An electric wire connecting portion 7 comprises a plate portion 17 and a folded side plate portion 18 continuing to the plate portion 17. This plate portion 17 includes a stem hole 19 for inserting the stem 12 of a stud bolt 4 exclusively, and a plurality of locking projections 20 confront the head side faces 13 of the stud bolt 4. The folded side plate portion 18 includes a folded portion 21 continuing to the plate portion 17, and a head holding portion 22 confronting the head top face 14 of the stud bolt 4 at the folding time. The folded side plate portion 18 is provided, on its two sides and separately of the locking projections 20, with folded side locking protrusions 23 confronting the head side faces 13 of the stud bolt 4. These folded side locking protrusions 23 are provided with notches 27 for inserting and fitting the locking projections 20 therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery terminal having a stud bolt fixed on an electric wire connecting portion of a battery terminal body.
2. Related Art
The following JP-A-2003-317700 discloses two battery terminals, as follows. These individual battery terminals are described in the following with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 13. Here, the description is made on the basis of the procedure of steps of manufacturing the battery terminal.
At first, a battery terminal body 101 to constitute the first battery terminal is manufactured through first to third steps. At the first step, the stem 103 of a stud bolt 102 is inserted into a stem hole 104. At this time, the stud bolt 102 is dropped in the direction of arrows, and the stem 103 is inserted from the inner side to the outer side of a second joint plate 105. When the first step is completed, the procedure shifts to the second step.
At the second step, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, connecting portions 106 and 106 are folded to superpose a first joint plate 107 over the side of the second joint plate 105. At this time, the first joint plate 107 is arranged over the top face 109 of the head 108 of the stud bolt 102, and a plurality of locking members 110 are arranged to confront the side faces 111 of the head 108. When the second step is completed, the procedure shifts to the third step.
At the third step, the folded portions 112 and 112 are folded to the sides of the first joint plate 107. When the folded portions 112 and 112 are folded to the side of the first joint plate 107, the first joint plate 107 and the second joint plate 105 are prevented from being carelessly opened. As a result, the series working steps are completed.
Next, a battery terminal body 121 to constitute the second battery terminal is manufactured through first to third steps. At the first step, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, connected portions 124 and 124 are folded into such a U-shape that a first battery post hole 122 and the second battery post hole 123 may be aligned to each other, and a first joint plate 125 and a second joint plate 126 are superposed. At this time, the first joint plate 125 and the second joint plate 126 are superposed so far that the side walls 127 and 127 of the first joint plate 125 may abut against the second joint plate 126 (as shown in FIG. 11). By these superpositions, moreover, a locking hole 128 and a stem hole 129 are aligned to each other. When the first step is completed, the procedure shifts to the second step.
At the second step, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a stud bolt 130 is inserted from its step 131 into the stem hole 129 through the locking hole 128 directed upward. At this time, the stud bolt 130 is dropped in the direction of arrow such that its stem 131 is inserted from the outer side to the inner side of the first joint plate 125 and from the inner side to the outer side of the second joint plate 126. The stud bolt 130 has its stem 131 inserted into the stem hole 129 and its head 132 inserted into the locking hole 128. When the second step is completed, the procedure shifts to the third step.
At the third step, axial locking portions 133 and 133 of the second joint plate 126 are folded at a right angle inward (as referred to arrows) to cover the locking hole 128 partially from the outer side of the first joint plate 125. When the works to fold the axial locking portions 133 and 133 are ended, the series working steps are completed (as referred to FIG. 13).
The battery terminal body 101 constituting the first battery terminal has the following problems. Specifically, when the stud bolt 102 is inserted into the stem hole 104, the stud bolt 102 is still rotatable. If the head 108 of the stud bolt 102 shifts out of the specified position, the first joint plate 107 cannot be superposed on the side of the second joint plate 105. This results in a problem that the productivity is poor.
The battery terminal body 101 is subjected to the punching and folding treatments. At the stage of these punching and folding treatments, the second joint plate 105 remains jointed to the not-shown portion. Moreover, the battery terminal body 101 is transferred in this state to the aforementioned first step.
With the second joint plate 105 being connected, the stud bolt 102 is so properly inserted at the first step into the stem hole 104 as to prevent the misalignment. However, the presence of the connected portion raises such a structural restriction as to make it necessary to provide the plural locking members 110 on the side of the first joint plate 107. The structural restriction causes the aforementioned problem. If the rotation locking portion is formed on the side of the first joint plate 125, as shown in FIG. 10, a portion for locking the axial movement of the bolt is needed resulting in the complex shapes of parts. Moreover, the poverty is also deteriorated.
On the other hand, the battery terminal body 121 constituting the second battery terminal has the following problem. Without the axial locking portions 133 and 133, specifically, the structure cannot block the axial removal of the bolt. After the first joint plate 125 and the second joint plate 126 were folded over each other, therefore, there is needed the step of folding the axial locking portions 133 and 133. This additional step raises a problem in the poor productivity.


A method and apparatus for controlling a MTF correction process using the reference pixel density and the edge amount of the reference pixel. An edge amount is a result of a high-pass filtering process of the reference pixel data. A pixel density conversion table and an edge amount conversion table adaptively determine the MTF correction value based on the reference pixel density and the edge amount of the reference pixel. The high-pass filtering process is implemented with bit-shift operations and an add operation of the pixel data. To use the reference pixel density data for controlling the MTF correction process, high adaptability for low contrast character region.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of a digital image duplicator, such as a digital copying machine, facsimile, etc., and in particular to a method and an apparatus for improving the quality of an output image of the digital image duplicator.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In a field of a digital image duplication system, such as a digital copying machine or a facsimile machine, one important goal is to improve a quality of a duplicate image of an original document. For this improvement, an appropriate image data processing based on the characteristics of the input image, i.e., whether the input image is a binary text image, a full-color photographic image, or a gray scale image, must be provided. Stated another way, different data processings based on differences in the image region in the original image is required so as to accomplish a high quality image duplication.
In a case that the input image is photographic image data, it is important to prevent the generation of moire noise, which appears as a result of interference between a spatial periodic element of a gradation in the original image and a dither matrix pattern for reproducing the gradations of the photographic image with the digital duplicator. To prevent the appearance of moire noise, a smoothing process utilizing a low pass filter on the original image to control the spatial periodic elements of the original may be provided.
On the other hand, if the input image is binary image data, typically represented by a text region in the original document, the input image will have high frequency elements of spatial periodicity in the image data at edge portions of characters in the text region. These high-frequency elements are decreased with the smoothing process and, as a result, the duplicated image becomes blurred. To prevent this problem which occurs when the input image is text data, it is important to enhance the edge portion to improve a contrast in the duplicated image. To achieve this, a MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) correction process is provided to enhance the edge portions of the image data. However, the MTF correction process sometimes generates a side effect with respect to low density pixels in a photographic region or gray scale region. The side effect is that some roughness in the low contrast gradation area may be generated. As a result, the conventional MTF correction does not provide satisfactory results if the input image is a photograph or has a display of a gray scale.
To provide an adequate image data processing, there is some related arts in this technical field. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Patent Application 3-88478(1991) discloses an apparatus with an adaptive image data processing in a digital image duplicator, which controls a smoothing filter and an edge detection filter which utilize a smoothing conversion table and an edge conversion table. This apparatus controls a processing parameter based on the classification result of an image region of input image data, such as for a photographic document or for a text document. However, the above-mentioned apparatus is not sufficient to utilize a reference pixel density data itself for controlling the MTF correction process for the adaptive image data processing.
Another apparatus is presented by Japanese Patent Laid-Open Patent Application 6-152959(1994) by the applicant of the present invention. This publication discloses an apparatus directed to an adaptive image data processing using an edge amount, with an arithmetic processing of the reference image data for controlling a smoothing process and a MTF correction process. However, this apparatus requires two kinds of circuits for detecting the edge amount of the reference pixel and for processing a MTF correction using the edge amount. These two circuits require a plurality of multipliers. As a result, this apparatus requires a relatively large scale of hardware implementation, which is costly. Furthermore, this apparatus does not utilize a reference pixel density data for controlling the adaptive image data processing.

Method and apparatus for controlling a spatial filtering process based on characteristics of image data


This invention relates to an aqueous process for recycling polyacetal, and moldings thereof, into formaldehyde monomer solution, said process occurring at elevated temperature and pressure and in the presence of an acid decomposition catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. The resultant formaldehyde monomer solution can be reacted to form trioxane and then be cycled into a trioxane-based polyacetal manufacturing process or, alternatively, it can be further treated and then be cycled into a formaldehyde-monomer-based polyacetal manufacturing process.

The present invention relates to an aqueous process for recycling acetal polymer, and moldings thereof, into formaldehyde monomer solution. The formaldehyde monomer solution may also contain formaldehyde trimer (hereinafter referred to as "trioxane").
Polyacetal resin is manufactured, in general, from formaldehyde monomer and/or trioxane. Formaldehyde-monomer-based polyacetal manufacturing processes are generally used to manufacture acetal homopolymers, while trioxane-based polyacetal manufacturing processes are generally used to manufacture acetal copolymers. Polyacetal resin is used in many applications and is molded into many types of products, such as disposable lighter bodies, ski bindings, conveyor chain links, gears, hinges, automotive window cranks, etc. After the useful life of such products expire, the product is scrapped, and becomes waste.
It is desirable, for economic and environmental reasons, to recycle polyacetal, and moldings thereof, back into the components from which it is manufactured, i.e., formaldehyde monomer and/or trioxane. One known way to recycle polyacetal is a gas phase recovery process, wherein the polyacetal is thermally decomposed with a catalyst to form formaldehyde monomer gas and then the gas is recycled directly into a polyacetal manufacturing process. Unfortunately, it has been found that the formaldehyde monomer gas generated by such a process may contain traces of volatile base products, such as, for example, amine compounds or possibly ammonia. When the formaldehyde monomer gas is recycled into a polyacetal manufacturing process, it can make the process inoperable by initiating polymerization in the wrong places. Furthermore, the yield obtained by the gas phase process is sometimes lower than desired. Thus, there exists a need to develop new and efficient means for recycling polyacetal resin into its monomeric formaldehyde and/or trioxane components, wherein said components are acceptable for use in an actual polyacetal manufacturing process.
In the present invention, there has been developed an aqueous process, done in the presence of an acid decomposition catalyst, for recycling polyacetal, and moldings thereof, into formaldehyde monomer solution. The formaldehyde monomer solution can, by the nature of the decomposition reaction, also contain trioxane. The resultant formaldehyde monomer solution is then treated (by, for example, filtration, neutralization, and purification processes) in preparation for cycling into formaldehyde-monomer-based polyacetal manufacturing processes. Alternatively, with or without further treatment, the resultant formaldehyde monomer solution can be reacted, either during the decomposition process or thereafter, to form trioxane, which in turn can be used in trioxane-based polyacetal manufacturing processes.

Aqueous process for recycling acetal polymer and moldings thereof


This specification discloses resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compound particles and the manufacturing method thereof. Through the manufacturing process control, collagen has sufficient time to reconstruct and forms a network structure, which then combines with calcium phosphate-based ceramic powders that are controlled to have diameters xe2x89xa65 xcexcm so as to provide a bio-compound acceptable by humans and having a similar structure and constituents to the bony tissues. There is no need for a second operation when such material is used in medical practice and the bony tissues can undergo fast and effective bone-genesis.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to bio-compound particles and the manufacturing procedure thereof. More particularly, the present invention discloses a calcium phosphate-based bio-compound for use in bone operations and the method of manufacturing the same.
2. Related Art
Bone defects caused due to external forces or other diseases present major difficulties in orthopedic operations. Autogenous bone contains bone morphogenetic proteins and several live bone cells to facilitate recovery of bony tissues and thus become the best choice in bone transplantations. The autogenous bone graft material, however, is obtained from the patient in the operation, and it has the disadvantages that the patient could be infected after the operation and that the amount that can be obtained is very little. Allogenous bone graft, on the other hand, could result in problems such as virus infection (e.g., acquired immune deficiency) and imperfect recovery. Therefore, to facilitate the recovery of bone defects and to prevent the potential problems inherent in autogenous and allogenous transplantations, development in synthetic bone graft substitutes is necessary. The synthetic bone graft substitutes in the state of art cannot be dissolved or resorbed by human bodies, and have inferior properties in handling and moldability. Thus, it is urgent to develop resorbable bone graft substitutes with better handling and moldability to satisfy the needs of bone graft in cranio- and maxillo-facial surgeries, dental applications or orthopedic operations and bone-genesis.
The commercial product Collagraft of the prior art is a compound composed of bioceramics and collagen. However, the weight ratio between collagen and ceramics is very different from that for bony tissues. In spite of the fact that many researches indicate that Collagraft transplanted into animal bodies has good bone-genesis ability, the ceramics contains 60% of hydroxylapatite that cannot be resolved by living tissues.
The techniques disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,658,593 and 5,424,084 describe the methods for preparing such collagen microcapsules.
The network structure of the collagen is the main component of extracellular matrix; thus, collagen microcapsules with a network structure are more similar to living tissues. However, it is not clear from the known techniques disclosed in the patents whether the collagen microcapsules thus formed have a network structure. They also do not reveal any specific processes to form a network structure in the collagen microcapsules. Further, the percentage of collagen in known compounds of collagen and ceramics powders is far less than that in bony tissues.
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a family of resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compound particles, and the manufacturing procedure thereof, to solve problems in the current products in that the synthetic bone graft in the prior art cannot be resolved or absorbed by human bodies, has poor handling or moldability, and is inconvenient to use in clinic applications.
The present invention utilizes the dissolvable, osteo-conductive properties of collagen which can reconstitute into a network structures combines collagen with calcium phosphate-based ceramics powders, such as hydroxylapatite, so that calcium phosphate-based ceramics powders can homogeneously distribute within the reconstituted collagen network structure. In the microscopic structure of bony tissues, bio-apatite is nucleated on the network of osteo-conductive organic materials. In the present invention the compound formed by the calcium phosphate-based ceramics powders and the collagen network structure has a similar microscopic structure to the bony tissues.
Furthermore, the new bone-genesis filling materials prepared by the present invention use resorbable calcium phosphate-based compound particles, the weight ratio of collagen and ceramics powders reaching 35:65, which is similar to bony tissues. The diameters of the ceramics powders are no more than 5 xcexcm; therefore, they can be absorbed by humans. Since the bone filling materials of the present invention have similar components and structures to bony tissues, there is no need for a second operation. They do not only have better handling and moldable properties, but also can fully utilize the re-genesis function of bony tissues to obtain fast and effective bone-genesis.
The resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compound prepared by the present invention can be used individually. Another object of the present invention is to, along with the self bone marrows of patients or applying the concept of tissue engineering, make the resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compounds prepared thereby the scaffolds of seeded cells and the carriers of relevant growth factors so as to fully utilize the re-genesis function of bony tissues for fast and effective bone-genesis around bone defects.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing technique for making the resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compound particles.
Pursuant the above objects, the manufacturing procedure for making the resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compound particles provided by the present invention comprises the steps of:
adding homogeneously mingled collagen and hydroxylapatite by droplets into an oil phase so that the collagen-hydroxylapatite mixture has enough time to reconstitute and form particles with a network structure, and obtaining the resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compound particle by cross-linking and isolation.

Resorbable calcium phosphate-based bio-compound particles and the manufacturing procedure thereof

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A video signal is processed using dither coefficients. Dither coefficients pattern signals are generated. Each pattern signal carries positive and negative dither coefficients arranged in an (n×m) matrix where “n” and “m” being positive integers larger than zero, the sum total of the coefficients being zero. One of the pattern signal is selected for each predetermined unit of picture carried by the video signal. Or, it is selected according to locations of dither coefficients on pixels arranged on a display panel. Dither coefficients of the selected pattern signal are added to an input video signal, thus outputting a video signal to be supplied to the display panel. Instead of the dither coefficients pattern signals, dither pattern signals can be generated, each carrying positional data indicating locations of dither coefficients on the pixels on the display panel. A dither coefficient signal to be added to the input signal is generated which carries the dither coefficients arranged in a matrix for each gradation level of the input video signal in response to one of the dither pattern signal. Dither coefficients pattern signals can be generated according to color gradation levels of data carried by the input video signal, the data being supplied to each of dot matrices that constitute the pixels, each pattern signal carrying dither coefficients arranged in a matrix corresponding to each dot matrix. One of dither coefficients is selected from each pattern signal with respect to each dot matrix, thus outputting a dither coefficients pattern signal that carries the dither coefficients selected from the pattern signals and arranged in the matrix. The dither coefficients carried by the output pattern signal to be added to the input video signal are adjusted so that the sum total of the dither coefficients carried by the output pattern signal is zero.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of video signal processing. Particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus and a method of video signal processing for matrix display apparatus, such as, plasma display panels (PDPs), field emission displays (FEDs), digital micromirrow devices (DMDS) and electroluminescent displays (Els).
Pictures are displayed on PDPs, Els and FEDs at a particular number of levels of gradation of color. The number is limited under digital processing for PDPs that display pictures with division of one field to sub-fields, and Els and FEDs that display pictures with pulse width modulation (PWM).
PDPs, ELs and FEDs require reverse-gamma correction of video signals that have undergone gamma correction for regaining linear gradation.
Matrix display apparatus execute multi-gradation processing using dither matrices for achieving continuous gradation that would be degraded due to digital reverse-gamma correction.
Multi-gradation processing use dither matrices each having groups of adjacent pixel dots to provide intermediate gradation of the gradation that would otherwise be degraded due to reverse-gamma correction.
Six bit-gradation display apparatus display pictures with upper significant six bits of 8-bit dot data by means of dither matrices each having adjacent 2×2 dots on which a noise pattern is superimposed for the low significant two bits that will overflow in each dither matrix. These processing provide pictures with 8-bit gradation under visual integration.
Illustrated in FIG. 1 are well known dither coefficients matrix patterns. Shown here are dither coefficients patterns, each of which has a matrix of 2×2 dots (a, b, c and d). Each dot corresponds to one pixel of red (R), green (G) and blue (B).
The dither coefficients patterns are added to video signals for dot data on a display panel, such as a PDP. In detail, dither coefficients (a, b, a, b, . . . ) and (c, d, c, d, . . . ) are added to luminance values of R, G, and B of dot data on odd and even lines, respectively, of a dot matrix on the PDP. The addition starts from the head dot on each odd or even line. Furthermore, the dither coefficients (a, b, c and d) are added to the video signals for four adjacent dots of the same color for each of R, G and B.
Illustrated in (A) of FIG. 1 are two dither coefficients patterns (1) and (2) where the coefficients for the pattern (a, b, c, and d) are (0, 1, 2, and 3) and (3, 2, 1 and 0), respectively. The two patterns are switched for each field.
Illustrated in (B) of FIG. 1 are four dither coefficients patterns (1) to (4) where the coefficients for the patterns (a, b, c, and d) are (0, 1, 2, and 3), (2, 0, 3 and 1), (3, 2, 1, and 0) and (1, 3, 0 and 2), respectively. The four patterns are switched cyclically for each field.
Illustrated in FIG. 2 is video signal processing using the two dither coefficients patterns (1) and (2) shown in (A) of FIG. 1.
In detail, the dither coefficients (0, 1, 2, and 3) of the pattern (1) are added to dot data (9, 17, 3 and 5) of an input 8-bit video signal shown in (A) of FIG. 2 to obtain data (9, 18, 5 and 8).
The values (9, 18, 5 and 8) are larger than the 8-bit values (9, 17, 3 and 5) of the input video signal. The values (9, 18, 5 and 8) are then processed by limiting the values that overflow the input 8-bit values and also dropping the values of lower two bits to obtain a 6-bit output video signal of data (8, 16, 4 and 8).
Each data of (8, 16, 4 and 8) is expressed with a multiple number of four. The actual data for the 6-bit output video signal are (2, 4, 1 and 2). The 6-bit output video signal is a multi-gradation signal for which the number of gradation levels appear to be increased to eight bits for 6-bit PDPs with the dither-coefficients pattern (1).
The data (9, 18, 5 and 8) may be processed by limiting the values that overflow the input 8-bit values (9, 17, 3 and 5) for 8-bit PDPs to provide 10-bit multi-gradation without dropping low tow-bit values.
Next, the dither coefficients (3, 2, 1, and 0) of the pattern (2) are added to dot data (9, 17, 3 and 5) of an input 8-bit video signal shown in (B) of FIG. 2 to obtain data (12, 19, 4 and 5).
The values (12, 19, 4 and 5) are also larger than the 8-bit values (9, 17, 3 and 5) of the input video signal. The values (12, 19, 4 and 5) are processed by limiting the values that overflow the input 8-bit values and dropping the values of lower two bits to obtain a 6-bit output video signal of data (12, 16, 4 and 4).
Each of the data (12, 16, 4 and 4) is also expressed with a multiple number of four. The actual data for the 6-bit output video signal are (3, 4, 1 and 1). The 6-bit output video signal is a multi-gradation signal for which the number of gradation levels appear to be increased to eight bits for 6-bit PDPs with the dither coefficients pattern (2).
The output video signals shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 2 are switched for each field.
Video signal processing using the dither coefficients patterns (1) to (4) shown in (B) of FIG. 1 are basically the same as those discussed above with reference to FIG. 2. The dither coefficients patterns (1) to (4) are switched cyclically for each field to provide multi-gradation spatially continuous than those provided by the dither coefficients patterns (1) and (2) shown in (A) of FIG. 1.
Video signals undergo digital reverse-gamma correction to provide linear gradation before being supplied to display apparatus such as PDPs. The reverse-gamma correction decreases the number of gradation levels at low luminance level to cause uncontinuous gradation, thus resulting degradation of pictures.
PDPs provides gradation of color by constituting one field with sub-fields with different luminance weighting and selecting some of the sub-fields. The sub-field selection sometimes causes differences in visual luminance between adjacent gradations. This results in degradation of still and moving pictures with pseudo edges generated on pictures.
The dither coefficients patterns discussed above are employed for pictures of liner gradation which would otherwise be degraded due to generation of pseudo edges on pictures. The dither coefficients patterns shown in FIG. 1 are however applied for all the gradations with the same dither coefficients.
These dither coefficients patterns contribute degradation of pictures with pseudo edges due to a big luminance difference between adjacent gradations for which the dither coefficients give a big difference in the number of sub-fields selected at intermediate to high luminance levels.
Degradation of gradation due to digital reverse-gamma correction differs over low to high luminance levels. There is a big difference in such degradation particularly at the low luminance level.
The dither coefficients patterns shown in FIG. 1 are applied for all the gradations with the same dither coefficients as discussed above. This results in continuity only for a part of gradations on pictures.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method of video signal processing for matrix display apparatus


An ultrahigh-frequency electronic component has an ultrahigh-frequency chip encased in a molded-resin package. The ultrahigh-frequency electronic component includes a first sealing layer encasing the ultrahigh-frequency chip therein and a second sealing layer encasing the first sealing layer therein. The first sealing layer contains a number of voids or minute air bubbles therein which are effective in reducing the permittivity of the first sealing layer. A method of manufacturing the ultrahigh-frequency electronic component is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to an ultrahigh-frequency electronic component comprising an ultrahigh-frequency chip encased in a molded resin and a method of manufacturing such an ultrahigh-frequency electronic component.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
Ultrahigh-frequency electronic devices include transistors, ICs, optical devices, surface-acoustic-wave devices, and resonators. Since these devices are used in commercial communication apparatus and satellite-mounted apparatus, they are required to be highly reliable and to have a long service life. Therefore, these ultrahigh-frequency electronic devices are assembled in hollow packages of ceramics.
In recent years, many ultrahigh-frequency electronic devices are finding use in home electronic appliances such as satellite broadcast receivers, portable telephone sets, etc. Since devices for use in home electronic appliances do not need to be so reliable and durable as those in commercial communication apparatus and satellite-mounted apparatus, it is desirable that they can be manufactured less expensively. One approach to reduce the cost of ultrahigh-frequency electronic devices for home use is to encase them in a molded resin packages according to a transfer molding method.
The molded-resin packages have the same structure as those of semiconductor devices. Specifically, an ultrahigh-frequency chip is mounted on a lead frame and then electrically connected thereto by wire bonding, and the entire assembly is placed in a mold die set where it is encased in a molded epoxy resin.
When the ultrahigh-frequency chip and the lead frame are encased in their entirety in the molded epoxy resin, since the epoxy resin has a relatively large permittivity, large parasitic capacitances are developed between conductors on the chip or bonding wires, preventing the ultrahigh-frequency chip from having a desired high-frequency gain.
In order to alleviate the above drawback, it has been customary to use a resin having a relatively small permittivity to encase ultrahigh-frequency chips, to reduce the permittivity of a portion of the resin mass which covers the ultrahigh-frequency chip, or to provide a hollow in the molded-resin package for exposing the ultrahigh-frequency chip.
One molded-resin package which uses a resin having a relatively small permittivity is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 86-237455, for example.
The disclosed molded-resin package comprises an ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor chip covered with a fluoroplastic sealing resin having a low permittivity, and the molded sealing resin is further encased in an epoxy resin. However, the disclosed molded-resin package is expensive to manufacture because the fluoroplastic resin is used as the sealing resin having a low permittivity. Another problem of the disclosed molded-resin package is that the fabrication process control is complex because it uses two types of resin.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 88-79353, for example, shows a molded-resin package in which the permittivity of a portion of the resin mass which covers an ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor chip is relatively small. The disclosed molded-resin package is fabricated by supplying an ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor chip with a first sealing resin which comprises an epoxy resin mixed with minute hollow bodies to seal the surface of the ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor chip according to a potting method, and then encasing the first sealing resin with a second sealing resin according to a transfer molding method. The minute hollow bodies are in the form of hollow glass balls.
However, because the minute hollow bodies are mixed with the first sealing resin in order to reduce the permittivity thereof, the cost of the molded-resin package increases by the cost of the minute hollow bodies. The process of sealing the surface of the. ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor chip with the minute hollow bodies comprises a relatively large number of steps as it is necessary to disperse the minute hollow bodies uniformly in the first sealing resin.
A hollow molded-resin package is revealed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 86-166138, for example. According to the disclosed fabrication process, a foaming agent is introduced into a sealing resin to cover an ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor chip, and after the sealing resin is poured into a mold die set, the foaming agent is foamed to produce a hollow where the ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor chip is exposed.
The cost of the hollow molded-resin package thus manufactured increases by the cost of the foaming agent. In addition, since the size and shape of the hollow cannot be controlled, ultrahigh-frequency semiconductor devices in such hollow molded-resin packages tend to suffer electric characteristic variations. If the hollow is excessively large, then the wall thickness of the molded sealing resin is excessively small, resulting in a reduction in the rigidity of the hollow molded-resin package.

Ultrahigh-frequency electronic component and method of manufacturing the same


Methods and apparatus for automatically tracking the position of a moving object in real time, particularly the face of a person who is being fed by a robotic system, is disclosed. The object can be tracked by comparing a prestored object model image with the current image of the object using the square-distance criteria. The search area can be limited to a region in which the face is most likely to be found and the prestored object model image can be limited to robust points. The method can include motion prediction, including both continuous motion and sudden motion, such as the motion cause by a person sneezing. Alternatively, a computationally efficient approach employing a one-dimensional algorithm can be used.

This invention relates to an intelligent robotic aid system for use in tracking and avoiding collision with an object, particularly for use in hospitals and homes. In particular, this invention relates to a robotic aid system which can be used, for instance, to assist the physically disabled user in feeding. This system includes a machine-vision subsystem that tracks the position of an object, such as a person's face, in real time and provides for reflex action.
Hammel et al., J. Rehabilitation Res. & Dev., 26(3):1 (1988), estimate that caring for a quadriplegic veteran, including standard medical treatment, equipment maintenance, and attendant care, cost about $47,000 per year. This amounts to the net direct cost of approximately five billion dollars to the Department of Veterans Affairs for its current quadriplegic population. Engelberger, Robotics in Service, The MIT Press (1989), also estimates the cost for a case of spinal cord injury to be $57,000 per patient per year.
Several works, including Hammel et al.; Seamone et al., J. Rehabilitation Res. & Dev., 22(1):38 (1985); Kwee et al., First Int. Workshop on Robotic Applications in Medical & Health Care, Ottawa June 1988); Gan et al., Proceed. of the 22nd Southeastern Symposium on System Theory, Cookeville, Tenn. (March 1990); and Dijkers et al., J. Rehabilitation Res. & Dev., 28(2):33 (1991), have addressed this problem and demonstrated the feasibility of robotic approaches. Clinical evaluations of prototype robotic aid systems revealed positive acceptance of such systems by many of the users.
Two problems must be solved for a robot to feed a person. First, the robot must continually track the position of the person's face. Second, the robot must be able to get out of the way if the person moves suddenly. The first problem can be solved if the position of the person's face can be tracked in real time. The second problem requires reflex action on the part of the robot. Both problems require the ability to predict and follow human motion. The term reflex is used to denote reactive behaviors against unexpected events.
Because the robot arm operates near the human face, a control mechanism to avoid collision is an indispensable component of the system. In Hammel et al., the robot can be stopped by a voice command STOP, pressing a stop switch, or any loud noise. The instant invention relates to integrating these passive ways of stopping the robot with autonomous collision avoidance by the robot itself. Techniques needed for this purpose are real time face tracking, motion prediction, and reactive/predictive motion planning. Thus, the instant invention enhances the safety of a robotic aid system by allowing for the integration of multiple modalities such as vision, sound, touch-sensors, and switches.
Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

Method and apparatus for automatically tracking an object


A passenger vehicle comprising a vehicle body and at least one seat is provided. The vehicle body includes a front end and a rear end. The seat is mounted within the rear end of the vehicle for translating from a first stowed position within the rear end of the vehicle to a first deployed position which is exterior to the vehicle.

1. Technical Field
The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a table and seat system in a motor vehicle.
2. Background Art
Passenger vehicles are known to include tailgates (or lift gates) positioned at a rear of the vehicle. Passenger vehicles equipped with tailgates also include a rear cargo region that is interior to the vehicle and positioned about the tailgate. The rear cargo region is generally utilized for storage purposes.
In general, vehicle occupants usually gather around the rear end of the vehicle before, during and after various entertainment events. Such events may include picnics, concerts, sporting events, etc. The most obvious type of gathering of occupants positioned about the vehicle consists of tailgating at football games. Often times these occupants may gather for hours about the rear of the vehicle consuming food and beverages. To facilitate such tailgating events, the rear cargo region is generally stocked with food, beverages, and chairs to allow occupants to sit comfortably within a group around the vehicle.
In some cases, the rear cargo region of vehicles may have limited storage capability, particularly in the area where a third row seating arrangement is needed to transport a large gathering of occupants to the event. In such a case, alternate storage mechanisms are needed to facilitate the storage of food, beverages, or other items generally brought to the entertainment events.


Disclosed is an electronic control brake system for vehicles which suppresses residual frictional force generated due to contact between pads and a disc. The electronic control brake system for vehicles includes a master cylinder, wheel brakes, each of which includes a caliper device including a disc and advancing and retracting a pair of pads pressing the disc to exhibit braking force by brake hydraulic pressure transmitted from the master cylinder, plural NO and NC type solenoid valves, low pressure accumulators, pumps and a motor pressurizing a fluid stored in the low pressure accumulators to discharge the fluid to the wheel brakes or the master cylinder, and a section between the plural solenoid valves and the low pressure accumulator is are formed as a closed circuit section, and the pump is driven to move a part of the fluid in the closed circuit section to the outlet of the pump.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic control brake system for vehicles which prevents residual frictional force generated between a disc and pads.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a vehicle is provided with a plurality of wheel brakes, each of which includes a caliper device including a disc and a pair of pads to brake a front wheel or a rear wheel to decelerate or stop the vehicle, a booster forming brake hydraulic pressure and transmitting the brake hydraulic pressure to the wheel brakes and a master cylinder, and thus, when a driver presses a brake pedal, the hydraulic pressure formed on the booster and the master cylinder is transmitted to pads of the wheel brakes, and the pads press the disc, thus generating braking force. However, when brake pressure is greater than a road surface state or frictional force of the wheel brakes generated by the brake pressure is greater than braking force generated from tires or a road surface while the driver presses the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to be in a braking force increasing state or a braking force maintaining state, slippage of the tires on the road surface occurs.
Recently, in order to effectively prevent such slippage to provide strong and stable braking force and to facilitate driving operation, brake systems, such as an anti-lock brake system (ABS) preventing slippage of wheels during braking, a traction control system (TCS) preventing excessive slippage of wheels during sudden start or sudden acceleration of a vehicle, and a vehicle dynamic control system stably maintaining the driving state of a vehicle by controlling a brake by combining an ABS and a TCS if the vehicle is not adjusted according to driver intention by force applied from the outside during high-speed driving of the vehicle, have been developed.
These conventional brake systems for vehicles include in common a modulator block (i.e., a hydraulic unit) including a plurality of solenoid valves, accumulators, a motor and pumps to control brake hydraulic pressure transmitted to wheel brakes, and an ECU to control electrically operated parts. The ECU senses a vehicle speed through respective wheel sensors disposed on front wheels and rear wheels, and thus controls operation of the respective solenoid valves, motor and pumps.
In the conventional brake systems, a disc of the wheel brake and a pair of pads pressing both sides of the disc may minutely come into contact due to partial abrasion without generation of brake pressure during driving. Contact between the disc and the pads generates residual frictional force and thus causes acceleration and driving loss.

Electronic control brake system for vehicles


The present invention relates to a device for the suspension and translational guidance of an item of apparatus (1) intended to be displaced, parallel to its longitudinal axis (X--X) with respect to a stationary support (2), having one pair of suspension elements (4A, 4B) spaced along said longitudinal axis (X--X) while being flexible parallel to said axis, and controllable actuating means (10) intended to exert a force parallel to said axis (X--X) on said suspension elements.. According to the invention, each of said suspension elements (4A, 4B) consists of at least one pair of blades (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B), one end of one of said blades being secured to said support (2) and one end of the other of said blades being secured to said item of apparatus (1), the other ends of said blades being secured to each other.

The present invention relates to a device for the suspension and translational guidance of an item of apparatus intended to be displaced, parallel to its longitudinal axis (X--X) with respect to a stationary support, as well as to such an item of apparatus which is equipped with said device.
Although not exclusively, such a device is more particularly appropriate for being used for displacing an item of apparatus which itself forms part of an optical instrument in which it is necessary, for example, to displace one or more lenses with a view to achieving optimum adjustment, it being necessary for this displacement to be performed accurately in the direction of the optical axis of the lens or lenses concerned, without any offcentering or angular offset.
There is already known, from patent FR-2 648 241 in the name of the same applicant company, a device for the suspension and translational guidance of an item of apparatus intended to be displaced, parallel to its longitudinal axis (X--X) with respect to a stationary support, of the type having at least one pair of suspension elements spaced along said longitudinal axis (X--X) and arranged at least roughly transversely to said axis (X--X) while being flexible parallel to said axis (X--X), one end of each of said suspension elements being secured to said item of apparatus and another end of each of said suspension elements being secured to said support, and controllable actuating means intended to exert a force parallel to said longitudinal axis (X--X) on said suspension elements.
However, in this case, each suspension element consists of a single flexible blade which means that when a force is exerted parallel to the longitudinal axis (X--X) on the assembly formed by these two blades, there is a risk of said axis and therefore the optical axis of the lens or lenses concerned being offcentered.
The aim of the present invention is to overcome this drawback.

Device for the suspension and translational guidance of an item of apparatus and item of apparatus equipped with such a device

Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle


The polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes a hydrophilically surface-treated polymer particle filler, and a proton conductive polymer. The polymer electrolyte membrane has improved properties in conductivity, swelling, tensile strength and modulus.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, and a membrane-electrode assembly and a fuel cell system including the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A fuel cell is a power generation system for producing electrical energy through an electrochemical redox reaction of an oxidant and hydrogen in a hydrocarbon-based material such as methanol, ethanol, or natural gas.
Such a fuel cell is a clean energy source that can replace fossil fuels. It includes a stack composed of unit cells, and produces various ranges of power output. Since it has a four to ten times higher energy density than a small lithium battery, it has been highlighted as a small portable power source.
Representative exemplary fuel cells include a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and a direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC). The direct oxidation fuel cell includes a direct methanol fuel cell that uses methanol as a fuel.
The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell has an advantage of high energy density and high power, but it also has problems in the need to carefully handle hydrogen gas and the requirement for additional devices such as a fuel reforming processor for reforming methane or methanol, natural gas, and the like in order to produce hydrogen as the fuel gas.
On the contrary, a direct oxidation fuel cell has lower energy density than that of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, but has the advantages of easy handling of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, a low operation temperature, and no need for additional fuel reforming processors.
In the above-mentioned fuel cell system, a stack that generates electricity substantially includes several to scores of unit cells stacked adjacent to one another, and each unit cell is formed of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and a separator (also referred to as a bipolar plate). The membrane-electrode assembly is composed of an anode (also referred to as a "fuel electrode" or an "oxidation electrode") and a cathode (also referred to as an "air electrode" or a "reduction electrode") that are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane.
A fuel is supplied to an anode and adsorbed on catalysts of the anode, and the fuel is oxidized to produce protons and electrons. The electrons are transferred into a cathode via an external circuit, and the protons are transferred into the cathode through the polymer electrolyte membrane. In addition, an oxidant is supplied to the cathode, and then the oxidant, protons, and electrons are reacted on catalysts of the cathode to produce electricity along with water.

Polymer membrane, membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cell, and fuel cell system including same

Gongse-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do


A fluorescent infrared emitting composition comprising a mixture of a first material and a second material wherein the first material is a fluorescent infrared material and the second material is a fluorescent material having a higher photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) and shorter peak wavelength than the infrared emitting material. The composition may be used as the light-emitting layer of an organic light-emitting device.

Electronic devices containing active organic materials include devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photoresponsive devices (in particular organic photovoltaic devices and organic photosensors), organic transistors and memory array devices. Devices containing active organic materials can offer benefits such as low weight, low power consumption and flexibility. Moreover, use of soluble organic materials allows use of solution processing in device manufacture, for example inkjet printing or spin-coating.
An OLED includes an anode, a cathode and one or more organic layers between the anode and cathode including at least one organic light-emitting layer.
Holes are injected into the device through the anode and electrons are injected through the cathode during operation of the device. Holes in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and electrons in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of a light-emitting material combine to form an exciton that releases its energy as light.
A light emitting layer may comprise a semiconducting host material and a light-emitting dopant wherein energy is transferred from the host material to the light-emitting dopant. J. Appl. Phys. 65, 3610, 1989 discloses a host material doped with a fluorescent light-emitting dopant (that is, a light-emitting material in which light is emitted via decay of a singlet exciton).
Kang et al, Macromolecules, 1996, 29 (1), pp 165-169 discloses organic light-emitting diodes made from a blend of polymers.
OLEDs containing infrared emitting materials are also known as disclosed in, for example, Chuk-Lam Ho, Hua Li and Wai-Yeung Wong, "Red to near-infrared organometallic phosphorescent dyes for OLED applications", J. Organomet. Chem. 751 (2014), 261-285.
Infrared emitting materials have a relatively small bandgap compared to materials emitting in the visible region. Consequently, efficiency of infrared materials can be low due to a high proportion of excitons decaying non-radiatively in accordance with the energy gap law.
It is an object of the invention to provide high efficiency infrared emission.

Fluorescent infrared emitting composition


A sterilizer may include: a first pipe having an inner wall with a light reflecting property; a second pipe disposed in the first pipe so as to pass fluid therethrough and formed of a light transmitting material; and a plurality of UV LEDs arranged on the inner wall of the first pipe and configured to irradiate sterilization UV light onto the fluid.

The technology disclosed in this patent document relates to a sterilizer, including a fluid sterilizer and an associated connecting device.
Due to the recent concern about water pollution caused by environmental contamination, the demand for a water purifier has increased. There are various kinds of water purifiers available, such as a natural filtration water purifier, a direct-connection filtration water purifier, an ion-exchange resin water purifier, a distillation water purifier, a reverse osmosis water purifier and others, according to the water purification techniques or processes used for water purification.
Recently, there have emerged water purifiers which directly sterilize water using ultra-violet (UV) light. Many conventional water purifiers using UV light use an underwater UV light source. Such a conventional water purifier, in one example, fills a container with water to be sterilized, and turn on a UV light source dipped or submerged in the water to sterilize the water. The conventional water purifier has advantages in that the installation can be completed by dipping or submerging the UV light source in the container filled with the water, the equipment can be reduced in size, and the installation cost can be saved. However, the conventional water purifier may require a considerable reaction time for irradiating UV light to sterilize water, or may not uniformly sterilize all the water in the container.
One example of such a conventional water purifier using UV light is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2012-0134809 and entitled "Water purifier".

Fluid sterilizer and associated connecting device


An optimized method for the transmission of multimedia contents between a multimedia content transmitter and a multimedia content receiver in a mobile radio network transmitting a multimedia content description vector from the transmitter to the receiver, calculating a pertinence score of the content from the description vector and as a function of a user profile associated with a user of the receiver, and recovering, at the explicit request of the receiver, a block or blocks of the content not received by the receiver, with a priority depending on the pertinence score associated with the content to which the missing block(s) belong(s).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optimized method of transmitting news with multimedia content between a multimedia content transmitter and a multimedia content receiver in a mobile radio network.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The above kind of receiver can be connected to a radio broadcast network broadcasting collective news. This system is based on a network of terrestrial transmitters or geosynchronous or non-geosynchronous broadcast satellites, or a combination of broadcast satellites and terrestrial repeaters.
In the present description, the term "collective news" refers to news of interest to some or all users of a mobile radio system.
There are various prior art standards covering mobile telephone systems and architectures. They include the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and the more recent third generation (3G) standard for mobile transmission at high bit rates, known in Europe as the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The term "GSM network" includes prior art services and enhancements known as GPRS and GERAN.
In the order in which they are cited above, these standards provide the benefit of increasingly high voice/data transmission bit rates for point-to-point connections (i.e. for a call between two users).
However, until now, few solutions have been offered for broadcasting collective news with multimedia content, for which the above standards are not suitable.
The term "broadcast" is used in the case of undifferentiated broadcasting to the whole of a population of users of a cellular mobile radio network, and the term "multicast" is used when news is addressed to a subset of that population. In the latter case, the subset of the population can be defined by a corresponding subscription, for example.
The Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcast (SDMB) system for broadcasting to 3G mobile terminals can deliver multimedia content to 3G mobile terminals.
It is based on a geosynchronous satellite broadcasting to Europe a signal compatible with the standardized W-CDMA waveform used in UMTS terrestrial cellular networks. It operates in the IMT2000 satellite bands adjoining the IMT2000 terrestrial bands. To provide coverage in urban and suburban areas, the SDMB system also provides for the deployment of terrestrial repeaters. In the SDMB system, terminals are designed to operate in terrestrial cellular networks and to receive the SDMB satellite signal.
In the present context, the SDMB system cooperates with cellular networks to offer a low-cost multimedia content delivery and routing service with European coverage.
The transport layer of the SDMB system implements:                protection mechanisms to prevent loss of content based on the use of short-term and long-term forward error correction (FEC) techniques known in the art, or even carousel type retransmission, to alleviate transmission errors caused mainly by blocking of the satellite service link when the terminal is masked by an obstacle such as a building, a tree, a tunnel, etc., and        reactive protection mechanisms that take account of transmission errors a posteriori; these mechanisms include mechanisms for adjusting the FEC depth and, in the last resort, submitting requests for recovery of content blocks lost during transmission.
The transport layer of the SDMB system uses a combination of the mechanisms previously cited with a bandwidth consumption in the satellite segment and by access to the return channels in the cellular networks that is a function of the required routing guarantee.
In the case of a high routing guarantee and a restricted deployment of terrestrial repeaters, the return channel of a terminal may be heavily accessed by the cellular network. This penalizes one objective of the system, namely reducing transmission cost.
To remedy this problem, it is possible to modify the preventive transport mechanisms by increasing the FEC depth. However, this solution increases the bandwidth consumed to transmit a content.
Another solution is to require lost blocks to be retransmitted only when the user wishes to access the content. However, this loses the benefit of content delivery aimed at statistically reducing the time to access the content.
The present invention aims to solve the above problems.

Optimized method of transmitting multimedia content


Provided is an AD conversion apparatus including: a differential amplifier that generates a differential input voltage according to an analog input signal; a differential DA converter of a charge redistribution type, which outputs a differential output voltage resulting from subtracting the differential input voltage from a differential comparison voltage that is in accordance with comparison data; a comparator that compares a positive output voltage and a negative output voltage in the differential output voltage; a control section that identifies the comparison data at which the differential output voltage becomes substantially 0 based on a comparison result of the comparator, and outputs the identified comparison data as output data; and a setting section that sets at least one of a common potential of the differential amplifier and a common potential of the differential DA converter, according to a targeted value of a common potential of the comparator

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an AD conversion apparatus and a control method.
2. Related Art
The S/N ratio of a successive approximation AD converter depends on the accuracy of its internal comparator. The magnitude of the noise generated by the comparator depends on the common potential of the input end of the comparator. Therefore, the S/N ratio of a successive approximation AD converter can be improved by setting the common potential of its internal comparator to an optimal value.
An successive approximation AD converter equipped with a charge redistribution type differential DA converter is already known (Patent Document No. 1). This type of AD converters uses a comparator to compare a positive voltage with a negative voltage in the differential output voltage outputted from the differential DA converter in the successive approximation, thereby detecting DAC data at which the differential output voltage becomes substantially 0.    Patent Document No. 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,302
The differential DA converter outputs a differential output voltage that changes between the positive side and the negative side with the common potential as the center. Therefore, the differential DA converter can maximize the dynamic range of the differential output voltage by setting the midpoint potential of the positive reference potential and the negative reference voltage to the common potential.
In a successive approximation AD converter having such a differential DA converter, however, the comparator compares the positive voltage and the negative voltage in the differential output voltage outputted from the differential DA converter. Therefore, when changing the common potential of the comparator for the purpose of reducing the noise from the comparator, the common potential of the differential DA converter should be changed as well. For this reason, with a successive approximation AD converter equipped with a differential DA converter, it has been difficult to reduce the noise from the comparator as well as widening the dynamic range of the differential DA converter.

A-D convert apparatus and control method


An optical fiber, which is provided in each of channels of an optical fiber array disposed on V-grooves, has a portion (reflecting section) at which a core is cut out at an intermediate position of the optical fiber. The reflected light, which is split from a signal light transmitted in the core of the optical fiber on the basis of a refractive index difference at the reflecting section, is obtained through a index matching layer provided outside a clad of the optical fiber. The reflected light is monitored by a photodetector of a photodetecting array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical device having one optical fiber or a plurality of optical fibers (optical fiber array) and a method of producing the same. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical device which is preferably used when a signal light, which is transmitted through an optical fiber, is monitored at an intermediate position of the optical fiber, and a method of producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nowadays, a wavelength division multiplexing by an optical fiber amplifier has been developed. A quantity of light transmitted through an optical fiber is monitored at respective wavelengths in the wavelength division multiplexing. After a quantity of light monitored is adjusted, a quantity of light adjusted is amplified by the optical fiber amplifier to maintain an amplifier's characteristics.
A variety of methods are known for the monitoring. However, monitor devices are mounted for respective fibers. Therefore, an optical device is larger in size.
For this reason, it is demanded to realize a small size and a high density of the monitor device. Further, when the monitoring is performed, a part of the signal light is split from the optical fiber. However, it is demanded to monitor a signal light transmitted through the optical fiber without attenuation of the signal light.
A technique as shown in FIG. 42 has been hitherto disclosed (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-264594). In this technique, an optical fiber 204 is disposed on a V-groove 202 formed on a glass substrate 200, and then a parallel groove 206 is formed in the glass substrate 200 so that the parallel groove 206 extends obliquely across the optical fiber 204 (with respect to the optical axis of the optical fiber 204). As shown in FIG. 44, a member 208 for reflecting light (optical member) is inserted into the parallel groove 206, and a gap of the parallel groove 206 is filled with an ultraviolet-curable resin (adhesive) 210.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 43, a signal light 212 transmitted through the optical fiber 204 is reflected by the member 208 and a light component (reflected light) 214 of the signal light 212 is split outside a clad of the optical fiber 204. Therefore, when the reflected light 214 is detected, for example, by a photodetector 216, it is possible to monitor the signal light 212.
The conventional art is also disclosed as shown in FIG. 45 (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-264594). In this art, a groove 200 is provided on the upper surface of a glass substrate 202, and an optical fiber 204 is placed and fixed in the groove 204 of the glass substrate 202. An end surface 206 (inclined end surface) is formed by cutting with a dicing saw. Further, a reflector 208 of a metal film is stuck with a resin to the inclined end surface 206. A light-receiving element 210 is provided on the upper surface of the glass substrate 202.
Accordingly, a light component 214 having a specified wavelength, which is included in a signal light 212 transmitted through the optical fiber 204, is reflected by the reflector 208, and the light component 214 is split to the outside of the clad. Therefore, when the reflected light 214 is detected with the light-receiving element 216 disposed on the glass substrate 202, it is possible to monitor the signal light.
In the case of the conventional monitor device as shown in FIG. 42, the member 208 is a distinct optical member from the glass substrate 200 and the optical fiber 204 and is inserted into the parallel groove 206 provided to the glass substrate 200 and the optical fiber 204. Therefore, at first, it is necessary to position the member 208 accurately. However, when the adhesive 210 is injected into the gap, the position of the member 208 in the parallel groove 206 is shifted by the adhesive 210 and it is difficult to position the member 208 in the parallel groove 206.
Further, it is necessary to decide the width of the parallel groove 206 so that the member 208 is inserted into the parallel groove 206 and the adhesive 210 is injected into the gap of the parallel groove 206. Therefore, it is difficult to realize an optical device having a relatively small size. Further, the signal light 212 transmitted through the optical fiber 204 is greatly attenuated at the parallel groove 206.
If the width of the parallel groove 206 becomes narrower, it is possible to realize an optical device having a small size and to restrain the attenuation of the signal light 212. In this case, it is necessary to narrow the width of the member 208. As a result, the mechanical strength of the member 208 is insufficient and the optical device cannot be used due to the a cycle and a handling during producing the optical device.
The parallel groove 206 is formed between the top surface of the glass substrate 200 and the bottom surface the glass substrate 200. Therefore, if the width of the parallel groove 206 becomes narrower, the machining load to the glass substrate 200 is increased during the cutting and the machining accuracy and the surface accuracy of the parallel groove 206 are decreased.
In the case of the conventional monitor device as shown in FIG. 45, the light-receiving element 210 is installed directly on the glass substrate 202. Therefore, the distance, which ranges from the clad surface of the optical fiber 204 to the upper surface of the glass substrate 202 (especially the surface on which the light-receiving element 210 is installed), is lengthened in some cases, and the reflected light 214, which comes from the reflector 208, comes into the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element 210 in an oblique direction in other cases.
The spot diameter of the reflected light 214 is increased exponentially as the optical path of the reflected light 214 is lengthened. Therefore, the spot diameter of the reflected light 214 is possibly larger than the diameter of the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element 210, for example, when the light-receiving element 210 is installed outside the clad with a refractive index-adjusting layer.
In another case, when the reflected light 214 comes obliquely with respect to the light-receiving surface, the spot diameter of the reflected light 214 may also be larger than the diameter of the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element 210. In such a situation, a part of the spot of the reflected light 214 may protrude from the light-receiving surface, which may result in the loss of the reflected light 214, and the light-receiving sensitivity may be lowered. In the case of an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers 204 are arranged, the so-called crosstalk may be caused, in which the reflected light 214 of a certain optical fiber 204 comes into the light-receiving element 210 corresponding to an adjacent optical fiber 204.
In view of the above, in order to solve the problem as described above, the angle of the end surface 206 of the glass substrate 202, i.e., the angle with respect to the vertical plane may be increased to decrease the angle of incidence into the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element 210. However, when it is assumed that another optical part is installed on the end surface 206 of the glass substrate 202, the angle of inclination of the end surface cannot be increased extremely for the optical part to be connected to the optical fiber 204 in relation to the strength and the demand for the miniaturization.
Therefore, if the angle of the end surface 206 of the glass substrate 202 is increased, it is difficult to fix another optical part to the end surface 206 of the glass substrate 202. Further, the distance, which ranges from the end surface of the optical fiber 204 to the other optical part, is lengthened, and the signal light may be greatly attenuated.
If the light-receiving element is installed closely to the end surface 206 on the upper surface of the glass substrate 202, the following problem may arise. When another optical part is installed on the end surface 206 of the glass substrate 202, for example, the end surface 206 of the glass substrate 202 and the other optical part may be fixed with a UV adhesive or UV-curable adhesive. In such a case, the ultraviolet light is radiated from a position over the end surface 206 of the glass substrate 202 toward the end surface 206. However, as described above, if the light-receiving element 210 is installed closely to the end surface 206, the light-receiving element 210 interposes in the path of radiation of the ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light may not be radiated onto the UV-curable adhesive sufficiently, and it is impossible to cure the adhesive.
In the conventional monitor device as described above, another optical part (optical waveguide path) may be joined to an end surface of the optical fiber of the monitor device, for example, with an adhesive.
However, if the adhesive is used, exfoliation or deterioration of the adhesive may be caused due to changes over time thereof. For example, if any exfoliation of the adhesive is caused on the end surface of the optical fiber, the following situation is assumed. Even when an angle at which the reflected light is not returned to the core is adopted as the angle of inclination of the end surface of the optical fiber, the reflected light may be returned to the core depending on the condition of the exfoliation surface of the adhesive (for example, the shape and the angle of the surface of the adhesive).
In such a situation, if the reflected light is returned to the core of the optical fiber, the reflected light harmfully affects on the light source or the like.

Optical device and method of producing the same


A soft action clutch uses a helical spring attached to a pulley at one end and free at the other end. In a relaxed state, preferably, the helical spring presses outwardly pushing a brake pad assembly against a fixed outer field cup braking the pulley. To serve as a clutch, a rotor has a pole face to magnetically draw the helical spring towards it. The resulting friction between the rotor and helical spring causes the spring to wrap down on a spring loaded friction disk. The wrap down compresses the friction disk radially, creating two frictional links from the friction disk to the rotor and the pulley, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to systems for clutches and brakes, and more particularly to an improved clutch and brake assembly. Use of self-energizing clutches has been widely used and well understood in the art.
2. Background of the Related Art
Clutches are used generally to control the transmission of torque between rotating machine elements. Positive clutches, when engaged, lock the elements together to rotate as one. Such clutches may be xe2x80x9cself-energizingxe2x80x9d to the extent that the force of engagement increases as the torque between the shafts increases.
It is known to those skilled in the art to produce electrical, self-energizing, positive clutches utilizing a helical spring attached at one end to one rotating machine element, and electromagnetically attracted to the second rotating machine element by an electromagnetic coil when the clutch is to be activated. Twisting, of the helical spring caused by relative motion of the two rotating machine elements causes the spring to tighten about an annular wedge of frictional material to press it against opposed faces of the two machine elements bringing them into frictional linking. The helical spring and the wedge shape of the frictional material define a mechanical advantage that may allow a relatively low force of attraction between the electromagnet and the helical band to nevertheless provide a high torque coupling of the two machine elements in a desirable manner. One example of such a clutch is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,149,706, and hereby incorporated by reference.
Often it is desirable, when the clutch is disengaged, to lock the driven machine element in place to prevent free-wheeling. For this purpose, an electric brake may be attached to the driven machine element. However, there are problems associated with this solution. For example, circuitry must be provided to energize the brake when the electric clutch is de-energized. Actuation of the brake while the clutch is engaged causes excessive wear. Further, the use of an electric brake increases the cost, size and complexity of the total drive mechanism. Therefore, there is a need for an improved clutch and brake assembly which has a minimum of components, high life cycle and aids in assuring adequate safety.
The preferred embodiment provides a combination electrical clutch and brake sharing many components to reduce bulk and expense. Generally, the invention modifies the helical spring clutch mechanism so that when the spring is untorsioned, it expands radially outward against a brake sleeve restraining the driven machine element from free rotation. When under torsion, the helical band compresses a friction material to interconnect the driven machine element with the driving machine element while simultaneously releasing itself from the brake sleeve.
Specifically, the preferred embodiment provides an electric clutch and brake having a helical spring coaxial with an axis of rotation, the helical spring having a first and second end. A first machine element rotatable about the axis of rotation is attached to a first end of the helical spring. The first machine element has the first friction surface disposed on a first radial side of the helical spring. A second machine element rotatable about the axis of rotation has a second friction surface disposed on the first radial side of the helical spring and further has a pole face adjacent to the second end of the helical spring. An electromagnetic coil is positioned adjacent to the pole face so as to pull the second end of the helical spring into contact with the pole face when electrical current is passed through the electromagnetic coil. A retention plate having a third frictional surface is disposed on a second radial side of the helical spring opposite the first radial side of the helical spring. The helical spring causes frictional linking between the third frictional surface and the first machine element in a relaxed state when no current flows through the electromagnetic coil. The helical spring causes a frictional linking between the first and second frictional surfaces in a torsion state when current flows through the electromagnet coil.
Thus, it is one object to provide a simple combination clutch and brake mechanism. The same helical spring providing a frictional linking between the first and second machine elements provides a braking action to the first machine element when engaging this retention plate.
It is another object to provide a combination clutch and brake assembly in which clutching and braking action are mutually exclusive, reducing the possibility of unintentional clutch or brake wear. Because this same helical spring in alternate states provides both braking and clutching, the clutch and brake may not be simultaneously activated.
The first radial side of the helical spring may be the inside of the helical spring and the second radial side may be the outside of the helical spring.
It is another object, therefore, to provide an extremely compact brake clutch assembly. By placing the frictional surfaces in opposition radially, the total shaft length of the clutch brake assembly need not be increased over what would be required for the clutch alone.
The retention plate may be an annular cylinder coaxial with the axis of rotation having a radially inner surface adjacent to the outer radial surface of the helical spring. The frictional linking between the third frictional surface and the first machine element may be caused by a contacting of the outer radial surface of the helical spring with the inner surface of the annular cylinder.
Thus, it is another object to provide an extremely simple clutch and brake mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, by allowing the helical spring to directly contact the outer annular surface of the retention plate, the brake may be implemented with essentially no additional components over that required for the clutch alone.
One embodiment includes a device which comprises a cushioned clutch by reducing the friction. The soft action clutch can function integral with the brake assembly by sharing components. Another embodiment provides a brake pad assembly to more effectively brake a pulley. Further, an embodiment provides friction material between a clutch spring and a pole face to more effectively engage the two surfaces. Still further, an embodiment includes a spring-loaded bumper block to bias a friction disk to prevent premature wear and provide soft engagement. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a clutch which engages free of interference and still provides a reliable brake.
These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.


A spinal spacer assembly comprises spacer tubes of different cross sections including kidney shaped, oblong, oval and round. The spacer tubes have internal ribs for receiving top and bottom end caps. Such end caps are pressed into the top and bottom openings of the spacer tube so as to be supported on and frictionally engage the internal ribs. The end caps are flush with the tops and bottoms of the spacer tubes except for serrations on the end caps which may project outwardly therefrom.

The present invention relates to spinal spacer assemblies for use in spinal fusion procedures. Spinal fusion employs the use of spacer assemblies comprising a hollow mesh spacer tube and end caps, which assemblies act to space apart and fuse together adjacent vertebrae. These mesh spacer tubes are often formed of titanium and are available in varying shapes and sizes. In addition, they can be trimmed on site by the surgeon to provide a better individual fit for each patient.
Spinal spacer assemblies of this type are shown in a number of U.S. patents including Biedermann et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,451, Biedermann et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,031, Camino et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,613 and the Truscott U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,681. These patents show a number of known spinal spacer assemblies comprising a hollow mesh spacer tube which can be trimmed to different heights and having upper and lower end caps. These patents also illustrate that spinal spacer assemblies of the present type are provided in different cross sections. Such spacer assemblies are generally hollow and include openings in the side thereof to provide access for bone to grow and fuse within the mesh tube.
The need exists for further improvements in the field of spinal spacer assemblies of the present type.


A switch module comprising: a first body; a first switching circuit contained within the first body; a first set of connector ports electrically coupled to the first switching circuit; a second body; a second switching circuit contained within the second body; a second set of connector port electrically coupled to the second switching circuit; a plurality of first cables fixedly attached to and extending from the first body, each cable in the plurality of first cables having an USB connector plug; and a plurality of second cables fixedly attached to and extending from the second body, each cable in the plurality of second cables having a video connector plug; wherein the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit switch to connect each of the first set of connector ports to one of the plurality of first cables and the second set of connector port to one of the plurality of second cables, respectively.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) switch for interconnecting at least two computer hosts each having user interface devices, including a keyboard, a video display unit, and a cursor control device or mouse, allowing a user to access any one of the computer hosts from a single terminal, and more particularly, to a switch module with low manufacture cost for enabling a single user to control multiple computer hosts at a single terminal.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
There exist devices for interconnecting a single computer to multiple computers. For example, a keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) switch is a device that is generally connected to multiple computers in order to enable a single keyboard, video monitor and mouse to control each of the connected computers. In this way, a user may have access to multiple computers without having to invest in corresponding keyboards, monitors, and mice for each of the computers. When the user accesses a computer connected to the KVM switch, video signals are routed from the computer, processed, and displayed on the single video monitor.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,035,112, as shown in FIG. 1, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, discloses an original KVM switch 10 comprising: a body 40; a switching circuit contained within the body; a set of connector ports electrically coupled to the switching circuit; and, a plurality of cables 11 fixedly attached to and extending from the body 40, each cable in the plurality of cables 11 having a plurality of connector plugs 30, wherein each connector plug 31, 32, 33 in the plurality of connector plugs 30 for one of the cables in the plurality of cables 11 are matched a respective connector plug in another one of the cables in the plurality of cables 11, and wherein the switching circuit switches to connect each of the set of connector ports to one of the plurality of cables 11.
For manufacture cost toward a KVM switch speaking, cables with plurality of connector plugs (keyboard plug, video plug and mouse plug) weigh 70% of KVM total manufacture cost. The automatic switch in '112 patent with two cables with plurality of connector plugs will increase the manufacture cost. It is not benefit for manufacturing.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a KVM switch that has an intuitive user interface to allow for easy interaction with one or more computers connected to the KVM switch without increasing the manufacture cost.


A method of controlling a watercraft comprises actuating a lever, controlling a speed of rotation of an engine to be at or below a reverse gate actuation speed in response to the actuation of the lever, moving the reverse gate in response to the actuation of the lever without further driver intervention once the speed of rotation of the engine is at or below the reverse gate actuation speed, and controlling the speed of rotation of the engine in order to decelerate the watercraft in response to the actuation of the lever and the reverse gate moving without further driver intervention. A watercraft and a method of controlling the watercraft based at least in part on an angle of a helm assembly are also disclosed.

In jet propelled watercraft, such as personal watercraft or jet boat, the watercraft can be propelled in reverse by lowering a reverse gate behind the output of the water jet thus redirecting the jet toward the front of the watercraft which creates a thrust in the reverse direction. The reverse gate is actuated by a hand activated lever which, when pulled, lowers the reverse gate in front of the water jet. The lever is placed near the driver's area but the driver must let go of the steering mechanism in order the grasp the reverse lever. Therefore, the driver must drive with only one hand on the steering mechanism while actuating the lever. Also, in some cases they must momentarily divert their attention when reaching for the reverse lever. On some watercraft, the reverse lever is on the same side of the watercraft as the throttle operator which forces the driver to release the throttle operator to activate the reverse gate lever.
In most jet propelled watercraft, the engine and jet propulsion system are connected directly to each other via at least one shaft. This arrangement causes the jet propulsion system to always provide some forward thrust, even when the engine is idling, because the shaft is still rotating. This results in the watercraft moving forward even though the driver is not actuating the throttle lever. One possible solution consists in providing a clutch between the engine and the jet propulsion system, however this can prove to be mechanically complex in view of the limited area available in the engine compartment of these vehicles.
Also, as in most watercraft, jet propelled watercraft are not usually provided with means for actively decelerating the watercraft. The driver must therefore plan ahead of time to decelerate, and eventually stop, the watercraft as they need to do so by letting the vehicle decelerate on its own.
Therefore, there is a need for a way to activate the reverse gate of a jet propelled watercraft which allows the driver of the vehicle to keep both hands on the steering mechanism.
There is also a need for a way to decelerate a jet propelled watercraft.


Regarding a method for manufacturing an electrostatic latent image developing toner, which includes a process for aggregating particulates of components such as a binder resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent, a dispersion solution of binder resin particulates obtained by a specific method is used. The dispersion solution of the binder resin particulates are prepared as an oil-in-water emulsion containing particulates including the binder resin by mixing the binder resin, which is polyester resin, in a molten state with an organic base in a liquid state so as to neutralize the binder resin and subsequently mixing a resin molten solution with water. The amount of use of the organic base is 6 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. The degree of neutralization of the binder resin neutralized by the organic base is 100% or more.

The present application relates to methods for manufacturing an electrostatic latent image developing toner.
Regarding the electrostatic latent image developing toner, in recent years, it has been expected to reduce a particle diameter of toner particles to enhance resolution for better image quality. In order to output images of high quality, it is effective to make an average particle diameter of toner particles smaller to approximately 5 μm.
For the method of making the diameter of toner particles smaller, for example, it is possible to give a method for forming toner particles by emulsifying and dispersing, in a solvent, a component such as a resin and a pigment both of which are materials for the toner particles, and aggregating components such as the resin and the pigment that are materials for the toner particles. However, since an organic solvent and a large amount of surfactant are used in this method, there is a problem of causing a large amount of discharged water having a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) value and a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) value.
To solve such problems, suggested is a method of manufacturing, without using an organic solvent, a resin emulsified solution used for manufacturing the electrostatic latent image developing toner. In addition, a method of manufacturing toner without using an organic solvent is suggested for preparing an emulsified dispersion solution such as a resin or a pigment that is used for preparation of the toner particles.

Method for manufacturing electrostatic latent image developing toner


Winged tilt-rotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and related methods are disclosed. Aircraft comprise an airframe comprising one or more wings; one or more tilt-adjustable rotors positioned forward of the one or more wings; and one or more fixed-tilt rotors positioned behind at least one of the one or more wings. Methods comprise tilting only one or more forward rotors positioned in front of one or more wings of the aircraft, and not tilting one or more rearward rotors positioned behind at least one of the one or more wings.

Unlike conventional aircraft, VTOL aircraft, like helicopters, do not need a runway. They can lift off and land vertically, which means they only need a landing/launch surface large enough to accommodate their airframe. Thus, VTOL aircraft are versatile because they can take off and land from much tighter spaces (and therefore from many more locations) than conventional fixed-wing aircraft. Helicopters, for example, land on, and take off from, building rooftops even in densely populated cities. Some VTOL aircraft use wings because, when cruising, wings are more efficient and lower-maintenance than rotors, thereby extending the range and speed of the aircraft, and enabling longer, faster flights. Helicopters and other wingless VTOL aircraft must utilize flaps or other flight control surfaces to point the rotors in the direction of motion. This is why helicopters initially tilt their noses downward when transitioning from hovering (vertical flight) to cruising (horizontal flight). Winged VTOL aircraft on the other hand, employ various methods for transitioning between hovering and cruising.
Some winged VTOL aircraft use tilting wings to transition between hovering and cruising (and are thus often referred to as "tilt-wing aircraft"). However, tilting an entire wing requires much more force than the smaller flight control surfaces (e.g., aileron, elevator, and rudder) of conventional fixed-wing aircraft. Further, such wings are highly susceptible to wind gusts when they are vertically oriented for hovering.
Thus, other VTOL aircraft attempt to transition between hovering and cruising by tilting just the rotors (not the entire wings), and are thus often referred to as "tilt-rotor aircraft." In particular, some tilt-rotor aircraft comprise a forward set of rotors (positioned forward of the wings) and a rearward set of rotors (positioned behind the wings) that are all tilted simultaneously. A single tilt mechanism may be configured to tilt both a forward rotor and a rearward rotor. Thus, the forward and rearward rotors cannot be tilted independently of one another. However, tilting all of the rotors still requires substantial force, and such aircraft can become aerodynamically unstable when transitioning between hovering and cruising.
Further, both such designs (both tilt-wing and tilt-rotor designs) create the potential for single-point non-performance events because the aircraft may rely on a single tilting mechanism (either one mechanism that tilts the wings or one mechanism that tilts multiple rotors) to transition between hovering and cruising. Because VTOL must transition from cruising to hovering to land, the wing-tilting may be critical to the aircraft's ability to complete a flight. Thus, non-performance of just one of the tilt mechanisms mid-flight may not be tolerated in many of the above tilt designs.
Other winged VTOL aircraft attempt to overcome this problem by including two separate sets of fixed-position rotors, one dedicated for vertical flight, and another for horizontal flight. However, such aircraft require twice as many rotors (one set for vertical flying and a second set for horizontal flying), making the aircraft heavier (and thus less energy efficient) and more expensive.
Further, all of the winged VTOL aircraft described above (the fixed-rotor aircraft, the tilt-rotor aircraft, and the tilt-wing aircraft) suffer from aerodynamic difficulties when transitioning from hovering to cruising due to the interaction between the flow field generated by the hover mode, the incoming airflow, and the wing geometry. The transition maneuver presents the highest power demand on the aircraft and thus may require a larger, less efficient, and more costly aircraft. Therefore, a winged VTOL that more efficiently transitions between the hover and cruise modes is desired.

Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and related methods