A timepiece having a mode displaying function includes an external operating member that is rotatable by a user. A sliding pinion rotatable by the external operating member rotates a transmitting gear. A correction transmitting wheel is rotatable by the transmitting gear. A motion control gear is fixed to the correction transmitting wheel. A motion control spring member having a motion control part contacts with a respective motion control face of the teeth of the motion control gear to regulate the rotation of the correction transmitting wheel during the rotation of the motion control gear. A mode displaying plate is rotatable by the correction transmitting wheel and displays the modes of the timepiece. The mode displaying plate is fixed to a display gear which has a plurality of teeth. A spring member has an urging surface for contacting with a respective motion control face of the teeth of the display gear. Thus, during rotation of the display gear, the urging surface of the spring member regulates the rotation of the mode displaying plate so that the modes printed on the display plate are consistently viewable at the center of a display window on the dial of the inventive timepiece.

The present device relates to a mode switching display structure of a multifunctional electronic timepiece.
In a conventional structure of a multifunctional electric timepiece, the rotation of a sliding pinion by an external operating member is transmitted to a first correction transmitting wheel to rotate a second correction transmitting wheel having a second and third correction transmitting gears at one end thereof and integrally supporting a motion control gear and a contact spring at the other end. A switch for selecting the display mode is formed of a circuit board having a pattern which is electrically connected to the contact spring, and rotation is transmitted to a mode display plate formed integrally with a fourth correction transmitting gear meshing with the third correction transmitting gear so that a mode display corresponding to the switch may be carried out. The third correction transmitting gear is integrally supported by the second correction transmitting wheel and is positioned by a motion control spring mating with the motion control gear. The fourth correction transmitting gear is formed integrally with the mode display plate meshing with the third correction transmitting gear.
Although the mode display plate formed integrally with the third and fourth correction transmitting gears is positioned by the motion control spring meshing with the motion control gear in such a mode switching display structure as stated above, the mode display plate formed integrally with the fourth correcting gear frequently undergoes a shift of position because of the backlashes of the third and fourth correction transmitting gears. As a result, the letters printed on the mode display plate are displayed in such a state that they are tilted with respect to the display window of a dial. Further, the size of the printed letters is restricted because it is necessary to make the display window of the dial larger than the mode printing letters in order that part of the letter is not obstructed by the edges of the window. In addition, it is disadvantageously difficult to design easy-to-read letters.


Engaging claws (15) and (16) are provided in the upper right front part in the longitudinal direction of a barrel (8), and engaging claws (18) and (19) are provided in the upper left part thereof. A gunsight (10) is held in the barrel (8) by the engaging claws (15) and (16) or by the engaging claws (18) and (19). Consequently, the position where the gunsight (10) is mounted can be changed to a position where a player can easily use the gunsight (10). In addition, each of the engaging claws releases its engaged state by its elastic force to detach the gunsight (10) from the barrel (8) when a strong shock is given to the gunsight (10). Consequently, it is possible to prevent the gunsight (10) from being damaged or prevent the player from being injured.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a shooting scope used in a shooting game system. More particularly, it relates to a shooting scope used in a game system which progresses by displaying an image from a video game set on the screen of an image display device such as a television receiver and shooting a target displayed on the image display device from a position spaced apart from the target.
2. Description of the Background Art
A conventional shooting scope for shooting a target displayed on a television receiver to play a game, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,045 (hereinafter referred to as first prior art). Another conventional shooting scope (trade name "Pro Beam") is used in a game set (trade name "Nintendo Entertainment System") which is sold by the applicant of the present application (hereinafter referred to as second prior art).
In the above described first prior art, there is no gunsight. Therefore, the first prior art has the disadvantage in that one cannot accurately aim at a target displayed on a television receiver.
On the other hand, in the above described second prior art, a gunsight is integrally provided in the upper front part in the longitudinal direction of a barrel. The second prior art has the disadvantage in that the position of the gunsight is always fixed irrespective of whether a player is right-handed or left-handed, making it difficult to aim at a target with high precision. In addition, it has the disadvantage in that if the gunsight is fixed to either one of the right side and the left side of the barrel, the shooting scope is difficult to operate depending on the dominant hand or the dominant eye of a user. Furthermore, the second prior art also has the disadvantage in that when the shooting scope receives a shock (for example, due to dropping), its force is concentrated on the gunsight projected from the main body, so that the gunsight is liable to be damaged. Additionally, it also has the disadvantage in that when the gunsight is damaged, a player is liable to be injured.

Shooting scope used in shooting game system


A PCRAM device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The PCRAM device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a PN diode formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a layer interposed therein to suppress thermal diffusion of ions.

1. Technical Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a phase-change random access memory (PCRAM) device and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a PCRAM device including a diode and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Related Art
PCRAM devices store data using a phase-change material, which is changed to a crystalline state or an amorphous state while the phase-change material is heated and cooled. That is, since the phase-change material has low resistance in the crystalline state and high resistance in the amorphous state, the crystalline state may be defined as SET or logic level "0" and the amorphous state may be defined as RESET or logic level "1".
As the phase-change material applied to the PCRAM devices, a chalcogenide compound (Ge—Sb—Te: GST) including germanium (Ge), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te) has been mainly used. The crystalline state in the phase-change material such as GST may be changed by heat generated according to a current intensity and applied time.
The PCRAM devices may include a plurality of phase-change memory cells formed at intersections of word lines and bit lines. The phase-change memory cell includes a resistor of which a value is changed based on a through current and an access device configured to control the current provided to the resistor.
PNP bipolar transistors MOS transistors, or PN diodes may be used as an access device and the PN diodes occupied with a narrow area are mainly used as an access device of high-integrated PCRAM devices.
When the device is driven using the PN diode, current does not flow in an off current state and a large amount of current flows in on current state even in a lower voltage so that the PN diode provide stable operations for many cells.
However, leakage current occurs often in the off current state of the PN diode. Therefore, when a vertical PN diode is applied to suppress dopant diffusion in a fabrication process of a current RN diode, an undoped layer is applied to be interposed between P-type and N-type conductive layers. The dopant, movement due to thermal diffusion continuously occurs, and thus, leakage current in the off current state is increased.
Thus, a thickness of the undoped layer interposed between the P and N type conductive layers in the vertical PN diode is increased, but there is limitation to increase the height of the vertical PN diode. Reduction in the leakage current of the vertical PN diode is emerging as a main concern.

Phase-change random access memory and method of manufacturing the same


A subject of the present invention is mutated hyperthermophilic phosphotriesterases (PTEs) possessing a lactonase activity, and their uses as bioscavengers within the context of the decontamination of the surfaces of materials, of the skin or mucous membranes, contaminated with organophosphorus compounds, or within the context of the preparation of medicaments which can be used within the context of the prevention or treatment of an external contamination or of an internal poisoning by ingestion or inhalation by organophosphorus compounds, or within the context of the pollution control of water polluted with organophosphorus compounds.

Organophosphorus Compounds
The organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are highly toxic molecules which make up certain chemical warfare agents and pesticides. Some of these compounds such as paraoxon or parathion are used for their insecticidal property. In fact, they are easy to manufacture and are widely used for agriculture in developing countries. Unfortunately, this very widespread use is responsible for large numbers of cases of poisoning world-wide (200,000 deaths per year according to the WHO).
Most OPs are unstable products as they hydrolyze rapidly. They do not therefore persist in the environment in their toxic form. By contrast, certain products developed by armies are much more stable and dangerous, such as sarin, soman, tabun or VX. These chemical warfare agents are now of increasing interest to terrorists. Sarin in particular has already been used during attacks carried out by the Aum sect, in 1994 at Matsumoto and in 1995 in the Tokyo metro. Faced with these growing threats, the study and especially the development of effective means of decontamination has never been more urgent.
The organophosphorus compounds act by percutaneous absorption and by inhalation. They are very often colourless and odourless liquids. Poisoning with one of these agents rapidly becomes apparent (less than 1 minute to 60 minutes) due to characteristic and extremely serious symptoms (even the death of the poisoned subject). These molecules, once ingested into the human organism, have a neurotoxic effect. They attack an enzyme which is very important for the proper functioning of the nervous system: acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme is essential in the transmission of nerve messages. In fact, as the impulse passes from neuron to neuron, the electrical information is converted to a chemical message in the synaptic cleft. The molecules thus released are called neurotransmitter (for example: acetylcholine). Once released in the cleft, the acetylcholine mostly binds to the receptors of the post-synaptic neuron in order to ensure the continuity of the nerve message. The bound and non-bound molecules must then be re-trapped or degraded, thus allowing the regulation of the intensity and duration of the impulse. The role of the acetylcholinesterases is therefore to ensure that the nerve message stops, by degrading the acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.
The OPs react rapidly with the serine at the active site of the acetylcholinesterases, forming an inactive phosphoenzyme. The covalent intermediate thus formed, the enzyme has lost all activity. These compounds therefore constitute irreversible inhibitors of these enzymes. The acetylcholine is then no longer degraded in the synaptic cleft and accumulates.
In order to be prepared for these dangers, prevention and decontamination protocols are provided. At present equipment is decontaminated using highly concentrated soda (NaOH). Protective suits and masks have been designed to prevent all contact with these agents. In case of the poisoning of humans, treatment with soda obviously cannot be envisaged. The victim is simply decontaminated using a solution of sodium hypochlorite (Javel water) and washed with copious amounts of soap and water. Foulon gloves also allow the liquid to be absorbed by the victim's skin. For cases of inhalation (percutaneous or not percutaneous) of neurotoxic agents, there is pretreatment with pyrostigmine, which can be taken in cachet form. This molecule reversibly blocks the acetylcholinesterases and prevents the OPs from binding to them. The individual's life is thus saved. Moreover, an emergency treatment of symptoms also exists in the form of self-injection syringes containing atropine (anticholinergic), diazepam (anticonvulsant) and pralidoxime (reactivator of the inhibited acetylcholinesterases). The injection must however be given immediately after poisoning in order to be effective. This does not however prevent the appearance of incapacitating sequelae.
Although some progress in prophylaxia has been made with the abovementioned techniques in the last twenty years, the treatments for these poisonings and existing protection nevertheless remain unsatisfactory. Unfortunately, all the pharmacological leads explored seem to come to an impasse. However, the emergence of the concept of a "bioscavenger" has given rise to new hopes of a more effective armamentarium. In fact, the idea of using enzymes capable of trapping and/or degrading the OPs on the skin and in the blood before they reach their neuromuscular and central biological targets is particularly attractive.
Human ButyrylCholinesterase (BuChe) is an enzyme similar to acetylcholinesterase, the physiological role of which is not clearly established. Despite that, it represents great hope as it traps the organophosphorus compounds in the blood route before they reach their targets (Raveh et al., 1993). Furthermore, the natural enzyme injected into humans is particularly stable, with a half-life of 11 days. However, this natural scavenger is in much too low a quantity in the blood to protect us naturally from the dangers of the OPs. In fact it acts as a stoichiometric binder of the OPs: one enzyme can only neutralize a single molecule. A rapid calculation makes it possible to show that huge quantities of enzyme are needed in order to obtain an effective treatment. The resources to be used then seem disproportionate and would correspond to a dose of 200 mg of protein per injection and per soldier. However, for want of something better, BuChE represents a concrete plan in particular for the American army which, at the end of 2006, provided for a million doses to be made available for its soldiers. The production of the enzyme is ensured by genetic engineering thanks to transgenic goats. The need for such a quantity of protein is nevertheless very expensive, and despite the resources utilized, this enterprise constitutes a major technological challenge. A few variants of BuChE having an OP-hydrolase activity do exist but their catalysis is very slow in comparison with enzymes capable of hydrolyzing the OPs naturally.
Human paraoxonase (HPON1) is an OP-hydrolase which has numerous advantages. Its protective role against OP poisoning has been established in mice. Furthermore, its human origin should avoid multiple injections of the therapeutic protocols inducing an immune response. HPON1 is a plasma protein mainly associated with HDL. The three-dimensional structure of the natural enzyme has not been resolved, only the structure of a human-mouse-rat-rabbit chimera of PON1, (Harel et al., 2004). Nevertheless, this structure has not made it possible to obtain more active mutants. Furthermore, a pharmacological use is impossible in the immediate future. In fact, all attempts to obtain a large quantity of active human paraoxonase have failed for technical reasons.
Other promising OP-hydrolases have been isolated. These are enzymes of the family of the phosphotriesterases (PTEs). These enzymes constitute true catalytic scavengers discovered in soil bacteria: in particular Pseudomonas diminuta and flavobacterium sp. (Munnecke, 1976) for the opd gene, and Agrobacterium radiobacter for the opdA gene (Jackson et al., 2005). The PTEs are enzymes which are extremely promising for the development of a bioscavenger for neurotoxic agents. But there are also fundamental concerns about these enzymes: in fact, the biological implication(s) (s) of the latter remain completely unknown. Furthermore, the catalytic mechanism of these extremely effective enzymes is somewhat obscure.
The PTEs are the most active of the enzymes known to degrade the OPs. Studying these could make it possible to carry out treatments for therapeutic (cutaneous and opthalmological) decontaminations which would advantageously replace the only existing effective means which is soda. The latter obviously cannot be used on living beings. Moreover, the PTEs would also be effective for decontaminating soil polluted with pesticides. They could also be used for detecting OP pollution. Thus, there are projects which attempt to chemically bind these proteins to a support and detect any catalysis by various means such as the detection of electric signals or by spectrophotometry. Another major asset is that the PTEs are capable of hydrolyzing a broad spectrum of OPs, such as parathion, paraoxon, soman, sarin and the most toxic of all, VX.
The hypotheses relating to the origin of this OP-hydrolase activity in bacteria are multiple and controversial, even though it seems more likely that this activity results from a structural similarity of its natural substrate to these poisons. Moreover, the physiological role of these enzymes remains unknown (Aubert et al., 2004). Several genes exist which are known to encode for mesophilic PTEs. A first gene (opd) was simultaneously isolated from P. diminuta and Flavobacterium sp., and encodes a protein of 365 amino acids. This protein possesses a peptide signal of 29 residues allowing its addressing in the periplasmic space. Another known gene (opda), isolated from A. radiobacter (Jackson et al., 2005), encodes a protein of 362 amino acids possessing a peptide signal of 33 residues. These two proteins share 90% sequence identity. Whilst these mesophilic PTEs are very active vis-à-vis the OPs, they are however expensive to produce, and unstable.
Recently, a novel protein of this family was isolated and purified (Merone et al., 2005). This metalloenzyme of 35.5 kDa possesses 31% sequence identity with the PTEs of P. diminuta and was isolated from the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus. This organism lives in extreme conditions (87°-93° C. and pH 3.5-5). The latter confer exceptional thermostability properties upon this protein. This is a hyperthermophilic enzyme the maximum activity of which occurs at approximately 95° C., and it is clearly less active vis-à-vis paraoxon than the PTEs of P. diminuta. Another hyperthermophilic PTE has been isolated from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (Porzio et al., 2007). The hyperthermophilic PTEs are less active vis-à-vis the OPs than the mesophilic PTEs, but on the other hand have the advantage of being very stable and inexpensive to produce.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections constitute one of the major causes of human pathologies. Some of these infections can be contracted in hospital and constitute a major public health problem. In France, according to the different studies carried out, approximately 5 to 10% of hospitalized individuals fall victim during their stay in hospital, i.e. 600,000 to 1,000,000 patients per year. On top of the pathologies initially responsible for the hospitalization, these infections aggravate the patients' vital prognosis (approximately 6000 deaths per year, the tenth cause of deaths in France). Besides this fact there is also the additional financial cost of prolonged stays in hospital and the provision of expensive treatment. These problems are further exacerbated by the appearance of a growing number of cases of antibiotic resistance. A certain number of strategies are being developed in order to acquire new tools against this resistance. One of the most promising leads involves disturbing communications between bacteria. In fact, although bacteria are single-cell organisms, they are capable of communicating with each other and thus responding collectively to an environmental change. These communication mechanisms, known as "quorum sensing" (QS), allow the synchronization and modulations of the expression of certain genes (Federle and Bassler, 2003; Fuqua and Greenberg, 2002; Whitehead et al., 2001). This communication is modulated by small "signal" molecules, capable of freely diffusing through the cell membranes and regulating the expression profiles of genes. Moreover, the QS phenomenon is not limited to the prokaryotes, since certain single-cell eukaryotic pathogens of algae also use QS for coordinating certain biological functions, such as virulence (Oh et al., 2001).
Of all the signals used for QS, the acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) appear to be the most widespread (in particular in Gram-negative bacteria) and are the most studied.
Their involvement is demonstrated in numerous significant biological functions, such as symbiosis, conjugation, production of antibiotics, sporulation, virulence and biofilm formation (Fuqua and Greenberg, 2002; Whitehead et al., 2001; Zhang, 2003).
The concentration of these "signal" molecules is very significant and regulated in part by enzymes capable of degrading these compounds. In particular there are AHL acylases and AHL lactonases which are capable of degrading these lactones, such as AiiA, originating from Bacillus thuringiensis (Dong et al., 2002). In order to combat bacterial infections, the idea of disturbing quorum sensing is an extremely promising lead (Rasmussen and Givskov, 2006). In fact, given that QS mutant pathogens no longer express virulence genes and become non-virulent (Passador et al., 1993; Pirhonen et al., 1993), it therefore seems possible to control bacterial infections by attenuating the QS of pathogens.
Thus, the expression of a QS-attenuating enzyme: a "quorum quenching" (QQ) enzyme, whether this is an AHL lactonase or an AHL acylase, in plant or human pathogens such as Erwinia carotovora and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, significantly reduces their virulence (Dong et al., 2000; Lin et al., 2003; Reimmann et al., 2002). Furthermore, transgenic plants expressing a QQ lactonase are effectively resistant to pathogen infections (Dong et al., 2001).
Recently, the protein SsoPox, originating from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus has been cloned and characterized for its phosphotriesterase activity (Merone et al., 2005). This protein is hyperthermostable with a denaturation half-life of approximately 4 hours at 90 to 95 and 100° C., respectively. This allows very effective and low-cost purification of the recombinant protein by heating the cell lysates, and thus precipitating the host proteins (Escherichia coli). In 2006, it was shown that SsoPox possesses significant AHL lactonase activity (Afriat et al., 2006).

Mutated hyperthermophilic phosphotriesterases and their uses

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique


A convertible shoe intended for use by babies and young children. Acknowledging that there is very little wear on the soles of the shoes for children learning to walk because of their weight and the few steps they take, this shoe has interchangeable upper shoes that can be mated to a common sole. It saves the cost of buying complete shoes, which can get expensive for growing feet. Rather, one can buy multiple decorative upper shoes to unite with a common sole, at a cost savings. Additionally, this offers a simpler way to put shoes on babies and insure that their toes are not jammed or feet twisted.

Shoes are as used as much for fashion statements as they are for foot protection. As such, most shoes are cast aside before they are worn out. This is especially true for babies with rapidly growing feet. However, to own multiple pairs of shoes can become expensive. Since babies don't walk, or only walk a limited distance, the soles of the shoes never really wear out. Thus, the only visible wear on these shoes is on the tops of the shoes. Having multiple different shoe tops that can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of an entire shoe would be an appealing option to people with small children. Especially since the part of the shoe to wear out first, the outsole, rarely does with small children.
In many situations, such as encountered with pets, a full shoe is hard to put on in one piece. The pet will rebel against its foot's complete insertion into outdoor footwear, making them hard to properly install. With children, they too will fidget when the shoe is being installed making the job difficult. Of primary concern, is whether the child's foot is properly fitted into the shoe. Their toes may be jammed, bent, crossed and the like as well as crookedly fit into the shoe. This can lead to more than just discomfort.
Henceforth, an inexpensive, convertible shoe that can be converted to accommodate different looks and assembled in place, on or off of the foot would fulfill a long felt need in the footwear industry. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems and accomplish this. Thus, an economical solution to the aforementioned problems is provided by the embodiments set forth below.


Visualizing Internet web traffic is disclosed. In one embodiment, a number of windows are displayed, corresponding to a number of clusters into which users have been partitioned based on similar web browsing behavior. The windows are ordered from the cluster having the greatest number of users to the cluster having the least number of users. Each window has one or more rows, where each row corresponds to a user within the cluster. Each row has an ordered number of visible units, such as blocks, where each block corresponds to a web page visited by the user. The blocks can be color coded by the type of web page they represent. In one embodiment, the corresponding cluster models for the clusters are alternatively displayed in the windows.

This invention relates generally to visualizing traffic on Internet world-wide-web sites, and more particularly to such visualization that is cluster-based in nature.
Browsing the Internet has become an exceedingly popular application for computers and computer-like devices. In particular, sites on the world-wide-web (WWW, or web) have seen increasing visitation. A web site includes a number of web pages, identified by Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addresses. For example, a home page of a web site may be addressed as http://www.mypage.com/index.html.
As web sites have become more popular, tracking their usage has becoming important, especially for commercial sites. Operators of web sites, for example, are interested in determining how users proceed through the site in a single session. A session is when a user views one or more pages of the web site, in a particular order, before going to a different web site. By being able to determine how users are proceeding through their sites, operators are able to better understand their users, and how to make their web sites better.
For this and other reasons, therefore, there is a need for the present invention.
The invention relates to visualizing web traffic in a cluster-based manner. In one embodiment, a number of windows are displayed, corresponding to a number of clusters into which users have been partitioned based on similar web browsing behavior. The windows are ordered from the cluster having the greatest number of users to the cluster having the least number of users. Each window has one or more rows, where each row corresponds to a user within the cluster. Each row has an ordered number of visible units, such as blocks, where each block corresponds to a web page visited by the user. The blocks can be color coded by the type of web page they represent. In one embodiment, the corresponding cluster models for the clusters are alternatively displayed in the windows. The windows desirably can be made larger or smaller, as well as be scrolled through via scroll bars.
Thus, embodiments of the invention allow web site operators to view first-hand how users are visiting their web sites. The visual approach of embodiments of the invention provides for advantages as compared to non-visual approaches, since usage data for web sites can be increasingly large. Without a visual approach, for instance, it is more difficult for operators to make conclusions as to usage of their web sites, as compared to using a visual approach.
The invention includes computer-implemented methods, machine-readable media, computerized systems, and computers of varying scopes. Other aspects, embodiments and advantages of the invention, beyond those described here, will become apparent by reading the detailed description and with reference to the drawings.

Cluster-based visualization of user traffic on an internet site


An automatic meter reader (AMR) used in an electrical distribution system has a communications module (26, 28) housed within an enclosure (12) for two-way message communications with a utility (U) to report information to the utility concerning electricity usage at the AMR site. The communications module includes at least one resistive element (RR) which may have an associated heat sink (H) and to which current is supplied during communications. A heat flow control (30) used with the resistive element controls the release of heat generated thereby during a message. This includes applying at least one layer (L) of a phase change material (PCM) to the resistive element, or its heat sink, to control the increase in temperature of ambient air inside the AMR enclosure during two-way communications to a temperature below a critical temperature (Tmax). This allows a message of greater length to be used for communications between the utility and AMR than was previously possible.

This invention relates to a communications system for use with meters employed by electrical utilities for automatically monitoring electrical usage; and more particularly, to an improvement which allows for better response from a meter when polled by the master station of a utility.
Automated meter reading or AMR employs specially designed electrical meters installed by a utility at each premises serviced by the utility. Use of AMR allows the utility to separately address each meter to ascertain the amount of electricity usage at the home or building, as well other information (times of peak usage, for example) so to allow the utility to better configure their distribution network to service their customers.
As currently implemented in a TWACS® system employed by the assignee of the present invention, a signal (an outbound signal) is impressed on the electrical lines leading to a facility and as the electricity passes through the meter, the signal is received and processed. The signal may, for example, request that a return signal (an inbound signal) be transmitted back from that location over the same electrical lines with information (data) as to the electrical usage at that location.
When the response signal is generated, it produces high current pulses in a fixed value resistor or other resistive element which is part of a communications module installed in the meter. As is well-known in the art, when current passes through a resistor, electrical energy is converted into heat. This heat then dissipates throughout the meter housing raising the ambient temperature of air within the enclosure and affecting other electrical components installed in the meter. The performance of electronic circuits is adversely affected by the heat, if the heat drives the component's operating temperature above the upper limit of a preferred range of temperatures. Circuit calibrations and the accuracy of information produced by a circuit are affected, and excessive component temperatures will cause the circuits to act erratically, or even fail. All of this, of course, is detrimental to operation of the meter and communications between the master station and meter site.
Recently, an issue was noticed with respect to AMRs communicated with through TWACS. The AMRs now employ a communications module designed for a 17 amp inbound signal current and a 32 byte message burst rate for a nominal 240V. circuit. In attempting to increase inbound signal strength to overcome certain field problems, it was found necessary to increase the inbound signal current from 17 to 21 amps. Since heat generated in a resistor is directly proportional to the square of the current, the increase in current resulted in a more than 50% increase in heat for an inbound signal message having the same 32 byte message length as before. Further testing demonstrated that to maintain the same heating effects as before the signal current was increased, the maximum message length had to be reduced to 18 bytes from 32 bytes. Because of the resulting loss of information which would be transmitted in a single message of this reduced length, this was an unacceptable result.
The present invention is directed at a solution to this and similar problems. As described herein, use of the invention enables the previous 32 byte message length to be retained, even though the current is at the higher level required to increase inbound signal strength. Alternatively, message length of the inbound signal can be increased without increasing the signaling current level. It is also possible to increase both message length and signal current, to a certain extent, while maintaining temperature within a meter within safe limits. The present invention is applicable to all of the above possible scenarios.

Method of increasing burst capacity for automatic meter reading


A probe head for a coordinate measuring machine has a stylus resiliently suspended in a housing. A sensor arrangement serves for detecting deflections of the stylus relative to the housing. The sensor arrangement comprises at least one Hall sensor having a magnet and a Hall element arranged in a vicinity to each other. When the stylus is deflected, the magnet is laterally passed by the Hall element in a direction defined from the North Pole to the South Pole of the magnet or vice versa. A Hall voltage of changing polarity can be tapped at the Hall element then. A preferably linear range around the polarity change is processed in order to determine the deflection of the stylus.

The invention generally relates to a probe head for a coordinate measuring machine. More specifically, the invention relates to a probe head comprising a stylus resiliently suspended in a housing, and a sensor arrangement for detecting deflections of the stylus relative to the housing.
A prior art probe head designed for determining dimensions of a shaft is disclosed by DE 37 21 682 A1. This probe head has an elongated arm with a spherical probe tip that bears against the circumference of a rotating shaft. The arm is part of a parallelogram-type structure whose articulations are formed by segments of diminished cross section that are designed in the manner of film hinges. The entire arrangement is designed in a single-piece fashion. In order to convert the movement of the arm with the probe tip into an electrically detectable signal, use is made of an inductive sensor arrangement in which a core moved indirectly by the probe tip dips into a measuring coil. As an alternative embodiment, a Hall element is proposed, but without specifying any details of the arrangement or the evaluation of the Hall voltage.
DE 198 23 059 C2 discloses a method and a device for detecting the spatial position of a body. Use is made of an array of 4×4 sensors, such as Hall sensors.
DE 37 08 105 A1 discloses a measuring probe for a coordinate measuring machine that proposes magnetoresistive sensors for three-dimensional position measurements. A stylus is situated with one of its poles opposite a resistor dependent on a magnetic field, the deflection of the stylus effecting a variation in the spacing between the magnetic pole and resistor.
DE 26 20 099 C2 discloses a probe head with a stylus that can be deflected in all directions. In order to measure and detect a movement of the stylus, use is made of an inductive sensor arrangement in which there are provided two inductive sensors on each of all three axes. The sensors are arranged on opposite sides of the stylus. The inductive sensors are connected up to form a bridge circuit.
DE 37 20 524 A1 discloses a caliper rule having a Hall sensor. The Hall sensor is located next to a magnet such that, in the absence of a ferromagnetic disturbance, the Hall element is penetrated symmetrically by the field lines of the magnet, the Hall voltage thereby being precisely zero. If a runner with the Hall sensor is displaced on the bar, ferromagnetic rungs of a ladder-type arrangement run past the Hall sensor and distort the magnetic field, with the consequence that the Hall element is permeated asymmetrically by field lines, a finite Hall voltage thereby being produced. The Hall voltage is fed to a threshold stage that forms pulses, which are subsequently counted in, order to determine the position of the runner on the bar.
DE 197 12 829 A1 discloses a device for detecting the position of a piston in a pneumatic cylinder. A Hall voltage with a polarity change is utilized, specifically by laterally passing a Hall by a magnet. The Hall signal is further processed by means of threshold stages.
DE 196 39 801 A1 discloses a sensor arrangement for detecting the position of movable parts by means of a Hall sensor in which the Hall sensor is laterally passed by a magnet in order to control a windscreen wiper system for a motor vehicle. Again, use is made of a threshold stage in order to process the Hall signal.

Probe head for a coordinate measuring machine

Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH


A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming a ROX layer on a substrate and a patterned silicon oxynitride layer on the patterned ROX layer; conformally forming a dielectric oxide layer to cover the substrate, the patterned silicon oxynitride layer, and the patterned ROX layer; and fully oxidizing the patterned silicon oxynitride layer to form a fully oxidized gate oxide layer on the substrate.

With the ease of integration and compatibility with a control circuitry, laterally diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) devices are widely used as power devices in Bipolar CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technology. Power consumption is one of the major concerns in LDMOS devices. It is desirable to design a power LDMOS to achieve higher breakdown voltage (BV) while minimizing specific on-resistance (Rdson) in order to reduce conduction loss. An ultra-low Rdson is desirable for quick-charging devices so as to achieve high current capacity.
Oxidation of a thin drift region by a reduced surface field oxide (RESURF oxide, ROX) process is introduced to obtain an optimal BV-Rdson trade-off alongside a reduced surface field (RESURF), an improved electrical safe operating area (SOA), and a reduced hot-carrier injection (HCI). However, in the most current technology, the ROX process is yet to be optimized in real devices. A local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) technique is usually used to form ROX. However, a device scalability is limited by field oxides (FOXs) (LOCOS features).

Semiconductor device having fully oxidized gate oxide layer and method for making the same

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A numerical controller capable of mitigating mechanical shock caused by tool compensation while a machine tool is operated according to table data. X- and Z-axis path tables Tx, Tz store X- and Z-axis positions corresponding to reference positions (time or spindle position). A tool compensation table Tt stores X- and Z-axis compensation amounts (tool compensation numbers) associated with the respective reference positions. At every predetermined period, X- and Z-axis path table interpolators read command positions from the path tables Tx, Tz based on the reference position, and obtain command motion amounts by interpolation. X- and Z-axis tool interpolators read compensation amounts from the tool compensation table Tt based on the reference position, and obtain compensation motion amounts by interpolation. Adders add up the command motion amounts and the respective compensation motion amounts to drive respective motors. The tool compensation amounts are gradually varied, whereby mechanical shock does not occur.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to numerical controllers for controlling machine tools, and more particularly, to a numerical controller for controlling the operation of individual axes of a machine tool in accordance with data stored in the form of tables.
2. Description of Related Art
In some conventional numerical controllers known in the art, the operation of individual axes of a machine tool is controlled not by block commands of an NC program, but in accordance with data stored in the form of tables in which amounts of travel and positions of the axes are set beforehand. With such numerical controllers, the tool can be made to move freely without the restraints of block commands conventionally used, thereby shortening the machining time and achieving high-precision machining.
For example, a numerical control technique is known in which positions of movable axes relative to time or rotational angle are stored as numerical control data, the time or the rotational angle is monitored, and each time the stored time or rotational angle is reached, corresponding numerical control data of the movable axes is outputted (cf. JP 59-177604A).
There has also been known a numerical controller which is provided with data tables storing command positions for X and Z axes relative to a reference position, and in which the reference position is obtained by multiplying the value of a counter for counting reference pulses by an override value, and based on the obtained reference position, X- and Z-axis command positions stored in the data tables are outputted to perform synchronization control of the X and Z axes. With this numerical controller, override can be applied even while the operation is controlled in accordance with the data stored in the data tables. Further, it is possible to instruct whether the command positions are to be connected by using a linear function, a quadratic function or a cubic function, as well as to command an auxiliary function (cf. JP 2003-303005A).
FIGS. 13 to 15 schematically illustrate the operation according to table data, disclosed in JP 2003-303005A.
In the example shown in FIG. 13, an X-axis path table Tx and a Z-axis path table Tz are provided. FIG. 14 exemplifies the X-axis path table Tx in which are stored positions for the X axis relative to a reference position. FIG. 15 is a graph showing the positions of the X axis moved in accordance with the X-axis path table Tx shown in FIG. 14.
The Z-axis path table Tz similarly stores positions for the Z axis relative to the reference position. Pulses (spindle position) from a position coder provided at the spindle or time-based pulses from an external pulse generator are inputted to a counter 1 and counted thereby. A multiplier 2 multiplies the count of the counter 1 by an override value set in override means, and the result is inputted to a reference position counter 3. The reference position counter 3 is reset when path table operation function is commanded The value of the reference position counter 3 is inputted, as the reference position, to X- and Z-axis path table interpolators 4x and 4z. The X- and Z-axis path table interpolators 4x and 4z look up the respective X- and Z-axis path tables Tx and Tz to obtain X- and Z-axis command positions relative to the reference position, then obtain respective amounts of travel for the processing period, and output the obtained motion amounts as commands to respective control axis motors 5x and 5z to synchronously operate the X and Z axes in accordance with the reference position.
In machine tools, the machining path needs to be corrected so as to compensate for wear or mounting error of the tool, and usually, tool compensation is performed for the purpose. Such tool compensation is carried out also in the case of the aforementioned table data-based operation (hereinafter referred to as path table operation). Specifically, in JP 2003-303005A mentioned above, a tool compensation table storing tool compensation numbers to be commanded on the basis of the spindle position or time is prepared for each axis, and based on the table, the difference between a compensation amount corresponding to the offset number and the previous compensation amount is outputted to the corresponding axis at the commanded spindle position or reference time. FIG. 16 illustrates the tool compensation for the X-axis disclosed in JP 2003-303005A. Each compensation table stores tool compensation numbers in association with the spindle position or time on the basis of which the tool compensation is performed, tool compensation amounts for the corresponding axis are obtained based on the tool compensation numbers, and at the commanded spindle position or time, the difference between the tool compensation amounts is outputted in one lump. No problem arises if the difference between the tool compensation amounts is small. If the difference between the compensation amounts is large, however, a large offset is outputted at a time, with the result that the tool velocity suddenly changes at the commanded position, possibly exerting an adverse influence on the machining because of mechanical shock or the like.


A squeegee device includes a profile strip equipped with a squeegee element that is freely movable transversely to a working surface. Profile strip bearing points engage loosely on pivot bearing guide surfaces transversely to the working surface to fix the pivot axis position. The profile strip is freely rotatable or pivotable in the pivot bearing, at least one part of the profile strip projecting over the working surface while being fixed to the profile strip bearing part, which is located in the vicinity of the squeegee device pivot axis. The squeegee device can be pressed against the working surface by its own weight or by a magnetic force exerted by a magnet device positioned below the working surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a squeegee means comprising a squeegee device which has a profile strip longitudinally extending therewith and which can be pressed by its squeegee working edge or face against a working substrate (working surface) such as a table, a roller and a material web resting thereon, a conveyor belt, a screen, etc., the squeegee device being pivotable by means of pivot bearings about a squeegee device pivot axis coinciding with the bearing edge or extending in the vicinity of the bearing edge or face, said pivot bearings being located in the axial end regions of the squeegee device pivot axis to fix the position thereof, and in which the profile strip is connected to a part which projects over the working surface in the direction of the profile strip longitudinal extension and is in engagement with a pivot bearing located outside and laterally of the working surface.
Such devices are more particularly used for applying substances to a working surface to be printed or coated. However, they are also used in order to treat a flat substrate such as a web, a flat material portion, a roller or a strip by a stripping or sealing process. By pivoting the squeegee device (especially during the squeegee process) and fixing the squeegee device pivot angle, it is possible to adjust the size of a desired substance space between the profile strip and the working surface upstream of the squeegee element or a desired engagement angle of the squeegee element on the working surface. There must only be a slight or no change to the squeegee bearing edge position, so that the unchanged squeegee device pivot axis position coincides precisely or virtually with the bearing edge.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a known squeegee means(DE-A-22 07 935) a squeegee device comprises a rod, whose two ends are fixed to linkage arms, which are fitted by forkheads in an articulated manner to a shaft. Said device, which as a result of the arrangement of a crank gear requires considerable constructional expenditure, is only suitable for a stripping blade located on the squeegee element. By fixed mounting on the joints, the squeegee element is set in a fixed spacing position relative to the working surface, so as to then press the stripping blade against the working surface accompanied by supporting against the fixed mounted squeegee element by means of an air chamber. For the same set inclination position of the squeegee element a substance gap is influenced in an uncontrolled manner by modifying the air chamber pressure. The rod of the squeegee device must be constructed as a force-actuatable support beam, so that the weight of the squeegee device or forces acting thereon are absorbed by means of the support beam rod and the bearings. Therefore the known squeegee device with the support beam rod must be made in a very robust manner and, due to the connections with the bearings, fitting, disassembly and cleaning are complicated.
DE-OS 2 209 630 discloses a squeegee device which is pivotable about pivot joints located in the extension of the squeegee bearing edge where, much as in the aforementioned device, a lever construction is required with which the squeegee device is fixedly mounted by means of a support element (support beam).
In addition, squeegee devices with a profile strip are known (EP-A1-311 728), which are connected by means of a pivot joint to a retaining element connected to a support beam. In the case of such a squeegee device, special measures are necessary for maintaining the position of the squeegee bearing edge and consequently the complete squeegee device is not very handy due to the pivot joint connected thereto, so that the handling remains unsatisfactory, particularly when installed in the confined space of rotary screens. Handling is particularly difficult if the squeegee device extends over several meters.

Device having a profile strip equipped with a squeeze element that is freely movable transversely to a working surface


Processing signals acquired during guided wave testing A method of processing signals acquired during guided wave testing of an elongate member (2), such as a pipe, in which at least one guided wave (7) is generated in the elongate member, the at least one guided wave is reflected by reflectors (8) in the elongate member and reflected guided waves (9) are detected. The method comprises determining at least one reflection coefficient or a parameter for calibrating a guide wave test in dependence upon reflections from the reflectors which include at least one multiple reflection. The reflections may include a single reflection from a first reflector, a single reflection from a second reflector and a multiple reflection from the first and second reflectors.

Guided wave testing is a non-destructive testing method used to inspect pipework for discontinuities in the wall of a pipe, such as corrosion-type defects and cracks. Reference is made to WO 96 12951 A which describes an apparatus and method for inspecting elongate members and which is incorporated herein by reference.
As with most non-destructive testing methods, a guided wave system typically requires calibration so that the received signal amplitudes can be related accurately to the reflection coefficient of the discontinuity. The reflection coefficient is, among other variables such as guided wave wavelength and mode, related to the shape and dimensions of the discontinuity. The reflection coefficient is therefore regularly used to classify defects in terms of severity with respect to the mechanical integrity of the pipework. In order to size defects or other changes in pipe wall thickness, the reflection coefficient is typically converted, using appropriate conversion functions, into an equivalent pipe wall cross-section change. For example, for a circumferentially-oriented, through-wall thickness notch, when using torsional- or longitudinal-type guided wave modes, the reflection coefficient tends to be linearly related to the circumferential extent of the defect and, therefore, also linearly related to the change in pipe wall cross-section caused by the notch. Reference is made to "Defect detection in pipes using guided waves" by M. J. S. Lowe, D. N. Alleyne, and P. Cawley, Ultrasonics, volume 36, pages 147-154 (1998) which is incorporated herein by reference. The reflection coefficient may also be a function of defect depth and axial length. The reflection coefficient may also be a function of the overall shape of the defect. Thus, the conversion function can take different forms.
The methods of calibration currently available tend either to lack accuracy or to make assumptions which cannot be safely assumed to be true.
The most common way of calibrating the size of guided wave reflections is to observe the reflections from girth welds. A typical girth weld reflects approximately 10 to 20% of the guided wave energy, and other indications can be sized relative to the size of the weld reflection. However, the size of the reflection from a girth weld is influenced by the dimensions of girth weld reinforcement, root penetration, width of the girth weld and pipe wall thickness. Weld reinforcement dimensions are not standardised and the dimensions of the weld reinforcement, the root and the width of the weld can vary significantly even within the same pipeline, resulting in a calibration error when assuming a certain size of reflection.
The direct measurement of the weld reinforcement and width using a specialised gauge or measurement of the pipe circumference at the weld location can improve the calibration using girth weld reflections described above. It can be used to calculate the expected size of the reflection, assuming that the girth weld root has a negligible effect on the size of the reflection. However, the dimensions of the weld can vary significantly even within the same girth weld, particularly reinforcement and root penetration, and can therefore lead to significant errors in the calibration. This method of calibration does not take into account the effect of the girth weld root as it cannot be measured.
Furthermore, the use of girth welds for calibration assumes a non-defective weld. If the girth weld is defective in a way which influences the size of the reflection, then any calibration which assumes a certain size of reflection or which involves directly measuring the girth weld reinforcement and width can lead to a significant error in sizing. An example of an in-service defect in a girth weld which can lead such a calibration error is weld root corrosion. An example of a manufacturing defect is insufficient root-penetration.
Calibration using girth welds cannot be used when there are no girth welds within the range of the guided wave test, when they are not accessible for direct measurement or when the size of the reflections from the girth welds is below the detection threshold of the guided wave system, for example when weld reinforcement has been deliberately removed.
A further calibration method involves measurement of the transmitted signal from one transducer ring to a second transducer ring, the second being installed some distance apart from the first. However, the measurement of a transmitted signal from one transducer ring to the second depends on the coupling strength of the two transducer rings on the pipe and therefore can lead to errors in the calibration if the coupling strengths are not equal. Also, this method requires the use of a second transducer ring and so increases equipment requirements. Moreover, this method may also not be practical where there is limited access for the placing transducer rings on the pipe.
US 2004 0216512 A describes a calibration method based on the change in the size of guided wave amplitudes observed when a clamp is placed on a pipe between a discontinuity and the transducer ring. This method requires the use of clamps and assumes that the clamp causes an observable reduction in the size of the reflection from the discontinuity. The use of the clamps increases inspection time and assumes that an appropriate location is available for placing a clamp. Furthermore, when a pipe is coated, the change in observed reflection amplitudes due to the clamp is unlikely to be significant enough for the calibration to be accurate. Thus, removal of the coating would be required.
Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the importance of correctly sizing a defect or other type of reflector will be explained.
FIG. 1a shows the result of a guided wave test, using 36 kHz torsional mode guided wave, of a test pipe (not shown) having an outer diameter of 219.1 mm, a nominal wall thickness of 8.2 mm, two welds, a defect in the positive direction and a square cut end in the negative direction. The square cut end reflects 100% of the guided wave energy. It provides a reference reflector for a 0 dB distance amplitude correction (DAC) curve, i.e. reflection coefficient equals 1.
Adjusting the weld DAC curves to the peak amplitudes of the welds, assuming the weld reflects −16 dB (i.e. a reflection coefficient of approximately 0.16), which is a typical value when using the torsional mode, the defect reflection coefficient is estimated to be approximately 0.09. However, it can be seen that the 0 dB DAC curve does not approximate the reflection from the cut end.
Referring to FIG. 1b, adjusting the 0 dB DAC curve to the cut end, the weld reflection coefficient is estimated to be 0.11 and the defect reflection coefficient approximately 0.06.
This means that the defect size was, based on the assumption that the weld reflects −16 dB of the guided wave energy, overestimated by 50%.
Overestimating the size of defects can lead to costly false calls and decreased reliability of inspection. Equally, the size of a defect can be underestimated when the weld reinforcement is larger than expected or the wall thickness is thinner than assumed, leading to missed calls and again decreasing the reliability of the inspection.


A method of manufacturing a current collector comprising embossing a sheet comprising lead thereby forming an embossed grid comprising rows of raised portions and lowered portions, and slots comprising edges of the raised portions and lowered portions; creating areas for tab creation by pressing or stamping areas of the embossed grid to a flattened state, thereby forming a sheet comprising embossed grid sections and flat sections; applying paste to the top and bottom of the embossed grid sections; and stamping current collectors out of the sheet such that at least one tab is created from a flat section.

Energy storage devices may comprise at least one lead positive electrode and at least one carbon negative electrode. At least one electrode (positive, negative, or both) may comprise a current collector grid having undulating surfaces. This application incorporates both U.S. Ser. No. 12/241,736 filed on Sep. 30, 2008 and U.S. Ser. No. 11/875,119 filed on Oct. 19, 2007 in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by reference in their entireties herein.
In making electrodes, it is conventional to stamp a current collector from a sheet or roll of foil. However, the size of the current collector may vary from energy storage device to energy storage device, in terms of at least one of height, width, or thickness of the sheet or foil to be used. Accordingly, conventional processes require specific tooling for each current collector design, depending on the nature of the energy storage device. In addition, conventional stamping of a current collector element from a sheet or roll of foil creates waste.
There remains a need to make electrodes comprising current collectors that eliminates waste and the need for separate stamping tools for each current collector design.


The invention described herein includes a system, method, and computer program product for adding functionality to an application program. The invention includes a tool which can be used in conjunction with any of a plurality of application programs. The tool can be represented to a user by a tool icon on a desktop. After creating or opening a file or other object with an application program, the user can drag and drop a tool icon representing the tool into the application window. This allows the tool program to operate on the object. A windowing system event handler receives information from a user interface regarding the dragging and dropping of the tool icon. The fact that the tool icon has been dragged and dropped into the application window is reported by the windowing system event handler to a base module. The base module mediates communication between the tool program and the application program. This allows the tool program to operate on the object, which may have been previously locked by the application program. Once the object has been unlocked, the tool can then operate on the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention described herein relates to application programs and in particular relates to enhancing functionality of applications.
2. Related Art
A user of an application program may sometimes need to supplement the functionality of the application with additional capabilities. One way of accomplishing this is through the use of plug-in modules. A plug-in module can add menu items or other user interface features that represent additional options for manipulation of data. A standard protocol is typically used so that the application can discover and make use of a plug-in.
This approach is limited, however, in that a given plug-in is generally bound to a specific application. If functionality similar to that of the plug-in is desired in another application, the plug-in cannot be used for the latter application. That application would need its own plug-in. This arrangement limits the utility of a plug-in to a particular application.
This is true regardless of whether the user interface to the operating system is a graphical, windows-based interface or a command line interface. In either case, there is no way to invoke additional common functionality for multiple applications. In the case of a windows-based operating system, for example, the manipulation of data objects is generally easy and intuitive for a user. Data and data structures can be readily moved about. Files can be submitted to any of several applications for processing of the file, by selecting a graphic that represents a file, and moving it to or from a graphic that represents one of the applications. Such an application might be depicted as an opened window. Such movement of a file is generally termed "dragging and dropping" of the file, given that the relocation process involves moving (or "dragging") the file icon and placing it in a destination ("dropping"). Data can also be moved about easily, by selecting the data as it appears in a window associated with an application (e.g., highlighting text in a word processing application), and moving it to another window that may represent another application (e.g., pasting the text into a spreadsheet application).
But while data and files can be readily moved to any of several applications in a windows environment, functionality is not generally easy to select and move to applications. There is a need, therefore, for a system and method by which additional capability can be added to any of several applications, without being restricted to a single application.


An information processing device includes: an operation display unit that displays information for a user and receives an input from the user; and an information processing unit including a processor that executes a browser program. The information processing unit includes: a communication unit that functions by the processor executing the browser program, and acquires an operation program and a conversion script that provide a user interface for operating an equipment through the operation display unit; a conversion script processing unit that functions by the processor executing the conversion script on the browser program, analyzes a state of the equipment, and issues an event corresponding to the state of the equipment; and a display control unit that functions by the processor executing the operation program on the browser program, and provides the user interface corresponding to the event through the operation display unit in response to issuance of the event.

Multifunction peripherals are known that can be operated through a browser program for browsing Web pages. Such multifunction peripherals include an application programming interface (API) for controlling functions as a scanner, a printer, or the like through the browser program. In such multifunction peripherals, the browser program can receive a state change in the scanner, the printer, and the like as an event.

Information processing device and information processing method


A hinge comprises two struts around which pass the two loops of a figure-of-eight of webbing material, the ends of the webbing material being secured to each other and/or to a strut by fixing means. A number of panels are secured together by such hinges to form a large structure such as a children's playhouse which can be folded when not in use. A separate roof also comprising similarly-hinged panels may be provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hinged structures and more particularly to structures which are collapsible.
Related Art
Existing structures such as children's playhouses are substantially permanent, that is once erected they remain occupying a relatively large amount of space even though they are actually used for only short periods.
The present invention seeks to provide a structure which can be quickly erected, is secure when in use, but can be quickly folded away after use.


An apparatus and method for processing DMB signals in a DMB receiver such as a mobile communication terminal are disclosed to simplify the DMB receiver. The apparatus for processing DMB signals received via at least two antennas includes: an antenna switching unit for selecting one of at least two signals received via the two antennas; a DMB path unit for pre-processing the selected signal; and a DMB chipset unit for detecting a signal level of the pre-processed signal, and controlling the antenna switching unit, wherein the DMB chipset unit controls the antenna switching unit to select the other one of the two signals according to the signal level detected by the DMB chipset unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) service, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for processing DMB signals in a DMB receiver such as a mobile communication terminal.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, as high-quality digital audio devices such as a Compact Disc (CD) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) have rapidly come into widespread use throughout the world, demands of listeners who listen to digital broadcast data requiring high-quality audio data (i.e., high-quality sound) have also rapidly increased. Therefore, in order to obviate a limitation in improving the quality of audio data for use in a typical Frequency Modulation (FM) broadcast service, a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) system has been widely used in many countries, for example, the United States, Europe, and Canada, etc.
The DAB system provides a user with high-quality audio data using a technology different from those of typical Amplitude Modulation (AM) or FM broadcast systems, and has superior reception ability while in motion using the same technology, and can transmit digital data such as video or audio data at high speed. In recent times, a variety of multimedia services including both audio data and video data have been generally called a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional DMB signal processor for use in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) mobile communication terminal.
The above-mentioned conventional DMB signal processor for use in the CDMA mobile communication terminal will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1, a CDMA signal including DMB signals is received in a DMB_CDMA antenna 10a, and is then applied to a diplexer 20a.
The received signal is divided into a CDMA signal and DMB signal(s) at the diplexer 20a. The CDMA signal is applied to a CDMA Radio Frequency (RF) path 50, such that it is used for CDMA communication. The DMB signal is applied to a Personal Multimedia Satellite Broadcasting (PMSB) diversity path 60a.
Generally, the above-mentioned PMSB diversity path 60a includes a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 61a, a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filter 63a, and a DMB TV tuner 65a, etc., such that it performs pre-processing of the above-mentioned DMB signal so as to allow the pre-processed DMB signal to be suitable for an input signal of a DMB chipset unit 90.
In the meantime, another DMB signal is received in the DMB antenna 10b, and is then applied to the diplexer 20b. The DMB signal delayed by the diplexer 20b is applied to the PMSB main path 60b.
Generally, the PMSB main path 60b includes a LNA 61b, a SAW filter 63b, and a DMB TV tuner 65b in the same manner as in the above-mentioned PMSB diversity path 60a, and performs pre-processing of the above-mentioned DMB signal, such that the pre-processed DMB signal to be suitable for an input signal of the DMB chipset unit 90.
As described above, the first DMB signal via the PMSB diversity path 60a and the second DMB signal via the PMSB main path 60b are applied to the DMB chipset unit 90. The DMB chipset unit 90 compares the first DMB signal with the second DMB signal, selects one DMB signal having a superior reception signal level from among the first and second DMB signals, and performs signal-processing of the selected DMB signal to implement the DMB service.
Constituent components of the PMSB diversity path 60a or the PMSB main path 60b, for example, the LNA 61a or 61b, the SAW filter 63a or 63b, and the DMB TV tuner 65a or 65b, etc., are high-priced components. Under the above-mentioned situation, if a DMB signal for use in one path is selected by the DMB chipset unit, the high-priced LNA, SAW filter, and DMB TV tuners for use in the other path are not used. Unused circuitry results in an unnecessary draw on power as well as an increase in production costs.

Apparatus and method for processing digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) signals


A method and apparatus for displaying data by determining an information content factor for a given datum and determining an information content threshold. The given datum is displayed if the information content factor of the given datum exceeds the information content threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to displaying information, and more specifically, to an apparatus and method for improving the amount and utility of displayed information.
2. Description of Related Art
The amount of information available to computers, such as personal computers (PCs), is growing at a phenomenal rate. Some sources claim that the internet doubles in size every six months. Computer processor power is also rapidly growing; according to some sources, doubling every 18 months. Display technology, however, has generally not improved at the same pace. A high-end monitor typically displays 1280 pixels horizontally and 1024 pixels vertically at 24 bits per pixel.
With known information display systems, such as a computer monitor, information is displayed in rectangular windows. The maximum size for a display window is the entire display screen of the monitor. If multiple windows are displayed, the size of each individual window is be considerably smaller. For example, the information displayed may comprise a text document. Words in a text document are typically displayed in one or more font sizes. As a result, the font sizes and the dimensions of the display window rectangle limit the number of words that can be made visible on the display. Conversely, to view more text on the display, a smaller font may be used, but this would make it difficult or even impossible to read the text displayed.
FIG. 1 illustrates a display device 1, such as a computer monitor, with an entire text page 2 displayed in a "page view" within a rectangular display window 3. As shown in FIG. 1, to display the entire text page 2, the font is extremely small, making the text nearly unreadable. FIG. 2 illustrates another alternative currently available for displaying text, wherein a larger sized font is used so that the text is easily read, but only a portion 4 of the entire text page 2 is displayed. A portion of the text page 2 displayed in FIG. 1 is displayed on the device 1 in FIG. 2. Since the entire text 2 from FIG. 1 cannot be made visible in its entirety when a readable-sized font is used, as illustrated in FIG. 2, it is made accessible through the use of scroll bars 5 to "move" the visible portion of the text 4 within the display window 3. The scroll bars 5 allow a user to scroll the displayed text 4 horizontally or vertically by clicking a mouse on the scroll bar 5 or by using the mouse to drag a marker 6 within the scroll bar 5, called a scroll box. The scroll boxes 6 further indicate the vertical and horizontal location of the viewed text in relation to the overall document based on the location of a scroll box 6 relative to the entire scroll bar 5.
Unfortunately, neither of the displays illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is satisfactory by itself. To read and manipulate given words in the text, the display of FIG. 2 is employed. To receive an indication of the relative location of the given words in relation to the entire text, the display of FIG. 1 is employed. Thus, an awkward process of toggling between the various views may be employed with known display systems.
A similar problem exists with display of video frames for digital moving pictures. Computer video, such as that coded using the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard (for example, MPEG-1, part 2, ISO/IEC 11172-2:1993), is made up of a series of individual video frames. Each frame is a still image, and displaying the frames in quick succession creates the illusion of motion. When editing, studying or otherwise manipulating the video frames (as opposed to viewing the moving picture), the individual still frames are typically displayed in the rectangular window 3 on the display device 1. As with text, the size of the video frame and the size of the display window 3 limit the number of frames that are visible in the display window 3 and also determine the amount of detail discernible in any given video frame. If the video frames are displayed large enough to see details within the frame, all the frames of the video are typically not visible in the display window, and the scroll bars 5 are employed to access the frames not immediately displayed. To ascertain the position of a given frame in relation to the entire video or determine the overall size of the video, the frame size may be reduced to a point where details are lost.
Thus, a need exists for a display device and method that allows a user to see a large amount of data in a display, while at the same time, maintaining the ability to view details of data that are of immediate interest.

Method and apparatus for increasing the amount and utility of displayed information


An antenna device includes transmitting units each of which includes elements arranged parallel to a baseline, wherein the transmitting units are arranged side-by-side in a first direction and stepwisedly with steps in a second direction in a first region and a second region, the first direction being perpendicular to the baseline, the second direction being parallel to the baseline, the first region and the second region being partitioned by the baseline, and transmitting units positioned more remotely from the baseline being positioned further in the second direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna device and a radar apparatus which can detect a target using a reflected wave from a target (object) in response to radiated radio waves of 1 to 10 millimeters. Particularly, the present invention relates to an antenna device mounted on a DBF (Digital Beam Forming) radar apparatus.
2. Background Art
In order to guarantee driving safety of a vehicle, forward-looking on-board radar apparatuses detecting targets such as obstacles in the traveling direction (on the front side) or preceding vehicles have been developed. An on-board radar apparatus including plural receiving antennas and employing a process (DBF method) of phase-shifting and combining received signals from the receiving antennas is known. In order for the on-board radar apparatus to detect a target with high precision, it is desirable to reduce the beam width of a radio wave radiated when carrying out the DBF method and to thin the receiving characteristics of a reflected wave.
In general, in directional characteristics of an antenna in response to signals obtained by performing the DBF method, a component from the direction of a target plays a main role. The directional characteristic in this direction is referred to as a main beam. The directional characteristics of the signals radiated in the other directions are referred to as side lobes. The side lobes are not perfectly zero. In general, it is known that the side lobe can be reduced by increasing the number of elements in an antenna and unevenly arranging the elements.
For example, in the antenna device described in Japanese Patent No. 3283589 (Patent Document 1), an array including plural elements is partitioned into plural sub-arrays and the sub-arrays are formed in a stepped shape in the Y axis direction in which they are uneven in one direction, for example, in the X axis direction.


Disclosed herein is a data storage module for use with and insertion into a bay of a computer. The module may comprise a casing that has a first end and a second end. The module also includes two or more storage medium components contained within said casing, wherein said two or more storage medium components are physically isolated from each other. This enables the provision of two separate storage medium components with different operating systems or user information and/or data to be provided on a single hardware module.

A hard drive, also known as a hard disk or hard disk drive (HDD), is a non-volatile data storage device for a computer. The conventional hard drive is typically a simple, tightly sealed aluminum box that has a filtered air-vent. Inside the box of a conventional hard drive are electronics that direct the read/write head or heads held aloft by a spindle arm and control the motor which rotates magnetic medium platters ("hard disks"). The hard drive's driver electronics contain the instructions for recording data onto the hard disks and for translating magnetic patterns into bytes when data is requested by the CPU. The interfacing of a HDD with a computer, as well as basic operation and functionality of HDDs, has not changed much over the last twenty years. The inventors have developed, as described herein, a number of structural changes regarding the bundling, configuration and accessibility of hard drives that enable increased functionality for the user.

Data storage module comprising multiple storage medium components


A solid state, resilient laminated composite for administering a drug transdermally consisting of a multiplicity of spaced structural laminas of a resilient elastomer, one of which forms the top of the composite, a viscoelastic hydrophobic polymer lamina containing propylene glycol monolaurate interposed between each structural lamina and a pressure-sensitive adhesive lamina that provides the basal surface of the composite and consists of a blend of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, drug and propylene glycol monolaurate.

A variety of devices have been proposed or used for administering drugs transdermally. These devices are generally laminated composites that include a reservoir layer that contains the drug, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer by which the device is attached to the skin, and a backing layer that forms the outer "skin" of the device. Depending upon the inherent permeability of the skin to a particular drug, the device may also include means for coadministering a percutaneous absorption enhancer or an element, such as a membrane interposed between the reservoir and the skin, that regulates the rate at which the drug and/or the enhancer is administered to the skin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,454 and 4,460,372 described a device for coadministering a drug and a percutaneous absorption enhancer transdermally. The drug is presented to the skin at a rate in excess of that which the skin is inherently capable of absorbing and the enhancer is presented to the skin at a substantially constant rate that is sufficient to permit the skin to pass therapeutic levels of drug to circulation. The device includes a membrane interposed between a drug- and enhancer-containing reservoir layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that regulates the rate at which the enhancer is presented to the skin. In the commercial estradiol embodiment of this device (marketed under the mark ESTRADERM) the enhancer is ethanol and the estradiol-ethanol mixture is contained in the reservoir in a fluid form. Using such a form complicates the procedures for manufacturing the device and detracts from the ability to optimize certain physical characteristics of the device such as thickness, resiliency, and adhesiveness, that are associated with wearability.
Other patent publications relating to devices for administering estradiol transdermally are German Patent Publications 3,315,245 and 3,315,272, European Patent Publications 0013606 and 0040861 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,139.
Patent publications relating to transdermal delivery of opioids in general and fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives or analogs (sufentanil, carfentanil, lofentanil, and alfentanil) are EPA 0171742 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,588,580 and 4,626,539.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,180 described a transdermal drug-delivery device comprising a body of a mixture of elastomer and drug, the body being in a form such as an arm or wrist band which inherently creates a compressive force when worn to keep the body firmly in contact with the skin.
The focus of much of the prior art relating to transdermal drug delivery has been on the release kinetics of the drug or enhancer from the device. Because of this the design of most prior devices has centered about the achievement of desired drug release kinetics, and, for the most part has ignored or given only secondary consideration to mechanical properties than enhance its wearability and cosmetic acceptability. In this regard, the present invention provides a transdermal drug-delivery device that provides acceptable drug release kinetics as well as resiliency, thinness and, when permitted, breathability.

Resilient transdermal drug delivery device


The present disclosure includes apparatus, system, and method embodiments that provide micro electro mechanical system optical switching and methods of manufacturing switches. For example, one optical switch embodiment includes at least one micro electro mechanical system type pivot mirror structure disposed along a path of an optical signal, the structure having a mirror and an actuator, and the mirror having a pivot axis along a first edge and having a second edge rotatable with respect to the pivot axis, the mirror being capable of and arranged to be actuated to pivot between a position parallel to a plane of an optical signal and a position substantially normal to the plane of the optical signal.

Fiber optic transmission systems typically utilize an optoelectronic source such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) to generate optical signals for communication purposes. The optical signals are transmitted, for example, along optical glass fibers or through free space to a receiver, such as a diode or similar communications device. Such receivers can, for example, convert the optical signal to electrical signals or forward the signal on to other system components for analysis of the signal, further handling, and/or processing.
Such systems often utilize one or more methods for diagnosing problems among the individual optical lines and/or the optoelectronic devices of the system. In many instances these methods can be accomplished by disconnecting a portion of the network and attaching a diagnostic component thereto. This may result in system or component downtime which may be unsuitable in some instances, among other issues.
Additionally, a number of factors can impact the efficiency of an optical communication system including the quality of the optical signal produced by the optoelectronic device and the construction and alignment of the optical path. For example, in many systems, the optical device ports (e.g., input/output ports for optical signals to enter one or more of the optical fibers or devices of the system) must be aligned.
For instance, in many applications, the device ports and optical fibers and/or the optical fibers, connectors, and/or transceiver packages must be properly aligned. In applications where one or more mirrors are utilized, it may be difficult to properly align the mirrors with respect to the optical signal that is to interact with the mirror.
For example, in moving a mirror from a flat position to an upright position, the mirror may be difficult to raise to the precise desired position. Often hard stops are used to stop the mirror in the correct position, but these hard stops may damage the mirror or the actuation components due to the hard stopping force applied.
Further, components can lose effectiveness as they age, become worn, and/or dirty and, therefore, diagnostic systems can aid in determining where and/or how serious a fault in the system may be.
In some optical systems, MEMS switches can be utilized to direct an optical signal through the use of one or more mirrors. These MEMS devices may be very small and delicate to handle. Accordingly, in some fabrication methods, the handling of the MEMS device separately from a submount can damage the MEMS device before it is fully assembled.
Additionally, in some instances the size of a switching component may be important. For example, many optical communication systems utilize a mechanically transferable (MT) connector. These connectors typically have a standard size form factor and it may be desirable in some instances to provide a switch that can be sized to maintain this standard sized form factor. This can be beneficial in applications where the optical communications system and/or surrounding fixtures and/or hardware, are designed to accommodate only that size form factor.
In some instances there also may be a need to be able to determine whether an individual fiber optic connection or optical fiber is providing the desired or required signal quality. Accordingly, in some systems, it may be advantageous to selectively monitor the performance of an optoelectronic device without disconnecting the array from the optical pathway.
Such a system could, for example, eliminate costly down time and testing costs that may be required to diagnose each individual fiber and/or devices off-line. Furthermore, a switch could reduce or eliminate the potential for further damaging a system during a test procedure, among other benefits.

Micro electro mechanical system optical switching


Heterogeneous data at a plurality of remote nodes is accessed automatically in parallel at high speed from a user site using a simple script request containing a data source object name wherein the heterogeneous data is treated as a single data source object, the script further containing at least one method to be performed on the data source object. Respective agent processes at the user site and at the remote nodes automatically generate descriptor files containing metadata corresponding to the data source object. The user site agent breaks the user-generated script into new scripts appropriate for execution at the remote nodes. A messenger process transmits the new scripts to the appropriate remote nodes where respective agent processes respond to automatically access the appropriate data and execute specified methods upon it.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The subject invention relates generally to data processing and more particularly to a method and apparatus for high speed parallel accessing of data stored at a number of remote heterogeneous sites.
Present technology is witnessing the development of large remote databases or xe2x80x9cdata warehousesxe2x80x9d, as well as rapid expansion of the Internet and proliferation of corporate intranets. Demand is growing for increasingly large and rapid data transfers involving streaming video, visualization graphics and large data warehouse downloads over such new network protocols as the Fast Ethernet and Gigabyte Ethernet. The data which it would be desirable to access may be stored across heterogeneous sites, i.e., sites which contain different types of database systems or other data containers. Hence the data which may need to be accessed may be referred to as xe2x80x9cheterogeneous data.xe2x80x9d.
At the same time, there is constant pressure to simplify the user interface to a vast array of components and data. While individual components in a particular solution are often easy to use, combining them in a complete solution still presents extremely complex problems to the user.
The invention provides automatic parallel accessing, extraction and manipulation (e.g., sorting) of data from multiple heterogeneous data sites in response to a simple query or request from the user. A query may constitute a search or sort request or a myriad of other queries. The invention further involves the use of an interpreter or xe2x80x9cAgentxe2x80x9d, which receives a query or request, e.g., in the form of a JAVA script, and may for example, break the script into new scripts respectively appropriate for each node of a distributed system.
The invention further provides a method for metadata-based high level abstraction of a federation of clustered or distributed heterogeneous databases and/or data files in which the federation of databases is referenced or treated as a single object, as well as an apparatus for parallel data access and concurrent execution of object methods across the distributed data. The single object is referenced hereafter as the xe2x80x9cdata source object,xe2x80x9d sometimes abbreviated to simply xe2x80x9cdata object.xe2x80x9d
Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein is shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and what is intended to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. The present invention will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description and attached drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts, and which drawings form a part of this application.

Method and apparatus for high speed parallel accessing and execution of methods across multiple heterogeneous data sources