A signal generator, in particular opening switch, for a vehicle door or flap, including an actuator, in particular an actuator which can be manually actuated and/or gripped by an operating person, furthermore including a plug housing (14) with a switch (22) which is received therein or arranged thereon and which has electrical contacts (20) which form part of a plug connection, and including an actuator housing (12) with the actuator (30), the actuator being mounted movably on the actuator housing (12) and acting on the switch (22), the actuator housing (12) and the plug housing (14) being positionally fixed relative to one another, wherein the electrical contacts (20) are electrically connected to the switch (22) by plugged-in conductors.

As opening switches, signal generators of the above-mentioned type can serve for the activation in particular of an electric drive which permits the automatic opening of a vehicle door. This may for example be a sliding door or a pivoting door. To open the vehicle door, the actuator, for example a door lever, is moved into an opening position by an operating person, and an electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the switch is thus closed by means of the switch. The switch is normally a microswitch in the case of known opening switches.
EP 1 677 324 B1 describes an opening switch and a method for producing an opening switch, wherein, firstly, in a low-pressure process, a microswitch and a connection part are connected to one another to form an intermediate body by virtue of a polymer being molded on. Subsequently, by means of injection molding, a cover is integrally formed onto the intermediate body, which cover is, as a lid, arranged in contact with the housing of an actuator. A seal may be provided between the cover and the actuator housing.
EP 2 259 279 B1 has disclosed an opening switch for a vehicle door, wherein an electrical unit having a switch is connected to a mechanical unit having an actuating element, and is encapsulated by means of a seal at the connecting point.
EP 1 568 053 B1 has disclosed an opening switch with a tilting actuator with resetting springs as actuating element. The tilting actuator acts on a switch on which a connecting part is integrally formed by injection molding. The connecting part is in turn connected by means of detent elements to a lid, which is connected by means of drivers to a body which has the tilting actuator.


A medical monitoring system in which a plurality of vital signs monitors for a plurality of patients provide data on a continuing basis to a central server which in turn provides supervisory screen display that indicates the normal status or varying levels of alarm status of individual patients. The system permits an overview display of a floor and also provides a zoom-in display of an individual site patient together with an indication of a limited number of vital signs and a warning alarm signal when any one or more vital signs is outside of a first warning set of predetermined limits or a more critical alarm set of predetermined limits.

This invention relates to, in general, a supervisory system that monitors the vital signs of patients at home or in a health-care facility.
There is currently no cost effective means of continuously supervising an entire building full of patients from a central point. Accordingly, several problems have developed with patient care. When an emergency situation develops, it must be detected by supervisory staff before it can be dealt with. After detection, the response to emergencies can only occur after the proper professionals have been informed, and the problem is diagnosed. This process can take from several minutes to several hours, even in a fully-staffed hospital. There is no feasible way to employ the number of staff required to effectively supervise patients located in hundreds of separate rooms throughout a facility.
The inability to record the vital signs of patients (located outside Intensive Care Units) on a 24-hour basis leads to problems with medical analysis. Individual readings can be missed or conducted improperly, leading to inaccurate interpretation of results. Lengthy time intervals between readings increase the probability that smaller trends will be missed, and that errant readings will alter results. Difficulties in manually storing and retrieving the results of hundreds or thousands of tests make it nearly impossible to examine several consecutive weeks or months of a patient's vital signs.
When a substantial distance, such as several miles, separates a doctor from his or her patients, all these problems increase by several magnitudes. Outpatients are rarely examined more than a few times a week, so their medical emergencies often go entirely undetected. When outpatient problems are discovered, it takes several times longer for the proper personnel to diagnose and respond to the condition than it would for inpatients. Medical trend analysis is also much less effective and accurate for outpatients.
Existing electronic means of patient monitoring have been developed to avoid such difficulties, such systems typically consist of high-cost intelligent patient monitors linked together in local area networks. However, because of design and capability limitations, these systems do not serve as feasible, cost-effective, facility-wide central monitoring systems. They are typically more suited for limited numbers of patients requiring specific services.
Current solutions generally suffer from several shortcomings. The high cost of these systems prohibits the purchase of sufficient resources to monitor entire health-care facilities, or renders such purchases as non cost-effective. They do not have the power to effectively supervise large numbers of patients simultaneously, especially over expansive geographic areas. They do not provide the flexibility needed to account for various levels of patient mobility, to easily and quickly re-distribute resources such as patient monitors to new locations, or to efficiently upgrade system capacity as technology improves. Existing systems are difficult for non-technical personnel to learn and operate, and they do not provide the fault-tolerance for operator error/abuse and equipment failure which is needed in a critical medical application. Furthermore, the selection and presentation of the data gathered by these systems does not facilitate the effective supervision of large numbers of patients.
A major purpose of this invention is to provide a system which provides an optimum selection of data to be presented and optimum arrangement of that data so as to make feasible and useful the monitoring of a large number of patients in a fashion that increases the likelihood and enhances the ability of having an immediate response to conditions which require immediate response.
Another purpose of this invention is to employ known, low-cost, standard types of units, in a configuration which provides the capacity to monitor large numbers of patients, allows for the flexible, dynamic distribution of resources, provides sufficient fault-tolerance, and permits the efficient upgrade of system components as component design increases capacity of data handling, sensitivity, and scope of vital signs monitored.
More specifically, it is a purpose of this invention to 1) provide earlier detection and diagnosis of medical emergencies, 2) provide better warning and notification of patient emergencies, 3) reduce the time interval between readings of vital signs, 4) reduce the number of staff required to supervise patients, 5) provide better historic records of vital signs, 6) allow greater accuracy in medical trend analysis when compared to present methods, and 7) to provide the above at a cost which makes it feasible for an institution to adopt the system.


Provided herein are compositions for reducing CLPTM1L expression in a cell as well as methods for using such compositions to treat or prevent cancer in a subject. In particular, compositions comprising RNAi-inducing constructs targeted to CLPTM1L and methods of administering such compositions to a subject to treat or prevent a disease or condition associated with CLPTM1L over-expression (e.g., lung cancer) are provided herein.

Cancer is a disease that begins with mutation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Mutation of these critical genes allows for a cancer cell to evolve and ultimately results in pathogenic replication (a loss of normal regulatory control leading to excessive cell proliferation) of various given types of cells found in the human body. Tumor formation, tumor survival, and cancer metastasis require anchorage-independent growth and protection from genotoxin-induced apoptosis and anoikis. Transformed cells acquire protection from these programmed cells death processes through regulation of survival signaling.
There remains a need in the art for methods for treating or preventing cancer and, in particular, for methods which slow or curb tumor growth and prevent metastasis.

Targeting CLPTM1L by RNA interference for treatment and prevention of cancer


The subject matter of the invention is a method for producing a formulation containing ceramide, comprising the method steps:

The invention provides a method for preparing a ceramide-containing formulation comprising the method steps of
A) melting a mixture comprising at least one wax and at least one ceramide,
B) cooling the molten mixture to obtain a solidified melt comprising the at least one wax and the at least one ceramide,
C) incorporating the solidified melt into an oil-containing formulation.

Method and product for producing formulations containing ceramide

Abstract: A) Melting a mixture containing at least one wax and at least one ceramide,

Abstract: B) Cooling the melted mixture to obtain a solidified melt containing the at least one wax and the at least one ceramide,

Abstract: C) Incorporating the solidified melt into a formulation containing oil.

Abstract: The invention also relates to the solidified melt of the aforementioned mixture.


The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device has deciding an amount of a correction of a mask pattern for a size of an active region of a semiconductor substrate, correcting the mask pattern on the basis of the decided amount of the correction, and exposing a resist film by using an exposure mask having the corrected mask pattern.

In a process technique of a semiconductor integrated circuit, with the advancement in microfabrication, a mask technique has become significant, in addition to an exposure technique, in order to form a pattern with a width not more than a wavelength of light. When a Numerical Aperture (NA) is increased for forming a micropattern, a Depth Of Field (DOF) is reduced, so that the affect of a base is non-negligible when forming a pattern. For example, the variation in the width of a gate electrode, which is caused by a step of the base, significantly appears in an operation speed of a transistor or leak current, which affects the transistor performance. Therefore, a pattern that is to be actually formed is generally simulated and evaluated with the use of a mask pattern, in order to form a desired width of a gate electrode.
As semiconductor devices have been using finer patterns due to higher integration these days, the influence of an optical proximity effect appears greatly in an exposure process, making it difficult to manufacture semiconductor devices according to the design data. To prevent this from occurring, Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) technique for correcting a circuit pattern in design data has been generally employed by obtaining the influence of the optical proximity effect in order to obtain dimensions as designed.
When acquiring data for OPC, a substrate having no step of a Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) is generally employed. The substrate has no active region or no device isolation. An oxide film, polysilicon film and insulating film based hard mask material are laminated on a flat substrate, a reflection preventing film and a resist are applied thereon, and the resultant is transferred and etched with a mask having a test pattern according to various sizes such as line/space. Then, the size data after the processing is measured. A model equation is derived over the basis of this measured data and the optical simulation so as to perform a correction of a mask pattern. Specifically, the same correction is executed, regardless of a type of a transistor, and further, the difference in the size of an active region is not considered.
As represented by a transistor having different power supply voltage, a difference is produced in a retreat amount of the oxide film, for example High Density Plasma (HDP) oxide film, embedded into the STI region due to the difference in the type of ion of implanted impurity, the dosage, or the number of times of wet process. The same problem arises in the process of forming multi-gate oxide transistors. Further, the step varies depending upon the size of the active region even in transistors of the same type. As a result, there is a difference between an actual product and the result of the simulation.
Specifically, suppose the case in which an active region is formed so as to project from an STI region. The STI region has a buried insulating film 102 as shown in FIG. 1B. When the gate width (W width) or source-drain width (SD width) of the active region 110 on a silicon substrate 101 is different, as shown in FIG. 1B, in the active region 110 divided by the W width and the SD width over a source (S) region and a drain (D) region shown in FIG. 1A, the thickness of a gate oxide film 103 or a sacrificial oxide film that is to be formed varies. The reason for this is because, when the oxide film is formed, the oxidation rate in the direction of the side wall is faster, and hence, the thicker oxide film is formed in the active region with the narrow W width, compared to the active region with the wide W width, for example.
As shown in FIG. 2, the following wet process, for example hydrofluoric acid treatment process, makes a sinking amount of the active region 110 different due to the difference in the W width or the SD width of the active region 110, so that the variation of the step increases. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, this step affects the application state of a reflection preventing film 105 on a gate electrode film 104 in the next gate forming process, with the result that the thickness of the reflection preventing film 105 or, depending on the situation, the thickness of the resist 106 becomes non-uniform. As a result, the DOF or reflectivity varies, whereby the non-uniform size depending upon the width of the active region is produced in the patterning for forming the gate electrode 108.
A trimming technique has recently been used in an etching in order to process a gate electrode having a smaller size than the size of the patterning. The difference in the thickness of the reflection preventing film 105 affects an etching shift amount by the trimming of the reflection preventing film 105. When the thickness of the reflection preventing film 105 differs according to the step, the etching shift of the gate electrode 108 in the processing is very likely to differ at various parts.
It is difficult, from the viewpoint of a process flow, to improve the step between the device isolation region and the active region for every type of transistor. Therefore, the influence by this step becomes a significant subject.

Method of correcting a mask pattern and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device


A fire door lock includes a base assembly including first and second slide blocks, a locking control assembly including a movable seat forming a groove and a tongue control plate movably mounted to one side of the locking control assembly, and a winglet assembly including first and second winglets both having a boss movably received in the groove of the movable seat and both being respectively and rotatably coupled to the first and second slide blocks. Thus, when the movable seat is driven by a handle, the movable seat moves the first and second slide blocks to withdraw first and second latch bars to unlock the fire door and when the fire door is closed, the tongue control plate is actuated to allow the movable seat to return to the locked condition and the first and second latches and a tongue are stretched out to realize three-directional locking.

(a) Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fire door lock, and in particular to a fire door lock comprising a movable seat, which when actuated and moved by a handle bar, moves first and second slide blocks and a lock tongue inward to further drive first and second latch bars inwards to unlock the fire door, and which, when the door is closed and a tongue control plate is brought into contact with an external fixture and thus actuated, automatically returns to the original locked position to stretch the first and second latch bars outward to secure the fire door and also cause a tongue holder seat to abut against and maintain the tongue in the locked condition thereby realizing a three-directional locking of the fire door.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Fire door locking mechanisms are known, such as Taiwan Patent Publication No. 568161, which discloses in FIG. 11 of the attached drawings thereof a central locking mechanism 3 and upper and lower locking mechanisms 4, 6 that are coupled to the central locking mechanism 3, and a transmission mechanism 9 that is coupled to the central locking mechanism 3 so that when an operating handle bar is depressed, the transmission mechanism 9 drives the central locking mechanism 3, which in turn drives the upper and lower locking mechanisms 4, 6 to operate in a simultaneous manner for locking and unlocking a fire door.
The conventional device, although effective in overcoming the drawback of other known fire door mechanism that no upper and lower vertical latching are included. However, such a conventional device does not include horizontal latching or locking so that when the fire door can be broken in by breaking a middle portion of the door. Thus, further improvement is needed.
Other prior art references, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,050, suffer the same drawback.
Thus, it is desired to provide an improved fire door lock that enhances security of the fire door, while maintaining easy operation by a user to open the door.


A method of controlling a head mounted display (HMD) according to one embodiment of the present specification includes performing a first operation, receiving a first voice input through an audio input unit, processing the first voice input with respect to the first operation while a first contact is detected through a first sensor positioned at a nose pad of the HMD, detecting the first contact being released through the first sensor positioned at a nose pad of the HMD, receiving a second voice input through the audio input unit while the first contact is released, and performing a second operation according to the received second voice input.

Field of the Invention
The present specification relates to a head mounted display, and more particularly, to a head mounted display activating or inactivating an audio input/output unit and a display unit according to a mode.
Discussion of the Related Art
As a head mounted display has been lightened, users can wear the head mounted display like glasses. Users can perform a voice call or a video call using the head mounted display. Since it is difficult for the head mounted display to be equipped with various buttons on the surface of the head mounted display, the head mounted display may have low operability due to an attribute of the device. Hence, in case of performing a voice call or a video call using the head mounted display, a method of providing an additional function via a simple operation is required. For instance, in case of performing a voice call or a video call, a method of controlling the head mounted display not to deliver a voice of a user to the other party with a simple operation only is required.

Head mounted display and method of controlling therefor


A casting is formed by inserting a metal reinforcement coil into a mold cavity and injecting a plastic casting material into the cavity such that the coil becomes embedded within the plastic casting material. Prior to being placed in the cavity, the coil is heat treated to relieve stresses therein, and a layer of plastic is sintered to the outer surface of the coil. Plastic is injected into the mold at a temperature lower than the heat-treating temperature, but hot enough to melt an outer portion of the layer and become joined therewith. An inner portion of the layer remains sintered to the coil.

The present invention relates to a device for forming castings such as a bearing seat for a bearing, a blower boss or a wheel boss, wherein a helical coil is embedded in the casting so that the thermal expansion coefficient of the bearing supporting portion of the casting is defined by the coil. The invention relates further to a manufacturing method for such castings and a coil per se to be used in combination with the device and the method. I
Devices and methods of this kind are described in, for example, Swedish Patent 7405905-6 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,190 (corresponding to Swedish Patent 8202045-4) the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present description. The method of manufacturing the spring into a complete finished product will be briefly described. A steel wire having an untreated or treated surface, is folded and rolled to form a helical coil. The coil is then covered by a suitable plastic material which forms a bearing seat. During the warming-up of the coil surface by the plastic material, the stresses previously built into the coil by the folding and rolling steps begin to be released. This stress release starts at about 70.degree. C. A normal material temperature of the plastic material is about 260.degree. C. The stress release causes the coil to be gradually deformed, whereby its geometric dimensions become changed from those required of the coil in performing its intended function in the finished product.
In the injection casting mold the coil is kept in position by a coil retainer which is withdrawn shortly before the injection is terminated to create a cavity which is then filled with plastic, the coil being embedded within the plastic casting. The plastic material injected into the mold creates in the mold a pressure in the magnitude of 500 kg/cm.sup.2 acting on the coil. Furthermore, the incoming plastic material speed is very high. The high pressure and high speed may cause the coil position to be changed, and also produce a somewhat uncontrollable movement of both coil ends. Due to the dimensional changes of the coil, and the pressure effect mentioned above, the coil can be moved in such a way that it is not situated in the desired position in the casting.
Prior to being placed in the mold, the coil surface is subjected to a conventional phosphatizing treatment to prevent corrosion. Also, prior to being formed into a coil, the wire is provided with some sort of lubrication on the surface thereof to facilitate the rolling-up into a coil. Therefore, it will be appreciated that even if the original wire had a clean surface, it is soiled after being manufactured into a coil. The greasy or unclean surface inhibits cast-in material from adhering to the coil.
A purpose of the present invention is to ensure that the cast-in coil retains its intended shape and position after injection.
Another purpose of the invention is to ascertain that a good adhesion is obtained between the coil and the castings.


The invention relates to a device for collecting energy from water waves, comprising an extended length channel provided with a long shore-facing wall, a long sea-facing wall, and a remote end wall all extending substantially above high water level, and a proximate end wall forming a fixed lower dam having an upper edge approximately level with low water level. The shore-facing wall of the channel being sloped in a shoreward direction so that the upper open edge of the wall is nearer the shore than the lower edge of the wall. The sloped wall being impacted by waves having entered the channel and retaining water of the waves at a raised level above sea level. Inside the channel, the long sea-facing wall being pierced by multiple one-way apertures extending substantially over the complete area of the sea-facing wall, each one-way aperture being closed by an attached shutter unit opening inwards under pressure of incoming water waves and closing after the entry of the waves to maintain the raised water level in the channel.

The present invention relates to the utilization of water waves to generate renewable energy. More particularly, the invention provides an extended length channel arranged to trap incoming waves to raise the water level inside said channel and thereby to form an artificial river to drive a water wheel. A sloped wall of the channel protects same from the destructive force of water waves.
The present invention is an extension of and improvement on my registered Israel Patent 180052 titled "SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ENERGY FROM SEA WAVES" and two co-pending Israel Patent Applications: no. 213751 titled "POWER GENERATION USING A VARIABLE HEIGHT TURBINE' and no. 216638 titled "POWER GENERATION USING A VERTICAL SHAFT WATER WHEEL"
For the sake of simplicity the words "Water wheel" are used to describe the rotating member converting kinetic energy into rotational energy, the words being intended to include a unit which could be described as a water turbine.
The destructive power of water waves was tragically demonstrated in Fukushima, Japan in 2010 when following an earthquake a huge water wave entered two nuclear reactors destroying the essential equipment needed for cooling thereof. The result of this disaster was a world-wide reaction against nuclear power stations. While such events are indeed rare a normal storm raises waves that can batter and destroy a structure unless specially designed to withstand extreme stresses.
In my previous patents the channel has vertical walls and thus requires some reinforcement to remain serviceable under rough sea conditions.


The method for monitoring the stability of the carrier frequency (ωi) of identical transmitted signals (si(t)) of several transmitters Si of a single-frequency network is based upon a calculation of a carrier-frequency displacement Δωi of a carrier frequency ωi of a transmitter Si relative to a carrier frequency ω0 of a reference transmitter S0. For this purpose, the phase-displacement difference (ΔΔΘi(tB2−tB1)) caused by the carrier-frequency displacement Δωi between a phase displacement ΔΘi(tB1) at a first observation time tB1 and a phase displacement ΔΘi(tB2) at a second observation time tB2 of a received signal (ei(t)) of the transmitter Si associated with the respective transmitted signal (si(t)) is determined relative to a received signal e0(t) of the reference transmitter S0 associated with the reference transmitted signal s0(t).

Terrestrial digital radio and TV (DAB and DVB-T) are transmitted using digital multi-carrier methods (e.g. OFDM=orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) via a network of transmitters, which transmit within the transmission range in a phase-synchronous and frequency-synchronous manner via a single-frequency network.
For an efficient exploitation of the available frequency resources, all the transmitters of a single-frequency network simultaneously transmit an identical transmission signal. In addition to phase synchronicity, the identity of the carrier frequency to be transmitted in the individual transmitters must therefore also be guaranteed within a single-frequency network.
German published patent application no. DE 199 37 457 A1 discloses a method for monitoring the phase synchronicity of individual transmitters of a single-frequency network. The occurrence of a phase synchronicity of two transmitters is registered via a measurement of propagation-time difference by determining the channel impulse responses of both of the transmitters. If a large-scale deviation between the measured propagation-time difference of the two transmitters and a reference propagation-time difference for synchronous operation of the two transmitters is registered, then the transmitters are transmitting in an asynchronous manner. This deviation in the propagation-time difference is determined by a receiving station within the transmission range of the single-frequency network by evaluating the channel impulse responses and communicated to the two phase-asynchronous transmitters to allow subsequent synchronisation. A method for monitoring identical carrier frequencies in two transmitters within a single-frequency network is not disclosed in DE 199 37 457.
The synchronisation of transmitters in a single-frequency network with regard to an identical carrier frequency is described in German published patent application no. DE 43 41 211 C1. In this context, alongside the transmission data, a central system also transmits a frequency reference symbol to the individual transmitters of the single-frequency network. This frequency reference symbol is evaluated by every transmitter in the single-frequency network and is used to synchronise the carrier frequency with the reference frequency.
The disadvantage with this method is the fact that the synchronicity of the carrier frequency is evaluated by each transmitter individually. Accordingly, this transmitter-specific evaluation of the frequency synchronicity of the carrier frequency may be associated with a certain transmitter-specific measurement and evaluation error, which can lead to a non-uniform monitoring of the carrier frequencies of all the transmitters participating in the single-frequency network. Added to this is the fact that the monitoring of the carrier frequency in each individual transmitter necessitates a synchronisation of the individual transmitters by means of a time reference, which is received by the individual transmitter, for example, via GPS. Frequency synchronisation in the circuit arrangement according to DE 43 41 211 C1 finally takes place before modulation. A retrospective frequency displacement of the carrier frequency by subsequent functional units of the transmitter is therefore not excluded. All of these disadvantages can lead to an undesirable reception of different carrier frequencies of the individual transmitters in a receiver positioned anywhere within the transmission range of the single-frequency network.

Method and device for monitoring carrier frequency stability of transmitters in a common wave network


Dry municipal solid waste material is subjected to a two-step magnetic separation process to recover ferrous values therefrom. The process includes passing the raw solid waste material through a shredder to reduce the waste to particles at a size of 3 inches or less, passing the particles through a series of two magnetic fields, recovering ferrous-containing fractions from each passage, combining the two ferrous-containing fractions and subjecting them to air classification in a cyclone separator to recover a clean particulate ferrous product, and a waste byproduct and recycling the waste byproduct to pass again through one or both of the two magnetic fields.

The treatment of waste materials from residential and business areas so as to recover any valuable materials and to reduce the volume of nonvaluable waste is a large problem in the world, and is becoming a larger problem as the population increases. One form of waste management is to incinerate all waste to reduce the waste materials physical volume thus creating ash. In more recent times it has been recognized that some valuable materials can be recovered from the waste before transforming it into ash. An application, filed on Jul. 26, 1996, Ser. No. 08/686,765; entitled "An Improved Process For Processing Ash", is commonly owned with this application which describes and claims a system for treating waste material to recover values therefrom.
It is an object of this invention to provide such a process designed specifically to recover ferrous values from municipal waste. It is another object of this invention to provide a process involving magnetic attraction forces to assist in recovering ferrous values from municipal waste. Still other objects will become apparent from the more detailed descriptions which follow.

Process for recovering perrous values from municipal solid waste


A method and system for remotely wiping a mobile device, the method receiving, at a telephonic server hosting a telephonic menu, a selection to wipe data and connections from the mobile device; and forwarding a wipe data request to a network server to send a wipe command.

One security feature on some mobile devices involves remotely wiping data and data connections from the device if the device is lost or stolen. This is typically done by an Information Technology (IT) Administrator for an enterprise using an enterprise server to send a remote wipe command from the enterprise server to the lost or stolen mobile device. The lost of stolen mobile device includes software or an application module which recognizes the remote wipe command and will proceed to remotely wipe the data and connections currently stored on the mobile device.

Method and system for remote wipe through voice mail


The invention provides an electro-optical apparatus with an enhanced visibility of image in the peripheral region of the active display area, and a method of driving such an electro-optical apparatus. The apparatus includes a mask signal generating circuit that constantly outputs a mask signal to display white. A mask controlling circuit usually outputs a control signal MS to turn on an analog switch and turn off an analog switch. Thus, a display signal on a terminal is supplied to a display signal line via the analog switch, whereby an image is displayed on a display panel. Also, the mask controlling circuit, based on a data line driving signal and a scanning line driving signal supplied from a timing pulse generating circuit, detects the timing to drive each of predetermined pixels in the peripheral region of the display panel, and outputs at the timing a control signal to turn off the analog switch and turn on the analog switch. Thus, white is displayed in the peripheral region of the active display area.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to electro-optical apparatuses, such as liquid crystal display apparatuses, and more particularly, it relates to an electro-optical apparatus in which the display status in a peripheral region of a display screen is enhanced. The invention also relates to a method of driving such an electro-optical apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
For example, in a transmission-type liquid crystal display apparatus, in order to prevent light leakage of the transmitted light (backlight), a frame-shaped light-blocking film is formed in the peripheral region of pixels on the device substrate, using a black matrix, etc. constituting color filters. The region where images, such as characters and pictures are actually displayed, i.e., the so-called active display area, is defined by the light-blocking film. However, when the region where the light-blocking film is formed is visually observed, as shown in FIG. 9, the region G looks as if it has a black border on the screen. Thus, for example, if a character "E" is displayed at the edge of the active display area L, part of the character overlaps the region of the light-blocking film and becomes indistinguishable, causing a problem that the visibility of the character is considerably degraded.

Electrooptic device and driving method thereof


A personal detachable multipurpose wireless armband loudspeaker system, having an armband assembly with at least one strap and a speaker dock that receives a loudspeaker therein. The armband assembly further has a device holder that receives a device, whereby the device is a computer, multimedia device, or smart phone. The speaker dock has at least one speaker dock anchor to secure the loudspeaker within the speaker dock. The speaker dock further has at least one disengage switch to unlock the loudspeaker from within the speaker dock. The speaker dock has a speaker base. The loudspeaker has at least one anchor lock receiver slot. The at least one anchor lock receiver slot receives the at least one speaker dock anchor to secure the loudspeaker within the speaker dock.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless armband loudspeakers, and more particularly, to personal detachable multipurpose wireless armband loudspeaker systems that provide personal loudspeakers mounted to an armband assembly.
2. Other Related Applications
The present application is a Non-Provisional Application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/846,713, filed on Jul. 16, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
3. Description of the Related Art
Stereo and sound speaker systems are known in prior art. Applicant however is not aware of any prior art suggesting the novel features of the present invention, namely personal detachable multipurpose wireless armband loudspeaker systems that provide wireless personal loudspeakers mounted to an armband.

Personal detachable multipurpose wireless armband loudspeaker system


A system for stunning poultry located in cages in which the system utilizing an automated control system and a series of stunning apparatuses for progressively increasing exposure of the poultry to a subduing gas. The system is adjustable to allow for varying concentrations of the subduing gas, as well as adjusting the time for which the poultry is exposed to the subduing gas. In addition, the conveyor system includes methods for maintaining the poultry in a calm state prior to dispatch.

In the poultry processing industry, a number of methods have been devised for stunning (preferably without killing) live poultry prior to processing into various food products. While the previous methods such as electric shock stunning are substantially directed to performing this operation in an efficient manner, there has been a growing trend toward implementing more humane methods of euthanizing the birds, while still preserving the quality of the meat. One approach that has been used is the implementation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and or other gasses to "stun", or reduce the consciousness of, the poultry prior to slaughter. Ideally, carbon dioxide or other stunning gasses should be used in a manner that reduces or eliminates the consciousness of the birds while keeping them alive, as regulations require that poultry be bled out prior to processing.
However, to preserve the quality of the meat, the birds should be kept as calm as possible prior to the euthanization so to preclude excitement, increased heart rate, adrenaline release into the bloodstream, and/or other factors that can cause increased blood flow to the birds' extremities. Should any of the foregoing occur, the quality of the resultant meat is likely to suffer, as it is widely held that unstressed animals produce more palatable meat with a better texture. Further, unstressed animals tend to hold less blood in their extremities, thereby allowing the poultry to bleed out more completely. Thus, the process and apparatus employed to stun and euthanize the poultry should cause as little disturbance as possible to the birds prior to and during the application of the stunning and euthanizing.
Moreover, the stunning process should cause the bird to become unconscious (e.g., by reducing the brain activity of the bird), which minimizes the excitability of the bird, while not stopping or reducing the function of the bird's heart, a situation which can make it difficult to drain most of the blood out of the body of the bird, especially the extremities. Further, the size and health condition of the poultry can greatly affect whether a given amount of exposure time or concentration of carbon dioxide or other gasses either stuns, kills, or merely stresses live poultry.
As noted above, CO2 stunning is one method of incapacitating poultry prior to euthanizing. One example of a known CO2 stunning systems is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,987 to Draft (hereinafter referred to as "the '987 patent"). While this system relates to using CO2 to stun birds prior to processing, the process used introduces stressors to the birds prior to and during the stunning process, which can lead to an increased heart rate in the birds and the aforementioned problems resulting from the increased heart rate.
For example, in the system of the '987 patent, the cages are subjected to numerous movements that can cause physical jarring of the birds and audible noises about the birds, which can lead to unnecessary excitement of the birds. Specifically, the cages, which are typically transported in stacks of two or more cages, must be unstacked from each other prior to moving through the system and the stunning of the birds. Since the structure of the cages is analogous to a stack of drawers, the unstacking of the cages functions to remove the top or ceiling from the cages, and this change in environment may disorient or excite the birds. In addition, the apparatus of the '987 patent primarily moves the cages in a horizontal direction, yet requires that the cages be lowered or moved downwardly into a gas chamber, a further change in the birds' environment that can cause a disturbance among the birds, and providing an area where CO2, which is heavier than air, may accumulate at levels higher than anticipated. Further, the '987 patent reports that the presence of humidity to a gas chamber utilizing carbon dioxide can lead to the production of carbonic acid, further stressing the poultry.
Further, as discussed above, a method or system for adjusting the levels of CO2 to allow for differing poultry sizes and health conditions of the animals would be greatly appreciated. In addition, since the application of carbon dioxide to the birds tends to dry their throats and cause panic in the birds this side effect should be minimized as much as possible.
Therefore, a system for stunning poultry that reduces the stress to the animals, allows for controlled adjustment of the stunning levels depending upon the particular poultry being used, based upon the type of poultry, their size, and their health, without risking the killing of the poultry or stressing the poultry without properly rendering them unconscious would be greatly appreciated in the art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A threading control method and apparatus therefor is provided, in which, when carrying out thread-cut machining operations several times at one position, synchronized with main-spindle rotation and controlling movement of a threading spindle, deviations in thread grooves are prevented without correcting programmed commands, machining accuracy is improved, and tool life extended.

In conventional numerical control apparatuses (in what follows, numerical control is referred to as NC), a main spindle holding a workpiece is given a constant rotation, the amount of rotation of the main spindle is detected by an encoder attached to the main spindle, threading-spindle movement amount proportional to a prescribed thread lead is computed, and movement control is carried out.
Further, when a thread is made in the workpiece, in general, thread-cut machining is repeated several times while varying tool cutting amount, and this controls starting of interpolation for the threading spindle, with a main-spindle single-rotation reference-position signal as reference. However, since the main-spindle single-rotation reference position signal and NC control cycle IT are not synchronous, in cases where two or more machining repetitions are carried out for the same thread, there have been occurrences of variations in the actual cutting position.
Further, since there are variations in the cut-finish path near the end of the threading, due to variations produced at start of threading, an incomplete thread portion at the thread ending becomes long, and it is necessary to take into account the incomplete thread length including the variation portion. Further, due to fluctuations in cutting load due to variations in the cut-finish path close to the end point of the threading, thread accuracy near the end point degrades, and due to the fluctuations in this cutting load, there have been cases where tool life has been shortened.
Using FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, a detailed description of these issues is as follows.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, thread-cut machining is implemented by giving the workpiece, attached to the main spindle, a constant rotation, and by moving a cutting tool from a threading starting position, set at a fixed prescribed position, in the direction of the threading spindle.
In conventional threading control, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the main-spindle position, when threading, is obtained by a main-spindle position counter in which, when threading, a counting operation is started with the main-spindle single-rotation reference position signal, which is output by the encoder installed on the main spindle every time the main spindle makes one rotation, as a trigger. Further, when threading, regarding this main-spindle position counter, output is generated by the main-spindle position counter that is used for control of each rotation, the count is cleared at a prescribed count number, and the count restarted. The threading control controls the starting of threading-spindle interpolation based on the main-spindle single-rotation reference position signal; at this time, the amount the threading spindle moves is computed in the interpolation processing of the NC apparatus, executed at a constant cyclic interval (for example, 10 msec), and the amount the threading spindle moves at the first interpolation is:FΔTo=(ΔPo÷P)×L    (ΔPo: first-time main-spindle position variation amount [number of pulses],    P: number of pulses per main-spindle single rotation,    L: thread leadHere, since the main-spindle rotation cycle and the control cycle IT are asynchronous, variations occur in the value of ΔPo and also in the threading-spindle movement amount, FΔTo, at the first interpolation. These variations become the variations at the start of threading, and finally, as illustrated in FIG. 8, become the variations at the start of cut-finishing, so that the cut-finish path is no longer constant. FIG. 7 illustrates how the threading-spindle movement amount, FΔT1, at the final interpolation varies when the threading-spindle movement amount, FΔTo, at the first interpolation varies.
Technology for solving these types of problems is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 1993-46236, consisting of altering the control cycle for a servo, so as to have synchronicity with the main-spindle single-rotation reference signal However, since the above technology requires special hardware (H/W) apparatus in order to change the control cycle just before the thread-cut machining, there are disadvantages in that the H/W configuration becomes complicated.

Threading control method and apparatus therefor

Abstract: When a main-spindle single-rotation reference signal and a main-spindle position counter are input to the numerical control apparatus, the present main-spindle position is computed by a main-spindle position computing means 103, the difference between the main-spindle single-rotation reference signal and control cycles is obtained, as a correction amount 108, from the computed main-spindle position, by a main-spindle position-correcting means 104 and a correction is done. A threading-spindle interpolation starting detection means 105 monitors whether the main-spindle single-rotation reference signal and the control cycles are synchronous, and when synchronous, interpolation for the threading spindle is started by interpolation means 106 for each spindle.


An apparatus for sensing chemicals over extended range of concentrations. In particular, first and second sensors each having separate, but overlapping ranges for sensing concentrations of hydrogen are provided. Preferably, the first sensor is a MOS solid state device wherein the metal electrode or gate is a nickel alloy. The second sensor is a chemiresistor comprising a nickel alloy.

The present invention relates generally to chemical sensing apparatus and, more particularly, to apparatus for sensing hydrogen over an extended range of concentrations.
Providing chemical sensing apparatus, and especially apparatus for sensing hydrogen, having the capability to detect chemicals over an extended range of concentrations continues to present a technological challenge in spite of recent advance in the field of chemical sensing apparatus. While a wide variety of solid state chemical sensors have been developed, such sensors have generally been limited to detecting low concentrations of hydrogen. Exemplary of such solid state sensors include: metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) or metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and field effect transistors (FET) as well as palladium gated diodes. A first MISFET sensor is described by Svensson et.al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,368 wherein the metal electrode or gate is preferably palladium; although, Svennson et al. suggest that less sensitive devices could also be made with a nickel or platinum metal electrode. Improvements on such MISFET sensor are described by Sibbald et. al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,851, wherein the metal electrode or gate comprises, either platinum or palladium and SiO.sub.2 mixed with or deposited on an exposed surface of the metal electrode. Whereas, Raul in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,834, describes the use of sandwiched layers of metal oxides, pure catalytic metals, insulated oxides and semiconducting material in forming his solid state chemical sensor. More recently, Hughes et al. describe a palladium silver alloy diode for sensing hydrogen in "Thin-film palladium and silver alloys and layers for metal-insulator-semiconductor sensor" J. App. Phys. 63(1), 1987 pgs. 1074-1083. Alternatively, McNally in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,907 describes a chemical sensor employing a wheatstone bridge wherein one of the resistive legs comprises a platinum wire coated with a mixture of palladium, palladium oxide and nickel oxide. While Johnson et. al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,387 describes an alternative resistive semiconductor device.
In spite of such advances, there remains a need for chemical sensing apparatus capable of detecting a dynamic range of hydrogen concentrations over at least six orders of magnitude (i.e. 10.sup.6). Moreover, there remains a need for a chemical sensing apparatus which responds rapidly and reversibly to changes in concentrations at room temperatures while resisting the poisoning effects of materials such as H.sub.2 S.

Extended range chemical sensing apparatus

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


The manufacture of bags requires stacks of tube sections to be separated as desired. The stacks must also be able to be turned 180.degree. and then fed to a separating device so that filling valves can be attached to varying end areas. A suitable device for feeding and for turning and feeding bundles includes a support bracket which is seated in bearings in a frame so as to rotate or pivot. The support bracket is provided with a rotary or pivot drive. Guideways, running crosswise relative to the support bracket, are provided for rods which can be moved back and forth by a drive. The rods support a beam parallel to the support bracket which is connected perpendicularly to a number of mutually parallel arms. The device includes a crosswise support bracket which is connected to the support bracket by joining pieces. Tines are supported approximately parallel to the arms.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention involves a device for turning and feeding bundles or stacks of flat workpieces so that further processing operations can be performed.
2. Description of Related Art
The manufacture of bags typically starts with the provision of flat-lying tube sections. Stacks of these tube sections, which were previously made in what is referred to as a tube drawing machine, must again be separated in order to be able to feed the separate tube sections, one after another and in proper position, to what is known as a floor feeder of a bag manufacturing system. Rotary feeders, into which successive stacks to be separated are loaded, are often used to separate bundles made of tube sections. A rotary feeder of this type is known from DE-PS 1,277,655, for example.
The tube section bundles or stacks to be separated must be loaded, turned or unturned, into the rotary feeder. The orientation of the bundles will depend on whether or not filling valves should be attached at the front or rear thereof. The particular attachment of the filling valves to the rear or front ends of the bags to be manufactured is important, for example, when the valves are to be fitted to imprints found on the bags.
It is known to manually place tube section bundles into the rotary feeder, in turned or unturned form, according to the side on which the filling valves are to be attached during bag manufacture.


An interface module waits for the arrival of data to be received from a host computer and decides whether the received data is journal print data. If the received data is journal print data, the interface module causes flash memory to store the data and if the received data is print data (e.g., receipt print data) other than the journal print data, the interface module transmits the fact to a printer. The interface module is fitted in the interface board slot of the printer.

This invention relates to printers, and more particularly to an interface module, a method of controlling the interface module, and an information record medium for recording programs for controlling the interface module.
Accounting apparatus such as registers, receipt issuing machines and the like in retail trade are used for printing price statements, sales slips, receipts and the like to be given to customers by retailers. Therefore, these accounting apparatus are equipped with printers. Due to restrictions under the accounting and tax laws, retailers are often required to keep copies of such price statements, sales slips receipts and the like. These copies kept by retailers in the accounting apparatus are called journals.
In order to deal with the requirements above, a technique has been proposed that uses a two-sheet printer having two sets of character-graphic printers (a combination of a printhead, a platen, a paper feeder and the like) for printing receipts and journals separately. Another technique using a double sheet of paper using a carbon copy as what is intended to print a receipt and a journal is also used.
However, the technique of using the two-sheet printer equipped with two sets of character-graphic printers tends to increase the whole apparatus size and such a two-sheet printer is impossible to install in some retail stores whose store area is limited. There is also another problem arising from the fact that installation of the two sets of character-graphic printers will result in raising the production and maintenance costs.
Further, the technique of using a double sheet of paper also poses a problem in that paper cost tends to increase because printable paper is limited to carbon copy paper. Moreover, still another problem is that noise will be produced during the print operation because only an impact dot (wire dot) driving method for printing characters by pressing an ink ribbon against paper is usable for the printhead of the character-graphic printer.
In order to solve environmental problems arising from disposing carbon copy paper as well as dealing with the noise produced, there is a growing demand for not using a double sheet of paper but using a non-impact dot printhead (a thermal head ink-jet driving head and the like).
There is also an increasing demand for preserving not only journal data as the information printed on paper but also the data in the form of what can be processed by an information processor like a computer.
There is a further demand for saving precious paper resources by preserving the journal information in that form and dealing with the environmental problems by decreasing the amount of waste.
An object of the present invention intended to solve the foregoing problems is to provide an interface module which is fitted in the expanded slot of a printer and connected to a host computer, and used for extracting journal print data from the data received from the host computer in order to store the extracted data in a nonvolatile memory circuit and for extracting data for a record medium other than the journal print data and transmitting the extracted data to a printer in order to make the printer print a receipt. For example, the invention provides a method of controlling the printer; and an information record medium for recording programs for controlling the printer.
The present invention may provide one or more of the following features.
The present invention provides an interface module which is fitted in the expanded slot of a printer and connected to a host computer, and is used for extracting journal print data from the data received from the host computer in order to store the extracted data in a nonvolatile memory circuit and for extracting data for a record medium other than the journal print data and transmitting the extracted data to a printer in order to make the printer print a receipt. For example, the invention proposes a method of controlling the printer; and an information record medium for recording programs for controlling the printer.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features an interface module which is inserted into the interface board slot of a printer and includes receive structure for receiving data from a host computer, a journal-data extract device for extracting journal print data from the data received by the receive structure, a nonvolatile memory circuit for storing the journal print data extracted by the journal-data extract device, transmitted-data extract structure for extracting data to be transmitted to the printer from the data received by the receive structure, and a transmit device for transmitting to the printer the transmitted data extracted by the transmitted-data extract structure.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of controlling an interface module which interface module is inserted into the interface board slot of a printer. The method comprises the steps of receiving the data received by a host computer, extracting journal print data from the data received thereby, storing the extracted journal print data at step in a nonvolatile memory circuit, extracting data to be transmitted to the printer from the data received thereby, and transmitting the received data extracted at step to the printer.
In another aspect, in an interface module having a nonvolatile memory circuit according to the present invention, an information record medium for storing programs for controlling the interface module which is inserted into the interface board slot of a printer is operated through the steps of receiving the data received by a host computer, extracting journal print data from the data received thereby, storing the extracted journal print data in the nonvolatile memory circuit, extracting data to be transmitted to the printer from the data received thereby, and transmitting the extracted transmitted data to the printer.
In another aspect, the invention features an interface board which is inserted into the interface board slot of a printer and includes a receiver for receiving the data transmitted from the host computer as received data via a host-computer interface, a journal-data-extract unit for extracting journal print data from the data received by the receiver, a nonvolatile memory circuit for storing the journal print data extracted by the journal-data-extract unit, a transmitted-data extract unit for extracting data to be transmitted to the printer from the data received by the receiver, and a transmitter for transmitting the transmitted data extracted by the transmitted-data extract unit to the printer via a printer interface.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a method of controlling the interface board according to the present invention as the method of controlling the interface board inserted into the interface board slot of the printer and used for receiving commands exchanged between the host computer and the printer. The method comprises the steps of receiving the first data from the host computer, deciding the kind of the first data received therefrom, and on finding the kind of the first data received therefrom to be journal print data, storing the journal print data in the nonvolatile memory circuit on the interface board when the first received data is journal print data.
In still yet another aspect, the invention features a method of controlling the interface board as the method of controlling the interface board inserted into the interface board slot of the printer and used for receiving commands exchanged between the host computer and the printer. The method comprises the steps of receiving the data transmitted from the host computer as received data, deciding the kind of the data received therefrom, and on finding the kind of the data received therefrom to be journal print data, storing the journal print data in the nonvolatile memory circuit on the interface board when the received data is the journal print data.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of controlling the interface board according to the present invention as the method of controlling the interface board inserted into the interface board slot of the printer and used for receiving commands exchanged between the host computer and the printer. The method comprises the steps of receiving the data transmitted from the host computer as received data, deciding the kind of the data received therefrom, on finding the kind of the data received therefrom to be journal print data, storing the journal print data in the nonvolatile memory circuit on the interface board when the received data is journal print data on finding the kind of data received therefrom to be data other than the journal print data, transmitting the data to the printer.
In another aspect, the invention features an interface module according to the present invention which is connected between the host computer and the printer and inserted into the interface board slot of the printer. The interface module includes structure for receiving data from the host computer and removing received data which the printer is unable to cope with out of the data received therefrom.
Further, programs for controlling the interface module according to the present invention can be stored in an information record medium such as a compact disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optic disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape or the like.
The invention features one or more of the following advantages.
An interface module can be provided wherein an interface module which is fitted in the expanded slot of a printer and connected to a host computer. The interface module is used for extracting journal print data from the data received from the host computer in order to store the extracted data in a nonvolatile memory circuit and for extracting data other than the journal print data for a record medium. The extracted data is transmitted to the printer in order to make the printer print a receipt, for example. A method of controlling the interface module is also provided.
When accounting application software for use in separately printing a journal and a receipt (e.g., with a two-sheet printer) is operated, journal print data can be stored as an electronic journal only by inserting the interface board according to the present invention into the interface board slot of the printer without changing the printer. Therefore, cost reduction is made achievable by utilizing a printer (a so-called one station receipt printer) having only one printhead.
Since the printer is used to print data out of the journal print data by transmitting the journal print data stored in the nonvolatile memory circuit, it is possible to provide an interface module capable of printing the same print image as the initial print image prepared by the host computer on a print medium and a method of controlling the interface module.
As journal print data is also printable using a printer for printing receipts, cost reduction becomes feasible without using an expensive two-sheet printer.
An interface module capable of effectively utilizing the storage capacity of the nonvolatile memory circuit can be provided because the contents of the nonvolatile memory circuit can be deleted after print data out of the journal print data is printed together with the method of controlling the interface module.
When the printer fitted with the interface module according to the present invention is used as a printer in accounting, the contents of the nonvolatile memory circuit can be deleted provided the journal print data is printed at predetermined time intervals in settling accounts of stores.
Cost reduction is achievable because it is possible to communicate with a printer by making use of inexpensive all-purpose connectors.
The interface module can be mounted in the case of the printer to save the office space and to improve the appearance of the office.
Information record media with programs recorded therein can easily be distributed and sold as software products independent of interface modules. When the program recorded in the information record medium according to the present invention is read out of ROM of the interface module and executed, it is possible to utilize the interface module and control the interface module according to the present invention.
Since an electronic journal (journal print data) is stored in the flash memory on the interface board, the electronic journal can easily be printed according to the command received from the host computer even though the interface board is replaced. The interface module may alternatively be inserted into any other printer. The interface module is portable and set free from being damaged during transportation because it is equipped with flash memory.
The electronic journal can be preserved as long as any existing printer is loadable with the interface board, so that such an existing printer is utilizable. Moreover, saving of paper resources as well as not having to use carbon copy paper has the effect of improving environmental protection.
The present invention is advantageous in that the flash memory is so arranged as to prevent a serial number (ID) inherent in an interface board from being deleted to ensure its security. The host computer puts the serial number of the interface board under control, for example, and this ensures that its security is enhanced because unless the serial number of a specific interface board is identified after the interface board is replaced, read/write of an electronic journal on the unidentified interface board is prevented.
Even when the host computer is without a print driver corresponding to the printer, various kinds of printers can be dealt with by emulating the printer driver on the interface board.

Data separating interface apparatus and method


A process for cleaning carriers used to hold semiconductor articles includes loading a carrier on a rotor within a processing chamber. The rotor is rotated while spraying cleaning liquid onto the carrier. A flow of primary drying gas is induced through the processing chamber via the centrifugal action of the rotor. Secondary drying gas is sprayed onto the cariers from nozzles. Carriers are loaded onto carrier supports on the rotor, and are held in place with removable baskets.

The processing of semiconductor wafers and substrates is very sensitive to problems of contamination. This is also true with photomasks, flat panel displays, data disks, and other articles relating to the semiconductor industry. These articles require extremely low contamination levels. Even minute contaminants can cause defects to occur in the processing of these low-contamination wafer articles. Accordingly, it is necessary to maintain a high level of cleanliness during all or nearly all stages of production.
Semiconductor wafers, substrates, photomasks, flat panel displays and other similar low-contamination wafer products are also typically processed in batches. Batch handling may occur throughout the entire production process, or for one or more processing steps or related handling operations. Batch processing of this type almost always utilizes some type of carrier or carriers to hold the thin wafer-like materials being processed.
In the batch processing of semiconductor substrates and wafers, a wafer carrier is used to hold a group of these articles. The wafer carriers can be of various designs and are more specifically referred to as a wafer boat. In many applications the wafer boat is made of a suitable polymeric material, e.g. polypropylene or TEFLON.RTM. fluoropolymer. The sides and sometimes the bottom of the wafer boat have receiving slots formed to receive and positionally restrain the wafers in a spaced array with the faces of the wafers adjacent one another. Typically, the central axes of the wafers are aligned. The wafers are slid into the boat, such as from the side or above and removed by sliding them outwardly. The receiving slots in the wafer boat are shallow so that the wafer is engaged only at the peripheral edges and along a thin marginal band extending inwardly from the periphery.
Wafer carriers can also be provided in the form of a protective case or box in which the wafers are held and enclosed against contamination during travel within the processing facility. Wafer carriers of this type are frequently designed to hold a wafer boat having a complementary design. The complementary relationship of the protective wafer carrier box and the wafer carrier boat allow the boat and supported wafers to be fully enclosed and positionally restrained in all directions during transport.
The manufacture of wafer carriers also includes their cleaning. Cleaning of wafer carrying boxes and wafer carrying boats is difficult because they typically have features which include slots, grooves or apertures which are difficult to fully clean. This is greatly exacerbated by the extremely low contamination levels which can be accepted for articles used directly or indirectly in processing of the wafer articles. Dust, metal particles, oils and other organic chemicals may be present on the surfaces of the molds or other production tools used to make wafer carriers. Fully cleaning the wafer carriers to the required extremely low contamination levels is also difficult. Cleaning the wafer carriers for use in semiconductor processing is a task which in some cases is almost as difficult as mechanically forming the article.
The cleaning of wafer carriers has until this invention remained a difficult and relatively costly procedure. The current invention has several advantages and benefits which are explained or otherwise indicated herein.

Methods for centrifugally cleaning wafer carriers


In dye applicators that operate by the pouring principle, it is known to hold back liquid flowing over an overflow weir in a liquid supply chamber located upstream of the weir. To achieve a dye applicator that can be adjusted to a desired working width, this liquid supply chamber is subdivided several times by limiting walls, and a liquid inflow bore is associated with each of the partial liquid supply chambers thus formed. The flanks of the liquid supply chambers delimited by a parallel dam and opposite dam are designed to diverge and to create a plurality of separate liquid supply chambers that expands toward the overflow weir.

A device of a type similar to the invention is known from DE 35 22 320 A1 and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,845. It is characterized by uniform liquid application to the advancing web of goods.
A dye applicator is generally designed to have a certain working width. In practice, however, advancing textile webs to be dyed vary in width, possibly even within a short time. The machine manufacturer has been given the task of supplying dyeing devices that allow different working widths to be traversed at short intervals. It has been found in practice that the limitation of the working width in the vicinity of the liquid outflow at the guide surface of the dye applicator cannot be accomplished satisfactorily. This is especially true regarding the uniformity of the amount of dye applied in the marginal area of the textile material.

Device for applying a liquid film, uniformly thin over the working width, to a web of goods


To provide an image processing system, projector, information storage medium and black and white extension processing method which can improve the quality of image when at least one of white extension and black extension is performed to video signals, a extension degree setting section is controlled by using a control section to change a degree of extension only when a change-over of scenes occurs, and luminance values of R-signals, G-signals and B-signals are extended toward one of white and black sides with the degree of extension set by the extension degree setting section by using extending sections and a luminance changing section.

The present invention relates to an image processing system, projector, information storage medium and black and white extension processing method, in which at least one of white and black extensions is performed for video signal.
If the blackest portion of an input video signal is higher than a predetermined level, the blackest portion has been extended to the predetermined level in a direction of black. If the whitest portion of an input video signal is lower than a predetermined level, the whitest portion has been extended to the predetermined level in a direction of white.
In the prior art, such a degree of extension was always variable depending on the maximum and minimum luminance values in one image (or frame).
However, the entire image might flicker, for example, if a moving image such as video image was processed through a system of always varying the degree of extension.

Image processing system, projector, information storage medium and black and white extension processing method


A broadcast receiver includes a mode determination unit to determine a current operation mode among a plurality of operation modes, a communication interface to transmit the determined current operation mode to a mobile device through interactive communication, and to receive a control command from the mobile device, and a controller to provide a service of the determined current operation mode according to the control command received from the mobile device. Accordingly, a user controls the broadcast receiver through the mobile device according to the operation mode so that user's convenience is improved.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a broadcast receiver, a mobile device, a service providing method and a broadcast receiver controlling method, and more particularly, to a broadcast receiver which provides an operation mode and a mobile device which receives the operation mode from the broadcast receiver and controls the broadcast receiver based on the operation mode, and a service providing method and a broadcast receiver controlling method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as the development of data transmitting technology is accelerated, interactive data transmission using a video medium becomes possible. Also, as a recent broadcast receiver further includes an internet function, a user can enjoy more diverse services.
Accordingly, the user often encounters situations where he/she should input a text through the broadcast receiver. However, a general remote controller is not easy to use for inputting text. More specifically, in order to input a text using the remote controller, the user should press a button on the remote controller corresponding to a text and check whether a desirable text is input or not through a video medium at a far distanced place (remote location). Therefore, there is a problem that the user should input and check the text from different visual lines.
Also, the broadcast receiver recently provides diverse services in addition to a broadcast receiving service, but in point of fact that a related-art remote controller has uniform input keys, there is a need for an optimal input method of each service to improve user's convenience.

Broadcast receiver, mobile device, service providing method, and broadcast receiver controlling method


Method for determining a coordinate system including a preliminary measurement step in which a detector of a coordinate measuring apparatus is used to scan first measurement areas of the device to obtain position coordinate information and the detector is used to scan a second measurement area that is not on a straight line connecting the first measurement areas to obtain position coordinate information; a feature-point detection step of obtaining the position of a feature point in each of the measurement areas according to a result of measurement; a reference-line determination step of obtaining a first reference line according to the position of each feature point in the first measurement areas, and obtaining a second reference line perpendicular to the first reference line and passing through a feature point located in the second measurement area; an origin-setting step; and an axis setting step.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for determining a coordinate system for a device under measurement and to coordinate measuring apparatuses. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for setting a coordinate system for a device under measurement both easily and accurately.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, coordinate measuring apparatuses, such as surface-characteristic measuring apparatuses have been used for measuring surface characteristics of a device under measurement, such as surface roughness and surface shapes.
Coordinate measuring apparatuses can automatically move along each of their axes and perform measurement under computer numerical control with the use of part programs that specify measurement procedures, including measurement areas and movement instructions for the apparatuses.
Instructions in the part programs are described either in a machine coordinate system determined by a unique origin of the coordinate measuring apparatus or in a coordinate system for the device under measurement, determined by the origin of the device under measurement.
An instruction for setting a coordinate system for a device under measurement is frequently used in a part program because it allows a coordinate measuring apparatus that uses the part program to perform automatic measurement with the coordinate system for the device under measurement being changed.
Conventionally, to set a coordinate system for a device under measurement, a convenient measurement unit is frequently used instead of a detector of the coordinate measuring apparatus. In that case, the shape of almost the entire device under measurement, including the external shape and the internal shape of the device under measurement, is measured first, and then, a coordinate system for the device under measurement is set.
In a conventional case, for example, the external shape of almost the entire device under measurement is measured, and then the origin of a coordinate system for the device under measurement is specified (this case is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Applications No. 2002-270307 and No. 2002-340930).
In another conventional case, the shapes of almost the whole of the internal parts of a plurality of holes provided for a device under measurement are measured, and then a coordinate system for the device under measurement is specified (this case is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publications No. Hei-7-270152 and No. Hei-7-128044).
The shape information of a device under measurement can be obtained by applying image processing to the result of shape measurement (this case is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-339478).
Since a coordinate system is individually set for each device under measurement in a part program, the setting operation must be performed many times. Therefore, there are demands for an apparatus that can easily set the coordinate system for a device under measurement, and it is also preferred that the setting be performed as accurately as possible.
However, there is conventionally no suitable technology which allows a coordinate system for a device under measurement to be set both easily and accurately.
Conventionally, if the number of measurement points used for obtaining the shape information of a device under measurement is reduced in order to more easily set a coordinate system for the device under measurement, the coordinate system for the device under measurement cannot be accurately set in some cases. Therefore, the shape of almost the entire device under measurement is usually measured.
Conversely, if the number of measurement points is increased in order to more accurately set a coordinate system for a device under measurement, the measurement requires more time, which is troublesome. When the setting is performed many times, this issue becomes more problematic.

Method for determining coordinate system for device under measurement, and coordinate measuring apparatus


An apparatus for forming partial stacks by separation of a stack of printed sheets standing one behind the other includes an approximately horizontal stack guide having a feed end for receiving printed sheets fed in a direction perpendicular to the stack guide from a feeding apparatus and stacking the printed sheets on edge to form a stack in a horizontal direction. A separating device is arranged along the horizontal stack guide for forming the partial stacks. The separating device includes a guide arrangement disposed parallel to the horizontal direction of stack forming. First and second components of the separating device are seated one behind the other on the guide arrangement and are displaceable along the guide arrangement. The first and second components are jointly displaceable to the feed end of the stack guide and are controllable to be separable from one another in a stack separating position. Spreading elements are pivotally connected to the first and second components of the separating device. The spreading elements are displaceable jointly with the first and second components to the feed end of the stack guide. Support elements each associated with a respective one of the first and second components of the separating device are driven into the stack of printed sheets between the spreading elements for separating the spreading elements from one other between two printed sheets thereby keeping the two printed sheets apart from one another and forming the partial stacks of printed sheets.

The invention relates to an apparatus for forming a partial stack through the separation of printed sheets, which partial stack extends perpendicularly with respect to the printed sheets standing one behind the other, which apparatus is connected downstream of a feeding apparatus conveying the printed sheets in a preferably imbricated formation approximately perpendicularly to the direction of stack forming and which is provided with an approximately horizontal stack guide along which a multi-component separating device is arranged, which is intended for forming the partial stacks and which can be powered, which components of the separating device, are each provided with spreading elements of a spreading apparatus keeping the printed sheets apart in proximity of the stack guide, which spreading elements plunge between two printed sheets which follow one another fold forward, of which spreading elements the spreading element that is leading in the direction of stack forming is associated with the rear end of a formed partial stack and the trailing spreading element is associated with the front end of a subsequent stack of printed sheets or partial stack, and with which spreading elements a support element of a support apparatus is associated which support element can be driven into the stack of printed sheets between the spreading elements keeping the printed sheets apart from one another.
An apparatus of the type described above is disclosed in European patent application EP-A-0 623 542.
A principal demand with respect to an apparatus of this type is the reliable and damage-free separation of the printed sheets between two partial stacks to be formed which are first transported and deposited for intermediate storage or which, immediately afterward, are separated again during further processing.

Apparatus for forming partial stacks from printed sheets standing one behind the other


A liquid-proof enclosure includes first and second casing members engaging each other to define an interior space for receiving, retaining and protecting an electrical device. Each casing member has a mating flange engaging each other to encase the electrical device. A rib is formed along the mating flange of the first casing member and a corresponding slot is defined along the mating flange of the second casing member for receiving and engaging the rib thereby attaching the first and second casing members together and increasing length of a possible leakage path between the first and second casing members. An opening is defined between the first and second casing members. At least a circumferential slot is defined along a circumferential wall of the opening. A cable retainer retaining a cable forms ribs received in the slot of the opening for attaching the cable retainer to the first and second casing members and to prevent liquid leakage into the enclosure.

The present invention generally relates to an enclosure for encasing and protecting an electrical device, and in particular to a liquid-proof structure of an electrical device enclosure.
Electrical devices, such as printed circuit boards, have been widely used in a variety of applications, including control, detection, power conversion/regulation, and communication. For example, a control unit of a lighting device comprises a power conversion/regulation controller and a photo switching circuit. A lot of electrical/electronic elements are included in the circuit. To ensure proper operation of the control unit, protection of the electrical/electronic elements from severe environments must be exercised.
Conventionally, an electrical/electronic device is protected by being encased in an enclosure made of insulation material. Such enclosures are in general not water proof. In other words, such an enclosure cannot prevent water from penetrating into the enclosure. The humidity may damage the electrical/electronic device encased in the enclosure.
To be operable outdoors, an electrical/electronic device must be protected by water-proof enclosures. To ensure water-proofness, fusion caused by ultrasonic welding is employed to seal parts of the enclosure together. However, the sealing formed by fusion may deteriorate after a long term use, resulting in water leakage into the enclosure. Sealing formed by other means may also surfer the same problem.
An approach to solve the leakage problem is to completely encase an electrical/electronic with resin materials. Excellent water-proofness can be achieved. However, encasing an electrical/electronic device with resin materials is very expensive and may substantially increase the overall weight of the electrical/electronic device. Furthermore, high temperature resulting from injection of the resin materials onto the electrical/electronic device may damage temperature sensitive electrical/electronic elements. In addition, completely encasing an electrical/electronic device with resin materials hinders repairing or replacement of parts of the electrical/electronic device. The resin materials may also cause environmental problems.
It is thus desirable to provide a liquid-proof enclosure for electrical/electronic device for overcoming the above-discussed problems.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-proof enclosure comprised of a plurality of casing members, rib-slot pairs being formed between the casing members for increasing the length of a possible leakage path between the casing members and more effectively preventing liquid from penetrating into the interior of the enclosure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-proof enclosure which is capable to achieve liquid-proofness without injection of resin material therein.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-proof enclosure which allows replacement/repairing of an electrical device encased therein.
In accordance with the present invention, a liquid-proof enclosure comprises first and second casing members engaged with each other to define an interior space therebetween for receiving, retaining and protecting an electrical device. Each casing member has a mating flange engaging each other to encase the electrical device. A rib is formed along the mating flange of the first casing member and a corresponding slot is defined along the mating flange of the second casing member for receiving and engaging the rib thereby attaching the first and second casing members together and increasing the length and thus effecting blockage of possible leakage path between the first and second casing members. An opening is defined between the first and second casing members. At least a circumferential slot is defined along a circumferential side wall of the opening. A cable retainer retaining a cable forms ribs received in the slot of the opening for attaching the cable retainer to the first and second casing members and to prevent liquid leakage into the enclosure.

Liquid-proof enclosure of electrical device

9F, No. 250-1, Section 2, Jin Cheng Road


A sanitizing floor mat is fashioned as a traditionally configured flexible floor mat having a plurality of apertures in an upper section. The upper section is attached to a lower section via a hinged section. An antibacterial insert is provided and is configured to be removably secured within mat in the space between the upper section and lower section and in environmental communication with the plurality of apertures.

As anyone who works in a medical environment knows, cleanliness is of the utmost importance in reducing the chances of infection and improving one's overall heath. While hands, skin and even clothing can be easily cleaned or contained, footwear is extremely difficult. It is not uncommon for a medical person to walk across a dirty parking lot, through hospital hallways and right into a patient's room.
While protective booties are used in surgical rooms, they are not practical every time a medical care person walks in and out of a patient's space. This same concern is also present in other public spaces such as schools, airports, business buildings, as well as private homes, where all kinds of contamination, germs, viruses, bacteria, and the like can be brought indoors where footwear not only contaminates other surfaces but can make anyone else present sick as well.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which footwear can be kept clean to reduce the chances of spreading germs and bacteria without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the Sanitizing Floor Mat fulfills this need.