In microelectronic manufacture, vertical interconnects in integrated circuits are made by the selective deposition of copper onto SiO.sub.2, which is controlled by reacting the SiO.sub.2 surface with chlorotrimethylsilane or dimethyldichlorosilane. These silanes interact with the surface hydroxyl groups to reduce the number of sites at which (hfac)Cu(VTMS) can adsorb and react, therefore providing selectivity.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) from metal-organic compounds allows formation of thin films of a variety of materials by decomposition of molecular, metal-organic species. The primary advantages of CVD over other methods, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), are that conformal coverage of complex structures is enabled and selective deposition is possible. These two aspects are particularly important in electronics applications in which surfaces with complex microelectronic topographies must be coated. An example is the formation of metal interconnect structures, which consist of a three dimensional network of metal features.
The metals of primary interest for interconnect structures are W, A1 and Cu. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Selective and blanket deposition of high purity tungsten using WF.sub.6 has been demonstrated, and CVD of A1 has been studied extensively. However, the resistivities of tungsten and aluminum are too high for many proposed metallization schemes. Thus, CVD of Cu is the subject of much current interest due to its low resistivity (1.67 .mu.ohmcm at 20.degree. C.) relative to other metals (W, 5.65 .mu.ohmcm; Al, 2.65 .mu.ohmcm) and its good resistance to electromigration relative to aluminum.
A series of precursor metal-organic copper(I) compounds, (.beta.-diketonate)CuL.sub.n, where L=Lewis base, n=1 or 2, have recently been identified that are suitable for the chemical vapor deposition of copper and are capable of systematic substitution of .beta.-diketonate and L where L=PMe.sub.3, 1,5-Cyclooctadiene (COD), vinyltrimethylsilane (VTMS) and 2-butyne to tailor volatility and reactivity. These compounds are discussed in the following publications: Shin. H. K.; Chi, K. M.; Farkas, J.; Hampden-Smith, M. J.; Kodas, T. T.; Duesler, E. N. Inorg. Chem., 1992, 31, 424; Shin, H. K.; Chi, K. M.; Hampden-Smith, M. J.; Kodas, T. T.; Paffett, M. F.; Farr, J. D. Angew. Chem. Advanced Materials, 1991, 3, 246; Jain, A.; Chi, K. M.; Hampden-Smith, M. J.; Kodas, T. T.; Paffett, M. F.; Farr, J. D. Chem. Mat. 1991, 3, 995; Chi, K. M.; Shin, H. K.; Hampden-Smith, M. J.; Kodas, T. T.; Duesler, E. N. Polyhedron, 1991, 10, 2293; Chi, K. M. Shin, H. K.; Hampden-Smith, M. J.; Kodas, T. T.; Duesler, E. N. Inorg. Chem., 1991, 30, 4293; Jain. A.; Chi, K. M.; Hampden-Smith, M. J.; Kodas, T. T.; Paffett, M. F.; Farr, J. D., J. Mater. Res., 1992, 7, 261.
The precursors discussed in the foregoing publications can deposit copper via thermally induced disproportionation reactions such as: EQU 2(.beta.-diketonate)Cu.sup.I L.sub.n .fwdarw.Cu.sup.0 +Cu.sup.II (.beta.-diketonate).sub.2 +2nL (1)
Ligand decomposition is not required, since thermally-induced disproportionation occurs at temperatures at which the volatile Lewis base and the copper(II) product are transported out of the reactor intact.
The deposition characteristics of these compounds on unmodified SiO.sub.2 /metal substrates are described in Table 1 where CVD experiments were carried out under the conditions described in Section A below:
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Cu deposition on unmodified SiO.sub.2 surfaces Deposition Temperature range Precursor Characteristics of Deposition ______________________________________ (hfac)Cu(PMe.sub.3) Pt, W, Cu vs. 150.degree. C.-300.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 (tfac)Cu(PMe.sub.3) Pt, W, Cu vs. 100.degree. C.-150.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 (acac)Cu(PMe.sub.3) Pt, W, Cu vs. <80.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 (hfac)Cu(1,5-COD) none for Pt, W, Cu vs. 120.degree. C.-250.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 (hfac)Cu(VTMS) none for W vs. 120.degree. C.-250.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 (hfac)Cu(BTMS) none for Pt, W, Cu vs. 120.degree. C.-250.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 (hfac)Cu(2-butyne) none for Pt, W, Cu vs. 120.degree. C.-250.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 (hfac)Cu(2-pentyne) none for Pt, W, Cu vs. 120.degree. C.-250.degree. C. unmodified SiO.sub.2 ______________________________________

Selective and blanket chemical vapor deposition of Cu from (.beta.-diketonate)Cu(L).sub.n by silica surface modification


An access door arrangement of an elevator shaft, wherein at least one elevator car is moving, includes a door lock, whereby in connection with the door lock a reset switch of an inspection mode resetting device is located, whereby the door lock has a lock part movable between a lock position and an open position and whereby the reset switch is integrated in said door lock to be operated by the movement of the movable lock part or a related movable part. This solution allows an easy resetting of the inspection mode of the elevator.

The present invention relates to an access door arrangement of an elevator shaft in which elevator shaft at least one elevator car is moving. Each access door to the elevator shaft comprises a particularly manual door lock. In case of a normal landing door the locking of the landing door is coupled to the elevator operation, whereby opening and locking of the landing door is correlated to the stop of the elevator car at the respective floor. Hereby the landing door is coupled to the car door and driven by a door drive of the elevator car. Anyway, usually each landing door has an emergency unlocking device, i.e. a manually openable door lock, which is usually operated by a service technician, particularly via a triangle key, e.g. to set trapped passengers free. Another kind of access door is an inspection hatch which has normally a simple door lock which only can be operated by a service technician, preferably via a triangle key.
Generally, service technicians are able to drive an elevator car manually from inside the elevator shaft with inspection drive buttons while standing on a top platform or in the pit. On this behalf he has to operate an inspection switch into inspection position. This turns the elevator into inspection mode. After finishing his work, the service technician turns the inspection switch back to its normal position and then leaves the elevator shaft, whereafter the elevator has to be reset from the inspection mode into normal operation mode. This is usually done via a reset device inside a locked cabinet as e.g. described in EN81-1: 1998 A2: 2004 in clause 220.127.116.11H.

Access door arrangement of an elevator shaft


Described embodiments provide a method of adjusting configurable parameters of at least one linear equalizer in a communication system. A transmitting device applies an input signal to a receiver. The at least one linear equalizer equalizes the input signal. A sampler generates one or more sampled values of the input signal. A data detector digitizes the sampled values of the input signal. At least one error detection module generates an error signal based on one or more of a plurality of sampled values of the input signal and a target value. An adaptation module determines a gradient signal based on a comparison of one or more of the plurality of sampled values of the input signal and one or more of the plurality of values of the error signal. The adaptation module adjusts a transfer function of the at least one linear equalizer based on the determined gradient signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to generally to decision-feedback equalization techniques and, in particular, to adaptation techniques for sampling in decision-feedback equalization.
2. Description of the Related Art
Digital communication receivers typically sample an analog waveform and detect the sampled data. Signals arriving at a receiver might be corrupted by intersymbol interference (ISI), crosstalk, echo, and other noise. Thus, receivers typically equalize the channel, to compensate for such distortions, and decode the encoded signals at increasingly high clock rates. Decision-feedback equalization (DFE) is a widely-used technique for removing intersymbol interference and other noise. Generally, decision-feedback equalization utilizes a nonlinear equalizer to equalize the channel using a feedback loop based on previously decided symbols.
In one typical DFE implementation, a received analog signal is sampled and compared to one or more thresholds to generate the detected data. A DFE correction signal, v(t), is subtracted in a feedback fashion to produce a DFE corrected signal w(t). A continuous time analog equalizer (AEQ) might be employed to equalize communication systems such as a magnetic recording channel or high speed serial links employing backplanes, copper cables, optical links, etc. The AEQ in general might be implemented as one of a wide variety of topologies and configurations from the Butterworth, Chebyshev and Equiripple filters, or other topologies. The AEQ might also be implemented as a filter of varying order. Despite the variation in AEQ topologies, two high level parameters are typically relevant for equalization: high frequency peaking and bandwidth. Peaking allows for boosting back the high frequency components attenuated by a channel, and a finite bandwidth limits circuit noise and minimizes aliasing due to sampling which often follows the AEQ. AEQ parameters are desirably self adapting as the required peaking depends on the channel loss.
Known approaches for adapting the AEQ parameters might comprise implementing the entire LMS algorithm in the analog domain, or employing analog circuit techniques to adapt the AEQ parameters. Approaches employing a digital adaptation algorithm might typically require pre-calibration and measurement of channel pulse responses. Other approaches might employ a linear combiner form of an AEQ and require emulating analog filter states with digital equivalent states for adaptation. Thus, there is a need for adapting a class of AEQ transfer functions based on coefficients related to the impulse response of the AEQ without a priori channel training or measurement.

Adapting transfer functions of continuous-time equalizers


A deadweight pressure standard provides improved measurement accuracy and repeatability. The standard includes a flow regulator having a first valve controlled by a first pair of non-hysteresis sylphons, and a supply regulator having a second valve controlled by a second pair of non-hysteresis sylphons. The first and second valves achieve an equilibrium state between the supply regulator and the flow regulator. The second valve regulates pressure generated by an applied pressure supply. A mass-to-pressure transducer transforms an applied gravitational force into a reference pressure regulated by the first valve. The center of pressure force on the first pair of non-hysteresis sylphons, and the center of pressure force on the first valve, are exerted along a first reference axis. The center of pressure force on the second pair of non-hysteresis sylphons, and the center of pressure force on the second valve, are exerted along a second reference axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to pressure measurement devices and, more specifically, to novel deadweight pressure standards which utilize non-hysteresis sylphons and one or more non-cylindrical pistons.
2. Description of Related Art
Mechanical pressure sensors have been known for centuries. Although traditional U-tube manometers have been superceded by more sophisticated devices, all pressure sensors require scheduled, periodic maintenance and recalibration. Pressure sensors can be recalibrated in the field or at a calibration laboratory. From the standpoint of accuracy, laboratory calibration is preferred, but often is not possible or necessary. In the laboratory, calibration devices from one or more of the following categories may be employed. The first category includes deadweight testers and U-tube manometers that provide primary, baseline standards. The second category includes laboratory or field standard calibration devices that are periodically recalibrated against the primary standard. Secondary standards are less accurate than the primary standard, but provide a more convenient means for testing and adjusting other instruments.
With reference to FIG. 1, a simplified prior art deadweight tester includes a dead weight 101 supported above a primary piston 102. The force of gravity on dead weight 101 causes primary piston 102 to exert a downward force on a fluid in a fluid reservoir 103. A secondary piston 104 is pressed into fluid reservoir 103 by means of a screw 105. Fluid reservoir 103 is coupled to a pressure gauge 106 or transducer under test. Primary piston 102 has a cross-sectional area A, and the weight W of dead weight 101 plus primary piston 102 is selected to correspond to a desired calibration pressure P using the equation P=(W/A). Secondary piston 104 pressurizes the fluid in fluid reservoir 103 by pressing more fluid into the reservoir until dead weight 101 lifts off its support.
In the United States, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides certified weights and calibrates laboratory piston gauges by measuring the diameter of primary piston 102. Deadweight testers can be used to calibrate at pressure levels as low as 5 psig (35 KPa) and as high as 100,000 psig (690 MPa). NIST calibrated deadweight testers can be accurate to 5 parts in 100,000 at pressures below 40,000 psig (280 MPa). For an industrial quality deadweight tester, error is typically 0.1% of span.
Several techniques have been proposed for improving the accuracy of deadweight pressure testers. Some designs adopt sophisticated temperature compensation schemes, whereas other designs utilize mechanisms for rotating the primary piston in its cylinder along with gas lubrication to negate the effect of friction. Further accuracy enhancements are possible when non-cylindrical pistons are used. An illustrative prior art deadweight pressure tester employing a noncylindrical piston is shown in FIG. 2. This pressure tester is also described in Russian Patent No. 1,008,633.
The prior art deadweight pressure tester of FIG. 2 includes a non-cylindrical piston 202 inside a nozzle 201. Non-cylindrical piston 202 may, but need not, have a substantially spherical configuration. Non-cylindrical piston 202 is tied to suspension 203 and weights 204. An air flow chamber 205 through pipes 206 and 207 is connected to a throttle 208 and volume 209. The throttle 208 is connected to an air flow chamber 211 of an air flow regulator 212 through a pipe 210. A volume 209 is connected to a dead end chamber 214 through a pipe 213.
A first membrane 215 and a second membrane 216 each include non-flexible disks that are fixed, or fastened, or tied, to a first valve 217 through a first rod 218. First valve 217 controls air flow through a first nozzle 271. The effective area of first membrane 215 is greater than the effective area of second membrane 216. A chamber 219 is open to the atmosphere. Air flow chamber 211 is connected to a dead end chamber 223 of a pressure regulator 225 through a pipe 221. An input chamber 220 is connected to an air flow chamber 224 of pressure regulator 225 through a pipe 222.
A third membrane 226 and a fourth membrane 227 each include non-flexible disks that are fixed, or fastened, or tied, to a second valve 228 through a second rod 229. Second valve 228 controls air flow through a second nozzle 282. The effective area of third membrane 226 is greater than the effective area of fourth membrane 227. A chamber 230 is open to the atmosphere. An input chamber 231 is connected to a pressure supply 233 through a pipe 232.
Conceptually, the prior art pressure tester of FIG. 2 transforms gravitational forces exerted on non-cylindrical piston 202, suspension 203 and weights 204 into a pressure P. When pressure supply 233 is applied at pipe 232, a pressure tester output pressure is generated within chamber 205. This output pressure balances the gravity force of non-cylindrical piston 202, suspension 203, and weights 204. When the mass of weights 204 is increased, non-cylindrical piston 202 is forced in a downward direction (towards the earth), and clearance between nozzle 201 and non-cylindrical piston 202 is decreasing. The pressure inside chamber 205 increases to an equilibrium value that is sufficient to balance the greater weight of weights 204.
In order to secure a desired level of high accuracy for the prior art pressure tester of FIG. 2 across a wide range of pressures, it is necessary to maintain the pressure within chamber 220 proportional to the pressure tester's output pressure. Accordingly, pressure regulator 225 provides the function of maintaining a pressure within chamber 220 that is proportional to a desired output pressure. For example, the mass of weights 204 is increased. The pressure within chamber 223 then breaks the equilibrium balance of pressure regulator 225. Second valve 228 moves and, as a result, the pressure within chamber 224 increases until a new equilibrium balance of regulator 225 is achieved. Fluctuations in supply pressure 233 do not affect the accuracy of the pressure tester shown in FIG. 2 because any change in supply pressure is automatically compensated by second valve 228. Volume 209 is employed to dynamically stabilize the operation of the pressure tester of FIG. 2.
Presently existing non-cylindrical deadweight pressure standards have limited stability and accuracy. These shortcomings are caused by dry friction between first valve 217 and first nozzle 271, dry friction between second valve 228 and second nozzle 282, instability of first, second, third and fourth membranes 215, 216, 226, 227 as a function of pressure or time, hysteresis of first, second, third, and fourth membranes 215, 216, 226, 227, and instability of throttle 208 of air flow regulator 212.

Deadweight pressure standards using non-hysteresis sylphons


Image processing reflecting image processing that was carried out on image data is carried out on the image data. Image data sets S1 obtained by a digital camera 1 have been subjected to image processing and image processing information G representing the type of image processing is added to the image data sets S1. In an image output apparatus 2, setting means 24 sets the content of image processing to be carried out on the image data sets S1 according to the image processing information G added thereto. For example, if the image processing information G indicates tone processing, the image processing is set so as not to carry out tone processing. Output image processing means 22 carries out the image processing on the image data sets S1 according to the content, and print output means 25 prints processed image data sets S2 as prints P.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus for carrying out image processing on image data that have already been subjected to image processing carried out by a digital camera or the like and added with image processing information regarding the image processing by the digital camera or the like. The present invention also relates to a program embodied on a computer-readable recording medium to cause a computer to execute the image processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera), an image obtained by photography can be recorded as digital image data in a recording medium such as an internal memory or an IC card, and can be reproduced by a printer or a monitor based on the digital image data. In the case where an image obtained by a digital camera is reproduced, the image is expected to have as high a quality as a print generated from a negative film.
When a print is generated in the above manner, the quality of the print can be improved by carrying out thereon image processing such as density conversion processing, white balance processing, gradation conversion processing, saturation enhancement processing, and sharpness processing. Therefore, a method has been proposed (U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,547), in order to obtain high-quality printed matter. In this method, photography information such as information on use of flash and the type of lighting is added to image data obtained by a digital camera, and more appropriate image processing can be carried out on the image data with reference to the photography information added to the image data.
Meanwhile, a digital camera has also been proposed that enables output of photographed image data having been subjected to automatic or manual image processing. In such a digital camera having an image processing function, image processing is carried out so as to attain an optimal image quality according to a photographed scene and a photography condition. Furthermore, a photographer can select the type of image processing to be carried out on the image data and various functions related to the image processing according to his/her intention. For example, automatic white balance processing, white balance processing in a fixed light source mode, processing for image quality modification (regarding tones, sharpness, and chroma) and a preference regarding reproduced image (such as preference for a monochrome image, a sepia-color image, and a beautiful skin color) can be selected as the type of image processing. As the various kinds of functions regarding image processing are included selection of a photography mode (such as portrait mode, scenery/distant view mode, macro/close-up mode, night view/fireworks mode, underwater photography mode, and user exposure correction mode), an automatic bracket function, photography using an optical filter, soft focus photography, interval photography, serial photography, multiple exposure, superposition with a template, and superposition with a frame. Optimal image processing can be carried out, reflecting an intention of the photographer according to the selected type of image processing and function.
In the case where image data obtained by such a digital camera having an image processing function are reproduced by a reproduction apparatus such as a printer or a monitor, further image processing is carried out on the image data. However, if the image processing is further carried out on the image data that have already been subjected to the image processing by the digital camera, a reproduced image may not have the quality intended for by the digital camera or the reproduction apparatus.
Meanwhile, automatic white balance processing by a digital camera refers to processing that causes white balance of an image photographed in artificial lighting to look like white balance of an image photographed in daylight. More specifically, the automatic white balance processing is to correct image data so as to cause an average of the image data (that may exclude high saturation pixels) to become a gray value having an intended color temperature (such as color temperature of daylight or tungsten light). For this reason, when automatic white balance processing is carried out, an image photographed in a light source having a low color temperature such as a tungsten light can be reproduced to have more preferable or natural colors. If a sunset is photographed in a fixed daylight mode among fixed light source modes of a digital camera, image data processed by the automatic white balance function enables reproduction of an image reflecting a reddish color of the sunset.
On the other hand, in a reproduction apparatus, white balance processing is carried out for absorbing a characteristic of white balance of a digital camera. Therefore, images obtained from a reproduction apparatus have almost the same white balance, since the reproduction apparatus cannot distinguish between automatic white balance processing set in a digital camera and image processing in a fixed light source mode.

Method, apparatus, and program for image processing on image data that have already been subjected to image processing


An electronic musical instrument includes a first memory for storing a plurality of performance data, each containing at least one measure, performance data designation apparatus for designating selected ones of the plurality of performance data stored in the first memory, and a for reading out the performance data designated by the designation apparatus from the first memory. A second memory stores the read-out performance data or a code data representing the read-out performance data, a tone generator generates musical tones on the basis of performance data, and control apparatus controls the tone generator to generate a performance sound based on the read-out performance data under the condition that the read-out performance data is enabled to be written into the second memory, in order to grasp a real tune of performance data by listening to it during song composition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electronic musical instrument and particularly relates to an electronic musical instrument having a function of composing performance data of auto rhythm or auto song and a function of storing the performance data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In most electronic musical instruments, provided is memory means for storing performance data once performed so that automatic performance can be made by reproducing the stored performance data.
In some electronic musical instrument, provided is a function of storing a plurality of performance data each containing at least one measure to make it possible to compose one song by reading suitable ones selected from the stored plurality of performance data and by combining the read-out suitable ones. The plurality of performance data are numbered or named and these pattern numbers or names are successively designated so that the order of a performance can be stored as sequence data.
If there is no identification means other than such pattern numbers or names at the time of the designation of patterns to compose a song, the real tune of the patterns to be designated cannot be known without storing the relations between the patterns and the pattern numbers in advance or without interrupting the song composing operation to listen to the patterns. Therefore, difficulty is in the song composing operation.
Furthermore, it is so difficult to grasp the image of the song to be composed that the patterns to be designated may be mistaken to make the song composing efficiency worse.

Electronic musical instrument having composing function


A switching device including a switching chamber, in which a stationary switching piece is arranged opposite a movable switching piece, where the stationary switching piece is placed on a plastic carrier part and this component combination of stationary switching piece and plastic carrier part is configured as an exchangeable switching piece assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a switching device having a switching chamber, in which a stationary switching piece is arranged opposite to a moveable switching piece.
2. Description of the Related Art
Switching devices, such as heavy-duty contactors, in purely mechanical terms, are rated for a service life of 10 million switching cycles. If these contactors are used at their electrical design limit, the switching contacts will show wear far earlier, such as after 1 million switching cycles. Producers of high-cost, contactors already supply replacement switching pieces. A customer can then replace the worn switching pieces in the contactor, rather than replacing the complete high-cost contactor, thereby generating a cost saving.
However, the functionality of exchangeable switching pieces is subject to particular structural requirements. For example, arcing at the switching point, associated with a normal switching duty, results in the exceptionally high thermal loading of the switching chamber walls. Accordingly, for example, no thermoplastics can be employed in the vicinity of the switching point, as these will melt and may be damaged accordingly.
However, the use of thermoplastics for the switching chamber is a particularly attractive option, as the use of this special type of plastic permits the switching chamber to be configured with a more finely reticulated and smaller structure, thereby resulting in an overall contactor of more compact design.
Various switching devices with removable contact units are known from the prior art. EP 0 834 894 B2 discloses a switching device for an electric current, in which the switching arrangement is provided with a body of an electrically insulating material, and with a first and a second stationary contact, which are fitted to the body. The switching device is also provided with a moveable contact, which is movably coupled to the body and selectively engages with the first and second stationary contacts respectively to form an electrical connection. The switching device is also provided with an actuation arrangement incorporating a containment or a housing, which contains an electrically-actuated drive mechanism, and incorporating an element which is detachably coupled to the moveable contact, for the alternating actuation of the moveable contact such the latter is engaged with, or disengaged from the first and second stationary contacts.
Accordingly, the switching system is connected to the actuation system by a sealable arrangement, such that any arcs generated between the moveable contact and the first and second stationary contacts cannot escape from the electric current switching device, whereby the switching system is configured as an individual unit that can be detached from the actuation system for repair and replacement.
DE 1 094 851 discloses a contact device with an exchangeable contact unit is known, where the contact pieces of the electric power feed line are secured to a base unit, which is bonded to the contact unit such that, when the contact unit is removed from the base unit, it is not necessary to disconnect the power feed lines. In this arrangement, the exchangeable contact unit, which is preferably configured of a contact body with stationary contacts and an actuating element with moveable contacts, is mechanically secured to the base unit by detachable fastener that that cooperate with the contact pieces on the base unit. These fasteners simultaneously establish the electrical bonding of the contact unit with the power feed lines.
Conventional solutions have a disadvantage, in that they occupy a substantial unit volume and/or that the customer, at their own discretion, in addition to the switching pieces, is required to replace further individual components that can only be replaced by expert personnel.

Switching device having an exchangeable switching piece assembly


A method and apparatus is provided for applying liquid coatings such as solder masks sequentially to both sides of a printed circuit board substrate whereby only one drying operation would be needed to dry the liquid coatings. An isolation platen having openings corresponding to the coated parts of the board is used to provide a space between the coated part and the opposite side of the platen.

The manufacture of printed circuit boards requires a number of steps to form the desired end product since the board is, in effect, a multilayer configuration of conductor lines, resist layers, solder masks, etc. Regardless of the method of manufacture, however, liquid coatings requiring drying before further processing must be applied to the board surface at various points in the process.
One particular coating used in the fabrication of high quality printed circuit boards is a solder mask which serves to protect the circuitry from bridging together during soldering and which must be resistant to solvents, chemicals and flux compositions. For convenience, the following description will be directed to this particular material and its application to the board by conventional screen printing techniques although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other liquids and other methods of application could also be employed.
Basically, the screen printing technique involves squeezing a composition through the open meshes of a stretched piece of material such as wire onto a printable substrate. The screen is covered or blocked out in part by a masking material in order to form the desired pattern on the printable substrate. The masking material may simply be a stencil or a dried lacquer, shellac or glue. Once the screen has been covered or blocked out in part by a masking material, it is held taut on a frame and positioned over the desired substrate. The coating composition is then poured onto the screen and squeezed through the open areas with a squeegee. Thereafter, the frame is removed and the coated substrate baked. This procedure is then repeated for the other side of the board.
It is important, when following a desired pattern, that the composition does not flow or bleed outside of the preselected areas defined by the open area of the screen but should follow accurately the image formed on the screen and reproduce it. These known techniques to produce screen coatings are described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,230, which patent is hereby incorporated by reference.
As noted above, and as specified by manufacturers of the screen printing compositions, e.g., photo-imageable solder masks, the material is applied to one side of a printed circuit board, baked (dried) in an oven, and the process repeated for the other side of the board. Both sides cannot now be done simultaneously because the screen printed board is wet and must be dried before it can be inverted and coated on the opposite side.
Aside from the inefficiencies with having to perform two drying cycles and associated processing stages, one side is necessarily subjected to the two drying cycles and unless care is exercised to control the drying temperature and duration, the subsequent development cycle to remove the solder mask from areas designated by the printed circuit board artwork may not be successful and a residue may remain on the surfaces that are required to be clean copper.
A number of patents have issued addressing the problem of coating the surfaces of boards but these require complicated machines and complicated procedures to perform the process. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,601 uses an apparatus which passes an inclined board through a shower of coating liquid and then pivots the board and feeds the other side of the inclined board through the shower. U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,531 shows a method for screen printing an electrical fabrication substance onto a substrate surface to which a device having a substantial height relative to the thickness of the printing screen had been previously mounted. U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,806 is directed to making a resist pattern on circuit boards using a photo tool in registration with the circuit board blanks while the image is still wet. The uncured polymer which remains liquid is removed after imaging so that the board can be processed by etch resist, plate resist or solder mask techniques. U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,268 shows a method of spraying metallic patterns onto a substrate using a template.
The need still remains, however, for a method for preparing printed circuit boards in an efficient and economical manner.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for applying liquid coatings sequentially on both surfaces of printed circuit boards, which coatings may then be dried in one drying step.
It is another object of this invention to provide an article of manufacture which may be used to apply liquid coatings on printed circuit boards.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description and illustrative embodiments.

Method and apparatus for applying liquid coatings on the surface of printed circuit boards


A digital broadcast receiver and method are provided. The digital broadcast receiver comprises an input, an anti-virus unit and a host interface. The input is configured to receive a digital broadcast. The anti-virus unit is configured to carry out an anti-virus check on the at least one data channel received as part of the digital broadcast. The host interface is configured to provide the at least one decoded data channel to a host.

Digital broadcasting, for example digital audio broadcasting (DAB) supports the broadcasting of data in enhanced packet modes for example like Multimedia Object Transfer (MOT), Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) and Extended Programme Associated Data (X-PAD). In a vehicle radio, a digital receiver may receive the transmitted data and carry out channel decoding processing on the data.
The channel decoded received data may be transferred to a head unit or host processor. The head unit may process the data and present it a user of a vehicle. The head unit may also process data from other systems of the vehicle, some of which are safety critical. The security of the head unit may be of interest.


A thermal printer avoids or reduces difficult to correct problems caused by recording paper that has passed the printing position leaving the paper transportation path. A printing mechanism has a head mounting plate that carries a line thermal head, a front guide plate disposed downstream from the head mounting plate, a platen roller that defines the printing position A, and a back guide member disposed downstream from the platen roller. The head mounting plate and front guide plate have interlocking parts that interlock with each other widthwise to the paper transportation path. A paper detector that detects entry of the recording paper 45 is disposed to a gap E between the back guide member and platen roller. When the paper detector detects the recording paper 45, a rotation control unit stops the platen roller.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a thermal printer that can avoid or reduce paper jams and other problems that are difficult to correct as a result of recording paper leaving the paper transportation path after passing the printing position.
2. Related Art
Recording paper is printed in a thermal printer by pressing the recording paper against a thermal head by means of a platen roller at a printing position located along the paper transportation path. In the thermal printer described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2008-30301, the thermal head is carried on a head mounting plate that can move to and away from the platen roller, and contact pressure is held between the thermal head and platen roller as a result of the head mounting plate being urged to the platen roller side by a compression coil spring.
After the recording paper passes the printing position in this type of thermal printer, the front surface that was printed on is guided by a front guide member fastened beside the head mounting plate on the downstream side in the transportation direction, the back side is guided by a back guide member fastened beside the platen roller on the downstream side in the transportation direction, and the paper is thus conveyed in the transportation direction to the paper exit. A gap must be provided between the head mounting plate and the front guide member so that there is no interference with the front guide member when the head mounting plate moves. A gap must also be provided between the platen roller and the back guide member so that there is no interference with the back guide member when the platen roller rotates. As a result, the recording paper could enter either of these gaps after passing the printing position and cause a jam at a position outside the paper transportation path where fixing the paper jam is difficult.


A trillium wind turbine has an electricity-generating nacelle and swept-back, complexly-curved blades. Each blade has a main blade, a trailing edge blade, and a diversion blade. Wind is directed down the length of the blade and exits the tip. The main blade resembles a portion of a cylinder in form, the cylinder being twisted to change the angle of attack, thereby adding more lift throughout the length of the blade. The trailing edge and diversion blades are pitched relative to the wind and produce lift. Additionally, wind hitting the diversion blade is diverted behind the blade. Because the surface area and volume of the blade are larger near the nacelle and smaller at the tip, the air that travels along the blade increases in velocity as it travels producing more thrust/lift. The turbine also automatically faces into the wind without the need for sensors or positioning motors.

Conversion of wind energy into a useful form of power has a long and storied history. For example, windmills were known and used by the Greeks at least by the first century AD; and windpumps or other wind-powered irrigation technologies were known hundreds of years earlier. Although still in use today to some degree, windmills, windpumps, and other wind-powered machinery have dramatically decreased in importance since the rise of fossil fuels. However, with increasing pollution, potential climate-change, and growing scarcity of these fuels, there has been a surge of interest in generating clean, renewable power from the wind.
Conventional wind turbines have been used to make electricity for more than a century. At the turn of the twentieth century, wind turbines were growing in popularity and their usefulness was recognized across the world. Today, commercial wind turbines can be found nearly anywhere the wind blows, from farms, to ranches, deserts and even open ocean.
However, conventional wind turbines have a number of problems and limitations. One of the most significant issues is that the wind often does not blow strongly enough throughout the day, nor can it be relied upon to blow adequately in a given location over a longer time span. Some locales have long histories of higher-than-average winds and, as such, are often targeted as potential sites for wind turbines. Nevertheless, even such high-grade wind sites have periods (sometimes days at a stretch) when the winds are light. Conventional turbines often require wind speeds of five, eight, or even ten miles-per-hour or higher before they start generating significant amounts of electricity. Furthermore, when the wind speed is too high, conventional wind turbines have to be adjusted so that the wind's effect on the blades is lessened or the blades may be deflected back into the support tower or otherwise become damaged. An additional problem with convention wind turbine systems is that they must employ an additional efficiency robbing system that senses wind direction and then actuates a servo motor to turn the turbine into the wind. When the winds constantly change direction, such systems do not respond quickly enough and lose efficiency.
What is needed is an advanced wind turbine apparatus that activates at lower-speed winds and can produce significant amounts of electricity at wind speeds below those required for conventional wind turbines. Furthermore, an advanced wind turbine apparatus should also weather high-speed wind situations without damaging its support tower or blades and should automatically align itself in the direction from which the wind is blowing without utilizing inefficient sensors and servo motors.


A method of facilitating replacement of a supply of air freshener every time a supply of soap is replaced, including the steps of providing a supply of air freshener, providing a supply of soap and joining the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener. Another aspect of the invention is a method of packaging a supply unit including providing a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener and connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener in a manner such that when the supply of soap is removed from a dispenser, the supply of air freshener is removed from the dispenser as well. Another aspect is a supply unit for the dual dispenser including a receptacle, a supply of soap within the receptacle, and a supply of air freshener connected to or secured within the receptacle. Yet another aspect of the invention is a dual dispenser including a mechanism for dispensing the soap, a mechanism for actuating the dispensement of soap, a mechanism for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener and a mechanism for actuating the mechanism for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener.

The present invention relates to soap dispensers, air fresheners, and supply units therefor and, in particular, to such dispensers used in washrooms and similar settings.
Air freshener dispensers are often used in public washrooms to control odor in the enclosed area. Although air fresheners are sometimes referred to as scented or unscented, in reality all air fresheners give off a fragrance, and it is simply a matter of degree as to whether the air freshener is perceived as having its own scent or merely masking the undesirable odor in the washroom.
Air fresheners may be dispensed continuously, at regular intervals, or in response to a particular event, such as when the light in the washroom is turned on. The air freshener is typically dispensed from a source of fragrance through evaporation or atomization. The air freshener dispenser is usually located high on the washroom wall where suitable air flow exists to accelerate the dispensing of the air freshener. This location has the further advantage of preventing atomized air freshener from being sprayed directly on people using the washroom. Unfortunately, when the air freshener is dispensed in high places it tends to rise to the ceiling where it can be suctioned from the washroom via the ventilation system before it can control odor.
Due to its awkward location, maintenance personnel are sometimes unable to detect when the air freshener needs to be replaced. Furthermore, the placement of air freshener high on the wall requires maintenance personnel to stand on a ladder or platform in order to service it. While some air freshener dispensers have a beeping noise or blinking light to indicate that the supply of air freshener needs to be replaced, even with these replacement reminders, air freshener dispensers are frequently not maintained on a regular basis due to the inconvenience of maintaining the air freshener.
Applicant""s invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a dual dispenser for soap and air freshener. For hygienic and cost reasons, soap dispensers, rather than individual bars of soap, are commonly used in public washrooms. They are usually located near the wash basin within easy reach of a person standing in front of a wash basin. Typically, the soap dispenser will include an actuating plate, which is pushed or pulled to dispense a measured quantity of soap into the person""s hand.
Numerous advantages are realized through use of the dual dispenser and practicing the methods of the present invention. Significantly, Applicant""s invention includes a method of facilitating the replacement of a supply of air freshener every time a supply of soap is replaced, including the steps of providing a supply of air freshener, providing a supply of soap and joining the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener. This substantially increases the likelihood that odor in the washroom or other environment will be controlled. For example, health regulations require that numerous establishments, such a restaurants and hospitals maintain a supply of soap in their washrooms to reduce the spread of disease. Accordingly, by joining the supply of soap to the supply of air freshener, the air freshener will be changed each time the supply of soap is changed.
Another aspect of the invention is a method of reducing the time necessary to maintain a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener, including the steps of providing a supply of soap, providing a supply of air freshener and inserting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener into a single dispenser.
Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of packaging a supply unit including providing a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener and connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener in a manner such that when the supply of soap is removed from a dispenser, the supply of air freshener is removed from the dispenser as well. Advantageously, the method may also comprise connecting a power source to one of the supply of soap or the supply of air freshener in such a manner that when one of the supply of soap or the supply of air freshener is removed from a dispenser, the source of power is removed from the dispenser.
Importantly, yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of efficiently utilizing air freshener, including providing a receptacle, inserting a supply of soap into the receptacle and connecting a supply of air freshener to the receptacle in an amount calculated to provide sufficient air freshener to last as long as the supply of soap. Finally, yet another aspect of the invention is a method of effectively utilizing air freshener including a supply of soap, providing a supply of air freshener, connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener to an actuator, and dispensing a portion of the supply of soap and a portion of the supply of air freshener when the actuator is actuated.
Another aspect of the present invention is a supply unit for the dual dispenser including a receptacle, a supply of soap within the receptacle, and a supply of air freshener connected to or secured within the receptacle. Advantageously, the supply unit further includes a source of power mounted to the receptacle.
Finally, yet another aspect of the invention is a dual dispenser including means for dispensing the soap, means for actuating the dispensement of soap, means for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener and means for actuating the means for accelerating the dispensement of air freshener.
As will be understood by those of skill in the art from the nature of the invention and the specification, xe2x80x9csource of fragrancexe2x80x9d used in this application means a supply of air freshener. That is, the source of fragrance which is included in the supply unit and dispensed by the dispenser of the present invention will be understood as meaning a source of air freshener. As is known by those of skill in the art, the chemical composition of an air freshener will vary depending upon various factors, including the nature of the fragrance utilized by the air freshener. Specifically, while air fresheners typically comprise 10-25% fragrance, they may utilize as little as 3% fragrance, if the fragrance is particularly strong. Furthermore, they may utilize a higher percentage of fragrance if the fragrance is particularly mild. Since fragrance is typically relatively expensive, the air freshener will usually utilize a xe2x80x9ccarrier,xe2x80x9d such as an odorless mineral spirit to dilute the fragrance and to aid in evaporation. The nature of fragrance used in the air freshener will depend upon numerous factors including the nature of the odors expected to be controlled, and numerous industry reference materials are available which describe the nature of fragrance desirable to control certain odors.
These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to an improved embodiment, which is intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention.


A turbo-machine having a rotor, a stator, and a flow channel for an actuating fluid used to drive the rotor is disclosed. The turbo-machine has a magnet for producing a predeterminable magnetic field in the flow channel. The invention also relates to a method for operating a turbo-machine comprising a rotor, a stator, and a flow channel. Furthermore, an ion-containing actuating fluid flows through the flow channel and a defined magnetic field is produced in the flow channel, ions being deviated in the magnetic field.

Turbomachines are known, for example conventional steam turbines or gas turbines, in the forms of construction of which, normally, the conversion of energy takes place by means of what are known as blade cascades or blade wheels which drive the rotor of the turbomachine with an action fluid, for example steam or hot gas flows through the turbomachine. The blade cascades used in this case have the function, in the flowing action fluid, of converting pressure energy into kinetic energy and converting kinetic energy into mechanical energy. These blade cascades are conventionally designed as moving blade cascades fastened to the rotor or as guide blade cascades in the casing.

Turbo-machine and method for operating the same


An electrochemical fine processing method for forming a pattern of a substance having different etching resistance against an etching solution from that of an article by bringing the minute forward end of the counter electrode close to the surface of the article. The counter electrode is applied a predetermined electric potential and the electrochemical reaction is repeating in a minute region of the article in the vicinity of the counter electrode to form an optional pattern. After forming the pattern, the article is etched in an etching solution having a property of different etching rate for the pattern forming portion and a portion other than the pattern forming portion. It become possible to form a fine pattern directly onto the surface of an article to be processed having surface unevenness.

This invention relates to a method for performing electrochemical fine processing of a surface of a material such as metal or semiconductor or the like.
In the prior art, when the fine processing of the surface of such a material is performed, a technique called photolithography has been generally used. The outline of this technique is shown in FIGS. 6A-6G.
At first, a resin (photoresist) 22 having photosensitivity and resistance to chemicals is applied on the surface of an article 21 to be processed (FIGS. 6A and 6B), and is irradiated with ultraviolet light through a mask 23 (FIGS. 6C and 6D). Next, the photoresist 24 which has been sensitized is removed by development and rinsing, allowing photoresist to remain on the article 21 to be processed exactly in accordance with a pattern drawn on the mask, while the other portions are exposed (FIG. 6E). Then, in this method, by immersion in a solution (etching solution) capable of dissolving the article 21 to be processed, the exposed portions of the article 21 to be processed are selectively removed (FIGS. 6F and 6G).
In addition, a technique is also used in practice in which no mask is used, and an electron beam the article to be processed is provided with a photoresist layer and is directly irradiated so as to form a pattern on the photoresist. At this time, it is also possible to produce a structure having a high aspect ratio by selecting an etching solution.
As another fine processing technique, there is the recently developed LIGA process. The outline of this process is shown in FIGS. 7A-7D. In FIG. 7A, X-rays emitted from a synchrotron (synchrotron emission light) are used to perform patterning of a resist 26 which may be made of acrylic, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or the like thickly applied on the surface of a metal substrate 25 via a mask 27. In FIG. 7B, the exposed resist is removed by development and rinsing, and remaining portions of the resist 26 are used as a casting mold. In FIG. 7C, a metal 28 is deposited in the mold by means of electrocasting or the like. In FIG. 7D, the mold formed by the resist 26 is removed and then a fine metal structure 28 is obtained on the metal substrate 25.
Synchrotron emission light has characteristics such that the beam intensity is high, the linearity is strong and the divergence is small so that it becomes possible to accurately and deeply sensitize a mask pattern into a thickly applied resist. Therefore, when this technique is used, a fine three-dimensional shape having a high aspect ratio can be obtained.
However, in the conventional photolithography, there has been a problem that because the photomask is a flat glass substrate, when the article to be processed has an excessively uneven portion thereon, a gap is created between the photomask and the article to be processed, causing diffraction of ultraviolet light, so that it becomes difficult to accurately transfer the pattern of the mask onto the photoresist. In addition, in order to uniformly apply the photoresist onto the article to be processed, a technique called spin-coating utilizing centrifugal force is used, so that there is also a problem that when there is a level difference on the surface, uniform application of the photoresist becomes difficult. Also when the resist is directly irradiated with an electron, there is a problem of focusing the electron beam, so that it is difficult to perform patterning of a surface having complex irregularities. Further, the LIGA process must use a synchrotron, resulting in the problem of a costly apparatus.

Method of electrochemical fine processing


The present invention discloses a method and a communication device for assigning a scheduling grant. The method for assigning a scheduling grant includes: receiving a grant value, an E-TFCI offset value, and a data stream identifier corresponding to the E-TFCI offset value, where the E-TFCI offset value is determined by the Node B according to data transmitted by a mobile terminal through two data streams; determining, according to the grant value, a transport block size of the data stream identified by the data stream identifier in a current TTI; and determining a transport block size of the other data stream in the current TTI according to the transport block size and the E-TFCI offset value. in the embodiments of the present invention the MIMO technology may be applied to the HSUPA technology.

A high speed uplink packet access (high speed uplink packet access, HSUPA for short) technology enables optimization and evolution of a packet service in the uplink direction, namely, the direction from a mobile terminal (User Equipment, UE for short) to a radio access network. The HSUPA technology implements enhancements in terms of highest data transmission rate, cell throughput, and delay by using mechanisms such as adaptive coding, physical layer hybrid retransmission, Node B (Node B)-based fast scheduling, and short frame transmission at a 2 ms transport time interval (Transport Time Interval, TTI for short).
Each UE is scheduled according to a packet scheduling principle in conventional HUSPA. The data transmission rate and transmission time of the UE are controlled by the Node B; the Node B determines the current highest transmission rate of the UE according to the cell load, channel quality of the UE, and payload to be transmitted.
Currently, a multiple input multiple output (Multiple Input Multiple Output, MIMO for short) technology is introduced in a downlink direction to improve performance such as throughput of a downlink system. However, in an uplink direction, the spectrum utilization is lower, coverage performance is poorer, and the user peak rate is lower, which need to be further improved.

Method and communication device for assigning scheduling grant


An electronic device for packet boxes includes a processor programmed to assign users to groups of users and a control system capable of managing the possibilities of access to functions of the device on the basis of the user's membership to the user groups.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to an electronic parcel compartment system with a user interface, whereby the user interface is capable of acquiring information from users of the electronic parcel compartment system, and to a method for operating an electronic parcel compartment system.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
An electronic parcel compartment system is known from FR 2 563 987, the electronic parcel compartment system of which performs an identification and an authorization of suppliers who place goods into the compartment as well as of customers who pick up goods from the compartment by identifying themselves with a card and inputting a secret number into an operating terminal that serves to check the identity of the card holder.
DE 100 00 830 A1 describes a locker installation having a computer that controls the electronic locking system of the locker installation and that administers the authorizations to access the locker installation. A deliverer who identifies himself by means of an electronic key system can select a suitable compartment and can have it opened after entering the customer number of the person who is going to pick up the delivery, said number serving the deliverer as the address. After the compartment is filled, it is closed and can no longer be opened by the deliverer. A person picking up the delivery likewise identifies himself by means of an electronic key system based on his customer number and gains access to the compartments containing parcels addressed to him. The person picking up deliveries has the possibility to place return shipments into the compartment.
WO 01/31593 A1 describes an electronic delivery system in which, via a network, products ordered from a merchant are placed into a locker installation by a shipping company and they are retrieved from this locker by the customer. The user of the locker installation identifies himself by an access key, thereby gaining access to the functions of the locker installation. The delivery system can be operated in such a way that the seller, the customers, and the shipping company are designated as a single group so that functions can be accessed by multiple groups.

Electronic device for packet boxes and related operating method


A method and game server for selecting a plurality of winners of a game is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of sets of player numbers from a plurality of game terminals. Each set has a predetermined number of player numbers. Each number is selected from a predetermined set. The method also comprises determining the plurality of winners of the game by conducting iterative drawing rounds until the number of winners exceeds a winner threshold. Each drawing round comprises: selecting a set of random numbers, the number of random numbers in the set of random numbers being equal to the number of player numbers in the set of player numbers; and identifying as winners any sets of player numbers in which each player number of the set corresponds to one or more of the random numbers selected in either the current drawing round or any previous drawing rounds.

Traditional lottery-style game systems allow players to compete for a prize. The prize is often selected from a prize pool which is comprised of a portion of an entrance fee taken from each player.
Such systems however, require large infrastructure and large resources to maintain and operate. Accordingly, there is a need for improved game systems.


Diethanolamine and monocarboxylic acid ester represented by the formula: EQU RC(O)OR'. are reacted to produce a reaction mixture comprising diethanol amide of monocarboxylic acid represented by the formula: EQU RC(O)N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2. and hydroxy-functional amide ester represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein each R is independently a hydrophobic hydrocarbon group and R' is an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms. The reaction mixture is useful as an antistatic composition for formulating with polymers, especially polyolefins.

Diethanol amides of long chain monocarboxylic acids are known in the art as antistatic compounds (hereinafter "antistats") useful for incorporation into polyolefin polymers, especially polyethylene, polypropylene and/or copolymers of ethylene and propylene. One particularly demanding use for polyethylene containing such an antistat is as packaging material for packaging electronic components which comprise polycarbonate.
The commercial process for producing diethanol amide of long chain monocarboxylic acid comprises two separately conducted steps. In the first step, diethanolamine and a long chain monocarboxylic acid, alkyl ester (for example, methyl laurate), are reacted in the presence of an excess of the diethanolamine to produce a mixture comprising the diethanol amide of the long chain monocarboxylic acid and diethanolamine. Since the reaction otherwise tends to proceed only slowly, it is often conducted in the presence of a catalytic amount of a basic catalyst such as sodium methoxide which increases the reaction rate. The excess diethanolamine also serves to increase the reaction rate and to drive the reaction to substantial completion. In the case of methyl laurate, the temperature of the reaction is above the boiling point of methanol under the prevailing pressure and the reaction is customarily conducted under a slight vacuum with a nitrogen purge to sweep the methanol away substantially as it is formed. The reaction may be represented as follows: ##STR2##
Diethanolamine is not an antistat and its presence serves to dilute the antistatic properties of the composition. Most importantly, however, diethanolamine reacts with the polycarbonate of the electronic components the packaging was intended to protect.
The second step of the commercial process therefore converts the residual diethanolamine to a material less harmful to polycarbonate. Long chain monocarboxylic acid (for example, lauric acid) is added to the first reaction mixture and reacted with the residual diethanolamine to form long chain monocarboxylic acid, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium salt, which ordinarily constitutes from about 5 to about 10 percent by weight of the resulting second reaction mixture. The reaction may be represented as follows: EQU CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.10 C(O)OH+HN(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2 .fwdarw.CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.10 C(O)O.sup.- H.sub.2 N.sup.+ (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2
The ammonium salt is not an antistat and its presence dilutes the antistatic properties of the product composition. The product is often compounded with polyethylene at elevated temperatures, but at those temperatures the antistat composition does not have good thermal stability and a good deal of the ammonium salt degrades and forms volatile byproducts. Although the ammonium salt of fatty acids does not degrade polycarbonate as does diethanolamine, it can induce the corrosion of copper, solder, and other parts of the electronic components. Electronic components, and especially assembled circuit boards containing electronic components, are usually expensive and often must be stored for long periods of time in their packaging. The presence of more than inconsequential amounts of the ammonium salt of fatty acids renders the composition generally unfit for use in polyethylene packaging of electronic components and assembled circuit boards containing electronic components. As a matter of fact, the electronics packaging industry requires antistats that are substantially free from fatty acids and/or their salts.

Antistatic composition comprising diethanol amide and hydroxy-functional amide ester


Predetermined frequency components contained in a luminance signal are extracted by BPF (12a)-(12n), and amplified by limited amplifiers (16a)-(16n). As a result, an addition signal, including a luminance signal component amplified and suppressed and a noise component amplified, is obtained from an adder (20a). The luminance signal is also supplied through an HPF (14) and adjusted in level by an amplifier (18). Therefore, a noise component is obtained from a subtracter (20b) by subtracting an amplified signal from the addition signal by a subtracter (20b). A subtracter (20c) subtracts this noise component from the luminance signal supplied from a delay circuit (22a), thereby outputting a luminance signal reduced of noise through an output terminal (S2). Because the luminance signal is separated into a plurality of bands by the plurality of BPFs, there is no possibility of saturating in noise component by the limiters, thus fully removing noise.

This invention relates to noise reducing circuits, and more particularly to a noise reducing circuit adapted to reduce noise contained, for example, in an FM multiplex signal, a video signal reproduced by VTR, or a pickup-reproduced signal reproduced by a CD or DVD (Digital Video Disk) player.
In a conventional noise reducing circuit shown in FIG. 43, when a luminance signal is supplied through a high-pass filter (HFP) 2 and amplified by a limiter amplifier 3, an amplified signal, that is limited at a predetermined level and the higher as shown in FIG. 44B, is obtained from the limiting amplifier 3. Meanwhile, when a luminance signal shown in FIG. 44(A) is supplied through an HFP 4 and amplified by an amplifier 5, an amplified signal is obtained that has a maximum level nearly coincident with a limiting level of the limiter 3. The subtracter 6 subtracts an output of the amplifier 5 from an output of the limiter amplifier 3 to attenuate a level thereof, thereby outputting noise as shown in FIG. 44(D) from the subtracter 6. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the noise contained in the luminance signal by subtracting the noise shown in FIG. 4(D) from the luminance signal shown in FIG. 44(A) with using the subtracter 6.
In this prior art, however, if a broad-band luminance signal is inputted, an extraction signal having a luminance signal component superposed with noise is obtained from the HPF 2. There has been a problem that noise is saturated by the limiter 3 with the result that no sufficient noise can be obtained from the subtracter 6.
Incidentally, there is another example of a noise circuit of this kind disclosed in Japanese Laying-open Patent Publication No. H2-239778 [H04N 5/21, G11P 20/02, H03H 15/00] that has been laid open on Sep. 21, 1990. According to FIG. 1 of this publication, when one or both of two switches is turned on, noise fallen on a passband of one or both of filters is supplied to a subtracter to thereby reduce noise from a reproduced signal. In such a noise removing filter, however, where any one of the two switches only is turned on, there arises, similarly to the above case, a problem that there is a saturation of noise superposed on a signal extracted from a corresponding filter. This problem still remains even where the both switches are turned on.
Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a noise reducing circuit that is capable of reducing noise contained in an input signal.
A first invention is a noise reducing circuit, comprising: a first signal path for receiving an input signal and outputting a noise component contained in the inputted signal; a second signal path for receiving the inputted signal and outputting the input signal or a first correlating signal correlating to the input signal; and a first calculating means for calculating the noise component outputted from the first signal path and the input signal or the first correlating signal outputted from the second signal path, and removing noise; wherein the first signal path includes a plurality of bandpass filters for extracting a plurality of first predetermined frequency components contained in the input signal, a plurality of limiters for individually receiving outputs of the bandpass filters, and a first creating means for creating the noise component based on outputs of the limiters.
A second invention is a noise reducing circuit, comprising a plurality of bandpass filters for extracting predetermined frequency components contained in an input signal; a plurality of amplifiers having a range in which a gain becomes zero or the slight with respect to an input level and having the predetermined frequency components; and an adding means for adding together input signal components contained in outputs of the amplifiers.
In the first invention, the noise component is outputted from the first signal path while the input signal or the first correlating signal correlating to the input signal is outputted from the second signal path. The first calculating means calculates the noise component and the first correlating signal to reduce the noise. In the first signal path, the bandpass filters divide the input signal into a plurality of bands to extract the predetermined frequency components. These first predetermined frequency components are individually given to the limiters where they are limited at a level higher than a predetermined level, i.e. the input signal is limited at a level higher than the predetermined level. The first creating means reduces, for example, input signal components contained in the outputs of the limiters to output a noise component.
In the second invention, the input signal is divided by the bandpass filters into a plurality of bands to extract the predetermined frequency components. These predetermined frequency components are individually given to amplifiers having a range of a gain of zero or the slight. Due to this, the noise contained in the predetermined frequency components is reduced. The outputs of the amplifiers are added together by the adding means, thereby obtaining an input signal reduced of the noise.
According to the first invention, since the input signal is divided by the bandpass filters into a plurality of bands, the noise contained in the input signal can be fully reduced without saturating the noise superposed on the extracted signal from the bandpass filter by the limiter.
According to the second invention, since the input signal is divided into a plurality of bands by the bandpass filters, it is possible to obtain the input signal fully reduced of the noise without amplification of the noise by the amplifier.
The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A Chrysanthemum plant named xe2x80x98Artist Pinkxe2x80x99 characterized by its medium sized blooms with white/pink ray-florets and green disc florets.

xe2x80x98Artist Pinkxe2x80x99 is related to xe2x80x98Artist Yellowxe2x80x99 (copending U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 10/426,861) as both plants are developed from similar breeding programmes.
xe2x80x98Artist Pinkxe2x80x99 is a product of a breeding-program which had the objective of creating new chrysanthemum cultivars with a daisy type flower, a 7-8 week response and a medium plant height (90 cm). The new plant of the present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant. xe2x80x98Artist Pinkxe2x80x99 is a seedling from a cross in a breeding program maintained under the control of inventor. The female parent is an unnamed seedling not available to inventor for description. The male is unknown, being a mixed population of a group of male parents. The new and distinct cultivar was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Mark Boeder in a controlled environment (greenhouse) in Rijsenhout Holland in 2001. The first act of asexual reproduction of xe2x80x98Artist Pinkxe2x80x99 was accomplished when vegeatative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 2001 in a controlled environment in Rijsenhout Holland.
The present invention is a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum bearing medium sized blooms with white/pink ray-florets and green disc florets.


A lens barrel includes a lens moving frame configured to hold an image pickup lens; a barrel member configured to support the lens moving frame for back and forth linear movement along the direction of an optical axis of the image pickup lens; the lens moving frame having a magnetized face magnetized alternately with N poles and S poles along the direction of the back and forth linear movement; and, a magnetic resistance sensor apparatus. The magnetic resistance sensor apparatus has a magnetic resistance sensor, a body, a single screw, and a plurality of resilient pieces. The resilient pieces are formed such that, in a state wherein the resilient pieces are resiliently deformed all by the same amount, the sum of moments by the resilient pieces which act upon the location of the body at which the screw is fitted is zero.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a lens barrel and an image pickup apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image pickup apparatus such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera has a lens barrel provided therein.
A lens barrel of the type is known which includes a lens moving frame for holding an image pickup lens thereon and a barrel member for supporting the lens moving frame for back and forth linear movement along the direction of an optical axis of the image pickup lens. The lens moving frame is moved by a zooming action or a focusing action.
In order to control the movement of the lens moving frame, it is necessary to detect the amount of movement of the lens moving frame. To this end, a magnetized face is formed on the lens moving frame such that N poles and S poles are magnetized alternately along the direction along which the lens moving frame is moved back and forth linearly. A magnetic resistance sensor device is provided on the barrel member and detects the magnetized face to generate a detection signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the lens moving frame. A lens barrel of the type just described is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-2559.
Incidentally, in order to obtain a detection signal of high quality from the magnetic resistance sensor device, it is necessary to precisely adjust the gap between a sensing face of the magnetic resistance sensor device and the magnetized face. In the lens barrel described, the magnetic resistance sensor device is rocked to move the sensing face toward or away from the magnetized face to perform the adjustment of the gap.


Novel systems and methods of using a bent-tube object in a drawing file include entering a custom bent-tube object in a drawing file, and using the bent tube object to generate bender driver data. In a particular method, the step of entering the custom bent-tube object in the drawing file includes entering a multi-segmented line, and generating the custom bent-tube object based at least in part on the lengths of and angles between the segments of the multi-segmented line. In a more particular method, the step of entering the custom bent-tube object further includes selecting a tube type (e.g., a particular diameter, material, etc.), and the step of generating the custom bent-tube object further includes retrieving bent-tube object data from an object data file based at least in part on the tube type.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the design and manufacturing of piping and plumbing systems, and more particularly to a system and method for designing and manufacturing systems including bent tubing. Even more particularly the present invention relates to a system and method for entering a bent-tube object in a CAD drawing file, and for using the bent-tube object to generate data for driving a tube bender to manufacture a bent tube.
2. Description of the Background Art
Computer assisted design (CAD) systems are well known and widely used in the design of mechanical devices, architectural structures, landscaping, and the like. Known systems (e.g., AutoCAD) allow the designer to enter objects into an electronic drawing file in order to xe2x80x9cdrawxe2x80x9d the device, structure, etc. being designed.
While some CAD programs appear quite complex, and offer the designer a great variety of drawing tools, such programs are essentially only drawing engines. The objects in the drawing files are only arcs, circles, lines, etc. While the arcs, circles, and lines can be grouped to provide the appearance of an object (e.g., a 90xc2x0 pipe elbow), the object is still only a group of arcs, circles, lines, etc. The CAD program does not recognize the object as an entity having any real physical characteristics (e.g., material type, function, etc.).
Plug-in programs have been developed to work with CAD systems to provide additional information about an object in a drawing file. For example, a plug-in program might provide a list of objects that can be entered into a drawing file. Objects provided by plug-in applications typically include data (e.g., material type, end connection conditions, pressure ratings, etc.) in addition to the drawing data, which can be selectively retrieved by the designer.
Known plug-in applications are limited to standard objects that are used repeatedly in systems being designed. For example, components such as elbows, tees, valves, etc. are used repeatedly in various systems without any change to the component itself. Further, such components are typically available as a commodity from suppliers. It is, therefore, efficient to provide such standard objects in a plug-in application.
Some objects, however, necessarily vary from one design to the next. It is not, therefore, efficient to spend the resources necessary to offer such custom objects in a plug-in application, because a custom object designed for one system might never be used in another system.
Bent tubes/pipes are an example of objects not previously offered in plug-in applications. The dimensions and parameters of a bent tube are highly dependent on the specific architecture of an individual project. The number and angle of bends formed in the tube are generally dictated by the physical layout of the project, which varies on a case-by-case basis. Thus, bent tubes are custom objects that are not offered in prior art plug-in applications.
Further, bent tubes for each project or even each piece must be custom made on the fly. The manufacture of such bent tubes requires a user to manually input data into a controller that in turn drives a tube bender to form the bent tube. The operator is required to glean the required information (e.g., bent-tube dimensions) from an engineering drawing printout, modify and/or augment the information based on the type of bender being used, and manually input the data into the controller. This process is very time consuming, and is highly susceptible to operator error.
What is needed, therefore, is a system and method that allows a designer to enter a custom bent-tube object in an electronic drawing file. What is also needed is a system and method to include bender driver data in a custom bent-tube object. What is also needed is a system and method for automatically extracting and/or using information from the bent-tube object to drive a tube bender.
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing a system and method for entering a custom bent-tube object in a drawing file, and then using the custom bent-tube object to generate bender driver data. The bender driver data can then be used to drive a bending machine to bend a tube to form a custom bent tube corresponding to the custom bent-tube object in the drawing.
One method includes entering a custom bent-tube object in a drawing file and using the bent tube object to generate bender driver data. In a particular method, the step of entering the custom bent-tube object in the drawing file includes entering a multi-segmented line in the drawing file, and generating the custom bent-tube object based at least in part on the lengths of and angles between the segments of the multi-segmented line. In a more particular method, the step of entering the custom bent-tube object further includes selecting a tube type (e.g., a particular diameter, material, etc.), and the step of generating the custom bent-tube object further includes retrieving bent-tube object data from an object data file based at least in part on the tube type. Optionally, the bent-tube object data retrieval is further based on a particular type of tube bending machine.
One method of using the custom bent-tube object to generate bender driver data includes extracting at least a portion of the driver data from the custom bent-tube object. In one particular method, all of the bender driver data is extracted from the custom bent-tube object. Alternatively, a portion of the bender driver data can be retrieved from a separate bender driver data file. Optionally, a portion of the bender driver data is retrieved based at least in part on a user selected bender type. Further, the bender driver data can optionally be converted from data for driving a first type of tube bender to data for driving a second type of tube bender.
The bender driver data can be communicated to tube bender in various ways. In one example, the driver data is extracted from the drawing file, and the bender driver data is then transferred to the bending machine via a removable media, a network connection, or some other data transfer method. In an alternative example, the drawing file itself is provided to the bender controller, and the bender controller extracts the driver data from the custom bent-tube object.
The invention can also be embodied in an electronically readable media having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to facilitate any or all of the methods disclosed herein. Examples of electronically readable media include, but are not limited to: removable media devices such as magnetic or optical disks; local or remote hard disks; memory devices including random access, read only, and cache memory; and any other device capable of storing digital data, whether now known or later developed.
Systems for using a bent-tube object in a drawing file are also described. One system includes an object manager responsive to input from a user and operative to generate a bent-tube object, and a drawing engine responsive to the object manager and operative to enter the bent-tube object in a drawing file. In a particular embodiment, the object manager is further responsive to a user selected tube type in generating the bent-tube object. The object manager retrieves bent-tube object data based at least in part on the selected tube type. The selected tube type optionally depends on a desired diameter of the tube.
An extraction module is operative to generate/extract bender driver data from the custom bent-tube object. In a particular embodiment, the extraction module generates a portion of the bender driver data from the custom bent-tube object, and retrieves another portion of the bender driver data from a separate data file. Alternatively, the extraction module generates/retrieves substantially all of the bender driver data from the custom bent-tube object. Optionally, a data converter, responsive to indicia of a particular bender type, converts bender driver data for a first type of bender to bender driver data for a second type of bender.
Various data structures for implementing the present invention are also disclosed. One data structure includes a first field containing data representing a graphical image of a bent tube, a second field containing data representing a type of tube to be bent to form the bent tube, and a third field containing data for driving a tube bender to bend said bent tube. Alternatively, the third field contains a link to a data file containing data for driving a tube bender.
A particular data structure further includes a fourth field containing data representing the length of a first line segment, a fifth field containing data representing the length of a second line segment, and a sixth field containing data representing an angle between the first line segment and the second line segment. In a more particular data structure, the sixth field contains a first sub-field containing data representing an absolute angle of the first line segment, and a second sub-field containing data representing an absolute angle of the second line segment.

System and method for drawing and manufacturing bent pipes


Systems and methods include a method providing automated production optimization for smart well completions using real-time nodal analysis including comingled production calibration. Real-time well rates and flowing bottom-hole pressure data are collected at various choke settings for multiple flow conditions for each lateral of a multilateral well during regular field optimization procedures. Surface and downhole pressures and production metrics for each of the laterals are recorded for one lateral at a time during production of the well. Flowing parameters of individual laterals are estimated using the multilateral well production model. An optimum pressure drop across each downhole valve is determined using the multilateral well production model. Each lateral of the multilateral well is calibrated during the commingled production at various choke valves settings. The calibrating is done using the multilateral well production model, based at least in part on the optimum pressure drop across each downhole valve.

The present disclosure applies to optimization techniques for smart well completions. Many wells are instrumented with downhole sensors and valves enabling real-time monitoring and control of multilateral completions. However, engineers seldom utilize the downhole valves to adjust the production from a particular zone in a timely manner. Even if adjustments are made, the process is cumbersome and is based on trial and error.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Automated production optimization technique for smart well completions using real-time nodal analysis including comingled production calibration


A brake system damping device includes a first space to which hydraulic pressure is to be applied, a second space in which a compressible medium is situated, and a first separation element configured to separate the first space from the second space. The brake system damping device further includes a third space in which a compressible medium is situated and a second separation element configured the second space from the third space. The second space is connected in medium-conducting terms to the third space by a passage configured in the second separation element. The third space and the second separation element having the passage thereof are configured by an integral component.

The disclosure relates to a brake system damping device having a first space to which hydraulic pressure is to be applied, and a second space in which a compressible medium is situated, and a first separation element for separating the first space from the second space.
Brake systems, in particular hydraulic brake systems, serve for decelerating a travelling speed of vehicles such as, for instance, passenger motor vehicles and commercial motor vehicles. In the operation of such brake systems, various dynamic effects, inter alia pressure variations in lines and spaces present in said brake systems that lead to oscillations or pulsations and, on account thereof, to undesirable noises and vibrations arise. In order for such oscillations to be minimized, or in order to achieve a damping effect in those oscillations, respectively, brake system damping devices, hereunder also referred to as dampers, are used at one or a plurality of installation locations in the brake system. Said dampers comprise a first space in which a hydraulic pressure is to be applied. The space is fundamentally a type of container. The pressure is fundamentally the result of a force acting on an area. A force is transmitted hydraulically, that is to say by way of a pressurized fluid, in the dampers.
Dampers having a separation element which separates the space into a first space in which a liquid or a fluid, respectively, is situated, and a second space in which a compressible medium, typically in the form of a gas, is situated, are known. As is common knowledge, the volume of a space of a deformable container in which a gas is situated decreases when increased pressure is exerted on said container from the outside. Likewise, the volume of the second space also decreases by means of the separation element when a hydraulic pressure is applied to the first space.
When this pressure decreases again, the volume of the gas and thus of the second space thus increases accordingly. The second space thus acts like a pneumatic spring, also referred to as a gas spring. The softness or hardness of the damping by said gas spring depends on the gas volume of the second space. The larger the gas volume the softer the damping.
A vehicle driver in a braking procedure steps on a brake pedal which herein covers a pedal travel. Said pedal travel is directly correlated to the gas volume of the second space which is relevant here. The larger the gas volume the longer also the pedal travel. The positive effect of soft damping is thus paired with the negative effect of a large pedal travel.


An analysis device includes a vapor phase decomposition unit, a heating unit, an evacuation unit, a recovery unit and an analysis unit. The vapor phase decomposition unit performs vapor phase decomposition of a first film on a substrate. The heating unit heats the substrate. The evacuation unit evacuates gas in the heating unit to an outside of the heating unit. The recovery unit supplies liquid on a front surface of the substrate, moves the liquid on the front surface of the substrate, and recovers the liquid. The analysis unit analyzes contents of the liquid.

Metal impurities existing in a semiconductor thin film cause degradation of a breakdown voltage and crystal defects, and degrade characteristics of a semiconductor device. The metal impurities existing in the semiconductor thin film can be analyzed by using a vapor phase decomposition (VPD) method. However, improvements in such metal impurities analysis remain desired.