A capacitive discharge ignition system deriving the ignition pulse from a capacitor storing the flyback voltage induced from the fuel injector coil when the pulse supplied to the fuel injector coil is removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to capacitive discharge ignition circuits to ignite the fuel mixture in a combustion chamber and specifically relates to such capacitive discharge ignition used with outboard motors to ignite the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Capacitive discharge ignition requires a charging voltage to charge a capacitor to approximately 300 volts. An electronic circuit then triggers a switch to discharge the capacitor to an ignition coil that generates a high voltage spark.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
It is well known in the prior art to recover energy from an inductive load that is created when the inductive load is switched off. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,155 residual magnetism in the engageable members of an electromagnetic clutch is relieved following de-energization of the clutch coil by charging a capacitor with the inductive energy stored in the coil at de-energization thereof and subsequently discharging the capacitor into the coil in a direction opposite to that applied to the coil during energization.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,114 an energy recovery system is disclosed in which, when drive power is removed from the inductive load by switching off the drive transistors, a reverse EMF is established in the inductive load and as the inductive load magnetic field collapses, a reverse voltage is developed that is higher than the applied voltage to forward bias diodes. Thus, current flows from the inductive load through diodes to the storage capacitor for use with the next charging cycle of the transducer.
In the operation of some outboard internal combustion motors, electrical requirements may begin to exceed available power because of limited space on the stator. The alternator coils must share space with charge coils for CD (capacitive discharge) ignition. By using only alternator coils on the stator, electrical power could increase significantly. Without charge coils, there must be an alternative way to provide the high voltage needed for CD ignition.
Inasmuch as the fuel injector coil already exists as one of the elements of the internal combustion outboard motor and inasmuch as it generates a flyback voltage when the voltage is removed therefrom, it would be convenient to use the existing injector coil to provide the voltage for the ignition system. In one such fuel injector, a large flyback voltage is generated when current flow to the solenoid is cut off. Solenoids typically use a flyback diode to control this voltage but in this case it cannot be used because a flyback diode will not allow the injector to run at its required maximum frequency. Therefore, the electronic switching device that turns the injector ON and OFF must be capable of dissipating the energy that is generated when the coil is shut off. This is usually done with an electronic switch containing an integral zener diode. In one such transistor switch, the voltage at which the integral zener diode begins conducting is between 350 and 400 volts. So when the fuel injector is shut off, the flyback voltage climbs to about 350 volts before the integral zener diode turns ON and shunts to ground.
It would be advantageous to use that flyback voltage to charge the capacitor that is used for capacitive discharge ignition.

Capacitive discharge ignition for an internal combustion engine


An apparatus for treating a wafer preferably includes a rotating chuck for rotating the wafer and a treating fluid supplying part for supplying the wafer with one or more treating fluids. The treating fluid(s) can be used to clean and/or dry the wafer. The treating fluid supplying part preferably includes a receiving portion for receiving a treating fluid, and a slit communicating with the receiving portion for applying the treating fluid to a surface of the wafer. An ultrasonic oscillating part can be installed in the receiving portion and can apply ultrasonic oscillation to the treating fluid. The treating fluid for applying the ultrasonic oscillation is preferably provided uniformly across the treated surface of the wafer. The effectiveness of the cleaning process can thereby be improved, and damage to patterns formed on the wafer can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for treating a wafer. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus that can clean a wafer by applying a cleaning solution with ultrasonic oscillation and that can dry the wafer using a drying gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a semiconductor device is manufactured by repeatedly performing a series of processes on a semiconductor wafer. These processes can include, for instance, a film deposition process, a photolithography process, an etching process, an ion implanting process, a polishing process, a cleaning process, and a drying process. The cleaning and the drying processes are typically performed to remove impurities or undesired films attached to the wafer and to dry the wafer during the other manufacturing processes. The cleaning and drying processes are becoming more important as the patterns formed on the wafer are becoming smaller and as the aspect ratio of the patterns are increasing.
Conventional wafer cleaning equipment includes batch cleaning apparatuses and single wafer rapid cleaning apparatuses. Batch cleaning apparatuses simultaneously clean a plurality of wafers while single wafer rapid cleaning apparatuses sequentially clean a plurality of wafers one wafer at a time.
Batch cleaning apparatuses have a cleaning bath that includes a cleaning solution used to simultaneously clean the plurality of wafers. An ultrasonic oscillation may be applied to the cleaning solution of the batch cleaning apparatus to increase the efficiency of the cleaning process. Single wafer rapid cleaning apparatuses have a chuck for supporting a wafer and nozzles for providing a cleaning solution to upper and lower faces of the wafer. In the single wafer cleaning apparatus, the cleaning solution is applied to the wafer. Ultrasonic oscillation may be applied to the cleaning solution on the wafer.
Although the single wafer rapid cleaning apparatus is more effective at cleaning the wafer than the batch cleaning apparatus, the cleaning time of the single wafer rapid cleaning apparatus is longer than that of the batch cleaning apparatus. Unfortunately, when a plurality of wafers is simultaneously cleaned using the batch cleaning apparatus, impurities removed from the plurality of wafers may not be drained from the cleaning bath. The impurities remaining in the cleaning bath may attach to the wafer, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the cleaning process. In addition, the batch cleaning apparatus may not remove the impurities between the minute patterns formed on the wafer.
One single wafer rapid cleaning apparatus that cleans wafers by applying megasonic energy to a cleaning fluid provided on the wafers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,059 ("Bran"). The cleaning apparatus in Bran includes an elongated quartz probe for applying megasonic energy to the cleaning fluid. U.S. Laid Open Patent Publication No. 2001-32657 also discloses a megasonic treating apparatus having a megasonic transformer for applying mechanical oscillation to a cleaning solution or an etching solution provided on a wafer.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional single wafer rapid cleaning apparatus 100 having a quartz probe 160. Referring to FIG. 1, a wafer W is disposed on a round chuck 110, and a motor 120 rotates the chuck 110. The chuck 110 includes a circular ring 112 for supporting the wafer W, a hub 114 disposed on the upper face of a rotation shaft 122, and a plurality of spokes 116 connecting the circular ring 112 to the hub 114.
A first nozzle 130 is provided over the wafer W. The first nozzle 130 applies a cleaning solution to the wafer W. A bowl 140 encloses the chuck 110 to contain the cleaning solution that is scattered from the wafer W toward a peripheral region due to the rotation of the wafer W. A draining pipe 150 is connected to the bottom of the bowl 140 to drain the cleaning solution. A rotating shaft 122 extends through a central portion of the bottom of the bowl 140 to transfer the rotation force of the motor 120 to the chuck 110.
A quartz probe 160 having an elongated rod shape is disposed over the wafer W through a slot 140a formed in the bowl 140. The quartz probe 160 applies an ultrasonic oscillation to the cleaning solution provided on the wafer W. The quartz probe 160 extends parallel to the wafer W from the peripheral portion of the wafer W to the central portion of the wafer W, and is separated from the wafer W by a predetermined distance. In addition, a second nozzle 132 is installed through another portion of the bowl 140 to provide the bottom face of the wafer W on the chuck 110 with the cleaning solution.
In a cleaning process, after a wafer W is loaded onto the chuck 110, the motor 120 rotates the chuck 110 and the wafer W loaded thereon. A cleaning solution is provided onto the wafer W through the first and the second nozzles 130, 132. Rotation of the wafer W causes the cleaning solution provided onto the wafer W to be dispersed between the quartz probe 160 and the upper face of the wafer W. The quartz probe 160 applies ultrasonic oscillation to the cleaning solution located between the quartz probe 160 and the wafer W. Ultrasonic oscillation of the cleaning solution removes the minute particles attached to the wafer W. Chemicals can then be provided to the wafer W to remove any undesired film or impurities on the wafer W. Ultrasonic oscillation accelerates the chemical reaction with the undesired film or the impurities on the wafer W to increase the speed and effectiveness of their removal. Rotation of the wafer W also causes the cleaning solution to flow from the upper and lower faces of the wafer W. The cleaning solution is thereby transferred to the bottom of the bowl 140. The cleaning solution is then drained through the draining pipe 150 connected to the bottom portion of the bowl 140.
Unfortunately, the elongated rod-shaped quartz probes 160 of the apparatus 100 are frequently broken due to the ultrasonic oscillation. These quartz probes 160 therefore should not be lengthened beyond a certain length, and as a result, cannot be used effectively for large wafers. In addition, the amount of ultrasonic oscillation provided by the quartz probe 160 varies depending on the flow rate of the cleaning solution and the rotation speed of the wafer W. The ultrasonic oscillation may therefore not be uniformly applied to the cleaning solution provided on the wafer. The effectiveness of the cleaning process may therefore be different on different portions of the wafer W.
Furthermore, because the contacting area between the quartz probe 160 and the cleaning solution provided on the wafer W is limited, the effect of the ultrasonic oscillation may be reduced. Also, the minute patterns formed on the wafer W may be damaged due to the ultrasonic oscillation applied directly to the cleaning solution on the wafer W.


This invention is directed to a method of delivering vehicle owner's manual or other vehicle-specific information to the vehicle operator from a remote data center and associated vehicle information database by utilizing a voice recognition system at the remote data center and delivering the information to the vehicle operator in audible speech. The vehicle operator speaks his request in the vehicle and the data center recognizes the request, perhaps asks more questions, leads the vehicle operator through a spoken menu, and then provides the answer vocally to the vehicle operator over the speaker(s) located in the vehicle. The invention includes methodology for obtaining vehicle diagnostic information and controlling certain vehicle functions automatically via an embedded telematics control unit. The invention further includes remote telephone access outside the vehicle.

As consumer vehicles such as cars and trucks become more complicated, operation of that vehicle becomes less intuitive. Owners become frustrated with traditional owner's manuals that are typically printed matter in a booklet form, some form of electronic archival media viewable with a computer or like device, or some form of audio-video presentation. This frustration typically results from an inability to find the answers to the questions posed. Typically the information is needed while operating the vehicle during times when access to the traditional owner's manuals described above is impossible, or at least unsafe. For instance, attempting to learn how to re-set the time on the digital clock integrated with the audio system on the dashboard often requires a vehicle owner to survey a range of potential terms to describe the situation—clock, time, audio system, CD-audio system. Figuring out how to make the cruise control work, while driving, is another example.
Today there is such an array of devices in trucks and cars that driver distraction is a major problem. Manipulating controls is enough of a problem without having to try to read a book while driving. Even with the advent of Telematics systems in vehicles today there is not currently a service that is deployed which would solve the above-described problems. Thus, it would be a significant advancement in the art to provide a menu-driven, automatic voice recognition system at a remote data center that would deliver vehicle operator-requested information from a database over a wireless link to the vehicle operator in a hands-free environment. The primary advantages of the remote data center are flexibility and cost effectiveness. Because the platform is off-board, the application can easily be modified without changing any in-vehicle hardware, or software. Such flexibility allows for user personalization and application bundling, in which a number of different applications are accessible through a voice main menu. In terms of cost, server-based voice recognition resources can be shared across a large spectrum of different vehicles. For example, 48 channels of server-based voice recognition can accommodate over a thousand vehicles simultaneously.


An image processing device includes a data zone expansion circuit and an image processing circuit. The data zone expansion circuit receives input data, increases a number of data bits of the input data, and provides data with the increased number of data bits. The image processing circuit performs image processing on the data with the increased number of data bits.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processor incorporated in a display device such as a flat panel display device or a CRT display device, or connected to a display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
It has been required to improve image quality by processing digital image signals, in company with increase, in processing speed of an LSI.
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a prior art image display device.
Digital image signals of three primary colors R, G and B are provided to respective image processing circuits 10R, 10G and 10B to perform filtering processing such as edge enhancement, and the results thereof are provided through a display control circuit 12 to an LCD panel 14 to display pictures on the panel 14. The display control circuit 12 includes a multi-port VRAM and a control circuit therefor.
However, as shown in FIG. 9, when an edge enhancement processing is followed by clipping in regions where pixels are saturated at the maximum value MAXO or the minimum value no effect of the edge enhancement processing can be achieved.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Image processor capable of edge enhancement in saturated region


In one embodiment, a method determines first information from a component of a computing device to determine when receiving of one or more advertisements will affect an available bandwidth reading that is based on receiving of a media program. Then, the method dynamically disables a multiple bitrate algorithm based upon the first information such that a new bitrate version of the media program cannot be requested by the multiple bitrate algorithm for the media player. Second information is determined from the component of the computing device to determine when the available bandwidth reading will not be affected by receiving of the one or more advertisements. The method then dynamically enables the multiple bitrate algorithm based on the second information. The multiple bitrate algorithm is then allowed to request the different bitrate version of the media program based on the available bandwidth reading.

Multiple bitrate streaming involves allowing a client to adaptively request different versions of a media program encoded at multiple bitrates. For example, a client can select which version of a media program to request based on the available bandwidth or download speed. When the client determines that the available bandwidth is greater than the bitrate of the current version of the media program being downloaded, the client can request a higher bitrate version of the media program. In contrast, when the client determines that the available bandwidth is lower than the current bitrate of the current version of the media program being downloaded, the client can request a lower bitrate version of the media program.
When available bandwidth goes down, the playback of the media program may be adversely affected because less video content for the media program is received and may cause the playback to be jittery. To compensate for the reduced amount of bandwidth, the client can switch to the lower bitrate version of the media program. This compensates for the lower amount of available bandwidth because the lower bitrate version of the media program allows the client to download more of the media program than if a higher bitrate was used. However, the quality of the playback of the media program will be affected, which may adversely affect the viewing experience as lower resolution video is being played. Thus, unnecessarily switching to a lower bitrate version of the media program is undesirable.

Disabling of multiple bitrate algorithm for media programs while playing advertisements


A layout of a switching power converter, wherein the switching power converter includes: a capacitor unit receiving or outputting DC voltage; six power transistor units transforming the DC voltage to the AC voltage or the AC voltage to the DC voltage; and a carrier board with the capacitor unit and the six power transistor units on. The layout of the switching power converter includes a first commutation loop and a second commutation loop, in which the six power transistor units are arranged on the same surface of the carrier board. In order to ensure the first commutation loop and the second commutation loop as short as possible, the fifth power transistor unit is located at a middle position of the carrier board, surrounded by the other five power transistor units as closely as possible.

Currently, an inverter is typically a switching power converter constituted by semiconductor components, mainly used for converting DC (direct current) power into AC (alternative current) power or pulsating DC power.
For an inverter based on conventional full-bridge topology, in a modulation mode using bipolar PWM (pulse width modulation), switching losses are huge, thus efficiency is low. In modulation using unipolar PWM, leakage currents are large, which affects safety of systems (i.e., the switching power converters). Therefore, based on the conventional full-bridge topology, neither of the two types of modulation meets the requirements in inverter production.
To solve the above problems, an inverter with six-transistor topology is proposed.
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a switching power converter with six-transistor topology of the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the topology includes: three bridge arms in parallel, in which a first bridge arm only includes a first filter capacitor C, a second bridge arm is constituted by switch transistors S3, S6 and S4 connected in series, and diodes D3, D6 and D4 are respectively connected in antiparallel with the switch transistors S3, S6 and S4. A third bridge arm is constituted by a switch transistor S1 and a switch transistor S2 connected in series, and diodes D1 and D2 are respectively connected in antiparallel with the switch transistors S1 and S2. A switch transistor S5 is connected the common node of the switch transistor S3 and the switch transistor S6 with the common node of the switch transistor S1 and the switch transistor S2. A diode D5 is connected in antiparallel with the switch transistor S5. A filtering circuit constituted by an inductor L1, a second filter capacitor Ch and an inductor L2. The two terminals of the second filter capacitor Ch connect to two terminals of AC side of the switching power converter respectively. One terminal of the inductor L1 connects with one terminal of the AC side, the other terminal of the inductor L1 connects with the common node of the switch transistor S1 and the switch transistor S2; one terminal of the inductor L2 connects with the other terminal of AC side, the other terminal of the inductor L2 connects with the common node of the switch transistor S6 and the switch transistor S4. At DC side of the switching power converter, there is the first filter capacitor C which connects between a positive terminal DC+ and a negative terminal DC−. The second filter capacitor Ch is a high-frequency filter capacitor. Herein each switch transistor and the diode connected in antiparallel therewith are collectively referred to as a power transistor unit. In addition, to make the description easy, it is assumed that an output voltage Vout or an output current Tout of the AC side Vac has a positive direction as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1, that is, the switching power converter serves as an inverter.
The switching power converter with six-transistor topology shown in FIG. 1 may solve the problems of the high switching losses in bipolar PWM modulation and the large leakage current in unipolar PWM modulation, moreover, the topology shown in FIG. 1 may also operate in a rectifier mode under certain circumstances. Since the switching power converter with six-transistor topology shown in FIG. 1 is a switch circuit, and constituted by semiconductor switch components such as MOSFETs (metal-oxide-layer semiconductor field effect transistors), IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors) and diodes, in which the switch components operate at high frequencies in a switching mode (particularly when the switch components shown in FIG. 1 operate alternately), energy stored in parasitic inductance in commutation loops will be dissipated on the circuits during switching, and meanwhile, voltage spikes across the components will be increased due to the circuit parasitic parameters, which may reduce reliability of the system. That is to say, in the switching power converter, large circuit parasitic inductance may result in undesirable electrical characteristics of the switch circuit thereof. Therefore, a layout of the components in the switch circuit of the switching power converter needs to be optimized.
In addition, as users desire for electronic products with thin, small sizes and other properties, switching frequencies for the switch circuit of the switching power converter tend to be increased. Moreover, with the development of semiconductor components, new types of semiconductor components such as silicon carbide components and gallium nitride components emerge, which have even higher operating frequencies and lower conduction losses. Therefore, in the future, switching power converter products require the circuit parasitic inductance to be even smaller.


An organic light emitting diode display device includes a substrate including a display region, wherein a plurality of pixel regions are defined in the display region; a first electrode over the substrate and in each of the plurality of pixel regions; a first bank on edges of the first electrode; a second bank on an upper surface of the first bank and covering only a portion of the first bank; an organic emitting layer on the first electrode and a portion of the first bank; and a second electrode on the organic emitting layer and covering an entire surface of the display region.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, and more particularly, to an OLED display device having improved aperture ratio and lifetime.
2. Prior Art
An OLED display device used in flat panel display devices has a high brightness and low driving voltage. The OLED display device is a self-emitting type and has excellent characteristics of a view angle, a contrast ratio, a response time and so on.
Accordingly, the OLED display device is being widely used for a television, a monitor, a mobile phone, and so on.
The OLED display device includes an array element and an organic light emitting diode. The array element includes a switching thin film transistor (TFT), which is connected to a gate line and a data line, a driving TFT, which is connected to the switching TFT, and a power line, which is connected to the driving TFT. The organic light emitting diode includes a first electrode, which is connected to the driving TFT, and an organic emitting layer and a second electrode. In the OLED display device, light from the organic emitting layer passes through the first electrode or the second electrode to display an image.
Generally, the organic emitting layer is formed by a thermal deposition using a shadow mask. However, the shadow mask sags because the shadow mask becomes larger with larger display devices. As a result, there is a problem in deposition uniformity in the larger display device. In addition, since a shadow effect is generated in the thermal deposition using the shadow mask, it is very difficult to fabricate a high resolution OLED display device, e.g., above 250 PPI (pixels per inch).
Accordingly, new method instead of the thermal deposition using the shadow mask is introduced.
In the new method, a liquid phase organic emitting material is sprayed or dropped in a region surrounded by a wall using an ink-jet apparatus or a nozzle-coating apparatus and cured to form the organic emitting layer.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a step of forming an organic emitting layer by spraying or dropping a liquid phase organic emitting material.
To spray or drop the liquid phase organic emitting material by the ink-jet apparatus or the nozzle-coating apparatus, a bank 53, which is formed on the first electrode 50 and surrounds a pixel region P is required to prevent the liquid phase organic emitting material from flooding into adjacent pixel region P. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the bank 53 is formed on edges of the first electrode 50 before forming the organic emitting layer 55.
The bank 53 is formed of an organic material having a hydrophobic property. The hydrophobic bank 53 prevents the organic emitting material, which has a hydrophilic property, from being formed on the bank 53 and flooding into adjacent pixel region P.
By spraying or dropping the liquid phase organic emitting material from a head of the ink-jet apparatus or a nozzle of the nozzle-coating apparatus into the pixel region P, which is surrounded by the bank 53, the pixel region P is filled with the organic emitting material. The organic emitting material is dried and cured by a heat to form the organic emitting layer 55.
However, the organic emitting layer 55 has a difference in a thickness. Namely, the organic emitting layer 55 has a thickness in edges being larger than a thickness in a center.
If the organic emitting layer 55 has a thickness difference, the OLED display device has a difference in emitting efficiency. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, which is a picture showing one pixel region in the prior art OLED display device, dark images are displayed in edges of the pixel region. In this instance, since the dark edges are perceived as an image defect by the viewer, the edges of the pixel region should be shielded such that the edges of the pixel region do not serve as an effective emitting area.
Referring again to FIG. 1, an effective emitting area EA1 is a portion of the pixel region P where the organic emitting layer 55 has a flat top surface. Namely, the aperture ratio of the OLED display device is decreased.

Organic light emitting diode display device having improved effective emitting area


A method and apparatus for filling of a dispensing container with a product to be dispensed, particularly useful for highly viscous products, in which the container has a vented dip tube structure which is inserted into the container before it is filled. Filling is accomplished by inserting a filling nozzle into the container so that it cooperates with the top of the dip tube. Filling of the container therefore occurs through the dip tube. The vent in the dip tube structure allows the air in the container to be vented as the container is filled. Because the container is filled through the dip tube, the product completely fills the dip tube at the time when the pump structure is inserted into the container. The vent structure can be used as a vent for the container during a dispensing operation as well.

The present invention relates to the dispensing of products from a container using an attached pump, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for allowing a dispensing device to be advantageously used for highly viscous products.
Container-mounted pumps are often used for the dispensing of liquid home-care or personal products from a container or bottle. Generally, the pump is supplied with a syphon or "dip" tube which has been attached to the pump during assembly of the pump, and which is of a relatively narrow diameter. In this arrangement, the container or bottle is first filled with the product to be dispensed, and then the pump/dip tube combination is inserted into the filled container and attached to the bottleneck. This filling and assembly procedure leaves a column of air within the dip tube and in the pump. The column of air occurs because the dip tube is inserted into the liquid from above, and the air has no means for escaping from the dip tube during insertion, the pump inlet and/or outlet valves being normally sealed.
The column of air in the dip tube must be removed from the dip tube and pump before the product can be dispensed. The pump therefore must be "primed" by a user before any product will come out of the pump nozzle. Priming is the procedure whereby the actuator is pushed in one or more times to clear trapped air from the pump and dip tube and to draw product up the dip tube, into the pump, and out the nozzle.
The process of priming is relatively simple when the product to be dispensed is of low viscosity, as with most personal and home-care products. However, certain cosmetic products, such as makeup, are highly viscous. The high viscosity of these products makes the priming of a pump filled in the above-described conventional manner extremely difficult and time-consuming. This is because of the high viscosity of the product makes it necessary for a substantial force to pull the product up the entire length of the dip tube. Even when a dip tube of relatively large diameter is used, it may take more than 35 actuations of the actuator to prime the pump. For a consumer, this result is very undesirable. To prevent this result additional steps can be taken during the packaging operation. One method for preventing additional priming is to place a vacuum onto the pump after it has been attached to the container, thereby drawing the product up the dip tube. This procedure requires the additional assembly and disassembly steps of removing and replacing the actuator, as well as the need for opening the normally closed inlet and/or outlet valves. These additional steps can be expensive and time consuming, and can add to the cost of packaging the product.
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for solving the above problems. The present method and apparatus are particularly useful in that they do not require disassembly and reassembly of the pump structure during the filling process, unlike the procedure mentioned above using vacuum priming. The present invention therefore is much more economical and efficient than this method, and still provides the same advantages in terms of priming.

Apparatus and method for filling and dispensing a highly viscous product from a container


An imaging device may have an array of image sensor pixels arranged in rows and columns and column readout circuitry coupled to the array. The rows of pixels may receive drive signals from row driver circuitry, and the drive signals may be sent from timing circuitry based on the locations of rows within the array. In particular, rows closer to the readout circuitry may require less settling time and therefore be driven faster than the rows further from the readout circuitry. All of the rows may be driven in a single direction, or the array of pixels may have a cut, in which case rows above the cut may be driven up and rows below the cut may be driven down. A frame buffer may be used to store the signals generated by the rows of pixels and may account for the asynchronous read out of image data.

This relates generally to imaging devices, and more particularly, to imaging sensors having circuitry that can read out image signals with variable timing.
Image sensors are commonly used in electronic devices such as cellular telephones, cameras, and computers to capture images. In a typical arrangement, an image sensor includes an array of image pixels arranged in pixel rows and pixel columns. Circuitry may be coupled to each pixel column for reading out image signals generated by the image pixels.
Typical image sensors include column readout circuitry that performs various read out operations that allow for the transfer of the image signals generated by the image pixels to an image processor. In conventional systems, column read out operations may take longer than desired, thereby resulting in a longer than desired frame rate of the image sensor.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide imaging devices with improved read out circuitry.

Image sensors with variable read out circuitry

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC


SMDI messages are used by the SMDI message server to generate either E-mail notifications of received messages which are forwarded to a user of the VMS or to supply VMS message status information to a voice message retrieval and forwarding system using IP messaging instead of SMDI FSK or PSK signaling. SMDI messages between a stored program controlled switching system, e.g., C.O. switch, and a voice message system are monitored by the SMDI message server of the present invention, e.g., by inserting a Tee into the SMDI link between the C.O. switch and VMS. The SMDI message server uses the directory number information and/or a message line identifier included in a received SMDI message to identify a subscriber or voice message retrieval and forwarding system which should be notified of the received SMDI message information.

Voice message systems (VMSs), e.g., answering machines and voice mail systems, are commonplace in the modern communications oriented world.
Most VMSs allow a user to obtain message status information by calling the voice messaging system and then entering a mailbox (or account) identifier, a password and/or control signals, e.g., DTMF tones. The retrieval of message status information in this matter represents a polling operation wherein the VMS is periodically contacted and checked for waiting message information.
While polling a VMS for message waiting information is acceptable in many applications, e.g., in the case of home answering machines, a better approach is to provide a user of a VMS a positive indicator of a waiting message without the user having to check for the message. A frequently encountered example of such an indicator is a message waiting light on a telephone which is activated when a message is left for a VMS user and deactivated when the message is accessed or deleted.
Centrex is a telephone service whereby a telephone company associates several independent telephone lines together to provide PBX type functionality, e.g., telephone extension dialing, call forwarding, etc. Centrex features are provided through control of telephone lines and calls using software and a switch located at a telephone central office. For each Centrex subscriber, a separate call processing record is maintained and telephone services are provided according to the information in the call processing record.
Voice mail is sometimes provided as a Centrex service. To provide voice mail to Centrex subscribers, a voice mail system is often located in a telephone office and coupled to the central office switch used to service Centrex subscribers.
A signaling protocol, referred to as the Simplified Message Desk Interface (SMDI), described in Telecordia Technologies document titled "Simplified Message Desk Interface (SMDI)", Generic Requirements GR-283-CORE, Issue 1, November 1999 was developed to support basic signaling of information between a message storage and retrieval system (MSRS), e.g., a voice message system (VMS), and a stored program controlled switching (SPCS) system such as a central office (C.O.) switch of the type used to provide Centrex service. The SMDI interface uses Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), Phase Shift Keying (PSK) and/or other analog signaling techniques for transmission of information according to an asynchronous serial data transmission protocol. In accordance with the SMDI protocol each word of a SMDI message consists of a start bit (space), a 7-bit standard ASCII character, an even parity bit and a stop bit (mark).
FIG. 1 illustrates a known prior art communications system 10. The communications system 10 includes a public switched telephone network 40, a business premise 23, and a plurality of residential premises 32, 32′, and the Internet 18. The business premise 23 includes multiple offices 24, 24′. Each office includes a computer 26, 26′. Computers 26, 26′ are coupled together and to the Internet 18 by a local area network (LAN) 25. The offices 24, 24′ also include telephones 28, 28′ coupled to a first C.O. switch 48 of the PSTN 40. Telephones 34, 34′, in residential premises 32, 32′, are coupled to a second C.O. switch 60 of the PSTN 40.
The first and second C.O. switches 48, 60 are located in first and second central offices 42, 44 which are coupled together by a high bandwidth communications channel 56, e.g. a fiber optic link. The PSTN 40 includes a service control point (SCP) 46 which stores customer information, e.g., Centrex call processing records (CPRs), used to provide telephone services to subscribers. The SCP 46 is coupled to the first and second C.O. switches 48, 60 via data lines 43, 45.
In order to provide voice messaging services to Centrex service subscribers coupled to the first C.O. switch 48, a voice messaging system (VMS) 50 is coupled to the C.O. switch 48 via a voice channel 54 and a SMDI link 52. Calls to VMS service subscribers which go unanswered for a preselected period of time are supplied to the VMS 50 where the caller is provided the opportunity to leave a message for the called party. The SMDI link 52 is used to convey call data, in the form of SMDI history messages, from the C.O. switch 48 to the VMS 50. The SMDI link 52 is also used to convey message waiting indicator (MWI) control messages from the VMS 50 to the C.O. switch 48.
In particular, when an unanswered call is delivered to the VMS 50, the C.O switch 48 transmits a SMDI call history message to the VMS over the SMDI link 52. FIG. 2 illustrates the format for a standard SMDI history message 200.
The call history message 200 begins with the alphabetic characters MD 202. A 7-digit message line identifier (MLI) 204 follows. The MLI 204 identifies the line to which an incoming call is terminated. It can be, e.g., a 7-digit directory number (DN) assigned to the PSTN or a 7-digit number made up of multi-line hunt group (MLHG) identifier and MLHG position identifier. MLI 204 is followed by a 1 character call type identifier 206 which indicates the reason the call was directed to the VMS. A 10-digit forwarding DN 208 is included in the message 200 when the call has been forwarded. Thus, the forwarding DN 208 is omitted in the case of direct calls. A space 209 separates the forwarding DN 208 from a calling DN number 210. The calling DN 208 is followed by a space and a 1 character calling presentation status field 214. The field 214 is followed by another space 216. A calling name/presentation status field 218 is used to provide the name of the calling party which is obtained when available using known techniques. Some of the information fields may be omitted from the call history message 200 depending on the nature of the call being connected to the VMS 50 and the availability of information to populate the fields.
FIG. 3 illustrates the format of a SMDI MWI control message 300. The message 300 includes an activation request identifier field 302, a space 304 and a subscriber directory number field 306. The activation request identifier field 302 includes the characters OP or RMV to indicate whether the message waiting indicator should be activated ("operated") or de-activated ("removed"). The subscriber DN field includes a 10-digit directory number which is used to indicate the subscriber whose message waiting indicator is to be controlled. SMDI MWI control messages 300 are terminated by a "!" and a Control D character (not shown).
Use of voice messing IPs such as the VMS 50 is not limited to Centrex applications. The VMS 50 can be used to provide voice messaging services to residential telephone service customers such as users of telephones 34, 34′. Unfortunately, most residential voice messaging service subscribers lack telephones with message waiting lights which are capable of being activated by a C.O. switch.
One of the advantages of Centrex is that it can be used with standard telephones thereby allowing businesses to avoid the investment in more costly phones which support features such as message waiting lights. Accordingly, many business subscribers to voice messaging services provided by telephone companies find themselves confronted with having to call the VMS 50 to check for messages even though the VMS 50 supports a SMDI link 52 to the C.O. switch 48.
In view of the above, it becomes apparent that there is a need for improved methods and apparatus notifying voice messaging service subscribers of waiting messages. It is desirable that at least some notification methods be supported which do not require a subscriber to poll a VMS to be notified of waiting messages. It is also desirable that at least some notification methods be supported which can be used with existing voice messaging systems, e.g., systems which support the use of SMDI. It is further desirable that new message notification methods and apparatus not interfere with existing C.O. notification via the control of message waiting lights on telephones which support such functionality.

Methods and apparatus for obtaining and distributing voice mail information


The present invention provides novel carbonic anhyrase inhibitors represented by the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are, for example, independently (a) hydrogen; or. (b) OR.sub.4, wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-7 alkyl; or PA0 (c) NR.sub.5 R.sub.6, wherein R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are independently hydrogen, or C.sub.1-7 alkyl, or C.sub.1-7 alkyl substituted with one or more halogen or OR.sub.4 ; or PA0 (d) --COR.sub.7, wherein R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-7 alkyl, or NR.sub.5 R.sub.6 ; or PA0 (e) --SR.sub.8, wherein R.sub.8 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-7 alkyl, or C.sub.1-7 alkyl substituted with one or more halogen, or OR.sub.4 ; or PA0 (f) C.sub.1-7 alkyl, or C.sub.1-7 alkyl substituted with one or more halogen, or OR.sub.4 or NR.sub.5 R.sub.6 ; or PA0 (g) R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are together PA0 (h) C.sub.1-7 alkyl or C.sub.1-7 substituted with one or more halogen, OR.sub.4 or NR.sub.5 R.sub.6.. (i) .dbd.O, or PA1 (ii) .dbd.NOR.sub.8 or PA1 (iii) .dbd.S;. and R.sub.3 is

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thiophenesulfonamides that have carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity and are useful as anti-glaucoma agents.
2. Background of the Art
Glaucoma is an ocular disorder associated with elevated intraocular pressures which are too high for normal function and may result in irreversible loss of visual function. If untreated, glaucoma may eventually lead to blindness. Ocular hypertension, i.e., the condition of elevated intraocular pressure without optic nerve head damage or characteristic glaucomatous visual field defects, is now believed by many ophthalmologists to represent the earliest phase of glaucoma.
Many of the drugs formerly used to treat glaucoma proved not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, few advances were made in the treatment of glaucoma since pilocarpine and physostigmine were introduced. Only recently have clinicians noted that many .beta.-adrenergic blocking agents are effective in reducing intraocular pressure. While many of these agents are effective in reducing intraocular pressure, they also have other characteristics, e.g. membrane stabilizing activity, that are not acceptable for chronic ocular use. (S)-1-tert-Butylamino-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propan ol, a .beta.-adrenergic blocking agent, was found to reduce intraocular pressure and to be devoid of many unwanted side effects associated with pilocarpine and, in addition, to possess advantages over many other .beta.-adrenergic blocking agents, e.g., to be devoid of local anesthetic properties, to have a long duration of activity, and to display minimal tolerance.
Although pilocarpine, physostigmine and the .beta.-adrenergic blocking agents mentioned above reduce intraocular pressure, none of these drugs manifests its action by inhibiting the enzyme carbonic anhydrase and, thereby, impeding the contribution to aqueous humor formation made by the carbonic anhydrase pathway.
Agents referred to as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, block or impede this inflow pathway by inhibiting the enzyme, carbonic anhydrase. While such carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are now used to treat intraocular pressure by oral, intravenous or other systemic routes, they thereby have the distinct disadvantage of inhibiting carbonic anhydrase throughout the entire body. Such a gross disruption of a basic enzyme system is justified only during an acute attack of alarmingly elevated intraocular pressure, or when no other agent is effective.
Topically effective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are reported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,386,098; 4,416,890; and 4,426,388. The compounds reported therein are 5 (and 6)-hydroxy-2-benzothiazolesulfonamides and acyl esters thereof.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,667 discloses a series of benzofuran-2-sulfonamides, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,477,466; 4,486,444; 4,542,152; and 4,585,787 disclose 5-phenylsulfonylthiophene-2-sulfonamides and 5-benzoylthiophene-2-sulfonamides and alkanoyloxy derivatives thereof which are reported to be topically effective carbonic anhydrose inhibitors useful in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,111 reports that thiophene or furan-2-sulfonamides, having a 4-benzyl substituent are effective for the topical treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma.
In view of the above, it is clear that a great deal of research has been carried out on the use of sulfonamides for the topical treatment of glaucoma. Furthermore, certain thiophenesulfonamides have been suggested for the topical treatment of glaucoma. However, the use of 3-thiophenesulfonamides has not been suggested for use in the topical treatment of glaucoma.
Therefore, it is one objective of this invention to provide 3-thiophenesulfonamides for the treatment of glaucoma.
It is another object of this invention to provide compounds having carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method of inhibiting carbonic anhydrase activity to thereby treat glaucoma.
Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the specification below.

5-substituted 3-thiophene sulfonamides as antiglaucoma agents


A polysilicone base for medical and cosmetic compositions includes a dimethicone fluid, a volatile cyclosiloxane, a silicone elastomer, and nanoparticulate silica. The polysilicone base may also include one or more therapeutic agents for reducing the formation and appearance of scar tissue at the site of a wound. The polysilicone base is spreadable, but does not run off of the wound site. The polysilicone base is phase-stable, in that it does not separate into phases.

Polysilicone compositions have a variety of uses in the skin care industry, for example, as an emollient (also referred to as a "moisturizer"), as a skin protectant, as a cosmetic base, and as a vehicle for bioactive compounds. Polysilicone compositions are also useful in reducing the extent and appearance of scar tissue remaining after surgery or injury to the skin, or from skin conditions such as acne. They can also be used to reduce the appearance of uneven skin textures such as fine lines or acne.
An undesirable property of polysilicone compositions is that they can separate into phases, especially when cosmetic or bioactive compounds are added. This phase separation seriously reduces the usefulness of the composition, particularly as a cosmetic base or vehicle for other compounds.


A radio-frequency transceiver system comprises a radio-frequency processing unit, a transmitting microwave network and a receiving microwave network, wherein the transmitting microwave network comprises a transmitting power divider for distributing main power of transmitting signals to two central sub-array antennas of four sub-array antennas, and the receiving microwave network comprises a receiving power divider for providing power mainly from a first input terminal and a second input terminal for a receiving route, and providing power mainly from the second input terminal and a third input terminal for another receiving route.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power divider and a radio-frequency transceiver system, and more particularly, to a power divider and a radio-frequency transceiver system capable of effectively enhancing an array antenna gain, reducing an array antenna area, optimizing an antenna radiation pattern, reducing a reflection loss, and enhancing a side lobe suppression capability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An array antenna is an antenna system consisting of a plurality of identical antennas arranged according to a certain rule, and is widely used in a radar system. The commonly-seen array antenna system is implemented by a manufacturing process of a printed circuit board, and antennas and a power divider are disposed in different layers of a substrate. In order to connect signals between different layers, a via hole is taken as a bridge. However, since transmission of the signals between the different layers only relies on the via hole, when a position of the via hole is changed due to a process variation or a process inaccuracy, frequency shift occurs and an overall system performance is reduced. Moreover, since an operating frequency of the radar system is mostly utilized in a microwave frequency band, as the operating frequency is getting higher, a distance passed through the via hole may be longer. When the distance is close to a quarter wavelength of the signals, an impedance matching issue would become more serious. As a result, the corresponding design becomes more complex and the antenna gain is reduced, leading to a shorter detecting distance and a narrower scanning angle.
Therefore, how to avoid the frequency shift and the degradation of antenna performance of the array antenna due to the process inaccuracy of wiring between different layers has become an industry target. Moreover, to further enhance the antenna gain, so as to enhance the detecting distance or reduce a required area, is also the industry target.

Power divider and radio-frequency transceiver system


A speaker rigging system is provided with a frame, a cam pivotally connected to the frame about a pivot axis and a sector secured to the cam with a peripheral surface with a plurality of teeth formed therein. The speaker rigging system also includes a lever arm and a pawl. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the frame with a proximal end and an intermediate portion extending between the proximal end and the pivotal connection to be oriented proximate to the sector. The pawl extends from the intermediate portion of the lever arm and is spring-biased toward the sector for engaging one of the plurality of teeth to lock the cam to the frame in a locked condition.

A line array of speakers is a group of often similarly sized speakers positioned adjacent to one another to optimize a sound level output over a larger coverage area. Line array speaker systems are often used in large venues, such as auditoriums and concert halls, where high sound level is projected over a wide coverage area. Line array speakers provide increased directivity at various frequencies. Providing increased directivity at various frequencies extends the near-field coverage area because the coverage distance from the near field to the far field transition zone is increased with frequency. The ability of line array speaker systems to increase near field extension is known. For this reason, line arrays offer significant advantages over traditional multi-box sound systems and are often used for large venues.
To achieve a desired sound level over a desired coverage area, line arrays are strategically positioned in various places, at varying heights and angles, throughout a venue. The positioning of the line arrays is determined using equations that anticipate the performance of differently sized speakers based upon their arrangement relative to one another. The specific height of a line array, and the angle and spacing between the speakers in the line array are the main variables that govern the sound level output and coverage area of the line array. The height of an array governs the line array's directivity. The spacing of the individual speakers, which is a second-order effect, determines a lobing structure of the line array. For example, a relatively straight array may radiate the sound level desired for far field coverage. For near field coverage, the line arrays often require some degree of curvature to provide uniformity of coverage over a wider vertical angle.
Once a speaker arrangement for a given venue is determined, the speakers in the line arrays are then typically arranged and mounted on specially designed racks. Depending upon the desired arrangement, the line arrays are then suspended in the air with hanging equipment, which is referred to as a "tension" configuration herein and/or placed on the ground, which is referred to as a "compression" configuration herein. Additionally, support structure (e.g., chains) may be connected to speakers that are hung from the ceiling, such that the corresponding rigging systems are in compression. By arranging the line array speakers and articulating or curving the line array in the vertical plane at a specific splay angle, one can provide excellent coverage for listeners seated in both the near and the far fields.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,170,263 to Engebretson et al. discloses an example of a rigging system for line array speakers and allows for the adjustment of a splay angle between adjacent loudspeakers.


Novel measurement techniques based on moiré techniques and optical frequency conversion. For example, in the IR realm, the configuration can be any moiré configuration, the detector is an IR detector, and the light source can be at any wavelength. The optical configuration, the detector, and the type of light source depend on the physical properties of object/scene and the parameter(s) to be measured.

Moiré techniques are optical methods for form and surface measurement and characterization. They can be used to measure in-plane deformation and strain, as well as out-of-plane deformation and profilometry. In-plane measurements are usually performed by attaching a grating to an object and then measuring the deformation of the grating. Out-of-plane measurements are usually based on illuminating the object with structured light, which is typically a straight-line grating, and measuring the deformation of reflected light from the object. In both cases, the reflected light can be summed or multiplied by another grating to form a moiré fringe pattern, or the deformation can be measured directly.
There are different moiré techniques, including fringe projection, shadow moiré, projection moiré, and reflection moiré. These are illustrated in FIG. 1.
In fringe projection, a fringe pattern (e.g. parallel lines) is projected onto the object and the projected fringe pattern is captured from another angle. The fringe pattern will be distorted according to the profile of the object. The distance between contours of acquired fringe pattern depends on the pitch of projected fringe pattern and the parameters of fringe projection setup. By analyzing the acquired fringe pattern and knowing the parameters of the fringe projection setup, the profile of the object is calculated.
Shadow moiré uses a grating in front of the object. A collimated light passes through the grating and makes a shadow of the grating on the object. This shadow is captured from different angles through the grating, which produces a moiré pattern.
Projection moiré uses two different gratings, instead of one, one in front of a collimated light source and the other one in front of a camera. The profile of the object is calculated from the moiré pattern and the parameters of the projection moiré setup.
Reflection moiré uses one grating in front of the light source. The structured light is reflected back from a specular object and captured by the camera. The deformation of the structured light (i.e. grating) is related to the slope distribution of the object profile.
What are still needed in the art, however, are profilometry systems and methods that can be used with very bright or very dark objects, with extreme levels of reflection or no reflection, using ultraviolet (UV), visible, near infrared (NIR), or infrared (IR) light and heat, or visible or UV light and fluorescence.

Profilometry systems and methods based on absorption and optical frequency conversion

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte


Coma of an objective lens occurs depending on the lens-forming condition when plural disks of different substrate thickness are recorded and reproduced. An objective lens according to this invention is not influenced by the coma even if the thickness of the substrates is changed. For this purpose, a diffraction grating whose aberration is corrected is formed on the first side of an aspheric objective lens. Due to this correction, light beams having different diffraction orders, e.g. 0th order diffracted light and +1st order diffracted light, are focused respectively on two kinds of substrates of different thickness. The whole objective lens is tilted to correct its axial coma, and the tilt angle is predetermined to be substantially identical with respect to plural substrates which are different in thickness.

This invention relates to an objective lens which is used for an optical head of an optical memory disk for a digital video disk, a digital audio disk, a computer and so on. This invention specifically relates to a multiple focus objective lens whose aberration is corrected toward plural kinds of substrates different from each other in thickness, an optical head apparatus provided with the lens, and an optical information recording-reproducing apparatus.

Multiple focus lens, an optical head apparatus and an optical information recording-reproducing apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Image processing is performed in view of the difference between the chroma component and the brightness component in an image, with a relatively smaller amount of data processed during the image processing. A frequency decomposing unit 110 performs frequency decomposition directly on Bayer image signals from an imaging element 3. With this, a high frequency component representing color information and a low frequency component representing brightness information are obtained. A filter coefficient obtaining unit 131 of a correction processing unit 130 obtains filter coefficients and the filter coefficients for the high frequency component are different from those for the low frequency component. A filtering processing unit performs a filtering process on subimages based on the filter coefficients obtained by the filter coefficient obtaining unit 131 in such a manner that processing details of the filtering process for the high frequency component are different from those for the low frequency component.

There has been an image processing device configured to perform objective image processing after various types of processing has been performed on an image constituted by R (red) pixels, G (green) pixels, and B (blue) pixels. For example, in Patent Literature 1, an interpolation process is performed first on a Bayer image constituted by R, G, and B pixels, to form an RGB image in which each pixel has all the R, G, and B components. Then, a brightness (luma) component and color-difference components are generated from the RGB image. Thereafter, different types of image processing are performed on the respective components. The reason why the processing details of the image processing are different depending on the type of the component (the brightness component or the chroma component) is, for example, there is a difference in noise characteristics between the components, and thus it is preferable to change the processing details of the image processing depending on the type of the component in order to suitably remove noise.
In Patent Literature 1, a wavelet transform is performed on each of the brightness component and the chroma components, to generate components having frequency bands different from one another. Then a noise removing process is performed on each of the thus generated components. With this, noise is suitably removed taking into consideration the difference in the noise characteristics between the low frequency component and the high frequency component.

Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program


The device includes a push-in cage, and an optoelectronic device. The push-in cage includes a first thread form, and a first key. The optoelectronic device includes an optical subassembly, a second thread form, and a second key. The second thread form of the optoelectronic device is complementary to the first thread form of the push-in cage, and the second key of the optoelectronic device is complementary to the first key of the push-in cage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to optoelectronic devices. The invention more particularly concerns an optoelectronic device which mates with a cage where the cage is push-in mountable to a bezel or faceplate of a host structure.
2. Discussion of the Background
An optoelectronic device utilizes at least one optical subassembly. The optical subassembly can be an optoelectronic receiver or an optoelectronic transmitter. An optoelectronic transmitter receives electrical signals, converts the electrical signals to light signals, and then transmits the light signals. An optoelectronic receiver receives light signals, converts the light signals to electrical signals, and then transmits the electrical signals. A transceiver is an optoelectronic device which has at least one optoelectronic receiver and at least one optoelectronic transmitter.
Optoelectronic devices can be used in many ways. Some optoelectronic devices are surface mountable. Such an optoelectronic device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,066. Some optoelectronic devices are pluggable. Such optoelectronic devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,717,533; 5,734,558; 5,864,468; 5,879,173; 6,570,768; and Re 36,820. And yet other optoelectronic devices are bulkhead mountable. Such an optoelectronic device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,402. Electronics associated with some types of optoelectronic devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,812,582; 5,812,717; 6,108,114; 6,160,647; 6,607,307; 6,711,189; and Re 36,491.
One pluggable optoelectronic device is known as the Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver. The SFP transceiver is a form factor that is defined by a standard known as the "Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) Transceiver Multisource Agreement (MSA)," dated Sep. 14, 2000. Such optoelectronic devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,430,053; 6,556,445; 6,570,768; and 6,778,399. The SFP transceiver requires less space on the circuit board of a host device or host structure as compared to then previously known transceivers such as the Giga-Bit Interface Converter (GBIC) transceiver. A Giga-Bit Interface Converter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,627. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,717,533; 5,734,558; 5,812,582; 5,812,717; 5,864,468; 5,879,173; 6,108,114; 6,160,647; 6,179,627; 6,358,066; 6,430,053; 6,556,445; 6,570,768; 6,607,307; 6,711,189; 6,778,399; 6,913,402; Re 36,491; and Re 36,820 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Each SFP transceiver is plugged into a cage or receptacle of the host structure. The cage is mounted to a circuit board of the host structure. The cage is designed to limit the propagation of electromagnetic radiation. The cage occupies space on the circuit board of the host structure. Also, when the cage is mounted to the circuit board of the host structure, errors, mistakes, or accidents can cause the act of attaching the cage to the circuit board to ruin or cause the circuit board to be reworked.
Accordingly, there is a need for an optoelectronic device which does not utilize much of the area of a circuit board of the host structure, is easily insertable into and removable from a host structure by an operator, and does not require much work on the circuit board of the host structure so as to make the host device functional with the optoelectronic device.

Optoelectronic device in combination with a push-in cage