterally at a lower resonance frequency.
As an example, a wide head suspension load beam is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,898 to Wanlass. The relatively wide and evenly spaced side edges of the Wanlass design provide a load beam having a relatively high lateral stiffness. However, this increase is at the expense of torsional stiffness, which without further compensating features would tend to reduce the resonance frequency of the torsional and sway modes.
An example of a head suspension load beam shape designed primarily to increase torsional resonance frequencies is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,240 to Zarouri, et al. In this case, mass is reduced significantly along the length of the head suspension to increase its torsional stiffness. However, this decrease in mass along the head suspension length has a negative effect in lateral stiffness. Again, while one stiffness is increased, the other is reduced.
The present invention is directed to a head suspension assembly for a rigid disk drive. The load beam has a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region connecting the mounting region and the rigid region. A pair of rails extend along a portion of the rigid region. The rigid region has a railed region and a non-railed region adjacent to the spring region. A stiffener is attached to the load beam in a multi-layered structure. The stiffener has a proximal portion extending along at least a portion of the non-railed region without extending into the spring region, and a distal portion extending along 50% or less of a length of the railed region closest to the spring region.
In one embodiment, the railed region and/or the non-railed region have a delta shape. The load beam preferably comprises a metal having a thickness of 0.0025 inches or less.
In one embodiment, the proximal portion of the stiffener has a delta shape. In another embodiment, the stiffener has a shape generally corresponding to a shape of the non-railed region. The stiffener can be any regular or irregular shape, such as rectangular or curvilinear. In another embodiment, the distal portion of the stiffener has a shape generally corresponding to a shape of the railed region of the rigid region closest to the spring region.
In one embodiment, the distal portion of the stiffener is attached to less than 40% of the length of the railed region closest to the spring region. In another embodiment, the distal portion of the stiffener is attached to about 20% of the length of the railed region closest to the spring region. The stiffener preferably comprises a thin metal having a thickness of about 0.002 inches to about 0.004 inches. The stiffener is typically attached to the load beam by welds, although adhesives can be used. In one embodiment, the welds are located at each corner of the stiffener.

Head suspension with rail and stiffener combination


A method for measuring degree of packet congestion on a channel of a packet communication network. The method includes: during a training mode, generating an mathematical relationship between the degree of packet congestion on the channel and a plurality of measurable features of the network over a plurality of network conditions; and, during a subsequent normal operating mode, periodically measuring the plurality of measurable features and applying the generated mathematical relationship to such periodically measured plurality of measurable features to determine actual degree of congestion on the channel; and comparing the actual degree of congestion on the channel with a predetermined channel congestion threshold level. The degree of packet congestion on the channel is saturation level. The measurable features include: time delay between transmission starts and terminations of the previously transmitted packet; the fraction of time the channel is busy; and, average number of packet transmission retries.

As is known in the art, one type of packet transmission network is a wireless transmission network. As is also known, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) are becoming more and more popular nowadays due to their easy deployment and wide spread of Wi-Fi interface cards. A Wi-Fi Alliance report finds that 1.2 million 802.11 chipsets will be produced in 2006. Parallel to technological development, a flurry of analytical studies appeared in communication literature. Experimental results and theoretical studies show that wireless networks may enter a saturation regime characterized by a highly suboptimal medium utilization. More specifically, standard rate adaptation mechanisms reduce transmission rates when multiple packet loss occurs. Yet if the packet loss is due to collision rather than bad channel (which is the working assumption for the rate adaptation mechanism) then the controller induces a higher probability of collision which snowballs in turn into an even lower throughput. Such a mechanism is used by the Automatic Rate Fallback (ARF) algorithm used in WLAN-II products from Lucent which assumes all packet kiss are due to bad channel.
Here, a method is provided for detecting when saturation occurs in 802.11 wireless networks. The method computes a simple, efficiently computable, formula based on "saturation", as described below, discriminating features as inputs in order to predict saturation. The formula represents a classification boundary of saturation vs. non-saturation. The system classification boundary of saturation vs. non-saturation evolves from level curves with respect to load, interference or frame error rates, and the more the one of these conditions worsens the more the saturation boundary is approached. The consequences are very important in determining that the system approaches salutation, and also determining the cause of saturation: bad channel conditions or congestion or both.
Consider an 802.11e network formed of an Access Point (AF), and several stations (STA's). We will consider several Access Categories (AC) of the four AC's specified in 802.11e standard.
In the following, several scenarios are presented and comment on each of them if, and when, saturation is reached:
A. Single Connection (i.e. One Way)
Assume there is only one AP and one STA, and except for control frames, the data is transmitted only on the uplink. AP to STA (or, alternatively, only on the downlink, STA to AP). At low load, throughput is proportional to the load. The throughput then increases monotonically with load (load is MAC layer packet arrival rate at sender from its application layer). Starting with some load, the throughput remains constant indicating a plateau. However for the purpose of this project, this behavior is not considered saturation.
One characteristics of saturation (in our interpretation) is having packet collisions. In the one-link case there are no packet collisions (except maybe with interferers, which are not considered in this scenario), and as such, this case is not representative to saturation.
B. Link vs. Network
Consider the following scenario: the BSS (Basic service set) has three stations (STAs): two with high loads, and a third STA with a low load. The two STAs compete for the channel, and in this process create many packet collisions (and retransmissions). The third station, even though its packet transmissions may suffer multiple retransmissions, achieves the desired throughput, albeit with a larger delay. By increasing the first two STA loads the total throughput achieves a maximum value after which it decreases substantially by the cascading effect mentioned above. Then the saturation limit is achieved. The third station link throughput may not be affected. However, consider this case as network saturation.
A conclusion of this case is that saturation is a property of the network and not of individual links. Thus the network can be in saturation or not, and not a particular link.
C. Packet Collisions and Saturation
Consider a typical network scenario: one access point (AP) and several STAs. For moderate loads, when throughput is still a monotonically increasing function of load, packets may suffer collisions with some rate. An increase in the loads will produce an increase in the packet collision rate. Once the peak throughput is achieved, the packet collision rate keeps increasing with the load, however the throughput starts decreasing toward its saturation value.
Thus, the packet collision rate is a proxy for STAs loads and may be a good indicator of the presence of saturation.
All these aspects of the problem suggest the following definition of saturation:                A wireless network is in saturation if there is a set of decreases in the packet arrived rules at each station's MAC that produces an increase in the total throughput.
In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for measuring degree of packet congestion on a channel of a packet communication network. The method includes: during a training mode, generating an mathematical relationship between the degree of packet congestion on the channel and a plurality of measurable features of the network over a plurality of network conditions; and, during a subsequent normal operating mode, periodically measuring the plurality of measurable features and applying the generated mathematical relationship to such periodically measured plurality of measurable features to determine actual degree of congestion on the channel.
In one embodiment, the degree of packet congestion on the channel is saturation level of the channel.
In one embodiment, saturation level is a function of packet arrival rate at a receiver on the channel and total packet throughput on the channel.
In one embodiment, the function is that if there is a set of decreases in the packet arrival rates at each receiver that produces an increase in the total throughput, die channel is at the saturation level of the channel.
In one embodiment, the measurable features of the network include at least one of: time delay between transmission starts of a station on the channel and terminations of the previously transmitted packer from such station; the fraction of time the channel is busy with transmissions, regardless of the origin of the transmission, or whether packets were correctly transmitted and received; and, average number of packet transmission retries on the channel.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for congestion detection in packet transmission networks

Siemens Enterprises Communications GmbH & Co. KG


A method for driving a solid state imaging device which prevents the generation of electronic shutter noise even when the integration time for exposure of a pixel region fluctuates. The solid state imaging device performs a rolling shutter operation that sequentially selects a reset row and a read row separated from each other in accordance with a row spacing based on integration time in the pixel array. A dummy row is selected when a reset row or a read row is not selected. The method includes selecting a dummy reset row so that the total of the number of the reset rows and the reset dummy rows that are simultaneously selected is constant regardless of the number of simultaneously selected reset rows.

The present invention relates to a solid state imaging device provided with an imaging element, such as a CMOS image sensor.
An XY address-type solid state imaging device includes a plurality of imaging elements arranged in a matrix. An image of an object is acquired by scanning the imaging elements in a vertical direction. During this imaging operation, that is, during the operation of an electronic shutter, the electrical charge stored in each imaging element is reset in response to a reset signal. After the reset, the charge stored by each imaging element is read according to a read signal. During the electronic shutter operation, when the input timing of the reset signal and read signal are not appropriate, a band-like electronic shutter noise (difference in brightness level or difference in contrast level) is generated. The shutter noise extends along a horizontal direction in the image. In order to stably obtain high quality images, the generation of such electronic shutter noise must be suppressed.
FIG. 1 shows the pixel array of an XY address-type solid state imaging device. Pixel regions 1 are arranged in a matrix. Each pixel region 1 is connected to a vertical selection line CL and a horizontal selection line SLCT. A photoelectric conversion element, such as a photodiode 2, is formed in each pixel region 1.
In each pixel region 1, an n-channel MOS transistor Tr1 is connected to a power supply VDD, which supplies reset voltage. The cathode of a photodiode 2 is connected to the n-channel MOS transistor Tr1. Accordingly, the reset voltage is supplied through the n-channel MOS transistor Tr1 to the cathode of the photodiode 2. Furthermore, a low potential power supply VSS is connected to the anode of the photodiode 2. A reset signal line RST is connected to the gate of the transistor Tr1.
The source of the transistor Tr1 is connected to the gate of an n-channel MOS transistor Tr2. The drain of the transistor Tr2 is connected to the power supply VDD. The source of the transistor Tr2 is connected to the vertical selection line CL via an n-channel MOS transistor Tr3. The gate of the transistor Tr3 is connected to the horizontal selection line SLCT.
During the imaging operation, the reset signal lines RST are sequentially selected by a reset control circuit. The transistor Tr1 of the pixel region 1 connected to the selected reset signal line RST is turned ON, a photodiode 2 is reset by the reset voltage level of the power supply VDD, and exposure of the photodiode 2 is started. The photodiode 2 is discharged in accordance with the amount of exposure.
Subsequently, the horizontal selection lines SLCT are sequentially selected in accordance with the operation of a vertical scan shift register. The transistor Tr3 connected to the selected horizontal selection line SLCT is turned ON. The pixel data corresponding to the charge potential at the photodiode 2 is output to the associated vertical selection line CL.
A column parallel reading circuit simultaneously reads pixel data, which is read from each pixel region 1 in one horizontal row of the pixel array, through all the vertical selection lines CL. Then, the pixel data is sequentially selected by the horizontal scan shift register and output from an output circuit.
When an imaging device is operated in a so-called rolling shutter mode, the selection of the reset signal lines RST, that is, the selection of the reset row, and the selection of the horizontal selection line SLCT, that is, the selection of the read row, are performed simultaneously. FIG. 2 shows the pixel array at a specific timing. At this time, row L1 is undergoing a reset process, and row L2 is undergoing a read process. The reset row L1 and the read row L2 are separated from each other by a predetermined row spacing L. At the next timing, the reset row L1 and the read row L2 are shifted downward by one row. The row spacing L corresponds to the time from when the reset operation is performed to when the read operation is performed, that is, the integration time (exposure time) of each photodiode 2.
FIG. 3 shows the timing of a rolling shutter operation when the interval between a reset operation AC1 and a read operation AC2 is equivalent to the time for scanning 100 rows (that is, the row spacing L is 100 rows). The total number of rows of the pixel regions 1 is 640, and the vertical blanking period is equivalent to the time for scanning 45 rows.
When the imaging operation of the initial frame FL1 begins, the reset operation AC1 starts to sequentially select the reset signal lines RST. After period t1, which is equivalent to the time for resetting 100 rows, the read operation AC2 is started to sequentially select the horizontal selection lines SLCT. After period t2, the reset operation AC1 of frame FL1 ends. After period t3, the read operation AC2 of frame FL1 ends. Then, when the vertical blanking period t4 which is equivalent to the time for scanning 45 rows elapses, the imaging operation of the first frame FL1 ends, and the reset operation AC1 of the next frame starts.
When each frame is processed, only the reset operation ACL is performed at period t1. At period t2, the reset operation AC1 and the read operation AC2 are performed in parallel (simultaneously). At period t3, only the read operation AC2 is performed. At period t2 during which the two operations of reset and read are performed simultaneously, the load on the power supply VDD is high compared to periods t1 and t3 during which only one of the reset or read operation is performed. Therefore, at period t2, the level of the power supply VDD may be reduced. Fluctuation of the level of the power supply VDD would affect the reset operation AC1 or the read operation AC2 and generate a horizontal band-like electronic shutter noise generated on the imaging screen.
To solve this problem, an imaging device has been proposed to level the load on the power supply VDD by providing a plurality of dummy rows in the pixel array. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a reset operation is performed on the dummy rows at periods t3 and t4 during which the reset operation AC1 is not performed. A read operation is performed for the dummy rows at periods t1 and t4 during which the read operation is not performed.
In this way, one row always undergoes the reset operation and the read operation. This levels the load on the power supply VDD, suppresses fluctuation of the power supply VDD, and prevents the generation of an electronic shutter noise.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-8109 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-125203 each describe an imaging device in which a reset operation is performed on dummy rows from when a reset operation ends to when a read operation ends.

Solid state imaging device and method for driving the same


An apparatus for inking or printing on the surface of an item, such as a badge or emblem, is described. The apparatus incorporates a number of sub-systems including: an apparatus for holding and positioning blank screen material; a laser ablation system for producing the desired hole pattern in the blank screen material to form screens; a print/ink station; a table assembly for supporting a plurality of labels or emblems and moving such labels or emblems sequentially to the print station; and an apparatus for moving the screens to the print/ink station. The apparatus also includes heater for drying the ink after the printing/inking step is completed. The apparatus for producing the patterns includes a laser, mirrors for moving the beam in the x and y directions, and optics for focusing the beam on the blank screen material. The inking station includes an ink tray, a reciprocating squeegee and blades for wiping ink from the leading edges of the squeegee after the squeegee passes over the pattern.

It is well-known in the screen printing processes to print through screens of metal or fabric, where the mesh is created by perpendicular filaments. Such screens may be made from a number of materials including, but not limited to, phosphor bronze, copper, molybdenum, gold, platinum or stainless steel. Also, and more commonly, screens are made of synthetic material such as nylon and Dacron. Mesh sizes of 80 to 400 (wires and/or filaments per inch) may be used.
Typically, to form the printing stencil from such screens, the entire screen is filled with a filler, such as gelatin. After filling, excess filler is removed from the printing areas, without removing filler intended to plug the non-printing mesh areas in the screen.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,742 to L. P. Parts et al. discloses what is described as an improved screen-printing stencil in which the non-printing areas of a conventional screen are closed with a solid polymer capable of undergoing residue-free depolymerization. After all the apertures in the screen are filled, the prospective printing areas are irradiated with a laser beam of sufficient intensity to depolymerize the polymer from these printing areas and completely evaporate the depolymerization products. The evaporation of the depolymerization products leaves selected areas of the screen mesh open for the passage of ink. In at least some applications the laser beam can be shaped by using a stencil into which the desired pattern or patterns have been cut. Alternately, irradiation can be through a mask laid upon the filled screen.
Japanese application No. 60-230338 to Sanyo also discloses the use of a laser beam to cut a design in a stencil or template material, which stencil is then adhered to a mesh screen, to eliminate the need for photosensitive emulsions. The screen is used for printing thick film integrated circuits.
European Patent No. 0,266,622 to R. Bellot discloses a cylindrical form for screen printing, comprising a cylindrical sieve around which a template is secured. The template can be of plastic and can be secured to the sieve by heat shrinking, heat treatment or adhesive. To determine the printing pattern a laser is used to selectively remove portions of the template.
West German patent application DT 25 39 845 to A. Beckert discloses a printing process which uses a cylindrical perforated carrier screen, with a 40 to 60 line screen distributed homogeneously. The holes in the cylindrical carrier screen can be produced by a laser beam. The screen is then covered with a photo-lacquer layer, or copper, or plastics. Cut outs are formed in this layer having the shape of the letter, etc., to be printed.
Finally, PCT WO 86/04549 to S. Ruckl discloses a screen printing stencil made by perforating a foil uniformly and then coating it so that all the perforations are filled. The foil is then wrapped on a cylinder and a laser beam is then directed on the foil to bare selected perforations in the desired pattern.
All of the above described apparatus and methods require the use of a screen or equivalent (the sieve of Bellot; the perforated cylinder of Beckert; the perforated foil of Ruckl) in which the perforations or openings are filled and then certain perforations/openings selectively opened by a laser beam (Parts and Ruckl) or non-wanted perforations/openings are covered with a stencil (Beckert, Bellot and Sanyo).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,848 to A. S. Baran discloses a method and apparatus for producing a machine readable marking, such as a bar code marking, on work pieces. The method includes producing a stencil of the marking in stencil material (such as paper, plastic or metal) by incising the stencil material or by controllably burning the stencil material with a focused laser beam. Coating material is then applied through the stencil.
Although, as is obvious from the above references, there has been a long felt need in the art for a precise "screen" for use in printing, it was not until the subject invention that an inexpensive, accurate method of producing such a screen was feasible.
The subject apparatus and method have a number of advantages over the prior art. The single step of punching or ablating the desired hole pattern(s) in the template stock material with a laser is faster than prior art processes. It avoids the expense and time consuming steps of forming a screen, filling the screen and then removing selected portions of the fill to re-expose portions of the screen. The invention also allows for varying both the pitch of the holes and the size of the holes in a single screen which is not possible with prior art screens. The process also avoids waste removal associated with the prior art. Finally, the apparatus and method of forming the screen facilitates automation of the entire process, from forming the screen to printing and drying. The inking station is automatic, repeatable, and prints on both strokes (forward and backward). As such, the subject invention provides a solution to a long existing problem.

Apparatus and method for producing a printing screen


A continuous transverse stub element array structure which forms a coaxial geometry formed from a plurality of cylindrical segments, wherein each of the cylindrical segments has a rim at a top end and a bottom end, wherein each rim extends transversely away from the cylindrical segment relative to a longitudinal axis thereof to thereby form a stub element, wherein the individual cylindrical transverse stub elements are aligned end-to-end to thereby form a coaxial cable structure which surrounds a central core material. The series of these stubs form reactive or radiating elements for microwave, millimeter-wave, and quasi-optical filters and antennas. Purely reactive elements are formed by leaving the conductive coating on the terminus of the stub elements, whereas radiating elements are formed when stub elements of moderate radius are opened to free space. For tunability, each of the plurality of cylindrical segments and the central axis materials are coated with a conductive material which is ferro-electrical or liquid crystal in nature. The individual stub elements are separated from each other by air gaps or an appropriate material.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to antennas, filters and transmission lines. More specifically, the invention relates to a new configuration of a continuous transverse stub element array structure which is formed in a coaxial arrangement to provide superior omnidirectional performance at microwave, millimeter, and quasi-optical wavelengths.
2. The State of the Art
The state of the art of antennas, antenna arrays, parallel plate waveguides, filters and couplers beginning at microwave frequencies is characterized, for example, by several types of more conventional designs of mono-poles or dipoles, slotted waveguide arrays, printed patch arrays, and reflector and lens systems as mobile or base station terminal antennas. These designs are used to build high gain antenna arrays, adaptive arrays, phased arrays and smart antennas. Furthermore, when moving into frequencies which are greater than 20 GHz and commonly known as millimeter wave and quasi-optical frequencies, antennas and filters suffer from relatively low Q factors due to high dissipative conductor and dielectric losses, interconnect losses, and from relatively difficult fabrication due to dimensional tolerances. Accordingly, antenna and filter designs have moved to more advantageous configurations which are known as continuous transverse stub element array structures which can be radiating (antenna) or reactive (filter).
The known configurations and methods of fabricating these continuous transverse stub element array structures are generally taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,266,961, 5,412,394, 5,583,524, 5,604,505 and 5,771,567 to list but a few. In essence, these patents teach that a continuous transverse stub element residing in one or both conductive plates of a parallel plate waveguide is employed as a coupling, reactive, or radiating element in coupler, filter and antenna designs. These patents contributed to the parallel-plate continuous transverse array designs that are characterized by pencil beam patterns.
In the planar-type prior art, a typical continuous transverse stub element array structure will include a dielectric element forming a plane which has a second dielectric element which extends transversely to the plane to form a stub. A first conductive element is disposed coextensive with the dielectric element forming the plane, and a second conductive element is disposed along a surface of the second dielectric stub element.
FIG. 1 is provided as a close-up illustration of the prior art which shows a typical dielectric plane 10 and stub element 12. FIG. 2 is provided to show a perspective view of an array of stub elements 14 in a planar array 16.
It is taught in the prior art that purely-reactive stub elements are realized through conductively terminating (a short circuit) or by narrowing (an open circuit) the terminus of the stub element. Radiating elements are formed when stub elements of moderate height are opened to free space. Precise control of stub element coupling or excitation by way of coupling of parallel plate waveguide modes is accomplished through variation of longitudinal stub element length, stub element height, parallel plate separation, and the properties of the parallel plate and the stub element media.
The prior art is also characterized by teaching that continuous transverse stub elements can be arrayed to form planar apertures and structures of arbitrary area which are comprised of a linear array of continuous transverse stub elements fed by a conventional line-source or sources.
The prior art teaches that the transverse stub elements are varied by modifying their height, width, length, and cross section. Other cited variations include changing the number of stub elements, and adding additional structures to the basic stub element. However, these arrays structure fail to provide a coaxial arrangement for a filter or antenna array system, or any means of conveniently providing a signal feed thereto.
It would be an advantage over the prior art to provide a different continuous transverse stub element array design which can provide a high Q-factor filter and a low cost antenna array with two-dimensional beam steering capability. It would be another advantage to provide omnidirectional capabilities at microwave, millimeter wave and quasi-optical wavelengths which would permit construction of a small and mobile array design. It would be a further advantage to provide a large beam scan width in a new continuous transverse stub element array design which provided low loss and had improved impedance matching.

Coaxial continuous transverse stub element device antenna array and filter


Provided are a method for processing optical signals and a transmitter for the signals adapted for an ultra-high bit rate. The method uses an optical pulse stream with a carrier suppressed return to zero (CS-RZ) format to be obtained from an optical modulator that is driven using a combination of two sinusoidal electrical voltages, one at a frequency f and the other at the third harmonic 3f of the frequency f.

In order to improve the quality of Dense Wavelength Division multiplexing (DWDM) transmission dedicated for long haul distances (more than 1000 kilometers), different solutions have been proposed based on the use of modulation format such as Non Return-to-Zero (NRZ), Return-to-Zero (RZ), Carrier-Suppressed Return-to-Zero (CS-RZ), Return-to-Zero Differential Phase Shift Keyed Signals (RZ-DPSK), Phase Shaped Binary Transmission (PSBT) etc. . . . All these techniques try to reduce the impact of propagation effect occurring usually in DWDM environment among other by reducing the spectral width of each channel.
In conventional manner, the power spectrum density of RZ optical signal is relatively broad because of the large number of transitions in the signal to be transmitted. Due to the spread over a wide range of frequencies of the transmitted energy, an RZ signal is sensitive to group velocity dispersion i.e. to chromatic dispersion, and also to four-wave mixing (FWM) or "cross-talk" in DWDM systems. Nevertheless, RZ format presents the advantage of being little affected by self-phase modulation (SPM) in comparison to a NRZ format. It often happens that the SPM induced by optical non-linearities in a line fiber gives rise to optical signal distortion that reduces the range and the capacity of optical transmission systems. In addition, RZ signals are suitable for being regenerated by synchronous modulation.
Conversely, the power spectrum density of a NRZ optical signal is narrower than that of a RZ signal. However, in NRZ format, both capacity and transmission range are limited by SPM. Furthermore, no optical or electronic regenerators exist that are capable of processing such signals at high bit rates. Such signals are not easily integrable and introduce losses because of the interaction between successive "0" and "1" bits, and/or distortion, so that the extinction ratio of the signal after electrical filtering is degraded. There exist also CS-RZ optical signals having the property of presenting bits that are always phase-shifted by 180° relative to adjacent bits. Such CS-RZ signals possess numerous advantages over conventional signals like RZ and NRZ. More particularly, the interaction between adjacent bits are reduced due to the different phase between neighbor bits. Therefore, the use of CS-RZ reduces intrachannel effects, one of the main limitation for optical transmission rates at or above 40 Gbit/s.
In an article entitled "40 Gbit/s L-band transmission experiment using SPM-tolerant carrier-suppressed RZ format", published in Elec. Letters, Vol. 35, No. 25, Dec. 9, 1999, p. 2213 A. Hirano et al. describe using a shifted dispersion optical fiber link in particular, a study of the optimum dispersion stabilities between RZ, CS-RZ, and NRZ signals in the large (L) transmission band at frequencies in the range between 1570 nanometers (nm) to 1605 nm. It appears that CS-RZ signals at 40 Gbit/s present the most stable optimum dispersion and remain the closest to a total dispersion in the vicinity of 0 picosecond per nanometer (ps/nm). Dispersion tolerance is explained in particular by the phase inversion between adjacent bits which eliminates all inter-bit interference. Furthermore, CS-RZ signals subject the sensitivity of the receiver to little degradation at high power. Those results also confirm that CS-RZ signals are less sensitive to SPM than are NRZ signals. In this article, the generator producing the CS-RZ optical signals at 40 Gbit/s comprise a Mach-Zehnder modulator in push-pull mode fed with a sinusoidal electrical signal of 20 gigahertz (GHz). The CS-RZ pulse width takes 66% of the time bit (16.5 ps at 40 Gbit/s). It is usually obtained using half frequency driving (typically 20 GHz) of the modulator biased at the minimum of the transfer curve.
Another type of CS-RZ clock signal generator (transmitter) is based on using a phase modulator to change the phase of each successive bit. Due to their limited passbands, those prior art generators or transmitter do not make it possible, at present, to produce stable CS-RZ signals at a modulation frequency exceeding 40 Gbit/s. In other words, such generators or transmitters are unsuitable for producing CS-RZ signals at very high bit rates.

Method and system for generating CS-RZ pulses showing narrow width of bit duration


A timing generator includes a plurality of waveform generators. Each waveform generator includes a register which stores externally input data of a signal waveform to be generated and a waveform generation circuit which generates and outputs a signal on the basis of the data stored in the register, and updates the data stored in the register at a predetermined timing.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the arrangement of the driving circuit of a conventional solid-state area image sensor. In FIG. 9, a horizontal transfer pulse directly from a timing generator 909 and a vertical transfer pulse from the timing generator 909 through a V driver 105 are applied to an area image sensor 101. In response to horizontal and vertical transfer pulses, an image signal sensed by the area image sensor 101 is read out and input to an analog front end 103. The analog front end 103 performs in turn correlated double sampling (CDS), gain adjustment, and A/D conversion for the input signal and supplies the processing result to a digital signal processor (DSP) 905 as a digital signal. The digital signal processor 905 forms an image signal consisting of a luminance signal and color difference signals using the supplied digital signal and outputs it to a terminal 107. The digital signal processor 905 operates in accordance with a clock generated by the timing generator 909. The digital signal processor 905 generates HD and VD pulses conforming to a predetermined standard such as the NTSC standard, the PAL standard, or the like and supplies them to the timing generator 909 in return. The timing generator 909 generates various read pulses for the area image sensor 101 on the basis of the HD and VD pulses, thereby achieving frame synchronization.
The conventional timing generator 909, however, is designed specifically for the area image sensor 101 and lacks in general versatility. To support a plurality of different image sensing modes such as a still image sensing mode, a monitor mode (mode in which the entire area of the area image sensor is read out in a 2-field period to achieve frame synchronization before sensing still images), and the like, in addition to a moving image sensing mode, the timing generator 909 must be arranged so that the area image sensor 101 can be driven and a read signal can be processed in each mode. Additionally, if some change needs to be made to a driving signal, the timing generator 909 itself must be manufactured again, thus resulting in an increase in cost.


The invention relates to a device for protecting eyes against the rays of the sun, comprising: a support frame mountable on a head and at least one shielding member displaceable relative to the support frame. The shielding member can herein preferably be fixed in a plurality of positions relative to the support frame, for instance in that it is pivotally mounted on the support frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for protecting eyes against the rays of the sun, comprising: a support frame mountable on a head provided with an ear support, and at least one shielding member displaceable relative to the support frame, wherein the shielding member has a curved shape which fits the shape of the face of a user, and wherein the shielding member is connected to the support frame for pivoting round at least one point of rotation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The advantages of protecting eyes against the sun""s rays, such as for instance preventing glare, are generally known. Use is made for this purpose inter alia of sunglasses, which filter out in optionally selective manner a part of the sun""s rays. Drawbacks to the use of sunglasses are that a part of the light from the image the wearer of sunglasses wants to look at is also filtered out. In addition, it may be irritating that the eyes of the wearer of the sunglasses cannot be seen, for instance when a conversation is taking place. Another method of protecting eyes against the rays of the sun is the use of a cap or sun visor which is placed on the head. Not only the eyes but also a part of the face surrounding the eyes of the wearer is hereby shielded against direct rays of the sun. It is also uncomfortable, particularly in warm conditions, to wear a cap or sun visor.
The American patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,464 discloses a facial shield for protection of the eyes from the sun. The shield comprises a one piece shielding member and supporting means coupled to the shielding member for supporting the shielding member on a user""s head. The shielding member has a curved shape which fits the shape of the face of a user, wherein the shielding member is connected to the supporting means for pivoting round at least one point of rotation. The shielding also comprises a nose support which is an integrated part of the shielding member. The facial shield as described in this publication has the drawback that displacement of the shielding member relative to the supporting means can solely occur in a considerable restrictive way. The position of the shielding member relative to the eyes is fixed, which can result in situations wherein the eyes are not optimally protected against the rays of the sun.
The present invention has for its object to provide a device of the type stated in the preamble, with which eyes can be totally protected against the rays of the sun without the above stated drawbacks of sunglasses, cap, sunshield and sunglasses with sunshield.
The invention provides for this purpose a device of the type stated in the preamble, characterized in that the support frame comprises at least one nose support and wherein the shielding member is connected to the support frame in such a way that tile point of rotation is situated between the nose support and the ear support. Using this device the eyes can be shielded from the rays of the sun very selectively and completely without a greater part of the face simultaneously being shielded from the rays of the sun. A particular advantage is here found to be that the shade created on the eyes (and the eyelids) provides a strong sensation of cooling. An underlying reason for this could be that the eyes and eyelids are relatively sensitive body parts, the local temperature sensation of which has a considerable influence on the general temperature sensation. In addition, it can be an advantage that the selective shielding of the eyes contributes toward even tanning of the face. Yet another advantage is that the eyes of a user of the device according to the invention generally remain visible to conversation partners and that the light from objects being viewed by the user is not filtered, so that a relatively strong image can be observed. The curved shape of the shielding member fitting the face of a user has the advantage that the distance between the face of the wearer and the shielding member is more or less constant over the whole length of the shielding member, irrespective of the position of the shielding member. This results in an improved shielding action of the device according to the invention. An example of this improved shielding action is the intercepting of sun""s rays which are laterally incident on the face of a user of the device; the curved shape of the shielding member also intercepts these rays before they are incident on an eye of the user of the device. The device according to the invention forms a universal solution which combines the advantages of the already existing (sun)light shielding means and which in addition also provides extra functionality. The nose support leads to a comfortable wearing of the device. As the nose support is a part of the support frame, the position of the support frame relative to the eyes is, during use, more or less fixed, while the shielding member has a high degree of freedom of rotation round the support frame. An advantage of the adjustment of the shielding member in a broad range is that the position of the shielding member is always or often adjustable in such a way that the eyes are protected in an optimal way against the rays of the sun.
The American patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 2,235,599 discloses an adjustable eye-shield, which comprises a transparant, resilient eye-shield panel of a substantially rectangular shape, and a flexible head-band connected thereto. The eye-shield is adapted to protect the eyes of a wearer from the glare of artificial light and may serve as a protection for flying particles of matter.
A removable sunglass assembly for attachment to a conventional eyeglass assembly is disclosed by the American patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,443. When the sunglass assembly is attached to the eyeglass assembly, the position of the sunglass assembly relative to the eyeglass assembly is more or less fixed. In een preferred embidoment the shielding has a curved shape which fits the shape of the face of a user.
Known from the American patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,321 is a combination of sunglasses and a sunshield with a tinted panel and an opaque panel. Both panels are substantially rectangular and rotatably connected to a horizontal headband. The headband is manufactured from resilient plastic and forms part of a support structure which more or less corresponds with an eyeglass frame. The opaque panel is suitable for partial or complete shielding of the eyes of the user against intense sunlight.
In the American patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,214 a shade visor removable from a pair of glasses is provided with resilient loops for engaging on an eyeglass frame. The shade visor is designed to be attached above the lenses in a stationary position. Such a shade visor differs very considerably from the device according to the invention, for instance because of the lack of the adjustability of the sun shade relative to the eyeglass frame.
In one preferred embodiment the point of rotation is situated, in a side view, on the side of the nose support directed toward the ear support. The point of rotation forms a structurally simple and adjustable coupling between shielding member and support frame. By placing the point of rotation at a position which, in front view of the device, lies behind the nose support, the shielding member becomes displaceable such that it can also be rotated to positions above or below the nose support. The very significant advantage of this high degree of adjustability resulting from the location of the point of rotation is that light rays coming from below or above can also be shielded. The device can thus shield the eye from the sun""s rays or reflection from a wet road surface or a water surface. The device can also be used to shield the eyes of a person who is lying in the sun and wherein the sunlight is incident from a position close to the side where the temple bar members are situated. Conversely, light rays incident more or less parallel to the forehead can also be intercepted. Owing to the point of rotation situated to the rear, the shielding member can be rotated to a position above the supporting structure, close to the eyes, and in an extreme case even so far that the shielding member lies against the forehead. Another advantage is that the device can be employed such that a user can look over the shielding member or under the shielding member. Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can be manufactured in aesthetically very responsible manner such that it can even be worn as a fashion accessory.
For a more solid construction of the device it is recommended that the shielding member is pivotally connected to the support frame by means of two points of rotation, which points of rotation are located on either side of the nose support.
In another preferred embodiment the shielding member can be fixed in a plurality of positions relative to the support frame, for instance in that the shielding member is mounted pivotally on the support frame. The shielding member can thus be placed in a fixed position such that it situated between the sun (or other inconvenient radiation source) and the eyes.
In yet another preferred embodiment the shielding member consists substantially of an elongate and curved strip of shielding material, for instance manufactured from a material which is impermeable for the rays of the sun. This impermeability can for instance be obtained in that a part of the shielding member is at least provided with a metal layer. It is of course also possible to manufacture the shielding member wholly from metal. Alternatively, it is likewise possible for the shielding member to be provided with a material which is partly permeable for the rays of the sun. A part of or the whole shielding member can thus be partly permeable for the sun""s rays (for instance filtering out infrared and ultraviolet but not the visible part of the spectrum).
For a further limitation of the radiation on the eyes and eyelids, the side of the shielding member directed toward the support frame is provided in a preferred embodiment with a surface absorbing the rays of the sun. Reflecting radiation will hereby also be at least partly intercepted. In practice the absorbing surface will be embodied in matt black.
For embellishment purposes the shielding member can be provided with a decorated surface on the side remote from the support frame. Such a surface can also function extremely well as advertising surface.
Finally, a variant of the invention can also be envisaged wherein the support frame is formed by a pair of glasses. Known corrective glasses and/or known sunglasses can thus be equipped with a shielding member, whereby a new support frame is unnecessary. The pair of glasses will then function as support frame.

Shielding member for eye protection against sun rays


Described is an apparatus comprising: a multi-modulus divider; and a phase provider to receive a multiphase periodic signal and operable to rotate phases of the multiphase periodic signal to generate an output which is received by the multi-modulus divider.

Dividers are used for dividing a frequency of a signal. For example, an output of an oscillator may be divided by a divider into a slower frequency periodic signal relative to the output frequency of the oscillator. Many high performance computing and/or communication systems use on-die system clock frequency with fine resolution, for example, in the order of 10 to 100 Hz. Generally, system clock is generated by a Phase Locked Loop (PLL). The reference input clock for the PLL is generally provided by a fixed frequency crystal oscillator. Since the input frequency of the reference clock is fixed, one way to generate finer system clock frequency is to select a lower reference clock frequency and use an integer divider with as large as possible division ratios to divide the output clock frequency of the PLL to generate a feedback clock signal with same frequency as the reference clock frequency.
However, this method of using integer divider using large division ratio and lower reference clock frequency limits the design space. For example, generating finer frequency steps in the PLL output clock becomes a challenge. The method and apparatus of using integer divider using large division ratios also causes the system clock's resolution to be limited by the lowest possible reference clock frequency.


An apparatus and a method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment problems are described. In the apparatus, a tool body and a tool lid are connected together by a hinge means in a clam-shell configuration. The tool body has a cavity formed such that a ventilated platen can be tightly positioned therein with a top surface of the platen exposed. A flexible film is mounted to an inner surface of the tool lid facing the tool body and pushed down onto the ventilated platen while air is being withdrawn from the ventilated platen. The adhesion process for the flexible film to the platen can be completed without any air entrapment problem existing between the film and the platen.

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without the air entrapment problem and more particularly, relates to an apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without the air entrapment problem by simultaneously drawing vacuum from the surface of the ventilated platen during the adhesion process in a clam-shell tool and a method for using the tool.
In the manufacturing of articles, a protective film is frequently adhered onto a machine part to protect it from scratching or electrostatic discharge (or arcing). For instance, one of such application is the use of a dielectric film of polymeric base that is adhered onto the surface of a metal chamber component to provide arc resistance. The electrical insulating nature of the dielectric film prevents the accumulation of electrostatic charges on the metal surface and thus, avoids the occurrence of arcing.
In semiconductor manufacturing, a polyimide or polyester based electrical insulating film is frequently used to protect a process chamber component from plasma damage due to arcing such that the lifetime of the chamber component can be extended. Without the protected film covering the metal surface, the surface will become pitted after extended usage in a plasma atmosphere. In other instances, a protective film may be adhered to a metal part to protect the part from chemical attack due to exposure to corrosive gases or liquids.
Conventionally, a dielectric film or an insulating film is adhered to a chamber component by first coating the backside of the dielectric film with an adhesive and then applying the film to the chamber component by hand and subsequently, using a hand operated tool such as a roller to roll the dielectric film surface to remove air bubbles entrapped between the dielectric film and the chamber component. This is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C.
A chamber component 10, of a ventilated platen from a plasma process chamber is first placed in a horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 1A, for the hand application of an insulating film 12 on the top surface 14 of the platen. Since the film 12 is applied by hand, numerous air bubbles 16 are entrapped in-between the dielectric film 12 and the top surface 14 of the ventilated platen 10. After the hand application of the film on top of the ventilated platen, a roller 20 is used to roll the film 12 from one edge 22 of the platen 10 to the opposite edge 24 of the platen. While the roller 20 may squeeze out some entrapped air bubbles, a number of air bubbles 16 still remain. This is shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C. Note that the ventilated platen 10 is provided with a plurality of vent apertures 18 through the thickness of the platen. The hand rolling technique shown in FIGS. 1A-1C further causes a problem that the surface of the dielectric film is frequently scratched by the hand rolling operation.
In the plasma process chamber for semiconductor materials, a reaction byproduct of a polymeric film is frequently deposited on top of the ventilated platen 10, i.e. on top of the dielectric film 12. This is shown in FIG. 2. The polymeric film 26 deposited becomes easily dislodged from the surface of the dielectric film 12 and causes chamber contamination. The falling off of the polymeric film 26 becomes more severe as the thickness of the polymeric film deposited becomes thicker when the plasma process chamber has been used for a prolonged period of time. The chamber contamination problem caused by the presence of air bubbles 16 entrapped between the dielectric film 12 and the ventilated platen 10 severely affects the yield of the plasma process and therefore must be prevented.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without the drawbacks or shortcomings of the conventional apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without any air entrapment problem in-between the film and the platen.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen by utilizing a specially designed clam-shell fixture for the adhesion process.
It is another further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment problems by withdrawing vacuum from the ventilated platen during the adhesion process.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without any air entrapment problem by using a tool body and a tool lid that are connected together in a clam-shell configuration.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without any air entrapment problem by withdrawing air in-between the film and the platen simultaneously with the bonding of the film to the platen.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and a method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment problems are disclosed.
In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment problem can be provided which includes a tool body that has a cavity therein defined by a contiguous sidewall that has a planar top surface and a bottom wall that has at least one aperture therethrough, the cavity is adapted for receiving the ventilated platen and for exposing a top surface of the platen; a tool lid that has a shape substantially similar to a planar area of the tool body, the tool lid has an inner surface for mounting the flexible film thereon and a sealing means mounted on the inner surface along a peripheral edge of the lid; and a hinge means connecting an edge of the tool body to an edge of the tool lid for sealingly engaging the two parts together in a clam-shell configuration with the sealing means on the tool lid engaging the planar top surface of the contiguous sidewall of the tool body and, with a vacuum pulled from the at least one aperture in the bottom wall of the tool body such that the flexible film can be transferred to and adheres on the top surface of the ventilated platen by an adhesive layer pre-deposited on the flexible film.
In the apparatus for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment, the tool body and the tool lid both have a circular shape. The ventilated platen may be a chamber lid for a plasma process chamber and the flexible film may be an arc-resistant film. The sealing means may be an O-ring, while the ventilated platen may have a plurality of vent holes therethrough in fluid communication with the at least one aperture in the bottom wall of the tool body. The tool lid may further include a handle means on an outer surface to facilitate the transfer of the flexible film from the tool lid to the ventilated platen.
The present invention is further directed to a method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment problems which can be carried out by the operating steps of providing a tool body that has a cavity therein defined by a contiguous sidewall that has a planar top surface and a bottom wall that has at least one aperture therethrough; positioning the ventilated platen in the cavity, then exposing a top surface of the platen; providing a tool lid that has a shape substantially similar to a planar area of the tool body; mounting the flexible film on an inner surface of the tool lid facing the tool body and a sealing means on the inner surface along a peripheral edge of the lid; connecting a hinge means to an edge of the tool body and an edge of the tool lid for sealingly engaging the two parts together in a clam-shell configuration and engaging the sealing means on the tool lid to the planar top surface of the contiguous sidewall of the tool body; and withdrawing air from the at least one aperture in the bottom wall of the tool body while engaging the tool lid to the tool body in a clam-shell manner and transferring the flexible film to the ventilated platen by an adhesive layer pre-deposited on the flexible film.
The method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment may further include the step of mounting a sealing means of an O-ring on the inner surface along a peripheral edge of the lid, or the step of providing the tool body and the tool lid in a circular shape, or the step of supplying the flexible film in an arc-resistant film. The method may further include the step of providing the ventilated platen with a plurality of vent holes for establishing fluid communication with the at least one aperture in the bottom wall of the tool body. The method may further include the step of mounting a handle means on an outer surface of the tool lid, or the step of pushing down the tool lid by the handle means mounted thereon to engage the tool body, or the step of engaging the tool lid to the tool body from one edge of the tool body to an opposite edge of the tool body. The method may further include the step of coating an adhesive layer on one side of the flexible film.

Apparatus and method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A compact fiber optic housing has a tray divided into front and rear areas by a partition, the rear area receiving excess slack from optical fibers, and the front area having a bulkhead for receiving fiber optic connectors. The front and rear areas overlap to optimize the space within the tray; the tray may consist of a single base supporting the front and rear areas, or of two separate front and rear shelves which are removably attached to each other. The bulkhead includes clips which releasably secure the connectors to the tray, the clips being received in apertures in the base of the tray. A lower tier of the partition slightly overlies the apertures. Each clip is formed from a single piece of sheet metal, having a base for insertion into the apertures, and having a bulkhead riser extending perpendicularly from the base, the riser having a hole for receiving the connector coupling. The base of each clip has two tines extending under the lower tier of the partition, defining a slot which may be used for removing the clip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a housing for the distribution of cables, and more particularly to a compact fiber distribution unit which stores excess fiber slack and receives a plurality of fiber optic connectors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, fiber optic cables have replaced traditional copper wire as the preferred medium for telecommunications. As with copper wires, it is often necessary to provide cross-connections and interconnections between optical fibers at various locations in the distribution system. The prior art is replete with fiber optic organizers, junction boxes, etc, for this purpose. Several of these inventions utilize fiber organizing trays which slide out of a housing or cabinet-like drawers. In some units, the trays are pivotally attached to the housing. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,792,203, 4,900,123, 4,911,521, 5,013,121 and 5,093,887.
Common features of a conventional fiber organizing tray include: a spool or reel for storing excess fiber slack and maintaining a minimum bend radius in the fibers to prevent undue stress or kinks; tabs or lugs which keep the fibers from slipping off the reel or out of the tray; a splice area having retaining clips, adhesive, or other means for attaching splice elements to the tray; and a cover for protecting selected portions of the fibers. The cabinets used with these trays sometimes have a movable shelf providing a work surface for, e.g., making the splice connections, and may include a special panel cover or other means for preventing access to certain portions of the cabinet.
It is desirable to maintain the minimum bend radius in all of the stored fibers to avoid microbends which would induce optical losses in the fibers or promote fractures. While the reels of prior art fiber organizing trays provide such a minimum radius for excess fiber slack, many of these tray designs overlook bending of the fiber at other locations. For example, several tray designs include a partition or bulkhead for receiving a plurality of fiber optic connectors. In these designs, the bulkheads are mounted relatively close to a side or front wall of the tray, and the portions of the fibers immediately adjacent the connectors often undergo bending beyond the minimum radius. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,824,196 (see FIG. 3) and 5,071,211 (see FIG. 23). Although fiber bends must be gentle, this is opposed by requirements to keep fiber optic trays small. Telephone central office racks typically support a 12" maximum component depth, leaving little room for slack storage space in the rear plus room for connectors and couplings in the front area.
This effect is also illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,196, which may be the closest prior art. That prior art fiber tray is shown in FIG. 1. Tray 1 generally comprises a base 2 having attached thereto several sheets 3 for separating the slack from several fibers, and a cover 4 hinged to base 1. Cover 4 has several clips 5 for retaining fiber slack. The front wall of base 1 comprises a bulkhead or mounting panel 6 which receives fiber optic connectors 7 of differing formats. A front cover or door 8 is pivotally attached to base 1 adjacent panel 6, door 8 having a front wall 9. As seen in FIG. 1, when door 8 is in its closed, storage position, the portion of fiber 10 leading away from panel 8 undergoes undue bending caused by the proximity of wall 9 to panel 6. In the prior art design of FIG. 1, this effect is somewhat mitigated by the oblique alignment of the connectors 7 with respect to wall 9. Bending of the fibers may also be minimized by extending wall 9 out further from panel 6, but extending wall 9 would be lead to a larger overall tray size, contrary to the highly desired trait of compactness in a fiber distribution unit (FDU). Conversely, panel 6 could be moved further into tray 1, i.e., away from panel 6, without increasing the overall size of the tray, but this would lead to undue bending of the pigtail portion 11 of the fiber against the inner partition 12, which is required to separate the slack storage area (sheets 3) from the connector area (panel 6). These prior art designs consequently have not succeeded in optimizing the spacing of the components and the slack storage areas to the satisfaction of the telecommunications companies which employ them.
Another problem in these types of FDU's relates to the interchangeability of the connector formats used on panel 6. There are several conventional connector formats (variously known as ST, SC, FC, biconic, etc.) all of which are potentially usable in an FDU. Each of these formats, however, typically requires a different style of hole or coupling in the bulkhead for attachment of the connector. Most of these are tedious or difficult to mount in the field, and allow only limited access for individual attention or replacement after being placed in service. Accordingly, FDU's have been designed which provide clips for retaining the connectors, the clips being removably attached in an identical fashion to the FDU front panel or bulkhead regardless of the style of coupling accommodated. Several such prior art designs are illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. Each of these designs has significant drawbacks.
In FIG. 2A, the connector clips 13 include integrally molded arrow tines 14 which latch within a tunnel or hood 15 formed in the base 16 of the tray. Clip 13 is very easy to attach, but difficult to remove since it requires two hands performing the separate, but coordinated, actions of pinching the ends of tines 14 toward one another while clip 13 is pulled away from base 16. Access to tines 14 is further impeded by the alignment of the connector 18 with tines 14, i.e., the rearwardly extending portion of connector 18 usually overlies tines 14. Therefore, it is usually necessary to either first remove connector 18, or access tines 14 from underneath base 16.
The connector clip 17 of FIG. 2B employs another simple latching element 18 which catches against a lug 19 formed along the inside wall of a face plate 20. A boss 21 on the underside of clip 17 also catches on another lug. As with the device of FIG. 2A, clip 17 is also easy to install but more difficult to remove. Removal generally requires two hands, one to push down on latching element 18 while the other pushes against the front face of the clip. If two of these clips are stacked in a duplex construction, or two couplings are mounted into a bulkhead permanently affixed to the tray, it is also nearly impossible to access the lower clip unless the upper clip or coupling is first removed.
FIG. 3 depicts another connector clip 22 having flanges 23 which are inserted under a bar 24 formed in the bulkhead or base 25 of the tray, and a latch 26 in the form of a flexural spring which extends through a hole 27 formed in base 25. This design, too, requires the use of two hands to remove, when a connector is installed on the back side of clip 22, since the connector blocks access to latch 26. This requires that one hand release latch 26 from the underside of base 25 while the other hand pulls clip 22 away from the base. Finally, even though latch 26 imparts a spring bias, this design (as well as those of FIGS. 2A and 2B) still does not provide sufficient gripping of the connector clips to the base, resulting in rattling of the clips when jostled. This is undesirable since fiber lines and devices should be protected from motion and mechanical shock whenever possible. It would, therefore, be desirable to devise a connector clip for a fiber organizing tray which is easily installed and removed, without necessitating the prior removal of any connectors attached thereto. This would facilitate access to couplings and connectors stacked in duplex arrangements, and eliminate the problems of field mounting couplings in a bulkhead or separate adapter. The clips would advantageously be attached to the tray in such a manner that they would fit snugly. It would further be desirable and advantageous to provide a construction for a fiber organizing tray which optimizes the spacing of the components and the slack storage areas to enable the tray to maintain a minimum radius for all portions of the fibers, without increasing the overall size of the tray.

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company