A device and method is available for detecting abnormalities of an electric discharge generated for forming a ball at the end of a bonding wire in a bonding apparatus. A high voltage is applied across the bonding wire and an electrode, and the maximum value of the applied high voltage is detected and sent, via a peak hold circuit, to a computer that compares the maximum high voltage with an insulation breakdown voltage of a normal detection range and calculates a gap between the end of the bonding wire and the electrode, thus determining the discharge abnormalities based upon the result of the calculation of the gap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a discharge abnormality detection device and method used in a wire bonding apparatus which forms a ball at the end of a wire by means of a discharge.
2. Prior Art
In a wire bonding apparatus, as shown in FIG. 7, a wire 2 is held by a clamper 1, and a ball is formed on the tip end of the wire 2 using a high voltage generating device 5 that applies a high voltage across a discharge electrode 4 and the tip end of the wire 2 passing through a capillary 3. The high voltage generating device 5 includes a constant-current power supply circuit, and the discharge voltage is detected by a voltage detection part 6.
Example discharge abnormalities are an improper gap between the wire 2 and the discharge electrode 4, contamination 2a on the surface of the wire 2 and contamination 4a of the surface of the discharge electrode 4 as shown in FIG. 8, and interference with the discharge that is caused by gas currents as shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the essential structural elements of Japanese Patent Application Pre-Examination Publication (Kokai) No. 7-147297.
In FIG. 9, a gas 22 such as air or some other gas is blown onto the bonding horn 20 (which holds a capillary 3 at one end thereof) from horn cooling pipes 21 so as to prevent thermal expansion of the bonding horn 20. If the gas currents 22a interfere with the electric discharge of the discharge electrode 4, the direction of the discharge is changed, or the discharge may be blown out, thus causing discharge abnormalities.
In Japanese Patent Application Pre-Examination Publication (Kokai) Nos. 1-256134, 5-36748 and No. 7-37930 disclose a formation of a gas atmosphere in the discharge region between the wire and the discharge electrode. In these cases, when the flow velocity of the gas supplied to the discharge region is too high, discharge abnormalities also occurs.
Various states of the tail of the wire 2 protruding from the tip end of the capillary 3 during the ball formation are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3(a) shows an improper state in which the wire 2 is not extended out from the tip end of the capillary 3. In FIG. 3(b), the wire 2 contacts the discharge electrode 4, which is another type of improper state.
FIG. 4 shows the different types of improper states in which an unnecessary length of the tail of the wire extends from the tip end of the capillary 3 during ball formation. In FIG. 4(a), the tail is bent away from the discharge electrode 4, so that the discharge gap between the tip end of the wire 2 and the discharge electrode 4 is too wide, thus causing the tip end of the wire 2 to be positioned outside the normal detection range 7. In FIG. 4(b), the tail is bent toward the discharge electrode 4, so that the discharge gap between the tip end of the wire 2 and the discharge electrode 4 is too narrow, thus causing the tip end of the wire 2 to be positioned outside the normal detection range 7.
To the contrary, FIG. 4(c) shows a proper state of the tail of the wire; and in the proper state, the tip end of the wire 2 is positioned inside the normal detection range 7.
FIG. 5 shows the discharge voltage values detected by the voltage detection part 6 shown in FIG. 7. The states shown in the FIGS. 3(a) and 4(a) are treated as open detection, while the states shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 4(b) are treated as short detection.
A discharge voltage in the normal state shown in FIG. 4(c) will be described first. As seen from the right-end column in FIG. 5, when the discharge command 8 is initiated, a large insulation breakdown voltage Vpc.sub.4 is generated in order to break down the air (insulation) between the tip end of the wire 2 and the discharge electrode 4; and after this insulation breakdown, a discharge maintenance voltage Vc.sub.4 is generated.
However, when there is no tail (i. e., in cases where the wire 2 is not extended out of the tip end of the capillary 3) as shown in FIG. 3(a), the discharge maintenance voltage Va.sub.3 is the same as the insulation breakdown voltage Vpa.sub.3 as shown in the left-end column. Furthermore, when the wire 2 is in contact with the discharge electrode 4 (i. e., in cases where the wire 2 shorts out) as shown in FIG. 3(b), no electric discharge occurs, so that the discharge maintenance voltage Vb.sub.3 is an extremely small voltage.
As seen from the above, the magnitudes of the respective voltages (discharge maintenance voltages) after a fixed time has passed following the initiation of the discharge can be expressed by Equation 1 below; and magnitudes of the respective insulation breakdown voltages can be expressed by Equation 2 below. EQU Va.sub.3 >Va.sub.4 >Vc.sub.4 >Vb.sub.4 >Vb.sub.3 [Equation 1] EQU Vpa.sub.3 >Vpa.sub.4 >Vpc.sub.4 >Vpb.sub.4 >Vpb.sub.3 [Equation 2]
Accordingly, detection of improper tail states are accomplished by examining changes in the discharge maintenance voltages Va.sub.3, Va.sub.4, Vc.sub.4, Vb.sub.4 and Vb.sub.3 which are shown in FIG. 5 after a fixed time has passed following the initiation of the discharge.
In the meantime, the relationship between the discharge maintenance voltage and the discharge gap between the tip end of the wire 2 and the discharge electrode 4 is as shown in FIG. 6. As seen from FIG. 6, in the case of the open detection and short detection shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), a large difference appears in the discharge maintenance voltages Va.sub.3 and Vb.sub.3 ; thus detection is easy. However, in the case of the discharge maintenance voltages Va.sub.4 and Vb.sub.4 involved in bending of the wire 2 as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), there is almost no difference from the discharge maintenance voltage Vc.sub.4 shown in FIG. 4(c); as a result, the detection of discharge abnormalities is difficult.
Furthermore, when discharge interference caused by contamination of the wire surface, contamination of the surface of the discharge electrode or gas currents, etc. occurs, a discharge fails to be generated, resulting in a voltage such as Va.sub.3 as show in FIG. 5.

Discharge abnormality detection device and method for use in wire bonding apparatus


The present invention relates to a haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound of the following general formula (1): R1CH2OCH2OCH2CH2CH═CH(CH2)aX1 (1) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an n-alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, X1 represents a halogen atom, and “a” represents an integer of 3 to 14. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound of the following general formula (5): CH2═CHCH═CH(CH2)aOAc (5) wherein “a” is as defined above, and Ac represents an acetyl group, and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound of the following general formula (6): CH2═CHCH═CH(CH2)aOH (6) wherein “a” is as defined above, from the haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound (1).

There exist many species of lepidopteran pests which use an acetate compound having a terminal conjugated diene skeleton (hereinafter referred to as "terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound") or an alcohol compound having a terminal conjugated diene skeleton (hereinafter referred to as "terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound") as a sex pheromone. For example, one of sex pheromones of South American tortricid moth (Argyrotaenia sphaleropa) which is an apple pest in South America, is (11Z)-11,13-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate; one of the sex pheromones of Groundnut leafminer (Aproaerema modicella) which is a peanut pest in Southeast Asia, is (7Z)-7,9-decadien-1-yl acetate; and a sex pheromone of Parasa lepida is (7Z)-7,9-decadien-1-ol. In recent years, with the increase of environmental awareness, pest control methods have been attracting attention wherein an amount of sprayed pesticide is reduced, and utilization of sex pheromones is expected as one of them (Non-Patent Literatures 1, 2 and 3 listed below).
For example, processes for preparing (11Z)-11,13-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate, sex pheromone of Awotaenia sphaleropa, and (11Z)-11,13-tetradecadien-1-ol were reported, as processes for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound (Non-Patent Literature 2 listed below). Specifically, the hydroxyl group of a starting material, 11-bromoundecan-1-ol, is acetylated with acetic anhydride to synthesize 11-bromoundecan-1-yl acetate. Next, the 11-bromoundecan-1-yl acetate thus obtained was reacted with triphenylphosphine to prepare a phosphonium salt, followed by a reaction with a base, and then, subjected to a Wittig reaction with acrolein at −78° C. to prepare (11Z)-11,13-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate. Subsequently, the (11Z)-11,13-tetradecadien-1-yl acetate thus obtained was subjected to hydrolysis with potassium hydroxide in the presence of methanol to obtain (11Z)-11,13-tetradecadien-1-ol (Non-Patent Literature 1 listed below).
Processes for preparing (7Z)-7,9-decadien-1-yl acetate, sex pheromone of Aproaerema modicella, and (7Z)-7,9-decadien-1-ol, sex pheromone of Parasalepida, were reported as processes for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound (Non-Patent Literature 2 listed below). Specifically, a starting material, 2-(chloromethyl)tetrahydrofuran, was reacted with propyl bromide in ammonia in the presence of lithium amide by to open the tetrahydrofuran ring so as to synthesize 4-octyn-1-ol. Next, the 4-octyn-1-ol thus obtained is subjected to an alkyne zipper reaction with 1,3-diaminopropane to synthesize 7-octyn-1-ol, followed by a coupling reaction with vinyl-bromide in the presence of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium and copper iodide, and a catalytic reduction to synthesize (7Z)-7,9-decadien-1-ol. Subsequently, the hydroxyl group of the (7Z)-7,9-decadien-1-ol thus obtained is acetylated to prepare (7Z)-7,9-decadien-1-yl acetate (Non-Patent Literatures 2 and 3 listed below).

Haloalkenyl alkoxymethyl ether compound and a process for preparing a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-yl acetate compound and a terminal conjugated alkadien-1-ol compound therefrom


Intends to provide semiconductor testing apparatus that can reduce effort to adjust generating timing of a clock signal to be extracted from data or a time required in adjustment. It includes a timing comparator 154 for receiving data outputted from a DUT 200; a clock generating circuit 120 for generating a clock signal synchronized with data outputted from the DUT 200; an absolute amount of delay calculating unit for calculating a signal propagating time corresponding to a difference between a first signal line from the DUT 200 to the timing comparator 154 and a second signal line to the clock generating circuit 120 as an absolute amount of delay; and an amount of delay setting unit for setting the amount of delay under a period of the clock signal according to a frequency or a period of the clock signal generated by the clock generating circuit 120 and ordering adjustment of the clock signal generating timing by the clock generating circuit 120.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor testing apparatus for determining whether a device under test is good or bad based on data outputted from the device under test.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pin electronics of semiconductor testing apparatus includes a comparator which captures a signal outputted from a device under test according to a strobe signal. The comparator does operation of capturing a signal synchronized with a rise (or a fall) of a strobe signal. As a time length of a signal line of each input/output pin of the device under test varies, rise timing of a strobe signal to be inputted into the comparator deviates from expected timing in an initial state. As a result, before various tests are performed on a device under test, timing calibration is performed (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-62983). With such timing calibration being performed, influence from variation in a time length of a signal line can be removed.
A semiconductor device for a high-speed serial interface that regenerates a clock signal embedded in received data and performs data receiving operation being synchronized with the regenerated clock signal has become practical recently. Such data of a clock embedded type high-speed serial interface is allowed for an uncertain width of predetermined sized timing (jitter). The conventional semiconductor testing apparatus mentioned above, however, adjusts variation in a time length of a signal line by assuming that an output timing of data is fixed, it cannot correspond to such a semiconductor device. That is to say, when output timing of data is shifted due to jitter, generating timing of a strobe signal needs to be shifted by an amount corresponding to the jitter, but conventional semiconductor testing apparatus cannot do such an adjustment.
If a clock signal can be accurately extracted from data, it is considered that generating timing of such a strobe signal can be adjusted in accord with generating timing of the clock signal. However, as variation practically occurs also in a time length of a signal line to be used for extracting a clock signal from data, a mechanism for adjusting the variation is needed. Also when a time length of the signal line exceeds a length of integer multiples of a period of a clock signal, a value corresponding to what exceeding the length will be adjusted. The adjustment value needs to be set anew for each time the frequency of the clock signal is changed. That makes the adjustment operation troublesome. Therefore, semiconductor testing apparatus that can reduce effort to adjust generating timing of a clock signal extracted from data or a time required in adjustment has been needed.


The present disclosure relates to a combination of a support device (1, 33) and a holding device (7), the support device comprising an attachment surface having rows (5) with elongated slot openings (3, 3′), and the holding device comprising an attachment part (9) and a carrier part (11). The attachment part is intended to be attached to the support device by being partly inserted into a first slot (3), such that the holding device can take up a load directed in the plane of attachment surface, and the carrier part (11) being capable of supporting an item to be stored. A stem part (13) interconnects the attachment part and the carrier part and the stem part includes a fin (15) that fits into a second slot (3′) which is located under said first slot (3). This provides a more reliable connection to the support device. A holding device suitable for this combination is also considered.

Different variations of such holding devices and support devices have been used for a long time. The support device may for instance be a sheet metal plate that is attached to a wall, and different holding devices can be attached at different locations over the plate, in different openings, such that a configuration desired by the user is achieved. Items of various kinds may then be stored on the sheet metal plate, e.g. tools.
One problem associated with such devices is to improve their reliablilty and usefulness.


This application is directed to a speaker device having a rounded enclosure. The rounded enclosure includes two housing elements that are coupled to each other and have a substantially continuous transition. The rounded enclosure has a circular cross section defined by a first radius. A first housing element includes and extends past the circular cross section, and a second housing element has a second maximum radius that is smaller than the first radius. A speaker unit and a circuit board are arranged within the rounded enclosure. The circuit board is electrically coupled to the speaker unit. At least a portion of the first housing element includes perforations configured to enable transmission of sound generated by the speaker unit out of the speaker device. The second housing element has a power connector that is electrically coupled to the circuit board and is configured to receive power from an external power supply.

Electronic devices integrated with microphones have been widely used to collect voice inputs from users and implement different voice-activated functions according to the voice inputs. For example, many state-of-the-art mobile devices include a voice assistant system (e.g., Siri and Google Assistant) that is configured to use voice inputs to initiate a phone call, conduct a restaurant search, start routing on a map, create calendar events, add a post to a social network, recognize a song and complete many other tasks. The mobile devices often include display screens that allow users who provide the voice inputs to check the status of the tasks requested via the voice inputs.
However, in many operating environments it is more desirable/convenient (or even necessary) for a user to receive audible responses to their voice inputs instead of visual information shown on a display. This can be the case when an electronic device that is providing user assistance does not have a display screen (as is the case with the Google Home voice-activated speaker, which is powered by the Google Assistant) or when a user is not able to interact with a display screen (as is the case in many home environments, where a user is interacting with a voice-activated assistant device that is not nearby or where a user is focused on a particular task).
For such operating environments, it is helpful to provide an electronic device with a speaker system that generates sound of sufficient clarity and volume to provide effective audible responses to user requests for assistance. Such electronic devices also require onboard support electronics, such as one or more of: radio receivers, transmitters and antennas to support wireless communications; power circuitry and connectors; processors and support chips for on-device processing; and data connectors. Depending on the home/operating environment in which such electronic assistant devices are deployed, the assistant devices can also be designed with different appearances and/or form factors. In particular, where a compact form factor is desired, it presents a challenge to combine the above-recited components so as to effectively dissipate heat generated by the electronics while also providing sufficient air space for effective operation of the speaker system. This challenge is heightened when it is desired that the electronic device possess a relatively simple structure and can be made at a low cost, while implementing voice activated functions similar to those that can be performed by mobile devices.
Thus, there is a need for compact designs for electronic voice-assistant devices that provide effective audible output and heat dissipation.


Vitamin B1 deficiency caused when a pyridoxamine compound is administered in a large amount is prevented and/or treated. A pharmaceutical composition formed by combining at least one pyridoxamine compound selected from the group consisting of pyridoxamine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and at least one thiamine compound selected from the group consisting of thiamine, derivatives thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, is administered.

Advanced glycation end products ("AGEs") are substances formed in the body by a non-enzymatic reaction between an amino group of a protein and a carbonyl compound produced from sugar, lipid, etc., under conditions of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress (Maillard reaction). AGEs are a heterogeneous group of many substances. Pentosidine, which is one type of AGE structure, is a fluorescent substance that was isolated from human dura mater collagen by Sell et al. in 1989 (NPL 1).
A factor for causing accumulation of AGEs is, for example, carbonyl stress. Carbonyl stress is a state in which carbonyl modification of proteins is increased by reactive carbonyl compounds ("RCOs") in the body. For example, in diabetes, due to hyperglycemia, an increase in the levels of sugar-derived carbonyl compounds and carbonyl-modified proteins (AGEs) is observed (NPL 2 and 3). Due to the decreased excretion of carbonyl compounds and increased oxidative stress in renal failure, and the increased oxidative stress in inflammatory diseases, the production of carbonyl compounds is enhanced, and thus an increase in the level of carbonyl-modified proteins (AGEs) is observed (NPL 3, 4, 5, and 6). Further, it has been reported that AGE levels also increase in patients who are deficient in glyoxalase, which is an enzyme for removing carbonyl compounds (PTL 1). It has also been revealed that AGE levels increase in tissues and blood in various pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis (NPL 3), diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, macular degeneration, and like age-related diseases (NPL 3), alcoholism (NPL 7), autism (NPL 8), and schizophrenia (PTL 1).
In these diseases, the AGEs in blood are not only present in high amounts, but also involved in the onset and progress of the pathological conditions. For example, it has been reported that in diabetic nephropathy, macular degeneration, etc., AGEs stimulate the cell surface receptor RAGE, resulting in occurrence and progress of the pathological conditions (NPL 3).
Thus, prevention of the onset and progress of serious diseases (pathological conditions) in which AGEs are involved, and treatment for such diseases, are attempted by administering a carbonyl scavenger, such as pyridoxamine or an edaravone analogue, to suppress accumulation of AGEs (NPL 3 and PTL 1).

Pharmaceutical composition formed by combining pyridoxamine compound and thiamine compound


A user interface for accessing and utilizing a media item portion database. In one aspect, the database entry comprises a data container. In another aspect, the media item portion entries may be used to identify media item portions used in creating composite media items.

The practice of mixing and remixing media is no longer restricted to media professionals. Emerging technology of remixing digital media enables end-users to combine media elements new media products. New digital media data models, such as the MPEG-21 standard or enhanced ID3 tags, enable the binding of detailed descriptions or metadata about an item of digital media. Such data models can make it possible to determine what portions of a media item and its metadata are contained in a given media item. Currently, such metadata is typically entered manually in ad hoc formats into whatever tags are available, such as, for example, ID3 tags in MP3 files.
Further, current sources of remixable media item portions are unorganized, disparate, and unreliable. Furthermore, the media item portions are typically uploaded manually. Thus, there lacks a database of media item portion entries intended for locating media item portions and use in producing new composite remix media items.

User interface for media item portion search tool


A window operation menu for graphically revising an electrical constraint set and a method of using the same. It may be used to graphically preview and revise the attribute contents of the electrical constraint set analyzed and exported by the wiring software, so that the batch revisions can be performed simultaneously for the attribute names of a plurality of electrical constraint sets, thus allowing the user to utilize the previously designed electrical constraint sets repeatedly. This achieves the purpose of saving the time and effort spent on the design and development of electronic products.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a window operation interface for graphically revising an electrical constraint set and a method of using the same, and in particular to a window operation interface for graphically revising the electrical constraint set by means of preview revision and batch/individual revision and a method of using the same.
2. Related Art
In recent years, due to the increasing complexity of the design of electronic products, the application and utilization of a convenient and powerful Electronic Design Automation (EDA) system has become increasingly important. At present, Cadence Design System Inc is one of the major suppliers of electronic design technologies, procedure planning and development, with its service and products covering the entire process flow of electronic product design. Among them, Allegro is a platform mainly used for the wiring layout design of the multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB). Allegro has become very popular and is widely used due to its benefits of easy utilization, easy modification, and high compatibility with other related software. Besides, it can be utilized by the user to develop related software according to his/her own actual requirements.
In the past, when designing a system, the hardware engineer is usually required to list the design requirements item-by-item, which are then given to the engineer of the multi-layer PCB for subsequent detailed designs. However, for the complicated electronic system with tens of thousands of wirings and restrictions, it is very difficult if not impossible to achieve complete and flawless management and implementation of the related designs. To overcome this problem and restriction, a build-in Constraint Manager (CM) is provided in Allegro that can be utilized by the design engineer to define the electrical constraint set (EC set) required, according to the relation and constraint between the wiring pattern and the signal wire length. As such, the electrical constraint set thus designed is used to enable the wiring software to automatically realize the wiring design. Thus, not only can time spent on the electronic product design be saved, but the probability of error can also be significantly reduced.
Since the above-mentioned electrical constraint sets may be exported as a distinct file having portable features, each of them can be utilized repeatedly. However, in utilizing the previously defined electrical constraint set, in order to revise some of the attributes or the previously defined names contained therein, the particular electrical constraint set needing revision must be searched through the numerous previously defined electrical constraint sets one-by-one by making use of the Constraint Manager. The electrical constraint set then has to go through the processes of opening, loading in, inspection, and the revision of the file. This process is tedious, time consuming and quite inconvenient for the repeated revisions required in the design of electronic products.

Window operation interface for graphically revising electrical constraint set and method of using the same


An apparatus and a method for reducing drain modulation in a high power amplifier are provided, in which an adder supplies a current corresponding to a voltage reduced by a drain modulation, and a bias unit adds the current supplied from the adder to a DC bias and supplies the added current to a drain of a transistor. Accordingly, the drain modulation occurring in the transistor can be minimized and an output characteristic of the high power transistor can be improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a high power transistor. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for reducing drain modulation of a high power transistor.
2. Description of the Related Art
High power transistors (for example, Lateral Double diffused MOS (LDMOS), gallium arsenide (GaAs) transistor, and the like) for high power amplifiers have high power and use a current of several amperes. Specifically, in the case of a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) that amplifies a modulated signal, magnitude of the input signal continuously varies with time and thus an amount of output current continuously varies. Referring to FIG. 1, when magnitude of an input signal 101 increases, an amount of output current also increases. Thus, a DC bias voltage 102 applied to a drain of a transistor is instantaneously reduced. This phenomenon is called a drain modulation. The drain modulation occurs much more often when a modulated signal having a specific bandwidth is amplified in CDMA or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). The drain modulation is caused by resistive components existing in inductors, bias lines used to apply a bias to a high power transistor, or by resistive components of the transistor itself.
In the drain modulation, the AC component characteristic acts as power noise in the transistor of the high power amplifier, degrading performance of the transistor. The drain modulation influences a spurious characteristic (Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR), Adjacent Channel Leakage Power Ratio (ACLR), and the like) that is one of important factors indicating the performance of the high power amplifier. Also, the drain modulation causes a memory effect phenomenon. Hence, when the amplifier is implemented with actual transistors, the technical application of pre-distortion is difficult.
To minimize the drain modulation and maximize the performance of the amplifier, the amplifier is implemented using capacitors having large capacitance in the bias lines. However, the drain modulation cannot be completely removed only using the capacitors. Also, the use of the capacitors influences the switching speed of the transistor, resulting in the performance degradation of the transistor. Moreover, the amplifier has to be designed to be large in size, thus increasing its price. Consequently, the amplifier having the above-described structure has no benefit of performance in a real channel environment.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method that minimizes drain modulation of a high power transistor.

Apparatus and method for reducing drain modulation of high power transistor


An is an image processing apparatus including: an image memory section to store an image data obtained by reading an image of an original manuscript; an external light memory section to store a data of external light entering to a stage for the original manuscript and to form histograms of each color based on the data of external light; a judging section to calculate an external light level from a higher luminance by each color out of luminance values of a foot of a peak including a maximum frequency value measured on the histograms; and an area detecting section to determine a non-image area erase threshold based on the external light level, so as to detect an image area and to erase a non-image area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method and a recording medium, which have a function to erase a non-image area.
2. Description of Related Art
An image processing apparatus provided in a conventional image forming apparatus has a so-called non-image area erase function, which is to prevent toner transcription and the like in the non-image area by distinguishing an image area and a non-image area and by replacing a black pixel with a white pixel. The image forming apparatus described in JP-2002-84409A reads monochrome density and a luminance data of external light by performing sky shot, and confirms a luminance value of a foot of a peak including a maximum frequency value measured on the histogram thereof, when an image area is detected. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the higher luminance out of the confirmed luminance values is set as an external light level. Based on the external light level, environment where an image forming apparatus is installed is checked and the check result is displayed on display means. FIG. 11 shows a display example of a check result of environment where an image forming apparatus is installed, and sentences are displayed according to the Warning Level.
However, an image processing apparatus provided in a conventional image forming apparatus erases a non-image area by using the histogram based on monochrome density of external light. Thus, the image processing apparatus has never checked the environment in consideration of colors of external light. Therefore, it has been problematic that even an image forming apparatus compatible with colorization is not capable of accurately erasing a non-image area in a colored original manuscript according to a color of external light.
The present invention has been developed in consideration of this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method and a recording medium, which can erase a non-image area according to a color of external light.

Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method and recording medium

Monica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A receiver circuit, which is connected with a partner transmitter circuit through a signal line and receives a signal based on current which flows through the signal line, includes a current/voltage conversion circuit which converts the current which flows through the signal line into voltage, a power supply circuit which adjusts the current which flows through the signal line based on a bias voltage Vb and voltage of a node NDX connected with the signal line, and a bias voltage generation circuit which outputs the bias voltage Vb which is adjusted in connection with characteristics of the power supply circuit.

The present invention relates to a receiver circuit, a differential signal receiver circuit, an interface circuit, and an electronic instrument.
In recent years, a high-speed serial transfer interface such as low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) has attracted attention as an interface aiming at reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise or the like. In such a high-speed serial transfer interface, data is transferred by causing a transmitter circuit to transmit serialized data using differential signals and causing a receiver circuit to differentially amplify the differential signals.
The receiver circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit for amplifying each signal making up the differential signals. A signal which minutely changes is detected by amplifying the differential voltage between the voltage of each signal and a bias voltage.
In a known differential amplifier circuit of the receiver circuit, when the potential of the transmission line has been determined, the bias voltage is uniquely determined corresponding to the determined potential. Therefore, a voltage generated by a constant voltage generation circuit is provided as the bias voltage in order to provide a stable bias voltage to the receiver circuit. The configuration of such a constant voltage generation circuit is disclosed in JP-A-5-143181, JP-A-5-191167, and JP-A-5-191168, for example.
However, in order to secure the power supply voltage range of the differential amplifier circuit, the bias voltage is set at a high value taking into consideration the manufacturing variation of the constituent element of the differential amplifier circuit. Specifically, the current drive capability of a metal oxide semiconductor (hereinafter abbreviated as "MOS") transistor of the differential amplifier circuit is increased by increasing the bias voltage. This makes it difficult to operate the differential amplifier circuit at a lower voltage, whereby a higher speed data transfer which requires a low-amplitude signal transmission may not be realized.
As described above, even if a stable constant voltage is supplied as the bias voltage of the differential amplifier circuit which amplifies the received signal, a problem relating to the operation margin of the differential amplifier circuit necessarily occurs when pursuing a high-speed signal transmission. Therefore, it is important to reduce the operation margin of the differential amplifier circuit in order to realize a high-speed signal transmission.
The above problem is common to a high-speed signal transmission using differential signals and a high-speed signal transmission using a single-ended signal.

Receiver circuit, differential signal receiver circuit, interface circuit, and electronic instrument


A multi-purpose knife for providing multiple blades includes an elongated housing having opposing side portions. Each of the opposing side portions includes a channel extending a length of the housing. The channels each have open outer ends and an open front face defined by opposed upper and lower edges. Central portions of the upper and lower edges include a plurality of teeth. A pair of slide mechanisms are positioned within the channels of the elongated housing. A central member of each slide mechanism has inwardly turned upper end lower edges and a central square hole therethrough. Interior end portions of each central member have blade chambers for holding a razor blade. Each of the slide mechanisms includes a releasable engagement portion disposed within the central hole of its central member. The releasable engagement member includes a pliable tab portion secured to the central member and a push portion secured to a free end of the tab portion. The push portion has upper and lower protrusions extending outwardly therefrom for selectively engaging the teeth of the channels in a locked orientation. Pressing inwardly on the push portion disengages the push portion from the teeth to allow the sliding of the slide mechanism freely within the channel for extending and retracting razor blades positioned within the blade chambers of the slide mechanisms.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to utility knives and more particularly pertains to a new multi-purpose knife for providing multiple blades for convenience of use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of utility knives is known in the prior art. More specifically, utility knives heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art utility knives include U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,481, to Mears; U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,994, to Karas; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 310,474 to Bartsch et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,309 to Larsen; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 354,900 to Hirai; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,307 to Flood.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new multi-purpose knife. In contrast to the aforementioned patents, the inventive device includes an elongated housing having opposing side portions. Each of the opposing side portions includes a channel extending a length of the housing. The channels each have open outer ends and an open front face defined by opposed upper and lower edges. Central portions of the upper and lower edges include a plurality of teeth. A pair of slide mechanisms are positioned within the channels of the elongated housing. A central member of each slide mechanism has inwardly turned upper end lower edges and a central square hole therethrough. Interior end portions of each central member have blade chambers for holding a razor blade. Each of the slide mechanisms includes a releasable engagement portion disposed within the central hole of its central member. The releasable engagement member includes a pliable tab portion secured to the central member and a push portion secured to a free end of the tab portion. The push portion has upper and lower protrusions extending outwardly therefrom for selectively engaging the teeth of the channels in a locked orientation. Pressing inwardly on the push portion disengages the push portion from the teeth to allow the sliding of the slide mechanism freely within the channel for extending and retracting razor blades positioned within the blade chambers of the slide mechanisms.
In these respects, the multi-purpose knife according to the present invention s ubstantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing multiple blades for convenience of use.


A method for seamlessly transmitting application specific messages over cellular radio system control channels and switches, for use in wireless gaming and wagering, including the steps of: transmitting application specific messaging bits, configured to appear as origination data packets having from eight to thirty-two digit fields, utilizing control channels, remote feature control request features, and IS-41 protocols. The messaging bits are transmitted over cellular control channels, for example, an AMPS, D-AMPS and TACS FSK modulated reverse control channel (RECC) 10 Kbps 48 word BCH hamming coded control channel. The messaging bits are then applied to communicate with, identify, monitor, and locate the application specific system, such as a wagering game, board game or other application specific system, thereby allowing for an integrated application specific two-way communications system. The application specific system may comprise card games, board games, video games, wagering games, and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless gaming and gambling method and apparatus, and more particularly to wireless gaming and gambling methods utilizing wireless data communication networks such as cellular, paging and satellite networks.
2. Description of Related Art
A variety of operation standards, methods, and apparatuses have been proposed in recent years for enabling two way data communication services. Cellular and paging companies such as Pageant, Skytel, Pagemart and others offer various means and methods for two way paging and two way messaging. So far, however, all of these proposed systems are inefficient, cumbersome, and expensive. For example, services offered include store-and-forward voice services. Such methods typically require the user to speak into a pager, store the voice, then send it, and then it is fed to the recipient. Other methods utilize narrow band personal communications standards (NPCS). Srill other two way paging and two way short messaging methods utilize cellular wireless operations standards broadly known as Personal Communications Systems (PCS), Global System for Mobile (GSM), DCT-1800 (Digital cordless telephone), DCT-1900, 900 MHz GSM, Narrowband Personal Communications Systems (NPCS), and Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR).
The present invention provides a gaming and gambling method and apparatus utilizing a precise and controlled application data packet method that creates a separate but compatible continuous control application data protocol (CCAD) to existing cellular access protocols. The application data routine of the invention becomes a normal part of cellular system data management and remote feature control access management while providing a cost effective, highly flexible, and elegantly simple gaming and gambling method as well as a two way paging methodology that is easy-to-use, profitable to gaming house or organization, the cellular carrier, and affordable and practical for the consumer. Additionally, the present invention creates a virtual communications system by merging different communications mediums that are currently in operation today: cellular control channels, one way broadcast paging, signaling system SS7, X.25, frame relay, and other packet switched and circuit switched network technology.
The disclosed application for this new data communications platform is wireless gaming over cellular, paging, and signaling networks. This wireless gaming system operates in normal cellular, paging and signaling networks, both within and outside of building structures. The present invention also supports personal gaming transaction communications networks inside of large building structures such as gambling casinos and hotels in cities such as Las Vegas, Tahoe, and Atlantic City, etc. For example, there currently are many versions of video display based gambling terminals that display and support sports betting, the card game Twenty One, Poker, Keno, Roulette, and the interactive video based slot machines. These games are played in the traditional fashion. It is an object of the present invention to migrate these video based as well as card and board games into a portable, two way data communications video game caddy, where a player can place bets from a remote location within a casino, or anywhere that legal gambling is permitted. This is accomplished utilizing the present invention's data communications methodology via cellular and personal communications system platforms.


The invention provides an improved ventilation method and method for controlling a ventilator apparatus in accordance with same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), monitoring expiratory gas flow, analyzing the expiratory gas flow over time (T) to establish an expiratory gas flow pattern, and setting and/or adjusting a low time (T2) based on the expiratory gas flow pattern. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), and setting a low airway pressure (P2) of substantially zero cmH2O.

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a mode of ventilation believed to offer advantages as a lung protective ventilator strategy. APRV is a form of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with an intermittent release phase from a preset CPAP level. APRV allows maintenance of substantially constant airway pressure to optimize end inspiratory pressure and lung recruitment. The CPAP level optimizes lung recruitment to prevent or limit low volume lung injury. In addition, the CPAP level provides a preset pressure limit to prevent or limit over distension and high volume lung injury. The intermittent release from the CPAP level augments alveolar ventilation. Intermittent CPAP release accomplishes ventilation by lowering airway pressure. In contrast, conventional ventilation elevates airway pressure for tidal ventilation. Elevating airway pressure for ventilation increases lung volume towards total lung capacity (TLC), approaching or exceeding the upper inflection point. Limiting ventilation below the upper inflection of the P-V (airway pressure versus volume) curve is one the goals of lung protective strategies. Subsequently, tidal volume reduction is necessary to limit the potential for over distension. Tidal volume reduction produces alveolar hypoventilation and elevated carbon dioxide levels. Reduced alveolar ventilation from tidal volume reduction has lead to a strategy to increase respiratory frequency to avoid the adverse effects of hypercapnia. However, increased respiratory frequency is associated with increase lung injury. In addition, increase in respiratory frequency decreases inspiratory time and the potential for recruitment. Furthermore, increasing respiratory frequency increases frequency dependency and decrease potential to perform ventilation on the expiratory limb of the P-V curve.
During APRV, ventilation occurs on the expiratory limb. The resultant expiratory tidal volume decreases lung volume, eliminating the need to elevate end inspiratory pressure above the upper inflection point. Therefore, tidal volume reduction is unnecessary. CPAP levels can be set with the goal of optimizing recruitment without increasing the potential for over distension. Consequently, end inspiratory pressure can be limited despite more complete recruitment and ventilation can be maintained.
Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) was developed to provide ventilator support to patients with respiratory failure. Clinical use of APRV is associated with decreased airway pressures, decreased dead space ventilation and lower intra-pulmonary shunting as compared to conventional volume and pressure cycled ventilation. APRV limits excessive distension of lung units, thereby decreasing the potential for ventilator induced lung injury (VILI), a form of lung stress. In addition, APRV reduces minute ventilation requirements, allows spontaneous breathing efforts and improves cardiac output.
APRV is also associated with reduction or elimination of sedative, inotropic and neuromuscular blocking agents.
APRV is a form of positive pressure ventilation that augments alveolar ventilation and lowers peak airway pressure. Published data on APRV has documented airway pressure reduction on the order of 30 to 75 percent over conventional volume and pressure cycled ventilation during experimental and clinical studies. Such reduction of airway pressure may reduce the risk of VILI. APRV improves ventilation to perfusion ratio (VA/Q) matching and reduces shunt fraction compared to conventional ventilation. Studies performed utilizing multiple inert gas dilution and excretion technique (MIGET) have demonstrated less shunt fraction, and dead space ventilation. Such studies suggest that APRV is associated with more uniform distribution of inspired gas and less dead space ventilation than conventional positive pressure ventilation.
APRV has been associated with improved hemodynamics. In a 10-year review of APRV, Calzia reported no adverse hemodynamic effects. Several studies have documented improved cardiac output, blood pressure and oxygen delivery. Consideration of APRV as an alternative to pharmacological or fluid therapy in the hemodynamically-compromised, mechanically-ventilated patient has been recommended in several case reports.
APRV is a spontaneous mode of ventilation which allows unrestricted breathing effort at any time during the ventilator cycle. Spontaneous breathing in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome/Acute Lung Injury (ALI/ARDS) has been associated with improved ventilation and perfusion, decreased dead space ventilation and improved cardiac output and oxygen delivery. ALI/ARDS is a pathological condition characterized by marked increase in respiratory elastance and resistance.
However, most patients with ALI/ARDS exhibit expiratory flow limitations. Expiratory flow limitations results in dynamic hyperinflation and intrinsic positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) development. In addition, ARDS patients experience increased flow resistance from external ventilator valving and gas flow path circuitry including the endotracheal tube and the external application of PEEP.
Several mechanisms can induce expiratory flow limitations in ALI/ARDS. In ALI/ARDS both FRC and expiratory flow reserve is reduced. Pulmonary edema development and superimposed pressure result in increased airway closing volume and trapped volume. In addition, the reduced number of functional lung units (derecruited lung units and enhanced airway closure) decrease expiratory flow reserve further. Low volume ventilation promotes small airway closure and gas trapping. In addition elevated levels of PEEP increase expiratory flow resistance. In addition to downstream resistance, maximal expiratory flow depends on lung volume. The elastic recoil pressure stored in the proceeding lung inflation determines the rate of passive lung deflation.
APRV expiratory flow is enhanced by utilization of an open breathing system and use of low (0-5 cmH2O) end expiratory pressure. Ventilation on the expiratory limb of the P-V curve allows lower PEEP levels to prevent airway closure. Lower PEEP levels result when PEEP is utilized to prevent de-recruitment rather than attempting partial recruitment. Increasing PEEP levels increases expiratory resistance, conversely lower PEEP reduce expiratory resistance, thereby accelerating expiratory flow rates. Sustained inflation results in increased lung recruitment (increased functional lung units and increased recoil pressure) and ventilation along the expiratory limb (reduced PEEP and expiratory flow resistance), improving expiratory flow reserve. In addition, release from a sustained high lung volume increases stored energy and recoil potential, further accelerating expiratory flow rates. Unlike low volume ventilation, release from a high lung volume increases airway caliber and reduces downstream resistance. Maintenance of end expiratory lung volume (EELV) to inflection point of the flow volume curve and the use of an open system allows reduction in circuitry flow resistance. EELV is maintained by limiting the release time and titrated to the inflection point of the flow volume curve. Reduced levels of end expiratory pressure are required when ventilation occurs on the expiratory limb of the P-V curve. In ALI/ARDS, increased capillary permeability results in lung edema. Exudation from the intravascular space accumulates, and superimposed pressure on dependent lung regions increases and compresses airspaces. Dependent airspace collapse and compressive atelectasis results in severe VA/Q mismatching and shunting. Regional transpulmonary pressure gradients which exist in the normal lung are exaggerated during the edematous phase of ALI/ARDS. Patients typically being in the supine position, forces directed dorsally and cephalad progressively increase pleural pressures in dependent lung regions. Ventilation decreases as pleural pressure surrounding the dependent regions lowers transalveolar pressure differentials. Full ventilatory support during controlled ventilation promotes formation of dependent atelectasis, increase VA/Q mismatching and intrapulmonary shunting. Increasing airway pressure can re-establish dependent trans-pulmonary pressure differential but at the risk of over distension of nondependent lung units. Alternatively, spontaneous breathing, as with APRV, can increase dependent transpulmonary pressure differentials without increasing airway pressure.
APRV allows unrestricted spontaneous breathing during any phase of the mechanical ventilator cycle. As noted, spontaneous breathing can lower pleural pressure, thereby increasing dependent transpulmonary pressure gradients without additional airway pressure. Increasing dependent transpulmonary pressure gradients improves recruitment and decreases VA/Q mismatching and shunt. As compared to pressure support ventilation (PSV) multiple inert gas dilution technique, APRV provides spontaneous breathing and improved VA/Q matching, intrapulmonary shunting and dead space. In addition, APRV with spontaneous breathing increased cardiac output. However, spontaneous breathing during pressure support ventilation was not associated with improved V/Q matching in the dependent lung units.
PSV required significant increases in pressure support levels (airway pressure) to match the same minute ventilation.
Conventional lung protective strategies are associated with increased use of sedative agents and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA). The increased use of sedative and NMBA may increase the time the patient must remain on mechanical ventilation ("vent days") and increase complications. NMBA are associated with prolonged paralysis and potential for nosocomial pneumonia. APRV is a form of CPAP and requires spontaneous breathing.
Decreased usage of sedation and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) has been reported with APRV. In some institutions, APRV has nearly eliminated the use of NMBA, resulting in a significant reduction in drug costs.
In addition to drug cost reduction, elimination of NMBA is thought to reduce the likelihood of associated complications such as prolonged paralysis and may facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation.
Mechanical ventilation remains the mainstay management for acute respiratory failure. However, recent studies suggest that mechanical ventilation may produce, sustain or increase the risk of acute lung injury (ALI). Ventilator induced lung injury (VILI) is a form of lung stress failure associated with mechanical ventilation and acute lung injury. Animal data suggest that lung stress failure from VILI may result from high or low volume ventilation. High volume stress failure is a type of stretch injury, resulting from over distension of airspaces. In contrast, shear force stress from repetitive airway closure during the tidal cycle from mechanical ventilation results in low volume lung injury.
Initially, lung protective strategy focused on low tidal volume ventilation to limit excessive distension and VILI. Amato in 1995 and in 1998 utilized lung protective strategy based on the pressure-volume (P-V) curve of the respiratory system. Low tidal volumes (6 ml/kg) confined ventilation between the upper and lower inflection points of the P-V curve.
End expiratory lung volume was maintained by setting PEEP levels to 2 cmH2O above the lower inflection point. Amato demonstrated improved survival and increased ventilator free days.
However, subsequent studies by Stewart and Bower were unable to demonstrate improved survival or ventilator free days utilizing low tidal volume ventilation strategy. Unlike Stewart and Bower, Amato utilized elevated end expiratory pressure in addition to tidal volume reduction. Such important differences between these studies limited conclusions as to the effectiveness of low tidal ventilation limiting ventilator associated lung injury (VALI).
Recent completion of the large controlled randomized ARDSNet trial documented improved survival and ventilator free days utilizing low tidal volume ventilation (6 ml/kg) vs. traditional tidal volume ventilation (12 ml/kg). Although the low tidal volume group (6 ml/kg) and traditional tidal volume group (12 ml/kg) groups utilized identical PEEP/FiO2 scales, PEEP levels were significantly higher in the low tidal volume group. Higher PEEP levels were required in the low tidal volume group in order to meet oxygenation goals of the study. Despite improved survival in the low tidal volume group (6 ml/kg) over traditional tidal volume group (12 ml/kg), survival was higher in the Amato study. The ARDSNet trial also failed to demonstrate any difference in the incidence of barotrauma. The higher PEEP requirements and the potential for significant intrinsic PEEP from higher respiratory frequency in the lower tidal volume group, may have obscured potential contribution of elevated end expiratory pressure on survival. Further studies are contemplated to address the issue of elevated end expiratory pressure.
In the prior art, utilization of the quasi-static inspiratory pressure versus volume (P-V) curve has been advocated as the basis or controlling a ventilator to carry out mechanical ventilation. The shape of the inspiratory P-V curve is sigmoidal and is described as having three segments. The curve forms an upward concavity at low inflation pressure and a downward concavity at higher inflation pressures. Between the lower concavity and the upper concavity is the "linear" portion of the curve. The pressure point resulting in rapid transition to the linear portion of the curve has been termed the "lower inflection point". The lower inflection point is thought to represent recruitment of atelectatic alveolar units. The increasing slope of the P-V curve above lower inflection point reflects alveolar compliance. Above the inflection point, the majority of air spaces are opened or "recruited". Utilizing the lower inflection point of the inspiratory P-V curve plus 2 cmH2O has been proposed to optimize alveolar recruitment. Optimizing lung recruitment prevents tidal recruitment/de-recruitment and cyclic airway closure at end expiration. Ultimately, optimizing lung recruitment could potentially reduce shear force generation and low volume lung injury.

Ventilation method and control of a ventilator based on same


A golf swing plane training aid device for use with a golf club is presented. The training aid device includes an ellipsoid shaped body having two reference endpoints and two forearm guides adapted to fit forearms of a golfer. The golf training aid device provides a visual reference and aids the forearms of the golfer in the proper swing position along the swing plane and a target line by guiding the forearms and using the reference endpoints as visual feedback aid to determine point of reference along the target line.

Several conventional golf training aid devices exist for helping a golfer improve their golf swing, thereby improving the stability and accuracy of the golfer's swing. Some of these training aid devices are designed to be attached to club grips of golf clubs, while other devices may be worn by the golfer.
Among other golf grip and swing techniques, a golf swing takeaway may be one of the key elements of the swing that can ruin the rest of the motion if not executed properly. Most beginner golfers are generally prone to make mistake in the golf swing takeaway that may lead to further swing plane errors in the backswing, resulting and adversely affecting downswing stroke and further contributing to impact problems.
Although many golf training devices aid in improving posture and swing alignment, other devices may be beneficial for reducing swing plane errors in the backswing and downswing.


Apparatus as an aid while performing bent knee sit-ups, comprising, in combination a strap of material adapted to extend and be positioned over the ankles of a person doing bent knee sit-ups, when in a deployed orientation, but adapted to be rolled up when in a storage orientation; a pair of assemblies, each assembly having a hollow base in a rectangular configuration with a slot within the upper surface for the passage of one end of the strap, each base having a circular hole for the passage of a fixed plug, each base having a cylindrical tube rotatively secured around the plug with a spring secured at one end of the plug and secured at the other end to the interior of the tube, and with one end of the strap secured to the exterior surface of the tube wherein the ends of the strap may be coiled about the tube when the spring is released and the assemblies in close proximity to each other when in a storage orientation, but wherein the assemblies may be spread apart to extend the strap to the deployed orientation with the springs in a tension state; and securement means adapted to secure the assemblies to a surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an aid for performing sit-ups and more particularly pertains to an aid that includes a strap of material which can be extended across the ankles of a user and includes two assemblies for receiving the strap of material in a rolled up orientation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of exercising devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, foot holding devices for use in conjunction with performing exercises are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,889 discloses a portable foot/hand holding device used in performing sit-ups. The device is constructed of three parts; an anchor, a connecting line and a foot/hand bar. The device is used in conjunction with a walk-through door.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,475 discloses an exercising device which includes a foot restraining means. The foot holding bar can be positioned at a number of locations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,270 discloses a portable exercise device. The device is adapted to extend beneath a door and provide an anchor for one or more body parts of an individual performing exercises.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,179 discloses a foot holding apparatus for use in performing sit-up exercises the apparatus has a pair of foot holding devices each of which are provided with a clamping device by which it can be secured to the bottom of a door.
Still yet another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,825 which discloses a portable foot anchor for exercising. The anchor is adapted to engage the lower portion of a door when the latter is in a closed position.
While these exercising devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe an apparatus which includes a retractable strap which is adapted to be secured over the ankles of a user. Furthermore, the prior art devices do not illustrate an apparatus for performing sit-ups which can be secured to the floor or ground.
In this respect, the apparatus according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus that is useful in aiding a person performing bent knee or straight leg sit-ups.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved apparatus to aid in performing sit-ups. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A tube bending device having draw-bending and compression-bending functions and capable of bending in all processes in a unit of device is provided. The device performing bending by rotating the tube at a predetermined angle with the tube pressured against a circumferential surface of a bending die, the device including a movable type of tube bending unit movable in a longitudinal direction of a tube to be processed or a fixed type of tube bending unit and a tube twisting unit for rotating the tube freely at a predetermined angle with a center of the tube being an axis core is characterized in that the tube bending unit has one or both of draw-bending and compression-bending functions and is provided rotatably in a vertical plane about an axis parallel to the axis core of the tube so that the displacement amount in a tube twisting operation can be reduced.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an efficient bending device for a long tube made of metal such as a steel tube, a stainless steel tube, a copper tube, a titanium tube and an aluminum tube.
2. Background Art
A double bender having two right and left units of pressure die unit disclosed in JP-B-8-29358, for example, has been conventionally proposed as the above-mentioned type of bending device (bender device). In the right and left double bending type of bender, a bending unit mechanism has a single structure and is arranged to freely move up and down with respect to a horizontal position of a long tube, which is held, and a chuck mechanism portion is interlocked with a feeding mechanism operating in a back and forth direction on a moving pedestal while the moving pedestal is arranged to be capable of parallel movement in the right and left direction.
Further, as another known tube bending device, there has been proposed a tube bending device in which bending is carried out for a plurality of locations to be processed, which are provided in a direction of an axis core of a tube, in a respectively predetermined bending direction in accordance with respective setting. Such kind of device comprises a tube twisting unit for chucking an end of a tube to be processed, rotating the tube about a core of its axis to set a predetermined processing direction and moving the tube in a direction of the axis core to set the tube at a predetermined processing location and a tube bending unit for clamping and rotating at a predetermined angle the tube to be processed to perform bending, the tube bending unit being capable of moving in a longitudinal direction of the tube to be processed. Such a device is generally called a CNC bender (see JP-B-8-29358, JP-A-9-308918, JP-A-9-29346, JP-A-7-232219 and JP-B-8-9063).


An electronic device and a booting method thereof are provided, wherein the method includes the steps of copying the boot image from the first non-volatile memory to the internal RAM when a booting operation of the electronic device begins, setting a stack pointer in the internal RAM by executing a control code to set the stack pointer among control codes of the boot image, and activating the main memory by executing a control code to initialize the main memory controller and activate the main memory among the control codes of the boot image, the control code to initialize the main memory controller and activate the main memory using the stack pointer. Accordingly, since the control code to initialize the main memory controller to activate the main memory is written in a high-level programming language instead of assembly language, the display device can be driven before the main memory is activated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic device and a booting method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic device which performs a booting operation by executing a control code written in a high-level programming language before activating a main memory, and a booting method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional electronic device. Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 comprises a system on chip 110, a memory module 120 and a NAND flash memory 130. The system on chip 110 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a memory controller 112, an I2C controller 113, a NAND flash controller 114, an internal RAM 115, and a system bus 116. The memory module 120 comprises a DRAM 121 and a serial presence detect (SPD) 122.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a booting operation of the conventional electronic device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a memory map of a conventional boot program.
Hereinafter, the booting operation of the conventional electronic device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
When an autoboot of the electronic device 100 begins, the NAND flash controller 114 automatically copies a boot image stored in the NAND flash memory 130 to the internal RAM 115 at operation S210. The boot image is shown in FIG. 3.
At operation S220, the CPU 111 initializes an environment setting register provided in the CPU 111 by executing a control code of the boot image that corresponds to an initialization of the CPU 111.
At operation S230, the CPU 111 initializes the I2C controller 113 by executing a control code corresponding to an initialization of the I2C controller 113. At operation S240, the CPU 111 reads out data about configuration information of the memory module 120 from the SPD 122 by executing a control code corresponding to the SPD 122. At operation S250, the CPU activates the DRAM 121 by initializing the memory controller 112 to conform to the memory module 120 using the read-out data.
The CPU 111 sets a stack pointer in an area of the activated DRAM 121 at operation S260. As shown in FIG. 3, a certain block of the DRAM 121 is used as a stack area. The CPU 111 activates a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (not shown) by executing a control code that is written in a C-language and corresponds to an initialization of the LCD panel at operation S270. Finally, the CPU 111 completes the execution of the boot program and then begins performing an application program at operation S280.
According to the conventional booting procedure as described above, only the control code based on assembly language is executed before the DRAM 121 is activated to set the stack by the stack pointer therein. Therefore, the control code corresponding to the initialization of the memory controller 112 must be written based on assembly language, which makes it difficult for a developer to intuitively understand.
If the electronic device is an embedded system requiring a high-capacity and high-speed memory, the electronic device uses a commercial memory module for the purpose of achieving system expansion and easy design, instead of using a memory device directly installed to the system on chip. In order to use the commercial memory module, the memory controller has to be initialized based on configuration information of the memory module recorded to the EEPROM (hereinafter referred to as serial presence detect (SPD)) mounted in the memory module.
Therefore, in the conventional device, the control code to initialize the memory controller has to be written based on assembly language, and also, a control program has to be re-written to be suitable to the CPU because the assembly language commands are different depending on the CPU model.
Since a device driver to initialize and operate a display device (not shown) such as an LCD panel, is generally written in a high-level programming language such as C, C++, and Java, it is driven after the DRAM area is activated by reading data necessary for the initialization of the memory controller from the SPD. However, since the SPD uses the EEPROM of a low transmission rate ranging from 10 kbps to 400 kbps, a large amount of time is required to initialize the memory controller and activate the DRAM area after power is applied to the system. Therefore, it takes a user a large amount of time to determine an operation status of the system through the display device, and it is often the case that a user incorrectly determines that the system is not operating.
Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method for effectively and efficiently improving at least a booting operation.

Electronic device and booting method thereof


A tactile display layer is provided on a back side of a flexible visual display layer of a display to facilitate selective tactile pushing against different portions of the flexible visual display layer. In one embodiment, the display further includes a sensor circuit to sense user touching of activated ones of tactile pistons of the tactile display layer. In one embodiment, the display further includes a transparent touch sensitive layer disposed on a viewing side of the flexible visual display layer, with its effective touch sensitive area limited to a perimeter area surrounding the effective area of the tactile display layer.

Human-machine interface has long been a subject of interest to designers of human operated machinery, particularly for machines or devices intended for "unskilled" novice users, such as personal devices of various kinds, remote controls, palm-sized computing devices (also referred to as personal digital assistants (PDA)), laptop computers, and so forth. Improved ease-of-use, in general, improves user satisfactions.
Increasingly, as a result of advances in microprocessor and other related technologies, more and more personal devices are processor based and multi-functional. For example, today one can acquire a PDA that can also serve as a wireless mobile phone, a MP3 player and so forth.
Typically, the appropriate end user interfaces, i.e. the interfaces for operating one of these devices as a PDA, a wireless mobile phone, or a MP3 player and so forth, are presented on a touch sensitive screen on an as needed basis. A user would interact with the interface by touching the appropriate interface element, a visual image, e.g. a key or button image, or a menu or list item image.
Many of these graphical interfaces are intuitive, and easy-to-use. However, as friendly as these graphical interfaces are, there is no tactile feel to the touching of the key or button image (i.e. a user does not feel the clicking of a real key/button). The same applies to the selection of menu or list items. The lack of tactile feedback is "difficult" or "less satisfying" for some user.
Thus, it is desirable if the user experience may be further enhanced by providing the user with tactile sensations when interacting with at least some of the interface elements.


A bicycle crank assembly is configured to simplify the work required to adjust the bearing play by the crank assembly when the crank assembly is mounted. The bicycle crank assembly has a left crank that is mounted on a crank axle of the bicycle, and is provided with a crank body and an adjustment member. The crank body includes a crank axle mounting part non-rotatably mounting to one end of the crank axle, an arm part extending from the crank axle mounting part, a pedal mounting part for mounting the pedal and provided at the tip of the arm part, and a male screw part formed on the crank axle mounting part. The adjustment member includes a tubular part having a female screw part into which the male screw part is screwed, and a contact part formed at one end of the tubular part and capable of contacting the bearing supporting the crank axle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle crank assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle crank assembly mounted on a bicycle crank axle.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. One component that has been extensively redesigned is the bicycle crank assembly.
The crank assembly is mounted on the crank axle of a bicycle. A conventional crank assembly has a crank axle mounting part non-rotatably mount on an end of the crank axle, a crank body extending from the crank axle mounting part in an outward in a radial direction, and a pedal mount provided at the tip of the crank body. In this type of crank assembly, a right side gear crank is conventionally known to be crimp-fastened to the crank axle (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-249770).
A conventional left side crank assembly has a slit formed in the crank axle mounting part, and two clamping bolts are provided to narrow the slit with the crank axle with the slit gap prevented from turning by serrations on the left end of the crank axle. Furthermore, the left side crank assembly is fixed to the crank axle by a fixed bolt that screws into the left inner circumferential surface of the crank axle.
A bearing play adjustment function, such as bearing pressing, is not provided for the bearings of conventional crank axles. Therefore, adjustment of bearing play, that is, adjustment so that the crank axle rotates smoothly without bearing jounce in the axial direction, is accomplished by adjusting the degree of tightness when fixing the left side crank assembly with the fixed bolt. Then, when the bearing play adjustment is completed, the clamping bolt is tightened to narrow the slit and fix the crank assembly to the crank axle. Accordingly, since bearing adjustment is accomplished by the fixed bolt to fix the crank assembly in a conventional crank assembly, the play adjustment by the fixed bolt must be performed again when the crank assembly is removed from the crank axle and the crank assembly is mounted on the crank axle.
Conventionally, a crank assembly is fixed to the crank axle using a taper. When a taper is used for mounting and the fixed bolt that screws into the crank axle is not completely tightened, a gap is created between the crank assembly and the crank axle, such that the crank assembly can not be rigidly fixed to the crank axle. Therefore, a fixed bolt can not be used when adjusting the crank assembly for bearing play. When adjusting the crank assembly for bearing play in structures in which both components are coupled using a taper, it is necessary to adjust bearing play by inserting a shim into the gap between the bearing and the crank assembly.
However, when the bearing play is adjusted by the crank assembly and a taper is used to couple the crank assembly and the crank axle, however, bearing play must be adjusted each time the crank assembly is mounted. This adjustment is necessary because the position of the crank assembly in the axial direction is subject to shifting each time the assembly is removed due to the finish precision of the crank axle taper and the crank assembly taper. Thus, when the crank assembly shifts position in the axial direction, the bearing play must be adjusted to change the gap between the bearing and the crank assembly. In this case, the work of bearing adjustment becomes complicated since removing the fixed bolt and crank assembly must be repeated to add and subtract the shims when changing gap using shims during bearing play adjustment.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved bicycle crank assembly. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.