A hinge apparatus rotatably couples about an axis of rotation (303) a body portion (101) and a flip element (103) of a foldable radiotelephone (100). The hinge apparatus includes a hinge shaft (205) having an unlatched and latched position on the axis of rotation (303) relative to the body portion (101). The hinge shaft (205) may be removeably latched to a front housing portion (231) of the body portion (101) wherein the hinge apparatus may be tested before final assembly of the foldable radiotelephone (100). The hinge shaft (205), accessible through a slot (245) in the body portion (101), may be removeably latched from the outside of the body portion (101).

Portable, cellular phones are increasingly utilized to permit a user to communicate telephonically over a wireless system at virtually any location. The portable telephone transmits a low wattage, radio frequency signal to a receiving station whereat connections are provided with conventional telephone systems. Numerous receiving stations are spaced apart at fixed locations in an area to receive the signals transmitted by the portable telephone as the portable telephone is relocated throughout the area.
Telephones utilizing two housing elements connected with some type of hinging mechanism, are common in wireline telephone sets and landline wireless extension phones and have become more common in portable cellular radiotelephones. This folding arrangement allows for the telephone to be more compact when the two housings are foldable upon themselves. Radiotelephones which utilize this type of design usually have most or all of the electronics within the larger of the two housings, herein after called the body portion. The smaller housing will hereinafter be called the flip element.
A variety of hinge mechanisms have been used to rotatably couple the flip element to the body portion. One such hinge mechanism was described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,873 by Beutler et al.. Beutler discloses a hinge mechanism having two essentially cylindrical hinge shafts rotatably coupling the flip element to the body portion. The assembly of Beutler's hinge mechanism, however, is both clumsy and time consuming. The hinge assembly also requires a spacer which snaps into the body portion to separate the hinge shafts thereby maintaining them in their properly assembled position.
The body portion of the telephone usually has a front and a rear housing portion which mate together to form the body portion. Beutler describes the flip element primarily residing in the front housing portion. During the assembly of the telephone in a factory, it is desirable to test the hinge mechanism portion rotatably coupling the flip element to the front housing portion before the front and rear housing portions are mated together. Accomplishing this test procedure requires that the hinge shafts are separated by the spacer snapped to the front housing portion. After the test procedure is completed, the spacer must be removed before the rear housing can be assembled to the front housing wherein the spacer may again be snapped into place. Before the spacer is snapped into place, the hinge shafts are free to move out of position thereby yielding a clumsy and time consuming assembly process.
A formidable challenge would be to design a hinge mechanism conducive to convenient operator assembly wherein the flip element portion may be tested with the front housing portion only and thereafter assembled with the rear housing portion without the need of an additional spacer to secure the hinge shafts in their proper position.

Hinge apparatus having a self-latching hinge shaft for foldable radiotelephones


Rope climbing apparatus comprises a support, a length of rope and a rope accumulator supported by the support for storing a variable length of rope. The accumulator includes a dancer trolley and means for force-loading the dancer trolley to a maximum storage position. A segment of rope is presented to a user of the apparatus so that he can draw rope from the accumulator. Variable drag mechanism supported by the support feeds rope pulled by the user back to the accumulator to replenish the accumulator. The drag mechanism inhibits the feeding of rope to the accumulator unless the rope is pulled with a force sufficient to overcome the force-loading on the accumulator dancer trolley and move the dancer from its maximum storage position. The drag mechanism also controls the rate at which rope is fed to the accumulator in accordance with the magnitude of the accumulator force-loading.

Rope climbing is a very effective form of exercise because it maintains the climber's arm and back muscles under dynamic tension. In other words, the climber's muscles are subjected to a pulling force due to part or all of the climber's weight as he supports himself on the rope whether or not he is moving up or down the rope. Superimposed on that force is an acceleration component which manifests itself when the climber pulls himself up or lowers himself down on the rope. Placing one's body under dynamic tension of this type improves one's muscle tone, blood circulation, respiration and general mental and physical fitness.
Rope climbing may be practiced as an exercise in and of itself or as part of training for mountain or rock climbing.
There have been some efforts to make exercise machines to simulate the act of climbing a rope. Usually these machines require the user to pull down on a rope hand-over-hand, with the rope passing through some kind of friction or drag mechanism that offers resistance to the pulling motion. One example of such exercise apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,570. The trouble with this type of apparatus is that it really does not simulate accurately the act of rope climbing which, as noted previously, subjects the arms to dynamic tension whether or not the climber is moving up or down on the rope. In the existing rope climbing exercise machines of which I am aware, no attempt is made to simulate the effect of the user's weight. In other words, no opposing force is exerted on the rope unless the user is actually accelerating the rope. Therefore, the user's muscles are not maintained under more or less constant tension as he pulls down on the rope, hand-over-hand. Rather, the force exerted on each arm varies from some maximum value at the top of each pulling motion to near zero at the bottom of the stroke. Such variable or intermittent tensioning of the body muscles is not as effective as constant dynamic tension in conditioning the body.
Also, prior exercise machines of this general type have tended to be fairly large and complicated pieces of machinery which take up a large amount of floor space and are relatively expensive to make.

Stairmaster Sports/Medical Products, Inc.


An optical slot scanner (10) and method includes a housing (12) supporting a scanning arrangement (22) within an interior region (14) of the housing. The scanning arrangement (22) includes an imaging camera (26) and light source (24) disposed within a recess compartment (80) located in the interior region of the housing. The imaging camera defines an imaging field (40) of view for reading indicia located on a target object. The light source defines an illumination field (42) for illuminating indicia located on a target object, such that the illumination field is substantially coaxial with the imaging field during a reading of indicia located on a target object.

Various electro-optical systems have been developed for reading optical indicia, such as barcodes. A barcode is a coded pattern of graphical indicia comprised of a series of bars and spaces of varying widths, the bars and spaces having differing light reflecting characteristics. The pattern of the bars and spaces encode information. Barcode may be one dimensional (e.g., UPC barcode) or two dimensional (e.g., DataMatrix barcode). Systems that read, that is, image or scan and decode barcodes employing imaging camera systems or laser scanner systems are typically referred to as optical scanners or barcode scanners.
Optical scanners may be portable or stationary. A portable optical scanner is one that is adapted to be held in a user's hand and moved with respect to target indicia, such as a target barcode, to be read that is, imaged or scanned and decoded.

Optical slot scanner having coaxial illuminaton


Techniques for detecting full insertion of a media plug into a corresponding jack. In an exemplary embodiment, first insertion detection circuitry for detecting the presence of a load is coupled to an innermost terminal of the jack. For North American type audio plugs, the first insertion detection circuitry detects the presence of a left headphone channel coupled to the innermost terminal of the jack. Coupling the insertion detection circuitry to the innermost terminal of the jack advantageously allows detection only when the plug is fully inserted into the jack. Additional detection circuitry may be provided and coupled to the other terminals of the jack. The disclosed techniques may readily be applied to other types of media plugs, e.g., European audio plugs, video plugs, etc.

1. Field
The disclosure relates to audio and other media devices, and, in particular, to techniques for automatically detecting insertion of a media plug into a corresponding jack.
2. Background
Audio and other media devices often include a jack for receiving a media plug coupled to a peripheral device. For example, a mobile phone may include a jack for receiving a plug coupled to an audio headset with microphone, which allows a user to carry on a voice conversation over the mobile phone using the headset. Other example media devices include MP3 players, handheld gaming devices, tablets, personal computers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, etc., while other peripheral devices include headphones, hearing-aid devices, personal computer speakers, home entertainment stereo speakers, etc.
A media device may be configured to take different actions depending on whether the peripheral device is plugged into the jack or not. For example, an MP3 player may route an audio signal to an audio headset when the headset is plugged in, and otherwise route the audio signal to built-in speakers. In certain implementations, one or two additional mechanical pins may be provided in the jack to detect whether a plug is inserted or not. Such additional pins generally need to be routed to an appropriate chip for processing, and further increase the cost of the device in terms of material, board area, chip area, chip pin count, jack size, etc. Furthermore, the form factor of the device may be adversely affected as well.
It would be desirable to provide efficient and robust techniques for automatically enabling a device to detect insertion of a media plug into a corresponding jack.


An integrated circuit device includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line that are spaced apart from each other and extend in a first direction to be parallel to each other; and a contact pad including a pad body including a first branch portion from which the first conductive line branches and a second branch portion from which the second conductive line branches and a loop branch portion that is located between the first branch portion and the second branch portion and protrudes from the pad body. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.

The inventive concepts relate to integrated circuit devices and methods of manufacturing the same.
Pattern miniaturization can be desirable in manufacturing highly integrated semiconductor devices. In order to integrate many devices in a small area, each individual device should be as small as possible, and to this end, a pitch that is a sum of a width of each of patterns to be formed and an interval between the patterns should be as small as possible. As design rules for semiconductor devices have been reduced, there may be limitations in forming patterns having fine pitches due to resolution limits of photolithography processes.

Integrated circuit device and method of manufacturing the same


The present application provides in some embodiments an array substrate, a display panel, a display device and a method for manufacturing the array substrate. The present application provides in some embodiments an array substrate, the array substrate comprising: an ultrasonic emission sensor, a substrate over the ultrasonic emission sensor, a pixel circuit layer over the glass substrate, and an ultrasonic reception sensor over the TFT pixel circuit layer, the ultrasonic reception sensor being electrically connected to the pixel circuit layer, wherein projections of the ultrasonic emission sensor and the ultrasonic reception sensor in a direction perpendicular to the substrate do not overlap with each other.

In related technologies, a silicon-based ultrasonic transducer micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) array is used for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic waves, detecting the position of a gesture and identifying the gesture. An integration of gesture identification with a display device is a module integration based on the silicon-based MEMS array and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit (CMOS IC).
In summary, in related technologies, functional modules for identifying a gesture are built completely externally and not integrated with a display screen.

Array substrate, display panel, display device and method for manufacturing array substrate


A crimp type F-Connector wherein the crimp required for easy installation reduced while affording reliable cable retention. A wide range of cable sizes are accommodated by one connector which is configured to provide adequate sealing and mechanical strength in the connector while facilitating optimized radial deformation for providing reliable retention and a reliable mechanical and electrical interface with the coaxial cable upon which it is crimped. The connector includes a crimping portion including a sleeve that has a plurality of ribs or external annular protrusions which are dimensioned to enhance rigidity and mechanical strength. The ribs are of equal diameters when uncrimped and are "flat" crimped to maximize the cable area against which crimp forces are applied. An innermost rib is proximate to a support wall and separated by an exaggerated spacing to reduce crimp forces experienced when installing the connector onto the cable.

Coaxial cable end connectors are known for connecting the ends of coaxial cable to electrical equipment, such as cable television equipment. Crimp type "F-connectors", provide electrical and mechanical connection between a transmission line, i.e., coaxial cable and ports or terminals on the electrical equipment. Such connectors in their various permutations, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,490,106 and 5,073,129 to Szegda and U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,152 to Elliot and as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, must be configured to provide adequate sealing and secure mechanical engagement with the coaxial cable upon which they are crimped or installed, while being easily installable thereon. Relatively minor changes in the dimensions and configuration of crimp type F-connectors can significantly impact on the retention of the connector on the cable onto which it is crimped, and the reliability and electrical performance of the interface between the connector and the cable. Furthermore, it is desirable to configure crimp type F-connectors so that one particular configuration can be reliably crimped onto a wide range of diameters of coaxial cable.
Known F-connectors suffer a disadvantage in that the range of cable sizes onto which they can be crimped and is significantly limited by a limited radial deformation which can be imparted to the connector configuration during crimping Additionally, known connectors disadvantageously require large forces to be exerted on the connector configuration to impart optimal radial deformation. Failure or inability to exert the necessary forces during crimping compromises the integrity of the electrical and mechanical engagement between the connector and cable.
Typically, crimp type F-connectors are installed onto coaxial cable by effecting radial deformation of a crimping portion 10 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) by exerting forces thereon using a crimping tool. Multiple crimping tools are required in certain circumstances for crimping where numerous connectors are necessary to accommodate various sizes of cable. Further, various forces may be required to impart optimal radial deformation to effect reliable retention of the various connectors on the cables.
Known F-connectors are often unreliably installed due to difficulties associated with exerting optimal forces during crimping. Even where a "universal" connector is installable on a range of cable sizes using a single crimp tool, differences in the forces exerted to effect radial deformation can negatively impact the reliability of the connection and the retention of the connector on the cable. Significant difficulties arise with the reliability and retention of connectors that require the exertion of large forces for crimping. Crimp tool tolerance problems and installer fatigue exacerbate the problems associated with exerting optimal forces to assure optimal radial deformation during crimping.


Apparatus selectively applies a sprayable treatment liquid to target vegetation. The apparatus is configured for being carried by an agricultural implement, as at the rear of a tractor, and includes support structure including a boom extending across several rows of vegetation. A plurality of wig-like applicators of flexible, absorbent textile material are carried in selectedly positionable relationship from the support structure. The applicators are adapted for physically contacting target vegetation, being positionable with respect to the individual rows. The applicators are carried in such manner that they open forwardly for receiving and partly surrounding target vegetation in the rows and for subsequently contacting foliage of the target vegetation as the tractor travels along the rows. Foliage parting aprons are optionally utilized with the applicators, being carried in front of a respective applicator for parting foliage of the target vegetation before the same is contacted by the applicator. Spray nozzles direct the treatment liquid toward each applicator for application to the foliage. The apparatus may be used to apply the liquid either to vegetation growing above a crop, as to pest vegetation, or directly to and inside the foliage of crop vegetation.

The present invention relates to apparatus for applying substances to vegetation for treatment thereof and, more particularly, to an applicator for providing direct, targeted application of agricultural treatment substances to foliage of target vegetation.
It has long been known to provide chemicals for treatment of vegetation in agriculture, as for treating plants affected with funguses, viruses, blights, etc., and for applying herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, trace minerals and myriad other chemical solutions, compounds and mixtures utilized in modern agriculture. Typically, such chemicals, whether of the powder or liquid form, are simply broadcast as by spraying from the nozzles of a spray boom carried behind a tractor, trailer or other vehicle, although direct application to soil has been also employed as during ground cultivation. Also, it has been known to exterminate boll weevil by merely dragging kerosene or arsenic compound laden fabric or strands across plants and, indeed, it has long been known to brush or physically daub or drench a plant for treatment purposes.
One may appreciate that indiscriminate spraying of numerous kinds of organic and inorganic compounds and mixtures for agricultural treatment purposes raises many problems due to the toxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic tendencies or characteristics of such substances. Not only stringent laws but also numerous regulations relating to the use of plant treatment substances have been and are being established and ever more rigorously administered by federal agencies. These make it increasingly undesirable to continue using the ubiquitous recirculating sprayer which, because of its inherent deficiencies, is sometimes referred to as a "dripper", "splasher" or "spitter". Because of the known and suspected risks as well as illegality of indiscriminate spraying of crops with treatment substances, it is becoming a matter of increasing criticality and importance that crop treatment substance be most selectively and carefully applied.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is the provision of an agricultural applicator apparatus for applying a sprayable agricultural treatment substance only to vegetation for which it is intended, i.e., what may be termed "target" vegetation.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such applicator apparatus which provides for direct physical contact of flexible, absorbent textile material for treatment purposes to foliage of target vegetation.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such applicator apparatus which is utilizable to spray treatment substances by contacting only target vegetation and not other, i.e., non-target, vegetation.
A further object of the invention is the provision of such applicator apparatus which can be used in alternative first or second modes, namely first either for applying sprayable treatment liquid directly to target vegetation standing above a crop, or second for applying such liquid directly to and inside the foliage of crop vegetation.
Another object of the invention is the provision of an agricultural applicator which enshrouds target vegetation for being sprayed while enshrouded.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of such an applicator adapted for parting foliage of the target vegetation before the same is sprayed or otherwise contacted by the absorbent textile material, a related object being the provision of such an applicator which physically turns over foliar portions of the vegetation for application of the treatment substance to increased surface areas of such foliar portions.
Another object of the invention is the provision of such applicator apparatus which is of the non-circulating type but which can positively, effectively and efficiently apply treatment substances to various different types and heights of vegetation.
Still another object of the invention is the provision of such applicator apparatus which precludes drippage of treatment liquids when employed in said first mode.
Among still other objects of the invention may be noted the provision of such applicator apparatus which applies any of numerous sprayable agricultural treatment substances, including organic and inorganic liquids, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, foliar feeds, etc.; which applies such substances in an extremely efficacious and direct manner; which avoids spraying drift, "boiling off", and waste of expensive agricultural treatment substances; and which is utilizable to apply such substances only to target vegetation while substantially avoiding the application of such substance to other vegetation coexisting with said target vegetation.
Further objects of the invention incude the provision of such applicator apparatus which is extremely simple in construction, inexpensive in construction, is simply and easily manufactured and assembled, inexpensive in use and highly durable and effective in use.
Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinbelow.


A computer-implemented method and computing system for identifying, using one or more computing devices, an appointment scheduled for at least one user. Some embodiments may include determining, using the one or more computing devices, a present location for the at least one user and generating, using the one or more computing devices, a reminder for the appointment based upon, at least in part, the present location.

Existing email systems may be configured to generate one or more reminders for upcoming events scheduled in a user's calendar. For example, by default, reminders may be sent some set time (e.g. 10 minutes) before an event. The user may be provided with the option to change the reminder time to a fixed time interval (e.g. 20 or 30 minutes before an event). In each case, these reminders occur at a predefined time regardless of extenuating circumstances.


Disclosed are an oil pump control system and method, the oil pump control method including setting an initial target oil pressure of the oil pump based on a rotation speed of an engine or an oil temperature, determining a pressure compensation value by considering the target torque or target fuel quantity of the engine based on the initial target oil pressure, determining a final target oil pressure by adding the pressure compensation value to the initial target oil pressure, and feedback-controlling the oil pump so that current oil pressure measured in real time follows the final target oil pressure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oil pump control system of a vehicle and an oil pump control method for a vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
A mechanical variable oil pump applied to a vehicle engine lubrication system in the related art generally includes a driving gear for receiving power from an engine, a rotor rotated by rotation force of the driving gear and including a plurality of vanes, a pivot pin fixed to a housing, an outer ring for varying a volume of a pumping space formed between the vanes by pivoting based on the pivot pin, and a spring for elastically supporting the outer ring.
Since the mechanical variable oil pump varies the volume of the pumping space while moving the outer ring so as to maintain uniform oil pressure regardless of the number of revolutions of the engine, there is a problem in that efficiency of a diesel engine having a low revolution speed of the engine is deteriorated.
Further, in the mechanical variable oil pump in the related art, a variable time and the oil pressure establish a sort of trade-off relation, so that when the variable start point is low pressure, it is difficult to adjust oil pressure in a full load, and when the oil pressure in the full load is adjusted, pressure of the variable start point increases, thereby causing fuel efficiency to decrease.
In order to solve the problem, an electronic oil pump for electrically controlling an oil pump by several variables has been developed, but the electronic oil pump is also controlled without considering a load of an engine, so that there is a problem in that an engine lubrication system cannot be sufficiently protected from oil pressure under a high load condition.
Accordingly, the related art has a problem in that it is difficult to satisfy both an aspect of improving fuel efficiency and an aspect of protecting an engine lubrication system.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

System and method for controlling oil pump


A minefield clearing apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and having: an interface assembly for raising and shunting aside mines and other objects buried below the ground surface including: an articulated rake having a pluraity of plow teeth which, in operation, extend below the ground surface; and a conveyor apparatus extending along the side of the vehicle and adapted to transport the contents of the earth raised by the articulated rake to the rear of the vehicle.

Modern warfare has become highly mechanized. Foot soldiers of today are supported by an array of technological marvels. Supersonic aircraft and long range missiles pierce enemy territory from the air while heavily fortified tanks and high speed troop carriers enhance capabilities upon the ground. Both air and ground support are crucial in the winning of a battle. The failure of either may spell the difference between victory and defeat.
Land mines have been developed to neutralize an opponent's ground support capabilities. These simple yet effective devices, buried below the ground's surface avoiding ready detection, explode violently when triggered. Triggering may be caused by: pressure exerted by a soldier's boot, vibration transmitted to the ground by a passing vehicle, or movement of a metallic object through a magnetic field. The explosive force of some mines is so great that a heavily armored and fortified tank may be destroyed.
Various systems have been developed to detect and remove land mines from the path of oncoming troops and equipment. One such system utilizes a plow mounted on the front of a tank and driven through the soil to expose and sweep aside mines. These mine plows have been effective when combined with powerful, heavy tanks since, their power and tractive ability easily propel the plow through roots, clay, or uneven terrain.
The standard mine plow has two separate blades for cutting the earth and exposing mines. These blades are generally oriented in V-shaped fashion at the front of a tank or other vehicle. When driven forward through the ground surface, two earthen berms are formed of spoil material pushed tangentially along the blades away from the path of the vehicle. The spoil material often contains mines and other unexploded ordinance which did not detonate upon contact with the plow.
While V-shaped blades provide adequate protection for a single vehicle equipped with such, they are impractical for clearing large areas of mines. In clearing large areas, the plow is usually systematically moved in parallel paths across the entirety of the target area. Without overlapping the paths by a minimum of one half of the V-shaped blades, overall width, one can not be assured that the area being cleared is indeed free of mines. Such an overlap prevents previously exposed berm material from being plowed back into the previously cleared area. Due to the inefficiency of the currently available mine clearing devices in eliminating mines from large areas, a need has arisen for a more efficient device.


Exemplary embodiments provide for fabricating a nanosheet stack structure having one or more sub-stacks. Aspects of the exemplary embodiments include: growing an epitaxial crystalline initial stack of one or more sub-stacks, each of the sub-stacks having at least three layers, a sacrificial layer A, and at least two different non-sacrificial layers B and C having different material properties, wherein the non-sacrificial layers B and C layers are kept below a thermodynamic or kinetic critical thickness corresponding to metastability during all processing, and wherein the sacrificial layer An is placed only at a top or a bottom of each of the sub-stacks, and each of the sub-stacks is connected to an adjacent sub-stack at the top or the bottom using one of the sacrificial layers A; proceeding with fabrication flow of nanosheet devices, such that pillar structures are formed at each end of the epitaxial crystalline stack that to hold the nanosheets in place after selective etch of the sacrificial layers; and selectively removing sacrificial layers A to all non-sacrificial layers B and C, while the remaining layers in the stack are held in place by the pillar structures so that after removal of the sacrificial layers An, each of the sub-stacks contains the non-sacrificial layers B and C.

Nanosheet field effect transistors (FETs) are an attractive alternative to Fin FETs or planar devices for future CMOS nodes. In typical nanosheet FET approach, a single material nanosheet is used, since for electrostatic control very thin nanosheets are targeted. It is difficult to strain the nanosheet, which would boost mobility for many materials, including Si, SiGe or Ge nanosheets. A method to effectively achieve strained nanosheets would be beneficial for CMOS scaling.
In addition, quantum well channels in which the carriers are restricted mainly to one or some layers (arranged in epitaxial relation with each other), by a potential barrier at the interfaces with adjacent crystalline (epitaxially arranged) layers can give an advantage in transport. A method to effectively achieve QW structured nanosheets would be beneficial for CMOS scaling.

Strained stacked nanosheet FETs and/or quantum well stacked nanosheet


An electrophoresis display panel including an active device array substrate and an electrophoresis display film is provided. The active device array substrate includes a plurality of active devices and a shielding pattern. The electrophoresis display film is disposed on the active device array substrate. The electrophoresis display film includes a conductive layer, a dielectric layer and a plurality of electrophoresis display mediums. The dielectric layer is disposed on the conductive layer and has a plurality of micro-cups arranged in area array. The dielectric layer is between the conductive layer and the active device array substrate. Light passing through the dielectric layer is prevented from irradiating onto the active devices by the shielding pattern. In addition, the electrophoresis display mediums are filled within the micro-cups, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an electrophoresis display panel, and more particular to an electrophoresis display panel with a shielding pattern.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, due to the continuous advancement and research of the display technologies, the products such as electrophoresis displays, liquid crystal displays, plasma displays and organic-light-emitting diode displays are commercialized and applied to the display devices with various dimensions and standards. With the increasing of the use of the portable electronic devices, the flexible displays, such as electronic papers and electronic books, have gradually gathered the attentions. Generally, the electronic papers and the electronic books utilize the electrophoresis display technique to achieve the purpose of display. For instance, the pixels of the electronic book is composed of electrophoresis mediums with various colors (e.g. red, green, blue, etc.) and white charged particles doped in the electrophoresis mediums. By providing voltages to the pixels, the white charged particles are driven to shift so that each of the pixels respectively generates colorful images such as black, white, red, green, blue or the color with different color level.
In the current technologies, the electrophoresis displays utilize the reflection of the external light source to achieve the display purpose. More specifically, the colors of the electrophoresis mediums in use determines the colors displayed by the pixels and the gray level of the color displayed by each of the pixel is controlled by applying the voltage to drive the white charged particles doped in the electrophoresis mediums. Typically, the electrophoresis display is mainly composed of a thin film transistor array substrate and an electrophoresis display film. Further, in the electrophoresis display film, the dielectric layer for defining the micro-cups is made of the transparent material. After passing through the dielectric layer of the electrophoresis display film, the external light source beams on thin film transistors on the thin film transistor array substrate so that the thin film transistors generates photo currents to affect the element properties and further to result in the poor display quality of the electrophoresis display. Accordingly, how to alleviate the effect of the photo current induced by the external light source becomes an important issue to be solved immediately.


Improved deicing compositions are provided which comprise calcium magnesium and potassium acetate containing up to about 50% potassium acetate which have improved melting properties as compared to calcium magnesium acetate deicing compositions.

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is useful for deicing and several methods for making CMA-containing deicing compositions are known. In the context of this invention, the term CMA will mean calcium magnesium acetate-containing compositions, including pure compositions or mixtures containing crystalline and/or amorphous, hydrated and/or dehydrated calcium magnesium acetate, and/or calcium magnesium acetate double salt. Crystalline and/or amorphous magnesium acetate and/or calcium acetate may also be present. The CMA may also contain small amounts of calcium and/or magnesium hydroxides or oxides as impurities. The term CMAK includes the materials defined as components of CMA, and in addition, potassium acetate.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,071 discloses a process utilizing a pumpable slurry which forms substantial quantities of a 1:2 calcium:magnesium ratio CMA double salt. As used herein the ratio describing a CMA or CMAK product will be the molar ratio of calcium to magnesium in the product. The slurry process disclosed therein includes preparation of both alkali and alkaline earth metal acetates.
Several related patents to Gancy, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,426,308, 4,377,488 and 4,444,672, disclose the use of 2-5% of alkali metal hydroxides in addition to calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). In these patents, it is generally taught to add excess acid to the alkali earth bases and thereafter to add 2-5% (weight) of alkali metal hydroxide (potassium hydroxide is disclosed) at the end of the neutralization step to neutralize excess acid. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,285 there is disclosed the combination of calcium oxide with potassium acetate in which potassium acetate is described as a soluble agent which is also a deicer.
In none of the above-described patents is it disclosed that there is a synergy between potassium acetate with CMA to improve the performance of calcium magnesium acetate as a deicing agent.
We have now discovered, surprisingly, that a solid mixture of CMA and potassium acetate (CMAK) either in crystalline form or as an amorphous combination of salts, has unexpectedly superior deicing properties compared to those of calcium magnesium acetate (amorphous, crystalline and/or double salt), calcium acetate or magnesium acetate. The superior properties of CMAK include, but are not limited to, improved deicing characteristics sustained constantly over the useful subfreezing temperature range of about 15.degree. F. to about freezing (32.degree. F.). There is also a persistent improvement in deicing properties of CMAK without drop off at any given subfreezing temperature, for at least one hour after application to ice.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved deicing composition comprising acetates of calcium, magnesium and potassium (CMAK) in which the potassium acetate is present in an amount relative to the calcium acetate and magnesium acetate to provide improved ice melting properties, as compared to the same weight of calcium magnesium acetate, which improvement remains relatively constant over the useful subfreezing temperature range of about 15.degree. to about freezing (32.degree. F.), and which improvement in deicing performance is persistent without drop off at a given subfreezing temperature for at least about one hour after application to ice.

Method to increase the rate of ice melting by CMA deicing chemicals with potassium acetate

General Atomics International Services Corporation


In assembling an electron gun (10), parts (11 to 18) are placed on supports (21) on the support base (2). The angle of a supported G3 grid (15) can be adjusted by moving the side of the G3A grid (15A), because the support (21) for the G3 grid (15) holds only the rear of the G3B grid (15B). Accordingly, in the event the G3A grid (15A) and the G3B grid (15B) are welded together out of position, adjuster pins (5) can be inserted into the guide holes (61) of the G3A grid (15A) without being bent, thereby adjusting beam holes (62) of G3A grid (15A) to coincide with the beam holes (62) of other grids. Accordingly, the beading apparatus (1) allows the electron gun (10) to be manufactured with considerable precision.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a beading apparatus for attaching beadings to parts of an electron gun.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an electron gun for a cathode-ray tube, dimensions, relative positions and intervals of respective grids are manufactured with considerable precision in order to improve the focus function.
FIG. 4 illustrates the structure of an unipotential electron gun 10. In the electron gun 10, a support pin 11, grids 12 to 17, and a convergence plate 18 are arranged in a single row. Two long and slender beadings 20 adhere to pins 19 protruding from the sides of the respective parts 11 to 18. The beadings 20 hold the parts 11 to 18 firmly together.
In assembling the electron gun 10, as shown in FIG. 5, the parts 11 to 18 are placed onto supports 21 which are set on top of a support base 2 for the beading apparatus 1. A first spacer 22, a second spacer 23, and a third spacer 24, which have a predetermined thickness, protrude from the support base 2. The first spacer 22 is inserted between GM grid 14 and G3 grid 15, the second spacer 23 is inserted between G3 grid 15 and G4 grid 16, and the third spacer 24 is inserted between G4 grid 16 and G5 grid 17. Accordingly, the parts 11 to 18 can be fixed at predetermined intervals.
Further, a stabilizing lever 3 is mounted on one of two legs 25 rotatably by shaft 32. When pushed down, the stabilizing lever 3 is fixed by a clamp 4 mounted on the other leg 25 rotatably by shaft 41. The G5 grid 17 is fixed by holders 31 set on the lower side of the stabilizing lever 3 in connection with the supports 21 on the support base 2. Each of the parts 11 to 16 are held firmly in their proper positions but may be slided. Thereafter an appropriate pressing means (not shown) presses the support pin 11 in the direction of the G5 grid 17. With this, parts 11 to 18 of the electron gun 10 are firmly manufactured at predetermined intervals.
As shown in FIG. 6, two guide holes 61, being diametrically opposite each other, are perforated from the support pin 11 to the G3A grid 15A for adjusting the positions of the parts. Two adjuster pins 5 are inserted into the guide holes 61 through the parts, so that the positions of the parts 11 to 15 are adjusted on opposite sides and three beam holes 62, perforated from the G1 grid 12 to the G3 grid 15A, coincide respectively. Therefore the electron gun 10 can emit three lines of electron beams precisely at a target.
After the insertion of the adjuster pins 5, two beadings 20 are attached to the pins 19 for the parts 11 to 18. The beadings 20 combine the parts 11 to 18 in proper position and at predetermined intervals. Thereafter, the assembled electron gun 10 is removed from the support base 2, and the adjuster pins 5 are pulled out. At this point the assemblage of the electron gun 10 is completed.
In this case, for manufacturing reasons, G3A grid 15A and G3B grid 15B are manufactured separately, and, are welded together as the G3 grid 15. The G3A grid 15A is formed into a flat plate, and as shown in FIG. 6, has the guide hole 61 for adjustment of the position diametrically and the beam hole 62 for electron beam to pass through. The G3B grid 15B is formed into a cylindrical shape.
In the beading apparatus 1 for the electron gun 10 described above, the supports 21, on which the G3 grid 15 is placed, hold the whole G3B grid 15B. Therefore, in the event the G3A grid 15A and the G3B grid 15B are welded together out of position, when the G3 grid 15 is placed on the supports 21, both the guide hole 61 and the beam hole 62 of the G3A grid 15A are also out of position.
Large discordance of the guide holes 61 inhibits the adjuster pins 5 from being inserted. Small discordance, as shown in FIG. 7, may allow the adjuster pins 5 to be inserted into the guide holes 61 if the adjuster pins 5 are bent slightly. In the latter case, the beadings 20 are attached to the parts 11 to 15 on the assumption that the parts 11 to 15 are in proper position. This poor condition prevents the electron gun 10 from emitting an electron beam precisely at the target because the beam holes 62 of the G3; A grid 15A do not coincide with the beam holes 62 of the grids 12 to 14.
After the beadings 20 are attached, the discordance of the beam holes 62 of the G3A grid 15A can be corrected so as to correspond to the beam holes 62 of the grids 12 to 14 by inclining the G3 grid 15 forcibly. But the problem remains that it is difficult to adjust the position completely and that it takes a good deal of time and labor.

Beading apparatus for electron gun and method of attaching beading


A frame assembly includes a rail including a straight portion, the straight portion including a first portion, a second portion, and a deformation trigger between the first and second portions, and a bracket attached to the first portion and the second portion.

Several different vehicle models may be designed on a common platform. The platform has some common components, such as a common frame, that are shared by the different vehicle models, and the individual vehicle models may differ in other components, e.g., powertrain, exterior styling, interior trim levels, etc. The different components between the platforms may alter certain characteristics of the common components. For example, the deformation characteristics of a common frame during a vehicle impact may vary depending on different engine sizes used in different models.


An aluminum wire is connected to a P-type layer of a polydiode element through a resistive element consisting of a barrier metal film and a tungsten plug. Another aluminum wire is connected to an N-type layer of the polydiode element through another resistive element consisting of another barrier metal film and another tungsten plug. Thus, a semiconductor device including a polydiode element which is resistant to surge or contamination is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor device, and more specifically, it relates to a semiconductor device having a polydiode element which is improved to be resistant to surge or contamination.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A nonvolatile semiconductor device, which requires a high voltage (10 to 20 V in general) for a write/erase operation for a memory cell, has generally required two external power sources (Vpp/Vcc, Vpp: a high voltage of about 12 V). In recent years, however, a single power source Vcc is employed for attaining commonness with other devices. In this case, the nonvolatile semiconductor device is provided in its chip with a built-in circuit for stepping up the power supply voltage Vcc to the high voltage Vpp.
A charge-pump step-up circuit, which is generally employed in an LSI, has various problems. A textbook "Design of CMOS VLSI" (Baifu-Kan, pp. 192 to 193) describes an exemplary charge-pump step-up circuit, its principle and its problems. According to this literature, the charge-pump step-up circuit serially connects a MOS diode with a unit of a capacitance and performs a step-up operation with two clocks of different timing. However, a rectifying device is formed by the MOS diode. The threshold voltage Vth of the MOS diode gradually increases as the number of stages increases due to a substrate bias effect, and hence step-up efficiency is disadvantageously deteriorated with the number of stages.
IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (1995) TA7.2 discloses a charge-pump step-up circuit forming a P-N junction diode on a substrate not by a MOS diode but through a triple well structure of the substrate. In this case, the efficiency is not deteriorated by the substrate bias effect. However, the process is complicated to increase the cost due to formation of the triple well structure. Further, the capacitance between an N well and the substrate serves as a parasitic capacitance due to formation on the substrate, to disadvantageously deteriorate the efficiency.
FIG. 38 shows an EEPROM comprising a charge-pump step-up circuit utilizing a P-N junction diode (hereinafter referred to as a polydiode element) 2 employing polysilicon, which is disclosed in (Lateral Polysilicon p-n Diodes (J. Electrochem. Soc., Vol. 125, October 1978, p. 1648). This EEPROM also appears in IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, Vol. SC-16, June 1981, p. 195 and IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, Vol. ED-27, July 1980, p. 1211.
Referring to FIG. 38, the polydiode element 2 is formed on an SiO.sub.2 film 1. An interlayer isolation film 3 is formed on the SiO.sub.2 film 1, to cover the polydiode element 2. Aluminum wires 4 are connected to a P-type layer and an N-type layer of the polydiode element 2 through contact holes provided in the interlayer isolation film 3.
In case of employing the polydiode element 2 shown in FIG. 38, no problem of a substrate bias effect or a parasitic capacitance is caused dissimilarly to the case of employing a MOS diode or a P-N diode formed on a substrate. However, the aluminum wires 4 are directly electrically in contact with the polydiode element 2 to cause reaction on the interfaces therebetween, to disadvantageously result in dispersion of contact resistance as well as dispersion of the characteristics of the polydiode element 2. Further, such a conventional polydiode element 2 is not resistant to electrical noise such as surge. Further, the conventional polydiode element 2 shown in FIG. 38 is not resistant to contamination.

Semiconductor device comprising a polydiode element


A system includes a server with an access manager configured to restrict access to files of an organization and maintain at least encryption keys for internal and external users and an external access server connected to the server and coupled between the server and a data network. The data network is configured to allow the external users use of the external access server. The external access server is also configured to permit file exchange between the internal users and the external users via the server.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to security systems for data and, more particularly, to security systems that protect data in an inter/intra enterprise environment.
2. Description of Related Art
The Internet is the fastest growing telecommunications medium in history. This growth and the easy access it affords have significantly enhanced the opportunity to use advanced information technology for both the public and private sectors. It provides unprecedented opportunities for interaction and data sharing among businesses and individuals. However, the advantages provided by the Internet come with a significantly greater element of risk to the confidentiality and integrity of information. The Internet is an open, public and international network of interconnected computers and electronic devices. Without proper security measures, an unauthorized person or machine may intercept any information traveling across the Internet, and may even get access to proprietary information stored in computers that interconnect to the Internet, but are otherwise generally inaccessible by the public.
As organizations become more dependent on networks for business transactions, data sharing, and everyday communications, their networks have to be increasingly accessible to customers, employees, suppliers, partners, contractors and telecommuters. Unfortunately, as the accessibility increases, so does the exposure of critical data that is stored on the network. Hackers can threaten all kinds of valuable corporate information resources including intellectual property (e.g., trade secrets, software code, and prerelease competitive data), sensitive employee information (e.g., payroll figures and HR records), and classified information (e.g., passwords, databases, customer records, product information, and financial data). Thus data security is becoming increasingly mission-critical.
There are many efforts in progress aimed at protecting proprietary information traveling across the Internet and controlling access to computers carrying the proprietary information. Every day hundreds of thousands of people interact electronically, whether it is through e-mail, e-commerce (business conducted over the Internet), ATM machines or cellular phones. The perpetual increase of information transmitted electronically has led to an increased reliance on cryptography.
In protecting the proprietary information traveling across the Internet, one or more cryptographic techniques are often used to secure a private communication session between two communicating computers on the Internet. Cryptographic techniques provide a way to transmit information across an unsecure communication channel without disclosing the contents of the information to anyone eavesdropping on the communication channel. An encryption process is a cryptographic technique whereby one party can protect the contents of data in transit from access by an unauthorized third party, yet the intended party can read the data using a corresponding decryption process.
Many organizations have deployed firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to provide protection. Unfortunately, these various security means have been proven insufficient to reliably protect proprietary information residing on their internal networks. For example, depending on passwords to access sensitive documents from within often causes security breaches when the password of a few characters long is leaked or detected.
Enterprise security solutions secure data within an enterprise premise (e.g., internal networks). Some enterprise security solutions prohibit external users (clients) to have any access to secure data. Unfortunately, such enterprise security solutions are not suitable for use in a collaborative environment in which both regular internal users (e.g., employees) and external users (e.g., consultants) need to access some secured data of the enterprise.
Thus, there is a need for improved approaches to enable file security systems to permit external users to access secured data without compromising the integrity of an enterprise security system.

Document security system that permits external users to gain access to secured files


An apparatus comprising a first programmable circuit configured to present (i) a first parallel data signal and (ii) a first control signal in response to one or more serial data signals and a second programmable circuit configured to generate a second parallel data signal in response to (i) the first parallel data signal, (ii) the first control signal and (iii) a second control signal.

The present invention relates to data communication devices generally and, more particularly, to circuitry, architecture and method(s) for synchronizing data.
Conventional data communication devices use a word synchronization event to synchronize the data received. The synchronization event precedes the receipt of the data. The event is the transmission of 16 consecutive special characters, such as K28.5 characters. An elasticity buffer (EB) is reset and data from each channel is synchronized. The skew allowed between the channels must meet a predetermined tolerance, such as +/xe2x88x922 bit times.
When synchronizing multiple channels across chips, a master channel must be arbitrarily selected whose Word Sync Output (WSO) signal is connected to all other Word Sync Inputs (WSI). The WSO is a three bit serial protocol informing the other chips to add or delete idle characters. Because of the limitation of the EB, the maximum skew allowed among channels is still +/xe2x88x922 bit times. However, the skew allowed among the channels within the chip is larger than +/xe2x88x922 bit time.
One aspect of the present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a first programmable circuit configured to present (i) a first parallel data signal and (ii) a first control signal in response to one or more serial data signals and a second programmable circuit configured to generate a second parallel data signal in response to (i) the first parallel data signal, (ii) the first control signal and (iii) a second control signal.
Another aspect of the present invention concerns a circuit comprising a storage circuit configured to read and write data one or more addresses in response to one or more first decoded control signals and a decoder circuit configured to present an output data signal in response to (i) the one or more addresses, (ii) a fixed address and (iii) one or more second decoded control signals.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention include providing a communications device that may (i) use a common crystal, (ii) align parallel frequencies to reduce or eliminate skew between channels, (iii) operate in a system where a number of PLLs are locked, and/or (iv) operate to deskew parallel frequencies in a configuration where data is stripped and parallel decoding is normally lost.

Circuitry, architecture and methods for synchronizing data


A motor vehicle hood ornament mount is disclosed. Designed with the goal of discouraging theft or vandalism of the ornament displayed thereon, the device includes a spring biasing means which normally forces the displayed ornament into the preferred orientation, yet when disturbed by some destructive individual prevents the ready application of a dislodging force. The ornament resides within an ornament holder housed within a mounting shell attached through the body of the vehicle, and a biasing spring forces ornament holder in an external direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to decorative hood ornaments commonly provided on automobiles, trucks, and other motor vehicles. Specifically, the invention is a hood ornament mount designed to inhibit or discourage the theft of the ornament displayed thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Motor vehicle hood ornaments are widely known in the art. While they may indeed enhance the aesthetic appearance of an automobile, truck, or other motor vehicle, it is an unfortunate consequence of the prominence with which they are displayed that they are frequently made the target of theft or vandalism. On city streets, it is commonplace to observe the overall pleasing appearance of a late-model automobile marred by the disappearance of what can be considered one of its finishing touches, the hood ornament.
The present invention is designed to remedy this shortcoming in the hood ornaments, and particularly in the mounts thereof, of the prior art.


A well tubing drain assembly includes a tubing wall containing a bore intersecting the tubing interior and a counterbore intersecting the tubing exterior, an annular retainer in the counterbore having connection to the wall, the retainer forming a side drain passage, a retainer member carried by the retainer and projecting into the drain passage, a closure in alignment with the drain passage and retained by the member at the side thereof closest to the tubing bore interior, the closure closing off said tubing wall bore, the closure adapted to be blown out the drain passage when fluid pressure in the tubing bore transmits sufficient force via the closure to rupture said member, and a sealing washer located in the counterbore and extending about the closure to have sealing engagement therewith in response to pressure exerted on the washer by the fluid in the tubing.

This invention relates generally to tubing drains, and more particularly concerns a very simple drain assembly characterized by ease of removal and replacement as well as by assured operation at predetermined pressure level.
Oil well tubing drains are employed to drain pressurized fluid from within the tubing when the fluid pressure in the tubing is increased. Prior tubing drains are characterized as excessively complex in construction, which add to their original as well as maintenance cost or expense. One example of such a prior drain is that shown at page 4212 of the 1957 "Composite Catalogue of Oil Field Equipment and Services", published by World Oil.


A methane diamine cured solventless liquid epoxy composition is disclosed. The composition contains an oil-modified epoxy rsin having an EEW of about 300 to 600 which is formed by reacting about 5 to about 50% of a triglyceride of a C.sub.10 to C.sub.20 fatty acid with about 50 to about 95% of an epoxy resin having at least one aliphatic hydroxyl group per molecule. The composition also contains about 0.01 to about 0.3 phr of a catalyst, up to about 80% of a glycidyl either of a phenol, about 1 equivalent, .+-.20%, of methane diamine, and about 0.2 to 3% of an accelerator.

A broad range of ultrasonic transmission and receiving systems are deployed in salt water by means of electric cables. In order to maintain the electrical insulation of the cable connections, the various existing cable junctions must be encapsulated in a resin system which has good electrical properties, a high order of adhesion to the various cable sheaths and metallic components and is immune to the deteriorating effects of sea water. Ideally, such encapsulating system should be capable of being applied under adverse field conditions by unskilled personnel.
The encapsulant which is presently used to make there terminations and also cable splices is an epoxy resin crosslinked with a polyamide-imide sold under the trademark "Versamid." This encapsulating system is quite viscous and entraps large quantities of air during the catalyst-base resin-mixing process. Unless the air is removed by means of a vacuum-degassing process, the encapsulated connectors will contain large voids and porous areas which render them useless for the intended application. Degassing is done by placing a container of the catalyzed mixed resin system in a vacuum desiccator and holding the resin at reduced pressures until it no longer emits gas bubbles. Great care must be exercised in the degassing operation because the optimum resin temperature for degassing is 50.degree. C. At lower temperatures, the resin system is so viscous that it cannot be deaerated satisfactorily, and at a temperature of 60.degree. C. the system has a working life of only 5 to 10 minutes. Even a properly degassed system has such a high viscosity that great care must be exercised in filling the space in order to prevent the inclusion of voids caused by fold-overs in the poured resin stream. The high degree of precision needed to successfully use this system makes it difficult to use it in the field.
In spite of these problems, the present epoxy resin system does have the advantages of excellent adhesion to the various system components, a range of flexibilities, transparency, and the capacity to cure in 24 hours at room temperature. The ability of these resins to cure at temperatures below 80.degree. C. is a critically important property because the delicate electronic devices which are encapsulated by the resins can be damaged at temperatures over 80.degree. C.


An optical conductor has several spherically curved light-extraction areas on its surface that are arranged in spaced relationship to one another and have a particular height (h) and a particular radius (R) of surface curvature, wherein h/R ratios of the respective height to the respective radius of all light-extraction areas are substantially equal and lie within a range of 0.1 to 0.45. A lighting system comprises one or more optical conductors and one or more light sources for irradiation of at least one light-injection area of the optical conductor, wherein useful light radiated from the front of the optical conductor can be emitted unscattered from the lighting system and/or interference light emitted outside of a useful light path is absorbable by the lighting system. Some embodiments may be particularly applicable in vehicle lighting systems.

Some optical conductors are known in the related art. For example, German application DE 10 2012 215 165 A1 discloses a composite decor, particularly for use in decor elements in vehicles, comprising an at least partially light-permeable decor layer and a luminous layer with light-emitting zones of which one or more of these light-emitting zones and the decor layer are movable relative to one another.
German application DE 10 2011 082 343 B4 discloses a composite decor with a decor layer and a light-guiding layer, wherein the decor layer is perforated to form openings in the decor layer and the light-guiding layer is provided with interference points acting as individually recognizable luminous points, lines or areas when light is coupled into the light-guiding layer. For all angles of viewing the decor layer of the composite decor it holds true that one or more of the luminous points, lines or areas formed by the interference points are hidden by the decor layer when the decor layer is viewed from one angle, but they are visible from one or more other angles of viewing.
German application DE 10 2014 116 180 A1 discloses a lighting system for vehicle interiors, comprising a light source that emits visible light and a component arranged relative to the light source in such a manner that light emitted from the light source passes through it, and also comprising a transparent substrate with a surface area through which light emitted from the light source passes, and a lenticular screen structure having a plurality of regularly arranged lens elements and being formed on the surface area of the transparent substrate. The system also describes using the lighting system and its component to illuminate the interior of vehicles, wherein three-dimensional lighting effects are generated that can be perceived differently by a viewer/occupant in the interior space, depending on the angle of viewing.


Methods and systems for blanking a transmission signal to prevent blockage by a recurring obstruction, such as a plurality of helicopter rotor blades, are provided. An obstruction that may block a communication line of sight path is monitored. It is determined when the obstruction is expected to block transmission of a transmitted signal along the communication line of sight path based on monitoring when the obstruction blocks the communication line of sight path. A transmission blanking signal is generated, where the transmission blanking signal is configured to selectively stop transmission of the transmitted signal along the communication line of sight path when the obstruction is expected to block the communication line of sight path.

Aircraft, particularly military aircraft, may carry microwave communications equipment that enables high-speed, beyond line of sight satellite communications. In the case of fixed-wing aircraft, there are many locations on an upper surface of the aircraft where a microwave antenna may be mounted to communicate with visible satellites with a clear line of sight.
On the other hand, mounting a microwave antenna on an upper surface of a helicopter presents concerns because a plurality of helicopter rotor blades will rotate above most, if not all, of the upper surfaces of the helicopter. The plurality of helicopter rotor blades will recurringly block the upper surfaces of the helicopter from orbiting satellites above the helicopter. Thus, if a microwave antenna is mounted on an upper surface of the helicopter, the plurality of helicopter rotor blades will repeatedly block a communication line of sight, path between the microwave antenna and the orbiting satellites.
When the microwave antenna is receiving a signal from the satellite, the plurality of helicopter rotor blades may block some sections of the signal in the time domain, and the receiver may have to request retransmission of those sections of the signal. When the microwave antenna is transmitting a signal, the problem is even more significant. Not only may the plurality of helicopter rotor blades prevent successful transmission of some sections of the signal, but the plurality of helicopter rotor blades also will reflect and scatter some fraction of the signal power in other directions, particularly downward. The reflected microwave signal presents a potential health concern for personnel working on or near the helicopter. The reflected microwave signals also may potentially interfere with the successful operation of other equipment on board the helicopter, or of electronic equipment located on the ground below the helicopter. Moreover, reflected and scattered energy from the reflected microwave signals will tend to make the helicopter electronically-visible to electronic signal detection equipment, putting the helicopter and its crew at risk of exposure and possible attack.
To circumvent the problem posed by mounting the microwave antenna on the upper surface of the helicopter, the microwave antenna can be mounted in other positions to avoid blockage by the plurality of helicopter rotor blades. For one example, the helicopter can be equipped with a mast extending beyond the area blocked by the plurality of helicopter rotor blades to prevent blockage of the communication line of sight path between the microwave antenna and the satellite. Unfortunately, the extent of the rotor sweep would, in almost all cases, leave little, if any room for a fixed mast. One alternative is to locate the microwave antenna above the rotor hub, as is done, for example, with the AH-64D Apache Longbow radar system. However, adding a rotor-mounted antenna to a helicopter would involve major modifications to the helicopter.
Alternatively, the microwave antenna may be mounted on a lateral surface of the helicopter, to transmit signals along a communication line of sight path that will not be blocked by the plurality of helicopter rotor blades. However, in order to provide continuous communications capability with the helicopter for all heading orientations, microwave antennas would have to be mounted on both sides of the helicopter. Even more problematic is that satellites would have to be orbitally-located such that at least two satellites would be in communications line of sight with the side-mounted microwave antennas. The need for additional satellites visible to the helicopter to facilitate such communication represents a substantial additional cost, and operational constraint in terms of the locations in which communications are possible.

Helicopter rotor blade blockage blanking


An example of a lighting system includes intelligent lighting devices, each of which includes a light source, a communication interface and a processor coupled to control the light source. In such a system, at least one of the lighting devices includes a user input sensor to detect user activity related to user inputs without requiring physical contact of the user; and at least one of the lighting devices includes an output component to provide information output to the user. One or more of the processors in the intelligent lighting devices are further configured to process user inputs detected by the user input sensor, control lighting and control output to a user via the output component so as to implement an interactive user interface for the system, for example, to facilitate user control of lighting operations of the system and/or to act as a user interface portal for other services.

Electrical lighting has become commonplace in modern society. Electrical lighting devices are commonly deployed, for example, in homes, buildings of commercial and other enterprise establishments, as well as in various outdoor settings. Even in a relatively small state or country, there may be millions of lighting devices in use.
Traditional lighting devices have tended to be relatively dumb, in that they can be turned ON and OFF, and in some cases may be dimmed, usually in response to user activation of a relatively simple input device. Lighting devices have also been controlled in response to ambient light detectors that turn on a light only when ambient light is at or below a threshold (e.g. as the sun goes down) and in response to occupancy sensors (e.g. to turn on light when a room is occupied and to turn the light off when the room is no longer occupied for some period). Often traditional lighting devices are controlled individually or as relatively small groups at separate locations.
With the advent of modern electronics has come advancement, including advances in the types of light sources as well as advancements in networking and control capabilities of the lighting devices. For example, solid state sources are now becoming a commercially viable alternative to traditional light sources such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps. By nature, solid state light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) are easily controlled by electronic logic circuits or processors. Electronic controls have also been developed for other types of light sources. As increased processing capacity finds its way into the lighting devices, it becomes relatively easy to incorporate associated communications capabilities, e.g. to allow lighting devices to communicate with system control elements and/or with each other. In this way, advanced electronics in the lighting devices as well as the associated control elements have facilitated more sophisticated lighting control algorithms as well as increased networking of lighting devices.
However, there have also been proposals to further enhance lighting controls. For example, it has been proposed that a lighting device may include a sensor and processing capability to detect gestural inputs from a user. If the sensor detects touch, the user must approach the device or an associated control panel and contact the touch sensor in an appropriate manner to input a gestural corresponding to the user's desired control of the light. More recent developments in gestural sensing technologies eliminate the need for actual touching, but such devices still typically require that the user make the appropriate gesture in fairly close proximity to the sensor on the device or at the control panel.
There have also been efforts to develop speech-command responsive control of lighting, using advanced speech recognition technologies.
In a somewhat related field a variety of entities are proposing controls for lighting and other functions in a building from a variety of portable user devices, for example, from remote controls or from mobile devices such as smartphones or tablet computers.
Despite such recent efforts, there is still room for further improvement in the user interface with a lighting system and/or in the functions that a lighting system may offer through its user interface.

Interactive user interface functionality for lighting devices or system


An apparatus for heat treating semiconductor wafers in a thermal processing chamber using light energy is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus contains a window located between the semiconductor wafer and the energy source. The window contains a member that defines at least one passage capable of being placed into communication with a coolant to cool the window and at least partially offset the xe2x80x9cfirst wafer effectxe2x80x9d. Additionally, in some embodiments, the window has a thickness greater than about 1 inch so that it can withstand pressures applied during wafer processing.

Many semiconductor heating processes require a wafer to be heated to high temperatures so that various chemical and physical transformations can take place as the wafer is fabricated into a device. During rapid thermal processing, for example, semiconductor wafers are typically heated in a thermal processing chamber by an array of energy sources to high temperatures, such as from about 100xc2x0 C. to about 1,200xc2x0 C., for a time that is typically less than a few minutes.
Besides heating semiconductor wafers, thermal processing chambers are also used to chemically react wafers with other components, such as gases. For instance, various gases can be circulated through the thermal processing chamber to react with the surface of the semiconductor wafer during heating to form a desired film or coating on the wafer. For example, steam can be present within the chamber to form oxidation coatings on the wafer. Reactions of this type may be carried out under pressure or under vacuum conditions. Thus, it is often necessary to isolate the thermal processing chamber from the energy source by a window. This window is typically formed of a material that allows for effective transmission of heat energy and that withstands processing pressures.
In the past, these windows were conventionally formed from thin, solid quartz plates. However, one problem with such thin quartz plates is that they possessed an inherently poor mechanical strength to withstand the bending stresses that result from vacuum or fluid pressures generated inside the thermal processing chamber during the heat treatment of a wafer.
Consequently, solid quartz plates having a relatively large thickness have also been utilized. However, one problem with such thick, solid quartz plates is that the plates are difficult to cool after heat treatment is terminated. In particular, after a wafer is heated for a desired time, the light source is immediately shut down so that the wafer can cool very quickly. Unfortunately, due to the relatively low heat conduction coefficient of these thick quartz plates, the window fails to cool down as fast as the wafer and thus, continues to irradiate heat energy back to the wafer. Moreover, as the wafer heats up, it also irradiates energy back to the quartz window. This heating of the wafer and quartz plate continues until a stable temperature is reached. The phenomenon described above, which is often called the xe2x80x9cfirst wafer effectxe2x80x9d, can substantially decrease the efficiency and throughput of the system, adversely affect the achievement of repeatable uniformity of the wafer temperature, and place a burden on the temperature control system.
As such, a need currently exists for a window that has the strength to withstand processing requirements without substantially effecting the efficiency of the system.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for heat treating a substrate, such as semiconductor wafer is provided. The apparatus includes a thermal processing chamber and a energy source in communication with the chamber. Further, the apparatus also contains a window that contains a member having a first side facing the substrate and a second side facing the energy source. In some embodiments, the window has a thickness greater than about 1 inch so that it can withstand certain pressures applied during processing. Moreover, the window can also contain a material, such as quartz or sapphire, that is capable of allowing thermal radiation at a preselected wavelength to pass therethrough. Moreover, the first member defines at least one passage that is capable of being placed into communication with at least one coolant, such as air, water, an emulsion, etc. The coolant can, in some embodiments, cool the window at a faster rate and thereby inhibit the onset of the xe2x80x9cfirst wafer effectxe2x80x9d.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for heat treating a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes providing a heat treating apparatus that contains a thermal processing chamber, an energy source, and a window. The method also includes heating the semiconductor wafer to a certain temperature and, after the temperature is reached, terminating the heating of the wafer. Moreover, the method also includes supplying at least one coolant to at least one passage defined by a first member of the window.
Other features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.

Windows used in thermal processing chambers


A one-piece male incontinence device comprises a condom (30) having a first sheath section (32) and a second urine collecting compartment (42) divided by a skin shield (36) which incorporates a soft thread-reinforced non-return, non-invertible valve (38). Collecting compartment has a twist-around drain valve (52) or alternatively a ball-obturator drain valve (93). First sheath section (32) has friction-increasing internal surface in the form of finely spaced-apart ribs (54). Alternatively skin shield 36 can incorporate two non-return, non-inverting reinforced valves (86 and 88) placed to eliminate urine pooling (90). Alternative design catheter (79) comprises one-piece first sheath section and second urine collecting compartment divided by an insert (36) incorporating non-return valve or valves and skin shield which is placed and imperviously sealed therein. A garment (94) is provided for spinal injured patients for attaching thereto a condom catheter. A non-elastomeric, non-latex condom catheter (110) is provided for users who are allergic to latex products.

The present invention relates to male incontinence devices, in particular to a ribbed surface on the inside open end of the condom sheath portion to improve catheter adherence, an integrally made reinforced soft non-return valve between the sheath and the urine collecting compartment to prevent urine spillage, an alternative soft non-return, non-invertible two-valve assembly designed to prevent pooling. Also a garment which can be used to attach a catheter for use by spinal injured patients and an inexpensive non-elastomeric condom catheter with prior-art duck-bill non-return valve and a prior-art twist-around drain valve.

Condom catheter with improved valve and retaining means


An optical module includes a lens barrel (10). At least one lens (20) and a spacer (30) are mounted in the lens barrel. A filter (40) is glued to the lens barrel and the spacer with an adhesive so as to prevent the at least one lens and the spacer from falling out of the lens barrel.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to optical modules used in photography and imaging equipment and, particularly, to optical modules for digital cameras.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, camera modules for taking photos have begun to be incorporated in mobile terminals, such as mobile phones and lap-top computers. Most mobile terminals devices are, progressively becoming more miniaturized over time, and digital camera modules are, correspondingly, becoming smaller and smaller. Nevertheless, in spite of the small size of a contemporary digital camera module, consumers still demand excellence in image quality.
Optical modules used for digital camera modules typically include a barrel, a lens module, a spacer, and a filter. The lens module and the spacer are received in the barrel. Generally, the filter is fixed with a spacer in the barrel, by using an adhesive, for example. However, the non-uniformity and/or the insufficiency (e.g., not enough initially applied; not adequately durable; etc.) of the adhesive will likely allow the filter to fall out of the barrel, in the long run.
What is needed, therefore, is a new optical module that can overcome the above-described shortcomings.

Optical module with adhesively mounted filter


An improved standard cell logic chip, of the type which contains one to fifteen thousand standard logic cells that are disposed in rows on a substrate, and has cell interconnect channels of different widths between the rows, also includes fast change logic cells which are sparsely distributed in the rows of standard logic cells. Each fast change cell selectively performs any one of several logic functions. These fast change logic cells are formed from the same stacked conductive and insulative layers as the standard logic cells; however, in the fast change cells, all conductive and insulative layers which are below at least the mid level in the stack of layers have respective patterns which are identical in every fast change cell. Only the remaining conductive and insulative layers in the fast change cells have respective patterns which differ from one fast change cell to another, and they select the logical functions which the fast change cells perform.

This invention relates to standard cell digital logic chips; and more particularly, it relates to an improvement to such chips which enables minor logic changes to be made in a much quicker and less expensive fashion than has heretofore been possible.
Conventionally, a standard cell digital logic chip contains one to fifteen thousand standard logic cells which are arranged in rows on a semiconductor substrate. Cell interconnect channels of various widths lie between the rows. All of the standard logic cells that are on the chip are chosen by a chip designer from a library of at least 100 different types of cells, and each cell type in the library performs a different logic function. For example, one type of standard logic cell performs a five-input NAND function; another type of standard logic cell performs a three-input OR function, etc. Standard cells of a type that are commonly referred to as super-cells or megacells can also be in the library, and they include read/write memory arrays, read-only memory arrays, multiplier cells, and input/output buffers.
Each type of standard cell is made up of a respective number of transistors, and the number of transistors that are in a particular cell is the minimum number which is needed to perform the cell's logic function. This minimizing of the number of transistors per cell reduces the amount of chip space which the cell occupies, and thereby increases the total number of cells that can be put on a single chip. Also in each type of standard logic cell, the placement, the size, and the interconnections of the transistors are customized in order to further reduce the chip space which the cell occupies.
All of the transistors within a cell, as well as their placement and interconnection, are formed by several patterned conductive and insulative layers which are integrated together in a stack. Thus, to reduce the size of a cell as explained above, the shape of each of these layers must be customized. Consequently, each layer of every cell in the cell library has a unique and irregularly shaped pattern.
Such reduction in the size of the standard cells is a very important consideration because it enables a multi-chip product to be built with fewer chips, and that in turn enables the price of the product to be proportionately reduced. However, the present inventors have discovered that even when the size of every cell in the cell library is the smallest that is commercially available, the chips that are made from those cells still have a major deficiency. This deficiency relates to the speed at which logic errors on a chip can be fixed, and this deficiency can be so serious that it can actually determine the success or failure in the marketplace of a product which is made from the standard cell logic chips.
Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide an improved standard cell logic chip in which the above deficiency, which is described fully in the Detailed Description, is corrected.

Fast change standard cell digital logic chip


A method and apparatus are disclosed for efficiently cutting food items, such as potatoes, into helical strips. The food items are provided seriatim to the cutting assembly from a conveyor system fed by a trough shaker or other singulator device. Food items on the conveyor are aligned longitudinally and are then impaled on small spikes protruding from the conveyor so that they maintain the longitudinal orientation during their travel to a feed roller portion of the system. The feed rollers firmly grip the food items by their peripheries and advance them into the rotary cutting assembly. This assembly includes a helically shaped cutting member defining at a leading edge thereof a slicing blade and supporting on its front surface a plurality of perpendicularly extending scoring blades. The helically shaped cutting member is mounted at its periphery by being threadedly received in a helical thread cut in an annular holder. This holder, in turn, is affixed to a toothed drive ring which is rotatably mounted in a cutting assembly housing. This composite assembly is removably mounted in the apparatus and the toothed drive ring driven by a drive gear that extends through an opening in the housing. The apparatus cuts food items quickly and efficiently and includes features designed to minimize cutting stresses that may impair the structural integrity of the resulting products.

Helical french fries, or curlicue fries as they are more commonly known, have long been popular fare at carnivals, state fairs and restaurants. In addition to their engaging appearance to consumers, helical fries offer an important marketing benefit to their purveyors: good "plate coverage." Plate coverage refers to the apparent volume of food received by a customer for a given cost. Since a serving of curlicue fries inherently includes a large volume of air, it appears larger than a like weight of conventional french fries. For example, the plate coverage provided by four ounces of conventional fries may require only three ounces of helical fries. This differential can be translated into higher profit margins for the retailer or can be passed on as more generous servings to the consumers.
Apparatuses suitable for making strips for curlicue french fries have been known for decades. The prior art shows two general classes. In the first, the potato is rotated and brought into engagement with a non-rotating cutting element. U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,259 to Chambos illustrates such a system that employs an electric drill to rotate the potato. As a general proposition, this class of devices is poorly suited for use in large food processing operations due to the difficulty of repeatedly gripping, rotating and cutting large numbers of potatoes seriatim.
Better suited for large commercial applications is the second class of helical cutting devices. In this class, the cutting element is rotated and brought into engagement with a non-rotating potato. An exemplary apparatus is shown in French patent 1,554,003. The problem with many devices of this class, however, is that the means employed to hold the potato against rotation while it is being cut cannot rapidly be released to permit the processing of the next potato.
One proposed solution to this problem is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,838 to Samson et al. and involves the use of a plurality of spring loaded fingers which protrude through the wall of a feed chute supplying potatoes to the cutting element and which act to restrain the potatoes therein against rotation. A reciprocating plunger pushes potatoes through the chute. Such an arrangement, however, limits the speed with which the apparatus can process potatoes since approximately half of the plunger's motion is wasted. The plunger itself contributes to the complexity of this system since its periphery must be configured with grooves to permit the plunger to pass by the fingers in the chute without pushing the fingers to their retracted positions.
The present invention overcomes the above noted drawbacks of the prior art and provides a simply apparatus for processing large numbers of potatoes into helical strips quickly and efficiently. The invention overcomes the problem of holding the potato against rotation by adopting a means known to certain fields of the food processing art but never before applied to the production of helical fries, namely feed roller. Such feed rollers comprise pairs of counter-rotating shafts with engagement spurs or paddles thereon for passing elongated food items along an axis extending therebetween. These devices are used, for example, in the SC-120 Corn Cutter marketed by FMC Corp. to feed cob corn to a cutting assembly. The FMC device is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,273.
In the apparatus of the invention, potatoes are provided to the feed rollers from a conveyor which is supplied with potatoes at its intake end from a trough shaker or other singulator device. Potatoes on the conveyor are aligned longitudinally and are then impaled on small spikes protruding from the conveyor so that they maintain that orientation during their travel to the feed roller portion of the system. The feed rollers firmly grip the potatoes by their peripheries and advance them into the rotary cutting assembly. This assembly comprises a helically shaped cutting member defining a slicing blade at a leading edge thereof and supporting a plurality of perpendicularly extending scoring blades on its front surface. The helically shaped cutting member is mounted at its periphery by being threadedly received in a helical thread cut in an annular holder. This holder, in turn is affixed to a toothed drive ring which is rotatably mounted in a cutting assembly housing. This composite assembly is removably mounted in the apparatus and the toothed drive ring driven by a drive gear that extends through an opening in the housing. The apparatus includes features designed to minimize stresses in the cutting of the potatoes that may impair the structural integrity of the resulting helical strips.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.


An elastic wave device is described which includes a piezoelectric substrate, comb-shaped electrodes having teeth electrodes that are disposed so as to face each other on the piezoelectric substrate, a non-overlapping area in which the teeth electrodes of the comb-shaped electrodes do not overlap each other, and a overlapping area in which the teeth electrodes overlap each other and the velocity of sound is higher than that in the non-overlapping area.

An elastic surface acoustic wave (SAW) device has been well known as a device to which elastic waves are applied. This SAW device is used for various kinds of circuits in a device for processing a radio signal in a frequency band of 45 MHz to 2 GHz. For example, SAW devices have been known for use in a transmission band pass filter, a reception band pass filter, a local oscillation filter, an antenna duplexer, an IF filter, an FM modulator, etc.
In connection with the enhancement in performance of cellular phones, etc., improvements of various characteristics such as reduction of loss within the band, high suppression at the outside of the band, enhancement of temperature stability, etc., and miniaturization of the device size have been recently required in SAW devices used as band pass filters. Particularly, the reduction of loss is related to the problem of increasing the driving time of cellular equipment which has been recently problematic, and it is a permanent object required to cellular equipment parts.

Elastic wave device with a dielectric layer on the comb-shaped electrodes


A method for capturing at least one image of an existing man-made structure and for detecting the presence of failure(s) in such existing man-made structure including: providing a detectable material on the surface or in an existing man-made structure so that portions of the detectable material will be present in the failure(s) of the existing man-made structure; providing an image sensor and which captures at least one image of the existing man-made structure and identifies failure(s) due to the existence of the detectable material in the failure(s) to provide at least one digital image; and processing the captured digital image(s) to provide a visual image of the existing man-made structure to determine the presence of failure(s) in the existing man-made structure.

The surveillance of ground topography is well known in the art. It is frequently the case that an aircraft or a satellite includes an image capture device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD). In ground surveillance it is highly desirable to detect whether there has been a failure in a man-made object such as a road, a pipeline, an electrical grid, or other man-made structures of practical interest. When detected, a determination is made if remedial action must be taken. Often times a visual inspection of ground topography is provided by a land-based crew that traverses an area by vehicle or foot, to determine if there is a failure. Airborne photographic systems can also be used for capturing images of adjacent areas. These images are then reviewed to determine if there is a failure.
In many cases these inspections must done by a ground site survey; individuals visit these locations and take measurements or obtain other forms of data on-sight. This process becomes cumbersome, costly, inconvenient, and in many cases unreliable and unsafe due to the dangers present in remote locations and to potential false interpretations due to worker fatigue and other factors. Furthermore, remote locations are frequently in mountains, deserts and forests that are difficult to reach and frequent inspection requires the placement of permanent maintenance and inspection crews adding to overall costs.

Detecting the presence of failure(s) in existing man-made structures