A great aperture zoom lens has, in succession from the object side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, a third lens unit having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power. The second lens unit has, in succession from the object side, a negative lens component, a negative lens component, a positive lens component and a negative lens component. In case of the magnification change from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit, the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit are moved toward the object side. The zoom lens satisfies various predetermined conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a zoom lens, and particularly to a great aperture zoom lens in which a maximum angle of view includes a wide angle of view exceeding 60.degree. and which has a relatively wide magnification change range from the wide angle to the telephoto and is as bright as the order of F2.8.
2. Related Background Art
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,935 is known as a zoom lens of which the zoom magnification change ratio is of the order of three times and which has a wide angle end at one end of the magnification change range and in which F number is of the order of F2.8 and which has realized a great relative aperture. In zoom lenses, focusing is generally done by the so-called fore lens axial movement system, but U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,488, U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,251, etc. describe zoom lenses in which other focusing systems are adopted.
The zoom lens proposed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,935 is a zoom lens of four-unit construction comprising positive, negative, positive and positive lens units which is basically similar to the present invention, and has a great relative aperture in which fully open F number is as bright as the order of F2.8. However, this conventional zoom lens cannot be said to be sufficient in aberration correction, and is insufficient particularly in the correction of the fluctuation of downward coma by magnification change and distortion, and it has a large fore lens diameter, which is not preferable.
Also, as a focusing system, a zoom lens of four-unit lens construction comprising positive, negative, positive and negative lens units in which focusing is effected by only the second lens unit is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,488. In this zoom lens, however, fully open F number is as dark as F4-5.6, and in such a zoom lens, it is difficult to realize a great aperture zoom lens of the order of F2.8. Further, in the focusing system by the movement of only the second lens unit, aberration fluctuation is great, and particularly the fluctuations of spherical aberration and curvature of image field on the telephoto side are great, and this is not preferable. Accordingly, it is difficult to use this focusing system in a zoom lens having a greater relative aperture of the order of F2.8, and in terms of performance as well, remarkable deterioration of the short distance performance particularly on the telephoto side is brought about, and this is not preferable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,251 discloses a zoom lens in which a second lens unit, a third lens unit and a part of a fourth lens unit are moved as a unit to thereby effect focusing. This zoom lens, however, is a zoom lens of four-unit construction comprising positive, negative, negative and positive lens units and therefore, differs in basic construction from the zoom lens of four-unit construction comprising positive, negative, positive and positive lens units. In addition, in this zoom lens, the image circle is remarkably small and the back focal length is also remarkably small and moreover, many lens units need be moved for focusing. For example, it is necessary to separate the fourth lens unit into two portions and move one of the two portions during focusing and therefore, mechanical structure becomes complicated and thus, this zoom lens becomes substantially equivalent to a zoom lens of five-unit construction, and this is not preferable. Also, the second and third lens units and a part of the fourth lens are all moved as a unit for focusing and therefore, the fluctuations of aberrations such as coma and curvature of image field are great, and this has not been preferable.


A system includes a very low frequency (VLF) antenna connected to a circuit that has a high pass filter and a low pass filter. The circuit is configured for noise reduction and frequency localization of detected VLF signals. A receiver is configured to receive filtered VLF signals output by the circuit and to separate desired signals for processing. A display is configured to provide a user with visual feedback based at least in part on an even signature extracted by a digital signal processor (DSP).

Existing automated detection technologies (above ground) are available using radio frequency techniques and protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM, etc. Underground non-conductive soil techniques require hard-wiring at a detection distance greater than 10 meters or employing specialized infrasound sensor techniques. A need exists to be able to remotely detect event signatures both above and below ground.

System and method for very low frequency detection of an event signature

United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy


Metal hydrides are activated by an electrochemical procedure. In this procedure, a bulk sample of the corresponding metal is immersed in an aqueous electrolyte and contacted by a cathode. Current passed through the aqueous electrolyte causes electrolysis of the water and a concomitant reaction with the formation of metal hydride. As a result, the metal hydride is fractured and smaller particles result. Additionally, the resulting metal hydride has a substantial amount of absorbed hydrogen. A novel plating method, taking advantage of the reducing power of hydrogen absorbed in a metal hydride, is useful to encapsulate such metal hydride with a variety of metals. Therefore, such hydrides are uniformly coated by using plating solutions without the standard reducing agent and stabilizer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to metal hydrides, and in particular, to processes involving such hydrides.
2. Art Background
Metal hydrides are used in a variety of industrial applications. Although there are many such applications, possibly the most prominent is the use of metal hydrides in batteries. For example, secondary nickel-metal hydride batteries employ lanthanum nickel hydride (or alloy modifications) or other intermetallic hydrides in the negative electrode. A variety of other uses involving energy storage and transfer have been described. Irrespective of the application, a crucial step in preparation is activation of the intermetallic. Activation is achieved, for example, by repeatedly reducing the metal such as LaNi.sub.5 to the corresponding hydride with H.sub.2 gas at high pressure and/or temperature followed by removal of hydrogen at lower pressures.
This cyclic process, generally denominated activation, is believed to serve a number of purposes. Each reduction to the hydride 1) removes reducible surface oxides which tend to interfere with the functioning of the material in the ultimate desired application, 2) induces a reduction in particle size resulting from an increase in volume that causes fracture of the metal particles, and 3) changes the structure and/or composition of the material and/or surface of the metal. Any one or a combination of these three effects is generally employable to increase the rate of reversible hydrogen reaction and, thus, enhance the operation of the material for applications such as batteries or hydrogen storage.
Methods of activation include 1) hydriding with hydrogen gas at high temperatures and pressure; 2) hydriding with chemical hydriding agents; 3) etching with hot hydrofluoric acid or KOH; 4) pulsing the material between hydriding and dehydriding potentials in electrochemical cells; and 5) conventional battery cycling of metal hydride electrodes. However, activation of hydrides has most widely been performed by the first process, i.e., activation, at relatively high pressures (up to 1000 psi) and temperatures as high as 450.degree. C., by subjecting the metal directly to hydrogen gas. Clearly, although such conditions are not prohibitive to commercial use, they require relatively large expenditures for suitable equipment. Thus, an alternative to high pressure reaction of hydrogen gas with the corresponding metal would be quite desirable.
Additionally, metal hydrides, as they are used in batteries such as nickel/metal hydride batteries, have been observed to undergo serious corrosion. (See T. Sakai et al., Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 134, p. 558 (1987).) This corrosion substantially reduces the lifetime of such batteries. It has been reported (see T. Sakai supra), that plating the metal hydride with a metal such as copper, allows the hydride to function as an electrode within the battery and yet prevents or substantially reduces the objectionable corrosion. A metal coating also acts as an oxygen barrier protecting the hydride alloy surface from oxidation and as a microcurrent collector for the charge transfer reaction occurring on the surface. Additionally, a metal coating aids in heat removal, improves electrical conduction, and improves the mechanical stability of the electrode. However, consistently producing a uniform coating of metal on the hydride is difficult to accomplish. Therefore, a highly activated metal hydride uniformly plated with a metal such as copper would be quite desirable.


A steering knuckle for operation in the front wheel base of a motor vehicle wherein the rotational pivot point for the spindle of the steering knuckle is extended by a predetermined ball joint arm length R.sub.E, thereby increasing the arc length in radians that the spindle will move in response to a given force applied to the tie rod arm of the steering knuckle. In this manner, the time that the tire surface of a wheel is in contact with the surface of a road during the time that the vehicle is making a turn is minimized, and this in turn minimizes the tire wear for the vehicle by reducing the forces of sliding friction received by the surface of the tire during vehicle turns.

The term "steering knuckle" as used herein and is generally understood in the art refers to a unitary mechanical device which is configured to fit into the wheel base of the front wheels of a motor vehicle, and this device mechanically interconnects and couples the vehicle steering tie rods and ball joints to the wheel base assembly. This steering knuckle device includes, among other things, a spindle which is adapted to be received along the rotational axis of the front wheels of a vehicle, and a tie rod arm which is approximately orthogonal to the spindle and has a bore at one end thereof for connecting to a tie rod. This device further includes a centrally located rotational pivot for receiving ball joint arms which operate to provide a central axis of rotation for the device, and it further includes a brake caliper mounting flange positioned on the opposite side of the device from the tie rod arm.
Thus, as is generally well known in the art, the movement of the tie rod of a motor vehicle by an operator turning the steering wheel of the vehicle will produce a corresponding force at the end of the tie rod arm which causes the steering knuckle to rotate about its central axis of rotation. This motion causes the spindle to rotate the wheel of the vehicle in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction depending upon whether the tie rod is pushing against or pulling on the ends of the tie rod arms. This operation has been described in detail in many prior art references, including, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,205 issued to Stewart et al and incorporated herein by reference.
Steering knuckles of the known prior art have their central rotational pivot located in or near the plane in which the tie rod arm is located. Thus, the torque applied to the end of the tie rod arm by the lateral movement of the vehicle tie rods is equal to the effective length of the tie rod arm multiplied by the lateral force applied thereto by the tie rod movement. Thus, the arcuate distance of travel in radians of the end of the spindle and defining the turning angle of the wheel into which the spindle is mounted is linearly proportional to the arcuate distance in radians traveled by the end of the tie rod arm.
In order to increase the arcuate distance of travel of the spindle in response to a fixed tie rod travel distance and thus increase the turning angle of the steering knuckle as may be desired for certain types of vehicular turning applications, this could be achieved simply by reducing the length of the tie rod arm. However, the problem with this approach alone is that it significantly increases the torque required to turn the wheel through a given turning angle and it also reduces the overall steering stability of the vehicle.

Spindle assembly for extending the turning angle of a motor vehicle and reducing tire wear


A roller restraint assembly is removably mounted on the floor of a vehicle in an outboard location where it restrains cargo movement laterally but permits longitudinal cargo movement along its roller. This assembly has a pivotally mounted restraint arm which engages the base portion of a cargo pallet and restrains the pallet against vertical movement. When the cargo is moved longitudinally it drives the restraint arm aside on its pivot, thereby permitting longitudinal movement of such cargo. A roller is rotatably mounted on the assembly to facilitate longitudinal movement of the cargo while restraining lateral movement thereof. The roller further has a dampener incorporated therein which dampens and attenuates the impact of loads thereagainst.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cargo loading systems for use in loading cargo into a vehicle such as an aircraft and more particularly to an outboard restraint device which restrains lateral and vertical movement of cargo but permits longitudinal movement thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Roller and restraint assemblies which are removably mounted on tracks attached to the floor of a vehicle such as an aircraft or truck are widely used for loading and unloading cargo in such vehicles. Such prior art assemblies are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,239 issued Nov. 25, 1969 to Jensen, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,891 issued Aug. 29, 1978 to Grendahl; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,622 issued Dec. 23, 1975 to Voigt. Such assemblies of the prior art generally employ rollers and restrainers mounted in the assembly to facilitate movement of the cargo in a single direction and restrain movement in other directions in loading the vehicle. Once the cargo is loaded, movement of any sort should be restrained. Restraints are generally provided to prevent both lateral as well as vertical cargo movement. There are situations, however, where some longitudinal cargo movement may be required in the loading and unloading operations. This often requires some adjustment or reinstallation of the handling assemblies on the mounting tracks.

Outboard roller restrainer for handling cargo in vehicle


A pill dispensing cap that secures to a conventional pill container. The pill dispensing cap has a lower cap, a pill discharge port, and a spring loaded rotatable and slidable upper cap. Pills are dispensed one at a time, and the remaining pills are isolated from external contamination. A child resistant lock prevents small children and/or mentally handicapped individuals from easily accessing medicine inside the container. The child resistant lock uses a vertically slidable upper cap that is slidably and rotatably attached to the lower cap. A child safety lock uses a key in the upper cap that must be aligned with a slot in the lower cap to allow a pill to be dispensed. When the key and slot are aligned, the upper cap is vertically compressed against the lower cap. As the upper cap moves toward the base cap, a gravity fed pill discharge port is exposed which releases a single pill.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to medicine containers. In particular, it relates to a medicine container with a cap that has an integral dispensing mechanism that releases a single pill at a time and protects against unnecessary contamination of the unused pills.
2. Background of the Invention
As the pharmaceutical industry enters the 21st century, it faces a number of challenges. Effective and innovative packaging can help the industry meet some of those challenges. In the past, packaging was often in afterthought for many companies. More recently, drug makers and pharmacies are using packaging and labeling as tools to promote their products, as packaging has been found to be an effective marketing and branding tool to promote customer loyalty, provide product differentiation, meet government regulations, an increase the convenience of use of the products so as to increase patient compliance with medication protocols.
Pharmaceutical packaging design is increasingly becoming more complex. An aging population has created the need for senior-friendly packaging. Further, growing competition in the pharmaceutical industry has increase the importance of packaging as a product positioning tool. One aspect of packaging is its visual component. Attractive packaging is always important for any product. However, another and perhaps more important aspect of packaging of medications is its functional characteristics. In particular, errors when taking medication are common for all individuals, but some groups of individuals, such as the elderly, may be more prone to making mistakes and others. Likewise, physical impairment related to age or other infirmities may also make it more inconvenient for some individuals to take medications. It would be desirable to have medication packaging that would be less prone to error, and more convenient to use.
Another issue related to pharmaceutical packaging is the benefit that individual manufacturers receive by differentiating their products from those of their competitors. Distinctive and unique packaging and be an effective method of product differentiation. Therefore it can be a critical component of branding, merchandising, and promotional activities. It would be desirable to have unique packaging for pharmaceutical products which would differentiate it from competitive products, not only in appearance, but also in they are functional operation.
Most products undergo a number of modifications improvements over time. By the time atypical product reaches a half-century mark, it is usually been through multiple versions and designs. However, this is not the case for the conventional amber-cast pharmacy the container. That container, with the exception of a child's-safety cap which was added in the 1970s, has remained virtually unchanged.
Other problems are associated with the standard pill containers used by pharmacies. A first issue is the one discussed above, where it can be very difficult to dispense pills by elderly or disabled patients who cannot easily remove the cap from the pill container. Second, contamination is another important issue related to dispensing medications and other pharmaceuticals. When removing a conventional cap, individuals may pour out multiple pills into their hands or other surfaces, take the required number of pills, and replace the remaining pills into the pill container. Unfortunately, this practice creates a situation where the medication or other pharmaceuticals may become contaminated by bacteria from the individual's hand or from other surfaces. This creates an undesirable situation in that bacteria, or other contaminants, may be placed on the pills themselves and later disseminated to unwary individuals. This can be especially dangerous situations where a health-care provider, such a nurse, may go from room to room dispensing medications in a hospital. If the nurse was that careful about washing their hands each time they enter a room, it is possible that infections may be spread throughout a hospital merely by mishandling medication. It would be desirable to have a method of dispensing pills which would protect unused pills from unnecessary contamination through handling by patients or other health care providers.
While the prior art has provided a variety of useful pharmaceutical containers, it has failed to provide a container capable of dispensing pills individually in an easy to use and convenient dispenser, which allows an individual to dispense a single pill with a single motion, and which simultaneously protects the unused pills from contamination.

Medicine container with single pill dispenser


A hermetic electrical terminal construction adapted for connection to the outer housing of a hermetic motor compressor unit so that current may be carried to the compressor motor from an external source. The terminal comprises a body member welded or otherwise secured to the compressor outer housing and a plurality of conductor pins secured to and extending through the body member. Each of the conductor pins, which may be made of stainless steel, copper or other suitable material, comprises a first segment disposed within the housing, a second segment disposed outside the housing, and an intermediate segment connecting the first and second segments, the intermediate segment being disposed primarily within the body member. Electrical insulating and sealing material, such as glass or epoxy potting, surrounds the pin intermediate segment and forms a hermetic seal between the pin intermediate segment and the body member. The intermediate segment has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the segment disposed outside the compressor housing with a concomitant larger current carrying capacity so that under irreversible overcurrent conditions, the normal diameter external segment will melt thereby interrupting the supply of current. Since the intermediate portion is of a greater current carrying capacity, it will remain intact and the seal between the potting material and pin will not be disturbed so that the pressurized refrigerant within the compressor housing will not be discharged.

The present invention relates to a hermetic compressor motor terminal, and in particular to such a terminal which will maintain the integrity of the seal between it and the compressor housing even under high overcurrent conditions.
Terminal assemblies for hermetic compressors are well known and generally comprise a cup-shaped metallic body member having a plurality of metallic conductor pins extending therethrough. In order to seal and electrically insulate the conductor pins relative to the body member, they are usually either potted in epoxy or sealed in glass. Both the inner and outer ends of the conductive pins may be provided with conductor tabs so as to facilitate connection to the external current source and to the compressor motor. Examples of such motor compressor terminals are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,059,325, 3,770,878, and 3,988,053.
One of the persistent problems with prior art electrical terminals for hermetic compressors is that when abnormally high overcurrent conditions exist, such as a ground fault or short circuit, the conductor pins melt, which allows the hot, high pressure gas and liquid from the compressor to discharge through the opening in the terminal assembly left by the melted conductor pin. Obviously, this is an extremely hazardous situation for persons in the vicinity of the compressor, because the gas and liquid will be ejected at high pressure.
Although attempts have been made to prevent shorting of the conductor pins by shielding them from contaminants produced during motor failure, this still does not solve the problem of preventing destruction of the seal in the event that overcurrent conditions are sufficiently large to cause melting of one or more of the conductor pins. The purpose of the present invention is to insure that the seal remains intact even during irreversible overcurrent conditions of sufficient magnitude to melt the normal diameter pins.


A realistic image of buildings collapsing, as in a monster movie, is displayed. Each of the display blocks to be scattered after the collapse is previously set as collective movable display elements (1xcx9c29), and objects (OBJ) simulating buildings and the like composed of display elements are structured and displayed. By separating the display elements, it is possible to create an image similar to concrete blocks after as actual collapse. Further realism is provided by changing the way the blocks fall upon a collapse of a building.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to image processing technology to be employed with so-called 3D game devices and action puzzle games, and particularly relates to the improvement in image processing devices for displaying realistic scenes of structures such as buildings being destroyed.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical 3D game device is capable of displaying numerous objects (an aggregate of bitmaps displayed on the screen; hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9cobjectxe2x80x9d) arranged in a three-dimensional virtual apace. Buildings and game characters (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9ccharacterxe2x80x9d), for example, are displayed as objects, and by changing the display position of these objects in vertical synchronization units, a moving image simulating battle scenes in the city can be displayed.
Conventionally, as a building object had the likes of a simple cube shape, texture mapping was performed by applying a single polygon to each of the walls of such building. When the building object and another object (bullet, character, etc.) collide, images suggestive of an explosion such as a flash, flame, and smoke are displayed at the collision point. With respect to the display of the building object after the collision, the same image prior to the collision without making any changes to the building itself is displayed, or a previously prepared image of the building object after the collapse is displayed.
Moreover, restrictions were sometimes added to the range is which the xe2x80x9ccharacterxe2x80x9d) is able to move. This was in order to prevent the display of arena is which buildings were not established when a character approaches an area where the building object was established. For example, by displaying walls of buildings or rivers, or by making the operation impossible, characters could not proceed any further.
One purpose of a game, however, is to have the player experience an invigorating feeling, and it is important to realistically express pictures of the collapse or explosion of objects. In a game share a monster is rampaging in a city, for example, an important factor in determining the value of a game is how the monster destroys the buildings. In other words, it is preferable that the buildings is destroyed realistically as though watching a scene from a monster movie. If no change is made to the building or the destroyed condition of such building is suddenly displayed as in conventional game devices, the resulting image becomes dull and unattractive.
In this type of game, there are also demands of producing a gruesome feeling in which a monster destroys buildings one after another. The distinctive feature is that the monster wrecks any and all buildings in its path. Therefore, the amusement is diminished when adding restrictions to the operation for the range in which the character, i.e., the monster may move as in conventional game devices.
Further, when this type of monster object is attacked, it is preferable to reflect the degree of damage to the monster""s posture and to display an image as though a living creature is actually injured.
In view of the foregoing problems, the inventors of the present invention have arrived at this invention with as object of displaying images, as though a monster movie, in a realistic manner.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide image processing technology capable of destroying objects such as buildings in a realistic manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide image processing technology capable of naturally restricting the range in which the character may move.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide image processing technology capable of expressing the degree of damage to the character in a realistic manner.
The present invention is an image processing device for displaying a moving image of an object collapsing, wherein the image processing device sets in advance each of the display blocks to be scattered after the collapse as collective movable display elements, structures an object with the display elements, and displays such object. Here, xe2x80x9cobjectxe2x80x9d shall include displayed images such as models, characters and segments, still life such as buildings and landforms, and living/nonliving objects with motion such as fighter planes, monsters, people, robots and cars. xe2x80x9cCollapsexe2x80x9d shall mean the transition of a single object into a plurality of parts or a smaller shape, and includes situations of simulating physical phenomenon such as collisions in the virtual space as well as changing the form by oneself with settings ouch as earthquakes and suicidal explosions. xe2x80x9cScatteringxe2x80x9d shall include situations of each of the display elements being separated from each other, as well as situations where a plurality of display elements move without separating, and detach from other display elements. A group of display elements that separate collectively can be further collapsed. The display elements, for example, are set to shapes simulating block clods created upon an actual collapse of a building.
When each of the display elements approaches a specific object within a predetermined distance, such display element may be erased. xe2x80x9c(Approach) within a predetermined distancexe2x80x9d is a concept including contact. When a certain display element is erased, an image of a display element positioned directly thereabove falling at a prescribed speed may be displayed. Here, xe2x80x9cdirectly thereabovexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cfallingxe2x80x9d are definitions of directions along the virtual gravitational direction set forth in the virtual space for reasons of convenience.
When a certain display element is erased, an image of a display element adjacent thereto moving at a speed in accordance with the intensity of the impact inflicted upon the object may be displayed. Here, xe2x80x9cimpactxe2x80x9d shall mean the virtual external force inflicted upon the object or display element for reasons of convenience, and is specified by defining the strength and direction of the external force.
When a certain display element is erased, an image of a display element adjacent thereto moving in a direction in accordance with the direction of the impact inflicted upon the object may be displayed. Here, xe2x80x9cadjacentxe2x80x9d shall include cases where a display element is in contact with a side of one part of a display element as well as being within a prescribed distance from the side or center of gravity of a display element.
When a certain display element is erased, an image of a display element adjacent thereto rotating at a rotation speed in accordance with the size of the display element may be displayed. Here, xe2x80x9crotationxe2x80x9d shall mean rotating around the rotation axis defined within the virtual space appropriately set forth in the display element.
When the intensity of the impact inflicted upon the object exceeds a prescribed value, the display position of the image of the display element adjacent to the erased display element map be changed. In addition, whey a certain display element is erased and therefore the remaining display elements are arranged in a horizontal row and supporting the object in a virtual space, and when the number of supporting display elements are less than a prescribed number, an image of these display elements and/or the display elements supported thereby falling at a prescribed speed may be displayed. Here, display elements xe2x80x9csupporting the objectxe2x80x9d shall mean those display elements structuring the neck portion of a constriction part of a display element, which has changed in comparison to the original shape, upon a part of the object collapsing.
When another impact is to be inflicted upon a part of the object remaining without being erased during or after the fall, a display element structuring a part of the object may be farther erased, moved, or rotated. In other words, additional second and third attacks may be made to the blocks that have collapsed after the first attack. When the display element structuring the object is separated with the whole or part thereof remaining upon the infliction of an impact, these display elements are erased. That is, the display elements are erased after being determined that the display elements have separated.
The present invention is an image processing device capable of displaying a movable character within a virtual space, wherein when the character goes out of the area set in the virtual apace, the image processing device displays a uniformly changing image of the degree of brightness and/or color of the picture element displaying the character. Here, it is preferable that the degree of brightness and/or color of the picture element be changed in accordance with the distance between the character and the boundary of the area. It is further preferable that it is structured to be capable of performing completion processing when the time in which the character is out of the area reaches a prescribed time.
The present invention is an image processing device capable of displaying a movable character in a virtual space, wherein when it is determined that a character collided with another object, the image processing device displays an image of a change in the character""s posture until a prescribed condition is fulfilled. Hare, it is preferable that the character""s posture be a posture protecting the point of collision. Here, a prescribed condition is the character making a predetermined motion, and a prescribed condition is the lapse of the predetermined time.
The present invention is an image processing method for displaying a moving image of an object collapsing, wherein the image processing method sets in advance each of the display blocks to be scattered after the collapse as collective movable display elements, structures an object with the display elements, and displays such object.
The present invention is an image processing method capable of displaying a movable character within a virtual space comprising the steps of determining whether or not the character has gone out of the area set in the virtual space, cad displaying as image of the degree of brightness and/or color of the picture element displaying the character being changed uniformly when the character goes out of the area set in the virtual space.
The present invention is an image processing method capable of displaying a movable character within a virtual space comprising the steps of determining whether or not the character collided with another object, determining whether or not a prescribed condition has been fulfilled when it is determined that the character has collided with another object, and displaying an image of a change in the character""s posture when the condition is not fulfilled.
The present invention is a machine-readable recording medium storing a program for making a computer execute the aforementioned image processing method. Here, xe2x80x9crecording mediumxe2x80x9d shall mean any physical means storing information (mainly digital data, programs) and capable of making processing devices such as computers and dedicated processors perform prescribed functions. In other words, any means capable of downloading a program to the computer and making it perform prescribed functions will suffice. Examples of such medium include flexible disc, secured disc, magnetic tape, optical magnetic disc, CD, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, PD, MD, DCC, ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, non-volatile RAM cartridge, and so on. This includes asses when receiving data transmission from a host computer via a wire- or wireless-communication circuit (public circuits, data dedicated lines, satellite circuits, etc.). The so-called Internet is also included in the recording medium mentioned above.

Image processing device and image processing method


A semiconductor memory device including a first MIS transistor having source and drain regions formed in a substrate and a gate electrode provided on the substrate through an insulating layer; a semiconductor layer provided on the first MIS transistor through the insulating layer and being in contact with the source and drain regions of the first MIS transistor; a second MIS transistor having source and drain regions formed in the semiconductor layer and being in contact with the source and drain regions of the first MIS transistor and having a gate electrode provided on the semiconductor layer through an insulating layer; and a bit line being in contact with the source or drain region of the second MIS transistor and extended on the second MIS transistor; each gate electrode of the first and the second MIS transistors being connected with different word lines respectively, and impurities having an amount more than a required value being doped to at least one of the substrate and the semiconductor layer below the gate electrode of the first MIS transistor and the semiconductor.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, more particularly to a read-only memory (ROM) device in which information can be written through a mask, i.e., a mask ROM.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
To improve the data processing ability of semiconductor integrated circuits (IC's), it is important to increase the degree of integration of the ROM's used therein. With ROM's of a binary logic structure, however, the limit has substantially been reached in miniaturization of the composite transistors. To further increase the density of ROM's, therefore, use is now being made of so-called multivalue-logic ROM's, i.e., ROM's of a three or more value logic structure.
A multivalue-logic ROM is formed by transistors having three or more different threshold voltages. In the case of a three-value logic ROM, the transistors having a high threshold voltage, a medium threshold voltage, and a low threshold voltage. Due to the restrictions imposed by the source voltage, however, it is not possible to have a large difference between the threshold voltages of a ROM. This necessitates severe process control when forming the ROM. There are inevitable variations between the threshold voltages of different ROM's due to variations in the channel length, thickness of the gate oxidation film, dose of impurities into the channel region, heat treatment conditions, depth of the source and drain regions, and the like. This results in a loss of reliability of fixed data and a lower production yield of semiconductor IC's provided with such ROM's.


A penetrating microwave radar ground plane antenna system with separate arrays of transmission antenna elements and receiving antenna elements. The lengths of transmitting and receiving antenna elements are selected to enable the transmission of a nearly single-cycle pulse, the reduction of ringing between antenna elements, the reception of a signal significantly reduced in noise, and the penetration of materials having varying dielectric constants.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to radio frequency (RF) antennae, and in particular to RF antennae adapted for short pulse signal transmission, where a first ground plane monopole antenna generates a short period pulse with minimal residual signal after application of transmission energy to the antenna has ceased, and where a second ground plane monopole antenna receives backscatter containing more useful information and less noise than penetrating radar systems in the prior art.
2. Prior Art
Since the discovery of radio frequency transmission, antenna design has been an integral part of many telemetry applications. Antenna applications became more diverse as the potential range of usable transmission frequencies increased, and antenna designs became more exotic. Of particular relevance to the present invention are the antennas operating in the microwave range of frequencies.
Antennas capable of transmitting microwaves have come in many shapes and designs as illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,649,396, 4,903,033 and 5,068,671. Not only has each has been designed to operate in the microwave range, they were designed to overcome specific problems, such as transmitting in specific environments such as high winds, transmitting specific types of polarized signals, and transmitting broad-band signals having desirable phase and polarization characteristics respectively.
The variety of shapes and configurations of the antenna elements demonstrates that solutions to specific problems often require specific antenna geometries. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,396 discloses a monopole antenna mounted perpendicular to a ground plane. That particular antenna is known to those skilled in the art as a ground plane antenna. A ground plane antenna is a capacitive structure, unlike other antenna elements that characteristically have current flow. The specific structure can vary greatly, but must have two distinguishing elements. First, it must have a ground plane which is any surface or plane creating configuration that assists in establishing the radiation pattern of the antenna element, and second, it must have a radiating element that is typically a fraction of the wavelength to be transmitted. Geometries for a ground plane antenna are shaped to provide specific transmitting and receiving characteristics, limited only by the creativity of the designer.
When designing an antenna, a fundamental consideration is how that shape will vibrate. An antenna functions because of the principle of resonance. An antenna element resonates at the frequency applied by a transmission source connected to the element, or at the frequency of a received signal. While resonance of the antenna element is desired, uncontrolled resonance only serves to complicate certain applications of radio frequency technology, such as radar. The uncontrolled resonance being referred to is any resonance of the antenna element that occurs after a transmission signal is applied and subsequently terminated.
As might be expected, all the antennas cited in the U.S. patents above resonate for a relatively short period of time after transmission of an applied signal has stopped. It is important to note that the time frame being discussed is only a matter of nanoseconds, and is therefore usually inconsequential for most applications. However, when working with radar signals in the range of microwaves that must penetrate a mass of differing dielectric materials, nanoseconds are critical. The end result of using the antennas disclosed in the prior art is that their effective application for radar in a cluttered dielectric environment is considerably reduced.
The reduction in effectiveness of antenna elements because of resonance would seem to be inconsistent with an antennas' principle of operation. However, it is only because the frequency of operation of the present invention is in the range of microwaves that the dichotomy becomes apparent. The prior art antennas tested for use in the present invention characteristically produced a trailing resonance signal of mere nanoseconds of duration after the transmission source was eliminated. The problem arises because the duration of the signal transmitted is also in the range of nanoseconds. Thus, noise generated by the antenna itself is similar to the transmission signal being generated, making interpretation of backscatter more difficult and interfering with operation of the antenna as a penetrating radar.
A radar attempts to gather information from backscatter. Backscatter is the reflected signal bounced off objects of interest. When the signal transmitted is of a known amplitude, frequency and duration, it is easier to learn from backscatter, and to determine characteristics about the object reflecting the signal. In effect, it becomes easier to separate useful information from the noise. However, when the signal transmitted is followed by a trailing resonance signal as is typical in the prior art, backscatter might be a signal reflected from a waveform of unknown amplitude, frequency, or duration. Determining which backscatter signals contain useful information becomes complicated, and often sophisticated and costly equipment is required to analyze all of the backscatter to find the desired information.
Accordingly, the challenge in designing a microwave radar antenna is in overcoming trailing transmission resonance, producing a single cycle uniform output of known amplitude, frequency and duration, and receiving useful backscatter that is not affected by transmission resonance of the transmitted pulse.

Penetrating microwave radar ground plane antenna


A method for operating a mobile station includes steps of (a) receiving a signal from a forward traffic channel and decoding the received signal using a first decoding technique to generate a first bit error rate (BER); (b) decoding the received signal using a second decoding technique to generate a second BER; (c) comparing the first BER to the second BER; and (d) declaring the received signal to be one of a FACCH message or user data depending on a result of the comparison. The method may include an additional step of verifying that the received signal contains a valid FACCH message type.

This invention relates generally to telecommunications devices such as radiotelephones and, in particular, to radiotelephones or mobile stations that operate in accordance with a digital data transmission format and protocol.
In one modern digital telecommunications system based on an air interface standard known as IS-136, a received data field in a digital data channel (DDCH) includes a transferred ordinary data block (DATA) or a control and supervisory message, known specifically as the fast associated control channel (FACCH). The IS-136 standard is one based on time division/multiple access (TDMA) and uses a slotted frame structure for both a forward channel (base station to mobile station) and a reverse channel (mobile station to base station).
Referring briefly to FIG. 3, it can be seen that a traffic channel can contain user information such as DATA, the FACCH, and a slow associated control channel (SACCH). As defined in IS-136, the traffic channel can contain at any given time only the user information or the FACCH, not both simultaneously. The DATA and FACCH use different encoding/decoding methods (and cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs)). The DATA may be data bits, such as facsimile data or computer network data, or may represent encoded speech data. The FACCH is defined as a channel used for signalling message exchange between the base station and the mobile station. Reference can be had to IS-136.2, Rev. A., Feb. 12, 1996, Section 188.8.131.52.1 (Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)), and to subsections 18.104.22.168.1.1 to 220.127.116.11.1.5 contained therein, for a description of the FACCH that is of most interest to this invention.
In general, the FACCH data is error protected by means of a rate 1/4 convolutional code, and 49 data bits in a FACCH word is appended with a 16-bit CRC to detect the presence of channel errors. Another intended purpose for the 16-bit CRC was originally stated to provide a mechanism to distinguish FACCH data from speech data. However, this latter purpose has been found to not be adequately fulfilled.
A general problem has arisen as to how to most accurately detect the data (and data type) in the received signal decoding process. Typically the data is decoded using one or more decoding methods, and then if a data integrity test passes (typically one using a CRC), the decoded bits become available for further processing. If the CRC check fails then another method may be tried for the decoding process, and another test of the CRC is made.
More particularly, it has been determined that an occasional received DATA block, with certain bit combinations, may erroneously pass the FACCH decoding process, and the FACCH CRC check as well. This failure mode is due to the rather limited length of the CRC field. In such a case the DATA may be lost, since it was erroneously detected to be a FACCH message from the base station.
In greater detail, a received block is typically decoded first as the FACCH. It has been found, however, that the FACCH CRC check will sometimes pass with some bit combinations that are found in ordinary data blocks (e.g., encoded speech data). In this case the data block is detected (erroneously) to be a FACCH message, and the ordinary data can be lost completely. The presumed FACCH message is then further processed and subsequently detected to be invalid (erroneous type). Also very troublesome is the case where the assumed FACCH message (actually data) corresponds to one of the plurality of valid FACCH messages, thereby introducing a possibility that the mobile station may operate in an erroneous manner. In any event, the intended ordinary DATA block has been lost.
There may exist an ability to retransmit the DATA (e.g. if no acknowledgement of receipt by the mobile station is detected at the base station), especially in some circumstances where the DATA is regarded as vital. However, this could result in the generation of an endless loop if the DATA is again erroneously detected as a FACCH message in the mobile station. The final result could be dropping a DATA call.
The same failure mechanism can be found on the base station side as well, and a DATA call can be dropped when the DATA is being transferred to the base station from the mobile station.
Similar failure mechanisms have been observed with VSELP-coded speech, where a received FACCH message was erroneously detected as speech due to the CRC check being passed.
To summarize, and by example, in an IS-136 specification-based mobile station the FACCH data is well protected against channel induced errors (1/4 rate convolution coding), and the decoding process can correct several erroneous bits in the data field. Typically, but not necessarily, the mobile station first attempts to decode the received signal as a FACCH message. However, if the decoded data block is not a FACCH message (i.e., it is ordinary DATA) the FACCH decoding process attempts to correct several (typically 30-65) bits in the data field. In most cases the CRC check will fail. However, some random bit sequences in decoded (ordinary) DATA may also produce a CRC check that passes. The decoding process then erroneously assumes that the received bits represent a FACCH message that has a high bit error rate (poor RF signal), and the DATA is lost. The presumed FACCH message will then typically be subsequently determined to be invalid, although in some cases the received bit sequence may decode to a valid FACCH message, resulting in a possibility of erroneous mobile station operation.
It is thus a first object and advantage of this invention to provide an improved method for receiving information from a traffic channel in either or both of a mobile station and a base station of a radio telecommunications system.
It is a further object and advantage of this invention to provide a method for distinguishing received control messages from received data, such as computer data or encoded speech data.
It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a method for distinguishing received FACCH messages from received user DATA, such as computer data or encoded speech data.
The foregoing and other problems are overcome and the objects and advantages are realized by methods and apparatus in accordance with embodiments of this invention.
In accordance with the teachings of this invention a decoding process is carried out with all possible decoding methods. If the CRC check passes with more than one decoding method, then a further study of the decoding process is made to determine which one resulted in a correct CRC check.
In accordance with an embodiment of this invention the receiver circuitry typically first decodes a received signal as a FACCH message and obtains a first BER, and then also attempts to decode the same input signal (received bits) as ordinary or user DATA (DATA in a digital data channel and speech in a digital speech channel). In the latter case the decoding process and the CRC check will also pass, because the received data was actually an ordinary DATA block. The decoding process then corrects, typically, zero or only a few erroneous bits (induced by a poor radio channel) and it finds that a second BER is significantly lower than the first BER that was obtained when the received signal was decoded assuming a FACCH message. The data type (FACCH or ordinary (user) DATA) is then selected based on the first BER obtained when the received signal was decoded as a FACCH message and the second BER obtained when the received signal was decoded as ordinary DATA. That is, it is assumed that the lowest BER indicates the true data type of the received signal.
More particularly, in an embodiment of this invention a method is disclosed for operating a mobile station of a type that receives a digital traffic channel, such as a time division, multiple access (TDMA), IS-136 compliant mobile station. The method includes steps of (a) receiving a signal from a forward traffic channel and decoding the received signal using a first predetermined decoding technique to generate a first bit error rate (BER); (b) decoding the received signal using a second predetermined decoding technique to generate a second BER; (c) comparing the first BER to the second BER; and (d) declaring the received signal to be one of a FACCH message or user data depending on a result of the comparison. The step of declaring may include a preliminary step, for a case where the step of comparing indicates that the received signal is a FACCH message, of first verifying that the received signal contains a valid FACCH message type.
In other embodiments of this invention, useful in either one or both of a mobile station and a base station, a combination of signal quality indications, such as BER and CRC validity indicators, are used to detect a type of data that is received, and to declare that the received data is one of a control and supervision related message (such as the FACCH), or is user DATA or encoded speech information.
In general, the teachings of this invention apply to both DATA calls and to voice calls.

Mobile station employing CRC verification using decoding reliability and methods therefor


An opposing vortex oscillator is used to control the frequency and duty cycle of a high-frequency jet ventilator for trauma management in acute and uncontrolled situations where no power other than the pressure of the ventilation gas itself is available. Frequency adjustment is achieved by connecting variable volumes to one inlet of the oscillator while duty cycle control is achieved by supplying fluid to one inlet of the oscillator through a variable-orifice bias control valve. Safety means are provided to automatically disable the ventilator in case of airway blockage.

High-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) has been clinically demonstrated to be a useful tool in the management of major trauma and cardiopulmonary arrest, particularly as a practical method for emergency airway management in acute, uncontrolled settings. The positive pressure and airflow out of the oropharynx produced by the jet ventilator minimizes aspiration of gastric content, and the low airway pressures produced by HFJV tend to decrease the incidence of tension pneumothorax and impaired central venous return.
Prior art jet ventilators for medical purposes have used externally powered devices such as electric valves to produce the 1-15 Hz pulses of air or oxygen which are introduced into the patient's airway. For emergency use in the field, this is undesirable because of the need for batteries which tend to be heavy and to present reliability problems. In addition, electrical equipment can be dangerous in the presence of flammable fluids which are sometimes present in rescue situations.
It is known that cyclic fluidic pressure pulses can be produced through the use of an opposed vortex oscillator. In the past, such oscillators have been used as sensors for temperature, gas composition, or pressure ratio monitoring applications. In such uses, the oscillator system has a fixed geometry, and changes in the sensed gas parameters alter its frequency.
If an opposed vortex oscillator is used to control a jet ventilator, however, it is necessary for physiological reasons to control the frequency and also the duty cycle of the jet without altering the above parameters. It is with this requirement that the present invention is concerned.


A self-drilling, self-countersinking fastener is provided that includes a shaft, a countersunk head located at a first end of the shaft, and a tapered point located at an opposite end of the shaft. A thread integrally extends from the shaft and extends along at least a portion of a length thereof. The countersunk head includes a frustoconical region having a first, smaller diameter in a shaft connection region and a second, larger diameter at a second end defining an edge area of the head. A plurality of radially extending ribs are located on the frustoconical region and extend from an area of the first, smaller diameter to a respective radially outer rib end spaced radially inwardly by a distance X from the edge area of the head. A respective cutting edge is located on each of the ribs.

Fasteners, particularly screw type fasteners drive through and/or into two objects, securing them to one another. In certain applications, it is sometimes necessary to use fasteners with counter-sunk heads for clearances or aesthetics. Typically, holes for such fasteners need to have a countersunk opening drilled to accommodate the countersunk head, and various countersinking tools are known to separately countersinking the opening or to simultaneously countersink the opening as the hole is drilled. One issue here is that an extra countersinking step is required to install otherwise self-drilling screws.
Fasteners with a countersunk head that include a radially extending cutting edge that extends to the circumferential edge of the screw head to countersink the surface as the screw is installed are also known. These may be used successfully in certain applications, such as in wood or laminate surfaces; however, attempting to use such self-countersinking heads in a sheet metal surface or a sandwich panel with a sheet metal skin has not proven successful due to the creation of burrs that are not only sharp and dangerous, but may compromise the integrity of the screw attachment and the sheet metal itself. Additionally, there can be overcutting of the countersink, resulting in a knife edge of the sheet metal acting on the shaft rather than a more desired cylindrical portion of the hole. Finally, the cutting edge can severally mar the panel surface at the periphery of the head.
It would be desirable to provide a self-drilling, self-countersinking screw that addresses the issues noted above.


A sound effect-creating device for imparting a sound effect to a musical tone produced by performance subjects an analog or digital signal indicative of the musical tone to reverberation processing over a predetermined reverberation time to add reverberations to the musical tone. The predetermined reverberation time is set based on a basic reverberation time determined in a manner dependent on the repetition period of a timing clock of a MIDI signal received from an external electronic musical instrument. Alternatively, the repetition period of a timing clock of a MIDI signal transmitted to an external electronic musical instrument is determined based on a reverberation time parameter used in setting the predetermined reverberation time.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a sound effect-creating device used in electronic musical instruments and the like, and more particularly to a sound effect-creating device which is adapted to determine a predetermined reverberation time based on a repetition period of a timing clock of a MIDI signal, or vice versa, in imparting a reverberation effect to a musical tone.
2. Prior Art
In performance of a musical instrument or the singing of a song (hereinafter simply referred to as "the performance"), it is a known technique for making the performance, especially the chamber performance, sound natural, to impart to a musical tone a reverberation effect of increasing thickness and depth of the musical tone and adding reverberations thereto. To make use of this technique, a sound effect-creating device comprising a reverberator is generally used today, i.e., at the age of rapid progress in the art related to electronic musical instruments, thereby imparting the reverberation effect to the performance.
In imparting the reverberation effect to the performance by the use of such a sound effect-creating device, it is a conventional method that an operator of the sound effect-creating device sets a reverberation time to the reverberator based on the operator's sense, while taking into consideration the kind of a sound and the tempo of performance.
However, this method has the following inconveniences: First, it is naturally required to adjust, the reverberation time to the tempo of performance of an electronic musical instrument playing an accompaniment in imparting the reverberation effect to a tune played in the performance. Otherwise, reverberations of a musical tone produced by the reverberation processing of a signal of the musical tone do not agree with the accompaniment, and impedes the performance to the contrary. For example, if reverberation is performed on a lilting tune over a rather long reverberation time, the lilt of the tune played is lost. Therefore, the performance with a high tempo should be subjected to such reverberation processing as will suit the high tempo of the performance. According to the conventional method, however, it is difficult for an unskilled person to adjust the reverberation time to the tempo of performance. Moreover, since the reverberation time is set by the operator separately from or independently of the electronic musical instrument for the accompaniment, it prevents the tempo of the accompaniment of the electronic musical instrument from being correlated with the reverberation processing of the musical tone signal when the reverberation time is set to the reverberator. Furthermore, if the tempo of the performance or the accompaniment is changed during the performance, it is impossible to change setting of the reverberation time, since this will impede progress of the performance.


An apparatus for image processing comprising a camera for receiving an original visual image and transforming the original visual image into an analog image, a first converter for transforming the analog image of the camera to a digital image, a processor having a single flow architecture for receiving the digital image and producing, with a single algorithm, an output image, a second converter for transforming the digital image of the processor to an analog image, and a viewer for receiving the analog image, transforming the analog image into a transformed visual image for observing the transformations applied to the original visual image. The processor comprises one or more subprocessors for the parallel reception of a digital image for producing an output matrix of the transformed visual image. More particularly, the processor comprises a plurality of subprocessors for receiving in parallel and transforming the digital image for producing a matrix of the transformed visual image, and an output interface means for receiving the respective portions of the transformed visual image from the respective subprocessor for producing an output matrix of the transformed visual image.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to image processing systems and methods and in particular to a machine which accepts a real time video image in the form of a matrix of picture elements (hereafter called pixels) and remaps such image according to a selectable one of a plurality of mapping functions to create an output matrix of pixels. Such mapping functions, or transformations may be any one of a number of different transformations depending on the objective of the user of the system. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for the generation of an output pixel matrix according to any one of a number of transformation functions in real time so that the input image may be spatially remapped prior to presenting them to an optical correlator. Still more particularly, the invention relates to mapping functions useful to transform the input video image into an output pixel matrix for display on an image display device as an aid to people with low vision problems such as retinitis pigmentosa and maculopathy. In a particular embodiment, a single flow architecture for video rate image transformations is provided.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Optical correlators are used in pattern recognition, attitude estimation systems and the like to process an input image to create an adjusted image for comparison with a standard image. Such optical correlators (particularly phase-only correlators) are excessively sensitive to scale change and rotation of the input image. Much effort must be expanded in designing and constructing filters that ameliorate such sensitivity.
Mapping or transforming of an input image to produce rotation and scale invariance in an output image while still in the spatial domain substantially eliminates the rotation and scale sensitivity requirements of a correlator of the transformed image. One such mapping or transformation with properties of rotation and scale invariance is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,573 to Chaikin and Weiman. The Chaikin and Weiman patent describes an image transformation device, which may be a physical device, or a combination of an A/D converter of a video image followed by a mathematical transformation operating on digital signals, which produces transformed output signals (which may, if desired, be viewed as a video image on a television monitor). The output image of the transformed input signal (i.e., the image of the output signals) is "congruent"; that is, the output image is the same size and shape regardless of changes in size of the input image. The output image is also rotationally invariant, that is, its size and shape is the same regardless of rotation of the input image.
The Chaikin and Weiman patent describes mappings from a digitized input Cartesian grid to a digitized output Cartesian grid. The mapping which serves to associate a picture element or cell (herein called a pixel) in the input Cartesian grid through a particular coordinate transformation with the congruent properties described above is EQU W=e.sup.z,
where Z is the complex number representation (x+i y) of the Cartesian coordinates of the input image pixels, and W is the complex number representation of the coordinates of the transformed output image. Geometrically, this mapping or transformation equation is equivalent to providing a Cartesian output matrix of columns and rows where the output rows represent rays or radii centered in the input Cartesian input matrix and the output columns represent rings and circles centered in the Cartesian input matrix. Each ring radius is determined by EQU W=e.sup.x
and the angle of each ray or radii is EQU .theta.=2.pi.y/y.sub.max.
The Chaikin and Weiman patent also describes curvilinear logarithmic spiral mapping systems which have the property of rotational and scale invariance, but the output coordinate system is not the convenient Cartesian or square grid as in the ray/ring transformation described above. In one, the output grid is a skewed x-y Cartesian grid where the mapping is formed by two orthogonally intersecting families of logarithmic spirals. In another, the output grid is a lattice of equilateral triangles where the mapping is formed by two families of intersecting nonorthogonal log spirals.
The Chaikin and Weiman patent is an important contribution to the art of image transformation in the field of pattern recognition. It is only one image transformation solution, however, of the universe of such solutions, to the general problem of preparing an output image for presentation to a pattern recognition system so that a priori known input image in-plane motions (the so-called "optical flow" in the time-varying image) become purely translational in the output image. It is a great advantage to discover transformations which produce such property in the output image, because pattern recognition systems are simplified where only translation of the output image is required to match a standard or known image.
Before the invention described below, there has existed only one image processor or "remapper" that can operate with sufficient speed and flexibility to permit investigating different transformation patterns in real time. "Real time" is usually considered to be about 30 frames per second with minimum lag. Such an image processor is desirable to investigate an optimal transformation for a given image processing problem. For example, where in-plane rotation and scale invariance are important for one problem, the ray/ring transformation of Chaikin and Weiman described above should be considered. Where Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) images are to be transformed or remapped prior to pattern recognition processes, a projective transformation or ratio of affines transformation should be considered. Where an input image should be mapped to an output image such that certain information of the input is displaced and enhanced (e.g., magnified, edge enhanced, etc.) in the output image to benefit people with low vision problems, another transformation should be considered, and so on.
Optical correlators and other pattern recognition methods deal well with translation, but are difficult to design where the output image (i.e., the input image to the correlator) it is working on must be rotated or have its scale changed. The Chaikin and Weiman transformations, such as the ray/ring transformation to a Cartesian output grid, achieve such scale or rotation translation with ease, because translation in one Cartesian direction corresponds to a change in scale while translation in the other Cartesian direction corresponds to a change in rotation. But, if the position of the input image must be changed for pattern recognition, optical correlators can not easily be designed to cope with such changes. Accordingly, the image processing art has needed a programmable remapping system to easily and rapidly perform spatial transformation as a front end to an optical correlator.
The embodiment of prior art systems would typically include two parallel processors. The first is a collective processor which maps multiple input pixels into a single output pixel. This processor is used where one or more input pixels are compressed into such single output pixel. In other words, the value of each output pixel may be affected by the values of several input pixels. The second is an interpolative processor where a single input pixel affects a plurality of output pixels. The interpolative processor performs an interpolation among pixels in the input image where a given input pixel may affect the value of many output pixels.

Programmable remapper with single flow architecture

The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration


Presented is a system and method for verifying the authenticity of a part using non-destructive backscattered X-rays. The method uses an identification tag embedded in the part that when illuminated by X-rays returns backscattered radiation that is detected and used to authenticate the part. The system comprises a source of low energy X-rays that irradiate a part, a detector for detecting backscattered radiation returned from the part, and a means for determining the presence of an authentication tag in the part. In embodiments, the system and method use a tag made of a material that returns a high amount of backscattered radiation thereby providing a high level of contrast in comparison with the part. In embodiments, the placement of the tag in the part, the geometry of the tag, and coding in the tag are used to authenticate the part.

Counterfeit parts are a multi-billion dollar per year industry. Counterfeit parts not only result in a loss of market share, but can damage the goodwill and image of the company that produces the authentic product. Counterfeit parts that make their way into the supply chain can be difficult to detect, especially when they are electronic or electrical components that have been manufactured into a component such as a circuit board. Counterfeit parts that do not meet manufacturing specifications can cause detects in performance or system failures. In aerospace systems, where such failures can result in a substantial risk of harm to people and property, the rising number of counterfeit parts have forced manufacturers to implement verification and validation programs to identify parts to ensure that system are being manufactured without counterfeit parts. Programs have been developed to ensure that parts are not counterfeit by monitoring parts at specific points in the supply chain together with visual inspection and other part identification methods during or post manufacturing. For example, current solutions involve humans manually inspecting components and subjecting samples of the articles to various chemical and destructive and non-destructive testing methodologies to verify authenticity, or performing electrical performance testing criteria on parts to see if the parts perform to the specification standards or within the tolerance requirements.
These testing methods, however, do not ensure with 100% reliability that a counterfeit part has not been used in a finished component. Manual testing, visual inspection, acoustic testing, and chemical analysis methods, to name a few, can be overcome by counterfeiting. These tests generally look at the external components or the ability of the encasement of a microchip to withstand the washing agents. Electrical performance testing criteria do not ensure the authenticity of the component because they only verify that the outputs of the component or system are correct. An adept counterfeiter, however, can mask the origins or identity of the item, for example by "blacktopping". Blacktopping involves removing a top portion of a casement from an electrical component, for example a chip, and replacing that top portion with material and the design of an authentic part. These blacktopped parts can then be passed off as components identical to the authentic part. For example, chips from a batch that failed testing can be blacktopped, the top portion replaced with designations from another batch that passed testing, and then reinserted back into the supply chain.
Further, the inspection or analytical programs to detect counterfeiting are not cost effective. The programs place a burden on sub-tier suppliers to verify the identity of articles. But the sub-tier suppliers are under tight fiscal and time constraints and detailed examination of every part is costly and time consuming. Destructive testing adds further adds to overall costs in both time and material and not every part can be destructively tested. This leads to opportunities for counterfeit parts to enter the supply chain.
Therefore, there is a need for a cost effective way of ensuring that counterfeit parts do not enter the supply chain or become parts used in manufactured goods. It is desirable that a system and method for detecting counterfeit parts be adaptable to test and authenticate parts at various points of the supply chain or manufacturing processes. It is also desirable that the system and method for detecting counterfeit parts be adaptable to testing both individual parts and parts that have already been assembled into sub-assemblies or finished goods. It is further desirable that the system and method for detecting counterfeit parts be capable of testing parts in a non-destructive manner, thereby enabling every part to be tested and authenticated.

X-ray backscattering part identification and tagging process and technique


The waste burning boiler comprises a cylindrical outer wall, a cylindrical inner wall consisting of a plurality of vertical water pipes having the gaps therebetween closed by plate members. The plate members are provided with a plurality of holes communicating the annular chamber between the inner and outer walls with the combustion chamber defined inside the inner wall. Compressed air is introduced into the annular chamber, and is blown into the combustion chamber from these small holes. The air blown from these holes provide a sufficient amount of oxygen for combustion, and raises the combustion temperature. Additionally, the air flow from the small holes provide a favorable stirring effect which improves the transfer of heat produced by combustion to the water pipes. Also, because the air blown into the combustion chamber is heated by the heat produced by the combustion in the combustion chamber, the air blown into the combustion chamber would not significantly lower the prevailing temperature in the combustion chamber. The annular chamber additionally serves as an insulator for keeping the outer wall at a relatively low temperature which is desirable not only for simplifying the outer wall design but also for improving the overall thermal efficiency of the boiler.

Conventionally, wood scraps, waste paper, used plastics and other waste materials have been simply incinerated in an incinerator for disposal. Because the combustion of waste materials in a normal incinerator is not very efficient, and a large amount of smoke is produced due to insufficient combustion, it has been a common practice to install an auxiliary burner in the passage of smoke for completely burning the smoke.
As an effort to save energy and resources, there has been a desire to develop a boiler which can use the heat produced by burning waste materials for useful purpose. However, the temperature achieved in a normal incinerator is so low as compared to an oil burning boiler that a sufficient amount of heat cannot be recovered from the given amount of waste materials. In other words, the conventional incinerator incorporated with a boiler was so inefficient that the concept of waste burning boiler has never received any wide acceptance.
One solution to this problem is to raise the combustion temperature, and improve the efficiency of heat transfer between the combustion chamber and the water pipes. It is therefore conceivable to install an auxiliary burner inside a main combustion chamber to improve the combustion efficiency and raise the combustion temperature of the main combustion chamber. However, due to increased complexity of the burner structure, and substantial difficulty in adapting the burner to variations in the composition of the fuel consisting of waste materials, this solution cannot produce any satisfactory results.
It has also been proposed to crush the waste materials and form them into solid fuel blocks of a desired size by using a linking agent for the purpose of raising the combustion temperature. However, the cost required for processing the fuel more than offset what might be gained by the use of such a form of fuel. Furthermore, a desired high combustion temperature cannot be obtained without proper burner design, such as installing an auxiliary burner in the main combustion chamber. Thus, practically, this proposal does not offer any satisfactory solution to the problem.


A capacitor includes first and second grounding terminal electrodes each including first and second electrode layers. The first electrode layers are provided on third and fourth side surfaces. The second electrode layers are provided on the first electrode layers. The first and the second electrode layers each include Si and a conductive material. A ratio by weight of Si in the first electrode layer is higher than a ratio by weight of Si in the second electrode layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a capacitor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known multilayer capacitor includes signal terminal electrodes provided on first and second end surfaces of a capacitor main body, and grounding terminal electrodes provided on first and second side surfaces thereof (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-218363).
In an electronic device, capacitors having different self-resonant frequencies are mounted in some cases. When two capacitors having different self-resonant frequencies are connected in parallel to each other, at an intermediate frequency between the self-resonant frequency of one capacitor and that of the other capacitor, a parallel resonance circuit is formed from an inductor and a capacitor. By this parallel resonance circuit, the antiresonance is generated. As a result, various problems, such as degradation in impedance characteristics at an antiresonant frequency and/or degradation in decoupling function at an antiresonant frequency, may arise.

Capacitor including four terminal electrodes


A laminated board in which each of prepreg sheets is sandwiched between an internal printed wiring board which is provided with wirings and each of external printed wiring board which is provided with wirings on the outermost surface thereof is formed with through-holes by drilling. A thin copper plating layer is formed on the surfaces of the laminated board including the inner wall of the through-hole. Then, an alkali-soluble photoresist film is selectively formed on the surface of the thin copper plating layer and a thick copper plating layer is formed. The thin copper plating layer is removed by using the thick copper plating layer as a mask to forme through holes and wirings. The through holes and wirings can be thus formed without using the additive process. Environmental pollution due to use of organic solvents can be prevented by avoiding the use of an organic solvent-soluble resist film having a strong resistance to alkalis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a printed wiring board and in particular to a process for manufacturing a multilayer printed wiring board.
2. Prior Art
A multilayer printed wiring board has found in variety of electronic equipment, such as computers, electronic switching system or the like.
Prior art process for manufacturing a multilayer printed wiring board comprises the steps of: disposing an internal printed wiring board comprising an insulating plate and circuit patterns provided on one or both surfaces thereof and prepreg sheets so that the internal printed wiring board is sandwiched between the prepreg sheets; disposing external boards having a copper foil on the outermost surface thereof so that the internal printed wiring board and prepreg sheets are sandwiched between the external printed wiring boards; bonding resulting structure under pressure; forming through-holes through the resulting laminated structure; then forming through holes or copper plated-through hole and circuit patterns for external boards by using the tenting process or the additive process, etc.; and thereafter performing application of a solder resist film and finish treatment.
There has been a demand to avoid the use of organic solvents in the process for manufacturing printed wiring boards in order to preserve global environment.
However, a resist film which is soluble to organic solvents has to be used as an additive mask since used additive plating liquid is highly alkaline in the prior art process for manufacturing printed wiring boards. There has been a problem that an organic solvent is required in the manufacturing process.

Process for manufacturing printed wiring boards


According to one embodiment, a multilayer optical recording medium including a substrate, a guide layer group that is provided on the substrate and has guide layers in which positional information in a radial direction is recorded, and a recording layer group that is provided on the substrate and has recording layers in which information can be recorded. In the recording layer group, positional information of the recording layers associated with the positional information recorded in the guide layers and control information of the optical device where reflected light volumes of the laser beams on the guide layers and the recording layers become maximum at the positions in the radial direction are recorded at the positions in the radial direction of the recording layers.

As optical recording media, optical disks such as a Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) and Blu-ray Discs (BDs) are conventionally known. Such optical recording media are formed to enable reproduction of information or both reproduction and recording of information. In regard to the optical recording media, there is known a technology that enhances recording density in a recording layer through realization of short laser wavelength, high objective lens numerical aperture, use of a recording medium material suitable for high-density recording, countermeasures against noise in reproduction signal processing, and other features.
Further, as a technology that enhances the recording density, there is known a multilayer optical recording medium in which multiple guide layers and multiple recording layers are provided or a drive device that performs, for example, recording or reproduction using this multilayer optical recording medium.
However, the multilayer optical recording medium may be warped by internal stress due to an environmental change such as a temperature and humidity or age deterioration in some cases. When warpage occurs, functions of the multilayer optical recording medium may possibly be lost and, for example, a non-recorded region may be generated or a recorded region may be overwritten.

Multilayer optical recording medium, drive device, reproducing and recording apparatus, and inspection method for multilayer optical recording medium


An encoding device can achieve both highly effective encoding/decoding and high-quality decoding audio when executing a scalable stereo audio encoding by using MDCT and ICP. In the encoding device, an MDCT converter executes an MDCT conversion on a residual signal of left channel/right channel subjected to window processing. An MDCT converter executes an MDCT conversion on the monaural residual signal which has been subjected to the window processing. An ICP analyzer executes an ICP analysis by using the correlation between a frequency coefficient of a high-band portion of the left channel/right channel and a frequency coefficient of a high-band portion of the monaural residual signal so as to generate an ICP parameter of the left channel/right channel residual signal. An ICP parameter quantizes each of the ICP parameters. A low-band encoding unit encoder executes highly-accurate encoding on the frequency coefficient of the low-band portion of the left channel/right channel residual signal.

In mobile communication systems or packet communication systems using IP, the restriction of the digital signal processing speed in DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and bandwidth are gradually relaxed. If the transmission rate becomes a higher bit rate, a band for just transmitting a plurality of channels can be acquired, so that communication using the stereo scheme (i.e. stereo communication) is expected to become popular even in speech communication where the monaural scheme is currently a mainstream.
Current mobile telephones have already mounted a multimedia player, which provides stereo function, and FM radio functions. Therefore, it naturally follows that the fourth generation mobile telephones and IP telephones have functions of recording and playing speech communication by stereo speech and stereo speech signals in addition to stereo audio signals.
One popular method of encoding a stereo speech signal adopts the signal prediction technique based on a monaural speech codec. That is, the fundamental channel signal is transmitted using a known monaural speech codec, to predict the left channel or right channel from this basic channel signal using additional information and parameters. In many applications, a mixed monaural signal is selected as the fundamental channel signal.
Until now, methods of encoding a stereo signal include ISC (Intensity Stereo Coding), BCC (Binaural Cue Coding), ICP (Inter-Channel Prediction), and so on. These parametric stereo coding methods have different strengths and weaknesses, making these methods suitable for coding of different excitations (source materials).
Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of predicting a stereo signal based on a monaural codec, using those coding methods. To be more specific, a monaural signal is generated by synthesis using channel signals forming a stereo signal such as the left channel signal and the right channel signal, the resulting monaural signal is encoded/decoded using a known speech codec, and, furthermore, the difference signal (i.e. side signal) between the left channel and the right channel is predicted from the monaural signal using prediction parameters. In such a coding method, the coding side models the relationship between the monaural signal and the side signal using time-dependent adaptive filters, and transmits filter coefficients calculated on per frame basis, to the decoding side. The decoding side reconstructs the difference signal by filtering the monaural signal of high quality transmitted by the monaural codec, and calculates the left channel signal and the right channel signal from the reconstructed difference signal and the monaural signal.
Further, Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a coding method using a so-called "cross-channel correlation canceller," and, when the technique using a cross-channel correlation canceller is applied to the coding method of the ICP scheme, it is possible to predict one channel from the other channel.
Recently, audio compression technology has been rapidly developed, and, in particular, the modified discrete cosine transform ("MDCT") scheme is the predominant method in high quality audio coding (see Non-Patent Document 3 and Non-Patent Document 4).
In addition to the energy compaction capability, MDCT achieves critical sampling, reduced block effect and flexible window switching at the same time. MDCT uses the concept of time domain alias cancellation ("TADC") and frequency domain alias cancellation. Further, MDCT is designed to achieve perfect reconstruction.
MDCT is widely used in an audio coding paradigm. Further, in a case where a proper window (e.g. sine window) is employed, MDCT has been applied to audio compression without major perceptual problems. In recent years, MDCT plays an important role in the multimode transform predictive coding paradigm.
The multimode transform predictive coding paradigm combines a speech coding principle and audio coding principle in a single coding structure (see Non-Patent Document 4). Here, the MDCT-based coding structure and its application in Non-Patent Document 4 are designed for encoding signals of only one channel, using different quantization schemes to quantize MDCT coefficients in different frequency domains.
Non-Patent Document 1: Extended AMR Wideband Speech Codec (AMR-WB+): Transcoding functions, 3GPP TS 26.290.
Non-Patent Document 2: S. Minami and O. Okada, "Stereophonic ADPCM voice coding method," in Proc. ICASSP '90, April 1990.
Non-Patent Document 3: Ye Wang and Miikka Vilermo, "The modified discrete cosine transform: its implications for audio coding and error concealment," in AES 22nd International Conference on Virtual, Synthetic and Entertainment, 2002.
Non-Patent Document 4: Sean A. Ramprashad, "The multimode transform predictive coding paradigm," IEEE Tran. Speech and Audio Processing, vol. 11, pp. 117-129, March 2003.

Stereo signal encoding device including setting of threshold frequencies and stereo signal encoding method including setting of threshold frequencies

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