A cache-based computer system is provided that attains the advantages of data prefetching while minimizing negative affects upon system bandwidth and overall system performance. When a microprocessor initiates a write cycle and a cache miss occurs, a master prefetch control circuit within a cache controller initiates a specialized bus transfer cycle referred to as a "write allocation and prefetch cycle". A slave prefetch control circuit responds to the initiation of the write allocation and prefetch cycle by latching the data from the microprocessor into a temporary storage element of a memory controller. The slave prefetch control circuit also initiates a burst read cycle simultaneously to access a corresponding block or line of prefetched data stored in system memory. The prefetched data is sequentially provided to the system bus and into the cache memory. Once the entire data block is read from system memory and transferred into the cache memory, the write data stored within the temporary storage element is written into the system memory.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cache-based computer architectures and, more particularly, to write allocation and data prefetch techniques employed within cache-based computer systems. The invention also relates to memory control techniques for computer systems.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Cache-based computer architectures are typically associated with specialized bus transfer mechanisms to support efficient utilization of the cache memory. A cache memory is a high-speed memory unit interposed in the memory hierarchy between the slower system memory and the microprocessor to improve effective memory transfer rates and, accordingly, improve system performance. The name refers to the fact that the small memory unit is essentially hidden and appears transparent to the user, who is aware only of a larger system memory. The cache is usually implemented by semiconductor memory devices having speeds that are compatible with the speed of the processor, while the system memory utilizes a less costly, lower-speed technology. The cache concept anticipates the likely reuse by the microprocessor of selected data in system memory by storing a copy of the selected data in cache memory.
A cache memory includes a plurality of memory sections, wherein each section stores a block or a "line" of one or more words. Each block has associated with it an address tag that uniquely identifies which block of system memory it is a copy of. When a request originates in the processor for a new word, whether it be data or instruction, an address tag comparison is made to see if a copy of the requested word resides in a block of the cache memory. If present, the data is used directly from the cache. If the desired word is not in the cache memory, the block is retrieved from the system memory, stored in the cache memory and supplied to the processor. Since the cache is of limited size, space must often be allocated within the cache to accommodate the new information. An algorithm based on history of use is typically implemented to identify the least necessary block of data to be overwritten by the new block.
In addition to using a cache memory to retrieve data, the processor may also write data directly to the cache memory instead of to the system memory. When the processor desires to write data to memory, a cache memory controller makes an address tag comparison to see if the data block into which data is to be written resides in the cache memory. If the data block is present in the cache memory, the data is written directly into the block. This event is referred to as a cache write "hit". As will be explained in greater detail below, in many systems a data "dirty bit" for the data block is then set. The dirty bit indicates that data stored within the data block is dirty (i.e., has been modified), and thus, before the data block is deleted from the cache memory or overwritten, the modified data must be written into system memory.
If the data block into which data is to be written does not exist in the cache memory, the data block is either fetched into the cache memory from system memory or the data is written directly into the system memory. This event is referred to as a cache write "miss". A data block which is overwritten or copied out of the cache memory when new data is stored in the cache memory is referred to as a victim block or a victim line.
Cache memories can be optimized according to a number of different features. One important feature which affects cache performance and design complexity is the handling of writes by the processor or an alternate bus master. As explained above, because two copies of a particular piece of data or instruction code can exist, one in system memory and a duplicate copy in the cache, writes to either system memory or the cache memory can result in an incoherence between the two storage units. For example, suppose specific data is stored at a predetermined address in both the cache memory and system memory. If a cache write hit to the predetermined address occurs, the processor proceeds to write the new data into the cache memory at the predetermined address. Since the data is modified in the cache memory but not in system memory, the cache memory and system memory become incoherent. Similarly, in systems with an alternate bus master, direct memory access (DMA) write cycles to system memory by the alternate bus master modify data in system memory but not in the cache memory. Again, the cache memory and system memory become incoherent.
An incoherence between the cache memory and system memory during processor writes can be handled by implementing one of several commonly employed techniques. In a first technique, a "write-through" cache guarantees consistency between the cache memory and system memory by writing to both the cache memory and system memory during processor writes. The contents of the cache memory and system memory are always identical, and so the two storage systems are always coherent. In a second technique, a "write-back" cache handles processor writes by writing only to the cache memory and setting a "dirty" bit to indicate cache entries which have been altered by the processor. When "dirty" or altered, cache entries are later replaced during a "cache replacement" cycle, the modified data is written back into system memory.
Depending upon which cache architecture is implemented, incoherency between the cache memory and system memory during a DMA read operation can be handled with bus watch or "snooping" techniques, with instructions executed by the operating system, or with combinations thereof. In a "write-through" cache, no special techniques are required during the DMA read operation. In a "write-back" cache, bus snooping can be employed to check the contents of the cache for altered data and sourcing data from the cache to the requesting bus master when appropriate to maintain coherency. When the cache memory is sourcing data to the requesting bus master, system memory is prohibited from supplying data to the requesting bus master. Alternatively, the operating system can execute an instruction to write "dirty" data from the cache memory into system memory prior to the DMA read operation. All "dirty" data is written out to system memory, thereby ensuring consistency between the cache memory and system memory.
Similarly during a DMA write operation, incoherency between the cache memory and system memory can be handled with bus "snooping" or monitoring, with instructions executed by the operating system, or with combinations thereof. In a "write-through" and a "write-back" cache, bus snooping invalidates cache entries which become "stale" or inconsistent with system memory following the DMA write operation. Alternatively, cache PUSH and INVALIDATE instructions can be executed by the operating system prior to the DMA write operation to write "dirty" or altered data out to system memory and to invalidate the contents of the entire cache. Since only a single copy of data exists in system memory following the instructions, the DMA write to system memory will not present the problem of possibly "stale" data in the cache.
Another important feature that affects cache performance and design complexity is data prefetching. Data prefetch techniques are used to enhance the probability of cache hit occurrences and are typically executed when a miss is encountered on an access to cache memory. Such prefetch techniques involve the transfer of a block or line of several words from system memory into the cache memory even though the immediate need is for only one word. If the required word is part of a stream of sequential instructions, it is likely that subsequent instructions will be retrieved with the required first word, making repeated access to system memory unnecessary.
When data prefetching is used in conjunction with a read operation, the system memory is controlled to provide a block of several words in address sequence at a high data rate. The requested word residing within the block is provided to the microprocessor while the entire block of words is stored in the cache memory. The transfer of the block of words is typically accomplished by burst memory access. During the data phase of a burst memory access cycle, a new word is provided to the system bus from system memory for several successive clock cycles without intervening address phases. The fastest burst cycle (no wait state) requires two clock cycles for the first word (one clock for the address, one clock for the corresponding word), with subsequent words returned from sequential addresses on every subsequent clock cycle. For systems based on the particularly popular model 80486 microprocessor, a total of four "doublewords" are transferred for a given burst cycle.
Prefetch techniques are similar when used in conjunction with write operations. FIG. 1 is a timing diagram that illustrates various signals associated with a prefetch technique that may be employed within a computer system based on the model 80486 microprocessor. The timing diagram of FIG. 1 represents a time duration encompassed by bus states 100-110.
The initial write request by the microprocessor occurs during bus state 101 when the address strobe signal CADS is asserted and the cycle definition control bus signals CC3:0! are driven to indicate that the present cycle is a write cycle. If it is determined that the write operation is a cache miss cycle, address strobe signal MADS is asserted on the system bus by a cache controller during bus state 102. The addressing signal MA is also driven on the system bus, as well as cycle definition control signals MC3:0!. At bus state 104, the write data MD is driven on the system bus and is stored within the system memory. At the same time, signals MBRDY and MBLAST are asserted by a memory controller to indicate that the write data has been accepted and that the cycle has completed.
The cache controller then issues a burst read request during bus state 105 to prefetch the line of data that corresponds to the address of the written data. This is accomplished by reasserting the system bus address strobe signal MADS and driving the system bus cycle definition signals MC3:0! to indicate that the present cycle is a burst read request. It is noted that this burst read request is initiated independently of the microprocessor.
The first word of the prefetched data becomes available during bus state 109 and is written into the cache memory. During bus state 110 and subsequent bus states (not shown), the three remaining words of the fetched line are provided to the system bus and written into the cache memory. Since it is likely that the prefetched words will be accessed during subsequent cycles of the processor, repeated access to system memory may be unnecessary and overall processing speed may be increased.
Although data prefetching techniques have been quite successful in enhancing overall cache-hit occurrences in computer systems, such techniques can in some circumstances negatively impact system performance. One such circumstance may arise when the prefetching technique described in conjunction with FIG. 1 is employed. As illustrated by the timing diagram, the system bus is "busy" or occupied with signals for the entire time beginning with bus state 102 and ending with the second bus state that follows bus state 110. This limits the bandwidth of the system bus since subsequent system bus cycles initiated by the microprocessor or alternate bus master must be postponed until after the completion of the address phase and/or data phase of the prefetch cycle. This can degrade system performance.
In an attempt to increase the bandwidth of the system bus, an alternative prefetch technique may be employed. In this alternative technique, if the microprocessor initiates a write cycle and a cache miss occurs, the word is written directly into an allocated block of the cache memory (rather than into system memory). The cache controller concurrently initiates a burst read request to prefetch and store the remaining words of the block from system memory into the cache memory. Although this technique decreases the duration of signal activity on the system bus (since a write cycle to system memory is unnecessary), an incoherency arises since the word written to cache memory was not updated in system memory. The corresponding block of cache memory must accordingly be marked as "dirty".
The existence of dirty data within the cache memory can degrade system performance when direct memory access (DMA) transfers are performed and when cache replacement cycles are necessary. For example, as explained previously, during a DMA read operation, the existence of dirty data in the cache memory may necessitate the initiation of a "snoop" cycle to source the data from the cache memory rather than system memory. The initiation of such a snoop cycle often increases the overall time required to complete multi-word transfers, thus, degrading system performance. Similarly, during a cache replacement cycle when a new block of data is stored within the cache memory, the victim block must be transferred into system memory if it contains dirty data. The requirement of such a transfer can also degrade system performance.

Cache-based computer system employing memory control circuit and method for write allocation and data prefetch


According to this invention, a toothbrush is provided having a head and a handle having a grip portion, disposed along a longitudinal axis, the head having britstles exending from a face thereof ("the bristle face") in a general bristle direction, between the grip portion and the head of the toothbrush there being an integral region of folds having a fold axis in a direction lateral to the longitudinal axis, one or more limbs of the folds being penetrated by an elastomeric material which passes through an aperture in the limb, characterized by the elastomeric material being exposed on both sides of the penetrated limb.

This invention relates to toothbrushes, in particular to toothbrushes having a flexible region between the head and the handle.
Toothbrushes are known in which there is a flexible region, or a flexibility-modifying region, between the head and the handle. One type of such a toothbrush is disclosed in EP 0336641 A in which there is an integral region of "V"-shaped folds between the head and the handle, of which the flexibility may be modified by mans of a longitudinal core of the plastics material of which the toothbrush is made. Another type of such a toothbrush is disclosed in DE 39 23 495 A, in which there are a series of laterally oriented slots in the handle, filled with an elastomeric material so as to modify the flexibility. WO 92117093 discloses a toothbrush in which the flexibility of the head is modified by the presence of lateral slots filled with an elastomer, and WO 92/17092 discloses a toothbrush in which a flexible link is formed between the head and neck by a cut out, extending between the head and neck, and filled with an elastomer.

SmithKline Beecham Cosumer Healthcare GmbH


An instrumentation amplifier (INA) that includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier coupled to the first amplifier. The first amplifier includes a first transistor. The first amplifier is configured to receive a positive phase signal of a differential signal. The second amplifier includes a second transistor and is configured to receive a negative phase signal of the differential signal. The first and second transistors each include a gate, source, and drain. The first transistor drain is connected to the second transistor drain.

Instrumentation amplifiers (INAs) are widely used conditioning circuits that may be utilized to drive analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Typically, a conventional INA is a voltage feedback amplifier (VFA) that is configured to amplify an input signal by a certain amount of gain. The gain of an INA is typically adjustable to maximize the dynamic range of the ADC. However, when the gain of an INA is increased, the INA's bandwidth decreases resulting in a slower INA. The term for this type of behavior is gain bandwidth product and is a first order limitation of any VFA. Thus, when driving the sampling network of an ADC, an INA's output impedance over frequency increases as the gain increases. This causes increased settling time of the signal being sampled.

Reducing common mode transconductance in instrumentation amplifiers


Luminous retroreflective sheetings have a transparent cover layer, an optical layer disposed beneath the cover layer, and a reflective layer. The optical layer includes a first polymer layer and a monolayer of beads at least partially embedded therein. The reflective layer is disposed proximate a focal plane of the monolayer of beads. The monolayer of beads includes transparent beads that, in combination with the reflective layer, retroreflect incident light. The monolayer also includes light-emitting beads that emit light under the influence of an applied voltage or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Processes for making such sheetings are also disclosed.

The present invention relates generally to so-called beaded retroreflective sheeting. More particularly, the invention relates to such sheeting that, in addition to being retroreflective, is also luminous in that it emits self-generated light. The self-generated light is preferably electroluminescent ("EL") in nature.
The reader is directed to the glossary at the end of the specification for guidance on the meaning of certain terms used herein.
Retroreflective sheeting can be used in a variety of end uses, such as highway signs and markers, license plates, advertising boards, truck conspicuity markers, clothing, security applications, and the like. Most such sheeting can generally be classified as cube corner sheeting or beaded sheeting, according to the structure responsible for retroreflection: in cube corner-type sheeting, faces formed on a structured surface are arranged to form elements in which three neighboring faces are approximately mutually perpendicular so as to produce retroreflection; in beaded-type sheeting, a multitude of miniature transparent beads focus incident light onto a reflective surface, the reflected light then passing back through such beads towards the source of the incident light. The present application is directed to the broad category of beaded sheeting, which includes a wide variety of known constructions.
In some constructions, referred to as enclosed lens constructions, the beads are substantially fully embedded in one or more polymeric layers. In these constructions, retroreflectivity of the sheeting will not be destroyed if a film of water forms on top of such layers. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 2,407,680 (Palmquist et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,920 (Tung et al.). In other constructions, referred to as exposed lens constructions, the beads are partially embedded in a polymeric layer and partially exposed to air or vacuum. The retroreflectivity of these latter constructions can be eliminated or greatly diminished if a film of water were to form on the exposed portions of the beads. Therefore, many exposed lens constructions include an additional cover layer to encapsulate the exposed beads in sealed cells. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,190,178 (McKenzie), U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,159 (McGrath).
Various attempts have been made to provide beaded retroreflective sheeting with luminous characteristics. These attempts have various drawbacks associated with the separate manner in which the luminous agents and the retroreflective agents are incorporated into the article. For example, in JP-A-60-205501 (Hiroshi et al.), a bead layer comprises a resin film containing beads as well as small particles of light accumulative pigment. Below the bead layer is a reflective layer comprising a resin film containing a fluorescent pigment and mica titanium. The relatively large beads and relatively small light accumulative pigment particles are dispersed in the resin film that forms the bead layer. This layer is formed by coating and drying the dispersion, and in practice almost all the surfaces of the beads would become covered with the light accumulative particles, tending to degrade retroreflectivity. It then becomes necessary to reduce the amount of light accumulative particles enough to keep the retroreflectivity at an acceptable level. The resulting tradeoff between retroreflectivity and luminescent brightness is inefficient because of the fashion in which the beads, the light accumulative pigment, and the luminescent particles are distributed. Fabrication is also complicated because of difficulties dispersing small particles uniformly in a matrix resin solution, such particles tending to sink or float in a layer of such solution prior to hardening.
Luminous retroreflective sheetings would benefit from more efficient distribution of retroreflective and luminous agents. Desired sheeting constructions would require only slight modifications to existing manufacturing processes used to make purely retroreflective sheetings, and would thus be compatible with relatively simple production steps and low production costs.

Luminous retroreflective sheeting and method for making same


An information reporting method includes: determining that a random access problem occurs; and reporting, to a base station, a bandwidth part (BWP) on which the random access problem occurs. By determining that the random access problem occurs and reporting the BWP on which the random access problem occurs to the base station, the base station may determine the BWP on which the random access problem occurs.

In New Radio (NR), when User Equipment (UE) initiates random access on a
Primary Cell (PCell) while the random access fails, the UE determines that a Radio Link Failure (RLF) occurred in a Master Cell Group (MCG), that is, a MCG RLF has occurred. When the UE initiates random access on a Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell) while the random access fails, the UE determines that a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) RLF has occurred. When the UE initiates random access on a serving cell (e.g., SCell) other than a Special Cell (SpCell) while the random access fails, the UE determines that an RLF has occurred but does not report RLF information. In response to determining that the MCG RLF occurred, the UE records relevant failure information, initiates a connection reestablishment process, and then indicates to a network that there is newly occurred failure information, which may be acquired from the UE by the network if necessary. In response to determining that the SCG RLF occurred, the UE also records relevant failure information, and initiates, to the network, an SCG failure information reporting process.
According to the NR, UE in a connected state on a cell may be configured with a plurality of uplink bandwidth parts (BWPs) or downlink BWPs at the same time, but only one activated uplink BWP and one activated downlink BWP are allowed at the same time. The network may instruct the UE to switch to a different BWP via Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Usually, the UE initiates random access on an activated BWP, but if there is no random access resource on the activated BWP, the UE will switch to an initial uplink and downlink BWP for random access. In this case, the network knows whether the UE initiates the random access on the activated BWP or on the initial BWP. For the UE currently performing random access, upon receiving an instruction to switch to another BWP via the PDCCH, the UE may determine whether to continue the random access on the current BWP or switch to a new BWP for a new random access according to implementation of the UE. In this case, when a random access problem occurs, the network could not know on which BWP the random access failure occurs.

Information reporting method and apparatus, and bandwidth part based operating method and apparatus

BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.


Disclosed is an image scanner, which has: a reflecting mirror for reflecting a light reflected from a scanned manuscript in a predetermined direction; a sub-scanning means for sequential sub-scanning which parallel moves on a plane which has an acute angle to the surface of the scanned manuscript while keeping the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror perpendicular to the surface of the scanned manuscript; a focusing lens which focuses the light reflected from the scanned manuscript which is reflected by the reflecting mirror; and an one-dimensional image sensor which outputs a manuscript image by conducting a photoelectric conversion of the light reflected by the reflecting mirror which is focused on a light-receiving surface of the one-dimensional image sensor by the focusing lens.

A flat-bed-type image scanner or copier with which a mechanism of correcting an optical path length in sub-scanning is provided is known, for example, as disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No.2-101862(1990). FIG. 1A shows a composition of such conventional image scanner. As shown in FIG. 1A, a reflecting mirror 61 reflects a light reflected on a scanned manuscript 60 in the horizontal direction. Reflecting mirrors 62 and 63, which are integrated with each other, allow the reflected light from the reflecting mirror 61 to be turned in the reverse direction. The reflected light from the reflecting mirror 63 is then transmitted through a focusing lens 64, forming an image on an one-dimensional image sensor 65.
In sub-scanning, the reflecting mirror 61 is parallel moved in the direction as shown by an arrow in FIG. 1A to sequentially scan the manuscript 60. At this time, since the unit composed of the reflecting mirrors 62, 63 is parallel moved by half the distance that the reflecting mirror 61 is parallel moved in the same direction, the optical path length from the scanned manuscript 60 to the one-dimensional image sensor 65 can be constant.
On the other hand, known in a conventional flat-bed-type image scanner or copier are a manner that a unit 66 in which a reflecting mirror, a focusing lens and an one-dimensional image sensor are integrated is, as shown in FIG. 1B, parallel moved to a scanned manuscript 60, and a manner that a unit in which a focusing lens 64 and an one-dimensional image sensor 65 are integrated and to which a light reflected on a scanned manuscript 60 is led through reflecting mirrors 61, 67 and 68 is, as shown in FIG. 1C, parallel roved with the parallel movement of the reflecting mirror 61 to the manuscript 60.
Furthermore, Japanese patent application laid-open No.62-291259(1987) discloses an image scanner in which a reflecting mirror is rotated to scan a manuscript and an one-dimensional image sensor reads the image data and with which a mechanism of correcting an optical path length is provided. In this image scanner, the rotation of the reflecting mirror and the parallel movement of an focusing lens and the one-dimensional image sensor are conducted by using a cam mechanism.
A unit in which the reflecting mirror, focusing lens and one-dimensional image sensor are fixed is pressed against a slide plane of the cam by a spring. The cam is composed of two slide planes, where one is used for the reflecting mirror and the other is used for the unit composed of the focusing lens and the one-dimensional image sensor. The slide planes are designed such that the reflecting mirror is driven by a predetermined angle and the unit of the focusing lens and one-dimensional image sensor is driven by a predetermined distance of parallel movement. Rotating the cam by, for example, a stepping motor, the reflecting mirror and the unit of the focusing lens and one-dimensional image sensor can be simultaneously driven.
Japanese patent application laid-open No.8-7073(1996) discloses another image sensor in which a reflecting mirror is rotated to scan a manuscript and an one-dimensional image sensor reads the image data. However, this image scanner is not provided with an optical path length correcting mechanism by which an optical path length from an one-dimensional image sensor to a reading surface is corrected to be constant. Therefore, the image to be read may have a barrel distortion.
However, in the conventional techniques as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, there are problems that the driven units and drive mechanism are complicated and that the entire device becomes thicker since the optical path is turned. Also, in the image scanner shown in FIG. 1B, there are problems that the miniaturization of the driven unit is limited and that, when the driven unit is miniaturized, the optical path length becomes shorter, therefore making the designing of optical system difficult. Furthermore, there is a common problem that the image scanners in FIGS. 1A to 1C require a high torque and a high precision of the drive mechanism.
On the other hand, the optical path length correcting mechanism with the cam as disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No.62-291259(1987), since the reflecting mirror and the unit of the focusing lens and one-dimensional image sensor are pressed against the slide plane of the cam by the spring, requires a relatively high torque of a drive means such as a stepping motor. Furthermore, there is a problem that, with the increase in the distance of parallel movement for correcting an optical path length and the increase in the rotation angle of the reflecting mirror, the size of the cam needs to be larger in the two-dimensional directions.


To achieve an improvement in the power factor of the input into a primary converter in a case of inputting alternating-current (AC) power. A converter is provided with a control unit that performs a switching control such that power is supplied from a primary converter to a secondary converter while keeping a voltage supplied to a load constant, and also such that power is supplied from the primary converter to a tertiary converter while keeping a current supplied to a tertiary capacitor constant.

PTL 1 discloses a DC/DC converter provided with a first converter unit connected between a first direct-current (DC) power source and a first winding of a transformer, a second converter unit connected between a second direct-current (DC) power source and a second winding of the transformer, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls semiconductor switching elements inside the first converter unit and the second converter unit.

Converter provided with control unit that performs switching control for switching elements


A pull device for a wheeled luggage carrier which has a retractable handle for tilting and pulling of the luggage carrier where the pull device is readily attachable to the handle of the wheeled luggage carrier. The pull device has an elongated handle element configured symmetrically about the handle element axis and sized for gripping by a hand, an elongate extension element coupled to said handle element for extension in a direction substantially perpendicular to element axis, and fastening elements at the end of the extension element remote from the handle element for fastening the extension element to the handle of a wheeled luggage carrier where the handle is substantially perpendicular to the handle element axis when attached. The fastening elements are constructed and arranged to allow pivotal movement of the extension element. When the pull device is attached to the handle of a wheeled luggage carrier by the fastening means, the handle element is gripped by a person's hand with the attached arm in a natural plane of swinging movement when walking thereby permitting pulling of the luggage carrier without requiring rotation of the person's arm or hand from a normal position. The pull device is preferably constructed from lightweight, flexible materials.

One form of popular luggage for travel has evolved to wheeled luggage carriers which have wheels on a bottom transverse edge of the luggage and an extendable handle which can be projected from the luggage case for tilting the luggage carrier onto the wheels and for pulling the luggage carrier. The extendable handle has a parallel transverse portion for grasp by a human hand where the closed fingers of the hand about the handle form a fist which faces either forward or rearward with respect to the torso which the hand is attached to. In this position, the arm with the pulling hand is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the normal position of the hand and the arm relative to the torso. When the luggage carrier is pulled, the torso is subject to a twisting action because of the drag of the luggage carrier. The arm is also rotated at the shoulder toward the rear of the torso and the hand tends to move rearwardly of the torso What this produces is a bad and uncomfortable condition for the person pulling the luggage because the arm and hand and body are not in a normal position and are in a somewhat contorted position. This is exacerbated in some instances by the length of the extendable handle and the height of the person which changes the center of gravity of the luggage and the pulling characteristics.


A tear-away surgical drape is provided by the present invention. The drape has a fluid absorbent pad attached to the upper surface of an underlying base sheet. The drape has an opening, or fenestration, therein through which the operation is to be performed. The absorbent pad has a score line in it which extends from an edge of the pad to the fenestration so that it, like the tear-away material forming the base sheet, may be easily torn away after surgery. The present drape is particularly useful when it is necessary to leave a tube, catheter, or other apparatus attached o the patient after the surgery. The tear-away aspects of the drape allow it to be removed without disturbing the attached apparatus.

Drapes are used during surgical procedures, in part, to provide a sterile field about the surgical site and during other treatment procedures requiring the maintenance of a sterile environment. When used during surgery, drapes prevent blood and other bodily fluids from cross contaminating the sterile field since the reinforcement areas are usually absorbent. If designed correctly, the absorbent area of a surgical drape facilitates cleanup and movement of the patient after the operative procedure.
A variety of surgical drapes exist, but most share several common features. Surgical drapes will have one or more openings or apertures (more commonly known in the medical field as "fenestrations") through which the surgical procedure is performed. Most drapes are made of a water-repellent or water-impermeable material, or are coated with such a material, to prevent passage of bodily fluids as well as contaminating microorganisms. Many of today's surgical drapes are made of disposable nonwoven fabrics, plastic film, or papers.
An adhesive material is normally attached to the periphery of the drape material that defines the fenestration(s) so that the drape can be held in place around the surgical site and so that blood will not pass between the drape and the patient's body. The combination of the drape itself and the adhesive material around the perimeter of the aperture ensures a barrier between the surgical wound and the remainder of the body.
Currently, both disposable non-woven as well as reusable woven surgical drapes are used to create the sterile field for operative procedures. Some drapes employ a primary base sheet in conjunction with a smaller sheet, or pad, that is often made of an absorbent material backed by a liquid impervious film. When used, the reinforcing, absorbent pad is superimposed over the larger base sheet and is often connected thereto with an adhesive. Both the base sheet and the smaller pad have one or more corresponding apertures which define the surgical sites. An example of a surgical drape with a reinforcing, absorbent pad is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,484 to Winters.
Cardiac catheterization and angiography procedures are surgical procedures that, due to their nature, present special requirements for a surgical drape. Cardiac catheterization is the introduction of a catheter (a long slender tube) into the heart in order to obtain information about the structure and function of the heart, the cardiac valves, the coronary arteries, and the like. The catheter is typically introduced through an artery or vein.
Angiography is a procedure wherein a dye is injected into the blood vessels and then some type of medical photograph such as an x-ray is taken of the blood vessels containing the dye. The dye is introduced through a catheter at various points on the body, depending on the areas and organs being analyzed. This evaluation of the blood flow to and from organs can detect diseases that affect the blood vessels, such as aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. After the angiography procedure is completed, the patient will often be asked to remain lying flat in bed for anywhere from 6 to 8 hours.
One particular angiographical procedure is a percutaneous femoral angiography. During this diagnostic fluoroscopy procedure, a catheter probe is used to determine blockages to the heart. The catheter enters the body in the lower groin area near the femur and runs up the body in the direction of the heart. Obviously, in surgical drapes used for this procedure, one or more fenestrations are located on a sheet to correspond to the lower groin/upper femur area. During the procedure, one or both of the fenestrations (if two openings are present in the sheet) may be used for insertion of various apparatus. If two fenestrations are present, and only one is used during the operation, access to the other fenestration may be blocked by various sheets, etc. as is known in the art.
A surgical drape which is designed specifically for brachial angiography is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,316 to Dowdy. As shown therein, a catheter is introduced through the brachial artery to determine the pressure within the heart, determine abnormalities in the structure of the heart, and the like. The direct brachial angiography approach uses a catheter inserted through the patient's arm which is then manipulated by the surgeon through the artery into the heart.
Many of these types of procedures require that elongated or enlarged apparatuses such as wires, catheters, intravenous supply tubes, intraaortic balloon pump connections, and the like, be placed into the patient at the surgical site. In many of these operations, such apparatuses remain in the patient for some time after the surgery is complete. For example, during a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, anticoagulants such as heparin, are often administered to patients to enable coronary dialysis. In addition to heparin, such patients may also receive drugs such as beta blockers that increase blood thinning. After completing this particular procedure, the surgical wound site must clot to promote healing. Typically, direct pressure is applied to the arterial site to promote the clotting. In some cases, there is a need to maintain an intraaortic balloon pump at the site to aid in coronary blood flow for a substantial period after the operation.
In cases where wires, tubes, blood pumps, and the like, remain in the patient after surgery, soiled surgical drapes must be removed from the patient. Because such apparatus is received into the body through the apertures in the base sheet/pad, it has been a problem to remove the drape after the procedure has been completed. Although the base sheet is often made of an easy to tear material, the stronger absorbent pad usually requires the use of scissors or other cutting instrument to remove it from the patient. Obviously, the use of scissors near the surgical site after closure is not preferred due to risk to the patient.
This problem has been addressed in the past by utilizing drapes having perforations which aid in the removal of the drape from the patient. A drape of this type is shown in the prior art FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,873 to Marshall. These Figures do not show the use of a reinforcing pad as in the present invention and, therefore, do not address the problem of tearing away this stronger pad. In addition, although the perforations in this singular drape sheet create a weakened line on the drape so that it may be pulled apart by hand without the need for scissors, the presence of the perforations reduces the ability of the drape to form a sterile field which is impervious to liquid and microorganisms.
Marshall (U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,873) also shows a tear-away drape with a singular sheet having a "V"-shaped score line extending from an edge of the sheet to the opening. Like the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 therein, Marshall does not show the use of an absorbent or reinforcement pad superimposed over a base sheet to provide the benefits obtained by use of such a pad in the present invention. Likewise, Marshall does not address the problem created by removal of the pad from the patient. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the score line does not pass all the way through the sheet but, instead, extends to a depth of between 35% to 50% of the total thickness of the drape.
Thus, there is still a need for further improved surgical drape designs having a base sheet and a pad which allow quick tear-away removal from sites where an apparatus must remain connected to the patient after an operation.. Such improved drapes should still preserve the desired sterile field around the site, but be constructed to allow quick and easy removal from the patient.


An apparatus for conducting a small-scale shock reactivity and internal blast test (SSBT), and a related test method that simulates a large scale test of explosive materials while employing small quantities of materials for the characterization. The apparatus includes a small scale shock reactivity test (SSRT) device, and an internal blast test device including a pressure chamber with an accessible interior, a pressure transducer, a multipurpose port provides an electrical connection to the shock reactivity test device, and a small gas port. The SSRT device is housed within the pressure chamber, and gases and materials produced during a small scale shock reactivity test are quasi-statically retained by the pressure chamber. The pressure transducer is in communication with an instrument that can display the pressure detected in the pressure chamber for analysis.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a test method for characterizing potentially explosive materials, and more particularly a test method that simulates a large scale test of explosive materials while only employing very small quantities of materials for the characterization.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,753, assigned to the Government of the United States of America, teaches that a small-scale reactivity test (i.e. SSRT) can measure the shock reactivity of explosive materials. The SSRT, as originally configured, consisted of four detonators in four separate holes in a steel confinement apparatus bonded to an aluminum dent block. In the example, ammonium nitrate formulations that have various levels of shock resistance are placed in the steel holes between the detonator and the aluminum dent block. Explosive performance is gauged by measuring the dent depth produced in the aluminum dent block.
While the related art test is useful for determining the prompt shock reaction of various explosive materials, it fails to quantify the total energy available to internal blast that also includes delayed shock reaction and combustion of remaining reactants with the air. The selection of the detonator can influence the results of the test. That is some detonators are encapsulated in polymeric materials that can burn, while in other detonators the detonating materials are encapsulated in non-organic materials that have a lower level of heat contribution. The contribution of the detonator is particularly important when evaluating the total output of a small scale explosive event, because unlike a large scale test where the contribution of the detonator is relatively small, the detonator material in a small test can account for a significant portion of the total explosive material. For example, in a large-scale test the explosive material weighs 23 Kg, whereas in an SSRT the explosive material is under 0.5 grams. In both tests, the detonator, such as RP-80, has 80 mg of PETN and 123 mg of RDX. In the large-scale test the detonator explosives would account for only ˜9×10−5% of the total, but in the small scale test the detonator explosives account for 40% or more.
Although related conventional art discusses a small scale reactivity test using conventional technology based on detonators containing polymeric materials, a small scale reactivity test is needed that measures not only shock sensitivity and reactivity, but also any ancillary reactions that occur in addition to the shock reaction, where the tests takes into account factors that are an artifact of the small scale of the test. Furthermore, while the SSRT measures the substantially instantaneous reaction, it does not measure the internal blast reaction, that is the total reaction. Unburned materials and gases given off by the initial reaction create a second slower burning reaction using the ambient oxygen, and this second reaction contributes to the internal blast reaction. The sum of the shock reactivity reaction (the fast reaction) and the post reaction (which is substantially a slower reaction) constitutes the total reaction. (e.g., the internal blast reaction). Further, a test is needed to resolve the total reaction into its component reactions.

Small-scale shock reactivity and internal blast test

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


A test handler which is capable of transporting and testing a plurality of USB memory devices is provided. The handler includes a tray loaded with USB memory devices for testing, and a loading/unloading picker which transfers the USB memory devices from the tray to a shuffle for transport to a test socket. The shuffle moves to insert connectors of the USB memory devices into corresponding USB ports of a test socket for testing, and to extract the connectors from the USB ports after testing. The loading/unloading picker is capable of detecting an orientation of the connectors of the USB memory devices to ensure proper insertion into corresponding USB ports in the test socket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a USB memory and a method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a USB memory capable of testing electrical characteristics of a plurality of USB memory devices after completion of assembly thereof, and a method thereof.
2. Background of the Related Art
As illustrated in FIG. 1, in case of a conventional USB (Universal Serial Bus: hereinafter, USB) memory 10, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board, not shown) is mounted inside of a case 2, wherein a USB client chip and a flash memory are electrically connected to the PCB. Moreover, the PCB and a USB connector 1 is electrically connected to the USB client chip.
A plurality of holes 1a are respectively formed on both ends of the USB connector 1 and an insulating member 1b is inserted therein. A plurality of leads (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the insulating member 1b, wherein the leads are electrically connected to the USB client chip mounted on the PCB when the USB connector 1 is assembled thereto.
According to the prior art, in case that assembly of the USB memory is completed, a test is performed using a testing computer about whether or not electrical characteristics is in a good state. For this, an operator had to determine whether or not electrical characteristics of the USB memory is inferior, by inspecting a result thereof after inserting the USB memory into the USB port of the testing computer in handwork.
However, in case of a conventional apparatus for testing a USB memory, since an operator has to test electrical characteristics thereof in handwork, there is a problem that productivity of a testing operation and reliability thereon are depreciated.

Apparatus for testing USB memory and method thereof


In the GOA circuit repair method provided by the present invention, the repair signal (Repair signal) is received by the GOA unit circuits of the Nth stage and the N+1th stage via the repair signal line (L1) respectively to be the output signal of the GOA unit circuit of the Nth stage, and the scan control signal of the GOA unit circuit of the N+1th stage to achieve the repair to the GOA unit circuit of the Nth stage; or the start signal (STV) is received by the GOA unit circuits of the N+1th stage and the N+2th stage via the start signal line (L5) respectively to be the output signal of the GOA unit circuit of the N+1th stage, and the scan control signal of the GOA unit circuit of the N+2th stage to achieve the repair to the GOA unit circuit of the N+1th stage, and meanwhile, the repair signal (Repair signal) is received by the GOA unit circuits of the N+2th stage and the N+3th stage via the repair signal line (L1) respectively to be the output signal of the GOA unit circuit of the N+2th stage, and the scan control signal of the GOA unit circuit of the N+3th stage to achieve the repair to the GOA unit circuit of the N+2th stage, it is capable of reducing the repair difficulty of the GOA circuit to raise the yield of the GOA production and to decrease the production cost.

The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) possesses advantages of thin body, power saving and no radiation to be widely used in many application scope, such as LCD TV, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital camera, notebook, laptop, and dominates the flat panel display field.
Most of the liquid crystal displays on the present market are backlight type liquid crystal displays, which comprise a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight module. The working principle of the liquid crystal display panel is that the Liquid Crystal is injected between the Thin Film Transistor Array Substrate (TFT array substrate) and the Color Filter (CF). The light of backlight module is refracted to generate images by applying driving voltages to the two substrates for controlling the rotations of the liquid crystal molecules.
In the active liquid crystal display, each pixel is electrically coupled to a thin film transistor (TFT), and the gate of the thin film transistor is coupled to a level scan line, and the drain is coupled to a vertical data line, and the source is coupled to the pixel electrode. The enough voltage is applied to the level scan line, and all the TFTs electrically coupled to the horizontal scan line are activated. Thus, the signal voltage on the data line can be written into the pixel to control the transmittances of different liquid crystals to achieve the effect of controlling colors and brightness. The driving of the level scan line in the present active liquid crystal display is mainly accomplished by the external Integrated Circuit (IC). The external IC can control the charge and discharge stage by stage of the level scan lines of respective stages. The GOA (Gate Driver on Array) technology, i.e. the array substrate row driving technology can utilize the array manufacture process of the liquid crystal display panel to manufacture the gate driving circuit on the TFT array substrate for realizing the driving way of scanning the gates row by row. The GOA technology can reduce the bonding procedure of the external IC and has potential to raise the productivity and lower the production cost. Meanwhile, it can make the liquid crystal display panel more suitable to the narrow frame or non frame design of display products.
The most main objective of applying the GOA technology to the liquid crystal display is to decrease the cost. However, there is higher demand to the manufacture process. In the process of manufacturing the GOA circuit, the damage can easily happen and the GOA circuit is difficult to repair after the damage happened. It significantly influences the yield of the GOA production and loses the original intention of reducing the production cost by utilizing the GOA technology.

Gate driver on array circuit repair method

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A slotting tool to slot a workpiece and cut off a slotted scrap from the workpiece comprising a punch having a toe portion and a heel portion located higher than the toe portion and a slotting portion located between the toe portion and the heel portion; a die having a starting blade to punch out a tip portion of the slotted scrap from the workpiece by cooperating with the toe portion to shear the workpiece; side blades to slot the workpiece by cooperating with the slotting portion to slot the workpiece; a terminating blade to cut off the slotted scrap by cooperating with the heel portion; a scrap cutting blade mounted to the die, the scrap cutting blade located below the starting blade for cooperating with the toe portion to cut off a tip portion of the slotted scrap; and a scrap path formed in the die, the scrap path locating under the starting blade to receive the tip portion of the slotted scrap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slotting tool for use in slotting a work.
2. Description of the Related Art
A slotting tool of the related art is constructed in a manner such that a toe of a punch does not cooperate with a die to preliminarily punch out a work. The slotting tool slots the work by means of a slotting portion of the punch and the die. Slotted scrap is punched out for cutting off from the work by means of a heel portion of the punch and the die. Therefore, the slotting tool does not work from a slotting starting position in the work. In this connection, prior to slotting the work by the slotting tools of the related art, an auxiliary and extra hole must be prepared which is located in an extension line of and overlapping the slot to be formed.
In another type of slotting tool, a repeated slotting operation is performed from a hole preliminarily and previously punched for slotting. This is required because incomplete slotting scrap is left on a work at the final stage of the continuous slotting operation, notwithstanding that this type of slotting tool does not require an auxiliary and extra hole. Therefore, the extra auxiliary hole, which is located in an extension line of the slotted hole required and overlaps with the slotted hole required, must be punched at a final and terminating slotting position, prior to slotting the work by the slotting tool.
The above slotting operations of the related art are thus complicated thereby increasing the cost of the slotting operations.
Furthermore, where a second slotted hole is required near a first slotted hole and where a micro-joint portion is required on a work and formed on the work by the first slotted hole, the micro-joint portion cannot remain on the work and therefore is not formed on the work where an auxiliary and extra hole is required.
In addition, the preliminarily punched slotted holes are typically uneven thereby reducing the accuracy of the hole.


The invention relates to a method of testing silanization, which permits inline control of the in situ silanization of light-colored fillers, especially precipitated silicas. This enables continuous in situ silanization in the production of rubber mixtures comprising silanized light-colored fillers, and representative control of the rubber mixture under production conditions. The process is additionally nondestructive and has a high tolerance for carbon black as an additional constituent of the rubber mixture.

The invention relates to the technical field of the silanization of light-colored fillers. Light-colored fillers are understood by the person skilled in the art to mean mineral natural and synthetic fillers that are not based on carbon black, for example mica, kaolins, chalks, calcium carbonates, talc, zinc oxides, aluminum oxides, titanium dioxides, silica and silicates. To improve processibility, the light-colored fillers are hydrophobized by silanization, which distinctly improves the properties of the elastomeric vulcanizates. Particularly in rubber mixtures for tire treads, the use of silanized fillers compared to the black filler carbon black leads to an improvement in wet skid resistance and rolling resistance, without increasing tire wear.
In the production of tire tread mixtures, for example, the silica is dispersed batchwise in en internal mixer with a silanizing agent in a 1st mixing step in the rubber. This mixing process is run, via an adjustment of the mixing parameters (speed, fill level, temperature control, etc.) such that the ejection temperature is in the range from 140° C. to 160° C. In a second mixing step in the internal mixer, the mixture is homogenized once more in the range from 140° C. to 160° C. Below 140° C., no reaction of the silane with the silica takes place; above 160° C., the silane breaks down (cf., for example, F. Röthemeyer, F. Sommer; "Kautschuktechnologie Werkstoffe, Verarbeitung Produkte" [Materials from Rubber Technology, Processing of Products], Hanser Verlag 2nd revised edition; ISBN 10: 3-448-40480-5; page 272). Internal mixers employed in the rubber industry also include internal mixers having a discharge extruder. As well as batchwise production methods, continuous methods with extruders are also being tested, as disclosed in DE69728538T2. Silanization in a rubber mixture is referred to as in situ silanization. This is described, for example, in EP-A-0911359 and also in EP-A-1 357156.
Since exact compliance is necessary with regard to the temperatures and mixing times in the in situ silanization, these methods are very prone to faults. Tests should therefore be conducted very quickly (inline), in a volumetric and representative manner. Only in this case can the in situ silanization be reliably controlled, the thermal stress on the rubber mixture can be kept low and the method efficiency can be kept high, and the reject rates can be reduced. This is all the more true in the case of the continuous method for in situ silanization, which has not yet become established on the market owing to the inadequate means of inline testing among other reasons.
By contrast with the requirements for monitoring of in situ silanization, measurements on uncrosslinked rubber mixtures in the rubber industry generally cannot be conducted until several minutes or even days after the production of the rubber mixture ("offline methods"), since the measurements are time-consuming and simultaneous measurement on multiple samples requires a multitude of costly analytical apparatuses. Therefore, the quality of an uncrosslinked rubber mixture has to date been tested merely by random sampling (<0.1% of the total volume). Typically, the Mooney viscosity of the random samples of the rubber mixture is determined in order to verify the completeness of the silanization reaction (cf. F. Röthemeyer, F. Sommer; "Kautschuktechnologie Werkstoffe, Verarbeitung Produkte", Hanser Verlag 2nd revised edition; ISBN 10; 3-446-40480-5; page 390). However, the small number of random samples is not representative of the overall rubber mixture. Moreover, it has not been possible to date to implement the means of quality control described in an automated manner for method-related reasons, which increases the time demands.
There is a multitude of known representative inline quality controls for the analysis of polymers compounded with extruders, for example NIR, Raman and UV/VIS spectroscopy, in which radiation is passed through the samples (cf. Hochrein et al., Plastverarbeiter, September 2009, p. 92). When electromagnetic waves are used, however, the carbon black is disruptive since the electromagnetic waves are virtually completely absorbed even in the case of very small proportions of carbon black. In the case of use of mechanical pressure waves in the high frequency range >1 MHz (ultrasound waves), by contrast, carbon black is disruptive to a comparatively minor degree. Here, however, light-colored fillers having a high density such as silica, kaolin or chalk are disruptive (cf. A. Schröder, L. Graff. L. Wawrzinski, Rubber World 251 (2015) 4), since these attenuate the ultrasound waves more significantly than carbon black having a lower density. Moreover, uncrosslinked rubbers, by contrast with polymers, owing to their viscoelastic properties, intrinsically already have relatively high attenuation. Owing to this high attenuation, there is an upper limit for the distance between the emitting and receiving ultrasound transducers in the case of volumetric measurements in transmission. If this limit is exceeded, the signal/noise ratio is too poor to obtain usable measurements.
On the other hand, there is a lower limit since the high-viscosity rubber mixture still has to flow between the ultrasound transducers. For instance, Rubber World 251 (2015) 4 describes the use of ultrasound as inline quality control for the detection of varying proportions of filler and crosslinker masterbatches with markers, and also the detection of impurities larger than 100 μm and the macroscale dispersion of fillers, but only up to a proportion of 30 phr of light-colored fillers. The proportion of light-colored fillers in rubber mixtures for tire treads is generally above 60 phr, which leads to an increase in the viscosity of the rubber mixture. Moreover, the use of ultrasound for monitoring a chemical reaction in in situ silanization has neither been disclosed or suggested.
The monitoring of a chemical reaction, namely the crosslinking of an uncrosslinked rubber with sulfur, is described in M. Jaunich, B. Stark, B, Hoster, Polymer Testing 28 (2009) 84. However, what is being monitored here is the change in the crosslinking density with the aid of the speed of sound, and not the relative sound attenuation coefficient. Ultrasound transducers having a mean frequency of f=4 MHz are used here. No extrusion of the mixture takes place.
There was therefore a need for a representative inline method of monitoring the in situ silanization of light-colored fillers. The method was to allow inline monitoring of the in situ silanization of light-colored fillers, especially silicas. It was to be possible here to determine, with a minimum time delay, whether and to what extent the silanization of the filler surface has taken place. Preferably, the result of the quality control was to be available no later than one minute after exit from the extruder, in order thus to enable immediate feedback to the method control and to enable an increase in productivity and/or a decrease in the reject rates from the process. The process was preferably also to allow representative control, i.e. to enable testing of at least 1% of the rubber mixture comprising silanized light-colored filler, preferably under production conditions, i.e. at throughputs of a ≥5 kg/h, more preferably 50 kg/h. A nondestructive method would be particularly advantageous. In order to enable use of the method in the production of rubber mixtures for tires, it would be desirable for carbon black as an additional constituent of the rubber mixture to impair quality control only to a minor degree, if at all.

Method for testing the in situ silanization of bright fillers


A fastener removal device comprising a handle and a head, wherein there is a first end of the handle and a second end, the second end forming a toothed pad, wherein one end of the head is shaped as a toothed pad, wherein the other end of the head is shaped as a bifurcated claw, wherein said head contains an opening in the middle, such that the second end of the handle extends through the opening in the head.

Fasteners are hardware devices that mechanically join or affix two or more objects together. Usually fashioned from metal, common types of fasteners include nails, bolts, screws, clips, staples, clamps, pins, grommets, anchors, and rivets. Despite advances in building and tool technology, there is a need for a reliable tool for pulling nails, especially short, cut off and headless nails, staples and tacks that are impossible to pull with a standard claw hammer that functions without causing damage to the surface or drywall from which one is removing the fastener. Traditionally a claw hammer is used to remove nails, staples or other fasteners but the end of the claw can leave scratches or indentions on the wall or drywall.
The prior art has put forth several designs for hand held tools for nail and framework removal. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,934 to Mark Anthony Gallo describes a pry bar with a built in hammer. The pry bar includes a slide bar with an elongated linear section culminating in a slightly angled pry section at one end. At the other end of the slide bar is a pry section angled at approximately ninety degrees. This tool is adjustable by means of the slide bar to accommodate various space allotments.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,479 to Lowell F. Witter describes a framework removal tool that is designed to remove variously sized stakes that support concrete framework. This tool provides an apparatus and method for pulling nails, prying framework and removing different types of stakes using a convenient leverage design. At one end, this elongated tool comprises a stake contact element with two adjustable notches for accommodating stake lengths and a rotatable lever arm connecting to the stake contact element for stake removal. The other end of this tool composes a notch for removing nails.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,935 to Jefferson Louis Wagner describes a nail removal tool for pulling an elongated object that is embedded in a body having a surface through a surface. This tool comprises an elongated shaft portion with one end comprising a handle and the other end comprising a pivot mechanism. A moveable head portion with a fixed jaw member and a jaw bedway is attached to the pivot mechanism. A second jaw member parallel to the first jaw member is attached to a moveable bedway plate that is inserted in the jaw bedway and is moveably connected to the lower end of the shaft portion. This tool has a jaws closed position and opposite jaws open position.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.


A capacitive touch panel and a touch display panel using the same are provided. The capacitive touch panel includes a substrate, a plurality of sensing structures and a light diffusing structure. Each sensing structure includes a plurality of sensing units and a plurality of bridge wires, and two adjacent sensing units are connected by a corresponding bridge wire. The light diffusing structure is formed on at least one of the bridge wires. After a light is incident to the light diffusing structure, the light is diffusely reflected.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a capacitive touch panel and a touch display panel using the same, and more particularly to a capacitive touch panel capable of reducing the reflection of the light and a touch display panel using the same.
2. Description of Related Art
In a conventional capacitive touch panel, each sensing structure includes a plurality of metal bridge wires and a plurality of sensing units, and a metal bridge wire connects two adjacent sensing units. Therefore, in each sensing structure, the metal bridge wires are electrically connected to the sensing units.
The bridge wires are directly formed on the substrate. The bridge wires are made from metal and form a metal structure which causes the light entering the metal bridge wires to generate strong reflection, which results in visual discomfort to the user.

Capacitive touch panel having a plurality of sensing units connected by bridge wires

Hsinchu Industrial Park, Hukou Township, Hsinchu County


In a semiconductor package in which a cover and a substrate are combined with each other in a sealed state, metallized portions consisting of a material of a high solder wettability are provided on the joint surface, which is opposed to the substrate, of the cover, outer side surfaces of the cover, and the portions of the inner side surfaces of the cover which are in the vicinity of the joint surface. These metallized portions are formed so that the height thereof on the outer side surfaces of the cover is larger than that on the inner side surfaces thereof. The metallized portions on the outer side surfaces are formed so that the height thereof at the corner portions of the cover is larger than that at the intermediate portions of the four sides thereof, and the metallized portions on the inner side surfaces are formed so that the height thereof at the intermediate portions of the four sides of the cover is larger than that at the corner portions thereof. This enables the excess and shortage of solder supplied to the joint portions of the substrate and cover constituting the semiconductor package to be prevented.

This invention relates to a semiconductor package, and more particularly to a semiconductor package having an improved shape of a metallized portion of the cover for sealing the semiconductor element mounted on a ceramic substrate.
An air-tightly sealed semiconductor package for use in computers usually includes a cover consisting of a material of a high thermal conductivity brazed or soldered to a ceramic substrate, on which a semiconductor element, such as an LSI circuit chip is mounted. Such air-tightly sealed semiconductor packages include, for example, a semiconductor package disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 276237/1986.
The sealing of a semiconductor element on a ceramic substrate is done by soldering in advance a joint portion of a metallized ceramic substrate and that of a cover, or by placing a solder foil or a wire rod on a joint portion of a ceramic substrate, aligning the ceramic substrate and cover with each other, and heating the resultant ceramic substrate and cover so as to melt the solder.
According to a conventional method of producing a semiconductor package of this kind, only the opposed joint surfaces of the joint portions of the ceramic substrate and cover are generally subjected to a metallization treatment.

Semiconductor package with metalized portions


An optical line shelf formerly used exclusively for multiplexing broadband video with voice channels in a serial bus transport format is adapted for use with both optical line distribution units and a metallic distribution unit.

In co-pending application Ser. No. 07/452,291 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,152 entitled "High Speed Synchronous Transmission Line Access Terminal," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,152 there is shown a structural configuration of a line shelf which is constructed with a back plane connector array and slots for receiving various plug-in units. The line shelf includes redundant power supplies, line shelf processors, line shelf access units and test access units for remote terminal applications and a channel test unit in lieu of the test access units if the line shelf is used at a central office terminal A total of forty-eight line units are provided in four groups of twelve each.
In order to expand the functionality of the above line shelf to include a fiber-to-the-curb (FTC) application, a new shelf called the optical distribution shelf (ODS) has been developed and is the subject of a separate co-pending patent application entitled "Optical Distribution Shelf for a Remote Terminal of an Optical Fiber Telecommunications Network" being filed under U.S. Ser. No. 07/738,315.
A problem found in developing the FTC product, with only fiber distribution in the remote housing, is that there is no access provided for metallic voice frequency (VF) services at the housing, yet these services are required for craft communications as well as existing line testing architectures.

Metallic access in a fiber remote terminal


Provided are a method of preparing a cathode active material, a composite cathode active material, and a cathode and a lithium battery containing the composite cathode active material. The method includes mixing a transition metal source and a reducing agent to prepare a cathode active material precursor; and mixing and calcining the cathode active material precursor to prepare a lithium transition metal oxide, wherein a supplied amount of the reducing agent is about 0.003 mole/hr or less with respect to 1 mole/hr of a supplied amount of the transition metal source.

Field
One or more embodiments relate to a method of preparing a composite cathode active material, a composite cathode active material, and a cathode and a lithium battery containing the composite cathode active material.
Description of the Related Art
In general, a cathode active material for a lithium battery is a transition metal compound or a lithium transition metal oxide such as LiNiO2, LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiFePO4, LiNixCo1-xO2 (0≦x≦1), or LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2 (0≦x≦0.5 and 0≦y≦0.5). The cathode active material has a limited electrical capacity.
Thus, a novel cathode active material having various structures is suggested. In particular, composite oxides have been suggested according to demand for high capacity batteries.
For example, one of the composite oxides is a xLi2MO3-(1-x)LiMeO2 (where, 0<x<1, M and Me are a transition metal) having a layer structure. In the preparation process of the composite oxide, an initial capacity of the cathode active material may be deteriorated since a previous oxidation of one of the transition metals results in the formation of a cathode active material precursor having a separate additional phase.
Therefore, a cathode active material having an improved discharge capacity and life characteristics by suppressing a formation of an additional phase during a preparation process of a cathode active material precursor is needed.

Method of preparing composite cathode active material, composite cathode active material, and cathode and lithium battery containing the composite cathode active material


An absorbent article including a chassis, a pair of opposed elastic side panels attached to the chassis, and at least one fastening tab adhesively attached to each elastic side panel. The at least one fastening tab has a length in the transverse direction of the article and a width in the longitudinal direction of the article and each elastic side panel is embossed on at least a portion thereof, which is adhesively attached to the respective fastening tab, to form at least one embossed groove extending along at least 30%, preferably at least 40% and more preferably at least 60% of the width of the at least one fastening tab.

It is desirable that absorbent articles such as diapers and incontinence guards provide a close and comfortable fit about the wearer during use and absorb bodily exudates, such as urine and/or faeces. Typically, conventional diapers have a front waist portion and a back waist portion which are releasably connected about the waist/hips of the wearer during use by conventional fasteners such as adhesive tape fasteners or hook and loop type fasteners. For example, the conventional fasteners have typically included a pair of fastening tabs, such as e.g. adhesive tape tabs, located on the outermost corners of the diaper in the back waist portion of the diaper and a complimentary fastener, such as a reception panel, located on the front waist portion. Such fastening tabs are generally manufactured separately from the articles to which they are attached. Therefore, the fastening tabs affixed to outermost corners of the diaper in the back waist portion, in a manner and with a strength sufficient to resist the forces which arise during use of the article.
A number of concepts have been introduced in the art for permanent fastening of fastening tabs to the outermost corners of the diaper such as e.g. mechanical, adhesive or ultrasonic bonding or combinations thereof.
For example, US 2007/0032766 discloses mechanical bonds to join a front side panel and a rear side panel or to join other substrates, layers and/or elements of the absorbent article, which in addition results in informational indicia.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,306 disclose permanent adhesive bonding between a tape tab and backsheet of the diaper.
One type of laminate produced by Koester GmbH (FlexEar PA 150 V2 EMB1) is embossed to form a number of rhomboids. This laminate may be used as elastic side panels, i.e. outermost corners of the diaper, onto which fastening tabs have been fastened.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,735, a diaper comprising a stress beam section is disclosed, which may be an integral part of the side panel of the diaper or separately fastened. The section is the connection between the fastening tab and the side panel and can disperse the fastening forces across the side panel. The stress beam section may be densified or embossed to provide reliable securement.
The systems mentioned above have, however, a number of shortcomings, one of which is that the fastening tabs may come off from the outermost corners of the diaper due to the forces arising during use of the article. More specifically, the outermost corners of the diaper usually are a laminate with nonwoven on the outside surface and consequently it is difficult to get good adhesion because fibres in the nonwoven are pulled out by the adhesive between the fastening tab and the diaper or between the fastening tab and the elastic side panel.
Therefore, there remains a need for an absorbent article with improved strength and prolonged durability of the fastening between the outermost corners of the diaper and the fastening tabs of the fastening system.

Absorbent article with embossed elastic side panels


A sports equipment vehicle for transporting sporting equipment is disclosed. The rack comprises of a plurality of support sections that allow the equipment carrying member to translate from the top of the vehicle roof to the side of the vehicle. Each support section has a bottom member, top equipment holding member, a first leg member, a second leg member, and a strut connected to the bottom member and the top equipment holding member. The support sections move from a transport position that has the top equipment holding member substantially parallel to the vehicle's roof to a loading position where the top equipment holding member is on a substantially inclined plane with a portion below the vehicle's roof. The first and second leg members act as a radius bar for an arc-like motion of the top equipment holding member and the strut assists with the racks movement.

The present apparatus and method relates to a vehicle rack, mounted atop the roof, for the transportation of a paddle-board, or other types of sporting equipment.
Within the last decade stand-up paddle surfing has been one of the fastest growing water sports in the United States. Stand-up paddle surfing has its roots in Hawaiian culture and is a sport where a "surfer" stands on a paddle-board and uses a paddle to move through the water. Unlike surfing which requires a wave, stand-up paddle surfing can be performed on any body of water because a paddle is used and a wave is not required. Participants of stand-up paddle surfing note that it is a relatively low impact workout that focuses on core strength. Stand-up paddle surfing is particularly popular with women compared to the more traditional sport of surfing.
A paddle-board is an extra-long and buoyant surfboard that is generally over 9 feet in length, with some paddle-boards exceeding 12 feet in length. Paddle-boards are generally between 28-36 inches wide and weigh typically between 20-45 pounds. Due to the length and weight of a paddle-board, transportation is a concern for many participants. Most participants drive to a body of water to participate in stand-up paddle surfing and therefore, attach the paddle-boards to a vehicle. Generally, systems on sale relating to transporting paddle-boards on a vehicle consist of attaching a "rack pad" to a vehicle roof rack. Many vehicles that are marketed to adventurous outdoor types have a roof rack system that is factory installed. The roof of the vehicle has two parallel bottom tracks that run from the front of the roof to the back of the roof on both the passenger and driver sides. Two or more cross-bars attach to the bottom tracks and run from the passenger side track to the driver side track. The rack pads attach to these factory cross-bars and are typically constructed from high density foam that protects the paddle-board from the factory rack. Tie-down straps are then used to secure the paddle board, situated on the rack pad, to the top of the vehicle for transportation. The size and weight of a paddle-board often cause difficulties in maneuvering the paddle-board to the top of the vehicle. This problem is magnified with Sport Utility Vehicles ("SUVs") because the roof height is often taller than an average height person.
Rack pad systems are also sold that attach to an after-market roof rack system. Vehicles that do not have a factory installed roof rack often can install an after-market system that provides the same functions. Thule and Yakima are two well known companies that provide after-market roof rack systems for a wide variety of vehicles.
Prior art for transporting sporting equipment discloses carrying equipment on a roof rack of a vehicle. Additionally, other prior art for carrying long loads on a vehicle disclose mounting the load on the side of a vehicle with supports.
Participants in stand-up paddle surfing would typically like to keep the use of any side doors and windows to bring friends along and for easy access to gear stored inside the vehicle. Participants would also like to not have the hassle of maneuvering the very long paddle-board to the top of the vehicle for transport and be able to use any factory installed rack system on the vehicle.
The foregoing example of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.


A capacitive transducer circuit includes a capacitive transducer having first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes are biased by respective first and second bias voltages. An amplifier is connected to receive a first analog signal on an input terminal, the first analog signal being generated by the capacitive transducer, and to generate a second analog signal on an output terminal. A digital feedback circuit is connected between the output terminal of the amplifier and the input terminal of the amplifier. The digital feedback circuit is configured to provide one of said first or second bias voltages. A switched capacitor filter circuit may be arranged between the voltage source and the transducer and may be arranged to filter the output of the voltage source.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a capacitive transducer circuit and to a method of biasing a capacitive transducer, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a MEMS capacitive transducer such as a MEMS microphone.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a capacitive transducer 3 comprising a first electrode that is biased to a first bias voltage V1 supplied by a voltage source 5, and a second electrode that is connected to a node 7 biased to a second bias voltage V2′ via a high resistance 4. The voltage VoutT on node 7 is input to an amplifier 9, which outputs a corresponding voltage VoutA on an output terminal 11.
The transducer is designed so that its capacitance changes according to some input stimulus. For example, transducer 3 may be a MEMS microphone, where one electrode is fixed, and the other one moves in response to the pressure waves of incident sound. Since the capacitive transducer is arranged to drive into a high impedance on node 7, the charge on the capacitor does not change significantly. Therefore, the change in the capacitance of the transducer due to the stimulus results in a change ΔV in the voltage across the transducer capacitance.
This transducer signal component ΔV is proportional to the relative change in capacitance of the transducer 3. It is also proportional to the charge stored on the capacitor, and so is proportional to the applied bias V1-V2′. Typically ΔV is only a few millivolts for normal audio signals from a MEMS microphone, since the electrode displacement is only small and there are practical limits to the applied bias voltage across the transducer for both the sensor and the voltage supply. Typically, the bias voltage V2′ will be near ground, and the bias voltage V1 about 12V.
The voltage source 5 may be a capacitive charge pump, for example, since the bias voltage V1 may be higher than any external voltage VIN supplied to the system; it may also be other circuitry such as an inductive DC-DC converter, and it may comprise a linear regulator, perhaps fed using a bandgap reference circuit to act as a reference voltage. Each of these sources will present some thermal noise at their output. However, any noise voltage on the bias voltage V1 output from the voltage source 5 will be indistinguishable from the small transducer signal ΔV mentioned above. Thus, it is preferable that the voltage source 5 is designed to inject minimal noise in the signal band.
The DC bias V2′ of the other transducer terminal at node 7, coupled to the input of the amplifier 9, is defined by a bias voltage V2 and a series resistance 4. V2′ will usually be near to ground in order to maximise the voltage across the transducer element. It is also preferable that the circuitry providing this bias does not inject any appreciable noise into the system.
It will be appreciated from inspection of FIG. 1 that the transducer signal ΔV will appear on node 7, high-pass filtered by the transducer capacitance and the bias resistance 4. A typical MEMS microphone will have a capacitance of the order of only 1 pf. Thus, to provide a −3 dB corner frequency of 20 Hz requires a bias resistance of approximately 8 GΩ. Such a high value resistance is difficult to implement accurately as an actual resistor, and therefore the resistance 4 may be obtained by using a diode near the origin of its I-V characteristic. However, it is still difficult to define such a high resistance accurately, so the corner frequency, and possibly the start-up time, of such transducer circuitry is difficult to predict or to maintain in volume production. To guarantee a minimum value of 8 GΩ the typical value may have to be much higher, for example 25 GΩ to 80 GΩ, or even higher.
Also, it is preferable that the amplifier 9 used to pick up the signal VoutT from the capacitive transducer 3 has a higher input resistance than the (minimum) value of resistance 4, as must any additional circuitry attached to node 7.
Furthermore, the amplifier 9 must also have an input capacitance substantially lower than the transducer capacitance in order to avoid attenuating the small change in voltage ΔV generated by the movement of the membrane. Any other circuitry attached to node 7 must also present only a small capacitance.
In practical implementations of the circuit shown in FIG. 1, there may be leakage currents onto node 7. For example, a leakage current IL can flow across the terminals of the biased transducer 3. Such leakage currents IL will alter the current through resistance 4, thus creating an error in the output signal VoutT from the capacitive transducer 3, and hence the analog output signal VoutA. For example, if resistance 4 is 80 GΩ, even 100 fA of leakage will give rise to a DC offset of 8 mV, which is comparable with a normal peak audio signal. This DC offset voltage may disturb the operating point of the amplifier and thus degrade its linearity, or give an objectionable effect downstream such as reducing the available dynamic range of downstream circuitry, such as gain amplifiers or an ADC.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that VoutT=V2′±ΔV where V2′ represents the DC (bias) voltage and VoutT represents the AC (signal) voltage.
An aim of the present invention is to provide a capacitive transducer circuit, and a method of biasing a capacitive transducer, which provides a predictable DC output voltage (and hence corner frequency) with low added noise.

Capacitive transducer circuit and method


A method and apparatus to dynamically modify internal compensation of a low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator is provided. The LDO voltage regulator includes an output pass transistor, an error amplifier, a bias transistor and a compensation network. The compensation network is connected between a gate and a drain of the output pass transistor to compensate for the feedback loop. The compensation network and the bias transistor generate pole-zero pairs to perform a maximum 45 degrees phase shift before reaching the crossover frequency in the LDO voltage regulator. Therefore a minimum 45 degrees phase margin is provided for the feedback loop in various load conditions. Furthermore, the pole-zero pairs produced in the LDO voltage regulator are adaptively adjusted according to load conditions, so that the bandwidth is optimized and faster transient response is achieved.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a voltage regulator circuit, and more particularly to a low dropout voltage regulator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Low dropout (LDO) voltage regulators are commonly used in power management systems of PC motherboards, laptop computers, mobile phones, and many other products. Power management systems use LDO voltage regulators as local power supplies, where a clean output and a fast transient response are required. LDO voltage regulators enable power management systems to efficiently supply additional voltage levels that are smaller than the main supply voltage. For example, 5V power systems of many PC motherboards use LDO voltage regulators to supply local chipsets with a clean 3.3V signal.
Although LDO voltage regulators do not convert power very efficiently, they are inexpensive, small, and generate very little frequency interference. Furthermore, an LDO voltage regulator can provide a local circuit with a clean voltage that is unaffected by current fluctuations from other areas of the power system. LDO voltage regulators are widely used to supply power to local circuits when the power consumption of the local circuit is negligible with respect to the overall load of the power system.
An ideal LDO voltage regulator should provide a quick and precise DC response to load changes and input transients. Since LDO voltage regulators are widely used in mass-production of computers and mobile phones, for example, a simple design and a low fabrication cost of LDO regulators are also desirable.
A typical LDO voltage regulator includes a feedback-control loop coupled to a pass element. The feedback-control loop modulates a gate voltage of the pass element to control its impedance. Depending on the gate voltage, the pass element supplies different levels of current to an output section of the power supply. The modulation of the gate voltage is done in a manner such that the LDO voltage regulator outputs a steady DC voltage, regardless of loading conditions and input transients.
Referring to FIG. 1, a basic configuration of a conventional LDO voltage regulator is illustrated. The conventional LDO voltage regulator includes an unregulated DC input terminal VIN, an output pass transistor 10, a regulated DC output terminal VOUT, and an output module including a load resistance 20, an output capacitor 21 and a parasitic equivalent series resistance (ESR) 22. The conventional LDO voltage regulator further includes a voltage divider having a voltage-dividing node FB, a resistor 31, and a resistor 32. The conventional LDO voltage regulator further includes a feedback-control circuit including an error amplifier 40 and a reference voltage port REF. The output impedance of the error amplifier 40 is denoted as a resistor 41, which is connected from an output of the error amplifier 40 to a reference ground level. A gate of the output pass transistor 10 has a parasitic capacitance denoted as a capacitor 42, which is connected from the gate of the output pass transistor 10 to the reference ground level. The unregulated DC input terminal VIN is connected to a source of the output pass transistor 10. A drain of the output pass transistor 10 is connected to the regulated DC output terminal VOUT. The load resistance 20 and the output capacitor 21 are connected in parallel between the regulated DC output terminal VOUT and the reference ground level. The regulated DC output terminal VOUT is connected to the feedback-control circuit through the voltage divider. The resistor 31 and the resistor 32 are connected in series between the regulated DC output terminal VOUT and the reference ground level. The voltage-dividing node FB is located between the resistor 31 and the resistor 32. The voltage-dividing node FB is connected back to a positive input of the error amplifier 40. The reference voltage port REF is connected to a negative input of the error amplifier 40. An output of the error amplifier 40 is connected to the gate of the output pass transistor 10. Operation of this circuit is obvious to those skilled in the art.
One problem with the conventional LDO circuits described above is that they are prone to be unstable. The output module introduces a pole or a pole-zero pair to the feedback circuit. Unfortunately, the pole or the pole-zero pair is significantly sensitive to operating temperature, and possibly to other factors. If the load impedance varies by a specific amount, an unstable feedback loop may be incurred.
Another problem with the conventional LDO voltage regulators is that a transient response thereof is slow. The slow transient response is resulted from low bandwidth of the compensation feedback loop.
The conventional LDO voltage regulator is prone to unstable because the output impedance is various. Furthermore, performance thereof suffers from slow response. Therefore, an improved LDO voltage regulator with substantially faster transient response adapted to a variety of loads is needed.

Low dropout voltage regulator providing adaptive compensation


An infrared gas analyzer for measuring low concentrations of a target gas, on the order of parts per million, in a sample gas is comprised of a gas sampling chamber, an infrared light source, and a power source for energizing the light source. A plurality of filters is provided to transmit infrared radiation at certain wavelengths. The wavelengths are chosen such that the effects of unwanted gases (such as water and carbon dioxide) can be removed from the final output signal. A plurality of infrared detectors are responsive to the filters for producing a plurality of electrical signals. A circuit is provided for combining the plurality of electrical signals to produce an output signal representative of the concentration of the target gas independently of other gases in the sample gas. A method of measuring low concentrations of a target gas is also disclosed.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to non-dispersive infrared gas analyzers, and more particularly, to a non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer with a circuit for compensating for interfering gases that are present in a sample gas, a circuit for stabilizing the temperature of infrared sensors, and/or a circuit for compensating for lamp degradation due to lamp aging effects.

Non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer with interfering gas correction


A combination weighing apparatus includes a plurality of hoppers a conveying unit; a weighing unit; a controller; and a setting unit, the controller executing the combination weighing based on a measured value acquired in a cycle in which the combination weighing failed and corresponding to the articles that were forcibly discharged from at least some of the hoppers and measuring values associated with the respective hoppers weighed in a cycle after the cycle in which the combination weighing failed.

The combination weighing apparatus has been widely used in a production line of processed foods or the like (hereinafter referred to as articles) as an automatic weighing device that weighs to a certain amount the processed foods or the like that are supplied from an upstream side device and discharges them to a packaging device of the downstream side.
In such a production line, when changing the type of articles in operation or stopping the operation of the device at the time of closing, the operation is stopped in sequence from the upstream side devices and the supply to the combination weighing apparatus of the downstream side is interrupted. However, because a considerable amount of the articles still remains in the combination weighing apparatus, as described in the following Patent Literature, residual material in the device is discharged outside the device in a state that all opening and closing gates of all hoppers are fully opened.

Combination weighing device and combination weighing method with reduced residual waste