The invention discloses a self-derivative iron-containing nickel anode for alkaline water electrolysis and its preparation method. The anode comprises a nickel substrate and catalytic material layer. The catalytic layer is disposed on and integrated with the surface of the nickel substrate. The catalytic layer contains nickel oxide with iron components. The nickel oxide results from the reaction of the surface layer of the nickel substrate with an oxidant-rich alkaline solution and forms a nanosheet array layer. A nickel-oxidation state containing the iron component is formed by electrochemically induced iron-ion corrosion of the nickel-oxidation state. The invention can effectively reduce the potential difference between the anode and cathode of an electrolysis cell, thereby significantly reduces energy consumption and improves the efficiency of water electrolysis.

Water electrolysis involves hydrogen evolution at a cathode coupled with oxygen evolution at an associated anode. Hydrogen is a relatively high-value target product with widely industrial and community applications. The overpotentials of hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution are the key factors that determine the cell voltage between the anode and cathode. Comparing the electrolysis process at anode and cathode electrodes, it is found that the fact of the slow kinetics of anodic oxygen evolution that due to the high activation energy bather of the oxygen-oxygen bond indicates that oxygen evolution is the limiting step of the hydrogen production process. Therefore, the development of a water electrolysis anode with high efficiency of oxygen-evolution electrocatalytic activity has great significance for hydrogen production by water electrolysis.
Conventional anodes for alkaline water electrolysis are usually made of nickel-based materials, including nickel meshes, nickel foam, porous nickel plates/sheets, etc. In the process of water electrolysis, the nickel forms a nickel oxide/hydroxide layer on the surface due to anodic polarization. This layer is an electrocatalytically active layer for the oxygen-evolution reaction. However, nickel oxide or hydroxide is a catalyst with low catalytic activity of oxygen evolution. Thus, there is a need for improvements over conventional anodes for alkaline water electrolysis.
Iron has a significant effect on promoting the oxygen-evolution electrocatalytic activity of the nickel compound. Currently, nickel-iron composite compounds including nickel iron oxide, nickel iron hydroxide, nickel iron phosphide, nickel iron sulfide, nickel iron nitride, etc. are anodic catalysts with good oxygen-evolution electrocatalytic performance. Hence, the introduction of nickel-iron composite compounds into the anode for water electrolysis can effectively improve the oxygen-evolution electrocatalytic activity of the anode. It can promote the overall reaction of water electrolysis and reduce the cell voltage of electrolytic cell.
Traditional preparation methods for creating a catalyst layer on the electrode surface include electroplating, hydrothermal growth, vapor deposition, mechanical brush coating, magnetron sputtering, etc. The electrode obtained by these methods has a distinct phase interface between the substrate and catalytic layer, which are bonded together by mechanical adhesion and easily detach during long-term use, resulting in a decrease in catalytic performance and lifetime.

Self-derivative iron-containing nickel anode for water electrolysis


An exhaust fixture adapted to be connected to a toilet, the toilet having a bowl, a water tank having a normal amount of water therein and an upper, peripheral edge, an overflow pipe located within the tank, and a lid adapted to fit about the peripheral edge of the tank; the exhaust fixture comprising a flexible hose for the passage of air therethrough, the flexible hose having first and second ends and a length proximate the perimeter of the peripheral edge of the tank, the flexible hose adapted to be configured about the peripheral edge of the tank and having a sealing member for sealing the flexible hose about the peripheral edge and a hose connection having an inlet for connecting and allowing air communication between the ends of the flexible hose and an outlet, the hose connection adapted to be configured about an upper edge of the tank and having a sealing member for sealing the hose connection about the upper edge, the exhaust fixture further adapted to be configured to receive the lid such that the flexible hose and hose connection are disposed between the lid and the tank forming a substantially air-tight gasket therebetween, the exhaust fixture further including air flow passages for allowing air communication from the tank interior and the exhaust fixture, and a blower connected to the outlet for the withdrawal of gases from air space above the normal water level in the tank.

Ventilating water closets by driving air from the bowl through the flush rim has long been recognized as a very efficient method for odor removal but are still not coming to a wide spread use. Some systems which withdrawal this air from the standpipe in a toilet tank and above the level of water in the water tank and are adapted for installation on existing toilets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,703,010, 3,763,505, 4,165,544, 4,232,406, 4,582,250, and 5,029,346. The systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,044,408 and 5,029,346 resolve the problems of water vapor intrusion. Some vapor intrusion. Some systems which resolve the problem of undesirable suction when the toilet is flushed are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,703,010, 4,165,544, 4,582,250, and 5,029,346.
The methods disclosed in the patents have the major disadvantage of not being adapted for easy mounting and that a particular element is only adapted to a particular water tank design. This creates the need to manufacture a large variety of different shapes to cover a large variety of existing water tank designs.


A light guide includes a plurality of boss portions. A round hole portion is provided near the center of a base member for fixing the light guide, and slit portions are provided on both ends thereof. The round hole portion supports one boss portion in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the light guide. The slit portions support boss portions in the lateral direction of the light guide, but are free in the longitudinal direction of the light guide. That is, the center of the light guide is fixed from both directions, and thus both ends of the light guides can expand away in the longitudinal direction. This cuts the influence of expansion by half.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to original reading apparatuses for reading images of originals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Original reading apparatuses such as copy machines, facsimiles, image scanners, and so on typically read an image of an original by illuminating the original, which has been placed on a platen glass. Japanese Patent No. 4788577 discloses mounting a plurality of LEDs upon a long, thin printed wiring board in the longitudinal direction thereof, and illuminating an original by converging the light from the plurality of LEDs using a light guide.
However, the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4788577 does not disclose the manner in which the light guide is attached to a base member. Research performed by the inventors of the present application has shown that shininess, fogging, and so on occur in an image when the light guide expands due to heat. FIGS. 16A to 16D illustrate an example of fogging and shininess occurring when reading a spread thick original such as a book or the like. As shown in FIG. 16A, when a spread thick original P is placed upon a platen glass 140, the central area of the original is distanced from the platen glass 140. As shown in FIG. 16B, the reading result designed to be obtained is obtained in the case where the light guide is not warped. However, if the light guide is warped, there are cases where fogging will occur in the center of the image, as shown in FIG. 16C, or shininess will occur in the vicinity of the center of the image, as shown in FIG. 16D.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Original reading apparatus for reading image of an original


A gaming apparatus has the ability to provide multiple winning events in a single play of an event. The apparatus may have a housing with a microprocessor, a first gaming display that displays at least one symbol from a first set of symbols, wherein predetermined symbol displays provide a first award. There is also a second gaming display that coincidently displays at least one separate symbol selected from among symbols within the first set of symbols. The gaming apparatus awards a second prize when the at least one separate symbol matches at least one symbol from among the symbol or symbols displayed in the first gaming display. The display for the second set of symbols is preferably active while the first gaming display is actively presenting the first set of symbols.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wagering games, particularly apparatus-based wagering games generally referred to under the term of slot machines, and computer-based wagering games running on these slot machines, and methods of playing games on these machines.
2. Background of the Art
Games of chance have been enjoyed by people for thousands of years and have enjoyed increased and widespread popularity in recent times. As with most forms of entertainment, players enjoy playing a wide variety of games and playing new games. Playing new games adds to the excitement of "gaming." As is well known in the art and as used herein, the term "gaming" and "gaming devices" are used to indicate that some form of wagering is involved, and that players must make wagers of value, whether actual currency or some equivalent of value, e.g., token or credit. This is an accepted distinction in the art from the playing of games, which implies the absence of a wager of value, capable of returning a payout and in which skill is ordinarily an essential part of the game. On the contrary, within the gaming industry, particularly in computer based gaming systems, the absence of skill is a jurisdictional requirement in the performance of gaming play.
One popular gaming system of chance is the slot machine. Conventionally, a slot machine is configured for a player to wager something of value, e.g., currency, house token, established credit or other representation of currency or credit. After the wager has been made, the player activates the slot machine to cause a random event to occur. The player wagers that particular random events will occur that will return value to the player. A standard device causes a plurality of reels to spin and ultimately stop, displaying a random combination of some form of indicia, for example, numbers or symbols. If this display contains one of a pre-selected number of winning combinations, the machine releases money into a payout chute or increments a credit meter by the amount won by the player. For example, if a player initially wagered two coins of a specific denomination and that player achieved a payout, that player may receive the same number as or multiples of the wager amount in coins of the same denomination as wagered.
There are many different formats for generating the random display of events that can occur to determine payouts in wagering devices. The standard or original format for slot machines was the use of three mechanical or electromechanical reels with symbols distributed over the face of the wheel. When the three reels were spun, they would eventually each stop in turn, displaying a combination of three symbols (e.g., with three reels and the use of a single payout line as a row in the middle of the area where the symbols are displayed). By appropriately distributing and varying the symbols on each of the reels, the random occurrence of predetermined winning combinations can be provided in mathematically predetermined probabilities. By clearly providing specific probabilities for each of the pre-selected winning outcomes, precise odds that control the amount of the payout for any particular combination and the percentage return on wagers for the house were reasonably controlled.
Other formats of gaming apparatus that have developed in a progression from the standard slot machine with three reels have dramatically increased with the development of video gaming apparatus. Rather than have only mechanical elements such as wheels or reels that turn and stop to randomly display symbols, video gaming apparatus and the rapidly increasing sophistication in hardware and software have enabled an explosion of new and exciting gaming apparatus. The earlier video apparatus merely imitated or simulated the mechanical slot games in the belief that players would want to play only the same games. Early video gaming systems therefore were simulated slot machines. The use of video gaming apparatus to play new gaming applications such as draw poker and Keno broke the ground for the realization that there were many untapped formats for gaming apparatus. Now casinos may have hundreds of different types of gaming apparatus with an equal number of significant differences in play. The apparatus may vary from traditional three reel slot machines with a single payout line, video simulations of three reel video slot machines, to five reel, five column simulated slot machines with a choice of twenty or more distinct pay lines, including randomly placed lines, scatter pays, or single image payouts. In addition to the variation in formats for the play of gaming applications, bonus plays, bonus awards, and progressive jackpots have been introduced with great success. The bonuses may be associated with the play of gaming applications that are quite distinct from the play of the original gaming format, such as the video display of a horse race with "bets" on the individual horses randomly assigned to players that qualify for a bonus, the spinning of a random wheel with fixed amounts of a bonus payout on the wheel (or simulation thereof), or attempting to select a random card that is of higher value than a card exposed on behalf of a virtual "dealer."
Examples of such gaming apparatus with a distinct bonus feature includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,874; 5,848,932; 5,836,041; U.K. Patent Nos. 2 201 821 A; 2 202 984 A; and 2 072 395A; and German Patent DE 40 14 477 A1. Each of these patents differs in fairly subtle ways as to the manner in which the bonus round is played. British Patent 2 201 821 A and DE 37 00 861 A1 describe a gaming apparatus in which after a winning outcome is first achieved in a reel-type gaming segment, a second segment is engaged to determine the amount of money or extra games awarded. The second segment gaming play involves a spinning wheel with awards listed thereon (e.g., the number of coins or number of extra plays) and a spinning arrow that will point to segments of the wheel with the values of the awards thereon. A player will press a stop button and the arrow will point to one of the values. The specification indicates both that there is a level of skill possibly involved in the stopping of the wheel and the arrow(s), and also that an associated computer operates the random selection of the rotatable numbers and determines the results in the additional winning game, which indicates some level of random selection in the second gaming segment.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,874 and 5,848,932 (describing IGT and Anchor Gaming's "Wheel of Fortune" game) describe a gaming device comprising: a first, standard gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations thereof; means for generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one select display of indicia by said first, standard gaming unit; means for providing at least one discernible indicia of a mechanical bonus indicator, said discernible indicia indicating at least one of a plurality of possible bonuses, wherein said providing means is operatively connected to said first, standard gaming unit and becomes actuatable in response to said signal. In effect, the second gaming event simulates a mechanical bonus indicator such as a roulette wheel or wheel with a pointing element.
Various other games played on gaming equipment include bonus features and matching game features. Some of these games include, but are not limited to U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,658 (Mangano et al.) Spinning Wheel Game and Device Therefor; U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,218 (Vancura) Game Machine With Bonusing; U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,567 (Acres) Method and Apparatus for Implementing in Video a Secondary Game Responsive to Player Interaction with a Primary Game; U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,216 (Hedrick et al.) Gaming Machine Having Secondary Display for Providing Video Content; U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,147 (Jaffe et al.), Gaming Machine with Multiple Payoff Modes and Award Presentation Schemes; U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,863 (Baerlocher et al.) Gaming device with Bonus Mechanism; U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,666 (Mastera et al.) Gaming Machines Having Secondary Display for Providing Video Content; U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,873 (Weiss et al.) Gaming Device; U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,307 (Vancura) Gaming Machine with Bonusing; U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,289 (Vancura) Gaming Machines with Bonusing; U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,902 (Glavich et al.) Gaming device having different sets of primary and secondary reel symbols; U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,412 (Crawford et al.) Gaming Device with Symbol Save Feature; Frommer et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,354,593; 6,331,143 (Yoseloff) Video Numbers Game; U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,334 (Yoseloff) Method of Playing a Multi-Stage Video Wagering Game; U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,969 (Yoseloff) Match Symbol Side Bet Game; Lauretta et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,652, Match the Dealer; and Lauretta et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,205, Match the Dealer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,902 (Glavich et al.) discloses a gaming device comprising: a display device; a primary game displayed by the display device; at least one set of reels in the primary game including a plurality of primary symbols; a secondary game displayed by said display device; at least one set of reels in the secondary game including a plurality of secondary symbols, wherein the secondary symbols are different than the primary symbols and the number of secondary symbols is less than the number of primary symbols; a plurality of awards associated with the primary and secondary symbols, wherein at least one of the awards associated with the secondary symbols is greater than a plurality of the awards associated with the primary symbols; at least one primary probability of winning associated with said primary symbols and at least one secondary probability of winning associated with the secondary symbols, wherein said primary probability of winning is less than said secondary probability of winning; and a processor which randomly determines symbols indicated by the primary reels and the secondary reels based on the probabilities of winning and, which causes the display device to replace the primary reels with the secondary reels when a triggering event occurs on the primary reels.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,412 (Crawford et al.), Gaming Device with Symbol Save Feature describes a slot machine comprising: a display portion displaying a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel having a plurality of symbols on its periphery; a controller for rotating said reels and stopping said reels such that at least one symbol on each reel is displayed to a player of the slot machine across at least one pay line; a selector for allowing said player to store at least one displayed symbol per reel as one or more saved symbols in a memory for use in a subsequent game, said selector being available for use by said player to store said at least one displayed symbol after each game, stored symbols being available for use by said player for a plurality of subsequent games; a display area associated with each of said rotatable reels for displaying said one or more saved symbols of said respective reel; and an award table for awarding a payment to said player for winning combinations of symbols using both said one or more saved symbols and currently displayed symbols for determining a winning combination of symbols.
Japanese Patent Application No. 05-071983, having a publication date of Jan. 18, 1994 describes a rotary game machine of the slot machine type with a bonus feature. When a predetermined event (usually a winning event) occurs on the underlying slot machine game, a separate wheel or disk is spun, with the wheel or disk having symbols thereon representing bonus events or non-bonus events. The spinning of the separate wheel or disk is dependent upon the occurrence of the predetermined event.
It is desirable to provide alternative gaming formats and gaming methods, as the preferences of the players changes over time and new games with unique features are desired by the industry.

Matching symbol game associated with slot machine


A method for estimating a time delay including the steps of first, estimating a channel spectrum from a received signal and a known reference signal, second, extracting a virtual array structure from the estimated channel spectrum, and third, determining the signal time delay using the virtual array structure. Further, a system for estimating a time delay including a channel spectrum estimator, means for extracting a virtual array structure and means for determining the time delay is provided. The channel spectrum estimator is used for estimating a channel spectrum from a received signal and a known reference signal. The means for extracting a virtual array structure uses the estimated channel spectrum. The means for determining the time delay uses the virtual array structure.

The invention relates generally to signal propagation delay estimation, and more particularly to signal propagation delay estimation using frequency domain techniques.
Emergency 911 service is rapidly becoming important in today""s society. One of the compelling reasons for using the existing landline emergency 911 system is the ability to trace the caller""s location. Using databases in the telephone network switches, the caller""s location is determined and made available to the emergency services. In the event the caller is unable to inform the operator of their location, the ability to trace the call is invaluable.
The explosive growth of mobile phones, however, causes complications for emergency 911 services. While mobile users may call the 911 operator just as they would using a landline phone, there is currently no ability to trace the location of the mobile caller. The emergency 911 operator can currently only trace the mobile call to the base station closest to the mobile caller is using.
Mobile systems with the ability to locate mobile callers are known as wireless enhanced 911 or E911 systems. One known approach to determine a mobile caller""s location involves using an improved handset. The improved handset may incorporate a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to determine the mobile caller""s location and then transmit the location to the emergency 911 operator. Another improved-handset may use signals from multiple base stations to determine the mobile caller""s location. These handset improvements, however, involve improved handset circuitry that increases the cost of the handsets. Further, the extra circuitry requires extra battery power. Moreover, deployment of the improvement takes time since it depends on the users upgrading their handsets.
Another approach would not modify the handsets, thereby avoiding the drawbacks stated above. The so-called network approach involves modifying the base stations. One such approach involves angle of arrival techniques using improved antenna arrays at the base station. Another approach uses a rough determination of the mobile""s transmission characteristics and compares these to a large database of the surrounding environment to determine a rough idea of the mobile""s location. In the first approach, however, new antennas must be installed which may be expensive. In the second approach, maintaining the database is difficult since the environment changes readily.
There is, however, a network based approach that involves a minimum amount of hardware upgrade and does not require knowledge of the surrounding environment. The approach is known as Time Difference Of Arrival or TDOA. TDOA involves measuring the Time Of Arrive (TOA) of the mobile""s signal at multiple base stations. The TOAs are then sent to the Central Office and subtracted to get a measurements of TDOA between base stations. These TDOA parameters are then used to locate the mobile""s position using standard hyperbolic locating techniques.
Known TDOA systems estimate the TOA by correlating the received signal with a known reference. The accuracy of the TOA estimation is limited by the resolution of the correlation. Furthermore, multipath and interference may degrade the performance of this technique.
Clearly, there is a need to accurately estimate the Time Of Arrival for mobile signals in a multipath environment.
The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for accurately estimating the time of arrival of a received signal in a multipath environment.
An aspect of the invention is a method for estimating a time delay. The method includes the following steps. First, estimating a channel spectrum from a received signal and a known reference signal. Second, extracting a virtual array structure from the estimated channel spectrum. Third, determining the signal time delay using the virtual array structure.
Another aspect of the invention is a system for estimating a time delay. The system includes a channel spectrum estimator, means for extracting a virtual array structure and means for determining the time delay. The channel spectrum estimator is used for estimating a channel spectrum from a received signal and a known reference signal. The means for extracting a virtual array structure uses the estimated channel spectrum. The means for determining the time delay uses the virtual array structure.
An advantage of the invention is the ability to accurately determine a time delay of a received signal in a multipath environment. In many environments multipath effects can be significant, thus the ability to accurately determine the time delay of a received signal can be difficult using existing systems.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

System and method for estimating signal time of arrival


A muscle stretching and spine decompressing apparatus including a base frame (20), a flexible sheet (12) attached to the top of the base frame (20) for supporting the body of a user, and a motorized actuation means (16) for bending the flexible sheet (12) from a substantially flat position to a substantial arc. The motor (18) includes a main shaft (30) connected at each end (30e) to counter grooved helix pulleys (46). As the motor (18) turns the main shaft (30), the counter grooved helix pulleys (46) wind up cable (48) attached to the ends (12a, 12b) of the flexible sheet (12), thereby drawing the flexible sheet ends (12a, 12b) inward to cause the flexible sheet (12) to bend. The motor control system (92) provides for automatic or manual control of the arc of flexible sheet (12).

This invention relates generally to fitness exercise equipment, more particularly to muscle stretching and spine decompression exercise equipment.
The trends in fitness exercise devices over the past 40 years began with strengthening exercise (resistance training) equipment, then aerobic exercise equipment, and now has evolved to flexibility exercise equipment. This third category of fitness exercise devices has recently emerged to address the need for enhancing muscle stretching and spine decompression. Chronic muscle contraction and spine compression can occur from injury, fatigue, excessive sitting and standing, over or under exercising, and gravity. Even the two prevalent forms of exercise, aerobics and resistance training, tone the muscles through repetitious contraction. Although healthy, this creates an added need for flexibility in order to bring the muscles into a relaxed balance between contraction and extension.
Static and dynamic muscle stretching and spine decompression devices are known in the prior art. Longfellow in U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,766 asserts a device that begins in a relatively flat position and is bent into an arc that is very limited due to the fixed sheet ends being unable to be drawn towards each other.
Ecks in U.S. Pat. No. 2,433,538 also describes a device that begins in a relatively flat position and is bent into an arc that is very limited in range.
Fong in U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,131 asserts a device that requires the user to begin the exercise in a seated position and rotate into a limited arc defined by two constant arcs with only one arc pivoting at a fixed point. These devices limit the user to conforming to the limited arc, which can be too much or too little for the great variety of body types, resulting in either hyperextension or insufficient stretching and/or decompression benefit.
Harlan in U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,150 asserts a means for stretching the leg muscles of a user straddling two hinged sheets. This device requires the user to begin stretching in a raised high degree of arc and then increases the stretch as it flattens the arc.
L. S. C in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,658 asserts a means for strengthening the mid-section of a user by requiring the user to actively push two pull rods with the user's hands and feet to arc the body until a significant portion of a user's body is in uncomfortably, unsupported positon. The effort to self-support the body weight overhanging the sheet may assist strengthening, but would hinder the relaxation required for flexibility. The user starts in a lying down positon on a sheet that has a significant degree of arc. Due to the relatively short length of that surface, the sheet forms an acute and uncomfortable degree of arc as the mid section of the body is lifted.
None of the above inventions and patents describe a device that allows the support platform to adjust from a substantially flat position to a semi-circular arc with a relatively small radius of approximately 27 Inches.
Current stretching exercise devices tend to be uncomforable and unsafe because tbey do not provide the comfort of full-body support combined with the safety of adjusting to users' needs.
It is an object of this invention to provide a muscle stretching and spine decompression device for exercise and rehabilitation of the soft tissue and joints of the body, while minimizing discomfort and risk of injury.
It is a further object of this invention to facilitate flexibility by providing relaxation and muscle stretching while having a user exert no effort.


An air bag assembly in which a deflector plate is attached to the air bag housing and projects somewhat overtop the storage cavity and the folded air bag stored therein to partially obstruct the deployment opening of the housing so that the path of the deploying air bag is deflected by the engagement of the air bag with the deflector plate to direct the air bag away from engagement with the hinge mounting the door on the instrument panel.

It is well known in motor vehicles to mount an air bag within the instrument panel for deployment through an opening in the instrument panel. The opening in instrument panel is conventionally closed by a deployment door which is hingedly mounted on the instrument panel by a hinge defining a transversely extending hinge axis located at the forward end of the door. The rearward end of the door opens to permit deployment of the air bag toward the occupant.
The air bag is folded and stored in a housing mounted on the instrument panel and underlying the door opening. A gas generator underlies the air bag and inflates the air bag for deployment through the opening as permitted by hinging movement of the door about the hinge. The housing is defined by forward and rearward walls spaced apart by end walls to define a deployment opening in the housing. The size of the storage cavity defined by the housing is determined by the amount of volume needed to store the folded air bag.
The present invention provides a new and improved air bag assembly in which a deflector plate is attached to the air bag housing and projects somewhat overtop the storage cavity and the folded air bag stored therein to partially obstruct the deployment opening of the housing so that the path of the deploying air bag is deflected by the engagement of the air bag with the deflector plate to direct the air bag away from engagement with the hinge mounting the door on the instrument panel.


A steering column is attached to a fixing bracket of a vehicle body through a support bracket such that the steering column is inclined with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the width direction of the vehicle body. A guide plate is attached to one of both side portions of the fixing bracket. The one side portion is located on the side toward which the rear portion of the steering column is inclined. When the support bracket moves due to external force acting thereon, the guide plate restricts movement of the support bracket in the width direction of the vehicle body to permit the steering column to move toward the front of the vehicle body while at the same time suppressing swaying motion of the steering column, thereby stabilizing the load at the time of absorption of impact.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steering unit support device for a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A steering unit of a vehicle is constructed to transmit rotation of a steering wheel to front wheels through a steering shaft, a universal joint, a steering gear mechanism, a steering knuckle, etc. such that the front wheels are directed at an intended steering angle. The steering shaft extends through a steering column concentrically therewith and is rotatably supported thereby, and the steering column is supported on the vehicle body by means of a fixing bracket fixed to a cross member of the vehicle body. The steering unit is equipped with a mechanism for absorbing load produced at the time of collision of the vehicle, as well as a mechanism for absorbing load produced at the time of secondary collision of the steering unit with the driver after the collision.
The steering column is associated with a support device which, in case of collision of the vehicle, allows the steering shaft to be detached from the fixing bracket toward the front of the vehicle body by the load input from the steering wheel side at the time of collision. To stabilize the movement of the steering shaft toward the front of the vehicle body, the support device disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-315649 has a direction controlling member provided on a bracket attached to the front side of the vehicle body. In this support device, the direction controlling member restricts lateral and vertical swaying motion of the steering shaft, and in addition, an energy (impact load) absorbing structure so tuned as to produce required load is provided at the mounting section on the front side of the vehicle body.

Steering unit support device for a vehicle

Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


A sorting apparatus in which, while its scale is limited so as not to become large, all of base axis data supplied as its input are sorted in order, and, at the same time, the sorted base axis data are outputted in the sorted order. The sorting apparatus includes a plurality of sorter sections, a base axis data train divider section for supplying partial base axis data trains to these sorter sections, and a comparative result output section for merge/sorting (comparatively selecting) the results of sorting of the individual partial base axis data trains in the plural sorter sections and sequentially outputting the sorted ones of the base axis data in the sorted order. Thus, in the sorting apparatus, base axis data are divided into a plurality of partial base axis data trains, and, after the partial base axis data trains are partially concurrently sorted in the plural sorter sections, the base axis data are sequentially outputted from the comparative result output section in the sorted order.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data sorting apparatus utilized in a CAD system, a game machine or the like using three-dimensional graphics or the like, and more particularly to a sorting apparatus capable of inputting and outputting base axis data of three-dimensional images in synchronism with a video rate (a frame switching rate).
2. Description of the Related Art
JP-A-2-224018 describes a prior art method relating to an apparatus for sorting base axis data of three-dimensional images. According to this method, for the purpose of sorting a plurality of data at high speed, a base axis data memory, a data number pointer, a first buffer memory, a last buffer memory, a chain buffer memory and a sorting control circuit for controlling data writing and reading in and from the individual memories are provided. Data transfer operation is repeated twice, that is, data transfer of inputted base axis data to the first buffer memory, the last buffer memory and the chain buffer memory and data transfer from the first buffer memory and the last buffer memory to the chain buffer memory are repeated for sorting the base axis data, so that the number of times of data transfer can be decreased, and the data sorting can be carried out at high speed.
In the case of the prior art sorting method, it has been difficult to sort a large quantity of base axis data at the video rate. That is, according to the prior art sorting method, the desired sorting cannot be executed until all the base axis data are inputted. Also, the sorted base axis data cannot be outputted until sorting of all the data is completed. Therefore, even in the case of sorting a train of base axis data supplied as an input; three phases: a first phase of inputting the base axis data; a second phase of sorting the base axis data and a third phase of outputting the sorted base axis data in the sorted order have been required, and a considerable period of time is consumed until the base axis data are outputted in the sorted order after all the base axis data are inputted.
An apparatus capable of realtime sorting of base axis data in conformity with the rate of supplying the base axis data as its input has been considered. However, since the scale of such an apparatus tends to become large due to, for example, the requirement for a large number of memories, it is considerably difficult to put such an apparatus into practical use when the number of base axis data to be sorted is quite large.

Parallel merge sorting apparatus with an accelerated section


According to an aspect, there is provided a device for measuring a physiological characteristic of a first subject, the device comprising a first electrode for contacting a part of the body of the first subject; a second electrode for contacting a part of the body of a second subject; and a control unit for obtaining an electrocardiogram, ECG, signal using the electrodes and for processing the ECG signal to determine a measurement of a physiological characteristic of the first subject; wherein the signal comprises a first ECG signal component relating to the first subject and a second ECG signal component relating to the second subject, and the control unit is configured to process the ECG signal obtained from the electrodes to extract the first ECG signal component relating to the first subject and to process the first ECG signal component to determine a measurement of the physiological characteristic of the first subject.

Lowered blood pressure (BP) is considered an important indicator of dehydration or changed cardiovascular function, but a spot-check is often omitted due to the measurement requirements, which involve applying an inflatable cuff around the arm. As a surrogate for BP, a pulse arrival time (PAT) can be measured, which eliminates the need for a cuff. PAT is measured as the time between an R-peak in an electrocardiogram (ECG) and the foot of the arterial pulse pressure wave, commonly measured peripherally (e.g. on a limb) using photoplethysmography (PPG). At least three electrodes are normally required for PAT measurements, and these electrodes are placed on the chest or on both wrists and one ankle, with a PPG sensor on, for example, the finger, ear or forehead.
Devices are available (for example as shown on www.scanadu.com) that integrate ECG and PPG measurements into a single cableless device. These devices comprise two ECG electrodes, one of which is to be contacted by a finger of the subject (the user of the device) and the other is to be in contact with the forehead of the subject. The device also includes a PPG sensor that performs a PPG measurement at the forehead. The device measures the ECG potential between the finger and forehead (via the conductive loop established between the device, the finger and the subject's arm, chest, neck and head) and also the PPG at the forehead.
Although this device is useful for monitoring the PAT and PAT-derived blood pressure of the subject, it requires the finger and forehead of the subject to be in contact with the ECG electrodes, which means the device must be operated by the subject themselves, or, at the very least, the subject needs to be otherwise cooperative in using the device. For a subject that is unconscious (including sleeping or sedated) or otherwise uncooperative (e.g. a small child or physically or mentally challenged patients), this type of device cannot be used. It is not possible for the device to be operated by another person (e.g. a doctor, nurse, caregiver or family member) to obtain the measurements of the subject (e.g. a patient).

Device and method for measuring a physiological characteristic of a subject


A network-based document protection system for the protection of business secret includes: a template module configured to search for the template information of a template stored in a template database (DB) or the document information of a document stored in a document DB, and to execute the corresponding template or document via a dedicated application; an authentication module configured to generate the document information by including the identification code of an operator in the corresponding template information or to identify a corresponding operator by recognizing an identification code from the document information of the executed document, according to the execution procedure of the template module; and a security module configured to store the document, generated or updated via the dedicated application, in the document DB, and to perform security processing on the document.

The present invention relates to a network-based document protection system for the protection of business secret, which sets the security level of a corresponding document according to objective criteria without depending on the subjective judgment of an operator and enables the original of the protection target document to be protected and one or more persons in charge to be determined through the tracking of the distribution of the document.
As is well known, a company is a group of a plurality of operators who are gathered for the purpose of creating profits. Accordingly, operators who belong to a company create and distribute a numerous number of document files (hereinafter referred to as "documents") in order to communicate with each other to create profits. By the way, a document created by an operator may contain information that can be disclosed to the outside, but may contain information that is limited as confidentiality. Moreover, a document containing technical and other important data should not be disclosed to the outside for a reason of business secret, and various additional tasks required for ensuring business secret may be required of a person in charge.
For this purpose, conventionally, an operator who is creating a document directly sets the security level of a corresponding document according to a designated rule, and stores and manages the security level of the corresponding document in a designated security server.
However, since the conventional security technology is intended to enable an operator to directly set a security level, a confidential document may be leaked to the outside by incorrect security level setting, or an operator may maliciously leak a confidential document.
Furthermore, the conventional security technology enables an operator to identify a person in charge for each document by electronically signing a document whose security level is set to a confidential level. However, the conventional security technology manages a document in such a manner that it updates the document every time without separately registering the hash of a first created document. However, since a hash is newly generated whenever a document itself is loaded and a digital signature is made, an original hash is extinguished, through which a basis for providing that the corresponding document is an original is lost. Furthermore, the hash of the document is repeatedly generated and extinguished through the performance of an operator, and thus it is impossible to track the distribution process of the corresponding document. In other words, the conventional security technology cannot prove whether or not a document held by the company is an original or an external document that has been modified more than once.
Related art document 1: Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2007-0052073 (published on May 21, 2007)

Network-based document protection system for protection of business secret


An x-ray computed tomography device and method where backprojection is performed with pixels each having their own back projection range. The range is determined using a two-dimensional completeness condition such that every line through a reconstructed slice must intercept the projection of the source orbit onto the plane of the slice. The completeness condition provides an adequate amount of data for the back projection to maintain quality of the reconstructed image while allowing a higher helical pitch ratio. This is advantageous in situations where fast scanning is desired, such as patient screening and CT-angiography. The method and device are preferably applied to a helical cone beam system. The backprojection can be performed using cone-beam projection data obtained with a helical scan or after sorting the projection data into parallel-beam ray-sums in the transverse plane while maintaining the cone angle. The sorting advantageously further increases the helical pitch ratio and thus increases scanning speed and reduces scanning time. The two types of backprojection may each use either the full projection data set or a minimal data set determined based upon the completeness condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an x-ray computed tomography device and method, and more particularly to a high-speed, high helical pitch cone-beam x-ray computed tomography device and method.
2. Discussion of the Background
As shown in FIG. 1, an x-ray computed tomography (CT) device includes an x-ray tube 10 for irradiating a beam of x-rays, typically of cone shape, through a collimator 11, and a detector array 12 for detecting x-rays passed through an object, such as patient 13 (who typically lies on a patient bed 14). Detector 12 is positioned at a side opposite to the x-ray tube 10 with respect to the object and a tomographic image can be obtained by rotating the x-ray tube 10 integrally with the detector 12 around the object (shown by path 15) in order to scan the object and reconstruct the projected data. Typically, the tube 10 and detector 12 are circularly rotated using a gantry (not shown) while translating patient 13 to produce a helical path. A center of rotation 16 normally intersects with the approximate cross-sectional center of the object being scanned.
In helical scans the pitch is defined as the axial translation velocity of the patient table, v, multiplied by the rotation period, T. If w is the nominal slice width (the axial aperture of a single element of the x-ray detector projected at rotation center of the scanner) then the helical pitch ratio is given as EQU r.sub.H =vT/w,
the ratio of the helical translation per gantry revolution to the projected axial aperture of a detector element.
In some applications, such as patient screening and CT-angiography (CTA), throughput is more important than obtaining the best possible diagnostic image quality. In the case of CTA, shorter scan times improves imaging because of a reduction in patient motion artifacts. However, conventional CT scanners, which typically have one row of detectors, require many rotations to cover the patient volume of interest and generally keep r.sub.H .ltoreq.2. It is difficult to shorten the scan time while maintaining acceptable image quality.
Also, reconstruction is typically carried out using a back projection method with fixed integration limits. In other words, the reconstruction typically interpolates the closest beams to a reconstruction pixel.

High speed computed tomography device and method


A display apparatus includes: a display unit configured to display an image; a light emission unit configured to individually control light emission for each of a plurality of divided regions; an acquisition unit configured to acquire, for each divided region, a characteristic value of the image displayed on each of the divided regions; and a control unit. The control unit controls light emission of the light emission unit such that: in a moving image region, in which only a moving image is displayed, among the plurality of divided regions, light is emitted at a brightness based on a characteristic value of the moving image region; and in a mixed region, in which both of the moving image and a still image are displayed, among the plurality of divided regions, light is emitted at predetermined brightness.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus and a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
One function of a display apparatus is the function of displaying a plurality of images together. The function of displaying the plurality of images is, for example, a function of displaying a plurality of images in a display mode such as PinP (picture-in-picture) display or PoutP (picture-out-picture) display. In the PinP display, a single image is displayed, and at least one image is displayed on the single image. In the PoutP display, a plurality of images are displayed so as not to overlap each other.
Recently, market demands for improvement of display characteristics of display apparatuses have been increasing. As a technology for improving the display characteristics of liquid crystal display apparatuses, there is a technology of controlling the light emission brightness of a backlight on the basis of the characteristic value of an image (e.g., average brightness level (APL)) (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-140483).
Additionally, as the technology for improving display characteristics of liquid crystal display apparatuses, there is a technology of performing local dimming control of a backlight (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-99250). In local dimming control, the light emission brightness of the backlight is controlled per divided region obtained by dividing a screen. With reference to FIG. 13, the local dimming control will be described. As light sources of the backlight, light emitting diodes (LEDs) having better light emission efficiency than cold-cathode fluorescent tubes have started to become mainstream. A backlight in FIG. 13 has LEDs as the light sources. In the example of FIG. 13, the backlight is configured from 60 LED control regions corresponding to 60 divided regions of 10 in the horizontal direction×6 in the vertical direction. Light sources (four LEDs in the example of FIG. 13) are provided in each divided region (each LED control region). The light sources in each divided region can be individually controlled. The light emission brightness of the divided region (light emission brightness of the backlight) where a dark image is displayed is made lower than the light emission brightness of the divided region where a bright image is displayed, thereby enabling an improvement of the contrast of a displayed image (image displayed on a screen).
Generally, the number of the divided regions is smaller than the number of pixels of a display panel (liquid crystal panel). That is, a single divided region is a region including a plurality of pixels. The number of pixels of the liquid crystal panel, which are used in the liquid crystal display apparatus, tends to increase year after year, and about 2 million pixels (e.g., 1920 pixels in the horizontal direction×1080 pixels in the vertical direction) has become mainstream.
However, when the aforementioned local dimming control is performed at the time of display of a moving image together with a still image, the visibility of the still image is sometimes lowered (image quality of the still image deteriorates). For example, at the time of displaying of the still image and the moving image in a PinP mode, when the aforementioned local dimming control is performed, the light emission brightness of the divided regions where at least a part of the moving image is displayed is changed due to a brightness change of the moving image, as shown in FIG. 14. As a result, flickering in brightness, halation, or the like, is generated in a peripheral region 1601 of the moving image in the still image. Also, in a case where the display position of the still image is changed when the local dimming control is performed and a plurality of still images are displayed together, the visibility of the still image is reduced. For example, in a case where two still images (a still image a, and a still image b) are displayed in a PoutP mode as shown in FIG. 15A, when the display position of the still image b is changed as shown in FIG. 15B, flickering in brightness, halation, or the like is generated in a peripheral region 1501 before and after the change of the display position of the still image b.

Display apparatus and control method thereof


A content receiving apparatus including a receiver receiving first contents from a broadcasting station, a temporary memory unit temporarily storing first contents-related information related to the first contents, a memory storing the first contents and storing, based on an input recording request, the first contents-related information; and the memory storing a plurality of second contents and a plurality of second contents-related information received from a server, the second contents-related information being related to the first contents, and displayable.

Radio and TV stations (to be referred to simply as "broadcasting stations" hereinafter) broadcast various programs. Viewers/listeners watch and listen to programs by receiving broadcast signals transmitted from various stations by means of radio receiving sets and TV receiving sets. Viewers/listeners can generally record broadcast information in the form of sounds and images of programs broadcast by broadcasting stations on certain conditions that are required to be met.
Broadcasting stations publicize information on broadcast programs such as the contents of broadcast programs and information on the pieces of music broadcast in programs (the titles and the names of the performing artists as well as the titles, the numbers, the released years and the selling agents of CDs (compact disks) where pieces of music are recorded along with the times and dates when the pieces of music are broadcast) and allow anyone who wants such information to acquire it by way of a personal computer (PC) or the like that is connected to the broadcasting station by way of a network.
Currently, such acquired information can be used to receive various services. For example, a person who has acquired such information can have pieces of music delivered to him or her and/or purchase CDs where such pieces of music are recorded by using the information on the pieces of music that the person has acquired.
There have been proposed systems where broadcasting stations broadcast music data, or pieces of music, and also they broadcast in advance image data such as jacket photographs for such pieces of music, text data including the titles of such pieces of music and sound data including sample sounds and compressed/encrypted data of proper music data so that users can receive them at their user terminals to watch the received images and/or listen to the received sounds. Additionally, with the proposed system, the user can acquire the proper music data during or after watching and/or listening by carrying out predetermined operations at the user terminal, using the compressed/encrypted data recorded in the user terminal, typically by way of an EMD (electric music distribution) server (see, inter alia, Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-183835 (paragraph numbers [0019]˜[0026], FIG. 1).
However, when the user is required to watch images and/or listen to sounds and record information on pieces of music while they are being broadcast so that he or she may sometime thereafter retrieve the delivered pieces of music or merchandised CDs where the pieces of music are recorded, using the recorded information, it may be difficult for the user to accurately recollect the sounds of the pieces of music and the images relating to them, if the user simply knows the titles of the pieces of music, the names of the performing artists, the time and date of the broadcast and so on, particularly when the number of pieces of music is large and hence a large number of names and other pieces of information are involved. Then, if the user has to select a CD, although he or she wants to acquire ten pieces of music, for example, because of the limited budget, it may be difficult for the user to tell which one he or she is most concerned about is.
Additionally, while it is possible for the user to identify pieces of music after they are broadcast by listening to sample sounds contained in the broadcast data if he or she wants to acquire the proper music data by means of such a known system, the system configuration and the configuration of the broadcast data that are transmitted from the broadcasting station to the user terminal are inevitably complex.

Recording device, recording method, and program


A redundancy information region having memory cells for retaining relief information indicating the locations of defective memory cells is arranged closer to at least one of a word driver or a plate driver than a memory cell region and a redundancy memory cell region. Since the memory cells of the redundancy information region start operation earlier, a relief/no-relief judgment can be made earlier, allowing reduction in access time. Besides, in memory cell operations, the defective memory cells are deselected in accordance with address information held in a redundancy address region. Redundancy memory cells for relieving the defective memory cells are selected in accordance with the relief information held in a redundancy flag region. Since the redundancy memory cells are selected without using the address information, it is possible to reduce the time that elapses before the redundancy memory cells are selected after the selection of word lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory having a redundancy circuit for relieving defects in memory cell regions. In particular, the present invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory having a redundancy circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, semiconductor memories are broadly classified into volatile semiconductor memories such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) which require power to hold data, and nonvolatile semiconductor memories such as a flash memory/EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) which require no power to hold data. The performance of a semiconductor memory is often expressed in memory capacity, access speed, and power consumption.
DRAMs are mainly used for computer""s main storage as large-capacity high-speed semiconductor memories. Because of being volatile, however, DRAMs require refresh operations to hold data, and thus are high in power consumption.
Flash memories/EEPROMs are mainly used for file systems, memory cards, portable equipment, and the like as large-capacity, low-power-consumption nonvolatile semiconductor memories. Flash memories/EEPROMs, however, require extremely longer time for data write.
Meanwhile, ferroelectric memories having memory cells composed of ferroelectric capacitors have been recently developed as semiconductor memories that combine the advantages of DRAMs and flash memories/EEPROMs. Ferroelectric memories can hold data even without power supply, by utilizing residual polarization that remains even after the voltages applied to their ferroelectric capacitors are removed.
Ferroelectric memories are increasing in memory capacity year after year, and their substitution for flash memories is under consideration. The rise in memory capacity tends to increase chip size. On this account, defect-relieving technologies (redundancy circuit technologies) for ferroelectric memories have been studied recently. Among known redundancy circuit technologies for ferroelectric memories is one disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-215687, for example.
The ferroelectric memory disclosed in this publication contains ordinary memory cells, redundancy memory cells, and memory cells for redundancy files for retaining the column addresses of memory cells to be relieved as replacement information. These memory cells, redundancy memory cells, and memory cells for redundancy files are connected to common word lines. That is, in read operations and write operations, the memory cells, redundancy memory cells, and memory cells for redundancy files are simultaneously selected in accordance with the activation of the word lines. Each single redundancy memory cell is formed for, e.g., eight ordinary memory cells.
The ferroelectric memory has a logic circuit for decoding replacement information (defect addresses) read from the memory cells for redundancy files to generate decoding signals corresponding to each column address, and a logic circuit for generating the OR logic of these decoding signals. Column switches for the memory cells are deselected in response to any of the decoding signals. Column switches for the redundancy memory cells are selected in response to the OR logic of the decoding signals. That is, in response to the replacement information, access to defective memory cells is disabled and access to redundancy memory cells is enabled to relieve the defective memory cells.
FIG. 1 shows an overview of a ferroelectric memory having a redundancy circuit of this type.
In the diagram, the ferroelectric memory has a plurality of memory blocks MB. The memory blocks MB each have a word driver 10, a plate driver 12, a column control circuit 14, a memory cell region MCR, a redundancy memory cell region RCR, and a redundancy information region DCR.
The word driver 10 supplies a voltage to a predetermined word line WL according to a row address. The plate driver 12 supplies a voltage to a predetermined plate line PL according to the row address. The column control circuit 14 outputs column selecting signals CL and a redundancy column select signal RL to the memory cell region MCR and the redundancy memory cell region RCR, respectively, in accordance with a column address as well as relief information (relief address information and the like) output from the redundancy information region DCR. The activation of the column selecting signals CL turns on the column switches (not shown) in the memory cell region MCR. The activation of the redundancy column selecting signal RCL turns on the redundancy column switches (not shown) in the redundancy memory cell region RCR.
The memory cell region MCR is composed of memory cells MC to be used in normal operations. The redundancy memory cell region RCR is composed of memory cells MC for relieving defective memory cells. The redundancy information region DCR is composed of memory cells MC for indicating the locations of the defective memory cells. The memory cells MC in the memory cell region MCR, the redundancy memory cell region RCR, and the redundancy information region DCR are connected to common word lines WL and plate lines PL In read operations and write operations, memory cells in the memory cell region MCR, the redundancy memory cell region RCR, and the redundancy information region DCR are simultaneously selected in accordance with the activation of a word line WL and a plate line PL. In other words, memory cells MC that are activated between a word line WL and a plate line PL become accessible.
For example, if a word line WL and a plate line PL are activated to read relief information showing relief from a memory cell MC in the redundancy information region DCR, the column select signals CL are inactivated and the redundancy select signal RCL is activated. The inactivation of the column selecting signals CL turns off the column switches to disable the access to the defective memory cells MC in the memory cell region MCR (marked with crosses in the diagram). The activation of the redundancy column selecting signal CL turns on the redundancy column switches to enable the access to the memory cells MC in the redundancy memory cell region RCR (marked with circles in the diagram). That is, the defective memory cells MC are replaced with the normal memory cells MC to relieve the memory cells MC.
In the ferroelectric memory cell disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the memory cells, redundancy memory cells, and memory cells for redundancy files are selected at the same time. Therefore, it is of importance to the high speed execution of read/write operations how to operate the column switches quickly in response to replacement information (column address). In the ferroelectric memory described above, however, the column switches for the redundancy memory cells are selected in accordance with the OR logic of the decoding signals which select the column switches for the ordinary memory cells. Accordingly, there has been a problem that the column switches for the redundancy memory cells delay in operation, with slower access time particularly during redundancy operations. The access time of a semiconductor memory is determined by the access time of the slowest memory cells. As a result, the access time of the redundancy memory cells makes the actual access time of the chip. Besides, there has been a problem that a rise in the circuit scale of the redundancy circuit can increase the chip size.
In each memory block MB of the ferroelectric memory shown in FIG. 1, the memory cell region MCR, the redundancy memory cell region RCR, and the redundancy information region DCR are successively arranged next to the word driver 10 and the plate driver 12. That is, the redundancy information region DCR is placed far from the word driver 10 and the plate driver 12.
Word lines WL and plate lines PL typically have parasitic resistance and parasitic capacitance. Thus, the farther from the word driver 10 and the plate driver 12 the memory cells MC are, the longer it takes until signals (voltages) are transmitted thereto. The memory cells MC of the redundancy information region DCR, farthest from the word driver 10 and the plate driver 12, are selected later than the other memory cells MC.
Due to the late selection of the memory cells MC in the redundancy information region DCR, the relief information is output from the redundancy information region DCR with a delay. Consequently, there has been a problem that the memory cells MC in the memory cell region MCR and the redundancy memory cell region RCR cannot be read/written quickly even though these memory cells MC are already selected. That is, there has been a problem of yet slower access time.
Since the memory cells MC in the memory cell region MCR, the redundancy memory cell region RCR, and the redundancy information region DCR are simultaneously selected by the word lines WL and plate lines PL, it is of importance to the high speed execution of read/write operations how to operate the column control circuit 14 quickly in response to the relief information (column address).
An object of the present invention is to reduce the access time of a semiconductor memory. More particularly, the object is to prevent a delay in access time when operating a redundancy circuit in the semiconductor memory.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce a semiconductor circuit in access time and in chip size as well.
Still another object of the present invention is to reduce the circuit scale of a redundancy circuit, thereby decreasing the chip size of the semiconductor memory.
According to one of the aspects of the present invention, a semiconductor memory includes a memory cell region, a redundancy memory cell region, a redundancy information region, and a word driver for supplying a word line selecting signal to word lines. The redundancy information region is arranged closer to the word driver with respect to the memory cell region and the redundancy memory cell region. The memory cell region has memory cells to be used in normal operations. The redundancy memory cell region has memory cells for relieving defective memory cells in the memory cell region. The redundancy information region has memory cells for retaining relief information indicating the locations of the defective memory cells. The memory cells in the memory cell region, the redundancy memory cell region, and the redundancy information region are connected to common word lines. In this semiconductor memory, a predetermined word line selecting signal (word line) is activated in accordance with the supply of an address or the like, thereby selecting predetermined memory cells in the memory cell region. Here, predetermined memory cells in the redundancy memory cell region and redundancy information region which are connected to the same word line are also selected. Word lines contain wiring resistance and load capacitance. Therefore, the closer to the word driver the memory cells are, the earlier the word line selecting signal is transmitted thereto. Since the redundancy information region is arranged closer to the word driver, the memory cells in the redundancy information region operate earlier than the memory cells in the memory cell region and the redundancy memory cell region.
When the memory cell region is in operation, the defective memory cells are deselected in accordance with the relief information held in the redundancy information region corresponding to these memory cells. The memory cells in the redundancy memory cell region which relieve the defective memory cells are selected in accordance with the relief information held in the redundancy information region corresponding to the defective memory cells. Since the memory cells in the redundancy information region that retain the relief information start operation earlier, a relief/no-relief judgment can be made earlier. As a result, the access time can be reduced in either case, relieving or not relieving memory cells.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor memory includes a memory cell region, a redundancy memory cell region, a redundancy information region, and a plate driver for supplying a plate voltage to plate lines. The redundancy information region is arranged closer to the plate driver with respect to the memory cell region and the redundancy memory cell region. The memory cell region has memory cells to be used in normal operations. The redundancy memory cell region has memory cells for relieving defective memory cells in the memory cell region. The redundancy information region has memory cells for retaining relief information indicating the locations of the defective memory cells. The memory cells in the memory cell region, the redundancy memory cell region, and the redundancy information region are connected to common plate lines. In this semiconductor memory, a predetermined plate line is activated in accordance with the supply of an address or the like, thereby selecting predetermined memory cells in the memory cell region. Here, predetermined memory cells in the redundancy memory cell region and redundancy information region which are connected to the same plate line are also selected. Plate lines contain wiring resistance and load capacitance. Therefore, the closer to the plate driver the memory cells are, the earlier the plate voltages supplied to the plate lines are transmitted thereto. Since the redundancy information region is arranged closer to the plate driver, the memory cells in the redundancy information region operate earlier than the memory cells in the memory cell region and the redundancy memory cell region.
Consequently, as mentioned above, the memory cells in the redundancy information region which retain relief information start operation earlier, thereby allowing an earlier relief/no-relief judgment. This can reduce the access time in either case, relieving or not relieving memory cells.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor memory includes a memory cell region, a redundancy memory cell region, and a redundancy information region. The semiconductor memory also has at least either a word driver for supplying a word line selecting signal to word lines or a plate driver for supplying a plate voltage to plate lines.
Each of these components is configured as in the semiconductor memories described above. Therefore, as mentioned above, the access time can be reduced in either case, relieving or not relieving memory cells.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the memory cell region and the redundancy memory cell region have a column switch and a redundancy column switch for inputting and outputting data to read from and/or write to the memory cells in these regions, respectively. When the relief information read from a memory cell in the redundancy information region shows xe2x80x9cno relief,xe2x80x9d the column switch is activated to read data from and/or write data to memory cells in the memory cell region. When the relief information shows xe2x80x9crelief,xe2x80x9d the redundancy column switch is activated to read data from and/or write data to memory cells in the redundancy memory cell region. Since the operations of the column switch and redundancy column switch are started earlier, the access time is reduced.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the memory cells in the redundancy information region consist of nonvolatile memory cells. Therefore, the relief information indicating the locations of the defective memory cells can be retained even without power supply. The nonvolatile memory cells have, for example, ferroelectric capacitors for retaining written data.
The memory cell region and the redundancy memory cell region are composed of the nonvolatile memory cells having the same configuration as those composing the redundancy information region. This makes it possible for these memory cells to be designed according to the same layout rule and fabricated by the same semiconductor processes. As a result, the chip size can be reduced. The reduced chip size combines with the facilitated fabrication processes to achieve reduction in fabrication costs.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory regions each composed of a memory cell region, a redundancy memory cell region, and a redundancy information region, and a plurality of plate drivers individually arranged next to the memory regions. In general, word lines are connected to ferroelectric capacitors through the gates of transfer transistors in memory cells. Plate lines are connected directly to the ferroelectric capacitors. Since the loads connected to the plate lines include the ferroelectric capacitances and the like of the memory cells, they are greater than the loads connected to the word lines. Forming a plurality of plate drivers corresponding to the plurality of memory regions can reduce the lengths of the plate lines, thereby decreasing the loads of the plate lines. As a result, the effect of the loads of the plate lines on access time can be minimized with reduction in access time.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory regions, as well as a plurality of redundancy memory regions, a plurality of redundancy address regions, and a plurality of redundancy flag regions respectively corresponding to the memory regions. The memory regions contain a plurality of memory cells each. The redundancy memory regions have redundancy memory cells for relieving a defect in any of the memory cells in the memory regions. That is, each single redundancy memory cell is formed per plurality of memory cells. The redundancy address regions hold, as address information, second addresses designating the defective memory cells. The redundancy flag regions hold relief information indicating the use of the redundancy memory regions.
In this semiconductor memory, a first address and a second address are supplied to the semiconductor memory. Any of the plurality of memory regions is selected in accordance with the first address. Then, any of the plurality of memory cells arranged in each memory region is selected in accordance with the second address. The memory region, the redundancy memory region, the redundancy address region, and the redundancy flag region corresponding to the same first address are activated at the same time.
When the memory region is in operation, the defective memory cell is deselected in accordance with the address information held in the redundancy address region corresponding to this memory cell. Specifically, the region containing the defective memory cell is identified by decoding a signal that is read as the address information. The redundancy memory cell to relieve the defective memory cell is selected in accordance with the relief information held in the redundancy flag region corresponding to the defective memory cell. That is, redundancy memory cells are directly selected in accordance with relief information, without using address information. Since the number of gates of circuits to be involved from the selection of a word line to the selection of a redundancy memory cell can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the time that elapses before the redundancy memory cell is selected after the selection of the word line. This makes it possible to avoid a delay in access time when relieving memory cells.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the redundancy address regions and the redundancy flag regions are composed of nonvolatile memory cells. Therefore, the address information and relief information can be retained even without power supply. The memory cells have, for example, ferroelectric capacitors for retaining written data.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the memory cells in the redundancy flag regions are each connected to one of complementary bit lines (true bit line and bar bit line) for transmitting the relief information.
For example, in writing a logical value of 1 to the memory cells, high level is transmitted to the true bit line and low level is transmitted to the bar bit line. Relief information of high level is written to the memory cells that are connected to the true bit line (true memory cells). Relief information of low level is written to the memory cells that are connected to the bar bit line (bar memory cells). Likewise, in writing a logical value of 0 to the memory cells, relief information of low level is written to the true memory cells and relief information of high level is written to the bar memory cells.
Hereinafter, description will be given of the case where the memory cells are written with a logical value of 1. To read the relief information (high level) retained in the true memory cells to the true bit line, a reference voltage is supplied to the bar bit line. A potential difference between the true bit line (high level) and the bar bit line is amplified by a sense amplifier and the like, so that the true bit line is brought to high level and the bar bit line is brought to low level. Similarly, to read the relief information (low level) retained in the bar memory cells to the bar bit line, the reference voltage is supplied to the true bit line. A potential difference between the true bit line and the bar bit line (low level) is amplified by sense amplifiers and the like, so that the true bit line is brought to high level and the bar bit line is to low level. That is, the same levels are read out to the complementary bit lines, regardless of whether the information is read out from true memory cells or bar memory cells. The relief information held in the true memory cells and the bar memory cells can be read out by using either the true bit line, or the bar bit line alone. As a result, the redundancy circuit can be formed with a simple configuration, which allows reduction in the chip size of the semiconductor memory.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the memory cells and the redundancy memory cells consist of the nonvolatile memory cells having the same configuration as those composing the redundancy memory regions and the redundancy flag regions. On this account, the memory cells in the memory regions, the redundancy memory regions, the redundancy address regions, and the redundancy flag regions can be designed on the same layout rule and fabricated by the same semiconductor processes. This allows reduction in chip size. The reduced chip size combines with the facilitated fabrication processes to achieve reduction in fabrication costs.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the nonvolatile memory cells in the memory regions, the redundancy memory regions, the redundancy address regions, and the redundancy flag regions are selected by common word lines to be activated in accordance with the first address. The use of the common word lines makes it possible to reduce the total number of word lines to be laid over the entire regions. That is, the individual regions can be minimized in layout size, with reduction in chip size.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the redundancy address regions hold binary data of the second address as the address information. Therefore, the redundancy address regions can be configured to be smaller in size.


A sheet processing apparatus comprises a first conveyer roller pair arranged at the upstream side of a sheet conveyance route and a second conveyer roller pair arranged at the downstream side of the sheet conveyance route so as to convey a sheet of paper from the upstream side to the downstream side. Additionally, a punching unit is arranged between the first conveyer roller pair and the second conveyer roller pair. The second conveyer roller pair is made to operate as a slipping roller after the time when the leading end of the sheet of paper being conveyed passes the first conveyer roller pair and a stopper is made to appear at a position downstream relative to the second conveyer roller pair so as to make the leading end of the sheet of paper abut the stopper in order correct the skew, if any, of the sheet of paper.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for correcting skews and performing punching processes on the sheets delivered from an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (multi function peripherals), which is a composite digital machine, a copying machine or a printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image forming apparatus such as MFPs, copying machines and printers are provided at a sheet delivery section of the image forming apparatus main body with a post-processing unit for performing post-processing operations including an operation of sorting sheets where an image is formed, that of stapling sheets and/or that of punching sheets.
In such a post-processing unit, the sheet of paper delivered from the image forming apparatus can move aslant and become skewed relative to the sheet delivering direction. When the skewed sheet of paper is subjected to a punching process (and punched), one or more than one holes can be produced at wrong positions by the punching process to give rise to a problem for a succeeding filing operation. For this reason, the post-processing unit is equipped with a skew correcting means for correcting the skew (if any) of the sheet of paper before the punching process.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-274699 describes a sheet processing apparatus that can correct skews. The apparatus described in the above-cited Patent Document comprises a punch unit for performing a punching process on the sheet of paper being delivered to it and the sheet of paper is made to abut a nipper of an inlet roller arranged upstream of the punch unit in order to correct the skew, if any, of the sheet of paper. However, with the apparatus described in the above-cited Patent Document, the sheet of paper that has been corrected for the skew is forced to travel a long distance before it gets to the punch unit. Therefore, the sheet of paper can be skewed again during the travel over that distance.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-193493 described a punching processing apparatus that can correct the skew, if any, of a sheet of paper. In the punching processing apparatus described in the above-cited Patent Document, a registration member (registration roller) is arranged downstream relative to the punching means of the apparatus and the front end of the sheet of paper being delivered from an image forming apparatus main body is made to abut the registration member by the sheet conveying force of the sheet delivery roller of the image forming apparatus main body in order to correct the skew, if any.
However, since punching processing apparatus described in the above-cited Patent Document utilizes the sheet conveying force of the sheet delivery roller of the image forming apparatus main body, a certain degree of positional accuracy is required for aligning the image forming apparatus main body and the post processing apparatus to by turn poses limitations to the mechanical configuration of the post processing apparatus.
In view of the above-identified circumstances, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sheet processing apparatus having a simple configuration that can correct the skew, if any, of a sheet of paper and accurately execute a punching process.

Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method


A method and apparatus for enclosing an optically active integrated circuit die mounted on a region of a printed circuit substrate within either a unitary optical plastic lens element and enclosure or a discrete lens element and enclosure formed with mechanical standoff tabs and positioning pins for attaching and securing the unitary or discrete enclosure to the circuit substrate. The mechanical tabs of the enclosure have catches that snap in place into receiving apertures in the substrate so as to position the molded plastic lens over the optically active integrated circuit device at a predetermined distance providing the desired focal length. The molded plastic lens of the optical plastic enclosure protects the optically active integrated circuit from damage and images light thereon or therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls of the plastic enclosure contact the surface of the substrate and enclose the die and the region that the die is mounted on. The remaining volume enclosed within the molded plastic enclosure and lens element may be filled with a transparent epoxy material to provide a unitary, sealed enclosure with the optically active integrated circuit die with the region on the substrate. Preferably, the optically active device is a photosensitive micro-electronic circuit element, e.g. a photosensor or a charge coupled device (CCD).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to encapsulating optically active electronic devices, more particularly to encapsulating such devices mounted on a printed circuit substrate within a pre-formed plastic enclosure having a unitary or a snap-in lens element in one wall thereof for focusing an image on or focusing light from the device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As electronic optical imaging systems become more compact, particularly with the incorporation of microelectronic photosensor elements for electronic auto exposure systems in relatively compact and inexpensive cameras, it has become desirable to mount the optically active integrated circuit (IC) die on a fiberglass printed circuit board or a ceramic substrate employing chip-on-board technology. The mounting of the optically active IC die directly on or within a recess in a printed circuit board or a substrate allows the inter-connection with its associated circuitry and components to form a relatively compact, flat circuit assembly.
Typically, the optically active semiconductor device is formed as an IC chip containing hundreds or thousands of separate semiconductor devices inter-connected with connection pads to which thin wires extending to printed circuit pads may be bonded. Such a photosensitive IC is disclosed in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,198 to Gaboury and incorporated herein by reference. The chip or die itself is characteristically small in size, with dimensions typically on the order of not more than 1/8" by 1/8" square by 0.015" thick. Despite their small size, these chips in accordance with the prior art were typically packaged in supporting structures many times their size, such as in T0-5 cans with wire connection pins extending from the bottom thereof, flat packages with strip connectors extending from the edges thereof, and ceramic or plastic in-line packages with metal prongs extending out of the opposite edges and bent over to form a unit suitable for plugging into a socket or directly into apertures in a printed or hybrid circuit substrate.
Regardless of the particular package utilized for prior art semiconductor chips, including CCD arrays, their primary drawback involves size and cost of separate packaging. On the other hand, the relatively small size packages provide protection from the environment and handling and allow for relatively fail-safe installation.
In order to achieve miniaturization in the entire printed or hybrid circuit comprising the integrated circuit chips and the printed circuit board or substrate, various techniques have been proposed for eliminating the integrated circuit chip package, including mounting the chip or die directly on a prepared region of the substrate or board and encapsulating it in situ with various resins. In commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,036, of which I am a named co-inventor, and with respect to FIG. 1 of that patent, a method is described for encapsulating such optically active integrated circuit chips 20 on a substrate 10 using a transparent encapsulant 32 deposited within a barrier formed around the chip 20. The encapsulant is deposited in a viscous state in the region contained within the barrier 14 and thereafter is cured under ultraviolet light. The cured encapsulant 32 provides a functional, convex lens-like cross-sectional shape to provide focusing of light onto the optically active surface of the integrated device 20 (a photodiode in the disclosed embodiments).
The '036 patent also describes several prior art patents which describe methods for encapsulating electronic devices using radiation curable polymers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,356 to Ohuchi et al. describes a method of encapsulating an electronic device wherein a large, free-form spacer is used as a barrier wall to surround electronic components mounted on a radiation-transparent support. The volume within the barrier wall is filled with a radiation curable material to form the finished device.
A further U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,938 to Morris describes the encapsulation of an integrated circuit chip or die. The die carrier is nested into an aperture in the substrate, and an encapsulation material dam provides a four sided enclosure wall placed in contacting engagement with the top surface of the substrate to surround the integrated circuit chip. A thermo-plastic epoxy material is placed over the chip and its attachment wires to pads on the substrate within the region confined by the dam.
One difficulty encountered following the teachings of these references lies in the control of the shape of the curable resin or thermo-plastic epoxy material so that it consistently forms an optical lens suitably shaped to focus an image on the optically active integrated circuit. Earlier systems for enclosing optically active light detectors or light emitters have involved the incorporation of a transparent window or lens within the protective housing for the optically active semi-conductor device in a manner described, for example, in Japanese application number 58-115526 to Watabe, wherein a solid state image pick up device is provided within a package that itself is adapted to be attached to a printed circuit substrate in a manner described above. A lens element is fitted over the optically active surface of the solid-state pick up device and supported by the side walls of the package. Numerous other examples exist of lens and windows mounted on separate packages for optically active integrated circuit chips where the chips or dies are mounted to substrates of the package, and the IC elements are electrically connected to terminal pins which in turn are inserted into connectors mounted to printed circuit boards or substrates.
It also is known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,419,722 to Bury and 4,471,414 to Savage to provide snap-in assemblies for holding light emitting diodes (LEDs) in apertures provided in printed circuit boards to both protect and maintain the LED in its proper location.
There remains a need for a miniaturized, flat and thin unitary electronic assembly comprising an integrated circuit chip or die (hereafter referred to collectively or individually as a die) mounted directly to a printed circuit board or hybrid circuit substrate (hereafter referred to collectively and individually as a printed circuit substrate) and provided with a protective lens assembly that is inexpensive and easy to assemble and provides accurate image focusing onto the optically active microelectronic circuit element(s) of the integrated circuit.

Semiconductor insulation for optical devices


Systems and methods are provided for determining first and second azimuth angle values representing two closely spaced targets. Monopulse radar scan data is produced and processed to provide quadrature angle data, merged azimuth angle data, and a maximum magnitude of the quadrature angle. A quadrature angle methodology that derives the first and second azimuth angle values from an integration of the quadrature angle data over an angular region within the monopulse scan is applied if the maximum quadrature angle magnitude exceeds the threshold value. A merged azimuth angle methodology that fits the merged azimuth angle data to a polynomial as a function of a boresight angle of the monopulse radar to derive the first and second azimuth angle values is applied if the maximum quadrature angle magnitude does not exceed the threshold value. The first and second azimuth angle values are then displayed to a user.

The problem of detecting and resolving plural targets located within a scan of a monopulse system draws interest from many radar and sonar applications such as target tracking, target recognition, surveillance, biomedical imaging, robotic vision, etc. When two targets or more are scanned by a monopulse antenna or transducer, the angles of arrival of the targets are merged into one angle by the antenna. This merged angle of arrival is far from angles of arrival of all targets within the beam, adds bias and wandering trends to measured targets' trajectories. The merged angle of arrival depends on a number of parameters such as the phase difference between targets' signals, the radar/sonar cross section ratio of the targets, and the angular separation between targets, which makes it difficult to extract any of these parameters directly from the merged data.
Most of existing techniques for detecting and resolving two closely spaced targets from standard monopulse data are limited in some fashion. One category of techniques developed for monopulse antennas with uniform radiation patterns and they require prior knowledge for some targets' parameters such as number of targets within the antenna scan, and radar cross section ratio of those targets. Another set of techniques rely on features of the signal that may not be available because they may occur outside the antenna scan under consideration or may be washed away due to either noise or quantization. A third set of techniques requires data not available in a standard monopulse system. The implementation of these techniques is generally not cost efficient and often requires additional hardware, raising the overall cost and complexity of the system.

Detection and resolution of closely spaced targets in a monopulse system