An improved interferometer measuring system that corrects for errors in the determination of the position of a measurement reflector along a measurement path due to the presence of an atmosphere (e.g. atmospheric turbulence) along the path is disclosed. The system includes a two-wavelength interferometer for measuring the atmosphere and a basic length interferometer for a basic measurement of a change in position of the measurement reflector. A calibration procedure for correcting the basic measurements made by the basic length interferometer uses first and second correction coefficients related to the average refractivity of the atmosphere and the change in the refractivity of the atmosphere, respectively. The coefficients can be determined by interferometric measurements or from a combination of interferometric measurements and data from an atmospheric sensor(s), including a humidity sensor. The two-wavelength interferometer can include a pulsed laser source, a compact reference path element, and path length adjustment element. An algorithm is disclosed for efficiently determining the phase difference between the two beams of the two-wavelength interferometer. Beam combining techniques and apparatus for combining the beams of the two-wavelength interferometer and the basic length measurement interferometer while preserving the polarization of the laser beams are also disclosed. The data obtained from the two-wavelength interferometer can be corrected, based on measurements made by the basic length interferometer, for aging due to the movement of the reflecting mirror subsequent to measurement of the atmosphere by the two-wavelength interferometer.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to co-pending U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/026,428, filed Sep. 20, 1996, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
This invention relates generally to interferometers. More particularly, it relates to methods and apparatus for improving the accuracy of interferometric measurements.
In optical interferometry, two optical beams are compared by combining the beams on a detector that detects the interference between the beams. Typically, coherent reference and measurement beams are directed along a constant length reference path and a measurement path, respectively. Changes in the length of the measurement path are precisely determined by detecting the interference and hence the change in optical phase between the two beams. Accordingly, interferometers have many industrial uses, such as positioning wafers for the production of integrated circuits, positioning substrates for flat panel displays, and positioning cutting tools for high precision machining.
Over the last decade or so, interferometers have played an increasingly important role in integrated circuit fabrication. Typically, an integrated circuit substrate is affixed to a movable stage to which a reflective mirror is attached. A positioning tool, such as lithographic stepper, positions the stage underneath a high performance image projection system. An interferometer is used to sense the position of the mirror, and hence the stage, to control the position of stepper.
The potential precision with which interferometers can provide such position control has been significantly enhanced, to approximately the nanometer range, by technical advances in the design of various optical components, including lasers and photosensors, and in processing electronics. However, the manufacture of smaller, more advanced circuits will likely require sub-nanometer precision. Unfortunately, several important sources of error in the interferometric measurements remain, which in practice prevent the achievement of nanometer resolution. These errors include atmospheric disturbances, such as air turbulence in the measurement path; non-linear errors due to crosstalk between the measurement path and the reference path; and cosine errors introduced by any tilts of the stage mirror. Atmospheric disturbances can be controlled along the reference path by enclosing the portion of the interferometer which includes the reference mirror in a vacuum chamber. However, enclosing the entire system in a vacuum chamber, or otherwise providing a stable and known atmospheric environment for the entire system, is expensive and problematic.
Prior art systems have also attempted to compensate for fluctuations in optical path length due to atmospheric fluctuations. For example, the change of index of refraction of air with wavelength has long been known and characterized by researchers such as Edlen. See Edlen, "The Refractive Index of Air", Metrologia, 2:71-80, (1965), herein incorporated by reference. Earnshaw has proposed the use of two wavelengths to characterize the amount of air present in the measurement beam path as a means for measuring air turbulence for surveying applications. See Earnshaw, et al., "Two-Laser Optical Distance-Measuring Instrument that Corrects for the Atmospheric Index of Refraction", Applied Optics, 11:749-754, (1972), herein incorporated by reference. However, practical difficulties with implementing a high performance interferometer at a second wavelength in addition to the conventional HeNe wavelength of 633 nm have prevented straightforward application of the two-wavelength method.
A Second Harmonic Interferometer (SHI), originally described by Hopf, et al., has also been identified as a means for measuring air turbulence. See Hopf, et al, "Second-harmonic interferometers", Optics Letters, 5:386-388, (1980), herein incorporated by reference. An SHI projects two phase-locked beams at widely separated wavelengths along the optical measurement path. The shorter wavelength beam falls behind the longer wavelength beam in phase due to the increased refractivity of air at shorter wavelengths. This phase difference is directly proportional to a correction term that can be added to a basic length measurement made with an optical measurement system such as a heterodyne interferometer. Typically, the SHI uses a first frequency doubler to generate the second beam from a first beam generated by a CW laser, and a second frequency doubler to double the first beam, after the first and second beams have both traveled the measurement path, such that the phase difference between the two beams is more readily detected. For several reasons, however, no practical implementation of an SHI system has been developed to enable measurement with nanometer accuracy of the effects of air in the path to and from a moving stage mirror.
Frequency doubling a CW laser is not efficient, and often very little second harmonic radiation is obtained, limiting the SHI system signal-to-noise ratio and hence the accuracy of the measurement. Design compromises to compensate for the low signal-to-noise ratio lead to further errors in the measurement of the correction term for air. For example, focusing lenses, placed around the frequency doubling modules to increase the doubling efficiency, introduce at least three significant sources of error into the SHI measurement. First, thermal drifts in glass elements differ for the two wavelengths. Second, angular variations in the position of the stage mirror couple with the lenses to produce errors. As the stage tilts, the beams travel through different parts of the lens aperture. Wavefront errors in the lenses due to fractional wavelength departures from a completely achromatic design introduce a phase shift between the two-wavelengths used-in the second harmonic interferometer. Finally, the lenses can amplify angular variations in the beams as they travel through the second frequency doubler. The effect of these errors is to introduce a variable phase shift between the two wavelengths which is indistinguishable from that caused by the air turbulence in the path. Averaging the data to improve the signal to noise ratio is problematic when measuring a moving stage mirror as is typical during the measurement period.
SHI systems also have unique data processing requirements for determining the phase of the SHI signal. Typically, "1/f" noise is reduced in an interferometer by modulating one of the beams to introduce a frequency shift of between about 2 and about 20 MHz between the beams. The Doppler frequency shift in the beat frequency of the beams, due to the movement of the stage mirror, is detected. However, using these techniques in an SHI typically requires that either the fundamental beam or the second harmonic beam is modulated. Practical modulators have a low efficiency, and thus a significant loss is introduced into either the very small amount of second harmonic light, or the remaining fundamental light, where the effect of the loss is squared during the second frequency doubling process. Alternatively, a phase dither can be imparted to one of the SHI beams. The data processing to analyze the effects of this dither to determine the phase difference between the two beams usually incorporates averaging techniques to compensate for the low system signal to noise ratio. Averaging the data samples creates a lag in the value of the correction due to data age, and introduces errors when the stage is moving.
Finally, a CW laser source with sufficient power to create a detectable amount of second harmonic light is typically rather large, requiring that many of the system elements be placed away from the measurement path, leading to "deadpath" errors.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus and methods for reducing the error in interferometric measurements caused by the presence of an atmosphere along the measurement path of the interferometer system
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved interferometer system for determining the effects of an atmosphere present along a measurement path.

Interferometer with air turbulence compensation


The start-up aid circuit is connected to a plurality of current sources. The start-up aid circuit is common to all the current sources and supplies a start-up current to each current sources when the current sources are operating in a transient operating state following power-up of the apparatus. The circuit also inhibits the start-up aid circuit when all the current sources have reached an operating state described as stationary. The circuit may be applied to the power supply of microprocessors and electronic equipment.

Current sources are used in many types of electronic equipment and circuits to provide a constant supply of current. For example, current sources are used to power constant voltage generators, analog circuits, microprocessors, oscillators and analog/digital or digital/analog converters. A complex electronic circuit may be equipped with a plurality of current sources, each intended to power various parts or components of the circuit.
To illustrate the state of the prior art, FIG. 1 attached shows a current source equipped with a known type of starting aid apparatus. The current source is shown as general reference 9 in the diagram of FIG. 1. The current source comprises a first branch 10 connected between a power supply terminal 14 and a ground terminal 16. A first transistor 24 called the mirror transistor is connected in series with a second bipolar npn transistor 26 and a resistor 28 called the emitter resistor. The emitter resistor connects the emitter of bipolar transistor 26a to the ground terminal 16.
The first branch 10 is also called the pilot branch of the current source. A second branch 11 of the current source is connected in parallel with first branch 10 between the positive power supply terminal 14 and the ground terminal. The second branch comprises a first transistor 25 called the mirror transistor and a second bipolar npn transistor 27 both connected in series. The bases of bipolar transistors 26 and 27 of the first and second branches are connected to one another and to the collector of transistor 27 of the second branch.
The bipolar transistors of the two branches of the current source have different emitter surfaces. Transistors 26 and 27 thus have a voltage difference between their bases and their emitters. In the diagram of FIG. 1 bipolar transistor 26 of the first branch is considered to have a larger emitter surface than that of bipolar transistor 27 of the second branch. The difference between base-emitter voltages V.sub.BE 26 and V.sub.BE 27 of bipolar transistors 26 and 27 of the first and second branches, 10, 11, respectively, is noted .delta.V.sub.BE =V.sub.BE 26-V.sub.BE 27. This voltage difference is relayed to the terminals of the emitter resistor 28 that carries a current I.sub.10 such that ##EQU1## where R is the value of emitter resistor 28.
As a first approximation it can be considered that current I.sub. 10, which corresponds to the emitter current of bipolar transistor 26 of the first branch, also corresponds to its collector current. The current I.sub.10 is, therefore, the current of the first branch 10 of the current source.
Mirror transistors 24 and 25 define a current mirror enabling current I.sub.10 flowing in the first pilot branch 10 to be copied to the second branch 11. Designating the current of the second branch 11 as I.sub.11, i.e., more or less the emitter current of transistor 27, it can be verified that I.sub.11 .apprxeq.I.sub.10.
On power-up of the current source it can operate in two different modes. In the first operating mode it can be verified that I.sub.11 =I.sub.10 =0 Amp. This operating mode is clearly undesirable since no current is flowing through the current source. In the second operating mode it can be verified that ##EQU2## as stated above.
To ensure that the source operates in the second mode, a start-up current is injected into one of the branches immediately after power up of the source. This current creates a slight imbalance between the two branches of the source and avoids the first operating mode where I.sub.11 =I.sub.10 =0.
In the rest of this description the term "transient operating state" is understood to mean the operating state of the source immediately after power-up, before the current flowing through branches 10 and 11 has reached its nominal value. The start-up current is injected during this transient operating state.
By "stationary operating state" is understood an operating state reached at the end of the transient state during which the current flowing in the branches of the current source reaches its nominal value, i.e., ##EQU3##
In the stationary state the start-up current can and should be interrupted to avoid excessively high consumption of electricity.
Reference 30 of FIG. 1 is a start-up aid circuit for current source 10. The start-up aid circuit also comprises a pilot branch 32 with a first transistor 34. A second transistor 36 that forms a current mirror with first transistor 34 is provided to copy the current in pilot branch 32 of start-up aid circuit to second branch 11 of current source 9.
The first transistor 34 of the pilot branch is connected between power supply terminal 14 and ground terminal 16 in series with the channel of a field-effect transistor 38 called the resistance transistor used here as a high-rating resistor. The gate of this transistor is connected to power supply terminal 14. It should also be noted that the gate of first transistor 34 is connected to its drain.
The gates of first and second transistor 34, 36 of the start-up aid circuit are connected to one another and to power supply terminal 14 (positive) via a transistor 40 called the blocking transistor. The gate of the blocking transistor is connected to the gates of first transistors 10 and 11 of current source 19, again in a mirror-type assembly.
On power-up of the current source and start-up aid circuit, no current initially flows through branches 10 and 11 of the current source. Blocking transistor 40, driven by the current source, is in the closed state in which no current passes through it.
The first transistor 34 of the start-up aid circuit is designed to conduct when blocking transistor 40 is in the closed state. In this state, a current passes through pilot branch 32 and is copied by means of second transistor 36 to current source 9 as the start-up aid current. When the current source reaches the stationary state, a current flows through branches 10 and 11.
Blocking transistor 40, connected as a current mirror with first transistors 24 and 25 of the current source, starts conducting and takes the gates of first and second transistors 34, 36, to more or less the potential V.sub.cc of the power supply voltage. First and second transistors 34, 36 of the start-up aid circuit are then in the closed state and the start-up aid current is interrupted.
When first transistor 34 is closed the current flowing in pilot branch 32 is interrupted. However, because blocking transistor 40 is conducting and the gate of first transistor 34 is connected to its drain, a current flows towards and through transistor 38, known as the resistance transistor. This current, which is permanent when the source is in stationary state, contributes to the total electrical consumption of the circuit. To minimize this consumption the resistance of the channel of resistance transistor 38 must be increased.
In one embodiment of the circuit shown in FIG. 1 the channel of resistance transistor 38 is 5 .mu.m wide and 4,000 .mu.m long and has a resistance of 20 M.OMEGA.. It will be immediately apparent that this type of component is particularly bulky, especially when required for use in the creation of integrated circuit devices.
When an electronic apparatus comprises a plurality of components requiring independent current sources, multiplying start-up aid circuits for these sources is a problem, particularly in integrated versions of the apparatus. This problem is compounded by the large size of the resistance transistor described above. On this subject it has been noted that reducing the size, and, therefore, the resistance of the channel of this transistor is at the cost of an increase in the current consumed. This again is a problem when creating integrated chip apparatuses and devices.

Start-up aid circuit for a plurality of current sources


The subject invention relates to 3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives and methods of using such derivatives to treat disease states, disorders and conditions mediated by opioid receptors. The subject invention also particularly relates to using such derivatives to treat certain disorders and conditions, for example irritable bowel syndrome, drug addiction, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and eating disorders, among others.

The compounds of the subject invention bind to opioid receptors (e.g. mu, kappa and delta opioid receptors). Compounds that bind to such receptors are likely to be useful in the treatment of diseases modulated by opioid receptors, for example irritable bowel syndrome; constipation; nausea; vomiting; and pruritic dermatoses, such as allergic dermatitis and atopy in animals and humans. Compounds that bind to opioid receptors have also been indicated in the treatment of eating disorders, opioid overdoses, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, alcohol addiction, including alcohol abuse and dependency, sexual dysfunction, shock, stroke, spinal damage and head trauma.
Certain 4-arylpiperidine-based compounds are disclosed in European patent applications EP 287339, EP 506468 and EP 506478 as opioid receptor binding agents. In addition, International Patent Application WO 95/15327 discloses azabicycloalkane derivatives useful as neuroleptic agents. 3-Azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivatives useful as opioid receptor agents are also disclosed in WO 00/39089.


Methods, systems, and devices for managing wireless communications in a machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless Wide Area Network (WAN). An operating frequency band of the M2M wireless WAN is divided into at least a first frequency channel and a second frequency channel. The first and second frequency channels being used for communications on a reverse link. First channel status information and second channel status information are broadcasted to one or more M2M devices. The first channel status information indicating a status of the first frequency channel. The second channel status information indicating a status of the second frequency channel.

The following relates generally to wireless communication, and more specifically to communications in a machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless wide area network (WAN). Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, sensor data, tracking data, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.
Generally, a wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple devices. In some examples, these devices may be sensors and/or meters configured to collect data and transmit this data to an end server via a base station. These sensors and/or meters may be referred to as M2M devices. Base stations may communicate with M2M devices on forward and reverse links. Each base station has a coverage range, which may be referred to as the coverage area of the cell. An M2M device may transmit data to a base station on the reverse link.
The channels used by M2M devices to transmit data to the base station on the reverse link may be random access channels. A device may select a channel and attempt to transmit their data. If the channel is not available, it may result in a collision. The device may select a different channel and use additional energy and power to attempt to transmit its data again. This process causes a delay in the transmission of the data on the reverse link. In addition, valuable power and resources of the M2M devices are wasted as they attempt to identify an available channel through a rudimentary trial and error process.

Multiple access scheme for narrowband channels


A method and system to monitor a prisoner in a prison is disclosed herein. The prisoner's vital signs are monitored and the movement of the prisoner. The monitoring device measures real-time data for the at least one vital sign of the prisoner, calculates at least a real-time heart rate data, and transmits the real-time heart rate data to the receiving device for display on the display screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to real-time vital sign monitoring devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for monitoring a prisoner's vital signs in a prison.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a need to monitor the vital signs of prisoners without risking the safety of guards, medical personnel and the like.
The prior art has failed to provide a means for monitoring prisoners in prison.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for monitoring a prisoner


A fish attractor for attracting fish including a transparent and/or translucent food-containing member with a plurality of orifices; a transparent and/or translucent light-emitting member removably mounted on the food-containing member and including a battery-powered, light-emitting system; a buoyancy member including a top element removably and sealingly mounted on the light-emitting member; a sound-generating member secured to the top element capable of producing fish clicking sounds; an anchoring member secured to the food-containing member; and a retrieval mechanism secured to the light-emitting member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sporting goods and, more specifically without limitation, to fishing equipment accessories.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although there are variations, fishing can be basically described as one person against one fish wherein a real or artificial bait is used to catch a fish that happened to be in the vicinity of the bait. Different species of fish are attracted by various sensory perceptions or combinations thereof such as sight, sound, water vibrations, smell, etc. For example, real bait on a hook such as a worm, a part or whole of small fish, insect, or animal may be impaled on a hook and dangled from the end of a fishing pole. As for artificial bait which may be a cloth or sponge soaked in a substance having a strong odor, or a lure being trolled through the water. If a fish feels the presence of a hook while attempting to steal bait from a stationary location or from a moving lure, the chance to snag that fish is probably lost for the day.
What is needed is an apparatus that can be used to attract several fish to a desired location and then fish at that location in a attempt to snag one or more of the attracted fish. In order to attract species of fish which are attracted by sight, such as apparatus should be able to provide light/dark contrast, or provide moving or shiny movements of live bait such as worms or small bait fish, i.e., minnows, shiners, etc.
Also, in order to attract species of fish which are attracted by sound and/or water vibrations, such as apparatus should be able to provide water vibrations or sounds such as clicking sounds that emulate the sound produced by chad bait fish.
Further, in order to attract species of fish which are attracted by smell, such as apparatus should be able to provide various fish-attracting scents.
Finally, such an apparatus should be able to selectively provide various combinations of sight, sound, water vibrations, and/or smell.
Preferably, such an apparatus can be embodied in a relatively small portable unit that includes a means for anchoring the unit at a desired location, that can be used and retrieved by a bank fisherman, and that includes a location-indicating feature should a boat fisherman and the unit drift apart.
Various prior art fish attractors have been developed some of the features hereinbefore described but there is always room for further improvement as hereinafter described in detail.


In a communication antenna unit which is stored inside a casing, a flexible circuit board is supported by a support member in a bent state. A first antenna conductor pattern which configures a first communication antenna and a human body sensor are substantially formed on a flat plane section of the flexible circuit board adjacent to a curved section of the flexible circuit board. A second antenna conductor pattern which configures a second communication antenna is substantially formed on the curved section. The first antenna conductor pattern and the second antenna conductor pattern are connected to each other through an inductor coil which configures a resonant circuit portion.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a communication antenna unit that includes a communication antenna that utilizes a circuit board and a human body sensor, and relates to a mobile terminal apparatus, that includes such communication antenna, in which a battery pack is accommodated adjacent to the circuit board inside a casing and a power feeding portion of the battery pack is connected to a power reception portion inside the casing.
2. Background Art
In outdoor operations such as deliveries and payments by door-to-door parcel delivery service, warehousing management and insurance sales, mobile terminal apparatuses are used in many cases in order to deal with various types of data.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, in a mobile terminal apparatus 500, for example, a connector portion 502 is provided in a circuit board 501 inside a casing, and a power feeding portion 506 of a battery pack 505 is connected to a power reception portion 504 that is connected to the connector portion 502. Among the power reception portions 504, there has been known a power reception portion in which a plurality of power reception terminals 507 are formed in a band form. In the power reception portion 504, each of the power reception terminals 507 is aligned at a predetermined interval along a mutual thickness direction (see JP-A-2008-97961).
In recent years, the mobile terminal apparatus 500 has been required for improvement in drop durability and shock resistance. However, in the related art, if a shock greater than an anticipated shock is applied to the casing, vibration of a power reception portion are transferred to a connector portion. Therefore, there is a possibility that damage such as a separation from a circuit board may occur in the circuit board and the connector portion.
Moreover, when the mobile terminal apparatus 500 is used in outdoor operations, there occurs a case where a battery in a battery pack is in an empty state during the operations. In that case, there is a need to replace the battery pack. In addition, it is required that the mobile terminal apparatus 500 used in the outdoor operations has water resistance and dust resistance compared to a case of being used indoors, thereby being required for studies to improve the water resistance and the dust resistance.
In addition, in the above mobile terminal apparatuses for outdoor operations, for example, for a case of processing a payment, in order to transmit payment data to a payment process center, there are provided a data communication module such as Second Generation (2G), Third Generation (3G) and Long Term Evolution (LTE); a communication antenna that is connected thereto and the like.
In the data communication modules, there is a data communication module compatible with multiple telecommunication standards, for example, compatible with both 2G and 3G. In addition, as for LTE, for example, there is a data communication module that adopts multiple carrier frequencies under one communication standard. Therefore, the communication antenna that is connected to a communication module compatible with the multiple communication standards also needs to be designed in an antenna pattern compatible with the multiple communication standards or the multiple carrier frequencies.
Moreover, in mobile phones, a negative influence on the human body by electromagnetic waves generated from the communication antenna is of great concern. In that respect, there is adopted a technology to detect an approach or contact of the human body with respect to the communication antenna so as to weaken electromagnetic wave energy generated by the communication antenna (for example, refer to JP-A-2000-216610).
In JP-A-2000-216610, impedance of the communication antenna is changed when the human body approaches or comes into contact with the communication antenna, and it is detected that the electromagnetic wave energy that is supposed to be output returns to an apparatus side. In other words, this is an indirect detection method for which it is doubtful whether high detection sensitivity can be acquired with the indirect detection method. Therefore, it is more preferable to adopt a direct detection method. JP-A-9-233016 discloses a technology, for example, to directly detect the approach or contact itself of the human body with respect to the communication antenna or a radio communication apparatus on which the communication antenna is mounted.
Regarding the mobile terminal apparatuses for outdoor operations, even though the apparatus is used for only data communication, it is anticipated that the apparatus is held in the hand or is put in a holder attached to the waist or in a pocket to be carried. In that case, the approach or contact of the human body with respect to the communication antenna of a communication terminal apparatus occurs frequently. Therefore, in the mobile terminal apparatuses for outdoor operations as well, there is a need for the technology that controls communication electricity by detecting the approach or contact of the human body.
In addition to the above technology to be compatible with the multiple communication standards and the technology to control the communication electricity by detecting the approach or contact of the human body, functions to be implemented in the mobile terminal apparatus are increasing steadily. For example, when using the apparatus for an operation that requires a payment processing, a reading function for magnetic cards or contact/non-contact IC cards is necessary. In addition, when using the apparatus for deliveries in a parcel delivery service or for warehousing management, a reading function for a bar code, a QR code (registered trademark), an RF-ID Tag and the like is necessary. Therefore, a space for circuits assigned for each function is steadily reduced. The circumstance is not exceptional for a communication control circuit including the aforementioned communication antenna, the human body sensor and the battery pack including the connector portion and the power reception portion thereof.

Communication antenna unit and mobile terminal apparatus

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A display panel includes a first flexible substrate, and a metal wiring layer located on the first flexible substrate. The metal wiring layer includes at least one first power-supply line. At least one binding region is disposed on the side of the first flexible substrate away from the metal wiring layer. The display panel also includes a thin-film transistor layer, located on the side of the metal wiring layer away from the first flexible substrate and including a plurality of first thin-film transistors. Each first thin-film transistor includes a first electrode electrically connected to the first power-supply line. The display panel further includes a first conductive layer, including a plurality of conductive sections. The plurality of conductive sections is located in the binding region, and the first power-supply line is electrically connected to at least one conductive section of the plurality of conductive sections.

In many occasions such as theaters, conference rooms, and outdoors, large-screen displays are often used. Because the display area of a large-screen display is exceptionally large, forming such a large display area by splicing multiple displays with small display areas together is a method that is generally adopted. Accordingly, the image to be displayed is divided into multiple portions using an image splitter, and these multiple portions are respectively transmitted to the multiple displays with small display areas for display.
A display with a small display area usually includes a display region and a binding region. In the binding region, the signal lines of the display region need to be connected to an integrated circuit (IC), e.g., a driving chip and/or a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board, such that the corresponding electrical signals can be provided to the signal lines of the display region through the driving chip and/or the FPC board. As such, pictures can be displayed in the display region. However, according to existing technology, the display region and the binding region are usually disposed on the same side of the display. Therefore, after splicing multiple displays together, the display regions of the adjacent displays may be separated by a binding region, and thus a wide splicing seam may be formed between two adjacent displays. The presence of these splicing seams may affect the continuity of the image to be displayed, making it difficult for a large screen display to achieve the desired visual effect when displaying the image.
To this end, a current solution is mainly to design displays with small display areas as flexible displays, and bend the binding regions of the flexible displays to a certain angle before splicing them together. However, a splicing seam with a certain width may still be inevitably formed between adjacent flexible displays. In many occasions where the requirements on the visual effect are high, the large screen display obtained by splicing flexible displays together may still not be able to meet the requirements.
The disclosed display panel and fabrication method thereof as well as the disclosed display device are directed to solve one or more problems set forth above and other problems in the art.

Display panel and fabrication method thereof, and display device

XIAMEN TIANMA MICRO-ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.


Embodiments relate to an intelligent computer platform to selectively amend one or more document elements. A first document is subjected to natural language processing (NLP) and two or more document characteristics are subjected to an assessment to produce a characteristic value. The document characteristics and corresponding characteristic values are analyzed to produce a characteristic profile for each identified document characteristic. Upon receipt of a new document, document characteristic data and corresponding characteristic value(s) are identified. The corresponding characteristic value(s) of the new document is applied against the produced characteristic profile. New document characteristic data is selectively amended responsive to the comparison, and a new document version is created from the selective amendment.

The present embodiments relate to an artificial intelligence platform and machine learning for obscuring the identity of an author in an anonymous document. More specifically, the embodiments relate to identifying an author through a personality vector score and modifying the document to change the score and provide author anonymity.
In the field of artificial intelligent computer systems, natural language systems (such as the IBM Watson® artificial intelligent computer system and other natural language question answering systems) process natural language based on knowledge acquired by the system. To process natural language, the system may be trained with data derived from a database or corpus of knowledge, but the resulting outcome can be incorrect or inaccurate for a variety of reasons relating to the peculiarities of language constructs and human reasoning.
Machine learning, which is a subset of Artificial intelligence (AI), utilizes algorithms to learn from data and create foresights based on this data. AI refers to the intelligence when machines, based on information, are able to make decisions, which maximizes the chance of success in a given topic. More specifically, AI is able to learn from a data set to solve problems and provide relevant recommendations. AI is a subset of cognitive computing, which refers to systems that learn at scale, reason with purpose, and naturally interact with humans. Cognitive computing is a mixture of computer science and cognitive science. Cognitive computing utilizes self-teaching algorithms that use data minimum, visual recognition, and natural language processing to solve problems and optimize human processes.

International Business Machines Corporation


An hydraulic valve has two outlets and is switchable so that fluid can only be supplied to one outlet at a time. A spool with two seals is slidable in a housing under the action of two proportional solenoids and is urged to a central position by two springs where the seals block passage to both outlets. When the spool is moved in one direction it allows flow to one outlet and also allows flow via a bypass channel to an opposite side of the spool counteracting the force applied by the solenoid so that the force applied to an outlet can be controlled gradually.

This invention relates to hydraulic valves and to systems including such valves.
Hydraulic systems are used extensively to control the engagement of a clutch in a gearbox connecting the output shaft of an engine to its driven machinery, especially in heavy load applications, such as marine engines or an earth moving plant. The hydraulic system includes an electrically-operated or mechanically-operated valve, which enables or prevents flow of hydraulic fluid from a pump to an hydraulic clutch actuator. Where the gearbox has two clutches, such as for forward and reverse drive, two valves are used to supply hydraulic fluid to one or the other of the clutch actuators. The valves are arranged in such a way that only one can be open at any time, so as to prevent both clutches being engaged at the same time. Such valves can only adopt an open or closed state. This can be a disadvantage since it can be useful to be able to control the application of a variable hydraulic pressure to the clutch actuator, to enable it to be gradually engaged or disengaged, or to be partially engaged. There are other applications where it can be an advantage to be able to control the application of a variable hydraulic pressure to an hydraulic actuator.

Smiths Industries Public Limited Company


A system for making a pulse domain linear programming circuit. The inputs and the outputs to the pulse domain linear programming circuit are time encoded pulse signals. The circuit includes arrays of two types of cross-coupled time encoding elements. The first type of elements includes two integrators, adders, a hysteresis quantizer, and a 1-bit self-feedback DAC. The second type of elements includes a bias element, a leaky integrator, adders, a fixed memory-less non-linearity, a regular integrator, a hysteresis quantizer and a 1-bit self-feedback DAC. The cross-coupling signals between the two types of elements are pulse time-encoded signals. All of the cross-coupling weights are set via 1-bit DACs having variable gains. The cross-coupling weights are used to set a constraint equation of a pulse domain linear programming problem. Methods to make the foregoing circuit are also described.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure is generally related to circuits for linear programming and in particular to pulse domain linear programming circuits.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, a circuit performing time encoding does not process or solve a linear programming problem. Linear programming is a well known mathematical technique for finding an optimized answer to many practical problems in operations research and in many technological arts as well, such as recovery of signals captured by compressed sensing.
Prior art circuits solve linear programming problems using conventional analog signals. Consequently, such prior art circuit utilize analog amplifiers. The accuracy of such prior art circuits is limited by the linearity of the analog amplifier, commonly used in an internal input.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art analog-input time encoder. See also reference 1 identified above. This circuit has a single analog input u(t) and a single pulse output z(t). This circuit encodes analog input signals u(t) into pulse signals z(t). If the analog signal is bandlimited, the encoding can be practically without loss of information. That is, the input u(t) can be recovered from the timing of the output signal z(t). A time decoding machine can be used to recover the analog input u(t) from the asynchronous pulse output z(t). Assuming ideal elements, practically no quantization error is introduced by this encoder. The circuit of FIG. 1 has an input analog linear amplifier (g1), an integrator, a hysteresis quantizer, a feedback element (g3), and an adder (+). This circuit is not used for linear programming or other optimization problems.
FIG. 2 shows a prior art circuit to solve a linear programming problem in an analog domain. See prior art reference 2 identified above. This circuit has n analog inputs and N analog outputs. The circuit of FIG. 2 can solve problems of the type
                              min                                (                          f                                            (                Z                )                                      )                                                                              s          .          t          .                      {                                                                                A                      ×                      Z                                        =                    Y                                                                                Z                          i                                                ≥                                                  0                                                                                i                                                                    =                      1                                        ,                                                                                …                                                                                ,                    N                                                                                (                  Equation                                                              1                )
where A is a constraint matrix with n rows and N columns, Y is an input column vector of n analog numbers, Z is an output column vector of N analog numbers, and f is a linear function of the output vector. All of the signals in the circuit of FIG. 2 are conventional analog signals. The circuit of FIG. 2 is shown in a vector symbolic form. The matrix multiplication symbols represent arrays of variable-gain analog amplifiers, such as analog multipliers, and adders. The accuracy of this circuit is limited by the linearity of these variable-gain analog amplifiers.


The invention relates to a process for selectively controlling the crystallisation mesotrione [2-(4-methylsulphonyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione] from aqueous solution in which the aqueous mesotrione solution is introduced to a crystalliser containing seed crystals predominantly of the thermodynamically stable polymorph (“Form 1”) in a semi-continuous or continuous manner. The invention further relates to a process for converting the metastable polymorph (“Form 2”) of mesotrione to Form 1 by introducing an aqueous solution containing the former form to a crystalliser containing seed crystals predominantly of the latter form.

The protection of crops from weeds and other vegetation that inhibits crop growth is a constantly recurring problem in agriculture. To help combat this problem, researchers in the field of synthetic chemistry have produced an extensive variety of chemicals and chemical formulations effective in the control of such unwanted growth. Chemical herbicides of many types have been disclosed in the literature and a large number are in commercial use. Commercial herbicides and some that are still in development are described in The Pesticide Manual, 13th Edition, published 2003 by the British Crop Protection Council.
Many herbicides also damage crop plants. The control of weeds in a growing crop therefore requires the use of so-called 'selective' herbicides, which are chosen to kill the weeds while leaving the crop undamaged. In practice, few herbicides are, fully selective, in that they will kill all the weeds and leave the crop untouched at a particular application rate. The use of most selective herbicides is actually a balance between applying enough herbicides to acceptably control most of the weeds and causing only minimal crop damage. One known selective herbicide is mesotrione (2-(4-methylsulphonyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione).
It is well known that certain substances can form different crystal structures, or polymorphs. In many cases, only one of the polymorphs is thermodynamically stable. Mesotrione, a broadleaf herbicide, is an example of a substance that can form polymorph crystals. Crystallization of mesotrione is carried out by a pH shift in a predominantly aqueous solution whereby the soluble salt is converted to the insoluble free acid resulting in high yield. It has recently been discovered that mesotrione exists in two polymorphic forms: the thermodynamically stable form, referred to herein as Form 1; and the metastable form, referred to herein as Form 2.
For aqueous crystallization a large difference in size between Form 1 and Form 2 mesotrione was seen and this is a very useful technique for assessing the presence of Form 2. The powder X Ray Diffraction (PXRD) patterns and data for the two polymorphic forms are also distinctly different
In the commercial manufacture of mesotrione it is important to produce the thermodynamically stable polymorph, referred to as Form 1. However, due to the size of the crystals, milling is required to reduce the crystal size when formulating into an agrochemically acceptable composition. Form 2 is already of a size that would be suitable for formulating into an agrochemically acceptable composition, however, Form 2 is thermodynamically unstable and would gradually convert to Form 1; consequently any formulation prepared therefrom can lead to instability problems during storage, or it can result in difficulties during the application of the product in the field.
A further problem exists in that Form 1 is currently the form used in preparing agrochemically acceptable formulations, but during the manufacturing process, Form 2 is readily made when mesotrione is recrystallized in aqueous solution. Due to Form 2 being very fine, it is difficult to harvest the solids and production time is lost while trying to remove it from the system. If the Form 2 material obtained during recrystallization cannot be converted to Form 1, then it must be disposed of, resulting in lost revenue and inefficient production processes.
Commercial manufacture of herbicides is often done in batch reactors. Consequently, the crystallization process, which is typically the last stage of the manufacturing process, is also often conducted in a batch mode. In this mode of operation, a small number of batches yield product that contain the undesirable Form 2 crystals. Formation of Form 2 crystals can be avoided by using solvents during the crystallization. However, the use of solvents will significantly increase the manufacturing costs due to the recovery or disposal of these solvents.
WO 03/099409 teaches the use of solvents to control polymorphism. The use of solvents generates a waste stream which can be difficult to treat because of high solvent loadings, or it requires additional process steps and equipment to recover the solvent from the waste stream.

Process for the crystallisation of mesotrione


A golf glove comprising outer and inner sections connected to each other by a thumb line and a little finger line to become worn from fingers to substantially above a wrist and toward a user's arm is disclosed. The outer section has a finger portion, a knuckle portion, a backhand portion, a wrist portion, and an arm portion. A support pad embedded along the arm portion, the wrist portion and the backhand portion includes a backhand shingle having a lower end, an arm shingle having a first edge, a second edge, and an upper end. The upper end of the arm shingle is pivotably engaged to the lower end of the backhand shingle so that the backhand shingle makes an angular rotation against the arm shingle. A first flex wing extends from the first edge to become perpendicular to the arm shingle and to approach the thumb line.

The invention relates to a golf glove. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved golf glove which promotes club swing accuracy by stabilizing the posture of a golfer's hand and wrist from address to club swing while providing flexibility in the hand's sidewise movement.
As generally understood among golfers, a golfer's swing accuracy is generated by combination of body movements relative to club swings. For example, a golfer's grip is faulty, the golfer may not have control of club when he reaches the top of his backswing, thereby failing to shot the ball to a target point. To further facilitate grip and swing motion, a golf glove is worn on one hand that grips over the club handle with the other hand slightly covering finger portions of the glove-clad hand. A golf swing accuracy is known to substantially improve if the glove-clad hand is maintained without backward or forward leaning during the entire swing. So a prior art introduces a wrist support provided as an attachment to a golf glove in order to prevent the unwanted forward or backward leaning of a golfer's wrist during swing motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,391 discloses a sports glove for a bowler including a glove body having sleeves, a flexible cover attached to the sleeves to form a pouch, and cushioning pad disposed in the pouch to weight distribution and balance a bowler grabbing a bowling ball. Applicant believes that a bowler glove designed to efficiently hold a bowling ball is inapplicable to a golf glove dealing with a club swing mechanism for a golf player.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,302 discloses a wrist control device having a hand member for engaging the back of the hand, an independent arm member for engaging the top of the arm above the wrist, a pivot means pivotally connecting the members together for pivotal movement relative to one another. Applicant believes that this lacks stability due to instability of the independent arm member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,298 discloses a golf training apparatus with an arm guide secured to the off arm of a golfer. A wrist guide pivotably attached to the arm guide and positioned on the hand of a golfer leads to the pivotal attachment of the wrist guide to the arm guide to ensure that the golfer's hand pivots relative to the forearm. Applicant believes that this resembles the '302 patent in light of lacking stability caused by instability of the wrist guide. Further, this '298 patent is designed to aid golf beginners, resulting in inapplicability to general application for golfing.
A demand is to provide a flexible wrist support clad to a glove, which allows the wrist to naturally move side to side while preventing backward or forward leaning of the
A demand is to provide a flexible wrist support clad to a glove, which allows the wrist to naturally move side to side while preventing backward or forward leaning of the wrist.


The present invention provides a safety light having a easily recognizable and colorful rotating illumination pattern. The safety light consists of a housing containing at least one group of secondary lighting elements arranged substantially around a primary lighting element. The lighting elements are covered by a translucent face having a central portion overlying the primary lighting element and a group of colored elements overlying each group of secondary lighting elements. Circuit means power the lighting elements such that the secondary lighting elements are illuminated in a rotating sequence, producing a distinct light pattern. The safety light is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, including vehicles and recreational and service activities.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to safety lights for vehicles or other recreational or service applications. Such lights are useful in ensuring safe operation of the vehicle or participation in the recreational or service activity during hours of darkness. More specifically, the invention relates to safety lights which provide a distinctive illumination pattern which can be readily identified as associated with a particular user or activity.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art discloses a number portable safety lights used in conjunction with a vehicle such as a bicycle. For example, Simms, U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,177 discloses a bicycle safety light with a variable LED pattern to improve nighttime recognition of the bicyclist. However, the Simms safety light is not multicolored, nor does the light energization sequence proceed in a distinctive easily recognizable rotating pattern. Furthermore, the intensity of a strictly LED display may unduly limit the distance at which the light can be recognized as emanating from a particular source. Such a single color limited illumination safety light might be easily confused with a common roadside reflector. Similar problems apply to the bicycle safety flasher described in Kelley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,879, and the single color bicycle signalling device of Lin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,228. The flasher is even more likely to be confused with other sources since it is commonly used in a number of stationary applications, for example as part of a highway or construction barricade.
Several types of illumination patterns exist in the prior art. For example, Roth, U.S. Pat. No. 2,699,536, discloses a safety light which generates a spiral pattern of variable color. However, Roth does not teach a simple method for generating a display with a pattern of continuously varying colors, and his light is not able to display several colors at once. The Roth light source, generating only a single color at any given time, could easily be confused with any number of other similar sources, such as streetlights, signal lights, headlights, or lights from emergency vehicles. The importance of rotation as a signalling means has been noted in Moya, U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,452. However, Moya relies upon a rotating housing surrounding a single fixed light source to create a swept beam of light, and does not vary the color or pattern of the source.
The patterns generated by the prior art devices are not unique or colorful, and are susceptible to confusion with other light generating or reflecting devices used in numerous unrelated applications. This confusion as to the source of the light tends to diminish its effectiveness as a safety or warning device, and thereby increases the likelihood that an accident will occur. In addition, many of the prior art devices are cumbersome and uninteresting and may deter certain people from using them, thereby increasing the risk of injury. For example, children may see the prior art safety devices as interfering with their recreational activities and therefore be less likely to use them.
Furthermore, none of the safety lights discussed above are suitable for a wide variety of applications. Many are suitable for use only with bicycles or similar vehicles, and cannot be easily modified to accommodate alternative uses. However, distinctive light sources are needed in a diverse array of applications, including but not limited to recreational activities. For example, a distinctive safety light would also be useful to those who provide delivery, maintenance and repair services during hours of darkness. These services might involve food delivery, plumbing and air-conditioning maintenance and repair, and the like. A particular service provider should be equipped with an appropriate safety light incorporating a distinctive pattern which protects their safety by announcing their presence to others. The prior art devices are not readily adaptable to such uses.
As is apparent from the above, there is presently a need for a distinctive safety light which is unlikely to be confused with other sources. The source should provide a colorful rotating pattern such that it can be readily identified with a particular use or activity. The basic safety light should be easily modified to provide a large number of distinctive illumination patterns. The safety light should thus be readily adaptable to a wide variety of different applications, including but not limited to vehicles, recreational activities and service providers.

Safety light with colorful rotating illumination pattern


A robust solution for eccentricity issues in 360 degree rotary sensor application utilizing a hollow cylindrical magnet. A hollow cylindrical magnet design can be implemented to drive a parallel field magnetic sensor based on Hall/AMR technologies. Eccentricity variations of +/−0.46 mm on X and Y axes can be reduced by at least 20%, in turn improving the repeatability, linearity error and a correlation error associated with the sensor. For tilts of +/−3 degrees, the error can be reduced to at least 50% compared to a solid magnet, thereby increasing the repeatability and accuracy of the rotary sensor. The disclosed design improves linearity, is robust in vibration and improves reliability in lifecycle as the sensor configuration is less affected by wear and tear due to mechanical vibrations.

Rotary position sensors include potentiometers, resolvers, encoders and a variety of magnetic and capacitive technologies. Each device possesses characteristic advantages and disadvantages that make some devices more suitable for particular applications than others. A Non-contact Rotary Position Sensor, for example, converts rotary motion into an electrical signal to assist in providing the control data necessary for major chassis systems and other automotive and non-automotive applications.
The linear output voltage from a Non-contact Rotary Position Sensor's is directly proportional to the sensor's angle of rotation. Non-contact performance can be made possible by a variety of technologies that include the latest linear programmable, fully-integrated Hall Effect and Anisotropic magneto resistive (AMR) technologies.
The Hall Effect is based on an operating distance range, repeatability, various ranges from which to select, and a minimum target distance. The operating distance range is the absolute maximum range over which the device can provide sensible readings. Devices with various selectable ranges allow the device to be field-adjustable. Depending on the technology utilized, proximity sensors require a minimum target size.
Adding an integrated magnetic concentrator to a Hall Effect sensor enables high-accuracy 360° rotary position sensing. One example of a prior art 360° rotary sensor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,707,293, entitled "360-Degree Rotary Position Sensor Having a Magnetoresistive Sensor an a Hall sensor," which issued to Wan et al on Mar. 16, 2004 and is assigned to Honeywell International Inc. U.S. Pat. No. 6,707,293 is incorporated herein by reference. The Hall technology, based on integrated magnetic concentrators (IMCs), enables the development of small, cost-effective, high-accuracy noncontact rotary position sensors intended to solve long-standing challenges in 360° position sensing.
As automotive systems continue to develop in their complexity and performance, the increased need for rotary sensor products in the automotive market demands an improved robust design. Eccentricity or dislocation of the magnet position may occur due to harsh operating conditions such as, for example, wear and tear in the lifecycle, which is most common in automotive applications.
One prior art sensing technique involves the use of a diametrically magnetized solid magnet that drives a parallel field magnetic sensor based on Hall or AMR technology. Such a technique and/or apparatus contain several limiting constraints. Based on the stimulation results, for eccentricities of +/−0.46 mm on X and Y axes, which is common in automotive applications, the Bx and By output varies by 1.96% & 0.68% respectively. Due to this issue, achieving the same repeatability every time when the sensor is tested is questionable.
Because of the increase in error, the correlation error in dual o/p sensor may be increased. Based on the stimulation results, a tilt of the magnet for +/−3 degrees on the X axis can cause the Bx and By parameters to vary by 4.89% & 4.7% respectively. A tilt of 3 degrees can be due to the clearance between the rotating parts. The clearance can be provided to enable free rotation of the parts.
Due to an increase in the B field components error, the linearity and correlation errors, in the case of dual o/p sensors, can increase. Polarity identification during the assembly of the sensor calls for a tedious process that increases product costs. The centrality between the magnet and the sensor IC must be maintained in an ideal location, which is critical to effective sensor operations. A mechanical support can be, for example, actually provided by a bonding at the bottom or a potting located at the top side of the magnet. There is no pole to hold the magnet inside the rotor slot.
Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for a robust design to overcome the problems of eccentricity or dislocation of the magnet position with respect to the desired position with sensing element. It is believed that the system and method disclosed herein provides a solution to these problems by offering a configuration in which a hollow cylindrical magnet design can be implemented to drive the parallel field magnetic sensor with a unique configuration based on Hall/AMR technologies.

Rotary sensor with rotary sensing element and rotatable hollow magnet


An improved electrochemical dissolution process for electrochemically dissolving a first metal by simultaneously creating hydrogen evolution at a second metal. The second metal is a metal that has a larger current exchange density for hydrogen evolution than the first metal, and both metals are immersed in an aqueous electrolyte system, wherein the first metal and the second metal are galvanically coupled. By taking measures to reduce inhibition of the hydrogen evolution at the second metal, the rate of dissolution of the first metal is enhanced. The measures to reduce the inhibition comprise selecting suitable temperatures and concentrations of the electrolyte, dividing the electrolyte into two fluids coupled by a selectively permeable device and selecting suitable resistance value for a connecting means electrically connecting the first and the second metal. The invention is particularly useful for removing Zn or Sn from Zn- or Sn-containing steel scrap.

Examples of industrial applications for dissolution of a metal, such as Zn or Sn in an aqueous electrolyte are the preparing of a solution containing ions of zinc or tin for electroplating purposes or dezincing or detinning of metal scrap, especially of steel scrap.
For preparing or replenishing a solution for plating purposes a metal may be fed to the aqueous electrolyte in a substantially pure form and no selective dissolution with respect to other metals may be needed. For removing the metal from e.g. steel scrap selective dissolution is desired, selective in that only the metal(s) to be dissolved dissolve, in order to be able to separate the metal from the scrap thus obtaining the separate metal and steel scrap substantially free of that metal.
As Sn and Zn may be applied as a covering layer on steel by electroplating from an electrolyte and the resulting steel is to be recycled, both above-mentioned dissolution applications are particularly relevant for steel production and recycling. Tinned steel is a widely used packaging material and galvanized steel is used in numerous product applications for example in automotive applications. In an electrochemical process for selective dissolution of Zn and Sn these metals and also Pb and Al may be separated from steel scrap, thus providing for recovery of such metals as well as clean steel scrap that can be reused in the manufacturing of steel.
The need for high efficiency removal of especially Zn from steel scrap has increased lately because the production of galvanized steel has increased enormously in the last 20 years, particularly in the building industry and in the automotive industry as well as for donestic appliances. In the life cycle sooner or later such Zn-containing steel will form scrap which is to be reprocessed in a steel making process for which only a limited Zn content of the scrap is allowed or desired.
In a known process for dissolving metals in an aqueous electrolyte for preparing a solution for plating purposes electrical power is fed to the electrolytical process in order to obtain an acceptable dissolution rate. In order to obviate electrodeposition of the metal being dissolved in the aqueous electrolyte on the cathode, a membrane may be installed separating the anolyte and the catholyte.
In dezincing or detinning metal scrap which takes place in an alkaline electrolyte for selectivity, dissolution is e.g. carried out without electrical power supplied making use of intrinsic galvanic coupling between different metals in the scrap in which case dissolution rates are very low, or electrical power is supplied from an external source such as a rectifier to the process.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,260 discloses a method of removing zinc from ganvalized steel without substantial co-dissolution of substrate iron comprising immersing the ganvalized steel in a caustic electrolyte solution anid electrically connecting the ganvalized steel to a cathode material which is stable in the caustic electrolyte and has a low hydrogen voltage.
EP 0 479 326 discloses alkaline leaching for dezincing of ganvalized steel scrap wherein the leaching solution includes an oxidant.

Process for electrochemically dissolving a metal such as zinc or tin


Example implementations relate to an electronic plug having a locking assembly for securing within an electronic port having a receptacle. The locking assembly includes a cantilever beam, a deformable arm, and an axle rotatably coupled to a connector of the electronic plug. The cantilever beam extends from the axle, where a free end of the cantilever beam includes a locking tab aligned to a recess of the connector. The deformable arm extends from the axle, where an open end of the deformable arm is rested on the connector. In a biased state of the deformable arm, the locking tab is positioned below the recess to allow movement of the connector in and out of the receptacle. In a relaxed state of the deformable arm, the locking tab protrudes above the recess to allow movement of the connector into the receptacle and prevent movement of the connector out of the receptacle.

Computing systems, such as servers, storages, wireless access points or the like may include at least one, and typically, multiple electronic Input-Output (IO) ports, for example, universal serial bus (USB) ports. In such examples, electronic plugs, for example, USB plugs may be connected to the computing system via the USB ports for storing, processing, receiving, or transferring data. Because, the USB plugs are designed to be removable from the USB ports of the computing system in a "plug and play" manner, the USB ports may have a standardized connection interface for the USB plugs, such as mouse, keyboards, scanners, digital cameras, printers, external displays, external storage devices, or the like.

Electronic plug having a locking assembly for securing to an electronic port

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


The present invention involves a rapid synthesis of .sup.18 F-FMISO and analogs thereof. New precursors such as 1-(2'-nitro-1'-imidazolyl)-2-0-acetyl-3-0-tosylpropanol, glycerol-1,3-ditosylate-2-0-acetylate, 1-(2'-nitro-1'-imidazolyl)-2,3-0-diacetyl-4-0-tosylbutanol and threitol 1,4-di-tosylate-2,3-0-diacetylate, are also important aspects of the invention.. A further aspect of the invention is the development of a hydrophilic PET ligand to image tumor hypoxia. Erythrotosyl analogue of 2-nitroimidazone (Ts-ETNIM) was prepared from a mixture of 2-nitromidazole, ditosylthreitol and cesium carbonate at 60.degree. C. for 1 hr. Ts-ETNIM was isolated at 70% yield. .sup.18 F!fluoroerythronitroimidazole (FETNIM) was then prepared from Ts-ETNIM and K.sup.18 F/kryptofix.RTM.. The yield for .sup.18 F!FETNIM was 26-30% (60 min, decay corrected). Results of biodistribution and PET studies indicate that .sup.18 F!FETNIM has the potential to detect tumor hypoxia and is indicated to be less neurotoxic.

Field of the Invention
Tumor cells are more sensitive to radiation in the presence of oxygen than in its absence Powers et al., 1963). Even a small percentage of hypoxic cells within a tumor could limit response to radiation (Hall, 1988). Hypoxic radioresistance has been demonstrated in many experimental and animal tumors and hypoxia has been directly demonstrated in certain tumor types in man (Moulder et al., 1984; Peters et al., 1982). The occurrence of hypoxia in human tumors has in most cases been inferred from histologic findings and from evidence of hypoxia in animal tumor studies. In vivo demonstration of hypoxia has required tissue measurements with oxygen electrodes and the invasiveness of this technique has limited its application. Most attempts to increase the radiosensitivity of tumors by administration of chemical radiosensitizers have not been successful (Gatenby, et al., 1988; Kayama et al., 1991; Maor et al., 1981). However, there has been no clinically applicable means of demonstrating tumor hypoxia and it has not been possible to identify the patients who could potentially benefit from radiosensitizing therapy. Potential advantages of neutrons over more conventional radiation include a lesser dependence on oxygenation of the tumor and a lower variability of cell neutron sensitivity around the cell cycle.
3-.sup.18 F!Fluoro-1-(2'-nitro-1'-imidazoyl)-2-propanol (.sup.18 F-fluoromisonidazole; FMISO) has been used with positron emission tomography (PET) to differentiate metabolically active hypoxic tumor from well-oxygenated metabolically active tumor. .sup.18 F-FMISO is metabolized by intracellular nitroreductases and acts as a competing electron acceptor at low oxygen levels. The .sup.18 FMISO is reduced and subsequently incorporated into metabolically active hypoxic cells by covalent bonding to various macromolecules. Recent studies have shown that PET, in view of its ability to monitor cell oxygen content through .sup.18 F-FMISO, has a high potential to predict treatment response. (Koh et al., 1992; Valk et al., 1992; Martin et al., 1989; and Rasey et al., 1989.)
Assessment of tumor hypoxia with .sup.18 F FMISO prior to radiation therapy provides a rational means of selecting patients for treatment with chemical radiosensitizing drugs. Such selection of patients permits more accurate evaluation of radiosensitizing drugs, since their use could be limited to patients with hypoxic tumors, who could potentially benefit. In addition, it is possible to differentiate radiotherapy modalities (neutron versus photon radiotherapy) by correlating .sup.18 F!FMISO results with tumor response.
The synthesis of .sup.18 F!FMISO reported by others showed no resemblance to the present inventive methods. Most studies used a two-part, two-step synthetic procedure, whereas the precursor of the present invention has a nitroimidazole moiety. Although there is a great demand in PET for .sup.18 F!FMISO, a simple and efficient synthesis to produce sufficient radioactivity of .sup.18 F!FMISO is difficult. Prior studies used .sup.18 F!epifluorohydrin to react with 2-nitroimidazole (Hwang et al., 1989; Jerabek et al., 1986; Grierson et al., 1989). The reaction takes a longer time (90 min.) and provides a lower radiochemical yield. One aspect of the present invention concerns a more rapid synthesis of .sup.18 F!FMISO.
Three classes of agents have found practical use for therapy against hypoxia tumors (Hall, 1994). These are (1) radiosensitizers of hypoxic cells, (2) chemopotentiation agents and (3) bioreductive drugs. Radiosensitizers are chemical or pharmacologic agents that increase the lethal effects of radiation when administered in conjunction with it. Nitroimidazoles were reported to potentiate the cytotoxic effects when combined with other chemotherapeutic agents (e.g. cisplatin, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and nitrosourea). Several clinical trials are in progress combining a radiosensitizer with alkylating agents. It would increase the efficiency of chemotherapy if the hypoxia component could be identified by a labeled tracer prior to the therapy. Bioreductive drugs are not radiosensitizers, yet, these drugs are reduced intracellularly in hypoxia cells to form active cytotoxic agents. Three drugs are primarily used in clinical trials. These drugs are mitomycin C, triapazamine (SR4233) and dual-function nitroheterocyclic compounds (RB6145).
Two nitroimidazole analogues (misonidazole and etanidazole) are potent radiosensitizers. In clinical trails, patients with high hemoglobin levels and cancer of the pharynx showed a great benefit from the addition of these analogues (Hall, 1994). However, the dose-limiting toxicity was found to be peripheral neuropathy that progressed to central nervous system toxicity if drug administration was not stopped. This neurotoxicity prevented the use of the drug at adequate dose levels throughout multifraction treatments.
Therefore, it is necessary to develop a more hydrophilic agent than misonidazole. This would allow the agent to have shorter half-life in vivo and, be expected to show less neurotoxicity. Another aspect of the present invention is the synthesis and evaluation of a new 2-nitroimidazole analogue which is more hydrophilic than FMISO and misonidazole. The synthetic scheme is shown in FIG. 6.

Rapid synthesis and use of 18F-fluoromisonidazole and analogs


The ring oscillator circuit with the current mirror type current limit circuit of this invention prevents the malfunction and the halt of the ring oscillator. The ring oscillator is configured with the serially connected CMOS inverters INV1–INV5 where the output of the last CMOS inverter INV5 is fed back to the input of the first CMOS inverter INV1. Also, the current mirror type current limit circuit for controlling the electric current going through the CMOS inverters INV1–INV5 is formed. The first supporting transistor T1 that helps the output of the CMOS inverter INV5 achieve the full-swing for reaching the power supply voltage Vdd and the second supporting transistor T2 that helps the output of the CMOS inverter INV5 achieve the full-swing for reaching the ground voltage Vss according to the output of the CMOS inverter INV3 two positions ahead of the last inverter INV5 are also formed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an oscillator circuit, specifically to a ring oscillator circuit provided with a current mirror type current limit circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
A ring oscillator has been used as an oscillator circuit for the various kinds of semi-conductor integrated circuits. It is necessary to acquire a low frequency oscillator clock signal when the ring oscillator is used as the self-refreshing oscillator circuit in a memory circuit such as DRAM. The low frequency oscillation is acquired by suppressing the electric current of the ring oscillator using a current mirror type current limit circuit.
FIG. 3 shows a ring oscillator type oscillator circuit provided with a current mirror type current limit circuit. In this oscillator circuit, five CMOS inverters INV1, INV2, INV3, INV4 and INV5 are serially connected, and the output of the last inverter INV5 is fed back to the input of the first inverter INV1, configuring a ring oscillator.
A current mirror type current limit circuit 10 has a P-channel type MOS transistor PM1, a resistor circuit 20 including a plurality of N-channel type MOS transistors connected in series with a power supply voltage Vdd applied at the gate of each transistor, and an N-channel type MOS transistor NM1. The drain and the gate of the P-channel type MOS transistor PM1 are connected with each other and the source of the transistor is provided with the power supply voltage Vdd. Also, the drain of the P-channel type MOS transistor PM1 is connected to the resistor circuit 20. The drain and the gate of the N-channel type MOS transistor NM1 are connected with each other and the source of the transistor is provided with the ground voltage Vss. Also, the drain of the N-channel type MOS transistor NM1 is connected to the resistor circuit 20. The electric current going through the P-channel type MOS transistor PM1 and the N-channel type MOS transistor NM1 is adjusted by the resistance of the resistor circuit 20. The resistance of the resistor circuit 20 is adjustable according to the number of the N-channel type MOS transistors serially connected.
The gate of the P-channel type MOS transistor PM1 is connected to each gate of the P-channel type MOS transistors PM2, PM3, PM4, PM5, and PM6 that are formed at the side of the power supply voltage Vdd of each of the CMOS inverters. Therefore, each of the P-channel type MOS transistors PM2, PM3, PM4, PM5, and PM6 forms a current mirror with the P-channel type MOS transistor PM1 respectively, with each of the P-channel type MOS transistors PM2, PM3, PM4, PM5, and PM6 having the same electric current as that of the P-channel type MOS transistor PM1, which enables limiting the electric current.
The gate of the N-channel type MOS transistor NM1 is connected to each gate of the N-channel type MOS transistors NM2, NM3, NM4, NM5, and NM6 that are formed at the side of the ground voltage Vss of each of the CMOS inverters. Therefore, each of the N-channel type MOS transistors NM2, NM3, NM4, NM5, and NM6 forms a current mirror with the N-channel type MOS transistor NM1 respectively, with each of the N-channel type MOS transistors NM2, NM3, NM4, NM5, and NM6 having the same electric current as that of the N-channel type MOS transistor NM1, which enables limiting the electric current.
The output of the last CMOS inverter INV5 of the ring oscillator is applied to the gates of a P-channel type MOS transistor PM7 and an N-channel type MOS transistor NM7 of the outputting CMOS inverter INV6. The output of the CMOS inverter INV3, which is located two positions ahead of the last inverter INV5 of the ring oscillator, is applied to the gates of a P-channel type MOS transistor PM8 and an N-channel type MOS transistor NM8 of the same outputting CMOS inverter INV6.
The oscillation waveform is adjusted by eliminating the through current of the CMOS inverter INV6, which is achieved by switching the P-channel type, MOS transistor PM8 and the N-channel type MOS transistor NM8 earlier than the P-channel type MOS transistor PM7 and the N-channel type MOS transistor NM7 using the output of the CMOS inverter INV3. Furthermore, the output of the CMOS inverter INV6 is applied to the input terminal of the CMOS inverter INV7. An oscillation clock signal RCLK is acquired from the output of the CMOS inverter INV7.
A P-channel type MOS transistor PM9 formed at the output terminal of the first CMOS inverter INV1 and an N-channel type MOS transistor NM9 inserted to a current path of the CMOS inverter INV1 are both transistors for resetting controlled by a reset signal SRE.
FIGS. 4A–4C show the oscillation waveforms acquired from the circuit simulation of the oscillator circuit described above. FIG. 4A is a waveform of the output of the CMOS inverter INV3 at a node N5, FIG. 4B is a waveform of output of the last CMOS inverter INV5 at a node N7, and FIG. 4C is a waveform of the oscillation clock signal RCLK outputted from the CMOS inverter INV7 respectively. FIG. 4A also shows the voltage at a node N1, which is a connecting point of the gates of the P-channel type MOS transistors PM2, PM3, PM4, PM5, and PM6, as well as the voltage at a node N2, which is a connecting point of the gates the N-channel type MOS transistors NM2, NM3, NM4, NM5, and NM6.

Oscillator circuit with supporting transistor for voltage sweep


The invention is a pigment comprising titanium dioxide and an amino phosphoryl compound. The pigment of the invention imparts improved physical qualities, such as improved lacing resistance and dispersion, when incorporated into polymers.

Titanium dioxide pigments have many known applications, particularly for uses in coatings, paper, and plastics. When incorporated into polymers for plastics applications, the titanium dioxide pigment may act as a filler, or it may also be used to impart improved chemical and physical attributes to polymer matrices, including improved thermal stability, decreased chemical activity, and improved lacing resistance. Lacing resistance is particularly important in extruded polymer film applications.
Although untreated titanium dioxide may be useful in polymer applications, it has been found beneficial to treat the pigments prior to use. Pigments may be treated in different ways, including the addition of surface treatments. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,037 teaches the treatment of pigments with organosulfonic acid compounds to impart improved physical and chemical qualities to polymeric matrices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,041 teaches treating pigments with organo-acid phosphates. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,049 teaches treating pigments with an alkylphosphonic acid or ester.
Despite the variety of surface treatments, for various reasons, including cost and desired properties, no known surface treatments are ideal for all applications. Thus, there is always a need to develop new and better treatments for pigments.

Amino phosphoryl treated titanium dioxide


A focusing controller and the method thereof for an optical disk drive. The focusing controller includes a filter, a coupler and a focus compensator. The filter filters out a high-frequency component of the track error signal and derives an adjusted signal, while the coupler eliminates the adjustment signal from the focusing error signal so as to generate a coupled signal. The focus compensator generates a focus control signal used for controlling a position of the pick up head of the optical disk drive according to the coupled signal during a focusing operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a focusing controller and the method thereof, and more particularly to a focusing controller and the method thereof used in an optical disk drive.
2. Description of the Related Art
Focus error signal Fe is used to adjust the position of pick up head of an optical disk drive so as to focus the laser beam emitted by the pick up head onto a currently loaded optical disk. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a convention optical disk drive 100, which includes a focusing controller 120 and a pick up head 110 used for accessing an optical disk 130. After the focus error signal Fe being derived according to the reflected light from the optical disk 130, the focusing controller 120 outputs a focus control signal Foo to control the pick up head 110 according to the focus error signal Fe.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the focusing controller used conventionally, which basically includes an analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) 210, a focus compensator 220 and a digital-to-analog converter (D/A converter) 230. The A/D converter 210 receives and digitizes the focus error signal Fe and delivers a digital focus error signal to the focus compensator 220. The D/A converter 230 then converts signal at the output terminal of the focus compensator 220 to generate required focus control signal Foo for controlling the position of the pick up head 110.
However, noises inside the optical disk drive affect the servo signals, including the focus error signal, so that the laser beam cannot precisely focus on the optical disk. There includes a plurality of tracks having pits and lands thereon used to record information on the surface of an optical disk. However, the focus error signal Fe is easily coupled with the track error signal Te during tracking operations, which indicates that the pickup head may not be allocated at an accurate position during the following focusing operations since the currently derived focus error signal Fe is erroneous because of coupling low-frequency error component from the track error signal Te. FIG. 3 shows waveform diagrams of the track error signal Te and the focus error signal Fe during tracking operations. Obviously, the focus error signal Fe is usually coupled with the low-frequency component of the track error signal Te such that the actually focus status of the pickup head may not obtained due to an erroneous Fe is derived.

Focusing controller apparatus and method for an optical disk drive


An impeller may include a hub section, a plurality of blades, and a shroud. The hub section may be mounted on a rotatable shaft. The hub section may define a central opening for the rotatable shaft to extend therethrough and may define a plurality of holes disposed in a circular manner about the central opening. The plurality of blades may be connected to or integral with the hub section. The shroud may be connected to or integral with the hub section and the plurality of blades. The plurality of holes may be either through holes or partially drilled holes. A bottom of some or all of the partially drilled holes may be flat, conical, or rounded. Some or all of the partially drilled holes may have one or more bleed holes that may permit quenching material to flow therethrough and prevent the quenching material from stagnating therein.

Impellers are generally known and typically include a hub section, for example, in a form of a disc mounted on a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of blades attached to the hub section. A shroud or side wall is connected to the hub section and the plurality of blades. The shroud may be connected to the hub section and the plurality of blades only on one side of the plurality of blades, and such an impeller is referred to as a semi-open impeller. Alternatively, the shroud may be connected to the hub section and the plurality of blades on both sides of the plurality of blades and, as such, encloses the plurality of blades. Such an impeller is referred to as an enclosed impeller. In some impellers, the shroud may be absent and such impellers are referred to as open impellers. In operation, fluid enters an impeller through an inlet opening located proximal to the shaft, flows radially outwardly through flow channels defined between the plurality of blades, and exits the impeller through one or more outlets located at the outer perimeter of the impeller.
During the hardening process step in the manufacturing of an impeller, the impeller may be heated to a required temperature and quenched in air, gas, and/or liquid. Often, the impeller is large in size and has a relatively thick hub section. The large size and the thickness of the hub section of the impeller may affect the heating and cooling rates of the material of the hub section. For example, when exposed to quenching material (air, gas and/or liquid), the material in a section of the impeller having a larger cross-sectional thickness (for example, material in and around a central opening of the hub section) may not cool as rapidly as compared to the material on the surface of the impeller and the material in a section of the impeller having a smaller cross-sectional thickness (for example, material on the periphery of the impeller). As a result, the material in and around the central opening of the hub section of the impeller may be softer than the material on the surface, and material in and around the periphery of the impeller. There may be, therefore, a difference in the microstructure of impeller material throughout the entire structure of the impeller. Consequently, the impeller may exhibit less than desirable mechanical properties, for example, reduced hardness, reduced compressive strength, reduced yield strength, or the like, in the hub section. This may result in deformities in the hub section of the impeller during operation. For example, the impeller may experience yielding during overspeed.
As a result, presently known methods utilized in an effort to improve the mechanical properties in the thick hub section include using new manufacturing methods which are not viable for larger impellers, using expensive materials which erode profit margin, using various types of heat treatments that provide less than the desired mechanical properties, and designing hub sections of different geometrical configurations.
What is needed, therefore, is a method of achieving the desired mechanical properties at the thick hub section without substituting the standard material or altering the present manufacturing processes.


A method of forming a three-dimensional orthoscopic image from a pseudoscopic image comprising preparing an integral photograph representing the pseudoscopic image, and reconstructing a three-dimensional image from that integral photograph. Since the reconstruction of a three-dimensional image from an integral photograph is pseudoscopic, and the original subject of the integral photograph is itself pseudoscopic, the reconstruction will be orthoscopic. The method uses optical and holographic fly's eye lens type arrays. The method also comprises manipulation of the elemental images of the integral photograph. An orthoscopic image will be produced if the horizontal order of the elemental images is reversed.

The Claimed Priority patents and applications disclose and claim a SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE RECORDING AND PROJECTION OF IMAGES IN SUBSTANTIALLY 3-DIMENSIONAL FORMAT. The invention described therein derives from the principles of holography and/or integral photography. The Claimed Priority patents and applications first disclose a basic principle of magnification and projection. This principle permits magnification and projection of 3-dimensional images uniformly in all directions, thereby overcoming drawbacks in the prior art. The Claimed Priority patents and applications also disclose that the magnification factor can be less than, greater than, or equal to unity. Based upon this principle of magnification and projection, cameras are described, in their various embodiments, that photograph a scene and retain the 3-dimensional information therein. An editor is also described that would edit integral photographs and holograms containing the 3-dimensional information from the photographed scene. In addition, a theater is designed to project the magnified 3-dimensional scene that was photographed, upon a large screen to be viewed by an audience. Further, the projectors and screens are described in their various embodiments. The viewing audience should not be able to perform any visual test to determine whether or not the projected 3-dimensional scene truly exists.
The Claimed Priority Patents and Applications mostly disclose the application of the principle of magnification and projection to integral photography. Integral photographs (or integral frames) are a collection of two-dimensional elemental images of a three-dimensional scene, each elemental image being representative of the scene from a specific viewing angle. Normally, the elemental images are arranged in a matrix on the frame, and are produced by a matrix lens array having a multiplicity of lenslets such as a fly's eye lens. The matrix lens array has the same number and arrangement of lenslets as the elemental images which they produce. Were the identical matrix lens array to be placed over the illuminated integral frame such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between all of the individual lenslets with the elemental images, a real or virtual three-dimensional image would be reconstructed.
However, three-dimensional images reconstructed from integral photographs are normally pseudoscopic. In other words, objects which should appear closer to a viewer actually appear further away, and vice versa. This would prove annoying to a viewing audience. Therefore it is an object of this invention to convert a pseudoscopic image reconstructed from an integral photograph to an orthoscopic image (i.e., a three-dimensional image that would appear normal to a viewer). This conversion process is called eversion. Eversion turns an image inside-out. An orthoscopic image is everted to form a pseudoscopic image. A pseudoscopic image is everted to form an orthoscopic image. Each eversion is the inverse transformation of the other.

Method of forming a three-dimensional orthoscopic image from its pseudoscopic image