In a camera, data is recorded onto a film magnetic layer by anhysteretic recording with a device comprised of a planar master medium attached to a ring core, the core a magnetic field gap formed therein at the point at which it is attached to the master medium. A slightly underdamped L/C resonant circuit is formed with excitation windings on the core to provide an alternating bias field to the master medium to effect the anhysteretic recording of the master data onto the film magnetic layer. Provision is made to ensure intimate contact between the master medium and the film magnetic layer while the film is stationary during the recording process.

Magnetic recording of data in a camera onto a magnetic layer formed on the photographic film is a well known concept, an example of which is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,820 dated Jun. 4, 1991. Generally, the film with its magnetic layer is transported past a magnetic recording head to which a digital data signal is applied to serially transfer the data bitwise onto the magnetic layer. It is known that accurate knowledge of the film velocity as it is transported past the record head is required to properly record data by this means.
An alternative approach in magnetic recording of data on film which does not involve film velocity consideration is to contact print the digital data from a pre-recorded master medium onto a target slave medium comprised of the film magnetic layer. The basic concept of contact printing of magnetic data is also well known and is used extensively in the mass production of pre-recorded magnetic tapes from a master tape. It is important in contact printing of magnetic data that there be no relative motion between the master and slave media during the contact printing transfer process.
In general, contact printing of magnetic data is performed using one of two basic methods. In one, referred, as "hysteretic recording", a master medium is employed that has sufficient magnetic properties (surface field magnitude) such that only intimate contact with the slave medium is needed to initiate the contact printing process. With this method, the contact printing transfer process ceases when the master and slave media are sufficiently separated. Separation must be accomplished carefully such that there is no relative motion between master and slave in the plane of the magnetic surface.
In the alternative method, known as "anhysteretic" recording, a master medium is provided that has a relative low surface field magnitude that by itself, is insufficient to affect the intended slave medium. The actual contact printing transfer process is realized by making intimate contact between the master and slave media and then applying an alternating magnetic field which has sufficient magnitude that, when summed with the surface field from the master medium, results in a switching of all the slave medium particles thus transferring the master data onto the slave medium. As is known, the applied field must then be removed while the master and slave media are kept in intimate contact with no relative motion in the plane of the magnetic surface. In commercial application of this process, master and slave are transported past a fixed source of alternating magnetic field while intimate contact is maintained. The apparatus employed to achieve successful anhysteretic contact printing is generally very bulky and consumes a great deal of power relative to the limitations imposed by application of this method to a battery-operated camera environment.
There is a need in camera data recording technology to record a fixed set of encoded character on the magnetic layer which bears a fixed and highly determinate physical location with respect to image boundaries on the film. An example would be marking of an image frame as a pseudo panoramic ("pseudo pan") frame would then be sensed at the photographic printer to adjust masking and magnification factors to create an elongated panoramic print from a normal frame image on the film. While the type of magnetic recording of data involving transport of film past a record head as contemplated in the aforementioned patent is capable of providing such marking, the cost and complexity of the sophisticated recording techniques needed for high density data recording limits the application of this type of recording to high-end, relatively expensive cameras. Therefore, there is a need for a low cost simple arrangement to magnetically record fixed, pre-recorded data onto the film magnetic layer that would be suitable for low cost camera applications. The present invention satisfies this need.

Camera apparatus for recording data in a film magnetic recording layer


A plate type heat exchanger, which may for example be an evaporator for a motor vehicle air conditioning installation, comprises a stack of hollow plates with a pipe connector interposed in the stack. The flow circuit in which the heat exchanger is inserted includes a fluid flow tube coupled to the pipe connection of the heat exchanger by means of a coupling device which includes a clamping ring. This coupling device includes an intermediate sleeve having a cylindrical portion fitted intimately around a cylindrical end portion of the pipe connection, together with another cylindrical portion which serves in effect as an extension of the cylindrical end portion. The clamping ring is engaged around the outer cylindrical portion of the sleeve, so as to clamp the latter around the end of the fluid flow tube, the latter having previously been introduced into the sleeve and the end portion of the pipe connection.

Heat exchangers are known which include a pipe connection having a cylindrical end portion which is adapted to be coupled to a fluid flow tube by means of a clamping ring. Commonly, such a heat exchanger has two of these pipe connections, which serve as an inlet and an outlet respectively for a fluid which is arranged to flow through the heat exchanger. Where the heat exchanger is an evaporator in a vehicle air conditioning apparatus, this fluid is a refrigerant fluid for exchanging heat with a stream of air, to cool the latter before the air is admitted into the cabin of the vehicle.
In coupling devices of the known type mentioned above, the fluid flow tube is force-fitted into the cylindrical end portion of the pipe connection, and the clamping ring is then engaged axially around, and in direct contact with, the pipe connection, to grip the clamping ring on the pipe connection and to clamp the pipe connection and the end of the fluid flow tube firmly together. This gripping action includes a radial deformation of the pipe connection and also radial deformation of the fluid flow tube. These two components are thus assembled together intimately and permanently.
The clamping ring normally used is an aluminum ring having a particular profile which enables progressive radial gripping to take place, to a degree which depends on the amount by which the clamping ring is displaced axially around the pipe connection. It can however happen, in certain circumstances, that the gripping force exerted by the clamping ring is not regular, and this can lead to uncontrolled deformations of the pipe connection or the fluid flow tube or both. It can also sometimes give rise to leaks of fluid in the region of the coupling between the pipe connection and the fluid flow tube.

Coupling device for a plate-type heat exchanger, especially for motor vehicles


The power supply to a load in a power supply circuit is controlled by a power supply switch which in turn is controlled by a control circuit and by a feedback signal representing a voltage drop across the load. The control circuit provides at its output a high level signal, a low level signal, and a high impedance signal level, whereby the high signal level initially closes the power supply switch, and the feedback signal normally keeps the power supply switch in its closed "ON-state" as long as said high impedance level prevails. The switch is caused to open and assume its "OFF-state" in response to a circuit fault as signified by said feedback signal or in response to said low level signal. A monitor detects the "ON" or "OFF" state of the switch under normal operating conditions and also the "OFF" state when a circuit fault such as a short occurred in the power supply circuit. The monitor further detects in the "OFF" state of the switch whether the load is connected to the power supply circuit or whether the power supply circuit is interrupted.

Control systems for power supply circuits are known, for instance for providing a short-circuit protection with the help of external protective devices. Such devices detect an abruptly increasing short-circuit current and the power supply circuit is interrupted in response to such detection. Conventionally, a cyclical control is used especially in all digitally controlled systems. Due to such cyclical control the load current circuit, also referred to as power supply circuit, can be switched off only at the next clock cycle, whereby an extreme load could prevail for time durations that are too long. Such loads can occur, for example due to a short for a duration that is too long to prevent burn-out or accelerated aging of all circuit elements but in particular the power supply switch, the load element, and the supply voltage source.
Furthermore, systems are known which use a signal that can assume the states or levels "high", "low", and "high impedance", e.g. with a tristate transistor as described in Tietze/Schenk "Halbleiter-Schaltungstechnik" (Semiconductor Circuit Technology), 10th Edition, Springer Verlag, 1993, p. 209. There a microprocessor is used to provide these signal levels to determine the logic state of a signal conductor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,932 (Small et al.), issued on Feb. 21, 1995, discloses a transistorized coupling circuit for coupling a d.c. power source to a data transmission line. A circuit arrangement is provided for recognizing an excess current situation. A control signal is generated in response to the excess current situation to switch off the power output stage for a defined length of time and thereafter to switch the power supply on again. The operability of the power supply output stage is not checked, whereby reactivation can be attempted even if the stage is not operable, for example when the short is still present in the circuit. The nature of the cause that interrupted the power supply circuit is not recognized.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,086 (Wietelmann et al.), issued on Jan. 17, 1995, describes a system and method for triggering an inductive load in the form of an inductive actuator. The current flowing through the actuator is sensed and a respective voltage is fed back to the control circuit. The control of the power supply stage can also be influenced with regard to its voltage supply and with regard to the operating temperatures to influence the scanning rate of the power output stage. Such a circuit is subject to the same short-comings as mentioned above in that the operability of the power output stage is not checked and the OFF-state is not maintained nor can it be checked what caused the OFF-state.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,868 (Denen et al.), issued on Oct. 4, 1994, discloses a resistance feedback controlled power supply circuit, wherein the power supply to a load with an ohmic power consumption is subject to a temperature control. The load is scanned with a high frequency alternating voltage while the temperature of the load is measured with the aid of a direct current voltage passing through a resistor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,680 (Hu), issued on Nov. 16, 1993 discloses a switch control circuit for eliminating intermittent ON/OFF conditions on a power supply switch. Three comparators are used in the circuit for controlling a solenoid power supply switch which connects the power supply only to the load if certain power supply voltage levels are met.

Method for controlling a power supply switch and circuit arrangement for performing the control


A radio frequency device has an antenna for capturing an incoming signal for processing by the device or for radiating an outgoing signal from the device and a signal processor having one or more synchronous oscillators responsive to an input signal for providing an amplified output signal without using much power. An application is a radio frequency (RF) transponder (tag) for receiving an RF signal from an interrogator includes a tag antenna for receiving the RF signal from the interrogator and a receiver section connected to the tag antenna wherein the receiver consumes a significantly lower amount of power than conventional receiver technologies by using one or more synchronous oscillators.

A device of this type would include a radio frequency transponder. Such a device transmits a reply signal upon reception of an incoming signal. It usually includes a receiver, responsive to the incoming signal, for providing an amplified intermediate signal and a transmitter, responsive to the amplified intermediate signal, for transmitting the reply signal.
For instance, present day radio frequency transponders are used to identify objects, possibly along with the contents thereof and even the location. An interrogator is used to send a radio frequency signal to the transponder, where the transponder will reply back, potentially with information, also with a radio frequency signal. Such transponders can be self-powered, enabling them to be mobile. Transponders are usually required to work at ranges that make it impractical to provide power by means of a radiated electric or magnetic field. The power supplies that are used to power the transponders are limited, meaning they contain or are able to supply only a limited amount of energy. Typically batteries are used but other sources could be used such as capacitors charged by solar or mechanical means, pressurized or flammable gas, etc. The consumption rate is proportional to the amount of time the transponder is powered to be operational.
These days it is becoming more and more important to run such devices with increased efficiency. Power consumption can be managed by having various modes, e.g., a standby (low power consumption), sleep (minimized power consumption) or reply mode (high power consumption). It is a desirable feature to have the transponder be available as much as possible, work at a long range but consume little power. These are conflicting requirements and tradeoffs are made to compromise one feature for the other. A way to increase battery life of a transponder would be to operate it with an on/off ratio, thereby making the transponder available only periodically. This would reduce the average power consumption at the cost of availability. In certain cases the power consumption and availability also become conflicting requirements.
To reliably cover the range between the interrogator and the transponder, a certain amount of power is required to develop signals of adequate levels to propagate energy between the units. As the range increases, power as seen by the receiving unit is reduced.
An increase of transmit power of the interrogator or receive sensitivity of the transponder will increase range capability to the transponder. This is accomplished at the expense of consuming more input power from a power source such as the above-mentioned battery.
A comparable amount of increase in range must be considered for both the interrogator and transponder since the path being used is two-way or bidirectional. Simply increasing the performance in one direction would provide no benefit. Providing more power to the interrogation signal to increase the range to the transponder will also provide no benefit if the interrogator is not sensitive enough to receive the transponder reply or the transponder is not powerful enough to respond back.
While excess battery power may be available at the interrogator, it may not be at the transponder. The transmit or reply section of the transponder typically can have its transmission time minimized to conserve power. The transponder reply could be a transmit burst that occurs when an interrogator requests a reply. However, the transmit burst may not be able to be reduced further in time without loss of transmitted information.
In a system where the interrogator could randomly interrogate the transponder, it would be required that the transponder receiver portion be operational and highly available for reliable operation. This may require that the transponder receiver be operational for much longer periods of time than the transponder reply section.
In an example, if the transponder is requested to reply 200 times per day, and transmits a burst of information with a duration of 10 milliseconds each time, the total transmit time per day would equal 2 seconds. If the receiver section is powered continuously, the ratio of receive time to transmit time is over 43,000:1. This large ratio shows that significant changes would have to be made in the manner that the transmit section consumes power for it to become the dominant power consuming source.
Therefore the only way to reduce the power consumption of the transponder is to increase its operating efficiency, and a need exists to significantly increase the operating efficiency of a receive section in a transponder. An increase in the operating efficiency of a transmit section in a transponder would also be beneficial. Such an advance could benefit radio frequency circuitry in general and could be applied to any kind of radio frequency circuitry including receiver, transmitters, and various signal-processing stages. Transponders have in the past used amplifiers in both the receiver and transmitter sections thereof. These amplifiers can consume most of the power needed to operate the unit.
The prior art approach using conventional amplifier technology will now be described. It would be desirable to achieve e.g. 80 dB gain with low power consumption. For conventional technology using amplifiers to achieve the 80 decibels of signal gain would require a power consumption of about 50 milliwatts per 20 decibels of gain, which translates to a current consumption of about 17 milliamps at a working voltage of 3 volts. See for instance a Mini-Circuits MAR6SM that uses 56 milliwatts while providing 20 decibels of gain (Mini-Circuits, P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11235 USA; http://www.minicircuits.com). The total current consumption for the full 80 decibels of gain would be about four times the above-mentioned current consumption of 17 mA (for the 20 decibel gain amplifier), or 68 milliamps. For a limited power supply that only has an energy capacity of e.g. 170 milliamp hours (AA battery), this means that the conventional technology will run for about 170 maH/68 ma or for about 2.5 hours. Using the 170 maH power source and requiring for instance a receiver to run for a much longer period, e.g. a targeted 6 months, will limit the current consumption to an average current of about four microamps. This is about 17000 times less current consumption than what is possible with conventional technology.
Conventional super heterodyne receivers contain a local oscillator circuit that is crystal controlled and may take 10 milliseconds just to turn on. The cumulative turn-on time first needs to be considered, ignoring for the moment the need to run the receiver for a period of time after turn-on in order to perform its receiver function. To do this, a calculation is made to see how many 10 millisecond turn-on times can be performed in the targeted six month period. Each time the receiver is powered, it consumes 68 milliamps. Therefore the receiver can be turned on for (170/68)*(3600/10 ms)=900,000 times. Over a six month period, this would allow the receiver to operate about every 17.3 seconds. This is greater than the desired availability of every 5 seconds and only considers the turn-on time. Still only considering the turn-on time, if the device is turned on every 5 seconds for 10 ms, the original duration or goal of the battery being able to supply power for the sixth month period gets reduced to about 52 days. Looking at it a different way, becoming available every 5 seconds with a power consuming duration of 10 milliseconds each time, presents a duty cycle of 500 to one. Taking the original continuously powered receiver that lasted for 2.5 hours and extending the battery life by the accepted unavailability of the 500: 1 duty cycle will make the battery now last 2.5*500 or 1250 hours or about 52 days. This is shy of the target of 180 days or 6 months. This calculation also does not take into account leaving the receiver circuit on for some selected time after it turns on and becomes operational to actually receive the signal and detect any information.
Also, assuming a transponder application, a transmitter section or responding part of the device will consume additional power. An intelligent power control can be used to minimize the additional power required by activating this portion of the circuitry only when necessary. In an example, if this section of the circuitry is activated to respond every 5 seconds and consumes an additional 10 milliamps of current (in addition to the receive section) for an additional 10 millisecond duration, the additional load on the limited power source reduces the battery life to about one half the life as compared to just powering the receive section. This would reduce the battery life from 52 days to less than 26 days. It is therefore important to intelligently control the time during which the response section is activated. If the response section is activated only when required, in an example one hour per day, this only will increase the power consumption a few percent allowing the battery life to be a few percent less than the 52 day period or about 50 days.
Known transponders may use crystal detector receivers to receive a radio frequency interrogation signal modulated by an audio frequency signal and use audio amplification circuits for detection purposes. However, it such a circuit, the receive sensitivity is limited by the crystal detector sensitivity of approximately −50 dBm so the range is limited for a given interrogation power level. To get better sensitivity, other transponders use RF gain stages that are more sensitive but require more power. These devices are known to use power management but they inherently consume a large amount of power to obtain a higher degree of availability and sensitivity.
Synchronous oscillators (SOs) are known generally for instance from US 2003/0011438 A1 published Jan. 16, 2003 by Vasil Uzunoglu There, a modification of the synchronous oscillator is described, having regenerative positive feedback. The circuit includes an amplifier, a high-Q tank circuit, and a conventional synchronous oscillator feedback network. An additional feedback path provides a negative impedance conversion effect, according to Uzunoglu. There are various articles and US Patents by the same inventor Vasil Uzunoglu, (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,335,404, 4,274,067, 4,356,456) relating to SOs (see the list at page 15 of US 2003/0011438). Various applications of the modified SO are shown. A further important characteristic of the synchronous oscillator is its energy efficiency. According to Uzunoglu, the regenerative feedback results in very little power dissipation, enabling the circuit to operate highly effectively with very low power supply requirements, for example, approximately 2–3 volts.
The above-mentioned importance of running radio frequency devices with increased efficiency is particularly important for portable devices. If a constantly powered synchronous oscillator were to be used in a portable radar or radio device with a limited power supply such as a battery, the limited power supply would run down rather quickly. For instance, two AA batteries in series (3 volts) only have approximately 170 milliAmpere-Hours of total energy available for a load such as an S.O. (e.g., 1 mA load) and will therefore last only for a week or so. Nonetheless, it would be desirable that the device e.g. a receiver be able to operate with batteries that are widely available, such as AA size alkaline types and have the batteries last at least for a six month period in a receive mode. It would also be desirable to have the receiver work continuously or be available often and very quickly. Such a receiver should be sensitive enough to receive an interrogator signal transmitted from an interrogator transmitter at a selected power, e.g., 1 milliwatt at a selected distance, e.g., of up to 150 meters at a frequency of around 950 MHz, for instance. In such an example, the transmit path length and interrogator power level will require the receiver sensitivity to be about −80 decibels below the 1 milliwatt power level because approximately that amount of power is lost in the path length alone (assuming the transmit signal from the interrogator is dissipated in all directions at once). For a robust receiver design it is desirable to have excess sensitivity, high availability, and minimized power consumption. Higher receiver gain will of course consume a proportionately higher amount of power.

Oscillator coupled to an antenna and an application


Provided herein are recombinant yeast host cells and methods for their use for production of fermentation products from a pyruvate utilizing pathway. Yeast host cells provided herein comprise reduced pyruvate decarboxylase activity and modified adenylate cyclase activity. In embodiments, yeast host cells provided herein comprise resistance to butanol and increased biomass production.

Butanol is an important industrial chemical, useful as a fuel additive, as a feedstock chemical in the plastics industry, and as a foodgrade extractant in the food and flavor industry. Each year 10 to 12 billion pounds of butanol are produced by petrochemical means and the need for this commodity chemical will likely increase.
Butanol may be made through chemical synthesis or by fermentation. Isobutanol is a component of "fusel oil", which can form under certain conditions as a result of incomplete metabolism of amino acids by yeast. Under some circumstances, isobutanol, may be produced from catabolism of L-valine. (See, e.g., Dickinson et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273 (40): 25752-25756 (1998)). Additionally, recombinant microbial production hosts, expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway have been described. (Donaldson et al., commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,851,188 and 7,993,889).
Efficient biological production of butanols may be limited by butanol toxicity to the host microorganism used in fermentation for butanol production. Accordingly, there is a need for genetic modifications which may confer tolerance to butanol.


Systems and methods for releasing semiconductor dies during pick and place operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for handling semiconductor dies comprises a support member positioned to carry at least one semiconductor die releasably attached to a support substrate. The system further includes a picking device having a pick head coupleable to a vacuum source and positioned to releasably attach to the semiconductor die at a pick station. The system still further includes a cooling member coupleable to a cold fluid source and configured to direct a cold fluid supplied by the cold fluid source toward the support substrate at the pick station. The cold fluid cools a die attach region of the substrate where the semiconductor die is attached to the substrate to facilitate removal of the semiconductor die.

Packaged semiconductor dies, including memory chips, microprocessor chips, and imager chips, typically include a semiconductor die, mounted on a substrate and (optionally) encased in a protective covering (e.g., a molded material, encapsulant, plastic, etc.). The die includes functional features, such as memory cells, processor circuits, and/or imager devices, as well as bond pads electrically connected to these functional features. The bond pads can be electrically connected to outside terminals to allow the die to be connected to other devices (e.g., higher level circuitry).
During a conventional manufacturing process, many semiconductor dies are manufactured together on a semiconductor wafer, which is then singulated or diced to form individual dies. Once the dies have been singulated, they are typically handled by "pick and place" machines that remove the individual dies and place them at processing stations or other locations for additional manufacturing steps. As semiconductor devices have become smaller and smaller, the ability to handle individual dies without breaking them, particularly during the pick and place process, has become more challenging. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for pick and place devices that can handle extremely thin semiconductor dies without breaking or otherwise damaging the dies.

Cold fluid semiconductor device release during pick and place operations, and associated systems and methods


A disc drive apparatus comprises a housing; a disc-holding unit that holds an optical disc in the housing; a disc-driving mechanism that rotates the optical disc held by the disc-holding unit; an optical pickup that writes signals in, and reads signals from, the optical disc being rotated by the disc-driving mechanism; and a pickup-moving mechanism that moves the optical pickup in a radial direction of the optical disc. The housing has an air-inlet port which is located above the optical disc held by the disc-holding unit and through which air is drawn from outside by virtue of an airflow that develops as the optical disc is rotated, and air-outlet ports through which air is discharged from the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc drive apparatus that records data signals in, and/or reproduces data signals from, an optical disc or a magneto-optical disc.
This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-050359, filed on Feb. 25, 2004, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical discs, such as CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) and magneto-optical discs, are widely known. Various types of disc drive apparatuses have been developed, which are designed to drive these optical discs.
FIG. 1 shows a disc drive apparatus 201 that records data signals in, and reproduces data signals from, an optical disc 200. The apparatus 201 comprises a housing 202, a disc tray 203, and a base unit 204. The housing 202 has a tray port 202a made in the front. Through the tray port 202, the disc tray 203 can be inserted into and pulled from the housing 202 in the horizontal direction. The base unit 204 is secured to the disc tray 203.
The housing 202 comprises a lower case 205 and a top plate 206. The lower case 205 is shaped like a flat box and opens at the top. The top plate 206 closes the opening of the lower case 205. The front wall of the housing 202 has an opening, i.e., tray port 202a.
The disc tray 203 can slide between a pulled-in position and a pulled-out position. At the pulled-in position, the disc tray 203 lies in the housing 202 after it is pulled in through the tray port 202a. At the pulled-out position, the disc tray 203 protrudes from the housing 202 after it is pulled out through the tray port 202a. The disc tray 203 has a recess 207 made in the upper surface. An opening 208 is cut in the bottom of the recess 207. Through this opening 208, the upper surface of the base unit 204, which is secured to the lower surface of the disc tray 203, is exposed upwards. A front panel 209 is secured to the front edge of the disc tray 203. The front panel 209 can open and close the tray port 202a of the housing 202.
As FIG. 2 shows, the base unit 204 comprises a disc-driving mechanism 210, an optical pickup 211, a pickup-moving mechanism 212, and a base 213. The disc-driving mechanism 210 rotates the optical disc 200. The optical pickup 211 writes signals in, and reads signals from, the optical disc 200. The pickup-moving mechanism 212 moves the optical pickup 211 in the radial direction of the optical disc 200. The mechanism 210, optical pickup 211 and mechanism 212 are attached to the base 213.
The disc-driving mechanism 210 has a turntable 214 and a spindle motor 215. The turntable 214 holds the optical disc 200. The spindle motor 215 is shaped like a flat disc and rotates the turntable 214. When the turntable 214 is rotated, the optical disc 200 is rotated, too.
The optical pickup 211 has a semiconductor laser, an objective lens 211a, and a photodetector. The laser emits a light beam. The lens 211a focuses the light beam, applying the beam to the signal-recorded surface of the optical disc 200, thus writing signals in the optical disc 200. The photodetector detects the light beam reflected from the signal-recorded surface of the optical disc 200, thus reading signals from the optical disc 200.
The pickup-moving mechanism 212 has two guide rods 215a and 215b, a lack member 216, a lead screw 217, and a stepping motor 218. The guide rods 215a and 215b support the optical pickup 211, enabling the pickup 211 to move in the radial direction of the optical disc 200. The lack member 216 is secured to the optical pickup 211. The lead screw 217 is in mesh with the lack member 216. The stepping motor 218 rotates the lead screw 217. When the stepping motor 218 rotates the lead screw 217, the lack member 216 is moved in the radial direction of the optical disc 200 because it remains in mesh with the lead screw 217. As a result, the optical pickup 211 moves in the radial direction of the optical disc 200.
The base 213 has openings 219a and 219b that are continuous to each other. The opening 219a exposes the turntable 214. The opening 219b exposes the optical pickup 211. To the surface of the base 213, which is opposite to the surface at which the turntable 214 and optical pickup 211 are exposed, there are secured the spindle motor 215, the ends of guide rods 215a and 215b, the lead screw 217, the stepping motor 218, and the like.
In the disc drive apparatus 201 described above, the spindle motor 215 rotates the optical disc 200 held on the turntable 214, while the disc tray 203 remains in the housing 202. The pickup-moving mechanism 212 moves the optical pickup 211 in the radial direction of the optical disc 200. As the optical pickup 211 is so moved, it writes signals in, or reads signals from, the optical disc 200.
In the disc drive apparatus 201 described above, an airflow develops when the optical disc 200 rotates in the housing 202. The airflow that develops as the optical disc 200 rotates performs a pumping action, drawing air from outside into the housing 202. Thus, air flows from outside into the housing 202 of the disc drive apparatus 201. Here arises a problem. The dust or the like, contained in the air coming from outside, fouls the optical pickup 211 and the like.
More specifically, dust or the like may stick to the objective lens 211a of the optical pickup 211 in the disc drive apparatus 201. In this case, the apparatus 201 can no longer reliably record signals in, or reproduce signals form the optical disc 200.
To prevent air containing dust or the like from entering the housing 202 from outside, the housing 202 may be sealed airtight. If the housing 202 is so sealed, however, the negative pressure rises in the housing 202. This may cause the top plate to sag. If the top plate sags, it may abut on the optical disc 200.
In the disc drive apparatus 201, the rotational speed of the optical disc 200 is increased to write signals faster in the optical disc 200. In the apparatus 201, however, the higher the rotational speed of the disc 200, the stronger the airflow that develops as the optical disc 200 rotates. Hence, the force that draws air from outside into the housing 202 inevitably increases.
In this case, air enters the housing 202 from outside through narrow gaps in the housing walls, due to diffusion and local pressure drop. Consequently, the dust or the like, which is contained in the air, accumulate in the housing 202. This presents the problem that the cleanliness level in the housing 202 falls within a short time.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-Open Publication No. 11-296866, for example, is a prior-art reference that is relevant to the present invention.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-Open Publication No. 11-296866 discloses a disc drive apparatus. In this apparatus, a cover covers both surfaces of the base that holds the optical pickup. However, it is difficult for the cover to prevent the optical pickup from being fouled with the dust or the like that is contained in the air flowing from outside.


A volume calibration phantom comprises a container; a plurality of plates stacking up inside the container; and at least one slab of radioactive source, each of which is disposed between the adjacent plates and comprises a plurality of radionuclides. With the volume calibration phantoms, the present invention further provides a calibration method which is an improvement over conventional calibration methods of space geometric center point source and relative penetration factor ratios. The method comprises the steps of generating a calibration curve of density vs. counting efficiency corresponding to the several different volume calibration phantoms; calculating the density of a radioactive waste specimen to obtain a corresponding radioactive activity according to the calibration curve, and then revising the corresponding radioactive activity according to the energy dependency and equation of gamma gross radioactivity for multiple radionuclides so as to obtain the correct gamma gross radioactivity of the radioactive waste specimen.

Currently, waste curie monitors, being substantially an assembly of several large-area plastic scintillation detectors, are frequently used at nuclear facilities and organizations for measuring the gross gamma radioactivity of very low radioactive wastes. The aforesaid monitors are advantageous in its high radioactive sensitivity, high counting efficiency, short counting interval required for counting a test sample, no restriction to the volume of the waste to be monitored thereby, and capability of revealing the weight of the waste monitored thereby, and so on.
However, the aforesaid monitors still have drawbacks list as following: (1) The radioactivity measured thereby is often overestimated or under-estimated, since it only accounts for the weight of a waste sample tested thereby and overlooks the deviations of various self-absorption effects caused by the various densities of different waste samples. (2) Since the calibration curve used in aforesaid monitors is based upon the measurement of an object made up of a pure substance that it overlooks the fact that any usual waste sample is made up of more than one substance, the so-established calibration curve is not appropriate. (3) For calibrating the aforesaid monitor, phantom is being positioned at the geometric center of the monitor, that is not relative to the positioning of a waste sample on the floor of the aforesaid monitor as it is being measured. (4) As there is no restriction regarding to the volume of a waste sample to be measured by the aforesaid monitor, the distances between the tested sample and the scintillation detectors are not conforming to those of a phantom as being used for building a calibration curve, and thus error in radioactivity measurement will occur so that the accuracy of radioactivity measurement required by Regulation of radiation protection can not be achieved. (5) The corresponding radioactive activity with respect to the energy dependency and equation of gamma gross radioactivity for multiple radionuclides are not revised, so that the gamma gross radioactivity of the radioactive a waste sample measured thereby is not accurate.
In recent years, an improvement over conventional calibration methods of space geometric center point source is being developed for performing gross gamma radioactivity measurement upon waste samples while using the measurement for classifying wastes into radioactive wastes and non-radioactive wastes. Currently, there are several calibration methods for plastic scintillation detectors, which are listed as following: (1) The calibration method developed by Themo-Eberline adopts a means of transmission factor (TF) for calibrating self-absorption effects of various standard mass, in that, the transmission factor is defined as the ratio of the dose inside the shielding material to the outside (ambient) dose, whereas TF≦1.0 refers to the calibration of non-shield radioactive source positioned in the geometric center of a space filled with air. Moreover, as TF is defined to be 1, the mass of a radioactive material containing in a water phantom can be determined whereas 10 kg is being defined as a unit, and thus, a calibration file corresponding thereto can be established Thereby, the gross gamma radioactivity of a waste sample can be calibrated with respect to the comparison between the weight of the tested waste sample and its standard mass of TF=1; (2) The method, developed by RADOS company, Germany, adopts a pure iron plate assembly for calibrating; (3) The method, developed by Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization, adopts an assembly of metal tubes and metal plates for multi-radionuclides calibration; (4) The method, developed by NE Technology company, USA, adopts multi-radionuclides point sources and a pure Brazil wood of density equal to one for performing a multi-weight calibration (0˜60 kg). However, those currently available calibration methods only account for general masses and geometrical shapes, they still can not deal with the self-absorption effects of a waste sample of various masses as well as their energy dependency, and thus the gross gamma radioactivity acquired thereby is not accurate.
Therefore, it is in need of a volume calibration phantom and calibration method thereof, which free from the problems of prior arts.

Volume calibration phantom and calibration method thereof

Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan


Rubber crumb reinforced cement-concrete structures provide resistance to cracking, improve shock wave absorption, lower heat conductivity and improve the acoustical environment. The structures are comprised of cement-like materials having a predetermined proportion (from about 1% to about 30% by weight of cement) of recycled scrap rubber crumbs undirectionally aligned in the cross section of said structures.

1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in the cement-concrete structures in general and, to the following in particular:
1) General purpose concrete (up to 3000 psi) PA0 2) Exterior-interior cement board, and PA0 3) Mortar, all of which provides resistance to cracking, improves shock wave absorption, lowers heat conductivity, and reduces noise levels simultaneously.
2. General Background
Conventional concrete is a mixture of cement (Ca, Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Na and K), sand, aggregate and water. It has been found that cements containing 1% or more of sodium oxide and potassium oxide will react with aggregates containing opaline silica, highly siliceous rocks and limestone, The formation of the new compounds causes the interior of the concrete to expand, resulting in surface cracking, which for years has been accepted as natural to its use.
Reinforced (steel) concrete was invented by Thaddeus Hatt in 1878, U.S. Pat. No. 206,112 and over the years many improvements have been made in the use of inorganic fibers and others, such as alumina, asbestos, glass, graphite, etc.; the features of which are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,992,172; 4,316,925 and 4,337,094.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
While the above and other improvements no doubt represent advances in the cement concrete structures, they do nothing in the areas of crack resistance, shock wave absorption, heat conductivity reduction, and noise level reduction.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide rubber crumb reinforced cement-concrete structures that will implement the above mentioned improvements.
In accordance with this invention, these and other objects and advantages are achieved by dispersing said rubber crumbs (natural and synthetic) in the structures, from about 1% to about 30% by weight of the cement, based on product application.


A firearm includes a receiver, barrel coupled to the receiver, and buttstock. An openable/closeable hinge assembly comprising front and rear hinge elements pivotably mounts the buttstock to the receiver. A latch mechanism carried by the hinge assembly includes a latch pin having latch and lock members on opposing ends. The pin is both slidable and rotatable in the hinge assembly. When the buttstock is in an unfolded position in axial alignment with the barrel axis, the latch member engages a latch recess on a first lateral side of the hinge assembly to latch the buttstock in position. The buttstock may be pivoted laterally outwards about the hinge assembly to a folded position offset from the barrel centerline. Rotating the latch member engages the lock member with a lock recess on the hinge assembly to lock the buttstock in the folded position.

The present invention generally relates to firearms, and more particularly to a folding buttstock mechanism for a firearm that provides a means of securing the stock in the folded position using the same components that secure the stock in the straight inline position.
Folding stocks on rifles, particularly rifles with longer barrels, allow the user to transport or store the firearm more conveniently and in a smaller container. In addition, on some rifles with the buttstock mounted directly behind the receiver, the folding motion is necessary to allow removal of the bolt or other internal components and to allow the firearm to be cleaned from the breech end. Folding stock mechanisms are generally designed to lock in a position in-line with the barrel and action for conventional shoulder mounted operation. Some folding mechanisms also provide a means of locking the buttstock in the folded position to prevent accidental or unwanted movement which might cause inconvenience, noise or possible injury if pinched. Some provide a solid mechanical lock while others a resistive/detent type retention that is overcome by force. Many of these locks or restraints consists of features on the side of the butt stock and the side of the firearm receiver, forward stock, or chassis sidewalls. Some bolt action rifles use the bolt knob to provide the detent surface.
There are several problems with the designs described above. Because most locking/retention features are located on the butt stock and center portion of the rifle, the butt stock cannot be changed without eliminating this feature, or very few compatible stocks are available. In the case of the bolt knob detent design, the bolt knob and the butt stock cannot be changed because they must fit closely together to provide full folding motion and retention. On rifles with many available butt stock options, like AR-15's, it is not practical to have a locking feature on the butt stock.
Other locking configurations automatically lock when folded. In some instances this is desirable; in other cases the release mechanism is not intuitive or causes inconvenience when the operator did not intend to lock the butt stock. A separate locking mechanism for the folded position also adds addition components and cost to the assembly. Yet other designs have no locking capability at all, and while some of these have intentionally dampened rotation, they are still prone to swinging back and forth and relocking when undesired.
Accordingly, an improved folding buttstock design is desired which can conveniently be secured in both the inline unfolded and folded positions.


A vacuum cleaner nozzle including a nozzle head, the nozzle head having at least one mechanical beater and at least one sonic beater.

It is well known in the vacuum cleaner art to provide a suction nozzle which is movable across an object to be cleaned. The suction effect created at an opening in the nozzle results in the removal of free dirt particles accumulated on the object. However, ground in dirt is frequently encountered when cleaning carpets or other textured surfaces, and reliance on simple suction for removal of such ground-in dirt has proven to be unsatisfactory.
Accordingly, effort has been made to provide vacuum cleaners with an effective means to beat the carpet surface to dislodge ingrained dirt particles. Such beaters are often located on the vacuum cleaner nozzle head, so that dirt can be dislodged and instantly removed by simply moving the nozzle head across a soiled carpet surface. The earliest known beaters are mechanical beaters, which physically strike the carpet surface to loosen dirt particles. An example of a mechanical beater is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,853, which includes a cylindrical rotatable beater brush having a plurality of extending resilient bristles and prongs that physically beat the carpet as the nozzle head is moved. U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,251 to Lee et al. uses a mechanical vibration generating device that vibrates using air sucked though a supplementary suction hole to beat the carpet. In various embodiments, the vibration generating device can be used to vibrate the nozzle body which in turn vibrates the surface to be cleaned or the vibration generating device can directly beat the surface.
Later, "sonic beaters" were developed, which rely on fluctuation in air flow through the nozzle opening to dislodge dirt particles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,932,054 to Lichtgarn discloses a vacuum cleaner in which the vibration of disks produces a vibrating column of air that loosens dirt in a carpet. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,466 to Alderman et al. discloses an air vibration suction nozzle that includes a speaker that vibrates the suction air and a means for adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the airwaves produced by the speaker.
Although sonic beaters avoid physical damage to a carpet often caused by mechanical beaters, they are not as effective in dislodging dirt on the surface of a carpet pile. At the same time, mechanical beaters are not as effective in removing particles embedded deeply in the carpet pile. Also, mechanical beaters tend to push dirt particles down into the carpet, thereby making it more difficult to effectively clean the carpet. Accordingly, there is a need for a beater construction that can provide a vacuum cleaner with a more thorough cleaning action.

Vacuum cleaner nozzle including mechanical beater sonic beater


A vehicle headlamp in which a front lens is put in the front opening of a capsule-like lamp body, to thereby form a lamp chamber in the lamp body, and a reflector unit containing a discharge bulb as a light source is provided in the lamp chamber, the vehicle headlamp being characterized in that an opening for bulb exchanging is formed in the rear wall of the lamp body, a cover is removably attached to the opening, and a conductive, electromagnetic wave shielding member, which surrounds at least the rear part of the discharge bulb is provided in the opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp of the type in which a discharging bulb is used for its light source.
2. Related Art
There is a recent demand of discharge bulbs because the bulbs are good in luminance efficiency and color rendering property, and long in lifetime. The study has actively been made on the application of the discharge bulb as a light source of the headlamp for motor vehicles.
In order to activate the discharging operation of the discharge bulb, a starter circuit must be used which applies a high tension between the opposed electrodes of the discharge bulb. When a switching element for generating high tension pulses is driven and the discharge bulb discharges, electromagnetic waves are generated, and cause noise harmful to other electrical parts assembled into the automobile.
A measure for addressing the electromagnetic waves emitted from the discharge bulb is to form a conductive layer on the lamp body to prevent the electromagnetic waves from leaking out of the lamp. A measure for addressing the electromagnetic waves emitting from the starter circuit is to put the starter circuit in a conductive metal case to confine the electromagnetic waves within the metal case.
The above-noted measures can effectively interrupt the electromagnetic waves emitted from the discharge bulb and the starter circuit, but cannot interrupt the electromagnetic waves emitted from a power cable connecting the starter circuit to the discharge bulb and a connection part between the power cable and the discharge bulb.

Vehicle headlamp having a conductive electromagnetic wave shielding member


Pure sodium chloride is dissolved in sterile distilled water to form a sterile pure saline solution. A hermetically sealed disposable spray container holds a single measured dosage of the solution for fully rinsing and cleansing a nasal passageway. The measured dosage is sufficient for rinsing and cleansing the nasal passage and harmless if the measured dosage mistakenly enters the lungs or sinuses or stomach of the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems for spraying nasal passages and in particular to a sterile nasal passageway cleansing solution comprising pure sodium chloride dissolved in sterile distilled water to form a sterile pure saline solution having a salinity (preferably 0.9% to match body fluid salinity) which is harmless to a human body and a sterility which will not cause infection; the sterile saline solution housed in a hermetically sealed disposable spray container holding a single measured dosage of the sterile saline solution for fully rinsing and cleansing a nasal passageway of a user when sprayed into the nasal passageway from the container, the measured dosage sufficient for rinsing and cleansing the nasal passage and harmless if the measured dosage mistakenly enters the lungs or sinuses or stomach of the user.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
When exposed to dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria, industrial pollutants, smoke, toxins, or any other particulates or harmful substances in the air, the nasal passages can become blocked or irritated or infected. It is desirable to clean the nasal passages as soon as possible after such exposure to prevent breathing problems, allergic reactions, tissue damage, infections and other complications from such exposure. It is also desirable to clean the nasal passages of natural fluids and other matter which the body eliminates through the nose.
Prior art patents for nasal spraying primarily contain spray solutions containing many ingredients, such as antihistamine sprays, usually for medicinal purposes, and are housed in multiple use containers. Prior art for strictly cleaning nasal passages often provide extra means for draining the nasal passageway and do not provide pure sterile saline solutions. Reusable containers can allow contamination of the container and spray solution which may produce infections. Most prior art spray solutions also contain buffers and preservatives to prolong shelf life and many other potentially harmful ingredients which are not necessary for the desired purpose of cleansing the nostrils of unwanted matter.
In prior art containers which hold and can spray more than the amount needed for cleansing a nasal passage, there is a danger of accidentally spraying too much thereby inundating lungs, sinuses or other internal passages with too much fluid which may cause serious health problems.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,023,499, issued Apr. 16, 1912 to Bell, provides a compressible capsule which is adapted to discharge its contents in the form of a blast, spray, or stream, a self-contained ejector in which fluid, semi-fluid or comminuted matter is hermetically sealed until desired for immediate use; and the invention consists essentially in a collapsible capsule in which are incorporated filaments which may be extracted to form holes for the discharge of the contents of the capsule. While applicable to an infinite variety of uses and purposes my capsule is designed more especially as a one dose or application device to be discarded after use.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,495, issued Oct. 12, 2010 to Gumaste, discloses a blister pack for use with inhalation therapy inhalers comprises an elongate bottom element having an overlying top element defining a plurality of spaced top crowned areas containing powder or liquid medications or drugs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,178, issued Sep. 25, 2001 to Weinstein et al, is for a sinusitis treatment system having an oral dosage constituent, a topical nasal dosage constituent, indicia and instructions for administration of the oral dosage constituent and the topical nasal dosage constituent as an at least ten-day sinusitis treatment regimen.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,092,434, issued Jan. 10, 2012 to Harlan et al, provides a nasal passage washing device including a pliable body including an open top; and an applicator cap removably attached to the pliable body to cover and uncover the open top. The applicator cap includes an applicator tip having a substantially frustoconical configuration sized and shaped for receipt at least partially within a nostril of a user for sealing engagement therewith, the applicator tip including a hole to transfer washing solution there through, a washing solution transfer tube in communication with the hole of the applicator tip and a bottom of an inside of the pliable body to transfer washing solution from the bottom of the inside of the pliable body to the hole of the applicator tip, and a one-way air valve that only allows air flow into the pliable body through the one-way air valve and does not allow air flow and washing solution flow out of the pliable body through the one-way air valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,048,023, issued Nov. 1, 2011 to Hoke et al, provides systems and methods for nasal irrigation are provided in which a nasal irrigation device includes a source of saline solution, an effluent receptacle, a nasal interface, a vacuum source, a fluid passageway to communicate the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through the nasal interface and a nasal cavity of the user, and a switch and valve assembly for selectively controlling the vacuum source and flow of the saline solution through the fluid passageway. The saline solution source is disposed relative to the device to provide gravitational inducement of saline solution to the nasal interface in engagement to the device user's nostrils. A combination of the gravitational inducement and the relative vacuum from the effluent receptacle generates a fluid flow for irrigating, cleansing and massaging the nasal cavity and ostia of a user. The entire device is assembled as a hand-held device for convenient lifting and disposal against the user's nostrils.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,081, issued Mar. 4, 2003 to Zellner, claims the spray liquid of a nasal spray formed by a hyperosmotically adjusted water saline solution with a common salt content of 1 to 4% by weight. It furthermore contains various essential oils.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,906, issued Dec. 25, 2012 to Zinreich et al, describes a nasal spray solution for use as a nasal spray and methods of using the solution are disclosed. The nasal spray solution moisturizes nasal passages and alleviates nasal dryness. The solution includes a hypotonic saline solution, wherein the saline solution is hypotonic with respect to cells of the nasal mucosa of the nasal passages, a buffering agent, a lubricating agent, and an anti-microbial agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,059, issued Dec. 30, 2003 to Mehta, indicates an apparatus and method for preparing a pH balanced saline solution and using the saline solution for rinsing a nasal passage. The apparatus includes a container having flexible sidewalls and an opening for a removable cap. The cap has a rounded convex upper portion curving away from an opening at the cap's uppermost surface and has a conduit in the cap's interior, which conduit extends into the container when the apparatus is fully assembled or is connected to a tube that extends in the container. A saline solution is prepared by adding sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate to distilled water. The sidewalls of the container, filled with the saline solution, are compressed to urge the saline solution through the conduit, or tube and conduit, and through the opening in the cap and into a nasal passage, the cap being pressed against a nostril to provide a comfortable and effective seal.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,548, issued Jan. 4, 2011 to Javer et al, puts forth nasal irrigation device includes a container for storing nasal cleansing fluid, a spout having a connecting end, a nose engaging end and a spout passage, the connecting end of the spout being removably coupled to the container to allow the spout passage to receive nasal cleansing fluid from an opening of the container, the spout having a curved portion for directing nasal cleansing fluid toward a nasal passageway of a user when the container is clear of a nasal discharge path, the spout passage being continually open and unobstructed. The container is partially collapsible to force nasal cleansing fluid through the spout passage and into the nasal passageway.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,343,114, issued Jan. 1, 2013 to Mehta, concerns a device for nasal lavage which ejects a gently flow of fluid under pressure. The low pressure fluid stream is more comfortable for a user than a high pressure fluid stream delivered by some types of pressurized cans of solution.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2011/0057055, filed Oct. 9, 2009 by Wong, claims a single dose nasal spray pump includes a reservoir configured for holding a single dose of material to be dispensed, the reservoir extending between a closed end and an open end; a cap to be configured to be disposed over the open end of the reservoir, the cap including an aperture; a stem extending between an outlet end and a lower end, the stem having a conduit extending from the outlet end of the stem to a conduit inlet at or adjacent the lower end of the stem; and a piston disposed about the stem and configured for movement between a first position wherein the piston seals or substantially seals the conduit inlet and a second position wherein the piston is remote from the conduit inlet; wherein the stem is configured for movement from a first stem position wherein the piston is disposed in the reservoir in the first piston position and a second stem position wherein the stem is moved toward the closed end of the reservoir such that the piston is moved.
What is needed is a sterile nasal passageway cleansing solution comprising pure sodium chloride dissolved in sterile distilled water to form a pure sterile saline solution having a salinity matching natural body fluid salinity for safely cleansing nasal passages without added ingredients so the solution is harmless to a human body and will not cause infection and providing the solution in a single dosage container with an optimum amount of the spray solution to cleanse the nostrils without too much fluid entering the nasal passages, sinuses, and lungs.

Disposable single dosage sterile saline nasal spray system


An operating method of an optical fingerprint capture apparatus includes: by the apparatus upon receipt of a scan command from a host, entering an exposure mode where an image sensor thereof is exposed to light carrying information of a fingerprint; by the apparatus upon complete exposure of the image sensor to the light, entering a sample mode where multiple pieces of pixel data that cooperatively represent an image of the fingerprint are obtained and written to a data buffer thereof; and by the apparatus at a predetermined output time point that is later than a start of the sample mode and earlier than an end of the sample mode, outputting an interrupt request to cause the host to start reading the pieces of pixel data from the data buffer.

In a conventional optical fingerprint recognition system, an optical fingerprint capture apparatus outputs an interrupt request upon completion of writing multiple pieces of pixel data that cooperatively represent an image of a fingerprint to a data buffer thereof, so as to cause a host to start reading the pieces of pixel data from the data buffer and then perform a predetermined action (e.g., authentication) based on the pieces of pixel data. This is adverse tor educe total processing time of the conventional optical fingerprint recognition system.

Operating method of an optical fingerprint capture apparatus and operating method of an optical fingerprint recognition system


A method and device for collecting objects in a warehouse includes a movable apparatus that is automatically moved to a location where objects are to be taken from a shelf of a warehouse rack. The apparatus subsequently indicates how many objects are to be collected and/or provides other information. The apparatus is also capable of moving itself along a rail which extends along the warehouse rack.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device and a method for collecting or storing objects in a warehouse, whereby objects are collected or stored at a particular location by a warehouse assistant. The warehouse assistant thereby needs to be provided with information with regard to the location from which objects are to be collected or stored and with regard to the number of objects to be taken from a particular location or to be stored at that location. When collecting objects a label must in some cases be directly affixed to said objects or groups of objects must otherwise be provided with certain information. Although the invention may be used both for collecting and for storing objects, particularly the collecting of objects will be discussed herein.
2. Summary of the Invention
The collecting of objects from a warehouse may take place entirely automatically, for example by means of robots, but it may also be done by warehouse assistants, whereby the warehouse assistant utilizes auxiliary means in order to be able to do his work efficiently. It is important thereby that the assistant is provided with clear information in an efficient manner, that he can easily find the respective shelf of the warehouse rack, that he has his hands free as much as possible to pick up the objects in question, whilst it is furthermore important that the number of manipulations to be performed by the assistant is reduced.
The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device whereby the risk of counting errors and/or location errors is reduced, whilst furthermore the speed at which operations are carried out can be increased, so that it becomes possible for a warehouse assistant to collect objects in a warehouse in an efficient manner.
In order to accomplish that objective use is according to the invention made of an apparatus which can move automatically to a location where objects are to be taken from a shelf of a warehouse rack, which apparatus subsequently indicates how many objects are to be collected and/or provides other information. The apparatus can move along a rail thereby, which rail may extend in substantially horizontal direction along a warehouse rack, at some distance from the ground.
The term "shelf" used in the present disclosure refers to a part of a warehouse rack where objects, usually of the same type, are present. The term "location" refers to a place where the apparatus may be located and where several shelves may be present, one being positioned above the other, for example. The term "warehouse rack" is to be given a broad interpretation. It may inter alia refer to a number of pallets arranged in side-by-side relationship, with objects present thereon. In that case the rail may be provided along the places where the pallets, which form the shelves in that case, may be located.
This enables a warehouse assistant to have his hands completely free for collecting and/or otherwise treating objects, whilst the shelf from which objects are to be collected is faultlessly indicated as a result of the apparatus being present in situ, whilst the apparatus furthermore provides, likewise in situ, that information which the warehouse assistant requires in collecting the respective objects.
According to one aspect of the invention the apparatus may be designed such that it can be manually coupled to a rail extending along the warehouse racks in question, so that one apparatus may be used on different rails, whereby each rail extends along a different warehouse rack, for example.
Furthermore each rail may be provided with an apparatus, or more than one apparatus may travel on the same rail, whereby the apparatuses are unable to pass each other, of course. What is possible, however, is that two apparatuses can pass each other "electronically", in that they exchange information and stored data with each other. Furthermore the rail may according to the invention be provided with bar codes, which indicate the location and/or the shelves at which the apparatus is present. Furthermore the apparatus may (also) be provided with a stepping motor, which is capable of moving the apparatus along a certain distance, if desired.
According to one aspect of the invention the apparatus may be provided with one or more units, such as a keyboard for giving instructions to the apparatus, a display on which visual information may be provided, a printer which can provide written information, which may be added to the objects, or which can deliver printed labels which may be affixed to the objects, a receiver/transmitter, which can keep in touch with a central computer which provides the apparatus with the necessary information, a loudspeaker, which may give acoustic information or signals, a warning light, which may provide visual information or signals, an indicator, which may refer to a particular shelf of the warehouse rack, a rechargeable and possibly exchangeable battery, which may be charged when the apparatus is in a rest position or is present on a base station, a carrying handle, with which the apparatus can be readily picked up from the rail, a scanner, which can read a bar code provided on the rail, and a bar code scanner, which may or may not be manually controlled, for identifying the objects. The above units will be discussed in more detail hereafter with reference to an embodiment of the invention.
The term scanner used in the present disclosure refers to a device for reading a bar code or another code, it also comprises a so-called reader which can be moved along a bar code.
According to the invention a conveyor may furthermore be provided, on which objects may be transported and which may be moved by operating staff (a warehouse assistant) to the place where the apparatus is located. The conveyor may thereby be provided with means for wireless communication with the apparatus. The keyboard and/or the display and/or other units connected to the apparatus may thereby be mounted on the conveyor, which may facilitate communication between the apparatus and the operating staff.
Furthermore indicators, for example in the form of lights, may be present on the conveyor, which indicators are controlled by the apparatus and which are capable of indicating at what location or in what compartment of the conveyor one or more objects are to be placed. Furthermore the conveyor may comprise movable compartments, which are moved in such a manner that a particular compartment becomes accessible, so that the objects can only be placed in that particular compartment. Said moving or making the compartments otherwise accessible may thereby be controlled by the apparatus.
According to one aspect of the invention the apparatus may transmit information to a location where the objects undergo further treatment, which treatment may take place on the basis of that information. This information may include the origin and/or the destination of the objects in question. On the basis of this information a roller conveyor may for example be controlled, on which the objects are conveyed to their correct destination. Furthermore this information may be received by a receiver present on a trolley or on a row of hitched-together trolleys, which receiver will for example turn on lights at locations where the goods in question are to be deposited.
The invention may be used both for collecting objects in a warehouse and for placing or storing objects in a warehouse.
Further aspects of the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment and are defined in the claims.

System and method for collecting or storing objects in a warehouse


A work table for an automatic machine for cutting leathers and the like, includes a plurality of holes opening outwards and communicating with a vacuum source, to make portions of leathers to adhere to the active surface (3) of the work table (1). The work table (1) includes a central body (1a), supported by a fixed structure (2). At least one lateral portion (1h, 1j), connected to the fixed structure (2), is moved by first motion means (10h, 10j) between at least one work configuration (K1), in which its active surface (3h, 3j) is aligned with the active surface (3a) of the central body (1a), to define the active surface (3) of the work table (1), and a rest configuration (K2) of reduced dimension, in which the active surfaces (3a, 3h, 3j) of the central body (1a) and the lateral portion (1h, 1j) are arranged at an angle with respect to each other.

The known system for cutting fabric, synthetic materials and leathers, can be classified in accordance with the cutting technique, providing for the use or non-use of die cutters, i.e. tools, having a cutting relief or edge forming a given shape, and cuts a material giving it the contour matching the cutting relief or edge.
Die cutting machines, which mount such cutter systems, known also as die cutting machines, are widespread in the industrial manufacturing field and use, as specified, cutting means, which are shaped according to the shape to be obtained, and which must be substituted for each new production lot (size changeover).
In time, the above systems have been substituted by the ones cutting without die cutters, which work with a continuous movement of a cutting tool along the contour of the piece to be obtained, applying a highly automated computer controlled process.
The use of this technology has many advantages, such as high production rate and cutting quality, a maximum reduction of scraps and the possibility to define dynamically the cutting contour, without the necessity to substitute the tool.
For example, FIG. 1 shows an automatic machine of known type, which applies the cutting system without die cutter and which is aimed at processing tanned leathers P of large dimensions.
In a horizontal work table L, supported by a structure S, a suction effect is produced by a plurality of holes made therein, not shown, connected to a source of vacuum, likewise not shown.
A beam support M can slide in a direction Y, parallel to the longitudinal axis H of the surface L, on two straight guides G1, G2, made at the lateral ends of the structure S.
Moreover, the beam support M bears a head T, carrying cutting tools and translating, sliding on relative guides, not shown, in a direction X, perpendicular to the direction Y.
Finally, a central unit C operates the beam support M and the head T, managing the cutting of the leathers P, placed in adherence onto the work table L, in accordance with the selected shape.
The extension of the work table L allows two big tanned leathers to be placed thereon (as seen in FIG. 1): in this way, the automatic machine can perform the cutting operations on a first leather P, placed in adherence onto a first part A of the surface L, while the operators spread a second leather P on the opposite part B, making sure that each portion of the leather adhere to the surface L, with the help of suction action performed by the vacuum source.
When the cutting operations on the first leather P are completed and the second leather P is placed completely in adherence on the surface L, the second leather P is cut and the operators pick up the scraps and the pieces obtained by cutting the first leather P, and then spread another leather.
Therefore, the processing of tanned leather, described in its significant steps, is cyclical and limited by the operators' manual operations, actually longer than the automatic cutting operations.
In fact, the spreading of a leather P on the work table L and the subsequent removal of the cutting products is very difficult, due to the limited access to some portions of the leather P, situated near the longitudinal axis H, which makes the operator climb up to the surface L or use a suitable structure.
A further limit to the production rate of the above machine derives from the quality control of the leathers to be cut, which requires looking for possible imperfections on the tanned leather, and subsequent marking of faulty areas.
This visual verify takes place by putting the leather on relative trestles or when the leather is already spread on the work table L.
Possible faulty areas, marked by the operator, will be rejected during the subsequent cutting operation.
At present, the production rate of similar machines is 4-5 leathers per hour.

Work table for an automatic machine for cutting leathers and the like


A device is provided for shrinking shrinkable packages by heating by utilizing a liquid and/or gaseous heating medium, which reduces the amount of energy required. The novel device and method achieves its advantages by recovering heat by a recirculation apparatus (8, 9) for recovering heating medium which has evaporated from the liquid heating medium. The method relates to an operational process utilizing such a device.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device and a method for shrinking packages by having a liquid and/or vaporous heating device on a packaging machine and using a liquid and/or vaporous heating medium with a packaging machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a packaging machine having a recirculation apparatus for recirculating a heating medium and a process for recirculating a heating medium for a packaging machine.
(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 C.F.R. 1.97 and 1.98
In order to package items in packages with largely form closure, it is customary to package, for example weld in, the items in shrinkable packaging materials, for example shrinkable plastic films. The packaging is then made to shrink by heating so that the packaging contracts around the packaged items. To do this, in commercially available packaging machines so-called shrinking tunnels or shrinking tanks are used in which water is heated. The packages with the packaging which is to be shrunk on are wetted here with hot water. The continuous generation of vapor results in a large amount of energy being required in such devices.

Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG


A method of forming semiconductor devices on a wafer is provided. An etch layer is formed over a wafer. A photoresist mask is formed over the etch layer. The photoresist mask is removed only around an outer edge of the wafer to expose the etch layer around the outer edge of the wafer. A deposition gas is provided comprising carbon and hydrogen containing species. A plasma is formed from the deposition gas. A polymer layer is deposited on the exposed etch layer around the outer edge of the wafer, wherein the polymer is formed from the plasma from the deposition gas. The etch layer is etched through the photoresist mask, while consuming the photoresist mask and the polymer deposited on the exposed etch layer around the outer edge of the wafer.

The present invention relates to the fabrication of semiconductor-based devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved techniques for fabricating semiconductor-based devices with an etched layer.
During semiconductor wafer processing, features of the semiconductor device are defined in the wafer using well-known patterning and etching processes. In these processes, a photoresist (PR) material is deposited on the wafer and then is exposed to light filtered by a reticle. The reticle is generally a glass plate that is patterned with exemplary feature geometries that block light from propagating through the reticle.
After passing through the reticle, the light contacts the surface of the photoresist material. The light changes the chemical composition of the photoresist material such that a developer can remove a portion of the photoresist material. In the case of positive photoresist materials, the exposed regions are removed, and in the case of negative photoresist materials, the unexposed regions are removed. Thereafter, the wafer is etched to remove the underlying material from the areas that are no longer protected by the photoresist material, and thereby define the desired features in the wafer.
Various generations of photoresist are known. 193 nm photoresist and 157 nm photoresist and smaller generation photoresist are desired to provide smaller device sizes and increased device density. 193 nm and 157 nm photoresist may be softer and may be a polymer material.


A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to identify a vehicle part to replace based on received vehicle data including a diagnostic status, a location, and a first route. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine a vehicle operating pattern based on the identified vehicle part and to generate a second route including a second destination based on the vehicle part, the vehicle operating pattern, the location, and a first destination and an expected time of arrival of the first route. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to navigate the vehicle based on the determined second route and the vehicle operating pattern.

In an autonomous vehicle, typically a computer navigates the vehicle based on, e.g., a request from a vehicle owner, customer of a fleet of vehicles, etc. However, a vehicle component such as an actuator, sensor, controller, etc., may fail to operate. Further, a part or component may fail, impairing vehicle operation, wherein the vehicle is unable to continue operating, or continued operation is impaired, because the vehicle lacks technology to address the failed or impaired component. Due to current technological constraints, vehicle repair typically includes a sequential process of failure diagnosis, acquisition of parts and supplies, and then, at the end of the sequence, repair of the vehicle. It is a problem that carrying out this sequential process can result in long delays, especially given the possibility that a vehicle repair might require availability and ability to access a given part from among a large number of replacement parts for a wide variety of vehicle models. It is a problem that vehicles lack the ability to effectively or efficiently identify and address such failures.


A metering subassembly for use with a modular EGR valve includes a metering subassembly having an elongate metering shaft. A flanged end of the metering shaft is disposed a predetermined distance above a top surface of the metering subassembly. The metering subassembly is configured for being coupled to an actuator subassembly such that the flanged end of the metering shaft is disposed proximate the actuator subassembly. A gas arrestor includes a side wall interconnected with a collar. The collar surrounds a periphery of the flanged end. The side wall extends from the collar in a direction generally toward the top surface of the metering subassembly.

The present invention relates to exhaust gas recirculation valves and, more particularly, to a modular metering subassembly having a gas arrestor.
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves capture engine exhaust and recycle at least a portion of that captured exhaust gas into the combustion chamber of the engine to improve combustion. Exhaust gas is used since it is readily available and contains only a small amount of oxygen. Adding the exhaust gas to the air in the combustion chamber has the effect of lowering the combustion temperature below the point at which nitrogen combines with oxygen. Thus, exhaust gas recirculation increases fuel economy and reduces the level of undesirable emissions.
Conventional EGR valves include an actuator and a metering base. The metering base includes a metering chamber having a metering port. The metering chamber has an end that is associated with the intake manifold or intake vacuum of the engine. The metering port is connected to a source of exhaust gas and provides a passageway for the flow of exhaust gas into the metering chamber. An elongate shaft extends contiguously in a longitudinal direction from the actuator, through an orifice in the metering base, into the metering chamber, and to the metering port. A metering poppet, which is a plunger-shaped member, is disposed at the end of the shaft proximate to the metering port. In a default position, the metering poppet abuttingly engages or is disposed within the metering port, thereby sealing the metering port. In this default position, no exhaust gas enters the metering chamber through the metering port. The shaft is reciprocated to displace the metering poppet from engagement with the metering port thereby unsealing the metering port and allowing exhaust gas to flow through the metering port into the metering chamber and into the intake manifold of the engine. Thus, the reciprocal motion of the shaft and metering poppet selectively control the flow of exhaust gas into the intake air stream of the engine.
The contiguous shaft extends from within the actuator and terminates proximate the metering port. In order for the EGR valve to operate properly, the shaft must pass in a substantially concentric manner through the actuator orifice, through the orifice in the metering assembly, and into the metering port. Typically, due to manufacturing tolerances and process variation, these orifices are not perfectly concentric. As the shaft is reciprocated within these non-concentric orifices, the shaft may rub or perhaps even bind against one of the orifices. Furthermore, the metering poppet may rub or otherwise interfere with the metering port. Thus, increased frictional forces may be encountered during reciprocation of the shaft. Similarly, if the shaft as installed is not substantially perpendicular to the orifices, increased frictional forces may also be encountered during reciprocation of the shaft. In order to reciprocate the shaft these frictional forces must be overcome. Therefore, the actuator must provide a substantially larger force in order to overcome the increased friction and reciprocate the shaft. An actuator which is capable of overcoming the frictional forces typically must be larger in size and greater in weight than would be necessary if those frictional forces were minimized or eliminated.
Space is at a premium within the cramped engine compartments of the technologically-advanced vehicles of today. Furthermore, automobile manufactures are continuously striving to reduce the weight of vehicles to thereby improve fuel economy. These design considerations dictate that EGR valves, and the components thereof, be as compact and as light as possible. Therefore, it is desirable to make actuators as small and as light as is practicable. However, the actuator must be capable of producing enough power to overcome the frictional forces. The presence of these frictional forces place a limit upon the reductions in actuator size and weight which are obtainable in practice.
Conventional EGR valves do not sufficiently seal the actuator from the metering chamber and the exhaust gases carried thereby. More particularly, conventional EGR valves typically employ a journal bearing disposed around the actuator shaft. Some clearance must exist between the journal bearing and the shaft in order for the shaft to be freely reciprocated by the actuator. Thus, the journal bearing does not completely seal exhaust gases from penetrating into the actuator through the clearance between the journal bearing and the shaft. This makes possible the convection of exhaust gases into the actuator. Furthermore, fluctuating pressures and high back pressure in the exhaust and intake manifolds tend to force the exhaust gas through the clearance between the journal bearing and the shaft, and into the actuator. Exhaust gas typically has a high moisture content and is also highly corrosive. The intrusion of exhaust gas into the actuator can result in malfunction or even premature failure of the actuator.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is an EGR valve which reduces the need for concentricity of the shaft relative to the actuator orifice, the metering orifice, and the metering port.
Furthermore, what is needed in the art is an EGR valve which has a reduced sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances and process variations in the shaft, and in the alignment of the shaft relative to the actuator orifice, the metering orifice, and the metering port.
Moreover, what is needed in the art is an EGR valve which reduces the intrusion of exhaust gas into the actuator.
The present invention provides a metering subassembly having a gas arrester for use in a modular EGR valve.
The present invention comprises, in one form thereof, a metering subassembly having an elongate metering shaft. A flanged end of the metering shaft is disposed a predetermined distance above a top surface of the metering subassembly. The metering subassembly is configured for being coupled to an actuator subassembly such that the flanged end of the metering shaft is disposed proximate the actuator subassembly. A gas arrestor includes a side wall interconnected with a collar. The collar surrounds a periphery of the flanged end. The side wall extends from the collar in a direction generally toward the top surface of the metering subassembly.
An advantage of the present invention is that the adverse effects of a shaft being non-concentric relative to the actuator orifice is reduced.
Another advantage of the present invention is that sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances and process variation in the alignment of the actuator and the metering base to is reduced.
An even further advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the penetration of exhaust gas into the actuator.

EGR metering subassembly including a gas arrestor


There are provided a router for scheduling a packet and a method therefor. The stream classifier decides a stream ID of a packet received from an external source on the basis of header information of the packet, and classifies and outputs the packet. The sequence number allocation unit allocates a sequence number to the packet and classifies the packet into a general packet or a jumbo packet according to a length of the packet. The buffer unit includes a pair of a first buffer for storing the general packet and a second buffer for storing the jumbo packet by the number of stream IDs. The scheduler provides a service priority to general packets stored in the first buffer, rather than jumbo packets stored in a second buffer. The order management unit corrects an output order of packets with a same stream ID on the basis of sequence numbers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scheduling method available in a router, and more particularly, to a router for efficiently scheduling a packet with a long packet length, such as a jumbogram or a jumbo packet, and a method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to development of a high-speed networking technique, a network must transmit a large amount of data exceeding a processing capacity of a computer. To process such a large amount of data at a high speed, a CPU of a computer inevitably consumes many resources, which causes performance deterioration of the computer. To solve such a problem, it is necessary to reduce the number of CPU clock cycles consumed by data processing. An approach for this is to increase the length of a packet.
The length of a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) is recommended differently according to a protocol. The MTU represents a maximum size of a packet or frame capable of being transmitted through a packet/frame-based network such as a TCP/IP network. A packet with a maximum length of 64K bytes is used in IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). A jumbo frame with a length from 1518 to 9K bytes (maximum) is used in a giga-bit Ethernet. Also, a jumbogram with a length from 64K to 4 giga bytes (maximum) is used in IPv6. Hereinafter, a jumbo frame or a jumbogram with a length exceeding 1500 bytes are referred to as a "jumbo packet", and a packet equal to or smaller than 1500 is referred to as a "general packet".
A representative field in which such jumbo packets are used is a Storage Area Network (SAN) area. Studies into transmission of jumbo packets through a network are currently underway by ETF/DTF, Internet2, DoE, NASA, etc. However, the jumbo packet has shortcomings in compatibility with existing systems, which prevents standardization and spread of the jumbo packet.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a conventional router for scheduling a jumbo packet.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional router includes a stream classifier 100, a buffer unit 100 and a scheduler 120.
The stream classifier 100 classifies input packets according to their destination addresses and transfers the classified packets to the buffer unit 110. The buffer unit 110 stores the classified packets separately according to their corresponding destination addresses. Since the conventional router does not classify packets into general packets and jumbo packets, general packets and jumbo packets are mixed and stored in the buffer unit 110. The scheduler 120 decides an output order of packets stored in queues 112 of the buffer unit 110, according to a round-robin method or other scheduling methods, and outputs the packets in the decided output order.
Since the conventional router shown in FIG. 1 performs scheduling without classifying general packets and jumbo packets, packet transmission delay and packet loss may occur. Furthermore, in the case where delay-sensitive packets such as VoIP (Voice of IP) are processed at the same time with jumbo packets, serious packet loss as well as deterioration of service quality of VoIP can occur.

Router for scheduling packet and method therefor

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A technique for improving the manufacturing yield of data processing memory. A memory array contains a known pattern of single-bit defects. Specifically, a first group of the memory cells contain flawless storage devices which are capable of being set to either of two possible stable states, i.e., a binary "1" or a binary "0." A second group of the memory cells contain the single-bit defects. These storage devices of the second group are capable of being set to only one of the two possible stable states. Before data is loaded into the memory, a coder codes the data such that bits to be loaded into the memory cells with bit defects match the state of the bit defect. The coder also generates code bits capable of decoding the coded data. A memory input-output circuit loads the code bits and the coded data blocks into the memory cells. When the memory input-output circuit accesses the memory, it passes the coded data blocks and the code bits to a decoder which uses the code bits to decode the data blocks.

In the early stages of developing processes for manufacturing semiconductor devices, large quantities of defective semiconductor structures are fabricated, tested and usually discarded. These discarded devices can represent a significant monetary drain on the development process. Of course, the primary goal is to develop manufacturing processes that produce structures with no defects. However, even some highly refined processes often produce structures that contain a few defective elements. If such partially defective structures could be salvaged, a significant savings may be achieved.
Specifically, in the semiconductor manufacturing field, data processing devices are often produced with semiconductor memories having some defective elements. These defective devices often represent significant overhead costs. More specifically, complex semiconductor memories with thousands of storage cells may be fabricated with some relatively small number of cells that are incapable of storing data bits in both binary states. For example, when testing semiconductor memories, fabricators often find some memory cells to be "stuck" in one of their stable states. Of course, a flawless memory cell is one that can store information in either one of two stable states, i.e., a binary "1" or a binary "0. " If one or only a few such memory cells are "stuck," the memory will usually be rejected. If this memory is embedded in a data processor die then that die may also be rejected. Consequently, those concerned with the development and manufacture of semiconductor devices, particularly complex data processors with embedded memory, have recognized that manufacturing yield may be significantly improved if these discarded memories could be recaptured.

Technique for recovering defective memory