The signal-to-noise ratio of a demodulated received signal is estimated by measuring the error vector magnitude (EVM) of the demodulated signal; and processing the measured EVM in combination with a correction term to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio of the demodulated signal. The correction term is a polynomial function of the measured EVM. The signal-to-noise ratio is estimated in accordance with the formula:

The present invention generally pertains to communication signal processing and is particularly directed to estimating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a received modulated signal by processing the measured error vector magnitude (EVM).
The EVM is a measure of the tightness of a received signal constellation about a desired constellation point and is thereby an indication of signal fidelity. Many commercial standards require compliance to an EVM requirement since the EVM is much more straightforward to calculate and characterize than a direct Eb/No estimation and since modem imperfections are impossible to separate as a source of EVM or Eb/No degradation. By using use the EVM as a discriminator for the actual modem SNR (Es/No), the received SNR can be estimated quite accurately.
A prior art technique of processing the measured EVM to estimate the SNR is described by D. J. Shin, W. Sung and I. K. Kim, "Simple SNR Methods for QPSK Modulated Short Bursts", Proc. of IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference, Globecom 2001, San Antonio, Tex., USA, vol. 6, 2001, pp. 3644-3647.

Estimation of single-to-noise ratio by processing measured error vector magnitude

Abstract: E      S              N      0        ≅            10      ·                        LOG          10                                  (                                    π              ·                              ⌈                                  E                  S                                ⌉                                                                    4                                                  [                                                                                μ                        ^                                            z                                        +                                          C                                                                    (                                                                              μ                            ^                                                    z                                                )                                                                              ]                                            2                                )                                                  (      dB      )      wherein {circumflex over (μ)}z is the measured EVM based on the mean of a Rayleigh density of EVM measurements; and C is the correction term.    For QPSK modulated signals, C is calculated in accordance with the formula:CQPSK({circumflex over (μ)}z)≅2.71×10−3{circumflex over (μ)}z3−7.54×10−2{circumflex over (μ)}z2+0.7{circumflex over (μ)}z−2.25.    For BPSK modulated signals, C is calculated in accordance with the formula:CBPSK({circumflex over (μ)}z)≅1.78×10−4{circumflex over (μ)}z3−1.03×10−3{circumflex over (μ)}z2+4.62×10−2{circumflex over (μ)}z−0.588.


An optical disk drive unit comprising: a sealing enclosure which encloses from exterior the disk cartridge and an access mechanism for the recording medium in the disk cartridge; an input device for inputting an eject command signal; a pin for moving and arranging a cartridge eject device to a state for starting its function; a cam which is disengaged from the pin when the cartridge is unloaded and which is contacted from the pin to start the ejecting function when the cartridge is loaded so that by rotating the cam, the ejecting function can be conducted; a cam drive disposed outside of the enclosure; a linkage for connecting a shaft of the cam drive to the cam through a hole formed in the enclosure; and a controller for controlling the cam in such a way that upon receipt of the eject command signal from the input device, the cam drive is driven to rotate the cam until the cartridge is ejected, wherein through a hole 15 of the chassis 1 is inserted a shaft 81 of the cam 80, and a worm wheel 79 is connected to the shaft 81 through an engagement member 82, the worm wheel 79 engaging with a worm 77 installed on a rotational shaft of an eject motor 76.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk drive unit having a mechanism for loading a disk cartridge which houses a disk-shaped recording medium on the device at a predetermined position thereof and ejecting the loaded disk cartridge from the device as well.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical disk device uses an optical disk or a magneto-optic disk as a recording medium. The device uses the optical disk or magneto-optic disk (which is simply referred to as optical disk hereinafter) in a state wherein the optical disk is housed in a disk cartridge so that the optical disk can be conveniently exchanged.
Such a medium interchangeable optical disk device comprises a loading mechanism and an ejection mechanism for exchanging the disk cartridge, which forms many opening portions through which the inside of the device communicates with the outside of the device on the housing or chassis of the device so that the outer air is freely introduced into the device.
Accordingly, dusts or other particles included in the air stick to the optical parts assembled in the pickup device, which disturbs the wave-form of the optical signal, which lowers the reliability of the signal and causes the data error.
In order to prevent the outer air from entering into the optical disk device, it may be ideal to completely enclose the optical disk device.
However, in accordance with the ejection mechanism of the related art, to set the ejection mechanism as the initial state thereof, before the operation of the optical disk device, an eject pin has to be moved to a predetermined initial position by manually pressing an eject button, for instance. For this purpose, the chassis of the optical disk drive unit of the related art has a longitudinal opening formed therein corresponding to the moving range of the eject pin, which involves in the problem of entrance of outer air into the device through the opening.
Also, the movement of the eject pin along the longitudinal opening causes to generate dusts which are introduced into the device and attached to parts installed in the device.

Optical disk drive unit with a sealing type bearing member


A controller is provided for controlling a power converter that converts electrical input power of a wind turbine into electrical output power provided to a grid. The power converter includes grid-side and turbine-side converter parts. The controller comprises an input terminal for receiving a voltage reference signal associated with a predefined grid voltage and a frequency reference signal associated with a predefined grid frequency, and a network bridge controller adapted to control power conversion of the grid-side converter part. The network bridge controller includes a modulator for modulating gate drive command signals in the grid-side converter part based on a reference voltage and a reference angle derived from the voltage reference signal and the frequency reference signal. The modulator is adapted to modulate the gate drive command signals to maintain the predefined grid voltage and the predefined grid frequency in the power converter in case of failure within the grid.

One or more power generation systems, such as wind turbines, may be connected to a utility grid to supply electric energy to the utility grid. The power provided by the wind turbine generator and the power needed by the utility grid may have different frequencies, in particular electrical frequencies. In a wind turbine, a frequency converter is used to interface the AC (alternating current) power from the generator to the AC power of the utility grid.
There may be a situation where a wind farm is producing power into the electrical system, i.e., the utility grid, and part of this electrical system becomes islanded, i.e., disconnected from the rest of the grid. There may be also a situation where a wind farm is producing power into one end (the non grid connected end) of an HVDC scheme, and either the electrical system becomes islanded, or the HVDC scheme blocks, meaning the switching devices within the remote HVDC power converter terminal are turned off.
In the case of an islanded electrical system, a wind farm may be producing power into the electrical system and the part of this electrical system to which the wind farm is connected may become islanded, with undefined local loads, and undefined local generation on the Islanded system.
In the event of an islanded electrical system, a common vector current controller algorithm will 'track' the frequency and voltage of the islanded system and unless the load and generation are perfectly balanced, the islanded system frequency will deviate from 'nominal' and eventually deviate by a sufficient degree that the power converter (and/or other turbine or electrical system components) trip or shut down. A common network bridge current controller does nothing to actually help maintain 'nominal' voltage or frequency, it does not act in the same manner as a synchronous generator.
Thus, there may be a need for a controller being adapted to be controlled during conditions when a power converter (within for example a wind turbine) should be controllable in such a manner to specifically support or maintain the nominal voltage and frequency on an islanded system.

Controller for controlling a power converter


A semiconductor device comprises an electrically insulating film having a device hole; a plurality of groups of leads, each group including of a large number of leads arranged in a predetermined pattern, in a plurality of lead formation regions on the surface of the film; an integrated circuit chip positioned within the device hole and with electrodes connected to inner lead portions of the leads; and a resin sealing portion that seals in at least the integrated circuit chip, the film, and the lead groups. The film comprises a first group of aperture portions including of aperture portions provided in regions outside the lead formation regions and a second group of aperture portions consisting of a plurality of aperture portions provided in the lead formation regions.

This invention relates to a resin-sealed type of semiconductor device that is manufactured by using a tape carrier technique called tape automated bonding (TAB) or tape carrier package (TCP), and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device.
One example of this type of semiconductor device is produced by the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-124846. With this technique, two different types of die-cut portions 1 and 3 as well as a single aperture portion 5 are formed in a film tape 2, as shown in FIG. 15. Four lead groups 4a to 4d, each comprising a large number of leads 4, and an integrated circuit chip 6 that is connected to these leads 4 are also formed in every one frame of film tape 2. A characteristic of this technique is the way in which the aperture portion 5 is formed between each group 4a and lead group 4d, within a resin sealing region, so that molten resin can move through this aperture portion 5 during the resin sealing process.
The die-cut portions 1 are also formed within the resin sealing region in which lead groups 4a to 4d are arranged, separate from this aperture portion 5. The configuration is such that the molten resin can also move through these die-cut portions 1 during the resin sealing. Note that the die-cut portions indicated by reference number 3 in FIG. 15 are outer lead holes that act as aperture portions for punching the semiconductor device out after the resin sealing has been completed.
In accordance with this configuration, when the integrated circuit chip is being resin-sealed by a method such as transfer molding, the molten resin will mainly flow through the aperture portion 5 from the side that has the larger rate of flow to the side that has the smaller one, even if the rates of flow of resin into the resin injection chambers of the upper and lower dies are different, so the rates of flow of the resin in the upper and lower resin injection chambers can be kept balanced.
However, such a semiconductor device has a problem in that, since die-cut portions 1 are formed to extend along a wide range along the edges of the film, a tensile force F acting on the film tape during its transportation, for example, could easily cause the film tape to deform as shown by broken lines in FIG. 16. This deformation could cause leads 4 formed on the film tape to break.

Process of resin sealing a semiconductor device and lead frame


According to the invention, when a plurality of radial ribs are formed integrally with the web of a spur gear for the sake of rigidity thereof, the same rigidity as that of heretofore known gears can be assured while increasing the size accuracy of gear in comparison with the usual gears by locating the ribs with outer ends thereof opposed to the base of corresponding teeth.

Precision machinery such as printers is now manufactured with a lesser total weight by using gears made from synthetic resin. For the purpose of assuring sufficient rigidity and a higher precision thereof, such gears have their web formed in disc form, the disc having thereon reinforcing ribs.
With reference to FIG. 1 showing a spur gear applicable in this sort of precision machinery, the front view thereof is shown in FIG. 1(A), the cross-sectional view thereof taken on line A--A of FIG. 1(A) is shown in FIG. 1(B) and the rear view thereof is shown in FIG. 1(C).
The spur wheel 1 formed by injection molding of synthetic resin comprises a hub 2 having a length larger than face width b, and a web 3 of a disc form formed around the hub 2 and having a thickness smaller than the face width b. A circular rim 4 is formed around the web 3, and a predetermined number of teeth 5 are formed around the rim 4, wherein one end surface of the hub 2 is even with one end surface of the rim 4 while the other end surface of the hub 2 protrudes from the other end surface of the rim 4. Further, the web 3 is formed with a predetermined thickness around a virtual surface dividing the face width b into substantially equal parts. Accordingly, the spur gear 1 has a void space of less thickness between hub 2 and rim 4 on the both sides of the web 3, thereby to decrease the quantity of synthetic resin used and thus the total weight of gear for the quantity. Further, the web 3 is formed in disc shape, thereby to prevent a non-uniform deformation in the manufacturing process thereof so as to increase the accuracy of gear.
In the void space, spur gear 1 has a plurality of radial ribs 8A and 8B protruding from the hub 2 in order to assure its rigidity. More specifically, these ribs 8A and 8B are formed on both sides of the web 3 thereby to form a plate of total thickness of the face width b together with the web 3.
Further, the ribs 8A and 8B are arranged in axial symmetry with respect to a virtual line binding each gate 9 and the rotation axis of the hub 2 in consideration of resin fluidity, thereby to mold respective ribs with substantially same injection pressure. As described above, even number of ribs 8A and 8B are formed in general in this kind of spur gear 1, thereby to increase the rigidity of the web 3 having disc form for assuring the size accuracy of spur gear 1 thus obtained.
In this sort of spur gear 1, if its size accuracy can be increased further while maintaining its rigidity, an improvement of quality of printed characters can be expected from a printer for example using the spur gear 1.


A suspended ceiling system for use in a cleanroom or other application incorporates a framework formed from lengthwise and crosswise frame members which form open areas for mounting components such as air filter modules, light fixture panels, blank panels and the like. The ceiling system includes splice members for connecting the frame members together and clamps for securing the components to the frame members. Suspension members, which preferably engage corresponding fastening members disposed within the frame members, suspend the framework from the ceiling, defining an interior space above the framework. Substantial loads, such as utilities, robotics and wall partitions may be suspended from the framework by clips that engage with the frame members.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a suspended ceiling system for use in a cleanroom or other similar applications, and, more specifically, to a suspended ceiling system capable of supporting substantial loads either above or below the plane of the ceiling.
B. Description of the Related Prior Art
Precision manufacturing and assembly operations, particularly in the fields of semiconductors, aerospace, bioscience, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and food processing, are usually conducted in a controlled, contaminant-free work area, called a "cleanroom." A cleanroom is a specially constructed, enclosed area, environmentally controlled with respect to airborne particles, temperature, humidity, air flow patterns, etc.
A cleanroom conventionally includes a ceiling system for supply air and a raised floor system and/or side wall return air system. The ceiling system admits filtered air into the room, while the floor system or side wall grilles provide return air from the room in a closed loop arrangement. In some ceiling systems, a suspended framework supports air filters, blank panels, and lighting and defines an interior space between itself and the building structure to which it is attached. A supply duct or plenum provides temperature and humidity-conditioned air in the interstitial space above the framework. The air is delivered through filters to the room below.
In conventional cleanrooms, the utilities which sustain the manufacturing process are housed in separate "core areas" or above the ceiling. The utilities such as process piping, gases, air and vacuum lines are usually introduced into the cleanroom through openings in the walls or penetrations through the ceiling. Conventionally, a core area is disposed between two cleanrooms and thus provides utilities to both.
However, this conventional layout presents several problems. First, core areas occupy floor space which might otherwise be used as additional cleanroom space. Second, changing the size of a cleanroom is a cumbersome and costly ordeal which involves not merely relocating walls, but the removal and reinstallation of all of the utility equipment in an adjacent core area, especially when utilities and partitions penetrate the ceiling.
Conventional ceiling systems, however, are generally designed to support relatively light loads (e.g. air filters, blank panels, lights), typically on the order of a few pounds per square foot. Consequently, such systems are structurally unsuitable for bearing substantial loads such as process pipes, gas lines, air lines, vacuum lines, or a human technician who must service or repair equipment. Further, such ceiling systems are not suitable for directly supporting substantial loads suspended downward into the cleanroom. Finally, many conventional ceiling systems severely restrict where a rod or other suspension member may be attached to the framework for suspending it from the building structure.


The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game. The wagering game may include a basic game and a bonus game that includes selectable objects. The objects can be selected by a player or by a computer. Each of the selectable objects is associated with a bonus award. During game play, a player or computer selects objects until a predetermined number of selections occurs or a stop-selection feature occurs. After selection ends, the bonus awards associated with the selected objects are displayed. Subsequently, the awards associated with the non-selected objects may be revealed. At this time, instead of the game ending, at least one of the awards associated with the selected objects is altered, producing an adjusted bonus award for that selection. The player receives an overall bonus award that is based on the adjusted bonus awards.

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are most likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of the machines.
Consequently, shrewd operators strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines available because such machines attract frequent play and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. In the competitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to produce new types of games, or enhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play by enhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with the game.
One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is that of a "bonus" game which may be played in conjunction with a "basic" game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, and is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome of the basic game. Such a bonus game produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the basic game because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the basic game.
Another concept that has been employed is the use of a progressive jackpot. In the gaming industry, a "progressive" involves collecting coin-in data from participating gaming device(s) (e.g., slot machines), contributing a percentage of that coin-in data to a jackpot amount, and awarding that jackpot amount to a player upon the occurrence of a certain jackpot-won event. The percentage of the coin-in is determined prior to any result being achieved and is independent of any result. A jackpot-won event typically occurs when a "progressive winning position" is achieved at a participating gaming device. If the gaming device is a slot machine, a progressive winning position may, for example, correspond to alignment of progressive jackpot reel symbols along a certain payline. The initial progressive jackpot is a predetermined minimum amount. That jackpot amount, however, progressively increases as players continue to play the gaming machine without winning the jackpot. Further, when several gaming machines are linked together such that several players at several gaming machines compete for the same jackpot, the jackpot progressively increases at a much faster rate, which leads to further player excitement.
In some basic games, bonus games, and progressive games, players are allowed to make selections that influence the progression of the game and/or the award that they receive when game play is over. This has the benefit of allowing a player to feel like they have some control over the outcome of the game, or at least the final award. After a player has made his or her selections, the awards associated with those selections are revealed to the player. In addition to revealing the awards that the player has won, a game may also reveal the awards associated with the selections that the player did not make. For example, in one prior game a player is allowed to select three out of a total of five selectable objects. After picking three of the objects, the awards associated with the three selected objects are revealed. Subsequent to revealing these awards, the game may also reveal the awards associated with the two objects that the player did not select. In these prior games, once the awards associated with the selected and non-selected objects are revealed, the player receives the awards for the selected objects and the game is over. At this point, the excitement level associated with playing the game is diminished, if not ended.
The present invention provides further enhancement of the gaming experience by increasing the anticipation of future winnings even after the a player has made his or her selections. The present invention provides for alteration of an award after the selected and non-selected objects have been revealed. Thus, a player's expectation that a gaming session is over and an award has been set is replaced with an enhanced anticipation of a larger award via alteration of the award after it has been revealed.

Wagering game with post-reveal alteration of the award


An electronic communication which gives a user a sense of affinity to the system and occasions the user's interest and participation will in the communication, by preparing a sentence filled with the user's attribute information such as a name, hobby, and scheduled events of the belonging group, and information which changes with time such as weather, then outputting the sentence as characters, or by offering news selected by the user from among automatically displaying miniature images, for example, as identification information of the news which is presumed to highly interest the user based on the information such as a hobby included in the user's attribute information.

The present invention relates to an electronic communication system for transmitting and receiving electronic messages such as electronic news, electronic mail, etc. in a network such as the Internet, and a recording medium readable with a computer used in the electronic communication system.
An electronic communication system becomes widespread where opinions are exchanged with many people by transmitting and receiving electronic news and electronic mails by utilizing the network such as the Internet, personal computer communication, etc.
Although such electronic communication system is much utilized for the business use, it is the present condition that the users such as children or aged persons having scarce familiarity with the computer are negative to participate in the communication.
In the electronic communication system, the news are classified into certain categories to support the user's search. However, the users have to find out the information of own interest by selecting the category. This nuisance is one of the causes to prevent the participation of the users having scarce familiarity with the computer such as children or aged persons in the communication.

Electronic communication system and recording medium


In a capacitor microphone system for directional applications, an array of backplates of microphone cells are formed on a printed circuit (PC) board. A continuous strip of diaphragm is employed to cover each backplate. The diaphragm is stretched to create a uniform tension along its length, contributing to the objective of achieving a uniform gain by each microphone cell. In addition, the diaphragm is separated from the backplates by a relatively large distance such that the percentage deviation from such a distance from cell to cell is relatively small, again contributing to the objective of gain uniformity.

A capacitor microphone normally includes a stretched diaphragm, backplate, and spacer separating the diaphragm from the backplate. Typically, the diaphragm and backplate are constantly charged and form a charged capacitor. When an incident sound pressure excites motion of the stretched diaphragm, the spacing between the diaphragm and backplate changes, resulting in a corresponding change in the microphone capacitance and thus the voltage between the diaphragm and the backplate. This voltage change constitutes the microphone output signal.
Two common techniques are used to maintain the diaphragm and backplate to be constantly charged. The first technique involves biasing the microphone with a high voltage, called a "polarization" voltage. In accordance with this technique, the conducting diaphragm and backplate are connected to the high voltage through a large resistor so that the charge thereon is maintained by the high voltage. Because of the required biasing, such a microphone circuit can be undesirably expensive or large in size.
The other technique utilizes an electret, a metallized insulating foil, for the diaphragm. In accordance with this technique, the electret is pre-charged to have static charge trapped therein. The electret design is desirably simple and inexpensive. However, electret microphones have a sensitivity ("gain") which is directly proportional to the quantity of the trapped charge, and this quantity is subject to thermally activated Boltzmann detrapping processes. As a result, the electret microphones can exhibit a slow and an irreversible decrease in sensitivity over time and/or with increasing temperature.
A microphone array includes a number of individual microphones (or sensors) whose outputs are processed to produce a combined output, and is often used for providing directionality (i.e., acute sensitivity in selected directions) by virtue of the geometry of the configuration of the individual microphones. Unfortunately, the microphone array usually exhibits performance problems relating to gain non-uniformity among the individual microphones. Such gain non-uniformity may be attributed to non-uniform spacing between the diaphragm and backplate of each capacitor microphone. However, the spacing non-uniformity is inherent in the manufacture of the microphones. In the case where the individual microphones are of the capacitor type described above, the non-uniform spacing problem may be pronounced as the spacing in question is required to be narrow to begin with. Any small deviation in the spacing from one microphone to another results in a substantial gain difference.
Another contributing factor to the gain non-uniformity is the variability of the tension of the individual microphone diaphragms, which is also inherent in the manufacture of the microphones. Thus, in order to have the microphone array perform effectively, each individual microphone in the array needs to be calibrated before its use to afford a uniform gain. The required calibration is painstaking, time-consuming, and expensive as additional electronics providing the adjustment is needed. The calibration may require a complex acoustical test procedure as well.
Moreover, the above calibration needs to be repeated each time when the gain non-uniformity problem resurfaces due to, for example, changes in the tension of the individual microphone diaphragms over time. In addition, if the diaphragms are electrets, the quantity of the trapped charge therein is subject to the Boltzmann detrapping processes as mentioned above, increasing the chance of recurrence of the problem.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an inexpensive capacitor microphone array suitable for directional applications, whose design is conducive to providing a uniform gain by each individual microphone therein.


A system includes a first bus bar. A foil element is spaced apart from the first bus bar. The foil element is electrically connected to the first bus bar by grid elements. A second bus bar is spaced apart from the foil element across a dielectric layer. The system can include a second foil element spaced apart from the second bus bar.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to electrical systems, and more particularly to laminated bus bars.
2. Description of Related Art
Bus bars carry high voltages. If a fault occurs between two live bus bars, e.g. due to a defect in the insulation separating the two bus bars, the high energy levels can potentially lead to cascading faults. The same can happen if there is a fault between a live bus bar and ground.
The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved systems and methods for bus bars and fault clearing in bus bars. This disclosure provides a solution for this need.


An image forming apparatus includes an inquiry portion, a determination portion, and a discharge destination display portion. The inquiry portion inquires a terminal device as a transmission source of a print job as to whether or not another terminal device exists near a terminal device. The determination portion, when the other terminal device exists, determines whether or not the other terminal device is included in a transmission destination of a print job of a printed matter existing in a discharge destination, based on the present state of a discharge destination. The discharge destination display portion, when the other terminal device is included in the transmission destination of the print job of the printed matter existing in the discharge destination, displays a discharge destination of a printed matter corresponding to the other terminal device, and user identification information of a user who owns the other terminal device.

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a discharge destination display method. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a discharge destination display method which enable a user to collectively take printed matters of other users near the user.
There are various conventional arts as image forming apparatuses such as a copy machine, a multifunction peripheral, a printer, and the like, which are shared and used by a plurality of users. For example, as a first related art, a printing device has been known, which performs printing processes upon receiving print jobs that are outputted from a plurality of host devices connected over a network, and include print data and identification information of transmission sources of the print data. This printing device includes a reception portion that receives each print job, a printing portion that executes a printing process on a specified recording medium on the basis of the print data included in each print job, and a count portion that counts the number of discharged recording medium according to the printing process for each print job. The printing device further includes a print job history management table forming portion that stores the count result of the count portion for each transmission source identification information, and a display portion that displays the content of the print job history management table corresponding to a predetermined number of print jobs in a period from the present back to the past. Thereby, even when printed matters are forgotten to be taken and remain on a sheet discharge tray of a printer shared and used by a plurality of users, it is easy to know to whom the printed matters belong, which have been discharged and stacked on top of one another in the sheet discharge tray, on the basis of the user information, the number of sheets to be printed, the sheet size, and the like which are included in the print job.
Meanwhile, as a second related art, an image forming apparatus is known, which discharges an output matter after image formation to an output tray for each job. This image forming apparatus includes a collector detecting portion that detects a collector who has collected the output matter, and a taking-out detecting portion that detects taking-out of the output matter from the output tray. This image forming apparatus further includes: a recording portion that records information indicating the state of the output matter discharged to the output tray, based on information at the discharge of the output matter and information detected by the taking-out detecting portion; and a mixing notification portion that, when the collector detecting portion has detected the collector, determines whether or not the output matter is mixed with another output matter on the output tray on the basis of the information recorded by the recording portion, and, upon determining that the output matters are mixed, notifies the collector of the mixing. Thus, it is possible to avoid erroneous taking-out of an output matter from the output tray due to mixing of output matters, resulting in improved convenience for users and improved security.
Meanwhile, as a third related art, a printer system is known, which includes a client computer that transmits data for printing and a printing instruction, and a printer device that prints a content represented by the data for printing, in accordance with the printing instruction. In this system, the printer device includes a printing history data storage portion that stores therein data indicating a printing history corresponding to each print job. Further, at least one of the client computer and the printer device includes a printing history output instruction input portion, and a printing history output portion that outputs the printing history represented by the printing history data stored in the printing history data storage portion, in accordance with an instruction inputted from the printing history output instruction input portion. Thus, a user is allowed to easily know the printing history.
Meanwhile, as a fourth related art, an image forming apparatus is known, which includes a reception portion that receives a print job, a sheet discharge portion having a bin to which sheets printed based on the print job are discharged, a transmission portion that transmits a print job output completion notification, and a detecting portion that detects whether or not sheets remain in the bin. This image forming apparatus includes a remaining sheet destination specifying portion that specifies the destination of sheets remaining in the bin, a determination portion that, if sheets remain in the bin, determines whether or not the specified destination of the remaining sheets is the same as the destination of the print job, and an output completion notification destination setting portion that, when the specified destination of the remaining sheets is not the same as the destination of the print job, sets the specified destination of the remaining sheets to the transmission destination of an output completion notification. Thereby, it is possible to notify each user that he/she has forgotten to take a printed matter. Thus, the image forming apparatus is useful for avoiding the situation that printed matters directed to a plurality of users are mixed in one bin.

Image forming apparatus and discharge destination display method


In a single chip semiconductor memory, having independent memory areas for normal memory cells and redundant memory cells, the redundant cells are tested in a parallel or multi-bit test mode simultaneously with the normal cells they replace, by enabling the redundant memory area in response to simultaneous detection of the state of the multi-bit test mode, the presence of a programmed redundant bit for a memory cell under test, and the operative selection of the normal memory matrix.

It has become usual in connection with large scale memories to provide an area for redundant memory cells, so that a defective memory cell in the main memory area does not make the entire memory unusable.
It is desirable, in order to reduce the manufacturing costs of large scale memories, to provide accelerated methods of testing the memory cells, to insure that the entire memory cell array operates properly. In order to facilitate the testing, it has been proposed to test a number of memory cells simultaneously within the main memory area, but heretofore it has not been possible to test portions of the redundant memory areas simultaneously with the main memory. Thus, it has been necessary to test the redundant areas separately, which prolongs the testing procedure and renders the finished memory arrays more expensive because of the time and effort required for testing them completely.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method for testing memory areas which have been set aside as redundant, at the same time as the testing of the other memory areas of the main memory. This allows the testing process to proceed more rapidly, and a separate testing procedure is not required for the redundant memory areas.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become manifest by inspection of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control circuit located on the chip in operative association with a single chip semiconductor memory having a redundant semiconductor memory portion, for enabling access to the redundant semiconductor memory area for reading. The control circuit is enabled by the simultaneous occurrence of a select signal, which functions to select a given portion of the main memory area, a second signal indicating that the multiple bit test (MBT) mode is active, and a further signal describing that the redundant memory area has been programmed.

Method of testing redundant memory cells

c/o Device Tech. Div. Ulsi R & D Group, Atsugi Tech. Center Sony Corporatio n

c/o Sony Microelectronics Design Center Sony Corporation, 6118 River Oaks Pkwy.


A method of distributing processor loading in a real-time operating system between a high frequency processing task and a lower frequency processing task, the method including: making a processing request to the high frequency processing task from the lower frequency processing task, the processing request including a plurality of discrete processing commands; queuing the plurality of discrete processing commands; and executing a subset of the queued processing commands with the execution of each of a plurality of high frequency processing tasks such that the execution of the plurality of discrete processing commands is distributed across the plurality of high frequency processing tasks.

A real time operating system is an operating environment for software that facilitates multiple time-critical tasks being performed by a processor according to predetermined execution frequencies and execution priorities. Such an operating system includes a complex methodology for scheduling various tasks such that the task is complete prior to the expiration of a deadline. In some data-intensive applications, movement of raw data and/or other processor-intensive tasks may be shared between tasks to ensure that the various deadlines are satisfied.

Method of distributing processor loading between real-time processor threads


There is provided a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)/UIM (User Identity Module) card arrangement in a slide type portable wireless terminal having a main body and a slide body sliding by a predetermined length in a lengthwise direction of the terminal to slide up and down on the main body. In the arrangement, when the slide body is fully slid up, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)/UIM (User Identity Module) card is installed on a rear surface, which is open to the view, of the slide body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a user identification card arrangement in a portable wireless terminal, and more particularly, to an effective arrangement of a slide type terminal in which any one or all of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card for a European Global System for Mobile (GSM) telecommunication terminal and a User Identity Module (UIM) card for a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) terminal is arranged or are concurrently arranged.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Generally, user information and terminal system-related information are stored in a detachable Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card for a European GSM wireless terminal or a detachable User Identity Module (UIM) card for a CDMA wireless terminal (Hereinafter, a user identity card is the general term of the SIM card and the UIM card). The SIM card and the UIM card stores the user's information. For example, the user's call details, user preferences, system information and the like. Accordingly, a user can store his information on a card and transfer it between devices.
Recently, a terminal has been developed that is used in both CDMA and GSM systems and allows exchanging of the SIM card and the UIM card. The SIM card and the UIM card are generally installed at the rear surface of a terminal main body. In other words, a SIM card socket and a UIM card socket are provided at a rear surface of the terminal body, and a corresponding card is mounted into its corresponding socket to allow operation of the terminal.
However, the SIM card and the UIM card are not the only components installed at the rear surface of the terminal main body. A battery pack usually is installed on top of the SIM/UIM card, blocking its access. Accordingly, there is an inconvenience in that the user has to take the battery pack out before accessing the SIM/UIM card, and re-install the battery pack.

SIM/UIM card arrangement in portable wireless terminal


The present invention relates to system and method for informing a critical situation by using network, to ask for help about present danger to Crime Prevention Center. When a user is facing a dangerous person, the user inputs images or a voice of the dangerous person to ask for help using an image input apparatus in a stealthy way. Then, the image input apparatus automatically transmits the inputted image data and/or voice data as well as present position data of the user to a security system. Thereby, the user can inform the security system of his danger even if the user is having difficulty in inputting an alarm button or is on his movement, and can operate the image input apparatus at will without limitation of position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for informing a critical situation by using a network, to ask for immediate help about present danger to Crime Prevention Center.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Presently security systems are widely being used in general houses, apartment blocks, enterprises, etc. The prior security system watches for the existence of an external intruder. Hereinafter, the general classification of the prior security system will be described.
Regarding the first type of the prior security system, if the security system perceives the existence of an intruder in a watch domain where an infrared sensor is set up, then a warning notice is displayed and an alarm signal is transmitted at a long distance. For the second type of the prior security system, if a guard confirms the existence of an intruder in a watch domain, he pushes an alarm button in order to notify a critical situation to an external Crime Prevention Center. The first type is applied when people are not present in the watch domain, and the second type is applied when a people are present in the watch domain.
The prior security system has a problem because the system does not provide help when a user confronts a dangerous intruder or cannot push the alarm button. Also, because the prior security system is restricted to a fixed domain, the user cannot use the security system in a mobile way.

System and method for informing a critical situation by using network


A method for performing path-sensitive data-flow analysis for use in error checking functions includes identifying at least a first instruction and a second instruction in a control flow graph of a function. The identified first instruction and second instruction are connected by at least a first control flow path and a second control flow path. The method further includes defining a path condition between the first instruction and the second instruction as a complex disjunction including a first conjunction of predicates for the first control flow path and a second conjunction of predicates for the second control flow path. The method further includes converting the path condition into conjunctive normal form to obtain a converted path condition that includes a disjunction of atomic constraints, generating a simplified path condition by simplifying the disjunction of atomic constraints in the converted path condition to a value, analyzing the function using the simplified path condition to detect an error, and presenting the error.

In the process of developing a computer program, various errors may be introduced in the computer program that cause unintentional consequences, such as the program being unable to execute or returning incorrect results. In order to minimize and potentially prevent such errors, program analysis is performed. Program analysis is the process of automatically analyzing the behavior of computer programs during actual or modeled execution. The program analysis may be static or dynamic. Static program analysis is performed without executing the program, whereas dynamic program analysis is performed during the execution of the program.

Path-sensitive analysis framework for bug checking


The invention concerns a device for heating an object (6) in an intense magnetic field, comprising:—a light source (1), an optic fiber (2) for transporting the light emitted by said light source (1) and emitting a beam of light in the direction of the object (6) to be heated, a converging optical system (3), a diaphragm (4) positioned at the focusing point of the optical system (3),—a reflector (5), whereof the inner wall is defined by the revolution of a semi-parabola around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the parabola and passing through the focal point of said parabola, the optical axis of said reflector (5) coinciding with the optical axis (A) of the optical system (3) and the focal point (F″) of said reflector coinciding with the focusing point of said optical system (3).

Working with material under a magnetic field—especially a so-called <<intense>> magnetic field, that is, whereof the intensity is of the order of several Tesla or even tens of Tesla—forms the object of numerous scientific investigations.
A branch of operations known as <<magneto-science>> has emerged, the aim of which is to combine application of a magnetic field to a method for developing material.
The magnetic field is considered as an additional parameter which can influence either the morphology of the material during its manufacture or the kinetics of development methods used, as do parameters such as temperature, pressure or chemical composition.
In this sense, the magnetic field can be used to modify the usage properties of material.
If numerous effects of the magnetic field are still the object of fundamental studies, others are now already involved in industrial processes for synthesising materials.
In fact, superconductive magnets benefit regularly from major advances both in terms of performance and in terms of costs, which make their use feasible in industrial processes, especially in the field of development and treatment of metals.
Treatments conducted under intense magnetic field almost always involve thermal treatment for heating the object to be treated to a determined temperature.
Currently, heating devices comprise resistive or inductive heating elements.
Document WO 2011/012673 describes a device for treatment of an object under intense magnetic field comprising, for example, heating of the object followed by quenching.
However, since an electric current passes through the heating elements, coupling takes place between the superconductive magnet which generates the magnetic field and the heating elements, due to Laplace and Lorentz forces.
This coupling leads to rapid deterioration of the heating elements, requiring frequent replacement of said elements.
To this end, the article by K. Takahashi et al., <<Magnetic orientation of paraffin in a magnetic levitation furnace>>, Physica B 346-347 (2004), pp 277-281, proposes reflecting a beam emitted by a YAG laser onto two conical mirrors to form an annular beam perpendicular to the beam emitted by the laser about a sample to be heated.
However, this device is very bulky and is not compatible with the highly restricted volume imposed by devices for generating an intense magnetic field.
Finally, because of its two mirrors, this device is relatively heavy.
Also, there is a need to carry out so-called <<flash>> annealing, that is, with a very rapid rise in temperature to the preferred temperature to avoid any microstructural transformation of the material during heating.
So, the aim is to effect a rise in temperature of the order of several hundreds of ° C./s up to a maximal temperature which may be greater than or equal to 1600° C. under a magnetic field of 16 T.
However, the heating elements of known devices have thermal inertia which does not enable such a rapid rise in temperature, with the best results obtained to date being of the order of a few tens of ° C./s.
Also, available space in the intense magnetic field is highly restricted, the field hole of the superconductive magnet being of the order of 32 mm at ambient temperature.
It is therefore necessary to design a highly compact heating device adapted for inserting into this environment.
Another constraint to keep in mind in designing a heating device is that the object being treated must be able to be equipped with measuring instruments (sensors, probes, etc.) so that it can be characterised.
It is therefore necessary to provide sufficient volume around the object to accommodate these instruments.
The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome all these obstacles and provide a heating device for an object in an intense magnetic field, which permits very rapid rises in temperature (up to several hundreds of ° C./s) and which is sufficiently compact for inserting into the device for generation of the intense magnetic field.
This device must also be more robust than existing heating devices and minimise interactions with the magnetic field.

Device and method for heating an object in an intense magnetic field

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)


A floor pan of a vehicle, in particular an armored military vehicle, includes a first, lateral floor wall (1); a second, floor wall which is connected via connecting point (9) with the first, lateral wall (1); and an auxiliary armoring (4) releasably attached to the lateral floor wall (1) for mine protection. The auxiliary armoring is an armored plate that at least partially covers the second, floor wall (5) adjacent the lateral floor wall (1) and the connecting point (9) lying therebetween.

The instant application should be granted the priority date of Apr. 23, 2010, the filing date of the corresponding German patent application 10 2010 016 605.7, as well as Apr. 15, 2011, the filing date of the International patent application PCT/DE2011/075081.
The present invention relates to a floor pan of a vehicle, in particular an armored military vehicle, with a lateral floor wall, which is connected via a connecting point with a second floor wall.
Military vehicles frequently have an armored floor pan, in which the passenger chamber of the vehicle is arranged. The lower portion of the vehicle pan can be formed by the floor pan, in particular with a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section. Also, an auxiliary floor pan can be arranged under the vehicle pan.
Each wall of this floor pan can be designed as a floor wall, so that the floor pan with a V-shaped cross section includes two lateral floor walls or with a U-shaped cross section includes two lateral floor walls and a lower floor wall. The connection of the floor walls takes place in particular by welding. The vehicle pan and/or the floor pan frequently comprises armored steel plates, so that in the region of the lateral walls in particular the vehicle pan is also provided with protection against ballistics.
A particular threat is represented by mine explosions or other explosive effects, which can act on the bottom or the sides on the floor pan. For this reason, it is known to reinforce the floor pan with auxiliary protective plates. However, these plates cannot be designed to be arbitrarily heavy, since the mobility of the vehicle and the transportation capability of the vehicle should be limited only so much as necessary.
DE 101 34 394 B4 describes a U-shaped floor pan, with which the lower floor wall, embodied as a floor plate, is welded with lateral floor walls. A flange plate is disposed on the pan lateral wall for receiving a support shaft bearing housing, which has recesses through which the floor plate can engage. The flange plate has a strong constructed based on its support function in the vehicle and is welded with the lateral floor wall. In the region of the lower floor wall, it also has an end region that overlaps the connecting point, which in turn is welded with the lower floor wall. A disadvantage of the known embodiment of the floor pan is that with an explosion that comes at an incline or from below, a tearing of the lower floor wall in the welded regions is possible, since based on the heat effects existing during welding, in general, a structural change occurs.

Vehicle floor pan comprising auxiliary armoring


There is disclosed a vehicle door structure for an automotive vehicle comprising a door including an outer panel and an inner panel attached together to define a door cavity therebetween. An armrest secured to the door inner panel includes an inner cavity and is collapsible against the door inner panel upon the imposition of a predetermined level of force against the armrest. The armrest also includes an inflatable airpad in the inner cavity for receiving and venting a volume of air therein. The airpad includes an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the door cavity and an inlet aperture in fluid communication with a source of compressed air disposed remotely from the door. The armrest is collapsibly and retractably secured to the door such that the armrest projects into the vehicle when the door is closed and is retracted against the door when the door is open.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a door structure for an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle door structure having a collapsible and retractable armrest.
2. Disclosure Information
It is well known in motor vehicles to provide a decorative door trim panel assembly on the inner panel of the door facing the passenger compartment of the vehicle cabin. It is also well known to provide an armrest on the door which projects inwardly into the passenger cabin from the door trim panel to provide a convenient rest for the occupant's arm. In an effort to make vehicle interiors more modular, an increasing amount of molded plastic door trim panels are being utilized. These molded door trim panels typically include an armrest molded integrally with the trim panel. While functioning adequately as a resting place for the occupant's arm, these hard plastic armrests can become uncomfortable during a long ride. Furthermore, when a vehicle occupant enters or exits the vehicle, the door is open and the armrest projects outwardly from it. Persons entering or exiting the vehicle often bump against the armrest. It would therefore be desirable to provide an armrest which is more comfortable and is retractable so as not to interfere with the ingress and egress of passengers from the vehicle.
When the vehicle door is closed, the armrest extends into the passenger cabin. It is known that the door trim panel and armrest may be comprised of a foam material which collapses and absorbs energy upon imposition of a lateral force against it. The prior art also recognizes that an armrest may be comprised of a foam or honeycomb structure which will yield laterally when a force is applied against it. However, these types of armrests do not retract to ease the ingress or egress of vehicle occupants. It would also be desirable to provide a vehicle door with an armrest that provides some lateral cushioning when a force is applied against it and which does not interfere with occupant entry and exit to and from the vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle door structure having a comfortable armrest which is both collapsible under a force and which is retractable when the vehicle door opens.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an armrest which is inflatable upon closing of the vehicle door and which remains inflated until either a lateral force compresses the air from it or the vehicle door is opened.


Hydrazide functionalized benzotrialzole and oxanilide ultraviolet absorbers (Formulas I and II) useful for stabilizing coreactive or inert polymeric compositions and novel intermediates (Formula III used to make certain types of compounds of Formula I) are disclosed and have the general formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, X, Y, all substituents thereof, and n are set forth in the Summary of the Invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to compounds which incorporate both an ultraviolet light stabilizer and a hydrazide heat stabilizer functional groups. The ultraviolet light absorber can be either a 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole derivative or an oxanilide derivative.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In addition to activity as a stabilizer on a molar basis (i.e., UV absorber, heat stabilizer, etc.), a successful stabilizer additive must have both excellent compatibility with and/or solubility in numerous polymer substrates, along with superior resistance to loss from the stabilized composition during procesing and end-use application. Many stabilizer additives exhibit limited compatibility in certain substrates, and excessive tendency to exude, sublime and/or volatilize during weathering or processing of stabilized compositions, particularly when use conditions require exposure to elevated temperatures. Because of this problem, several attempts have been made to increase the compatibility and reduce the volatility of such stabilizer additives by modifying their structure.
While improvements have been noted over the years, experience has shown that state-of-the-art stabilizers do not exhibit the desired combination of properties in all resins and that new polymeric compositions continue to invoke additional structural modifications on any potential heat and/or light stabilizer intended for use. Two examples of this would be in "high solids" coatings which require greater solubility of the stabilizer due to the use of less solvent, and in engineering thermoplastics where processing temperatures (in excess of 250.degree. C.) require the use of stabilizers with high thermal stability and very low volatility. No one stabilizer to date provides the properties necessary for universal application and there is a constant commercial need for new stabilizers offering a range of property advantages.
Systems which incorporate UV absorbers and other functional groups are known. Multifunctional stabilizers have been prepared by reacting one type of stabilizer with another to obtain a higher molecular weight compound having dual functionality or by reacting two or more stabilizers with a multifunctional coupling agent in a stepwise fashion.
Japanese Patent 73/43568 (Chemical Abstracts 81:122589s) discloses the use of a 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole UV absorber and a hydrazide to give enhanced resistance to photodegradation of polyurethane copolymer fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,063 discloses certain benzotriazole hydrazides and a copolymerizable acyl hydrazide derivative.

Benzotriazole and oxanilide UV absorber hydrazides


In a system including a parent station and a plurality of child stations connected only to the parent station, which is unable to detect a response among the plurality of child stations, the parent station includes a transmission permission sequential allocation mechanism for giving transmission permission sequentially and a first timer for monitoring a first period which is a response detection time period. The child station includes a transmission permission detection mechanism for detecting that the identifier sent by the parent station is directed to the own station. Each of the child stations transmits data in a band period when the child station is permitted to communicate. When the parent station does not receive a response from the child station permitted to communicate within the first period, the parent station permits a next child station to communicate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a transmission equipment including an interface for transmitting ETHERNET (trade mark) packet data in LAN (Local Area Network), etc. as a user network interface (UNI). Particularly, this invention relates to a transmission equipment for transmitting variable length ETHERNET packet data in a PON (Passive Optical Network).
2. Description of the Related Art
A PON system according to the related art is explained.
FIG. 12 shows a block configuration chart for explaining an optical communication equipment, its communication method and a system in which its control program is written disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Published Patent Application Hei 11-98151.
In FIG. 12, the optical communication equipment includes a station equipment 111 and a subscriber equipment 113. The station equipment 111 is connected to an external work station 112, and the subscriber equipment 113 is connected to a terminal 114.
The station equipment 111 has a function for changing band (band period or time band or time period) allocations dynamically. By this function, an unutilized band is shared among a plurality of subscribers who are members of band unassurance service instead of band assurance service for communications with the station equipment 111 in the PON system.
In this configuration, the subscriber equipment 113 includes a PDS (Passive Double Star) terminator 131 for terminating an interface with the station equipment 111, a terminal interface terminator 133 for terminating an interface with the terminal for the band unassurance service in a user side, a memory 132 for storing packet data which are converted between the PDS terminator 131 and the terminal interface terminator 133, and a memory controller 134 for measuring a stored data amount in the memory 132 and sending a request for transmission to the PDS terminator 131 when it is necessary to send a signal to the station equipment through the PDS terminator 131.
Meanwhile, the station equipment 111 includes a PDS terminator 121 for terminating an interface with the subscriber equipment 113, a controller 125 for terminating an interface with the external work station 112, which sends control information, and for distributing necessary control information to each of function blocks in the equipment, a subscriber information storing unit 124 for storing information on a subscriber who has applied to use a shared band (band period) in the control information received from the controller 125, a packet analyzer 123 for receiving the information on the subscriber from the subscriber information storing unit 124 and sending subscriber ID (Identification Data) and a polling instruction to the PDS terminator 121, and a time division switch (TSW) 122.
Operations of this system are explained.
The packet analyzer 123 sends the subscriber ID and the polling instruction to the PDS terminator 121, and receives a transmission request 151 and the subscriber ID from the concerning subscriber equipment 113. When the packet analyzer 123 receives the transmission request from the subscriber, the packet analyzer 123 sends a transmission permission signal 152 to the concerning subscriber equipment 113 queuing to transmit to the station equipment in the shared band period. Then, the packet analyzer 123 receives a packet signal returned from the subscriber equipment 113.
The packet analyzer 123 analyzes a packet length signal written in a packet overhead (LLC (Logical Link Control) part) in a first packet signal received from the subscriber equipment 113, and determines a time period to be occupied by the concerning subscriber equipment 113 based on the packet length. Then, the packet analyzer 123 sends the transmission permission signal 152 to the subscriber equipment 113 indicating the time period to be occupied, and receives a packet signal from the subscriber equipment 113.
The PON system according to the related art is configured as above stated. When a parent station allocates bands (band periods) for transmission directed to the station terminal to a plurality of child stations, the parent station sends subscriber ID information and polling instruction information to an arbitrary child station, and receives transmission request information and subscriber ID information from the concerning subscriber equipment. Further, when the parent station receives the transmission request information, the parent station sends the transmission permission signal to the concerning subscriber equipment, and receives the packet signal from the concerning subscriber equipment sequentially. Further, the packet analyzer in the parent station analyzes the packet length signal written in the packet overhead (LLC part) in the first packet signal received from the subscriber equipment, and determines the time period to be occupied by the concerning subscriber equipment based on the packet length. Then, the parent station sends the transmission permission signal indicating the time period to be occupied, and receives the packet signal from the subscriber equipment. As stated, complex processing is necessary in the system according to the related art.

System and method of transmitting variable length packet by sequential allocation of permission and monitoring response detection time period


A method of manufacturing an organic/polymer electroluminescent device to effectively inject electrons and holes by forming a film consisting of a charge transfer complex or charge transfer salt between a organic/polymer electroluminescent layer and electrodes for injecting electrons and holes in order to increase an electroluminescent quantum efficiency, is disclosed. The inventive structure of organic/polymer electroluminescent device comprises a transparent substrate. A plurality of transparent electrodes is formed on a selected portions of the transparent substrate. A first film is formed on the entire surface of the resulting structure including the plurality of transparent electrodes formed on the selected portions of the transparent substrate. An emissive layer formed on the first film. A second film is then formed on the luminous layer. A plurality of metal electrodes is formed on a selected portions of the second film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an organic/polymer electroluminescent device, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing an organic/polymer electroluminescent device to effectively inject electrons and holes by inserting a film consisting of a charge transfer complex or charge transfer salt (Hereinafter, referred to as a charge transfer material) between an organic/polymer luminous layer and electrodes for injecting electrons and holes in order to increase an electroluminescent quantum efficiency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous studies have been conducted concerning the manufacture of electroluminescent devices using an organic material or polymer. The organic material or polymer has advantages that it can be applied low costs and with simple treatments and easy compound process as compared to an inorganic material. These studies have been accelerated because it could be easily applied to a large flat panel display, which is difficult to be manufactured with the use of the inorganic material.
In manufacturing the electroluminescent devices using an organic conjugated polymer or organic plastid dyes, the electroluminescent quantum efficiency of the device depends on how to effectively inject the electrons and holes in the organic/polymer layer. In order to effectively inject the electrons and holes in the organic/polymer emissive layer from the electrodes made of metal, the interface and potential barrier between the organic/polymer layer and the electrodes become important parameters. In general, the organic/polymer emissive layer is coated on the electrons and holes transfer layer using a deposition process well known in the art. However, the electroluminescent quantum efficiency and durability of the device will deteriorate due to the presence of potential barrier between the organic material or polymer and the metal electrode.
Various method of increasing the electroluminescent quantum efficiency of the device for the electroluminescence has been proposed. For example, a method using a metal cathode having a low value of work function is small in order to effectively inject the electrons, a method of interposing the organic or polymer layer having a good charge transfer capability between the electroluminescent layer and the metal electrode, a method using an organic/polymer material having an electron affinity as a emissive layer, and so on. However, there is a drawback that the resulting electroluminescent quantum efficiency and durability of the device is deteriorated since the presence of potential barrier between the organic or polymer layer and the metal electrodes can not be eliminated, even in the use of any one of the methods described above.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing an organic/polymer luminous device for increasing the electroluminescent quantum efficiency of the electroluminescent quantum device by introducing a film including charge transfer materials which has good conductivity and by removing an energy barrier between a metal layer and a charge transfer material, such that electrons and holes are effectively injected and charge transfer capability is improved.

Method of manufacturing organic/polymer electroluminescent device

Electronics And Telecommunications Research Insitute


An image-forming apparatus and a power-saving mode control method thereof are disclosed. The power-saving mode control method for the image-forming apparatus includes calculating a lapsed time after the image-forming apparatus enters a power-saving mode, that is, a power-saving mode duration time Ts, and determining a cause of the power-saving mode being turned off, selecting a different warm-up mode depending on the cause of the power-saving mode being turned off and the power-saving mode duration time; and controlling warm-up operations to be performed according to the selected warm-up mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an image-forming apparatus and a power-saving mode control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an image-forming apparatus and a power-saving control method for reducing a printing time by reducing a warm-up time when a power-saving mode powers off as well as preventing motors from being unnecessarily driven and a fuser from being heated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image-forming devices print images onto a recording medium such as paper corresponding to original image data that was input. Examples of image-forming devices include printers, photocopiers, and facsimile machines. In general, image-forming apparatus have a power-saving mode to reduce power consumption when the image-forming apparatus is not used.
A description will now be made on the operation of an image-forming apparatus having a conventional power-saving mode function.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an image-forming apparatus having a conventional power-saving mode function. Referring to FIG. 1, if a user requests a power-saving mode or if a standby state lasts for a certain time, the image-forming apparatus goes into the power-saving mode at step S11.
In the power-saving mode, the image-forming apparatus determines whether a request is made to turn off the power-saving mode at step S12.
The power-saving mode is turned off when a print command is received from a host or when sensors related to the turn-off of the power-saving mode operate. The sensors related to the turn-off of the power-saving mode include a sensor for detecting whether the printer cover is opened, a sensor for detecting whether cassettes exist, a sensor for detecting whether paper exists in the cassette, and a sensor for detecting manually loaded paper.
If there is the request to enter the power-saving mode, the image-forming apparatus enters the power-saving mode. If the image-forming apparatus goes from the power-saving mode, the image-forming apparatus performs certain warm-up operations for a period, and enters a standby mode at step S13. If the power-saving mode is turned off due to the print command, the apparatus goes into the print mode when entering the standby mode.
Image-forming devices having the above conventional power-saving mode function perform the warm-up operation when receiving a print command after entering the power-saving mode, or when turning off the power-saving mode due to operation of the cover detection sensor, the paper detection sensor, or the like. Thus, the devices takes a certain time period to warm up when the power-saving mode is turned off. However, the warm up time may be unnecessary depending on the circumstances.
For example, the apparatus may start printing after the warm-up operation even when receiving a print command just as it was entering the power-saving mode. This results in a delay in printing based on the unnecessary warm-up period.
Furthermore, a heated fusion roller results in unnecessary power consumption during warm-up. The driving of motors during the warm-up activates the photosensitive drum together with most of other rollers such as a transfer roller, a developing roller, and a charging roller so that the life span of the rollers may be shortened.

Image-forming apparatus and power-saving mode control method thereof


Disclosed herein is a method of measuring the offset voltages of a plurality of SRAM sense amplifiers. The method comprises applying a series of stepped differential voltages to the plurality of sense amplifiers. After applying each differential voltage, an SRAM read operation is performed. The output of each sense amplifier may be interpreted with respect to the applied differential voltages. The point where a sense amplifier's output changes polarity will indicate a sense amplifier's offset voltage characteristic. Apparatus disclosed for implementing the method provides apparatus for isolating offset voltage test circuitry from other components of the SRAM while the SRAM is in a normal operating mode.

This invention pertains to the measurement of sense amplifier offset voltages in a static random access memory (hereinafter referred to as an "SRAM"). More particularly, this invention pertains to methods and apparatus which allow an engineer to gather precise statistical data on the offset voltage characteristics of sense amplifiers used in a particular SRAM design or fabrication process. The statistical data can then be used for purposes such as 1) increasing the speed of an SRAM, or 2) decreasing the size of an SRAM.
The accurate measurement of sense amplifier offset voltages is a very important factor in generating a timing budget for an SRAM. On one hand, enough time must be allotted during each clock cycle of SRAM operation to guarantee that the bit lines driven by each random access memory cell (hereinafter referred to as a "RAM cell") develop sufficient differential voltage to overcome the offset voltages of the sense amplifiers to which they are connected. On the other hand, it is undesirable to allot any more time for bit line charging than is necessary, since an SRAM's operating speed is directly and adversely impacted by time allotted to developing excess differential voltages across bit lines.
It is therefore desirable to accurately determine sense amplifier offset voltages so that an SRAM's timing budget allows "just enough" time for its RAM cells to charge their associated bit lines.
In the past, the offset voltages of sense amplifiers contained in a production SRAM have been difficult to measure. When measured, offset voltages have been obtained through the manufacture of special SRAM prototypes with added testability features. Since this is an expensive and time consuming process, mathematical models of an SRAM are often used to estimate the offset voltages of an SRAM's sense amplifiers.
Modeling has several disadvantages. First, there are some characteristics of an SRAM that cannot be accurately modeled. The offset voltage and drain current of a field effect transistor (fet) are two such characteristics. These characteristics are the two most fundamental quantities used in fet modeling, and their interaction as a fet is just beginning to turn on is very important to the modeling of a sense amplifier. Unfortunately, mathematical models are often based on generalized or inappropriate process data, such as the use of vertically packaged fets rather than horizontally packaged fets. Although such a modeling inaccuracy might appear negligible, it could translate into a relatively large error when it comes to predicting a sense amplifier's rather small offset voltage.
Second, and in order to account for modeling inaccuracies, the SRAM timing budget produced by modeling must be conservative. Failure to allot enough time for bit line charging can result in loss of data or data errors.
It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide methods and apparatus for accurately measuring the offset voltages of each and every sense amplifier in an SRAM (or alternatively, a subset of sense amplifiers within an SRAM).
It is a further object of this invention to provide methods and apparatus which do not detrimentally effect the normal operation of an SRAM.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide methods and apparatus which provide statistically significant offset voltage data for a specific SRAM design or fabrication process, thereby enabling the creation of SRAM timing budgets which allot "just enough" time for bit line charging and the overcoming of sense amplifier offset voltages.

Method and apparatus for measuring the offset voltages of SRAM sense amplifiers


Reversibly deformable corneal implants for replacing excised corneal tissue, the implants including an optical portion and an anchoring portion having different mechanical properties from each other.

Corneal implants have a number of different applications. For example, corneal implants play various roles in refractive surgery. These roles include applications where the optical properties of the cornea are modified to achieve a desired effect, e.g. the correction of spherical error, astigmatic error, higher order aberrations or presbyopia. Corneal implants may also be used as prostheses or artificial corneas for replacement of corneal tissue. Throughout this application, the term "artificial cornea" shall mean a corneal implant that replaces at least some excised corneal tissue.
The preciousness of patients' vision and delicateness and intricateness of the human corneal structure and function mean that improvements in corneal implant technologies and implantation techniques are constantly sought after. For example, the inventor previously disclosed the advantages of reversibly deformable corneal implants which can be implanted through an incision size that is less than the maximum width of the implant. In addition, the inventor has previously disclosed reversibly deformable corneal implant prostheses that replace diseased corneal tissue and restore optical function. In some previously disclosed embodiments, these implants are reversibly deformable during implantation and sufficiently flexible to avoid damaging corneal tissue during the physiologic deformation of the cornea which occurs with blinking. Corneal implants and methods for their implantation into corneal pockets are also described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,223,275 and 8,029,515; U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2004/0243160; 2006/0173539; US2010/0069915; and PCT Publication No. WO 2008/055118. The disclosures of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entirety.
Most artificial corneas have been implanted in a penetrating fashion where the artificial cornea is in direct contact with the aqueous fluid in the eye. Because the synthetic materials which have been used for artificial corneas have not been able to completely integrate with the surrounding corneal tissue, bacteria from the surface of the eye can travel along microscopic openings between the artificial cornea and the circumscribing corneal tissue resulting in intraocular infection (endophthalmitis) which can cause loss of the eye.
In addition, extrusion of artificial corneas can result from any one or more of three primary causes herein. The first cause is the use of relatively large incisions for implantation. For example, the AlphaCor™ Artificial Cornea from Addition Technology, Inc., requires a 16 mm incision for implantation into an intralamellar pocket. The AlphaCor artificial cornea must be sutured in place with resorbable nylon sutures. The cornea has avascular tissue and heals poorly. Once the nylon sutures dissolve over a period of several years, the corneal scar tissue may not be sufficient in strength to hold the artificial cornea within the cornea, commonly resulting in extrusion.
A second potential cause of extrusion of artificial corneas is interference with corneal physiology. For example, some artificial corneas have been made from materials that are impermeable to both oxygen and glucose e.g. polymethylmethacrylate. Polymethymethacrylate has effectively no measurable oxygen permeability and therefore has a dK of zero Barrer. Over time the lack of adequate oxygenation and nutrition of the corneal tissues can result in melting of the cornea followed by extrusion.
A third potential cause of extrusion of artificial corneas is excessive rigidity of the artificial cornea. Very stiff materials, such as polymethylmethacrylate which has a Young's modulus between 1800 and 3100 MPa, can erode through the cornea over time. Such erosion can result from blinking of the eyelid which deforms the cornea and can abrade corneal tissue as the tissue repeatedly rubs against the rigid implant material. Such erosion can in turn lead to extrusion.
In addition to these problems, present artificial corneas can be uncomfortable for the patient. For example, the patient's tear film can be disrupted by the implant projecting above or falling below the surface of the surrounding cornea. Projection of the implant above the surface of the cornea can also cause abrasion of the inside of the eyelid. An implant with an optic below the surface of the surrounding cornea can also allow deposition of mucus into the "hole," which can obscure the vision.
For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide improved artificial corneas which overcome at least some of the problems noted above. In particular, it would be desirable to provide artificial corneas and methods for their implantation where the risk of infection of the eye is reduced. It would be further desirable to provide artificial corneas which are resistant to extrusion due to any of the reasons cited above. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide artificial corneas which are comfortable for the patient and which maintain the tear film with minimum disruption. In addition, there is a need for artificial corneas made from a plurality of materials having disparate mechanical properties while being reversibly deformable (i.e. implantable through an incision that is smaller than the relaxed implant), and configured to replace excised corneal tissue. At least some of these objectives will be met by the disclosures described below.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A dividing unit generates, from input data, divided data corresponding to the first area and the second area to be printed by a recording head and partly overlapping each other. The dividing unit supplies the respective divided data to the first processing unit and the second processing unit which can concurrently perform processing. Each of the first and second processing units generates the recording image data from the divided data based on a characteristic of the recording head corresponding to a recording area assigned to one of the processing units and a partial area assigned to the other processing unit. Each of the first and second processing units then performs driving control on the recording head based on data, in generated recording image data, which corresponds to an area recorded by one of the processing units.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and a control method therefor.
Description of the Related Art
Recently, faster printers have longer printheads. Some full-line printers have a printhead with a width corresponding to a print page to speed up printing. Such printers can print a large area at once and hence can speed up printing as compared with conventional printers of a type designed to reciprocate a recording head. Along with the development of such printers, demands have arisen for higher processing speeds of conversion from print data into recording image data for actual recording by a printhead. Parallelization is one of techniques used for an increase in this processing speed. As a parallelization method, a method of dividing a printing area is known. This method can cope with an increase in printing width by increasing a division number, and hence can provide a system with high scalability with respect to the elongation of the printheads of printers (for example, Japanese Patent No. 4125717).
The above method, however, sometimes causes processing discontinuity between divided areas. When performing print control using adjacent pixels, it is sometime impossible to perform proper control because of a lack of information for the control. For example, such control includes non-discharge complementation control to be performed when a printhead cannot discharge any ink. Conventional non-discharge complementation is performed by assigning recoding image data to adjacent nozzles. When, however, performing processing upon dividing an area, recording image data cannot sometimes be assigned to adjacent nozzles, resulting in image quality deterioration such as white streaking. This problem causes serious image quality deterioration, in particular, in a full multi-printer designed to print on a printing area only once.
As a solution for such discontinuity, a method of sharing a memory is known. In this method, as the number of parallel operations increases, the amount of access to data in the memory per unit time multiplies. This may cause a decrease in processing speed. Consider, for example, a case in which each circuit for quantizing multi-valued image data requires a memory access data amount per unit time as 600 MBytes/sec. In this case, if the number of quantization circuits is increased to three to increase the number of parallel operations, it requires three times the access data amount, that is, 1,800 MBytes/sec. In practice, the accessible band of the memory has its own limit. Even if, therefore, the number of parallel operations is increased, a wait time for data acquisition from the memory occurs. That is, there is a limit to an increase in speed in accordance with an increase in the number of parallel operations.

Image recording apparatus and control method therefor


In code division multiple access communication systems, there are three levels for updating locations of dormant mobile stations (MSs) and setting up fast call. In sector and are levels, the dormant MS send a layer 2 message containing a message type and MS identifier to a base transceiver station (BTS). Since the message is associated with the sector where the MS is located, the network is aware of the MS's location from the updated location. The dormant MS sends to the BTS a reconnect message containing a message type and an MS identifier. The MS's dormant to active state transition is initiated by the MS. In the communication network, sub-packet zone ID is broadcasted in the overhead message. The MS reports its location change on R-CSCH and the network with the BSC level control can page the MS within the zone where the MS sends the report.

Code division multiple access (CDMA) communication systems provide communication services of wireless radio transmissions. In wireless access networks in accordance with CDMA systems, mobile stations (MSs) connected thereto may be in different states, e.g., active and dormant states. Moreover, a power-on MS may be operating in different states (e.g., active state, control-hold state or dormant state in a cdma2000 system). When an MS is in the dormant state, usually, the wireless access network has no knowledge on the location of the dormant MS. It is ideal in the wireless access network to have knowledge of an MS's location at sector level when the MS is in the dormant state, so as to support fast call setup as well as efficient paging.
Currently, the typical manner in which the network will determine the location of the MS will be to broadcast to the entire network. This presents a significant drain on the network resources. Further, in order for the wireless access network to know an MS's location as it moves through the network, an MS in the dormant state has to report on its location over the reverse link random channel whenever the MS performs an idle handoff. However, such a mechanism to update an MS's location significantly increases the reverse link overhead. It is therefore necessary to reduce the overhead caused by the location update and, at the same time, still enable efficient paging.
In some situations, whenever the network wants to bring the MS in the dormant state back to the active state, the network has to page the MS across the entire network to know the location of the MS. After the MS responds to the paging and the network becomes aware of the location of the MS, the network can allocate dedicated resources to the MS and move it to the active state. Usually, this procedure takes about 1–2 seconds. It has been shown that the system capacity and the MS's end-to-end performance are quite sensitive to the dormant to active state transition delay, especially in a network where packet-data applications dominate the traffic load.
In other situations, the network has data to send to an MS that is in a dormant state, but without bringing the MS back to the active state (e.g., short data burst application). In such instances, the network has to send the data across the whole network as it has no information on the location of the MS. This usually consumes significant forward link resources, especially when the short data burst application is widely supported. If the wireless access network is aware of the location of the MSs in the dormant state, the network will send a short data burst to the MS through the right sector and the consumption of the forward link resource will be reduced. However, due to the consideration of the reverse link overhead, the frequency of sending "location update" messages should be configurable based on different scenarios.
Still other situations address the problem associated with locating the dormant MS through the use of current layer 3 messaging for the purpose of location update. Attached with each such layer 3 message is a list of pilot strengths that is redundant and increases the reverse link overhead.

Method and apparatus for updating locations of dormant mobile stations


In a storage system that executes multi-target remote copying, the identity of data across two secondary storage subsystems may be quickly and flexibly ensured. The storage system includes a first storage subsystem that has a first storage area and multiple second storage subsystems that each have a second storage area to store duplicate data for data stored in the first storage area. In this storage system, a write process that writes write data to the first storage area is executed. In response to the write process, the write data is copied to the second storage area of each second storage subsystem. Furthermore, a write section that the copy information belongs to, wherein the copy information that corresponds to the write process, is determined for each write process. In addition, history information regarding each executed copy operation is created for each write section to which the copy information used for such operation belongs.

The present invention relates to the control of a storage system, and more particularly to the control of a remote copy process in a storage system that includes multiple storage subsystems.
In a storage system, remote copying is generally used in order to increase the reliability of data. Remote copying involves setting up a primary storage subsystem and a secondary storage subsystem within the storage system, and copying data written to the storage area of the primary storage subsystem to the storage area of the secondary storage subsystem.
Furthermore, in order to increase the reliability of data in the storage system, data stored in one primary storage subsystem is remotely copied to two or more secondary storage subsystems (this is also referred to as 'multi-target remote copying' below). In this type of storage system, it is necessary to ensure that the duplicate data stored in the two secondary storage subsystems is identical in the event some sort of error or problem occurs in the primary storage system, for example.
For example, a technology is known in which, in a storage system that includes a primary storage subsystem, a secondary storage subsystem in which duplicate data is written synchronously with the writing of data to the primary storage subsystem, and a different secondary storage subsystem to which duplicate data is written asynchronously with the writing of data to the primary storage subsystem, the sameness of the data residing in the two secondary storage subsystems is ensured simply by copying difference data regarding the differences between the two sets of data residing therein.
According to the conventional art described above, in the event of a failure in the primary storage subsystem, a copy pair can be quickly formed using the two secondary storage subsystems.