An RF MEMS switch having asymmetrical spring rigidity. The RF MEMS switch has supporting members spaced apart in a certain interval on a substrate, a membrane being a motion member suspended by plural spring members extended on both sides of the membrane, and a bottom electrode being a contact surface on an upper surface of the substrate facing a bottom surface of the membrane, wherein the plural spring members placed on opposite sides of the membrane have asymmetrical rigidity, and a portion of the membrane on a side of stronger spring rigidity is first separated from the contact surface when the RF MEMS switch is turned off. The present invention has an advantage of easy separation of the switch from the contact surface, when the switch is turned off, due to the different rigidity of the springs located on the sides of the membrane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an RF MEMS switch, and more particularly to an RF MEMS switch having asymmetrical spring rigidity to facilitate separation of the switch from a contacting surface when the switch is turned off.
2. Description of the Related Art
The MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) refers to a micro electro-mechanical system manufactured through a semiconductor process. MEMS have been spotlighted recently because of their increasing application to a wider range of fields together with the advancement of mobile communication technologies. Of such MEMS products, a gyroscope, accelerometer, RF switch, and the like are currently applied to commercial products, and the developments of other diverse MEMS products are being accelerated.
The RF switch is an element that is frequently applied to signal routing, impedance matching networks, or the like in microwave or millimeter-wave bandwidth wireless communication terminals or systems.
In a conventional MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit), GaAs FET's, PIN diodes, and the like are mainly used for implementation of the RF switch. However, the switch implemented with such elements has a drawback in that insertion loss is large while switched on and signal separation characteristics are poor when switched off.
Studies on mechanical switches have actively progressed in order to overcome such a drawback, and specifically, RF MEMS switches are required more than ever as the mobile communication terminal market has recently explosively expanded.
The RF MEMS switch is implemented such that signals are switched when a MEMS structure fabricated on a semiconductor substrate in a micro size contacts a signal electrode while moving, and signal transfers are cut off when the structure is spaced apart from the signal electrode.
However, such a conventional RF MEMS switch has a problem of difficulties in separating the switch from the contact surface when switched off due to the stiction force of the contact surface while switched on.


The present invention is directed to methods and systems for oil field downhole sensing and communication during drilling and/or production, wherein such methods and systems utilize coaxial cable to transmit electromagnetic (EM) energy, continuously or as a pulse, to passive downhole sensors.

INFICOMM is a wireless, downhole technique for interrogating downhole sensors, comprising resonant circuits (e.g., tank circuits), by sending electromagnetic (EM) energy, as a signal, down a borehole, letting it interact with the downhole sensor so as to modulate the signal in a manner that is correlatable to downhole environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and/or pressure), then transmitting the modulated signal back to the surface for processing. In general, INFICOMM sensors consist of passive components and contain no internal power source.
In the wireless INFICOMM reflective signal approach, the wellbore itself acts like a coaxial cable with an insulating fluid in the annulus separating the tubing and casing. The inventors have determined that the requirement that said fluid be insulating, however, may be somewhat restrictive for particular applications.
Accordingly, the inventors have determined that it would be beneficial to enable a more universal utilization of the INFICOMM sensors, with application to borehole environments that do not include insulating fluid therein.

Downhole sensor interrogation employing coaxial cable


A method for forming a melamine-modified electrode that includes providing a metal based electrode and patterning a surface of the metal-based electrode by contacting the electrode with a melamine solution to form a patterned metal-based electrode. The patterned metal-based electrode includes metal sites blocked with melamine molecules and metal sites which are not blocked such that the metal-based electrode selectively adsorbs O2 instead of at least one of sulfate, phosphate, or sulphonate. A range of 20% to 40% of the metal sites are blocked with melamine molecules.

The development of alkaline, polymer electrolyte membranes and phosphoric acid fuel cells has advanced in the past two decades. One of the reasons is the continuous design of new active materials for electrocatalysis of the kinetically sluggish and complicated oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), known as one of the major obstacles for the reliable commercialization of fuel cells, particularly in membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs). Among these designed materials, platinum-based surfaces continue to be the most active and durable catalysts for the reduction of O2—particularly in acidic media—due to their superior chemical stability over non-noble transition metal surfaces. Traditionally, the parameters considered as guidelines to improve platinum ORR electrocatalysis are based on fine-tuning of the platinum electronic and structural surface properties, which have been shown to potentially increase its catalytic performance. Although the number of approaches used for "surface tuning" is enormous, platinum alloying with non-noble transition metals and/or tailoring platinum nanoparticles with preferential facets have been the most commonly used methods. However, there is still need for alternative technologies to improve ORR performance of platinum and other metal-based electrodes.

Melamine modification of fuel cell electrodes


A washable window shade in which all non-washable components are readily removable. The washable window shade includes a main shade member made of a decorative, washable fabric such as silk, cotton, or a natural or synthetic blend. Stiffener members provided on the main shade member to maintain it flat are either removable or provided in a washable form. A drawstring assembly for raising and lowering the main shade member is also removable, as is a rigid bottom member. All removable parts can be conveniently removed before washing and conveniently re-assembled after washing, all without the use of tools.

The present invention relates generally to a window shade which may be easily assembled and disassembled so that non-washable components can be readily removed to permit washing, by hand or machine, of the main window shade member. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-component window shade having a number of components which may be readily removed and re-assembled without the use of tools, and a main shade member which is washable by hand or machine once the other components are removed.
It will be understood that the terminology "washable" as employed herein is intended to connote any form of washing or cleaning of the window shade, including by hand, by machine, and/or by dry cleaning or the like.
2. Description of Relevant Art
Conventional window shades have an integral tension mechanism including an upper support rod around which the main shade member is wound and unwound to permit raising and lowering of the shade. Typically, the main shade member is fabricated of vinyl or the like, and is integrally attached to the upper support rod provided with the tension mechanism. Over time, the conventional window shade becomes soiled, dusty, and/or discolored, eventually becoming so unsightly as to require replacement. While some limited cleaning of the shade may be possible by hand wiping of the main shade member, effective and thorough cleaning of the shade is impossible due to the integral construction of non-washable components.
Other known window treatments, such as blinds, are likewise subject to becoming dirty and/or discolored over time, without being capable of thorough washing. Conventional curtains or drapes, on the other hand, may be removed from their hanging supports (such as curtain rods and/or drapery hooks), so that they are capable of thorough washing or dry cleaning. However, conventional curtains and drapes are incapable of being vertically raised and lowered in the manner of window shades, while also lacking the more tailored appearance of window shades.
The present invention effectively overcomes the foregoing disadvantages associated with conventional window coverings by providing a window shade having the functional attributes of a conventional window shade while permitting thorough washing, by hand or machine, of the main shade member.

Washable window shade with removable components


The present invention is an improved data terminal for use in communication and testing of telephone lines which data terminal is operated by a 16-bit microprocessor operating under control of MS-DOS 5.0 program. The data terminal with operating computer and large plurality of telephone test functions is fully contained in a hermetically sealed, lightweight housing to enable easy field handling through data send and receive operations as well as the multiple of telephone line test operations. Power saving aspects of the invention include automatically adjusted LCD backlight control and LCD adjustment caused by large or abrupt temperature changes in the field. The system uses a large microprocessor with EPROM and random access memory with field programmable gating arrays offering virtually thousands of different gate logic decisions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to data terminals for communicating over telephone circuits, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a terminal for communicating with a telephone operations and administrative system, one specific type of which is referred to as a craft technician's portable field terminal through which telephone maintenance dispatches and reports are made.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the telephone industry, individuals, referred to as craft technicians, are utilized in the field traveling from site to site where telephone instruments or telephone facility problems are found. Typically, maintenance requests are collected at a central location and then dispatched to different individuals for attention. Once a problem has been attended to, the craft technician must report results back to the central location.
Computerization of such maintenance systems has enabled the craft technicians to receive dispatches and submit reports without having to travel to and from or to verbally communicate with the central maintenance location. The craft technician can now communicate with the central location through a hand-held portable field terminal such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,811 in the name of Butler et al. This computerized maintenance system along with the advent of the technician's field terminal has significantly improved the efficiency of telephone systems.
Although terminals such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,811 have proved advantageous, there are additional needs to be met to enhance further the utility of such terminals. One such need is to enable such terminals to receive programs, such as applications programs which the technician may wish to call up in order to perform a specific task (e.g., creating and filling out a time sheet), which are downloaded over conventional telephone circuits. In order to save time, the technician no longer need take the terminal into the central office in order to be reprogrammed over a high speed data link, but he can download additional programs directly to the terminal at its remote location via the existing telephone circuit.


A zoom lens system includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, a fourth lens group, and an aperture stop, from an object side to an image side on an optical axis. The zoom lens system satisfies the following condition:

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a lens system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a zoom lens system.
2. Description of Related Art
Cameras have undergone rapid development over the past years. Cameras are becoming smaller and compact. Therefore, the design of the lens system on cameras has become very important in recent years. There are two kinds of camera lens systems, fixed focal lenses and zoom lens. The zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements with the ability to vary its focal length for wield-angle and telephoto application, and commonly used with video, motion picture cameras, telescopes, and other optical instruments.
However, the cost and image quality of the zoom lens system can still be improved. Moreover, right now, portable electronic devices contain image capture devices. Hence, the zoom lens system must be more compact to reduce the size of the portable electronic devices.
Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the cost and size of the zoom lens system. Moreover, it is desirable to provide good image quality for optical instruments using with the zoom lens system.

Abstract: Y      ×      L              2      ×              f        W            ×              f        T              ≤  1.06where Y is a maximum diagonal length of the image side 170, L is a total track length of the zoom lens system 100, fW is a focal length of the zoom lens system 100 at a wide status, fT is a focal length of the zoom lens system 100 at a telephoto status.


An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.

Conventional thermostats are commonly used to control furnaces and/or air conditioners. One conventional thermostat sold by Home Depot of Atlanta, Georgia as the RiteTemp® 6020Z controls the furnace/air-conditioner (HVAC) using a low power radio transmitter. In addition, this thermostat can be used in a system to receive information from and provide signals to other devices such as alarm systems, outside lighting, etc. A similar system having additional features and capabilities is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/335,155 filed on 19 Jan. 2006, entitled MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT INSTALLATION, attorney docket number TIMS 1007-3; this application was published on 7 Sep. 2006 as publication number U.S.-2006-0196953-A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
During peak power demands a power company needs to have users on the power grid cut back on power consumption to avoid blackouts. One known way to do this is to send a signal to a specially designed power meter that a power-save state exists. The power meter receives the power-save signal and instructs the air-conditioner to increase the target temperature without delay by, for example, 4° F., the power-save state. In exchange for permitting the power company to have such temporary control, the user will typically receive power at a reduced rate structure.


A method and system for controlling distribution of content within a personal domain that makes use of a determination of the relative proximity to a source device or the geographic locations of the receiving devices. The location information may be determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS) or wireless triangulation systems. Usage rights for devices in the network are determined using the location or proximity determination.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling use of digital copyrighted material by networked devices using a determination of geographic location.
2. Description of Related Art
Recent developments in broadband technology have enabled cost-effective distribution of high-value content over a broadband network, both locally and remotely. In addition, the increasingly wide availability of in-home network technology allows a broad range of consumer electronic devices to be easily interconnected. For example, a digital TV, a digital VCR, a digital cable set-top box, and various other devices like stereo systems and computers ban all be interconnected via an in-home network. The utility of such a home media network is apparent in that customers can view and re-transmit digital content from any of the interconnected devices. In such networks, set-top boxes or other content-receiving devices may function as distribution nodes of a broadband network, free of geographic restrictions. For example, a network may be used to distribute content both within the original home of the set-top-box and to another home that is either in close proximity or remote.
These increases in utilization of networked systems in and between homes, offices, and other locations, along with the increases in efficiency of broadband communication, have increased the threat of remote redistribution of digital content from authorized to unauthorized clients via the broadband connection. Fear of illegal and rampant copying and re-distribution of digital content over networked systems may prevent TV and movie providers from utilizing this method of transmission for their content. Additionally, mere re-broadcasting or redistribution of a content signal over a broadband network may not require any copying of content. Traditional copy-protection methods focused on preventing copying of the content may not effectively prevent redistribution or rebroadcast of such content.
Current systems exist whereby a broadcaster can determine with reasonable confidence the location of the original receiving set-top box. For example, a conditional access (CA) system relies on a system of periodic connection over a telephone line and automatic number identification (ANI) technology to verify the information regarding customers, their addresses and phone numbers. Decryption of content is then permitted or denied, based on the verified geographic location of the customer. ANI comprises a back-office headend database of customers' addresses and associated telephone numbers. In an ANI system, receiving devices are configured to periodically call the headend office, which uses the database and the incoming telephone number to verify the device address, as known in the art. Disadvantageously, this may require a telephone connection for each controlled receiving device.
Alternately, some systems rely on the limited reach of a broadcast antenna to fulfill the geographic usage right condition on receiving the broadcast content. These systems enable a content provider to ensure that the original transmission of digital content is authorized, but they are not able to ensure that retransmission or rebroadcast of that content is also authorized. For example, a broadcast signal received in London, England may readily be converted to a digital form and retransmitted to the United States using existing broadband technology.
In order to take advantage of broadband distribution in light of home networking technology, new content protection and copy management systems should ensure the content cannot be redistributed to another customer or another unauthorized location using a broadband distribution network. Thus, additional systems and methods are needed to determine whether a networked set-top box or other receiving device is within the same home, or similar geographic proximity, as the first set-top box. Furthermore, in order to determine relative proximity within clusters of devices, the methods should ensure a high degree of accuracy and reliability, without unduly inconveniencing permitted uses of content.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a method and system for determining with a high degree of accuracy the relative proximity or geographic location of any networked device receiving digital content over a network. It is further desirable to make use of geographic information regarding the additional networked devices' relative proximity to the original receiving device, to provide a greater degree of control over redistribution of content from the recipient device to other devices networked to the recipient. It may also be desirable to prevent digital content from being redistributed out of a defined geographic area, such as an area defined by the range of a broadcast signal.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Digital rights management using a triangulating geographic locating device


A semiconductor apparatus comprises: a semiconductor substrate; and a lateral type MIS transistor disposed on a surface part of the semiconductor substrate. The lateral type MIS transistor includes: a line coupled with a gate of the lateral type MIS transistor; a polycrystalline silicon resistor that is provided in the line, and that has a conductivity type opposite to a drain of the lateral type MIS transistor; and an insulating layer through which a drain voltage of the lateral type MIS transistor is applied to the polycrystalline silicon resistor.

Japanese Patent Application Publication 2001-352707 discloses a semiconductor apparatus in which an LDMOS (Lateral Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor element is formed on a surface part of a semiconductor substrate.
A semiconductor apparatus 80 disclosed in JP-A-2001-352707 is described below with reference to FIG. 11. The semiconductor apparatus 80 is formed with using a SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate that includes a P type silicon substrate 2, an insulating layer 3, an N type layer 1. In the semiconductor apparatus 80, an N type region 6 (i.e., a drift region 6) is disposed so that the drift region 6 surrounds an N+ type drain region 5. The N type region has higher concentration than the N type layer 1. Concentration in the drift region 6 becomes higher as closer to the N+ type drain region 5. A P+ type contact region 9 is adjacent to and adjoins an N+ type source region 8. The P+ type contact region 9 extends so as to cover a part of the bottom side of the N+ type source region 8. A LOCOS (Local Oxidation of Silicon) oxide layer 4 and a gate electrode 11 are shown in FIG. 11.
The semiconductor apparatus 80 shown in FIG. 11 includes an LDMOS transistor element. A source and a drain of the LDMOS transistor element are disposed in a surface layer of the N type layer 1. Carrier flow direction is lateral. Since the LDMOS transistor element is capable of being switched at higher speed compared to other switching elements, the LDMOS transistor element may be utilized in a switching circuit, a switching power supply unit and the like, in which a switching element is switched on and off at high speed.
Generally, such a switching circuit as a DC-DC converter and an inverter is operated at a higher operating frequency, and thus, required inductance and capacitance are small. In the above case, it may be possible to configure a smaller switching circuit in accordance with the required smaller inductance and capacitance. Therefore, a transistor having a high speed switching capability is desired, and the LDMOS transistor element may be suitable. However, in general, when a transistor (including the LDMOS transistor element) is switched at high speed, a rapid voltage change causes a drain voltage overshoot (i.e., surge voltage), and accordingly, strong noise (ringing) generation and switching loss are caused.
Japanese Patent Application Publication 2004-6598, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,700,156, discloses a semiconductor apparatus associated with a transistor element used for a switching circuit.
A semiconductor apparatus 90 disclosed in JP-A-2004-6598 is described below with reference to FIG. 12. The semiconductor apparatus 90 is a sort of a VDMOS (Vertical Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor element. A gate and a source of the device 90 are disposed in both sides of a semiconductor substrate, respectively. The carrier flow direction is vertical. The semiconductor apparatus 90 shown in FIG. 12 is characterized by a P type layer 14. The P type layer 14 is adjacent to a P type base layer 12, and includes low-concentrated P-conductivity-type impurities. A conductivity type of the P type layer 14 is opposite to that of a drain.
In the semiconductor apparatus 90 shown in FIG. 12, as a drain voltage is higher, a gate-to-drain capacitance increases due to existence of the P-type layer 14. As a result, a surge voltage generation in the drain is suppressed. The P-type layer effectively functions in the VDMOS structured semiconductor apparatus 90. However, when a layer like the P-type layer 14 is disposed in a LDMOS structured semiconductor device, it is difficult to design a LDMOS semiconductor device due to its large influence on a carrier channel. Moreover, in the semiconductor apparatus 90, a flow of carriers through the low-impurity concentration P-type layer 14 causes a larger on-state resistance. Furthermore, only the existence of the P-type layer 14 may not sufficiently increase the gate-to-drain capacitance, and may not sufficiently suppress the surge voltage generation.

Semiconductor apparatus having lateral type MIS transistor


A vertical band saw machine in which a carriage assembly is mounted for pivoting on a base by rotational pivot points. Pivoting of the carriage assembly enables the band saw machine to make miter cuts to a workpiece. The head frame of the band saw machine travels on a guide on the carriage assembly and moves only in the direction of the plane of cut. A vise assembly is preferably attached to the carriage assembly and pivots with the carriage assembly for keeping the vise assembly close to the line of cut at all times, regardless of carriage assembly orientation. A driving wheel and driven wheel are attached to the head frame and may be tilted with respect to the head frame.

Band sawing is the process of cutting by carrying an endless band saw blade on a head frame assembly comprising a driving wheel and a driven wheel. The wheels are displaced and substantially vertically arranged on the head frame assembly.
A vertical band saw machine can be used for making mitered cuts to a workpiece by pivoting the head frame assembly in relation to the feed direction of the material to be sawed. The head frame assembly is pivotable, preferably at the cut point of the workpiece, located on a workable between the wheels. The driving wheel is preferably electrically powered. Power is provided to the driving wheel through a gear box to reduce band saw blade speed.
In previous known band saw machines, ahead frame assembly is pivotally connected to a translating carriage assembly for making miter cuts. Typically, the carriage assembly which supports the head frame is rail mounted. The workpiece is held stationary as the band saw blade is carried through the material by the translating carriage assembly on the rail. The carriage is translated at a selected feed rate depending on the material being cut.
Further, a clamping device is typically mounted on the worktable of the band saw machine and consists of a fixed vise jaw and moveable vise jaw. The vise jaws are limited in dimension so that they do not interfere with the band saw blade when making mitered cuts.
Several examples of known band saw machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,689 "Vertical Band Saw with Cantilever Frame" by John L. Yakich issued on Apr. 21, 1987. U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,016 "Vertical Band Saw" by Dieter Spath et al. issued on Jun. 14, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,727 "Bandsaw Apparatus with Pivotally-Mounted Saw Head Assembly Arm and Method" by Mark P. Richards et al. issued on Jun. 18, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,247 "Vertical Mitering Band Saw" by John W. D'Arey issued on Apr. 20, 1993.

Pivotable carriage vertical band saw machine


A reaction with distillation structure utilizes a plurality of distillation trays and interconnecting catalyst containers which provide a catalytic reaction zone and a primary flow path for descending liquid streams. Catalytic reaction of the liquid streams within the catalyst reaction zone formed in the containers occurs concurrently with fractionation of the reaction products on the distillation trays. The containers preferably extend continuously through the reaction zone of the distillation reactor to allow for dump loading and removal of the solid particulate catalyst. Structure may also be provided within the containers to influence system hydraulics through the accumulation of liquid within the catalyst bed. This is done by providing an open area interiorly of the catalyst bed into which liquid on the distillation and fractionation tray is radially driven. This open area communicates with a liquid accumulation zone wherein liquid accumulates until a sufficient liquid head drives the liquid radially outward for further contact with the catalyst bed.

This invention relates in general to a mass transfer or distillation column reactor and, more particularly, to a structure within the reactor for concurrently contacting a fluid stream with a particulate solid catalyst while distilling the reaction product.
Conventional structures for carrying out catalytic reactions within distillation columns generally comprise containers which are filled with catalyst and are arranged within the column to concurrently serve as a catalytic and distillation structure. The catalytic chemical reaction zones are thus combined with the mass transfer zones in these types of structures, making control of the quantity of fluid entering the mass transfer zones difficult, at best.
Another limitation of known structures which allow concurrent reaction with distillation is the difficulty encountered in replacing the catalyst when it is spent. To renew the catalyst, the internal structure must be removed from the reactor shell, reloaded with catalyst and repositioned in the reactor. At best, this is a time consuming and labor intensive procedure. In some instances, it may only be accomplished by personnel entering the column and physically removing and replacing the internal structures. The catalyst in some types of structures is maintained in cloth belts which are joined with a steel wire support structure. Replacement of the catalyst in these structures requires removal and renewal of both the support structure and the catalyst belt. Significant losses in operating time of the column thus result from renewal of the catalyst, especially when catalysts which have a cycle life as short as several months are utilized. In addition, personnel entering the column to replace the catalyst must exercize extreme caution, especially when hazardous chemicals have been charged to the column.

Catalyst system for distillation reactor


The invention teaches the addition of copper lines, these copper lines to be added to isolated copper lines or to selected copper lines within a collection of copper lines. The invention also teaches the addition of copper end caps to isolated copper lines or to selected copper lines within a collection of copper lines. The invention further teaches the widening of copper lines for isolated copper lines or selected copper lines within a collection of copper lines.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention belongs to the filed of semiconductor manufacturing, and more specifically to the process of creating copper lines using the damascene process.
(2) Background of the Invention
The present invention relates specifically to the Damascene process that is used for the formation of semiconductor devices. Damascene derives its name from the ancient art involving inlaying metal in ceramic or wood for decorative purposes. In Very Large-Scale Integrated circuit applications, the Damascene process refers to a similar structure.
The Damascene process has been demonstrated on a number of applications. The most commonly applied process is first metal or local interconnects. Some early Damascene structures have been achieved using Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) but Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) is used exclusively today. Metal interconnects using Damascene of copper and of aluminum is also being explored.
FIG. 1a gives an overview of the steps of the Damascene process, as follows:
Step 1 shows the formation of the metal plug,
step 2 shows the deposition of the Intra-Level Dielectric,
step 3 shows the formation of the trenches for metal lines,
step 4 shows the deposition of metal to fill the trenches,
step 5 shows the removal of metal from the surface.
The Damascene process is further explained below, the number indicated within this explanation refer to the cross section of a Damascene structure that is shown in FIG. 1b.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 1a, step 1, there is shown the formation of a metal via plug 10 within the semi-conductor substrate 14 (FIG. 1b). Any micro-scratch present on the surface will fill with metal during subsequent metal deposition and can cause electrical shorts between adjacent via plugs 10 or between electrical lines deposited on top of surface 12. To remove the Damascene residue and to remove the scratch count on the surface 12, surface 12 is polished and buffed after the metal plugs 10 have been deposited.
FIG. 1a, step 2 shows the deposition of the Intra-Level Dielectric (ILD) 16 (FIG. 1b) which can be deposited using Plasma Enhanced CVD (PECVD) technology. Dielectric 16 can, for instance, be SiO2.
FIG. 1a, step 3 shows the formation of the trenches 22 (FIG. 1b) for the metal lines, these trenches 22 can be formed using Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) technology.
FIG. 1a, step 4 shows the deposition of metal to fill the trenches 22, this process can use either the CVD or a metal flow process. The excess metal on the surface is removed using the CMP process, see FIG. 1a, step 5, and a planar structure 26 with metal inlays 22 in the intra-level dielectric 16 is achieved.
The application of the Damascene process continues to gain wider acceptance, most notably in the process of copper metalization due to the difficulty of copper dry where the Damascene plug penetrates deep in very small, sub-half micron, Ultra Large Scale integrated devices.
FIG. 2a shows Prior Art problems encountered when filling a damascene plug 62 with aluminum 64. The plug 62 can be formed in poly silicide 66. A void 60 can develop above the opening of a damascene plug 62 if the opening is relatively narrow and deep, a design characteristic that becomes more common with smaller semiconductor devices. This void 60 is caused by the difficulty experienced in having deep penetrating flow of the metal within the narrow opening. For a shallow or relatively wide plug 62, FIG. 2b, these problems are not experienced. Void 60 (FIG. 2a) also causes planarization problems during subsequent processing steps and can create a reliability issue.
Recent applications have successfully used copper as a conducting metal line, most notably in the construct of CMOS 6-layer copper metal devices. Even for these applications however, the wolfram plug was still used for contact points in order to avoid damage to the devices.
While copper has become important for the creation of multilevel interconnections, copper lines frequently show damage after CMP and clean. This in turn causes problems with planarization of subsequent layers that are deposited over the copper lines since these layers may now be deposited on a surface of poor planarity. Isolated copper lines or copper lines that are adjacent to open fields are susceptible to damage. While the root causes for these damages are at this time not clearly understood, poor copper gap fill together with subsequent problems of etching and planarization are suspected. Where over-polish is required, the problem of damaged copper lines becomes even more severe. The present invention teaches methods for avoiding the observed phenomenon of damaged copper lines.
The reliability of a metal interconnect is most commonly described by a lifetime experiment on a set of lines to obtain the medium time to failure. The stress experiment involves stressing the lines at high current densities and at elevated temperatures. The failure criterion is typically an electrical open for non-barrier conductors or a predetermined increase in line resistance for barrier metalization.
The mean time to failure is dependent on the line geometry where this failure is directly proportional to the line width and the line thickness. Experimentally, it has been shown that the width dependence is a function of the ratio of the grain size d of the film and the width of the conductor w. As the ratio w/d decreases, the mean time to failure will increase due to the bamboo effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,245 teaches about the problems encountered in depositing thin lines, particularly where these lines contain copper. It teaches that copper is notorious for (1) its poor adhesion qualities to silicon dioxide, (2) its tendency to readily diffuse through dielectric materials such as silicon dioxide under certain process conditions and contaminate an underlying silicon region, and (3) its resistance to traditional dry-etching patterning methods (RIE or plasma etch).
Conventional methods proposed for placing copper conductors on silicon based substrates are based on the deposition of a variety of layers where each layer has characteristics of performance or deposition that enhance the use of copper as the major component within conducting lines. This approach has met with limited success and has as yet not resulted in the large-scale adaptation of copper. The present invention circumvents these disadvantages by teaching a method of copper line deposition that solves previous deposition problems by structural stress reducing approach.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,697 (Weling et al.) shows a method to form dummy lines, form an insulating layer thereover, and CMP. The dummy lines improve the CMP of the insulating layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,757 (Bothra et al.) shows a method to form dummy lines, form SOG and etch back SOG.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,518 (Shen) show a method to form dummy lines to reduce undercutting.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,190 (Sugiyama) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,514 (Nowak) show dummy lines to improve insulating layer chemical-mechanical polishing.
It is the primary objective of the invention to eliminate damascene copper lines that are damaged after planarization.
It is another objective of the invention to facilitate the creation of copper lines using the damascene process.
It is another objective of the invention to facilitate the creation of isolated copper lines or copper lines that are adjacent to open fields using the damascene process.
An isolated copper line is, within the scope of this invention, defined as a copper line where no other copper lines are present in the immediate physical vicinity of the isolated copper line. An isolated copper line is further defined as a copper line that is separated from adjacent copper lines by a distance in excess of at least 2.0 um.
A collection of copper lines is defined as a plurality of copper lines whereby each copper line within this collection of copper lines is in relatively close physical proximity to another copper line within this collection while the collection of copper lines itself is adjacent to an open field. A collection or dense array of copper lines is defined as a plurality of copper lines that are separated from each other by a distance of less than 1.0 micron.
In the first embodiment of the invention dummy copper lines are added to isolated copper lines or to selected copper lines within a collection of copper lines.
In the second embodiment of the invention copper end caps are added to isolated copper lines or to selected copper lines within a collection of copper lines.
In the third embodiment of the invention isolated copper lines or selected copper lines within a collection of copper lines are enlarged.
A line is typically considered an isolated line if the distance that separates the line from other lines is larger than 1 um. The distance between a separate line and the dummy lines is typically less than 100 um. The dummy line/end cap/enlargement is typically created for a collection of lines that is separated from a single line by a distance in excess of 100 um. The spacing between lines in a collection of lines is normally in excess of 10 um, the width of a cross section of a copper line is between about 0.4 and 1 um.

Method to reduce the damages of copper lines

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company


A cab-over-engine vehicle is described wherein the cab is supported in a level orientation on the vehicle's chassis. A cab repositioning system raises the cab while maintaining the cab in the level orientation, thus exposing the engine to be worked on. A service step structure that is hidden within the exterior body when the cab is over the engine is deployed when the cab is raised. The service step structure is connected to the underside of the cab such that the service step structure swings down and away from the exterior body to provide access to the raised level cab at the same time allowing access to the engine.

It is often desirable to access the driver's cab on a truck while the engine is being serviced. On trucks in which the cab is mounted behind the engine, the cab can be readily accessed because the cab can remain in the normal driving position—the engine is in front of the cab and the cab does not interfere with access to the engine. In contrast, a cab-over-engine (COE) truck has the cab supported over the engine. A COE truck is often desirable to keep the overall vehicle length to within allowable or legal limits. However, in order to service the engine in a COE truck, the cab must first be moved out of the way to gain access to the engine. In a conventional COE configuration, the cab can be tilted, typically around a horizontal axis near the lower front of the cab. Since it would be difficult and/or dangerous to move about within a tilted cab, steps leading to the tilted cab are not provided.


System and method for collecting information pertaining to a defeated electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a recording unit for collecting data pertaining to missing merchandise having at least one user interface, recording the data into the recording unit in response to a series of user interface prompts displayed on the recording unit, the interface prompts being programmed according to a predetermined user input sequence, the recording unit being adapted to transmit the data through a communications network, and transmitting the data through the communications network to a data processing unit, the data processing unit being configured to analyze the data and to generate a report based on the data.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system and more specifically to an EAS system for logging data relating to missing merchandise, including information pertaining to defeated EAS tags and discarded merchandise packaging.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems are detection systems that allow for identification of an EAS tag within a given detection region. EAS systems have many uses, but most often they are used as security systems for preventing shoplifting in stores or removal of property in office buildings. EAS systems come in many different forms and make use of a number of different technologies.
A typical EAS system includes an electronic detection unit, EAS tags, and a detacher or deactivator. The detection units form an EAS tag detection region and are usually placed in high traffic areas, such as entrances and exits of stores or office buildings. The EAS tags have special characteristics and are specifically designed to be affixed to or embedded in merchandise or other objects sought to be protected. When an active EAS tag passes through the EAS tag detection region, the EAS system sounds an alarm, e.g., audio and/or visual alarm, to indicate the removal of the EAS tag from the proscribed area.
Conventional EAS systems operate using a transmitter and a receiver. Typically the transmitter is placed on one side of the detection region and the receiver is placed on the opposite side of the detection region. In the case of a retail store, this detection region is usually formed at a checkout aisle or an exit. When an EAS tag enters the detection region, the EAS tag has a characteristic response to the exciter signal which can be detected. For example, the EAS tag may respond to the signal sent by the transmitter by using a simple semiconductor junction, a tuned circuit composed of an inductor and capacitor, soft magnetic strips or wires, or vibrating resonators. This characteristic response is subsequently detected by the receiver.
However, even these systems can be circumvented by simply detaching and/or destroying the EAS tags so that the items can be removed without triggering the EAS system. In addition, it is possible to avoid detection by the EAS systems simply by removing the merchandise from its packaging and discarding the packaging. Since it is not possible to track defeated EAS tags or discarded merchandise packaging using existing EAS systems, users of the EAS systems, e.g., department stores, have been unable to address this problem.
Currently there are no means available to correlate information about missing merchandise or known loss merchandise (e.g., information relating to the defeated EAS tags, empty packaging and the discarded merchandise packaging) into any meaningful form. Thus, useful information, such as patterns in theft locations or times has never been isolated. Some stores attempted to gather such data by logging the information relating to the missing merchandise in a paper notebook. However, this method is time consuming and is prone to recording and transcription errors. In addition, it suffers from a lack of consistent reporting standards and provides no processing for the information which would allow the EAS system users to isolate the shoplifting patterns within their facilities. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method to log the data concerning missing merchandise, more specifically, information relating to defeated EAS tags and discarded merchandise packaging.


The invention relates to a printed circuit board having chips attached to the PCB. One or more of the chips has a planar collar mounted around the chip. The collar has a top and bottom planar surface without any projections. The collar extends laterally away from the edge of the chip to protect the leads electrically connecting the chip to the circuit board.

In the microelectronics industry, integrated circuit chips, such as server chips, are mounted on to a printed circuit board (PCB) for packaging. The printed circuit board functions to provide power to the chips and also to distribute input/output signals between chips mounted on the circuit board. The chips communicate with the circuit board through a plurality of fragile leads that run from the body of the chip to the printed circuit board. It is desired to protect these fragile leads during the mounting of the various electrical components to the circuit board and the mounting of the circuit board to the electronic device.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,212, Albano et al., discloses a cover for protecting a chip device on a PCB. The cover comprises eight compression legs and four registry legs which attach to the circuit board to hold the cover over the chip. The cover is also provided with four top holes for cooling of the chip device. Unfortunately, because the cover substantially covers the chip from the ambient air, there is an unacceptable buildup of heat during operation of the chip. Further, the plurality of legs of the cover function to collect dust and the like which interfere with the optimal operation of the chip. Lastly, the cover prevents the attachment of a heat sink to the chip to enhance cooling of the chip during operation.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved PCB having a chip collar. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

International Business Machines Corporation


An image forming apparatus includes a transfer portion transferring a toner image to a sheet, and a sheet guide portion guiding the sheet to the transfer portion. The sheet guide portion includes a resin member and a conductive member. The conductive member is provided to be in contact with the sheet to which the toner image is being transferred by the transfer portion and on a surface of the resin member so as to be grounded through the resin member, and has a volume resistivity which is lower than that of the resin member.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus adopting an electro-photographic recording system or the like such as a copier, a facsimile machine, a laser beam printer, and a multi-function printer.
Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus adopting an electro-photographic recording system such as a copier, a facsimile machine, a laser beam printer, and a multi-function printer includes a transfer structure transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt to a sheet-like recording medium (referred to simply as a 'sheet' hereinafter). A transfer structure disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5198515 includes an image carrier and a transfer member such as a transfer roller being in contact with the image carrier and forming a transfer nip portion.
The transfer structure disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5198515 includes a metal plate guiding the sheet to the transfer nip portion. A variable resistor (resistive element) is provided on a path of a grounding wire extending from the main guide portion.
If no variable resistor is interposed, it is unable to restrain the electric current from flowing from the transfer member to the metal plate through the sheet. Thus, much current from the transfer member flows to the metal plate, and an amount of current which should originally flow from the transfer member to the image carrier decreases, causing defective transfer of the toner. The provision of the variable resistor permits to restrain the current from flowing from the transfer member, transferring the toner image, to the metal plate and to prevent the defective transfer of the toner. However, a more low cost apparatus has been desired.

Image forming apparatus having conductive sheet guide


In one embodiment, a printing device comprises a printer configured to print upon paper, a surface-engaging member associated with the printer and configured to physically engage a paper surface, the surface-engaging member comprising a flexure material body that is supported in a cantilevered disposition proximate a piece of paper to be printed upon by the printer, a reflective member joined with the surface-engaging member, one or more light sources in operable proximity to the reflective member and configured to project light energy toward the reflective member, and a position detector mounted in operable proximity to the reflective member and configured to receive light energy that is reflected from the reflective member, the surface-engaging member being configured for displacement by the paper's surface in accordance with variations in the roughness of the surface sufficiently so that light that is reflected by the reflective member and received by the position detector can be utilized to ascertain a measure of the paper surface's roughness.

There are many reasons why it is beneficial to ascertain the roughness of a print media surface such as a paper surface. For example, in manufacturing processes, it is desirable for paper to be of a generally uniform roughness. By ascertaining the roughness of a paper surface, one can ascertain whether paper that is mass produced has a uniform degree of roughness. In printing processes, roughness determinations can assist in setting certain printing parameters, such as the amount of toner that is used and the toner parameters that govern the toner's use.
In manufacturing scenarios, there have been methods and systems evolve for ascertaining the roughness of a paper surface. One typical method is the so-called Parker Surface Roughness Test (Print Surf) method. This method measures the air which passes between the surface of a coated paper and a flat surface of either steel or rubber. The apparatus that is used to carry out such a test is very expensive, is not portable, and requires a laboratory staff and space. More importantly the test lacks a high resolution for the smoothest surfaces.
In printing scenarios (such as electrostatographic reproduction of images, e.g. electrophotography, and laser printing, as well as thermal ink jet, and thermal transfer reproduction of images), copy quality is sensitive to and can be affected by the level of roughness of the paper. Distinct variations can exist as to the level of paper roughness found in individual copy sheets, such as paper, that are used in printing devices. Additionally, individuals using such printing devices are typically free to switch the print media or paper upon which printing takes place. For example, in an office environment, less expensive draft paper might be used for preparing draft versions of different documents, while more expensive paper might be used for final versions of the documents. The characteristics of these different types of paper, including roughness, can vary widely.
Various machine parameters can be affected by the roughness of the paper to be processed through the machine. Based on the paper's roughness level, these parameters can be adjusted for their optimum functionality within the machine as well as for achieving optimum copy quality. For example, an ideal goal in electrophotography is to have the correct amount of toner deposited onto a copy sheet on a continuous basis. With poor development control two situations occur. First, concerning a variability of toner quantity applied, too little toner creates lighter images, where too much toner creates darker images and may cause toner to appear in non-image areas. Second, concerning the machine, too much toner development causes excess toner waste which increases the expense of running the machine. Replacement of these components is thereby required on a more frequent basis. The need for precise toner control is intensified in color development systems where individual color images are superimposed on each other to create the full color image.
A rougher paper surface contains a greater surface area than a smoother paper surface, and may therefore require application of a higher developed toner mass per unit area to get the same dark, uniform, sharp copy quality. Additionally, if a greater amount of toner is required on a rougher paper surface, the development voltage, and/or the toner concentration, and/or the fuser set temperature must be raised to assure that the toner is completely fused to the paper. Under-fused toner on a substrate creates toner adhesion and durability issues which can include smears, flaking toner at paper folds, and integrity during handling. An increased voltage may also be required for the corona generating devices associated with both the charging element, as well as the transfer element, for a rougher surface paper requiring a greater amount of toner deposited thereon. Uniformly increasing machine parameters such as the fuser set temperature, fuser dwell time, or voltage level to the charging device, transfer device or developer may eliminate certain copy quality problems on rougher surface papers, however, other negative factors can be created. For example, increased stress on these affected components causes the need for more frequent component repair or replacement. Furthermore, the increased power required to run the component at the higher settings can result in increased energy consumption and cost. Machines that can optimize copy quality as well as internal processing operations will have a greater latitude of operation and a competitive edge.
Several widely used, indirect, methods of paper surface roughness measurement, characterized as Sheffield smoothness, Bekk smoothness and Parker Print Surf (described above), include air leak techniques which measure the volume of air that leaks, over a fixed time interval, between the paper surface and a test equipment seal, or, conversely, the time required for the leakage of a fixed air volume. Although these indirect surface roughness measurement methods offer a numerically quantified, relative value of surface roughness, they have not proven to be consistent, reliable indicators of print quality.
Accordingly, this invention arose out of concerns associated with providing improved methods and systems for ascertain the roughness of a print media surface.

Methods and systems for ascertaining the roughness of a print media surface

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A controller sets, out of a data range that is specified in a read request from a host device, a predetermined size of a first data range that follows a top portion of the data range and a predetermined size of a second data range that follows the first data range, and after transfer, to the host device, of data corresponding to the first data range from a second storage unit or a third storage unit having smaller data output latency than the first storage unit in which read/write of data is performed is started, the controller searches for data corresponding to the second data range in the second storage unit or the third storage unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a memory system having a nonvolatile semiconductor memory and a controller.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data storage apparatuses (memory systems) include a data storage medium, a host device, and a control device that performs transmission and reception of data between the host device and the data storage medium. In such a data storage apparatus, by providing a cache memory (a read cache function) that can be accessed quicker than the data storage medium, access performance from the host device is enhanced.
In a data storage apparatus having a cache memory, by using a prefetch function for data in the data storage medium when a sequential read request is received from the host device, the access performance is enhanced.
The prefetch function for data is a function of reading data in a sequential area (a subsequent area) from the data storage medium into the cache memory in advance when a read request issued from the host device has sequentiality. The sequentiality represents that a read request with respect to a subsequent data area is to be issued in sequence. When a read request having sequentiality is issued from the host device and the prefetch of data is to be performed, data in the sequential subsequent area for which a read request is expected to be issued is read from the data storage medium into the cache memory in advance prior to reception of a read request therefor from the host device.
A data storage medium described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2007-241927 determines that a read request has sequentiality when the transfer size of a read request from a host computer is equal to a prefetch determination size set in advance, and prefetches, while transmitting data requested by the read request to the host computer, data in a subsequent storage area that continues from the data corresponding to the read request from a storage device to a cache memory.
However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2007-241927, there is a problem that it takes a long time to read data by the host device as a result of late start of data transfer to the host device, because it takes a long time for a search process to determine whether requested data is stored in the cache memory. Such a problem also occurs in a solid state drive (SSD) on which a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a NAND flash memory is mounted. Specifically, in an SSD that is configured to read data at a high speed from a flash memory by providing a cache memory between the flash memory and a host device, it takes a long time for a searching process to determine whether data for which a data request has been issued by the host device is stored in the cache memory, and therefore, it takes a long time for the host device to read data.

Memory system with read and write caches and method of controlling memory system with read and write caches


A method of determining a corrected control surface angle for use in single viewpoint photogrammetry to correct control surface angle measurements affected by wing bending. First and second visual targets are spaced apart from one another on a control surface of an aircraft wing. The targets are positioned at a semispan distance along the aircraft wing. A reference target separation distance is determined using single viewpoint photogrammetry for a “wind off” condition. An apparent target separation distance is then computed for “wind on.” The difference between the reference and apparent target separation distances is minimized by re-computing the single viewpoint photogrammetric solution for incrementally changed values of target semispan distances. A final single viewpoint photogrammetric solution is then generated that uses the corrected semispan distance that produced the minimized difference between the reference and apparent target separation distances. The final single viewpoint photogrammetric solution set is used to determine the corrected control surface angle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to single viewpoint photogrammetry used to measure aircraft or wind tunnel model control surface deformation due to aerodynamic loading. More specifically, the invention is a method of correcting control surface angle measurements affected by wing bending-induced bias errors when using single viewpoint photogrammetry on an aircraft or model experiencing aerodynamic loading.
2. Description of the Related Art
A single-camera/single-view (hereinafter referred to as "single viewpoint") photogrammetric technique is used to measure flow-induced wing twist and control surface deformation. This technique is used in wind tunnel environments for aircraft models and in-flight for actual aircraft. A typical wind tunnel test set-up is illustrated in FIG. 1 where a single camera or other imaging device 10 is positioned at a side wall of 12 of a wind tunnel test area. (For an in-flight, actual aircraft set-up, device 10 would typically be located on the aircraft's fuselage.) Coupled to camera 10 is a processor 11 for implementing single viewpoint photogrammetry computations/solutions in ways already well known in the art. See, for example, "Videogrammetric Model Deformation Measurement Technique," A. W. Burner et al., J. of Aircr., Vol. 38, No. 4, July/August 2001, pp. 745–754, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if set forth in their entirety. For in-flight measurements on actual aircraft see, for example, "Aeroelastic Deformation: Adaptation of Wind Tunnel Measurement Concepts to Full-Scale Vehicle Flight Testing," A. W. Burner et al., paper presented at NATO AVT-124 Specialists Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, April, 2005, pp. 9-1 to 9-17.
Camera 10 is focused through a window 12A of wall 12 on a portion (e.g., a wing) of an aircraft or aircraft model 14 positioned in the wind tunnel. Aircraft 14 has a fuselage 16 and wings 18. In evaluating wing twist and control surface deformation, camera 10 would be focused on a wing that has visual targets (not shown) placed thereon.
In FIG. 1, aircraft 14 is viewed from a "head on" viewpoint while camera 10 has a viewpoint from above and to the side of aircraft 14. The wind tunnel's direction of wind flow will be from the "head on" direction. A rectangular X,Y,Z coordinate system is defined and is used when generating the single viewpoint photogrammetric solutions. Typically and for purposes of this description, the following conventions will be applied:                the X-dimension is in the "head on" direction or direction of wind flow,        the Y-dimension is perpendicular to the X-dimension and is in the spanwise direction of wings 18, and        the Z-dimension is perpendicular to the X and Y-dimensions and, therefore, defines the vertical direction with respect to the camera coordinate system.
As is well known in the art, single viewpoint photogrammetric solution generation requires that one of the three X,Y,Z coordinates must be known so that a set of two equations and two unknowns can be solved. For pitch-sweep wind tunnel testing without aircraft roll, the known coordinate is the Y-coordinate or spanwise locations of the visual targets on the wings. However, target locations change as wind flows over wings 18. That is, as air flows over wings 18, aerodynamic forces act on the wings and tend to cause them to bend (typically upward for rearward swept wings with a positive load) as indicated by dashed lines 20. (Note that the amount of bending has been exaggerated for purposes of illustration.) The resulting Y-shift for visual targets (not shown) used to determine angles on the main wing surface at a given spanwise station are very similar. Thus, the effect of wing bending-induced bias error for visual targets on the main wing element is typically less than 0.1° for the worst case of near the wing tip. However, the differences in Y-shift can be considerable (leading to significant wing bending-induced bias error) for targets on a control surface that is angled with respect to the main wing surface as will now be explained with the aid of FIGS. 2 and 3.
In FIG. 2, aircraft wing 18 is illustrated in cross-section in the X-Z plane with a main wing 18A and a control surface 18B. Control surface 18B is angularly disposed with respect to main wing 18A and, therefore, the direction of wind flow in the X-dimension. Visual targets 22 and 24 are applied to control surface 18B with targets 22 and 24 being separated by a distance "d". Targets 22 and 24 are positioned in the same Y-location for this illustration.
FIG. 3 is a Y-Z plane view of wing 18 and depicts what happens to targets 22 and 24 in the Y-dimension as wing 18 bends during a "wind on" condition. With no wind or "wind off", targets 22 and 24 have the same Y-location as mentioned above. However, with "wind on", control surface 18B along with main wing 18A bends as depicted by dashed line 20. As a result, the Y and Z coordinates of targets 22 and 24 change and are shifted with respect to one another. This condition results in significant error in single viewpoint photogrammetric solutions generated for control surface 18B.

Method for correcting control surface angle measurements in single viewpoint photogrammetry

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A communications system for providing data communication to a vehicle (10), the communications system comprising: a mobile transport layer proxy (150) located on the vehicle; a parent transport layer proxy (170) located remote from the vehicle; the mobile transport layer proxy being configured to: accept a transport layer connection with a host device (32, 33), the transport layer connection being addressed to a remote server (160); and communicate with the parent transport layer proxy via multiple paths using a multipath transport layer protocol to communicate on behalf of the host device whilst identifying as the mobile transport layer proxy; and the parent transport layer proxy being configured to: communicate with the mobile transport layer proxy using the multipath transport layer protocol; and communicate with the remote server whilst identifying as the parent transport layer proxy to communicate on behalf of the mobile transport layer proxy to permit the host device to communicate with the remote server.

Vehicles such as cars, buses and trains are examples of passenger carrying vehicles. The passengers that are carried by those vehicles tend to possess devices that connect to the internet to access services provided by remote servers. For example, the passengers may access an email server to check whether they have any new email or access a web server to download web pages. Those devices may be equipped with a wireless network adapter that allows the device to connect to a network that provides access to the internet. The wireless network adapter could be a 3G, 4G or, more generally, cellular modem that can connect to the base stations of a cellular network operator. The wireless network adapter could also be a Wi-Fi adapter.
It is becoming more common for passenger carrying vehicles to connect to the internet and then share this connection with the passenger's devices on-board the vehicle. This shared connection can be used to allow devices that only have a Wi-Fi or wired network adapter to connect to the internet. It is also done because such passenger carrying vehicles generally travel through less densely populated areas where cellular data connections can be of low quality or low signal strength. The construction of the vehicle can also inhibit or reduce the quality of the signal from a base station that can be received by a passenger device inside the vehicle. These points can make it difficult for individual user devices to connect directly to the cellular networks.
Where the vehicle shares a connection among the passengers, the vehicle is equipped with a router that connects to at least one antenna on the external of the vehicle for connecting to wayside base stations. These base stations may be cellular base stations provided by cellular network operators or other wireless base stations such as Wi-Fi base stations. The router will also be equipped with at least one antenna on the internal of the vehicle and/or connected to a wired network which end user devices can use to connect to the Internet via the on-vehicle network provided by the router. The router may be comprised of more than one part to provide these connections, for example it may be a cellular modem, a wireless access point and a packet router connected together.
As the vehicle moves along its path of travel, the vehicle will move out of the communication range of certain base stations and in to the communication range of other base stations. The router will therefore need to disconnect from the out of range base station and connect to one within range to continue to provide an internet connection to the end user devices. To aid in this connection jump from one base station to another base station, the router can be equipped with at least two external antennas for connecting to the wayside base stations. The router can then establish a connection to the new base station using one antenna whilst still having a connection via the other antenna to the old base station. The router can then handover from one base station to another without a drop in connection.
As there are multiple cellular network operators within a given country there are normally multiple base stations that serve a particular area. Also, even within one cellular network operators network there will be overlap between the coverage areas of the base stations. This can be used as described above to provide a handover from one base station to another without a drop in connection. However, it would be desirable to be able to make use of the connections provided by the multiple base stations, especially as the data connection provided by a single base station may be of low bandwidth and/or shared between many users. Such a system introduces difficult routing conditions for the on-board router as each data connection is identified separately and so makes it difficult for the on-board router and a server on the internet to communicate in a way that makes efficient use of the multiple connections.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved communication system that allows devices on-board a vehicle to communicate with remote servers using multiple connections.


A navigation system for an enclosed area, the navigation system comprising: a) at least one satellite signal receiving station, positioned outside the enclosed area, to receive satellite signals transmitted by a constellation of satellites and to determine time synchronization information relative to the transmitted signals; b) at least one local transmitting station, positioned within the enclosed area, to transmit a local signal compatible with the transmitted satellite signals; and c) a communication channel to communicate self-alignment information between each station and at least one other station; wherein each local transmitting station uses the self-alignment information to generate the local signal; and wherein the at least one local signal provides navigation information useable by a satellite navigation receiver.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system and method that extends navigation capability to enclosed areas that are substantially blocked from receiving satellite signals, such as the indoor area of buildings.
2. Description of Related Art
A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) consists of a network or constellation of satellites in orbit around the Earth, in which the satellites transmit signals that are used by terrestrial receivers for purposes such as navigation. The most established and widely used GNSS system at this time is the GPS system operated by the United States of America. Other GNSS systems include the GLONASS system operated by Russia, and the forthcoming European Galileo and Chinese Compass navigation systems. The present invention is described herein in terms of the GPS system, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the principles of the present invention may be used in the context of other GNSS systems.
The GPS system includes between 24 and 32 satellites in medium Earth orbit. Each satellite continuously transmits a navigation message that is modulated by its own unique PseudoRandom binary Code (PRN) that is orthogonal to all the other PRN codes from the other satellites. The GPS ranging code that is available for public use is the "Clear Acquisition" (C/A) code, which is a PRN code of 1,023 bits. The navigation message includes such information as its time of transmission, an ephemeris (plural: ephemerides), which precisely describes the satellite's orbit, and an almanac, which contains coarse orbit and status information for all the satellites in the network. The ephemeris is updated every two hours and is generally valid for four hours.
At the receiving end, the GPS receiver generates its own copies of the C/A codes, nominally synchronized with the satellite transmissions. When the receiver receives the C/A codes of the currently visible satellites (typically 8-12 satellites in open terrain), the receiver cross-correlates its copies of the C/A code with the received C/A codes to identify the satellites whose transmissions have been received. The ranges to the satellites may be determined by subtracting the time of transmission from the time received (to get transit time), and dividing by the speed of light. Knowing the ephemerides, the receiver can compute the locations of the satellites at the times of the transmissions.
If the receiver's clock were perfectly synchronized with the satellites, then signals from three satellites would suffice to triangulate the position (horizontal coordinates x and y, and elevation z) of the receiver. Because clocks that could be synchronized that well with the atomic clocks used by the satellites are far too expensive for routine use, signals from four or more satellites are used to determine x, y, z and the time offset dt of the receiver's clock from the GPS clocks. If only the horizontal coordinates are needed for navigation then signals from three satellites suffice.
FIGS. 1A and 18 illustrate the above process by which conventional GNSS receivers obtain position information from GNSS satellite signals. In FIG. 1A four satellites, Sat-1 to Sat-4, transmit navigation messages at times t1 to t4. The four signals are received by a GNSS receiver, shown being held by a user. The receiver identifies the four satellites from each satellite's unique C/A code. The range ρ to each satellite is determined, as noted above, by subtracting transmitted time (t1 to t4) from the received time and dividing by the speed of light "C". From the ephemeris, the coordinate position of each satellite at the time of transmission may be determined, i.e. position of Sat-1 (x1, y1, z1), Sat-2 (x2, y2, z2), etc. FIG. 1B shows how the range and position values may be plugged into the four equations to determine the coordinate position (X, Y, Z) of the GNSS receiver, and the time offset "dT" of the receiver relative to the satellite clocks.
An aspect of GNSS based navigation is that navigation generally cannot be performed indoors, since building walls and roofs act as barriers that block or diminish the satellite signals. Similar problems occur in some outdoor areas such as natural canyons, urban areas lined with tall buildings ("urban canyons"), and deep mountain valleys. In these environments the satellite transmissions are either unavailable or have power levels that are very low, such as below the background noise power level, so as to be unusable by a standard, unmodified GPS receiver.
This is a problem since an estimated 80% of daily activity occurs in indoor environments, such as homes, offices, shopping areas, and elevators. Further, continuity of service is disrupted when, for example, a person walks from the street into a shopping mall or building, or drives into an underground parking lot or through a tunnel.
A number of attempts have been made to resolve this problem. In one approach, networks of physical sensors, such as infrared, ultrasound, or pressure sensors, are distributed throughout a building or enclosed area. A problem with physical sensors however is the need for a wide deployment of infrastructure.
Another approach makes use of a different type of sensor that allows positioning at the user end using autonomous means. These include odometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer type sensors. The principle of this approach is to use GNSS signals when available, and to switch to the other sensor when GNSS signals are not available. This approach however requires very accurate modeling of the user's movements to be effective.
Other approaches use modern telecommunication technology rather than physical sensors. For example, one method uses mobile telecommunication networks such as GSM and UMTS, implemented by techniques such as TDOA, E-TDOA, and "Angle of Arrival". This approach is considered impractical due to the requirement that for positioning, a minimum of three base stations have to be seen from the mobile terminal. The approach also suffers from positioning inaccuracy caused from signal multipath.
Another telecommunication approach makes use of free or publicly available infrastructure used for other purposes, such as mobile Internet access or WiFi. In this case, GNSS calculations are based on time measurements. However, time information supplied by non-GNSS sources is generally not accurate, causing a rough and jumpy effect on the resulting navigation outputs. For accurate implementation the time reference needs to be seriously upgraded as compared to current WLAN time capabilities.
Yet another location calculation technique is based on the Received Signal Strength Information (RSSI). This however requires the system to increase the number of Access Points to a level that is much greater than the number required for telecommunication purposes. These techniques also suffer from positioning inaccuracy caused from signal multipath.
Some approaches to the indoor navigation problem are GNSS-based. For example, one technique uses "pseudo satellites" or "pseudolites", which creates a local terrestrial constellation of a few satellites (generators for instance). A problem with this approach however is in achieving synchronization between pseudolites. Additionally, this technique suffers from positioning inaccuracy caused from signal multipath.
Another GNSS-based technique involves placing GNSS repeaters in the indoor area. The repeaters however merely transmit information of an outside location. As a result, this technique does not really provide indoor navigation information.
Accordingly, current indoor coverage technologies generally provide only limited and inaccurate navigation in building indoors and other confined or blocked spaces. Further, many of these technologies require some type of modification of the GNSS receiver to enable it to recognize and use aided or augmented information. This is inconvenient, increases the cost of the receiver, and is useful only in areas that happen to have the particular technology installed.


A portable electronic device and method for measuring electric current of an external electronic device by the portable electronic device are provided. The method includes detecting whether an external device is connected, through the earphone jack, or whether a simple headset is connected through the earphone jack. The earphone jack can pass audio signals from the headset, but if an external device is detected, software is implemented to measure the amplitude of electric current from the external electronic device.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to portable electronic devices, and particularly to a portable electronic device and a method for measuring electric current of external electronic devices using the portable electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
Electric current measuring equipment is specialized and bulky, and the portability is often a problem.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a portable electronic device and a method for measuring electric current of external electronic devices using the portable electronic device, which can overcome the above-mentioned problem.

Electronic device and method for measuring electric current of external electronic devices using the electronic device


A disk drive for recording data to or reproducing data from a disk includes a head for writing the data into or reading the data out of the disk by sliding on the disk or gliding over the disk. An arm member holds the head which is supported by an elastic member so that the arm member can be raised or lowered. A load force is exerted on a first position of the arm member by a so as to place the head on the disk or to make the head approach the disk. An unload force is exerted on a second position of the arm member so as to separate the head from the disk. The second position is more distant from the head than the first position from the head in a longitudinal direction of the arm member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disk drive for recording to or reproducing from a disk, and particularly to a disk drive preferably used as an external storage of electronic apparatuses such as personal computers, word processors or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Disk drives carry out recording to or reproducing from disk-shaped recording media such as magnetic disks, laser disks or the like. The disk drive is constructed to perform recording to or reproducing from a disk as follows: a disk, the recording medium, is inserted into the disk drive and is ejectably loaded thereto; the disk is rotated by a driving motor; heads are made to come into contact with or made to approach a surface of the disk; and writing data into or reading data out of the disk is carried out with the heads moving. In this case, the heads are mounted on a carriage which is moved by a driving motor, so that the heads are moved on the disk in the radial direction (seek operation). An example of the disk drive is shown in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open No. 219,449/1990 (U.S. Ser. No. 07/392,045).
The disk drive comprises on a base that supports respective component parts of the disk drive, an installation and removal means for installing or removing the disk, a disk rotation drive means for rotating the disk by the motor, a head seek means for moving heads on the disk in the radial direction to place the heads on a target track, a head loading means for loading or unloading the head to or from the disk, and the like. In addition, there are provided a control circuit for controlling the entire disk drive, and a connector for a power supply. The control circuit is connected to a host computer system via an interface so that the control circuit receives data from and supplies data to the host computer system.
In general, the installation and removal means has a cassette guide that supports a disk cassette in which the disk is housed, and guides the disk cassette into the disk drive so as to install it on the disk rotation drive means and guides the disk cassette out of the disk drive so as to remove it from the disk rotation drive means, a slide plate that has a cam portion which engages a part of the cassette guide to lower or raise it, and is movable in directions in which the disk cassette is installed or removed, and a latch member that controls an ejection of the disk cassette in response to the movement of the slide plate. The disk drive has a shutter opening means for opening a shutter of the disk cassette by engaging the shutter in accordance with the installation of the disk cassette. The shutter opening means are arranged so that the latch member functions as a engaging member which engages the shutter, or are arranged so that the engaging member, which is rotatably supported to the cassette guide, can engage the shutter.
The head loading means, on the other hand, has head arms which support the heads on an end thereof respectively and head loading springs: one of the head arms is vertically rotatably mounted on fulcrums provided in a carriage which moves for the seek operation, and is pressed towards the disk by the loading springs so that the head is loaded, or is rotated upwards with the elevation of the cassette guide so that the head is unloaded.
Components described above of the disk drive are housed in the base shaped like a box, the opening of which is covered by a cover for providing a dustproof, magnetic shield.
When such disk drives are Used as external storage of the electronic apparatuses such as personal computers or word processors, they are sometimes constructed as independent apparatuses. In general, however, they are incorporated into the main bodies of the electronic apparatuses. As the electronic apparatuses reduce their size and increase their portability, reduction in size, weight and thickness of the disk drives is increasingly required.
In the head loading means of the conventional disk drive, when the head is unloaded (elevated), the head arm is rotated about the fulcrum while maintaining its linear shape. This presents a problem that the tips of the head arms are elevated high, and hence the thickness (the height) of the disk drive becomes large.

Disk drive with low elevated head unloading mechanism


The invention provides a beverage preparation machine comprising a brew head for receiving beverage cartridges of various heights and means for passing an aqueous medium through said beverage cartridges to form a beverage from one or more beverage ingredients contained in said cartridges. The brew head comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another from an open position in which said beverage cartridges can be received in the brew head and a closed position in which said beverage cartridge can be fixedly retained in a brew head space defined between the first and second parts. Wherein in use, beverage cartridges of various heights may be clamped in the brew head space between a distal end of a clamping member and the second part.

It is known to provide machines and systems for the preparation of single servings of beverages such as coffee, tea and chocolate from cartridges contained a pre-measured quantity of one or more beverage ingredients. The strength of the beverage dispensed can be varied by diluting the ingredients or the brewed composition using a supply of water. However, with some beverages such as coffee there is a demand for stronger beverages and or larger quantities of beverage in a single serving. Attempts have been made to provide concentrated beverage ingredients, in granular or liquid form, to allow larger and or stronger beverages to be dispensed from a cartridge of fixed volume. However these attempts have generally not proved successful due in part to differences in taste between granular and liquid based, composition and compositions based on roasted and ground ingredients. Another solution is simply to use larger cartridges for larger volume beverages. However, this normally requires the use of a separate machine for each cartridge size or the utilization of complicated clamping mechanisms which can adopt separate modes for clamping different cartridges. This results in expensive arrangements which can be difficult to operate.

Cartridge, a machine, a system and a method for the preparation of beverages