A method of making a surface-mountable pixel engine package comprises providing an array of spaced-apart conductive pillars and an insulating mold compound laterally disposed between the conductive pillars on a substrate together defining a planarized surface. Pixel engines comprising connection posts are printed to the conductive pillars so that each of the connection posts is in electrical contact with one of the conductive pillars. The pixel engines are tested to determine known-good pixel engines. An optically clear mold compound is provided over the planarized surface and tested pixel engines. Optically clear mold compound is adhered to a tape and the substrate is removed. The optically clear mold compound, the insulating mold compound, the conductive pillars, the optically clear mold compound, and the tested pixel engines are singulated to provide pixel packages that comprise the pixel engines and the known-good pixel engines are transferred to a reel or tray.

Displays comprise arrays of pixels having sub-pixels that each emit light of one or more colors. In active-matrix displays, a pixel circuit local to each pixel controls the one or more light emitters of the pixel. In passive-matrix displays, the sub-pixel light emitters of each pixel are directly controlled externally to the array of pixels, for example by row and column drivers.
Displays can comprise liquid crystals, organic light emitters, or inorganic light emitters, among other technologies. Liquid crystals and organic light emitters are usually formed on or over a display substrate and inorganic light emitters are usually constructed on a native substrate and assembled together on a non-native display substrate, at least for displays that are larger than micro-displays.
In order to achieve a desirably high resolution for larger-format inorganic light-emitting diode displays, it is necessary to assemble the light emitting diodes (LEDs) on a display substrate. Inorganic light-emitting diode displays using micro-LEDs (for example having an area less than 100 microns square or having an area small enough that it is not visible to an unaided observer of the display at a designed viewing distance) can be constructed, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,722,458 entitled Optical Systems Fabricated by Printing-Based Assembly teaches transferring light-emitting, light-sensing, or light-collecting semiconductor elements from a wafer substrate to a destination substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,800 describes an LED display chip with an array of micro-LEDs mounted on a mounting substrate and electrically connected to a driver substrate. U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,153,256 and 10,153,257 describe micro-transfer printable electronic components useful in inorganic LED displays. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/822,868 discloses assembly methods using pixel modules comprising intermediate substrates and groups of light emitters.
Surface-mount technology (SMT) is a widely used and relatively inexpensive assembly method for directly locating packaged electronic devices on a printed circuit board or other substrate, such as a display substrate, and interconnected on the surface of the substrate, rather than inserting package pins into holes on the substrate. This technique reduces substrate costs, but the smallest size of the packaged electronic devices is limited, for example to 200 microns, 500 microns, or larger. Surface-mount technology can increase production throughput and reduce costs but is consequently limited in its capacity for high-resolution systems, such as display systems.
However, there remains a need for structures, methods, and materials for efficiently integrating arrays of pixels on a display substrate at low cost to achieve high-resolution displays.

Surface-mountable pixel packages and pixel engines


A platform allows viewing and sorting digital media from multiple content sources across multiple devices by title, category, series, or other sorting desired. Available content from providers may be co-mixed to display as if from a single provider. Listings may be restricted to specific providers or sets of providers, such as removing providers with paid content which the user will not access. Alternatively, listings may be prioritized based on business rules programmed into the system. Listings may be limited to those available on the current device, on another set of devices, or on all devices. Control of access to content, including playback and queuing, may be done through the interface regardless of the consumption device. This allows access to all content across all devices in a fashion desirable to the user, merging providers and devices into a seamless interface tailored for the user instead of the content or device manufacturer.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to the field of digital media, and more specifically to listing and selecting digital media from multiple content providers and multiple content sources for multiple devices.
2. Background
As the Internet has expanded and bandwidth to homes increased, a demand for digital media, and especially video content, has grown. YouTube developed into a platform for sharing video. Traditional television networks began streaming content via the Internet. Video rental agencies, such as Blockbuster, began offering online access to content. With the expansion of video capabilities and bandwidth to mobile devices like smartphones, demand for digital media continues to grow. Many solutions have developed, driven mainly by each content provider producing ways to access its content, and devices developing device-specific interfaces to access content.
In addition to devices for accessing content, there are also many devices for sending digital media to a television. Examples of such devices include AppleTV, Boxee Box, Logitech Revue, Roku, and TiVo Premiere. Yet each different device supports access to video from different sets of content providers. For example, AppleTV supports video from Netflix, iTunes, and YouTube. Boxee Box supports video from YouTube, ABC.com, FOX.com, NBC.com, CBS.com, MLB.com, and soon will add support for Netflix. Logitech Revue supports video from Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand (VoD), iTunes, and YouTube. Roku supports video from Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon VoD, iTunes, and MLB.com. TiVo Premier supports video from Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon VoD, and YouTube. Some televisions have built-in support for access to video in a manner similar to these devices.
Other devices for accessing content, such as Verizon FiOS DVRs, may access specific and singular video sources, such as Verizon FiOS OnDemand. Computer desktops or laptops may have full access to all video sources. Other computing devices, including mobile devices such as mobile phones or iPads, may have alternative support. The iPad, for example, has browser-based access to the web but no Adobe Flash support. Video access is available from the iPad through iTunes, for example, but not through Amazon VoD.
This creates a dilemma for users who have many devices for accessing different subsets of video from different content providers. Further complicating matters, the interfaces for accessing content are highly controlled by the content providers. Access to content is typically driven through hierarchical menus populated based on information feeds provided by the content providers. On a device that provides access to multiple content providers, a user must first select a content provider, rather than browsing by type of content. After selecting the content provider, further categories are defined and controlled by the content provider. Thus, a show available from multiple content providers may be categorized differently—such as under "Family" from one content provider, "Comedy" from another content provider, "HD" from a third content provider, and "F" from a fourth content provider.
Typed searches may find the same show from all content providers, yet still separate from each other. For example, searching for "Family Guy" may produce separate results—"Family Guy" through Netflix, "Family Guy" through Amazon VoD, and "Family Guy" through Hulu. Another device might instead return "Family Guy" through Fox.com. Additionally, the search might not find all results due to inconsistencies between metadata kept by each provider. Although the same exact content may be available from multiple providers, the metadata kept often differs between providers or is incomplete. For example:                Titles are not unique. There are over 20 different movies titled "Alice in Wonderland." There are three different TV series titled "Top Gear".        Release years are not distinctive. Some sources list the theater release date, others the DVD release date, others the online release date, and others provide no date at all.        Descriptions vary greatly. Different providers often have completely different descriptions for the same movie.        Episode numbers are not distinctive. Some series, such as news programs, have no episode numbers. Sometimes, episode numbers are repeated. For example, "Dancing with the Stars Week 7" and "Dancing with the Stars Week 7 Results" are two distinct episodes, but might both be listed as season 5 episode 7.        Often there are different versions available. Sometimes, it is a simple "Director's Cut" or "Unrated Version." Other times, the durations, release years, and even titles will vary. "Star Wars" released in 1977 is the same movie as "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" released in 1997.        Remakes and rereleases are very hard to distinguish. For example, "Bladerunner," released in 1982, with a duration of 113 minutes, is a special version of the movie "Bladerunner," released in 2007, with a duration of 117 minutes. On the other hand, "Ocean's Eleven," released in 1960, with a duration of 127 minutes, is not the same movie as "Ocean's Eleven," released in 2001, with a duration of 117 minutes. In both cases, the descriptions between the versions are similar.        Data is often wrong. Its common for episode numbers, season numbers, release years, and other data to be just plain incorrect. Misspellings are very common.        Formatting is often inconsistent. "The Fifth Element" and "The 5th Element" are both correct, but different. "Star Trek 4" and "Star Trek IV" are both correct as well.        Inconsistent taxonomies. Each provider uses a different set of genres and keywords to describe their content; "Drama," "Afro-Pop," "Romance," etc.
Selecting a specific content provider from the results may reduce this problem of metadata consistency, but limits the results to those available through that specific content provider. From the standpoint of a content provider, such a design is desirable because it keeps users using only one content provider's content. Each content provider wants to keep users within the content provider's available content, as it is access to such content that drives profits for each individual content provider. Device manufacturers need agreements with content providers in order to have access to content, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and encryption specific to each content provider. Thus (also from the standpoint of a device manufacturer) such a design is desirable because it keeps content providers happy and willing to work with the device manufacturer. This is also the simplest solution for device manufacturers, as device manufacturers can take content information directly from each content provider and display the content information without introducing further complexities.
In addition to sorting available content by content provider, available content listings are inherently linked to the viewing device. For example, a network-connected TV or DVR lists content viewable on that device. As the focus of devices is accessibility within that device to drive future device sales, the incentive is to display only content accessible and displayable on that device.
This creates an array of products which do not fully cross-integrate. No solution provides a platform that (1) lists available media across different content providers; (2) groups the media based on the end product information, rather than source feed structure; (3) lists media availability across all devices; and (4) allows control and selection from one device of any available media to play back on any available device. Furthermore, no ability exists for a content provider to program in business rules regarding the proffered choice of media for a user based on their own business desires.

Multi source and destination media discovery and management platform


The invention relates to a method and device for a coupling (2) in a motor vehicle transmission, the coupling being controlled and regulated during two operational states by way of a first regulating circuit (3). The regulated quantity corresponds to the actual value of a differential engine speed of the coupling (2). The first state corresponds to a starting action and the second state to operation with a variable transmission ratio.

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling and regulating a coupling in a motor vehicle transmission in which an electronic control unit determines the behavior of the coupling by means of a regulating circuit.
In the sense of the invention, the coupling is to be understood as a starting clutch. Under this designation fall clutches mounted between an internal combustion engine and an automatic transmission, lock up clutches and also clutches integrated in an automatic transmission which can be used both to start and as selector clutches.
A method for controlling a starting clutch has been disclosed, e.g. in DE 44 09 122 A1. Here the starting control comprises two phases. During a first phase, the input rotational speed of the clutch is brought to a theoretical rotational speed wherein the theoretical rotational speed is established from the driver""s performance standard or the gradient and a driving activity. During the second phase, the difference between the input and the output rotational speeds of the clutch is reduced, according to a theoretical value curve to zero. DE 39 37 976 A1 disclosed a method for regulating the clutch which serves to neutralize vibration. The slip of the clutch is modified according to a revolution uniformity determined from the transmission output. From EP 0 214 989 B2, in turn, the use of a clutch integrated in the automatic transmission as a starting element is known.
Departing from the above described prior art, the problem on which the invention is based is to develop it, with regard to the multiple utilization of a single coupling, in combination with an automatic transmission.
According to the invention, the problem is solved by the present invention. It is advantageous that to control and regulate the coupling exclusively during two operational states, a single regulating circuit is used. The regulated quantity corresponds to the actual value of the differential rotational speed of the coupling. The two operational states correspond to a starting operation, as a first state, and to driving with a variable ratio, as a second state.
During a continuously variable adjustment, a specific regulating circuit, hereinafter designated as a second regulating circuit, determines the behavior of the continuously variable transmission. For this case, i.e. the second state, it is proposed that the first and second regulating circuits be interconnected, via an uncoupling network, wherein the uncoupling network has first and second signal paths. By the uncoupling network, the advantage that the two controllers do not influence each other in their action is thus obtained.
For both operational states, the theoretical value of the differential rotational speed of the coupling is determined from the addition of a theoretical value offset and a ratio-dependent differential rotational speed of the coupling. According to a first characteristic field, the ratio-dependent differential rotational speed is determined for a starting ratio of the continuously variable transmission. The ratio-dependent differential rotational speed for the non-starting ratios is determined via a second characteristic field. Both the first and the second characteristic fields each show a coordination of performance standard of the driver and an output rotational speed of the coupling. The second characteristic fields are configured in a manner such that at a vehicle speed lower than a limiting value, an increased theoretical value of the rotational speed difference results. An active protection against stalling for non-starting ratios is achieved.

Method and device for controlling and regulating a coupling


A planetary reducer contains: a sun gear rod, a gear assembly, a first external gear, and a second external gear. The sun gear rod includes an extension and a toothed section. The gear assembly includes a post, a first planetary gear, and a second planetary gear. Some of multiple teeth of the first planetary gear and some of multiple teeth of the second planetary gear expose outside the post. A number of the multiple teeth of the first planetary gear is different from a number of the multiple teeth of the second planetary gear. The first external gear includes a first surrounding portion and a first toothed portion which meshes with the first planetary gear. The second external gear includes a second surrounding portion and a second toothed portion which meshes with the second planetary gear.

A planetary gear is a part of a gearing structure and rotates along a sun gear. An external gear is fitted on an outer wall of the planetary gear and moves with the planetary gear.
A conventional planetary reducer is disclosed in TW M571919 and contains: an input shaft, an output shaft, and an input bearing. The output shaft has a receiving groove, and the input shaft is fitted on the output shaft and accommodated in the receiving groove. The input bearing abuts against the output shaft and the input shaft so as to enhance concentricity of the output shaft and the input shaft of the planetary reducer, thus obtaining easy connection of the output shaft and the input shaft.
When desiring to output a larger reduction ratio of the planetary reducer, a ratio of gears has to be changed, thus increasing a size of the conventional planetary reducer.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.


A system and method for topology construction for long and complex fan-out networks such as encountered in microprocessors include a modified Steiner tree algorithm with concurrent buffering to reduce post-buffer power/delay cost for a spanning tree. The system and method may prune Hanan points prior to calling a buffering tool to insert buffers and insert non-Hanan branching points. Embodiments may also include dividing a device into a plurality of super unit blocks, performing routing within each of the plurality of super units using a single crossing Steiner tree algorithm to determine a corresponding port, and aligning corresponding ports of each super unit to provide routing between the plurality of super units.

A rectilinear Steiner tree (RST) is a fundamental structure that may be used to model interconnects between nodes. A rectilinear Steiner minimum tree (RSMT) aims to minimize the wire length. Various algorithms have been developed to construct a RSMT. For example, BI1S, BOI and FLUTE are near-optimal RSMT heuristics while GeoSteiner is optimal with reasonable runtime for small trees. A large fraction of nets in multi-GHz microprocessors and other reasonably high frequency chips need buffering for mitigating large signal slew (transition time) and delay. Timing-driven Steiner tree construction is, thus, of paramount importance in these applications. Various approaches focus on the minimum (pre-buffer) delay routing tree (MDRT) problem, which minimizes a linear combination of delays at sinks Other approaches optimize the required arrival time at the driver with power/timing trade-offs and wire sizing. A minimum rectilinear Steiner arborescence (MRSA) (which is an RST such that each source-to-sink path is a shortest path) improves the performance (3%-5%) with slightly higher wire-length. However, buffering an optimized un-buffered tree may undo the order of sink criticalities. The path from the source to a critical sink may incur more delay due to the number of buffers placed in the path.

Concurrent timing-driven topology construction and buffering for VLSI routing


An orientation device for vertically orienting products in a vertical form, fill and seal machine. It includes a product receipt station for receiving a plurality of unoriented products and a product discharge station for discharging a plurality of oriented products. The products are indexed in discrete groups from the product receipt station to the product discharge station, during which the products of each group are oriented with their longitudinal axes being essentially vertical.

This invention relates to vertical form, fill and seal machines, and in particular to an orientation device for orienting disoriented products prior to packaging.
In many packaging applications, and particularly when long products are packaged together, it is necessary to first orient the products going into the package before the group of products is actually inserted into the package. Long products, which typically have a longitudinal axis which is many times the length of any other dimension of the products, often need to be packaged in discreet groups. Products of this type have traditionally been packaged on horizontal form, fill and seal machines, where individual products are grouped and then inserted as a group onto a moving film. This insures a positive placement of the group of products with respect to end seals of the ensuing package as well as orienting the products in a horizontal format in order to avoid any bridging or gaps. At all times, the product is oriented in a known manner and is under control by the elements of the machine so that final orientation in the package can be assured.
In a vertical form, fill and seal machine, control of the products is temporarily lost as products are passed vertically from the feed system into the tube. In modem scale feed systems, a series of individual groups of products are "dumped" from a series of feeders or buckets, and are combined to produce a desired number or weight of the products. While a very accurate method of producing precise deliveries occurs at high speeds, because control of the products is temporarily lost as the products are dumped, there is no guarantee of the orientation of the products at the time of their recombination while they are being packaged. In such an apparatus, products fall down a transition chute into a discharge tube and then into a package. From the time that products are initially released until they reach the package, their fall is typically regulated by gravity. The only orientation is typically due to the tube which confines the products. In many instances, bridging occurs as the products fall, requiring the use of clearing devices such as pneumatically-operated pokers, shakers or the like.
Often, too, if individual groups of products are dumped simultaneously, products from sources oriented in opposing positions can collide at the end of the transition chute and effectively bridge or stop for a short period of time before transitioning down the tube. This results in products being delayed from extending down the product delivery tube, a condition known as "string out". The string out can cause timing problems as well as product orientation problems during the downward fall of the products.
Additional problems can exist if the size of the package is to be relatively tight in relation to the products contained therewithin. If the package is incapable of accepting products at random, unless the products are properly oriented, one or more of the products will extend into the intended sealing area, resulting in either damage to the product or having the product interfere with the quality of the seal of the package, or both.
As a result, in the past devices such as vibrators, shakers and pokers have been developed to try to properly orient products as they are being packaged. Vibrators are often employed on the product delivery tube to keep products from clinging to the inside of the tube, and have also been used to attempt to orient product in the tube. Shakers comprise various devices which clamp to the package and shake the package prior to the time that the package is sealed. Pokers consist of pneumatic operated cylinders or mechanical devices that are used to strike the bridged product in an attempt to eliminate the jam and orient the product in the package to minimize the volume and thus reduce the possibility of trapping product in the seal area as the package is sealed. Pokers rely on breaking the product into smaller pieces to clear the jam. While this is satisfactory in some applications such as the snack food industry, it is generally not acceptable to the candy, cookie or cracker industries. All of these devices, however, merely add to the cost of the apparatus and are marginally successful in attaining their desired goals.

Product orientation for elongated products


In data projection display device (6) of data-projection device (1), outgoing-light side light-shielding mask (622) is provided on outgoing-light surface (602b) of outgoing-light side electrode substrate (602) of liquid crystal cell (604). Gap G among translucent segments (701-710) formed on light-shielding mask (622) is determined according to the thickness of outgoing-light side electrode substrate (602). If Go is used to indicate gap G that can produce a clear projection image when electrode substrate (602) having a thickness t=0.4 mm is used, a value obtained by adding the increase in diffusion .DELTA.=0.017 mm! when light is passing through the electrode substrate to gap Go is used as the gap G between the translucent segments of light-shielding mask (622) when an electrode substrate having a thickness t=0.55 mm is used. Specifying the gaps between the translucent segments of the light-shielding mask in this way makes it possible to increase the thickness of the electrode substrates to be used for the data projection liquid crystal display device of the data-projection device for cameras, without lowering the quality of the projected image.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a data projection device used in cameras that projects a data pattern generated on a liquid crystal cell onto photographic film, and more particularly to a mechanism for maintaining the definition of the data image to be projected in this type of data projection device.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 7 shows the general structure of a data projection device for projecting data such as a date onto photographic film inside a camera. As shown in this figure, data projection device for cameras 100 is installed in the space between backlid 101 of the camera main unit and platen 102 positioned roughly in parallel to said backlid 101 inside the camera main unit. The surface of platen 102 opposite from backlid 101 is the film installation area along which photographic film 103 is to be installed. Data such as a photographing date can be projected onto this photographic film 103 through opening 102a provided in platen 102.
Data projection device for cameras 100 has a structure in which circuit board 114 on which IC chip 113 is mounted, monitoring liquid crystal display device 115, and data projection liquid crystal display 116 are all sandwiched between first frame plate 111 and second frame plate 112. The two frame plates 111 and 112 are fastened to each other by putting multiple dowels 112a formed on the second frame plate side through through-holes 111a formed on the first frame plate side and flattening their tops.
Monitoring liquid crystal display device 115 for displaying various types of data for the operator is installed and fastened to the inside of second frame plate 112, cover glass 121 is installed on the surface of said display device 115 to protect it, and the surface of the cover glass 121 is exposed to the outside through opening 101a provided in camera backlid 101. Data projection liquid crystal display device 116 located in the position corresponding to opening 102a provided in back plate 102, is installed on the inside of first frame plate 111.
IC chip 113 mounted on circuit board 114 is covered and protected by molding material 122. Drive signals are supplied from the circuit board 114 to monitoring liquid crystal display device 115 via flexible connector plate 123. This connector plate 123 functions as the support plate for pressing display device 115 from the back side toward second frame plate 112 and securing it therein.
Spacer plate 124 prevents connector plate 123 from falling, and this plate 124 also prevents display device 116 from tilting.
Likewise, data projection liquid crystal display device 116 located on the opposite side is electrically connected to circuit board 114 by a pair of connector plates 125 and 126, and is pressed toward first frame plate 111 by these connector plates. Note that data projection device 100 having this configuration is fastened inside the camera main unit by fastening plate 127.
FIG. 8(A) schematically shows a data-projection optical system equipped with data projection liquid crystal display device 116. Various components comprising this optical system are also integrated into data projection device 100. Data projection liquid crystal display device 116 is equipped with liquid crystal cell 201 in which liquid crystals are sealed between a pair of electrode substrates, and can form the data pattern to be projected into photographic film 103 as a translucent area. The light emitted by light source lamp 202 is guided to liquid crystal cell 201 via reflection mirror 203, and is then guided to photographic film 103 after excess light is eliminated by liquid crystal cell 201. As a result, a data image corresponding to the data pattern is projected onto photographic film 103.
Since liquid crystal cell 201 alone cannot sufficiently eliminate excess light, the data image projected onto photographic film 103 via the translucent area of liquid crystal cell 201 sometimes has unclear edges. In order to avoid this problem, a conventional method eliminates excess light by placing light-shielding mask 206 between light source lamp 202 and liquid crystal cell 201.
As shown in FIG. 8(B), light-shielding mask 206 provided for this purpose is provided with translucent area 208 defined by multiple translucent segments 208a having shapes that correspond to the individual segments 207 on the side of liquid crystal cells 201 for forming data patterns, and with light-shielding area 209 formed in the rest of the area. Therefore, by providing this light-shielding mask 206, excess light is eliminated from the light that enters liquid crystal cell 201.
Note that, for light-shielding mask 206, a metal film is usually formed on a glass substrate according to the specified pattern using a film-formation method, such as plating and vapor deposition, and the area without the metal film is used as translucent area 208.
Because the data projection device for cameras having the aforementioned configuration is equipped with light-shielding mask 206, excess light can be eliminated from the light that enters liquid crystal cell 201. However, light is also diffused when passing through liquid crystal cell 201. Consequently, data image definition deterioration due to this kind of diffusion still remains.
To avoid this problem, one possibility is to locate light-shielding mask 206 on the outgoing-light side of liquid crystal cell 201. This can prevent data image definition deterioration that will be caused by the diffusion of the light passing through the liquid crystal cell.
Note that glass substrates are usually used for the pair of electrode substrates which comprise liquid crystal cell 201. If thick substrates can be used for these glass substrates, their processability during manufacturing will improve, resulting in higher yields which is desirable. However, since the light-shielding mask is located on the outgoing-light side of the liquid crystal cell, light is still diffused after passing the translucent area formed by the liquid crystals sealed between the pair of electrode substrates and before reaching the light-shielding mask by passing through the glass substrate on the outgoing-light side.
As explained above, merely increasing the thickness of the glass substrates to improve yield also increases the amount of light diffused when passing through said glass substrates, in proportion to the thickness increase. As a result, the definition of the data image to be projected onto the photographic film deteriorates, which is undesirable.

Data projection device for cameras with a light shielding mask formed between liquid crystal cell and photographic film


A portable information apparatus, such as a portable computer, comprises a housing having a top wall, a keyboard supported by the top wall, and a display unit rotatably coupled to the housing. The display unit can be rotated between a closed position where it covers the top wall and the keyboard and an opened position where it exposes the top wall and the keyboard. The housing incorporates a circuit component and a heatsink. The circuit component generates heat while operating. The heatsink radiates the heat the circuit component generates. The heatsink has a heat-radiating section exposed along the top wall of the housing. The heat-radiating section is opposed by the display unit, no matter whichever position, including the closed and opened positions, the display unit has been rotated to.

The present invention relates to a portable information apparatus, such as a portable computer, which has circuit components generating heat while operating, and more particularly to a structure which promotes heat radiation from the circuit components.
Recently book-size and notebook-size portable computers have had their performance greatly improved. There is the tendency that CPUs for use in portable computers are designed to operate at a higher and higher speed. A CPU of this type is provided in the form of a packaged module generally known as "CPU module." The CPU module is mounted on the circuit board incorporated in a computer housing.
The higher the speed with which a CPU processes data, the greater the electric power the CPU consumes. The greater the power it consumes, the more heat the CPU generates. It is necessary to enhance the efficiency of radiating heat from the CPU provided in the computer housing.
A known as a method of promoting heat radiation from a CPU is to attach a heat sink to the circuit board on which the CPU is mounted. The heat sink has a heat-radiating panel which receives the heat the CPU generates. The panel has a number of heat-radiating fins. The panel is contained in the computer housing and positioned almost parallel to the circuit board. In the computer housing, the panel performs natural radiation of the heat transmitted from the CPU to the heat sink.
A computer incorporating a CPU which generates a large amount of heat has an electric fan. The electric fan is located near the heat sink. The fan is started when the temperature ambient to the CPU reaches a predetermined value. While operated, the fan applies cooling air to the heat sink. The cooling air flows along the heat sink and out of the computer housing. The flow of cooling air drives the heat transmitted from the CPU to the heat sink, out of the computer housing.
As indicated above, the heat sink is provided within the computer housing. Hence, the size and shape of the heat-radiating panel and the number of the heat-radiating fins are determined from the amount of heat the CPU generates while operating, in order to raise the efficiency of radiating heat from the CPU. In the case of an electric fan, the rate at which the fan applies the cooling air to the heat sink is increased to enhance the efficiency of radiating heat from the heat sink.
Portable computers recently developed have a housing reduced in size to meet the demand made in the market. There is the trend that the space available in the housing decreases. The space for accommodating the heat sink is inevitably limited. The designer finds it difficult to make the heat sink larger than the present size.
It is demanded that the CPU be improved in performance. Hence, the trend is that the CPU generates an increasing amount of heat while operating. It is now almost impossible for the heat sink to radiate the heat with a sufficient efficiency. The conventional method may fail to radiate the heat sufficiently if the heat the CPU generates increases further. There is a demand for a heat-radiating structure which can radiate the heat generated by the CPU, with a higher efficiency.
The CPU will generates less heat while operating only if its clock frequency is decreased. If the clock frequency of the CPU is lowered, however, the portable computer will have lower performance. This would run counter to the recent demand that the performance of portable computers be improved further.

Portable information apparatus with heat sink for promoting heat radiation from circuit components


A method and apparatus for performing a memo function in a display system. A memo menu screen is displayed on a display system with an on-screen display (OSD) function when a menu key is selected, and input key is checked. Character or numeral data corresponding character or numeral key is displayed on a screen when the input key is judged to be the character key or the numeral key, and a cursor is shifted and returned to a right side or to a next line of the screen when the input key data is judged to be space or return key. A memo data stored in a memory is read out and displayed when the input key data is judged to be a read key, and a displayed memo data is stored in the memory when the input key data is judged to be a store key. Therefore, character or numeral data can be displayed on the screen and stored in the memory by selecting a corresponding key. Further, a function of the display system can be improved.

The present invention relates to a method for performing a memo function in a display system, and more particularly to a method for performing a memo function in response to an input of key data in a system having an on-screen display function.
In a display system such as monitors of a television (TV), a video tape recorder (VTR) and the like, an on-screen display (OSD) control function for displaying a character, numeral, etc. on a visual screen is used. However, in the case that a user is in need of a memo during watching a TV with the OSD function, the user must manually write the desired memo every time. In other words, even if a conventional TV has the OSD function, only a message for a TV operation, etc. is displayed, and a character or numeral in response to a key input of a user can not be displayed.

Method and apparatus for performing a memo function in a display system


A container support has two legs attached on opposite sides of a container with a third leg attached to one of the legs attached to the container. The third leg pivots to minimize its projection when carrying the container from place to place with the support attached. By making the pivoting leg slightly longer than the leg to which it is attached, the third leg can be set in its extended position by merely rotating the container. Attaching brackets provide for the correct leg angle and easy attachment and detachment of the legs using a force fit between the back of the bracket and the container wall. The use of square tubing and mating attachment bracket for the container-attached legs maintains the correct angles for the support structure. Preferably the two container-attached legs are attached below the points of attachment of the container handle, which in conjunction with the pivoting third leg, minimizes outward projection of the support thereby preventing damage to nearby surfaces and objects when the container is carried from place to place with the support attached.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to supports. More particularly, the invention relates to supports for containers such as buckets and pails.
2. Background of the Invention
A wide variety of supports have been developed for containers used in a variety of situations. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,837,305 to Andren and 4,962,906 to Fatool et al are directed to supports for holding cans and pails on sloping surfaces such as roofs and ladder structures. U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,408 to Sagol is directed to a set of collapsible legs for elevating a beverage container so as to allow a cup to be placed below the container spigot while at the same time avoiding having to place the beverage container at the edge of a table or other supporting surface thereby reducing the possibility of accidental displacement of the container and/or spillage of its contents onto a floor or patio surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,690 to Rutledge discloses a tripod supported platform with retainers for holding a paint bucket or a paint roller tray to the platform. Sumen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,683,014, discloses a utility pail holder that consists of a band that circumscribes the outer wall of the pail and has depending arms that hook over the bottom lip of the pail with pivoting feet attached to the depending arms. The feet require individual and direct manual intervention in raising or lowering each of them into position.
The ubiquitous plastic pail commonly associated with wall joint compounds, food packaging, paints, and so forth, has spawned a growing variety of secondary uses for these containers, including use as tool caddies, to carry fishing tackle, as wash buckets, etc. However, because these containers are typically set on the floor, there is a considerable amount of bending on the part of the user in placing items into or taking them out of or otherwise using the pail. As a consequence, there is a definite need to place the container on a support that reduces the bending effort and thereby makes it easier to use. There is also a need for a support that is easy to attach and detach from the container, easy to move from place to place when attached to the container, and easy to position on the supporting surface.


Various embodiments disclose an electronic circuit for an electrochemical gas sensor. The electronic circuit comprises a first switching element electrically coupled to a reference terminal of the electrochemical gas sensor and a ground voltage terminal. Further, the electronic circuit comprises a second switching element electrically coupled to a sensing terminal of the electrochemical gas sensor and the ground voltage terminal. In an instance in which the electrochemical gas sensor is powered OFF, the first switching element and the second switching element are configured to electrically couple the reference terminal and the sensing terminal to the ground voltage terminal such that current generated when the sensing electrode and the target gas react while the electrochemical gas sensor is powered OFF flows to the ground voltage terminal and the potential of the reference terminal and the sensing terminal remain the equal.

Conventional electrochemical gas sensors typically include a reference electrode and a sensing electrode that are in contact with an electrolyte. In operation, the sensing electrode may be coupled with a control and measuring circuit and a voltage source (e.g., battery) that may be configured to apply a predefined bias voltage to the sensing electrode relative to the reference electrode. When the sensing electrode comes into contact with a gas to be detected, e.g., when the gas diffuses in the electrochemical gas sensor, the gas reacts with the sensing electrode, which generates a current at the sensing electrode. A magnitude of the generated current may be indicative of a concentration of the gas detected by the electrochemical gas sensor.
Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional electronic circuits for electrochemical gas sensors. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

Electronic circuit for an electrochemical gas sensor


Replication-competent recombinant viruses, particularly replication-competent recombinant polioviruses, which include (1) exogenous nucleic acid sequences which encode an exogenous polypeptide and (2) a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an artificial proteolytic cleavage site for a viral or cellular protease which proteolytically processes (cleaves) the precursor protein produced by the parent virus and uses therefor. The recombinant precursor is cleaved into the usual array of constituent proteins, freeing the exogenous polypeptide. Replication-competent recombinant viruses are useful as vaccines against bacterial, viral, fungal and yeast infections, parasitic diseases, cancer and allergies.

Presently, there are many types of vaccines used to immunize individuals against disease. Although those available are generally safe and, at least to some extent, effective in inducing an immune response, all have limitations. In addition, for some diseases, there is no effective vaccine. The development of alternatives to presently-available vaccines and of new vaccines to protect against diseases for which no vaccine is currently available would be an important step in reducing the morbidity and mortality caused by many diseases.

Replication-competent recombinant viral vaccines and method of producing same

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research


A method for performing a medical procedure, includes, coupling a probe to tissue in an organ of a patient. Ablation energy is applied to the tissue using the probe. A model of an evolution of steam pressure in the tissue, caused by the ablation energy, as a function of time is estimated. Based on the model, an occurrence time of a steam pop event caused by the steam pressure is predicted, and the predicted occurrence time of the steam pop event is indicated to an operator.

Minimally-invasive intracardiac ablation is the treatment of choice for various types of arrhythmias. To perform such treatment, the physician typically inserts a catheter through the vascular system into the heart, brings the distal end of the catheter into contact with myocardial tissue in areas of abnormal electrical activity, and then energizes one or more electrodes at or near the distal end in order to create tissue necrosis.
A number of systems for intracardiac ablation therapy are commercially available, such as the CARTO™ system offered by Biosense Webster Inc. (Diamond Bar, Calif.). CARTO tracks the position and operating parameters of the distal end of the catheter and displays this information electronically on a three-dimensional (3D) anatomical map of the heart. CARTO enables the system operator to electronically tag locations that have been ablated on the map and thus to keep track of the progress of the procedure.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009/0287205, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a system for controllably delivering ablation energy to tissue. The system includes an ablation device operable to supply ablation energy to body tissue causing bubbles to form in the tissue, an ultrasound transducer configured to detect energy spontaneously emitted by collapsing or shrinking bubbles that are resonating in the tissue, and a control element operably coupled to the ablation device and the ultrasound transducer element, the control element being configured to adjust the ablation energy supplied to the tissue in response to the energy detected by the ultrasound transducer to prevent tissue popping caused by bubble expansion.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2011/0224664 and European Patent Application Publication EP 2364664, whose disclosures are incorporated herein by reference, describe a method for ablating tissue in an organ inside a body of a subject. The method includes bringing a probe inside the body into a position in contact with the tissue to be ablated, and measuring one or more local parameters at the position using the probe prior to ablating the tissue. A map of the organ is displayed, showing, based on the one or more local parameters, a predicted extent of ablation of the tissue to be achieved for a given dosage of energy applied at the position using the probe. The given dosage of energy is applied to ablate the tissue using the probe, and an actual extent of the ablation at the position is measured using the probe subsequent to ablating the tissue. The measured actual extent of the ablation is displayed on the map for comparison with the predicted extent.
European Patent EP 2094150, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for monitoring formation of steam pocket during ablation, wherein a measured reflectance spectral intensity (MRSI) versus time is analyzed. The method includes delivering light to tissue, and measuring the reflectance spectral intensity of the tissue, wherein observation is made as to whether the MRSI initially increases in a specified time period followed by a decrease at a specified rate in the MRSI. If there is no decrease in the MRSI, then delivery of ablation energy to tissue continues. However, if there is a decrease in the MRSI within a specified time and at a specified rate, then the method infers the formation of a steam pocket and decreases or discontinues the delivery of ablative energy to tissue.

Real-time prediction of steam-pop events during ablation


A rechargeable battery includes: a case; a first electrode assembly accommodated in the case; and second and third electrode assemblies accommodated in the case at positions adjacent to the case with the first electrode assembly being disposed therebetween. The second and third electrode assemblies have thicknesses different from that of the first electrode assembly.

Field
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a rechargeable battery.
Description of the Related Technology
Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) are rechargeable and are widely used in small high-tech electronic devices such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and laptop computers.
High energy batteries are required with the advance of electronic devices. In addition, since rechargeable batteries are used for long periods of time after recharging, the safety of rechargeable batteries in the use environment have become an important issue. Particularly, if a conductive material penetrates a rechargeable battery due to, for example, an impact, the rechargeable battery may explode by an internal short circuit.


Image data generated at a first mobile device is transferred to a storage service that is accessible via a communications infrastructure and with which a first party associated with the first mobile entity is preferably registered. This transfer is effected via one or more nearby third-party mobile devices with the first mobile device initially transferring the image data and an identifier of itself to the or each nearby third-party mobile device by using, for example, a short-range wireless link. The or each third-party device is then responsible for directly or indirectly forwarding the image data and the first-party identifier over the communications infrastructure to the storage service where it is stored. In one preferred embodiment, a reward is credited to any party whose device has been used in the successful transfer of image data to the storage service on behalf of the first party.

Conventional digital cameras are typically constrained by battery life and by image-data storage capacity. It is therefore not uncommon for a user to find that near the end of a day the digital camera has insufficient free image-data memory to take further images that present themselves. The user must then choose between missing the newly presented images or deleting stored image data to make room for new images.
There already exist a number of internet-connected image-data storage systems which permit registered users to store large amounts of image data for access by themselves (or others to whom they grant access). These storage service systems are typically web based and generally provide functionality enabling a user to organise their images as desired—in other words, the user is effectively provided with an on-line photo-album service.
Such on-line storage services would seem to offer digital camera users the possibility of circumventing the problem of limited local image-data memory by uploading the image data to the storage service whenever the local memory is low on free space. However, many digital cameras do not have the functionality necessary to connect to the storage service whilst mobile (this would typically require wireless connectivity via a communications infrastructure including a cellular Public Land Mobile Network, or a wireless LAN, connected to the internet). Furthermore, even if equipped with appropriate mobile communication means for connecting via the communications infrastructure to the storage service, the digital camera may well have low battery power levels at the same time as experiencing low available memory problems with the result that it is not possible to establish a reliable connection through the communications infrastructure to the storage service.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible way of transferring image data from a mobile entity to a remote storage service.

System for uploading image data from a user mobile device to a nearby third-party mobile device before transfering to a network storage service device

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The invention provides a new method and apparatus for NTSC and PAL image sensors which employs fusion of adjacent row pixel charge samples to generate image data for a row. A variety of fusion schemes are possible for fusing the pixel signals from the adjacent rows. The rows of pixels are scanned so that each scan takes an odd row signal sample and, in some cases, an adjacent even row signal sample when specified conditions are met. One sampled row of the two adjacent rows integrate an image with a first integration period while the other adjacent row integrates an image with a second integration period.

An important performance characteristic of imaging devices is dynamic range. A large dynamic range is desirable in applications for sensing low light signals and capturing images with large variations in illuminance or brightness.
In particular, the dynamic range of an image sensor can be defined as the ratio of the minimum illuminance the sensor detects under saturation to the illuminance the sensor detects at signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) equal to 1. The dynamic range of a scene can also be expressed as the ratio of its highest illumination level to its lowest illumination level.
Intrascene dynamic range refers to the range of incident signal that can be accommodated by a sensor in a single frame of imager data. Examples of scenes that generate high dynamic range incident signals include an indoor room with outdoor window, outdoor mixed shadow and bright sunshine, night time scenes combining artificial lighting and shadows, and in automotive context, an auto entering or about to leave a tunnel or shadowed area on a bright day.
Many different types of approaches for creating devices with high dynamic range have been described in the literature. A common denominator of most approaches rely on performing companding within the pixel by a having either a total conversion to a log scale (so-called logarithmic pixel) or a mixed linear and logarithmic response region in the pixel. These approaches have several major drawbacks. First, the knee point in linear-to-log transition is difficult to control leading to fixed pattern noise in the output image. Second, under low light the log portion of the circuit is slow to respond leading to lag. Third, a logarithmic representation of the signal in the voltage domain (or charge domain) means that small variations in signal due to fixed pattern noise leads to large variations in represented signal.
Linear approaches have also been used to increase dynamic range where the integration time is varied during a frame capture to generate several different integrated pixel signals. In the context of a CMOS pixel, integration time refers to the time period during which a capacitor or charge well accumulates a charge or discharges a voltage from a pre-charge level (from a reset voltage) as a result of exposure of a photosensor to incident light. The integrated signal is then read-out and sampled. If a CMOS pixel's stored charge rises or falls to a point where it cannot further increase or decrease during the integration period, then it is said that the CMOS pixel has reached its saturation point. Conventional implementations which vary integration time during frame capture have require additional logic and memory structures to store data generated by reading out the pixel at different points in time and thus are less than optimal as a design choice.
FIG. 1 shows how changes in integration time affects the magnitude of light intensity which a CMOS sensor can absorb without reaching the saturation voltage 1 thereby avoiding loss of image data. In particular, the FIG. 1 example demonstrates the behavior of the output signal from a pixel with a long integration time 2 and a short integration time 3.
Capturing still images with different integration times and then merging them is an effective way to extend the dynamic range of a linear sensor without losing contrast at high light level, in a manner similar to how nonlinear sensors perform. For a linear sensor, a signal output S is proportional to light intensity and integration time. With a constant light input I over an integration time Tint, the signal output can be expressed asS=ks·I·Tint  (1)                where ks is the pixel's sensitivity.
For the example shown in FIG. 1, with one integration period 4, the sensor's dynamic range is independent of integration time, which is
                    DR        =                                            Saturation                                                                                voltage                                      Read                                                                                noise                                =                                                    I                                  L                                                                                max                                                            I                                  L                                                                                min                                                      =                                          I                                  S                                                                                max                                                            I                                  S                                                                                min                                                                                (        2        )                            where ILmax 5 is the minimum light intensity which causes the pixel to saturate with integration time TL. ILmin 6 is the light intensity when signal output equals read noise with integration time TL. ISmax 7 is the minimum light intensity which causes the pixel to saturate with integration time TS. ISmin 8 is the light intensity when signal output equals read noise with integration time TS. With two integration times (i.e., range 9), the extended dynamic range DRext can be expressed as
                              DR          ext                =                                            I                              S                                                                                max                                                    I                              L                                                                                min                                              =                                                    T                L                                            T                S                                      ·            DR                                              (        3        )
Accordingly, dynamic range (DR) is extended by the ratio of the long integration time to the short integration time. For example, if long integration time is 20 and short integration time is 4, then DR is be multiplied by a factor of 5.
A multiple integration approach was first used in CCD sensors to increase dynamic range. A similar approach was used in CMOS active pixel sensors and in charge multiplication devices (CMD) and since its initial use, the multiple integration approach has become one of the most commonly used techniques in high dynamic range sensors.
A conventional high dynamic range imager uses two sample and hold circuits: one is a linear sample and hold circuit for each column of the array and captures a linear signal related to a difference between the pixel image output signal and a reset output signal to which the pixel is reset at the beginning of the integration period. The other is an extended dynamic range (XDR) sample and hold circuit for each column of the array which captures an XDR signal related to a difference between the pixel image output signal and an XDR reset level to which the pixel is reset at a predetermined time before the end of the integration period.
A high intrascene dynamic range CMOS active pixel sensor using dual sampling has been previously created but has a number of shortcomings. For example, a second column signal processing chain circuit and associated sample and hold circuit must be added to the upper part of the CMOS sensor. During operation, row n is first selected for read out and copied into a lower sample and hold circuit. Row n is reset in the process. Immediately after row n is read out, row n−Δ is then selected and sampled into the upper sample and hold circuit. Row n−Δ is also reset as a consequence of being copied. Both sample and hold circuits are then scanned to read out stored data. After the two sample and hold circuits are read out, the row address increases by one, and the whole process starts over again. In this readout scheme, the second readout always lags Δ rows behind the first read out. If integration time is defined for the pixels copied to the lower sample and hold circuit as T1int, while the integration time for pixels copied to the upper sample and hold circuit as T2int, the ratio of T1int T2int is (N−Δ):Δ. The intrascene dynamic range capability of the sensor is extended by the factor T1int/T2int.
There are several advantages of the dual sampling approach. First, linearity of the signal is preserved. Second, no modification to the standard CMOS APS pixel is required to achieve high dynamic range so that fill factor and pixel size can be optimized. Third, the low read noise of the CMOS APS pixel is preserved. Fourth, the extended dynamic range operation can be optionally employed, depending on control signals to the chip, without sacrificing sensor performance.
A major disadvantage of the dual sampling approach is that outputting the signal for two integration periods requires an additional analog memory on chip to synchronize these outputs. Another shortcoming is that dual sampling has not been optimally implemented for use with Phase Alternating Line (PAL) and National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) standard compliant image sensors.
The NTSC standard is the one most commonly used for video standards in North America and Japan. Europe uses PAL and the French use SECAM video standards. Both PAL and NTSC are 4:3 horizontal-to-vertical picture aspect ratios. Most television video transmitters and receivers use interlaced scanning rather than the non-interlaced progressive scanning.
Conventional dual sample image sensors using the NTSC and PAL format produce interlaced output, not progressive scan-output (non-interlaced). As shown in FIG. 2, an image frame 15 containing rows and columns of pixels is divided into two fields: an odd field (Field 1) 13 consisting of all the odd numbered rows of pixels, and the even field (Field 2) 14 consisting of all the even numbered rows of pixels. The two fields per frame scheme is known as a 2:1 interlace. Half of the frame is recorded by the odd field at time T1, and the other half of the frame is recorded by the even field at time T2. Progressive scan sensors read out a complete frame with no interlacing one row at a time. Progressive scan methods have desirable attributes such as better image capture for subjects which are moving. Thus, it would be desirable to have an increased dynamic image CMOS image sensor which is NTSC and PAL compliant and which provides a progressive scan output.

High intrascene dynamic range NTSC and PAL imager


A massaging body-gym apparatus is composed of a rod, at least two rollers, two positioning sleeves, two sealing covers and an elastic rope. A positioning device is installed in the roller, composed of a pair of half positioning bases and a positioning bar. The positioning sleeve has a blocking disc bored with a restricting hole for inserted by the positioning bar. With the positioning bar inserted in or separated from the restricting hole of the positioning sleeve, the roller can be positioned immovably or released to rotate freely, so that, combined with different postures, various parts of a human body can be exercised or massaged. In addition, the present invention is small and light, handy for carrying.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a massaging body-gym apparatus, particularly to one having a massaging function, and possible to be carried around conveniently.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As more and more people are getting civilization diseases, health care is deemed much by people. Exercise may be absolutely a simplest and most important method for it, so there are a lot of commercial massage tools for relieving physical sore and pain, and body gym apparatuses for bodybuilding. However, the massage tools or the body-gym apparatus can only provide single function. Different parts of a body need a diversity of body-gym apparatuses and massaging devices have to be extra prepared for relieving physical sore and pain. That means a user has to spend a great deal of money to purchase them and prepare a large space to place them. Moreover, they are always too big to be easily carried.


A method of filling a hydrogen-storage tank with a metal-organic framework (MOF) includes inserting MOF through an opening of the hydrogen-storage tank to at least partially fill an interior cavity of the tank with MOF. The method further includes positioning a compactor relative to the tank. The compactor includes a tamp configured to change shape between an insertion state in which the tamp is insertable through the opening and an expanded state in which the tamp is enlarged to be bigger than the opening. The method also includes inserting the tamp through the opening when the tamp is in the insertion state and switching the tamp from the insertion state to the expanded state. The method further includes compacting the MOF with the tamp.

The hydrogen fuel cell, and in particular the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), is a potential power source for future automobiles and stationary applications. The reaction in a PEMFC involves hydrogen molecules splitting into hydrogen ions and electrons at the anode, while protons re-combine with oxygen and electrons to form water and release heat at the cathode. Natural-gas engines are another technology being implemented in motor vehicles to reduce emissions. Both hydrogen-powered and natural-gas powered vehicles include on-board storage tanks for storing the fuel. Current technology for storing hydrogen or natural gas fuel on-board a vehicle is compressed gas. These on-board compressed-storage systems are bulky and expensive.

Methods and apparatuses for filling adsorbent powder in a hydrogen or natural gas tank


An apparatus for continuous vacuum forming a material having a flexible patterned belt continuously rotatable with a flat support belt over a vacuum manifold. The flexible patterned belt includes apertures therein and the support belt includes perforations therein for drawing air therethrough. The material is drawn onto the flexible patterned belt for vacuum forming the material. The flat support belt provides improved stability of the flexible patterned belt and improved vacuum characteristics between the belts

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuous vacuum forming of a plasticized material in which a flexible patterned belt having apertures therein is continuously rotatable with a perforated flat support belt over a vacuum chamber to provide improved stability of the belts and improved vacuum characteristics between the belts and the material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art apparatus for continuous forming of molded plastic sheets have used a continuously moving conveyor belt where the sheet is vacuum formed. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,868, an extruder deposits a thermoplastic material to an endless conveyor belt mold. The conveyor belt mold is made of a flexible material contoured with the grooved design shown on the product. The conveyor belt mold has a plurality of holes therethrough to provide means for exerting a vacuum onto the thermoplastic material received by the belt. A vacuum box located beneath the conveyor belt mold provides means which exerts suction on the thermoplastic material to shape the material into the mold design of the surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,383 describes an apparatus for producing an embossed thermoplastic sheet in which an endless, seamless screen is used as the embossing surface. The screen is rotated by a plurality of rotatable rolls. The perforated screen is advanced at the same rate as a heated film. A vacuum assembly applies a vacuum to a part of the undersurface of the perforated screen to pull the heated film into contact with the upper surface of the screen to cause the film to assume the shape provided on the top surface of the screen or belt. The vacuum assembly includes a vacuum manifold connected to end plates. Seal rolls are rotatably supported which contact the underside of the screen. Two movable seal members are connected to the end plates adjacent the seal rolls for making sliding sealing contact with the manifold, seal rolls and the underside of the screen. The seal rolls can be constructed from a fluorine containing polymeric material such as Teflon.RTM.. The above described patents use of a single conveyor belt has the shortcoming of frequent breakage of the belt during application of the vacuum to the belt. Also, the use of a single conveyor belt has the disadvantage that the outside surface of the belt tends move faster than its inside surface creating creep of the belt when vacuum is applied to the belt.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,325, issued to one of the inventors of this disclosure, describes a continuous vacuum forming apparatus including a pair of flexible belts for facilitating the vacuum forming operation and providing a flat surface against which the vacuum can be performed. The upper belt is formed of a flexible rubber material and the lower belt is formed of an open weave metallic material to allow air to be drawn therethrough. A flexibly resilient pattern form including a plurality of apertures is applied to the upper belt. The woven support belt is formed of an open weave material including longitudinal and lateral sections impregnated with rubber material which is impervious to air flow. The sections form a plurality of rectangular vacuum sections through which air can pass to the open weave material. The sections concentrate the vacuum into bands or channels. The apertures in the pattern form are in fluid flow communication with the vacuum sections to draw the hot plasticized material onto the patterned form. This patent has the shortcoming that the use of a woven belt with impregnated sections creates a belt which is not completely flat resulting in loss of vacuum around the raised surfaces. Also, the use of broad channels for vacuum creates sections along the belt without vacuum.


A receiver is configured to capture a plurality of linearly distorted OFDM symbols transmitted over a signal path. The receiver forms the captured OFDM symbols into an overlapped compound data block that includes payload data and at least one pseudo-extension, processes the overlapped compound block with circular convolution in the time domain using an inverse channel response, or frequency domain equalization, to produce an equalized compound block, and discards end portions of the equalized block to produce a narrow equalized block. The end portion corresponds with the pseudo-extension, and the narrow block corresponds with the payload data. The receiver cascades multiple narrow equalized blocks to form a de-ghosted signal stream of OFDM symbols. The OFDM symbols may be OFDM or OFDMA, and may or may not include a cyclic prefix, which will have a different length from the pseudo-extension.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to digital transmission systems, and more particularly, to multi-carrier wired, wireless, and optical digital transmission systems.
Conventional digital transmission systems typically include both linear and non-linear distortion. However, for the purposes of the following discussion, use of the term "distortion" is generally intended to refer to linear distortion only. Conventional digital transmission systems also utilize symbols with coefficients, either in the time domain (TD) or frequency domain (FD), which are generally complex-value sequences. That is, the coefficients of the complex symbols typically include both a real component and an imaginary component, or alternatively, a magnitude and a phase value. Time and frequency domains are related, and the two domains are duals of each other. That is, for a plot or a sequence of numerical values, it must be known whether to observe the plotted numbers as time domain or frequency domain values.
This distinction is of particular significance when considering multi-carrier (MC) digital transmissions, such as with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmissions. OFDM symbols, for example, when plotted, appear as discrete values in the frequency domain, but look like random noise in the time domain. In contrast, if a transmission is single carrier (SC), its symbols can be viewed as discrete values in the time domain, but look like random noise in the frequency domain. Thus, multi-carrier and single carrier transmissions are viewed in different domains.
One type of distortion that is known to severely affect digital transmissions is multipath. Multipath linear distortion is sometimes referred to as "echoes," "ghosts," or "dispersion." An example of an echo distortion is shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration depicting a conventional transmission system 100. System 100 includes a transmitter 102 with a transmitting antenna 104 and a receiver 106 with a receiving antenna 108. Transmitter 102 modulates a baseband signal onto a carrier, thereby forming an RF signal 110 for communication over a signal path 112 between transmitter 102 and receiver 106. Data over signal path 112 includes telephony, computer code, file data, network data, internet, world wide web (WWW), entertainment video, video phone, security alarm signals, etc. The data may be widely broadcast, or intended for only the single receiver 106. Signal path 112 includes (i) a direct path portion 114, and (ii) an echo path portion 116 that reflects off of a reflecting object 118. Data traveling over direct path portion 114 results in a direct signal portion 120 at receiver 106, and data traveling over echo path portion 116 results in an echo signal portion 122 at receiver 106. Direct signal portion 120 and echo signal portion are collectively received by receiver 106 as a received signal 124.
Thus, the presence of echoes from reflections (e.g., from reflecting object 118) causes received signal 124 to be distorted by the presence of echo signal portion 122 combined with a direct signal portion 120. In some cases, direct path portion 114 may be blocked by an obstruction 126 between transmitter 102 and receiver 106, and the only signal reception possible will be from echo signal portion 122 over echo path portion 116. In many cases, the received signal includes multiple echo signals. If the frequency response of the signal path 112 is measured, the presence of a strong echo will cause ripples in the magnitude of the response, where the reciprocal of the frequency difference between peaks is the time delay of the echo from path 116, relative to the direct signal 120.
On wired signal paths, echoes may alternatively occur from impedance mismatches within coaxial networks. With multipath linear distortion, one or more copies of the original signal—typically with a delay and attenuation—are added to the original signal. On wireless signal paths, the multipath linear distortion, and therefore the attenuated and delayed copies, may be caused by signals reflecting from structures, such as buildings, water towers, etc. In the example of radiated transmissions such as received broadcast analog television pictures, the multipath linear distortion may appear as additional fainter images superimposed on the intended image, along with a typical delay relative to the intended image received over a direct transmission path.
On single mode fiber optic cable using coherent optical signals, the transmission characteristics are different relative to RF (sub-100 GHz) wired and wireless signal paths. For example, a 1550 nm wavelength laser has an optical frequency of 193e12 Hz. In single mode glass fiber, an impairment called Chromatic Dispersion (CD) is encountered, which is similar to group delay encountered, typically from filters, at much lower wired and wireless frequencies. Signals at different frequencies (optical wavelengths) travel at different speeds down the fiber optic cable and this linear distortion needs to be equalized to minimize inter-symbol interference (ISI). This impairment becomes more severe with increasing bandwidth and more severe with longer fiber optic cable spans. This type of signal interference is different from echoes, which are not typically encountered on fiber optic transport media. Coaxial cables and free space, on the other hand, experience virtually no group delay (chromatic dispersion). Thus, CD is created by different wavelengths of a signal traveling at different speeds, whereas echoes are reflected copies of the same signal.
On optical fiber, different polarizations can be used for simultaneous transmission of two different signals, but because fiber cores sometimes have elliptical shapes, as opposed to round shapes, signals with different polarizations travel at different rates, resulting in an impairment that must be removed at the receiver. Satellites and microwave towers also use vertical and horizontal polarizations for signals propagating in free space, but free space propagation does not experience polarization distortions. In some conventional OFDMA and single-carrier frequency-division multiple-access (SC-FDMA) systems, overlapping signals from multiple transmitters are combined from multiple transmitters at RF frequencies. At optical frequencies, however, these overlapping signal techniques experienced optical beat interference (OBI) problem unless the optical signal phase purity is high. Therefore, echo problems are generally encountered on wired and wireless channels, but not on fiber optic cable (e.g., due to use of angled connectors).
In the case of digital transmissions, mild multipath distortion will increase the bit error rate (BER) in the presence of random noise or other additive impairments, and may thus be corrected, whereas un-equalized severe multipath distortion, on the other hand, may render the received data useless for further processing at the receiver end. Other types of linear distortions, such as a non-flat frequency response or a group delay, may also affect or impair digital transmissions. These types of distortions may result from imperfect filters and/or amplifier tilt.
Some conventional techniques have been utilized to eliminate, or at least equalize, multipath linear distortion in the time domain or frequency domain. One conventional time domain technique utilizes an adaptive equalizer to correct for multipath distortion. The adaptive equalizer sums a received distorted signal with a delayed version of the distorted signal, in order to cancel the received echoes. This cancellation process is referred to as equalization, or "de-ghosting." Conventional adaptive equalization schemes sometimes employ a filter architecture such as a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, which utilizes a number of taps (either hardware or software) that are configured to execute a multiply-accumulate operation, and programs coefficients in the adaptive equalizer to cancel received echoes. Such programming may utilize a particular reference signal, also referred to as a training signal or "ghost-canceling" signal, so that the programmed coefficients are computed as an inverse of the channel response. The frequency and the impulse response of the channel may also be determined as intermediate steps, and, in the time domain, tap coefficients are computed as the reciprocal of the impulse response. In some instances, the adaptive equalizer is programmed using blind equalization techniques. An exemplary FIR filter architecture is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,749, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Echoes on cable lines can come in two varieties: single recursion and multiple (infinite) recursion. An infinite recursion occurs, for example, by an echo tunnel as a signal bounces back and forth in the tunnel, getting weaker on each pass. FIG. 1B is a graphical illustration depicting examples of conventional time domain plots 128 for a multiple recursion 130 and a single recursion 132 on an echo signal path, and respective adaptive equalizer solutions (impulse response) 134 implemented to correct the encountered recursion 130 or 132. As shown in illustration 128, the adaptive equalizer solution 134M that corrects multiple recursion echo 130 though, is itself a single recursion. In contrast, where the main signal path experiences single recursion 132 (e.g., as can happen with two signal paths), the adaptive equalizer solution 134S that corrects single recursion echo 132 though, is a multiple recursion. In the conventional systems, multiple recursion solution 134M requires more taps, or more time, than would single recursion solution 134S to remove an echo. If the echo is stronger, even more taps, with significant energy, are required.
Conventional adaptive equalization techniques, however, are significantly limited with respect to complex signals that require processing of a large number of coefficients (e.g., greater than 8 or 64). Because the FIR filter utilizes linear convolution, the rate of required computations increases as the product of the number of taps, multiplied by the clocking speed of the taps. For hardware-implemented taps, a large number of coefficients will significantly increase the cost and size of the physical structure that performs the adaptive equalization. For software-implemented taps, an exponential increase will significantly increase the required processing speed of the programming that performs computations. Large quantities of taps are particularly necessary where, for example, the clock frequency of the equalizer is high, and where a received echo is long.
Some conventional techniques attempt to solve the multiple-computational problems associated with adaptive equalization by taking a received distorted signal in the time domain, separating the time domain signal into blocks, and then transforming the blocks into the frequency domain, such as through use of a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The transformed blocks thus become sets of frequency domain subcarriers, and each frequency domain subcarrier may then be multiplied by a single complex coefficient to remove the associated linear distortion. This process is known as frequency domain equalization (FDE).
Once the linear distortion is removed, the frequency domain blocks are converted back into time domain blocks. A problem occurs, however, if the blocks are contaminated with foreign or extraneous energy, such as might occur from echo energy transporting distortion from a previous block. Conventional systems address this energy transportation problem through use of cyclic prefixes (CP), which are a set of time domain symbols copied from the end of the block and pasted onto the front of the block.
FIG. 2A is a graphical illustration of a time domain signal 200 of a conventional OFDM transmission 202 having a cyclic prefix 204, utilized in accordance with transmission system 100, FIG. 1A. Typically, an OFDM carrier signal is the sum of one or more OFDM symbols, each symbol made up of a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers, and with baseband data on each subcarrier being independently modulated. In an embodiment, OFDM transmission 202 is a carrier signal transmitted using technology such as the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), version 3.1, or one or more of many known and burgeoning wireless standards. As described above, OFDM implements a plurality of different subcarriers, all of which are harmonics of a fundamental, to obtain orthogonality.
DOCSIS specifications conventionally utilize OFDM for downstream signals and OFDMA for upstream signals. OFDM and OFDMA are complimentary. OFDM is typically used in the downstream transmission where there is one transmitter (e.g., a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)) sending information to multiple receivers (e.g., cable modems). OFDMA is typically used in the upstream transmission where there are multiple transmitters (e.g., the cable modems) transmitting to one receiver (e.g., the CMTS). The cyclic prefix is therefore commonly used in both OFDM and OFDMA.
The cyclic prefix functions as a "guard time" that separates data bursts, and allows any micro-reflection from one burst to die out before the next burst is received, thereby eliminating interference from one block to the next. The cyclic prefix is therefore considered particularly essential over an HFC network, where reflections frequently occur. Reflections are often created by impedance mismatches on the HFC network and result from a number of issues, including manufacturing tolerances of passive hardware such as taps, power inserters, and splitter, active hardware such as amplifiers, and connectors. Combined multiple micro-reflections therefore, create linear distortions, which cause a number of impairments to signal transmission, including amplitude ripple (standing waves), group delay ripple, inter-symbol interference, and degraded modulation error ratio (MER) on digital signals transmitted on the HFC network. For a conventional multicarrier equalization processes, the cyclic prefix should be longer than any echo in the signal path. Accordingly, various durations of cyclic prefixes are utilized to accommodate a variety of echo delays in the HFC network, thereby significantly increasing the overhead of the network, but without carrying any useful customer information in the transmission of the cyclic prefix.
OFDM transmission 202 includes, for example, first harmonic subcarrier 206, second harmonic subcarrier 208, third harmonic subcarrier 210, and fourth harmonic subcarrier 212. For ease of explanation, only four such subcarriers of OFDM transmission 202 are illustrated, but typically, many more subcarriers exist. Each of the harmonically-related subcarriers 206, 208, 210, 212 may have different magnitude and phase values. When all four subcarriers 206, 208, 210, 212 are combined, or summed, for transmission, the summed result is a single composite signal 214.
Orthogonality allows each of the original subcarriers to be separated at the receiver (e.g., receiver 106, FIG. 1), such as with utilization of Fourier processes. That is, a discrete Fourier transform (e.g., an FFT) converts a set of time domain values into frequency domain values, and an inverse discrete Fourier transform (e.g., an IFFT) converts frequency domain values into time domain values. The larger the transform, the greater is the efficiency improvement by using an FFT, as opposed to a simple discrete Fourier transform. The FFT block sizes may be efficiently implemented with a block size of radix 2 (2{circumflex over ( )}n, where n is an integer), such as 256, or 1024, but other efficient transform block sizes are possible. Cyclic prefix 204 is created by copying symbols from an end region 216 (shown shaded in gray) of composite signal 214, and pasting the copied signals onto the beginning region thereof as a guard interval. Cyclic prefix 204 thus allows circular convolution or FDE to be performed on OFDM transmission 202, without suffering interference from a previous OFDM block if there is an echo on the channel. However, for this example, it is assumed that the echo is shorter than cyclic prefix 204.
FIG. 2B is a graphical illustration of a frequency domain signal 218 of OFDM transmission 202, FIG. 2A. That is, frequency domain signal 218 represents a spectral plot of OFDM transmission 202 in the frequency domain. Frequency domain signal 218 may be obtained by performing a discrete Fourier transform or an FFT on composite time domain signal 214, FIG. 2A. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, each of time domain harmonic subcarriers 206, 208, 210, 212 has a respective frequency domain component subcarrier 220, 222, 224, 226, each having both a magnitude and a phase value. Under these conventional techniques, OFDM transmissions may be viewed in either the time domain or the frequency domain. However, composite signal 214 appears noise-like, or random in the time domain, which is problematic for multiple-carrier symbols. In comparison, some single-carrier symbols, such as single-carrier frequency-division multiple-access (SC-FDMA) can also be viewed either in the time domain or the frequency domain, but such single-carrier symbols resemble noise when viewed in the frequency domain. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop systems and methods capable of receiving, equalizing, and utilizing the same multiple-carrier or multiple-access symbols in both the time domain and the frequency domain.
Cyclic prefixes provide block-to-block isolation, and thus transmission of digital information is often performed with blocks of data. Some conventional systems use linear code, such as a Reed-Solomon code or Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes, for purposes of forward error correction (FEC), which allows a percentage of erred symbols to be corrected by the code. Use of cyclic prefixes, however, requires additional resources to transmit the extra data that constitutes the cyclic prefix. The required cyclic prefix data reduces the bandwidth efficiency of transmissions, thereby limiting the amount of data that can be transmitted within a given frequency band, while also requiring additional power and decreasing the battery life of system components. Moreover, as described above, cyclic prefixes are not completely effective in the case where the cyclic prefix portion of time domain data is shorter than the length, or duration, of a received echo.

Systems and methods for multi-carrier signal echo management using pseudo-extensions


A golf accessory tool with an elongate rigid handle, one end of the handle terminating in a double sided brush and a cleat cleaning pick, the other end of the handle terminating in a standard bottle and can opener. One side of the double sided brush has nylon or similar plastic bristles for cleaning the tops of golf shoes, golf balls and the like. The opposing brush has metal bristles that can dean golf shoe cleats and golf clubs. A preferred embodiment includes a centrally located cigar clipping device and a spring reel and tether assembly. The tether and spring reel is attached to a clip that can removably fasten to a golf bag or golf cart or belt.

This invention relates generally to the field of golfing accessories and more specifically to a multipurpose golf accessory tool.
Golf is a sport that has been practiced around the world for many years. In the process of playing golf, a person uses golf clubs to hit a golf ball, wears cleated golf shoes while on golfing on a lawn type playing field and many times smoke cigars and also become thirsty in the process of playing in the hot sun.A number of tools or accessories have been designed and marketed to help golfers clean their clubs, balls, shoes and cleats and to help open refreshments and cut cigar tips.Unfortunately, these tools take up valuable space in a golf bag or cart and can become easily misplaced. Additionally, the purchase of multiple tools can be quite expensive.


A method for determining and optimizing manufacturing of an object by additive manufacturing. One or more computers access a three-dimensional digital model of the object and automatically generate a selected number of versions of supports for manufacture of the object. An image of the generated supports is displayed along with the object for visual perception by a user. The user visually observes the displayed versions of supports and object and uses the images to evaluate whether manufacturing the object by additive manufacturing is viable and whether the additive manufacturing supports are optimized. When viable, the object may be built by additive manufacturing using the optimized additive manufacturing supports to support the object.

Various types of articles may be created using additive manufacturing processes. Additive manufacture includes processes such as those that create a component or item by the successive addition of particles, layers or other groupings of a material onto one another. The article is generally built using a computer controlled machine based on a digital representation, and includes processes approaches such as 3-D printing. A variety of different additive manufacturing processes are used such as processes that involve powder bed fusion, laser metal deposition, material jetting, or other methods.
Additive manufacturing of parts for example by using a laser powder bed for metals often requires supporting structures to help lock the part being built into a specific position and orientation during its laser fusion process. This is also because in typical metal three-dimensional additive manufacturing processes, the extent to which a section of the article being built can be disposed over a void is limited. For example, the size and angle of an unsupported overhang is limited. For many overhangs and voids, supports must be designed and printed. In many additive manufacturing builds, supports are fully fused structures that are physically removed in post processing operations. In these cases, the part and supports are designed and oriented so that supports can be accessed for successful removal. Accordingly, the design of additive manufacturing supports, including attachment location and density, impacts the results achieved during additive manufacturing part building and determines the extent of post-processing operations that may be required.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide methods for effective, efficient and economical creation of parts by additive manufacturing. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Method for generating and depicting additive manufacturing build supports