The invention relates to wavelength-selective and tunable optical filters for transmitting the light in a narrow optical spectral band, centered around an adjustable wavelength, and for blocking the transmission of wavelengths lying outside of this band.

The word "light" is intended—in the wide sense and includes, in particular, spectral bands in the infrared as will be seen below, a major application of the invention being to filter light in the various fiber-optic telecommunication bands lying between 1.3 and 1.61 micrometers.
The advantage of these 1.3 to 1.61 micrometer bands results from the fact that current optical fibers, made of glass, have low attenuation and the optical signals can therefore be transmitted over large distances. In what follows, the invention will be explained with reference to this spectral band, although it should be understood that the invention may be applied to other bands if the need arises, by using materials suitable for these different bands.
In a fiber-optic telecommunication network, a cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers can be used to form a plurality of different transmission channels; time division multiplexing of the information may also be carried out in order to achieve the same objective; with a view to further increasing the information delivery capacity of the network, however, the current trend is for a plurality of light wavelengths, modulated independently of one another and each defining an information channel, to be transmitted simultaneously on the same optical fiber. ITU (International Telecommunications Union) Standard 692 proposes the definition of adjacent channels with an optical spectral bandwidth of 100 GHz, centered on N adjacent standardized optical frequencies whose values are 200 terahertz, 199.9 terahertz, 199.8 terahertz, etc., corresponding to N wavelengths of from 1.52 micrometers to 1.61 micrometers. Modulation of the light at from 10 to 20 gigabits per second can be carried out on a channel having this bandwidth, without too much risk of interference between the immediately adjacent spectral bands (by using modulation pulses of Gaussian shape in order to minimize the passband occupied by this modulation). This technique of frequency division multiplexing is referred to as DWDM, standing for "Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing".
In a telecommunication network, the problem is therefore that of being able to collect the light corresponding to a determined channel without perturbing the light of the neighboring channels. At a transmission node of the network, which is assigned to the transmission and reception of information on channel i, for example, it is necessary to be able to collect the light at the central frequency Fi (wavelength λi) without impeding transmission of the light modulating the central frequencies F1 to FN, even though these optical frequencies are very close together.
To that end, there is a need to produce optical filtering components which are highly selective for light wavelengths and are capable of transmitting the central optical frequency Fi and the frequencies lying in a narrow band of less than 50 GHz on either side of this frequency, and of blocking the other bands. Only the light of channel i is collected at the output of such a filter, and this can be demodulated in order to collect the useful information.
It has already been proposed to produce filtering components that operate on the principle of Fabry-Pérot interferometers, which are produced by depositing semiconductor layers separated from one another by air gaps with thicknesses calibrated according to the wavelength λi to be selected. In practice, an interferometer comprises two mirrors made of stacked dielectric layers (Bragg mirrors) with a high coefficient of reflection, which are separated by a transparent zone with an optical thickness of k·λi (real thickness k·λi if the zone is an air gap), where k is an integer defining the order of the interferometric filter. Indium phosphide (InP) is highly suitable for these embodiments, in particular because of its transparency for the wavelengths in question, its very high refractive index and the possibility of depositing epitaxial layers with a well-controlled thickness.
If the thicknesses of the layers and the intervals between layers are very well controlled, and if the materials have a high refractive index, such a filter turns out to be highly selective.
Such an embodiment is described in the article by A. Spisser et alii, "Highly Selective 1.55 micrometer InP/airgap micromachined Fabry-Pérot filter for optical communications" in Electronics Letters, No 34(5), pages 453–454, 1998. Other embodiments, made of micromachined silicon and of alloys based on gallium arsenide, have been proposed.
These filters may be tunable by varying the thickness of the Fabry-Pérot resonant cavity, that is to say the transparent zone separating the two mirrors. The cavity is delimited by two opposing semiconductor layers, the spacing of which is defined very precisely during fabrication; by making an electrical contact on each of them (the layers being assumed to be sufficiently conductive or coated with a conductive material), a DC voltage can be applied that creates electrostatic forces between the opposing layers, tending to modify the spacing in a controlled way.
It has been shown that it is possible to produce interferometric filters whose layers are suspended from micromachined suspension arms with a thickness small enough so that a voltage of a few volts is sufficient to modify the tuning of the filter over about one hundred nanometers, for example throughout the wavelength range of the standardized band of from 1.52 to 1.61 micrometers. The nominal thickness of the cavity is 0.785 micrometers, for example, and applying a voltage of the few volts makes it possible to vary this thickness by 100 or 200 nanometers up or down, which is sufficient to modify the tuning of the filter throughout the spectral band of the ITU standard. In practice, the tuning may be modified by 1 GHz per millivolt, which is very satisfactory since it is then possible to change channel with a control voltage modification of from 50 to 100 millivolts.
It is, then, sufficient to establish a correspondence table between a channel number (and therefore a central wavelength) and a control voltage to be applied for selecting any one of the channels, and to send the output of the filter to a demodulator (photodetector) which converts the information carried by this channel into an electrical signal.
It will, however, be understood that the tuning conditions would be easy to control if the central frequencies were far apart, for example separated by 1 terahertz, but that they are much more difficult to control when the spacing is only 100 gigahertz. This is because even at transmission, the frequency of a laser which emits the carrier of channel i may experience fluctuations and drifts due to temperature or to ageing (of the order of a few tens of gigahertz).
It is therefore desirable to slave the control voltage of the filter once it has been locked onto the correct central frequency, in order to maintain this voltage subsequently.

Abstract: In a micromachined monolithic structure containing the optical filter proper, the component comprises a low-absorption light detection element used for slaving the tuning control of the filter to a wavelength received by the filter, this element transmitting the majority of the radiation at this wavelength. The filter is a Fabry-Pérot interferometric filter, the cavity (C) of which is tuned to a value that maximizes the power detected by the light detection element. The filter is preferably based on layers of indium phosphide and air gaps. The detection element preferably comprises a layer of gallium-indium arsenide 74 suitable for detection of the intended wavelength band.


A method for restoring power based on forecasted loads is described. The method includes identifying at least one zone within a power distribution network and predicting an energy demand of the at least one zone. The method also includes identifying at least one alternate source of power for the at least one zone, identifying at least one switch within the power distribution network capable of supplying power from the at least one alternate source to the at least one zone, and generating a restoration plan for restoring power to the at least one zone.

The field of the present disclosure relates generally to the generation and delivery of electricity and more specifically, to methods and systems for restoring power based on forecasted loads.
Known power distribution networks include fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) systems that are used to isolate faults and to restore power following a fault or other power failure. Known systems generate restoration plans based on current load information. However, such plans are generally limited as loads may change within short periods of time. As loads change, for example, further network reconfigurations are required to accommodate the changing loads.
In addition, depending on pre-fault network topology, more than one alternative path, or back-feeding pathway, may be identified from which power can flow from an alternative power source, through a series of switches, to one or more disconnected loads. Accordingly, a system for restoring power is needed that identifies back-feeding pathways that will reduce the risk of cascading power failure and the need for additional network reconfigurations as a result of restoring power.

Methods and systems for restoring power based on forecasted loads


A document tagging method and apparatus. According to the method, a focused entity relevant to a basic document and a sentiment polarity of comments on the focused entity are acquired, and then a tag is generated on the basic document from the focused entity and the corresponding sentiment polarity. The present invention can tag the basic document with an opinion on the relevant focused entity and thus facilitate knowledge of the opinion on a relevant entity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to information processing, particularly to document processing and more particularly to a document tagging method and apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
In the age of Internet, a large amount of information over the Internet greatly facilitates knowledge of people about information on various aspects, including opinions on various entities of interest, referred to as focused entities ("entity" in this application includes a subject which is an object or an event). For example, an opinion on an entity includes a positive opinion, a negative opinion, etc. An attribute of whether an opinion is positive or negative is referred to as a "sentiment polarity". A technology of deriving a sentiment polarity on an entity is referred to as a sentiment analysis technology. Currently, there are various sentiment analysis technologies available. For example, US 2009193328 describes an "Aspect-Based Sentiment Summarization," US 20080154883 describes a "System and Method for Evaluating Sentiment," US 20050125216 describes a method of "Extracting and Grouping Opinions from Text Documents," WO 2008083504 describes a "Method and System for Information Discovery and Text Analysis," US 20090048823 describes a "System and Methods for Opinion Mining," and US 20080133488 describes a "Method and System for Analyzing User-Generated Content."
However, in analyzing a sentiment on specific contents (a keyword, an entity, etc.), only a fragmentary knowledge about the polarity of the sentiment is derived. Thus, such analysis obstructs people from getting a full insight of an article or a subject. Particularly, since respective entities and thus opinions on them are isolated, it is impossible to reflect the relationship among the respective entities. Furthermore, an entity and a source from which the entity is fetched (e.g., a document, etc.) are isolated, while in fact, associations between entities and between an entity and its source are important in gaining helpful information.

Method and apparatus for tagging a document

International Business Machines Corporation


A dual-polarization radiating element for a multiband antenna comprises a support with a high dielectric constant whose shape is roughly cylindrical, having an axis of revolution, at least a first and a second pair of dipoles printed on a first surface of the support, the dipoles of the first pair being roughly orthogonal to the dipoles of the second pair, and conductive lines, to feed each dipole, printed onto a second surface of the support. The support is placed on a flat reflector, with the cylindrical support's axis of revolution being perpendicular to the plane of the reflector.

A dual-polarization radiating element generally comprises two dipoles (or systems of dipoles) crossing one another at a 45° orthogonal polarization, one to generate the first polarization signal (−45°) and the other to generate the second polarization signal (+45°). Techniques for constructing radiating elements are varied.
The main conditions for a radiating element, as used in base stations' panel antennas, particularly include:    a) the radio performance of the radiating element (impedance, insulation between the two polarizations, radiation pattern) must be good and stable over a very broad frequency band,    b) the distribution surface area of the radio frequency current (RF) must be sufficient to allow the use of a small-sized reflector for the antenna, with the accompanying decrease in cost,    c) the structure for feeding the radiating element must be simple, such as a single coaxial cable for feeding each polarization of the radiating element,    d) the structure of the radiating element must preferentially enable the use of multiple radiating elements aligned along a common axis, in order to enable the integration of multiband antennas,    e) the radiating element must be as low-cost as possible (using small quantities of material, short assembly times, few parts, and moderate labor costs).
Several families of dual-polymerization radiating elements are already well known and used by manufacturers of different types of antennas. However, none of the existing radiating elements simultaneously and completely fulfills the five conditions described above.
A first family comprises coaxial radiating elements, each formed of two orthogonal half-wave dipoles. Provided that the shape of the dipoles is properly designed, the radio performance of these radiating elements is good. However, all of these radiating elements suffer from a limited surface area for distributing the RF current, which is only concentrated on the two orthogonal half-wave dipoles. Consequently, a wide reflector is necessary to achieve a given horizontal beamwidth on the antenna (65°, for example), which leads to additional costs on the antenna's structure (larger radome, etc.). This first family of radiating elements therefore does not meet condition (b) described above.
A second family comprises radiating elements, each formed of two half-wave dipoles separated by a distance of approximately one-half the wavelength at the operating frequency. The radio performance is good. The RF current's distribution surface area is wide, making it possible to obtain the desired antenna beamwidth with a limited-size reflector. However, the radiating elements must be fed at a four (two points for each polarization) leading to additional complexity and cost for the feeding network. This second family of radiating elements therefore does not meet conditions (c) and (e) described above. Some amount of surface area is available at the center of the radiating element such that it is possible to add a radiating element for multiband operation in order to satisfy condition (d).
There is an alternative radiating element that belongs to the second family. This radiating element has a sufficient surface area to distribute RF current, and it is fed only at two points (one point per polarization). The assembly time and cost of the material may be kept under control, particularly as a result of the milling technique. A major limitation of this type of radiating element is multiband integration. This is because adding radiating elements for a high frequency band requires using the technique of overlapping radiating elements. This means that the upper radiating element cannot use the shared reflector to generate its radiation pattern. The lower radiating elements are then used as reflectors, but their surface area is very low. This alternative from the second family of radiating elements only partially meets condition (d) described above.
A third family comprises dual-polarization radiating elements of the patch type (half-wave). The radio performance is not as good as for radiating elements formed of dipoles, in particular in terms of bandwidth, so condition (a) is only partially satisfied. This radiating element has a sufficient RF current distribution surface area, so that it can be used with a reflector whose dimensions are small. The feeding structure is simple because each dual-polarization radiating element can be fed with just two coaxial cables. The patch radiating element may be designed to have a low cost. It is possible to add another radiating element on top of the patch radiating element. In this situation, the added radiating element must be fed through the patch element, which is not easy. However, the upper radiating element cannot use the shared reflector to generate its radiation pattern, but rather must use the patch radiating element located below it as a reflector, with the drawback of a reduced surface area. This third family of radiating elements therefore only partially meets condition (d) described above.

Dual-polarization radiating element of a multiband antenna


A French press coffee maker includes a carafe, a plunger, and a ladle. The carafe includes a base wall and an upwardly extending generally cylindrical side wall. The plunger includes a rod and a piston connected to the rod. The piston is movable with respect to the carafe in an axial direction. The ladle includes a base having a peripheral rim and an upwardly extending arm connected with the base.

Typically, a French press coffee maker, which may also be referred to as a press pot, coffee press, coffee plunger, or cafetière, includes a glass carafe having a cylindrical shape, a lid and a plunger that fits tightly inside the carafe. The plunger includes a fine wire mesh that operates as a filter. Coarsely ground coffee beans are placed inside the carafe and hot water is poured into the carafe. After the coffee steeps for a few minutes, the plunger is depressed toward the bottom of the carafe to separate the coffee grounds from the drinkable liquid coffee.
Disposing of the spent coffee grounds on the bottom of the carafe can be difficult. The carafe can be rinsed with water and then the contents can be dumped in a sink. A large spoon can be used to scoop and scrape the spent grounds from the bottom of the carafe. Other complicated mechanisms to remove the spent coffee grounds include a basket that fits the bottom of the carafe and is supported by four vertical, evenly spaced bars held together by a band at the top. The basket supported by the four vertical, evenly spaced bars held together by the band at the top fits inside the carafe, and when removed from the carafe also removes all solid materials inside the carafe and leaves the liquid within the carafe. Systems have also been developed where a plate sits on the bottom of the carafe. The coffee grounds are placed on top of the plate and water is poured into the carafe. After the coffee steeps and the plunger having the filter is displaced to separate the solids from the liquid, the plate can be lifted out of the carafe removing the spent coffee grounds. These systems can be complicated and still may not adequately remove the spent coffee grounds from the carafe.

French press coffee maker with spent grounds removal


Herein is disclosed a propellant transfer system and method for refueling on-orbit spacecraft. The system and method are configured to allow for resupply of spacecraft configured to be fueled by either a bipropellant (oxidizer and fuel) or a monopropellant (typically hydrazine). The system and method are particularly suited for resupply of satellites not originally prepared for refueling as well but the system may also be used for as satellites specifically designed for refueling.

Many satellites currently in operation were designed with a finite amount of propellant and were not designed for the possibility of being resupplied with propellant. The design philosophy relied upon replacement of the satellites after they had exhausted the on-board propellant supply. In view of the expense of replacing satellites, it would be very advantageous to be able to resupply satellites with propellant which are either near their end of propellant life but otherwise functional, or have suffered an infant propulsion system failure or insertion anomaly, or have been maneuvered more than originally intended for their nominal operations, thereby extending their operational life by several or many years.
It is estimated that as many as half of all GEO communication satellites end their 10 to 15 year life with all or most of their subsystems still functional and it is only the depletion of the carefully budgeted propellant load that drives retirement of the satellite. Using a current economic model, the ability to refuel several of these end-of-life satellites in a single mission would cost-effectively extend each of their useful lives by 3 to 5 years and thereby delay the need to outlay the very high capital costs to launch a replacement for each satellite if desired. Some satellites suffer from primary propulsion system failures or launch vehicle upper stage related failures soon after they are launched. In these cases the entire book value must be written off and compensation paid to the operator by the insurer. The satellite becomes an asset of the insurer and will eventually have to be disposed of in a graveyard or re-entry orbit. If these assets can be resupplied with propellant, enabling them to transfer to an orbital station in geosynchronous orbit and extending their life by 5 to 10 years, most or all of the value of the satellite can be recovered.
The key technical difficulty is that these satellites were not designed for robotic servicing, and it is not generally accepted that such missions are technically possible. Specifically, most satellites are designed with propellant fill and drain valves that were intended to be filled once prior to launch and never opened or manipulated following launch. Thus, accessing these fill and drain valves remotely in-orbit presents several major challenges and would involve several operations, each of which is difficult to accomplish robotically including: cutting and removal of the protective thermal blankets, removal of several lockwires hand wrapped around the valves, unthreading and removing outer and inner valve caps, mating a propellant fill line to the valve nipple, mechanically actuating the valve and, when propellant resupply is complete, replacing the inner valve cap.
On-orbit servicing has been the subject of much study over the past thirty years. The idea of maintaining space assets, rather than disposing of and replacing them, has attracted a variety of ideas and programs. So far, the concept has only found a home in the manned space program where some success can be attributed to the Solar Max and Hubble Space Telescope repair missions, Palapa-B2 and Westar rescue missions, and the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station.
Until recently there have been no technologies disclosed that can solve the problem of accessing the propellant system of an unprepared satellite for the purpose of replenishing station-keeping propellant. The majority of satellites in orbit today were not designed with orbital propellant resupply in mind and access to the propellant system is designed to be accessed by a human on earth before launch. The technologies required to access the client spacecraft's propellant system for the purposes of propellant resupply still have a very low technology readiness level, and are generally considered to be the main obstacle to a successful servicing mission.
Transferring propellants used for spacecraft propulsion systems from one source to another can be very dangerous due to the corrosive and explosive nature of many of the fluids involved. For example, inadvertent mixing of fuel and oxidizer in bipropellant systems will cause immediate combustion, so a fluid transfer system for bipropellant needs to ensure that no accidental mixing occurs.
Therefore, it would be very advantageous to provide a propellant transfer system for transferring propellant from a servicing spacecraft to a client satellite which has flexibility to deliver propellant using more than one modality depending on the circumstances of the satellite, propellant system parameters, and the like. It would be very advantageous for such a system to able to able to transfer bipropellants in addition to monopropellants, pressurants, and ion or plasma propulsion propellants.

Propellant transfer system and method for resupply of fluid propellant to on-orbit spacecraft

MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES INC.


A fault protection method for optical networks is provided. The method includes monitoring intensity of downstream optical signals transmitted through a first route from a rear terminal of a primary optical channel, so as to determine if there occurs any fault; and activating a second route to transmit optical signals when a fault in the primary optical channel is detected, in which the second route is counter to the first route. The present invention also includes a system performing the fault protection method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fault protection system and method for a data communication environment, and more particularly to a fault protection system and method for a passive optical network.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Passive optical network (PON) architecture broadcasts downstream optical signals from optical line terminals (OLTs) to optical network units (ONUs) through optical channels composed of optical fibers and optical splitters. Due to passive elements based infrastructure which does not connect to any power consuming device, a passive optical network is advantaged by the low cost on both network construction and equipment maintenance. The advantages discussed above make the passive optical network a feasible and attractive technique in the field of optical network communication.
FIG. 1A shows a system structure diagram of a conventional passive optical network 100 including a host optical transmitting/receiving module (HOM) 110, a primary optical channel 120, and a plurality of client optical transmitting/receiving modules (COMs) 130-190. The host optical transmitting/receiving module 110 is an OLT broadcasting optical signals embedded with information through the primary optical channel 120. The client optical transmitting/receiving modules 130-190 are ONUs receiving the optical signals through optical splitters (not shown in FIG. 1) from the host optical transmitting/receiving module 110.
The conventional passive optical network 100 as shown in FIG. 1A lacks appropriate fault protection mechanism. When a broken line accidentally occurs somewhere in the primary optical channel 120, for example, some or all client optical transmitting/receiving modules will immediately fail to receive any information from the host optical transmitting/receiving module 110. FIG. 1B shows the passive optical network 100 of FIG. 1A with a broken line fault. If a broken line fault occurred at the "X" point as shown in FIG. 1B, while client optical transmitting/receiving modules 130, 140, and 150 are still capable of receiving host signals, client optical transmitting/receiving modules 160, 170, and 180 connected to the primary optical channel 120 after "X" point will be out of communication with the host optical transmitting/receiving module 110 at once.
FIG. 2 shows a system structure diagram of another conventional passive optical network 200 which contains a host optical transmitting/receiving module (HOM) 210, a primary optical channel 220, a secondary optical channel 222, a plurality of client optical transmitting/receiving modules (COMs) 230-280, and a plurality of optical splitter modules (OSMs) 232-282. In contrast with the structure diagram of FIG. 1A, the passive optical network 200 shown in FIG. 2 contains one more set of redundant equipments for each primary function. Besides the secondary optical channel 222, the host optical transmitting/receiving module 210 contains a primary host optical transmitting/receiving module (primary HOM) 210A and a secondary host optical transmitting/receiving module (secondary HOM) 210B. Each of client optical transmitting/receiving modules 230-280 also contains respective primary and secondary versions (primary COMs and secondary COMs). While the passive optical network 200 possesses a backup capability, it doubles the constructing cost on both client side and host side. Moreover, if any fault should happen simultaneously in both the primary optical channel 220 and the secondary optical channel 222, the structure shown in FIG. 2 is still incapable of keeping the normal communication of all client modules.
In view of the drawbacks of aforementioned conventional structure, there exists a need to provide a method and system to keep overall network communication at accidental faults without increasing cost for a passive optical network.

Fault protection system and method for passive optical network

Inventec Multimedia & Telecom Corporation


Disclosed is a conductive filler which can be fusion-bonded under lower temperature conditions (with the peak temperature of not less than 181° C.) than the reflow heat treatment conditions for an Sn-37Pb eutectic solder. This conductive filler is applicable to heat-resistant uses similar to those of the Sn-37Pb eutectic solder. The conductive filler is a mixture of first metal particles composed of an alloy having a chemical composition including 25-40% by mass of Ag, 2-8% by mass of Bi, 5-15% by mass of Cu, 2-8% by mass of In and 29-66% by mass of Sn, and second metal particles composed of an alloy having a chemical composition including 5-20% by mass of Ag, 10-20% by mass of Bi, 1-15% by mass of Cu and 50-80% by mass of Sn. In the mixture, 20-10,000 parts by mass of the second metal particles are contained per 100 parts by mass of the first metal particles.

Solders are generally used for bonding metal materials, and are supposedly alloy materials having a melting temperature range (a range from a solidus temperature to a liquidus temperature) of 450° C. or less. Conventionally, when electronic components are mounted on printed boards, an Sn-37Pb eutectic solder of 183° C. in melting point is used and the reflow heat treatment is performed mainly in the temperature range of about 200° C. to 230° C. The reflow heat treatment condition is generally set at a temperature range of 10 to 50° C. higher than the melting point of a solder alloy.
However, recently, as in the environmental regulations of the EU (RoHS directive), the problem with the hazardousness of Pb arises and making solders lead-free rapidly progresses in view of preventing contamination of the environment and human bodies. In such a situation, it is now becoming general that as a substitute for the Sn-37Pb eutectic solder, a lead-free solder composed of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu having a melting point of about 220° C. (see Patent Document 1) is used and the reflow heat treatment is performed at a temperature range of about 240° C. to 260° C.
Meanwhile, since the above-mentioned lead-free solder, having a melting point of about 220° C. and mainly composed of Sn has a higher melting point than that of the Sn-37Pb eutectic solder, the reflow heat treatment condition necessary during use must be naturally a higher temperature. Recently, for suppressing thermal damage to electric and electronic devices, soldering at a temperature as low as possible is demanded and bonding materials which are not only lead-free but also have a heat resistive performance at the conventional reflow heat treatment condition corresponding to the Sn-37Pb eutectic solder have been studied.
As components reducing the melting points of lead-free solder alloys, Bi, In, Zn and the like have been confirmed to be effective, but the melting point reduction is sometimes insufficient depending on the amount ratios of them. Bi improves wettability of a solder alloy to a substrate, but is liable to segregate on solidifying, bringing about a brittle crystal texture and a poor ductility. Therefore, when it is added to the solder alloy at a certain amount or more, the mechanical strength is outstanding reduced (see Patent Documents 2 and 3). It is a rare resource and a very expensive material. Therefore, its addition at a large amount to a solder alloy results in a large cost increase (see Patent Documents 4 and 5). Zn is inexpensive and has favorable mechanical properties, and then is expected to be put in practical use. However, Zn has a very high activity and properties of being easily reacted and easily oxidized. Therefore, a solder alloy paste containing Zn exhibits a poor paste stability and a low corrosion resistance. Further, bonding of Zn with Cu forms not a Cu—Sn intermetallic compound layer but a Cu—Zn intermetallic compound layer on the interface. The Cu—Zn intermetallic compound layer has such problems as remarkable strength deterioration under a high temperature and high humidity environment (see Patent Document 6).
The present inventors previously has proposed lead-free conductive materials capable of connecting at a lower heat treatment temperature than that of the Sn-37Pb eutectic solder (see Patent Documents 7, 8, 9 and 10). However, since these conductive materials have a feature in exhibiting a raised lowest melting point after the connection by the heat treatment and developing the connection stability, they have neither a melting point which does not change before and after the connection nor repairability, as is the case with common solder materials.    Patent Document 1: JP-A-05-050286    Patent Document 2: JP-A-05-228685    Patent Document 3: JP-A-08-206874    Patent Document 4: JP-A-08-187591    Patent Document 5: International publication WO 2006/080247 pamphlet    Patent Document 6: JP-A-06-238479    Patent Document 7: JP-A-2004-223559    Patent Document 8: JP-A-2004-363052    Patent Document 9: JP-A-2005-005054    Patent Document 10: International publication WO 2006/109573 pamphlet


A hue compensation apparatus outputs hue-compensated data of a color designated by an input color selection signal of red, green and blue, responsive to red, green and blue input signals. The hue compensation apparatus uses first, second and third lookup table circuits, a decoder, a polarizing circuit and a synthesizing circuit. The lookup table circuits output hue-compensated red, green and blue signals in response to input red, green and blue signals, respectively. The decoder decodes the input color selection signal, and the polarization circuit polarizes outputs from the first, second and third lookup table circuits according to an output of the decoder. The synthesizing circuit synthesizes the polarized output from the first, second and third lookup table circuits. The synthesizing circuit thus outputs a hue-compensated color signal whose color is designated by the color selection signal by synthesizing the polarized outputs from the polarization circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hue compensation apparatus and, in particular, to a hue compensation apparatus for a color hard copy machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Often, it is desirable to keep a copy of a CRT (cathode ray tube) display in the form of a photograph or a hard copy. For example, the CRT display may illustrate characteristic curve data in an experiment, figures in CAD (computer aided design) equipment, or TV displays. Color hard copy machines are developed to respond to the needs mentioned above. Many types of color hard copy machines exist; a sublimation-type color hard copy machine is described below.
In the sublimation-type color hard copy machine, first, color signals R (red), G (green) and B (blue), which are derived from picture signals of pictures displayed on the CRT, are transformed to color signals Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan). Then, heat according to the signals Y, M and C is supplied to thermal print paper by printing heads for every color signal Y, M and C. A color hard copy of the picture displayed on the CRT is obtained by the above procedure.
To properly reproduce the color of the picture displayed on the CRT, compensation as described below is required. That is, the difference between the characteristics of signals R, G, B and signals Y, M, C, or the non-linearity of color depth development to the thermal energy supplied to the thermal print paper, or the non-linearity of color development characteristics in the thermal print paper, or the coming out of a part of a color developed first when next color development is implemented in groups after first color development, need to be compensated. Thus, hue compensation to signals R, G, B need to be implemented to obtain an accurate color hard copy in relation to the original picture.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one example of a hue compensation apparatus according to the prior art. Input terminals 10, 12 and 14 receive picture data R, G and B, respectively, to be printed. An input terminal 16 receives a color selection signal which is described later. A lookup table circuit 18 is connected to input terminals 10, 12, 14, 16. One of signals Y, M and C, for example, Y, which is hue-compensated according to input signals R, G and B from input terminals 10, 12 and 14, is output from lookup table circuit 18. The color of output signals from lookup table circuit 18 is designated by the color selection signal from input terminal 16. An output terminal 20 is connected to lookup table circuit 18 and outputs one of signals Y, M and C hue-compensated which is designated by the color selection signal from input terminal 16 as mentioned above.
If signals input to input terminals 10, 12 and 14 are 8 bit signals, the capacity of memory in lookup table circuit 18 must be 16M bites (=2.sup.8 .times.2.sup.8 .times.2.sup.8) per color. To print three colors, lookup table 18 needs 48M bites (=16M bites.times.3) of memory capacity. The signal for color selection input to input terminal 16 needs only 2 bits.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the data must be stored in lookup table circuit 18 which outputs signals Y, M and C responsive to a pair of input signals R, G and B. Moreover, storing the data (which has 2.sup.24 possible combinations) in lookup table circuit 18 is also cumbersome.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another example of a hue compensation apparatus according to the prior art. In FIG. 2, input terminals 22, 24 and 26 receive color signals R, G, B, respectively. An operation circuit 28 is connected to input terminals 22, 24 and 26. Operation circuit 28 performs a matrix operation as follows: ##EQU1## Output terminals 30, 32 and 34 are connected to operation circuit 28, and receive the output signals R.sub.HC, G.sub.HC, B.sub.HC which are hue-compensated, respectively, from operation circuit 28.
In the apparatus, hue-compensated signals R.sub.HC, G.sub.HC, B.sub.HC are obtained from output terminal 30, 32 and 34, respectively, according to the input signals R, G, B from input terminals 22, 24 and 26.
The apparatus contains simple hardware and is low in cost. However, coefficients multiplied to input signals R, G, B are constant. Thus, the hue compensation method as described may not compensate for non-linear color development characteristics of the thermal print paper. Accordingly, there is a drawback that the hard copy picture may be different from the picture displayed on the CRT.

Hue compensation apparatus for a color hard copy machine


An electronic device is operated by detecting a tag having a sensor associated therewith and being configured to transmit information over a defined distance using a short range wireless protocol, and receiving sensor information transmitted by the tag over the communication link.

The present invention relates to electronic devices for use in collecting sensor information/data, and, more particularly, to electronic devices, methods, and computer program products for associating tags with sensors to allow sensor data to be collected and communicated through a network of tag reader/detector devices.
It has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,248,167 ('167 Patent") to use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) signals to provide updated location information about movable objects owned by the owner. However, the methods in the '167 patent describe approaches where the owner or those authorized by the owner are used as RFID in locating the objects. In conventional sensor applications, a sensor is often combined with some type of long/medium range connectivity capability. In some applications, the sensor does not include any connectivity. In these instances, data collection is handled manually, which may be time intensive.

Electronic devices, methods, and computer program products for detecting a tag having a sensor associated therewith and receiving sensor information therefrom


An adaptive inertial particle separation system may include an active configuration and a passive configuration. The system may comprise an air-intake duct including an outer wall spaced apart from a central axis, an inner wall located between the outer wall and the engine rotation axis, an intake passage defined in part by the inner wall and the outer wall, and a splitter located between the outer wall and the inner wall. The system may further include a sensor operatively connected to the air-intake duct and operative to initiate at least one of the active configuration and passive configuration.

Gas turbine engines are used to power aircraft, watercraft, power generators, and the like. Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor compresses air drawn into the engine and delivers high pressure air to the combustor. In the combustor, fuel is mixed with the high pressure air and is ignited. Products of the combustion reaction in the combustor are directed into the turbine where work is extracted to drive the compressor and, sometimes, an output shaft. Left-over products of the combustion are exhausted out of the turbine and may provide thrust in some applications.
Air is drawn into the engine through an air intake and communicated to the compressor via an air-intake duct. In some operating conditions, particles may be entrained in the air such as dirt, dust, sand, or liquid and may be drawn into the air intake and passed through the air-intake duct to the compressor. Such particles may impact components of the compressor and turbine causing unintended wear. In addition, the deposit and accumulation of particles may cause fowling and plugging of engine passages. This unintended wear may decrease power output of the engine, shorten the life span of the engine, and lead to increased maintenance costs and increased down time of the engine.
To separate particles from air entering the compressor, an inertial particle separator may be utilized. The inertial particle separator uses the inertia of the particles to separate the particles from the air. As the air stream moves through the air-intake duct, the air moves along a serpentine flow path and enters a compressor passage of the air-intake duct while the particles move along a generally linear travel path and enter a scavenge passage included in the air-intake duct. In some instances, particles may deviate from the generally linear travel path and enter the compressor passage rather than the scavenge passage. Particles may deviate from the generally linear travel path due separation of flow from an outer wall of the air-intake duct leading to recirculation of the particles and/or other fluid flow phenomenon upstream of the scavenge passage.
Traditional technologies for particle separation may include a vortex tube and a barrier filter. The vortex tube requires a swirl tube structure, which unnecessarily consumes space and weight. The barrier filter uses a media to capture particulate, but requires frequent cleaning maintenance. Furthermore, inertial particle separators may utilize inflatable boots. However, these inflatable flow surfaces merely constrict or obstruct flow and do not contain translating components for enhanced particle separation. Thus, the capabilities of traditional particle separators are limited.
With traditional technologies, transient flow structures may be generated within an internal boundary layer separated flow region. This may sporadically extend the influence of the disturbed flow beyond the time averaged flow behaviors and locally interrupt the flow into the scavenge passage. This interruption may be to the extent of allowing a portion of the air that has entered the scavenge passage, that is laden with particulate, to enter the leg of the particle separator intended for compressor flow only. Traditional technologies have limited ability to minimize the formation of transient flow structures or the negative resulting influences on engine performance.
In addition, traditional technologies do not have sufficient ability to adjust or adapt the operation and performance characteristics of the particle separator to the demands placed on the turbine engine due to changing engine power demands, engine degradation level, or dramatically changing quantity or properties of particulate entering the engine inlet system. In many cases this causes the particle separator system to adversely affect the engine performance even in the absence of the presence of particulate.
To address the above, there is a need for an adaptive particle separation system. The need is to reduce the penalties to engine operation caused by the particle separator in when the operational environment causes them to be unneeded or inappropriate. It may be desirable to provide adaptive features such as sensors, active control devices, electrostatics, translating components, and variable control of scavenge passage flow level. Thus, there is a need for a system that minimizes the total penalties that the separator imposes on the gas turbine engine while also realizing an appropriate level of protection of the engine from sand and dust as it is present in the inlet airstream.

Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.


An intravenous (IV) coupling apparatus is disclosed for fluid delivery to a patient. The coupling includes a tube having an input end and an output end, wherein the input end includes a plurality of input connections configured to releasably couple to one or more input lines in communication with one or more fluid sources, and the output end includes a plurality of output connections configured to releasably couple to one or more output lines configured to deliver fluid to the patient. The coupling includes a plurality of lumens disposed within the tube substantially along the length of the tube, wherein each lumen couples one of the input connectors in fluid communication with a corresponding output connector such that an input line is in fluid communication with a corresponding output line when the input line and output line are connected to a corresponding input connector and output connector.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to fluid delivery lines, and more particularly to fluid delivery lines for hospitals.
2. Description of Related Art
During certain medical procedures and hospitalization, patients are often connected to a number of fluid sources for the purposes of, providing medications, hydration and other fluids. The fluid sources are generally coupled to the patient via lines such as catheters, intravenous (IV) and fluid lines. Many of these lines and tubes are connected to the patient during transport, and have a tendency to become entangled and confused. In addition, there is a risk that the lines will be disturbed or even disconnected if caught on a projection while the patient is being transported. A mass of entangled lines and tubes also gives family members and loved ones anxious feelings when seeing a patient treated in this manner.
Management of fluid delivery lines has also become a costly exercise for health care professionals. It may often take a nurse twenty to thirty minutes to reconnect IV lines after a patient is sent for a procedure.
Attempts to solve this problem have generally comprised a sleeve or cover that is wrapped around a segment of the IV lines, such as those devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,759, and U.S. Patent Serial No. 2004/0077998. However, both of these devices still allow the IV lines to become tangled within the covering. Because the IV lines are not anchored in within the covering, they are prone to tangling and inadvertent cessation of fluid flow to the patient.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is an IV line management system that allows for quick coupling and decoupling of lines to the patient and means for maintaining the continuity of the lines without tangling. At least some of these objectives will be met in the description below.


A support bracket for a cabin air compressor (CAC) assembly includes a CAC mounting portion with a plurality of CAC mounting holes distributed in an arc configuration along a CAC mounting hole circle radius defined from an origin. A support portion includes a ramped face that transitions to an upper lug portion and a substantially perpendicular face relative to the CAC mounting portion. An upper lug includes a coupling hole offset from a first CAC mounting hole at a first length in a first direction and a second length in a second direction. The first CAC mounting hole is offset from the origin by a third length in the first direction and a fourth length in the second direction. A ratio of the first length to the third length is between 0.48 and 0.50, and a ratio of the second length to the fourth length is between 2.48 and 2.54.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to aircraft environmental control. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to a support bracket of a cabin air compressor for an aircraft environmental control system.
Environmental control systems (ECSs) are utilized on various types of aircraft for several purposes, such as in cooling systems for the aircraft. For example, components of an ECS may be utilized to remove heat from various aircraft lubrication and electrical systems and/or used to condition aircraft cabin air. A cabin air conditioning and temperature control system (CACTCS) is an example of an aircraft ECS that includes air cycle packs supplied with pressurized outside (fresh) air from electric motor-driven cabin air compressors (CACs) which condition fresh air for cabin heating and cooling. The CACTCS provides flow control for modulation of cooling pack air flow, recirculation fans to circulate cabin air, and associated valves and sensors used for system control.
The CACTCS may also include a trim air system to provide individual cabin zone temperature control. This includes trim temperature control valves, trim duct heaters and associated sensors. As one example, a CACTCS may provide control of six baseline passenger zones and a flight deck zone. Additional zones, such as a forward cargo zone, a crew zone and/or an attendant zone may be controlled by other ECSs. Recirculation fans may also be provided for additional air flow to the passenger cabin and to ensure that flow at an air distribution nozzle remains constant.
Various elements of aircraft ECSs can experience harsh environments including a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and vibrations. Elements of aircraft ECSs must also fit within a compact space and minimize weight while providing adequate strength to handle typical and peak stresses over the anticipated life of the elements.


A capacitor microphone unit comprises a diaphragm vibrated in response to voices, a fixed electrode facing the diaphragm, an insulator, a circuit board, and a cylindrical unit case housing the foregoing components. An open end of the cylindrical unit case is folded inward, and holds a peripheral edge of the circuit board, the folded part functioning as a crimp; a ground wiring pattern is present on the peripheral edge of the circuit board, and is perforated at a plurality of positions along the peripheral edge of the circuit board; and the circuit board is pressed by the crimp at a plurality of positions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a capacitor microphone unit, and more particularly to a capacitor microphone unit in which an open end of a unit case is crimped in order to fixedly attach and reliably shield components.
2. Description of the Related Art
An existing capacitor microphone unit will be outlined with reference to FIG. 1 (related to the present invention) of the accompanying drawings. A cylindrical case 10 has a bottom, is formed by the drawing compound process, and houses a ring 26, a diaphragm 20, a fixed electrode 22, an insulator 24 and a circuit board 30, all of which are inserted in the named order. A peripheral top edge of the cylindrical case 10 is folded inward, and is crimped. This part is called the "crimp 14". The crimp 14 firmly holds a peripheral edge of the circuit board 30, so that the components are fixed in the cylindrical case 10. In FIG. 1, the cylindrical case 10 is shown upside down. A plurality of circular openings 12 are formed on the bottom of the cylindrical case 10. An inner peripheral edge of the circuit board 30 holds a peripheral edge of the insulator 24. The insulator 24 holds the fixed electrode 22 via its inner surface. A periphery of the diaphragm 20 is sandwiched between an outer periphery of the fixed electrode 22 and the ring 26. There is a space between the diaphragm 20 and the fixed electrode 22 except for the peripheral edge of the fixed electrode 22. Hence, the diaphragm 20 is vibrated by voices getting into the cylindrical case 10.
The crimp 14 of the cylindrical case 10 appropriately presses the components and makes them immovable. An evaporated surface of the diaphragm 20, the ring 26 and the case 10 are electrically connected to a ground wiring pattern of the circuit board 30. This is effective in blocking noise caused by high frequency signals. The capacitor microphone shown in FIG. 1 is of an electret type, in which electric charges are semi-permanently held on the diaphragm 20. The diaphragm 20 and the fixed electrode 22 are formed as a capacitor. A capacitance of the capacitor varies with vibrations, so that electric charges are discharged or introduced. Hence, an amount of electric charges also changes, so that a minute current is produced in response to vibrations of the diaphragm 20. The minute current is converted into a voltage signal at high resistance. The voltage signal is converted to low impedance by an amplifier, and is discharged outward. The amplifier is included in the circuit board 30, and is realized by a field effect transistor 28 (FET) functioning as an impedance converter.
At present, a number of capacitor microphones are very popular in order to convert voices into electric signals in a cellular phone using high frequency signals. High frequency signals entering into a microphone unit are detected by the impedance converter constituted by the FET 28, are converted into audio frequency signals, and are mixed as noise into an audio signal converted by the microphone unit.
The crimp 14 of the cylindrical case10 is brought into pressure contact with the ground wiring pattern of the circuit board 30 in order to accomplish an electric connection, and protects the microphone unit against noise caused by high frequency signals. This feature is inevitable in cellular phones or the like using high frequency signals, and is very effective in protecting capacitor microphones against noise caused by high frequency signals.
The printed circuit board 30 structured as shown in FIG. 6, which shows a wiring pattern on an outer surface. Most of the wiring pattern is used as a ground wiring pattern 60, which surrounds not only the remaining wiring patterns but also the periphery of the printed circuit board 30. The ground wiring pattern 60 is flat as a whole.
However, when the ground wiring pattern 60 is flat, pressure applied by the crimp 14 is dispersed, and the crimp 14 is in partial contact with the ground wiring pattern 60. In an extreme case, the crimp 14 is only in point contact with the ground wiring pattern 60. Therefore, high frequency signals will not be sufficiently blocked, and may enter into the microphone unit and cause noise. Therefore, it is very difficult to check with eyes whether or not the crimp 14 and the ground wiring pattern 60 are in partial contact with each other since contact is very minute. Further, it is also very difficult to measure a resistance value using a tester because the resistance itself is very minute.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 11-155,197 describes a capacitor microphone unit. In the publication, a shielded case houses a circuit board block at one end thereof, and a support of a capacitor microphone picking up sound pressure as a variation of capacitance is positioned at the other end thereof. The support, capacitor microphone and circuit board block are held in unison in the shielded case. The circuit board block includes a grounding pattern which is conductively connected to the shielded case. An elastic microphone cap is attached to an outer surface of the shielded case. A conductive tape is attached on the outer surface of the shielded case, and is connected to the grounding pattern via a part thereof.
In the foregoing publication, the capacitor microphone unit includes the shielded case in which the capacitor microphone, support and circuit board block are crimped. However, the crimped part of the shielded case and the ground wiring pattern of the circuit board block are not directly pressed. The ground wiring pattern and the outer surface of the shielded case are made conductive via the conductive tape. Electrical conduction is unstable between the ground wiring pattern and the shielded case, so that the capacitor microphone is susceptible to external high frequency signals.
There has been proposed a microphone unit in which a microphone unit case has its open end folded in order to hold an outer periphery of a circuit board (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 06-339,192).
The present invention has been contemplated in order to overcome problems of the related art.


A blade outer air seal (BOAS) for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seal body having a radially inner face and a radially outer face that axially extend between a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion. At least one cooling fin is disposed on the radially outer face between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion.

This disclosure relates to a gas turbine engine, and more particularly to a blade outer air seal (BOAS) that may be incorporated into a gas turbine engine.
Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. During operation, air is pressurized in the compressor section and is mixed with fuel and burned in the combustor section to generate hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases are communicated through the turbine section, which extracts energy from the hot combustion gases to power the compressor section and other gas turbine engine loads.
A casing of an engine static structure may include one or more blade outer air seals (BOAS) that provide an outer radial flow path boundary for the hot combustion gases. The BOAS surrounds rotor assemblies that carry one or more blades that rotate and extract energy from the hot combustion gases communicated through the gas turbine engine. The BOAS may be subjected to relatively extreme temperatures during gas turbine engine operation.

Blade outer air seal with cooling features


An image production method and system in which enhanced eye-marks are utilized. A method embodiment includes receiving image production instructions directing the production of an image. Enhanced eye-mark data is generated for an enhanced eye-mark having an instructive portion and a descriptive portion. An image forming device is caused to form the image and the enhanced eye-mark on print media.

In a publishing environment, it is often desirable to form images on print media (such as a web or sheets of paper) and to then perform a finishing operation on that print media. Examples of finishing operations include cutting, folding, binding, and laminating. For example, a series of photographic images may be printed on a web and then each of the printed images cut from the web, stacked, and delivered to a customer.
To assist in automating such an image production process, eye-marks are formed next to images on print media. The eye-marks encode instructions that direct the performance of a finishing operation. When the print media is fed through a finishing device such as a cutter, the eye-marks are electronically read and the instructions they encode carried out.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which a series of images 10-14 are printed on web 16. Next to each image 10-14 is an eye-mark 18-22. In this example, eye-marks 18-22 each encode instructions indicating where web 16 is to be cut. When web 16 is fed through a cutting device, an optical scanner senses and reads each eye-mark. A processor controlling the operation of the cutting device deciphers the instructions encoded in each eye-mark and guides the operation of the cutting device accordingly.
It is not uncommon for a finishing device to malfunction. Using the example of FIG. 1, as web 16 is being fed through a cutting device, the device might malfunction as it is making a cut following the instructions encoded in eye-mark 20. In addition to remedying the malfunction, a machine operator may also need to record information about the affected region of web 16 in case any images 10, 12, or 14 need to be reprinted. Unfortunately, eye-marks 18-22 provide little assistance to the machine operator.

Image production using enhanced eye-marks

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method of forming printed wiring boards having embedded thick-film capacitors includes covering capacitor layers with a protective coating prior to etching to prevent etching solutions from contacting with and damaging the capacitor layers and forming vias directly between the capacitor electrodes and the board circuitry.

1. Technical Field
The technical field is thick film capacitors, in general. More particularly, embedded capacitors in printed circuit boards. Still more particularly, the technical field includes embedded capacitors in printed circuit boards made from thick film dielectrics.
2. Related Art
The practice of embedding capacitors in printed circuit boards (PCB) allows for reduced circuit size and improved circuit performance. Capacitors are typically embedded in panels that are stacked and connected by interconnection circuitry, the stack of panels forming a printed circuit board. The stacked panels can be generally referred to as "innerlayer panels."
Passive circuit components embedded in printed circuit boards formed by fired-on-foil technology are known. "Separately fired-on-foil" capacitors are formed by depositing a thick-film capacitor material layer onto a metallic foil substrate, followed by depositing a top electrode material over the thick-film capacitor material layer and a subsequent firing under copper thick-film firing conditions. The thick-film capacitor material may include high dielectric constant materials, glasses and/or dopants, and should have a high dielectric constant (K) after firing.
After firing, the resulting article may be laminated to a prepreg dielectric layer and the metallic foil may be etched to form the electrodes of the capacitor and any associated circuitry. However, etching solutions common in the printed circuit board industry, such as ferric chloride in hot 2.4 normal hydrochloric acid, may attack and dissolve the capacitor dielectric glass and dopants. Etching solutions damage capacitor dielectrics such that many capacitors may be shorted after etching. Even when shorting has not occurred, the damage to the dielectric may compromise the long term reliability of the capacitor, especially if all of the etching solution has not been thoroughly removed from the capacitor. Other solutions commonly used in the printed circuit board industry for other processes, such as the black oxide process and plating, may also damage capacitor dielectrics and have similar long-term reliability implications.
One solution to the etching problem is to use a high silica content glass in the thick-film capacitor composition that is resistant to etching solutions. High silica glasses, however, have very low dielectric constants and high softening points. When used in capacitor formulations, the high softening points make the resulting compositions difficult to sinter to high density unless large volume fractions of glass are present. High volume fractions of glass however, result in undesirable low dielectric constants for the resulting dielectric.
The present inventors desired to provide a solution to this etching problem by creating novel methods of making capacitors and printed circuit boards. The inventors have accomplished such a goal by developing novel methods which incorporate the use of a protective coating.

Methods of forming printed circuit boards having embedded thick film capacitors


According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, detection electrodes provided to surround a display area where an image is displayed, and a common electrode provided over an entire surface of the display area. The common electrode includes a first lead wiring line that extends to a peripheral area around the display area, along a boundary part between a first detection electrode, which is one of the detection electrodes, and a second detection electrode adjacent to the first detection electrode. A capacitance formed between the first lead wiring line and the first detection electrode is substantially equal to a capacitance formed between the first lead wiring line and the second detection electrode.

In recent years, wearable devices (for example, wristwatch-type wearable devices, eyeglass-type wearable devices, and the like) have gradually become prevalent as a type of display devices with a touch detection function. Such wearable devices are required to have both display quality when displaying images and excellent touch operability, and various developments have been made. For example, a wearable device having a configuration in which touch sensors are arranged around a display area for displaying an image has been developed.


A dynamic exposure adjusting method and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The method includes the following steps: capturing a plurality of preview images, a plurality of additional images and a first image, wherein the additional images are not displayed in a display unit of the electronic apparatus;

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an exposure adjusting method and an electronic apparatus using the same, and particularly relates to a dynamic exposure adjusting method and an electronic apparatus using the same.
Description of Related Art
Most of the electronic apparatuses that are capable of taking pictures, such as digital cameras or smart phones, are now provided with the high dynamic range (HDR) function. When the HDR function is activated, the electronic apparatuses are allowed to improve the display of the bright and shadow details. Thus, objects in the picture are clear.
The conventional HDR technique mainly serves to obtain the best display when taking a picture. Namely, shadow details of the picture should be clear and there should be no over exposure in a bright scene. Thus, when taking the picture, a plurality of pictures having different exposure values are to be combined to form a preferable HDR picture. First of all, to obtain clear shadow details, the electronic apparatus may take a picture with a long exposure, so that a darker region in the scene becomes brighter. Then, in the same scene, the electronic apparatus may take a picture with a short exposure, so that a brighter region in the scene becomes darker to avoid over exposure.
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the conventional high dynamic range (HDR) technology. When the electronic apparatus takes a picture with the HDR function activated, the electronic apparatus may simultaneously take pictures 110, 120, and 130. The picture 110 is a short exposure picture taken based on an exposure value (EV) of ½, for example, which is used to shoot a part having a higher brightness in the scene (e.g. region 115). The picture 120 is a normally exposed picture taken by the electronic apparatus based on an exposure value of 1 EV. The picture 130 is a long exposure picture taken based on an exposure value of 2 EV, for example, which is used to shoot a part having a lower brightness in the scene (e.g. region 135). Then, the electronic apparatus may combine the pictures 110, 120, and 130 to form a picture 140. Thus, the picture 140 may simultaneously show clear shadow details and have no over exposure in the bright scene.
However, in the conventional technology, it is common to use fixed values for the long and short exposure times (e.g. ½ EV and 2 EV as described above). In other words, regardless of the scene, the electronic apparatus consistently uses the fixed short exposure time and long exposure time to execute the HDR function when taking pictures. Taking FIG. 1 as an example, the HDR mechanism described therein takes three pictures based on ½ EV, 1 EV, and 2 EV during every shooting, and combining the three pictures as the final picture.
Thus, in some extreme scenes (e.g. taking a human image in a severe backlight environment), the HDR function may be almost ineffective when the electronic apparatus takes a picture with the HDR function activated. Specifically speaking, the HDR function is not able to compensate for the human image and scene in the picture to obtain a preferable picture (e.g. clear shadow details and no over exposure in the bright scene).

Dynamic exposure adjusting method and electronic apparatus using the same

Abstract: analyzing a luminance distribution condition of the first image; obtaining a long exposure time and a short exposure time according to the luminance distribution condition; retrieving at least one specific image corresponding to the long exposure time and the short exposure time from the additional images; combining the first image with the at least one specific image as a processed image.


Exemplary embodiments of positive electrode active materials in the form of single particles, and a method of preparing each of them, are provided.

With increasing technology development and demands for mobile devices, demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has rapidly increased. Among such secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries having high energy density and voltage, a long cycle life, and a low self-discharge rate have been commercialized and widely used.
Due to a recent price jump of cobalt (Co), many attempts have been made to increase price competitiveness by substituting inexpensive lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM) for lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) which is currently used as a positive electrode active material for small batteries.
In the case of NCM, an upper voltage limit in commercial cells is 4.2 V. When NCM with an upper voltage limit of 4.35 V is used in a small device, there is a problem in that it has inferior performance, as compared to LCO. This is because Li deintercalation of NCM is higher than that of LCO at the same upper voltage limit, and NCM becomes more unstable in a high state of charge (SOC). As a result, rapid deterioration of the lifetime characteristic occurs when NCM is used at a high voltage of 4.35 V or more.
Accordingly, it is necessary to develop NCM positive electrode active materials having improved lifetime characteristics as an inexpensive positive electrode active material that is operable at a high voltage.

Positive electrode active material for lithium secondary battery and preparation method thereof

Abstract: The single particles of the exemplary embodiments include                single particles of a nickel-based lithium composite metal oxide, having        a plurality of crystal grains, each having a size of 180 nm to 300 nm, as analyzed by a Cu Kα X-ray (X-rα).

Abstract: The single particles include a metal doped in the crystal lattice thereof. One embodiment includes a surface coating.

Abstract: The total content of the metal doped in the crystal lattice thereof and the metal of the metal oxide coated on the surface thereof is controlled in the range of 2500 ppm to 6000 ppm.


The present disclosure is related to immunomodulatory bacterial minicells and methods of using the minicells.

1. Field
The present application is drawn to compositions and methods for the production, purification, formulation, and use of immunomodulatory eubacterial minicells for use in treatment of diseases, such as bladder cancer and other malignancies.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following description of the background of the invention is provided to aid in understanding the invention, but is not admitted to describe or constitute prior art to the invention. The contents of the articles, patents, and patent applications, and all other documents and electronically available information mentioned or cited in this application, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this application any and all materials and information from any such articles, patents, patent applications, or other documents.
It is well known that the immune system plays an important role in the prevention of cancer. It is becoming increasingly clear that immune modulation may be an attractive therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancer. The longest standing marketed anticancer immunomodulatory therapy is a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), which is used as a postoperative adjuvant therapy for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Other non-marketed experimental anticancer immunomodulatory approaches include the use of other live attenuated species of bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium, Bifidobacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Serratia marcescens, Clostridium novyi, Salmonella choleraesius, and Vibrio cholera. While somewhat effective, each strain used is limited by the risk of infection, fear of genetic reversion of live attenuated strains to pathogenicity, and sepsis. All of these approaches have been met with extreme toxicity reminiscent of the living bacterial infection with toxicity occurring at or near the most efficacious dose. This results in narrow therapeutic indices for each strain type.
To address toxicity issues with living bacteria as immunomodulatory therapy, others have attempted to use different bacterial components (as opposed to the whole living organism) to generate the same immunological effect. Experimental therapeutics of this type include purified bacterial toxins, purified pro-inflammatory lipopolysaccharides (LPS), purified teichoic acid (TCA), and other bacterial cell wall preparations and other bacterial sub-cellular fractions. These approaches have improved toxicity profiles but are with a concomitant loss of efficacy in some cases. Additionally, many only stimulate a polarizing immune response (either Th1 or Th2) with the majority stimulating Th2 (antibody generating) responses. It is reasonably well documented that a Th1 (cellular immune response) response seems to be preferential with respect to having an anti-tumor immunomodulatory effect. Last, these preparations can be difficult to manufacture at a scale and quality to support market demand and may only ultimately generate a subset of immune responses incapable of generating anti-tumor effects. In the case of protein toxins used in the treatment of most cancers, efficacy of the protein toxin is significantly limited by toxicity to normal tissues. In addition, drug pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters contributing to systemic exposure levels frequently are not and cannot be fully optimized to simultaneously maximize anti-tumor activity and minimize side-effects, particularly when the same cellular targets or mechanisms are responsible for anti-tumor activity and normal tissue toxicity. Again, this results in a very narrow therapeutic index, common for most protein toxins.
In addition to live bacterial vectors and bacterial components as immunomodulatory "generalists", other investigators have attempted to develop different, specific Th1 immunomodulatory cytokines and chemokines as anticancer therapeutics. Examples include but are not limited to interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interferon alpha (IFN-α), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Each of these approaches has been limited by unanticipated and severe toxicity with little or no immunological therapeutic benefit when administered alone. It is becoming somewhat clear that single cytokine or chemokine agents does not invoke the full spectrum of Th1 immune response needed to have an anticancer effect and that these factors are likely working in concert at varying levels that are dynamic over time. This is a nearly impossible cascade of immunological signaling events to recapitulate and orchestrate with a multiplex product formulation. Most single agent cytokines have failed clinically, the exception being pegylated interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C viral infections.
Based on the observed limitations of these approaches to the development of immunomodulatory anticancer therapeutics, there is a need for an immunomodulatory therapy that could mimic a live bacterial infection without introducing the risk of infection and infection-associated toxicity while still invoking a potent and diverse enough immune response to impart anticancer activity.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Immunomodulatory minicells and methods of use


Disclosed are a lithium salt expressed by a formula, LiAlXn(OY)4-n, where “X” is an electrophilic substituent group and “Y” is an oligoether group, an ionic conductor with the lithium salt dispersed in a structural member, and a liquid electrolyte with the lithium salt dissolved in a solvent. For example, the ionic conductor exhibits high ionic conductivity as well as high lithium ion transport number.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithium salt, an ionic conductor and a liquid electrolyte which can be used for polymer solid electrolytes and liquid electrolytes of lithium secondary batteries.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since lithium salts, which have been used for electrolytes of lithium secondary batteries conventionally, are solids which have a chemical structure of high dissociation, they do not exhibit ionic conduction independently. Hence, in order to give them ionic conduction, they have been conventionally dissolved in appropriate solvents to use.
Incidentally, from the viewpoint of inhibiting reactions with electrode active materials, nonaqueous solvents have been used in general for solvents in which lithium salts are dissolved. Ordinary nonaqueous solvents are combustible. Accordingly, in lithium secondary batteries which are expected to be applied to consumer appliances, nothing can be better than to avoid using such nonaqueous solvents if possible at all.
Hence, in order to keep nonaqueous solvents from using, it has been carried out forming solid electrolytes by dissolving lithium salts in appropriate polymers. Currently, as solid electrolytes having been reported so far, systems have been investigated in which alkali metals of good dissociation are dissolved in ether-based polymers, being cationic conductors. Since solid electrolytes are of high safety, in addition, since they are good in terms of formability to film, lightweightness, flexibility, and elasticity, they are expected to be more promising in the future.
However, although sold electrolytes, in which lithium salts are dissolved in appropriate polymers, exhibit high ionic conductivities, they exhibit lithium ion transport number of 0.5 or less. In particular, they exhibit much lower lithium ion transport number in polyether. Moreover, when conventional lithium salts are dissolved in solid electrolytes, not only cations move well, but also anions move well. Accordingly, the deposition of cations onto cathode takes place so that there arises a problem in that the ionic conductivity lowers. It is believed that the problem could be solved by restricting the movement of cations, specifically by employing single ionic conductors, in which cations move preferentially, as the lithium salt. However, since single ionic conductors fasten paired anions, the conduction of cations has been restricted as well so that the ionic conductivities lower.
Moreover, molten lithium salts have been known which turn into liquid at room temperature independently. However, the conducting species is anions, not cations. In addition, the present inventors reported a polymer electrolyte which has an aluminate structure. However, not only the method of synthesizing the polymer electrolyte has been complicated, but also the ionic conductivity has not been sufficiently high.

Lithium salt, ionic conductor and liquid electrolyte


A voltage reference circuit provides a reference voltage that can be precisely programmed. The threshold voltage of a first non-volatile memory (NVM) transistor is programmed while coupled in parallel with a reference NVM transistor. During programming, the reference NVM transistor has a floating gate coupled to ground through a first set of capacitors, and coupled to a reference voltage through a second set of capacitors. The program threshold voltage of the first NVM transistor is dependent on the first and second sets of capacitors. The first and reference NVM transistors are then coupled in parallel, and a differential amplifier is used to generate a single-ended reference voltage in response to the programmed threshold voltage of the first NVM transistor. Capacitors can be transferred between the first set and the second set, thereby providing precise adjustment of the single ended reference voltage.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is in the field of non-volatile programmable integrated circuits.
2. Description of Related Art
Voltage references are built in two main types: (1) band-gap based reference circuits; and (2) non-volatile memory cell-based reference circuits.
The vast majority of voltage references used today essentially replicate the silicon band-gap voltage and involve significant amount of circuitry to allow for proper functionality. A typical band-gap circuit includes a number of bipolar transistors (NPN or PNP) and an associated set of resistors. The forward voltage of a P-N diode has a large temperature coefficient, which is canceled by adding a series resistive voltage drop having opposite temperature coefficient. There are significant drawbacks with this classical approach, including: (1) the reference tuning is difficult and requires lengthy silicon iterations, (2) the operation at low currents requires very large resistors, and (3) the overall circuit is rather complicated and expensive in terms of silicon area. Moreover, the classical band-gap circuits have difficulty achieving a very low temperature coefficient due to inherent second order temperature effects. Trimming the reference to values other than the silicon band-gap requires additional circuits and involves a significant increase in area consumption.
Voltage references based on non-volatile memory cells are a more recent approach in integrated circuits. In general, a floating node of a non-volatile memory cell is programmed to a desired voltage level. The programmed voltage level is then copied to a low impedance node using standard analog circuit methods. It is noted that any floating node capacitor can keep a certain amount of charge (and voltage) indefinitely, due to extremely low leakage of silicon oxides. For the same reason, such floating nodes cannot be used as direct reference voltages, since they cannot drive any current. An amplifier is needed to buffer the floating node onto a low impedance reference node, which can be used for external purposes. In this regard, the reader is directed to the following references, which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties: U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,689 (Merrill); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,414,536 (Chao).
The use of a single floating node of a non-volatile memory cell to generate a voltage reference has a number of drawbacks, including: (1) the circuit required to program the single floating node introduces a capacitive coupling, which produces an offset between the programmed voltage and the read voltage, (2) charge de-trapping occurring after the programming step introduces another uncertainty in the final programmed reference voltage, (3) programming stress can unpredictably change the characteristics of the non-volatile memory cell, such that resistor trimming is necessary, and (4) to obtain the lowest temperature coefficient, measurements at different ambient temperatures are required. All these impose serious restrictions in the manufacturing process for voltage references using a single floating node of a non-volatile memory cell.
A more advanced type of non-volatile reference uses two floating gate transistors in a differential mode. The floating gates of the transistors are programmed through hot electron injection using Flash-type transistors. In the read mode, a feedback amplifier produces a differential reference voltage between two nodes, wherein the differential reference voltage is the result of different thresholds of the floating gate transistors and of a bias current injected into one of the two nodes. There are number of drawbacks associated with this type of non-volatile reference. The use of hot electrons injection for charge injection makes the precise programming very difficult, because hot electron injection is very fast and non-linear with time. As a result, the precise programming of a reference voltage is a difficult task. In addition, the reference voltage is programmed in an open loop, thus requiring many iterations to obtain the target reference voltage. Such concerns are amplified in a production environment, where a precise target reference voltage has to be programmed in a simple test flow. Further complications arise from the fact that the differential reference voltage is obtained as voltage floating above the ground, so additional analog processing is needed to transfer the differential reference voltage to a single ended reference voltage. The additional circuitry not only adds to the cost of the solution but also introduces distortions that diminish the accuracy of the reference voltage.
It would therefore be desirable to have a voltage reference circuit that overcomes the above-described deficiencies of the prior art.

Precision non-volatile CMOS reference circuit


A transponder has a resonant RLC circuit with one or more electromagnetic energy storage components that vary in response to an externally applied modulating energy field. In addition to the externally modulating energy field, a base station transmits a carrier signal with a frequency essentially the same as the quiescent resonant frequency of the RLC circuit. As the component(s) vary, the resonant frequency of the RLC circuit changes, modulating the carrier signal with the external modulating energy field. Effects of the modulation are detected by the base station. Information (e.g., the presence of a tag) is obtained by receiving and demodulating the modulated signal at the base station. One or more or the circuit elements (e.g, different preferred embodiments of one or more capacitors, inductors, and resistors) can be varied (e.g. mechanically) to modulate the carrier signal. This allows the resonant circuit to modulate the carrier signal with multiple modulation frequencies to encode multiple bits of information on the carrier.

A resonant circuit is one in which the values or circuit resistance, R, capacitance, C, and inductance, L, are chosen such that the reactance of the resonant circuit is a minimum at a resonant frequency.
In amplitude modulated radio reception, the antenna circuit is tuned to resonate with the carrier frequency of the particular radio frequency circuit. This tuning to resonance or near resonance of the RF antenna circuit provides a means for discriminating against the many other carrier frequencies used by other broadcasting stations, thereby allowing the listener to choose one station without interference from the others broadcasting simultaneously.
Information content is impressed op the carrier via a mixing scheme known as modulation in which a nonlinear element combines the carrier with the frequencies containing the information to yield a sum and difference frequency signal. This mixing process takes place at the broadcast station. The information is subsequently retrieved by an amplitude modulated radio receiver which separates the carrier via rectification and filtering leaving only the information signal, a method generally referred to as demodulation. Other types of modulating and demodulating circuits are well known, e.g., circuits using frequency modulation, and pulse modulation.
In prior Radio Frequency (RF) tagging art, a resonant circuit is disposed on a thin insulating dielectric substrate to form a tag for use in electronic article detection (EAS) schemes. Generally, the coil of the resonant circuit consists of a closed loop of a conducting element which has a certain value of resistance and inductance. A capacitive element which forms part of this closed loop consists of two separate areas of thin metal conducting film disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric. The tag is attached to articles to be protected from theft. An RF signal at or near the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is emitted from a base station. When the tag is in the RF field, the tag's absorption can lead to a change in the tank circuit current of the base station and a power dip in a receiving coil. Either one of these two effects can be used to sense the presence of the tag and hence the item to which it is attached. Thus, an alarm can be made to sound when either of these effects are sensed by a pickup coil or by an amplifier, indicating improper removal of an item. To deactivate the tag, a relatively high RF power pulse can be applied at the counter at which the point-of-sale of the item takes place. This high power acts to short the capacitor or burn out a weak portion of the coil. In either case, the circuit is no longer resonant and will not respond to the RF interrogation from the base station. In that case, the customer who has made a legitimate purchase at the point-of-sale counter can pass through the interrogation-sensing gate without setting off an alarm. It is clear from this description that these tags, once deactivated, are not reusable. In addition, in the configuration just described, the tags are capable of only conveying one bit of information. Thus, they cannot give any information regarding the item's identification and are useful only for anti-theft applications. This kind of tag is normally classified as a single bit tag.
Some RF tags consist of a resonant coil or a double sided coil containing two thin film capacitors with the plate of each capacitor on opposite sides of the dielectric. Such tags can be used for source tagging and have an initial frequency that is different from the frequency used at the retail establishment for theft protection. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,445 (assigned to Checkpoint), the tag is designated as being in a deactivated state until the first capacitor is shorted by means of a high power RF pulse at the then resonant frequency. Disabling the capacitor shifts the resonant frequency of the RF circuit to the store interrogation frequency. A second deactivation pulse is used to disable the second capacitor at the point-of-sale when payment is received for the item to which the tag is attached. At this stage, the tag is no longer usable and has been permanently destroyed.
Some additional art discloses two or more frequencies that can be obtained on a RF coil tag by altering the capacitance of the circuit. In one case, a strong DC electric field is applied to change the effective dielectric constant of the capacitor. Thus, the circuit has two resonant frequencies depending on the value of the applied electric field. Due to the ferroelectric hysteresis, the tag can be deactivated by the application of a DC field. However, it can also be reactivated and hence re-used by applying a DC field of opposite polarity (U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,009, assigned to Sensormatic). In an earlier embodiment, a set of capacitors connected in parallel attached to an inductance have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,186 assigned to Sensormatic in which each dielectric of the set of capacitors varies in thickness. In this manner, a series or resonant frequencies can be obtained by applying different voltages (electric fields). Each of the capacitors then changes capacitance at a different electric field (voltage) levels depending on the thickness of the dielectric. There can be some concern regarding the high voltages required for creating the change in the dielectric. Also, using this apparatus, the remanent state of ferroelectrics tends not to be very stable for long periods of time. Additional concern relates to the dielectrics, which are also piezoelectric materials which have properties quite sensitive to stress.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,189, assigned to Checkpoint, provides an array of series capacitors connected in parallel with an inductor. Here, the resonance can be altered by selectively shorting one or more of the capacitors, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the resulting circuit. A frequency code can thereby be established by disabling or burning out selective capacitors at the time of interrogation, those capacitors becoming disabled which at the time of manufacture of the tag were "dimpled". The disadvantage is that the item or person is subject to high r.f. fields during interrogation. Also, the range of frequencies that needs to be scanned is necessarily large. This makes detection difficult since the requirement to scan a large band of frequencies puts a strong demand on the flat response of the detector circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,401 describes an embodiment for a reusable tag. It is comprised of two ferromagnetic elements, one soft (low coercivity) and one hard (high coercivity) both physically covering a portion or an R.F. coil. The ferromagnetic element with high coercivity can be magnetized to apply a bias field to the sort material to put the latter into saturation. In that state, the R.F. field generates very small hysteresis losses leading to a relatively high Q of the tag circuit. On the other hand, when the hard magnet is demagnetized, the RF field results in hysteresis losses in the soft material which lowers the Q of the circuit. This change in Q can be used to determine whether a tag is active or has been deactivated. While this constitutes a reusable tag, the change in Q tends to be small and thereby some what more difficult to distinguish from other effects that attenuate the absorption.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,373 an apparatus is described for interrogating and sensing the presence of a RF resonant tag. Here the interrogating frequency is swept around a center frequency. In general, there is very little radiation emitted except when the tag is present in the field of the emitter. Thus, when there is no tag in the antenna field, very little energy is lost from the antenna circuit. When the swept frequency coincides with the resonant frequency of an active tag, energy is absorbed and a sensing circuit detects a drop in voltage level in the interrogating antenna oscillator circuit. The tag absorption occurs twice with every complete sweep cycle resulting in a negative dip in the oscillator circuit. The negative dip causes pulse modulation which is filtered, demodulated and amplified to cause an alarm to be activated, indicating theft of an item. Thus, the basic detection is achieved by varying the interrogation carrier frequency to match the resonance of a tag whose center frequencies span a range depending on the type or make of tag.

Modulation of the resonant frequency of a circuit using an energy field