A method of and apparatus that is continuously automatically operative in an in-line system is described for applying under heat, vacuum and mechanical pressure a photoresist-forming layer to printed circuit boards that already have been prelaminated by the loose application thereto of dry film as discrete cut sheets within the confines of the surface of the boards whereby a laminate without entrapped air bubbles and closely conforming to the surface contours such as circuit traces of the printed circuit board is obtained. Featured is a two-part conveyorized vacuum applicator comprising as one part two input conveyors in end-to-end relation and as the other part a belt conveyor and vacuum laminator. The belt conveyor is characterized in its use of an endless belt having an aperture therein through which, in the vacuum laminating condition of the applicator, the movable lower platen of the vacuum laminator is movable upwards into sealing contact with the upper platen of the laminator, with the printed circuit board to be laminated and a portion of the upper run of the endless belt contained within the vacuum chamber of the laminator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an automatic conveyorized solder mask vacuum applicator and method of operation thereof having utility in the application of dry films which conform to the contours of irregular surfaces such as the surfaces of printed circuit boards or other substrates having raised, typically electrically conductive, traces thereon. The applicator and method have particular utility for conveying and for applying heat and vacuum and mechanical pressure to printed circuit boards or substrates that prior to such application have had dry film loosely applied to at least one of the surfaces thereof as discrete cut sheets within the confines of the printed circuit board.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A solder mask is a hard, permanent layer of non-conductive material which covers the surface of a printed circuit board or other substrate, encapsulating the traces of the printed circuit itself. By solder mask is meant herein a hard, permanent layer which meets at least the minimal requirements of the abrasion resistance tests as defined in IPC-SM-840A, Table 12, Summary of Criteria for Qualification/Conformance (Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits). The solder mask is patterned to fully cover the circuitry, except for those portions intended to be exposed, e.g., for soldering to another component. Solder masks are typically formed from a layer of photoimageable composition which is applied to a surface of the printed circuit board. The photoimageable layer is exposed to actinic radiation which is patterned by means of a template or artwork. Subsequent to exposure, the photoimageable layer is developed in an organic solvent or an aqueous solution which washes away either exposed or unexposed portions of the layer (depending upon whether the photoimageable material is positive acting or negative acting). The portion of the layer which remains on the surface is then cured, e.g., with heat and/or UV light, to form a hard, permanent solder mask intended to protect the printed circuitry for the life of the board.
One prior art method of applying the layer of photoimageable composition to the circuit board surface is to apply the material in liquid form, and then, either allow it to dry or partially cure the material to form a semi-stable layer.
There are a number of advantages to applying a photoimageable layer to a circuit board as a dry film rather than as a liquid. In particular, dry films are free of organic solvent and therefore eliminate this hazard from the workplace and eliminate the need for apparatus to protect the immediate work environment and the more general environment from organic solvent emissions. Typically, a dry film comprises a cover sheet of support material which is somewhat flexible but which has sufficient rigidity to provide structure to a layer of photoimageable composition which overlies one surface of the cover sheet. The cover sheet may be formed of polyester material, such a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), such as that sold as MELINEX.RTM..
To protect the photoimageable layer and to enable the dry film to be rolled, it is conventional for the exposed surface of the photoimageable layer to be covered with a removable protective sheet, e.g., a sheet of polyethylene. An example of such a dry film is sold as LAMINAR DM.RTM. by Morton International, Inc.
The method of use of such prior art dry film is generally as follows. The protective sheet is removed from the photoimageable composition layer immediately prior to application of the dry film to the surface of the printed circuit board. This may be accomplished, for example, using automated apparatus which peels away and rolls up the protective sheet as the dry film is unrolled from a reel. The dry film is applied to the surface of the circuit board with the photoimageable layer in direct contact with the board surface. Using heat, vacuum and mechanical pressure, the photoimageable layer is immediately laminated to the surface of the board. The cover sheet remains overlying the photoimageable layer, protecting the photoimageable layer from exposure to oxygen and from handling damage. The cover sheet also permits a pattern (or template) to be laid directly on top of the dry film for contact printing, if contact printing is to be used (as is usually preferred from the standpoint of obtaining optimal image resolution). The dry film is exposed to patterned actinic radiation through the PET cover sheet. At this time, the PET cover sheet is removed, permitting access to the exposed photoimageable layer by developer. Depending upon the composition of the photoimageable layer, the photoimageable layer is developed with organic solvent, aqueous developer, or semi-aqueous developer. By semi-aqueous developer is meant herein a developer which is about 90% or more by volume aqueous solution with the balance being an organic solvent such as 2-butoxy ethanol and other glycol ethers. The photoimageable layer may either be positive acting, in which case the exposed portions are removed by developer, or negative acting, in which case the unexposed portions are removed by developer. Most photoimageable layers for preparing solder masks are negative acting. Most photoimageable composition layers require some cure subsequent to development to render the layer hard and permanent so as to serve as a solder mask. Depending upon the composition of the photoimageable layer, curing may be effected with heat and/or UV light.
Printed circuit boards almost invariably have uneven surfaces in which circuitry traces are raised or elevated over the surface of a board of electrically non-conducting material. Circuitry traces may be the residual portions of an etched metal layer or may be built up from the board surface. It is desirable that a solder mask, particularly one formed from a photoimageable composition, conform to the contours of a circuit board surface. A conforming solder mask which adequately covers both the board surface and the upstanding traces minimizes the use of expensive photoimageable composition.
Processes for applying conforming solder mask on a surface having raised areas such as circuit traces on a printed circuit board are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,889,790 Leo Roos et al. and 4,992,354 F. J. Axon et al. and in for U.S. patent application Ser. No. 480,487 filed Feb. 14, 1990. These patents and application are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The disclosures thereof, by reference, are incorporated herein.
The processes disclosed in these patents and application involve applying a solder mask-forming photoimageable composition layer to a printed circuit board using a dry film in which an intermediate layer is interposed between a support film or cover sheet and the photoimageable layer. The intermediate layer of the dry film is selectively more adherent to the photoimageable composition layer than to the cover sheet, allowing the cover sheet to be removed after the photoimageable layer is applied to a printed circuit board with the intermediate layer remaining on the photoimageable composition layer as a "top coat." The top coat is of non-tacky material and can be placed in contact with other surfaces, such as artwork for contact printing. The top coat also serves as an oxygen barrier, allowing the photoimageable composition layer to remain unexposed on the printed circuit board, after cover sheet removal, for some length of time. The use of dry film having the "intermediate layer" or "top coat" make possible the processes described in these patents and application. In each case there is provided a conforming step, e.g., conforming vacuum lamination, after removal of the cover sheet. Because the cover sheet is removed prior to the conforming step, better conformance, particularly when applying thin photoimageable composition layers onto boards with closely spaced traces, is achieved. Better resolution is also achievable because the top coat may be directly contacted with artwork for contact printing and because the top coat is much thinner than a cover sheet or support film and is, therefore, much less a deterrent to good resolution than a support film.
To form a solder mask, the protective, removable sheet of the dry film is first peeled away and the exposed surface of the photoimageable composition layer is applied to the surface of the printed circuit board. Using heat, vacuum and mechanical pressure, the dry film is laminated to the surface of the printed circuit board, partially conforming the photoimageable layer thereto. Within about 60 seconds and before substantial cooling of the printed circuit board and dry film has occurred, the cover sheet of the dry film is removed, whereupon the photoimageable composition layer and overlying top coat fully conform to the contours of the printed circuit board and substantially encapsulate the traces. The photoimageable composition layer is then exposed to patterned actinic radiation through the top coat. A developer is used to remove either exposed or non-exposed portions of the photoimageable composition layer, leaving the remaining portion of the layer laminated to the circuit board. Subsequently, the portions of the photoimageable composition layer remaining on the circuit board are cured, e.g., with heat and/or UV light.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,524 granted on Aug. 7, 1990 to Robert C. Stumpf et al., the disclosure of which patent, by reference, is incorporated herein, there is disclosed an applicator and process for applying dry film solder mask material to the surface of a printed circuit board allowing, at the same time, handling of the board with the applied film, the draw-off of the air enclosed between the film and the board, and the removal of the cover sheet. The draw-off of air enclosed between the dry film and the surface of the printed circuit board is facilitated when, before vacuum lamination, the surface of the board is covered with a loose sheet of film. To that end the applicator of U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,524 is operative to tack the dry film to a board at the leading and trailing edges with the intermediate portion of the film loosely applied thereto. The film is tacked to the board as a discrete cut sheet within the confines of the perimeter of the surface of the board. For convenience, a printed circuit board having such loose application of a dry film sheet to the surface or surfaces thereof is referred to hereinafter as being "prelaminated."
The results of the processes described above have been most encouraging. Difficulty has been encountered, however, in attempting to adapt these processes for continuous automatic operation in an in-line system. This is particularly true with respect to the utilization of existing vacuum laminating apparatus in an in-line process. The present invention was devised to fill the gap that has existed in the art in this respect.

Conveyorized vacuum applicator and method therefor


Techniques are described herein for classifying an electronic message with a particular project from among a plurality of projects. In some embodiments, first and second users associated with the electronic message are identified, and one or more first projects associated with the first user and one and more second projects associated with the second user are determined. Projects that are in common between the first projects and the second projects are determined. When only a single project is in common, the electronic message is associated with the single project. When more than a single project is in common, features associated with each of the projects found to be in common are analyzed by a machine learning model to determine the most likely project to associate with the electronic message from among the projects found to be in common.

Electronic messages are used in the workplace for various work-related activities. For instance, electronic mails are often exchanged between users working for different organizations in connection with a particular project, such as making a business deal, selling or purchasing a particular good or service, exchanging documents or information, or pursuing a particular opportunity. Even for a small organization, the number of previous and present projects may be numerous. This is especially the case if a project is defined in a granular manner to distinguish between each unique transaction, taking into account parameters such as a particular good or service involved, particular users involved, a particular account for a particular organization, and the like. The number of electronic mails for any particular project may also be large. Thus, a very large number of electronic mails can exist about projects for a given organization.
Classification of electronic mails by project is useful, among other things, for recordkeeping and organizational purposes. A system may group two electronic mails together if the two electronic mails have a matching subject line. Accordingly, even if a first electronic mail and a second electronic mail discuss the same project, the electronic mails will not be associated with each other if the subject field in the first electronic mail is different than the subject field in the second electronic mail.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
While each of the drawing illustrates a particular embodiment for purposes of illustrating a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawings. For purposes of illustrating clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the particular arrangement illustrated in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments.

Enhancement of machine learning techniques for an electronic message system


A portable collapsible blind is provided including positioning members and simulated arborescent structures to break-up the hard geometric shape and lines of the blind. The positioning members can position the simulated arborescent structures to extend beyond at least one of a sidewall, side edge, upper edge, sidewall corner, roof edge, roof corner and roof a preselected distance. The simulated arborescent structure can include a limb and a leafy part suspended by the limb at a location distal from the geometric shape of the blind. A concealment pod also can be provided. The concealment pod can include a base with a plurality of outwardly projecting simulated arborescent structures. The base can include the fastener element that joins with a corresponding fastener element of a joining element. The base and joining element can be pivotally joined so that the simulated arborescent structures can be oriented in a variety of configurations.

The present invention relates to a concealment system, and more particularly, to a portable concealment system for blinds and other structures.
There are a variety of hunting and wildlife observation products that are adapted to conceal movement of a hunter or wildlife observer from game, such as deer, turkey and waterfowl. One such product is the ground blind.
Ground blinds include a frame covered by panels constructed of a camouflage material that blends in the natural surroundings. The frame and material usually form an enclosure in which a hunter or wildlife observer conceals themselves. The camouflage material is usually opaque so that a hunter can move within the enclosure without alerting game to the hunter or observer's presence within the blind.
Similarly, the military and police also use a variety of products to conceal the human form, equipment and/or machinery. For example, there are a variety of camouflage netting systems that are adapted to drape over equipment. The netting systems include camouflage patterns that blend in with natural surroundings so that the equipment is concealed from view.
Most conventional hunting ground blinds have an unnatural-looking, cubical or box-shaped geometric shape. An example of a box-shaped, hub-style blind is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,338 to Stumbo. Such a box-shaped blind appears out of place and unnatural in most wildlife environments, where near-perfect geometric shapes are uncommon. If not concealed, wildlife is usually able to readily identify such a blind. Deer, turkey and waterfowl are particularly adept at identifying conventional box-shaped ground blinds, given their prevalence in recent years. Many times, game will keep a safe distance from identified ground blinds, and accordingly, thwart the hunters or wildlife observer's attempts at harvesting or observing the game.
Typically, hunters will use natural foliage, such as brush, trees, shrubs, and cattails crudely laid against or over the ground blind to "brush in" and better conceal the ground blind. Many times, however, the collection of these items and concealment of the blind takes time, and can be particularly difficult to do quietly, which may alert nearby game to the hunter's presence. Moreover, collecting foliage in the area can spread the scent of the hunter, which can reduce the likelihood of a successful hunt, particularly if the blind is hunted soon after brushing it in.
Recently, manufacturers have begun to add strips of fabric that are cut in the shape of leaves around the hard corners or edges of ground blinds. These leaves usually project about an inch or two from the corners or edges. Even with these fabric leaves, from a distance, the geometric shape of the ground blind remains readily recognizable. Accordingly, even with a leafy cut-out fabric on the blind, many hunters still brush in the ground blind, which causes the above-mentioned noise, sight and scent issues, thereby reducing the likelihood of game observation and/or harvest from the blind.


A portable shooter's seat having a detachable bench and firearm support. The seat and bench have a plurality of legs, some of which are pivotally connected to the seat and bench, respectively. The seat and bench each have one leg fixedly connected thereto and attachable to each other for connecting the seat to the bench. For supporting the seat on the ground independently from the bench, the seat and bench legs are disconnected, and the set leg is reoriented to the ground supporting position. Some of the seat and bench legs are foldable to a stored position, and a shoulder strap is connected between the bench and the seat to facilitate carrying the bench and seat in the stored position. A firearm support is connectable to the seat when the seat is detached from the bench.

Various portable shooter's seats have been proposed for connection to benches and to firearm supports. While these portable shooter's seats have been satisfactory for their intended purpose, their versatility has been somewhat limited, in that a seat designed for a bench could not also be used with a firearm support, and, conversely, the same seat designed for use with a firearm support could not be used with a bench Such arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,900 dated Sep. 22, 1992 and No. 5,271,175 dated Dec. 21, 1993.

Portable shooter's seat having a detachable bench and firearm support


Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to operating system technology. In aspects, a mechanism is described that allows self-healing actions to correct operating system problems. The self-healing actions may be performed at virtually any time during the loading and executing of operating system components. Earlier placement of the self-healing actions may allow correction of more operating system component problems than later placement. In one implementation, while self-healing actions are occurring, the instantiating of additional operating system components is not allowed. After the self-healing actions have completed, the instantiating of additional operating system components may continue.

Operating systems include many components that are interrelated. When one or more components become corrupted, the operating system may not be able to boot or may exhibit other significant problems. Until the operating system is functioning properly, this may greatly frustrate the user. Restoring the operating system to a bootable or good state often requires a specialized set of skills and knowledge that most users simply do not have. If the user is not tech savvy, the user may take the computer to a repair shop to have the operating system repaired which often involves reinstalling the operating system. If the end user is sophisticated enough, the user may reinstall the operating system. Anyone who has reinstalled a modern operating system knows that the installation process takes a long time and often results in lost data and settings.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Self-healing of operating system components


Embodiments of this application provide an image reconstruction method and device. The method includes: inputting a first image into a newly constructed super-resolution model to obtain a reconstructed second image, where a resolution of the second image is higher than that of the first image. The newly constructed super-resolution model is obtained by training an initial super-resolution model by using an error loss. The error loss includes a pixel mean square error and an image feature mean square error. The image feature in the image feature mean square error includes at least one of a texture feature, a shape feature, a spatial relationship feature, and an image high-level semantic feature. According to the embodiments of this application, the quality of a reconstructed image can be improved.

Image super-resolution reconstruction refers to a technology that reconstructs a high-resolution image from a low-resolution image by using an image processing method, can effectively improve an image definition, and has great significance in fields such as video surveillance, camera photographing, high-definition televisions, and medical images. In image super-resolution reconstruction, face image super-resolution reconstruction is widely applied, and the face image super-resolution reconstruction is also referred to as face hallucination.
Currently, a face image super-resolution reconstruction method includes a signal reconstruction-based method and a machine learning-based method. The signal reconstruction-based method is mainly implemented by using a signal reconstruction theory in the signal processing field, for example, Fourier transform and polynomial interpolation. The signal reconstruction-based method is usually easy to implement, but a reconstructed image loses much detail information, and has blurred edges and obvious jagged edges.
The machine learning-based method is to input a low-resolution image, and then reconstruct the low-resolution image by using a super-resolution model, to obtain a reconstructed image obtained through maximum a posteriori probability estimation. The super-resolution model used in the machine learning-based method is obtained by training an initial super-resolution model. A training process of the super-resolution model is a process of adjusting a parameter in the super-resolution model based on a pixel mean square error between a high-resolution image and an image obtained by reconstructing the low-resolution image. However, when image reconstruction is performed by using the super-resolution model that is obtained through training based on only the pixel mean square error, a generated image is evidently smoothed and loses much high-frequency information.


An image displaying apparatus which can easily fix an electrode plate to a predetermined position is provided. An electric potential of the electrode plate, a distance between the electrode plate and a first substrate, and a distance between the electrode plate and a second substrate are set so that a Coulomb attracting force acts in the direction in which the electrode plate is come into contact with a shoulder portion of a spacer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an image displaying apparatus in which an electrode plate is interposed between two substrates arranged so as to face each other.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, studies of an image forming apparatus using electron-emitting devices have been being progressed. For example, there has been known a flat electron-beam (field-emission) displaying panel in which an electron source substrate on which a number of cold cathode electron-emitting devices are formed and an anode substrate having an anode electrode for accelerating electrons emitted from the electron-emitting devices and a phosphor are arranged in parallel so as to face each other and an internal space is exhausted to a vacuum. According to the flat electron-beam displaying panel, a lighter weight and a larger display screen can be realized as compared with those of a CRT (cathode ray tube) displaying apparatus which is widely used at present. An image of higher luminance and higher quality can be provided as compared with those of another flat display panel such as flat display panel using a liquid crystal, plasma display, electroluminescence display, or the like.
As an image displaying apparatus in which an electrode plate is interposed between two substrates arranged so as to face each other, an image displaying apparatus in which an electrode plate to control an electron emitted from an electron-emitting device is fixed to a predetermined position has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-63859 (paragraph [0044], FIGS. 6A and 6B) (Patent Document 1). Specifically speaking, an image displaying apparatus in which an electrode plate for correcting electrons is fixed to a step-forming portion of a spacer having a step portion by an adhesive agent has been disclosed.
According to the image displaying apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, if adhesion by the adhesive agent is imperfect, a positional deviation of the electrode plate occurs. If the spacer and the electrode plate are strictly fixed by the adhesive agent, there is also such an inconvenience that in a heating step during manufacturing of the displaying apparatus, a stress occurs in the adhesive portion of the spacer and the electrode plate, so that the spacer or the electrode plate is broken. It is considered that this is because such a phenomenon is caused by a difference between coefficients of thermal expansion of the spacer and the electrode plate.


Aspects of a method and system for generation of signals up to extremely high frequency using a delay block are provided. In this regard, a first signal may be delayed, via at least a portion of a plurality of delay elements and via a variable capacitance, to generate a second signal that is 90° out of phase relative to the first signal. Additionally, the first signal and second signal may be mixed to generate a third signal, wherein a frequency of the third signal is twice a frequency of said first signal. The portion of the delay elements utilized for delaying the signal may be controlled via one or more switching elements. In this regard, one of the plurality of delay elements may be selected to output the second signal. Moreover, the portion of the delay elements utilized for delaying the signal may be programmably controlled.

The number and types of wireless devices and wireless standards has seen rapid growth in recent years and is unlikely to slow anytime soon. Consequently, available frequency bands, which are regulated by organizations such as the FCC in the USA, are becoming increasingly scarce. Moreover, existing frequency bands are becoming increasingly congested with wireless traffic from the plethora of users and devices in existence. In this regard, designing devices that can reliably operate in such noisy frequency bands is becoming increasingly difficult and costly. Accordingly, efforts exist to develop wireless technologies which operate at higher, less congested frequencies.
For example, in 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated a large contiguous block of 7 GHz bandwidth for communications in the 57 GHz to 64 GHz spectrum. This frequency band may be used by the spectrum users on an unlicensed basis, that is, the spectrum is accessible to anyone, subject to certain basic, technical restrictions such as maximum transmission power and certain coexistence mechanisms. The communications taking place in this band are often referred to as '60 GHz communications'. With respect to the accessibility of this part of the spectrum, 60 GHz communications is similar to other forms of unlicensed spectrum use, for example Wireless LANs or Bluetooth in the 2.4 GHz ISM bands. However, communications at 60 GHz may be significantly different in aspects other than accessibility. In this regard, there may be certain drawbacks associated with 60 GHz communications. For example, 60 GHz signals may provide markedly different communications channel and propagation characteristics. In this regard, 60 GHz radiation is partly absorbed by oxygen in the air. Accordingly, 60 GHz communications suffer from increased attenuation with distance as compared to, for example, 2.4 GHz. On the other hand, there may be advantages associated with 60 GHz communications. For example, since a very large bandwidth of 7 GHz is available, very high data rates may be achieved.
Shrinking features size of CMOS processes, for example, is one factor enabling development products and technologies for 60 GHz communications. However, even when fabricated on the smallest processes, conventional methods and circuit topologies are often unable to realize signal generation circuits which can generate signals sufficiently high in frequency to enable technologies such as 60 GHz communications.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for generation of signals up to extremely high frequencies using a delay block


An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold defining a manifold channel for receiving pressurized molding material from an upstream source and a nozzle defining a nozzle channel in communication with the manifold channel to define a flow channel. The nozzle is associated with a mold gate of a mold cavity and delivers molding material to the mold gate. A vane, such as that of an impeller or screw, is rotatably disposed in the flow channel upstream of a mold gate. A motor is coupled to the vane and rotates the vane in either direction. Rotation of the impeller or screw can be automatically adjusted by a controller and a sensor that measures pressure, temperature, or other property of the molding material.

Injection molded part quality can be affected by many factors.
For example, when molding material flows around an obstruction in a melt channel such as a valve pin, other obstruction, it sometimes cannot merge or knit back together very well on the other side of the obstruction. Many times the result is a so-called knit-line appearing on a molded part as a visible line or a weak area in the molded part susceptible to failure under stress. It is difficult to predict the severity of knit-lines in parts before they are molded.
Another problem occurs when changing between batches of differently colored molding material. Parts may have specks or streaks of the old material long after the new material has been introduced. Color changes can be addressed by designing flow channels to discourage material stagnation. However, in many cases, stagnation cannot be totally eliminated.
Improper decompression of molding material may also cause problems. In a decompression phase of an injection cycle, a plasticizing screw of an injection molding machine is retracted after the mold gate freezes. This action is also known as suck-back. Such plasticizing screw movement is sometimes necessary to allow residual holding pressure to be relived from the hot runner or other portion of the flow channel. Stringing or pulling of molding material from the mold gates can occur when the mold is opened to eject the newly molded articles if residual pressure in the flow channel is too high. The decompression phase of an injection cycle is time dependent and is sometimes ineffective when the flow channel is long or narrow. Increasing the decompression phase of the molding cycle may disadvantageously increase the total cycle time.

Injection molding apparatus having a rotating vane


A composite cable has a reinforcing layer with conductors disposed on opposed planar surfaces. Dielectric film layers electrically separate the conductors on the planar reinforcing layer from respective layers of additional conductors. The flexible cable is manufactured by laminating a layer of dielectric film and a layer of electrically conductive material onto both sides of a double clad core which provides a strain relief reinforcement for the cable.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to high performance flexible electrical cables and their manufacture, and more particularly to a flat cable having a high strength core element.
2. Background Art
High performance flexible electrical cables suitable for use in computer and similar high density cabling systems have heretofore been prone to the development of short circuits between the signal and the reference, or ground, planes. In an attempt to avoid this problem, many cables of this type arrange signal and ground conductors in coplanar, or side-by-side, relationship. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,293 issued May 31, 1988 to Kikuchi et al describes a flexible cable construction in which signal conductors are planarly arranged with reference, or ground, conductors which are in an exposed position after fabrication of the cable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,918 issued Jan. 17, 1989 to Kabadi et al describes an adhesively laminated structure having two parallel coplanar arrays consisting of adjacently positioned signal and ground conductors within each plane. When reference, or ground, conductors are arranged in side-by-side relationship with signal conductors, it decreases the number of signal conductors that can be carried within a fixed cable width at a required pitch, or lateral spacing. For example, only one-third of the conductors in the Kabadi et al arrangement can be used as signal conductors. Also, the Kabadi et al arrangement requires the use of a thin adhesive layer to bond adjacent layers of the cable. The use of adhesive materials in high performance flexible cable construction is generally undesirable because of the extra fabrication steps required to coat a substrate and cure the adhesive material. Also, adhesives generally cannot be used in the fabrication of cable assemblies that may be subsequently subjected to high temperature processing that may be required for high performance dielectric materials.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems set forth above. It is desirable to have a high performance flexible cable in which a plurality of signal conductors may be arranged in a plane at a fine pitch spacing without the requirement for ground conductors between adjacent conductors. It is also desirable to have such a flexible cable in which each of the planarly disposed signal conductors are in close proximity to a ground plane. It is also desirable to have such a flexible cable in which signal conductors may be disposed in two parallel planes with a ground plane positioned between the two parallel planes of signal conductors. Further, it is desirable to have such a flexible cable which has a core member which has high mechanical strength to provide improved mechanical integrity to the cable. Still further, it is desirable to have such a flexible cable construction, and a method of manufacturing such a cable, that does not use adhesive materials to bond adjacently disposed layers of conductors and dielectric material.

High performance electrical cable and method of manufacture

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and an apparatus of picture display. The invention displays the first picture and the second picture and displaying at least one virtual picture in between the first and the second picture. The motion compensator is included in a DVD player. The method includes: decoding the first and the second pictures from the received bit-stream; creating the virtual picture parameter according to the transition effect; and generating the virtual picture according to the virtual picture parameter by the motion compensator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the method and apparatus of displaying pictures with transition effects, and more particularly to the method and apparatus of displaying pictures with transition effects utilizing a motion compensator.
2. Description of the Related Art
With rapid advance in the development of multimedia applications, various types of audio and video products are created to satisfy the demands of consumers. Taking the DVD audio specification as an example, it has higher sampling rate and better audio quality than the traditional CD audio specification.
The DVD audio specification requires that the DVD audio player not only plays back DVD audio tracks but also has the ability to display pictures stored in the DVD audio disk. It also requires that the pictures must be displayed with the transition effects. For example, wipe or dissolve effect, are used between displaying different pictures. Traditionally, those transition effects can be accomplished by firmware executed by a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU) or by other additional dedicated hardware. However, the workload on the CPU is usually very high and the additional computation power for the transition effects will overload the CPU. On the other hand, the additional dedicated hardware also increases the cost of the system.


An apparatus and method for digitization of surfaces of complex objects such as dental surfaces or plastic parts. While an object is being scanned by translation along a known trajectory, typically in a plane, the line of sight of a distance probe is bent toward an object by a periodic series of reflecting surfaces characterized by normal vectors at distinct non-orthogonal angles with respect to their axis of symmetry. One or more reference objects are scanned using the same translation and mirror positioning systems. Gathered coordinate data are processed to apply angular corrections and combined to form a single distortion-corrected image.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are employed to determine the coordinates, in some specified frame of reference, of points on the surface of a workpiece. CMMs are typically employed for digitizing or imaging, whether for replicating a prototype, for example, or for various manufacturing applications. The salient parts of a CMM include a stage, or complex of stages, for moving the object to be characterized, a probe for measuring the distance to a point on the surface relative to a fiducial position, a control or computing system, and measurement software for converting the measurement into a meaningful format for the intended application.
Various probes may be employed for measuring a distance to the surface of the measured workpiece. Any probe, currently known or otherwise, is within the scope of the present invention.
One form of probe, typified by the ConoProbe™ supplied by Optimet, Optical Metrology Ltd. of Jerusalem, Israel, employs conoscopy, a form of holography. Conoscopy is an interferometric technique capable of determining the distance to one or more points on an object surface without employing a reference beam. Instead, light emanating from a source region is prepared in a defined state of polarization and then passed through an anisotropic optical element in which one polarization suffers phase retardation with respect to the other. The two polarization components emerging from the anisotropic optical element interfere with one another, producing a interferogram in the detector plane. Conoscopy is the subject of various patents, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,602,844, 4,976,504, 5,081,540, 5,081,541, and 5,953,137, all of which patents are incorporated herein by reference.
One limitation imposed by existing CMMs is due to the fact that even the most versatile optical sensors are unable to digitize on vertical or very steep angles measured with respect to the optical axis (or 'line of sight') of the probe. 'Vertical', in this case, refers to the surface of the scanned body lying parallel to the optical axis of the probe. An 'undercut' refers to a negative angle relative to the line of sight. Some applications, however, such as dental surface profiling for purposes of reconstruction, orthodontics, etc., as well as digitization of plastic parts, molds, etc., require measurements on vertical walls or low angle undercuts.
As used herein, a body characterized as 'complex' is one having vertical walls or low angle undercuts. Using prior art technology, scanning a complex body requires orthogonal scanning the object about multiple (typically 5) axes. As used herein, 'orthogonal scanning' refers to scanning of the line of sight of a probe entirely within a single plane normal to an axis of rotation. This method, while algorithmically simple, requires very large travel on the scanning stages making the equipment very expensive.
Another prior art solution to the problem of small (or zero, or negative) angles with respect to the probe line of sight is to perform non orthogonal scanning by using a 2-axis angular arm. In this case the whole sensor is rotated, and both the complex arm and the requisite large travel ranges add to the cost of such systems. Yet another prior art solution for scanning complex bodies requires changing the sample position to allow direct line of sight for each feature. In this case very complex reconstruction software is required to merge the individual scans by 'best fit' of complex surfaces. The results of the 'stitch' depend on the quality of the data, size and shape of common features used for reference and the robustness of the algorithms. Typically, operator intervention is required, both during the scanning (otherwise 2 or more motorized axis are required on the sample fixture) and during data processing. In some cases like dental applications or plastic parts with smooth surface features it is very difficult to find the right fit and reference items to register successive 'views' of the object. One solution is to 'glue' registration features ('balls') to the sample.
Clearly, an automated and robust solution to the problem of digitizing complex bodies is desirable.

Digitization of undercut surfaces using non-contact sensors


A drain filtering device is disclosed. The improvement over the prior art .[.is comprised of.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.reducing the filter size from an elongated device that spans the length of .[.the gutter.]. .Iadd.drain .Iaddend.system to a modular unit which is necessary only at the drain .[.sight.]. .Iadd.outlet.Iaddend.. The .[.invention also includes.]. .Iadd.filtering device has .Iaddend.an inclined upper face which is positioned on the upstream side of the .[.drain in the gutter and a downspout.]. .Iadd.channel of the drain and an .Iaddend.attachment which locates the .[.invention.]. .Iadd.filtering device .Iaddend.in the .[.gutter.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.such that the flow of filtered water passes through the .[.invention.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.and into the .[.downspout.]. .Iadd.outlet.Iaddend.. The debris that collects in the .[.gutter.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.is carried along the with the water until it makes contact with the inclined upper face and is forced up the incline until the overflow debris flows over the side of the .[.gutter.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.thereby cleaning .Iadd.the .Iaddend.same and preventing the .[.downspout.]. .Iadd.outlet .Iaddend.from becoming clogged.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention disclosed herein relates to a device for filtering open drains and thereby preventing them from being clogged. More particularly this invention relates to a device for filtering drains, the drains including .[.of.]. at least one .Iadd.channel or passageway, such as a .Iaddend.gutter .Iadd.or ditch, .Iaddend.with side walls and an open top side and at least one .[.drain hole positioned therein.]. .Iadd.outlet in communication with the channel.Iaddend., the drain .[.comprising an elongated tube containing said hole and.]. allowing .[.said.]. water to flow .[.therethrough, such as the gutter and down spouts on buildings.]. .Iadd.through the channel and into the outlet. Examples of drain systems where the invention is especially useful are the gutter and downspout of a building, a ditch leading to a culvert under a roadway, or the like.Iaddend..
2. Overview of Prior Art
Since the invention of the rain gutter and .[.having them.]. .Iadd.its use .Iaddend.on a building with trees nearby.Iadd., .Iaddend.the problem of clogging the down spouts with leaves and other debris has plagued homeowners and building managers alike. Tree leaves, small branches and other debris fall from trees, particularly as a result of high winds and rain. When this happens, the roofs of the buildings accumulate the debris.Iadd., .Iaddend.and in the event of rain or melting snow.Iadd., .Iaddend.the debris is washed into the gutters and finally carried with the water to the down spouts. When this happens the down spouts typically get clogged with the debris, damming up the spout .Iadd.and .Iaddend.forcing the water to fill up in the gutter until it flows over the sides, voiding the function of the gutter.
Numerous devices have been developed in an attempt to meet the need for providing a debris-free downspout. To date, only marginal success has been reached. One group of devices incorporate laying a material over the top of the gutter, such as is disclosed by Antenen in U.S. Pat. No. .Badd.4,965,969. The material is porous so that the water can get through but the debris cannot get into the gutter. Variations in this approach are offered by Rees in U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,686; Knowles in U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,957; Wolf in U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,101; Davis in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,710; Lassiter in U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,504 and Abramson in U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,398. The general improvements in the later patents, from the earlier disclosed, is a trend toward simplification. The overall shortcoming is that each of these devices must be custom-made to each individual dwelling. Never did any of these devices take into account the fact that the debris is not damaging in the gutter. The gutter is open on the top to catch the flow off of the roof of the building. If excessive debris gets into the gutter, it will simply fall out. It is the downspout where the problem lies. This is an enclosed tube. If it gets full, it clogs and does not allow the runoff water to flow through. Preventing the debris from getting into the gutter is a complicated and unnecessarily expensive way to solve the problem.
Modifications to the afore mentioned methods have been made. The afore mentioned disclosures utilize a substantially flat material which accepts the downward slope of the roof to keep the debris from accumulating on the structure. The problem being in a heavy rain a portion of the runoff water will not fall through the porous material and run off the structure, oblivious to the gutter. Williams, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. .Badd.5,095,666 and Dressier in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,581 addressed this concern by making a separate variation in an upwardly curved section of material beginning in the area of the side of the gutter which is closest to the building. This aligns the porous components of the material with the direction of flow of the water, decreasing the overrun potential of the water. In a similar fashion Manoogian, Jr. proposed a trough which extended into the gutter in U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,551. This enhanced the flow of the water into the gutter .[.in as.]. .Iadd.as in .Iaddend.the two latter mentioned disclosures. An obvious problem is where the section designed to catch the water will also catch the debris. If the flat debris, such as leaves, coat this section, the .[.water could.]. .Iadd.debris may .Iaddend.be .[.made.]. impermeable to the .[.material and.]. .Iadd.water so that the water .Iaddend.again .[.defy.]. .Iadd.defies .Iaddend.the gutter all together. These .Iadd.devices .Iaddend.also must run the length of the gutter in order to be effective, .[.therefore the oversight of the.]. .Iadd.so that once again, .Iaddend.specific attention .Iadd.is not given .Iaddend.to the downspout .[.is also avoided.]. .Iadd.where the real problem exists.Iaddend..
Attempts have been made to clean the gutter by .[.use.]. .Iadd.using .Iaddend.mechanical means. Johnson and Ruttenberg in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,745,709 and 4,253,281 respectively provide ways of cleaning the gutters without a ladder and rake. Johnson utilizes a flexible liner which can be inverted to dispel the debris out of the gutter. The obvious disadvantage being, unless the liner is cleaned continuously, debris will flow into the downspout. Ruttenberg combined the ideas of the material permeable to water but not tree debris, spanning the width of the gutter and made it movable, thereby providing a means for remotely removing the leaves. The maintenance of attending to the device along with the unnecessary expense makes it impractical. Ruttenberg also disclosed a method of moving the material utilizing wind power and a fan to eliminate the necessity of physically actuating the device.Iadd., .Iaddend.but a mechanically rotating mechanism subjected to environmental conditions over prolonged periods of time make the feasibility of the wind generating enough power to move long stretches of material unlikely.
Beam in U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,837 and Elko et. al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,791 both disclose methods of having the gutter completely covered by a rigid member and using the surface tension of the water to pull the water without the accompanying debris into the gutter. This system only works when the runoff water is at a minimum. During heavy downpours the device is of little value as a gutter system.
With all of the afore mentioned devices attachment to the roof of the dwelling is necessary. Beecheft et al. and Hunt address these shortcomings in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,591 and 5,103,601 respectively. The devices are similar in that the material .[.is.]. proposed .[.of .]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.a mesh material which is formed into a geometric shape and .[.fit.]. .Iadd.fits .Iaddend.longitudinally along the length of the gutter. In this, the debris that will accumulate is able to blow or run off the top surface of the device and allow the water to fall therein. As before, this does not address the unnecessary complication and expense of custom-made devices to cover the entire length of the gutter systems.
This problem was addressed by Williams in U.S. Pat. No. .Badd.4,472,274. Here Williams proposed a drain spout attachment that included a .[.grade.]. .Iadd.grate .Iaddend.on an incline sloping down to a open section of the device. The water and debris was allowed to flow into the down spout where it is separated by the .[.grading.]. .Iadd.grating.Iaddend.. The debris would fall out of the opening and the water would flow through the .[.grading.]. .Iadd.grating .Iaddend.and into the down-spout. The problem with this is the lack of retrofitability with existing gutter systems. Gutter systems would have to be rebuilt or replaced to incorporate the device and the flowing debris must still traverse a limited size opening to get into the device from the gutter. What debris makes it that far must be carried out of an opening of very limited physical dimension, due to the size restriction of the downspout. If the device clogs there, very little is saved.


A pneumatic tire that is vulcanized using a bladder provided with a coating layer comprising a release agent, the noise absorber being fixed to the inner surface of the tread portion along the tire circumferential direction via the adhesive layer, and the amount of silicon in the release agent detected by X-ray fluorescence analysis is 0.1 wt. % to 10.0 wt. % at least in the fixation region for the noise absorber.

Cavernous resonance caused by the vibration of the air in the cavity of the tire is one cause of tire noise. This cavernous resonance occurs when the air in the tire cavity portion is vibrated by the vibrations of a tread portion of a tire that contacts a road surface due to unevenness of the road surface on which a vehicle is being driven. Actually, the cavernous resonance includes a frequency band resulting in noise, and thus it is important to reduce the level of noise in the frequency band from the perspective of reducing the tire noise.
Providing a noise absorber made from a porous material such as sponge on an inner circumference surface of the tread portion of a pneumatic tire using an elastic fixation band has been proposed as a technique for reducing noise caused by cavernous resonance (for example, see Japan Patent No. 4281874). However, when the fixing of the noise absorber is dependent on the elastic fixation band, there is a problem in that the elastic fixing band deforms during high speed traveling.
When vulcanizing a green tire using a bladder, the bladder is prone to stick to the inner surface of the green tire. Therefore, by applying a release agent to the inner surface of the green tire, sticking between the green tire and the bladder is prevented. In such a case, when the noise absorber is directly adhered and fixed to the tire inner surface, there is a problem of poor adhesion between the noise absorber and the tire inner surface to which the release agent is attached, which results in a higher risk of the noise absorber peeling off.
In view of this, it has been proposed to apply the release agent to the inner surface of the green tire, vulcanize the green tire, and then remove the release agent by performing a buffing on the tire inner surface (for example, see Japan Patent No. 4410753). However, such buffing also leads to a thinner gauge of an innerliner, resulting in compromised air retention. Furthermore, it has been proposed to adhere a film on the inner surface of the green tire in advance, apply a release agent to an inner surface of the green tire in the state where the film is adhered, and peel the film after vulcanizing the green tire to remove the release agent (for example, see Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-107690). However, the step of peeling the film after vulcanization thus required results in a longer manufacturing time which is directly related to a lower tire productivity. Furthermore, it has been proposed to clean the tire inner surface to which the release agent is attached. However, such a process cannot sufficiently remove the release agent and even results in low tire productivity.

Pneumatic tire and method of manufacturing the same


Binoculars which are flat in the direction of view include two powerful Keplerian telescopes placed in two flat containers covering each eye and held by an eyeglass frame resting on the nose and ears; the binoculars can be easily converted into magnifying reading eyeglasses by touching a knob on the temple side of each telescope.

The purpose of this invention is to replace existing magnifying eyeglasses by more convenient and cosmetically attractive devices. The magnifying eyeglasses improve vision for the many millions of low vision persons, including those suffering from macular degeneration.
Existing binoculars intended as low vision aids are not perfect. The Galilean type binoculars have a narrow (about 5 degrees) field of view and aberrations at the edge of the field. Existing Keplerian low vision binoculars have good optical performance but they are bulky and heavy, projecting as much as three to four inches from the eye. Some devices provide the conversion of far distance binoculars into magnifying reading glasses by putting so called reading caps on the objective lenses which enables reading, but with rather small depth of sharpness.
This invention overcomes the aforementioned problems with a new type of Keplerian binoculars, each half of which is 18 mm thick (in the direction of view) and just covers the eye of the user. The whole binoculars' appearance is similar to the appearance of sunglasses. The design is lightweight, comfortable to wear on the nose and ears. The binoculars have a front aperture of 24 mm and enable both near and far vision with high resolution.
A special feature of the device is its convertibility. Just touching the knob on each temple side converts the far distance binoculars into magnifying reading eyeglasses. For instance, a user, during a lecture, will be able to see the blackboard and after a quick click, be able to read his/her notebook.

Flat, hands-free, convertible Keplerian binoculars


Lower bandwidth technology is used to determine whether a communication channel can support higher bandwidth technology. A signal generator generates a series of test signals that are associated with the higher bandwidth technology. The test signals are sampled to produce aliases that can be analyzed with lower bandwidth technology. Modem parameters are accessed from a modem's memory. The modem parameters are compared with a database containing information about whether a set of modem parameters indicates that a telephone local can support broadband devices.

Telephone networks are generally designed to support voice-band communication. The voice-band is the range of frequencies that is generally audible and is used for the transmission of speech. The voice-band ranges from approximately 300 Hz to 4000 kHz.
FIG. 1 shows telephone network 100. Central Offices (COs) 110 connect to individual subscribers through a main distribution frame (MDF) 130. A twisted pair of copper wires 140 typically connects an MDF 130 to a subscriber 150. The copper wire connection between MDF 130 and subscriber 150 is called a local loop (or a telephone loop). Local loops are generally designed for voice-band communication.
Broadband technology uses frequencies that are much higher than the voice-band. Digital subscriber line (DSL) technology, for example, uses frequencies that typically range from approximately 25 kHz. to approximately 1.1 MHz. Because local loops are designed for the voice-band, not all local loops will support broadband services. In a typical telephone network, some local loops will support broadband services and some local loops will not support broadband services. Often, a telephone company does not know which local loops will support broadband services.
Typically, broadband service providers must determine which local loops are capable of supporting broadband services. It is expensive and labor intensive for service providers to send a technician to the home of an individual subscriber to test the subscriber's local loop. The process of qualifying local loops can be made much less expensive if a subscriber can be provided with the means to test her local loop.
A conventional means for testing whether a local loop can support broadband services employs information sequences exchanged between voice-band modems. During modem handshaking and training procedures, voice-band modems use voice-band signals to probe a local loop. These modems exchange information with each other through signals called information sequences. The information sequences contain a summary description of the channel capacity of the loop at various voice bands along with certain characteristics of the connection that was derived by the modems during handshaking and training. Estimations about the capacity of a local loop to support broadband services can be based on these information sequences.
Conventional loop testing methods do not access all of the information that modems derive during handshaking and training procedures. Also, conventional loop testing methods probe a local loop with test signals that have frequencies that are limited to the voice-band. Thus, conventional loop testing methods use test signals with a limited range of frequencies and do not employ all of the information generated by those test signals.

Use of lower bandwidth technology to determine channel capability for supporting higher bandwidth technology


The invention discloses a package structure made of the combination of a device carrier and a modifiable substrate. In one embodiment, a recess is formed in the device carrier and a conductive element is disposed on the substrate, wherein the substrate is disposed on the device carrier and the conductive element is located in the recess of the device carrier. The conductive pattern in the substrate is electrically connected to the device carrier and I/O terminals of the first conductive element. The invention also discloses a method for manufacturing a package structure made of the combination of a device carrier and a modifiable substrate. In one embodiment, a portion of the conductive pattern in the substrate can be modified.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a package structure and, in particular, to a package structure made of the combination of a device carrier and a modifiable substrate.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Lead frame is a material for IC package and can be in variety of forms such as QFP, TSOP, SOT or SOJ. The molded semiconductor devices are constructed by assembling and interconnecting a semiconductor device to a lead frame. The structure is often molded with plastic material. A lead frame is made by a metal ribbon with a paddle (also known as a die paddle, die-attach tab, or island) for attaching a semiconductor device thereto and a plurality of leads arranged in a manner such that the leads do not overlap the paddle on which the semiconductor device is to be mounted.
Conventionally, lead frame is used for die bond of an IC chip. The process flow includes many stages which are wire bond, molding of IC chip, and the tests after trimming or forming. Various products can be made by integrating or packaging the lead frame with other devices such as inductors or capacitors. It's one of the main package processes in the industry due to its easiness, maturity and better reliability. However, such kind of conventional process has many disadvantages including: a. higher cost and more development works of molding devices; b. poor capability in area design which is only in the form of plane so that product size doesn't shrink; c. lacking of modular capability as it is only good for packaging a single device; and d. poor performance in heat dissipation.
Conventionally, if the conductive pattern in the package structure needs to be modified or changed, it can't be repaired in the conductive pattern locally. Moreover, the package structure can't be easily disassembled and combined. Accordingly, the present invention proposes a package structure and its manufacturing method to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Package structure and the method to fabricate thereof


There is provided a printed board machining apparatus that is capable of improving machining efficiency without hampering machining accuracy. The printed board machining apparatus includes a pressure foot which is provided with a port whose one end is opened at a lower surface of the pressure foot facing a stiffening plate, and whose other end is connected to a compressed gas source to blow out gas from the port at a pressure which does not interfere with the pressure foot pressurizing the stiffening plate and printed boards in machining the printed boards. It is noted that the gas is blown out during a period of time at least when the pressure foot and the stiffening plate are moving relatively in the horizontal direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printed board machining apparatus for machining workpieces by a tool while pressing down the peripheral part of the workpiece to a table by a pressure foot.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an outside view of a prior art printed board hole driller, i.e., an exemplary printed board machining apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a front section view of an edge of a spindle and a pressure foot of the printed board hole driller shown in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the printed board hole driller 14 is constructed so that a table 1 therein moves in the direction of an arrow X by an X-axis motor 2 on a track 4 fixed on a bed 3. A column 5 is fixed to the bed 3 so as to straddle the table 1. A cross slide 6 is arranged to move in the direction of an arrow Y on a track 9 fixed on the column 5 by a Y-axis motor 7 and a ball screw 8. A housing 10 is arranged so as to move up and down on a track 13 fixed to the cross slide 6 in the direction of an arrow Z by a Z-axis motor 11 and a ball screw 12.
The housing 10 supports a spindle 21 that rotably supports a drill 20, i.e., a tool. The housing 10 also supports a pressure foot body portion 22 that engages with the edge portion of the spindle 21 through a cylinder not shown so as to move up and down in the Z-axis direction. The pressure foot body portion 22 is provided with a bush 23 at the end thereof. A drill through opening 29 through which the drill 20 moves in and out is made at the axial center position of the bush 23. A part in which the pressure foot body portion 22 is combined with the bush 23 will be referred to as a pressure foot 32 hereinafter.
A groove 24 connecting an outer peripheral part of the bush 23 with the drill through opening 29 is made at the lower end of the bush 23. A space 25 made by the spindle 21 and the pressure foot 32 is connected to a dust collector 27 via a pipe 26. ACNC unit 28 controls the motors of the respective axes.
A plurality of printed boards 30, i.e., workpieces, are stacked and are fixed on the table 1 together with a stiffening plate 31 placed at the top thereof. The stiffening plate 31 is made from an aluminum plate having a thickness of about 0.5 mm.
In drilling the stiffening plate 31 and the printed boards 30, the printed board hole driller 14 lowers the pressure foot 32 by an air cylinder not shown, turns on the dust collector 27 to vacuum the space 25 and lowers the spindle 21 to a predetermined height after positioning the drill 20 at a drilling position. Then, the printed board hole driller 14 presses down the stiffening plate 31 and the printed boards 30 to the table 1 by the pressure foot 32 to drill the stiffening plate 31 and the printed boards 30 by the drill 20.
When the drilling ends, the printed board hole driller 14 raises the pressure foot 32 and the spindle 21 to a position where the lower end of the pressure foot 32 (lower end of the bush 23) does not interfere the stiffening plate 31 and moves the pressure foot 32 and the spindle 21 in the horizontal direction together with the drill 20 to position the drill 20 at a next machining position.
Because the prior art printed board hole driller 14 is constructed so as to cut into the stiffening plate 31 by the drill 20 while pressing down the stiffening plate 31 and the printed boards 30 to the table 1 by the pressure foot 32 as described above, it permits an accuracy of machining position to be improved. Further, because the prior art printed board hole driller 14 is constructed so as to be able to collect work chips produced in drilling the workpieces immediately within the dust collector 27 by air flowing into the space 25 through the groove 24 as shown in FIG. 5, it permits holes to be made accurately.
By the way, it is desirable to keep the position of the edge of the drill 20 as close as possible to the stiffening plate 31 (hereinafter referred to as a 'standby position') in moving the drill 20 to the next machining position in order to improve the drilling efficiency of the printed board hole driller 14. However, because the position of the edge of the drill 20 in connection with the lower end of the pressure foot 32 is set in advance, the lower end of the pressure foot 32 is brought closer to the stiffening plate 31, and a distance L1 between the stiffening plate 31 and the pressure foot 32 is shortened when the position of the edge of the drill 20 at the standby position is brought closer to the stiffening plate 31.
However, when the distance L1 is shortened too much, there is a case when the stiffening plate 31 is lifted up because it is suctioned to the side of the pressure foot 32 by the dust collecting force of the dust collector 27 as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the stiffening plate 31 might be damaged if it collides with the lower end of the pressure foot 32. When the damaged part is the part to be drilled next, drilling may not be done accurately at the predetermined position or the drill may be broken as the edge of the drill 20 may slide when it abuts the stiffening plate 31.
As a printed board hole driller dealing with such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei.3-3713 has proposed one that pressurizes a stiffening plate and printed boards by compressed air while lifting up a pressure foot from the stiffening plate by forming an air film between the lower face of the pressure foot and the stiffening plate by blowing compressed air from a port made at the lower face of the pressure foot in drilling the printed boards. It allows to shorten the distance L1 and to prevent the interference between the pressure foot and the stiffening plate, thus preventing the stiffening plate from being damaged.
However, the prior art printed board hole driller has required a large amount of compressed air to support the pressure foot. Further, the pressurizing force fluctuates considerably, and the pressurization of the stiffening plate and the printed boards has been unstable as compared to the case of abutting the pressure foot directly to the stiffening plate.


A method and system for imaging using labeled contrast agents and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner are provided. The method comprises performing a prescan at a frequency selected to be substantially similar to a frequency of the labeled contrast agent and performing an examination scan at the frequency of the labeled contrast agent substantially immediately after administering the labeled contrast agent to a subject.

The invention relates generally to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analytical magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), more particularly to calibration of MRI and MRS scanners when employing labeled contrast agents such as 13C based contrast agents.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) are diagnostic techniques that are particularly attractive to physicians in that the techniques do not involve exposing a patient under study to potentially harmful radiation, such as X-rays. Further, both techniques have advantages over other available imaging platforms when analyzing metabolic characteristics and regions of interest in a patient. Analytical high resolution nuclear MRS is routinely used in the determination of molecular structure.
Until recently, MRI and MRS have lacked sensitivity due to the normally very low polarization of the nuclear spins of the samples used. A number of techniques exist to improve the polarization of nuclear spins in the solid phase. These techniques are known as hyperpolarization techniques and lead to an increase in sensitivity. As used herein, the term "hyperpolarize" or "hyperpolarization" refers to changing the distribution of spins on the available spin states from the Boltzmann distribution. The resulting hyperpolarization is higher than the polarization given by the Boltzmann distribution, which is a function of temperature and magnetic field strength. These concepts and methods for hyperpolarization are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,814.
In hyperpolarization techniques, a sample of a labeled imaging agent, for example 13C Pyruvate or another similar polarized metabolic imaging agent, is introduced or injected into the subject being imaged.
Given the ubiquitous presence of carbon atoms in most metabolic processes, and the large chemical shift of the 13C nuclei, 13C spectroscopy is very promising for following metabolism in vivo. Given the low gyromagnetic ratio of the 13C nuclei, however, even images/spectra aided by the infusion of labeled compounds suffer from low resolution or low signal to noise, making their utility in a clinical setting somewhat questionable.
The recent development of hyperpolarization techniques can dramatically change the impact that 13C MRI and MRS can have in managing a variety of pathological conditions. Real time imaging of metabolism has been reported in a variety of animal models of disease using MRI of 13C labeled, hyperpolarized compounds. In order to successfully translate the results of research performed in animals to humans, care must be taken when imaging such compounds, to insure that the maximum information is extracted using the minimum relevant agent dose. The hyperpolarized signals are large, non-renewable and fast decaying, and require special attention when imaged, to extract the maximum image signal to noise (SNR) per injected agent dose.
Many pulse sequences require precise flip angle calibration to produce high SNR, artifact-free images. Moreover, quantification of compound concentration relies on precise knowledge of the excitation flip angle. For most MRI or MRS scans, flip angle calibration is performed in a prescan step, at the same frequency as the one used for imaging. For infusion or injection of 13C labeled (or labeled and hyperpolarized) compounds, such calibration step is challenged by the low availability of natural abundance signal prior to injection (at least in certain anatomical areas, such as the brain), and by the variable nature of the signal following injection. One approach to overcome these difficulties is to use a phantom loading the coil in a manner similar to the way a patient would load it, and perform a flip angle calibration on that phantom prior to any patient scan. The same transmit gain setting would then be used for all the in vivo studies.
However, in 23Na scans of human brains, for example, the transmit power can vary by as much as 2 dB from subject to subject. It is clear, therefore, that a common calibration to be used for all subjects would be imprecise, and could lead to image signal loss for pulse sequences that are sensitive to flip angle calibration (such as spin echoes), or to error in quantifying metabolite concentrations.
What is needed is a system and method and system for imaging using labeled contrast agents, such as metabolic imaging agents, that overcome the problems and challenges described above.

Method and system for magnetic resonance imaging using labeled contrast agents


Systems and methods for operating an engine of a vehicle during high engine loads are presented. In one example, fuel may be conserved at higher driver demand torques by limiting engine torque when the engine is operated in an economy mode. Additionally, two accelerator pedal position based fuel enrichment schedules are provided for operating the engine in different operating modes.

An engine may be operated at higher engine speeds and loads from time to time. Operating the engine at higher loads may increase engine exhaust gas temperatures, and operating the engine at higher speeds may increase the exhaust gas mass flow rate. Consequently, the amount of thermal energy supplied to an engine exhaust system may increase at higher engine speeds and loads. For example, a temperature of an exhaust gas after treatment device, such as a catalyst, may increase as engine speed and load increase. Further, the exhaust gas after treatment device temperature may increase further when hydrocarbons discharged from the engine oxidize within the after treatment device.
One way to reduce engine exhaust gas temperature and catalyst temperature is to enrich the engine air-fuel ratio to a ratio that is rich of stoichiometry. However, enriching the engine air-fuel ratio may increase hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from the engine. Further, engine fuel consumption may increase beyond what a driver may expect given the driver's torque input request.
The inventor herein has recognized the above-mentioned disadvantages and have developed a method for operating an engine, comprising: advancing spark timing from a borderline (BDL) spark timing toward minimum spark advance for best torque (MBT) and enriching an engine air-fuel ratio in response to a catalyst temperature greater than a threshold temperature.
By advancing spark timing toward MBT timing in response to catalyst temperature, it may be possible to provide the technical result of reducing engine thermal output without increasing engine emissions and fuel consumption. For example, engine torque may be limited or constrained to a torque where MBT spark timing occurs without encountering engine knocking in response to catalyst temperature. Thus, an engine that was operating at borderline spark timing before a catalyst temperature threshold was exceeded, may be operated with advanced engine spark timing and at a lower torque in response to catalyst temperature greater than a threshold temperature. In this way, catalyst temperature may be limited or reduced without increasing engine fuel consumption.
The present description may provide several advantages. Specifically, the approach may reduce engine fuel consumption. Additionally, the approach may reduce the possibility of catalyst degradation. Further still, the approach may improve vehicle drivability at higher engine loads.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Engine control for limiting catalyst temperature in normal and economy modes


A JTAG bus cross point switching device that is commanded by the same bus which it configures. In a preferred embodiment a JTAG chain includes a cross point switching device that is capable of adding, omitting, or rearranging devices on a JTAG bus. The switching device itself is controlled by commands on the JTAG bus which it configures.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to bus use or JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) bus use, and particularly to identifying the location of faults on a bus.
2. Description of Related Art
Boundary-scan testing was developed in the mid 1980's to solve physical access problems on printed circuit boards and integrated circuits. Boundary scan, implemented as the JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) interface, embeds test circuitry at the chip level to form a test protocol.
A JTAG bus is a serial bus with four signals: Test Clock (TCK), Test Mode Select (TMS), Test Data Input (TDI), and Test Data Output (TDO). The bus is used for many purposes, including as a test bus for the 'Boundary-Scan' of ICs (integrated circuits), as in Design-For-Testability (DFT). To use JTAG, during the design, JTAG compatible devices must be selected. ICs supporting JTAG will have the four additional pins listed above. Devices reside on the bus in a daisy chain, with TDO of one device feeding TDI of the next device.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a typical system with devices (e.g., integrated circuits or chips) that include JTAG compatible devices 104-112 on JTAG bus 114. Microcontroller 102 controls the circuitry for the JTAG bus 114, and can be implemented on board one or more of devices 104-112. Commands are sent to devices 104-112 through the system 100 by shifting bits through the system on the JTAG bus 114 until the proper command is positioned at the target device (e.g., 112). The controller 102 then causes the devices to latch the data that is positioned before them, using the current bit pattern as a command. In this way, devices on the JTAG bus are issued commands without addressing them.
Some conditions that arise create problems on the single chain that are difficult to analyze. For example, a device on the bus can malfunction and pull one or more of the clock signals (TCK, TMS, TDI, or TDO) low. The bus conductors itself can also be faulty, such as when one or more of the bus conductors becomes shorted to a low impedance source such as ground, or when a break occurs in the bus conductors between chips. It would be advantageous to improve current systems for identifying and isolating faults in such cases in an efficient manner.

JTAGchain bus switching and configuring device

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is a method and system for performing a Serving Radio Network Subsystem (“SRNS”) Relocation for a given User Equipment (“UE”) in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”) network between a UMTS radio network and a UMTS core network, in which the UMTS radio network and the UMTS core network are logically separated, the method comprising: sending a Relocation Required message from the serving Radio Network Controller (“RNC”) to the core network; and sending a Relocation Request message from the core network to the Target RNC.

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a part of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network. The network includes a core network part 1, which may be a network handling voice calls using UMTS Mobile-services Switching Centers (UMSCs) or may be a data network such as a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network including Serving GPRS Support Nodes (SGSNs). In FIG. 1 the UMSCs and SGSNs are indicated generally with the reference numeral 2. A subscriber or User Equipment (UE) 3 is coupled to the core network 1 via an access network 4 referred to as a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). More particularly, the UMSCs/SGSNs 2 are connected to Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) 5,6 of the UTRAN 4 over an interface referred to as the Iu interface.
Each RNC 5 forms part of a Radio Network Subsystem (RNSs) 7,8 which also comprises a set of Base Transceiver Stations 9 referred to in UMTS terminology as Node B's. The interface between a RNC 5,6 and a Node B 9 is known as the Iub interface. A node B 9 provides the connection point for a UE 3 to the UTRAN 4, and the interface between the Node B 9 and the UE 3 is known as the Uu interface. The RNS (RNS 7 in FIG. 1) which connects a UE 3 to the core network 1 at any given time is referred to as the Serving RNS (SRNS) for that particular UE 3.
FIG. 2 illustrates in very general terms the bearer structure used by UTRAN to carry user data between the UE 3 and the core network 1. When it is required to establish a user plane connection, the responsible UMSC or SGSN 2 instructs the UTRAN 4 to establish a logical connection between the UMSC or SGSN 2 and the UE 3. This logical connection is referred to as a Radio Access Bearer (RAB). The established RAB inherits requirements of the requested UMTS service, e.g. Quality of Service, etc. Based on the inherited requirements of the RAB, the RNC 5,6 establishes user plane connections with the core network 1 (i.e. UMSC or SGSN 2) and with the UE 3. The connection between the RNC 5,6 and the core network 1 is referred to as the Iu bearer whilst the connection between the RNC 5,6 and the UE 3 is referred to as the Radio Bearer (RB). Both of these bearers represent further logical channels, with the RNC performing a mapping between them. The bearers themselves are mapped onto appropriate traffic channels for transmission over the respective interfaces (Iu and Uu).
A single UE 3 may be associated with one or more RABs. For example, a UE 3 may simultaneously make use of one RAB established for a voice call, and another RAB established for a data call. The RNC 5,6 uses RAB identifiers (allocated by the core network) to distinguish between these different RABs. In the same way, a RB identity is used to distinguish between RBs. During the setting-up of a new user plane connection, a RAB and a RB are implicitly associated with one another by the RNC.
An important feature of mobile telecommunication systems is the ability to allow subscribers to move within (and outside) particular networks. This often requires a process known as SRNS relocation, in which an existing SRNS is replaced by a target RNS. Considering a scenario known as Hard Handover where a UE moves out of the area of responsibility of a first RNS, into a new RNS, it is necessary that the RNC (i.e. the Serving RNC (RNCS)) of the SRNS be replaced by the RNC (referred to during the transition phase as the Target RNC (RNCT)) of the second RNS, as the access RNC for the UE. In some circumstances, the Target RNC may immediately become the Serving RNC, with the user plane connection being established between the Target RNC and the core network. In other circumstances, the user plane connection extends between the Target RNC (which is thereafter referred to as a "drift" RNC) and the core network via the Serving RNC, where the interface between the drift RNC and the Serving RNC is known as the Iur interface. The network may subsequently decide to convert the drift RNC into the Serving RNC, establishing a direct user plane connection to the core network.
In either scenario, the SRNS relocation process may be initiated by the Serving RNC sending to the core network (UMSC or SGSN) a Relocation Required message. This message is currently defined in the Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) protocol (UMTS TS 25.413) and carried over the Iu interface. The core network responds to receipt of a Relocation Required message by sending a Relocation Request message to the Target RNC. The Relocation Request message is also defined in the RANAP protocol.
The Relocation Request message contains the identities of the RABs to be transferred. Both the Relocation Request message and the Relocation Required message contain an RRC Initialisation Information container. This container is defined in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol (UMTS TS 25.331), and contains amongst other things the identities of the RBs to be transferred as well as details of the mappings between the RBs and the lower layer attributes, i.e. to logical, transport, and physical channels. It is noted that the RB identities and the mappings between the RBs and the lower layer attributes are contained in a container which is passed transparently by the core network.


Disclosed are methods and apparatus using frequency-selected electromagnetic inversion to obtain sub-surface geophysical characteristics. One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method for inverting an electromagnetic geophysical data signal to obtain an earth response. The method involves computing uncertainties associated with an electromagnetic geophysical data signal and selecting subset of frequencies based on the uncertainties. The electromagnetic geophysical data signal may then be inverted for the subset of the frequencies to determine the earth response. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.

Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical surveying involves imparting an electric field or a magnetic field into subsurface Earth formations and measuring electric and/or magnetic field amplitudes by measuring voltage differences induced in electrodes, antennas and/or interrogating magnetometers. The electric and/or magnetic fields are induced in response to the electric and/or magnetic field imparted into the Earth's subsurface, and inferences about the spatial distribution of conductivity of the Earth's subsurface are made from recordings of the induced electric and/or magnetic fields. Such spatial distributions may be used to assist in the location and recovery of hydrocarbons, such as oil or natural gas.
Methods for electromagnetic surveying have been adapted for use in marine environments. The electric and/or magnetic fields may be induced by a electromagnetic source located in a body of water, for example, towed behind a survey vessel. Marine sensors have been devised for detecting electric and/or magnetic field signals resulting from imparting electric and/or magnetic fields into formations below the bottom of a body of water. Such marine sensors may be located in relatively fixed positions at or near the bottom of the body of water, and systems with towed electromagnetic receivers have also been devised. Methods for analyzing the data from the sensors to provide reliable estimates of spatial distributions of conductivity of the Earth's subsurface would be useful.
Note that the figures provided herewith are not necessarily to scale. They are provided for purposes of illustration to ease in the understanding of the presently-disclosed invention.

Uncertainty-based frequency-selected inversion of electromagnetic geophysical data