A liquid crystal driver includes a voltage generator for generating gray scale voltages on the basis of reference voltages, and an output device for selecting one gray scale voltage from the generated gray scale voltages in accordance with display data, for applying inversion/non-inversion control to the selected gray scale voltage with respect to an inversion reference voltage on the basis of the selected gray scale voltage, an AC switching signal and the inversion reference voltage, and for outputting different liquid crystal supply voltages for one and the same display data to a liquid crystal panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal driver and a liquid crystal display device using the same and, particularly, relates to an active matrix type liquid crystal driver and a liquid crystal display device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional liquid crystal driver using a data driver LSI HD66310 described in Hitachi LCD driver LSI databook (Published by Hitachi Ltd., March 1994, pp. 1166-1185) will be explained below.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the conventional data driver HD66310.
In FIG. 2, the reference numeral 201 designates a data driver; 202, display data transferred from a system thereto; 203, a group of control signals for controlling the data driver; 204, a timing control circuit; 205, a control signal for controlling the timing of latching the display data 202; 206, display data; 207, a display timing signal; 208, a latch address control circuit; 209, a group of latch signals generated by the latch address control circuit 208; 210, a latch circuit for latching the display data 206 successively; 211, display data latched by the latch circuit 210 simultaneously; 212, a latch circuit for latching the display data 211 simultaneously on the basis of the timing signal 207; 213, display data latched by the latch circuit 212; 214, a level shifter for shifting a logic voltage level to a liquid crystal driving voltage level; 215, display data of voltage level shifted by the level shifter 214; 216, a reference voltage for a liquid crystal driving voltage; 217, a liquid crystal driving circuit for generating a liquid crystal driving voltage on the basis of the reference voltage 216; and 218, a group of liquid crystal driving signals for driving a liquid crystal panel.
In FIG. 2, twelve bits of display data 202, which are for four pixels (3 bits for gray scales×4 pixels), are transferred together from the system, so that display data corresponding to 160 pixels (4 pixels×40 times) are latched successively by the latch circuit 210 on the basis of the latch signal 209 generated by the latch address control circuit 208. The thus latched display data 211 corresponding to 160 pixels are further latched simultaneously by the latch circuit 212 on the basis of the timing signal 207 synchronized with a gate selection signal of a scanning driver. The voltage levels of the display data 213 are shifted to liquid crystal driving voltage levels by the level shifter 214, so that the level shifter 214 outputs display data 215. The liquid crystal driving circuit 217 selects voltage levels corresponding to the display data 215 from eight levels V7 to V0 of the reference voltage 216 and outputs the selected voltage levels as a group of liquid crystal driving signals 218. In this manner, display of eight gray scales corresponding to display data can be achieved by driving a liquid crystal panel on the basis of eight voltage levels.
FIG. 3 shows the relation between liquid crystal driving voltage and display brightness. In liquid crystal, display brightness varies correspondingly to a voltage applied to a common electrode. Therefore, display of eight gray scales is achieved by applying eight voltage levels V7 to V0 to the liquid crystal. Further, when voltages which are equal but different in polarity (positive polarity and negative polarity) are applied to the common electrode, the brightness does not change. Generally, in order to prevent the liquid crystal panel from burning, the voltage to be applied thereto is driven to alternate between positive polarity and negative polarity periodically.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a liquid crystal display device having data drivers in opposite sides of a liquid crystal panel. In FIG. 4, the reference numeral 401 designates an power supply circuit for generating reference voltages for driving liquid crystal; 402, an AC switching signal expressing AC switching timing; 403 and 404, reference voltages obtained by AC switching in different timing; 405, a scanning driver LSI (hereinafter referred to as "scanning driver") for driving gate lines of a liquid crystal panel 411; 406, the gate lines of the liquid crystal panel 411 driven by the scanning driver 405; 407, a data driver for driving data lines arranged in the upper side of the liquid crystal panel 411; 408, the data lines driven by the data driver 407; 409, a data driver for driving data lines arranged in the lower side of the liquid crystal panel 411; 410, the data lines driven by the data driver 409; and 411, the liquid crystal panel.
FIG. 5 shows the timing of an AC switching signal which serves as a reference voltage signal for AC switching outputs in the case where data drivers are arranged in the upper and lower sides of the liquid crystal panel as shown in FIG. 4. The power supply circuit 401 generates an upper data driver reference AC voltage 403 and a lower data driver reference AC voltage 404 in synchronism with the AC switching signal 402. The upper data driver reference AC voltage 403 and the lower data driver reference AC voltage 404 are reversed to each other in the timing of polarity (positive polarity and negative polarity). The scanning driver 405 selects gate lines 406 one line by one line successively and pixels on selected one of the gate lines are driven one pixel by one pixel alternately by the upper and lower data drivers 407 and 409. Accordingly, liquid crystal cells on the gate lines successively driven by the scanning driver 405 can be driven so that liquid crystal cells on each of the gate lines alternate their polarity between positive one and negative one). As a result, the quality of an image on the display is improved.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a liquid crystal display device having a data driver in one side of a liquid crystal panel. In FIG. 6, the reference numeral 601 designates an power supply circuit for generating a reference voltage for driving liquid crystal; 602, an AC switching signal expressing AC switching timing; 603, a reference AC voltage obtained by AC switching; 604, a scanning driver for driving gate lines of a liquid crystal panel 608; 605, the gate lines of the liquid crystal panel 608 driven by the scanning driver 604; 606, a data driver for driving data lines arranged in the upper side of the liquid crystal panel 608; 607, the data lines driven by the data driver 606; and 608, the liquid crystal panel.
FIG. 7 shows the timing of an AC switching signal which serves as a reference voltage signal for AC switching an output in the case where a data driver is arranged singly in the upper side of the liquid crystal panel as shown in FIG. 6. The power supply circuit 601 generates a reference AC voltage 603 in synchronism with the AC switching signal 602. The scanning driver 604 selects gate lines 605 one by one successively so that selected one of the gate lines is driven by the upper data driver 602. Accordingly, liquid crystal cells on the gate lines successively driven by the scanning driver 604 are driven so that liquid crystal cells on one and the same gate line have the same (positive or negative) polarity. As a result, the quality of an image on the display is deteriorated.
FIG. 8 is a view showing another voltage applying method adapted to the case where the data driver shown in FIG. 6 is used. Although FIG. 7 has shown the case where the reference voltage 603 is supplied as an AC voltage, FIG. 8 shows the case where burning of the liquid crystal panel is prevented by changing both the electric potential Vcom of the common electrode (common electrode drive) and the reference voltage 603. Also in this method, all liquid crystal cells on one and the same gate line have the same (positive or negative) polarity, so that the quality of an image on the display is deteriorated.
Alternate-column inversion drive of the liquid crystal panel has an advantage in that display quality is improved with compared with the case of no use of alternate-column inversion drive, because voltages applied to liquid crystal cells are inverted on alternate columns so that the current flowing in the common electrode at the time of liquid crystal drive becomes smaller. As for the conventional data driver arrangement, therefore, data drivers are arranged in the upper and lower portions of the liquid crystal panel. On the other hand, the liquid crystal display device is on strong demands not only for high quality display but also for small size and light weight. Arrangement of one data driver in a single side makes it easy to reduce size and weight. The arrangement of one data driver in a single side of the liquid crystal panel, however, has a problem that display quality deteriorates compared with the case of alternate-column inversion drive of the liquid crystal panel.

Liquid crystal driver and liquid crystal display device using the same


An operation mode switching mechanism for use with a power tool disclosed in the present invention includes a torsion unit, a switching unit, a clutch member, a power output member and an output shaft, where the switching unit can be switched between three rotating positions and one impact position. When the switching unit is at one of the rotating positions (screw symbols), the output shaft is driven to rotate by a carrier plate; and when switching unit is switched to the impact position (impact symbol), the output shaft is pushed by the clutch member so as to disengage from the carrier plate and is driven by a planet plate. The clutch member also restricts the direction of motion of the output shaft in the impact position, so the output shaft moves back and forward to generate reciprocating impact output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mechanism for a power tool, more particularly to an operation mode switching mechanism, which can switch the operation mode between a rotating output position and an impact output position in a reciprocating manner.
2. The Prior Arts
A conventional power tool usually utilizes a gear system to transmit the power of a motor to an output shaft so as to achieve the function of variable output speed. In addition, in order to fasten a screw as tight as possible or to loosen an over-tightened screw, some power tools for drilling or screwing also have an impact function. With the impact function, the screws can be tightened during the tightening process, and the screws can be removed more easily during the loosening process as well. The impact function provided by the conventional power tools only provides impact in the rotational direction, which is useful during the tightening/loosening of a screw. However, the conventional power tool usually does not provide impact in the reciprocating manner.


An optical sensor that can receive light ranging from visible light to infrared light is provided. A thin beta-iron disilicide semiconductor film is formed on a silicon substrate. Light in the visible region is received by silicon, and light in the infrared region is received by beta-iron disilicide.

In recent years, the technology to transmit large amounts of information via optical communication has been developed reflecting the information age. At present, trunk lines of optical communication network have been installed with quartz fibers in the nation, and its extension to public facilities, factories, business offices, and further to private homes is being planned in the near future. For widespread availability of the optical fiber communication to every home, it is strongly desired to reduce its installation cost. There is a need for cost reduction in all of the optical fibers, communication modules, and optical parts. In order to meet this need, a system in which quartz fibers are not totally used but plastic optical fibers (POF) are partially used for short distance has emerged for local use among international lines, domestic trunk lines, urban communication network, office lines, and home lines. In other words, a large volume of data is transmitted to an urban relay station using quartz fibers, and the data is branched from there to transmit to every home using POF that is inexpensive and easy for installation and handling because of short distance.
Currently, the optical semiconductor sensor used for various optical devices includes materials such as starting with Si, Ge, Hg—Cd—Te system, In—Ga—As system, In—Ga—P system, and GaN.
Silicon (Si) is widely used for optical sensor because it is abundant in the earth, inexpensive, and low in environmental burden when disposed, its fabrication technology is well developed, and so on. Si has been playing an essential role in industrial fields since the twentieth century and has been widely used in accordance with the remarkable progress of technology. It has been used for not only optical sensor but also high-speed electric logic circuit, measurement sensor for various physical quantities, and switch.
However, Si can not be used for a light-receiving device for communication with quartz fibers. The wavelength of light for use in passing through quartz fibers is from 1.3 to 1.6 μm where transmission loss is minimized. Since the wavelength usable for Si ranges from visible light to 1.1 μm, transmission loss brought by using Si in quartz fiber communication is significant. In addition, Si has not a light-emitting property.
Accordingly, In—Ga—As system and In—Ga—P system having light-emitting and light-receiving properties are widely used for optical devices. These compound semiconductors utilize, however, elements such as As and In whose resource lives are very short in the earth. For example, although In is used for transparent electrodes (indium tin oxide, ITO) of plasma display as well, its resource life is expected to be about ten years from now, and that of As is also said to be at most that long. An element reserve is closely related to Clarke number. Elements with a larger Clarke number (light element with smaller element number) have been in contact with various living organisms on earth for long history and been incorporated into their bodies, and thus exhibit relatively high compatibility with living bodies. Moreover, these elements constitute substances that have lesser burden on the global environment. The above compound semiconductors are mainly composed of rare elements (In, As, Cd, Se, Hg) and many of these materials are high in toxicity and low in biocompatibility. The semiconductor materials to be frequently used in our society are desired to be made of elements with reduced burden on the environment from now on.
Beta-iron disilicide (β-FeSi2) is reassessed as a representative material composed of elements that are abundant in the earth and ecologically friendly to the global environment, and has become desired for a post Group III-V or Group II-VI compound semiconductor material. β-FeSi2 is a compound in which Fe and Si are combined in one to two ratio, and its crystal phase is stable up to 900 degrees C. or higher without any change. It is resistant to chemicals, and therefore resistant to both acid and alkaline agents, and its moisture resistance is also excellent. It has a physical property of a direct transition type semiconductor with an energy band gap of 0.85 eV, and is capable of light-emitting and light-receiving at a wavelength around 1.5 μm which lies in the region suitable for a communication part to be used for optical quartz fibers.
Furthermore, β-FeSi2 is brought into a good lattice matching with Si by choosing an appropriate surface and orientation from studying its crystal constant, and a good epitaxial film of β-FeSi2 can be grown on Si. When an optical device with β-FeSi2 is fabricated, a conventional Si process is applied as it is, and thus its fabrication is amenable to industry.
Examples of the studies on β-FeSi2 include light emission study in Non-patent document 1, light-receiving sensor study in Non-patent document 2, light emission studies in Non-patent documents 3 and 4, and further light-receiving sensor study in Non-patent document 5, and the like.
[Non-patent Document 1] M. A. Lourenco et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 40 (2001), 4041-4044
[Non-patent Document 2] Y. Maeda et al., Proc. Japan-UK Workshop on KANKYO-SEMICONDUCTORS, August. (2000), 29
[Non-patent Document 3] T. Suemasu et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 79 (2001), 1804-1806.
[Non-patent Document 4] S. Chu et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 41 (2002), L1200-L1202.
[Non-patent Document 5] S. N. Wang, Proc. SPIE, 5065 (2003), 188
β-FeSi2 has a light-receiving sensitivity in an infrared region of wavelengths ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 μm and has no light sensitivity in a visible region of wavelengths ranging from 0.4 to 1.1 μm.

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology


A mounting assembly for an ostomy appliance is disclosed. The mounting assembly comprises a body flange comprising a flexible plastic member comprising a flange ring, a rim, and first and second loops, and an adhesive skin barrier member. The mounting assembly also comprises an ostomy pouch comprising a proximal sheet having an aperture, a distal sheet, and a pouch ring attached to the proximal sheet, surrounding the aperture, the pouch ring comprising an adhesive coating thereon and third and fourth loops extending radially therefrom. The body flange and ostomy pouch are configured for the third and fourth loops to engage within the pocket of the first and second loops, respectively, the pouch ring to fit around the flange ring, and the rim of the flexible plastic member to contact the adhesive coating on the pouch ring. The adhesive skin barrier member has a multi-petaled outer perimeter.

Ostomates are individuals that have undergone a surgery to create an opening in the body, termed an ostomy, that allows for discharge of body waste. The surgery includes preparation of a stoma, corresponding to the end of an organ such as the colon, small intestine, or ureter, that protrudes through the abdominal wall and through which the body waste is discharged. An ostomy appliance can be attached to a skin surface around the ostomy, termed a peristomal skin surface, for collection of the body waste.
Various types of ostomy appliances have been disclosed. For example, Fenton, U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,200, discloses an ostomy appliance and a mounting disc that include an ostomy pouch having a stoma receiving portal. The mounting disc is sealed about the portal and includes a flexible plastic disc having a convex central body portion and a surrounding annular rim. A first foam disc having an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the rim is adhesively adhered to the plastic disc. A second foam disc is adhered to an adhesive face of the first foam disc and has an outer diameter greater than the plastic disc. A hydrocolloid skin shield disc having an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the second foam disc is adhesively adhered to an adhesive face of the second disc.
Also for example, Fenton, U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,779, discloses a mounting assembly for an ostomy pouch. The assembly includes a body flange having an adhesive coating on one side adapted to be adhered to the peristomal skin surface of an ostomate. Diametrically opposed loops project from the edge of the flange and form pockets. An ostomy pouch having a stoma receiving opening surrounded by a stiffly flexible ring having diametrically opposed loops that cooperate with the pockets on the flange loops is also disclosed. An adhesive coating is provided on the flexible ring and flange. When the loops on the flexible ring are aligned with the pockets on the flange, the flange and ring may be adhesively interlocked to attach the pouch to the body flange.
Much effort has been invested in improving ostomy appliances, and in developing accessories, to make use of ostomy appliances as comfortable as possible. Yet ostomates still may have difficulty initially identifying an ostomy appliance that provides a suitable fit and still may be reluctant to try different ostomy appliances based on concern that a different fit will not be suitable.
Accordingly, a need exists for ostomy appliances that can provide improved fit and increased comfort for ostomates generally.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Mounting assemblies for ostomy appliances comprising an adhesive skin barrier member having a multi-petaled outer perimeter

MARLEN MANUFACTURING AND DEVELOPMENT CO.


Medical instrumentation includes two or, in particular, more anchoring elements for anchoring on body tissue, and a stabilization element via which the two or more anchoring elements are connectable. The instrumentation includes a sensor unit, a coupling unit for percutaneous selective coupling of the sensor unit to at least one anchoring element or to the stabilization element, and a data processing unit which determines from sensor signals of the sensor unit the position of the anchoring elements relative to one another and/or the position of at least one anchoring element relative to the stabilization element.

A medical instrumentation of the kind mentioned at the outset is used, for example, in the treatment of vertebral fractures wherein anchoring elements in the form of bone screws are fixed to vertebral bodies and connected to one another via a stabilization element in the form of a rod. Here it is known to open the body tissue above the vertebral bodies and position the bone screws in the vertebral bodies under visual control. In a corresponding manner, the rod can be fixed under visual control to the bone screws which, for this purpose, may comprise, in particular, stabilization element receptacles into which the rod is to be inserted in a defined direction of insertion. To reduce the invasiveness, DE 10 2010 016 448 A1 proposes that the bone screws and/or the rod be localized percutaneously using an ultrasonic probe. The surgeon can thread the rod successively into the stabilization element receptacles of the bone screws under ultrasonic visual control.
In US 2013/0268007 A1 a method is described for percutaneously selectively measuring different sections of the rod attached to the bone screws with a probe. Herein the respective angle of the rod is determined in relation to a reference plane in order to determine the curvature of the rod. The curvature of the inserted rod is compared with a predetermined curvature to ensure that the vertebral column is stabilized in a desired position. This serves to treat and correct defective positions of the vertebral column.
A navigation system which can run on a handheld computer is described in EP 2 179 703 B1. The computer can be connected to a surgical instrument. Furthermore, a marking device is attached to the instrument, and its movement in space can be followed by a navigation camera arranged externally in relation to the computer. The data relating thereto are transmitted to the computer and processed by it.
An object of the present invention is to provide a medical instrumentation and a method for its use, which is more patient-friendly.


An electrical connection box includes a housing including a frame and a lower cover configured to be fitted to the frame in a fitting direction. At least part of the frame and at least part of the lower cover form a tubular lead-out portion. An axial direction of the lead-out portion extends along the fitting direction, and the lead-out portion allows a wire harness to be pulled out through the lead out portion, the wire harness including an end portion that is to be disposed in an inside of the housing. The lead-out portion includes harness contact portions formed on an inner peripheral surface of the lead-out portion and configured to contact the wire harness. The harness contact portions extend along the fitting direction and are spaced from one another in a circumferential direction of the lead-out portion.

An electrical connection box mounted on an automobile is configured to include a housing for accommodating an electronic component block (see, for example, JP-A-2010-259149). The housing is provided with a frame having an open top and bottom, an upper cover covering an upper opening portion of the frame, and a lower cover covering a lower opening portion of the frame. The electrical connection box is provided in a wire harness having an end portion disposed inside the housing. At the bottom of the housing, a lead-out portion is formed as a pulled-out portion of the wire harness. The lead-out portion is formed in a tubular shape extending straight downward from the bottom of the housing. The lead-out portion is formed in two, one extending from the frame and the other extending from the lower cover.

Electrical connection box and wire harness


A code object and flash memory may be updated by storing a new code object in the flash memory. Then, a pointer from a page table may be redirected to point to the new code object. The old code object may then be deleted. As a result, code can be updated without the need for rebooting by using the memory management unit and its page table capability.

This invention relates generally enabling updates of code objects stored on a flash memory.
Typical code update mechanisms require rebooting of the processor-based system for the update to be installed. To update code objects in an execute-in-place (XiP) system, the system must be rebooted for the update to be applied.
In many cases, it is desirable to manage code, data, and files in flash memory within an open architecture. An execute-in-place system enables this advantage. However, in order to update the code in the flash memory, a reboot is generally required.
Thus, there is a need for better ways to enable updating code in flash memories that enable execute-in-place.

Utilizing paging to support dynamic code updates


A positioning auxiliary information provision device 30 has: a auxiliary information generation device to generate positioning auxiliary information including satellite information; a satellite information update necessity determination device to determine the necessity of updating the satellite information; a satellite information update notification information generation device to generate satellite information update notification information indicating that the satellite information needs to be updated based on the determination result of the satellite information update necessity determination device; a positioning auxiliary information transmission device to transmit the positioning auxiliary information via a mediation device 60 to terminal devices 80a to 80c indicated in provision target terminal information; and a satellite information update notification information transmission device to transmit the satellite information update notification information via the mediation device 60 to the terminal devices 80a to 80c indicated in the provision target terminal information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a satellite information update system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a satellite information update system, a positioning auxiliary information provision device, a positioning auxiliary information provision device control method, a positioning auxiliary information provision device control program, and a computer readable recording medium having recorded therein the positioning auxiliary information provision device control program, which are related to positioning processing based on a signal form a position information satellite.
2. Background Information
A positioning system for determining the current position of a SPS receiver by utilizing a satellite navigation system using a position information satellite, for example, a SPS (Satellite Positioning System), has conventionally been put to practical use. Among SPS receivers used in such a positioning system, there are some that have a mechanism to receive satellite information, including satellite orbit information, etc., by radio communication from an external device, thus seeking to shorten positioning time and improve positioning precision. Such SPS receivers having satellite information stored in a storage device are configured to use the satellite information stored in the storage device when performing positioning operations. When this storage device is a high-speed storage device, for example, a cache memory inside a hard disk, the satellite information can be browsed at high speed.
On the contrary, although satellite information from a specific SPS satellite has stopped being delivered due to a malfunction of the SPS satellite or the like, the aforesaid SPS receiver has the satellite information of the SPS satellite stored in the cache memory, in which case positioning processing is started based on the invalid satellite information. Consequently, the aforesaid SPS receiver cannot acquire an accurate positioning result, which therefore results in the wasteful consumption of processing time, processing power, and electric power.
An SPS position detection system, which utilizes a control channel to receive periodically SPS positioning assistant information transmitted periodically from a radio base station, has been proposed to deal with this problem such a system is disclosed in JP-A-2002-221565 which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, in the aforesaid SPS position detection system, information other than information indicating that the satellite information is to be updated is also periodically transmitted and received, which therefore provides a heavy burden with regards to information processing on the satellite information transmission and reception sides.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved a satellite information update system, a positioning auxiliary information provision device, a positioning auxiliary information provision device control method, a positioning auxiliary information provision device control program, and a computer readable recording medium. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Satellite information update system, positioning auxiliary information provision device, positioning auxiliary information provision device control method, positioning auxiliary information provision device control program, and computer readable recording medium having recorded therein positioning auxiliary information provision device control program


A sensor system may be used to measure characteristics of an object in a wellbore. The sensor system may include an ultrasonic transducer that generates an ultrasonic wave in a medium of the wellbore and detects a reflection signal of the ultrasonic wave off the object in the wellbore. The sensor system may also include a processing device and a memory device in which instructions are stored. The memory may include instructions that cause the processing device to receive the reflection signal from the ultrasonic transducer, and to truncate and preprocess the reflection signal to generate a truncated reflection signal. The instructions may also cause the processing device to apply time gain compensation to the truncated reflection signal and determine an echo wavelet from the time gain compensated signal representing an echo of the ultrasonic wave off of a wall of the wellbore.

In oilfield services operations, transducers can be used for imaging or ultrasonic caliper operations in muds or other substances, among other uses. Drilling fluid (also known as "mud" or "drilling mud") or other substances can cause high attenuation in the ultrasonic signals from the transducers. Additionally, ultrasonic self-noises of a transducer can also inhibit the performance of the transducer. Low signal-to-noise ratios resulting from the high attenuation in the ultrasonic signals caused by the mud or other substances and the ultrasonic self-noise caused by the transducer itself make the use of transducers challenging to locate a correct echo of the ultrasonic signal, particularly in downhole environments of wellbores.

Ultrasonic echo locating in a wellbore using time gain compensation


Apparatus for hanging curtains from wall brackets includes a hollow cylindrical rod with a longitudinal slot in its wall through which an interior clamping member for each wall bracket may be inserted. The clamping member is secured to a respective bracket by one or more screws which extend from outside of the rod to the clamping member captured within the rod. C-shaped rings mounted on the rod have openings to allow passage of the rings along the rod without coming into contact with the brackets. Each ring has a downward extending projection, e.g., a tab, which can be apertured to receive a hook, clip or other fastener attached to the curtains.

It is known to hang curtains from traverse rods which permit curtains to be drawn open and closed along the length of the rod. Such rods employ sliders which are mounted within an opening in the rod and having openings to receive hooks attached to the tops of the curtains. Such rods, sliders and hooks are generally unsightly and are shielded from view by the tops of the curtains.
It is also known in the art to hang curtains from attractive rings slidably mounted on a cylindrical decorative rod which is, in turn, mounted on brackets fixed to a wall. Such rods and rings have an aesthetically pleasing look which complements the view offered by the curtains.
In addition a having one bracket near each end of the rod, one or more intermediate brackets may be needed to support a decorative rod between its ends to prevent sagging of the rod. The number of brackets needed depends on the length of the rod, the thickness of the rod, the material from which the rod is fabricated, and the number of sections of the rod if the rod is a telescoping rod.
A problem arises when the curtains are to be opened and closed in that the rings can only slide along segments of the rod that are disposed between two adjacent brackets as the brackets prevent movement of the rings from one side of a bracket to the other side.


A method is provided for use in connection with build ahead configurations (BAC's), for enabling a manufacturer to quickly identify the available BAC that is most suitable for use in completing a product order. In one embodiment, directed to a method for increasing efficiency in constructing individual products of a particular product type, each individual product has an associated specification set. A number of BAC's are initially constructed, wherein each BAC comprises an at least partially complete product of the particular type, and likewise has an associated specification set. An order is received for an individual product of the particular type, wherein the order defines each specification in the specification set for the ordered product. Respective specifications for the ordered product are compared with the specifications of each BAC, in order to calculate a metric for each BAC, wherein the metric for a given BAC represents the effort required to modify the given BAC to conform to all specifications set of the ordered product.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention disclosed and claimed herein generally pertains to a method for increasing efficiency in selecting a build ahead configuration (BAC), pertaining to a particular type of product, for use in supplying an ordered product of the particular type. More specifically, the invention pertains to a method for readily determining the amount of effort required to modify or reconfigure each of a number of BAC's, in order to meet the specifications of a newly ordered product. Even more particularly, the invention pertains to a method of the above type wherein the BAC's are ranked or placed in an order, according to the modification effort they respectively require.
2. Description of the Related Art
In industries such as the computer and electronics industries, wherein manufacturers supply complex products, customers typically want the products they order to be highly configurable. That is, for a particular type or category of product, customers want a large number of options to choose from, in regard to product properties, characteristics, features and/or components. As a result, orders for different individual products of the same product type can have specifications that are quite different from one another. This situation is illustrated, for example, by certain types of computer related products. Such products can have numerous options in regard to characteristics and components, such as the amount of memory, the type of storage, the type of monitor and the type of CD-ROM.
It will be readily apparent that complex products as described above generally cannot be built in advance, that is, before customer orders are received therefor. It is too difficult to predict exactly what the specifications for different product orders will require. As a result, an effort to build and store such products in advance would require a very large inventory, in order to cover all reasonable permutations of orderable features, and such inventories tend to be very expensive. At the same time, suppliers can face substantial pressure to reduce the time needed to deliver products of the above types, upon receiving customer orders for them. For example, business requirements could mandate that a product must be built and shipped by the end of the current calendar quarter. Alternatively, an ordered product could be needed by the customer sooner than normal scheduling would allow, due to limitations on manufacturing capacity or for other reasons.
To meet these conflicting needs and requirements, procedures have been developed whereby the producer and supplier will estimate, based on its experience and knowledge, the features, characteristics, and components that will be fairly close to what customers will actually want, when ordering the supplier's products of a particular product type. The supplier then builds or constructs a number of configurations based on the estimates, wherein each configuration is a partially completed or unfinished version of a product of the particular type. These configurations are referred to as build ahead configurations (BAC's). Moreover, different BAC's of the same product type are usefully built to have characteristics or components that are different from one another, in order to cover a range of characteristics and components. Then, when an order for an individual product of the particular product type is received, the supplier will decide which of the available BAC's most closely matches the specifications of the received order. This BAC is then selected, and reconfigured as needed to comply with the order. BAC's are sometimes referred to as common configurations, or as "plain vanilla" versions or machines.
The procedures disclosed above have generally proved to be very beneficial. However, selecting the best BAC to use for a product order, from a group of pre-constructed BAC's of the particular product type, generally requires comparing the respective characteristics of each BAC with the product order specifications. Currently, a significant amount of time consuming effort can be required to perform this task. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an automated mechanism for efficiently determining which of a number of available BAC's could be modified, with the least amount of effort, to match the product order specifications. Also, it would be beneficial to prioritize or rank the available BAC's, according to the respective modification effort required for each one. This would be useful in advising a product manufacturer of the best BAC to select, for use in completing a product order.

Method for assisting selection of a build ahead configuration for use in supplying an ordered product

International Business Machines Corporation


Pulse width modulation of signals, such as provided to a driver in a laser printer, is phase locked to a beam detect signal. In addition, it must permit continuously variable, arbitrarily small pulses at extremely high speeds. This invention describes a novel method and system using multiple streams of variable phase clocked outputs. The variable phase clocked outputs are combined with a clock generator to achieve these goals at low cost. As a result, the pulse width modulated signals provide continuously variable selectable pulse widths at extremely high speed.

In electrophotographic printing, a pattern of electrostatic charges corresponding to a print image is developed on an optical photoreceptor (OPR). Toner is applied to the OPR and that toner which is retained as a result of not being repelled by electrostatic charges is used to form the print image. The print image is then transferred to a print media (usually paper).
The OPR may work with either visible spectrum light or optical energy outside the visible light spectrum. In the preferred embodiment, it is anticipated that near infrared laser light will be used, but the OPR as described in connection with this invention is intended to mean any photoreceptor which responds to radiated energy.
A laser printer creates a printed image by causing a laser light source, such as a laser diode, to scan across the charged surface of photosensitive material on an optical photoreceptor (OPR) in a succession of scan lines. Each scan line is divided into pixel areas and the laser beam is modulated such that selected pixel areas are exposed to light. The exposure to light results in the depletion of surface charges. The exposure of the OPR to the light thereby discharges the OPR at that location and results in the OPR developing toner and then transferring the toner to a corresponding location on the print media (usually a sheet of paper).
It is not practical to modulate the power of the laser other than to turn it on and off. There are too many environmental factors that are difficult to control that make operation of the diode in a non-saturated mode impractical. We can accomplish the same effect however by turning the laser (full) on and off for periods of time shorter than the actual pixel size. This is a standard application of a pulse-width modulated signal. In addition, there are times (to prevent jagged edges in a diagonal line, for example) when we wish to skew the pixel portion to the right or left, as well as change its effective intensity. It is therefore desired to provide an laser printer which allows the laser to be turned on and off in a precisely controlled manner. It is also desired to provide a design that permits this type of modulation that is phase locked to the scanning of the laser beam; otherwise successive lines will not line up accurately.
At locations where the OPR charge is depleted (by the laser light), toner particles from the emulsion are concentrated, thereby creating the image. At locations on the OPR which are charged, toner particles are not retained by the OPR (the non-image area). This makes the laser printer particularly adaptable to a rasterized print pattern, although it is possible to configure a laser printer for other types of scan techniques.
Printer resolution is partially a function of the size of the optical image which is generated by the laser or optics. The present invention is directed to enhancements of the optical image.
Hewlett-Packard Company, the assignee of this patent, has developed a technique for enhancing images for hardcopy devices which produce pixelated images. The technique includes matching a bit map of an image to be printed with predetermined stored templates or patterns to detect occurrence of preselected bit map features. When a match occurs, a compensated pattern is generated, which results in print enhancement. This technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,641, to Charles Chen-Yuan Tung, and commonly assigned. One result of the technique is an ability to change the size of pixels along the edges of diagonal lines in order to reduce the jagged edges of these lines. In present printer configurations, more sophisticated algorithms are used to improve resolution.
Laser printers print pages by applying black toner to selected small regions of fixed size called pixels. It is possible to create the effect of shades of gray by placing toner in only a portion of the pixel region. This can be done by using pulse width modulation (PWM). It is not sufficient just to provide pulse width modulation of the pixel. It is also necessary to lock the phase of the pixels with the start of the laser scan; a single pulse synchronization signal from the laser scanner called "beam detect" provides the scan phase information.
There are several ways to vary the optical energy levels within a pixel. One common technique, pulse width modulation (PWM), is to simply vary the time duration of the energy applied to the optical element (the laser) within the pixel scan time. In this manner, the energy level is established by the time that the laser is turned on, rather than the power output of the laser.
A phase locked loop as known in the prior art cannot be used because in a laser printer there is no feedback or error signal that can correct frequency phase drift. The beam detect signal provides a single edge on each scan, so is of such low frequency that it cannot be used to establish a phase lock loop. The clock generator described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,353, commonly assigned, provides a description of the phase locking which may be used for this invention. The clock generator generates a clock signal that is exactly phase aligned to the beam detect signal transition, within the limits of a quantizing effect due to an internal delay chain. It does this alignment once, and does not change the phase again until the next beam detect signal occurs. The beam detect signal is generated by the printer engine as the laser begins a scan, which necessarily occurs once per line.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,353 describes controlling the timing of a modulation input signal utilized for driving a laser driver circuit. The present invention is an improvement on the capability of the clock generator describe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,353. It is no longer considered sufficient to print a pixel "ON" or "OFF." It is considered desirable to be able to provide continuously variable pixel outputs.
Laser printers are distinguished from other printers by their ability to place precise amounts of toner into very small regions of the page at relatively high speed, thus resulting in image quality far greater than most other types of printers. Since laser printers operate by scanning a drum or other optical photoreceptor that holds the printed image, this results in an intrinsic quantization of the image in the vertical direction of the page as the page passes the optical photoreceptor. In addition, limitations in the circuitry that modulates the horizontal scanning also quantizes the image, so that a single cell or pixel is effectively formed. If pixels are made small enough, the quantization effects can be made too small to see. There are, however, practical limits; the vertical quantization is limited by the ability to transfer data in serial form to the scanning laser.
Laser printer resolution is currently sufficient that the quantization is not normally visible, even at the pixel level. There are several indirect effects of quantization that produce interference effects that are generally called artifacts. Such flaws are readily apparent when the laser printer is used to reproduce photographic images. This is because of the extensive use of halftones in photographic image reproduction. Artifacts often appear as a printer attempts to print continuously varying halftones shades with quantized regions of pigmented and nonpigmented areas. By mixing regions of black and white (in the case of black pigment), and yet keeping the regions extremely small it is possible to provide an image which appears to the eye as a continuous range of gray. If the laser output can be modulated into very small regions of charged and uncharged areas, smaller than the quantized pixel elements, it is possible to reduce artifacts in printed photographs.
This problem has been addressed by providing several clocks with varying phase. In one such approach, the clock phases are locked the laser scanning via a beam detect signal, indicating the start of a scan line. It is possible to thereby provide precise pulse width modulation of up to 1/8 pixel, even at very high horizontal pixel rates. Advances in printer engine technology and speed as well as the desire to print high quality photographic images require even finer pulse width modulation steps.
A prior art technique uses a capacitor with a current source and a voltage comparator. A change in voltage resulting from the current applied to the capacitor is supplied to the voltage comparator, so that the circuit will trigger on and off at controlled times. This system has potential drawbacks in that the re-initialization time limits the maximum operating frequency and the circuit presents linearity problems at either end of a pulse width modulation range (0% and 100%). It also has problems with stability over temperature and voltage and die lot (component) variation. A very significant problem is that this technique is limited in frequency. It is expected that printers will continue to increase in scan and print speeds, and for that reason, the capacitor method is not advantageous.

High resolution dynamic pulse width modulation


Roughly described, a system and method for delivering video content to a user's client device in a video-on-demand (VOD) system, which includes providing a collection of video segments, the segments having a predefined default sequence; establishing a streaming video session according to a session-oriented protocol; transmitting toward the client device a script executable by the client device, the script operable to transmit navigational codes toward the head-end equipment in response to and indicating user selection among navigational choices; beginning transmission of the video segments in the collection toward the client device in accordance with the default sequence of segments; and in response to receipt of one of the navigational codes, and without tearing down the streaming video session, altering the transmission sequence to jump to the segment that the user selected.

The invention relates to methods and systems for browsing video assets such as video-on-demand videos and internet videos. In particular, it relates to techniques for enabling such browsing and viewing in a "lean-back" environment such as before a television monitor.
Traditional TV operators such as cable companies (e.g. Comcast), direct broadcast satellite companies (e.g. DirecTV), IPTV companies (e.g. ATT) and broadcasters are concerned about the explosive growth of media consumption on the Internet and are seeking ways to incorporate this content into their service offerings. One of the main differentiators of the viewing experience provided by these operators as against the Internet experience is that it is delivered to TVs for viewing in a "lean back" environment in a living room, whereas the Internet experience is typically referred to as a "lean forward" experience in front of a computer.
At the same time, new companies are delivering content "over the top" of the existing TV service, using the Internet as a delivery mechanism. These companies are referred to as Over the Top (OTT) operators. So far this content is delivered to the PC, and some extender devices are emerging to enable content downloaded or streamed in this manner to be displayed on the TV. New devices are coming which deliver content directly from the Internet to the TV, without the PC.
There are several key challenges in delivering Internet content to the TV. These include:                Internet content is generally encoded at a lower resolution (e.g. 320×240) than the TV, which might be up to 1920×1080 for High Definition (HD).        Existing TV systems use either the MPEG2 or MPEG4 AVC compression standards, whereas the Internet uses encoding such as Flash, Windows Media and QuickTime. The vast majority of deployed set-top boxes (STBs) cannot decode and display content encoded in the Internet formats.        There is a vast amount of content available on the Internet. However, there is no convenient way to search for content using a TV remote control. (For example typing search terms using a remote control is very cumbersome.)        When setting up a session to play movies on existing video-on-demand (VOD) systems, the set-top box (STB) must communicate with a session manager, which interacts with billing and subscriber management systems to ensure that the STB has the proper rights to view the content; this process can take many seconds to complete. Since many Internet clips are very short, ranging from tens of seconds to a few minutes, the delay associated with treating each of these clips as a separate asset and incurring the delay associated with session setup is annoying to users accustomed to quicker response on the Internet.        There are existing STBs deployed in tens of millions of homes, and the majority of these STBs are older models with limited capability. Deploying new client applications is very difficult and time consuming, limiting where and how quickly they can be deployed
An opportunity arises to provide mechanisms and techniques that enable better and more usable delivery of Internet content to the TV, in spite of the difficulties described above.

Browsing and viewing video assets using TV set-top box


A connector for connecting two conductor rail sections, the connector having an electrical conductor that is fastened at each end to the conductor rails. A central region of the conductor is fastened to a connection element. The connection element is slidingly connected to both of the two conductor rails. The electrical conductor has two flexible, undulating portions. These are located between the central region of the electrical conductor and each of its two, attached ends, and serve to compensate for the expansion and contraction of the two conductor rails with changes in temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for connecting two conductor rail sections, the connector having at least one electrical conductor and one of its respective ends being connected in a conductive manner to a respective conductor rail section, the connector having a connection element which connects the facing ends of the conductor rail sections to one another.
2. Description of Related Art
Generic conductor rail connectors are also frequently called extensible connectors, these connectors compensating a length change in the conductor rail sections owing to temperature influences and conducting the electrical current from one conductor rail section to the next.
The electrical conductor of generic connectors is designed either flexibly or rigidly, the electrical conductor in the rigid configuration thereof having to be formed in such a way that in the event of length changes of the conductor rail sections, the electrical conductor can be deformed and its length thus changed. If large electrical currents have to be transmitted from one conductor rail section to the next, relatively large cross-sections of the electrical conductor of the connector are required. As the flexibility of an electrical conductor decreases with the cross-section, a plurality of electrical conductors, for example flexible copper strands or copper cables, are frequently used for large current intensities for electrical current transmission. These cables lie outside the conductor rail and therefore need addition space. Owing to the fact that the connectors are fastened on the side of the conductor rail sections remote from the sliding face, the ends of the conductor rail sections cannot be fastened to a carrier or other parts by means of fastening elements, so they can swing freely. As already explained, the electrical conductor is to be designed with a large cross-section so large electrical currents can be transmitted. This produces the problem that relatively high pressure forces occur to change the air gap between the ends of the conductor rail sections owing to temperature variations, so the conductor rail suspensions are subject to large loadings.
Owing to the pressing force of a current collector, the conductor rail section, in particular the freely swinging ends thereof, are moved out of their normal position so the adjoining ends of the conductor rail sections no longer adjoin in an impact-free manner and therefore the current collector can be permanently damaged when the ends of the conductor rail sections are traversed.

Extensible connector for conductor rails


Channel selection in a wireless telecommunication system includes determining at least one transmission frequency used by a first transceiver from information on the first transceiver. The harmonics of the transmission frequency are determined and at least one channel used by the second transceiver is selected by at least taking into account the harmonics of the transmission frequency of the first transceiver.

In wireless telecommunication, harmonics form on multiples of the base frequency. Harmonics are multiples of the base frequency and caused by the non-linear properties of the transmitter. If a harmonic is in the pass band of a nearby receiver and is sufficiently strong, the harmonic may weaken the performance of the receiver. If a sufficiently strong interfering signal not on the actual pass band of the receiver is directed to the receiver, the operation of the receiver may still be disturbed because of its non-linearity. As the number of wireless users increases and, on the other hand, as new transmission technologies are developed, many new frequency ranges are taken into use. Multiples of other frequency bands avoidably coincide with the frequency bands, i.e. harmonics may cause problems in the operation of the receivers. Multiples coincide particularly with non-licensed frequencies of over 5 GHz. Multiples of for instance DCS1800 (1710-1785 MHz), PCS1900 (1850-1910 MHz) and GSM900 (880-915 MHz) coincide with the 5-GHz band, for which different wireless local area network techniques have been developed. The IEEE 802.11a standard specifies one technology operating in this frequency range.
The problem caused by harmonics is emphasized when multimode terminals are developed that include a transceiver whose transmitter causes harmonics in the frequency range of another receiver or transceiver. Since the transmitter of the first transceiver and the receiver of the second transceiver are physically close, harmonics may cause strong interference in the operation of the receiver of the second transceiver.
A solution has been developed for terminals comprising a transceiver according to the GSM 850 technique (in the transmission frequency range 824 to 849 MHz) and a Bluetooth transceiver operating in a 2.4-GHz non-licensed frequency range, wherein the Bluetooth module uses radio measurements to specify radio transmissions in its environment, such as frequencies used by a GSM transmitter comprised by a terminal. The measurements are used to modify the hop set used in the Bluetooth module so as to avoid frequency ranges causing interference. This allows also the avoidance of sufficiently strong harmonics in the GSM transmitter. The drawback of this solution is the need for radio measurements and related equipment for avoiding harmonics. Many radio techniques also exist that do not use frequency hopping and, consequently, wherein frequency hopping settings cannot be changed to avoid harmonics.

Channel selection in wireless telecommunication system


A valve deactivator assembly (43) for an internal combustion engine. The deactivator assembly (43) is of the type having a two-stage latchable means (49) movable between a latched (FIG. 3) position, effecting normal valve opening and closing, and an unlatched (FIG. 4) position, in which valve opening and closing may either be reduced or eliminated. The deactivator assembly (43) includes a rotatable latch member (69) which is rotated between the latched and unlatched positions by a electromagnetic actuator (51), including a rotatable armature (75) which is fixed to rotate with the latch member (69). With the arrangement of the invention, having no linkage, and very little inertia, movement between the latched and unlatched positions can occur during a single revolution of the engine cam shaft.

The present invention relates to an improved valve train for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to a valve deactivator assembly for use therein.
Although the valve deactivator assembly of the present invention may be utilized to introduce some additional lash into the valve train, such that the valves open and close by an amount less than normal, the invention is especially suited for introducing into the valve train sufficient lash such that the valves no longer open and close at all, and the invention will be described in connection therewith.
Valve deactivators of the general type to which the invention relates are known, especially in connection with internal combustion engines having push rod type valve train in which there is a rocker arm, with one end of the rocker arm engaging a push rod, and the other end engaging the engine poppet valve. Typically, a central portion of the rocker arm is fixed relative to the cylinder head by a fulcrum arrangement as is well known to those skilled in the art, in which the fulcrum normally prevents movement in an "up and down" direction, while permitting the rocker arm to engage in cyclic, pivotal movement, in response to the cyclic motion of the push rod, which results from the engagement of the push rod with the lobes of the rotating cam shaft.
Examples of known valve deactivator assemblies are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,221,199; 4,256,070; 4,305,356; and 4,380,219, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and incorporated herein by reference. The valve deactivators of the above incorporated patents have typically involved some sort of latch member which is movable (typically, rotatable, but in some cases, movable linearly) between a latched position and an unlatched position. The movement of the latch member conventionally occurs is response to linear movement of a linear actuator, by means of an appropriate linkage arrangement.
Although the prior art valve deactivators have operated in a generally satisfactory manner, the actuator arrangement, including the required linkage, has resulted in an unacceptably slow response time, thus limiting the ability of the arrangement to be operated by the engine microprocessor, in synchronism with various other engine systems. The prior art devices typically had a response time, from "ON" to "OFF", or vice versa, in the range of about 100 to 200 milliseconds
In modern internal combustion engines, utilizing fuel injection, it is especially desirable in a valve deactivator system to turn off the fuel injectors at the same time that the operation of the valves is stopped. However, the fuel injectors are electrically actuated, and can be turned off almost instantaneously, and therefore, it is desirable to be able to activate the valves and turn on the fuel injectors, or deactivate the valves and turn off the fuel injectors, within the ensuing, single revolution of the engine cam shaft. Thus, and by way of example only, in developing the present invention, the goal for the valve deactivator system was a maximum time under 25 milliseconds from "ON" to "OFF", or vice versa.
In addition, the actuator and linkage arrangements used in the prior art devices have resulted in an excessive number of parts, increasing the overall cost of the system. Finally, the actuator and linkage arrangements have typically taken up enough space to limit the packaging options in the engine cylinder head.

Valve deactivator for pedestal type rocker arm


A method and apparatus of assembling and disassembling semiconductor dice to be tested from the components of a temporary test package. A computer-controlled vision system is employed to align the dice with the temporary test package bases, and an automated robot arm system is employed to retrieve and assemble the dice with the various package components. The invention has particular utility in the burn-in and other pre-packaging testing of dice to establish known good dice (KGD).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer-aided methods and systems for manufacturing products in a high volume, automated, continuous process and, more particularly, to improved methods and apparatus for automated retrieval, alignment, placement and securement of singulated bare semiconductor dice within preformed packages for testing and burn-in, followed by optional subsequent removal of the dice from the packages.
2. State of the Art
Integrated circuit devices are well-known in the prior art. Such devices, or so-called xe2x80x9cdice,xe2x80x9d may include a large number of active semiconductor components (such as diodes, transistors) in combination with (e.g., in one or more circuits with) various passive components (such as capacitors, resistors), all residing on a xe2x80x9cchipxe2x80x9d or die of silicon or, less typically, gallium arsenide. The combination of components results in a semiconductor or integrated circuit die which performs one or more specific functions, such as a microprocessor die or a memory die, as exemplified by ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, DRAM and SRAM.
Such dice are normally designed to be supported or carried in a package having a plurality of externally-accessible pins or leads, to which terminals such as bond pads on the die are electrically connected within the package to access other electronic components employed in combination with the die. A package provides mechanical support and protection for the die, may serve as a heat sink, and is normally square or rectangular in shape. The packages typically comprise a filled polymer compound transfer molded about a die wire-bonded or otherwise electrically connected and physically supported by a lead frame structure, or a two-piece preformed ceramic package to which the die is physically and electrically connected before the package lid is secured. Metal packages are also used, although generally in small quantities and for so-called xe2x80x9cmilitary specxe2x80x9d applications.
Packaging defective dice or unknown bad dice (UBD) which are packaged, tested and then scrapped after proven defective in post-packaging testing is inefficient and costly. Accordingly, the bare dice are often tested for continuity during the die fabrication process and before packaging. Such testing may be and has been accomplished by placing bare die in temporary packages having terminals aligned with the terminals (bond pads) of the die to provide electrical access to the devices on the die and subjecting the die via the assembled package to extensive testing, which includes burn-in and discrete testing. Exemplary state-of-the-art fixtures and temporary packages for die testing are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,367,253 and 5,519,332 (to some of the inventors named herein); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,448,165; 5,475,317; 5,468,157; 5,468,158; 5,483,174; 5,451,165; 5,479,105; 5,088,190; and 5,073,117. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,367,253 and 5,519,332, assigned to the assignee of the present application, are each hereby incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
Discrete testing includes testing the die devices for speed and for errors which may occur after fabrication and after burn-in. Burn-in testing is conducted at elevated potentials and for a prolonged period of time, typically 24 hours, at varying and reduced and elevated temperatures such as xe2x88x9215xc2x0 C. to 125xc2x0 C. to accelerate failure mechanisms such that die devices which have the potential to prematurely fail during normal operation can be identified and eliminated. Dice which survive discrete testing and burn-in are termed xe2x80x9cknown good die,xe2x80x9d or KGD.
Failure of one die on a multi-chip module (MCM), including a so-called single in-line memory module (SIMM), compromises performance of the entire module or, if identified after assembly but before shipment to the customer, at the least initiates a relatively costly and time-consuming rework process to replace the bad die if the entire MCM is not to be scrapped. Even if individual die yield is relatively high, the combination of such dice in an MCM nonetheless produces an abysmal module yield. For example, if a particular MCM design includes twenty (20) dice with an average xe2x80x9cgood diexe2x80x9d yield rate of 97.3%, the overall yield rate would be predicted to be a dismal 57.3%, which is not commercially viable. Moreover, subjecting the printed circuit or other die carrier of the MCM to burn-in may not be desirable as causing unnecessary stress on elements of the MCM other than the die. Therefore, employing KGD in an MCM is perceived as an optimum way to fabricate high-reliability multi-die products.
However, while desirable, testing bare, unpackaged dice requires a significant amount of handling. The temporary package must not only be compatible with test and burn-in procedures, but must also physically secure and electrically access the die without damaging the die at the bond pads or elsewhere. Similarly, assembly of the die with the package and disassembly after testing must be effected without die damage. The small size of the die itself and minute pitch (spacing) of the bond pads of the die, as well as the fragile nature of the thin bond pads and protective layer covering devices and circuit elements on the active surface of the die, makes a somewhat complex task extremely delicate. Performing these operations at high speeds with requisite accuracy and repeatability has proven beyond the capabilities of the state of the art.
Bond pads are discrete conductive areas on the active face of the die which are used for connecting the internal die circuitry to the conductors of the package. Accurate positioning of the die within the temporary package is therefore critical since alignment of the die bond pads relative to the contacts of the temporary package electrical conductors must be effected in order to subject the die to testing.
Precising die packaging includes mechanically locating a component in a precise position or placement. Various xe2x80x9cprecisingxe2x80x9d methods for this purpose are known in the art. However, there have been several problems associated with such precising methods and systems. For example, it has proven difficult to position the die bond pads in electrical contact with temporary package electrical contacts in an accurate and consistent manner so as to facilitate a repeatable, high volume, continuous assembly process of dice within temporary packages. Another disadvantage associated with prior art equipment and processes is that the die is often destroyed or damaged upon contact with the temporary package, lowering product yield and profit margins. Accurate, repeatable positioning placement and securement of the die in the temporary package is thus critical to providing acceptable KGD qualification on a commercial basis.
One attempt to overcome the problems associated with the prior art has been to precise dice and packages by mechanical fixturing. However, assembly tolerances used in mechanical fixturing techniques are often insufficiently fine to prevent improper alignment. Mechanical fixturing also leads to damage of the die or temporary package. While such techniques have proven useful in improving the accuracy and reliability of the die placement, these techniques do not enable dice to be precisely positioned within temporary packages in a manner that allows production efficiencies capable of supporting large volume operations.
Other systems for alignment and, optionally, placement of various bare and packaged dice are also known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,526,646; 4,543,659; 4,736,437; 5,052,606; 5,059,559; 5,113,565; 5,123,823; 5,145;099; 5,238,174; 5,288,698; 5,463,227; and 5,471,310 for vision-based systems. A commercially available vision-based aligner bonder for flip chip bonding, offered by Research Devices of Piscataway, N.J., has also been modified by the assignee of the present invention for manual alignment of bare dice with the electrical contacts of a temporary package employed in KGD qualification. It is believed that certain aspects of the commercial Research Devices system may be disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,921. A description of the modified Research Devices system appears in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,332, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. A discussion of vision systems"" potential applications in the semiconductor industry and associated problems appears in xe2x80x9cA Vision of Vision in the Gigabit Era,xe2x80x9d SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL, June 1993, pp. 120-122, 124.
While the foregoing mechanical and visual alignment systems, with ancillary mechanisms for die handling, have achieved some success in their intended applications, to the inventors"" knowledge there exists no fully-automated bare die and package assembly and disassembly system capable of accurate and repeatable operation at a speed making KGD qualification or characterization commercially viable for use as a matter of course in the die fabrication process.
Accordingly, there remains a long-felt need in the semiconductor industry to provide for improved methods and apparatus for assembling dice to be tested with temporary packages (and subsequently disassembling the dice from the packages) in a high volume, cost-efficient and reliable manner. Toward that end, it is essential that the semiconductor or integrated circuit die be positioned and secured within the temporary packages in an automated manner such that die bond pads are aligned with and suitably biased toward temporary package electrical contacts without physical damage to the die structure.
The present invention provides computer-controlled methods and apparatus for automating the positioning of integrated circuit devices or dice within temporary packages utilizing a high volume, continuous process.
Toward that end, the invention provides an automated apparatus for the positioning of bare electronic dice within temporary packages that is used in-line with other machines to facilitate formation of assembled packages which may then be subjected to continuity testing, burn-in and the like.
The invention further includes methods and systems for accurately positioning electronic dice within temporary packages in a reliable, cost-effective manner. Accordingly, the invention provides methods and apparatus for continuous positioning of integrated circuit dice within temporary packages in an automated production sequence while significantly reducing the percentage of dice and temporary package assemblies in which electrical continuity is not established. In so doing, the invention employs multiple inspections of the dice and temporary package prior to, during and after placement of the dice within the temporary package. By inspecting the dice at various stages of assembly, dice which are not properly aligned or positioned can be repositioned to ensure electrical continuity between all of the die bond pads and the contacts of the temporary package electrical conductors. The aforementioned inspections are preferably effected by multiple cameras to facilitate precise placement of the die in the temporary packages in a continuous manner to significantly enhance the efficiency of the assembly process and increase the number of packages in which electrical continuity is established.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for placing dice in temporary packages wherein the packages are supported on carriers (also termed boats or trays) that are conveyed along a path through a predetermined package assembly/disassembly position. A carrier preferably includes a body portion and at least one side rail having a plurality of spaced indexing openings therein. The carrier may be formed of plastic or metal. The conveyor portion of the apparatus further includes an indexing mechanism that functions in conjunction with the indexing openings to place each temporary package in the predetermined assembly/disassembly position to allow the integrated circuit die to be positioned precisely therein.
The invention utilizes previously stored dimensional and visual characteristics for a die as well as similar characteristics of a known temporary package and a known boat or tray to assemble and disassemble electrical dice and temporary packages respectively to and from one another based on predetermined parameters, and to classify the die appropriately.
According to more specific aspects of the present invention, an assembly system is provided to place die bond pads in electrical communication with electrical contacts of temporary package conductors. Once the die bond pads are placed in secure communication with the package contacts, the temporary package can be placed in a standard device tester and subjected to extensive testing. Such testing includes burn-in testing and the like to establish various die characteristics and eliminate mortality in subsequent use of the die. These characteristics, while not meant to be limiting, include the quality of the electrical contact between the die and the temporary package conductors, as well as speed grade characteristics by which the die itself may be classified.
The present invention includes a system which picks up and places a face-up die on a die inverter. The die is then inverted by the inverter and placed in the view field of a rough die camera, which takes a picture of the die. Using positional feedback from the rough die picture, a robot having a primary gripper and also carrying a die restraining device (which may comprise a single or multi-component device) thereon retrieves the die from the inverter. The die is then presented to a fine die camera by the robot and multiple pictures of the die are taken to enhance resolution.
While the die is being located by the die cameras, a carrier (also termed a boat or tray, as previously noted) containing a plurality of temporary package bases is simultaneously indexed to place a temporary package base, located in the carrier, in a predetermined assembly/disassembly position along a conveyor. An electrical socket below the temporary package receives the leads of the temporary package base from below for electrical continuity testing. A rough temporary package picture is then taken of the temporary package base and used to determine a rough location of the temporary package base at the assembly/disassembly position. In a preferred embodiment, a laser height sensor may be used to determine the height of the temporary package base at the assembly/disassembly position prior to taking fine package vision pictures, in order to keep the camera in focus. A fine temporary package camera is then positioned over selected electrical contacts of the temporary package base at the assembly/disassembly position and multiple fine temporary package pictures are also taken to enhance resolution.
The die and die restraining device are then transferred by a primary gripper to the predetermined assembly/disassembly position. The robot aligns the die and temporary package base using the fine temporary package and fine die pictures, and presses the die, die restraining device superimposed on the die, and package together to form an assembled test package which is then tested for continuity using the aforementioned test socket.
During the assembly process, the robot preferably drives the primary gripper carrying the die with the superimposed restraining device downwardly over the package base to a minimum programmed package assembly interlocking height and tests the completed assembly for continuity. If continuity is confirmed, the robot then releases the die restraining device and die. If continuity is not established, the robot increments downward to a maximum programmed force setting. If continuity is still not established, the restraining device and die are removed from the package base. A new package base is placed in the predetermined assembly position and the fine die, rough package, and fine package pictures are retaken. The die with its associated restraining device and the new temporary package base are then assembled and tested.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the robot drives the primary gripper down until physical contact is established between the die and the temporary package. After physical contact is established, the robot drives to a minimum programmed assembly interlocking height. The primary gripper then releases the die and associated lid with the spring and clip of the restraining device and retracts to a waiting position. Electrical continuity of the assembly is tested. If the assembly has electrical continuity between the die and the temporary package base, the process is completed. If electrical continuity is not established, the primary gripper retrieves the die and restraining device and awaits instruction from the operator. The operator may choose to retry assembly of the present temporary package, utilize the next available package base, or purge the die from the system and use the next die.
Any electromechanical device which is capable of transferring component parts from one position to another may be used in the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, however, the transferring device is a robot arm. The apparatus has a control mechanism, including a microprocessor and associated program routines, that selectively controls the robot arm (i) to move the primary gripper to pick up a restraining device and (if lid and other elements of the restraining device such as a spring/clip combination are separate components) to a lid feeder station to pick up a lid, (ii) to move the primary gripper along with the restraining device to pick up the die following photographing by the rough die camera, (iii) to move the primary gripper along with the restraining device and the die to a position to be photographed by the fine die camera, and (iv) to move the restraining device and the die to the predetermined assembly/disassembly position located along the conveyor.
The control routines also function to return the primary gripper to the predetermined assembly position and retrieve the die and restraining device in the event that continuity is not established with the temporary package base. The primary gripper then returns to select a second lid, another restraining device spring/clip element (if separate) and a second die while the carrier is simultaneously indexed to place the next temporary package base of the carrier in the predetermined assembly/disassembly position along the path. The package assembly process continues in this manner.
The present invention, as previously noted, also includes a method and apparatus for disassembling the electrical die and temporary package based on predetermined parameters or characteristics. The disassembly process occurs in a manner substantially opposite the assembly process. In particular, a carrier, boat, or tray containing a plurality of assembled temporary packages containing dice approaches the predetermined assembly/disassembly position. Each package contains a semiconductor die which has been subjected to extensive testing. The primary gripper retrieves the electrical die and restraining device and places it on a die inverter which inverts the face-down die retrieved from the package base to a face-up position. The die is then placed in an appropriate location for further handling, depending upon whether the burn-in and other testing have proven it to be a KGD or a bad die and, if a KGD, of what classification. The lid of the restraining device is released by the primary gripper and a lid precisor similar to the one used for assembly is used to place the lid in a known location.
The foregoing discussion has merely highlighted some of the more pertinent advantages of the present invention. Such advantages should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention as will be described. Accordingly, other advantages and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Method for automatically positioning electronic die within component packages


In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a plurality of ratings provided for an item by a plurality of users, and, for each of the plurality of ratings, graphically illustrating relevance of a corresponding rating to an information recipient.

The need to make choices is an essential part of anyone's life nowadays. As amount of options in each field is drastically growing in the modern world of globalization and technology advance, the complexity of making the right and informed choice becomes enormous.
Currently available online tools that assist users in making choices include, for example, "Yellow Pages"—like directories and posted public ratings of products and services. However, the "Yellow Pages"—like directories provide only a plain list of options and the publicly available ratings are often commercially sponsored. Users may also use search engines to find desired information, including answers to specific questions. However, given the massive amount of information available on the Internet, users often find themselves overwhelmed with the amount of information a search engine query may return. In addition, someone inquiring about specific goods and/or services (e.g., a user requesting a recommendation for a good camera, a good restaurant, or a good doctor) usually receives results which are based on factors not directly related to the quality of the goods and/or products for which a recommendation was requested, and these results are typically based on recommendations by individuals unfamiliar with the user's preferences, traits and/or needs.
Some users turn to online communities in an attempt to find help in making informed choices. Today, one can join an online community focusing on almost any area of interest, ranging from various hobbies to dating, to health related issues, and even to numerous aspects of commerce. People seeking information relating to a specific issue may join an online community focusing on that issue, and may ask members of that community about the desired information. However, recommendations of online community members may not always be useful. In particular, different members of the community provide different information, advice or recommendations, and it may be difficult for the user posing the question to properly aggregate and analyze information being provided concurrently from multiple sources and to identify which information or suggestion is most relevant to his or her needs. In addition, the person seeking a recommendation on a specific issue may require an immediate answer and may not have time to wait for members of a community to respond to his or her inquiry. Further, community members providing recommendations may be unfamiliar with the inquirer's personal characteristics, preferences and/or traits, and therefore their recommendations may not be customized to the specific needs of the inquirer.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an improved recommendation system that enables users to receive customized recommendations from trusted sources.

Method and system for providing customized recommendations to users


An addressable serial test system employs a serial register with parallel outputs. Data is clocked into the serial register via a shift clock signal. A decoder is connected to a portion of the shift register's outputs and provides a selection signal dependent on the data clocked into the serial register. A system clock generates a system clock signal. A storage element includes a clock input coupled to the system clock signal, a data input, an output, a load input coupled to the selection signal, and a test data input coupled to another portion of the shift register's outputs. The storage element's output is alternately forced to a state indicative of the test data input by the selection signal and forced to a state indicative of the data input by the system clock. Structure is included to configure the serial register to read the contents of the storage element.

Contemporary digital circuit test systems often employ a structure named Scan Path. Scan Path is a useful structure that enables testing of a wide variety of digital circuits and systems. In a Scan Path arrangement normally autonomously operated circuit storage elements, such as flip-flips, latches, and other memory capable devices, are reconfigured into a coupled structure - in effect concatenated in series to form a new circuit. Once the normally autonomously operated circuit storage elements are arranged in series a test clock can be used to clock out the states of the memory elements. These clocked-out states can be externally analyzed to determine the correct operation of the digital circuit. Conversely, the test clock can clock in new states and sometime later, after the digital circuit operates on the forced data states, the states of the scan-path arranged storage elements can be readout. This approach is particularly interesting because a large scale system or circuit can be tested with very few additional input-output connections. This is particularly important in integrated circuit design where pins are always expensive.
However, the Scan Path approach has several inherent problems that include primarily complexity and speed of operation. Regarding complexity, each testable concatenatable storage element must be constructed in such a way that it can function as normally expected and also function as a testable element. This requires a significant investment in complexity of the storage element. In order to enable the storage elements to be threaded together, the storage elements structurally are two or three times as complex as simple latches.
Secondarily, the speed of interrogation of the Scan Path is dependent on the size of the concatenated structure. To be circuit complexity efficient these Scan Path structures are relatively large. Also, if only a few storage elements need to be tested the whole Scan Path must be filled or dumped because storage elements are not individually addressable. To increase the throughput of the interrogation prior art schemes have broken the Scan Path structure into more than one Scan Path structure. Although this will increase the testing speed it adversely adds to the circuit's complexity.
What is needed is an improved structure for testing digital circuits that is less complex, and can operate at a higher speed.


The invention relates to a monitoring system for the air-traffic control of flight objects (5, 6), which have transmitting units for emitting air-traffic control radio signals (ADS-B), wherein the air-traffic control radio signals (ADS-B) containing flight data concerning the respective aircraft (5, 6), the monitoring system comprising a plurality of receiving units (4a to 4c), which are designed to receive the emitted air-traffic control radio signals, wherein a plurality of satellites (1a to 1c) are provided, which each have communication means for forming a common satellite communication network and on each of which at least one of the receiving units (4a to 4c) is arranged, wherein the receiving units (4a to 4c) are connected to the communication means of the respective satellite (1a to 1c) and are designed to transmit the flight data contained in the air-traffic control radio signals to at least one ground station (3, 7) having a communication connection to the satellite communication network using a common communication protocol of the satellite communication network.

The monitoring and control of the air traffic which is constantly increasing worldwide is currently based primarily on two fundamental technologies: radar monitoring and voice-based VHF radio systems for Air Traffic Management (ATM). In the case of radar monitoring, radio signals are transmitted using special radar ground stations, said radio signals then either being reflected by the flying object on its outer surface and received once more by the ground station (primary radar) or causing the flying object autonomously to send back specific information to the ground station (secondary radar). However, in both cases it is necessary for the flying object to be located within a coverage area dependent on the range of the radar ground station, as no usable signals would otherwise be produced. Since radar ground stations of this type are very expensive to set up and are therefore also usually found only in regions with dense traffic or near the coast, gapless radar monitoring of flying objects is not currently provided.
If a flying object is located outside the radar coverage, the corresponding monitoring and control stations responsible for the air-traffic control of the corresponding flying object maintain contact at regular intervals via the VHF radio system. However, the VHF radio system is based entirely on the principle of voice messages, so that it often occurs in the case of long-haul flights that the corresponding monitoring and control station receives no information from the aircraft over a lengthy period because, for example, the autopilot is activated and the pilots are asleep. The status of the flying object is therefore uncertain over a lengthy period and is not therefore suitable for a continuous gapless monitoring.
ADS ("Automatic Dependent Surveillance") systems are known in addition to the primary and secondary radar already mentioned. In ADS systems, corresponding data are automatically and continuously collected on board the aircraft, including the current position, which can be determined, for example, using a satellite navigation system. Other flight data may, for example, be the flight number, aircraft type, speed, flight altitude and planned flight direction. If a corresponding radio signal transmitted from a ground station is received by the flying object, the flying object transmits these flight data using a corresponding ADS message to the ground station. The ground station receives the message and can display the flight data contained in the message to the air-traffic controllers or control stations. These systems, which transmit the messages on request, are also frequently referred to as ADS-C or ADS-A. For this purpose, the aircraft are equipped with so-called FANS-1/A devices, which enable a radio data link via VHF, RF or satellite radio and therefore also a monitoring of the aircraft in oceanic airspace. However, the position messages are transmitted at time intervals of around 15 minutes or more due to the low data rate, so that a continuous flight monitoring is not provided.
Along with the systems which transmit their flight data entirely on request, the ADS-B (Broadcast) system also exists, which autonomously transmits a corresponding ADS message at periodic, discrete-time intervals of around half a second. If the flying object is located in a region with dense traffic, an entire range of ground stations is normally located here, which can receive the automatically transmitted ADS message. In addition, it is also possible for other flying objects which have a corresponding receiver to be able to receive ADS-B messages from other aircraft, in order thus to build up a picture of the traffic situation of the surrounding airspace depending on the flight data contained in the message.
Since the equipment of transport aircraft with mode-S transponders is currently prescribed as mandatory, the mode-S 1090ES data transmission system has become established as the de facto standard for the ADS-B system in general aviation. Mode-S 1090ES is based on the modulation methods and data formats defined for mode-S, wherein a fixed, worldwide unique 24-bit address is allocated to each aircraft. The downlink in mode-S is established at a frequency of 1090 MHz.
However, as with all systems based on radio location, the ADS systems have the decisive disadvantage that the aircraft must be located in the receiving area of a corresponding receiving unit so that the ADS messages transmitted by the aircraft can also be received by the corresponding supervisory control station. Due to the limited range of the ADS-B signals, a worldwide gapless monitoring using ground stations is not possible even with a system of this type since, on the one hand for cost reasons, and, on the other hand due to geographical conditions, ground stations cannot be set up all over the world for gapless coverage.
In order to guarantee a reception of ADS signals even in areas in which no coverage is guaranteed by corresponding ground stations, DE 10 2008 026 415 A1 and DE 10 2008 013 357 A1, for example, propose that the ADS-B signals transmitted by a flying object can be received by a satellite correspondingly suited for this purpose. The messages can then be forwarded from there to a ground station or can be transmitted to a relay satellite in order to achieve a greater transmission path. Due to the fact that a satellite monitors the ADS-B signals regularly transmitted by the aircraft, a partial monitoring can be carried out precisely in areas where no coverage with ground stations is possible.
However it is disadvantageous here that the use of relay satellites for range extension is very costly, since the operators of relay satellites of this type levy a charge for the use thereof. In addition, a ground station must be able to communicate with a multiplicity of different satellite types in order to be able to receive corresponding ADS messages in practice also.

Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft—und Raumfahrt e.V.