From a pixel array where imaging pixels are arranged, pixel signals of respective columns on a selected row are read in parallel in a horizontal blanking period of a horizontal period. The pixel signals of the respective columns are output to horizontal signal lines in an effective period of the horizontal period via charge integrating amps provided respectively for the columns, i.e., provided respectively for vertical signal lines, and are thereby transferred horizontally. In the charge integrating amps, it is possible to enter a standby state while holding the pixel signals by a holding voltage. Furthermore, in the charge integrating amps, a reference potential for precharging feedback capacitors for amps at the time of a reading operation is automatically controlled based on a black level. Furthermore, pixel signals from the respective charge integrating amps are horizontally transferred in parallel using a plurality of horizontal signal lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device, a pixel-signal processing method for a solid-state imaging device, an analog-signal transferring device, and an analog-signal transferring method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as an alternative to CCD image sensors, interest in CMOS image sensors has arisen. This is because CMOS image sensors overcome various problems of CCD image sensors. The problems of CCD image sensors include, for example, the problem that CCD requires special processes for manufacturing, the problem that a plurality of power supply voltages is needed for operation thereof, and the problem that the system is very complex since a plurality of peripheral ICs must be used in combination.
CMOS image sensors can be manufactured by the same manufacturing processes as ordinary CMOS integrated circuits that are manufactured around the world. Furthermore, CMOS image sensors can be driven by a singe power source. Furthermore, it is possible to combine analog circuits and logic circuits manufactured by CMOS processes in a single chip, so that the number of peripheral ICs can be reduced. These are considerable merits for the CMOS image sensors.
The mainstream of output circuits for CCDs is one-channel output using a floating diffusion (FD) amp. In contrast, the mainstream of CMOS image sensors is of the type having FD amps for respective pixels and having column-parallel outputs, i.e., one row of a pixel array is selected and pixels on the selected row are simultaneously read out in a column direction. In this type of CMOS image sensors, it is difficult to obtain sufficient driving ability with the FD amps provided in the pixels, so that the data rate must be decreased, for which parallel processing is advantageous.
Various arrangements of a signal output circuit for the parallel-output CMOS image sensors have been proposed. As an example, outputs of pixels are sampled by switched capacitors to read the outputs. As another example, signals are read by amps provided for the respective columns. As yet another example, AD converters and DRAMs are also provided for the respective columns. The present invention mainly relates to a scheme of reading by amps provided for the respective columns.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220 describes an example of the scheme of reading by amps provided for the respective columns, which will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.
In, FIG. 16, one column (circuitry of one vertical signal line VL) associated with one pixel 102 is shown as extracted.
The pixel 102 is formed by a photodiode PD, a reset transistor Trst, an amplifying transistor Tg, and a reading transistor Ts. In this case, the output of the pixel 102 is read using a charge integrating amp formed by a source-grounded amp 100 and capacitors C1 and C2.
It is to be particularly noted that the feedback capacitor C2 is adapted to be precharged by a switch Tr15 and a reference voltage Vref so that offset variation among the source-grounded amps 100 is removed.
FIG. 17 shows an operation timing chart of the circuit. In a period T1 in a horizontal blanking period, a value obtained by superposing a signal Vps on an offset voltage Vo is output. The charge integrating amp is reset with a switch Trl3 turned on by a signal φRC. At this time, the switch Tr15 is turned on by the signal φRC, and the switch Tr14 is turned off by a signal φTC, so that the capacitor C2 is precharged to the reference voltage Vref.
Then, in a period T2, the switch Tr15 is turned off and the switch Tr14 is turned on by the signals φRC and φTC, so that the precharged reference voltage Vref appears on the output of the charge integrating amp. Since the switch Tr13 is turned off simultaneously with the switch Tr15, the reset state is exited.
Then, in a period T3, only the offset voltage Vo is output from the pixel 102, and the output is integrated, so that only the signal component is read at the output of the charge integrating amp with a gain determined by the capacitance ratio of the capacitors C1 and C2.
The signals that are read last are sequentially output to the horizontal signal lines HL in synchronization with pulses supplied from a shift register 101.
As described above, according to the scheme of reading by amps provided for the respective columns, it is readily possible to remove an offset voltage of pixels and to extract only signal components, and the gain of reading can be set arbitrarily by the capacitance ratio of the capacitors C1 and C2. Furthermore, variation of source follower can be removed by precharging of the reference voltage Vref. As described above, the scheme has various advantages.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-266399 describes another scheme of reading, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.
In FIG. 18, three columns (vertical signal lines VL1, VLn, and VLN) that are arbitrarily selected are shown as extracted. Furthermore, as a pixel 200 formed by a photodiode PD and a reading transistor Ts, a pixel associated with a selecting line Vs is shown. In this case, when the selecting line Vs is selected by a vertical scanning circuit 201, pixels on one row are selected, and signals from the respective pixels are output to the respective columns (the respective vertical signal lines VL).
This example is similar to the example described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220 in that amps 203 are provided for the respective columns (the respective vertical signal lines VL). It is to be particularly noted, however, that standby controlling signals φP (φP1, φPn, and φPN) are supplied from a horizontal scanning circuit 202 to the respective amps 203. Thus, the amps 203 are allowed to shift between a standby state and an active state on a column-by-column basis.
The outputs of the respective amps 203 are selected by switches 204, and are transferred to an output terminal 205 via horizontal signal lines HL. The switches 204 are respectively controlled to turn on or off by signals φH (φH1, φHn, and φHN) from the horizontal scanning circuit 202.
FIG. 19 shows an operation timing chart.
An amp 203 is selected by a pulse of the signal φHN, and a signal is read in that period. As opposed to the example described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220, signals are not read at once in a horizontal blanking period, but signals are respectively read in periods selected according to the signals φHN, so that operation is not needed in periods not selected according to the signals φHN. That is, amps 203 that are not selected are allowed to stay in the standby state.
Considering that it takes some time for the amps 203 to return from the standby state, standby control signals φPn are caused to rise somewhat earlier than the signals φHn, but the amps are in the standby state in other periods so that currents do not flow. Thus, for example, assuming a sensor (pixel array) having 1,000 columns and the amps 203 provided for the respective columns, a current actually flows only in one amp, or two amps in the example shown in FIG. 19 considering overlapping of the signals φPn. Thus, advantageously, power consumption is very low.
The related art described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-266399 have the following problems.
According to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220, since amps must be provided for the respective columns, power consumption inevitably increases. Particularly in this example, horizontal signal lines HL must be driven directly, and for example, in the case of a sensor having 1,000 columns, the time that can be used to drive the horizontal signal lines HL is limited to 1/1,000 of an effective period of a horizontal period, so that operation at a very high speed is required. This causes increase in operation current per one amp among the amps provided for the respective columns, causing additional increase in power consumption.
Furthermore, although the reference voltage Vref essentially determines the black level of signals, since a fixed potential is used, tracking ability to variation factors such as temperature change or power supply voltage is not provided. Thus, a clamp circuit is needed at a subsequent stage in order to supply a stable black level, causing increase in circuitry scale.
According to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-266399, although power consumption is decreased, as described earlier, pixel signals must be read and horizontally transferred in the periods of the signals φHn. Thus, compared with the example described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-207220, the amps must operate at a very high speed, causing increase in current that flows per one amp. Furthermore, the layout area of the amps increases, which is very disadvantageous considering the restriction that the amps must be laid out respectively for the vertical signal lines from the imaging pixel array, i.e., for the respective columns, so that difficulty is design is expected.

Solid-state imaging device, pixel-signal processing method, analog-signal transferring device, and analog-signal transferring method


An improved bit assembly for road milling, mining, and trenching equipment includes a streamlined tip assembly that is a combination of conical and cylindrical in shape and devoid of protrusions or annular indentations that might impede the flow of removed material over and around the bit assembly or provide space for removed material to become clogged or imbedded on the tip assembly. The assembly further includes a generally cylindrical spacer that allows a bit removal tool access to the bottom of the assembly to aid in bit removal.

Bit assemblies are utilized in road, off-road and mining machinery on the perimeter and across the width of a rotary drum or on the outside of a continuous chain or the like where the bits are moved through an orbit which is intercepted by the face of the material being removed or recycled. Road milling equipment removes the defective surface of a road and smoothes the top of all or selected portions of the road surface. The bits utilized include a tip and a shank. The shank is received and may axially rotate in a bit holder which is secured onto a bit block that, in turn, is mounted on the drum. Each of the bits has a hardened tip, preferably made of tungsten carbide or such other hardened material that acts to remove a portion of the surface it contacts. By using a sufficient number of these bits around the outer surface of a rotating drum, a large amount of surface may be worked.
The bit assembly including the bit, bit holder and bit block, act on the portion of the surface it is removing to separate that surface from the underlayment and as the drum rotates, passed that surface over the outside of the bit assembly. The milling of concrete and macadam surfaces required a substantial power output to operate the drum or continuous chain or the like. With the use of such a substantial power output to operate the heavy milling machinery, a need has developed to provide a more efficient bit assembly that utilizes less power to perform the same function as machines fitted with prior art bit assemblies.
In O'Neill et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,455, a substantially frustoconical bit is mounted upon a block that provides a large mostly flat forward leading surface that impedes the flow of macadam or concrete therearound and provides a barrier to movement of the bit on additional portions of the surface to be milled.
Additionally, a need has developed for providing ease of removability of bit holders in their bit blocks, especially when portions of or all of the assembly becomes worn and in need of replacement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,111 discloses an undercut flange at the bottom of a base of a bit that allows a pry bar to be wedged between that flange and the top of the bit block to help remove a bit from the bit block. It would be desirable to provide more efficient means and multiple means for allowing the removal of a bit holder from a bit block. Additionally, heretofore known bit holders have been retained in bit blocks by the use of threaded nuts or retainer rings. A need has developed to provide means to mount the shank portion of a bit holder in a bit block without the need of a fastener on the distal end of the bit holder shank to retain same in the bit block.
Further, a need has developed for a truly quick-change type of bit holder that may easily and quickly be inserted in the bit block and removed therefrom.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention, generally stated, to provide an improved means for quickly mounting and/or removing a bit holder from its associated bit block.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a more efficient bit assembly that requires less power to run when mounted on road milling equipment than heretofore known bit assemblies while providing longer lasting useful life of operation.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of multiple means for retaining a bit holder in a bit block by means of a resilient interference fit between the holder and the block.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of an easily mounted tool on the bit holder that facilitates the removal of the bit holder from the bit block at the front of the leading surface of the bit holder without the need for a large amount of access to the rear of the bit block.

Streamlining bit assemblies for road milling, mining and trenching equipment


An instrument is provided which is in electronic communication with an on board diagnostic system (OBD) of an automobile. The instrument selectively queries the OBD with batch requests for the purpose of reducing a processing load placed on the OBD PCM. The instrument obtains numerous operating conditions through the OBD, and displays the operating conditions in an intuitive format. The operating conditions may be grouped into five different modes, and the five most relevant operating conditions within each mode may be displayed on the monitor either by default or through customization by the user.

The present invention relates to a gauge, and more particularly, to a gauge that is easily installable to an automobile through its on board diagnostic system, has a monitor that is removeably attachable to the automobile, and may display numerous operating conditions formatted in an intuitive format which is customizable.
A gauge is standard component on every vehicle sold in the United States. For example, a gauge that is standard on every automobile is a speedometer and an odometer. These gauges are installed by the manufacturer of the automobile at the time of manufacture. Another standard gauge of every automobile is a Fuel level indicator. This gauge also is installed by the manufacturer at the time of manufacture. In other cases, the manufacturer may place temperature or pressure sensor in the engine compartment to determine when the coolant temperature is too high or the oil pressure is dangerously low. For all gauges that are standard with the automobile, the manufacturer may hardwire a sensor for a relevant operating condition of the automobile to be sensed. These gauges are standard in the sense that they are installed in every vehicle regardless of the particular function of the automobile (e.g., towing) or taste of the driver (e.g., performance). For example, an automobile (e.g., heavy duty truck, recreational vehicle, sports utility vehicle, light duty truck, minivans, etc.) may primarily be used for towing and yet the automobile would only be equipped with standard gauges installed by the automobile manufacturer such as a speedometer, rpm gauge, and odometer even though other gauges would be beneficial for safety reasons.
Frequently, many drivers who use their automobiles for towing would add additional gauges to the standard gauges such that the automobile may be safer to drive during towing. For example, they may add gauges for engine vacuum and transmission temperature. Accordingly, these additional gauges must be hard wired to the respective automobile component which may be difficult even for an expert and unattractive. Moreover, as the numbers of additional gauges are installed, the difficulty of the installation increases as well as its unattractiveness because of the need for additional wires and modifications to the vehicle. Simply put, frequently, adding additional gauges above the standard gauges that are installed by the manufacturer is cumbersome and messy, and drivers are hesitant to add additional gauges to the automobile even though it may be safer to do so such as in the towing situation above.
Furthermore, the standard gauges are geared to general use of the automobile, and these gauges are not function specific or suited to a particular taste of a driver. For example, as stated above, the automobile may primarily be used for towing (i.e., function of the automobile) but gauges useful to make the towing automobile safer are not installed by the manufacturer. Rather, only general gauges are installed by the manufacturer such as speedometer, odometer and rpm gauges. In another example, the automobile may be driven by an automobile enthusiast, yet only general gauges are installed on the automobile. In this regard, the driver may desire to have gauges (e.g., elapsed time, torque output and braking distance) related to the performance of the vehicle added to the automobile. Simply put, automobiles are not manufactured according to the "environment" in which the automobile would most probably be used in. Gauges useful during towing are not installed, gauges pertaining to the performance of the automobile are not installed, and etc.
Third party gauges may be installed per the function of the automobile or taste of the driver but frequently drivers desire to install two or more gauges to display the selected operating conditions of the vehicle. This may create a difficult installation and an unattractive interior. Simply put, gauges on the market today are not geared toward the function of the automobile or the taste of the driver. Rather, third party gauges must be selected, combined, mixed and matched to provide a set of gauges suited to the function of the automobile or taste of the driver.
Moreover, the gauges that are typically being sold are fixed and are not customizable per the individual taste of the driver or function of the automobile. As stated above, gauges useful for towing may be different compared to gauges to determine the performance of the automobile. In this regard, the gauges sold today are not customizable such that only operating conditions of the vehicle useful for towing are displayed on a single gauge when the automobile is being used for towing and operating conditions related to the performance of the automobile are displayed on the gauge when the driver desires to display such operating conditions. For example, a third party temperature gauge may only read the temperature of the component to which the gauge is hard wired to such as the coolant temperature. In this regard, the coolant temperature gauge only displays the temperature of the coolant and does not display other operating conditions of the automobile. Simply put, these gauges are not customizable to a particular taste of a driver or function of the automobile.
The customizability of the gauge is especially desirable especially when many vehicles are multi purpose vehicles. For example, a light duty truck may be used for towing a jet ski, and in this regard, operating conditions of the automobile related to towing should be displayed on a gauge; and, simultaneously, the light duty truck may be modified to be a high performance truck, and in this regard, the driver may desire to have operating conditions of the automobile related to performance displayed on the same gauge. In other words, the driver while towing the jet ski would desire to have operating conditions related to towing displayed, and thereafter, after the jet ski is detached from the truck, would desire to have operating conditions of the automobile related to performance displayed on the same gauge.
In sum, first, the gauges in the market are difficult to install, and as the number of gauges installed on the automobile increases, the difficulty of installing the gauges increases as well as the unattractiveness of the installed gauges. In this regard, it would be beneficial to provide a gauge that is easy, quick and clean to install. Moreover, if the gauge is easy to install such that anyone could install it, then drivers who use their automobiles for towing would be more apt to install the gauge, instead of being hesitant to install the gauge because of the difficulty of installing the gauge. In this regard, the streets would become a safer place. Second, the gauges in the market today are not geared to a particular function of the automobile or taste of the driver. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a gauge that is directed toward a particular function of the automobile such as towing or taste of the driver (i.e., driver that is an automobile enthusiast). Third, gauges sold in the market today are not customizable per the function of the automobile nor the taste of the driver. In this regard, it would be beneficial to provide a single gauge that may be customized according to the function of the automobile or the taste of the driver.


In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a perovskite material comprising negatively charged layers alternated with and neutralized by positively charged layers; the negatively charged layers having a general formula selected from the list consisting of: Ln−1MnX3n+1, LnMnX3n+2, and Ln−1M′nX3n+3, and the positively charged layers comprising: one or more organic ammonium cations independently selected from monovalent cations Q and divalent cations Q′, or a polyvalent cationic conjugated organic polymer Z, wherein Q, Q′ and Z comprise each a π-conjugated system in which at least 8 and preferably at least 10 atoms participate, L is a monovalent cation, Mn are n independently selected metal cations averaging a valence of two, M′n are n independently selected metal cations averaging a valence equal to 2+2/n, X is a monovalent anion, and n is larger than 1.

Three-dimensional (3D) hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) have emerged over the last few years as promising materials with favourable optoelectronic properties, such as strong absorption coefficients, tunable bandgap, long carrier diffusion lengths and small exciton binding energy. Thanks to those characteristics, 3D perovskite thin-film photovoltaic cells demonstrated drastic improvements in efficiency, together with low material and manufacturing costs. Indeed, they showed an incredibly fast and impressive efficiency improvement going from just 3.8% in 2009 to 22.1% in 2016 with the first solid state photovoltaic cells based on CH3NH3PbI3 appearing in the middle of 2012. The cell efficiencies of 3D perovskite-based devices are now approaching those of commercialized second generation photovoltaic technologies. However, today, the stability of perovskite photovoltaic cells is the main bottleneck impeding their commercialization.
Two-dimensional (2D) layered hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials are conceptually derived from the 3D HOIPs. Such a transition occurs spontaneously when the organic cation is too large to fit in the cubo-octahedral space of the perovskite structure. Layered perovskite materials are crystalline compounds that self-assemble into a multilayer structure in which layers comprising the coordinated metal ions alternate with layers comprising the large organic cations. The greater tolerance of layered perovskite materials towards structural modification of the organic cations offers new opportunities for tuning the properties of the perovskite materials.
Cao et al. (2015) obtained layered HOIP thin films showing enhanced moisture stability, but at the expense of a poor initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.0% (Cao, Duyen H., et al. "2D homologous perovskites as light-absorbing materials for solar cell applications." Journal of the American Chemical Society 137.24 (2015): 7843-7850.). Tsai et al. (2016) reported a photovoltaic efficiency of 12.5% for devices obtained for the same layered HOIPs, (BA)2(MA)2Pb3I10 and (BA)2(MA)3Pb4I13 processed under different conditions (Tsai, Hsinhan, et al. "High-efficiency two-dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite solar cells." Nature 536.7616 (2016): 312-316.). The layered HOIP thin films were fabricated using a hot-casting technique allowing the crystallographic planes of the inorganic perovskite component to adopt a strong preferential out-of-plane alignment with respect to the contacts in planar photovoltaic cells. As a result, the PCE was shown to increase drastically from 4% to 12.5%. Further, the devices showed no hysteresis and exhibited an improved stability in comparison to their 3D counterparts. Although promising, the layered perovskite material photovoltaic cells obtained by this approach still exhibit a relatively low PCE (˜12.5%) compared to their 3D counterparts (˜22%).
There is thus still a need in the art for perovskite materials and photovoltaic cells based thereon with the potential to alleviate some or all of the problems outlined above.

Layered hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials


A reproducing apparatus enabling reproduction of a moving image file using index information larger than a memory size without re-reading the index information into the memory. The apparatus includes a table size obtaining unit (S40) obtaining, from a recording medium, size information of a table which holds index information for the moving image file, a memory storing index information, a memory size obtaining unit (S42) obtaining size information of the memory, and a calculating unit (S41) calculating the thinning-out ratio of the index information so that the size of the table becomes equal to or smaller than the size of the memory. The apparatus also includes a thinning-out unit (S44) thinning out the index information based on the thinning-out ratio, and a writing unit (S45) writing the thinned-out index information into the memory.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus which reproduces moving image files using index information.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some of the moving image files which are recorded and reproduced by a recording/reproducing apparatus such as a personal computer and a video recorder/video player have index information indicating the structures of their contents (See, for example, Patent Reference 1). Index information indicates, as for a chunk, a packet, a frame or the like in a moving image file, the relations between its position information and time information, its position information and marker information indicating its arbitrary reproduction point, and the like.
The reproducing apparatus uses such index information in order to determine the point in data at which data transfer to a decoder starts, when it starts reproduction in the middle of a file specified with time or position or when it makes intermittent reproduction of the file such as fast-forward and fast-backward reproduction. Without using index information, the reproducing apparatus may expose its functional limitations such that it spends much time to find a target point in data or it is unable to find the target point, under some specifications or restrictions of the decoder and the system. Therefore, good use of index information is of importance in reproducing moving image files.
Patent Reference 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 07-30838 Publication
Patent Reference JP 2003-289495 A discloses a method directed to solving the problem that an entry exceeding a capacity of a storage permissible entry field cannot be stored when writing, onto a memory, index information for a moving image file to be recorded.

Reproducing apparatus and reproducing method


An optical package suitable for alignment with a conductively coated optical fiber includes a base having an electrode which forms a capacitance with the conductively coated optical fiber. An optical alignment system computes a capacitance measure when the optical fiber is precisely aligned and further after attachment of the fiber to the package causes a misalignment. The capacitance measures at precise alignment and at misalignment allow computation of a displacement amount from the precise alignment in at least one direction. The optical fiber may be adjusted according to the direction and amount provided by the alignment system to reposition the fiber to its precise alignment.

The importance of achieving highly accurate mutual alignment of individual components in any optical system is well known. The miniature dimensions of components used in modern optical communication systems render such accurate alignment difficult both to achieve and to maintain. For example, one issue of concern in the construction of laser transmitters is that of efficiently coupling the optical output from an optical device such as a laser diode into an optical fiber. To obtain efficient coupling, the fiber end is desirably precisely aligned with the emitting area of the laser. When such alignment is achieved, the fiber is then fixed in place, desirably by a method that enables the precise alignment to be sustained throughout the device lifetime.
Typically, fiber-coupled diode lasers are packaged in metal butterfly packages, which may be gold plated, and the fiber is held in alignment with the laser using one of the epoxy, laser weld, or solder attachment techniques with or without a ferrule. Epoxy attachment is low cost but may have too much thermal expansion for high precision attachments. Furthermore, it may not be reliable over a long period of time due to outgassing and alignment shifts arising from aging and temperature cycling. Laser weld techniques are reliable but use costly ferrulization of the fiber and specially designed mounts or clips to allow weld attachment of the ferrulized fiber. The mounts/clips are expensive, large, and may creep over time. Solder attachment techniques, on the other hand, are reliable and low cost, and have become prevalent in the art. Existing solder attachment techniques however, tend to use an integrated heating mechanism and/or a specially configured platform to isolate the heat used for solder reflow. These thermal management means may be expensive and/or undesirably large.
Typically, precise alignment of the fiber involves aligning the end of the fiber in at least one direction relative to the optical device to provide a maximum energy transfer from the optical device to the fiber. A further optical device such as a photodiode or any light emitting diode may be used to measure an optical power coupled into the optical fiber. The fiber may be precisely aligned in at least one of a vertical and a lateral direction. The fiber may also be adjusted horizontally to minimize a gap distance between the fiber and the optical device. The fiber may be adjusted in vertical and lateral alignment until a maximum power is determined. A predetermined gap distance may be used for horizontal alignment or the gap distance may be adjusted while visually monitoring the distance to avoid direct contact between the fiber and the optical device.
It is difficult, however, to maintain alignment between the optical component and the fiber when the fiber is soldered due to turbulent flows and capillary forces exhibited by the molten solder. It is further difficult to determine the precise direction of misalignment after the fiber has been soldered.

Method and apparatus for integrated optical fiber sensing with nanometer precision

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A deposition system and its method of control cancels the influence of noise occurring during measuring of a deposition rate using a noise canceller in order to exactly control the deposition rate, and obtains a film of a desired thickness. The deposition system includes a deposition device. A deposition rate sensor measures a deposition rate of the deposition device. A noise canceller cancels a noise component of the measured deposition rate. A power supply unit adjusts power supplied to the deposition device according to an output of the noise canceller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a deposition system and its method of control, and more particularly, to a deposition system, which cancels the influence of noise occurring during the measuring of a deposition rate using a noise canceller in order to exactly control the deposition rate, and a method of controlling the deposition system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A deposition system includes a deposition device, a deposition rate sensor, and a power supply unit. The deposition device includes an evaporator and a sputter. The deposition rate sensor measures a deposition rate of the deposition device. The power supply unit adjusts the power supplied to the deposition device according to the deposition rate of the deposition device measured by the deposition rate sensor. A crystal sensor measuring a deposition rate, using a crystal whose frequency is inversely proportional to a weight, is used as the deposition rate sensor. The deposition rate measured by the deposition rate sensor contains noise due to an electrical wave, noise due to power lines, noise due to vibration from a flow of cooling water, and noise due to a movement of a deposition source. Accordingly, when the deposition rate measured by the deposition rate sensor is provided to the power supply unit, the deposition rate is changed due the noise. This leads to a formation of a film having an undesired thickness.

Deposition system using noise canceller and its method of control


A caching method and a caching system using dual disks, adapted to an electronic apparatus having a first storage unit and a second storage unit, are provided, in which an access speed of the second storage unit is higher than that of the first storage unit. In the method, a data access to the first storage unit is monitored, a data category of the data in an access address of the data access is identified and whether the data category belongs to a cache category is determined. If the data category belongs to the cache category, an access count of the data in the access address being accessed is accumulated and whether the accumulated access count is over a threshold is determined. If the access count is over the threshold, the data in the access address is cached to the second storage unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a caching method and a caching system and more particularly, to a caching method and a caching system applied in an electronic apparatus having dual disks.
2. Description of Related Art
With the development of the semiconductor technology, capacity of a memory has dramatically increased, and a flash memory is particularly suitable to be used in a portable electronic apparatus for having characteristics, such as non-volatility, low power consumption, or small volume. Therefore, in recent years, a NAND flash memory is gradually used as a storage medium of a solid-state drive (SSD) in considering the volume.
The special features of the SSD lie in replacing the mechanical structure of a hard disk drive (HDD) by utilizing the characteristics of flash memory and performing data accesses by writing and erasing memory blocks. Thus, the efficiency of reading from and writing into a storage apparatus may be significantly improved. Comparing with the traditional storage apparatus, the SSD has advantages, such as low power consumption, shock resistance, low temperature resistance and high stability. Under the consideration of volume, the SSD has gradually become the main data storage apparatus adopted by the portable electronic apparatus.
However, due to the expensive price, a capacity of the SSD capable of being equipped by a consumer electronics product in the market is quite limited. Thus, a dual-disk system composed of a HDD with a high capacity and a SSD with a small capacity has gradually become popular. Therein, the main data accesses are still from the HDD, and the SSD is used as a "cache space" and a "data storage region in a sleep mode". Accordingly, on one hand, an average data access speed of a PC platform is dramatically improved, while on the other hand, the time of resuming from the sleep mode is effectively shortened. In order to effectively use the small-capacity SSD, it is necessary to design a dual-disk system capable of being implemented and has high efficiency according to the features of the currently existing operation systems.

Caching method and caching system using dual disks


Systems and methods for protecting data stored on an electronic device from access by an illegitimate user are presented. The data is protected by activating an offline data delete module installed in the electronic device to conditionally delete the data according to the following criteria: after establishing a first communication between an agent installed in the electronic device and a remote server, obtaining a password from a user if a second communication is not established between the agent and the remote server within a predetermined period of time. After obtaining a password from the user, deleting at least some data stored on the electronic device after a second communication is not established between the agent and the remote server within the predetermined period of time and a predetermined number of incorrect passwords has been obtained.

The claimed subject matter relates to the protection of proprietary or sensitive data stored on computing and other electronic devices by deletion thereof following the theft or loss of such a device.
Proprietary information is routinely stored on electronic devices such as personal computers, laptop computers and personal digital assistants, and the need to protect such proprietary or sensitive data from theft or misuse is self-evident. Accordingly, in addition to the use of basic encryption techniques and on-line monitoring systems, various systems and methods addressing the need to detect the tampering or theft of an electronic device without the device having to be connected to the internet have been proposed.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,096 describes a method and apparatus for theft deterrence and secure data retrieval in a communication device. When a processor detects unauthorized use, it deletes an encryption key, transmits a stealth code to a base station and receives data into a secure memory location transparent to an unauthorized user of the communication device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,084 describes a device security system. Tamper detection logic implemented in software or hardware responds to tampering or removal of a security beacon or other component by alerting via a transmitter and/or disabling functionality of the device.
U.S. Patent Applications Publication Nos. 2005/0216757 and 2006/0272020 describe a tamper resistant servicing agent for providing various services such as data delete upon receipt of an instruction transmitted via the internet from a monitoring center.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0021005 describes a system and method for data destruction stored on a lost portable electronic device. A client computing device communicates periodically with a server. If communication is not established between the client and the server for a selected activation interval and a subsequent grace period, data is determined to be lost, and programmed security rules, such as data deletion, are automatically executed.
Tamper detection logic may, however, trigger false alarms, as could the expiration of a grace period. There is therefore a further need to ensure that false alarms are not triggered accidentally, causing data to be unnecessarily deleted. Such a need would ideally be fulfilled without annoyance to and with no more than minimal effort from the user.

Offline data delete with false trigger protection


A method for synchronizing a multi-mode base station using one clock, when the systems to be synchronized are a GSM-type telecommunications system, for instance a GSM or EDGE system, and a WCDMA-type telecommunications system. In the method, the clock of the WCDMA-type system or a multiple thereof is selected as the system clock of the multi-mode base station, the system clock of the GSM-type system is implemented using multiples of the frequency of the selected clock, and the frame structure of the GSM-type system is synchronized at intervals of thirteen frames or a multiple of thirteen frames.

Wireless telecommunications are experiencing a critical stage as a change from second generation networks to third generation networks is taking place. At least for some time, networks of both generations are being used in parallel, because teleoperators have invested in network equipment and end-users in telephones. In addition, it will take time before the operators can make the networks of the new system geographically comprehensive. The most known of the second generation systems is probably the GSM system and its modifications, such as EDGE (Enhanced data rates for GSM evolution). Of the third generation systems, systems based on the WCDMA technology are expected to achieve the most prominent position. Thus, there is a need to implement a multi-mode base station which serves both the GSM networks and the WCDMA networks. Such a multi-mode base station will be able to cover several networks in a cost-effective manner. A problem arises, however, from the fact that the clock frequencies of different systems differ from each other. This can be solved by each system having a clock of its own. A problem then arises from the fact that clock frequencies are typically implemented by oven-controlled oscillators which are large and expensive components.

Synchronization of a multi-mode base station using a common system clock


The invention includes an apparatus and method of selecting memory cells within a memory array. The method includes receiving a memory cell address. A column address and a row address are generated from the memory cell address. Row select lines or column select lines are pre-charged. A self-timed charging circuit is initiated to provide an adequate amount of time to charge a selected row, and to initiate elimination of static current flowing to unselected rows after a self-timed delay. The other of the row select lines or the column select lines are then pre-charged. Memory cells are selected based upon the column address and the row address. One of two states of the memory cells can be based upon sensing threshold voltages of sense lines that correspond with the selected memory cells.

Computing devices require memory. The memory can include read only memory (ROM) or random access memory (RAM). Generally, memory includes memory cells that are arranged in rows and columns. The individual memory cells are accessed through the use of row select lines and column select lines, typically referred to as word lines and bit lines.
Typically, a computing device accesses data stored in the memory cells of memory through address lines. Each memory cell has a particular address, which allows the computing device to access data stored within each memory cell.
An address decoder receives the address lines, and provides for selection of the proper word line and bit line based upon an address received by the address decoder. As previously described, the word lines and bit lines provide for selection of the memory cells.
ROM devices generally include an array of memory cells. The memory cells are typically configured in rows and columns. Each row generally includes a corresponding word line, and each column generally includes a corresponding bit line. FIG. 1 shows an ROM array of memory cells 110, 120, 140, 150 and corresponding word lines (WL) and bit lines (BL). The ROM memory cells 110, 120, 140, 150 are located at cross-points of the word lines and the bit lines, and each ROM memory cells 110, 120, 140, 150 generally stores a bit of information.
An address decoder 160 receives and address, and generates a row and column selection base upon the address. Generally, a row is selected by a word line selector 180, and a column is selected by a bit line selector 170.
The ROM memory cells 110, 120, 140, 150 include functionality for setting the ROM memory cells 110, 120, 140, 150 to one of at least two logical states. Each logical state represents a bit of information. Additionally, the ROM memory cells 110, 120, 140, 150 include functionality for sensing the logical state of each of the ROM memory cells 110, 120, 140, 150.
The logical state of a ROM cell can be set according to fuse, or anti-fuse ROM technology. A first state of a ROM cell can include a diode connection between the word line and the bit line selecting the ROM cell. A second state of a ROM cell can include an "open circuit" connection (that is, the lack of a connection) between the word line and the bit line selecting the ROM cell. Both of these states are generally easy to detect.
FIG. 2 shows logic gates included within a typical address decoder. The address decoder includes conventional diode-resistor logic (DRL) decoding. The decoder receives address lines A[0], A[1], A[2] and selects a corresponding word line WL[1], WL[2]. Each word line includes a resistor 210, 212 that is connected to a supply voltage potential. If any one of the address line inputs is at a low voltage potential, then the corresponding word line WL[1], WL[2] is pulled down to a low voltage potential (not selected) though the corresponding resistor 212, and a corresponding series diode. A word line is selected if all of corresponding address lines are at a high voltage potential, and the corresponding resistor 210, 212 does not conduct current because none of the corresponding series diodes are conducting current.
Arrows 250 depicts current flow through the logic gates of non-selected word lines. It can be observed from FIG. 2 that the only pull up resistor 210, 212 of the address decoder that does not conduct current is the pull up resistor 210 that corresponds to the selected word line. This can be problematic for large arrays of memory cells because large arrays of memory cells require many word lines. Since all of the word lines except the selected word line include a pull up resistor conducting current, a memory cell array including a large amount of word lines dissipates large amounts of power.
It is desirable to have an apparatus and method for selecting memory cells within an array of memory cells that consumes small amounts of power.

Self-timed memory device providing adequate charging time for selected heaviest loading row

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A semiconductor memory device is capable of performing a normal operation, while detecting an internal voltage without a special bonding method during a test mode. The semiconductor memory device comprises a switching unit and an internal reference voltage generating unit. The switching unit transfers one of an internal and an external reference voltages according to whether a test mode is being performed, wherein the external reference voltage is input from outside of the semiconductor memory device. The internal reference voltage generating unit generates the internal reference voltage having the same level of the external reference voltage to thereby supply the internal reference inside the semiconductor memory device during the test mode.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device; more particularly, to semiconductor memory device capable of detecting an internal voltage in a package.
Semiconductor memory devices are generally manufactured through a wafer process. A plurality of tests are performed to examine the reliability of internal circuits in a device. Semiconductor memory devices, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a static random access memory (SRAM), are examined by such tests. The reliability tests for the semiconductor memory device are mainly categorized as wafer tests and package tests. The wafer tests are performed before a packaging process for a device and the package tests are performed after the packaging process for the device.
Accordingly, the package tests for detecting the internal voltage of the semiconductor memory device in the package or detecting a common potential by coupling each internal voltage node requires a special bonding method. For the special bonding, a part of data pins or a part of address pins is required to be boned with a predetermined pad which the test will be performed through.
Because the part of data pins or the part of address pins is used only for the test when detecting the internal voltage through the special bonding method, regular operations or other tests which use the parts of data and address pins for its real purpose cannot be performed normally.

Test circuit for semiconductor memory device


An electromagnetic actuator device converts electrical energy to mechanical energy by the interaction of two types of closed magnetic circuits. A first closed magnetic circuit functions to generate high magnetic intensity in a portion of a ferromagnetic core. A second substantially-closed magnetic circuit contains a movable permanent magnet which injects flux into the high-field region of the first magnetic circuit. Interaction of these two fields, in closed magnetic circuits, results in efficient and controllable electromechanical energy conversion.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electromagnetic devices used to generate mechanical work output in response to an electrical input to one or more electromagnet coils. In particular, it relates to a class of devices using permanent magnets, in conjunction with the internal magnetic field energy of a ferromagnetic material, to affect efficient electromechanical energy conversion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Actuators for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy have long been known and have been called solenoids, electromagnets, force motors, torque motors and various other names. The most common linear or rotary solenoid produces mechanical energy when an internal air gap decreases in length. Less common are the devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,870,931 and 4,097,833, in which an air gap of variable area converts electrical to mechanical energy. Unlike prior art, the object of the present invention is to utilize magnetic fields internal to a ferromagnetic core, with no substantial variation in either gap length or area. Another object is to utilize the large number of ferromagnetic material formulations which are available. Still another object is to customize the force or torque output by varying core characteristics. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description.


A high voltage generating circuit includes a charge pump circuit and an output voltage control circuit. The charge pump circuit raises a voltage to a high voltage higher than a power supply voltage. The output voltage control circuit controls the voltage to make the raised high voltage to be a predetermined target voltage. The output voltage control circuit includes at least two offset free comparator circuits, or at least one offset free comparator circuit and at least one differential amplifier. The offset free comparator circuit includes a coupling capacitor, a differential amplifier and a plural switch. The coupling capacitor inputs a voltage corresponding to the high voltage. The differential amplifier compares a voltage from the coupling capacitor with a predetermined reference voltage and outputs a comparison result voltage to the charge pump circuit. The switches are connected to the differential amplifier to cancel an offset of the differential amplifier.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a voltage generating circuit and a regulator circuit applied to a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory, etc., and a semiconductor storage device and a semiconductor device including the above voltage generating circuit and the regulator circuit.
Description of Related Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional non-volatile storage device serving as a flash memory.
In FIG. 1, the non-volatile memory apparatus includes:
(1) a memory cell array 20, serving as a flash memory array and used for storing data;
(2) a page buffer 21, writing data come from an input/output buffer 31 into the memory cell array 20 with a page unit, or reading data from the memory cell array 20 with the page unit, and outputting the same to the input/output buffer 31;
(3) a row decoder 22, configured to specify a block and a word line of the memory cell array 20 corresponding to a specified address;
(4) a status register 23, temporarily storing a state of the non-volatile storage device according to a signal come from a control logic 35, and outputting the same to the input/output buffer 31, and generating a read/busy signal (R/B signal) for outputting to an R/B signal terminal 42;
(5) the input/output buffer 31, temporarily storing data input and output through an input/output terminal 41;
(6) a command decoder 32, decoding a command come from the input/output buffer 31, and outputting decoded command data to the control logic 35;
(7) an address buffer 33, temporarily storing the specified address come from the input/output buffer 31;
(8) a power-on reset circuit 36, outputting a reset signal according to an external power voltage VCC, where the reset signal is configured to reset the operation of the semiconductor chip in case of power-on;
(9) a reference voltage generating circuit 10, generating a reference voltage VDDREF for an internal power voltage and a predetermined reference voltage VREF based on the external power voltage VCC exerted by an external power voltage terminal 44;
(10) an internal power voltage generating circuit 11, generating an internal power voltage VDD based on the reference voltage VDDREF, and supplying the same to each of the circuits;
(11) a high voltage and middle voltage generating and control circuit 12, generating and outputting a high voltage (HV) and a middle voltage (MV) required for data writing (programming) and data erasing based on the reference voltage VREF; and
(12) the control logic 35, performing predetermined control to various circuits (including the reference voltage generating circuit 10, the internal power voltage generating circuit 11 and the high voltage and middle voltage generating and control circuit 12, the page buffer 21, the status register 23) in the non-volatile memory device according to the command data come from the command decoder 32, a control signal input through a control signal terminal 43, or the reset signal come from the power-on reset circuit 36.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the non-volatile memory device such as a flash memory, etc., the high voltage (HV) is required to be generated.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a conventional high voltage generating circuit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of the high voltage generating circuit of FIG. 2 and a relationship between a high voltage Vhv and time.
For example, in the non-volatile memory device of FIG. 1 such as a NAND flash memory, etc. that applies a Fowler-Nordheim tunneling phenomenon, in order to generate a predetermined high voltage (HV) higher than a power voltage Vdd to facilitate performing data programming (data writing) and data erasing, a charge pump circuit 102 is used. In FIG. 2, the high voltage generating circuit includes an AND gate 101, the charge pump circuit 102, voltage dividing resistors R0, R1 configured to divide the high voltage Vhv serving as an output voltage into a divided voltage Vdiv, and a differential amplifier 103 configured to compare the divided voltage Vdiv with a reference voltage Vref. As shown in FIG. 3, corresponding to an offset voltage value of the differential amplifier 103, an enable signal EN output by the differential amplifier 103 is varied and deviated the trip point from the reference voltage Vref.

Voltage generating circuit and regulator circuit for precisely control predetermined high voltage


A catheter system and method for intracranial infusion of therapeutic substances to a patient. An anchor formed of generally flexible, elastomeric material is used to mount the catheter to the outer surface of the skull of the patient. The anchor has a through hole for receiving the catheter, a channel, extending substantially from the through hole, into which a portion of the catheter may be inserted to retain the portion substantially parallel to the surface of the skull, and at least one flange for engaging the outer surface of the skull. An anchor clip may be provided to engage the anchor adjacent the through hole to further stabilize the catheter.

Sometimes therapeutic substances, such as drugs, biologics, etc., are infused intraparenchymally or intracerebroventricularly to treat brain disorders, such as malignancies or neurodegenerative diseases. Co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/540,444, filed Mar. 31, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,290), and Ser. No. 09/625,751, filed Jul. 26, 2000, (both incorporated herein by reference) disclose catheters that are particularly well suited for intraparenchymal or intraventricular convection-enhanced infusion of therapeutic substances. As used herein, "IPA" means intraparenchymal, "ICV" means intracerebroventricular, and "intraventricular" and "ventricles" refer to cerebroventricles.
Previously, intracranial catheters have been anchored to the periosteum, which is a fibrous membrane covering the surface of bone. The periosteum has not provided as much stability as desired, and movement of the catheter anchor may result in changes in the location of the catheter tip.


A semiconductor device includes a body region of a second conductivity type, a body contact region of the second conductivity type formed in the body region and having a higher average doping concentration than the body region, a source region of a first conductivity type opposite the second conductivity type formed in the body region adjacent the body contact region, a drift zone of the first conductivity type spaced apart from the source region by a section of the body region which forms a channel region of the semiconductor device, and a gate electrode configured to control the channel region. The body contact region extends under a majority of the source region in a direction towards the channel region and has a doping concentration of at least 1e18 cm−3 under the majority of the source region. Additional semiconductor device embodiments and methods of manufacture are described.

Low holding voltage in lateral DMOS (Double-Diffused MOS) devices leads to latch-up failure in high voltage integrated circuits. If the holding voltage of a parasitic bipolar device is below the supply voltage for a circuit that includes the parasitic bipolar device, the latchup condition will persist until the circuit is destroyed. A device configuration with high holding voltage offers advantages in both latch-up immunity and ESD (electrostatic discharge) robustness. However, conventional approaches for providing high holding voltage DMOS devices typically involve stacking separate chips (dies) or other external devices in a configuration which can effectively increase the holding voltage. This technique requires a complex chip stacking arrangement which is costly. Another conventional approach involves increasing the breakdown/trigger voltage of the parasitic bipolar device to a value much higher than usually necessary to avoid triggering altogether, e.g., by increasing one or more chip dimensions such as channel length. Such approaches consume significant additional area, and may adversely affect device performance, e.g., by increasing the on-state resistance of the device in the case of increasing channel length.
Hence, there is a need for a more cost-effective and robust latchup immunity solution for semiconductor devices.

Semiconductor device with latchup immunity


An EL cell exhibiting high luminous efficiency and excellent durability is disclosed. The EL cell comprises a layer of a block copolymer comprising a block component (A) of the following formula (1) having a positive hole transfer capability and a block component (B) of the following formula (2) having an electron transfer capability at molar ratio of the block component (A) to the block (B) between 0.1:99.9 and 99.9:0.1. ##STR1##

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electroluminescence cell exhibiting high luminous efficiency and excellent durability.
2. Description of the Background Art
Use of organic materials as the positive hole transfer material and electron transfer material that constitute an electroluminescence cell has begun in recent years. Organic electroluminescence cells using such organic materials, hereinafter referred to as an "organic EL cell", are being vigorously researched. Organic materials that constitute such an organic EL cell are required to possess superior durability and high luminous efficiency.
Conventionally, as the organic material possessing a positive hole transfer capability, diamine derivatives which are low molecule organic materials such as aryl amine compounds such as N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-di(3-methylphenyl)-4, 4'-diaminobiphenyl (hereinafter also referred to as "TPD"), and macromolecule organic materials such as polyvinyl carbazole are known.
However, the above-mentioned low molecular weight organic materials lack physical or thermal durability. A positive hole transfer layer based on such low molecular weight materials tends to deteriorate while the organic EL cell is in use or in storage.
On the other hand, macromolecule organic materials such as polyvinyl carbazole have a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) which provides a positive hole transfer layer with excellent durability. However, they present problems in actual application, requiring a very high driving voltage and yet yielding a low luminous efficiency due to a deficiency in positive hole transfer capability.
Meanwhile, although 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (hereinafter also referred to as "PBD") is known as an electron transfer material, thin films made of PBD lack stability.
In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a block copolymer, which enables production of an organic EL cell having a high luminous efficiency and excellent durability.

International Center for Materials Research


The ceramic valve structure has a slow-descending device between the valve stick and the valve shaft base. The slow-descending device mentioned herein includes a piston, a piston slot and sealer, and the piston slot is placed on one side of the valve shaft base. A venthole is placed at the bottom of the piston slot, and the bottom of the piston is placed inside the piston slot. The joint of the top of the piston slot is connected to the swing end. The sealer is placed on top of the venthole of the piston. When the valve stick of the ceramic valve is being turned off, it creates a resistance by the slow-descending device, which slows the process of water being tuned off, in turn, slowing down the change in water pressure, reducing damage to the water channel and ceramic valve, and extending a shelf life of the ceramic valve structure.

In a ceramic valve structure, the on and off of the water flow and the adjustment of water temperature is achieved by turning the valve thereof. The top of the valve mentioned herein is for a faucet knob. By so doing, when the user is turning the faucet knob, it indirectly controls the ceramic valve. When the valve is turned, though the fraction between the inner valves has certain resistance, the valve will not be too loose when the user is operating the faucet knob. However, being designed toward one side and the faucet knob itself having a certain weight, in terms of operation, when the user desires to shut the water off, the shutting off can be achieved by pressing the faucet knob easily to drive the valve of the ceramic valve to turn the valve to the off angle to stop the water flow. This operation process seem reasonable, however, in terms of practicability, it may cause some serious problems. Examples are provided as follows.
Today, people live in high-rise buildings, and the water tower is placed on top of the buildings. The water is supplied through the channels placed through out the building. Because the capacity of the water tower in these types of building is larger than a regular household, the pressure created for the water channel is high. The lower floor has higher pressure because of the distance from the water tower. Water pressure that is the same as the pressure under the normal state is not the biggest threat for the water channel. It easily causes the damage and leakages at the connection of the water channel, which comes from the rapid change of the water pressure, and the reason for the change in the water pressure usually is caused by the household turning on and off of the water. When the water is turning from on to off, because of the opposite pressure is placed on the water channel, the damage to the water channel is most serious. Therefore, going back to the conventional faucet knob and the movement of the ceramic valve, the valve of the conventional ceramic valve stick can be turned to off easily, which causes rapid change in the process of shutting off the water. This process causes the opposite pressure of water flow instantly on the water channel, which causes damage on the wall of the water channel and its connection, in turn shortening the shelf life of the water channel and in turn shortening the shelf life of the water channel components of the ceramic valve. Although the user can shut off the water slowly when shutting off the conventional faucet knob, for many users, the habit of shutting off water speedily is hard to change. Therefore, this structure is designed to assist this operational effect.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

Ceramic valve structure with slow-descending device


SAFELANDER provides a method of safely operating aircraft, equipped with a Flight Control Unit, Instrument Landing System, and Autopilot, remotely on the ground and/or in congested airspace. The remote pilot, who can concurrently control a plurality of operational aircraft, communicates with Air Traffic Control and operates in a secure, synthetic vision, high fidelity, virtual reality cockpit simulator located in a ground-based facility. The patent saves cost and weight by providing a method for safely piloting traditionally dual piloted operational aircraft with just a single onboard pilot. The invention protects aircraft, edifices and the population from pilot error and/or terrorists. Decreases cost of air travel. Quickly, safely and effectively responds to emergencies. Increases flight safety and security. SAFELANDER ciphers and utilizes the two-way RF ground to aircraft and aircraft to ground telecommunication links and critical aircraft flight control data of U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,349, “Remote, Aircraft, Global Paperless Maintenance System”.

This invention relates to a remote pilot, located on the ground in a high fidelity virtual reality simulator, taking control of a civilian or military aircraft such as:
a) Executive (small to medium sized) Aircraft
b) Passenger/Carrier Aircraft
c) Cargo Aircraft
in order to provide relief to the aircraft's pilot(s) or to facilitate a safe landing which minimizes the loss of life and property damage from an aircraft that deviates from its air traffic control approved safe trajectory and/or approved flight plan.
Situations arise where an aircraft is piloted in such a way as to put the public in harms way. This can occur from a rogue pilot(s), terrorist(s), and/or problems aboard the aircraft that renders the flight crew incapable of safely piloting the aircraft (e.g.: sudden decompression). An example of the above was the aircraft hijacking that occurred on Sep. 11, 2001 where two commercial carrier aircraft were steered into the World Trade Center, another commercial carrier aircraft into the Pentagon and a fourth commercial carrier crashed in Pennsylvania, when its passengers attempted to take control away from the hijackers. Under the 9/11 scenario, with SAFELANDER'S remote pilot(s) located on the ground and using ciphered telemetry, the planes would be piloted away from large metropolitan areas and safely landed at airfields that minimizes the loss of life to both the persons aboard the aircraft and those located on the ground. Although SAFELANDER potentially wouldn't save all lives, it would substantially reduce the fatality count. SAFELANDER also acts as an effective deterrent to aircraft hijacking, since it eliminates the hijackers' ability to inflict a large number of ground deaths and/or destroy significant edifices.
A substantial economic benefit of this invention is to reduce the cost of flying by permitting a single pilot aboard Executive Aircraft, Passenger/Carrier Aircraft, Cargo Aircraft and large Military Aircraft. These aircraft traditionally have had two pilots in the flight crew (i.e.: pilot and copilot). With the advent of modern telemetry, communication, high fidelity virtual reality simulation, autopilot and the instrument landing system, an aircraft can be safely piloted with just a single onboard pilot and the use of a remote pilot located in a ground-based high fidelity virtual reality aircraft cockpit simulator.
The remote pilot:
                I. provides relief to the onboard pilot and/or handles emergencies should the aircraft's pilot become disabled;        II. is an experienced licensed pilot who is highly trained in the handling of emergency procedures and landings of the specific type(s) of aircraft;        III. is provided with the ability to communicate in real-time with the air traffic control, manufacturer, security, and air carrier personnel in order to provide the safest conning/guiding and landing of an aircraft;        IV. can concurrently and safely control a plurality of aircraft.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,079 and 5,974,349 provide the means for the transmittal of flight recorder information to a Central Ground-Based Processing Station. This information in real-time contains the critical operational aircraft data that is mandatory for replicating the flight conditions at a secure high fidelity virtual reality remote pilot ground-based simulator. Also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,079 and 5,974,349 establish the mandatory real-time two-way radio frequency (RF) telemetry (aircraft to ground and ground to aircraft) communication capability with Air Traffic Control/Management (ATC/M). Yet the above-cited patents don't have the onboard aircraft electronic interfaces necessary to enable the remote piloting of an aircraft. Nor do they provide a high fidelity virtual reality secure aircraft cockpit simulator necessary for safely remote piloting an operational aircraft in congested airspace.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,674 mixes video data taken from an aircraft with terrain data taken from a database to project a three-dimensional display of the aircraft to a remotely located pilot. This patent only utilizes a small subset of the needed data to safely control a commercial carrier aircraft in a highly congested air space or during taxiing on the ground. The patent also doesn't provide a means where a single remote pilot can concurrently control a plurality of aircraft.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,598 also deals with the apparatus for controlling an aircraft, particularly remotely controlled aircraft. This transmits some critical flight control data of the aircraft to a remote located pilot who controls the aircraft and has the ability to transmit some critical control data to the aircraft for controlling it. The patent doesn't provide the necessary safeguards to control a carrier aircraft on the ground or in a congested air space. Nor does U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,598 provide for a single remote pilot safely and concurrently controlling a plurality of aircraft.
None of the above cited patents provide the necessary safeguards for the remote control of large commercial and/or military aircraft, which presently utilize two pilots (pilot/copilot), operating in heavily congested civilian air space and at airports. What is needed is a remote pilot capability that provides the safeguards to enhance aviation safety to a level that not only increases the safety of the passengers onboard an aircraft but also enhances the safety of persons on the ground and protects significant edifices from pilot error and/or terrorism.
In conclusion, insofar as the patent applicants are concerned, no other aircraft remote pilot capability formerly developed provides the necessary safeguards and capabilities to allow the dynamic transfer of the piloting function between the onboard pilot(s) and the ground-based remote pilot(s) for the control of Executive (small to medium sized) Aircraft, Passenger/Carrier Aircraft, Cargo Aircraft and large Military Aircraft. SAFELANDER permits aircraft, such as the above, to be operated remotely and safely in highly congested airspace. It also permits these aircraft to be safely piloted by a single onboard pilot should that mode of operation be selected. SAFELANDER substantially reduces the cost of flying and the cost of providing national and aviation security while enhancing aviation safety.


Disclosed are tubeless fiber optic cables having strength members, methods of making the cables, and methods for making strength members. Specifically, the concepts of the invention inhibit the distortion and/or influence the cross-sectional shape of the tubeless fiber optic cables due to torsional forces from the strength members. For instance, one tubeless fiber optic cable of the invention uses strength members with a dead-lay construction for inhibiting distortion of the same. Another tubeless fiber optic cable design uses strength members on opposite sides of the cavity where the torsional forces from the strength members are in opposite directions for influencing the cross-sectional shape of the same. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods for making the tubeless fiber optic cables.

Communication networks are used to transport a variety of signals such as voice, video, data transmission, and the like. Traditional communication networks use copper wires in cables for transporting information and data. However, copper cables have drawbacks because they are large, heavy, and can only transmit a relatively limited amount of data compared with optical waveguides such as optical fiber. Consequently, optical waveguide cables replaced most of the copper cables in long-haul communication network links, thereby providing greater bandwidth capacity for long-haul links. However, most communication networks still use copper cables for drop links on the subscriber side of the central office, thereby limiting the high-bandwidth capacity of the optical fiber links to the subscriber.
As optical fiber is deployed deeper into communication networks, subscribers will have access to increased bandwidth. But certain obstacles exist that make it challenging, time-consuming, and/or expensive to route optical fiber to the subscriber. As the optical network pushes toward the subscriber, the craft requires solutions that are economical, have a quick and reliable installation, and a small footprint without requiring special installation techniques. Tubeless cables have been developed for meeting these needs. Tubeless cables allow easy access to the optical fibers while having a relatively high optical fiber density for the cable footprint. The present invention discloses improved tubeless fiber optic cables suitable for meeting the needs of the craft.

Tubeless fiber optic cables having strength members and methods therefor


A sheet-supply device including: a hopper for supporting a stack of sheets on a surface thereof and including a sheet guide for aligning a side of the stack of sheets into alignment with a sheet-feed direction; a rotational shaft disposed confronting the hopper and extending in an axial direction perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction; a first sheet-feed roller and a second sheet-feed roller provided on the rotational shaft and for abutting a surface of an uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets so that rotation of the first sheet-feed roller and the second sheet-feed roller feeds the uppermost sheet in the sheet-feed direction, the first sheet-feed roller being disposed nearer the sheet guide than is the second sheet-feed roller; and a first collar and a second collar provided freely rotatable around the rotational shaft, the first collar being positioned substantially centered between the pair of sheet-feed rollers, the second collar being disposed between the first collar and the first sheet-feed roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet-feed device for using sheet-feed rollers to feed one sheet at a time from a stack of sheets in a hopper.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. HEI-7-81786 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,042 describe a sheet-supply device used in a printer. The sheet-supply device includes a sheet-feed roller and a collar disposed on the same rotational shaft. The sheet-feed roller appears is substantially circular when viewed from the side, except for an arch-shaped cut-out portion removed from its periphery. The collar is disk shaped and has a radius smaller than that of greatest radius of the sheet-feed roller, but greater that the radius at the arch-shaped cut-out portion. Therefore, when the rotation of the sheet-feed roller brings the arch-shaped cut-out portion into confrontation with a sheet, the collar comes into contact with the sheet so that the sheet is prevented from rising up. By preventing the sheet from rising up, problems that often occur when feeding sheets from a stack in the hopper, such as skipping sheets or redundant sheet supply, that is, supplying two or more sheets stacked together, can be prevented.


A connection device for connecting an electrical member to a communications line comprising at least two conductors for carrying differential signals. The connection device includes at least one data exchange interface component connected to the line to send and/or receive data, and a connection for connecting the electrical member to the line. The connection device also includes in succession, going from the connection to the interface components, at least a first transformer arranged to perform common mode filtering on each conductor of the communications line; a second transformer arranged to perform electrical isolation so as to isolate the communications line at least from the interface component; a third transformer connected in parallel with the second transformer and made up of two windings having terminals including terminals that are not connected to the second transformer and that are connected to frame ground of the electrical member; and a fourth transformer arranged to provide electrical isolation so as to isolate at least the interface component from frame ground.

In order to certify equipment for installing on board aircraft, it is necessary in particular to verify the behavior of that equipment when it is placed under environmental conditions similar to those that it might encounter on aircraft. The equipment is subjected to a battery of qualification tests, during which it is verified whether the equipment, when subjected to such environmental conditions, functions normally, or functions in an acceptable degraded mode, or is not damaged, or indeed disturbs the operation of other pieces of equipment. These tests generally include climatic tests (temperature, humidity, etc.), mechanical tests (vibration, impacts, etc.), electromagnetic compatibility tests, tests of ability to withstand lightning striking the aircraft, etc.
Among the electromagnetic compatibility tests, there are tests for susceptibility of radiofrequencies seeking to verify the behavior of an electrical member when it is exposed to a certain level of radiofrequency energy. These tests also include conductive susceptibility tests during which currents are injected into the cables connected to the electrical member at frequencies that are swept over a broad spectrum.
In order to verify the ability of the electrical member to withstand lightning strikes, tests are provided that are similar to the conductive susceptibility tests, and also current injection tests that are performed directly via the connectors of the equipment.
Certain electrical members that perform functions that are particularly critical, e.g. an electrical member used in an electrical flight control system, are required not only to be capable of withstanding such injected currents, but also to be capable of operating normally while such injection is taking place.
Thus, there are requirements for an electrical member to be capable of sending and receiving data in normal manner over a digital differential communications line even when a current of several hundreds of milliamps is injected into the line at frequencies varying over the range 100 kilohertz (kHz) to 400 megahertz (MHz). The injected current leads in particular to high levels of common mode disturbance that propagate along the conductors of the line.
In order to enable the electrical member to pass such a test successfully, it might be envisaged mounting a connection device on the electrical member for connecting it to the communications line via a first transformer having two windings connected in series with the respective conductors of the line, and a second transformer of the center-tapped type for electrically isolating the electrical member from the communications line. The second transformer would have a winding with two conventional connection terminals together with an additional connection terminal to the midpoint of the winding. Thus, a common mode disturbance generated by current being injected would be filtered by the transformers and discharged to frame ground of the electrical member via the center tap.
The use of such transformers would be effective, except when the common mode disturbance propagates at a frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of the connection device due to an inductive component or the first transformer and a capacitive component of the second transformer. At such a resonant frequency, which gives rise to a great reduction in the impedance of the reception member and thus to a large increase in common mode current, there is a severe risk of a common mode disturbance damaging the components of the electrical member, or indeed interrupting communication.

Device for linking an electrical member to a communication line


An electrical system, or a trigger circuit for use in connection with an electrical system, is disclosed. The electrical system includes a circuit element responsive to applied current, a power source for providing current to the circuit element, a substrate, and a substantially clear conductive composition arranged on or in associatin with the substrate for providing an electrical current path between the power source and the responsive circuit element.

Conductive compositions have been developed for various purposes including facilitating electrostatic discharge and as a current transfer medium on printed circuit boards. Recently, conductive compositions have been used, instead of conventional conductive wires, as part of electrical systems. In particular, conductive compositions have been used as a means for conducting current from a power source to current operated modules on a variety of diverse objects such as printed circuit boards, wearing apparel and children's toys.
Examples of desirable electrical systems which use conductive compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,749 which is incorporated by reference herein and which is commonly owned with the present application. The '749 patent discloses electrical systems which include a power supply, one or more current operated modules and conductive composition for connecting the power supply to the current operated module so that current generated by the power supply can be delivered to the current operating module. In one embodiment, the conductive composition may be colored where the coloring constitutes a substantially nonconductive portion of the conductive composition. In another embodiment, the conductive composition is arranged on an object and forms at least a portion of a design thereon. In another embodiment, the conductive composition includes features which render it sufficiently durable to withstand multiple washes without cracking, substantial resistance build-up or other failure. The aforementioned properties of the conductive compositions disclosed in the '749 patent are desirable in various applications.
Additional desirable electrical systems which use conductive compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,948 which is also assigned to the owner of the present invention. The disclosure in the '948 patent is also incorporated by reference herein. The '948 patent particularly discloses a multilayer conductive composition which can be used as part of an electrical system. Since the multilayer conductive composition disclosed in the '948 patent is an improvement over prior art conductive compositions in that it can be used for "vertically conductive" applications (i.e., applications where it may be desirable to have a bottom layer of the conductive composition with a higher conductivity than a top layer thereof so that the top layer cannot conduct a substantial amount of current along the surface thereof). The invention disclosed in the '948 patent is also useful when it is necessary for the conductive composition to be a desired color.
It is also known in the art to provide substantially clear conductive compositions which have been useful for electrostatic discharge applications. For example, the substantially clear conductive composition may be spray coated around a computer workstation to avoid electrostatic build-up that may interfere with proper operation of an associated computer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,975 to Richardson discloses a process for cathodic electrode deposition of a clear coating over a layer of conductive paint. However, the '975 patent does not teach that the clear coating should be electrically conductive. Thus, it clearly does not teach the use of a conductive composition as part of an electrical system.
Clear conductive compositions have also been used in the prior art as resistive circuit elements that form part of a windshield defrosting system. In this regard, clear conductive compositions have been applied directly to the surface of an automobile windshield. In such a system, when it is desired to defrost the windshield, a switch is closed inside the automobile which permits current to flow from a power source of the automobile through the clear conductive composition and then to ground. In such a circuit, the clear conductive composition function as a resistor which dissipates a variable amount of heat in direct proportion to the amount of current forced to flow through the resistive element (i.e., through the clear conductive composition traces on the windshield). The clear conductive composition traces in the automobile windshield defroster systems do not provide an electrical current path between the power source and a current responsive circuit element. Further, there is no trigger point which includes an open circuit area in the clear conductive composition whereby current is permitted to flow through the clear conductive composition to a responsive circuit element upon placement of an additional conductive object across the open circuit area.
Accordingly, the prior art has failed to provide an electrical system, or a trigger circuit for use as part of an electrical system, where a substantially clear conductive composition is arranged on a substrate for providing an electrical current path between a power source and at least one responsive circuit element. Moreover, the prior art has failed to provide such a system where the clear conductive composition is used as part of a switch (i.e., a trigger point).

Electrical system having a clear conductive composition


Disclosed is a vehicle weight measuring structure. The structure comprises a base plate; a plurality of support elements placed on the base plate, each support element having a pair of legs which project downward and are separated from each other by a predetermined distance to be brought into contact with the base plate, each leg having a free end serving as a contact part which possesses a rounded contour; and a structure body horizontally supported by the plurality of support elements in a manner such that an upper surface of the structure body and an upper surface of a road become coplanar, for transferring a load of a vehicle traveling on the road to the support elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus which is built in a road to measure a weight of a vehicle traveling on the road and, more particularly, to a vehicle weight measuring structure and a vehicle weight measuring apparatus using the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As well known to those skilled in the art, a vehicle weight measuring apparatus is built in a road on which vehicles travel, to collect various data related with weights of the vehicles while not hindering traffic flow. The vehicle weight measuring apparatus functions to check an overspeeding vehicle or an overloaded vehicle.
Sensors used in the conventional vehicle weight measuring apparatus are classified into those which employ, upon application of a load, electrical resistance change as in the case of a strain gauge, capacitance change or a piezoelectric effect.
However, the conventional apparatus suffers from defects in that measurement precision is low and therefore it is difficult to actually apply the apparatus in practice. Also, due to the fact that a vehicle weight measuring structure used in the conventional apparatus is mainly made of plastic, a lengthy period of time is required until plastic is returned to its original state after removal of a load, whereby vehicle weight measuring operation cannot but be retarded.

Vehicle weight measuring structure and vehicle weight measuring apparatus using the same


Process for the gas phase polymerization of olefins, in particular, with recycle of fines to the reaction zone. The process includes (a) polymerizing an olefin in a reaction zone in which a bed of polymer particles is maintained in an agitated state by passing a fluid stream through the bed, (b) withdrawing the fluid stream from the reactor after it has passed through the bed of polymer particles, (c) separating entrained solids from the withdrawn fluid stream, and (d) returning the separated entrained solids to the reaction zone. The polymer production rate of the process is at least 40 tonnes/hour, and the separated solids from step (c) are returned to the lower half of the bed of polymer particles in the reaction zone.

The polymerisation of olefins in the gas phase in fluidised or similar reactors is well-known and commercially operated. In a typical fluidised bed process, for example, a bed of growing polymer particles is maintained in a fluidised state in a vertically orientated cylindrical reactor by means of an ascending gas stream (fluidising gas). Gas exiting the top of the fluidised bed reactor is cooled and recycled to the base via a recycle loop. Fresh monomer(s) are added to replace those consumed in the reaction whilst produced polymer particles are removed from the bed.
GB 1,413,613, for example, describes a process for the dry polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor. Two possible configurations are described to address the potential problem of small solid particles, known as "fines", being entrained from the reactor with the ascending gas stream. The first of these is the use of what is referred to in GB 1,413,613 as a "tranquilisation chamber" which is an area of larger cross-section compared to the reactor and provided above the reactor which acts to reduce the velocity of the fluidising gas, allowing solid particles which might otherwise exit the top of the fluidised bed to fall back to the bed. The second is the use of a cyclone to separate the entrained solids for subsequent return to the reactor.
Of the two options disclosed in GB 1,413,613, that referred to as the tranquilisation chamber, which may alternatively and, in fact, is more generally referred to as a disengagement zone or velocity reduction zone, has become the commonly used means for reducing entrainment from fluidised bed reactors. However, despite the use of a disengagement zone, it is common for significant quantities of solids to remain entrained in the fluidising gas exiting the disengagement zone. Such solids may foul components of the line through which the fluidising gas is recycled. To avoid this problem it is therefore known to also use a cyclone in addition to the disengagement zone to separate the entrained solids from the fluidising gas exiting the disengagement zone.
Such processes are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,400 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,638.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,400, for example, discloses an apparatus for the gas phase polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor comprising a disengagement chamber and a cyclone which acts to separate entrained solids from the fluidising gas exiting the reactor, for recycle to the fluidised bed. According to U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,400, the solids should be recycled to the reactor, below the disengagement chamber but above the top of the fluidised bed. One problem of this process is that it is necessary for the fluidised bed to operate below the height of the cylindrical reactor section.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,638 also discloses an apparatus for the gas phase polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor comprising a disengagement chamber and a cyclone which acts to separate entrained solids from the fluidising gas exiting the reactor, for recycle to the fluidised bed. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,638, the solids should again be recycled to the upper portion of the reactor body, but in this case may be introduced either above or into the top of the fluidised bed. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,638 recycle of the solids to the lower portion of the bed is less favoured.

Process for the gas phase polymerisation of olefins