A luminaire comprising a housing having thermally separate compartments for an electronics portion and a lighting portion. These thermally separate compartments can provide thermal isolation between the electronics portion and the lighting portion. The lighting portion comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements and further includes an optical device comprising two linear diffuser elements and can be used to further improve the light emission characteristics of the light-emitting elements thereby providing a directly viewable luminaire wherein the illumination produced by point light sources appears uniform along the length of the luminaire. A power supply for supply of energy to the light-emitting elements and a controller for controlling application of energy from a power source to the light-emitting elements is provided in the electronics portion and can be thermally separated within the electronics portion.

Due to their higher overall luminous efficacy and flexibility for achieving various light patterns, luminaires using high-flux LEDs are fast emerging as the preferred lighting architecture over conventional light fixtures. These luminaires are increasingly used in a wide range of applications where high light output is required, such as theatrical spotlights, high-power flashlights, and automotive headlights. They are also penetrating mainstream commercial applications like task lights, accent lights, wall washing, signage, advertising, decorative and display lighting, cove lighting, wall sconces, facade lighting, and custom lighting.
The ability to maximize light output from a luminaire increases energy efficiency and reduces production and maintenance costs. Typically, a high flux LED luminaire comprises a plurality of high flux light-emitting diodes, as well as a power supply unit for excitation of the light-emitting diodes. Through maximizing the light output in the desired light pattern, power consumption for these light-emitting diodes may be reduced. Otherwise, additional power would be needed to overcome these light losses.
A primary concern in the design and operation of high flux LED luminaires is thermal management. The luminous intensity of a light module is quite often a strong function of its operational temperature. High flux LED luminaires tend to generate large amounts of heat during operation. Not only does this heat reduce the light output of a light-emitting diode, but it can also reduce the reliability and the life expectancy of the lighting module, due to premature failure of one or more light-emitting diodes. Accordingly, heat dissipation often becomes a critical design consideration as the undesirable heat negatively affects the performance of the luminaire.
Various heat dispersive systems such as heat sinks, use of metal-core printed circuit boards, heat absorbers or a combination thereof have been proposed. However, the existing heat dissipation systems generally spread the heat from a hot spot to another location for dissipation without coolth collection.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,626 to Lys et al. discloses a heat dissipating housing made of a heat-conductive material for containing a lighting assembly therein. The heat dissipating housing contains two stacked circuit boards holding respectively a power module and a light module. The light module comprises a light emitting diode (LED) system mounted on a heat spreader plate that is in contact with the housing for dispersing away the heat generated by the LED system that is in thermal contact with the plate, thereby conducting heat towards the housing.
A particular advantage of the Lys et al. heat spreader is that when the heat source is located proximate to the center of a circular plate, the temperature at the boundary thereof is substantially constant. Accordingly, the heat spreader distributes the heat evenly to a thermally connected housing which ejects the heat into the surrounding environment. However, this heat dissipation system may not work well with housings which exhibit hot spots when dissipating heat.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,076 to Masami et al. teaches a heat dissipation mechanism for an LED traffic signal. A heat absorber such as a heat conductive resin in thermal communication with a printed circuit board on the other side of which an array of LEDs is formed, is disclosed. A finned heat sink is in thermal contact with the heat absorber. The heat absorber collects the heat generated by the array of LEDs and provides a conductive path for the heat towards the heat sink for dissipation into the ambient environment. The disclosed heat absorber, however, is typically a poor heat conductor and does not provide for optimal heat transfer to the heat sink.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,839 to Metz, Jr. is directed to an LED array thermally bonded to a strip of alumina that is bonded to a heat sink bonded via thermally-conductive tape. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,767 to Hochstein teaches mounting LEDs on a metal core PCB having an integral heat sink with electrically and thermally conductive epoxy.
The optical performance of a light-emitting diode is another important consideration when designing high flux LED luminaires. The light-emitting diode used to generate light often has special emission characteristics. Optical devices such as reflectors or lenses have specific geometries which enable them to ameliorate the performance of the light-emitting diode. The performance of the LED can be improved by a judicious choice of optical devices adapted to particular output characteristics of the light-emitting diode.
Traditional directly viewed luminaires use light-emitting diodes with no optics and a housing comprising a transparent shield typically made of glass or plastic to protect the light-emitting diodes against natural elements. The transparent shield effectively blocks the light-emitting diode's output and reduces the overall illumination luminous flux output of the luminaire. Moreover, the individual light-emitting diodes are often visible through the transparent shield and could appear as point sources. This can further reduce light output uniformity and can cause a "pearl necklace" effect, which is undesirable.
A number of solutions have been proposed to alleviate the undesirable pearl necklace effect. One solution seeks to improve light output uniformity by providing a diffuse transparent shield surrounding the light-emitting diodes. However, in order to achieve good levels of luminous uniformity, the light-emitting diodes must be spaced relatively close with respect to one another. Due to design limitations, this solution is often not available, especially when using high flux light-emitting diodes whereby the close proximity of the light-emitting diodes creates a high concentration of unwanted heat. This problem is further exacerbated in luminaires having a plurality of light-emitting diodes of different colour combinations for colour mixing, where the distal spacing between the various light-emitting diodes must be minimized to generate a desired resultant colour.
Therefore there is a need for a new design for a directly viewable luminaire that can address these thermal and optical deficiencies identified in the prior art.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.


The embodiments provide a modified calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist including an N-terminal fragment of modified calcitonin gene-related peptide or related protein family member where at least two residues of the N-terminal fragment are cysteine (Cys) and at least one amino acid comprises a non-threonine substitution of a threonine (Thr) residue; a central core where the central core comprises an α-helix; and a C-terminal fragment of modified calcitonin gene-related peptide or related protein family member comprising a C-terminal amide and where at least one amino acid of the C-terminal fragment is phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), tyrosine (Tyr) or hydroxyproline (Hyp) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as well as compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a subject peptide. The embodiments further provide treatment methods, including methods of treating a migraine, the methods generally involving administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a subject peptide or composition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present embodiments relate to peptide antagonists of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CT/CGRP) family of peptide hormones and therapeutic uses thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
The CT/CGRP peptide family includes calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (ADM), intermedin (IM), calcitonin (CT) and amylin. The biological actions of these peptides are mediated via binding to two closely related type II G protein-coupled receptors, the calcitonin receptor (CTR) and the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) (Christopoulos, et al. 1999, Mol. Pharmacol. 56:235-242; Poyner et al. 2002 Pharmacol. Rev. 54:233-246). Although the calcitonin receptor is the main mediator for calcitonin action, it preferentially binds amylin, when the receptor is associated with a receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) (see, e.g., Tilikaratne, et al. 2000, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 294(1):61-72). Cloning and functional studies have shown that CGRP, ADM, IM and, to a lesser extent, amylin likewise interact with different combinations of CRLR and the three receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMP-1, RAMP-2 and RAMP-3); see, e.g., McLatchie et al. 1998, Nature 393:333-339 and Roh et al. 2004, JBC 279(8):7264-7274). In fact, co-expression of the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) is required to generate functional receptors for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (ADM) and intermedin (IM). The formation of heterodimers between RAMPs and CRLR is essential for the proper cell surface targeting and pharmacological characteristics of CGRP, ADM and IM receptors. Co-expression of RAMP-1 with CRLR leads to the formation of a CGRP receptor, whereas RAMP-2 and RAMP-3 co-expression with CRLR form ADM and IM receptors respectively (Miret, et al. 2002, JBC 277(9):6881-6887.) IM has been shown to be a nonselective agonist for all three RAMP/CRLR co-receptors.
The physiological functions of the hormone peptides in the CT/CGRP family are determined by receptor-binding specificity and the tissue expression profiles of individual ligands and their respective receptors and have been shown to be involved in cardiovascular morphogenesis, sensory neurotransmission, inflammatory reactions, nociceptive behavior and glucose homeostasis (see, e.g., Hay, et al. 2001, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 22:57-59; Shindo, et al. 2001, Circulation 104:1964-1971; Zhang et al. 2001, Pain 89:265-273; Salmon et al. (1999) Neuroreport 10:849-854; Salmon, et al. 2001, Nat. Neurosci. 4: 357-358; and Mulder, et al. 2000, Am. J. Physiol. 278:E684-E691).
CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), a well-studied peptide in the CT/CGRP family of peptide hormones, is a sensory neuropeptide with potent vasodilatory and cardiotonic action as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,838 to Evans, et al. CGRP is present in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and is concentrated in those areas of the body receiving sensory input from the dorsal horn with limited amounts associated with autonomic input. In the brain, the peptide is present in the nuclei of sensory and motor cranial nerves and in cell bodies in the hypothalamus, preoptic area, ventromedial thalamus, hippocampus, and the like (Poyner, D. 1992, Pharmac. Ther. 56:23-51).
Inhibitors at the receptor level to CGRP are postulated to be useful in pathophysiologic conditions where excessive CGRP receptor activation has occurred. Some of these include neurogenic vasodilation, neurogenic inflammation, migraine, cluster headache and other headaches, thermal injury, circulatory shock, menopausal flushing, and asthma. CGRP receptor activation has particularly been implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine headache (Edvinsson L. 2001, CNS Drugs 15(10):745-53; Williamson, D. J. 2001 Microsc. Res. Tech. 53:167-178; Grant, A. D. 2002, Brit. J Pharmacol. 135:356-362). Migraines are noted for the strength of the headache that ensues with its pathology. It is believed that the headache associated with migraines results from the profound cerebral vasodilation associated with migraine events. CGRP-containing nerve fibers innervate cerebral and dural vessels where CGRP is believed to prolong vasodilation. (Moskowitz 1992, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 13:307-311). Further, serum levels of CGRP are elevated during migraine (Goadsby, et al. 1990, Ann. Neurol. 28:183-7), and treatment with anti-migraine drugs returns CGRP levels to normal coincident with alleviation of headache (Gallai, et al. 1995, Cephalalgia 15:384-90). Migraineurs exhibit elevated basal CGRP levels compared to controls (Ashina, et al., 2000, Pain 86(1-2)133-8). Intravenous CGRP infusion produces lasting headache in migraineurs (Lassen, et al. 2002, Cephalalgia 22(1):54-61). Thus, CGRP antagonists have been the focus of recent research as a method for blocking cerebrovascular CGRP receptors and thus blocking the vasodilation causing migraine.
Both small molecule and peptide antagonists of the CGRP receptor are known. These include, for example, intravenous olcegepant (BIBN4096 BS) and oral telcagepant (MK-0974), produced by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Merck & Co., Inc., respectively. Both of these small molecule CGRP antagonists have been shown to be safe, effective and well tolerated in early clinical trials for the acute treatment of migraines. (See, e.g., Tepper and Stillman, 2008, Headache 48(8):1259-1268; and Durham and Vause 2010, CNS Drugs 24(7):539-548.) However, recently a Phase II investigation into the use of the small molecule CGRP antagonist, MK-3207, to prevent migraines was discontinued by Merck & Co., Inc. due to observance of asymptomatic liver test abnormalities in some patients in an extended Phase I pharmacology study ("Merck Updates Status of Clinical Development Programs for Investigational CGRP Receptor Antagonist Treatments for Acute Migraine; MK-3207 Clinical Development Discontinued." Sep. 10, 2009. Merck & Co., Inc. Web. Jun. 1, 2011).
Other molecules known to compete for the CGRP receptor are peptides comprising the sequence of CGRP but lacking at least the first seven amino acids of the CGRP amino acid sequence, for example, including, but not limited to, CGRP (8-37), CGRP (28-37), [Tyro]CGRP (28-37), and CGRP (12-37). Other CGRP antagonists include h-α-CGRP (9-37), h-α-CGRP (10-37), h-α-CGRP (11-37) (Mimeault, M. et al., 1992, J. Med. Chem. 35; 2163-2168). Still other CGRP antagonists include [Ala9]-h-α-CGRP (8-37), [Ala10]-h-α-CGRP (8-37), [Ala11]-h-α-CGRP (8-37), and [Ala12]-h-α-CGRP (8-37), id. Additional CGRP antagonists include h-α-CGRP (19-37), h-α-CGRP (23-37) and acetyl-h-α-CGRP (19-37) (Rovero, P. et al. 1992, Peptides 13:1025-1027).
While a number of CGRP receptor peptide antagonists have been shown to effectively compete with CGRP in vitro, these antagonists have not performed as well in in vivo models of migraine-like pathologies.

Peptide antagonists of the calcitonin CGRP family of peptide hormones and their use


A flexible fuel hose having improved fuel vapor barrier properties wherein the fuel hose comprises a first fluoropolymer layer forming a first barrier tubular structure and a second fluoropolymer layer forming a second tubular structure around the first barrier tubular structure; and a method for the manufacture of such hose are described.

The present invention relates generally to hoses and particularly to fuel transport hoses such as fuel filler and fuel filler neck hoses having reduced permeability to fuel vapors. More particularly, this invention relates to fuel hoses constructed from fluoropolymers.
Recent environmental regulations imposed on the automotive industry severely limit the amount of fuel vapor that can permeate from the fuel systems of motor vehicles. Choosing the right polymer to provide high performance, long service life, and reduced permeability of fuel in the fuel systems of automotive vehicles while maintaining costs at an acceptable level has been more difficult for automotive designers than ever before. A particular permeation problem associated with prior art fuel hoses involves the high permeation of fuel vapor along the surface of one of the barrier layers. Typically, fuel transfer and fuel vapor hoses include a butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber inner tubular member and a fluoroplastic barrier layer around the nitrile inner tubular layer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,528 to Feit et al.; however, such hoses have a high permeability to fuel, high fuel extraction, poor ozone resistance, poor heat aging and poor sour gas resistance. Other hoses have included a fluoroelastomer as the inner wall surface of the hose, but such hoses have a higher permeability to fuel vapors.
Other attempts to produce a fuel filler neck hose with reduced permeability to fuel vapors used a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer liner and a thicker layer of hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer or other suitable material as the conductive inner tubular structure. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,606,952 to Sugimoto and 5,430,603 to Albino et al. Such hose structures have a tendency to wrinkle on the inner radius of the forming mandrel or pin causing a cosmetic defect.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved fuel hose that meets present industry standards and is still relatively cost efficient.

Flexible hose having reduced fuel vapor permeability and method of manufacturing such hose


Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a digital image conversion method and apparatus. The method includes: acquiring an RGB indication signal of a forward-correlated pixel of a current pixel; comparing an RGB signal of the current pixel with the RGB indication signal of the forward-correlated pixel; acquiring a YUV indication signal of the forward-correlated pixel and assigning the YUV indication signal to a YUV signal of the current pixel, if the RGB signal of the current pixel is identical to the RGB indication signal of the forward-correlated pixel; and recalculating the YUV signal of the current pixel according to the RGB signal of the current pixel, if the RGB signal of the current pixel is different from the RGB indication signal of the forward-correlated pixel. The digital image conversion method and apparatus disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively reduce the amount of calculation required for image data conversion.

During the processing of image data, especially video image data, image data in RGB format often needs to be converted into image data in YUV format. An image in RGB format may be converted into an image in YUV format by using the following equation:
      (                            Y                                      U                                      V                      )    =            (                                    0.3                                0.59                                0.11                                                              -              0.15                                                          -              0.29                                            0.44                                                0.51                                              -              0.52                                                          -              0.095                                          )                          (                                            R                                                          G                                                          B                                      )            .
To convert an image in RGB format into an image in YUV format, pixel-wise image conversion is performed according to the above-mentioned equation. Although this method achieves the accurate conversion of the image format, a large amount of calculation is required. This method is not suitable for the implementation of image format conversion on platforms with limited computing resources.

Digital image conversion method and apparatus, storage medium, and device

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.


A non-contact IC label comprising an electrically insulating first substrate; an electrically connected antenna coil and IC chip provided on one surface of said substrate; a magnetic layer provided on said one surface of said substrate so as to cover said antenna coil and said IC chip, a first adhesive layer provided on said magnetic layer, an electrically insulating second substrate provided on said first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer provided on said second substrate, a release paper provided on said second adhesive layer, and an overlay material provided on a third adhesive layer on the other surface of said first substrate.

As an IC label used for RFID, there are conventionally known identification IC labels consisting of an electrically connected antenna coil and an IC chip on which information is stored.
When these IC labels receive electromagnetic waves from a reader/writer, electromotive force is generated in the antenna coil by a resonance action, the IC chip in the IC label is activated by the electromotive force, information in the chip is converted to a signal, and this signal is transmitted from the antenna coil of the IC label.
The signal sent from the IC label is received by the antenna of the reader/writer and sent to a data processing device through a controller, where data processing such as identification is performed.
In order for these IC labels to operate, the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the reader/writer must be sufficiently picked up by antenna coil of the IC label and electromotive force not below the operational electromotive force of the IC chip must be induced. However, when IC labels are attached to the surfaces of metal articles, on the surface of metal articles, the flux becomes parallel to the surface of the metal articles. Because of this, the problem arises of the flux that crosses the antenna coil of the IC label decreasing, causing the induced electromotive force to drop below the actuation electromotive force of the IC chip, so that the IC chip does not operate (for example, refer to nonpatent document 1).
FIG. 4 is a mimetic diagram showing the flow of flux in the case of an IC label placed on the surface of a metal article. Since the flux 142 generated from the reader/writer 141 becomes parallel to the surface of the metal article 143 , the flux that passes the antenna coil 145 of the IC label 144 installed on the surface of the metal object article 143 decreases, and since the electromotive force induced by the antenna coil 145 declines, the IC chip 146 stops operating.
In order to enable operation even when installed on a metal article, a method has been proposed to increase the induced electromotive force by winding an antenna coil around a ferrite core, arranging the antenna coil so that its axial center may become parallel to the direction of the flux of the surface of the metal article, and increasing the flux which passes through an antenna coil surface to increase the induced electromotive force (for example, refer to patent document 1).
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the IC tag according to the embodiment of patent document 1, showing an antenna coil 152 wrapped around the perimeter of a square-shaped ferrite core 156, and at the portion where the antenna coil 152 is not wrapped, an IC chip 153 and a condenser 154 are mounted on the substrate 155 via the substrate 155. If the flat portion of the square-shaped ferrite core 156 (underside of FIG. 5) is attached to the surface of a metal article, flux parallel to the surface of the metal article passes through the ferrite core 156. Since it passes perpendicular to the antenna coil 152, the necessary induced voltage occurs and the IC chip 153 operates.
On the other hand, it has also been proposed that by forming a flat antenna coil and causing flux to pass a magnetic core member provided on the underside of the antenna coil, the flux is made to pass through the flat antenna coil to generate induced electromagnetic force in the magnetic core member, and by providing a conductive member on the underside of the antenna coil, the impact of the article on which the IC label is to be installed on the IC label is inhibited (for example, refer to patent document 2).
FIG. 6 is a sectional drawing showing the embodiment of the invention disclosed in patent document 2. The antenna coil 161 for IC labels consists of a conductor 161a spirally wound within a flat surface, and is equipped with a plate-like or sheet-like magnetic core member 163 glued to one side of the antenna coil 161 and a conductive member 164 on the underside of the magnetic core member 163. The magnetic core member 163 traverses a portion of the antenna coil 161 on the other surface of the substrate on which the antenna coil 161 is provided, being laminated so that one end portion goes outside of the antenna coil 161, and the other end portion comes to the center portion (inside) 162 of the antenna coil 161.
By laminating the magnetic core member 163 in this way, flux enters one end portion of the magnetic core member 163 and leaves from the other end portion, so that the flux that left the other end portion passes through the inside of the antenna coil 161 and induced electromotive force occurs in the antenna coil 161 formed by the conductor 161a.
For this reason, even if the IC label is attached to the surface of an article 165 and the flux direction around the IC label becomes parallel with the surface of the antenna coil 161, the flux passes through the inside of the antenna coil 161. Since sufficient voltage to operate an IC chip is induced by this, the IC chip reliably operates.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the conductive member 164 is laminated and bonded so as cover the magnetic core member 163 on the other surface of the substrate on which the antenna coil 161 was formed, the conductive member 164 screens the passage of electromagnetic waves to an article. Therefore, irrespective of whether or not the article 165 is metal, the antenna coil 161 becomes less affected by it, and even if the surface of the article 165 is formed with metal, losses due to eddy currents produced in the metal surface do not develop, and so the RFID tag reliably functions even if attached to the metal article 165.
However, in the method disclosed in patent document 1, enlarging the diameter of the antenna coil 152 in order to increase the flux that passes the antenna coil 152 in order to increase the induced electromotive force gives rise to the problem of increasing the thickness of the IC label.
On the other hand, in the method disclosed in patent document 2, the problem arises of increased thickness of the IC label due to providing a magnetic core member and a conductive member on one surface of the substrate.
In recent years there has been use of RFID media such as non-contact IC tags, non-contact IC labels and non-contact IC cards that enable writing and reading of information in a non-contact state for information control, payments and control of merchandise and the like. These RFID media are quickly becoming popular since they enable writing and reading of information in a non-contact state and, depending on the specifications, can perform writing and reading of information simultaneously to a plurality of RFID media.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a conventional non-contact IC tag, with FIG. 17A being a plan view showing the internal structure, and FIG. 17B being a sectional drawing along line C-C in FIG. 17A.
The non-contact IC tag 2100 of this example includes an inlet 2110 in which an antenna 2102 is formed on a resin sheet 2101 and an IC chip 2103 is mounted, and a surface sheet 2112 glued to the top of the inlet 2110 with an adhesive 2111.
An antenna 2102 is formed on the resin sheet 2101 in a coiled form, both ends thereof being connected to the IC chip 2103 by the contacts 2104. Moreover, writing and read-out of information in a non-contact state are possible for the IC chip 2103 through the antenna 2102. Moreover, the surface sheet 2112 consists of a resin film and protects the IC chip 2103 by being glued to the side of the inlet 2110 in which the IC chip 2103 is mounted.
When an information writing/reading device (not shown) provided externally is brought near the non-contact IC tag 2100, a current flows into the antenna 2102 by the electromagnetic induction from the information writing/reading device, and this current is supplied from the antenna 2102 to the IC chip 2103 via the contacts 2104. Thereby, in a non-contact state, information is written from the information writing/reading device to the IC chip 2103, and information written on the IC chip 2103 is read by the information writing/reading device.
Here, as with the non-contact IC tag 2100, in the semiconductor substrate in which an IC chip is mounted on a base substrate, the IC chip is protected by gluing a protecting member such as a surface sheet to the surface on which the IC chip is mounted.
Moreover, in a semiconductor substrate on which an IC chip is mounted, technology has been devised in which the surface on which the IC chip is not mounted is covered with a resin, and then the surface of the semiconductor substrate on which the IC chip is mounted is covered with a resin, thereby protecting the IC chip (for example, refer to patent document 3). In this technique, in a semiconductor substrate on which an IC chip is mounted, the surface on which the IC chip is not mounted is first covered with a resin. Then, a metal mold is provided on top of the semiconductor substrate, and by injecting resin into this metal mold, the surface of the semiconductor substrate on which the IC chip is mounted is covered by the resin. Thereby, the semiconductor substrate on which the IC chip is mounted becomes sealed by the resin so that, compared to a protecting member such as a surface sheet being glued to the top of the semiconductor substrate protection of the IC chip can be reinforced.
Moreover, technology has also been conceived to manufacture RFID tags by fixing to a metal mold a substrate on whose base substrate an antenna is wound and an IC chip is mounted and injecting resin into the metal mold, whereby the substrate on whose base substrate the antenna is wound and the IC chip is mounted is sealed (for example, refer to patent document 4). Compared to a protecting member such as a surface sheet being glued to the top of the semiconductor substrate, this technology can reinforce protection of the IC chip.
However, in protecting the IC chip by supplying resin onto a semiconductor substrate on whose base substrate the IC chip is mounted and sealing the semiconductor substrate with the resin as described above, at the juncture when resin is supplied on the semiconductor substrate, the IC chip may be damaged and the connections between the wiring formed on the base substrate and the IC chip may break from the pressure and heat of the resin supply.
In addition, in a semiconductor device whose semiconductor substrate, on whose base substrate an IC chip is mounted, is sealed with resin, the IC chip may be damaged and the connections between the wiring formed on the base substrate and the IC chip may break from pressure being applied to the IC chip due to expansion of the resin from changes in the surrounding environment after manufacture, particularly a rise in the ambient temperature.
In addition, when affixing an IC label on a metal container and the like, since repeated reaffixing is possible any number of times, a method of using ferromagnetic materials (such as a magnet) having spontaneous magnetization characteristics instead of an adhesive has been devised.
However, since the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic material having spontaneous magnetization characteristics is strong, there is strong magnetic isotropy in this ferromagnetic material. Accordingly, in the IC label in which a magnetic layer consisting of a ferromagnetic material is provided so as to be in contact with the antenna, when picking up flux emitted from the information writing reading device, variations arise in the degree of flux capture, giving rise to the problem of a drop in the reading rate and reading distance.
When the thickness of the IC label increases, there is a problem of the flexibility of the IC label being impaired. When the flexibility of the IC label is impaired, it is difficult to affix the IC label on an article having a curved surface. In addition, when affixing the IC label to an article or separating it from an article, immoderate force is applied to the IC label, giving rise to the possibility of damaging the antenna or the IC chip.
Non-contact data reception/transmission units such as an IC label are used for such purposes as goods tracking.
In particular, if non-contact data reception/transmission units are applied to tracking of goods of many types and machine parts with many components, since the good itself can be identified without viewing, the efficiency of such operations as selection of an item and inventory control can be raised, and so it is extremely effective.
In the case of using a non-contact data reception/transmission unit for tracking of a good, it is directly affixed to the good to be tracked. Therefore, depending on the use of an article, the non-contact data reception/transmission unit may be damaged by an external impact, causing its communication facility to be impaired. Therefore, a non-contact data reception/transmission unit has been proposed with a structure able to withstand external impacts by providing a protective construction such as housing the inlet in a case, or covering it with resin.
As methods of manufacturing the non-contact data reception/transmission unit with such a structure, the following are given (for example, refer to patent document 5).
For example, a method of obtaining a disk-like non-contact data reception/transmission unit has been given in which a raw sheet and a cover sheet of the same material are bonded together with thermocompression bonding or a resin adhesive and the like so as to provide an inlet on the raw sheet and cover the inlet on this raw sheet, after which the layered product including the raw sheet, inlet and cover sheet is stamped into a circle in the laminating direction, with the inlet embedded in resin (hereinafter referred to as "the first method" in order to simplify the explanation).
Also, a method of obtaining a non-contact data reception/transmission unit formed to a predetermined shape with a metal die has been given in which an inlet is inserted in a metal mold for injection molding, after which melted thermoplastic resin is made to flow thereinto or a thermosetting resin is made to flow thereinto and heated, thereby embedding the inlet in the resin (hereinafter referred to as "the second method" in order to simplify the explanation).
Incidentally, in the first method, since a minimum thickness is required to be able to withstand the tension and pressure when the raw sheet is stamped into a disk, there is the problem that it is difficult to make the non-contact data reception/transmission unit smaller in thickness. In addition, since there is no portion that absorbs the thickness of the IC chip in the raw sheet and the cover sheet, there is the problem of increased pressure load on the IC chip. Moreover, since the adhesion of the raw sheet and the cover sheet is poor, as a result of forming by stamping, the joining end faces of both end up being exposed, and so when external pressure is applied, the raw sheet and the cover sheet may peel apart, exposing the inlet.
Furthermore, water and chemicals can easily seep inside from the joining end face of the raw sheet and the cover sheet, so that non-contact data reception/transmission units manufactured by this method have inferior water resistance and chemical resistance.
Moreover, in the second method, excessive pressure is applied to the inlet at the time of injection molding, and so there is the risk of damaging the IC chip or the antenna. Also, when the thickness of the base substrate is made thin in order to make a thin non-contact data reception/transmission unit in this method, at the juncture when resin is made to flow into the metal mold, cracking occurs in the base substrate due to the pressure of the resin, and so it is difficult to be made smaller in thickness.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2003-317052    [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2003-108966    [Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2003-68775    [Patent Document 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-298116    [Patent Document 5] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2003-331243    [Non-patent Document I] TERAURA, Nobuyuki. "Development and Application of RF Tags: The Future of Wireless IC Chips", 1st ed., CMC Publishing, 28 Feb. 2003, p 121, FIG. 2.

Noncontact IC label and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same


A channel norm-based ordering and whitened decoding technique (lower complexity iterative decoder) for MIMO communication systems performs approximately the same level of performance as an iterative minimum mean squared error decoder. Decoding a signal vector comprises receiving a signal vector yk, multiplying the received signal vector yk by a conjugate transpose of a channel matrix H*. A column vector zk is generated. The entries of the column vector zk are reordered and an estimated channel matrix {tilde over (H)} is generated. The estimated channel matrix {tilde over (H)} decomposed using a Cholesky decomposition and generating a triangular matrix L. Triangular matrix L is solved backwards and a signal vector {tilde over (s)}k estimated. An estimate of the transmitted symbol vector Ŝk is generated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. More particularly, this invention relates to channel norm-based ordering and whitened decoding for MIMO communication systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems provide gain in capacity and quality compared to single-input single-output (SISO) communication systems. While a SISO system employs one transmitter and one receiver to receive the transmitted signal, a MIMO system in general uses Mt>=1 transmitters and Mr>=1 receivers. Thus the SISO system is a special case of a MIMO system, with Mt=Mr=1. Examples of MIMO systems include but are not limited to: 1. A communication system employing multiple-antennas at the transmitter and/or receiver; 2. A communication system employing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or code division multiplexing (CDMA); 3. A time/frequency division multiple access system; 4. Any multiuser communication system; 5. Any combination of 1-4 above.
Typically, the MIMO systems consist of a MIMO transmitter that sends "multidimensional" symbol information. This multidimensional symbol could, but is not limited to, be represented by a vector (note that a matrix symbol can always be represented as a vector symbol by stacking the columns/rows of the matrix into a vector). The multidimensional symbol might represent one or more coded or uncoded data symbols corresponding to SISO transmitters. The transmitted signal propagates through the channel and is received and processed by a MIMO receiver. Note that the receiver could obtain multiple received signals corresponding to each transmitted symbol. The performance of the communication system hinges on the ability of the receiver to process and find reliable estimates of the transmitted symbol based on the received signals.
Definitions
As used herein, bolded capitol symbols, such as H, represent matrices.
As used herein, bolded lower-case symbols, such as s, represent vectors.
As used herein, T denotes matrix transposition.
As used herein, * denotes the matrix conjugate transpose operation.
As used herein, −l denotes the matrix inverse operation.
As used herein, if W is a matrix, Wm denotes the mth column of W.
As used herein, if W is a matrix, (WT)m denotes the mth row of W.
As used herein, if v is a vector, ∥v∥2, denotes the 2-norm of v.
As used herein, if Q(.) represents the symbol slicing function, it will be assumed to slice both single symbols and multi-dimensional symbol vectors.
As used herein, IM represents the M by M identity matrix.
As used herein, 0M×N represents the M by N matrix of zeros.
As used herein, if A and B are sets, then A|B is the set of all elements in A that are not in B.
For MIMO systems such as, but not limited to, the ones discussed herein above, the received signal can be written, after front end receive processing such as filtering, downconversion, AGC, synchronization etc., in the form
                              y          k                =                                            ∑              n                                                                                H                n                                                          s                                  k                  -                  n                                                              +          v                                    (        1        )            where Hn is an Mr by Mt matrix of complex gains, sk is the Mt-dimensional symbol vector transmitted at time k, and v is a Mt-dimensional vector of additive noise. In narrowband wireless systems where the symbol period is much larger than the RMS delay spread as well as in OFDM systems where the inter-symbol interference is negligible due to the insertion of a cyclic prefix and/or guard interval, the channel from each transmit antenna to each receive antenna (per frequency bin in case of OFDM) is often modeled as a single-tap complex gain. In this case equation (1) simplifies toyk=Hsk+v  (2)where H is now an Mr by Mt matrix of complex numbers and Hsk is the matrix product of H and sk.
The receiver must estimate the symbol matrix S=[s1 . . . sT] in order to facilitate reliable communication. Examples, but by no means the only examples, of multidimensional symbols could be space-time codes where T>1 or spatial multiplexing systems with T=1 and independent SISO modulation on each transmit antenna. In case of no or negligible additive noise, v, and an invertible H, the estimation problem would reduce to that of inverting H. The presence of non-negligible noise, however, increases the difficulty in estimating S. Note that we have assumed that the receiver is has some estimate of H, that could be obtained by transmitting appropriate training sequences. The symbol matrix S is also assumed to be chosen from a finite set C of possible multidimensional symbols (this is typically the case as for e.g. where each element of S is chosen from a QAM symbol set).
The optimal solution in the sense of minimizing the probability of symbol error has been shown to be the maximum aposterior (MAP) decoder which in case of equiprobable symbol transmissions is equivalent to a maximum likelihood (ML) decoder. The ML decoder attempts to find S, the symbol matrix, by using the symbol matrix {tilde over (S)} that maximizes p({tilde over (S)}|y1, . . . , yT) where p (·|y1, . . . , ykT) is the conditional probability density function (pdf) of sk given y1, . . . , yT. In real-time communications systems, however, this type of decoder is overly computationally complex. Decoders that search over a set V of possible multidimensional symbols S and decode to the multidimensional symbol {tilde over (S)} in V that minimizes some sort of metric are denoted as minimum distance (MD) decoders. The MAP and ML decoders are MD decoders with V=C, where C is the set of all possible multidimensional symbols S.
Many algorithms that are computationally easier than ML decoding have been proposed in order to overcome the huge computational burden of ML decodings. Algorithms that perform some form of reduced complexity decoding will be referred to herein as sub-optimal decoders. An example of a suboptimal decoder is successive interference cancellation (SIC) method. A receiver using SIC decodes each symbol within the symbol vector one at a time. After each symbol is decoded, its approximate contribution to the received vector is subtracted in order to improve the estimate of the next symbol within the symbol vector. The order of symbol decoding and subtraction could be arbitrary or based on rules such as maximization of pre/post processing SNR etc.
An example of an SIC receiver is the ordered iterative minimum mean squared error (IMMSE) receiver. With a single-tap channel, the receive signal is given by equation (2) above. Letting sk=[s1 s2 . . . sMr]T, the ordered IMMSE operates using the following steps, letting yk,0=yk, D0={1,2, . . . , Mt}, and Hk(0)=H.                1. Set m=0.        2. Compute Wm=(Hk(m)*Hk(m)+pIMt−m)−1Hk(m)*.
                                                                                3.                                                                                Let                                                                                n                                    =                                      arg                                                                                min                                                  i                          ∈                                                      D                            0                                                                                                                                                                (                                                                  W                                                                                (                                      m                                      )                                                                                T                                                                                )                                                            i                                                                                                            2                                                .                                                                                4.                                                                                Set                                                                                s                          ~                                                                          k                          ,                          n                                                                    ·                                                        =                                                            Q                                                                    (                                                                                y                                                              k                                ,                                m                                                            T                                                                                (                                                              W                                                                                (                                    m                                    )                                                                                T                                                                                )                                                                                i                                                )                                                              .                                                                                5.                                                                                Set                                                                                y                                      k                    ,                                          m                      +                      1                                                                                =                                                y                                      k                    ,                    m                                                  -                                                      H                                          k                      ,                      n                                                              (                      m                      )                                                                                s                      ~                                                              k                      ,                      n                                                                                ,                                          D                                  m                  +                  1                                            =                                                D                  m                                                \                                                  {                  n                  }                                                      ,                                                              and                                                                                H        k                  (                      m            +            1                    )                    =                        [                                    H                              k                ,                1                                            (                                  m                  +                  1                                )                                                                H                              k                ,                2                                            (                                  m                  +                  1                                )                                                                                …                                                                                H                              k                ,                                  n                  -                  1                                                            (                                  m                  +                  1                                )                                                                0                              M                                                                                r                ×                1                                                                H                              k                ,                                  n                  +                  1                                                            (                                  m                  +                  1                                )                                                                                …                                                                                H                              k                ,                                  M                                                                                t                                                            (                                  m                  +                  1                                )                                              ]                .                            6. Repeat steps 1-5 for m<Mt.        7. Set the decoded symbol vector to {tilde over (s)}k=[{tilde over (s)}k,1 {tilde over (s)}k,2 . . . {tilde over (s)}k,M1]T.Regarding the above algorithm, it is important to note that Hk,i(m+1) denotes the ith row of the matrix Hk(m+1) (time k and iteration m+1). Another example among sub-optimal decoders is the zero-forcing decoder which decodes to the symbol {tilde over (s)}k=Q(H−1yk). This decoder is usually considered the worst performing and least complex of the sub-optimal decoders.
Sub-optimal techniques unfortunately differ in diversity order from ML decoding (i.e. the asymptotic slope of the average probability of bit error curve). They essentially trade reduced complexity for reduced performance.
In view of the foregoing, it is both advantageous and desirable to provide a lower complexity iterative decoder with channel norm based ordering that performs approximately the same as the iterative minimum mean squared error (IMMSE) decoder.

Channel norm-based ordering and whitened decoding for MIMO communication systems


An optical prism having a first glass member which has a first surface on which an specific light is irradiated, a second surface which reflects a part of the specific light and passes through the rest of the specific light, and a third surface on which the part of the specific light reflected by the second surface is irradiated in a substantially vertical direction; and a second glass member which has a fourth surface which passes through the rest of the specific light passing through the second surface, and a fifth surface on which the rest of the specific light passing through the forth surface is irradiated in a substantially vertical direction; wherein the third surface and the fifth surface have a resin which hardens by being irradiated the specific light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an optical prism that is combined with multiple image sensing elements employed in an image sensing device such as a camera or scanner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image sensing devices in which an optical prism is combined with multiple image sensing elements have conventionally been proposed. In recent years, because it is advantageous in reducing both harmful light and the number of components, as well as in achieving compactness and light weight, part of the housings of the image sensing elements are glued to the optical prism on its image forming light exit surfaces using a resin, etc., that hardens under UV light, such that the image sensing elements and the optical prism are combined.
FIG. 5 is a rough sketch of an area where an image sensing element is attached in a conventional image sensing device. 10 is an optical prism, and 4 is a housing containing an image sensing element. Housing 4 is connected to surface 10a from which image forming light rays exit toward the image sensing element. A method in which the length of the optical path regarding the image sensing element and the optical prism is adjusted while the image sensing element is combined with the optical prism is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Hei 5-232305.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the important parts of an image sensing device using this method to explain the method to adjust the length of the optical path. The optical prism comprises first glass member 11, second glass member 12 and third glass member 13, and the length of the optical path of the light rays that reach three image sensing elements is adjusted by adjusting the relative positions of these three glass members. 14 is an image sensing lens that is attached to the optical prism by means of attaching member 15.
In order to glue the housing, a resin that hardens under UV light is sometimes used because of its ease of use and because work time may be freely set. To harden the resin and affix the image sensing element, it is necessary to irradiate UV light on the adhesion area. In the configuration shown in FIG. 6 in which an image sensing lens is combined with an optical prism, it would be difficult for UV light to be irradiated via the incident surface of the optical prism. Where UV light is to be irradiated onto the adhesion area in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the UV light must be irradiated using a surface other than the surface from which the image forming light rays exit.
As a method to irradiate UV rays using a surface other than the image forming light exit surface, a light guiding member is sometimes added in the vicinity of the adhesion area for the purpose of irradiation of UV light. FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an optical system to explain one conventional example of this method. 7 is a light guiding member that is affixed beforehand to adhesion surface 4a of the housing. When housing 4 is affixed to optical prism 10, UV light 6 is irradiated via one edge of light guiding member 7, causing the UV light-hardened resin to harden.
When UV light is irradiated under the method shown in FIG. 7, the following problems arise due to the contraction of the resin during the hardening process.
Where UV light is not irradiated evenly over the entire adhesion surface, the hardening of the resin does not proceed evenly and the correct positioning is lost during the hardening process, and due to residual stress, separation or displacement may occur. In addition, where the amount of UV light irradiated on the center part is insufficient, hardening will proceed from the edge to the center part, and as a result there is a danger that boundary surfaces will remain in the vicinity of the center part and that cracking may occur in some cases.
Further, in an image sensing device in which multiple image sensing elements are employed, in order to affix the image sensing elements in positions that are optically equivalent or appropriate in terms of design, positioning along a total of six axes, i.e., positioning along three axes comprising a three-dimensional coordinate system and in terms of the rotation around said three axes, is required.
However, because only changes in the directions along the exit surface is permitted under the method shown in FIG. 5, neither focus adjustment in which the image sensing element is moved in the directions along the optical axis nor angling adjustment in which the image sensing element is tilted relative to the exit surface may be performed. As a result, the image sensing device suffers from image quality deterioration, such as a reduction in resolution or image distortion.
In the conventional example shown in FIG. 6, it is difficult to make complete adjustment along all six axes, and it is unavoidable that the positioning error pertaining to the image sensing elements and the housing will negatively affect the image quality.
Although this negative influence may be mitigated by improving the precision in the combination of the image sensing elements and the housing, among the tilting of the image formation plane and misplaced focus positions pertaining to light rays that should form an image on each of the image sensing elements, those problems caused by the image sensing lens cannot be corrected.
Therefore, in an image sensing device in which a dedicated image sensing lens and an optical prism are affixed to each other, in consideration of the reduction in image quality that occurs due to improper positioning of the image sensing elements and the optical prism, the performance of the image sensing lens must be improved, which increases its size, weight and cost.


A hinge apparatus for a trunk lid may include a hinge arm which has a first end rotatably coupled to a vehicle body, and a second end fixed to the trunk lid, and a spring which may be mounted to and supported by the vehicle body, connected with the hinge arm, and elastically deformed by rotation of the hinge arm when the trunk lid may be closed, in which a position or a rotation angle at a point at which the spring may be supported by the vehicle body may be adjusted so that an amount of elastic deformation of the spring may be increased when the trunk lid may be closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hinge apparatus for a trunk lid, and more particularly, to a hinge apparatus for a trunk lid, which is configured to compensate for deterioration in opening force for the trunk lid even though the opening force deteriorates due to plastic deformation of a spring.
2. Description of Related Art
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a trunk room of a passenger vehicle is a space at a rear side of the vehicle for accommodating luggage, and a trunk lid 1 is rotatably mounted to a vehicle body, thereby opening and closing the trunk room.
A shape of a trunk lid 1 is variously designed in accordance with the type of vehicle and the shape classification, but a shape of the trunk lid 1 of a general sedan has a bent shape so as to shield an upper side and a rear side of the trunk room, and the trunk lid 1 is coupled to the vehicle body through a hinge apparatus so as to be opened and closed.
The hinge apparatus includes a hinge arm 2 which has one end rotatably coupled to the vehicle body, and the other end connected with the trunk lid 1, and a spring or a lifter which provides elastic force to the hinge arm 2.
The hinge arms 2 are disposed at both sides of the trunk lid 1, respectively, and rotatably mounted to brackets 4 fixed to the vehicle body. Further, a torsion spring or a gas lifter is additionally coupled to the hinge arm 2 so as to allow the trunk lid 1 to pop up to a predetermined height and assist force in lifting up the trunk lid 1 when the trunk lid 1 is opened.
When describing a structure in the related art in which the torsion spring 3 among others is coupled, in a state in which one end of the torsion spring 3 is supported by one side hinge bracket 5 rotatably coupled to the hinge arm 2, the other end of the torsion spring 3 is mounted to the other side hinge bracket 5 in a state in which the other end of the torsion spring 3 may be twisted at a predetermined angle.
That is, the torsion spring 3 is configured to be elastically twisted when the trunk lid 1 is closed, and to lift up the trunk lid 1 using elastic restoring force when the trunk lid 1 is unlocked.
However, there is a problem in that elastic restoring force of the torsion spring 3 deteriorates due to repetitive torsion as time passed, and plastic deformation of the torsion spring 3 occurs.
As an amount of plastic deformation of the torsion spring 3 is increased, elastic restoring force deteriorates, and as a result, a pop-up amount of the trunk lid 1 is decreased. Furthermore, when the pop-up amount is decreased, a sensor cannot sense an opening signal of the trunk lid 1, and a result, an indicating lamp for indicating an opened state of the trunk lid 1 is likely to be erroneously operated on an instrument panel.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.


A ducted fan including a funnel-shaped duct positioned upstream of the impeller and connected to a base, an outer cowling concentrically positioned downstream and attached to said duct through a series of ribs, an inner cowling positioned inside the outer cowling and surrounding the impeller and a circular grill attached to the discharge end of the inner cowling. The grill including a center hub and a series of arcuate-shaped ribs extending outwardly from the hub and having a constant curvature of less diameter than the outside radius of the grill whereby the maximum lateral spacing between the ribs is at a radius inboard from the outside radius of the grill.

The present invention is an improved design of the ducted fan set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,554,602, 2,554,600 and 2,554,601.
The general concept of providing ducted fans with a multiplicity of concentrically spaced cone-shaped ducts in their intakes to increase the air output of the fan has been well known for many decades as typified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,287,822 and 2,330,907. Having a ducted fan with multiple cones co-axially spaced in telescoping relation not only provides an increased output at a given power use but also functions as a safety grill in conjunction with the connecting ribs. The outer cowling also can function as a bumper housing to deflect and absorb energy when the fan falls or impacts a stationary object.
All of the above-mentioned patents illustrate fans which could not be sold today by reason of the large grill openings on the front and back of the fans. Current OSHA requirements require consumer fans to have grills with a maximum lateral opening of one-half inch.
It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved front grill and duct structure which increases the fan's capacity and efficiency while decreasing its sound over the prior art grills or no grills at all.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved ducted fan wherein the front grill and the inner cowling are integral and are easily removable by deflecting four separate tabs positioned around the periphery of the outer cowling.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved single leg support for the fan which allows the fan to pivotally turn on the support while a preloaded spring counteracts the offset weight of the fan and retains it in place. The support leg also is a conduit for the wires which supply the motor.
Further advantages and features of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which embody the present invention.


An apparatus and method for producing high definition output images using an encoding scheme for differentiating between differing data types and context sensitive pixel modulation for dynamically shifting pixel growth direction during post-processing manipulation of the data.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates generally to imaging apparatus and methods, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for producing high definition images using intelligent post-processing of encoded data and context sensitive pixel modulation.
2. Brief Description of the Field:
With the technological advances made in the field of computer imaging devices, i.e., monitors and printers, increased emphasis has been applied to achieving clearer and higher resolution output with increased cost effectiveness. This drive for a "better picture" has resulted in an influx of high quality printing and display techniques, and the practical extinction of the lower quality prior art devices.
Traditional imaging systems normally produce a final output image using two distinct steps. In a first step, imaging data is commonly encoded and placed into a frame store. In a second step, when the frame store is at least partially filled, this encoded data is extracted and transmitted to a marking device, i.e., a printer. Traditionally, the frame store has contained the precise marking pattern to be utilized by the marking device when producing the final output image.
For example, in a typical prior art bi-level imaging system, with a marking device capable of either creating a mark at a given spot or leaving the spot blank, the frame store consists of binary memory with each bit in the memory representing a spot on the device's output medium. For imaging systems which include marking devices capable of imaging in multiple colors or gray levels, each spot to be imaged by the device is represented by a corresponding multibit data pixel in the frame store that specifies the color or luminance of that particular spot. When producing a grayscale image, a modulator takes this multi-bit data pixel and attempts to create a gray level over the area addressed by that pixel by writing "black" in a small imaged area in a field of "white." The human eye perceives the average of this area as a gray level.
Unfortunately, traditional methods of encoding and imaging allow only straight-forward post-processing (processing performed after transmission of the imaging data from the CPU) of the frame-stored data. Additionally, certain imaging devices, particularly laser scanning electrophotographic print engines, have more addressable points than their resolution supports. In other words, data pixels which do not overlap in the system's pixel map will overlap in the imaging device. A direct result of this is that writing a gray level next to a black, gray or white area all produce different final output image results.
One method for achieving better resolution in the final output image when producing a grayscale image is to use pulse width modulation to image the output pixels. Briefly, pulse width modulation is a technique for subdividing each output pixel into a much smaller unit (in the above example, the unit of time that the laser is writing "black"). As an example of the benefits of pulse width modulation, let us assume that we have an imaging area comprised of a 4-pixel-by-4-pixel cell. Given the parameters of this cell, using traditional modulation we can achieve 17 gray levels (0/16, 1/16, 2/16, . . . , 16/16). A 5-pixel-by-5-pixel cell would enable us to achieve 26 gray levels, and so on. The main problem is that we need substantially more than 30 levels of gray in order to produce a final output image with good resolution without contouring. However, using the traditional method of imaging, the imaging area becomes too large when trying to use more than a 4-pixel-by-4-pixel imaging area.
We can overcome this limitation and squeeze more gray levels out of the 4.times.4 area by turning on partial pixels. That is, by dividing an output pixel into smaller units, we can achieve a substantially greater number of gray levels using the same imaging area. For instance, we could now have 0.6/16 as one achievable gray level (as opposed to the simple integer combinations described above).
However, a consequence of using pulse width modulation to image gray levels is that the position of dot growth can become very important. The "dot" produced by the laser can usually grow from the center, left, right, or in from the edges. Depending on the neighboring pixels surrounding the current pixel (the output pixel being currently imaged), differing results in gray level imaging can occur. Thus, there arise many situations in which one wants to add gray to the specific right or left of a given pixel to increase the resolution of the final output image and enhance the final overall output image quality.
In traditional systems, shifting the portion or direction of pixel growth is done by relating a code word to the partial pixel being imaged. For example, 0001 could be used to designate a small pixel growth from the right and 1000 could be used to designate the same pixel growth, but from the left. Thus, when it is desired to shift the pixel growth toward a given imaged area, a code word would be associated with the partial pixel to be imaged in a manner that would enable this shifting. Unfortunately, this requires more frame store space in which to store the additional codewords to indicate pixel growth direction. This, consequently, greatly increases the cost of the imaging device.

Method and apparatus for high definition imaging


An eye mirror in which a first defining ray 5 is reflected from a further defined mirror 2 and intersects a fixed defined unit 75 at a respective further point 8 within a circular cone 91 defined by the angular input aperture at that point. A second defining ray 6 is reflected from said further defined mirror 2 and intersects the fixed defined unit 75 at a respective further point 10 within a circular cone 92 defined by the angular input aperture at that point. There are two such defining rays for every point on the further defined mirror. The further defined mirror 2 lies outside the aperture described by the leading edge 147 of the first stage defining mirror 30 and is axially symmetric about the axis of symmetry 18.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for directing electromagnetic energy, and in particular, but not exclusively, to such a method and apparatus for use in the fields of defence as a directed energy weapon, means of illumination for an active sensor and/or guidance system, countermeasure, or to ignite a fusion weapon; power transmission by means of a beam; propulsion by means of a beam or inertial fusion; power generation from inertial fusion; or telecommunications.

Directing electromagnetic energy from an area or volume source


A waterproof fastening assembly secures a first structure to a second structure. The first structure defines a number of through holes and a number of flanges surrounding the through holes, respectively. The second structure defines a number of screw holes and includes a number of LED light source modules. A connection shank extends through a corresponding through hole and screws in a corresponding screw hole. An elastic waterproof ring comprises an annular body and a number of protrusions protruding from a top surface of the body. When the first structure is secured to the second structure, the connection shank presses the protrusions to enable the elastic waterproof ring to deform outwardly and inwardly simultaneously. The flange of the first structure resists the outward deformation of the elastic waterproof ring, meanwhile the body of the elastic waterproof ring inwardly engages the connection shank.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to an outdoor lamp, particularly an outdoor LED lamp including fasteners, particularly, a waterproof fastening assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
An outdoor lamp such as a street lamp includes a lamp body and a housing containing the lamp body therein. The lamp body is usually fixed to the housing by a number of ordinary screws. When the outdoor lamp is exposed to outside for a long period of time, the screws may be gradually eroded. Thus, rain or snow may creep through clearances between the screws and the housing of the outdoor lamp, and enter into the housing to thereby cause electrical short circuit and potential safety problems.
Accordingly, glue is applied to seal the clearances between the screws and the housing of the outdoor lamp. Generally, the glue is applied to fill to the clearances between the screws and the housing by a special glue-applying machine, and then the glue needs a period of time to dry after the application thereof. Apparently, this waterproof approach, i.e. using the glue, causes a high manufacture cost and a complex manufacture process.
What is needed, therefore, is an outdoor lamp including a waterproof fastening assembly, thereby overcoming the described limitations.

Outdoor lamp having waterproof fastening assembly

Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd.


A joint system for an automotive glazing unit, or a windshield, the system including: a profiled bead including a hollow part that is elongate and opened toward the top, the profiled bead exhibiting in cross section a left neck part and a right neck part, a core including a pin placed inside the hollow part and a gripping mechanism allowing the pin to be removed from the hollow part. In cross section, the gripping mechanism forms a loop and includes a base located between the pin and the hollow part portion and a ring placed above the core.

The present invention relates to a joint system for an automotive glazing unit.
This glazing unit is a fixed automotive glazing unit, in particular for an automobile, especially a roof glazing unit, a windshield, or a rear window and is in particular a curved glazing unit.
The present invention more particularly relates to a joint system for an automotive glazing unit comprising:                a profiled bead comprising a hollow part that is elongate and opened toward the top, said profiled bead exhibiting in cross section a left neck part and a right neck part,        a core comprising a pin placed inside said hollow part and a rod placed outside said hollow part and        a gripping means allowing said pin to be removed from said hollow part.
The core serves to protect the hollow part so as to preserve its shape; this is therefore a temporary elongate element that is removed after the glazing unit has been installed in the opening that it must close of a vehicle, during manufacture of the vehicle and before the vehicle is completely finished. This core is therefore not present in the finished vehicle.
The hollow part is generally provided all the way along one edge of the glazing unit, such as, for example, the lower edge of a windshield.
The hollow part is then used to clip-fasten a plastic element, sometimes called the "water box" or "cowl vent cover", containing a boss intended to be inserted into the hollow part. It is important for the pin to be able to be removed from the hollow part without damaging it in order for the subsequent clip-fastening of this plastic element to proceed correctly.
It is proposed in European patent application EP 2 253 556 to use at least one gripping means consisting of a tongue having a part that passes round the pin inside the hollow part and a part that projects out of the hollow part of the profiled bead, above the pin.
This tongue is satisfactory in the sense that it effectively allows recourse to an instrument for removing the core to be avoided and thus obviates any risk of damaging the hollow part of the profiled bead during removal of the core.
However, this solution is not completely satisfactory because it implies the use of an adhesive on the internal face of the tongue and if the two parts of the tongue that are adhesively bonded to each other above the core are not well bonded to each other, then the free bonding surface may adhesively bond to the profiled bead or to the glazing unit and may leave traces.
Furthermore, as the pulling force that can be exerted on each tongue is relatively small, in order to be able to correctly remove the core all the way along the hollow part without causing the tongue to rupture, it is necessary to provide a large number of tongues all the way along the core and the operation of pulling on each tongue takes time. As this operation is performed on the general assembly line of the vehicle, it would be preferable to carry out the removal operation of the core more rapidly.

Joint system for an automotive glazing unit, glazing unit equipped with the system, and method for fitting the glazing unit


There is disclosed an information processing apparatus, such as a printer, capable of selectively using plural control programs by utilizing an external memory, such as a program cartridge, containing additional programs. When a switching of control program is requested for example by a switch, the start address of the requested program is indirectly obtained by referring to a fixed address of the memory cartridge containing the requested program.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for processing information according to a predetermined control program.
2. Related Background Art
In a printing apparatus which is one of the conventionally known apparatus of this kind, a predetermined control program is stored for example in an internal ROM, for controlling the apparatus.
Also in a conventional second printing apparatus, a command analyzing routine is separated from the stored program and stored in a detachable program memory medium, and plural command analyzing routines are selectively called by the main routine of a control program incorporated in the main body of the printing apparatus, whereby an apparatus can effect the printing operation according to plural command systems.
Also in a conventionally known third printing apparatus, a control program, independently executable from the control program incorporated in the printing apparatus, is stored in a detachable program cartridge, and the start-up process of the apparatus selects either to execute the control program stored on the program cartridge or to execute the incorporated program.
The program cartridge is common in shape with the font cartridge storing character dot patterns, and such cartridges have identification information indicating "program" or "font information". The incorporated control program shifts the control to the program of the cartridge only when it bears the identification information for "program".
However, the first conventional example mentioned above can only execute a predetermined control program, and is unable to effect the printing operation according to any other command system.
The second conventional example can adapt itself to other plural command systems, but is incapable of processes other than command analysis (changes in the control of apparatus, such as a change in the hand shake process with a data source such as a host computer, or a change or an addition in the sheet handling of the printing mechanism in a jamming process), because the main routine of the control program is incorporated in the apparatus. For this reason there is inevitably a limitation in the utilization of various printing functions by an apparatus.
Also in the third conventional example, once the execution of a control program is started, the switching of program is difficult because the other control program is so designed as to function independently from the one in execution.
Besides, in the third example, the control program on the program cartridge, which functions properly on a certain apparatus, may not function properly on another apparatus because of the difference in hardware. Consequently there is a danger that a program which does not function properly may be executed because no means is provided for identifying whether the program is proper or not.
Also in case there are certain differences in the control among plural printing apparatus, no means is provided for identifying the properly functioning programs among plural cartridges provided for each apparatus, so that an improper control program may be executed on a certain apparatus.

Information processing apparatus which discriminates whether or not input information is stored in memory and controlling the switching from a first control program to a second control program


A method for controlling a clutch, especially a double clutch, an interruption-free manually controlled gearbox, especially a parallel gearbox. A common torque mapping for controlling the clutches is created according to the respective base torque mapping of each clutch. An interruption-free manually controlled gearbox, especially a parallel gearbox, for a vehicle having a double clutch, especially for carrying out said method. At least one control device produces a common torque mapping in order to control the double clutches according to the respective base torque mapping of each clutch.

Gears and methods for controlling a clutch of a gear are sufficiently well known in vehicle technology. For example, interruption-free gearboxes, for example, double clutch gears or parallel gearboxes with a double clutch that is coupled with two sub-gears, are used in vehicles.
During a simulation of a double clutch, where both sub-clutches are provided on one clutch cover, it was found that a definite cross-coupling can occur during moment control.

Gearbox and method for controlling a clutch, especially a double clutch

Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG


A semiconductor testing apparatus capable of reducing time required for testing or repairing a plurality of semiconductor devices. The semiconductor testing apparatus performs test for a plurality of DUT in parallel and performs repair for the plurality of DUT in parallel. For this, the apparatus includes an ALPG, a PDS, an AFM, a driver pin processor, an IO pin processor, a driver channel, and an IO channel. The IO pin processor has a plurality of sub-FC units. When test is performed simultaneously for a plurality of DUT, an individual pattern waveform is generated corresponding to individual information.

Conventionally, as an apparatus for applying various tests to a semiconductor device such as a logic IC or a semiconductor memory before shipping, there has been known a semiconductor testing apparatus. For example, a general semiconductor apparatus for testing a semiconductor memory has a multiple simultaneous measuring function and is adapted to be able to input an identical test data pattern waveform to the pins of same pin number of a plurality of semiconductor devices to test the semiconductor devices. By including this multiple simultaneous measuring function, since it becomes possible to perform measurement for a large number of semiconductor memories with limited amount of resources, an apparatus size is not extremely increased, and reduction in costs becomes possible.
However, recently, a semiconductor device such as a flash memory, which gives different ID information (individual information) for each device to perform identification of information, has appeared on the market. In the case in which such a semiconductor device is tested, since it is necessary to input individual information (individual pattern) for each semiconductor device, a plurality of semiconductor devices cannot be tested simultaneously using the above-described multiple simultaneous measuring function. Therefore, there is a problem in that, even in the case in which a test is performed using the semiconductor testing apparatus having the multiple simultaneous measuring function, it is necessary to generate independent individual information (individual pattern waveform) and inputs the independent individual information for each of a plurality of semiconductor devices which have been set, time required for the test is long.
In addition, a part of semiconductor memories (e.g., a part of dynamic RAMs) includes an auxiliary cell for repairing a defective cell detected by a test and performs a repair operation for switching from this defective cell to the auxiliary cell with application of a high-voltage waveform. There is a problem in that, in applying this high-voltage waveform, since it is necessary to input an address or the like, which specifies a repair line for switching the defective cell and the auxiliary cell, as individual information, a repair operation for the defective cell cannot be performed for a plurality of semiconductor memories simultaneously in the same manner as the above-described case in which a flash memory or the like is tested, and the repair operation takes time. In addition, conventionally, such a repair operation is performed using a dedicated repair apparatus. Since work for transferring a semiconductor memory, in which a defective cell is detected, from the semiconductor testing apparatus to the repair apparatus is required, the time required for the repair operation becomes longer.


A system for programming a remote control device incorporates a battery-powered radio frequency identification (RFID) reader into the remote control device. A passive RFID transponder is embedded into the electronic consumer device, or is otherwise provided to the consumer. The RFID transponder stores codeset data usable to control the electronic consumer device. In one example, the codeset data is an entire codeset. In another example, the codeset data is a designation of a codeset. The remote control device is placed in proximity to the RFID transponder, and a program key is pressed on the remote thereby causing the RFID reader in the remote control device to read the codeset data out of the RFID transponder and into the remote control device. In one embodiment, the codeset data is read from the RFID transponder using absorption modulation. The codeset data enables the remote control device to control the electronic consumer device.

Most households today possess multiple types of electronic consumer devices, such as televisions, stereo radios, digital video disk players, video cassette recorders, set-top cable television boxes and set-top satellite boxes. Manufacturers of such electronic consumer devices typically supply a remote control device along with each electronic consumer device. It is, therefore, common for a consumer who has multiple electronic consumer devices to have multiple remote control devices.
A remote control device typically controls a selected electronic consumer device by transmitting infrared operational signals to the selected electronic consumer device. The operational signals contain key codes of a codeset associated with the selected electronic consumer device. Each key code corresponds to a function of the selected electronic consumer device, such as power on, power off, volume up, volume down, mute, play, stop, select, channel up, channel down, etc. In order to avoid the situation where a remote control device operates an electronic consumer device other than the intended one, manufacturers sometimes use distinct codesets for the communication between various electronic consumer devices and their associated remote control devices. The codesets can differ from each other not only by the bit patterns assigned to various functions of the associated electronic consumer device, but also by the timing information that describes how the key codes are modulated onto carrier signals to generate operational signals.
Consumers may find it inconvenient to operate their electronic consumer devices using multiple remote control devices. Thus, a consumer may wish to operate multiple electronic consumer devices using a single remote control device. A single remote control device can store many codesets so that the remote control device can control a corresponding large number of different electronic consumer devices. There are, however, thousands of codesets in use in electronic consumer devices today. A consumer might find it tedious and confusing to program a single remote control device with all of the appropriate codesets for the electronic consumer devices in his household.
A method is sought for easily programming a remote control device to operate various selected electronic consumer devices.

Programming a remote control device using RFID technology


Described examples include leakage measurement systems and methods for measuring leakage current between a word line at a boosted voltage and a word line at a supply voltage. The boosted voltage may be generated by charge pump circuitry. Examples of leakage measurement systems described herein may be included in memory devices.

With increasing popularity of electronic devices, such as laptop computers, portable digital assistants, digital cameras, mobile phones, digital audio players, video game consoles and the like, nonvolatile memory usage has continued to increase. Nonvolatile memories come in various types, including flash memories. Flash memories are widely used for fast information storage in electronic devices such as those mentioned above and others.
In flash memories, data bits are stored in an array of individual memory cells, each of which includes a floating gate transistor. Generally speaking, each of the memory cells in a flash memory may have two gates instead of just one. One gate, the control gate, is analogous to the gate in a MOSFET. The other gate, the floating gate, is insulated all around by an oxide layer and is between the control gate and the substrate. Because the floating gate is insulated by its insulating oxide layer, any electrons placed on it get trapped there and thereby enable the storage of data. More specifically, when electrons are on the floating gate, their presence modifies, by partially canceling out, the electric field coming from the control gate. This results in the modification of the threshold voltage of the transistor, since a higher electric field is now required to enable an electrical current to flow between the source and the drain of the transistor than it would require without the electrons on the floating gate. If the number of electrons on the floating gate is sufficiently large, the resulting modified threshold voltage will be so high as to inhibit any electrical current to flow between the source and the drain when the normal operating voltage is applied to the control gate. Hence, in a typical flash memory cell that stores a binary bit, electrical current will either flow or not flow when a memory cell is being read by applying a voltage on the control gate, depending on the number of electrons on the floating gate. The flow or no flow of electrical current, in turn, translates to a binary bit 1 or 0, respectively.
In the pursuit of greater storage capacity in yet smaller chips, the flash memory density has been increasing over the years, largely due to the down scaling of the memory cell dimensions. The continued down scaling of electronic devices has created many challenges and opportunities, among them the formidable requirement for an ultra-thin gate oxide. One serious problem that comes along with thin oxide, and hinders further down scaling, is excessive leakage current. Specifically, when the oxide layer surrounding the floating gate of a flash memory cell is so thin that electrons stored on the floating gate may leak out (e.g., from the floating gate to the control gate and the word line that is coupled to the control gate, and eventually to ground), a result is that a binary bit 0 originally stored in the memory cell might now appear to be a binary bit 1.
Since the excessive leakage current for such an ultra-thin oxide will be unacceptable for very-large-scale integration (VLSI) applications, it is imperative that flash memories with unacceptable leakage current be identified during manufacturing process. As such, during manufacturing, flash memories are tested to assure that they are operating properly (e.g., having allowable leakage current). A leakage test may be conducted to measure the leakage current on the word lines of each flash memory to determine whether the leakage current on any of the word lines is excessive and thus unacceptable.


A reactor and a reactor system for carrying out high temperature and high pressure reactions is disclosed herein. The reactor has an isolatable inner vessel for allowing for heat energy efficient cooling and heating of the reactor. The reactor comprises an outer reactor adapted for withstanding a reaction pressure and a reaction temperature, the outer reactor having a sealable reactor lid; an inner vessel within the outer reactor for containing a reaction solution and at least one reaction vessel, the inner vessel being open to the outer reactor such that the reaction pressure of the inner vessel and the outer reactor are substantially equalized and vapor in the inner vessel passes to the outer vessel, the inner vessel having a splatter shield for substantially preventing spillage of the reaction solution from the inner vessel into the outer reactor; a vapor injector in communication with the inner vessel for injecting vapor into the inner vessel for heating the reaction solution; an outlet in the outer vessel for exhausting vapor from the outer reactor and the inner vessel; and an outer reactor outlet for draining a liquid contained between the outer reactor and the inner vessel.

High temperature and high pressure reactions require a reactor adapted to handle such conditions. Reactions, such as the devulcanization of rubber or mineral extraction, are examples of high temperature high pressure reactions. Rubber can be devulcanized by heating it to between 250° C. and 350° C. in an aqueous solution for about one hour with pressures up to about 1500 psi as described in Canadian patent application 2,441,713 which is incorporated herein. The rubber pieces are usually relatively large as smaller pieces tend to agglomerate and become sticky when processed. Because of this, a batch type of reactor is required. The reactor required to contain the high temperatures and pressures involved is very heavy and has a very large thermal mass and therefore requires a substantial amount of heat energy to raise the temperature of the reactor up to a reaction temperature. Current reactors and reactor systems require many hours of heating to heat a reactor full of liquid up to temperature and then cool it down and are therefore not very commercially practical. Additionally, reheating of a reactor after cool-down requires a large amount of heat energy as the outer reactor wall of a high pressure reactor has a very large thermal mass.
Furthermore, heating a large reactor from the outside that is full of liquid and a material to be processed, such as rubber or in a mineral extraction from rocks or the like (that is a poor thermal conductor), also results in large temperature gradients within the reactor.
Additionally, much of the heat energy required to increase the temperature of the reactor or reactants and/or solvent to a processing temperature is lost when the reaction is complete and the reactor is cooled for removal of the reaction product.
There is therefore a need for a reactor whereby the reactant can be rapidly and evenly heated to the processing temperature, held there for a desired time period and then rapidly cooled.

Reactor and reactor system for high temperature and high pressure reactions