Plural image pickup apparatuses can take images in accurate synchronization. An image pickup apparatus is provided with an image pickup unit for obtaining image data, a communication unit for communicating with another image pickup apparatus in synchronization, a synchronous signal generating unit for generating a synchronous signal having a predetermined cycle and synchronized with a timing of a synchronous operation by the communication unit, an image-pickup synchronous signal generating unit for generating an image-pickup synchronous signal having a predetermined cycle and synchronized with the synchronous signal generated by the synchronous signal generating unit, and an image-pickup controlling unit for determining in accordance with the image-pickup synchronous signal generated by the image-pickup synchronous signal generating unit, image-pickup timings at which the image pickup unit obtains image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup system, an image pickup method and a computer readable non-transitory recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional technique is known, which uses plural high-speed cameras to continuously take images of fast-moving phenomena in synchronization. The fast-moving phenomena include blasts, crashes, burning, crackups and electric discharges.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a conventional image pickup system 1, which uses plural image pickup apparatuses to take images in synchronization. The image pickup system 1 consists of the image pickup apparatuses 10a, 10b. The image pickup apparatuses 10a, 10b are used as a master device and a slave device, respectively. When a shutter key is pressed, the image pickup apparatus 10a, at the same time, sends a shutter command to the image pickup apparatus 10b and takes a picture of an object 12 to obtain image data, performing a still image recording process on the image data to record as a pickup image 11a. Meanwhile, when receiving the shutter command from the image pickup apparatus 10a, the image pickup apparatuses 10b takes a picture of the object 12 to obtain image data, performing the still image recording process on the image data to record as a pickup image 11b.
But in the conventional image pickup system 1, since a time lag in data sending and receiving processes and a variation of the time lag are caused in and between the image pickup apparatus 10a and the image pickup apparatuses 10b, it is hard to synchronize the pickup images 11a, 11b. For example, it is almost impossible to obtain a synchronization accuracy of 1/1000 sec.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-296323 discloses a technique, which makes plural high-speed cameras take images in synchronization. This conventional technique uses one master camera and plural slave cameras connected to the master camera, and makes the master camera transfer an image synchronizing signal for a high-speed camera to the plural slave cameras, bringing their shooting operations in synchronization.
In the above conventional technique, the master camera is provided with a timing adjusting unit for securing an accurate synchronization. The timing adjusting unit uses a pulse signal to measure a delay time along a transferring route from the master camera to the slave camera, and compensates for the delay time using the measurement result. The conventional technique is used to continuously take images of the fast-moving phenomena such as blasts, crashes, burning, crackups and electric discharges. The conventional technique provides a camera system, which is able to take an image at an extremely high speed of 1,000,000 frames per second and belongs to a classification of the high-speed cameras for the professional use.
But the conventional technique disclosed by Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-296323 involves a problem that requires an accurate and troublesome setting before taking pictures. For example, it requires to previously prepare the pulse signal to measure a delay time for making compensation. In general, this technique has another problem that the technique is too complex for consumers to use in dairy life.
When a method of using a pulse signal to measure a delay time is applied a radio transferring route, an uncertain delay is invited in a digital radio transferring route due to sampling and packet operations, preventing an accurate measurement.
In an analog radio transferring route, the accurate measurement can be made, but a multiple communication between the master device and slave devices is not allowed. Therefore, the same number of radio communication devices as the slave devices have to be provided at the master device, which also invite a problem that increases the cost and power consumption.

Image pickup apparatus, image pickup system, image pickup method and computer readable recording medium implementing synchronization for image pickup operations


A focus ring assembly configured to substantially encircle a chuck of a plasma processing chamber. The focus ring assembly includes an annular dielectric body; and an electrically conductive shield surrounding the annular dielectric body. The electrically conductive shield is configured to be electrically grounded within the plasma processing chamber and includes a tube-shaped portion being disposed outside of the annular dielectric body and surrounding at least part of the annular dielectric body. The electrically conductive shield further includes an inwardly-protruding flange portion being in electrical contact with the tube-shaped portion. The flange portion forms a plane that intersects the tube-shaped portion. The flange portion is embedded within the annular dielectric body.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of semiconductor-based products. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved techniques for controlling plasma formation in a plasma processing chamber.
The use of plasma-enhanced processes in the manufacture of semiconductor-based products (such as integrated circuits or flat panel displays) is well known. Generally speaking, plasma-enhanced processes involve the processing of a substrate (e.g., a glass panel or a semiconductor wafer) in a plasma processing chamber. Within the plasma processing chamber, a plasma may be ignited out of appropriate etchant or deposition source gases to respectively etch or deposit a layer of material on the surface of the substrate.
To facilitate discussion, FIG. 1 depicts a capacitively-coupled plasma processing chamber 100, representing an exemplary plasma processing chamber of the types typically employed to etch a substrate. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a chuck 104, representing the workpiece holder on which a substrate 106 is positioned during etching. Chuck 104 may be implemented by any suitable chucking technique, e.g., electrostatic, mechanical, clamping, vacuum, or the like. During etching, chuck 104 is typically supplied with RF power having a frequency of, for example, about 2 MHz to about 27 Mhz, by an RF power supply 110. In some systems, chuck 104 may be supplied with dual frequencies, e.g., 2 MHz and 27 MHz simultaneously during etching.
Above substrate 106, there is disposed a reactor top 112, which is formed of a conductive material such as aluminum. Confinement rings 102 may be coupled in a fixed manner to reactor top 112 or may be coupled to cam-based plungers (not shown in FIG. 1) that allow confinement rings 102 to be raised and lowered without moving reactor top 112. Further details pertaining to the cam-based arrangement may be found in a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/104,158 entitled "Cam-based Arrangement for Positioning Confinement Rings in a Plasma Processing Chamber," filed on even date by inventor Eric H. Lenz (Attorney Docket No. P398/LAM1P088) and incorporated by reference herein.
In general, confinement rings 102 help confine the etching plasma to the region above substrate 106 to improve process control and to ensure repeatability. Although only two confinement rings are shown in the example of FIG. 1, it should be understood that any number of confinement rings may be provided. Confinement rings and their function may be better understood by reference to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,751, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Also coupled to reactor top 112 are an upper electrode 114 and a baffle 116. Upper electrode 114 may be grounded (as in the case of FIG. 1) or may be powered by another RF power source 120 during etching. If upper electrode 114 is powered, it may be insulated from the remainder of the reactor to isolate the electrode from ground. During etching, plasma is formed from etchant source gas supplied via a gas line 122 and baffle 116.
When RF power is supplied to chuck 104 (from radio frequency generator 110), equipotential field lines are set up over substrate 106. During plasma processing, the positive ions accelerate across the equipotential field lines to impinge on the surface of substrate 106, thereby providing the desired etch effect (such as improving etch directionality). Due to geometry factors, however, the field lines may not be uniform across the substrate surface and may vary significantly at the edge of substrate 106. Accordingly, a focus ring is typically provided to improve process uniformity across the entire substrate surface. With reference to FIG. 1, chuck 104 is shown disposed within a focus ring 108, which is typically formed of a suitable dielectric material such as ceramic, quartz, or plastic.
The equipotential field lines that are set up during plasma etching may be seen more clearly in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the presence of focus ring 108 allow the equipotential field lines to be disposed substantially uniformly over the entire surface of the substrate, thereby allowing etching to proceed in a uniform manner across the substrate. As seen by FIG. 2, however, some of the equipotential field lines also extend into the region 160 outside of focus ring 108. The presence of the equipotential field lines in region 160 may cause any charged particles that leak past the confinement rings to accelerate in a direction perpendicular to the equipotential field lines toward the chamber walls. This acceleration and the subsequent collision between the charged particles and the chamber walls may generate secondary electrons, which may ignite and/or sustain unconfined plasma in region 160 (i.e., unintended plasma that is not confined to region directly above the substrate).
The inadvertent generation of plasma in region 160 renders the etch process difficult to control and may damage components within this region. By way of example, this unconfined plasma, which may be unplanned and/or intermittent, changes the amount of power absorbed by the plasma within the plasma processing chamber, thereby making it difficult to control the delivery of power to the chuck to achieve consistent, repeatable etch results. As another example, the presence of unwanted plasma in region 160 may cause damage to the chamber door, particularly to the seals that are provided therewith. The chamber door is necessary for substrate transport into and out of the chamber, and if the seals are damaged, accurate control of the chamber pressure may be difficult. When the seals and/or other components in region 160 are inadvertently attacked by the plasma, particulate and/or polymeric contaminants may form along the chamber walls, potentially leading to contamination of the etch environment.
In view of the foregoing, there are desired techniques for minimizing and/or eliminating the unwanted plasma formation in the region outside of the focus ring of the plasma processing chamber.

Focus ring arrangement for substantially eliminating unconfined plasma in a plasma processing chamber


A swash-plate type compressor comprises a drive shaft, at least one plunger piston, a cylinder block rotatably supporting the drive shaft and defining therein at least one cylinder chamber or bore, the cylinder chamber slidably accommodating the piston to permit an axial reciprocal sliding movement of the piston in the cylinder chamber, a swash plate rotatably mounted on the drive shaft, and a linkage provided between the drive shaft and the swash plate for causing a rotational movement of the swash plate in synchronization with rotation of the drive shaft, while permitting a wobbling movement of the swash plate. The piston includes a bottom section having a recessed portion for receiving a pair of semi-spherical shoes and for slidably holding the swashplate side walls between the shoe pair for the axial reciprocal sliding movement of the piston, and a main skirt section having a through-opening extending in a rotational direction of the swash plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a swash-plate type compressor suitable for use in an automotive air conditioning system, and specifically to a piston structure for a swash-plate type compressor employing an oil-mist lubrication system in which some compressor lubricant is mixed in refrigerant and thus almost all compressor oil is circulating in the system together with refrigerant.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, there have been proposed and developed various swashplate type compressors in which a swash plate is mounted on a compressor shaft (a drive shaft) for actuating a plurality of axial pistons, forcing them to move back and forth in cylinders of the compressor, as the shaft is rotated. One is a fixed swashplate type compressor in which the slope angle between the swash plate and the drive shaft is fixed to a constant value, and the other is a variable-displacement, swashplate type compressor in which the slope angle of the swash plate is variable so as to maintain the suction side essentially at a desired pressure level. Several swashplate type air conditioning compressors are in use in automotive applications. A typical variable-displacement, swashplate type air conditioning compressor has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Second Publication No. 64-1668. Referring to FIG. 16, there is shown a prior art swashplate type compressor as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Second Publication No. 64-1668. As seen in FIG. 16, in the conventional compressor, each piston 22 is directly connected to a swash plate 43 by means of two opposing essentially semi-spherical shoes 23, without providing any other wobble which may be engaged with the swash plate through a journal of the swash plate and connected to the pistons through piston rods on older models. Note that for the sake of a simple illustration, only one of the plurality of pistons 22 is shown in FIG. 16. The swash plate 43 is rotated in synchronization with rotation of the compressor shaft 11. The piston 22 is usually comprised of a substantially cylindrical top (or a piston crown) 22a, which is reciprocally accommodated in the cylinder chamber 12a defined in the cylinder block 12 and formed with a cylindrical hollow 24, and a bottom (or an axially extended piston skirt) 22b formed with a substantially U-shaped recessed portion through which the piston 22 is mechanically linked to the swash plate 43 by virtue of two opposing semi-spherical shoes 23. Actually, the U-shaped recessed portion of the piston skirt 22b is further formed with two opposing spherical-surface embossed portions axially spaced apart from each other. The two opposing spherical-surface embossed portions slidably receive the respective semi-spherical surfaces of the shoes 23 so that both side walls of the swash plate 43 is slidably sandwiched between two opposing flat surfaces of the shoes 23. The rotational movement of the drive shaft 11 results in oscillating or wobbling and rotational movement of the swash plate 43. The wobbling/rotational movement of the swash plate 43 thus reciprocates the piston 22 in its axial direction. As may be appreciated, on the upstroke (compression stroke) or during rightward motion of the piston (FIG. 16), or on the downstroke (suction stroke) or during leftward motion (FIG. 16) of the piston, side force is created at both sides of the piston. In the prior art swashplate type compressor shown in FIG. 16, since the piston crown 22a is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, oil lubrication between the outer periphery of the cylindrical piston crown and the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber (or the cylinder bore)12a is still insufficient. To prevent excessive friction which may be generated in the cylinder owing to the side force, and to ensure smooth reciprocating motion of the piston 22, and to reduce undesired piston wear and cylinder wear, it is desirable to adequately lubricate sliding surfaces between the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder chamber 12a and the outer peripheral wall of the piston 22 with a compressor oil circulating in the system together with the refrigerant.


The film cooling structure includes: a wall surface along which a heating medium flows; and at least one pair of film cooling holes that open at the wall surface and that blow a cooling medium. The pair of film cooling holes are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a main flow direction of the heating medium. In addition, perforation directions of the pair of film cooling holes are set such that directions of swirls of the cooling medium formed by blowing are opposite to each other, a swirl of the cooling medium on a downstream side in the main flow direction is mixed and merged with another swirl of the cooling medium on an upstream side in the main flow direction, and the merged cooling medium flows along the wall surface in a direction intersecting with the main flow direction.

Patent Document 1 discloses a film cooling structure in which blow holes (film cooling holes) are formed on a wall surface of a rotor blade of a gas turbine or of a liner of a combustor, wherein the wall surface faces high-temperature gas (heating medium), and a cooling medium blown from the blow holes flows along the wall surface so as to cool the wall surface. In this film cooling structure, in order to suppress the separation of the cooling medium from the wall surface and to improve a film efficiency, blowing directions of cooling media from one pair or more pairs of blow holes are set so as to form swirls in directions in which the cooling media are mutually pressed against the wall surface.
Specifically, each pair of blow holes are arranged on the wall surface back and forth in a flow direction of high-temperature gas, and each blow hole is formed on the wall surface into an elliptical shape whose long axis is in the blowing direction of a cooling medium therefrom. Blowing speed vectors of the cooling media blown from the pair of blow holes have transverse angle components β1 and β2 on a plane along the wall surface with respect to the flow direction of the high-temperature gas, and the transverse angle components β1 and β2 are set to be different from each other.

Film cooling structure and turbine blade


A method and system for monitoring interactions with a vehicle are disclosed, the method comprising associating a mobile device of a user allowed for operating the vehicle with a device capable of providing an indication of a position of the vehicle; obtaining position data from the device capable of providing an indication of a position of the vehicle; obtaining position data from the mobile device associated with the device; comparing the obtained position data from the device with the obtained position data from the mobile device and using the comparison of the position data of the device with the position data of the mobile device to thereby monitor interactions with the vehicle.

Being able to monitor interactions with a vehicle is of great interest for various reasons.
For instance, such monitoring may be of interest for preventing vehicle theft. In fact, such monitoring may further be used in some cases in order to further locate a stolen vehicle.
Prior art configurations may be cumbersome of various reasons. For instance, a user may have to carry a key fob for using the vehicle without triggering the alarm system. This may be complicated to manage in the case of a vehicle shared by a plurality of users since either a key fob has to be shared amongst the plurality of users, which is quite cumbersome, or since additional key fobs have to be bought in order to accommodate each of the plurality of users, which can be quite pricey.
Also, carrying a key fob on a key chain is also a drawback since it adds volume and weight.
There is a need for a method and system that will overcome at least one of the above identified drawbacks.
Features of the invention will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below.

Method and system for monitoring interactions with a vehicle


A cylindrical sleeve is inserted between the body of a competition shock absorber and its adjustable compression spring to protect the body from undue wear created by rubbing of the spring on the threads formed on the external surface of the shock. Different color sleeves can be used on shocks having different performance characteristics to facilitate change out to accommodate varying track conditions.

The present invention is directed to the automotive field. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a protective shield for competition shock absorbers to protect the shock, including its threaded adjustable shaft, from excessive wear from its adjustable-compression coiled spring.
Competition shock absorbers used in the racing environment, are exposed to extreme forces as the cars maneuver through the turns of the typically oval track. The racing shocks have a coil spring whose compression is adjustable by means of a pre-load collar being rotated on a thread extending along the exterior of the shock body. As a race car is put through its paces, these coil springs deflect into contact with the outside of the shock and the normal extension and compression of the shock causes damage to the threads on the shock body, to the point where adjustment of the pre-load collar is no longer possible. This wear damage necessitates replacement of these high-end shocks long before they would otherwise need to be changed out.
It is the object of this invention to provide a wear sleeve positioned between the shock body and the spring to protect the shock body from this type of damage. The invention comprises the improvement of a protective cylindrical sleeve surrounding the inner threaded cylinder inside of the coil spring, said protective sleeve having a cylindrical body portion of a third length L3 substantially equal to L1 and an outer diameter d3 which is less than d2, whereby the outer surface or the inner cylinder is protected from rubbing-induced wear caused by the coil spring.
The protective sleeve has a flange protruding radially from one end which serves as a substitute reaction surface for the coil spring. Preferably, the protective sleeve is made of a durable plastic material selected from the group consisting of nylon, composites and temperature-resistant, high-strength plastics. The sleeves can be made in several colors which will enable pit crews to identify sets of shock absorbers with different performance characteristics, simplifying shock change out to accommodate varying track conditions.
Various other features, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the following specification.

Protective sleeve for adjustable shock absorber


An authentication and information encryption system and method which uses a token system for increased security in accommodating bilateral encrypted communications between an originating system and an answering system, with each system without synchronization independently generating a message digest through use of an encryption key generator which employs bit-shuffling, many-to-few bit mapping, and secure hash processing to forestall attempts to discover the secret inputs to the generator, or the system password, encryption key, or change value outputs extracted from the message digest, through cryptographic analysis or brute force trial-and-error attacks, and with each system using the passwords, encryption key and change value during only a single system connection before using the change value to update one of the secret inputs to the key generator to provide new password, encryption key and change value parameters having no predictable relationship to their previous counterparts, and with each system accommodating plural authentication cycles to verify the originating system, the answering system, the token system, and the pairing of the token system with either the originating system, the answering system, or both, all without public exposure of the secret inputs, encryption key or change value. Further, a deterministic, non-predictable, pseudo-random, and symmetric encryption key is generated, used during only a single system connection, and then destroyed. Thus, the need for key directories is obviated. Lastly, the token system ID, the originating system ID, and the answering system ID may be altered by a component of the message digest upon completion of a system connection to significantly reduce the risk of playback impersonations.

When sensitive information is exchanged between transceiving stations, the information can be intercepted by an unauthorized party as the information travels over a communication medium between the stations, can inadvertently be received by an unauthorized station, or can come into the possession of an unauthorized person even though the information was received at the intended destination.
Another scenario occurs when a user requests access to sensitive data files stored in a computer system which may be in near proximity or at a remote station. In order to protect the files from unauthorized disclosure, the computer system must have the capacity to authenticate the user, verify that the user is authorized to receive the files, and protect the files from unauthorized access when they are electronically transferred to the user.
The most widely accepted method of information protection over networks is the use of encryption, where the sending and receiving parties must share an encryption key to encrypt and decrypt the information being exchanged. In such systems, authentication is typically performed through cleartext exchanges, and the encryption keys that are used are changed infrequently as person-to-person exchanges are the only means to ensure that the encryption key can be shared without risking public exposure. As a result, valuable information and time is made available to an attacker who desires to discover the encryption key and gain access to all encrypted information which is exchanged over the networks.
Prior authentication and encryption systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,060,263; 5,065,429; 5,068,894; 5,153,919; 5,355,413; 5,361,062; 5,474,758; and 5,495,533. U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,263 employs a reversible encryption algorithm, conducts all exchanges between the host and client in cleartext, and provides only unilateral authentication. U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,429 provides only unilateral authentication, and stores its encryption keys on the storage medium where they would be accessible to any attacker reading the medium. U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,894 employs a reversible encryption algorithm, uses an encryption key that is never changed, and makes both cleartext challenges and encrypted responses available to an attacker. U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,919 provides useful cleartext information for an attacker in exchanges between stations, uses weak encryption algorithms to avoid latency problems, and does not provide for secure activation of the token as anyone who possesses it may use it. U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,413 encrypts a random challenge, but does not encrypt information exchanged between host and client. U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,062 exchanges information between host and client in cleartext, uses a reversible encryption algorithm, provides only unilateral authentication, triggers encryption iterations as a function of time which contributes to computer overhead and system latency, and requires a resynchronization protocol to keep token and host in sync. U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,758 provides only unilateral authentication, and depends upon the users ability to hide the storage of his certificate of authenticity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,533 provides only unilateral authentication, incurs a high network overhead contributing to latency, and depends upon a key directory which is susceptible to attacker intrusions.
Additional prior authentication systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,233,655; 5,367,572; 5,421,006; and 5,481,611. U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,655 provides only unilateral authentication, and does not provide any encryption of information that is being exchanged. U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,572 provides only unilateral authentication, requires a resynchronization protocol to keep the host and client in sync, and transmits all information exchanges in cleartext. U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,006 provides only unilateral authentication, and operates in a multiprocessing environment which contributes substantially to CPU overhead and thus system latency. U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,611 provides only unilateral authentication, and conducts all information exchanges in cleartext. U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,516 requires that a key directory be stored.
None of the above prior art references disclose the use of dual many-to-few bit mapping in generating a deterministic, non-predictable, and symmetric encryption key as used in the present invention.
In addition to the above disclosures, the use of secure hash algorithms (SHA) is disclosed in FIPS Pub. 180-1, Secure Hash Standard (Apr. 17, 1995); and token system security requirements are described in FIPS Pub. 140-1, Security Requirements For Cryptographic Modules (Jan. 11, 1994).
Further, there are three known variations of the token system which are commercially available, but which were not selected for use in the preferred embodiment of the present invention because each uses a reversible DES algorithm: the SecurID Card from Security Dynamics Technologies, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass.; the SafeWord DES Card from Enigma Logic, Inc. of Concord, Calif.; and the Secure Net Key Card from Digital Pathways of Mountain View, Calif. None of the above token systems have digital interfaces. Although each requires PIN activation, they are limited to 8 digit displays.
The present invention provides a combination of authentication and encryption in which parameters including system passwords, encryption keys, and change values which are used to produce new, pseudo-random system passwords and encryption keys, are used during only a single system connection before being replaced with new parameters having no known relationship with their previous counterparts, and both the originating system and the answering system in a network exchange independently generated passwords through use of an encryption key generator which employs bit-shuffling, many-to-few bit mapping and secure hash processing to produce such parameters in a manner which is highly resistant to any attempt to discover the secret inputs to the encryption key generator through cryptographic analysis or brute force trial-and-error attacks. Further, the hand shake protocol between the originating system and the answering system requires that only system identifiers be exchanged over a network in cleartext, and protects the static and dynamic secret encryption key generator inputs, and the system password, encryption key, and change value outputs from exposure. A tamper-resistant security module or token system is used with either or both the originating system and the answering system to provide additional security. That is, all authentication, password generation, and encryption key generation functions for the originating system are performed within the token for greater security. A further layer of security may be provided by altering the token and system IDs upon completion of a system connection between the originating system and the answering system. Susceptibility to playback impersonations thereby is significantly reduced.

Bilateral authentication and information encryption token system and method


A conventional computer is coupled to a data downloading station which in turn receives a downloadable toy. The downloading station includes a data transmitter such as an infrared light emitting diode while the toy includes a corresponding receiver or sensor such as an infrared sensor. Data is selected by the user operating the computer and is downloaded to the toy via the communication link while the toy is situated in proximity to the downloading station. Once the data has been downloaded, it is stored within a memory within the toy. Thereafter, the toy may be removed from the downloading station and operated in response to the stored data while completely independent from the downloading station and the computer. In one embodiment, the data downloading station replicates a miniature computer work station supporting a light emitting diode for transmitting infrared energy and operatively coupled to the computer. A doll having an infrared sensor supported thereon is seatable within the miniature work station. The doll includes a processor and memory together with an audio system and a jaw moving system which cooperate to simulate speech by the doll. The doll may be downloaded with a substantial amount of words and phrases which are stored within the doll memory and communicated via the infrared communication link. Thereafter, the doll is operable independently from the work station providing simulated speech included coordinated audio output and jaw motion. The doll is also operable in a pass-through mode.

With the advent of small microelectronic circuitry and advances in small battery-powered motor systems, a variety of toys have been provided which include one or more battery-powered features operative in response to an internal microprocessor controlled circuit. The ability of toy makers to provide internal battery supplies and internal control circuitry within relatively small spaces has made possible a virtually endless variety of toys which are in one respect or another self-operative. For example, many toys such as dolls or toy figures as well as miniature toy vehicles or the like have been provided within internal battery-powered sound producing systems which facilitate sound response by the toys. Other toys utilizing such modern electronic capability have included remotely controlled toy vehicles or robot figures all having a seemingly self-contained capability to perform various actions and produce accompanying sounds. In several varieties of such self-sustained toys, external stimulus may be applied to provide a corresponding predetermined response within the toy figure. For example, toy dolls have been provided which may produce suitable audible responses as the doll is moved from a seated position to a prone position or similar attitude changes. Still other toy figures having internal processors and control systems have exhibited an interactive capability in which the child user interacts with the doll or toy figure and elicits various responses having a timing and relationship which simulate actual interactive communication.
In the various processor and microprocessor controlled toys and toy figures of the type described above, the processor or microprocessor includes an associate memory within which a stored instruction set is available to control the operation of the toy and to provide audio messages and the like. In further instances, toys have been provided in which the memory or a portion thereof operating the processor within the toy is supported upon a removable and replaceable cartridge allowing the interchange of memory cartridges within the toy to provide a greater variety of toy performance and responses.
While the various microprocessor controlled toys have provided great improvement in the art and, in many instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved amusing and entertaining types of such toys.


The invention relates to the use of an organic acids containing fraction obtained from vinasses and molasses for preserving forage, stimulating microbial growth and activity, and enhancing forage utilization. The fraction may be used as such, or mixed with forage, or used together with a microbe that resists the acidity of the fraction and produces acid.

Proper preservation of forage is vital to both animal nutrition and performance. In the generally used AIV method, the forage pH is lowered to about 4, which inhibits microbial activity, and reduces dry matter and protein losses in the forage. The pH was earlier lowered by strong inorganic acids, but now the dominant acid used for preservation is formic acid. Strong acids are effective in inhibiting microbial growth in forage, but in the rumen this property is less advantageous. Further, if the acid does not succeed in inhibiting microbial growth completely, there is a risk that the most harmful microbial species may colonize the silage due to lack of competition.
Several salts and products of microbial or plant origin have been used for enhancing the effect of strong acids or for replacing the acids as preservatives (Bolsen, K. & Heidker, J. I., 1985, Silage Additives USA, Chalcombe Publications, UK). These additives have often been used for enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria, and thereby for inhibiting the growth of harmful microbes, such as yeasts, molds, clostridia and coliforms. The use of lactic acid bacteria is often limited by the lack of carbohydrates suitable for the growth of these bacteria.
By-products of sugar processing, molasses, and their fermentation by-products, vinasses, are known as silage additives and additives of ruminant feed (Bolsen, K. & Heidker, J. I., 1985; Haaksma, J., 1987, The influence on growth, energy efficiency and dressing percentage, when in ratios for beef cattle containing pressed pulp soy bean meal protein was replaced by protein from vinasse or NPN, Mededeling, Instituut voor Rationele Suikerproduktie, no. 15, 23 pp.; Herold, I., Takacs, F., Beri, B. & Kota, M., 1987, Influence of chemical and biological conservation agents on silage made from green fodder with a high protein content). Due to their high nitrogen content, these products have efficiently increased the silage protein value. The molasses and vinasses, however, are not sufficiently acidic to be able to significantly lower the forage pH. Nutritionally, their high potassium content may cause problems in respect of reduced magnesium absorption (Tomas, F. M. & Potter, B. J., 1976,: The effect and site of action of potassium upon magnesium absorption in sheep, Aust. J. Agric. Res. 27, 873-880; Fontenot, J. P., Allen, V. G., Bunge, G. E. and Goff, J. P., 1989, Factors influencing magnesium absorption and metabolism in ruminants, Journal of American Science 67, 3445-3455).

Use of an organic acids containing fraction for preserving forage


An auto racing board game includes a game board having a track layout with multiple lanes and overlapping lane spaces, with a starting line, victory lane and winner's circle. Player position markers (preferably resembling racing cars) are provided, with a lap chart/score sheet for each player and a series of lap and pit cards. Players choose position markers as desired, and the order of play is established by dice or the like, with the first player having the lowest number having the "pole position" at the starting line inside lane and other markers positioned accordingly. Play alternates among the players, with the quantity of each move being determined by the dice or other suitable device. Players can move their markers laterally to an adjacent lane space to attempt to achieve an advantage, and must draw lap cards periodically according to the lap chart/score sheet and pit cards when required to enter the pits according to the score sheet. The cards may provide some advantage or setback to the player drawing the card. Caution periods may occur according to cards drawn, which allow players to make up some portion of a multiple lap deficit, if any. Players completing a predetermined number of laps enter victory lane enroute to the winner's circle. While jumping other markers is not permitted during the race, such jumping is permitted on victory lane. A player must achieve the exact number required in order to land precisely in the winner's circle and win the game.

Auto racing, particularly so called "stock car" racing, has become ever more popular as the rules have evolved to provide closer racing and more excitement for spectators. It is generally accepted that racing fans enjoy becoming involved in the activity to the greatest extent possible, whether by reading about racing, watching races on television, or actually attending an event in person. Many, if not most, racing fans are at least somewhat competitive by nature, and enjoy games and related activities which cater to that competitive urge, even if the vast majority cannot actually race themselves.
Accordingly, a few games and activities have been which cater to the automobile racing enthusiast. However, automobile racing in at least some of its variations is a family activity, and the games which have been developed tend to require some amount of knowledge or skill from a player, which results in many younger players without such knowledge or skill quickly becoming bored when they realize they have no chance of winning. Moreover, for those fans and families who actually attend a event in person, much time is usually spread over a few days between various events leading up to the final event. Racing fans, particularly families with children, must come up with between race activities which may be enjoyed casually, without need for sophisticated knowledge or skills and which require no deep involvement but may be enjoyed casually and yet provide some degree of competition and which relate to the racing sport.
The need arises for a board game simulating automobile racing, which game requires a minimum amount of equipment, knowledge and skill on the part of the players thereof. The game should be relatively simple to play, allowing even the youngest and least experienced of players to enjoy it, while at the same time simulating many of the situations which occur in auto racing.

Auto racing game apparatus and method of play


The object of the present invention is to provide a cellular phone to be used for emergency reports that performs GPS positioning by means of remote control from an emergency report center, and transmits positional information to the emergency report center. The emergency report cellular phone according to the present invention is constituted such that when an emergency report switch thereof is depressed, a call request is made to the emergency report center. The emergency report center transmits a response signal with the result that a call link is formed between the emergency report cellular phone and the emergency report center. Following completion of the telephone call, the emergency report center transmits a position recalculation command message, by means of a DTMF signal. The emergency report cellular phone, which has received this command message, performs GPS positioning and then converts latitudinal and longitudinal information to a DTMF signal before transmitting same to the emergency report center. As a result, even in a case where, in a time of emergency, a reporting party is unable to perform GPS positioning manually as a result of a poor physical condition, for example, since GPS positioning is possible by means of remote control, it is possible to rescue the reporting party in a rapid and reliable manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cellular phone to be used for emergency reports that comprises a GPS receiver and a wireless communications section, and more particularly to an improved technology for rapidly performing stable GPS positioning and for implementing a reliable cellular connection with an emergency report center.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as a means of contacting an emergency report center when a physically handicapped person, for example, who has gone out, has a fit or another such state of emergency arises, a mobile-type emergency report cellular phone that contains a GPS receiver has been proposed by Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-106608, for example. The cellular phone appearing in this same publication has a constitution in which a mobile telephone device is provided in an emergency report box comprising a push button, a body movement sensor, a GPS receiver, an SOS buzzer, and the like. By means of such a constitution, when a reporting party is in a state of emergency, by giving the push button a long push, he or she is able to make a report to an emergency report center via the mobile telephone. Furthermore, when the body movement sensor detects that a user's wheelchair has turned over or detects another such anomalous condition, the constitution is such that it is possible to automatically make a report to an emergency center via the mobile telephone. According to requirements, the emergency report box may be capable of receiving GPS signals transmitted from GPS satellites and of transmitting longitudinal and latitudinal information to the emergency report center. In addition to the above-mentioned paper, examples of mobile-type emergency report cellular phones of this kind, which are constituted from a GPS receiver and a wireless communications terminal, also include Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-270125 and Patent No. 3115268.
However, in a conventional system, when the power source of the GPS receiver is in an ordinary ON state, since GPS positioning necessitates a complex operation, battery consumption is very high, and, even if there is an intention to perform GPS positioning, there have been problems where GPS positioning is not possible and an emergency report center is unable to acquire information on the reporting party's position.
In addition, there have been cases where a reporting party is unable to operate the emergency report cellular phone in an emergency, or is incapable of making a telephone call, and problems where a reporting party is unable to perform GPS positioning by operating the cellular phone himself or herself, meaning that the emergency report center is therefore unable to acquire information on the reporting party's position.
Moreover, in such cases, although there is a requirement to rapidly rescue a reporting party, or to inform people in the surrounding area that a reporting party is seriously injured, it has not been possible to perform remote control of an emergency report cellular phone using a conventional system, meaning that it has not been possible for an emergency report center to attract the attention of people in the surrounding area through remote control of a siren speaker installed in the emergency report cellular phone.
Further, although this variety of emergency report cellular phone is equipped with a siren output function for performing notification to the surrounding area of a state of emergency, when the siren function is ON in a conventional emergency report cellular phone with a siren function, data communications have not been possible. This is because, upon performing data communications when the siren function is ON, data of such data communications has previously been destroyed by the output of the siren, meaning that data could not be correctly received.
Additionally, in a case where, for whatever reason, a connection with respect to an emergency report center cannot be performed smoothly, there is a requirement to take measures to rapidly perform connection processing with respect to an emergency report center. For example, as far as AMPS is concerned, as utilized by mobile telephone services in North America, two carrier networks provided by telecommunications companies are present, that are a system A and a system B, and a user pre-records either or both of these telecommunications company systems as a home system. Ordinarily, it is possible to connect to a home system without difficulty, but there are cases where, depending on the region, it is not possible to connect to a home system for one reason or another. In such a case, since the user is required to manually switch to and use a different carrier system, an improvement to such a system is required to allow the system to be used for reporting emergencies.
Furthermore, even in a case where a line is connected with an emergency report center, when, in the course of a telephone call with the emergency report center, the line is disconnected for whatever reason, it is necessary to perform a smooth reconnection with the emergency report center. Since, depending on the connection party, microphone sensitivity and speaker audio levels sometimes differ, there is also a requirement to automatically modify such levels to optimum values. A problem also exists in that, when, in order to attract the attention of people in the surrounding area, a telephone call is made when the siren speaker is sounding, the telephone call becomes difficult, and there is deterioration of the electromagnetic wave reception state.
Also, a GPS receiver receives GPS signals such as ephemeris data (orbital information) and almanac data (satellite clock), which are transmitted from satellites, captures satellites, and calculates degrees longitude and latitude for a positioning point. In a case where the power source of a GPS receiver is OFF for a long period, or in a case where it has not been possible to receive almanac data or the like from satellites over a relatively long period, in order for the GPS receiver to perform GPS positioning, same is required to once again download almanac data or the like from satellites.
Since the object is that the emergency report cellular phone should make an emergency report to an emergency report center when a reporting party finds himself or herself in a state of emergency, the emergency report cellular phone is not required to await the arrival of signals, meaning that, in a standby state, the power source of both the wireless communications section and the GPS receiver is OFF. As a result, when, at the time of an emergency report, the power source of the GPS receiver is first ON and GPS positioning is performed, satellite capture takes time, and, because all data required for the GPS positioning must be downloaded from satellites, it is not possible to rapidly perform GPS positioning in an emergency. For this reason, a technology has been proposed by Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-4735 which seeks to shorten the GPS positioning time by pre-storing satellite positional information.
However, when the location corresponding to satellite positional information stored in an emergency report cellular phone and the location of the actual GPS positioning point are very far apart, there is the problem that a period for capture of the satellite is required and therefore GPS positioning takes time. Also, when breakdown of the GPS receiver has occurred, or, in a location from which the capture of satellites is difficult, GPS positioning is performed, a long period for GPS positioning is required, meaning that it is not possible to rapidly transmit longitudinal and latitudinal information to the emergency report center. A design is therefore required to rapidly perform GPS positioning in a state of emergency.
Furthermore, with a conventional emergency report cellular phone, when same is not actually being used, it is not possible to confirm the residual battery capacity, or breakdown or other such state of the GPS receiver. Therefore, even when there is an intention to make crucial use of the cellular phone in an emergency, cases have been known where the residual battery capacity is limited or it is not possible to use the GPS receiver because the GPS receiver has broken down, for example. It is therefore desirable to provide a means making it possible to confirm the residual battery capacity in advance in readiness for emergency reporting.
Further, a conventional emergency report cellular phone containing a GPS receiver would judge whether or not a GPS receiver was operating correctly according to whether, with respect to a positioning request from a system controller to the GPS receiver, positioning information was sent back within a fixed period. However, in a case where positioning information is not sent back within a fixed period, such a method is incapable of distinguishing the source of the problem as being the physical connection between the GPS receiver and the system controller, or as being attributable to the positional relationship between the GPS receiver and the satellites.
When the problem lies with the former physical connection, diagnosis of this problem takes a maximum of ten seconds to complete. However, when the problem is attributable to the latter positional relationship, diagnosis of this problem requires a maximum of five minutes. For this reason, even if the problem lies with the former physical connection, with the conventional method, judgement of whether the GPS receiver is in a normal condition then necessitates a period that approaches a maximum of two minutes. As a result, it is desirable to establish a technique that makes it possible to rapidly judge whether the GPS receiver is in a normal condition.
Also, such an emergency report cellular phone is undesirable, since, when a connection is made with an emergency report center via a wireless line and GPS positioning is performed in the course of a telephone call, there is mutual interference between AMPS wireless electromagnetic waves and GPS electromagnetic waves.
An object of the present invention is therefore to propose an emergency report cellular phone to ensure the safety of a reporting party when an emergency report is to be made.
Specifically, an object of the present invention is to propose an emergency report cellular phone that performs operations required for the rescue of a reporting party through remote control from an emergency report center.
It is another object of the present invention to propose an emergency report cellular phone that is capable of performing data communications correctly in a state in which the siren function thereof is ON.
It is yet another object of the present invention to propose an emergency report cellular phone that preserves the safety of a reporting party by reliably performing connection processing for a communications line with an emergency report center when an emergency report is to be made.
It is yet another object of the present invention to propose an emergency report cellular phone that preserves the safety of a reporting party by enabling a smooth telephone call with an emergency report center.
It is yet another object of the present invention to propose an emergency report cellular phone that is capable of reliably and rapidly performing stable GPS positioning.

Emergency report cellular phone, cellular connection switching method and GPS positioning method


A system and method for describing local area geo-reference features and landmarks in providing high resolution asset location information. Geo-image data is integrated to a mapping application and geo-reference data to add more detailed scale levels to the map. The geo-image data includes geo-images and its features to provide more detailed references to the asset and support the larger references of the geo-reference data. To describe a geo-reference landmark, an original landmark representation is selected with a center point and a radius. The asset location points located at the original landmark representation are compiled along with the asset location points generated by events occurring at the landmark to create a point set. The point set replaces the original landmark representation when a prescribed number of points is reached. The asset location points that are within a specified distance from any of the points in the point set are added to the point set to complete the landmark representation. The geo-image data and landmark representation data are combined to provide high resolution asset location information.

Tracking assets using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is becoming widely used. However, for most users, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates are generally not a very useful form of location information. Instead, it is more useful for users to have the coordinates provided in reference to one or more features or landmarks that are commonly known.
In most regions of the world, there exists so-called "geo-reference data" that provides the coordinates of well known features and landmarks, such as roads, rail lines, topology, land use and place descriptions. By combining the coordinates of a tracked asset with information about nearby geo-reference features and landmarks a useful description of the asset location can be created. For example, by incorporating the relevant geo-reference data, location information may be given in the following forms: "12.6 miles southeast of Gary, Ind.; 112 meters out of 629 Rockledge Drive, Rockledge, Fla.," or "¼ mile from the peak of Mount Everest."
Such location information may be provided graphically on electronic maps, in text or in other data format. These kinds of descriptions are readily understood as long as the selection of geo-reference features and presentation methods are appropriate for users.
Several approaches have been adopted for representing geo-reference features and landmarks. One approach is to represent landmarks such as cities as a point. Alternatively, it is also common to describe landmarks in more detail as a defined area. In the simplest form, a landmark area can be defined as a center point with a radius. Such a description provides a user with more detail information, such as whether an asset is located at the landmark. That is, whether the coordinates of the asset are within the defined area of the landmark. For example, one can determine whether a trailer asset is in a trailer yard by first describing the yard as a center point with a radius. Then the asset is checked to see if it is within the radius. If the asset is within the radius then the asset is located at the landmark.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

High resolution tracking of mobile assets


A wave plate 1 according to an embodiment includes a first birefringent substrate 10 including a first main surface and an optical axis 13 in a first direction; a second birefringent substrate 20 disposed over the first birefringent substrate 10 and including a second main surface and an optical axis 23 in a second direction; and a third birefringent substrate 30 disposed over the second birefringent substrate 20 and including a third main surface and an optical axis 33 in a third direction. The first birefringent substrate 10 and the second birefringent substrate 20 are made of the same kind of birefringent material. The first main surface, the second main surface, and the third main surface are disposed in parallel to one another. The first direction and the second direction are parallel to the first main surface and the second main surface.

The present disclosure relates to a wave plate, a method for manufacturing a wave plate, and an optical apparatus.
A wave plate is an element for creating a phase difference between an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray using a difference between a speed of the ordinary ray and that of the extraordinary ray due to birefringence of a birefringent material. Wave plates are used in optical disk apparatuses, liquid crystal displays, liquid crystal projectors, etc.
A birefringent material such as polymer, quartz, mica, and sapphire is used for the wave plate. Examples of the wave plate include a λ/2 wave plate and a λ/4 wave plate, depending on the functions included therein. For example, the λ/2 wave plate converts a plane of polarization of linearly polarized incident light into linearly polarized light rotated by 90[°] The λ/2 wave plate has a function of setting a difference between a phase of an ordinary ray and that of an extraordinary ray to 180[°] (π), depending on the wavelength band used.
In a liquid crystal projector or the like, an output of a light source is increased for the purpose of improving the quality of images, and a wave plate including a polymer as a material is not used due to a problem of durability and instead inorganic quartz or the like is used.

Wave plate, method for manufacturing wave plate, and optical apparatus


A semiconductor laser that selectively performs oscillations in different polarization modes has first and second laser regions on a substrate. The first laser region exhibits a gain spectrum in which one polarization mode is dominant and the second laser region exhibits a gain spectrum in which a different polarization mode is dominant. Current injected independently into the each laser region causes polarization mode oscillation competition. One of the different polarization mode oscillations is selected by, for example, injecting a minute modulated current into at least one of the first and second laser regions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor laser whose oscillation polarization mode can be changed by an external control and which is suitable for use as a light source apparatus in the field of optical communications, for example. The present invention further relates to an optical communication system and a light transmitter which use the above-mentioned semiconductor laser, respectively.
2. Related Background Art
As a conventional device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2(Heisei)-159781 discloses a distributed feedback (DFB) laser whose oscillation polarization mode can be changed by an external control. In this DFB laser, carrier injection for phase adjustment and formation of population inversion causes a change in the phase of internal light, and the oscillation occurs in either of transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes whose threshold gain is lower.
In the above-discussed device, however, the oscillation polarization mode of the device output is changed by controlling the phases of light in TE and TM modes. Therefore, a predetermined amount of current always needs to be injected into the device to form population inversion. Further, in the prior art device, an active layer is formed with a bulk material, and hence a difference in gain between TE and TM modes is small. However, if an active layer having a quantum well structure is used, the difference in gain between TE and TM modes becomes large. As a result, a wavelength range, in which the polarization mode of oscillated light can be changed by the same operation principle as the bulk material case, is narrowed, and the fabrication precision needed for formation of a grating and the like is strict. Here, the pitch of the grating determines Bragg wavelengths for TE and TM modes which are respectively oscillation wavelengths of light in TE and TM modes.
Furthermore, the prior art device is not provided with an effective and positive means for enabing the oscillation polarization mode switching. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a highly reproducible polarization mode selective laser.

Oscillation polarization mode selective semiconductor laser, light transmitter and optical communication system using the laser


A charge pump configured for use in a phase-locked loop includes positive and negative current sources, transistor switches, voltage nodes and one or more operational amplifiers, wherein the positive and negative current sources each includes an output node, the output nodes are respectively connected sequentially to the voltage nodes having substantially the same voltage, the transistor switches are configured to sequentially switch such that at all times there is one transistor switch connection, and the currents flows through the transistor switches into one of the voltage nodes. One of the voltage nodes is connected to the PLL filter and the transistor switches are connected to the PLL filter and are controlled by the phase error pulses. Two voltage nodes are possible. The second node provides feedback. The currents to the second node are supplied substantially simultaneously for the same amount of time.

A phase-locked loop ("PLL") can generally be described as an electronic device or circuit that, when presented with an input signal having frequency-domain spectral components of sufficiently stable frequency and phase, generates an output signal of relatively good spectral purity having a frequency and phase substantially correlated to the frequency and phase of the dominant spectral component of the input signal.
PLLs have many forms of implementation, function of intended use, and application. PLLs can have analog loops or digital loops. PLLs might be used for communication systems, for example to keep a receiver in phase lock with a received signal. For communication systems, a particular application of PLLs is for clock recovery circuits and frequency synthesizers.
Frequency synthesizers sometimes present problems. In a frequency synthesizer, the input signal is referred to as a reference clock. The reference clock is a repetitive digital signal having a substantially fixed frequency and relatively high spectral purity (most often a square-wave). The output signal (or signals) is generated in a voltage controlled oscillator ("VCO"). This output signal is frequency related to the reference clock frequency by a known ratio. In some applications the frequency is fixed, whereas in other applications, the frequency is programmable.
In a typical frequency synthesizer, a digital phase detector compares the phase of a reference clock signal to the phase of a signal derived from a VCO, such as a counter that counts the oscillations of the signal output by the VCO. The phase detector sends a digital signal to a charge pump and an analog output of the charge pump is filtered by a filter and used to generate a VCO control voltage. In this basic form, the VCO frequency is N times the reference clock frequency when the PLL is locked, where N is the counter's division ratio. The PLL can include a delta-sigma modulator to form a delta-sigma driven frequency synthesizer.
The ratio N may be varied in time in a random or pseudorandom sequence, with the result that the ratio of the VCO frequency to the reference clock frequency can be a non-integer number, but is the time average of N. Changing the counter ratio N produces a random or sequence to be output from the digital phase detector and from the charge pump's analog output.
Nonlinearities in the phase detector/charge pump combination are often an issue, as they could cause the high frequency components of the random phase sequence to intermix and generate low frequency components in the output of the charge pump.
Some common implementations of phase-frequency detectors exhibit relatively high nonlinearity, usually due to the charge pump and in low power supply voltage designs.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical known implementation of a charge pump. In this example, the charge pump is configured for use with a VCO that has a positive gain, i.e., the frequency increases with increased control voltage. However, negative gain VCOs would use similar principles. FIG. 1 shows a filter 105 configured to receive positive or negative charges every reference clock cycle via currents Ip 107 and In 108, which are switched in by switches UP 103 and DOWN 104.
The currents Ip and In are typically generated by current sources implemented with transistors. A simple common configuration for CMOS devices is a PMOS transistor 101 generating the positive current and a NMOS transistor 102 generating the negative current. A positive charge injected into the filter causes the voltage VC 106 to increase and a negative charge injected into the filter causes the voltage VC 106 to decrease.
The phase detector (not shown) driving this charge pump generates an UP pulse if the reference clock phase is leading the oscillator phase and a DOWN pulse if the reference clock phase is lagging the oscillator phase. The pulse width is proportional to the phase difference. Thus, the positive charge injected is the product of the pulse width of the UP pulse and the current Ip, whereas the negative charge is the product of the pulse width of the DOWN pulse and the current In. Extra charge is injected every time one of the switches opens or closes, due to the capacitances present in the devices used for the switches and current sources.
There are two primary causes of non-linearity. The first cause of non-linearity is due to the currents Ip and In not being equal. In low voltage designs, the typical implementation for current sources is the one shown in FIG. 1 with just one transistor used per current source. The accuracy of the currents is limited by device matching and output resistance. Due to the finite output resistance of the transistors, variations in the voltage Vc will change the ratio of the two currents.
The second cause of non-linearity is the variation of the switching charges with the pulse width. This can happen if the phase difference switching is added or removed and/or if two switching events become close together in time such that the voltages involved in generating the charge do not have time to settle. Some of these issues are also related to the use of the phase detector.
An active filter can be used instead of a passive filter, as shown in FIG. 2. That figure shows the charge pump of FIG. 1, but with an active filter 205 that provides the filter output Vc (209). In this example, the output voltage (206) of the charge pump is fixed at Vb (as provided by the operational amplifier input 210) and the output resistance limitation is removed due to currents matching. The disadvantages are that this requires an operational amplifier, with its additional complexity and noise, and the use of floating filter capacitors.
There are many known charge pumps configured to address some of these issues, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,166,641; 5,508,660; 5,760,640; 6,107,889; 6,229,362; 6,329,872; 7,009,432 and 7,427,900. U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,900 describes the use of a charge pump replica to control the output current variation with the output voltage. This has the disadvantage of transistor matching errors between the charge pump and its replica. U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,641 describes the use of separate calibration cycles to achieve current matching.
There is a need for improvements over the prior art.

High linearity charge pump method and apparatus


An integrated circuit comprising at least one signal path which is adapted to route at least one signal from an origin to a target block, said signal path comprising at least an adjustable driver circuit comprising an input and an output, which is adapted to receive an electric signal having a first signal power as an input signal and which is adapted to provide an electric signal having a second signal power as an output signal is provided. Furthermore, the integrated circuit comprises at least one interconnect having an ohmic resistance and an electric capacity and being adapted to route said electric signal having a second signal power to said target block. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such an integrated circuit is provided.

Generally, signal paths connect an origin and a target block in order to route an analog or digital signal from the origin to the target block. Said signal may comprise a clock signal, a data signal, a command signal, an address or the like. Usually, the signal path, the origin and the target block are integrated monolithically on the same semiconductor die.

Integrated circuit and method for manufacturing the same


An LED having improved light emission characteristics by allowing radiation generated to be guided towards the side faces of the LED by means of a relatively thick waveguide comprised of a transmissive material, specifically in such a way that as many modes as possible can propagate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of LED devices and, more particularly, the present invention relates to an LED which emits light from all sides.
2.Description of the Related Art
Surface-emitting and edge-emitting LEDs are generally known in the art. In edge-emitting LEDs, light emerges at the side in the plane of the active zone. U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,715 describes an LED in which the light in a waveguide is guided to the side faces of the component. The reference describes a structure which can be used to prevent the light from propagating in undesired modes in the waveguide. In one embodiment, the thickness of the wave-guiding layer is limited to a little more than 0.8 times the wavelength of the radiation generated in the case of propagation in the material of the wave-guiding layer. The waveguide is guided up to the edge of the component. The active region can likewise reach as far as the edges or be limited to a region in the interior of the wave-guiding layer.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an LED structure in which the light emission is substantially improved by comparison with these conventional LEDs.


A sound processing system including a user headset for use in tactical military operations provides integrated sound and speech analysis including sound filtering and amplification, sound analysis and speech recognition for analyzing speech and non-speech sounds and taking programmed actions based on the analysis, recognizing language of speech for purposes of one-way and two-way voice translation, word spotting to detect and identify elements of conversation, and non-speech recognition and identification. The headset includes housings with form factors for insulating a user's ear from direct exposure to ambient sounds with at least one microphone for receiving sound around the user, and a microphone for receiving user speech. The user headset can further include interconnections for connecting the headset with out systems outside of the headset, including target designation systems, communication networks, and radio transmitters.

This invention relates generally to sound processing and analysis systems, and more particularly the invention relates to an autonomous integrated headset communications, data processing, and sound analysis system suitable for military tactical use.
In military operations, participants are required to provide communication and control functions in environments having many external sounds and light stimuli and with other participants who may speak different languages. The level of success in implementing these functions depends in large part on the availability and ease of use of a supporting light, data, and sound processing system.
The present invention is directed to such a system.

Autonomous integrated headset and sound processing system for tactical applications


A conveyor including a conveyor belt and a first cleat. The conveyor belt has a first side edge that is opposite a second side edge. The conveyor belt also has a first belt end and a second belt end that is opposite the first belt end. The first cleat is attached to the conveyor belt. The first cleat includes a main cleat portion and a first tail cleat portion. The main cleat portion has a main cleat first end and a main cleat second end. The main cleat first end is closer to the first side edge than the main cleat second end. The main cleat portion is oriented at an angle of less than about 90 degrees with respect to the first side edge so that the main cleat first end is closer to the first belt end than the main cleat second end. The first tail cleat portion includes a tail cleat first end and a tail cleat second end. The tail cleat first end is closer to the first belt end than the tail cleat second end. The tail cleat second end is proximate the main cleat second end.

Because of their ability to move large amounts of material, conveyors have long been used in industry such as for moving agricultural products, rocks and other mined materials and various manufactured products.
In many situations, the conveyors include a plurality of cleats that extend from the surface thereof in a spaced-apart configuration. The cleats enhance the amount of product that can be moved using the conveyor as compared to configurations that do not include cleats.
One area in which conveyors are extensively used is equipment for moving agricultural products because the conveyor minimizes the potential damage to the agricultural products. In certain situations, it is desired for the conveyor to have a flat cross-section configuration.


A paper drive sheet feeder system includes an edge guide, a paper transport mechanism, a paper edge detector, and control circuitry. The edge guide serves to guide the edges of a sheet of paper along a travel path of a peripheral device. The paper transport mechanism is configured to move the sheet of paper along the travel path. The paper edge detector is provided along the travel path to detect a leading edge of the sheet of paper. The control circuitry communicates with the paper transport mechanism and the paper edge detector and is operative to locate the sheet of paper in response to the detected leading edge of the sheet of paper along the travel path to accurately superpose successive image planes during a multiple color image transfer process. A printing system and a method are also provided.

This invention pertains to color printing. More particularly, this invention relates to color laser printing systems and to image plane registration for color printing systems.
Color image printing systems are known in the art. One color image printing system comprises an inkjet printer. An inkjet printer prints color images incrementally, with a continuous inkjet printing process, piezoelectric inkjet printing process or bubble-jet printing process. However, these inkjet printing processes provide relatively low-cost printing that is often satisfactory for printing color graphics images, but is not necessarily of high enough quality for certain business applications.
Another color image printing system comprises a color laser, or electrophotographic, printer. Color laser printers generate sufficient text and graphics quality for most business applications. However, color laser printers typically require complex and expensive mechanisms when forming and aligning overlaid color frames. Hence, color laser printers are not sufficiently economical for many applications.
One problem encountered with color laser printers relates to registration of individual color image planes that generate a printed color page. A color image plane is an arrangement either in electronic or optical or other physical form representing a distinctive image in one color. One physical form comprises a single color of toner particles. Typically, three or four distinct color image planes are imaged using one of several known techniques and transferred onto a common piece of paper in order to generate a color image. In some cases, a yellow, a magenta and a cyan color image plane are each imaged and transferred onto a common piece of paper. In other cases, a black, a yellow, a magenta and a cyan color image plane are each imaged and transferred. Irrespective of whether individual color image planes are serially or concurrently transferred onto a piece of paper, registration of individual color image planes is very important.
One type of color image printing system builds up four different colored image planes onto a well-controlled substrate before transferring the generated image onto a piece of paper. One exemplary printing system comprises a Hewlett-Packard Color LaserJet 5, manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Co. of Palo Alto, Calif. Such exemplary printing system builds up a color image onto a page size photoconductor drum. The generated image comprises four distinct colors: yellow, magenta, cyan and black. Four developers are used to produce the four colors, with four distinct photoconductor drum rotations being needed to accumulate the four-color toner images.
Another exemplary printing system comprises a Tektronix Phaser 560, manufactured by Tektronix of Wilsonville, Oreg. Such exemplary printing system builds up a color image onto a page size intermediate transfer medium. However, the use of an intermediate transfer medium adds an additional processing step, which increases cost and complexity. Yet another type of color image printing system comprises a Xerox C55 color laser printer. Such laser printer fixes a sheet of paper onto a drum in order to achieve plane-to-plane registration of successively colored image planes.
Each of the above-mentioned printing systems increases the size of the printer or increases the complexity or cost of the printer. Therefore, there exists a need to provide a reduced cost and complexity technique for achieving a multiple pass color laser printer that realizes improved plane-to-plane registration and is usable with a wide range of media types.
A recirculating type paper drive provides a relatively low cost technique for achieving a multiple pass color laser printer having excellent planeto-plane registration and usable with a wide range of media types. According to one implementation, a four pass color laser printer achieves improved registration for most types of printable paper.
According to one aspect, a paper drive sheet feeder system includes an edge guide, a paper transport mechanism, a paper edge detector, and control circuitry. The edge guide cooperates with the paper transport mechanism to guide the edge of a sheet of paper along a travel path of a peripheral device. The paper transport mechanism is configured to move the sheet of paper along the travel path. The paper edge detector is provided along the travel path to detect the leading edge of the sheet of paper. The control circuitry communicates with the paper transport mechanism and the paper edge detector and is operative to locate the sheet of paper in response to the detected leading edge of the sheet of paper along the travel path to accurately superpose successive image planes during a multiple color image transfer process.
According to another aspect, a printing system is provided for printing multiple colors on a sheet of print media. The printing system includes an electrophotographic print engine and a paper drive sheet feeder system. The electrophotographic print engine includes a photoconductor drum and a transfer roller configured to interact in co-rotation with the drum during transfer of a color image plane from the drum onto a sheet of print media passed therebetween. The paper drive sheet feeder system includes at least one edge guide, a sheet transport mechanism, a sheet edge detector, and control circuitry. The edge guide is configured to guide an edge of the sheet of print media along a travel path about the print engine. The sheet transport mechanism is configured to move the sheet of print media along the travel path. The sheet edge detector is provided along the travel path to detect the leading edge of the sheet of print media. The control circuitry communicates with the sheet transport mechanism and the sheet edge detector and is operative to locate the sheet of print media in response to the detected leading edge of the sheet of print media along the travel path to accurately superpose successive image planes during a multiple color image transfer process.
According to yet another aspect, a method is provided for aligning and positioning a sheet of print media to receive multiple, successive color image planes. The method includes: moving a sheet of print media along a travel path; while moving the sheet of print media along the travel path, accurately guiding the sheet of print media along an edge guide to prevent movement in a lateral direction; detecting the leading edge of the sheet of print media to accurately locate positioning of the sheet of print media along the travel path; while moving the accurately located sheet of print media, transferring a first color image onto the sheet of print media; moving and accurately guiding the sheet of print media along the travel path along the guide and about a print engine; following transferring the first color image and moving the sheet, detecting the leading edge of the sheet of print media to accurately locate positioning of the sheet of print media along the travel path; and while moving the accurately located sheet of print media, transferring a second color image onto the sheet of print media accurately aligned atop the first color image.
One advantage is provided by precisely transferring a sheet of print media between successive passes against a photoconductor drum while transferring successive color image planes onto the sheet of print media so as to ensure precise registration between successive color image planes when forming an image.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.

Recirculating type paper drive for a direct transfer color printer


A pneumatic multiport selector valve and analytic instrument employing said valve are provided. The valve includes a base having a mounting surface configured to mount to the analytic instrument. The mounting surface has a plurality of apertures therein for coupling to flow conduits of the analytic instrument. At least one piston plate has a number of apertures therethrough. The apertures are configured to slidably receive respective pistons. Pistons are disposed in respective apertures of the at least one piston plate. A cushion layer is disposed between the at least one piston plate and the base. The cushion layer has a plurality of apertures to allow actuation gas therethrough. A plate clamps the at least one piston plate to the base.

Analytic instruments are used in a number of applications to quantitatively and/or qualitatively analyze a sample of interest. Analytic instruments are often found in laboratories and are sometimes employed within processing operations. As used herein, an analytic instrument is any device, system or arrangement that is able to receive a sample of interest and provide an indication of some aspect of the sample of interest. Analytic instruments include, without limitation, process gas analyzers, NO/NOx analyzers, hydrocarbon analyzers, continuous emission monitoring systems and process gas chromatographs.
A variety of analytic instruments employ regulated flows and a number of flow paths in order to provide analyses regarding various chemicals in processing or analytic contexts. The analytic instruments typically function using one or more flow devices that can initiate, interrupt, and reverse flow through the device. Such variety of flow functions is usually provided by a combination of one or more flow valves and/or pumps. In order to function effectively, analytic instruments will generally include a plurality of sample flow paths. In the context of a gas chromatograph, a number of flow paths are used to introduce a flow of sample and carrier gas into the gas chromatograph; flow a controlled amount of sample across a sorbent column; reverse the flow to elute the sample from the column; and detect the various components in the flow stream.
Gas chromatographs generally use pneumatic multiport valves to switch the flow of gas during analysis. These valves are critical to establishing a flow which allows the gasses to be separated. Among other things, it is very important that the gasses be able to enter and exit the valve with low leakage. This has been accomplished in the past through tube fitting connections or other various means. It is common for multiport flow selector valves to have 6 or even 10 individual ports, in addition to the actuation gas ports required for pneumatic actuation. A gas chromatograph may employ a number of such multiport selector valves. Accordingly, the time required to couple each tube to its respective port can add up to significant assembly time. Further, each individual tube connection is subject to variations in operator torque, tubing modifications, such as bending or routing, et cetera.
As the art of process analytic devices has progressed, there is increasing pressure to provide a lower-cost, higher-performance analytic instrument.

Fittingless pneumatic multiport selector valve for analytic instruments


In systems where insulating deposits form during normal operation, electrodes are configured so the deposits have the effect of creating in-situ triple junctions. These triple junctions enhance low level discharge activity to facilitate localized breakdown of the deposits and maintain electrode conductivity.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the use of localized electric field enhancement and, more particularly, to the introduction of features designed to create in-situ triple junctions in systems where insulating deposits form as part of normal operation. Candidate conductors typically operate below the threshold for electrical breakdown in clean, ideal conditions. This allows for the degradation of voltage holding associated with the contamination expected in normal operation. Deposits can be a loose, unbound accumulation of material, such as, dust. Deposits can also take the form of an attached layer, or, be formed by chemical reaction. Examples where insulating deposits can form include corona rings, insulator gradient rings, and spark gaps exposed to contamination, such as, spark plugs. Electrodes in vacuum systems, such as, charged particle accelerators and plasma tools, are given special attention.
In liquid, gas, or vacuum environments, electrode contaminants can require maintenance, or, lead to high voltage breakdown. In semiconductor vacuum based manufacturing tools, such as, plasmas and ion beams, breakdowns can increase particle generation. On powered electrodes, hard power supply breakdowns (also called 'glitches'), can significantly increase particle generation. This is undesirable, as particles can cause yield loss in semiconductor manufacturing and, consequently, particle counts are routinely monitored. Tool qualification and continued operation requires maintaining particle counts below a maximum allowable tolerance. What is needed is a technology that can increase service life by maintaining threshold particle counts, which would increase service life and be economically desirable.
Electrodes, Insulators, and Triple Junctions:
Insulators are critical components of any electrical system, and mechanisms that cause insulator failure have been extensively studied. In vacuum, gas, or non-conducting liquid systems, the confluence of medium-metal-insulator is called a "triple junction" (or "triple point"). Electric field enhancement at vacuum triple junctions can cause of insulator breakdown. See, for example, Schächter, "Analytic expression for triple-point electron emission from an ideal edge", Appl. Phys. Lett. 72 (4), 26 Jan. 1998; Chung et al., "Configuration-dependent enhancements of electric fields near the quadruple and the triple junction", J. Vac. Sci. Tech. B28, C2A94, 2010; Stygar et al., "Improved design of a high-voltage vacuum-insulator interface", Phys. Rev. ST Accel Beams 8, 050401 (2005).
In vacuum, an acute angle of intersection between insulator and cathode on the vacuum side can create a mathematical electric field singularity at the cathode triple junction. Then, electron field emission can create a creeping discharge along the insulator surface, and lead to eventual failure. An obtuse angle between insulator and anode can create a mathematical singularity in the electric field at the anode triple junction, which can lead to bulk insulator breakdown. Referring now to FIG. 1, one goal of research and development, according to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0184055, has been to increase insulator service life by designing for an obtuse vacuum side angle 10 at the cathode 12 triple junction and an acute angle θ at the anode 14 triple junction. Concern for triple junction field enhanced breakdown extends from macro to submicron feature size. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,628 to Takada.
Study of vacuum triple junction breakdown is often done with clean vacuum, without free charge or ionizing radiation. So, study of the effect of deposits in a beam or plasma environments is relatively limited. However, even conductive deposits on electrodes in an ion beam can reduce the breakdown voltage to a fraction of that for clean electrodes. See, for example, Vanderberg, et. al., "Evaluation of electrode materials for ion implanters", IEEE 0-7803-X/99, pp. 207-210.
The presence of plasma introduces multiple issues compared with clean vacuum. Plasma provides free charge (mostly electrons) and radiation, especially UV, which has sufficient energy for ionization. Even a diffuse plasma implies Debye shielding for features larger than 0.01 cm. Free charge and UV radiation are obviously detrimental to insulator integrity, but the effect of Debye shielding is less obvious. Plasma sheaths are dynamic, with extremely high fluctuating electric fields over small distances. More importantly, the conformal nature of the sheath effectively makes the time averaged sheath electric field orthogonal to the material boundary. For example, in the case of a positive plasma or beam potential, a grounded boundary is at cold cathode potential, with the plasma as anode. At a triple junction, this effectively reproduces the long discarded geometry of a triple junction insulator at 90 degrees to the anode.
Semiconductor plasma and beam systems can be dc, rf, and/or pulse powered. They are used for etching, cleaning, doping, and material deposition. Semiconductor processes can be particularly harsh, sometimes even including simultaneous refractory temperatures, oxidizing chemicals, and energetic particle bombardment. Electrodes can accumulate deposits as process by-products. Insulating deposits are particularly troublesome, especially in the presence of free charge or ionizing radiation.
Many systems have an intrinsic form of directionality. For large scale, high voltage systems exposed to atmosphere, this may be simply be gravity. Plasma and ion beam processes frequently rely on energetic particles. In this case, deposit formation can have directionality imparted by either the energetic particles, or, by material backscattered from the impact of energetic particles.
Transient, low current electrical breakdown activity is routinely present in systems with high electric field. In air or vacuum, this is called corona. Corona cleaning, or, plasma discharge cleaning, is well known, and has often been used as a conditioning process for high voltage electrodes. Transient activity can be monitored by fast tracking of electrode current or voltage. The definition of 'breakdown' is subjective, depending on system requirements. Some systems simply run until complete insulator failure. In other cases, the onset of transient discharges that exceed a current or voltage threshold triggers a power supply interruption to limit damage.
Description of the Related Art
A whole classes of industrial products, Siemens dielectric barrier discharges, make productive use of the properties of insulators on electrodes in plasma. See, for example, Kogelschatz et al., "Dielectric-Barrier Discharges. Principle and Applications", Journal de Physique IV, 1997, 07 (C4), pp. C4-47-C4-66.
Triple junction field enhancement has been productively extended to dielectric barrier discharge processes. See, for example PCT Application Publication No. WO 2004/026461 A1.
What is needed is a system, device and method for maintaining localized electrode surface conductivity and overall electrode functionality, while avoiding system breakdown thresholds. What is further needed is a system in which geometric shaped electrode features promote the formation of triple junctions that promote discharge activity that creates localized plasma cleaning of portions of the electrode surface.

In-situ triple junction formation to maintain electrode conductivity