A sputtering chamber includes a sputtering target with a front target surface, and a magnetron behind the sputtering target. The magnetron provides a magnetic field at the front target surface along a generally round path that includes a path indentation. A shutter is spaced apart from the front target surface by a shutter spacing. A substrate is aligned with a central region in front of the front target surface and spaced apart from the front target surface by a selected spacing that is greater than the shutter spacing. The central region has a diameter defined by a uniformly sputtered thickness of deposited layers on the substrate. The path indentation is set to a path indentation depth that adjusts the selected spacing to maximize the diameter.

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for magnetron sputtering of thin films. In particular, the present invention relates to thin films in heads for use in a magnetic storage drive.
A read/write head in a disc drive typically includes a magnetoresistive (MR) read transducer that is deposited between non-magnetic layers and magnetic shield layers. The magnetoresistive read transducer typically includes a magnetoresistor, electrical contacts and a stack of various layers that have different shapes and compositions depending on the design of the magnetoresistive (MR) read transducer. There is a need to control thickness of the various layers to optimize performance of the read transducer.
One type of magnetoresistive read transducer is a spin valve transducer that include a giant magnetoresistor (GMR). A spin valve transducer typically includes a free layer comprising nickel and iron (NiFe), a spacer layer comprising copper (Cu), a pinned layer comprising cobalt (Co), and an exchange layer comprising iron and manganese (FeMn).
Magnetron sputtering can be used to form layers in a magnetoresistive transducer, in particular, the spacer layer comprising copper in the spin valve transducer. A transducer substrate is arranged in a sputtering chamber generally aligned with a xe2x80x9cracetrackxe2x80x9d pattern defined by a region where the magnetron""s magnetic field intersects with an electric field in front of a sputtering target.
The thickness of resulting thin films on the transducer substrate is most uniform only in a relatively small diameter region, compared to the diameter of the racetrack, and centered along the rotation axis of the magnetron. When a new, uneroded target is used, variations of uniformity of the sputtered film thickness on the order of 6-8% are seen across the wafer substrate or wafer. Better uniformity of the sputtered film thickness is needed, and productions yields are low. The uniformity deteriorates rapidly as the target wears, and targets are replaced frequently in an effort to maintain adequate production yields.
A method and apparatus are needed to improve magnetron-sputtered film uniformity in thin film transducers.
Disclosed is a magnetron sputtering apparatus and a method of manufacturing arrays of magnetoresistive transducers by magnetron sputtering.
A sputtering chamber includes a sputtering target with a front target surface, and a magnetron behind the sputtering target. The magnetron provides a magnetic field at the front target surface along a generally round path that includes a path indentation.
A shutter is spaced apart from the front target surface by a shutter spacing. A substrate is aligned in front of the front target surface and spaced apart from the front target surface by a selected spacing that is greater than the shutter spacing.
A central region on the substrate has a diameter defined by a uniformly sputtered thickness of deposited layers on the substrate. The path indentation is set to a path indentation depth that adjusts the selected spacing to maximize the diameter.
These and various other features as well as advantages that characterize the present invention will be apparent upon reading of the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings.

Controlled magnetron shape for uniformly sputtered thin film


A fluid leak detection system mounts to a hose line segment of the type comprising at least an inner carcass and an outer containment carcass separated from the inner carcass by a collection space. The system includes a housing defined by sidewalls externally mountable to the hose line segment and having an internal housing chamber in fluid communication with the collection space. A system sensor casing mounts through a sensor housing sidewall and a plurality of alternatively configured sensor units are provided, each interchangeably coupling with the sensor casing. The sensor units detect the presence of fluid within the sensor housing and communicate the fluid status of the chamber for remote evaluation.

In offshore oil load and discharge operations, there is a systematic risk of oil leakage to the sea from damage to single carcass submarine or floating oil suction and discharge hoses. As used herein, a "single carcass hose" is a hose construction comprising only one carcass layer. Leakage from a single carcass hose may occur from a precipitous hose failure or a failure that materializes over time. Hose failure may result from overpressure of the system, a puncture from outside, sudden tensile break of the hose body, defects in the manufacture, construction or design of the hose, etc. In a single carcass hose construction, hose failure results in immediate oil leakage to the environment surrounding the hose. Such leakage is highly undesirable for obvious environmental and economic reasons.
Because of the risk of failure inherent in single carcass hose construction, a "double carcass" hose construction has been proposed and developed by those in the industry. A double carcass hose construction utilizes an outer hose carcass confining an inner hose carcass as an added safeguard. The outer hose functions to hold any oil or fluid that leaks through the inner hose carcass for a certain designed period of time. In a typical double carcass construction, a hose includes a main pressure cord or carcass layer as a primary confinement and an outer, or auxiliary, pressure cord layer formed so as to sheathe the inner carcass. A buffering space is defined between the carcass layers to retain fluid that leaks from the inner carcass. In use, it is common to connect hoses end-to-end to form a hose line for transporting oil or other fluid under pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,016 discloses a hose representative of the state of the art double carcass construction.
A double carcass hose is generally produced and utilized in two different types: submarine or floating configurations, depending on the type of application and offshore oil load and discharge system. Submarine applications require that a hose extend in submerged fashion between two points whereas a floating application requires that the hose extend across the water surface. In either application, leakage from the hose results in the aforementioned undesirable consequences.
In order to minimize the damage resulting from an undetected leak, various leak detection systems have been proposed and adopted. Such systems generally employ leak detectors of various configurations, operable under varying principles, mounted at the nipple region of an underwater hose connection. U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,499 teaches a detector mounted to an end of a hose for detecting fluid upon contact between a sensing medium and the fluid. U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,105 teaches a pressure sensitive switch for detecting by means of measuring the pressure of leakage fluid between carcass layers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,681 discloses an electro-optical sensor that utilizes an infrared beam that senses fluid levels when the beam is deflected.
In general, in offshore oil transfer hose lines using double carcass hoses, there is a constant physical check of hose and leak detectors required because most leak detectors are mechanical devices. The existence of an oil leak must be manually or visually confirmed by checking each leak detector. Consequently, a constant monitoring of each hose line is required. Such monitoring activities may be done by the oil company itself or a contract service provider. The monitoring entity keeps records and files detailing monitoring activity and typically hand-writes such records "in-situ". However, local conditions may make it difficult for the monitoring entity to annotate data observed. Operational conditions may further be such (e.g. high seas) that there is substantial danger to operational personnel and also a risk that incorrect data will be observed and collected by the monitoring agent.
Existing leak monitoring systems and devices, therefore, while working well under benign conditions, may fail to provide accurate monitored data under certain other conditions. The leak detection devices themselves may be electrically unsafe in that they have active or power components within the oil collection space, creating a fire or explosion risk. Secondly, the communication systems in existing systems provide, at times, unreliable communication between the sensing elements and remote receivers or visual observers. The positioning of the sensors may also be affected by the floating hose line torsion when deploying the hose line into the water. The sensors may also be positioned incorrectly during hose line segment assembly. Finally hose lines move as a result of seawater and weather conditions and such movement can cause sensor position change/failure, or cause erroneous data collection by the monitoring agent.
Additional deficiencies in existing art sensing systems are that they are relatively large, expensive to manufacture, cumbersome to deploy, and provide a less than satisfactory degree of reliability and flexibility. Available systems typically provide one means of communicating the leak status of a hose segment or coupling. Such systems may use a mechanical sensor that communicates visually, such as by means of a flashing LED to an on-site observer. Other systems may detect a leak and communicate by signal transmission to a remote receiver. In some applications the first, inspection based system may be preferable while in other applications a transmitter based communication may be preferable. No system affords a user the flexibility of alternatively deploying different communication devices at the preference or election of the user.
Accordingly, the industry is in need of a flexible leak detector and system that is reliable, safe, efficient, miniaturized, and cost effective to manufacture, deploy, and maintain. A desired system will accurately provide leak detection data despite rough operational conditions and minimize data collection and transmission failures. Ideally, the system will be capable of communicating the leak status within a hose reliably throughout a wide range of operational conditions.

Flexible leak detection system and method for double carcass hose


A novel cell scattering factor, i.e., tumor egress factor (hereinafter "egressin") isolated from a clone derived from a human metastatic melanoma (M3827) which possesses a loose colony morphology and from a human monocytic cell line (U937) and processes for producing the same. Egressin is useful for the production of immunological reagents for the detection and treatment of metastatic lesions, for aiding in the transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier, and for aiding in the control of the inflammatory response.

A cell scattering factor has been isolated from the conditioned media of human embryo lung fibroblasts. This factor is assayed using either human mammary epithelial cells obtained from human milk samples or using a dog kidney epithelial cell line (MDCK). This assay measures the disassociation of the desmosomes between epithelial cells grown as islands in monolayers. This factor has a molecular weight of approximately 55,000 daltons and is a heat and acid labile protein (see Stoker, M., J. Cell. Physiol., 121:174-183 (1984); Stoker, M. et al., J. Cell Sci., 77:209-233 (1985) and Stoker, M. et al, Nature 327:239-242 (1987)).
A cell scattering factor has also been isolated from a human melanoma cell line (A2058). This factor is assayed using a human melanoma cell line (A2058) as indicator cells for the presence of the factor. This assay measures chemotaxis of the human melanoma cell line (A2058) (see Liotta, L. A. et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 83:3302-3306 (1986)). This cell scattering factor is thought to be the same factor as that described by Stoker, M., J. Cell. Physiol., 121:174-183 (1984); Stoker, M. et al. J. Cell Sci., 77:209-233 (1985) and Stoker. M et al, Nature, 327:239-242 (1987).
The observations that transformed cells grow as loosely associated clumps of cells and the normal rat kidney (NRK) colonies induced by the combination of epidermal growth factor (hereinafter "EGF") and tumor growth factor (hereinafter "TGF")-.beta. consist of tightly associated aggregates of cells, suggested that there might be other ectopic factors released by transformed cells that were able to confer a loose colony morphology and that such factors might play a role in determining the metastatic potential of transformed cells.
Using the above rationale, i.e., that ectopic factors released by tumor cells can contribute to their expressed phenotypes, clones of a human metastatic tumor cell line were selected for a loose colony morphology, expecting that the colonies with loose morphologies would be producing factors that contributed to the expressed morphology.
As a result, it was ascertained that one clone. i.e., M3827 clone 3 (ATCC No. CRL 9193) released a factor that was able to induce a loose colony morphology in a normal rat kidney fibroblast clone (NRK-49F) (ATCC No. CRL 1570). This factor has been designated tumor egress factor or egressin and has been found to coelute with a factor possessing EGF-like activity (TGF-.alpha.) having an apparent molecular weight of 25,000 daltons in 1.0M acetic acid. (See DeLarco, J. E. et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 82:5015-5019 (1985) and DeLarco, J. E. et al, Molecular Cell Biology, 5:101-106 (1987).)
Inflammatory cells such as monocytes and granulocytes also are believed to move between cell compartments, disrupting cell junctions and exhibiting increased motility. Thus, a supernatant from a human monocyte cell line (U937) (ATCC No. CRL 1593), activated into the microphage differentiation pathway, was examined in the present invention for egressin-like activity. It has been ascertained in the present invention that this cell line also produces egressin.

Tumor egress factor and processes for producing the same


An image registering and retrieval system includes a plurality of first memories for storing a plurality of blocks of image information, a plurality of second memories for storing compressed data from the plurality of blocks of the image information, a plurality of compressing and restoring sections that are provided for each block of the image information so that the image information is compressed or the compressed data is restored and a display device for displaying the image information. The plurality of compressing and restoring sections simultaneously process the image information.

The embodiments of the present invention relate to an information registering and retrieval system which manages documents and drawings by converting image information to image signals.
Recently, electronic files have been put to practical use in order to manage documents and drawings that are increasing in the volume.
The electronic file converts the information on a document to image signals. The image information (hereinafter referred to as primary data) is registered together with retrieval information (hereinafter referred to as secondary data) for use in retrieving the primary data so that the desired primary data can be retrieved by the secondary data.
The conventional electronic file contains only one compressing and restoring device in a control circuit. Thereby, the entire image information to be retrieved is restored gradually by the compressing and restoring device.
In actual operation, however, it is often difficult to retrieve desired primary data by the secondary data alone. In many cases, it is necessary to display primary data to determine if it is the required information. As there is only one compressing and restoring device available, a long time is required for displaying the entire primary data. Consequently, the conventional electronic file requires complicated operation procedures, and a low operation efficiency results.

Information registering and retrieval system


A computing system includes an input driver and a virtual input controller. The input driver is configured to receive input data from a first controller of a recognized data protocol and to provide the input data to an API of an application to control actions of a first participant in the gaming application. The virtual input controller is, in contrast, configured to receive input data from a second controller of a protocol incompatible with the input driver, translate the input data to the recognized data protocol; request a broadcast application identifier for a currently-broadcasting application from the broadcasting agent, and provide the translated input data to the input driver in association with the broadcast application identifier for controlling actions of a second participant in the application via the API of the gaming application.

The continued evolution and growth of online gaming has led to development of gaming environments that allow geographically remote players to interact together in same online world by broadcasting information to one another. Some gamers may also utilize features of a spectating system that allow spectators to watch broadcast streams of game play without actively participating. For example, a spectating system may deliver live or recorded streams of game play to various gamers by way of an internet connection, allowing spectators to watch one or more player or teams of players participating in a multiplayer online game without having to purchase or otherwise utilize a gaming console to view the game play.


A adaptive recursive method for detecting statistically significant changes in data performs steps that include: determining a mean and standard deviation for incoming data; flagging non-conforming data; detecting signals, trends, and/or shifts in the data, and resetting the mean and standard deviation under prescribed circumstances based on predetermined criteria, and then displaying statistics derived from the data.

A disease may be described in terms of a set of signs and symptoms. The sentinel event, a shift in a sign or symptom, is a shift toward or away from a state of "wellness". Medical signs comprise the set of measurable variables such as systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, temperature, weight, etc. Medical symptoms are a set of indicators such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, etc. Although a shift in medical signs represents a change in health status, the resultant value may still be within a normal range. Information about the size, direction, time of the change, and time of the end of the change is important in determining health status, cause of disease and reaction to treatment.
A need therefore exists in the health care industry not only to monitor medical signs but to detect and report statistically significant changes in the medical signs that signal changes in the health status of medical patients.

Method and system for detecting changes in data

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A maul assembly including a maul head having an annular body with an annular outer wall concentric to an annular inner wall and an annular chamber within the body disposed between the two walls. The annular walls and chamber are circumferentially disposed about a head center axis which is coincidental with a handle center axis of a handle attached to an end of the head. The chamber is partially filled with a quantity of flowable inertia material preferably round steel shot and preferably in a range of about 50% to 75% of the chamber's volume and preferably with steel shot.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mauls and, more specifically, to a maul with a maul head having an annular chamber with a portion of its volume filled with shot.
2. Description of Related Art
Hammers and mauls have conventionally been used for striking objects to drive them. Hammers are conventionally used in conjunction with punches to, among other applications, cut various suitable materials to form gaskets. A particular problem with conventional hammers and mauls is that they tend to roll and become useable when striking the top of a small surface such as the strike surface of a punch apparatus. The problem is more acute when the line of force of the hammer or maul head is not perfectly aligned with the center of the strike surface.
Such mauls and hammers are subject to moments about the axis of the head and/or handle which reduces the stability of the head thus requiring more hand and arm strength to be exerted to hold the hammer. The need for additional hand and arm strength prevents the user from using more power thus causing more hits to be required in order to drive the punch through the material. Mauls and hammers typically impact the top of punches off their centers which causes the punch to tilt sideways thus producing an uneven hit and causing the user to refrain from using maximum power because he may hit himself. Such a problem is encountered when using a hammer or maul on a punch to form gaskets from material.
Hammers generally have an annular or cylindrical heads with a centerline axis that is perpendicular to a centerline axis of a handle whereas mauls generally have an annular or cylindrical heads with a centerline axis that is collinear with a centerline axis of a handle. Hammer heads have been developed to prevent rebound such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,604,914. A hammer head having a hollow chamber partially filled with a quantity of flowable inertia material such as shot to give the head its dead-blow characteristics. Whereas these hammers have uninterrupted cylindrical chambers directly behind flat circular strike surfaces prior art mauls do not. Mauls have no flat strike surface and no hollow chambers. Cylindrical hammer heads have center axes that are generally at right angles to their handles while maul head's center axes are generally collinear with and disposed about a central shaft used for the handle. Furthermore, the forces associated with a maul tend to cause the outer strike surface to go flat and collapse the head thereby giving good reason not to have hollow maul heads.
Maul heads are generally cylindrical in shape having a solid body such as in U.S. Pat. No. 912,784 which uses disks held between washers to form a solid maul head. Solid maul heads are often made as assemblies such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,723,477 and 3,088,506. Because of the way mauls are used the heads are typically generally symmetrical about a center axis which causes mauls to roll away from the user and even off a bench, particularly on ones that are not very level.
Therefore, there exists a great need for a maul design to reduce a maul's tendency to roll and become useable when striking a top of a small surface such as a strike surface of a punch. There further exists a need to reduce and/or eliminate moments about the axis of a maul head and/or handle which reduces the stability of the head which would then require less hand and arm strength to be exerted to hold the maul and prevent it from causing the punch to tilt sideways during the hitting process. There also exists a need for a maul which allows a user to use more power than during the hitting process than is presently used with conventional mauls and hammers. There is also a need for a maul which when used with punch will make the user less apprehensive and more comfortable exerting greater power thus allowing the user to safely maximize the amount power he uses to drive the punch through the material. There exists a need for a maul to avoid such a problems when using a maul on a punch to form gaskets from material so as to allow the user to work faster and safer by reducing and/or preventing this sideways tiling of the punch when on material to form a gasket.


An automatic umbrella includes a retraction restoring spring having an outer spring end contracted to form a narrow spring portion to be embedded in a concavely depressed stretcher rib and having an inner spring end secured to a top rib of a rib assembly for holding an umbrella cloth for smoothly developing the restoring spring force, and an extending spring formed in the central tubular shaft having an upper spring portion having larger spring diameter to be telescopically held in an upper shaft having larger diameter and a lower spring portion having smaller spring diameter than the upper spring portion to be telecopically held in a lower shaft, thereby causing a smooth tensioning or compression of the extending spring in the upper shaft and the lower shaft when extending or retracting the central tubular shaft.

Original application discloses an integral extending spring 3 for resiliently opening the umbrella, which integral coil spring 3 passes through an upper tubular shaft 14 and a lower tubular shaft 11 having smaller diameter than that of the upper shaft 14. Since the integral spring 3 should pass the lower shaft 11 with smaller inside diameter and the upper shaft 14 with larger inside diameter, there will exist an aperture between the spring coil rings of the upper spring section of the spring 3 disposed inside the upper shaft 14 and an inside tubular wall of the upper shaft 14, possible causing a twisting or tangling of the spring 3 for influencing the sliding movement of the coupling 538 and the flexible rope 537, and also possibly causing noise pollution by a fictional sliding contact of the twisting spring 3 with the inside wall of the shaft 14.
Meanwhile, the restoring coil spring of the retraction restoring means 4 of the original application as shown in originally filed drawings FIG. 2, having an inner spring end 41 secured to the first top rib 21 and having an outer spring end 42 secured to an outer end of the stretcher rib 22 at a joint connected with the third top rib 24, is still obvious to the prior arts such as Yoshihara's U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,258 (the spring 8 secured between a pivotal point b and the hub member 4) and Sato's U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,077 (the compressible coil spring 7 secured to the fitting 15 and ring 6a). The restoring spring either taught by Yoshihara or Sato or even the original application filed by the present inventor is longitudinally secured between two points distantly separated, which will easily be sagged, twisted, or tangled when compressed ready for restoring operation.
The present inventor has found the drawbacks of conventional automatic umbrellas and invented the present automatic umbrella having smoothly operating springs.

Automatic umbrella having smoothly-operating springs


An antenna device has a plane ground conductor plate, and two radiating conductors disposed on the upper side of the plane ground conductor plate in parallel to and adjacently to each other so as to be symmetrical with each other with reference to the center of the plane ground plate. The radiating plates are individually provided with respective feeder ports, and are operated independently from each other. End portions of the radiating conductors may be bent to be substantially perpendicular to the plane ground plate in a direction of achieving a maximum gain, whereby isolation between the feeder ports can be enhanced. With this antenna device, antenna directivity can be secured, a high antenna gain can be obtained, and the going-round of a current from a transmitting unit to a receiving unit can be suppressed favorably.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an antenna device and a radio communication apparatus for use in radio communication, particularly to an antenna device and a radio communication apparatus to be used for a wireless set designed to simultaneously perform transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves.
To be more specific, the present invention relates to an antenna device and a radio communication apparatus utilized in a back scatter type radio communication system for performing data communication by utilizing modulation of a reflected wave, based on transmission of an unmodulated carrier wave from the side of a reflected wave reader, an operation of changing over the antenna load impedance on the side of a reflector, etc., and particularly to an antenna device and a radio communication apparatus configured in a thin form by disposing a radiating conductor and a ground conductor plate oppositely to each other with an insulating substance interposed therebetween.
2. Background Art
By putting a plurality of apparatuses in network connection, it is possible to realize enhancement of efficiency of command and data transmission, sharing of information resources, and sharing of hardware resources. In recent years, furthermore, radio communication has been paid attention to as a system for librating the users from wiring based on a wired system.
Examples of standards as to radio communication include IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11, HiperLAN/2, IEEE 802.15.3, Bluetooth communication, and so on. In recent years, wireless LAN has been markedly spread, since wireless LAN systems have come to be inexpensive and to be incorporated in PCs in a standardized manner.
Radio communication systems on a comparatively small scale are used for data transmission between a host apparatus or apparatuses and a terminal apparatus or apparatuses in homes or the like. Here, examples of the host apparatus include stationary type come electronic products such as television, monitor, printer, PC, VTR, DVD player, etc. On the other hand, examples of the terminal apparatus include mobile apparatuses the power consumption of which is suppressed as much as possible, such as digital camera, video camera, cellular phone, PDA, portable type music reproduction device, etc. An example of application of this kind of system is uploading of image data picked up by a cellular phone with camera or a digital camera into a PC through wireless LAN.
However, since wireless LAN in itself has been designed and developed on the assumption that it is used in computers and, therefore, its power consumption becomes a problem where it is mounted in a mobile apparatus. Most of the wireless LAN cards of the IEEE802.11b type commercially available at present have a power consumption of not less than 800 mW at the time of transmission and not less than 600 mW at the time of reception. This level of power consumption means a heavy load to a battery-driven portable apparatus.
Even where a wireless LAN function is operated within short distances only so as to reduce the transmission power needed, the power consumption can be reduced by no more than about 80%. Particularly, transmission from an image input unit such as a digital camera to the image display unit side takes such a communication form that the transmission ratio occupies most of the whole communication, so that a radio transmission means further reduced in power consumption is demanded.
Besides, as for the Bluetooth communication, the transmission speed is as low as 720 kbps at maximum, inconveniently leading to a considerable time needed for transmission of images increased in file size attendant on the recent enhancement of image quality.
On the other hand, according to the radio transmission utilizing a reflected wave based on the back scatter system used in RFID, a lower power consumption can be realized even in such a communication form that the transmission ratio occupies most of the communications between apparatuses, for example.
A radio communication system of the back scatter type is composed of a reflector for transmitting data by a reflected wave having been modulated, and a reflected wave reader for reading the data from the reflected wave coming from the reflector. At the time of data transmission, the reflected wave reader transmits an unmodulated carrier wave. On the other hand, the reflector performs a load impedance operation such as turning ON/OFF of the terminal of the antenna, for example, and applies to the unmodulated carrier with a modulating treatment according to the data to be transmitted, to thereby transmit the data. Then, on the reflected wave reader side, the reflected wave is received and subjected to a demodulating and decoding treatment, whereby the transmitted data can be obtained.
In a reflected wave transmission system, an antenna switch for back scattering is composed generally of gallium arsenic IC, of which the power consumption is not more than several tens of microwatts. As for the average power at the time of data transmission, data can be transmitted with a power of not more than 10 mW in the case of delivery certification system, and with a power of several tens of microwatts in the case of one-way transmission. This means an overwhelming performance difference, as compared with the average power consumption of a general wireless LAN (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-291809).
FIG. 7 schematically shows the manner of radio data transmission based on the back scatter system used in RFID or the like.
In the back scatter system shown in the figure, an unmodulated carrier wave 707 is first transmitted from an antenna 704 of a host apparatus 701, and is received by an antenna 706 of a terminal apparatus 705. In this case, the terminal apparatus 705 applies a terminating operation to the antenna 706 according to a bit string of the data to be transmitted from the terminal apparatus 705 to the host apparatus 701, thereby producing a modulated reflected wave 708, which is transmitted toward the host apparatus 701. In the host apparatus 701, the modulated reflected wave 708 is received by the antenna 704, and data demodulation is conducted by a receiving unit (Rx) 703.
Thus, in the back scatter system, the host apparatus 701 simultaneously performs transmission of an unmodulated carrier wave 707 and reception of the modulated reflected wave 708 reflected by the terminal apparatus 705.
The unmodulated reflected wave transmitted from the host apparatus is attenuated in the going (forward) path until reaching the terminal apparatus 705, and is further attenuated upon at the time of reflection on the terminal apparatus 705 side and in the returning (backward) path until the reflected wave reaches the host apparatus 701. Therefore, the receiving unit 703 must treat the reflected wave which is low in power magnitude. In other words, the process in the receiving unit 703 is susceptible to influences of DC offset and transmitter noise, which makes it difficult to extend the transmission distance.
Here, one of the elements influencing the reception sensitivity of the host apparatus 701 lies in the phenomenon in which a part 710 of the unmodulated carrier wave transmitted from the transmitting unit 702 goes round to the receiving unit 703 in the course of the signal path inside the host apparatus 701. Since the frequency of the unmodulated carrier wave transmitted from the transmitting unit 702 and the frequency of the reflected wave received by the receiving unit 703 are in the same frequency band, the process in the receiving unit 703 is influenced by the transmitted signal (in this case, the unmodulated carrier wave) coming round from the transmitting unit 702 side.
The transmitted signal 710 coming round to the receiving unit 703 serves as a jamming noise to the modulated reflected wave 709 received at the antenna 704, and may induce a marked degradation of bit error rate (BER). Therefore, in the host apparatus 701, it is necessary to suppress the going-round of the transmitted signal 710 to the receiving unit.
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example wherein the going-round of a transmitted signal 811 to a receiving unit (Rx) 803 is improved by providing a circulator 810 at an antenna terminal of a host apparatus 801. However, enlarging the isolation of the circulator 810 generally raises the cost and enlarges the installation space. Besides, the going-round of the transmitted signal can be reduced to a certain extent by the circulator 810, but the value of the reduction is not infinite, and a practical value of isolation is about 20 dB.
In addition, FIG. 9 shows a configuration example in which the going-round of a transmitted signal 910 to a receiving unit 903 is improved by providing independent antennas 904 and 905 respectively at a transmitting unit (Tx) 902 and a receiving unit (Rx) 903 of a host apparatus 901. In this case, by a contrivance as to the method of laying out the antennas 904 and 905, it is possible to secure isolation between transmission and reception. However, since the antennas must be laid out in the state of being physically spaced from each other, a casing in which to mount the host apparatus 901 would necessarily be enlarged in size.
On the other hand, in a back scatter communication system designed to carry out reflected-wave transmission, antenna directivity is demanded at a reflected wave reader and a reflector. This point will be described in comparison to other radio communication systems.
In a general radio communication system such as wireless LAN, an electromagnetic wave transmitted from a control station such as an AP (access point) is received by an antenna of a terminal station. In the case of a system for carrying out somewhat long distance communication, as shown in FIG. 15, not only a direct wave coming from an AP but also scattered waves reflected by a wall and the like (multipass #1, multipass #2) are received on the terminal station side (over-the-horizon (OTH) communication). Since the multipass waves arrive at the terminal station after being reflected by a wall and the like, their polarization would be different from the polarization at the time of transmission from the AP (even when a vertically polarized wave is transmitted, the multipass waves may not necessarily be vertically polarized waves). Accordingly, a circular polarization or non-directional antenna is frequently used as an antenna on the terminal side.
On the other hand, in a reflected wave transmission, communication within comparatively short distances is presumed, so that an antenna at a reflector receives only a direct wave (in this case, an unmodulated carrier wave) coming from an antenna at a reflected wave reader, as shown in FIG. 16 (non-OTH communication). Here, it is assumed that a wave is transmitted with vertical polarization from the antenna of the reflected wave. In this instance, the transmitted wave cannot be favorably received unless the antenna 2 on the reflector side is an antenna capable of dealing with vertical polarization. Therefore, antennas with the same polarization are used for both the reflected wave reader and the reflector. As a result, the reflected wave produced in the reflector is transmitted as a vertically polarized wave to the reflected wave reader.
Besides, in the back scatter system, a carrier generation source is not provided on the reflector side, and the electromagnetic wave received is reflected in carrying out data transmission; due to this principle, the signal magnitude is very low and, further, it is attenuated in both the going (forward) path and the return (backward) path of the electromagnetic wave. Therefore, for permitting the unmodulated carrier wave to reach the reflector efficiently and for receiving the reflected wave efficiently, it is desired that the antenna of the reflected wave reader and the reflector have directivity toward each other so as thereby to obtain a high antenna gain.
Here, as an antenna having directivity, there is known a planar patch antenna (also called MAS (Micro Strip Antenna)). The patch antenna is a thin antenna configured by disposing a radiating conductor and a ground conductor plate opposite to each other, with an insulating substance interposed therebetween. The shape of the radiating conductor is not particularly limited but, in general, it is rectangular or circular (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-304115).
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a patch antenna. The patch antenna shown in the figure is composed of a ground conductor plate 1001 and a radiating conductor 1002, and the radiating conductor 1002 is disposed on the upper side of and at a distance from the ground conductor plate 1001. The device dimensions 10a and 10b of the radiating conductor 1002 of the patch antenna are ordinarily not more than one half (½) of the wavelength λ in the frequency band used, whereby a unidirectional radiation pattern can be realized without separately providing a reflector plate.
In the figure, reference numeral 1003 denotes a support for the radiating conductor 1002, which is located at a central portion of the radiating conductor 1002. Reference numeral 1004 denotes a feeder port of the radiating conductor 1002. For excitation, the feeder port 1004 is located with a small offset from the central portion 1003 of the radiating conductor 1002, and matching of the antenna to a desired impedance can be obtained by adjusting the offset length.
In general, the radiating conductor 1002 of the patch antenna is square in shape, the resonance frequency f0 thereof depends on the device dimension 10b of the radiating conductor 1002, and the bandwidth thereof depends on the device dimension 10a. The resonance frequency f0 is not markedly changed even when the device dimension 10a is varied so as to contrive a reduction in the size of the square patch antenna insofar as the variation is within the range for satisfying the bandwidth required of the system.
Since a patch antenna shows a unidirectional directivity generally in the Z-axis direction and a directional gain of a few dBi can be obtained, it is considered that a patch antenna can be favorably applied to the back scatter communication system for carrying out reflected wave transmission, from the viewpoint of obtaining a sufficient signal magnitude. However, in the back scatter communication system, transmission and reception on the reflected wave reader side are conducted in the same frequency band (as above-mentioned), so that there is a need to secure isolation between a transmitting unit and a receiving unit.

Antenna Device and Radio Communication Apparatus


A component of external parts for a timepiece, the component including a first silicon-based part and a second metal-based part, where one surface of the first part is welded using laser-type electromagnetic radiation onto a surface of the second part in order to secure the parts to each other. A method for fabrication of a component of external parts for a timepiece, by forming a first silicon-based part and a second metal-based part, mounting a surface of the first part on a surface of the second part, and welding, using laser-type electromagnetic radiation, the surface of the first part mounted on the surface of the second part, in order to secure the parts to each other.

Current assemblies including a silicon-based or ceramic-based material can be joined by adhesive bonding. There have also been developed intermediate parts capable of plastic deformation, intended to be pressed in while protecting the silicon-based or ceramic-based component. However, they are not always satisfactory, since, depending on the application, they may be difficult to implement.

Component of external parts for a timepiece made of welded materials

The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd


A method and system for determining and verifying a location of mobile and non-mobile devices in emergency situations. The method and system provide a current physical geographic location for a mobile device (e.g., building address, a building floor, a room on a building floor, campus, enterprise, city, state, region, country, continent, etc.), in an emergency situation such as an accident, fire, terrorist attack, military incident, etc. and forward the physical geographic location to a legacy 911 network or a Emergency Services IP networks (ESInet).

In many emergency situations it is of great importance to be able to quickly and accurately locate individuals within a large building. For example, in the event of a fire, public safety personnel may need to operate within an unfamiliar building on short notice, in conditions of poor visibility due to smoke or flame. Accurate location information is vital to coordinate rescue operations and ensure the safety of firefighters. Police or military personnel may be faced with similar circumstances, in which accurate and timely location information can help avoid friendly-fire incidents and coordinate action against a criminal or enemy force.
Individuals faced with an emergency involving immediate danger to life or health of themselves or a colleague need to be able to accurately provide their location to emergency/rescue personnel, preferably without human intervention to enable rescue in the case where the individual in need is incapacitated, or all attention must be devoted to his/her protection. In all these circumstances, rapid and automated acquisition of the location of an individual to within a few meters within a large building can be critical in saving lives.
Prior art methods of accomplishing such location do not simultaneously meet the requirements of rapid location determination, automation, and accuracy. Navigation employing conventional maps and visual observation or dead reckoning are not readily automated and thus require time and attention by a human observer. Manual navigation may be vitiated in the case where visibility is impacted by flame or smoke, or where personnel are under hostile fire and unable to establish their location by patient observation.
Enhanced 911, (E911) is a location technology that enables mobile, or cellular phones and other mobile device such personal digital/data assistants (PDAs) to process 911 emergency calls and enable emergency services to locate a physical geographic position of the device and thus the caller. When a person makes a 911 call using a traditional phone with wires, the call is routed to the nearest public safety answering point (PSAP) that then distributes the emergency call to the proper emergency services. The PSAP receives the caller's phone number and the exact location of the phone from which the call was made. Prior to 1996, 911 callers using a mobile phone would have to access their service providers in order to get verification of subscription service before the call was routed to a PSAP. In 1996 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that a 911 call must go directly to the PSAP without receiving verification of service from a specific cellular service provider. The call must be handled by any available service carrier even if it is not the cellular phone customer's specific carrier.
The FCC has rolled out E911 in two phases. In 1998, Phase I required that mobile phone carriers identify the originating call's phone number and the location, of the signal tower, or cell, accurate to within a mile. In 2001, Phase II required that each mobile phone company doing business in the United States must offer either handset- or network-based location detection capability so that the caller's location is determined by the geographic location of the cellular phone within 100 meter accuracy and not the location of the tower that is transmitting its signal. The FCC refers to this as Automatic Location Identification (ALI).
There are many problems associated with determining a location of device and a caller who needs to place an E911 call in an emergency. On problem is that many E911 calls a misrouted to the wrong PSAP. This can delay the dispatch of emergencies services to the caller. Another problem is that existing mobile technology makes its difficult to accurately locate mobile devices.
Another problem is that triangulation based on time of arrival at multiple mobile-communications base stations (TDOA) has inadequate coverage and is insufficiently accurate unless supplemented by signals provided by local radios placed outside the facility by public safety personnel.
Another problem is that conventional radio-frequency-based location methods do a poor job of providing topological location within a building: that is, location relative to walls, doors, partitions, stairways, and other features whose spatial extent is small but whose significance to a person's ability to move is great.
Another problem is that many mobile devices are not "location-aware." Location-aware devices are aware of their current geographic location. Mobile telephones and Global Positioning System ("GPS") devices may be aware of their current geographic location. GPS devices typically determine their current geographic location by communicating with satellites. However, mobile telephones may only determine their current geographic location by communicating with a particular mobile phone interface or telephony switch that provides coverage to a geographic location such as a telephony "cell" but not an exact current geographic location within the cell.
Thus, there exists a critical need for a method of locating individuals making an E911 call that is rapid, automated, accurate, simple and inexpensive to employ, and does not require manual intervention from the person to be located.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for an emergency location information service (E-LIS)


Difference data is generated between a reference file and a target file that are orderly dependent having common blocks that appear in the same order in both the reference and target files. The difference data is generated by comparing hash values of chunks of the reference file against hash values of parts of the target file to identity copy operations between the reference and target files. Chunks of the reference file and parts of the target file are loaded into main memory to create hashes for comparison and unloaded from the main memory after exhaustion. The difference data is included in a difference file, which is provided to one or more endpoint computers. In an endpoint computer, the target file is reconstructed using a copy of the reference file and the difference data from the difference file.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly but not exclusively to differential compression and incremental file update.
2. Description of the Background Art
Computer files may need to be updated for a variety of reasons. As a particular example, computer security programs need to be periodically updated to incorporate new virus signatures, new document fingerprints (for data loss prevention), newly developed detection algorithms, and so on. An updated version of a file of a program may be generated in one computer and distributed to multiple computers that subscribe to receive updates. Subscribing computers receive the updated version of the file over a computer network, making it important to minimize the size of updates to reduce network bandwidth consumption.
One way of minimizing the size of updates is to perform a difference procedure on the updated version and old version of a file to generate a difference file, and send the difference file instead of the updated version of the file to subscribing computers. In a subscribing computer, the difference file is merged with the old version of the file to reconstruct the updated version of the file. Differential compression allows for reduced network bandwidth consumption and storage use because the resulting difference file is relatively small.

Methods and systems for differencing orderly dependent files


A method includes receiving first measurement data from a first device. The first device may be a first element of a communication path. The first measurement data may correspond to a first measured parameter associated with performance of the communication path. The method further includes receiving second measurement data from a second device. The second device may be a second element of the communication path. The second measurement data may correspond to a second measured parameter (distinct from the first measured parameter) associated with performance of the communication path. The method further includes determining a first service quality index value corresponding to performance of the communication path based on the first measurement data and the second measurement data.

Service quality can be a differentiating factor between service providers that utilize distributed networks, such as media distribution networks, mobile data or mobile telephony networks, etc. A media distributor that is concerned with service quality associated with distribution of media content may monitor performance of network elements used to distribute the media content. The media distributor may analyze performance metrics of individual network elements in isolation to identify potential service quality issues and to evaluate the severity of the service quality issues.

Managing media distribution based on a service quality index value


A dispatching apparatus includes a channel pointer register having storage locations, each with fields for channel number, valid bit, and corresponding instruction pointer which points to instructions for processing data for that channel. When an isochronous channel is allocated for reception, the host programs the channel number and corresponding instruction pointer value into a storage location and sets the corresponding valid bit. When data is received, the channel number is compared to channel numbers within valid storage locations. The data is processed according to instructions located at the corresponding instruction pointer value if there is a channel number match or instructions at the default instruction pointer value if there is no match. Default instructions include broadcasting data received on one channel to appropriate channels, multicasting data, handling errors and exceptions, ignoring a channel, routing data to another channel, monitoring active channels on the bus, and other actions for processing data.

The present invention relates to the field of managing the reception of data received by a device. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of managing the reception of data received on a channel by a device.
The IEEE standard, xe2x80x9cIEEE 1394 Standard For A High Performance Serial Bus,xe2x80x9d Draft ratified in 1995, is an international standard for implementing an inexpensive high-speed serial bus architecture which supports both asynchronous and isochronous format data transfers. Isochronous data transfers are real-time transfers which take place such that the time intervals between significant instances have the same duration at both the transmitting and receiving applications. Each packet of data transferred isochronously is transferred in its own time period. The IEEE 1394-1995 standard bus architecture provides up to sixty-four (64) channels for isochronous data transfer between applications. A six bit channel number is broadcast with the data to ensure reception by the appropriate application. This allows multiple applications to simultaneously transmit isochronous data across the bus structure. Asynchronous transfers are traditional data transfer operations which take place as soon as possible and transfer an amount of data from a source to a destination.
The IEEE 1394-1995 standard provides a high-speed serial bus for interconnecting digital devices thereby providing a universal I/O connection. The IEEE 1394-1995 standard defines a digital interface for the applications thereby eliminating the need for an application to convert digital data to analog data before it is transmitted across the bus. Correspondingly, a receiving application will receive digital data from the bus, not analog data, and will therefore not be required to convert analog data to digital data. The cable required by the IEEE 1394-1995 standard is very thin in size compared to other bulkier cables used to connect such devices. Devices can be added and removed from an IEEE 1394-1995 bus while the bus is active. If a device is so added or removed the bus will then automatically reconfigure itself for transmitting data between the then existing nodes. A node is considered a logical entity with a unique identification number on the bus structure. Each node provides an identification ROM, a standardized set of control registers and its own address space.
The IEEE 1394-1995 standard defines a protocol as illustrated in FIG. 1. This protocol includes a serial bus management block 10 coupled to a transaction layer 12, a link layer 14 and a physical layer 16. The physical layer 16 provides the electrical and mechanical connection between a device or application and the IEEE 1394-1995 cable. The physical layer 16 also provides arbitration to ensure that all devices coupled to the IEEE 1394-1995 bus have access to the bus as well as actual data transmission and reception. The link layer 14 provides data packet delivery service for both asynchronous and isochronous data packet transport. This supports both asynchronous data transport, using an acknowledgement protocol, and isochronous data transport, providing real-time guaranteed bandwidth protocol for just-in-time data delivery. The transaction layer 12 supports the commands necessary to complete asynchronous data transfers, including read, write and lock. The serial bus management block 10 contains an isochronous resource manager for managing isochronous data transfers. The serial bus management block 10 also provides overall configuration control of the serial bus in the form of optimizing arbitration timing, guarantee of adequate electrical power for all devices on the bus, assignment of the cycle master, assignment of isochronous channel and bandwidth resources and basic notification of errors.
As discussed above, an IEEE 1394-1995 device includes the capability to transmit and receive isochronous data over multiple channels. The IEEE 1394-1995 standard provides for up to sixty-four different isochronous channels to be used within an IEEE 1394-1995 network of devices. However, in current implementations, certain IEEE 1394-1995 devices are being built with the capability to only transmit and receive isochronous data over a subset of less than sixty-four channels. When receiving data on an isochronous channel, that data must be processed by the receiving device. This processing includes any or all of displaying, manipulating, forwarding and storing. Often, data received on different isochronous channels is processed differently, depending on the type of device from which the data is received, the type of data that is received and the desired use of the data. If data received on an isochronous channel is not received and processed efficiently, errors in the display or use of the data can result.
An apparatus for dispatching a processing element to a program location based on a channel number of received data includes a channel pointer register having a number of storage locations each with a channel number field, a valid bit field and a corresponding instruction pointer field. When an isochronous channel is allocated for use for reception, the host device programs the channel number and a corresponding instruction pointer value into a storage location. When a storage location is programmed, a valid bit within that storage location is also preferably set. The corresponding instruction pointer value points to a series of instructions which are to be used to process data received on that isochronous channel. When isochronous data is then received, the channel number on which the data is received is compared to the channel numbers within the valid storage locations in the channel pointer register. If one of the channel numbers within a valid storage location matches the channel number of the received data, then the corresponding instruction pointer value is output and the data is processed according to a series of instructions beginning at the location specified by the corresponding instruction pointer value. Otherwise, if the channel number of the received data does not match any of the channel numbers within valid storage locations then a default instruction pointer value is output and the received data is processed according to a series of instructions beginning at the location specified by the default instruction pointer value. The series of instructions beginning at the location specified by the default instruction pointer value are used to broadcast data received on a single channel on all appropriate channels, multicast data received on a single channel to a select group of channels, handle errors and exceptions related to received data and unprogrammed channel numbers, ignore data received on a channel, route data received on a first channel to one or more different channels, to monitor the active channels on the bus and any other appropriate action to process data received on a channel with no corresponding valid instruction pointer value.
In one aspect of the invention, a method of processing received data having a real-time component comprises receiving data having the real-time component on a received channel number, comparing the received channel number to stored channel numbers within a plurality of memory locations, each of the plurality of memory locations including a corresponding address value specifying a starting address for a series of instructions for processing data received on a corresponding stored channel number, providing the corresponding address value corresponding to the stored channel number matching the received channel number as an output address value if one of the stored channel numbers matches the received channel number and providing a default address value as the output address value if none of the stored channel numbers matches the received channel number. The method further includes allocating an allocated channel number for receiving data and programming the allocated channel number and a corresponding allocated address value into one of the memory locations to form the stored channel number and the corresponding address value for the memory location. The default address value specifies a default starting address for a series of default instructions for processing data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions controls broadcast of data received on the received channel number out on one or more different channel numbers. The series of default instructions controls multicast of data received on the received channel number out on a group of channel numbers. The series of default instructions handles errors and exceptions related to data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions ignores data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions reroutes data received on the received channel number on one or more different channel numbers. The series of default instructions monitors active channels on which data is received. The memory locations are locations within a register. The method further includes programming a valid bit within a programmed memory location. The data is preferably isochronous data. Comparing is performed by a comparator which is provided the stored channel numbers in parallel.
In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for processing received data having a real-time component comprises a plurality of storage locations each including a channel number field to store a stored channel number and an instruction pointer field to store a stored address value, a comparing circuit coupled to the plurality of storage locations and configured to receive a received channel number on which data having a real-time component is received, wherein the comparing circuit compares the stored channel numbers to the received channel number to determine if any of the stored channel numbers match the received channel number and an output circuit coupled to the comparing circuit and to the plurality of storage locations to provide the stored address value within the storage location having the stored channel number matching the received channel number as an output address value. The comparing circuit compares the stored channel numbers to the received channel number in parallel. The apparatus further comprises a default storage location coupled to the output circuit to store a default address value and provide the default address value as the output address value if none of the stored channel numbers match the received channel number. The default address value specifies a default starting address for a series of default instructions for processing data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions controls broadcast of data received on the received channel number out on one or more different channel numbers. The series of default instructions controls multicast of data received on the received channel number out on a group of channel numbers. The series of default instructions handles errors and exceptions related to data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions ignores data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions reroutes data received on the received channel number on one or more different channel numbers. The series of default instructions monitors active channels on which data is received. The storage locations further each include a valid bit. The storage locations are programmable. The apparatus further comprises a host device coupled to the plurality of storage locations to program the stored channel numbers and the stored address values. The host device sets the valid bit within the storage location when the storage location is programmed. The apparatus further comprises a processing device coupled to the output circuit to receive the output address value, wherein the output address value specifies a beginning location for a series of instructions to be used to process the data received on the received channel number. The data is preferably isochronous data.
In another aspect of the invention, a receiving device configured to receive data from one or more remote devices comprises an interface circuit configured to receive data on one or more received channel numbers, a plurality of storage locations each including a channel number field to store a stored channel number, an instruction pointer field to store a stored address value and a valid bit having a first state and a second state, wherein when the valid bit for a storage location is in the first state the storage location is valid, a comparing circuit coupled to the interface circuit and to the plurality of storage locations to receive the received channel number corresponding to received data and compare the stored channel numbers to the received channel number to determine if any of the stored channel numbers match the received channel number, a default storage location for storing a default address value and an output circuit coupled to the comparing circuit, to the plurality of storage locations and to the default storage location to provide the stored address value within the storage location having the stored channel number matching the received channel number as an output address value, if one of the stored channel numbers within valid storage locations matches the received channel number, and to provide the default address value as the output address value if none of the stored channel numbers within the valid storage locations match the received channel number, wherein the default address value specifies a default starting address for a series of default instructions for processing data received on the received channel number. The comparing circuit compares the stored channel numbers to the received channel number in parallel. The comparing circuit only compares stored channel numbers within the valid storage locations to the received channel number. The storage locations are programmable. The host device sets the valid bit within the storage location when the storage location is programmed. The receiving device further comprises a processing device coupled to the output circuit to receive the output address value, wherein the output address value specifies a beginning location for a series of instructions to be used to process the data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions controls broadcast of data received on the received channel number out on one or more different channel numbers. The series of default instructions controls multicast of data received on the received channel number out on a group of channel numbers. The series of default instructions handles errors and exceptions related to data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions ignores data received on the received channel number. The series of default instructions reroutes data received on the received channel number on one or more different channel numbers. The series of default instructions monitors active channels on which data is received.

Method of and apparatus for dispatching a processing element to a program location based on channel number of received data


A radar system is described. In accordance with one example implementation, the radar system comprises a passive coupler arrangement and also a first radar chip, a second radar chip and a third radar chip. The radar chips each comprise at least one external RF contact and also a local oscillator designed to generate an RF oscillator signal at least in a switched-on state. The external RF contacts of the radar chips are coupled via the coupler arrangement in such a way that, in a first operating mode, the RF oscillator signal can be transferred from the first radar chip via the coupler arrangement to the second radar chip and the third radar chip, and that, in a second operating mode, the RF oscillator signal can be transferred from the second radar chip via the coupler arrangement to the third radar chip.

Radio-frequency (RF) transmitters and receivers are used in a multiplicity of applications, particularly in the field of wireless communication and radar sensors. In the automotive field, there is an increasing need for radar sensors which can be used, inter alia, in driver assistance systems (Advanced driver assistance systems, ADAS) such as e.g. in cruise control (ACC, Adaptive Cruise Control, or Radar Cruise Control) systems. Such systems can automatically adapt the speed of an automobile in order to maintain a safe distance from other automobiles ahead (and also other objects and pedestrians). Further applications in the automotive field are e.g. blind spot detection, lane change assist and the like. In the field of autonomous driving, radar sensors and systems comprising a plurality of sensors will play an important part for the control of autonomous vehicles.
Modern radar systems use large scale integrated RF circuits which can combine all core functions of an RF frontend of a radar transceiver in a single housing (single-chip radar transceiver). Such large scale integrated RF circuits are usually referred to as monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). An RF frontend usually (but not necessarily) includes, inter alia, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) connected in a phase locked loop, power amplifiers (PAs), directional couplers, mixers and associated control circuit arrangements for controlling and monitoring the RF frontend. An MIMIC can also comprise circuits for the analog signal processing in baseband (or an intermediate frequency band) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), in order to enable digital signal processing. Instead of VCOs, digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs) can also be used, depending on the application. In sensor applications, a plurality of MMICs can also be interconnected (cascaded), for example in order to emit and/or to receive RF radar signals via a plurality of antennas. Such arrangements comprising a plurality of antennas can be used for beam forming techniques, for example. A plurality of receiving antennas are necessary, inter alia, if the angle of incidence of the received radar echoes (DoA, Direction of Arrival) is intended to be ascertained.
With regard to the functional reliability (cf. ISO standard 26262) of a radar sensor device, it may be desirable for a system comprising a plurality of MMICs to remain functional even if one or more MMICs do not operate (any longer) in accordance with the desired specifications.

Radar system comprising a plurality of radar chips


A wave pipeline includes a plurality of data paths, a clock signal path, and a return clock signal path. Each data path includes an input node, an output node, and a data stage between the input node and the output node. Each data path has a different delay between the input node and the output node. A first data path of the plurality of data paths has a first delay and each of the other data paths of the plurality of data paths have a delay less than the first delay. The clock signal path provides a clock signal to the data stage of each data path. The return clock signal path provides a return clock signal from the data stage of the first data path. The return clock signal triggers data out of the data stage of each data path of the plurality of data paths.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuit devices in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory.
Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Changes in threshold voltage of the memory cells, through programming (which is often referred to as writing) of charge storage structures (e.g., floating gates or charge traps) or other physical phenomena (e.g., phase change or polarization), determine the data value of each cell. Common uses for flash memory include personal computers, tablet computers, digital cameras, digital media players, cellular telephones, solid state drives and removable memory modules, and the uses are growing.
A wave pipeline may be used in a data path to send or receive data between different parts of an integrated circuit, such as a memory device. In a wave pipeline, the data signal and the clock signal move together. Different paths for the data signal and the clock signal, however, may result in skew between the data signal and the clock signal. Skew between the data signal and the clock signal should be minimized since a large skew limits the maximum clock frequency and the maximum distance that the data signal and the clock signal may travel.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for alternative methods for reducing skew between a data signal and a clock signal in a wave pipeline, and system and apparatus to perform such methods.


A patterns forming method begins with performing a lithography process on a photoresist film with a photomask having first apertures in a first mask region and second apertures in a second mask region to respectively form first main features and dummy features, on which the second mask region is located between the border of the photomask and the first mask region, and a size of each of the first apertures is greater than a size of each of the second apertures. Subsequently, a material is filled into the first main features to respectively form second main features and into the dummy features to seal the dummy features. Then, a substrate is etched to form patterned features by using the photoresist film having the second main features.

Conventional patterns forming method produces patterned features with scattering minimum feature sizes (CD) on a semiconductor workpiece, especially on the marginal area of a semiconductor workpiece. The uniformity of the minimum feature sizes of the patterned features may influence the electrical properties of the semiconductor workpiece, such as resistance, or impedance and so on. For example, a semiconductor workpiece on which patterned features with scattering minimum feature sizes are formed may hardly execute an impedance matching process to eliminate the white noise or other noise. That is, the scattering minimum feature sizes of the patterned features may induce the adjustment of an impedance matching process being ineffective.
As aforementioned, the patterns forming method on a semiconductor workpiece apparently includes problems of inconvenience and defects, and needs further improvement. To address the problems, the ordinarily skilled artisans have been striving to attain a solution, but still have not developed a suitable solution. Therefore, it is important to effectively deal with the problems in the art.


A continuous reaction system (CRS) allows a method to prepare quantum dots (QDs) in a continuous manner with high precision. The CRS pumps a plurality of reagent fluids into one or more mixing sites to form a reaction fluid that is carried through a heating chamber at elevated pressures to carry out hydrothermal growth of the QDs. The pumps and heating chamber are controlled with a high precision by employing a detector downstream of the heating chamber to provide a signal that is dependent on the composition and size of the QDs. The signal is provided to a signal processor that provides a signal that control the flow rates and temperature parameters in the system. The QDs produced in this manner are consistent in size and composition and can be of a single semiconductor composition or can be core-shell QDs with a shell semiconductor formed on a core semiconductor.

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals, generally salts of cations selected from the group consisting of heavy metals including lanthanides, actinides, and transition elements. Those employed for their optical properties typically include transition metals, such as Cd and Zn. Common anions included in the nanocrystalline salt are chalcogenides, Se, S, Te, and O. QDs can be of a core-shell form to modify the QD properties or for passivation of the core with an organic or inorganic coating. The shell typically uniformly surrounds the core. The shell, which is used to passivate the QD, is often a Cd or Zn salt of S or Se or an oxide layer designed to render the QD less toxic.
For optoelectronics applications it is desirable that the QDs have consistent particle size and shape. The particle size of the QD is the predominant determinant of absorption and emission properties for a given type of Quantum dot. However, the quality of the crystal structure, defects, dopants, and impurities can dramatically affect the bandgap and quantum yield. The shell composition and thickness can also affect these properties to various degrees by shifting the bandgap, lowering the quantum yield, or even quenching the emission entirely. The QD size depends on growth conditions, such as, the concentration of reactants, solvent system, temperature, use of surfactants, and reaction time. Traditional methods of semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis are batch processes. For example, the batch method for producing CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals uses a solvent mixture of trioctylphosphine (TOP), tri-n-butylphosphine (TBP), and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) where batch size is limited to production of about several hundred milligrams of TOPO-capped CdSe nanoparticles. It is difficult to scale up batch synthesis due to variabilities in mixing, concentration gradients, and temperature uniformity. Batch synthesis generally produces QDs of relatively uniform size, although batch-to-batch reproducibility is often difficult and achieving the target size is not assured.
To overcome the limitations of the batch process, Barbera-Guille et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,912, teaches a continuous flow process for producing semiconductor nanocrystals. Control of the process at ambient pressure involves selecting appropriate flow rates and temperatures to produce monodispersed QDs of a given size. The continuous flow process uses reservoirs of starting materials that deliver the reagents in series in a first section, then mixes the reagents, nucleates nanocrystals, allows nanocrystal growth, and terminates growth in successive sections of the reactor system. The QDs are often limited in applications by the quantum yield of their emission. In this manner, precise control over the particle size and size dispersity of the QDs is achieved. However, QDs prepared in this manner are capped with the organic ligands such as TOP, and this limits their ability to be used in aqueous systems.
Aqueous batch synthetic routes have been developed, but, typically suffer from long reaction times and the QDs that are produced often display a large number of surface defects that result in relatively poor photoluminescence quantum yields. To overcome these problems hydrothermal techniques have been developed where the synthesis is carried out at high temperatures and pressures in an autoclave. Yet, as with other batch processes, batch to batch reproducibility is often poor and the batch size is limited. Hence there remains a need to prepare consistent QDs and other nanoparticles of a desired size and dispersivity that are amenable to aqueous solutions and do so in a cost effective manner.

Process for making precision nanoparticles by hydrothermal flow manufacturing

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.


To provide a navigation system for a vehicle in which guidance information necessary for the driver can be provided while using a small display space. A guidance pattern indicating the direction toward a WP is formed of an arrow pattern including a center point segment with a rhombic segment as a tip. When the vehicle approaches a crossing and the turning direction at the crossing is to the right, the display pattern is changed over to an elongate rhombic segment extending rightwards from the center point segment, thereby indicating that the turning direction is to the right. Alternatively, the rhombic segment indicating the turning direction is displayed in addition to the guidance pattern for the direction toward the WP, whereby the direction toward the WP and the turning direction are displayed in combination so that they can be differentiated from each other.

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7119(a) on Patent Application No. 2001-154508 filed in Japan on May 23, 2001, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a navigation system for a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a navigation system for vehicle, which is suitable for a small vehicle in which it is difficult to secure a large display space.
2. Description of Background Art
Navigation systems for displaying the current position of a vehicle on a map by a combination of a position detector (GPS) utilizing satellite electromagnetic waves and map information and for providing guidance to a destination are widely used.
Hitherto, navigation systems for a vehicle have been developed mainly for four-wheel vehicles. However, in recent years, mounting of a navigation system on small-type vehicles such as motorcycles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs) for off-road driving has been investigated. The conventional navigation systems have a problem in that the display screen is enlarged due to the desire for providing the driver with a large amount of information. In the cases of small-type vehicles such as motorcycles, it has been difficult to secure a space for mounting the display panel in the field of vision of the driver.
FIG. 9 shows the construction of a meter panel of a background art navigation system for a motorcycle, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-14390. In the above document, navi display panel 72 for simply displaying guidance information by the navigation system is provided adjacent to a display panel 71 for displaying information such as the running speed and the distance traveled.
A guidance pattern for guiding the direction of a pre-registered predetermined transit point and a guidance pattern for guiding the direction to which the vehicle is to be turned at the transit point are displayed respectively in different regions 72a, 72b on the same screen. Therefore, the navi display panel 72 is enlarged in the lateral direction and, particularly in the cases of small-type vehicles, it has been technically difficult to secure the installation space.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation system for a vehicle by which the above-mentioned problems in the background art can be solved and guidance information necessary for the driver can be provided while using a small display space.
In order to attain the above object, the present invention is directed to a navigation system for displaying a plurality of kinds of guidance patterns differing in meaning given. A sole display region for displaying the guidance patterns simultaneously or selectively is provided. Furthermore, the guidance patterns are displayed in the display region in visually different display modes according to the respectively intrinsic meanings given.
According to the above characteristic features, a plurality of kinds of guidance patterns can be displayed in the sole display region, so that a large amount of guidance information can be obtained even when it is impossible to sufficiently secure space for a display region for a navigation system.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


A cargo holding apparatus for securing cargo in a pickup truck cargo bed and facilitating unloading of the cargo is provided. The apparatus has a holding element, a pair of straps each attachable to a respective support member of the holding element, and a pair of clamping members attached to a left side wall and a right side wall of the cargo bed, respectively, at a position adjacent to a rear wall of the cargo bed. Each strap is fed through a respective clamping member. The clamping member securely holds the strap when in an engaged aspect and allows the strap to slide unrestricted when in a disengaged aspect.

This disclosure relates to pickup truck cargo bed accessories. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a system for holding cargo in place and providing easy unloading of the cargo.
Pickup trucks are widely used for commercial purposes where the cargo bed is utilized to haul construction supplies, machinery, and other bulky or large quantity materials. Pickup trucks are also used for recreational and personal purposes. The cargo bed of a pickup truck provides extended hauling capacity. However, because of the depth of the cargo bed, objects placed in the cargo bed have a tendency to shift around. The movement of objects in the cargo bed can result in damage to the objects or even the walls of the cargo bed. Additionally, the depth and height of the cargo bed make retrieval of objects difficult, especially, if the objects are small or have shifted towards the cab portion of the pickup truck.
In an effort to minimize shifting of objects, devices are available for tying down or holding objects against a wall of the cargo bed. Most such devices require extensive modification of the cargo bed, such as by installing rail systems and the like. Moreover, most devices for holding objects in place are configured for holding the objects against the wall closest to the cab of the pickup truck, i.e., farthest away from the lift gate. In this configuration, it is difficult to retrieve objects from the cargo bed.


Disclosed herein is a separator for a molten carbonate fuel cell, the separator including four steel sheets in which edges of the four steel sheets are joined to each other thereby providing three spaces therebetween, comprising a cathode channel, serving as a flow path of oxidant gas, formed in the first space; an anode channel, serving as a flow path of fuel gas, formed in the second space such that the anode channel is separated from the cathode channel; and a fuel gas reforming channel formed in the third space, which is located between the first space and the second space. The separator for a molten carbonate fuel cell is advantageous in that the volume of the fuel cell is decreased, and the structure thereof is simple, thus reducing the production cost thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a separator for a molten carbonate fuel cell, and, more particularly, to a separator for a molten carbonate fuel cell, which can decrease the volume of the fuel cell compared to conventional fuel cells because the separator is provided therein with a fuel gas reforming channel, and which can reduce production costs because the separator has a simple structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a fuel cell is a generator serving to convert chemical energy into electrical energy through the oxidation and reduction of reactants. Unlike other existing types of chemical energy, the fuel cell causes hardly any pollution or noise because it discharges only water (H2O) as a by-product, and the chemical reaction in the fuel cell is simple. Therefore, the fuel cell is receiving great attention as an alternative energy source for the next generation.
In particular, among fuel cells, a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) uses molten carbonates as an electrolyte and operates at about 650° C., and thus the electrochemical reaction rate in the MCFC is rapid. Therefore, the molten carbonate fuel cell does not need a precious metal catalyst, such as a platinum catalyst, and can exhibit high thermal efficiency of 60% or more when it is used together with electricity and high temperature, and thus it can be used for combined heat and power generation using the gasification of coal.
A unit cell of a molten carbonate fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode, in which an electrochemical reaction is conducted, a separator for forming a fuel gas channel and an oxidant gas channel, a charge collecting plate, an electrolyte plate fabricated in the form of a sheet to meet the convenience of stacking, and a matrix for storing molten carbonate. In the unit cell of the molten carbonate fuel cell, when fuel gas is supplied to an anode and oxidant gas is supplied to a cathode, an electrochemical reaction is conducted in each of the electrodes, thus obtaining direct current voltage.
Since the voltage obtained from the unit cell is about 0.7˜1.2 V, which is low, at the time of rated electric discharge, in practice, a plurality of unit cells is layered, so that the total voltage of the fuel cell is increased and the total surface area of the unit cells is also increased, thereby obtaining high power. The structure in which a plurality of unit cells is layered is referred to as "a stack".
Since such a stack determines the power generation efficiency, lifespan and performance of the molten carbonate fuel cell, the shape of a separator constituting the stack and the method of supplying fuel into the separator are very important.
Meanwhile, in the molten carbonate fuel cell, since a water vapor reforming reaction for forming a reformed gas containing hydrogen using methane gas and water vapor, which is an endothermic reaction, is conducted together with an electrochemical reaction (anode: oxidation reaction, cathode: reduction reaction), which is an exothermic reaction, a fuel reforming apparatus is used to supply heat generated from the electrochemical reaction to the water vapor reforming reaction, which requires heat.
However, conventional molten carbonate fuel cells are problematic in that the above fuel reforming apparatus is separately provided outside the fuel cell and connected with a separator, and thus the volume thereof is increased and the structure thereof is complicated. Specifically, in conventional molten carbonate fuel cells, fuel gas is reformed from the fuel reforming apparatus provided outside the fuel cell, and then the reformed fuel gas is supplied into a stack through a separator connected with the fuel reforming apparatus. For this reason, the conventional molten carbonate fuel cells are problematic in that the volume thereof is increased, and in that the structure for connecting the fuel reforming apparatus with the separator is complicated, so that the installation thereof is not easy, thereby increasing production costs.

Separator for molten carbonate fuel cell

Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd.


The bifocal optical system is formed in the long focal length mode by an objective having fixed lenses L1, L2, L3, L4 to which, for obtaining the short focal length, a group of movable lenses L5, L6, L7, L8 is added. The lenses L5, L6, L7 and L8 are accommodated in a holder (MB) which is rotatable around an axis YY' which extends parallel to the optical axis XX', thereby enabling very wide tolerances in the positioning of the movable holder.

The present invention relates to a bifocal optical system, having a long focal length LF and a short focal length SF and comprising an objective with fixed lenses arranged in a front group and a rear group, and an intermediate group in a movable holder for insertion between the front and rear groups.
An optical system of this type, having three groups of lenses, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,791. In this Patent, the optical system is of the zoom objective type, that is to say that the variation in focal length is obtained by moving second and third groups along the optical axis. In a bifocal optical system of this type the long and the short focal length can be obtained by moving one single group, which has the advantage of a structure of small bulk. However, the choice of such a solution is based on the presumption of very strict tolerances in the positioning of the movable holder to obtain an adequate stability of the axis of the long focal length and preventing a lateral shift of the image in the focal plane due to shifts of the holder, which renders such a realisation delicate and difficult. A less difficult solution to preserve an adequate stability of the axis of long focal length is to determine the long focal length only by fixed lenses, whilst passing to the short focal length is obtained by rotating the holder around an axis which is perpendicular to the optical axis. Such a solution is proposed in the publication SPIE, vol. 131, Practical infrared optics (1979), p. 24, but this solution has the disadvantage that it is particularly complicated.