A diaphragm pump including, in a pump body, a hydraulic control chamber disposed between a piston for executing reciprocating motion and the diaphragm, the pump including elements for compensating leaks from the hydraulic chamber, the elements including a refilling duct opening out into the hydraulic chamber via a normally-closed compensation shutter that is driven into the open position by the diaphragm, wherein the above-mentioned compensation shutter being driven by the diaphragm pressing against a free end of a rod for controlling the shutter, the diaphragm being subjected to the force of a suction-assistance spring which co-operates with the above-mentioned shutter to return it to its closed position by pushing the free end of the control rod back towards the diaphragm, the spring co-operating with the shutter to form a moving assembly that is moved without being deformed by the diaphragm during suction overtravel.

Overtravel on suction is due to a lack of liquid in the hydraulic chamber for driving the diaphragm. In reality, in certain types of pump, this overtravel does not occur since, at the end of the suction stroke, the diaphragm comes to bear against a surface for limiting its stroke. This can lead to cavitation occurring in the hydraulic chamber, and in any event the cubic capacity of the pump is reduced. In certain pumps where there are no mechanical limits on the suction stroke of the diaphragm, overtravel can not only reduce performance, but can also lead to excessive fatigue and deformation of the diaphragm that are harmful for its length of life.
Overtravel on delivery is the result of excess liquid in the hydraulic chamber for driving the diaphragm. This situation can be encountered, for example, if the pump has been stopped for a long time while suction becomes established in the working chamber. The hydraulic control chamber sees its volume increased little by little and filled with fluid coming from the reservoir via capillary channels due to mechanical clearances that allow operation. Next time the pump is started, the diaphragm might tear.
These phenomena are well known and numerous devices exist for remedying them. Mention can be made of pumps having a rear plate or a grid against which the diaphragm can bear and a rated check valve for refilling the chamber that opens when a suction threshold is reached in the hydraulic chamber. If the threshold is large, the expansion of the oil in the hydraulic chamber is excessive and flow rate stability suffers. It has also been found that there is a suction peak at the beginning of the suction stage due to the inertia of the moving elements and that can give rise to premature opening of the rated valve, leading to overcompensation that is harmful for delivery.
Document FR 2 557 928 describes leak compensation means that are automatic, given the principle on which the pump operates. That system is also liable to suffer from overcompensation.
Mention is also made of document EP 0 547 404. The device described therein makes use of valves whose opening or closing is associated with the position reached by the diaphragm.
Thus, in order to eliminate delivery overtravel, a valve interrupts communication between two portions of the hydraulic chamber, thereby isolating the fluid in contact with the diaphragm from the fluid in contact with the piston when the diaphragm has reached an end-of-delivery reference position. The excess drive fluid is then diverted to a sump via a relief valve.
Similarly, in order to eliminate suction overtravel, a valve opens when the diaphragm reaches an end-of-suction reference position. That opening puts the hydraulic chamber into communication with an oil sump via a refilling duct and an additional movement of the piston causes a compensation volume of oil to be sucked into the hydraulic chamber.
For it to be possible for the compensation valve that is controlled or driven by the diaphragm to change state, the diaphragm must develop a force suitable for overcoming the opposing force from a spring that holds the valve in its state in which it closes the refilling duct. This force that needs to be overcome puts a limit on the amount of suction the pump can deliver. In other words, in the event of the pump operating with reduced pressure on suction, it can happen that the compensation device does not operate, with cavitation then starting in the hydraulic drive chamber without it being possible for the valve to open. It can thus be understood that it would be most advantageous to reduce the force of the spring urging the valve against its seat so as to avoid excessively penalizing the operation of the pump during suction. However it is hardly possible to reduce this force below a value corresponding to a pressure of 0.3 bars (3 meters of water column or 300 hectopascals).
Diaphragm pumps fitted with a leak compensation system driven by the diaphragm thus present mediocre suction power.

Hydraulically-actuated diaphragm pump with a leak compensation device


This disclosure describes techniques that make use of a plurality of hardware elements that operate simultaneously to service synthesis parameters generated from one or more audio files, such as musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) files. In one example, a method comprises storing audio synthesis parameters generated for one or more audio files of an audio frame, processing a first audio synthesis parameter using a first audio processing element of a hardware unit to generate first audio information, processing a second audio synthesis parameter using a second audio processing element of the hardware unit to generate second audio information, and generating audio samples for the audio frame based at least in part on a combination of the first and second audio information.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a format for the creation, communication and playback of audio sounds, such as music, speech, tones, alerts, and the like. A device that supports the MIDI format may store sets of audio information that can be used to create various "voices." Each voice may correspond to a particular sound, such as a musical note by a particular instrument. For example, a first voice may correspond to a middle C as played by a piano, a second voice may correspond to a middle C as played by a trombone, a third voice may correspond to a D# as played by a trombone, and so on. In order to replicate the sounds played by various instruments, a MIDI compliant device may include a set of information for voices that specify various audio characteristics, such as the behavior of a low-frequency oscillator, effects such as vibrato, and a number of other audio characteristics that can affect the perception of different sounds. Almost any sound can be defined, conveyed in a MIDI file, and reproduced by a device that supports the MIDI format.
A device that supports the MIDI format may produce a musical note (or other sound) when an event occurs that indicates that the device should start producing the note. Similarly, the device stops producing the musical note when an event occurs that indicates that the device should stop producing the note. An entire musical composition may be coded in accordance with the MIDI format by specifying events that indicate when certain voices should start and stop. In this way, the musical composition may be stored and transmitted in a compact file format according to the MIDI format.
MIDI is supported in a wide variety of devices. For example, wireless communication devices, such as radiotelephones, may support MIDI files for downloadable ringtones or other audio output. Digital music players, such as the "iPod" devices sold by Apple Computer, Inc and the "Zune" devices sold by Microsoft Corp. may also support MIDI file formats. Other devices that support the MIDI format may include various music synthesizers such as keyboards, sequencers, voice encoders (vocoders), and rhythm machines. In addition, a wide variety of devices may also support playback of MIDI files or tracks, including wireless mobile devices, direct two-way communication devices (sometimes called walkie-talkies), network telephones, personal computers, desktop and laptop computers, workstations, satellite radio devices, intercom devices, radio broadcasting devices, hand-held gaming devices, circuit boards installed in devices, information kiosks, video game consoles, various computerized toys for children, on-board computers used in automobiles, watercraft and aircraft, and a wide variety of other devices.
A number of other types of audio formats, standards and techniques have also been developed. Other examples include standards defined by the Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), windows media audio (WMA) standards, standards by Dolby Laboratories, Inc., and quality assurance techniques developed by THX, ltd., to name a few. Moreover, many audio coding standards and techniques continue to emerge, including the digital MP3 standard and variants of the MP3 standard, such as the advanced audio coding (AAC) standard used in "iPod" devices. Various video coding standards may also use audio coding techniques, e.g., to code multimedia frames that include audio and video information.


A Phase Locked Loop (PLL) that has a substantially constant gain over a wide frequency range. The frequency range over which the PLL operates is divided into a number of frequency sub-ranges. The circuit includes a mechanism for adjusting the loop gain profile as the PLL moves from one frequency sub-range to another. When the PLL switches to a new frequency sub-range, the loop gain profile is adjusted to a pre-established value. Changes of frequency within each sub-range are then accomplished with the loop gain varying within a pre-established range.

Phase-locked loops (PLLs) are feedback control systems that are often an essential part of many telecommunications devices. PLLs are used in modulators and demodulators, in frequency synthesizers, in clock synchronizations circuits and in many other high-speed communication applications. PLL can be implemented using digital or analog devices.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conventional PLL. The PLL shown in FIG. 1 includes four main components, namely, a Phase Frequency Detector (PFD) 11, a Filter 12, a Variable Frequency Oscillator (VFO) 13 and feedback loop with a frequency divider 14. The VFO 13 could for example be a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO).
The PFD 11 compares the phase and frequency of the feedback signal to the reference signal and it generates an error signal indicating any difference it detects. The error signal generated by PFD 11 passes through the filter 12 and is used to adjust the frequency of the VFO 13. Any differences between the input signal and the feedback signal are thus used to change the frequency of the VFO.
A PLL can be used as a frequency multiplier. For example, in the circuit shown in FIG. 1, the output of the reference signal may be a 10 Mhz signal. The output of the VCO may for example be a 1 Ghz signal. In such a PLL the frequency divider 14 would divide the 1 Ghz output signal down to a 10 Mhz signal. The frequency divider 14 can be adjusted to a higher or lower divisor in order to change the output frequency of the PLL.
There is great deal of published literature which describes the design and operation of prior art PLLs. For example, PLL technology is described in a text book entitled "Phase-Locked Loops" by Roland Best, ISBN: 0071412018, dated Jun. 20, 2003. Other books and literature which describe the principles and applications of PLL are also available.
An important parameter which affects the operation of a PLL is the loop "gain". An important component of loop gain is the gain of the VFO. Gain of a VFO is a measure of the change in the output of the VFO relative to changes in the input signal to the VFO. Where the VFO is a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (a VCO), the gain of the VCO (or of the PLL) is often expressed as mega-hertz per volt (MHz/V). Generally, for a particular PLL, it is desirable to have a constant loop gain over the entire range of frequencies at which the PLL operates. If the loop gain differs at different frequencies, the lock time, the bandwidth, and other parameters of the PLL may change when the operating frequency changes and this may adversely affect the PLL.
In some applications, a PLL must be able to operate over a wide frequency range. In many such applications it is desirable to have a loop gain that does not significantly change as the operating frequency changes even though the frequency changes cover a wide range. The present invention is designed to provide an improved PLL which has substantially constant loop gain over a wide frequency range.

Phase locked loop operable over a wide frequency range


Improved miniature trailing edge effectors for aerodynamic control are provided. Three types of devices having aerodynamic housings integrated to the trailing edge of an aerodynamic shape are presented, which vary in details of how the control surface can move. A bucket type device has a control surface which is the back part of a C-shaped member having two arms connected by the back section. The C-shaped section is attached to a housing at the ends of the arms, and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the wing trailing edge to provide up, down and neutral states. A flip-up type device has a control surface which rotates about an axis parallel to the wing trailing edge to provide up, down, neutral and brake states. A rotating type device has a control surface which rotates about an axis parallel to the chord line to provide up, down and neutral states.

Many different flap arrangements for changing the aerodynamic lift generated by an aerodynamic element of an aircraft are known. For example, the Gurney flap originally developed and applied to racing cars by Robert Liebeck and Dan Gurney, protrude vertically into the air flow and cause a stable separation region to form, changing the sectional lift and moment comparable to a traditional flap of much larger size. Gurney flaps have been the inspiration to many aerodynamic control devices. Van Dam, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,954) teach micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) translational tabs for enhancing and controlling aerodynamic loading of lifting surfaces mounted near the trailing edge of the wing. One issue created by these devices is that they deploy approximately normal to the surface, and require actuators that are normal to the wing surface, thus limiting their proximity to the wing trailing edge. Schwetzler, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,089) teach a movable auxiliary flap that is arranged on a trailing edge of a wing, such that the flap rotates relative to the wing, to move up and down. An undesirable effect is created in the transition states of these flaps, where the state of the flap being perpendicular to the wing surface is not instantaneous and is undesirable.
What is needed is an alternative to conventional aerodynamic control surfaces that are capable of actuation over a wide frequency range, allowing for control of high frequency structural modes as will as low frequency rigid body modes. Further, such control devices are needed that actively control the aeroelastic response without any structural weight penalty and that are simple to command to discrete states without need for a position feedback mechanism. Such a device should be useful for aircraft flight control, turbine engines, helicopters, and wind turbines, thus providing an overall control system that is more robust and fault tolerant than conventional systems.

Miniature trailing edge effector for aerodynamic control

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


There is provided a paperboard carton for receiving articles in two or more layers separated by a divider pad which is secured relative to an end panel arrangement at one end of the carton. The carton has a top panel, a base panel and a pair of opposite sides. One of the side panels has a removable portion adjacent one end which when removed defines a roll out aperture for article removal when the carton is lying on said one end panel arrangement.

Commonly, canned food/drink products are supplied in a shallow tray made of paperboard or corrugated board, with a shrink wrapping of plastic film. A number of these shrink wrapped trays are often stacked one above the other on a supermarket shelf. The trays are usually stacked on their widest surface which can be considered as lacking space efficiency, particularly if only one tray is on the shelf. Additionally the shrink wrap is not good for assisting in product differentiation.
In co-pending international patent application PCT/GB2003/003351, there is provided a paperboard carton for articles arranged in at least two layers, the carton having a top panel, a base panel, a pair of oppositely disposed side panels and a pair of oppositely disposed end panel arrangements, a divider pad being provided between the adjacent layers of articles and being secured relative to the end panel arrangement at one end, one of the side panels having a removable portion adjacent said one end so as to define a roll-out aperture for article removal when the carton is lying on said one end panel arrangement. In some embodiments one or more cuts extend partway to the adjacent end from the removable portion. Conveniently two of said cuts extend along the folds between said one side panel and the top and base panels respectively and also a transverse cut is provided at the end of the or each cut remote from the removable portion.


A system includes: a projection unit that projects an image on a projection object; an image capturing unit that captures an image of a target object present in an optical path of projection light projected from the projection unit; a detection unit that detects light reflected from the target object, based on a captured image captured by the image capturing unit; a judging unit that judges position information of the target object in target space that corresponds to the image projected by the projection unit, based on the captured image; and an identification unit that identifies a projection area on the projection object in which the image is projected, based on the light reflected from the target object detected by the detection unit and the position information judged by the judging unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A user interface (UI) device has conventionally been proposed which enables a user to use unoccupied space in front of a display screen as a virtual operation surface. The user can use the virtual operation surface as a touch panel and enter an operation input by moving a finger or the like (target object) while viewing an image displayed on the display screen.
In the UI device, correspondence between the position of the target object in real space (virtual operation surface) and the position of the target object on the display screen is important. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-200149 discloses a technique in which an image for calibration (that means processing for determining correspondence relation between the position of a target object in real space and the position of the target object on a display screen), which causes specified marks to be displayed at four corners of a rectangular image, is displayed, and the positions (the positions in real space) of a hand, which points the specified marks on the projected calibration image, is associated with the positions of the marks on the display screen.
However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-200149, when the user cannot reach the mark with his/her hand (in such a case where, for example, the above-described calibration image is projected on a big screen), there is a problem in that accurate calibration cannot be performed.
In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, there is a need to provide a system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method, which can perform accurate calibration necessary for detecting an instruction operation performed to a projection image.

System, information processing apparatus, and information processing method


An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first bottom metallization (M1) layer over the semiconductor substrate; a second M1 layer over the first M1 layer, wherein metal lines in the first and the second M1 layer have widths of greater than about a minimum feature size; and vias connecting the first and the second M1 layers.

A conventional integrated circuit contains a plurality of metal lines separated by inter-wiring spacings, which metal lines include bus lines, bit lines, word lines, logic interconnect lines, and the like. Typically, the metal lines of vertically spaced metallization layers are electrically interconnected by vias. Metal lines formed in trench-like openings typically extend substantially parallel to the semiconductor substrate. Semiconductor devices of this type, according to current technology, may include eight or more levels of metallization layers in order to satisfy device geometries and micro miniaturization requirements.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a connection to a conventional NAND flash memory array. Referring to FIG. 1, the array includes a plurality of active regions 102 laid out parallel to each other. Active regions 102 are separated by shallow trench isolation regions 104. A plurality of word-lines 106 is formed over and perpendicular to active regions 102. Word-lines 106 also act as the gate electrodes of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, and thus a plurality of flash memory cells 107, which are connected in series, are formed. Select source gate 108 and select drain gate 110 are formed on opposite sides of flash memory cells 107.
FIG. 2 illustrates the formation of bit-lines 112 in the bottom metallization layer. Each of the bit-lines 112 is connected to one of active regions 102 through contacts 114. Accordingly, bit-lines 112 are vertically aligned to active regions 102, and typically have a same width W1 and a same spacing S1 as the underlying active regions 102. Assuming active regions 102 have width W1 and spacing S1. Preferably, to reduce the area occupied by the memory, width W1 and spacing S1 are both equal to the minimum feature size of the respective formation technology. For 30 nm and 40 nm technologies, the minimum feature sizes are 30 nm and 40 nm, respectively.
When the minimum feature size of integrated circuits is reduced to about 30 nm to about 40 nm, the dimensions of metal lines in metallization layers are also scaled down accordingly. However, this causes several problems. First, the mean free path of electrons is about 39 nm. When the dimensions of the copper interconnects, such as bit-lines 112, approach the mean free path of electrons, the resistivity of the interconnect structure significantly increases. Accordingly, the RC delay in the interconnect structure significantly increases. Second, when copper is filled into via openings and trench openings, copper void will become a major problem. In 30 nm and 40 nm technologies, these problems have become gating issues.
FIGS. 1 and 2 demonstrated the problem of increasing resistivity of copper lines cannot be solved by increasing the width of metal lines in conventional interconnect formation schemes. This is because the width and spacing of metal lines are limited by the dimensions of the underlying integrated circuits. Accordingly, new structures and methods for solving the above-discussed problems are needed.

Pitch by splitting bottom metallization layer

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


An electronic module (20) includes a first circuit substrate (40) and a second circuit substrate (44). The first circuit substrate (40) has a post surface (50) and a post (52) protruding from the post surface (50). The second circuit substrate (44) has an upper surface (46) opposed to a lower surface (48). The second circuit substrate (44) forms an opening (56). The first circuit substrate (40) may be manufactured using a Molded Interconnect Device substrate. The second circuit substrate (44) may be manufactured using a High Density Interconnect substrate. The second circuit substrate (44) is placed on top of the first circuit substrate (40) so that the post (52) of the first circuit substrate (40) is mated with the opening (56) of the second circuit substrate (44). During a solder screening process a solder paste is applied to the opening (56) of the second circuit substrate (44), and during a solder reflow operation the solder paste melts and a connection is formed between the first circuit substrate (40) and the second circuit substrate (44).

This invention relates, in general, to an electronic module containing multiple circuit substrates, and more particularly, to an electronic module comprising a first circuit substrate having a post and a second circuit substrate forming an opening.
Electronic modules used in automotive applications often employ electronic components mounted to a printed circuit substrate. The electronic components are typically soldered to the circuit substrate and electrically coupled to metal traces overlying the surface of the circuit substrate. Typically, for automotive control applications, the electronic components are mounted on two or more circuit substrates. In order for the electronic components mounted on different circuit substrates to communicate with one another, the circuit substrates must be electronically connected. Typically the circuit substrates are connected using separate cables which connect to pins mounted onto the circuit substrates. However, the cables are expensive and the pins, as well as being expensive, are not robust in an automotive environment. To reduce product cost, it would be desirable to eliminate the cables and pins and replace them with an alternative connection method.
In addition to having an expensive connection method, electronic modules used in automotive applications tend to be bulky. This is due to the fact that electronic modules typically use either polyamide or FR4 circuit substrate in combination with separate cables which connect to pins. Since polyamide and FR4 circuit substrates are flexible, the electronic modules must be housed in a housing comprising rigidizers. Rigidizers are components used to increase the rigidity of the polyamide or FR4 circuit substrate. The use of rigidizers along with separate cables and pins increases the size and cost of electronic modules. Accordingly, further development of circuit substrates and connection methods is necessary to reduce the size and cost of electronic modules.

Interconnection of circuit substrates on different planes in electronic module


A method for producing a first time base for a first ultra wideband radio obtains a time reference signal and phase locks a clock signal to the time reference signal The clock signal is counted down using a counter to produce the first time base. The counter is a binary counter that has a modulo count equal to a modulo repeat length of a code corresponding to a ultra wideband signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to position determination, and more specifically to a system and method for position determination by impulse radio.
2. Related Art
In recent years, modern communications technology has provided various systems for position determination. The global positioning system (GPS) operated by the United States Department of Defense, for example, is a highly complex system of determining the position of an object. The GPS system depends on measuring the time-of-flight of microwave signals from three or more orbiting satellite transmitters by a navigation receiver that computes the position of the mobile unit. According to the GPS system, each satellite broadcasts a time-stamped signal that includes the satellite's ephemeris, i.e., its own position. When the mobile unit receives a GPS signal, the mobile unit measures the transmission delay relative to its own clock and determines the pseudo-range to the transmitting satellite's position. The GPS system requires three satellites for two-dimensional positioning, and a fourth satellite for three-dimensional positioning.
Another approach is that employed by the U.S. Navy's TRANSIT system. In that system, a mobile unit performs continuous doppler measurements of a signal broadcast by a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. The measurements continue for several minutes. The system usually requires two passes of the satellite, necessitating a wait of more than 100 minutes. In addition, because the position calculations are performed by the mobile unit, the satellite must broadcast information regarding its position, i.e., its ephemeris. Although the TRANSIT system is capable of high accuracy (on the order of one meter), the delay required is unacceptable for commercial applications.
Although these systems accurately determine the unknown position of an object, they are extremely complex, and, more importantly, expensive to implement. For example, both the GPS and TRANSIT systems require multiple satellites, sophisticated receivers and antennas that require hundreds of millions dollars of investments. Also, response times of GPS and TRANSIT systems are typically slow due to their narrow bandwidth. Furthermore, since these systems depend on orbiting satellites, they require an unimpeded view of the sky to operate effectively.
There is a great need in many different fields for a simple, less expensive alternative to complicated position determination systems. One such area is a typical shipping terminal, e.g., a major sea-port or an airport. In a sea-port, containers having valuable cargo are stored at warehouses or are left in designated places in the terminals. Also, containers are sometimes moved from one section of the port to another section in preparation for their eventual loading into a cargo ship or being picked up by trucks or railcars after being unloaded from a cargo ship. Often it is necessary to determine the location of one or more containers. However, it is difficult to identify one or more containers among hundreds, or thousands of containers in a terminal. Similar problems are also encountered in airports and railway terminals where containers are kept in storage sites.
A simple, less expensive position determination system is also desirable for locating police units. Such a position determination system can be used as a vehicle locator system. A city dispatcher would be able to quickly and efficiently dispatch police units if the dispatcher has pre-existing knowledge of each unit's locations. Currently city dispatchers use mobile phones to communicate with police units in order to know their locations. However, using mobile phones to determine the positions of the police units has some disadvantages. Use of mobile phones is expensive and time consuming. Also, when a police officer is not in the car, it is not possible to determine the unit's location.
Recently, the FCC has mandated that all cell phone systems implement position determination for use in emergency call location. In addition, there is a need for position determination as part of cell phone security, fraudulent use, and zone handoff algorithms. These requirements are difficult to meet and GPS is not adequate to reliably deliver the required accuracy.
For these reasons, it is clear that there is a need for a simple, low cost position determination system.

System and method for position determination by impulse radio


An active suspension apparatus for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pump configured to control movement of a fluid, an actuator connected with a coil spring, which is connected with a wheel of the vehicle, and configured to receive the fluid from the pump and to compensate for a displacement of the coil spring, a fluid path configured to connect the pump with the actuator, and a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid in the fluid path, wherein, when the actuator is controlled to receive the fluid from the pump, the valve is configured to prevent the fluid from flowing from the actuator to the pump by a pressure of the fluid accommodated in the actuator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an active suspension apparatus for a vehicle and a pump applied thereto, and more particularly, to an active suspension apparatus for a vehicle, which supplies a fluid to an actuator disposed at each wheel of the vehicle using a pump driven by a motor, and a valve thereof.
2. Discussion of Related Art
An active suspension system in a vehicle is a system which detects various inputs from a road surface through sensors, and effectively controls a roll behavior of the vehicle through an electric control unit (ECU) based on the detected inputs.
Specifically, the active suspension system is provided with an actuator which compensates for a displacement of a coil spring connected to a wheel of the vehicle, and constantly maintains a height of the vehicle by appropriately controlling an amount of a fluid supplied to the actuator and detecting a change of a roll and a pitch of the vehicle, and thus enhances ride comfort and a grip force on the road surface.
Furthermore, the active suspension system may allow a driver to set the height of the vehicle through a level control according to a state of the road surface, or may reduce air resistance by reducing the height of the vehicle at a high speed, and thus may enhance driving safety and fuel efficiency.
With regard to the active suspension system, U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,702 discloses a technique in which a spring and a lift-adjustable regulating unit are connected in series, and an amount of a fluid supplied to the lift-adjustable regulating unit is controlled by a proportional control valve.
In such a technique, there is a problem in that the high-priced proportional control valve and hydraulic pump should be used. Also, the hydraulic pump has a structure which is connected to an engine and is always driven, and thus while the engine is working, the pump is always driven to generate a high pressure source, and an excessive capacity which is not required in the system is generated, and fuel economy is lowered by a reduction of an engine output.

Active suspension apparatus for vehicle and valve thereof


The present invention relates to identifying and using groups of cardiac events associated with depolarization wavefronts to coordinate the delivery of pacing therapy to the heart. According to one aspect of the invention, cardiac events associated with a plurality of cardiac sites are detected. The cardiac sites may be located in a single heart chamber or in bilateral heart chambers. A group of detected cardiac events associated with a depolarization wavefront is identified. According to another aspect of the invention, a particular cardiac event of an identified group associated with a depolarization wavefront may be used to synchronize pacing therapy delivered to the heart. According to yet another aspect, premature ventricular contractions may be classified using the identified groups.

Rhythmic contractions of a healthy heart are normally controlled by the sinoatrial (SA) node which includes specialized cells located in the superior right atrium. The SA node is the normal pacemaker of the heart, typically initiating 60–100 heart beats per minute. When the SA node is pacing the heart normally, the heart is said to be in normal sinus rhythm (NSR).
The heart has specialized conduction pathways in both the atria and the ventricles that enable the rapid conduction of excitation impulses (i.e. depolarizations) from the SA node throughout the myocardium. These specialized conduction pathways conduct the depolarizations from the SA node to the atrial myocardium, to the atrio-ventricular node, and to the ventricular myocardium to produce a coordinated contraction of both atria and both ventricles.
The conduction pathways synchronize the contractions of the muscle fibers of each chamber as well as the contraction of each atrium or ventricle with the contralateral atrium or ventricle. Without the synchronization afforded by the normally functioning specialized conduction pathways, the heart's pumping efficiency is greatly diminished. Patients who exhibit pathology of these conduction pathways can suffer compromised cardiac output.
Cardiac rhythm management devices have been developed that provide pacing stimulation to one or more heart chambers in an attempt to improve the rhythm and coordination of atrial and/or ventricular contractions. Cardiac rhythm management devices may incorporate defibrillation and/or pacemaker circuitry used to treat patients with serious arrhythmias. Cardiac rhythm management devices typically include circuitry to sense signals from the heart and a pulse generator for providing electrical stimulation to the heart. Leads extending into the patient's heart are coupled to electrodes that contact the myocardium for sensing the heart's electrical signals and for delivering stimulation to the heart in accordance with various therapies for treating cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac rhythm management devices may deliver low energy electrical pace pulses timed to assist the heart in producing a contractile rhythm that maintains cardiac pumping efficiency appropriate to meet the metabolic requirements of the patient.

Timing cycles for synchronized multisite cardiac pacing


Search-based matching for multiple parameter sets in computer animation is disclosed. The search-based matching method can include receiving a selection of a first set of joint parameters in a first model to match to a second set of joint parameters in a second model, currently in operation, for an appendage of a computer-generated object. The method can also adjust the selected first set of joint parameters to match the second set of joint parameters. The method can further compare the adjusted first set of joint parameters to the second set of joint parameters. Based on the comparison, the method can switch from the second model to the first model and replace the second set of joint parameters with the adjusted first set of joint parameters. The method can then output the replacement first set of joint parameters for rendering the appendage of the object.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to computer-generated animation and, more specifically, to performing search-based matching of multiple parameter sets to define an object's position and/or rotation in computer-generated animation.
2. Related Art
A computer-generated animation can include a series of computer-generated images in which one or more computer-generated objects are rendered at various positions and/or poses that change between images to mimic object movement. An appendage object, e.g., an arm, a leg, a tail, a foot, a hand, and the like, can be particularly challenging to create realistic positions and/or poses because the appendage's joints have several degrees of freedom to manipulate. As a result, users have generally applied forward and inverse kinematics to model and create the appendage's movements.
Forward kinematics (FK) can define what the exact location and/or rotation of each appendage joint should be. FK can generally be used to set a particular pose of the appendage. Inverse kinematics (IK) can define a goal or destination of the appendage, e.g., the appendage should touch another object, and then calculate the location and/or rotation required for each appendage joint to reach that goal or destination. IK can generally be used to set a particular goal for the appendage.
Often, users need to switch between FK and IK during the course of the animation to position and/or pose the appendage. However, because FK and IK define different locations and/or rotations for the same appendage joint, a switch between them can result in an abrupt change in the joint's location and/or rotation that is visually unrealistic. As a result, users have developed algorithms to match the FK and IK locations and/or rotations just prior to the switch so that the switch is visually smooth.
However, because appendages are different, each appendage type requires a specific matching algorithm. For example, an arm requires an arm matching algorithm; a leg, a leg matching algorithm; a tail, a tail matching algorithm; and so on. This has resulted in a large number and variety of matching algorithms. Moreover, maintaining such a large number can be time and labor intensive. Furthermore, a user has to understand each matching algorithm, the associated appendage type, and which degrees of freedom to manipulate in that algorithm in order to match FK and IK.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide an effective way to match different types of appendages.


A display device that includes a data modulator for comparing input data of m (m is a natural number of not less than 2) number of frames and inserts any one of black data and gray data in accordance with the comparison result and a driving method thereof are provided.

1. Field
A hold type display device and a driving method thereof are provided.
2. Related Art
In hold type display devices like a liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED), a motion blurring phenomenon is displayed on a screen. During this motion blurring phenomenon a screen is not clear but blurred in a motion picture by a maintenance characteristic. This maintenance characteristic will be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 4, which represent a data characteristic of a liquid crystal display device and a cathode ray tube (CRT).
The CRT, as shown in FIG. 1, is an impulse type display device that displays data by making a phosphorus emit light for a very short time in an early stage of one frame period and where most of the one frame period remains as a pause interval. Accordingly, in the CRT, a perceived image is displayed clearly, as shown in FIG. 2. The perceived image is of an image that an observer perceives.
In a liquid crystal display device, as shown in FIG. 3, data is supplied to a liquid crystal for a scanning period when a scan high voltage is supplied and the data supplied to the liquid crystal is maintained in a non-scanning period that takes most of one frame period. Accordingly, the display picture is blurred in the liquid crystal display device, as shown in FIG. 4, because of a motion blurring phenomenon. The perceived image results from an integration effect of the image which temporarily lasts in an eye that follows a movement. Accordingly, even though the response speed of the liquid crystal display device is fast, an observer sees a blurred screen because of discordance between the movement of the eye and the static image of each frame.
Conventionally, in order to decrease the motion blurring of the liquid crystal display device of the related art, the holding time is reduced and black data is inserted for a frame period.
The black data insertion (BDI) method reduces the holding time D1-D5 of frame data within each frame and inserts black data B1-B5, as in FIG. 6. This method is different from a normal method that inserts one frame data for each frame, as in FIG. 5. Thus, a liquid crystal display device is driven by a pseudo-impulse type to decrease the motion blurring phenomenon.
Because the holding time of each frame is reduced and the black data are inserted in the black data insertion method like this the brightness is remarkably decreased in the black data insertion method, as in FIG. 7.


Buffer structured castor wheel for a vacuum cleaner, which is modified and disposed appropriately for preventing the vacuum cleaner from bitting a wall and the like directly, including two or more than two castor wheel assemblies fitted to a front bottom of a vacuum cleaner body each capable of two axes rotation and having a portion protruded beyond an outline of the vacuum cleaner body.

In general, in domestic vacuum cleaners there is a canister type vacuum cleaner having a suction nozzle separate from a vacuum cleaner body, and an upright type vacuum cleaner having the suction nozzle integrated with the vacuum cleaner body. The canister type vacuum cleaner has a hand hold formed of a portion of an extension tube and a flexible connection hose having one end connected to the hand hold and the other end connected to the vacuum cleaner body, for holding on the hand hold and pulling the vacuum cleaner body through the connection hose during cleaning. The vacuum cleaner body has roll moving means having wheels fitted to a bottom thereof for smooth movement of the vacuum cleaner body. As show n in FIG. 1. the roll moving means is provided with one pair of rear wheels 3 fitted to both sides of rear of the vacuum cleaner body 1, and a castor wheel assembly 4 fitted to a center of front bottom of the body 1, wherein the rear wheels 3 are adapted to rotate on an axis parallel to a floor, and the castor wheel assembly 4 adapted to be rotatable in two axis direction, a horizontal axis direction and a vertical axis direction with respect to the floor, for easy change of a direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner body. And, as shown in FIG. 2. the castor wheel assembly 4 is provided with a semi-spherical body 4a convex in a bottom side so that the castor wheel assembly 4 rotates around the vertical rotation shaft and rolls over an object smoothly when the castor wheel assembly 4 hits on the object projected from the floor.
However, the related art vacuum cleaner having the roll moving means fitted thereto has a problem in that there are cases occurred frequently when the vacuum cleaner body hits on a wall or furniture as the vacuum cleaner body 1 moves on the floor during cleaning because the vacuum cleaner body can not change direction yet. In this instance, since the related art vacuum cleaner body 1 is provided with no buffering structure on a front surface of the vacuum cleaner body 1, the vacuum cleaner body 1 receives a severe impact when the vacuum cleaner body 1 hits the wall and the like, and when it is serious, a portion of the vacuum cleaner having received the impact is damaged.

Buffer structured castor wheel for vacuum cleaner


A push button switch includes a box with a button movably inserted in the box and an oscillation member is pivotally connected to a terminal plate. A bimetal plate is connected to the other terminal plate. A curved spring is connected to the oscillation member and a tongue of the button contacts the curved spring so that the bimetal plate contacts the oscillation member when pushing the button. A movable member has a U-shaped member which has an end engaged with an enclosed recessed area in the button. The inner periphery of the recessed area positions the end of the U-shaped member at open and close position. The movable member is pushed by the deformation of the bimetal plate and the U-shaped member is moved from the position in the recessed area.

The present invention relates to a push button switch that has simple structure and having an override interruption structure so as to automatically open the circuit in case of the override.
Many conventional push buttons with an override interruption structure known to applicant are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,786,742, 5,223,813, 4,937,548, 4,661,667, 5,223,813, 4,931762, 5,451,729 and 4,704,594. U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,548. A thermally deformed bimetal plate is used to open circuit in case of the override. However, the action to open the circuit takes time because the structure for disengagement two contact points is indirectly operated by the bimetal plate so that there is a possibility that the electric current will destroy the electric equipment in case of the override. Furthermore, an additional wire is required between the bimetal plate and a conductive plate. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,742, the button is directly connected to the contact point so that the open action for the circuit is not fast enough to timely protect the equipment.
The present invention intends to provide a push button switch that has a simple structure and timely opens the circuit to protect the electric equipment.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a push button switch comprising box having a button movably inserted in an open top of the box. A tubular member extends from an underside of the button and a spring is biased between the tubular member and the box. A tongue extends from an underside of the button and a recessed area is defined in a surface of the tubular member. The recessed area has a polygonal inner periphery and a central member is located in a center of the recessed area. A first terminal plate and a second terminal plate respectively extend from a bottom of the box. A board extends from an inner side of the box and a hole is defined in a surface of the board. Two rods respectively extend from the inner side of the box.
A movable member has two slots and the rods are movably received in the two slots. A U-shaped member has a leg extending through the movable member and engaged with the recessed area. The other leg of the U-shaped member is inserted in the hole in the board. A U-shaped bimetal plate has a central plate located between two legs of the U shaped bimetal plate and a first contact point is connected to the central plate. The two legs of the bimetal plate is fixedly connected to a top of the first terminal plate. The bimetal plate is located beside an end of the movable member. An oscillation member has a first end pivotally connected to the second terminal plate and a second end of the oscillation member has a second contact point connected thereto. A curved spring has an end fixedly connected to the box and the other end of the curved spring is connected to the oscillation member. The tongue contacts the curved spring.
The object of the present invention is to provide a switch that has a movable member which is pushed by the bimetal plate in case of the override and the movement of the movable member shifts a U-shaped member to let the button to jump up.
These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

Switch with an override interruption structure

No. 4, Alley 2, Lane 23, Sec. 3, Pa Te Rd.


A process for the preparation of a synthetic tanning agent is disclosed whereby multi functional polymer is polymerized with sulfonated aromatic compound, pretreated with organic ligand to form an organo-polymeric matrix, which is essentially formaldehyde-free. The product has potential application in leather industry as an eco-friendly approach to chrome tanning by eliminating the conventional pickling process and the related problem of total dissolved solids (TDS) associated with the effluent. The present invention also provides for an exhaust aid for chrome due to its multiple carboxyl groups.

Synthetic tanning agents are conventionally prepared by the condensation of naphthalene/phenol sulphonic acid or urea with formaldehyde as reported by Sharphouse (Leather Technicians Handbook, Vernon Lock Ltd., London, 1983).
As reported by Stille and Campbell (High Polymer, 27, 14, 1972), the phenol-formaldehyde condensed product, which is essentially a low molecular weight resinous material, has always a possibility of eliminating unreacted phenol or formaldehyde, thereby posing a risk of adding to toxicity.
Denzinger et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,784) discloses the preparation of water-soluble graft polymers of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and derivatives with crotonic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, citraconic anhydride, C1–C8-alkyl- and hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or crotonic acid, mono- and di-C1–C8-alkyl and -hydroxyalkyl esters of maleic acid, fumaric acid and citraconic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, methacrolein, acrylamido-methylphropanesulfonic acid, N-vinylimidazole and mixtures. These compounds can be used as tanning agents for the self-tanning, pretanning, simultaneous tanning and retanning of pelts and skins. However, these polymers do not produce leathers having fine grain, good fullness, affordable heat stability and uniform color.
Wehling et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,365) discloses the use of naphthalene sulphonic acid condensate in the production of chrome leathers. They have reported that this condensation product can be used for pretreatment of delimed and bated pelts. Although the properties of the chrome tanned leathers produced using naphthalene sulphonic acid condensate do not differ from those of conventionally chrome tanned leathers, the condensed product was prepared using formaldehyde. The condensed product may undergo photo-oxidation and release formaldehyde which may pose occupational hazards (Suspected carcinogens: A sub life of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) substances list, 2nd ed. Washington D.C.: U.S. Dept of Health, Education and Welfare NIOSH, 1976). Moreover, the developed chrome tanning method is associated with release of chromium in the effluent beyond the stipulated limit (2 ppm as Cr) as reported by Buljan (World Leather, November, 65, 1996).
Although the phenols and phenolic acid resins based on formaldehyde condensation have exhibited a certain amount of freedom of choice with respect to degree of crosslinking, molecular weight, particle size, etc. there are several limitations related to the use of these polymeric condensates. These agents considerably lighten the color of the leather. Addition of large amounts of the agents lead to a rubber-like handle of the leather. The tanned leathers obtained using these agents undergo photo-oxidation due to the presence of active methylene bridges. Slow release of formaldehyde from the tanned leathers may also pose hazardous environmental risks.
Current chrome tanning methods pose severe problems arising from associated environmental problems. Industry has taken great pains to improve the chromium exhaustion. Prentiss and Sigafoos reported that the use of poly acrylic and poly methacrylic acids in chrome tanning improves the chrome exhaustion (Journal of American Leather Chemists Association, 70, 481, 1975). In addition, Lakshminarayana et al. disclosed an acrylic acid based syntan as retanning agent for chrome tanned leathers, which is prepared by the graft co-polymerization of acrylic ester and methacrylic acid onto a mixture of sulfated fish oil and alginic acid using free radical polymerization (Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 85, 425, 1990). However, the major limitation associated with the acrylic system is that it leads to poor light fastness and heat resistance. Moreover, the acrylic syntans, which are generally attached to the protein through weak linkage, result in either low exhaustion in the processing bath or more leaching out during subsequent wet operations.
Christner et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,750) have reported the preparation of thio-containing chromium polyacrylate tanning agents by complexing the chromium ion and an acrylate polymer together with a heterocycle containing nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, having a molecular weight between 200 and 30,000, which can be offered to pickled skins or hides. The main disadvantage of the tanning agent disclosed by Christner et al. is the slow release of oxides of sulphur, which are carcinogenic.
The above limitations have prompted the possibility of incorporating metal ion onto a polymeric matrix to form a complex for use as tanning salt. Since formaldehyde produces a known toxic hazard, attempts have been made to prepare a formaldehyde-free synthetic tanning agent (Suresh et al. Journal of Cleaner Production, 9, 483, 2001). Thanikaivelan et al. demonstrated the use of a synthetic tanning agent based on complexation of chromium with acrylic polymer and sulfonated aromatic condensates in the presence of organic ligands for self-tanning of delimed pelts and retanning applications (Journal of American Leather Chemists Association, 97, 127, 2002). The disclosed product resulted in improved exhaustion of chromium when applied on delimed pelts and reduced the total dissolved solids in the effluent. The major limiting feature associated with the syntan taught by Thanikaivelan et al. involves the use of chromium salt for complexation, which is toxic due to the presence of chrome.
Thus, there is a need for the development of a synthetic tanning agent that does not produce toxic effects. The tanning agent must be eco-friendly and safe for workers. Furthermore, the tanning agent should minimize the use of toxic substances, such as formaldehyde and chromium.

Process for the preparation of a formaldehyde-free synthetic tanning agent

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research


Techniques for covering open-cavity integrated-circuit packages in a batch process are disclosed. In an example method, a plurality of open-cavity packages are molded on a single batch leadframe or substrate, each open-cavity package comprising a floor and a plurality of walls arranged around the floor to form a cavity, each of said the walls having a bottom end adjoining said floor and having a top side opposite the bottom end. At least one semiconductor device is attached to the floor and within the cavity of each of the open-cavity packages, and a single flexible membrane is affixed to the top sides of the walls of the plurality of open-cavity packages, so as to substantially cover all of the cavities. The flexible membrane is then severed, between the packages.

In many cases, integrated-circuit devices are embedded in a solid-body package. One popular package, for example, is the plastic quad flat package (QFP), which has so-called gull-wing leads extending from the four sides of the generally planar, rectangular package. With this type of package, an integrated-circuit device is bonded to a package substrate, using an epoxy material. The package substrate may be the die paddle portion of a lead-frame, for example. Wire bonds are attached from bond pads on the device to attachment points on package leads. The device and the package substrate are then over-molded with a plastic molding compound material, which, after curing, forms the plastic package body.
A solid-body packaging approach is not appropriate for some integrated-circuit modules. An integrated-circuit module that includes a pressure sensor or optical sensor, for example, requires the use of an open-cavity package so that environmental pressure or external light sources can reach the device. However, a lid to the package is typically provided, in some cases to protect the interior parts but more generally to provide a surface that can be used by pneumatic pick-and-place machinery during the manufacture of circuit boards or other units that use the packaged devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates examples of open-cavity packages that might be used with a pressure sensor, for example. Package 110 includes a plastic package body 115 and a plastic lid 120 affixed thereto. Plastic lid 120 has a large opening in its center, to allow environmental pressure to reach a pressure sensor inside the package. Package 150 comprises a ceramic package body 155 and a metal lid 160 affixed thereto. Metal lid 160 also has an opening in the center.
During manufacture of packaged devices like those shown in FIG. 1, each lid typically is placed on the package body one at a time, using pneumatic pick-and-place machinery, and glued or welded into place. Improved processes are needed for assembling integrated-circuit modules using open-cavity packages.


A double gate non-volatile semiconductor memory comprises a plurality of device isolation regions formed of an insulator material filled into a plurality of trenches formed in a substrate, so that a device formation region is formed between each pair of adjacent device isolation regions. A side wall of an insulator material is formed to cover side surfaces of floating gates and word lines formed on the floating gates, which extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the device formation region. Source regions and drain regions are formed by doping impurity into the device formation regions surrounded by the side wall. A plurality of common source lines of a low resistance conductor film are formed each to extend in the orthogonal direction so as to pass on the source regions positioned in each one row of the orthogonal direction. Thus, the word lines are surely isolated from the source lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-volatile semiconductor memory having a double gate structure.
2. Description of Related Art
In the prior art, this type of semiconductor memory intended for a high integration density has been proposed by K. Sekiya et al in "1986 VLSI SYMPOSIUM" (Digest of Technology Paper, 1986 VLSI SYMPOSIUM, p87). In the proposed semiconductor memory, trenches are formed in a semiconductor substrate by etching, and device isolation regions are formed by filling up the trenches with an insulating material.
This structure is effective in increasing the integration density to a certain extent. However, a margin for an overlapping or alignment between a word line and the device isolation regions has been required so as to ensure that the word line never sticks out or protrudes from the device isolation regions into a source region. This is a hindrance in reducing the scale of the memory array in a widthwise direction of the word line. Particularly, in order to reduce the scale of the memory array in a widthwise direction of the word line, if the source region is reduced, a source resistance is inevitably increased, with the result that a writing characteristics and a read characteristics of memory cells are deteriorated.

Non-volatile semiconductor memory having double gate structure


The present invention in general relates to an intravaginal delivery system as well as uses thereof and methods for manufacturing and use of the same. In particular the present invention relates to an intravaginal delivery system for the controlled release of one or more organic acids, such as lactic acid; said intravaginal delivery system being characterized in that it comprises a combination of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers and carboxylic polymers, such as for example methacrylic acid-methacrylic ester copolymers.

The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in females. A healthy vagina is colonized by a mutually symbiotic flora of microorganisms, in particular lactobacilli, that protect its host from vaginal infections. The acidity of a healthy vagina of a woman of child-bearing age (pH about 3.8-4.5) is due to the degradation of secreted glycogen/glucose to lactic acid and acetate by lactobacilli (Boskey et al., 2001). Said acidity being unfavourable for the growth of many pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, protozoa and viruses. However, any imbalance in said vaginal ecosystem may result in overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in vaginal infections.
Multiple kinds of vaginal infections (vaginitis) exist, depending on the pathogenic microorganism involved such as bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis and combinations thereof.
Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal infections, and is associated with complications during pregnancy as well as an increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases. It is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterial flora, wherein the lactobacilli are overgrown by a mixed flora of anaerobic bacteria. Amongst other diagnostic criteria, a pH greater than 4.5 is considered to be suggestive of bacterial vaginosis. Current treatment options rely on oral or vaginal administration of classical antibiotics such as metronidazole and clindamiycine, however there is a rate of recurrence of over 50% within 3 months after the first exposure (Verstraeten & Verhelst, 2009). Alternative treatment options include acidification of the vagina with naturally occurring acids such as lactic acid or acetate. For example, Andersch et al. treated 42 women having recurrent bacterial vaginosis, with an intravaginal lactic acid gel. After 6 months of treatment 88% of women from the treated group had a normal vaginal microflora in contrast to 16% of women in the placebo group (Andersch et al., 1990).
Vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection of any of the Candida species (yeasts), of which Candida albicans is the most common. Most candidial infections are treatable and result in only minimal complications such as redness or itching, however complications may also be severe or even fatal if left untreated in certain populations such as immuno-compromised patients. External use of detergents or internal disturbances (hormonal or physiological) can disturb the normal vaginal flora and result in an overgrowth of Candida cells causing infection. Also pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives have been reported as risk factors. In clinical settings, candidiasis is commonly treated with antimycotics such as clotrimazole, nystatin, fluconazole and ketoconazole. However, C. albicans can develop resistance to said antimycotic drugs, so alternative treatment options are desired.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease of the urogenital tract and is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include inflammation of the cervix, urethra and vagina, which produce an itching and burning sensation. Current treatment options include the use of the antibiotic/anti-protozoal (metronidazole) or anti-parasitic (tinidazole) drugs. However, as with most anti-microbial drugs, resistance may occur, thereby underscoring the need for alternative treatment options.
Therefore, alternative treatment options, not making use of antibiotics or other kinds of drugs, for vaginal infections and sexually transmitted diseases have been suggested and may reside in the application of acidic compounds (for lowering the pH) or naturally occurring vaginal bacterial strains. However, most currently available products make use of gel-like formulations requiring multiple daily applications, requiring a lot of effort and commitment of the patient. It would therefore be highly advantageous to provide a controlled-release product, for delivery of active ingredients, in particular organic acids, thereby no longer requiring multiple applications per day, but for example only once every few days or even once every few weeks.
It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide an intravaginal delivery system for the controlled release of organic acids, in particular lactic acid.
Although intravaginal delivery systems for the controlled release of active ingredients have been described before, most of them do not comprise organic acids as an active ingredient.
For example WO2006065873 provides an intravaginal flat porous mesh encircled with a fiber-reinforced composite ring, said ring comprising an elastomeric copolymeric matrix, such as for example glycolide copolymers, carbonate copolymers and silicone polymers. This porous mesh is provided for the controlled delivery of at least one bioactive agent. Furthermore, any organic acid present in the device is merely used as an excipient in addition to the bioactive agent(s), not as an active ingredient itself (e.g. example 10 of WO2006065873). US20070196433 provides a two-segmental drug delivery device comprising a drug-permeable polymeric substance, such as for example an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. However, again, amongst the active ingredients no organic acids are mentioned, but they rather include pharmaceutical drugs, such as antibiotics. WO2009066006 provides an intravaginal delivery system for the controlled release of pharmaceuticals, in particular drospirenone and estradiol, said delivery system comprising one or more polymers selected from a long list of possibilities. However, the only exemplified delivery system comprises the commonly used PEO-b-PDMS (polyethyleneoxide-b-poly (dimethylsiloxane)) copolymer. Again, this delivery system may further comprise organic acids, but none of the exemplified systems comprises one or more organic acids as the main active ingredient.
WO2010133761 provides an intravaginal polymeric delivery system comprising at least one active ingredient, including acidic compounds or beneficial microorganism. However, again suitable polymers may be selected from a long list of possible polymers including combinations thereof, with the only exemplified polymer combination being the commonly used PEO-b-PDMS (polyethyleneoxide-b-poly (dimethylsiloxane)) copolymer.
Evidently, when trying to incorporate pharmaceutically relevant levels of organic acids in a certain polymeric environments, it is not to be excluded that one may encounter undesired reactivity. Furthermore, in order to achieve a controlled release of the organic acid from the delivery system, the polymeric environment should not only be compatible with the presence of pharmaceutically relevant levels of organic acids, but also allow a controlled release from the delivery device. Therefore, one cannot simply take any available intravaginal delivery system and replace the used active ingredient by a pharmaceutically relevant concentration of one or more organic acids.
To the best of our knowledge, only 1 publication describes an intravaginal delivery system comprising organic acid(s) as the main active ingredient (WO2010/133761). In this publication, only the commonly used PEO-b-PDMS (polyethyleneoxide-b-poly (dimethylsiloxane)) copolymer was used and folic acid was incorporated therein (example 1). However, no data regarding the release profile of said folic acid are provided, questioning whether this device would be useful for the controlled release of organic acids. Furthermore, as evident from the examples hereinafter, cationic polymers, have been found not to be useful for preparing a controlled release delivery system.
In contrast, we have found that a delivery system comprising one or more EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) copolymers and one or more carboxylic polymers is very suitable for the controlled release of organic acids.


A method of providing a printed circuit board, a printed circuit board formed according to the method, and a system comprising the printed circuit board. The method comprises: providing a microelectronic substrate; providing a via-defining substrate by providing via openings in the substrate using laser irradiation; providing a laser activatable film on the via-defining substrate; and providing interconnects on the via-defining substrate. Providing interconnects comprises providing a patterned build-up layer on the via-defining substrate comprising exposing the laser activatable film to laser irradiation to selectively activate portions of the film according to a predetermined interconnect pattern; and metallizing the patterned build-up layer according to the predetermined interconnect pattern to yield the interconnects to provide the printed circuit board.

The state of the art provides numerous techniques for manufacturing a printed circuit board. The starting material is a microelectronic substrate, typically a dielectric board such as, for example, an ABF (Ajinomoto Build-up Film) layer, which may then be processed according to one of the numerous techniques mentioned above to provide the printed circuit.
One such technique involves providing the dielectric layer, and then laser drilling via openings into the dielectric layer. Thereafter, the dielectric layer is roughened, subjected to chemical copper plating, such as electroless plating, to provide a thin layer of copper over the entire dielectric layer including on the walls of the via openings. A dry-film resist, or DFR, is then laminated onto the thin layer of copper, and the DFR thereafter subjected to an expose and develop process to form the circuit design pattern in accordance with the requirements of the circuit specifications. After subjecting the DFR to a developing solution in order to wash away exposed areas of the same, the combination of the dielectric layer-thin copper layer-patterned DFR is subjected to electrolytic copper plating in order to provide a copper layer (hereinafter "thick copper layer") much thicker than the thin copper layer mentioned above both on regions of the thin copper layer not covered by the patterned DFR (in order to provide conductive traces on the dielectric layer), and, in addition, inside the via openings. Thus, after further plating of the thick copper layer to protect the same from etching, the patterned DFR is stripped from the combination to expose the thin copper layer not covered by the thick copper layer. The thus bare thin copper layer is now completely etched away down to the dielectric layer leaving a printed circuit board.
Another conventional technique for providing printed circuit boards involves the provision of a dielectric layer, such as an ABF layer, followed by a laser drilling process for providing via openings in the ABF layer. Thereafter, a DFR is laminated onto the dielectric layer, and the DFR thereafter subjected to an expose and develop process to form the circuit design pattern in accordance with the requirements of the circuit specifications. After subjecting the DFR to a developing solution in order to wash away exposed areas of the same, the combination of the dielectric layer-thin copper layer-patterned DFR is subjected to an etching process in order to ablate a predetermined thickness of the dielectric layer that remains uncovered by the patterned DFR, thus providing recesses within the dielectric layer corresponding to a location of the conductive traces to be provided on the dielectric layer. The patterned DFR is then stripped from the dielectric layer. Thereafter, the dielectric layer is subjected to electroless copper plating to provide a thin layer of copper over the entire dielectric layer including on the walls of the via openings and inside the recesses provided at the location of the traces. A thicker layer of copper is then provided onto the thin copper layer by way of electrolytic plating, and the thus formed combination subjected to either back etching, grinding or CMP in order to result in a printed circuit board.
Another known technique for providing interconnects according to the prior art is typically referred to as "Laser Embedded Technology," or LET. In LET, laser ablation is used to provide via openings in a dielectric layer, such as an ABF layer. Thereafter, locations for the traces are ablated also using laser irradiation to provide recessed trace locations on the dielectric layer. Thereafter, electroless plating, and, thereafter, electrolytic plating with copper are provided on the thus ablated dielectric layer. Copper plating as described above results in the formation of a copper layer on the active surface of the dielectric layer, the copper layer filling the recessed trace locations and extending above the same. Thereafer, a process such as chemical mechanical polishing is used to remove the excess copper of the copper layer extending beyond the recessed trace locations, in this way resulting in the interconnects on the active surface of the dielectric layer.
However, disadvantageously, techniques of the prior art such as those described above, exhibit low throughput due to increased processing time, and, in addition, are ineffective for meeting current alignment budgets among others because they require the use of multiple processes for generating the vias and traces, which processes lead to a compounding of possible alignment errors.

Method of providing a printed circuit board using laser assisted metallization and patterning of a microelectronic substrate


A front disk brake includes a brake caliper having a pair of caliper side mount portions, and a caliper bracket having a pair of bracket side mount portions. The brake caliper includes an oblong-shared lower-side counterbore and a circular-shaped upper-side counterbore, the lower-side counterbore being oblong sectional shaped in the arrangement direction of the lower-side counterbore and the upper-side counterbore paired therewith. The caliper bracket includes lower-side and upper side circular-shaped counterbores which are opposed, respectively, to the counterbores of the brake caliper. The brake caliper is fixed to the caliper bracket by mounting fastening bolts in bolt passing holes and screw holes formed respectively in the mount portions. The bolt passing holes and the screw holes are provided at their portions on the sides of opposed surfaces with counterbores in which collar members are to be fitted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disk brake for use in a vehicle such as a motorcycle.
2. Description of Background Art
Conventionally, disk brakes used in vehicles generally have a structure in which a brake caliper is provided with a pair of caliper side mount portions, while a vehicle body side support portion is provided with a pair of support portion side mount portions. Opposed surfaces of the mount portions are set in abutting relationship. Fastening bolts are mounted in bolt mount holes formed respectively in the mount portions. Accordingly, the brake caliper is fixed to the vehicle body side support portion. Among the disk brakes of this type, there is a disk brake in which a collar member is disposed in portions, on the opposed surface sides, of bolt mount holes in each abutting set of the caliper side mount portion and the support portion side mount portion, in such a manner that the collar member extends from one to the other of the portions. Therefore, the collar members achieve positioning of the brake caliper in the direction along the opposed surfaces, and positioning of the brake caliper in the direction orthogonal to the opposed surfaces is achieved by the mutual abutting of the opposed surfaces (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-65369).
In order to fix the brake caliper accurately relative to the vehicle body side support portion, the tolerance of the inter-axial distance of each pair of bolt mount holes is in some cases set to be smaller than the general tolerance, since it is desirable to minimize chattering of the collar members. This is important for preventing the brake caliper from deviating in the direction orthogonal to the plane of the brake disk, in the radial mount type disk brake in which each of the bolt mount holes is provided in parallel to the radial direction of the brake disk. Thus, for efficiently manufacturing the brake caliper and the vehicle body side support portion, there is a demand for a disk brake so configured that the tolerance of the inter-axial distance of the bolt mount holes can be the general tolerance.


Controlling data transfer between a mobile device and a data telecommunications network includes receiving a service request requiring a data transfer, determining at least one parameter requirement relating to the service request from a predefined profile, determining a network/user condition relating to one or more of the at least one parameters, comparing the one or more parameter requirements with the relevant network/user condition, and using the comparison to determine whether or not to proceed with the service request. Data transfer to and/or from a mobile device may be managed so that the network conditions, such as available signal strength and bearer type, are taken into consideration before proceeding with the data transfer. Accordingly, if the network conditions are not suitable for the service request requiring a data transfer, it is possible to not proceed with the request, such as by delaying it until network conditions become suitable.

Mobile communications have advanced markedly from its earliest beginnings of providing users with a means of voice and data communication wirelessly from any location within range of a base station. This has developed into being able to provide mobile broadband connectivity to any suitable mobile device, including mobile phones, PDAs and PCs with a suitable connectivity card. Mobile broadband services can be provided on various networks, including GSM using HSDPA, UMTS, WiMaX and the currently under-development LTE network.
This improved access to such wireless services, however, has not been without its problems, particularly since there is generally not a global service scheme with a predefined tariff for services regardless of the user's location. That is, services are generally managed by service providers on a country by country basis, so that users get a "home" tariff scheme for services provided from within their home country, but different rates for other countries. The rates for other countries are generally higher than the home tariff, in order to account for various factors, such as currency exchange and termination rates to international service providers for the use of their networks.
This difference in tariff is particularly acute where users are given a quantity of inclusive data (i.e. data bundles) that they can download as part of their tariff. This free download volume, typically only applies to data downloaded within the user's home country. Whilst the user is still able to perform data downloads in other countries, these downloads are typically charged to the user based upon the amount of data downloaded (i.e. volume based charging per megabyte). Therefore, there have been instances of user's inadvertently downloading large quantities of data whilst not in their home country, and then receiving unexpectedly high bills for the services. This could occur due to the user not being fully aware of the costs involved, or unknowingly downloading the data, such as by leaving their device unlocked whilst travelling.
There is therefore a need to minimise the risk of users inadvertently tallying up such unexpectedly high bills.
Because of this problem, a related issue is in regard to data backup and restore. It has become a standard procedure for individuals and business to backup the data on their computers to a separate disk, in order to ensure data is not lost, or at least minimise the amount of data that is lost, in the event of a computer failure. Where a failure does occur, the disk can then be used to restore the data to the computer at the point at which it was last backed up.
The same procedure is now available for mobile devices, with many users now having an automatic "backup and restore" capability on their mobile computing device, which they set to intermittently back up their data wirelessly with their network provider. The types of data that would be "backed up" by uploading to a remote server include contact databases, message databases (e.g. emails, sms messages), photograph and music databases and any other data stored on the mobile devices, including documents.
This wireless backup and restore is a recommended service, in order to ensure that users do not lose any data in the event of a system failure on their mobile computing device, or even in the event of theft or otherwise losing the computing device. Where a system failure does occur, and a user needs to restore data to their mobile device, contact is made with the remote storage server in order to download the data last backed up. The remote server therefore needs a secure authorisation process to be in place to ensure that only valid users access their data.
Whilst the automatic procedure backup and restore process is manageable for users with a download/upload allowance in their home network, an issue may exist for cost sensitive users that are roaming.
To address this problem, it is possible for users to implement the backup and restore functionality manually, however a manual approach may lead to the user not backing up as often or as regularly as they should. This in turn could lead to the user inadvertently losing data.
Another problem with mobile broadband connectivity is that the service is not uniform from the perspective of download speeds. Mobile broadband cellular networks are bursty by nature, and although competitive and often superior to Ethernet and WLAN from a speed perspective, they are not dimensioned to cope with persistent and similar data volumes, such as are required during large data downloads. Therefore a user may chose to download a video clip using mobile broadband, but due to the network conditions at that given point in time, may only obtain a low download speed. This can be quite frustrating for the user, particularly if they feel they are waiting for their service longer than expected.
This same problem applies to uploading data, such as when utilising a backup data service.
Similarly, where a plurality of network types coexist, but not necessarily in the same region, a user may have access to a 3G GPRS network in one locality, but only an "Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution" (EDGE) network (i.e. a 2.5G network offering lower data speeds than 3G) in another locality. When the faster 3G service is not available to the user to download/upload data, the slowness of the service utilised may result in a lower user experience. It may also introduce a need for the user to optimise his use of the smaller available bandwidth.
There is therefore also a need to reduce the instances when the mobile broadband network is not able to offer an efficient download and/or upload speed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention provides an improved method for defining complex geometries to transpose geometric surfaces accurately into tooling. The method for entering accurate position data defining geometric surfaces eliminates the entry of erroneous position data at the sharp edges and boundaries of geometric shapes, such as the intersections between geometric tooling surfaces and planar parting surfaces. The method further provides for the creation and interrelation of accurate design, manufacturing, and control data bases which are used to enhance the speed and accuracy with which tooling having geometric surfaces may be designed and produced. The method of the present invention further has a reverse engineering capability which accommodates design improvements, facilitates correction of manufacturing errors in tooling, and permits monitoring and repair of tooling wear more quickly and easily than known methods.

The present invention relates to the production of pattern equipment used in manufacturing, and in particular, to a method for defining complex geometries which are transposed into tooling used to produce automotive components.
Various automotive components, for example cylinder heads, include complex geometric shapes. The production of tooling which is used to cast complex geometric shapes has required a combination of engineering design, pattern making, and casting experimentation, to produce molds which produce acceptable components.
Typically, past methods for producing molds for complex geometries have begun in the laboratory, where clay models of the components are tested and refined. For example, a clay model of cylinder head design is engineered, and then tested and refined in the laboratory by adding and removing material to provide desired air flow characteristics. Thus, the air flow channels through such parts are not simple cylinders, but complex shapes. A "master flow box" is then made from the clay model by filling its flow channels with a compound, such as a liquid plastic or sand and adhesive mix, which hardens in the shape of the flow channels. Thereafter, the clay is removed, leaving a male mold which is placed in a perimeter mold to replicate the flow channels. A "master flow box" is then made of a permanent material, such as a plastic, poured into the perimeter mold. The master flow box is split open and the male molds removed. The master flow box is reassembled and the air flow therethrough is checked, and minor design changes made, as needed.
Drawings are then produced by direct, physical measurement of the master flow box. In turn, the completed drawings are measured at selected intervals to generate data for input into a computer-aided design (CAD) system. The CAD data is used to create additional drawings and to perform further engineering analysis of the characteristics of the particular component. However, the generation of CAD data from drawings produced by direct physical measurement of the master flow box involves a lengthy design process. This problem has been partially overcome with more recent CAD systems which are capable of receiving data input directly from a fine-tipped stylus which is traced over the flow channel contours of the master flow box at predetermined intervals. Drawings are then made from the CAD data with the CAD system, and the overall time required to obtain both drawings and CAD data is reduced. However, with both measurement procedures many nuances and subtleties in the surfaces of the master flow box are lost because the measurements are made at defined intervals between which small but significant variations in the flow channel surfaces have been defined.
After the CAD data is developed, a tape of the CAD data (hereafter, a CAD tape) is converted to a numerical control tape (hereafter, an NC tape) by a specialized, numerically controlled machine (hereafter, NC machine), for use on the NC machine. In the conversion process, the NC machine interpolates the CAD data to produce an NC tape with many times the data of the CAD tape. The data is also modified to expand the flow channel dimensions a small percentage to allow for shrinkage of the molded forms therein during production. Production partings for separation of the mold parts are also defined at this point. The NC machine then reads the NC tape which controls the motion of cutters to produce a "master model" of the mold shape out of metal. The operability of the production partings is then tested by casting male molds with the master model, and changes in the production partings made as needed. Once a suitable master model is obtained, numerous replicas thereof may be made with the NC tape to serve as production tooling.
In the conversion of CAD data to NC data, the interpolation process further smooths out the subtleties and nuances of complex geometric surfaces, causing a loss of these design features in the master model. Although more data could be taken when inputting the CAD data, sufficient data for an NC machine to produce a master model of a complex geometric surface would overwhelm the data handling capabilities of currently available CAD systems. The amount of data sufficient to produce a CAD drawing, and generate CAD surfaces for further engineering design purposes, may be as much as ten times less than that required for the NC tape.
Additional problems have been experienced in practice at this stage in the development of tooling. From a practical standpoint, the specialized NC machine required to provide data conversion from CAD data to NC data is expensive, and therefore is owned by a more limited number of vendors than otherwise are available for production of master models by numerically controlled machining.
Alternatively, a master model may be produced with some accuracy independently of the CAD data, by directly inputting data from the master flow box into an NC tape. NC machines are now also capable of receiving data input directly from a cutter-shaped stylus which is traced over the contours of the master flow box at predetermined intervals to define the cutter path. Using this capability, one option is to make a direct NC tape from the master flow box. Production partings are added, allowance for shrinkage made, and a fairly precise master model made from the NC tape. Another option produces equally precise master models without using either CAD data or making an NC tape, by using an NC duplicating machine. The cutter of an NC duplicating machine mimics the path of a cutter-shaped stylus which is simultaneously traced over the surface of a master flow box. The cutter thereby duplicates the shape directly in metal to produce a master model, without necessitating the creation of an NC tape. However, when these methods are used, a separate CAD data base is generated to produce drawings and conduct further engineering analysis. There is, thus, no formal interrelation between the CAD and NC data bases.
Regardless of the method used to develop CAD data or NC data, all of the methods share additional drawbacks. From a practical standpoint, even major manufacturers typically engage vendors (machine shops having NC machines) to produce the master models from vendor-made NC tapes or with NC duplicating machines. Because several vendors are typically used to produce tooling in production quantities, and each defines different production partings. Variations and inaccuracies in tooling appear from vendor to vendor. In turn, the resulting component variation can affect product performance. For example, where such tooling produces automobile engine parts, variability in the production engines results, effecting fuel economy and emissions performance.
Another, more significant problem is experienced by all methods which use a stylus to trace the surfaces of complex geometries, whether to input CAD data or NC data. Erroneous data is entered when the stylus is passed over a boundary between surfaces which forms a sharp angle, right angle, or other rapid transition between surfaces. For example, when a stylus traces from the surface of a flow channel in a master flow box over an edge to a plane at which the master flow box is separated, erroneous data is produced which defines irregularities at the edge not present in the master flow box. FIG. 2 shows a plot of CAD data so entered at an edge of a flow box, showing this "edge effect". Where this problem occurs in entering NC data with a stylus, an NC machine will cut irregularities into the workpiece which must be corrected by additional hand work.
In summary, the variations and inconsistencies from original component design are introduced into production in a number of ways. Prior art methods of surface measurement, data entry, and data translation result in errors and inconsistencies in the drawings, CAD data and NC data compared to the original design Moreover, these errors, inconsistencies and variations remain uncorrected, as no effective way exists to enter corrections back into the data bases. Similarly, no cost-effective way exists to modify the data bases to enter design improvements arising from further engineering, or from casting experimentation. Rather, the NC data and CAD data must be re-entered to produce drawings and NC tapes for production, allowing opportunities for further error.
Further, there is no reverse engineering capability or method which permits the surfaces of the master model, production tooling, used tooling, or castings produced therewith, to be compared against either the CAD data or NC data for precision during production, or monitoring during use. Direct physical measurement and physical comparison with the master flow box remains necessary. As a result, quality control of tooling production and component production, and monitoring of tooling wear, are tedious and time-consuming. Correction of errors, variations, and tooling repair continues to require welding and hand grinding.
Thus, while improvements have been made in the production of tooling having complex geometric shapes, problems remain which limit the ability of each of the prior art methods to accurately replicate the nuances of the master model in production tooling. In particular, data entry with a stylus is hampered by inaccuracies introduced at the edges of shapes. Accordingly, the need exists for tooling design and production methods which capture all of the features of engineered components, permit the correction of data errors present in CAD and NC data bases, and enable the entry of design improvements into CAD or NC data without requiring complete data re-entry. The need further exists to permit dimensional checks of master models, production tooling, and worn tooling against the CAD data or NC data bases, to eliminate the need for direct physical measurement.

Method of defining complex geometries to transpose flow boxes into pattern equipment for the production of automotive components