An interactive audience participation system which utilizes audio command signals, such as loudness or sound intensity, transmitted by different audience groups. These respective audio command signals are detected to determine the aggregate of the signals for each group and then the detected aggregates are converted into data. An audience sensed interactive communication medium device, such as a large stadium video screen, is correspondingly manipulated by the detected data so that the audience may play a competitive or collaborative game.

This invention relates to the field of human-computer interface techniques for a group (one or more) of people simultaneously interfacing to a computer.
In more recent years, a considerable amount of work has been accomplished to facilitate one-on-one interaction of a human and a computer. This interaction is bi-directional, human-to-computer and computer-to-human. The present invention relates to the human-to-computer direction.
Devices which are commonly used for this purpose include the computer keyboard, mouse, light pen, track-ball, microphone, retroflective device, and, through the MIDI communication channel, a wide variety of musical instruments.
In the situation where the audience controls the course of action being sensed or viewed by the audience, common techniques utilized are wired seats, radio transmitters and retroflective devices. As a representative example of the latter mentioned device, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,604 for Method and Apparatus for Audience Participation by Electronic Imaging.
Electronic signaling devices used by a participating audience usually consists of buttons, switches, dials, etc. which are hard wired to the audience seats for manipulation by the people occupying the seats. Other methods for audience participation utilize retroflective devices which are illuminated from a light source and viewed by a video camera, as disclosed in the aforereferenced patent.
In yet other such audience participation systems, radio transmitters are utilized, however this procedure is relatively expensive.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for interactive audience participation which utilizes audio command signals transmitted by the audience, thereby eliminating the requirement of expensive transmitters, hard wiring to audience seats, or the necessary requirement of extra hand held devices, such as retroflective signaling devices.

Method and apparatus for interactive audience participation by audio command


An optical device simultaneously provides a multiplexing and demultiplexing function and combines dichroic WDM filter technology with Bragg grating filter technology. A plurality of adjacent sequential ports of a multi-port optical circulator serve as a vehicle for launching and receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal to be separated by the Bragg and dichroic filters. Other adjacent sequential ports having similar filters tuned to different wavelengths provide paths for combining the other wavelengths of light into a single signal. Conveniently a single circulating port serves as the input/output port of the device. The configuration can be applied an optical waveguide structure and, or more particularly to an optical fiber structure. Furthermore this configuration can combine multiplexing/demultiplexing function with a dispersion compensation function by adding a group of fiber Bragg gratings to a port of a circulator.

Optical systems are presently being employed in the communication of voice and video information as well as in the high speed transmission of data. Optical communication systems are desired because of the wide bandwidth available for the information signal channels.
Although this wide bandwidth is available, many of the existing optical fiber systems use only a single channel per optical fiber. Typically, this channel is transmitted at a wavelength of 1310 nm in one direction from a transmitting end to a receiving end and requires a second optical fiber to achieve bi-directional communication, however, recent increase in telecommunications traffic has resulted in a need for further fiber resources. One way this need was met, was to install additional optical fiber cables. Another was to increase the number of channels carried by same fibers.
Recently, technologies that can add additional channels to existing optical fiber cables already in the ground, have gained acceptance. These technologies seek to provide more than one channel on a single existing optical fiber and are therefore aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the existing fiber optic cable network. These technologies include wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and bi-directional transmission.
When a number of wavelengths are multiplexed and transmitted on a single optical fiber, customarily, these channels must later be demultiplexed into separate channels or wavelengths of light. For example, it may be cost effective to transmit signals of wavelength .lambda.1, .lambda.2, .lambda.3, .lambda.4, .lambda.5, and .lambda.6 (.lambda. denoting a wavelength, lambda) along a single optical fiber, however, demultiplexing means are required to separate the light into six separate channels. Of course, it is desired to perform this demultiplexing at a minimum cost and with as little signal loss as possible.
Various types of optical filters have been contemplated and used to separate light of differing wavelengths. Unfortunately, coupling and other losses associated with many of these arrangements have led to devices that are less than satisfactory. For example, dichroic filters arc widely used as WDM devices; however, the reduction of channel spacing as well as the passband is limited by the current interference filter technology.
As of late, in-fiber Bragg gratings have become more prevalent in the field of fiber optics. An optical system utilizing Bragg gratings in combination with an optical circulator is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,686 issued Feb. 1, 1994 in the name of David Huber and assigned to General Instrument Corporation, Jerrold Communications, Hatboro, Pa. However, there are certain problems with the use of Bragg gratings alone; for example, the coupling losses in utilizing Bragg gratings and circulators alone as a means of multiplexing/demultiplexing in high density applications may in some instances be prohibitive. Furthermore, low yield, and cost are further disadvantages.
It is an object of this invention to provide a multi-channel demultiplexor that is capable of demultiplexing a multi-channel signal with less loss than known prior art demultiplexors and or multiplexing a plurality of channels into a single signal more conveniently and with less loss than in many other prior art devices.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a multi-channel demultiplexor that is configured in a manner to minimize loss normally associated with serial-type architectures.

Hybrid bi-directional wavelength division multiplexing device


Airborne acoustic absorbers include periodic arrays of Helmholtz resonators that are covered and/or partially filled with an acoustically absorptive material, such as a thermoplastic foam. The combined structures have much broader frequency ranges of high acoustic absorption than do structures having only Helmholtz resonators or acoustically absorbing foam.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it may be described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present technology.
Viscous materials that absorb airborne acoustic waves are useful for sound mitigation in a variety of contexts. Such materials typically need to be very thick in order to achieve high efficiency absorption, however. Metasurfaces incorporating resonant structures can achieve high absorption with lower thickness, but typically have a narrow frequency range of high efficiency absorption. Some metamaterials are known combining the attributes of viscous absorbers and resonant structures, but are often very structurally complex and frequently still suffer from limited frequency range.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved acoustic absorption metamaterial for the absorption of airborne acoustic waves, having a simple design and providing broadband absorption efficiency.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


A magnetic recording medium includes a flexible substrate, a coating layer formed on the flexible substrate, and a magnetic layer formed on the coating layer. The coating layer contains a binder and nonmagnetic particles and has a thickness in the range of 0.05 to 0.7 .mu.m as a result of a stretching treatment performed at least once after application of the coating layer on the flexible substrate. The magnetic layer contains magnetic powder, a binder and an abrasive and has a thickness in the range of 0.05 to 1.0 .mu.m. The nonmagnetic particles contained in the coating layer has an average particle size in the range of 0.01 to 0.08 .mu.m. The abrasive contained in the magnetic layer has an average particle size in the range of 0.05 to 0.8 .mu.m and satisfies conditions defined by the following equations (1) and (2): EQU d.sub.mx .ltoreq.(d.sub.av .times.2.0)+0.5 equation (1) EQU d.sub.mx .ltoreq.t.sub.c +t.sub.m +0.5 equation (2). wherein d.sub.mx represents a maximum particle size of the abrasive, d.sub.av represents an average particle size of the abrasive, t.sub.c represents a thickness of the coating layer, and t.sub.m represents a thickness of the magnetic layer. With this arrangement, the magnetic recording medium is excellent in productivity and further improves a surface property of the thin magnetic layer. This achieves high outputs at a region of shorter wavelength and further achieves excellent running durability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium, and particularly to a coating-type magnetic recording medium which is suitable for the high density recording.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, various methods have been proposed for satisfying the demand for the high density recording of the magnetic recording medium, for example, using further fined ferromagnetic powder, using alloy magnetic powder, increasing magnetization and coercive force of the magnetic layer, smoothing a surface of a magnetic layer of the medium, achieving vertical (or oblique) orientation of the magnetic powder in the magnetic layer, reducing the magnetic layer in thickness, or the like. In addition to the demand for the high density recording, it has been also required to reduce size of the magnetic recording medium. Accordingly, it has been the big aim to reduce a thickness of the medium, particularly, a thickness of the magnetic layer. If, however, the magnetic layer is simply reduced in thickness, the effect of a final calendering treatment is not notably reflected. Thus, a surface roughness of the magnetic layer is not improved to result in a low electromagnetic transducer property.
To cope with such a problem, a method has been proposed to provide an undercoating layer between a magnetic layer and a flexible substrate for smoothing a surface of the medium, particularly, a surface of the magnetic layer.
For example, Japanese First (unexamined) Patent Publication No. SHO 57-198536 has proposed a method of forming a flexible substrate, applying an undercoating layer on the flexible substrate, and forming a magnetic layer thereon after drying the undercoating layer. Further, Japanese Second (examined) Patent Publication No. HEI 5-59490 has proposed a method of applying an undercoating layer on a flexible substrate and forming a magnetic layer while the undercoating layer is still in a wet state. Although it is not for exclusive use in the magnetic recording medium, Japanese First (unexamined) Patent Publication No. SHO 58-29626 has proposed a method for producing a polyester film for improving an adhesive property, wherein a coating layer (adhesive layer) containing polyester as a main component is applied on a polyester film base, and then a stretching (or orientation) treatment and heat treatment are performed to achieve orientation and crystallization thereof.
However, in the method proposed in Japanese First Patent Publication SHO 57-198536, although the functions of the undercoating layer and the magnetic layer can be optimized, a fine thickness variation is liable to occur upon the formation of the undercoating layer, thereby leading to a complex process control. Although it is possible to perform a calendering treatment after drying the undercoating layer for preventing such a fine thickness variation, this may cause the production processes to be further complicated so as to lower the production efficiency. Further, since the magnetic layer is formed after drying the undercoating layer, the magnetic layer is susceptible to lowering of the orientation.
On the other hand, in the method proposed in Japanese Second Patent Publication No. HEI 5-59490, it is possible to provide the undercoating layer and the magnetic layer through one coating process so that the production processes can be simplified as compared with the foregoing method. However, it is possible that disturbance of the interface between the undercoating layer and the magnetic layer and mixing of the coating materials are caused to incur output fluctuation of the produced magnetic recording medium. Further, since the application of the undercoating layer and the magnetic layer can not be performed without considering matching of the coating materials of the undercoating and magnetic layers, selecting ranges of the coating materials are so limited that compositions themselves of the undercoating and magnetic layers can not be optimized.
On the other hand, the method disclosed in Japanese First Patent Publication No. SHO 58-29626 only aims at the adhesive property of the film relative to one to be attached thereto. Thus, setting of a specification of the base film as an undercoating layer in the magnetic recording medium having a thin magnetic layer and suitable for the high density recording is not proposed in this publication.
As a technique similar to the foregoing polyester film producing method, Japanese First (unexamined) Patent Publication No. HEI 4-248116 has proposed a magnetic recording medium, wherein a coating liquid mainly containing carbon black and water-soluble polyurethane resin is applied on a polyester film and then a magnetic layer is formed after a stretching (or orientation) treatment. However, this proposed technique mainly aims at reducing an electrical resistance, wherein the magnetic layer has a large thickness of 4 .mu.m and the carbon black has a large average particle size in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.m, and thus, does not aim at improving a surface roughness of an applied thin magnetic layer.
Further, since the carbon black has poor dispersibility, a surface of the base film is liable to be roughened due to agglomeration. Thus, the carbon black is not suitable for the magnetic recording medium aiming at the high density recording. Further, since the carbon black is impurities to be removed upon recycling the base film, it is not preferable also in view of the effective use of resources as a social request.
The present invention has been made under these circumstances and has an object to provide a magnetic recording medium which is capable of achieving high outputs in the region of shorter wavelength and excellent in running durability and productivity.


A method for inexpensive and efficient PHA biosynthesis includes operating a sequencing bioreactor in alternating phases of nutrient deprivation and carbon feedstock deprivation to select for robust PHA-producing microbes. Preferably, the bioreactor is operated in a non-sterile manner with mixed cultures of methanotrophs. The method also preferably uses periodic biomass-wasting (PHA harvesting) at the end of the carbon feed phase, gradually lengthening the time period of carbon deprivation phase to create a penalty for rapid PHA degradation and incentive for PHA accumulation. Also, bacterial enrichment cultures may be introduced periodically. The PHA-accumulating bacteria are preferably grown on common anaerobic degradation products, specifically volatile fatty acids, such as acetate and propionate, and methane gas. The PHA has useful applications in bioplastics and other products.

As environmental concerns increase over the production and disposal of conventional petrochemical-based plastics, there is a growing incentive to find a simple method of producing inexpensive alternatives.
Bioplastics have numerous advantages over petrochemical-based plastics. Unlike petrochemical-based plastics, bioplastics rapidly biodegrade and are non-toxic. Bioplastics are derived from renewable resources, decreasing demand for non-renewable petrochemical resources. Bioplastics have lower energy inputs than petrochemical-based plastics, and their production results in lower CO2 emissions than petrochemical plastic production. It is therefore of great interest to find improved methods for producing bioplastics.
Bioplastics may be produced using various biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and particularly the polymer of hydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). PHAs are polyesters with repeating subunits (100-30,000) that have the formula—[O—CH(R)(CH2)xCO]—.
The most common type of PHA is PHB, where R═CH3 and x=1. Another is polyhydroxy valerate (PHV), where R═CH2CH3 and x=1.
PHAs are produced by many bacteria under unbalanced growth conditions when they have access to surplus carbon but lack an essential nutrient, such as phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, or manganese. Under these conditions, the bacteria hoard the carbon, storing it as intracellular PHA granules. The granules are consumed when supplies of carbon and energy become limiting or when the limiting nutrient again becomes available.
The most common known methods of PHA production use pure cultures, relatively expensive fermentable substrates, as sugar from corn, and aseptic operation. The price of PHA produced using this feedstock and methodology currently exceeds the price needed to be competitive with petrochemical-based plastics. Thus, an important challenge is to provide improved methods for producing PHAs that are more efficient and less expensive, so that bioplastics can become commercially competitive with petrochemical-based plastics.
Some methanotrophs have been shown to produce PHBs from methane under nutrient limited conditions. The PHB-producing potential of most methanotrophic species, however, remains largely unexplored, as are methods for efficient and inexpensive biosynthesis of PHB.

Use of selection pressures to enable microbial biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates from anaerobic degradation products

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Standford Junior University


Construction block units having spaced vertical bores with angularly disposed reduced rear access openings are assembled without mortar and have elongated rearwardly extending anchors with head ends received in the bores, the outer portions of adjacent converging anchors interengaging and supported so that the head ends extend vertically above a row of units for engagement by a second row of units to form a retaining wall. A freestanding wall is formed by parallel rows of facing block units interengaged by anchors having head ends at each end engaging angularly disposed bore openings in the facing offset units and supported so that the head ends extend into successive stacked staggered units. A column is formed by alternate courses of corner units having angularly disposed bores and side block units interconnected at each course level by anchors having head ends at each end and engaging side units across each of the corners and supported so that the head ends extend into successive rows of corner and side units. Various arrangements of combinations of the wall types with corners and columns is possible due to the arrangement of bores in the block and corner units and the configuration of the two anchor types.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to wall structures and more particularly to retaining walls, freestanding or privacy walls and columns formed of modular cast units.
2. Description of the Related Art
Retaining walls have been anchored in various ways including panels or masonry walls attached to tie-rods, bars, geogrid cloth, and blocks with rear extensions. These have generally required connecting the panel or block to the anchoring member and extending it back into the earth or connecting it to another structure. Examples of such walls are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,912, to Vidal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,169, Gavin et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,944, Rieger.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,378, to Scheiwiller, discloses a wall of blocks having dovetail joints engaged by rearwardly extending securing elements.
Freestanding walls of modular units are commonly constructed of blocks having an outer face and an inner engaging portion for interengagement with a similar engaging portion of a facing block. Examples are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,794,060, to Brozek, U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,505, Kaul, U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,630, Kindylides, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,832, Vassiliadis.
Other privacy walls include facing units connected by ties between the two sidewalls such as in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,507,831 to Hatch, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,144,630, Kotrbaty.
These types are also disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 707,444, to Moses, U.S. Pat. No. 867,954, Davis, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,144,774, Brozek.
Still another type employs modular units connected by medal clips or ties as in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,962,514, to McWilliam.


Virtual reality (VR) surgical systems with haptic feedback are described herein that can be used to simulate several instruments and surgeries. The instruments can include a tool assembly; first and second brackets each having first shafts that are rotatably coupled at first and second end regions of the tool assembly and second shafts that are rotatably coupled to first and second robotic arms; a surgical tool assembly coupled to an end portion of the tool assembly and having an elongated member that extends within the tool assembly; an elongated member position sensor assembly configured to provide position information of a position of the elongated member to a computing unit; and an elongated member force feedback assembly housed within the cavity and coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member force feedback assembly is configured to provide haptic feedback to the user of the instrument.

Haptic-control robotics have been used for several years for simulating medical procedures and training surgeons. Haptic-control robotics can provide a surgeon with force feedback at a surgical instrument that emulates touch sensations, forced movement, any resistances to movement, or information that emulates the touch sensations of an actual surgery to create a realistic training scenario.
Virtual reality (VR) devices are also starting to emerge as surgical simulation devices for training surgeons. Virtual reality-based surgery simulation provides the surgeon with a 3D scene of the modelled organs on a computer screen or other display and can be combined with haptic feedback from haptic control robotics at the instrument handle of the surgical instrument.
To simulate minimally invasive procedures, these VR devices typically combine simulated images from medical equipment such as a laparoscopic camera with force feedback on the surgical instrument.
One difficulty with current simulators is that they typically do not provide a trainee with a realistic experience of being in an operating room. Furthermore, current simulation systems cannot provide haptic feedback from more than one surgical instrument as the interaction of forces between multiple surgical instruments—particularly when one instrument is used inside or alongside the other instrument—tends not to lend itself to a closed-form solution.
Accordingly, there is a need for new methods, systems and apparatuses for providing a VR surgical system with haptic feedback.

Virtual reality surgical system including a surgical tool assembly with haptic feedback


An optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor includes both a metal layer and an overlay or underlay material on its surface. Existing fiber based SPR devices are inherently incapable of monitoring aqueous systems which have a refractive index ranging between 1.33 and 1.35, and existing prism based SPR sensors have proved too cumbersome for online chemical and biochemical analyses. Inclusion of the overlay or underlay material on the SPR sensor allows monitoring media with a refractive index from 1.00 to the 1.39 barrier and above. Hence, the SPR sensor allows monitoring important biochemical and chemical aqueous processes where the media typically have a refractive index between 1.33 and 1.35. In operation, samples are simply applied to the sensing region of the SPR sensor where the metal layer and overlay or underlay materials are coated, introducing a polarized beam of light into the optical fiber, and detecting surface plasmon resonance. The optical fiber can be positioned in a flow cell for on line operations where media are simply moved past the sensing region of the SPR sensor or can be part of a dip stick which is used for batch processes. The SPR sensor has particular utility in monitoring biochemical (antigen-antibody) reactions, detecting corrosion of metal surfaces, and identifying chemical products in an HPLC effluent.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based devices. More particularly, the present invention is related to a surface modified optical fiber sensor of a wider refractive index range than heretofore possible.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Surface plasmon resonance is the oscillation of the plasma of free electrons which exists at a metal boundary. These oscillations are affected by the refractive index of the material adjacent the metal surface. Surface plasmon resonance may be achieved by using the evanescent wave which is generated when a p-polarized light beam is totally internally reflected at the boundary of a medium, e.g., glass, which has a high dielectric constant. A paper describing the technique has been published under the title "Surface plasmon resonance for gas detection and biosensing" by Lieberg, Nylander and Lundstrom in Sensors and Actuators, Vol. 4, page 299.
Illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagram of the equipment described in the Liegerg paper. A beam 1 of light is directed from a laser source (not shown) onto an internal surface 2 of a glass body 3. A detector (not shown) monitors the internally reflected beam 4. Applied to the external surface 2 of glass body 3 is a thin film 5 of metal, for example gold or silver, and applied to the film 5 is a further thin film 6 of organic material containing antibodies. A sample 7 containing antigen is brought into contact with the antibody film 6 to thus cause a reaction between the antigen and the antibody. If binding occurs, the refractive index of the film 6 will change owing to the increased size of the antibody molecules, and this change can be detected and measured using surface plasmon resonance techniques.
Surface plasmon resonance can be experimentally observed by varying the angle of the incident beam 1 and monitoring the intensity of the internally reflected beam 4. At a certain angle of incidence, the parallel component of the light momentum will match with the dispersion for surface plasmons at the opposite surface 8 of the metal film 5. Provided that the thickness of metal film 5 is chosen correctly, there will be an electromagnetic coupling between the glass/metal interface at surface 2 and the metal/antibody interface at surface 8 which results in surface plasmon resonance, and thus an attenuation in the reflected beam 4 at that particular angle of incidence. Thus, as the angle of incidence of beam 1 is varied, surface plasmon resonance is observed as a sharp dip in the intensity of the internally reflected beam 4 at a particular angle of incidence. The angle of incidence at which resonance occurs is affected by the refractive index of the material against the metal film 5, i.e. the antibody film 6, and the angle of incidence corresponding to resonance is thus a direct measure of the state of the reaction between the antibody and the antigen. Increased sensitivity can be obtained by choosing an angle of incidence half way down the reflectance dip curve where the response is substantially linear at the beginning of the antibody/antigen reaction, and then maintaining that angle of incidence fixed and observing changes in the intensity of the reflected beam 4 with time.
As the angle of incidence is changed, either by moving the light source or rotating the glass body, or both, the point on surface 2 at which the incoming beam 1 is incident moves. Because of inevitable variations in the metal film 5 and the antibody film 6, the angle of incidence at which resonance occurs changes as the point of incidence of incoming beam 1 moves, which, in turn, introduces a further variable factor into the measurement and thus makes comparison between the initial unbound state and the bound state of the antibody film 6 less accurate.
FIG. 2 shows a surface plasmon resonance sensor where the glass body is a prism 13 and a thin film 15 of metal is applied to its undersurface. Light 11 from a laser source is incident on the prism 13 where it is refracted at point 19 before entering the prism 13. The internally reflected beam 14 is likewise refracted at point 20 upon exiting from the prism 13. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,064,619, 5,055,265, 5,047,633, 5,047,213, 5,035,863, 5,023,053, and 4,997,278 to Finlan, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,427 to VanVeen et al. describe prism-based SPR sensors.


The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for processing data. The method includes: establishing a data connection between a local service and a Web client, receiving data that the Web client transmits to the local service through the data connection; and storing the received data to the designated local storage space.

At present, due to the fact that some browsers do not support virtual file systems, the browsers cannot write data to the local Personal Computer (PC), but can only store the received data in the memory. When the amount of data is relatively large, the data will occupy a large amount of PC memory space, and even cause the PC to fail to operate properly.

Method and apparatus for processing data


A manual pointing device for a computer system, the device having at least one key that can be actuated manually by a user, a click-event detection module coupled to the key to detect actuation thereof on first, second, and third detection axes via an inertial sensing circuit elastically coupled to a casing with a board, the inertial-sensor circuit structured to be carried on the board so as to oscillate and to rotate about the second detection axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pointing device for a computer system with inertial click-event detection and to a corresponding click-event detection method.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known, most computer systems and computer-controlled devices are provided with pointing peripherals that enable commands to be imparted and a high number of operations to be executed in an extremely simple and intuitive way. In particular, the mouse is now the most common interface between a user and a computer and is manually displaced on a plane or on a two-dimensional surface for controlling a cursor or pointing element displayed on a screen. For this purpose, the typical mouse has a plurality of sensors that detect a movement in two dimensions of the mouse, a plurality of keys for entering commands, and a communication interface for communicating with the computer system.
In a conventional mouse, the keys actuate normally-open electromechanical switches so as to modify the state of a recognition circuit, and are controlled directly by the user's fingers (usually, the index finger and the middle finger). In use, the mouse is held by the user in his hand, and the fingers rest on the keys, which are actuated by exerting a slight pressure. To facilitate recognition of voluntary acts by the user, the keys are triggered only if a sufficient force is applied, higher than a pre-set threshold. Since triggering produces a sound event, actuation of a key is typically defined as "click" or "click event".
A drawback of traditional pointing devices is that the contacts of the switches, with time, tend to oxidize, and hence electric-type detection of the click events fails. Clearly, this problem renders unusable traditional pointing devices and limits their average life.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Key actuation detection apparatus and method


The drive hub for a vehicle, particularly for a bicycle, includes a hub axle 1, a hub shell 9 rotatable relative thereto, and a driver or actuator 13 mounted on the hub axle 1. The driver 13 drives the hub shell 9 over a ball friction gear 17, the ball carrier plates 25 and 27 of which form with the hub axle 1 a rigid gear housing the balls 35 of which, with a guide ring 33, a drive ring 51 and a driven ring 55, enter into a frictional connection which, by the swivelling of the axle pins 37 between drive ring 51 and driven ring 55, permits different rotational speeds. The pressure forces are produced by a thread 47 between driver 13 and drive sleeve 49 proportionally to the driving torque, the pressure spring 57 ensuring a dead-travel-free response of the ball friction gear 17. The infinitely variably adjustable transmission ratio of the ball friction gear 17 is controlled through a control device 79 consisting of rotational elements, through a solid cone 29 which sets in rotation a crank wheel 91, as a result of which the spiral-shaped guide grooves 95 move the ball projections 39 of the ball axles 37 radially outwards or inwards, depending upon the direction of rotation. The ball axles thus swivelled provide for an infinitely variably adjustable transmission ratio between drive ring and driven ring.

The invention relates to a drive hub for a vehicle, particularly a bicycle, with a friction gear the transmission ratio of which can be adjusted in stepless manner.
From the manual "Bicycling Science" by Frank Rowland Witt, David Gordon Wilson, The MIT-Press, Cambridge and London, 1988, 2nd edition, page 282, several construction principles of friction gears are known, reference being made to the problems in connection with such friction gears in connection with bicycle hubs. These problems consist in that in bicycle hubs relatively high torques for low speeds are to be transmitted, in connection with which the transmission ratio is to be adjustable in such a manner that, according to requirements, the hub shell rotates faster or slower than the driver. One of the main constructional forms represented is a friction gear in the form of a ball friction gear, wherein friction balls, stationarily mounted with angle-adjustable ball axes on the outer periphery designed in the manner of a cone, roll both on a driving wheel and on a driven wheel for the transmission of a corresponding torque from the driving plate to the driven plate.
DE-21 36 243 A1 shows a static gear with input shaft and an output shaft coaxial therewith. The friction balls used here are freely rotatably mounted and roll on a total of four locating faces adjustable relative to one another, the axis of rotation of the balls adjusting itself accordingly. The drive of the friction balls is effected over a slanting outer peripheral surface of a drive plate connected with the driving axle. Provided is an expanding coupling for increasing the pressing force as the torque increases. The construction of this gear is costly. A direct precise setting of a desired transmission ratio is not possible. The stationary housing, in which, inter alia, a driving worm of the control device is provided, cannot be replaced by a rotating hub shell.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,430 shows a drive hub for bicycles with a friction gear which is based upon the principle of torque transmission by means of friction wheels which roll on toroid surfaces of oppositely placed toroid plates. The hub axle here, differently from the standard drive hubs, is rotatably mounted in the bicycle frame, so that special mounting means are required. The two toroid plates rotate in opposite directions. In order, however, to drive the hub shell in the direction of rotation of the driver, a planetary gear reversing the direction of rotation with stationary planetary gear carrier is therefore necessary in this construction. The planet wheel engage into a ring geared wheel connected with the friction gear, as well as into a sun wheel gearing connected with the hub shell, so that the friction gear therefore runs more slowly than the hub shell. For a predetermined drive performance the friction gear must therefore be designed for the transmission of high torques. Particularly, high pressing forces are necessary in the friction gear so as to avoid undesirable slip. The friction gear is always moving for all possible transmission rations, which brings about friction losses.
An improvement of this hub is shown in EP 0 432 742 A1. The hub axle, as is usual in bicycles, can be incorporated rigidly into the bicycle frame. This bicycle hub also operates according to the principle of toroid plates. For the adaptation of the speed range of this hub to the transmission ratios usual in bicycles a planetary gear is provided, the planet wheel carrier being connected with the hub shell, and the planet wheels engage, on the one hand, into a stationary ring gear, and on the other hand, into a sun wheel connected with the friction gear. The ring gear is connected with the hub axle by means of an inner barrel surrounding the friction gear and extending over a great part of the axial length of the hub shell, which increases the constructional expenditure as well as the required space for incorporation. The planetary gear moves independently of the respective set transmission ratio. Finally, the constructional expenditure for bicycle hubs which operate according to the toroid plate principle is particularly high, especially because the making of the gear demands high manufacturing precision. Also, the transmission range in this construction is confined within relatively narrow limits.

Driving hub for a vehicle, particularly a bicycle, with an infinitely adjustable transmission ratio


A tape path having an implicit squeeze bearing. In such a tape path, one end of the tape is wound upon a first reel, the tape extends around one or more guides, briefly comes into close proximity with itself at the outer wrap of the tape wound upon the first reel, and is wound upon a second reel. By coming within close proximity with itself, the tape forms an implicit squeeze bearing which damps tape tension variation, inhibits the transmission of vibrations from one reel to the other, and eliminates the entrapment of entrained air without any additional rollers or other components. The tape path is suitable for use in a peripheral storage device, such as a magnetic tape drive, and is compatible with a variety of tape cartridge configurations.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a tape path which minimizes the components required to control tape tension, vibrations, and winding disturbances. More particularly, the invention is a tape path having an implicit squeeze bearing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic tape drives typically use a reel-to-reel tape transport design, or "tape path", for controllably advancing the tape past an adjacent tape head. The tape head includes one or more magnetic transducers for writing to and/or reading from the tape. The tape is wound upon 2 reels, one reel at each end. The tape is advanced by rotation of such reels. One problem in reel-to-reel tape paths is tape velocity and tension variation. Variations in tape velocity and tension cause vibration. Tape vibration can be characterized according to the propagation velocity of the vibratory mode, the length and geometry of the vibration transmission path, and the terminating conditions of the vibration transmission path. Tape vibration modes include shear waves, longitudinal waves, out-of-plane resonant bands, and other path resonances. Such vibration in the tape can disrupt the head-tape interface, and thus effects the overall operation of the drive. PG,4
Existing tape drives control tape tension and vibration in several ways. The IBM 3420 Magnetic Tape Drive and the IBM 3850 Mass Storage Subsystem employ a combination of rollers and vacuum columns for such a purpose. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,144. The IBM 3480/3490 Magnetic Tape Subsystem uses a tape tension transducer in a closed loop tension servo control configuration, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,406,906 and 4,389,600. These and other drives may also use compliant members or tension arms to control tape tension and dampen vibration. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,456,160, 4,182,472, 3,806,574, 3,175,780, and 3,004,728 disclose various aspects of tape control, such as guiding rollers and flanges. All of the aforementioned controls use devices ancillary to the reels and tape, which adds both expense and complexity to the tape path.
Another problem in reel-to-reel tape paths is air which is entrained in the windings of tape as it is wound upon a reel. The entrained air is trapped into pockets and can result in abrupt tape slippage and changes in tape tension which not only disrupt the head-tape interface, but can also result in catastrophic damage to the tape. The consequences of entrained air depend upon such parameters as the material properties of the tape, the design of the reels and guides used in the tape path, and the winding rate and geometry. Entrained air can be prevented by winding the tape in a vacuum, but such is expensive and inconvenient. U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,303, 4,576,344, and 3,405,884 disclose rollers which are used to control the entrainment of air. Again, rollers are ancillary to the reels and tape and are therefore undesirable. U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,789 also refers to the entrainment of air in a tape winding mechanism.

Tape path having implicit squeeze bearing

International Business Machines Corporation


A data management device body is provided with a connector to be inserted into a slot for miniSD of a mobile phone terminal. Besides, the data management device body includes a virtual memory management portion that simulates a storage area for miniSD in a hard disk drive having a capacity larger than that of the miniSD, a data write processing portion for writing data sent from the mobile phone terminal via the connector into a virtual memory that is a simulated storage area, and a data read processing portion for sending the data stored in the virtual memory to the mobile phone terminal via the connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for inputting and outputting data to and from a device such as a mobile phone terminal including an interface for a semiconductor memory, and others.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile phone terminals have recently been equipped with a high-definition digital camera, a digital audio player for reproducing high-quality music and others. Besides, the number of addresses that can be registered in an address book (a phone book) of mobile phone terminals increases dramatically. Along with such evolution, data having a size larger than ever before is handled in mobile phone terminals.
Further, mobile phone terminals have been equipped with an interface for coupling a large capacity semiconductor memory. In addition, the capacity of an internal memory has been increased. This allows a backup of a large amount of data in a semiconductor memory, for example, image data of an image photographed by a digital camera of a mobile phone terminal, image data sent from other mobile phone terminal, data in an address book or music data.
Thus, since functions of mobile phone terminals are improving day by day, many users replace mobile phone terminals with new ones once in a few years. On this occasion, if an old mobile phone terminal has data to be used continuously in a new mobile phone terminal, it is necessary to transfer such data from the old mobile phone terminal to the new mobile phone terminal.
In regard to this matter, putting a method described in Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2002-359694 to practical use is possible. According to the method, a mobile phone terminal and a personal computer are connected to each other via a USB cable. Then, data stored in the mobile phone terminal can be outputted to the personal computer and be saved therein. This method is applied as follows: An old mobile phone terminal and a personal computer are connected to each other and data stored in the old mobile phone terminal is transferred to the personal computer once. Then, a new mobile phone terminal and the personal computer are connected to each other and the data that has been backed up is transferred to the new mobile phone terminal. In this way, data transfer can be performed from the old mobile phone terminal to the new mobile phone terminal.
The version of USB that is used for connection to a mobile phone terminal is version 1.1. Accordingly, in the method described in Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2002-359694, a mobile phone terminal transfers data at a rate of approximately 1.5 Mbps (bit per second). However, since large size data is handled nowadays, in some cases, it may take much time to transfer data at this rate.
The USB 1.1 has a full-speed mode, i.e., a mode for transferring data at a rate of 12 Mbps. This mode, however, lacks stability compared to a low speed mode (a mode at a rate of 1.5 Mbps). Accordingly, in order to use the full-speed mode, error-handling logic such as retransmission control is necessary. It is difficult, however, to use the full-speed mode in mobile phone terminals on which strict conditions are imposed such as a small casing, a low cost and electric power saving. In short, it is desired that mobile phone terminals can achieve data transfer at a higher rate than ever before with the current specifications maintained as much as possible.

Data input and output device, data input and output method, data transfer method, and computer program product


Clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, wherein the handle end of the utensil incorporates a clip for securing the utensil to the edge of a plate, bowl, glass or cup. The clip portion of the utensil is opened and subsequently positioned over the tableware edge, wherein the clip is subsequently released; thereby, gripping the edge of the tableware and securing the utensil thereon. When at rest, the clip portion forms a planar combination with the handle thereby imparting strength to the combination over that of the handle alone. Various alternative clipping means are described.

It is often necessary for a diner to carry their plate and utensils while obtaining food from a central location, and then transport the acquired food back to a seating area. Such is often the case at buffets or picnics, where food plates and utensils are typically disposable. In addition to carrying a plate and utensils, the diner will typically require a napkin.
Accordingly, it often becomes difficult to hold a plate, utensils and/or napkin, while at the same time serving oneself from platters of food. It is therefore desirable to have some device and method to facilitate handling and transporting of acquired food, so as to free at least one hand for alternate use.
There are devices such as that of Peatross et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,711) that are utilized to support utensils. However, the Peatross et al. '711 device retains the utensil in holes on the side of a basket, or within external slots on the basket, and is, as such, not suited for application to disposable plate/utensil combinations.
Other devices, such as that of Nivin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,403), are suited for attachment of utensils together via a nesting facility located on the utensils themselves. However, the device of Nivin '403 lacks any means for attachment to a plate.
The knife of Glesser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,129) has a retaining clip incorporated therein; however, such a knife is not particularly suited as an eating utensil, and the clip is designed for retaining the knife within a pocket or upon a belt of the user. Moreover, the clip is an added component, beyond that required as a knife, that inconveniently requires assembly to the knife.
Buj (U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,033) teaches a set of children's eating utensils, such as spoons or spoon/fork combinations ('sporks') that have holes therein in order to fit the utensil over a peg on a plate, so as to retain the utensil thereon. However, while well suited for storage of the utensils in such a fashion, the utensils would obstruct the filling of such a plate while acquiring food from a buffet, wherein the pegs would obstruct the user during food consumption.
Hombach (U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,668) teaches a separate holding device for retention of utensils on cooking implements or on a bowl, wherein the holding device is attached via a clothespin or similar clipping device to retain the utensil in position on the bowl's edge. While the device of Hombach '668 may be suited for retention of utensils in such a fashion, it requires components that must be assembled prior to use, thus significantly reducing the expeditious and convenient use and application of same.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, so as to secure eating utensils, and/or napkin, to a plate, (or bowl, cup or glass); thus enabling the person/diner acquiring food to separately carry the plate, utensils, and/or napkin in one hand, while placing food on the plate and/or carrying other objects with the free hand.

Clip-on utensils and methods of use thereof


An electronic circuit comprises capacitive structures that are connected to one or a plurality of nodes, where each of the capacitive structures is formed by a capacitor or by a plurality of capacitors electrically connected in parallel. The electronic circuit further comprises additional capacitors that are each connected to the one or plurality of nodes. For at least one distance between capacitors, the capacitive structures have a same average of values defined, for each capacitor of each capacitive structure, by the number of capacitors of the circuit connected to the one or plurality of nodes and located at the distance from the capacitor of the capacitive structure.

Certain circuits comprise weighted-capacitance capacitors, that is, capacitive structures having capacitance values equal to a same unit value multiplied by integer coefficients. In particular, in an analog-to-digital converter, the digital value output by the converter is a function of the weighted capacitance values. The accuracy of the conversion is thus linked to the accuracy of the weighted capacitance values obtained in practice.

Electronic circuit with a set of weighted capacitances


A table corner apparatus comprises a tabletop having a corner formed from the intersection of two side edges, two peripheral elongate support beams mounted to the underside of the tabletop near and parallel to the two side edges, each beam having an end located near the corner with the ends also located near each other, and a plastic web disposed between the support beam ends. A rigid corner insert mounted in the corner comprises an edge insert disposed adjacent the side edges at the corner, an impact block disposed between the edge insert and the exterior surfaces, relative to the center of the tabletop, of the support beams and web, a retaining block disposed oppositely from the impact block at the interior surfaces of the support beams and web, and a rigid connector between the retaining and impact blocks. A method of minimizing impact damage to the table corner comprises receiving the impact at the corner insert and transferring the force of the impact to the support beams.

There exists a continual need in the art to improve the strength and damage resistance of lightweight tables. This need exists because, in general, a trade-off between strength and weight must be made, i.e., the lighter the table, the weaker and more vulnerable to damage it is. Table corners are especially vulnerable since they are very likely to be hit and scraped against door frames and walls during moving of the table, and hit by chairs and other objects when stationary. Damage is of particular concern with portable tables which are bumped and jarred with some frequency. Permanent heavier tables are also subject to damage, but since their tops are usually heavy and durable the problem is minimal. Some tables deal with the problem of corner damage by eliminating corners altogether, such as round and oval tables.
The table edges and corners of most lightweight and/or portable tables are thin and therefore vulnerable even to hits of relatively little force. Peripheral reinforcements or supports such as beams underneath the tabletop are usually displaced inward from the table edge to facilitate grasping the edge by hand during movement. This forms an outer periphery of a few inches between the support beam and the edge of the table, causing the corner to be farther away from the support beams than any other point on the table edge. No matter how thick the tabletop is, therefore, the corner will be more vulnerable to damage than the rest of the tabletop edge.
A table corner is damaged principally through two kinds of impacts. The first of these, referred to as lateral or horizontal impacts, dent and damage the corner diminishing its strength and visual appearance and occasionally completely breaking off the corner. A downward or vertical impact, on the other hand, will bend or completely break off the corner given the absence or small amount of supporting material beneath the outer periphery.
Cobos et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,576, discloses a strengthening apparatus for tables comprising gussets mounted at the corners of the table interior to the intersection of the peripheral support beams. Though the gussets appear to strengthen the table much as any support material would, they do not support the most vulnerable portion of the table corner between the edge and the peripheral support beams.
Other prior art tables thicken or otherwise strengthen the entire tabletop to properly support and strengthen the corners. This type of reinforcement increases weight and cost of materials, and does nothing to strengthen the corner relative to the rest of the table.

Table corner apparatus and method of minimizing damage from impact


A networked virtual jukebox renders audible music or other audio files to all within audio range of the virtual jukebox. The order of rendering is determined by requesting methods, which include networked peer-voting input, recent play history, random selection and voting. Voting is received from each networked device in communication with the networked virtual jukebox using all types of input methods such as keyboard, mouse, and voice input. The networked virtual jukebox can also operate unattended by playing music and/or audio files based on random selection of past voting.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the field of networked audio file sharing and rendering, and more particularly relates to the selection, voting, scheduling, and rendering of audio files on a network in a shared listening environment.
This invention relates to the field of recorded music play back. More specifically, it is a method, a computer readable media, and apparatus for collaborative selection of audio playback of shared digital content. The invention allows multiple listeners to jointly decide what music to play in a shared space by indicating the location of digital files on a computer network. The invention can also be used by individual users to remotely program an audio file player. An example would be for a manager to schedule certain announcements at a particular time for all to hear at a given location.
2. Description of Related Art
Contemporary technology has brought forth such wonders as inexpensive and pervasive PCs, networks of computers connected together by networks such as the Internet. It is now possible to compress audio files using MP-3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3) compression and store them on a personal computer for deferred listening. In fact, it is possible to compose a play-list of personal favorites from different artists, assemble the audio files into a folder, and then send this to someone special.
Music File Sharing Networks
Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a block diagram 100, illustrating a prior art network, which makes possible all types of file sharing between users. A network 102, such as the Internet, connects servers 104 and clients 106 together for the mutual benefit of all. A music web "server" 108 contains lists of both clients and their individual listings of stored music files. These lists have been aggregated in such a way that they are searchable by several different parameters, such as by artist or title. Once a search is completed any matches are presented. In the case of several matches the user must select a single one based on such attributes as connection speed. Once selected the real URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is used to down load the music file, which is typically an MP3 file type. Note that the server 108 does not contain any music. Also connected to the network 102 is a Client 106 community. Clients 112, 114 and 116 represent the members of this music sharing community. They share available music files with each other, where the Server 104 provides a song title listing and search function. Also note that there is a music file server 110 that may be accessed, which provides music files from a "for profit" music publisher.
The popularity of audio file sharing groups is noted. They represent two issues. The clients are typically individuals at different locations. In addition where there is shared listening, the play list is really in the control of a given PC operator. In this situation the group of listeners are not able to make individual choices or votes for the play list. Accordingly there exists a need for the ability to vote as a group in a shared listening environment.
Another problem is the issue of ownership. Specifically song copyrights allow for the listening pleasure of individuals who bought a given song. This listening may be individually or in a shared acoustical environment. The ownership does not allow for wholesale copying or distribution of audio files, thus depriving the copyrighted song owners their revenue stream. Accordingly, there exists a need for enforcing the copyrights of the audio file owners, while enabling a shared listening environment.
Recordings of music have traditionally been distributed in physical media, including vinyl records, CDs (compact discs) and other media. With the widespread availability of computer networks other means for distributing digitally encoded music have become available, namely the transfer of this digital content over wired or wireless networks.
Original Jukeboxes
In the 1930s, musical Jukeboxes became popular. They allowed patrons in public places to select records and songs from a fixed list by pushing buttons corresponding to a desired song. In most cases, the right to select a song required paying a small amount of money. Jukeboxes contained several records, but were limited by the physical dimensions and the complexity of moving the records to a position where they could be played. The advent of digital media resulted in minor changes to the same concept, basically replacing the vinyl records for CDs and using the appropriate playback mechanism.
Referring to FIG. 2, block diagram 200 shows the prior art of a 1950s style musical Jukebox. The technology here was a vinyl record player. There is a lot of nostalgia associated with these boxes that were quite ornate with very stylized lights and chrome. In a restaurant or malt shop 206, some one would select a song from a list represented at the Jukebox 202. The Jukebox would play the selected song through the speakers 204 for all to hear. The play queue is as simple as the order of the patrons selecting the songs. This simple FIFO (First In First Out) queue worked well except if someone would "hog" the Jukebox by selecting lots of songs. Accordingly there exists the need to maintain this shared listening experience while enabling a more democratic song selection.
Diner Type of Jukeboxes
Turning now to FIG. 3, shown is a block diagram 300, of the prior art of an alternative style of 1950s Jukebox. In this configuration, perhaps a "diner" model, each table has a small chrome box, which contained flip pages of the available songs. People at each table 312, can select a song at the first Jukebox selector 302, or second 304 through the Nth Jukebox selector 306, that are located at each table. Based on a FIFO queue, the songs would be played for all to hear by the central Jukebox 308 by the speakers 310. The advantage with this installation of Jukeboxes at each table is the convenience of making a selection. In addition, people at each table can discuss and perhaps vote on which songs to purchase. This technique of voting did not extend from table to table nor is the technology (vinyl records) viable any more.
Accordingly a need exists for a virtual Jukebox device for facilitating playback rendering of audio, such as songs, that is collectively selected and prioritized for playback by users.
The latest technology, including mechanisms for encoding music in digital format such as MP3, has enabled more efficient ways of managing and distributing audio records by compressing digital audio files such as used on CDs. Commercially available players such as the "Rio PMP300" from SonicBlue (formerly Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.,) implemented both in software and hardware, allow a user to listen to MP3 digitally encoded music. However, the form factors for these players are like a WalkMan®, where the main emphasis has been on individual rather than collaborative group use.
Accordingly there exists a need for utilizing the latest technology in a shared listening environment.

Method, computer readable media and apparatus for the selection and rendering of audio files in a networked environment

International Business Machines Corporation


A brightness correction method for a display panel, comprising showing a plurality of image areas in the display panel, wherein the image areas display different colors, each color has a plurality of luminance values according to a plurality of gray values, and wherein each gray value corresponds to a gamma voltage; detecting the luminance values; and adjusting the gamma voltages according to the detected luminance values.

The disclosure relates to a correction method and system, and more particularly to a brightness correction method and system.
Featuring the favorable advantages of thinness, lightness, and generating low radiation, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have been widely used. Each LCD comprises a display panel including a number of pixels. The light transmittance of each pixel is determined by the voltage difference between the upper plate voltage and the lower plate voltage. The light transmittance of every pixel is typically non-linear with respect to the voltage applied across the pixel. Thus, gamma voltage correction is performed to reduce color distortion by adjusting the brightness of pixels of the display panel.
Generally, an image displayed in a display panel is constituted by three basic colors (RBG) such that the gamma voltages of each color must be respectively corrected. Thus a manufacturer must spend 10˜15 minutes on gamma voltage correction in a display panel.
Since the gamma voltage correction for display panels is time-consuming, the manufacturer does not perform gamma voltage correction for every display panel. The manufacturer gives a standard gamma voltage group and then records the standard gamma voltage group in each display panel.
Since characteristics of display panels are different, as each display panel utilizes the standard gamma voltage group, aberration easily occurs in the display panels.

Brightness correction method and system utilizing the same


A reactor for plasma CVD or plasma etch is provided with a first electrode held to ground potential which supports the workpiece, e.g., a semiconductor wafer. A second electrode is spaced from the first electrode to form a gap therebetween, and has an electrical potential suitable to form an ionizing electrical field within the gap. The second electrode also has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. Preferably, the gas outlet includes a plurality of gas outlets. The reactor includes a porous plug constructed and arranged with the gas inlet to isolate the second electrode from ground potential. This plug has a plurality of pores which are sized to permit passage of gas therethrough and to substantially inhibit electrical discharge therein. Accordingly, gas injected through the gas inlet of the second electrode passes through the plug without ionization; and that gas thereafter exits from the gas outlet to provide substantially uniform ionization within the gap. Multiple gases and porous plugs can be used in tandem to mix and provide uniform plasma generation. A metal tube, substantially at ground potential, connects directly to the reactor and adjacent to the porous plug to provide a sturdy conduit for gases injected into the reactor and into regions of high potential.

It is well-known that the processes of plasma chemical vapor deposition, or plasma "CVD," and plasma etch occur within a reactor. One exemplary prior art reactor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,588, entitled "Semiconductor wafer processing reactor apparatus comprising contoured electrode gas directing means." Typically, the reactor of the prior art has a pair of electrodes and a radiofrequency source which, in combination, generate a discharge between the electrodes to ionize reactive gases therein. These ionized gases form a "plasma" which deposits film onto, or etches film off of, surfaces in contact with the plasma.
In plasma CVD, for example, a workpiece, e.g., a semiconductor wafer, is clamped to one of the electrodes so that selected films can be deposited onto the workpiece's surface(s) exposed to the plasma between the electrodes. Successive exposures to differing plasmas can create desirable semiconductor films on the surface, such as a bilayer of titanium and titanium-nitride. Similarly, in plasma etch, coatings or films can be removed selectively when exposed to plasmas formed by appropriate etch gases, e.g.,carbon tetrafluoride.
Typically, the electrical discharges which transform the reactive gases into plasma are generated by applying differential voltages to the electrodes. These discharges are usually radiofrequency ("RF"), as generated by an alternating current ("AC") RF source connected to the electrodes. A low-frequency, direct current ("DC") source can also be used to create plasma by generating an ionizing "spark" within the gap between the two electrodes.
To facilitate the application of AC and/or DC voltage differentials to the electrodes, one of the electrodes is usually grounded and the other is held at potential, i.e., at high voltage. The workpiece can be connected, mounted or clamped to either electrode so that at least one surface of the workpiece receives the desired process of film deposition or etch. However, because it is often desirable to heat the workpiece during the plasma CVD or etch process, one of the electrodes also generally functions as a heated carrier. This additional process of controlling electrode temperatures during film deposition or etch is extremely difficult unless that electrode is held at substantially ground potential. Such control is particularly challenging in order to attain the desired accuracies of +/- two degrees for electrodes of up to seven hundred degrees Centigrade.
Accordingly, the prior art recognizes the desirable configuration in which the workpiece is connected to a heated carrier electrode that is grounded; and in which the other electrode is attached to high voltage, e.g., fifty to three-thousand volts, AC or DC.
The prior art further recognizes that the high voltage electrode is conveniently arranged with a plurality of gas outlets extending therethrough so that reactive gases may be injected through the outlets and between the electrodes so as to uniformly distribute gases over the surface of the workpiece. These outlets are thus a series of holes extending through the electrode and connected to the appropriate gas source. In the prior art, the high voltage electrode in this configuration is sometimes referred to a "showerhead" electrode because of its appearance and similarity to a common bathroom showerhead.
The showerhead electrode of the prior art includes an inner mixing region, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The mixing region is formed within the electrode and between a gas inlet and the several gas outlets. More particularly, the gas inlet leads to an inner volume which facilitates the mixing of gases therein and the distribution of gas from a single inlet to a plurality of outlets. The gases then exit from the inner volume through the outlets for ionization within the gap.
The operation of the prior art reactor with a high voltage showerhead electrode is straightforward. Specifically, the electrodes are energized by the source so that a stable and uniform plasma is created between the two electrodes. A uniform plasma discharge is desirable to achieve uniform plasma etch characteristics and/or the deposition of high-quality, uniform CVD films.
Nevertheless, one problem with the above-described prior art reactor is the generation of undesirable discharges within the showerhead electrode while gas is injected therein. These discharges, for example, are created within the gas inlet which connects between ground and the high potential of the showerhead electrode. Once the reactor is energized, gas molecules which are injected within the inlet are susceptible to ionization by high energy electrons, i.e., those electrons which have sufficient energies to ionize many such gas molecules. This ionization results in plasma which can deposit unwanted films onto reactor surfaces, and which can cause overheating damage to reactor components due to the extreme power densities in reactive plasma.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the prior art solution to reducing or eliminating unwanted electrical discharges in the gas inlet is to utilize a ceramic (dielectric) RF feedthrough. This solution works on the known principal that high energy electrons cannot ignite a plasma in a gap which is very large as compared to the electron mean-free path. The ceramic feedthrough is large enough to ensure that these electrons lose enough energy through multiple collisions with gas molecules so as to suppress ignition of the gas.
However, typical plasma deposition and etch pressures are between about 0.1 and 10 Torr. For such pressures, reliable discharge suppression can occur only with large, unwieldy, expensive and exposed ceramic feedthroughs, each of which is undesirable for practical and business reasons. Such ceramic feedthroughs are also particularly unsafe for users of the reactor since the feedthroughs function to contain gaseous flows which are toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive, and otherwise hazardous. Any break in the ceramic feedthrough can introduce reactive gases into the air surrounding the reactor, causing a situation that is dangerous to personnel and the surrounding environment.
It is, accordingly, one object of the invention to provide a high potential showerhead electrode that reduces the problems associated with the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a reactor which enables plasma CVD and/or plasma etch without substantial discharge and ionization in the high voltage electrode.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide process methodology for plasma CVD and/or plasma etch which reduces contamination within the reactor, as compared to the prior art.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a showerhead electrode which reduces unwanted discharges within the gas inlet.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows.

Method and apparatus for flowing gases into a manifold at high potential


A method and apparatus that controls a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) decoder in a communication device is disclosed. The method may include determining if a packet has been received, and if a packet has been received, determining if a receive error has occurred, and if a receive error has not occurred, setting a counter that counts a number of sequential bad frames to a value of zero, decoding the received packet, and sending the decoded packet to an audio queue for presentation to a user of the communication device.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone communications.
2. Introduction
In a digital telephonic communication system, VoIP packets are usually sent using a "fire and forget" protocol such as User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or User Datagram Protocol/Realtime Transport Protocol (UDP/RTP). UDP has no retransmission (nor any other error control mechanism) to fix errors or replace lost packets. In fact, UDP packet delivery is not guaranteed, and packets may be dropped when a network becomes congested. Thus, the main cause of voice quality degradation in VoIP systems arises from lost and late (or misordered) packets. If these packets are fed to an unprotected voice decoder, it is possible that gaps, additional delay, and garbled speech can result.

Method and apparatus for controlling a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) decoder with an adaptive jitter buffer


An exposure apparatus includes an illumination optical system for illuminating a reticle with exposure light, a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of the reticle onto a plate via a liquid supplied to a space between the projection optical system and the plate, a supply pipe for supplying the liquid to the space, a recovery pipe for recovering the liquid from the space, and a measuring unit for measuring a refractive index of the liquid. The measuring unit includes (i) a light source for generating a measurement light having the same wavelength as that of the exposure light, (ii) a liquid reservoir for storing the liquid, the liquid reservoir being disposed apart from the space via the supply pipe or the recovery pipe, and having a transmitting surface for transmitting the measurement light and a reflecting surface for reflecting the measurement light transmitted by the transmitting surface and the liquid in the reservoir, and (iii) a detector for detecting the measurement light reflected on the reflecting surface and transmitted by the liquid in the liquid reservoir and the transmitting surface.

The present invention relates, generally, to an exposure apparatus, and, more particularly, to an exposure apparatus that exposes a plate, such as a wafer for a semiconductor device, and a glass plate for a liquid crystal display ("LCD"). The present invention is suitable, for example, for a so-called immersion exposure apparatus that immerses, in a liquid, a space between a plate and a final surface (of a final optical element) of a projection optical system, and exposes the plate via the liquid.
A conventional projection exposure apparatus uses a projection optical system to expose a circuit pattern of a reticle (or a mask) onto a wafer, etc., and a demand for a high-resolution exposure apparatus has recently increasingly grown. Immersion lithography is one attractive measure to meet this high-resolution demand. Immersion lithography promotes an increase of a numerical aperture ("NA") of the projection optical system by replacing a medium at the wafer side of the projection optical system with a liquid. The projection exposure apparatus has an NA of n·sin θ, where n is a refractive index of the medium. The NA increases up to n when the medium has a refractive index greater than that of air, i.e., n>1. Immersion lithography intends to reduce the resolution R (which is defined as R=k1(λ/NA)) of the exposure apparatus, where k1 is a process constant, and λ is a wavelength of a light source.
When the exposure light is irradiated onto the liquid and the temperature, the chemical structure, and thus, the refractive index of the liquid change with time, the imaging performance of the projection optical system (exposure apparatus) deteriorates due to a focus error, and various aberrations, such as a spherical aberration and a curvature of field. The exposure apparatus should precisely transfer a reticle pattern onto the plate, and the transferred pattern is sensitive to the aberrations with a progress of the finer processing to the semiconductor device. In particular, applications of an aqueous solution and an organic solvent to the liquid are now under investigation to advance the high NA scheme of the projection optical system. It is foreseeable that the imaging performance of the exposure apparatus depends upon the change in the refractive index in the aqueous solution and organic solvent caused by temperature and chemical structure changes.
One proposed immersion exposure apparatus includes measuring means for measuring the refractive index of the liquid. See, for example, Japanese Patent Applications, Publication Nos. ("JPs") 10-340864 and 2004-301825.
The device in JP 10-340864 measures an aberration of the projection optical system, calculates an amount of the change in the refractive index from the measurement result, and adjusts a refractive index by controlling an additive amount of an additive or a liquid component ratio. Since it takes an amount of time to measure an aberration, the device in JP 10-340846 cannot promptly adjust the change in the refractive index once the change occurs. Thus, it is not always preferable to use the aberration measuring unit of the projection optical system to correct the change in the refractive index of the liquid. In addition, a relationship between the aberration and the refractive index is not so clear. The device in JP 2004-301825 projects plural detecting (non-exposure) lights having different wavelengths and incident angles to the substrate, and calculates an amount of the change in the refractive index based on differences from the error amount of the surface position information of each detecting light. Thus, the device in JP 2004-301825 cannot precisely calculate an amount of the refractive index if the refractive index of the liquid changes due to two reasons, i.e., a temperature change and a chemical-structure change. In addition, the detecting light uses the non-exposure light, and the device in this document cannot directly measure the refractive index characteristic and the transmission characteristic of the exposure wavelength.


Sterilizable hand-held programmer/interrogator for communication with an implanted defibrillator, including follow-up. An electromechanical key allows the programmer/interrogator to function fully as a data programmer and as a data interrogator. A removable electromechanical key controlled by a surgeon allows a limited number of programmable functions and only a certain amount of data to be revealed when the device is interrogated by the patient. Interrogated data from the programmer/interrogator can be linked directly to the surgeon via a modem.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an implantable medical device, and more particularly, pertains to a programmer/interrogator for use with an implanted defibrillator, and includes a removable key which allows either full or limited functions of the programmer/interrogator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During a surgical procedure involving the implantation of a defibrillator, it is often necessary to program various parameters of the device while it is still in the sterile field of the operating room. The presently available programmers are fairly large instruments and are not sterilizable. Since the typical transmitting distance of the programmer is only a few inches, it is necessary to invade the sterile field in order to use it during the implant procedure. To accommodate this need for use in the operating room, a part of the programmer containing the transmitting/receiving antenna, called a wand, is connected to the programmer via a long umbilical cord. In some cases, the wand can be sterilized. In other cases, it is placed within a long sterile plastic bag to isolate the wand, and to allow the surgeon to handle it. In either case, the surgeon must rely on another person outside the sterile field to manipulate the controls at his direction. This situation invites error, as the surgeon is usually unfamiliar with the programmer and normally cannot see the controls or display. The umbilical cord is usually coiled and pulls on the wand in an unsuitable fashion towards the programmer.
Most programmers serve a dual purpose, to transmit program data to the implanted device, and to receive data interrogated from the implanted device. In the program data transmission situation, the surgeon is setting up a mode of therapy while in the latter case, the surgeon is monitoring the settings or reviewing interrogated performance data from the implanted device and patient. The monitoring mode is used primarily as a follow-up tool to evaluate the implanted device and patient during subsequent office visits. This mode is very important for patients who have an implanted defibrillator because there is no other means available for evaluating the condition or effectiveness of the device. Normally, patients would therefore have to schedule periodic and frequent visits to their surgeon to have the device checked and would have to visit the surgeon whenever they suspect any anomaly. There are home follow-up devices for defibrillator patients which rely on electrocardiographic (EKG) data, but such methods are not suitable for defibrillator patients. There are no existing home follow-up devices for defibrillator patients.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a sterilizable keyed programmer/interrogator for a defibrillator whose operating data can be interrogated and electronically relayed to a surgeon's office.


A computer apparatus and methods generate multi-parametric color composite images from multi-echo chemical shift encoded (CSE) MRI. Some embodiments use inherently co-registered images (i.e., image maps) that are combined into a single intuitive composite color image. The color (e.g., brightness, hue, and/or saturation) reflects in part the water and fat content, and other properties, particularly T2* relaxation (related to magnetic susceptibility) of the tissue.

Dixon is an MRI technique that uses the difference in resonant frequencies of water and fat to acquire in-phase (IP) and opposed-phase (OP) images and derive water (W) and fat (F) images in conjunction with phase maps. If W>F: W=½(OP+IP) & F=½(IP−OP); if F>W: F=½(OP+IP) & W=½(IP−OP). IP, OP, W, and F values are interdependent. Given any three, the fourth can be derived. Radiologists will often examine and/or compare several of the four images to make a diagnosis. Additional details regarding the Dixon technique can be found in the 1984 article by Dixon, W. T. titled "Simple proton spectroscopic imaging" Radiology 153, 189-194, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The Dixon technique, often performed in a 3D breath hold acquisition, has increasingly become a mainstay for body imagers and can help identify and characterize focal lesions and assess for steatosis (i.e. fatty change) or excess iron in the liver and other organs. Beyond the abdomen, Dixon sequencing primarily substitutes for other chemical shift based fat suppression techniques (e.g. chemical presaturation and selective excitation) due to Dixon's relative insensitivity to magnetic field inhomogeneity and susceptibility. For this fat suppression case, typically only W images are reviewed, and little attention is paid to the IP, OP, and F images. Consequently, potentially important information contained in the IP, OP, and F images may be overlooked.

Computer apparatus and methods for generating color composite images from multi-echo chemical shift-encoded MRI


This disclosure relates to water treatment devices that utilize photocatalytic oxidation to generate oxidizing agents. A water treatment device is configured to be connected in line between a water supply and a washing machine. Wash water from the water supply passes into the device and through a conduit of the device. A reaction chamber includes an ultraviolet lamp and a catalyst cell for generating the oxidizing agents. The generated oxidizing agents are injected into the wash water as it passes through the conduit. The water treatment device also includes a flow sensor placed in line with the conduit to determine when the device should be activated to generate the oxidizing agents.

Washing of laundry typically involves the use of heated water, detergents, bleaches, and special cleaning solutions. These cleaning agents typically include a significant amount of phosphates. Phosphates are a significant water pollutant. Chlorine from bleach compositions also contributes to water pollution. In addition, the use of heated water requires energy expenditure and heated water can exacerbate problems related to fabric shrinking. The use of detergents and heated water can also increase the rate of damage to fabric and decrease the useful lifespan of clothing articles.
Moreover, some people may be allergic to the standard detergent formulations and must use non-allergenic formulas, which are typically more expensive and/or less effective. In addition, although the typical washing machine has a rinse cycle, detergent residues may remain. Residual detergent can cause irritation to those who are allergic or have sensitive skin, can dull fabric colors, and can leave a sticky surface on the clothing.
Accordingly, there is a long felt and ongoing need for systems, devices, and methods for improving laundry washing without the limitations related to conventional hot water and detergent use.


A method for creating synchronized transmission of messages in a wireless electronic shelf labeling system comprising at least two transmitters, a plurality of receiving label-units and a central processing unit capable of issuing messages to be transmitted via said transmitters. Wherein a first step involves determining, for each transmitter, the signal delay between issuing of a message at the central processing unit and transmission of the message from the transmitter. Wherein a second step involves actively delaying, in response to said determined signal delay, transmission from the individual transmitters such that synchronized transmission from all transmitters is achieved. The present invention further relates to a wireless electronic shelf labeling system and a transmitter for such a system.

Today, systems, in which the price indicating items of information are stored in a central system computer, are introduced in greater retail stores, which computer, in turn, provides the cash-point locations with price indicating items of information related to various articles. The cashier normally reads, usually by means of an optical reading device, a unique bar code, the so-called EAN code, which is present on each article. Through this code the cash register thereby obtains the current price information of the article in question from the central system computer.
Further a shelf-edge marking is applied at the location of each article, which marking states the name of the article and normally also a cost-per-unit price, e.g. the price per kilogram. Earlier, each article was usually provided also with a sticker stating the price and possibly a temporary discount price. In order to reduce the cost of such a price marking, effort is made, particularly in larger retail stores, to leave out the individual price marking of each article, in which case the price marking is achieved only by means of shelf-edge marking at the storing place of each type of article.
A further step in cost optimization includes electronic shelf-edge markings, which are controlled from the central system computer, thereby stating the price stored in the central system computer of the article in question. Through this, it will be ensured that the items of information of the price marking will correspond to the price charged to the customer at the cash-point, which obtains the price indicating items of information, just like the shelf-edge marking, from the central system computer. Such systems are hereafter referred to as Electronic Shelf Labelling (ESL) systems and one type of such an system has been disclosed, e.g. in the Swedish patent SE 441 447 granted to S. Olsson and R. Ahlm in 1986.
Common to such systems is that the transmission of information should be achieved via wireless in order to obtain a flexible price-marking system. Such transmission is suitably performed by means of radio or light waves. Preferred radio waves are within the short wave range, mainly due to bandwidth regulations. Preferred light waves are within the range of non-visible light, e.g. IR-light as used in prior art for various remote control devices to control electronic or electrical apparatuses, such as TV-sets etc.
Electronic Shelf Labelling (ESL) systems in retail environments using wireless transmission of data from transmitters to electronic labels (EL) commonly comprise a Base Station (BS) to which a number of transceivers are connected, which BS is capable of issuing messages to be transmitted via said transmitters. The BS is in turn connected to and controlled by a central processing unit, and in special embodiments the BS may even be integrated in the central processing unit. Large systems may further comprise several BS, all connected to the central processing unit. With Transciever (TRX) is meant a combined transmitter and receiver device for electromagnetic radiation (like radio, IR etc) or sound waves or other physical means of distributing signals.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a typical ESL system 10 wherein eight TRX 20 are connected to a BS 30. The TRX 20 is typically connected to the BS 30 by a signal distribution line 40, such as a twisted pair-cable, a coaxial-cable or the like. The coverage area 50 from a single TRX 20 is shown by the solid line, but to obtain maximum coverage, the TRXes are arranged such that constructive interference of signals is used to obtain the required signal-level in the intermediate regions 60 between the coverage areas 50 of two adjacent TRX 20. FIG. 2a shows the principle of constructive interference of signals from two spaced apart TRX 20. The required signal level is shown by L1.
However, as communication frequencies are getting higher, due to a demand for higher transmission capacities and other factors, problems associated with destructive interference or pulse-broadening often arise in the intermediate regions 60. This phenomenon is illustrated in FIG. 2b wherein the part of the resulting pulse that exceeds L1 cannot be detected as a pulse at the receiving end.

Method and device for transmission of data in an electronic shelf labeling system


An audio processing apparatus and an audio processing method are described. In one embodiment, the audio processing apparatus include an audio masker separator for separating from a first audio signal an audio material comprising a sound other than stationary noise and utterance meaningful in semantics, as an audio masker candidate. The apparatus also includes a first context analyzer for obtaining statistics regarding contextual information of detected audio masker candidates, and a masker library builder for building a masker library or updating an existing masker library by adding, based on the statistics, at least one audio masker candidate as an audio masker into the masker library, wherein audio maskers in the maker library are used to be inserted into a target position in a second audio signal to conceal defects in the second audio signal.

Voice communication may be subject to different quality problems. For example, if the voice communication is conducted on a packet-switch network, due to delay jitters occurring in the network or due to bad channel conditions, such as fading or interference with WIFI, some packets may be lost, which makes the voice perceived by the listener not continuous. Due to the packet losses, or due to the measures adopted to conceal the packet losses such as packets interpolation or extrapolation, artifacts may occur in the voice heard by the listener and make the heard voice sounds unnatural.
Even if there are no artifacts or packet losses, sometimes the talker's silence may be misunderstood by the listener as the network's failure and thus the listener's experience of the voice communication system is not so good, especially when the transmitting side pre-processing suppresses the background noise so completely (or when the system just transmits empty packets without any information) that the listener just hear complete silence.

Audio processing apparatus and audio processing method

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation