Absolute engine position sensing is provided by monitoring the temporal relationship of energization of multiple spark plugs sharing a common source of drive energy in a direct ignition application. The spark plugs are connected across the source with opposing electrical polarity, and the relative time of discharge across the plugs compared by sensing the time and polarity of high speed transient activity in proximity to the source.

The application of camshaft position sensors in internal combustion engine control is known generally in the art of engine control. For instance, such sensors may provide engine absolute position information which may be used to synchronize relative position inputs to the control, such as from a crankshaft position sensor. The camshaft position sensor is typically a dedicated sensor, such as a conventional variable reluctance sensor disposed in proximity to the camshaft to sense passage of an appendage placed on the camshaft, and to communicate the passage to a controller for use in synchronizing a relative engine position input. Significant expense is associated with this approach to sensing camshaft position including the cost of the variable reluctance sensor and the associated packaging and wiring, and the additional machining on the camshaft.
In a direct ignition system (DIS) for spark plug ignition in an internal combustion engine, pairs of spark plugs are coupled to a single supply. The supply may be a conventional step-up transformer, the timing of the charge and discharge of which are controlled by a spark controller. The pair of spark plugs may be coupled in series across the secondary winding of the transformer in reverse electrical polarity, wherein the anodes of the pair are grounded. The transformer provides energizing voltage to the pair of spark plugs whenever either of the two must be fired for desired engine control. DIS provides a cost advantage over electronic ignition systems having one dedicated coil per spark plug.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to supplant the camshaft position sensor with a low cost alternative thereto that is suitable for application with DIS.

Method of indicating combustion in an internal combustion engine


A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a first stage comprising a plurality of first circuit arms coupled together, each first circuit arm including a resistor. A second stage includes a plurality of second circuit arms coupled together, each second circuit arm comprising a first resistor and a pair of series-connected resistors. The first resistors of the second circuit arms are connected in series. A current digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) trim circuit is connected to a plurality, but not all, of the second circuit arms of the second stage. The IDAC trim circuit includes a plurality of first current sources. Each first current source is coupled to a respective node between a pair of the series-connected resistors of a corresponding second circuit arm, and each of the first current sources is configured to produce a same current level as the other first current sources.

A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) generates an analog signal based on a digital input value. The "precision" of a DAC refers to the number of bits of the digital input value that the DAC converts to an analog output signal. A 20-bit DAC has a higher precision than a 12-bit DAC. The voltage range of the analog output signal of a DAC is also a design consideration. DACs are available in a variety of configurations and are used in a variety of applications. DACs typically use a reference voltage. The amount of headroom in a DAC refers to the voltage difference between the highest voltage the DAC is capable of producing on its analog output and the lowest power supply voltage level that is required for the desired precision. The headroom can also be expressed as the difference between the highest reference voltage level and the lowest power supply voltage level. Some applications benefit from higher precision DACs (e.g., a 20-bit DAC versus a 12-bit DAC), DACs that are capable of generating a higher range of output voltages (e.g., up to 30 volts versus 5 volts), and DACs that have a smaller headroom (e.g., 1V versus 1.5V).

Trim digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for an R2R ladder DAC


A redox flow battery according to the present invention is provided with a battery module including a battery cell or a stack, and a pair of electrolyte tanks, and a replacement of a pump is applied for each battery module to transfer electrolyte to the battery cell and the stack such that shunt current is reduced. In addition, each battery module is provided with the pair of the electrolyte tanks such that a transfer distance of the electrolyte can be reduced, and a fluid controller using pressure instead of a pump for each module such that power required for driving the pump can be reduced and efficiency of the battery can be improved.

Recently, renewable energy such as solar energy and wind energy has attracted attention as a method to suppress greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major cause of global warming. However, renewable energy is heavily influenced by location and natural conditions. Moreover, since the output fluctuation is large, it is impossible to uniformly supply the energy continuously. Therefore, in order to use renewable energy for home or commercial use, a system that stores energy when the output is high and uses stored energy when the output is low has been introduced and used.
As such an energy storage system, a large-capacity secondary battery is used. For example, a large-capacity secondary battery storage system has been introduced into a large-scale solar power generation and wind power generation complexes. The secondary battery for storing a large amount of electric power includes a lead-acid battery, a sodium-sulfur (NaS) battery, and a redox flow battery (RFB).
Although the lead-acid battery is widely used in comparison with other batteries, it has disadvantages such as low efficiency, high maintenance cost due to periodic replacement, and generation of industrial waste generated when replacing the battery disposed. Although the NaS battery has high energy efficiency, the NaS battery operates at a high temperature of 300° C. or higher, which is problematic. The redox flow battery is capable of operating at room temperature and a capacity and output thereof can be designed independently whereby much research has been conducted recently for a large capacity secondary battery.
The redox flow battery is configured with a stack in which a membrane, an electrode, and a bipolar plate are repeatedly arranged in a series, similar to a fuel cell battery such that the redox flow battery is a secondary battery that can be charged with and discharge electric energy. In the redox flow battery, a positive electrolyte and a negative electrolyte, respectively supplied from the positive and negative electrolyte storage tanks of each side of the membrane, circulate to perform ion exchange and electrons move in above process to charge and discharge. The redox flow battery is known to be most suitable for energy storage system (ESS) because the redox flow battery has long life span and can be manufactured as medium and large sized systems of a kW to MW class.
However, the redox flow battery has a structure in which the tanks for storing a positive electrolyte and a negative electrolyte are disposed with a certain space (for example, a structure in which the tanks are disposed with a certain space on each side of the stack or below the stack). There is a disadvantage with respect to overall system volume, in which electrolyte circulation pipes connect the stack and the tanks to each other, compared to other power storage devices based on similar power storage capacities such as the lead-acid battery, a lithium ion battery, and the lithium-sulfur battery.
In addition, since a plurality of electrolyte circulation pipes are required to connect the stack, the pump, and the electrolyte tank, a pump capacity exceeding a predetermined standard is required in order to supply the electrolyte to each stack uniformly. As a length of the electrolyte circulation pipe becomes longer, the required capacity of the pump is increased such that a size of the pump and the manufacturing cost of the battery are increased, and an overall power efficiency is lowered due to the increase of the power consumption due to the increase of the pump capacity.
In addition, a general battery should have a high responsiveness in charging and discharging operations. However, in case of the redox flow battery, when operating for charging and discharging in a stopped state, it takes time until the electrolyte is circulated to the inside of the stack by the pump. In addition, the responsiveness is lowered over time, and cost is increased because a plurality of chemical resistance-pipes connecting the cell, the stack, and the pump is required.
In a typical redox flow battery, electrolyte is supplied to each cell through each manifold. However, because the electrolyte filled in the manifolds serve as an electric passage for connecting each cell, it can be an electron movement path such that a shunt current is generated through the passage. Thus, a part of the energy is lost due to the shunt current at charging and discharging processes, whereby the shunt current becomes a major cause of reduced efficiency, component damage, and uneven cell performance. In order to reduce the shunt current, increasing a length of the manifold and reducing a cross-sectional area of the manifold have been adopted. However, a flow resistance of the fluid is increased in above solutions such that pumping loss is generated, therefore, an alternative to overcome the problem is required.


A tone generation system includes a square wave signal generator configured to generate a first series of square wave signals to replicate a fundamental frequency of a desired mechanical tone, and a second series of square waves signals to replicate a second harmonic of the desired mechanical tone. An amplifier is configured to receive the first and second series of square waves, and a speaker is connected to receive an output signal from the amplifier.

Mechanical sirens, horns, buzzers, etc. provide distinctive sounds used in various applications such as signaling tones (lunch or break time indicators in factories), warning tones or sirens (severe weather warnings), indicators for sports events in stadiums and arenas (scoreboard buzzer), etc.
An example of an electromechanical device for producing such sounds includes a flexible diaphragm, typically made of metal, with a striker that is magnetically activated to move the striker against the diaphragm to generate a tone. Some electronic tone production devices reproduce the sound of mechanical horns and buzzers by simply playing an amplified analog or digital recording of the desired sound through a loud speaker system. Such electronic sound production systems typically include an input signal source, an amplifier circuit and a loudspeaker.
Improvements in sound generation systems are desired.


A composite positive active material includes: a composite including a first metal oxide represented by Formula 1 and having a layered structure, and a second metal oxide having at least one crystal structure selected from a layer structure, a perovskite structure, a rock salt structure, and a spinel structure, wherein a content of the second metal oxide is greater than 0 and equal to or less than 0.2 moles, per mole of the composite,LiNixM11-xO2-eM2e  Formula 1wherein, in Formula 1, M1 is at least one element selected from Group 4 to Group 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; Ma is at least one element selected from F, S, Cl, and Br; 0.7≤x<1; and 0≤e<1. Also, a positive electrode including the composite positive active material, and a lithium battery including the positive electrode.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a composite active material, methods of preparing the same, a positive electrode including the composite active material, and a lithium battery including the positive electrode.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with the use of lithium batteries as power sources for portable electronic devices and vehicles, vigorous research is in progress to improve the capacity of lithium batteries. The trends toward multifunctional and higher functional devices are increasing demand for smaller, lighter, and higher-voltage lithium batteries for use as power sources of such devices.
To implement lithium batteries satisfying such demands, there is a need for positive active materials with improved lifespan and capacity characteristics, and suppressed reduction in voltage characteristics even under repeated charging and discharging.

Composite positive active material, method of preparing the same, positive electrode including the composite positive active material, and lithium battery including the positive electrode


A compact carrying case for contraceptive devices has a series of pouches and a compartment which hold various elements used in a birth control system. The pouches have an entrance side which has elastic closing means for holding partially enclosed devices in place. A lid is hingedly attached to the bottom of the case adjacent the open ends of the pouches. The compartment fully encloses an additional device in one of two ways, both of which permit easy cleaning. A compartment having an entrance edge may be provided with a flap which covers the edge and fastens shut. The edge itself may expand, or expanding sides may be provided on the compartment, for easy cleaning. In the alternative, the compartment may be hingedly attached to the bottom and have an elastic opening in the side adjacent the pouches. The case may be closed by folding the compartment over the pouches and fastening the lid of the case to the outside of the compartment. The compartment may be opened and unfolded for easy cleaning.

Various methods of contraception have been developed to prevent pregnancy. Some are relatively unreliable, while others may cause harmful side effects and present potential health hazards to the user. The use of a diaphragm as a method of contraception has become increasingly popular because it is relatively reliable and safe.
A contraceptive diaphragm is generally stored in a hard, plastic cover. Use of the diaphragm usually requires several ancillary articles, including a chemical jelly, which is generally purchased in a tube, an introducer for inserting the diaphragm into the body, and an applicator for putting additional jelly on the diaphragm without removing it from the body. Each of these devices is generally purchased in individual packages, and is often carried loosely and unorganized in a handbag or purse.
Thus, there is a need for carrying cases for contraceptive devices, and particularly for a diaphragm and related accessories, which organize them in a sanitary enivronment and fit inside many handbags or the like.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide new and inventive carrying cases for contraceptive devices, and particularly for diaphragms and related apparatus. Another object is to provide new and improved carrying cases for contraceptive devices, which cases hold and organize the devices under relatively sanitary conditions. Yet another object is to provide new and improved carrying cases for contraceptive devices, which cases are easy to clean, especially in the area where the introducer is stored. Still another object is to provide new and improved carrying cases for contraceptive devices which are relatively compact and flexible.
In keeping with one aspect of the invention, a carrying case for contraceptive devices includes a series of pouches which hold various objects, such as a tube of chemical jelly, a diaphragm cover, and an applicator. The case is somewhat flexible, and is compact enough to fit inside of many handbags or the like. The pouches have elastic closing means on their entrance sides to hold objects of different sizes, including partially used jelly tubes. A compartment for a diaphragm introducer may be provided in the form of a pocket and a flap which covers the entrance edge of the compartment and snaps shut over it. The case may be closed by fastening a lid over the pouches and compartment. The lid helps hold the objects in the pouches in place. In an alternate embodiment, the introducer compartment may be hingedly attached to the carrying case. The compartment is a pouch which is closed elastically in the center. The case may be closed by folding the compartment toward the pouches and snapping the lid of the case to the back of the compartment.


A cascaded H-bridge inverter and a method for handling a fault thereof are provided. An output voltage or an output power of each of N solar panels is detected by a controller. In a case that the output voltage of at least one of the N solar panels is lower than a preset voltage, or that the output power of at least one of the N solar panels is lower than a preset power, the controller controls a corresponding switching device to be switched off, and changes a set value of a voltage across a capacitor in the direct current side. Then, the controller controls a corresponding H-bridge module to perform inverting by taking the set value of the voltage across the capacitor in the direct current side as an input value, so that a total output modulation voltage of the cascaded H-bridge inverter meets a preset condition.

In recent years, the cascaded multi-level topology has been widely used by virtue of its excellent performance. Among all cascaded multi-level topologies, the cascaded H-bridge topology is favored due to its modular structure, simple layout, few components required to achieve the same number of levels and high system reliability.
A system structure of a current cascaded H-bridge inverter is as shown in FIG. 1. In a normal operation, solar modules are connected in parallel with the direct current side of the cascaded H-bridge inverter, and transfer the energy in the direct current side to a power grid via the cascaded H-bridge inverter. However, when a solar panel is seriously blocked or fails to work, a voltage across the solar panel will be significantly reduced, so that a voltage in the direct current side of the H-bridge inverter drops simultaneously, thereby affecting the normal operation of the system.
In the conventional technology, the corresponding H-bridge module is generally bypassed, and the remaining H-bridge modules are configured for grid-connected power generation. However, if the redundancy of the number of H-bridges cascaded in the overall system is insufficient, a total output modulation voltage of the cascaded H-bridge inverter will be reduced, and the system cannot operate stably, so that those intact solar panels are not be able to transfer energy to the power grid, thereby resulting in a significant loss of power generation.
In the patent US2015/0340964A1, A storage apparatus with which billing amounts in the case of write count-dependent billing can be predicted, comprises a physical storage device which provides logical volumes of different types, and a controller which executes I/O control by classifying each of the logical volumes of different types into tiers of different response performances. In a case where a write request is issued to any virtual page which configures the virtual volume, the controller assigns any real page which configures a logical volume to the virtual page, writes data to the real page, and performs a write count. The controller calculates a billing amount per fixed time interval on the basis of the performed write count, calculates tier ranges so that the billing amount per fixed time interval does not exceed the billing upper limit value, and relocates the real page on the basis of the calculated tier range.

Cascaded H-bridge inverter and method for handling fault thereof


The present invention relates to a method for computer-aided identification of the child octants of a parent octant, which are intersected by a beam, in an octree data tree. The method firstly determines the number of the child octants of the parent octant which are intersected by the beam and, on the basis thereof, the child octants of the parent octant which are intersected by the beam. It is characterized in that, for determination of intermediate octants which do not correspond to the entry and the exit octant and nevertheless are intersected by the beam, look-up tables are used for identification.

The present invention relates to a method for computer-aided identification of the child octants of a parent octant, which are intersected by a beam, in an octree data structure. The invention relates in addition also to methods which are described subsequently in more detail, said methods being based on the method according to the invention and using it in different technical fields, to the use of such methods and also to a computer system which is configured to achieve the method according to the invention.
An octree (lat. oct "8" and English tree) is a data structure known from information technology. An octree can be regarded as a tree with a root, the nodes of which respectively have either exactly 8 direct successors or no successor at all. Octrees are used mainly in computer graphics in order to subdivide three-dimensional data sets hierarchically. The root of the octree thereby represents all the data, each other node represents an octant of the data of its direct predecessor. The root or a predecessor are subsequently also termed parent octant alternatively. The subsequent nodes of a predecessor are subsequently termed also child octants. Each parent octant has hence either exactly 8 child octants or no child octant. Subsequently, the term octant or node is used synonymously or alternatively to the information which can be stored in such a node within the framework of the octree data structure. Thus, for example each parent octant of the special expression min-max-octree can contain the minimum and the maximum of the successive partial tree (i.e. of the 8 assigned child octants), which enables efficient search algorithms. The individual data values which are stored in the individual nodes or octants correspond thereby to values, such as for example real numbers, which can be compared with each other with a size relation. Thus the individual stored values can represent for example the density of a physical medium.
The most frequent application of an octree, as used in the invention, relates to the uniform division of a cube-shaped data set: the root (or that parent octant which is highest in the hierarchy) is subdivided into 8 smaller cubes, the child octants. Each child octant is then divided in turn into a further 8 grandchild octants etc. The subdivision of a partial cube ends hereby when no further division is possible or if no further division is necessary.
The individual children volumes produced by the division (by means of corresponding dividing planes which are disposed for example perpendicular to the individual coordinate axes x, y and z of a Cartesian coordinate system) need not however be cube-shaped but can also in general have a cuboid configuration. A subdivision of the volumes into parts of an unequal size is also possible.

Method for computer-aided identification of the child octants of a parent octant, which are intersected by a beam, in an octree data structure by means of look-up tables

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


In a fodder harvesting machine, the device disclosed comprises a rotating chopping drum (1) and a fixed counter-knife (25) cooperating with the knives (2) of the drum (1), as well as a retractable wheel (21) adapted to be moved in rotation in order periodically to sharpen the knives (2). According to the invention, at least two positioners (5, 6, 7, 8) located near the free ends of the chopping drum (1) are mounted to pivot about the geometrical axis thereof and connected to an actuation device (a) bringing, by pivoting, the end contact piece (8) of each positioner (7) either opposite the wheel (21), or opposite a corresponding stop (32) of the counter-knife (25) which is fastened to a fixed support (3, 35) via a presser device (34) and a fixing device (33).

Fodder-cutters used in fodder harvesters comprise chopping cylinders or drums which rotate at high speed and of which the knives cooperate with a fixed counter-knife to chop agricultural products entering in the form of stems, leaves or the like, into small pieces or elements. The position of the counter-knife with respect to the knives of the drum and the state of the fine edge of the knives are critical for obtaining suitable cutting, a uniform length of the cut elements and a minimum energy consumption.
It is therefore essential that the edge of the knives remain perfect and that the clearance between said knives and the counter-knife remain minimum. Consequently, in order to obtain a good result, the knives must be sharpened several times every day, the minimum being removed each time, accompanied by an adjustment of the counter-knife. This obviously implies that all the operations be effected very rapidly, in perfect safety for the personnel and the equipment.
Such is the general purpose of the present invention, common to the other heretofore known devices.
However, in the latter, the function of sharpening is not associated with that of the adjustment of the counter-knife. Yet it is advantageous to carry out these operations simultaneously and this is the particular object of the present invention, within the framework of the general purpose set forth hereinabove, thanks to which a maximum efficiency of the machine can be attained with a minimum time of sharpening/adjustment.
Furthermore, the present invention does not employ the complex electronic systems of the heretofore known devices, which are always difficult to repair in an agricultural environment, and proposes a device which employs simple mechanics of which only the monitoring is ensured by electrical or electronic means, which are, themselves, very simple.

Process for sharpening the knives of a rotating drum and adjusting the fixed counter-knife cooperating therewith and device for carrying out this process


An apparatus for securing a component to a panel to provide variable positioning of the component with respect to three mutually perpendicular axes is disclosed, having an elongate threaded stud, a generally planar member with a cylindrical elongate collar projecting therefrom, the collar being threadably engaged with the stud threads and including threads of an opposite direction on an outer surface thereof. The apparatus also comprises an internally threaded fastener for threadedly engaging the external threads of the collar. The internally threaded fastener and the planar member clampingly engage respective opposite sides of the panel upon tightening of the nut and permit variable positioning of the component with respect to the panel along three mutually perpendicular axes without moving the component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fasteners and more specifically to fastening systems accommodating a variability in fastening position.
2. Disclosure Information
In the automotive fastening arts, the wide variability in the positioning of structures to be fastened together necessitates the accommodation of a stack-up of tolerances between automotive body structure and the components that are assembled to an automotive body. U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,549, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a mounting system which overcomes the stack-up of tolerances and accommodates variability in positioning the componentry with respect to the panel to which it is attached. The mounting system of the '549 patent includes a stud carried with the component to be mounted, a hole formed through the body structure for receiving the stud therein and a fastener assembly that is both axially variable positionable with respect to the stud and carried within the hole which permits movement along axes perpendicular to the stud. The fastener assembly provides for clamping engagement with the body structure to secure the stud and the component in its final desired position. The stud of the '549 system engages a collar which is axially positionable in a conical spring washer. External and internal tapered surfaces of the collar wedgingly engage the washer to provide locking engagement with respect to the stud when the appropriate axial position is reached. Because of the frictional locking engagement provided by the '549 system, its utility is limited to light duty applications in non-harsh atmospheres.

Three-axes variability compensating fastener


A Ti film is formed by CVD in holes formed in an insulating film formed on a Si substrate or on a Si film formed on a Si substrate by a method comprising the steps of: loading a Si substrate into a film forming chamber; evacuating the chamber at a predetermined vacuum; supplying TiCl.sub.4 gas, H.sub.2 gas, Ar gas and SiH.sub.4 gas into the film forming chamber; and producing a plasma in the film forming chamber to deposit a Ti film in the holes formed in the insulating film. The Si substrate is heated at 550.degree. C. or above during the deposition of the Ti film, and the flow rates of the processing gases are regulated so that Si-to-insulator selectivity is not less than one. This method enables formation of a Ti film on a Si base at positions of holes in an insulating layer, with a good morphology of the interface between the Si base and the Ti film and with a good step coverage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of forming a titanium (Ti) film to be used as a contact metal film or an adhesion layer for a semiconductor device by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, most semiconductor integrated circuits are fabricated in a circuit configuration of a multilevel structure to cope with market demand for high-density and large-scale integration. Accordingly, techniques for filling contact holes for the electrical connection of semiconductor devices formed in a lower layer to wiring lines formed in upper wiring layers, and via holes for the electrical connection of wiring lines in different wiring layers have become important.
Generally, aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), aluminum-base alloys and tungsten-base alloys are used for filing contact holes and via holes. If a contact hole (or a via hole) is filled with such a metal or an alloy, which is in direct contact with an Al wiring line or a silicon (Si) substrate in a lower layer, it is possible that an alloy of silicon and aluminum is produced in the boundary owing to the diffusion of Al and Si. Such an alloy has a high resistivity and is undesirable in view of need to reduce the power consumption and to increase the operating speed of integrated circuits If W or a W-base alloy is used for filling a contact hole, WF.sub.6 gas as a source gas for depositing W or the W-base alloy tends to deteriorate the electrical properties of the Si substrate.
To avoid such problems, a barrier layer is formed on surfaces defining contact holes or via holes before filling the contact holes and the via holes with the filing metal. Generally, a two-layer barrier layer consisting of a Ti film and a TiN (titanium nitride) film is used as the barrier layer. It has been the usual way to form such a barrier layer by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. However, a PVD film has a poor coverage and is incapable of meeting the requirements of tight design rule, the reduction of the width of lines and diameter of openings and the increase of aspect ratio to meet the recent demand for the enhancement of the level of integration and the miniaturization of IC chips.
Recently, Ti films and TiN films have been formed by a CVD process capable of forming such films in a better film quality than the PVD process. The Ti film serving as a contact metal film is formed by a plasma CVD process. Usually, the plasma CVD process for forming a Ti film uses TiCl.sub.4 gas as a source gas, H.sub.2 gas and Ar gas. During the plasma CVD process, Si forming the substrate and Ti contained in the source gas interact and Si diffuses in the Ti layer, deteriorating the morphology of a TiSi.sub.X (typically, TiSi.sub.2) interfacial layer formed between the Si substrate and the Ti layer. The diffusion of Si into the Ti layer is liable to cause junction leakage when the Ti layer is used for filling a contact hole and affects adversely to electrical connection when the same is used for filling a via hole.
The aspect ratio of contact holes and via holes formed in SiO.sub.2 insulating films has increased with the progressive miniaturization of IC chips. Therefore, the Ti film is required to be formed in a satisfactory step coverage.
The present invention has been made in view of the above and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming a Ti film by CVD, capable of forming a Ti film in minute holes formed in an insulating film in a satisfactory step coverage without deteriorating the morphology of a TiSi.sub.X interfacial layer formed between the Ti film and a Si base.


A continuous-operation cargo-transfer equipment. It comprises bulk-cargo uptake mechanisms (4a), an upright conveyor-constituted shaft (4), a boom (5) with a conveyor mounted on it that seesaws up and down on a turntable (6), a gantry (10) that travels back and forth on a pontoon (2), intermediate belts (6b & 6c), and a tender-loading conveyor belt (16) that operates in conjunction with a bulk-goods expulsion spout (17) on a pivoting and displacing beam (12). Such equipment is employed outside ports for transferring bulk cargo from deep-draft ocean-going vessels to shallow-draft tenders. The object is to maintain the cargo-uptake point inside the deep-draft vessel (1) as steady as possible. The equipment is provided with two Counterweights (7 & 15). One counterweight (7) compensates for any listing that occurs when the boom wanders out of position. The other counterweight (15) compensates for any listing that accompanies the sweep of the tender-loading conveyor belt (16). The counterweights are forced by cables (8) into whatever position will counteract the motion of the beam, ensuring the stability of the pontoon.

The present invention concerns continuous-operation cargo-transfer equipment. The equipment comprises bulk-cargo uptake mechanisms that operate inside the hold, an upright conveyor-constituted shaft, a boom that seesaws up and down on a turntable, a gantry that travels back and forth on a pontoon, intermediate belts, and a conveyor belt that operates in conjunction with a bulk-goods expulsion spout on a pivoting and displacing beam. Such equipment is employed outside ports for transferring bulk cargo from deep-draft ocean-going vessels to shallow-draft tenders in the form of lighters or barges or to ship-to-shore conveyors for example.
Existing equipment of this type employs clamshell cranes. They operate discontinuously and toss the cargo they unload into a hopper that operates as a temporary bunker on the equipment. The dry particles emit a lot of dust as they drop into the bunker from the open clamshell.
Clamshell cranes are less efficient weight for weight and in terms of steel consumption and mechanical and electric components than continuous-operation equipment, and require a lot of wiring.


A system and method for a directional microphone system is disclosed. The directional microphone system can adaptively track and detect sources of sound information, and can reduce background noise. A first monolithic detection unit for detecting sound information and performing local signal processing on the detected sound information is provided. In the detection unit, an integrated transducer is provided for receiving acoustic waves and for generating sound information representative of the waves. A processor is coupled to the transducer for receiving the sound information and for performing local digital signal processing on the sound information to generate locally processed sound information. A base unit is coupled to the first monolithic detection unit and includes a global processor which receives the locally processed sound information and performs global digital signal processing on the locally processed sound information to generate globally processed sound information.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of microphones, and in particular, to a system and method for a monolithic directional microphone array.
2. Background Art
There are two general types of prior art microphones. The first type is the stand-alone microphone. Stand-alone microphones suffer from a number of disadvantages. First, these microphones cannot differentiate between two or more acoustic signals having different frequencies or originating from different spatial locations. Second, these microphones are unable to adapt to changing sources of sound, and are unable to track a moving source of sound.
The second type of prior art microphones is actually a microphone system which includes signal processing capabilities that can track and adapt to changing sources of sound. Unfortunately, these microphone systems are expensive, bulky and not suited for home use.
Noise cancelling microphones represent one type of prior art system that can track and adapt to changing sources of sound, and are commonly employed, for example, in helicopters. Such a noise cancelling microphone includes one microphone to record the speaker's voice, a second microphone to record the background noise, and a noise reduction circuit that subtracts the background noise from the speaker's voice to improve the signal quality of the speaker's voice. Although the noise cancelling microphone is suitable for noisy environments, these microphones suffer from several disadvantages. First, noise cancelling microphones cannot track a moving sound source, nor can they selectively adapt to a particular spatial angle. Second, they are costly.
Another example of prior art systems that can track and adapt to changing sources of sound are those employed by the military. Military directional acoustic detection systems are adept at tracking a changing sound source. These systems employ digital signal processing (DSP) techniques such as adaptive beam forming and noise reduction (commonly referred to as null steering) to improve signal quality. These systems, such as sonar systems, are commonly employed in submarines and ships. However, these prior art directional systems suffer from the drawbacks that they operate in a water medium and are bulky in nature. For example, the transducers employed in a towed array or mounted on the hull of a ship are large, heavy and unwieldy to maneuver. Moreover, the signal processing units are complex and often occupy several rooms of space.
Yet another example of prior art systems that can track and adapt to changing sources of sound are the ADAP 256 and ADAP 1024 systems that were sold by the assignee of the present application. These systems were used by law enforcement agencies, and are capable of performing functions such as frequency discrimination, separating the speakers' voices (i.e., sounds) based on correlation times, and removing background sounds. However, these systems are bulky (about 19 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 5 inches high) and expensive.
Accordingly, the size, complexity, and cost of the transducers and signal processing units required by the prior art systems that are capable of tracking and adapting to changing sources of sound hinder the use of these systems in consumer household electronics.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a system and method for a monolithic directional microphone array that can track and/or locate a changing source of acoustic waves or noise, that can separate components of a sound field, selectively enhance each component and selectively recombine them, and that is compact, portable, and cost effective.

System and method for a monolithic directional microphone array


A lithographic apparatus includes an optical sensor, a movable body, a support, a deflector system, a first drive system and a second drive system. The movable body is moveable relative to the sensor. The support is for holding the sensor. The first drive system is arranged to move the movable body relative to the sensor. The second drive system is arranged to move the first drive system relative to the sensor. The second drive system is arranged to move the deflector system relative to the sensor. A disturbance is induced by a movement of the movable body. The deflector system is arranged to create a deflecting area for reflecting the disturbance away from the support.

A lithographic apparatus is an apparatus that can be used in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred by a radiation beam via a projection system onto a target portion on a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. Transfer of the pattern is typically performed via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material provided on the substrate. The location on which the radiation beam is incident on the target portion is referred to as the exposure location.
The cross-section of the radiation beam is typically much smaller than the surface of the substrate. So in order to expose all the target portions on the surface of the substrate, the substrate is moved relative to the projection system. The lithographic apparatus has a stage system to move the substrate relative to the projection system. The stage system is able to move the substrate in such a way that the target portions are placed consecutively in the path of the radiation beam.
To place each of the target portions in the path of the radiation beam correctly, the lithographic apparatus is provided with a position measurement system. The position measurement system measures a position of the stage system. The location on the stage system at which the position measurement system determines the position is referred to as the measurement location. Using the position of the measurement location, the exposure location can be estimated.


According to some aspects, a low-leakage switch is provided. In some embodiments, the low-leakage switch includes a plurality of pass transistors in series that selectively couple two ports of the low-leakage switch and a node biasing circuit coupled to a node between the plurality of pass transistors. In these embodiments, the node biasing circuit may adjust a voltage at the node to change the gate-to-source voltage of the pass transistors and, thereby, reduce the leakage current through the pass transistors when the low-leakage switch is turned off. The node biasing circuit may also include circuitry to reduce the leakage current introduced by the node biasing circuit into the node when the low-leakage switch is turned on.

Solid state switches may include a transistor that functions as a variable resistance between the input and output terminals of the switch. When the switch is turned on, a first control signal is applied to a gate terminal of the transistor to reduce the resistance of the transistor and allow current flow between the input and output terminals of the switch. When the switch is turned off, a second control signal is applied to the gate terminal of the transistor to increase the resistance of the transistor and impede current flow between the input and output terminals of the switch.

Electronic switch exhibiting low off-state leakage current


The absolute interferometric measurement of the shape of either flat, or spherical surfaces is achieved by incorporating a Fizeau-interferometer and a test piece holder capable of several degrees of freedom of movement relative to the reference position in the interferometer. A data acquisition and processing technique inter-compares three test parts in various combinations. Full surface absolute maps for each of the test pieces are determined using at least two different rotational positions of one test-piece to yield rotationally sheared maps of that surface. An optimized numerical reconstruction algorithm employing linear filtering and superposition of different angular shear spectra in the angular frequency domain is employed. The method does not require any assumptions about the surfaces under test; and it has low error propagation, even in the case of high spatial resolution.

High-accuracy interferometric surface metrology is constantly gaining importance, not only in the classical area of optical fabrication, but also for new applications, such as magnetic disc flatness or semiconductor wafer flatness. Requirements for measurement resolution in the sub-nanometer range have become quite common. Of high importance is the slowly varying shape error, as well as the medium to high spatial frequency waviness of the surface under test. Achieving not only repeatability or reproducibility, but also absolute measurement accuracy for surface height measurements, with high spatial resolution, is difficult, since other applicable measurement techniques for calibration do not exist which are considerably more accurate than the interferometric test.
In the two-beam interferometers commonly used for testing, that is Fizeau-interferometer, Twyman-Green interferometer, or Mach-Zehnder interferometer, an illuminating beam is split into two beams. One beam, called the test beam, is directed to the surface under test, where it is reflected. The other beam, called the reference beam, is reflected at a reference surface. After recombination, the two reflected beams travel to a detector, usually a camera, where they interfere. The primary information contained in the resulting interferogram is then the phase difference between these two beams. Therefore, the shape of the test surface is not obtained independently, but only in combination with the reference surface. While the repeatability of the measurements can be extremely high, the measurement result of the test surface is only as accurate as the reference surface. If the reference surface deviations can be determined in a calibration step, they can be eliminated from the measurement. Then, the overall accuracy of the test surface map is limited by the accuracy of this calibration map.
The determination of a test surface independent of the reference surface is called an absolute measurement. Once one surface is absolutely known, it can act as a reference standard in subsequent interferometric tests, allowing for absolute testing. Thus, it is very desirable to have a technique available which provides an absolute surface deviation map without requiring any information about the shape of the other surfaces involved in the interferometric test.
The Fizeau interferometer configuration inherently is best suited for high accuracy testing, since the test beam and the reference beam are split by the last surface of the interferometer optics. The reference beam is reflected at this reference surface; and it is directed to the interferogram detector. The test beam is transmitted through the reference surface to the surface under test, from where it is reflected back to the interferometer and the interferogram detector. Consequently, all internal optical components of the interferometer are traversed by the test beam, as well as by the reference beam. These optical components are all in the common path of the two beams. Phase distributions resulting from the optics in the common path are the same for both beams. Consequently, these optics phase distributions drop out of the phase difference between the two beams. The only two surfaces which then are not in a common path are the reference surface and the test surface, and the interferogram phase is proportional only to the sum of both of these surface deviations.
The cancellation of the phase distributions due to the internal interferometer optics is strictly true only when the test beam and the reference beam travel on identical paths through the interferometer optics. This can only be the case when the test surface and the reference surface are identical, and are placed close to each other. Otherwise, a residual phase error, the so-called retrace error, due to the interferometer optics, is superposed on the measurement. Furthermore, in order to avoid difraction effects on the two beams interfering on the detector, the test surface has to be well imaged onto the interferogram detector. Thus, a highly accurate interferometric test requires that the surface deviations of the test surface are small, that the test and reference surfaces are aligned parallel to one another, and that the optical design of the interferometer optics minimizes re-trace errors.
Several techniques for absolute flatness testing have been described in the past; and they are listed below in the following articles:

Method and apparatus for absolutely measuring flat and sperical surfaces with high spatal resolution


A garment for a personal cooling or warming system, the garment comprising a carrier formed in the shape of the garment, and a bladder comprising at least two channel segments, wherein the channel segments have a substantially flat configuration so as to improve thermal efficiency.

In many circumstances an individual may require cooling or warming relative to an ambient environment in order to remain comfortable and, in the case of some extreme environments, in order to maintain performance and health.
In some situations the individual may be located inside a structure or the like; in this case, it is generally most efficient to cool or warm the interior of the structure, e.g., with air conditioning or heaters. This approach is generally convenient in that it allows more than one individual to be cooled or heated at the same time, and it allows the individual to remain in relative comfort regardless of their precise location within the structure.
In other situations the individual may be located in an exterior environment; in this case, it is generally not practical to cool or warm the ambient environment around the individual, particularly if the individual is moving about to a significant degree. However, where it is very hot (e.g., the southwestern border of the continental United States during the summer) or very cold (e.g., the northern border of the continental United States during the winter), and where the individual must be outdoors for prolonged periods of time (e.g., Immigration and Naturalization Service officers, other law enforcement officers, military personnel, sportsmen, etc.), it can be imperative that the individual be provided with a system to provide them with effective cooling or heating while they are outdoors.
It can also be important to provide a personal cooling or warming system for an individual when that individual must be enclosed within an impermeable protective suit, e.g., a chemical weapons protective suit, a bio-weapons protective suit, a radioactivity protective suit, etc.

Personal cooling or warming system using closed loop fluid flow


Disclosed is a method for making an aluminum alloy sheet having controlled levels of strength properties for forming into a container panel. A body of an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 0.45 to 0.60 wt. % Cu, 1.1 to 1.7 wt. % Mg, 0.3 to 0.6 wt. % Si, 0.3 to 0.55 wt. % Fe, 0.5 to 1.2 wt. % Mn, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities, is hot rolled to a gauge in the range of 0.12 to 0.16 inch to provide a hot rolled product. The hot rolled product is cold rolled to provide a reduction of 50 to 80% in thickness, then solution heat treated in a range of 850.degree. to 110.degree. F. and rapidly cooled before cold rollign to a final sheet gauge by providing a reduction of 30 to 90% in thickness.

This invention relates to containers such as food and beverage containers. More specifically, this invention relates to an alloy and sheet product for forming into food and beverage containers.
The present invention provides an aluminum base alloy, sheet products and method of fabricating the sheet product from the alloy. Further, the invention provides containers, such as food and beverage containers, formed from the sheet products wherein the containers have end walls and sidewalls formed from the same alloy, and yet the end walls can have a higher strength than the sidewalls.

Aluminum alloy sheet for food and beverage containers


An inclination of an outer circumferential surface of a film roll with respect to a widthwise axis is restricted. The roll includes: an outer cylinder part having a material thickness that is smaller toward a negative side of a y-axis than it is toward a positive side of the y-axis; and a slit separator which is wound around an outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder part and which has a thickness that is larger toward the negative side of the y-axis than it is toward the positive side of the y-axis.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology concerning a roll body (hereinafter referred to as "roll") in which a polyolefin microporous film (hereinafter referred to as "microporous film") is wound around a winding core (hereinafter referred to as "core"). According to the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the microporous film is wound around the core so that an absolute value of a difference between a calculated thickness of the microporous film and an actual thickness of the microporous film is a prescribed value or less, which calculated thickness is calculated based on (i) an outer diameter of the roll, (ii) an outer diameter of the core, and (iii) a length of the microporous film wound around the core. This is believed to configure the roll so that the microporous film is neither loose nor excessively tight.

Film roll, method of producing the same, and method of testing the same


A predetermined parameter is acquired during execution of an application, and a predetermined algorithm indicating at least timing and intensity for generating a vibration is set by dynamically changing the predetermined algorithm in accordance with the parameter. Then, a vibration signal is generated using a material for a vibration or a sound and the algorithm, or using a filter capable of generating the material and the algorithm.

Conventionally, a game apparatus for imparting vibrations to the main body of the apparatus is known. For example, the game apparatus vibrates in a vibration pattern determined in advance, thereby transmitting vibrations to the fingers and the hands of a user holding the game apparatus.
In the game apparatus, however, the vibrations to be transmitted to the fingers and the hands of the user are poor in variety.
Therefore, it is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a vibration signal generation program, a vibration generation apparatus, a vibration generation system, and a vibration signal generation method that are capable of generating a vibration signal for outputting a vibration rich in variety.
To achieve the above object, the exemplary embodiment can employ, for example, the following configurations. It should be noted that it is understood that, to interpret the descriptions of the claims, the scope of the claims should be interpreted only by the descriptions of the claims. If there is a conflict between the descriptions of the claims and the descriptions of the specification, the descriptions of the claims take precedence.
In an exemplary configuration of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a vibration signal generation program according to the exemplary embodiment, the vibration signal generation program is executed by a computer included in a vibration signal generation apparatus for generating a vibration signal in accordance with execution of an application. The vibration signal generation program causing the computer to execute: acquiring a predetermined parameter during the execution of the application; setting a predetermined algorithm indicating at least timing and intensity for generating a vibration, by dynamically changing the predetermined algorithm in accordance with the parameter acquired in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter; and generating a vibration signal using a material for a vibration or a sound and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm, or using a filter capable of generating the material and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration rich in variety.
In addition, the vibration signal generation program may further cause the computer to execute generating a sound signal using the same algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm.
Based on the above, it is possible to easily match vibration generation timing and sound generation timing. This reduces the processing load for generating a vibration signal and a sound signal.
In addition, the vibration signal generation program may further cause the computer to execute approximately simultaneously outputting a vibration indicating the vibration signal generated in the generation of the vibration signal and a sound indicating the sound signal generated in the generation of the sound signal.
Based on the above, it is possible to easily match the timing when a vibration is performed by the generated vibration signal and the timing when a sound based on the generated sound signal is output.
In addition, in the generation of the vibration signal, the vibration signal may be generated using a first material for a vibration or a sound and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm, or using a filter capable of generating the first material and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm. In the generation of the sound signal, the sound signal may be generated using a second material for a sound different from the first material and the same algorithm, or using a filter capable of generating the second material and the same algorithm.
Based on the above, a material for generating a vibration signal and a material for generating a sound signal are used, whereby it is possible to output a vibration and a sound according to the characteristics of the materials.
In addition, in the generation of the vibration signal, the vibration signal may be generated using the filter capable of generating the material and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm. In the generation of the sound signal, the sound signal may be generated using the material and the same algorithm.
Based on the above, a vibration signal is generated based on the combination of a filter and an algorithm, whereby it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of materials for generating a vibration. This facilitates a vibration signal generation process. Further, a sound signal is generated based on the combination of a material and the algorithm, whereby it is also possible to use a material prepared by recording. This makes it possible to output a realistic sound.
In addition, the vibration signal generation program may further cause the computer to execute generating a sound signal using the same filter capable of generating the material.
Based on the above, the processing load for generating a vibration signal and a sound signal is reduced.
In addition, in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter, while an application for displaying a predetermined object on a display screen by placing the predetermined object in a virtual world is executed, a parameter regarding the object may be acquired. In the setting of the predetermined algorithm, the predetermined algorithm may be changed in accordance with the parameter regarding the object.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration corresponding to an object placed in a virtual world.
In addition, in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter, based on a physical simulation when the object is placed in the virtual world, the parameter regarding the object may be acquired.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration corresponding to the physical phenomena of the object in the virtual world.
In addition, in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter, a parameter representing a vibration generated by the object in the virtual world may be acquired as the parameter regarding the object.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration representing a vibration generated by the object in the virtual world.
In addition, in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter, based on a situation of the object in the virtual world, the parameter regarding the object may be acquired.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration corresponding to the situation of the object in the virtual world.
In addition, in the generation of the vibration signal, the vibration signal may be generated using materials for a plurality of vibrations or materials for a plurality of sounds and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm.
Based on the above, a plurality of materials are used, whereby it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a more realistic vibration.
In addition, the filter may include at least one biquad filter.
Based on the above, it is possible to easily form a filter for use in generating a vibration signal.
In addition, the vibration signal generation program may further cause the computer to execute changing a parameter for the filter in accordance with the parameter acquired in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter.
Based on the above, it is possible to change a vibration signal in real time in accordance with the execution of a predetermined application.
In addition, the generation of the vibration signal may include generation of the material in real time in accordance with a result of the execution of the application.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration rich in variety without being limited by the number of materials. Thus, it is not necessary to prepare a material in advance. This makes it possible to reduce preparation work for generating a vibration.
In addition, in the setting of the predetermined algorithm, the algorithm may be set by, in accordance with the parameter acquired in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter, calculating at least one of intensity of each vibration, a time interval for generating each vibration, a time width of generation of each vibration, and randomness of each vibration.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration rich in variety.
In addition, in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter, a first parameter may be able to be acquired during execution of a first application, and a second parameter may be able to be acquired during execution of a second application different from the first application. In the setting of the predetermined algorithm, if the first parameter and the second parameter acquired in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter are the same as each other, the same algorithm may be set.
Based on the above, even if an application to be executed is different, but if a parameter to be acquired in accordance with the execution of the application is the same, this can result in imparting the same vibration to a user. This is useful as a vibration waveform generation technique that can be commonly used for a plurality of applications.
In addition, in the setting of the predetermined algorithm, a non-loop algorithm may be set in accordance with the parameter acquired in the acquisition of the predetermined parameter. In the generation of the vibration signal, a non-loop vibration signal may be generated using the non-loop algorithm.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration of which the feel is unlikely to be monotonous.
In addition, the material may be waveform data of a band less than or equal to an upper limit frequency at which a user can recognize a vibration.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a realistic vibration.
In addition, the material may include waveform data of a frequency range in which the user cannot hear a sound.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a realistic vibration.
In addition, the filter may include a set of a plurality of filters in which a characteristic frequency less than or equal to an upper limit frequency at which a user can recognize a vibration is set.
Based on the above, it is possible, using a limited number of filters, to generate a vibration signal for outputting a realistic vibration.
In addition, the set of filters may include a filter in which a characteristic frequency belongs to a frequency range in which the user cannot hear a sound.
Based on the above, it is possible, using a limited number of filters, to generate a vibration signal for outputting a realistic vibration.
In addition, in another exemplary configuration of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a vibration signal generation program according to the exemplary embodiment, the vibration signal generation program is executed by a computer included in a vibration signal generation apparatus for generating a vibration signal. The vibration signal generation program causes the computer to execute: setting a predetermined algorithm indicating at least timing and intensity for generating a vibration; generating a vibration signal using a material for a vibration or a sound and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm, or using a filter capable of generating the material and the algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm; and generating a sound signal using the same algorithm set in the setting of the predetermined algorithm.
Based on the above, it is possible to generate a vibration signal and a sound signal capable of easily matching vibration generation timing and sound generation timing. This reduces the processing load for generating a vibration signal and a sound signal.
In addition, the exemplary embodiment may be carried out in the forms of a vibration signal generation apparatus, a vibration signal generation system, and a vibration signal generation method.
According to the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to generate a vibration signal for outputting a vibration rich in variety.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Storage medium having stored therein vibration signal generation program, vibration generation apparatus, vibration generation system, and vibration signal generation method


An apparatus for decomposing injurious substances to form non-injurious substances comprising a first reaction vessel, an injurious substance inlet connected to the first reaction vessel for supplying an injurious substance containing only one of an oxygen or hydrogen donor substance, and at least one further reaction vessel connected to the first reaction vessel. A mixing vessel connected to the at least one further reaction vessel is provided with the first reaction vessel, the further reaction vessel and the mixing vessel containing an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate. Conduits may be provided between the first reaction vessel, further reaction vessel and mixing vessel, permitting circulation of the aqueous sodium carbonate solution. A feeding device is connected between the mixing vessel and the first reaction vessel for feeding the aqueous sodium carbonate solution therebetween and into association with the injurious substances supplied to the first reaction vessel. Injurious substances are fed by other feeding devices to the mixing vessel for supplying only one of the hydrogen donor or oxygen donor substances. The other of the hydrogen donor and oxygen donor substances are supplied to the injurious substance inlet of the first reaction vessel and water purification devices are connected to the mixing vessel for purifying water coming therefrom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to an apparatus for decomposing injurious substances to make them harmless and more particularly to an apparatus for decomposing injurious substances to make them harmless by an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate as the main component containing an oxygen donor such as nitric acid or oxygen or a hydrogen donor such as ammoniac or hydrogen.
A wide spectrum of new industrial and technical processes have been relatively recently developed which, although generally benefiting the human condition, produce various toxic or injurious substances. The treatment of these substances is an ever increasing problem.
There are many injurious substances which must be treated properly to deodorize them and neutralize their toxicity. Some examples are toxic gases such as COx, NOx and SOx contained in waste gases of automobiles. Others are the SO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S produced from the iron and refining industries, COx and SOx produced from petroleum complexes and other gases giving offensive odors from, for example, the iron and pulp industries. A number of toxic substances may also be contained in waste waters from other industries or be the product of organic excrements.
Various methods have been proposed for physically and chemically decomposing these many injurious substances to make nontoxic substances. However, such methods are incomplete for this purpose and in many cases, may cause air pollution and other secondary pollution. Such treating agents which may satisfy the above requirements have not been developed as of yet.
The present invention has been completed with our eager studies for the purpose of solving the problems described above.

Method and apparatus for decomposing injurious substances


In the on-hook state of a set of telephone line-switch contacts (LS-1 to LS-5), an incoming low-frequency ringing signal (A) from the central office is rectified (14) and applied to an oscillator circuit (16), which drives the receiver (11) of the telephone handset (21) as the transducer for the tone ringer. A protective switch (20) is used to disable the oscillator circuit from producing an output to the receiver whenever the handset has been lifted from the cradle (22), so as to prevent the user from being rung in the ear if the handset is removed from the cradle and the line switch is thereafter depressed manually while the handset is in the normal listening position. The switch responds to the physical presence of the handset in the cradle, such as by using a magnetically actuated switch mounted in the cradle and operated by a magnet (24) mounted in the facing surface of the handset.

In the past, it has been proposed that it would be possible to use the receiver of the telephone handset as the transducer for the tone ringer, in addition to its normal function as the receiver in the speech network. In particular, R. E. C. Brown U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,515, herein incorporated by reference, contains a general disclosure of such a system, along with a detailed description of other types of tone-ringer circuits. In the Brown proposal, the telephone line-switch contacts are used, in the on-hook state, to connect an incoming low-frequency ringing signal from the central office to a rectifier circuit, which drives an oscillator circuit that in turn drives the handset receiver so as to produce the ringing tones. In the off-hook state, the line-switch contact operate to connect the receiver in the speech network in the normal fashion. Such a proposal, as generally as was described in the Brown patent, filed in 1968, appears to be attractive for various reasons in the development of new types of telephone sets, particularly in the development of electronic telephone sets to be powered solely from the central office. Advantages of such circuitry relates primarily to simplicity, compactness because the circuitry does not require local power, and potental low cost attributable to the dual use of a single receiver component for both functions.
One problem that can be encountered with any attempted use of the Brown suggestion is that, if the handset is removed from the cradle and the line switch is thereafter manually depressed for any reason while the handset receiver is being held close to the user's ear, an incoming ring signal would then activate the receiver so that the user would be "rung in the ear," meaning subjected to what would be unpleasantly loud ringing tones close to the user's ear.

Tone-ringing circuits and methods for telephone sets


A disk drive has a channel circuit for demodulating data sectors and servo sectors stored on a rotating medium to provide data-sector data and servo-sector data. The channel circuit transmits the data-sector data and servo-sector data to a disk controller circuit in an order which is different than the order in which they are stored on a rotating medium to allow for demodulation latency while maintaining real-time updates of embedded servo information.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a disk drive including a read channel circuit and a disk controller circuit. More particularly, the invention relates to a disk drive which demodulates a read signal representing data in a data sector and a servo sector in a first order and provides data-sector data and servo sector data to a disk controller in a second order.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Information
Magnetic hard disk drives conventionally arrange data as blocks, also known as sectors, within concentric tracks on the surface of rotating storage mediums. Such disk drives are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,466 to Fisher et al.
Disk drive storage capacity is governed by the areal density expressed in bits/in2 which can be achieved on a disk media surface. The two components of areal density are track pitch (the distance between adjacent tracks) and linear bit density (the distance between bits along a track). Improvements in linear bit density are to a great extent dependent on signal processing in a read channel circuit which demodulates signals read from the track to produce digital symbols.
In order to continue improving linear bit density and maintain competitive product offerings, read channel demodulating circuits currently and will continue to provide more complex signal processing, which will in turn require longer periods of latency to convert media signals to digital symbols which can be provided to a disk controller or formatter for assembly into discrete data blocks and error correction.
The latency problem is further complicated by the embedded servo system employed in most disk drives to control read/write head positioning by interspersing servo sectors with data regions on each track of a disk surface. Such as system is described in Application Ser. No., 08/815,352 filed Mar. 11, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,411,452 (the Sync Mark Patent), assigned to the assignee of this invention. The Sync Mark Patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
With an embedded servo system, servo sectors must be processed by the channel circuit in real time regardless of signal processing which is related to data sectors. The above-mentioned embedded servo system format requires that servo sectors and data sectors are alternately presented to a read channel circuit for demodulating. The servo sectors must be demodulated and presented with minimal latency to a servo controller which may be included in a disk controller circuit to enable the servo system to maintain control of the position of read/write heads. The disk controller comprises a timer for sampling the servo sectors synchronous with the servo sample rate as described in the Sync Mark Patent.
After demodulating the servo and data sectors, the read channel transmits them on a bus connected between the channel circuit and the disk controller, the combination defining a disk drive signal path. The disk controller is responsible for providing timing signals which alert the channel circuit to presence of servo or data sectors which are currently passing or about to pass under the read/write head by asserting one of a plurality of signals comprising a SERVO GATE, a READ GATE and a WRITE GATE for defining periods or intervals for reading servo sectors, or reading or writing data sectors, on the rotating medium. Generally, asserting a signal as defined herein means driving a signal to its logically xe2x80x9ctruexe2x80x9d state regardless of polarity. A further convention used herein is to identify signals having negative polarity assertions with a trailing xe2x80x9cxe2x88x92xe2x80x9d sign as for example SYNC DETxe2x88x92.
As linear bit densities have increased, the problem of so-called pulse crowding has become more prevalent. Pulse crowding problems and their drawbacks are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,466. As further described therein, more powerful synchronously sampled data detection channels have been employed to place coded information bits, which can be placed more closely together, within the data sectors. One class of read channels comprises partial response, maximum likelihood (PRML) channels also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,249 to Abbott et al, and the Sync Mark Patent.
PRML channels, and other read channels which work with coded bits, demodulate the coded bits when receiving the data bits from the data sectors. This process is also known as demodulating the data sectors and is so called herein. As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,466, the demodulating of the data sectors causes a demodulating delay, or latency, of at least several bytes for typical bit coding algorithms of today. Conversely, the servo sectors are typically not coded to such a degree, and therefore an inequality in demodulating time by the read channel exists between the servo sectors, which are and must be demodulated in relative real time without such a latency, and the data sectors, which have heretofore been demodulated and transmitted to the disk controller in order of receipt from the rotating medium. Further, as bit coding techniques become more complicated, so that linear bit densities may increase, the latency for demodulating the data sectors may increase to hundreds of bits or even multiple sectors. However, the servo sectors must nevertheless be demodulated and transmitted to the disk controller in real time so that the servo system may keep the transducer head in the servo system on track.
Some systems add pad fields or speed tolerance buffers to separate sectors on the drive so that the digital latency delay may be compensated for on the rotating medium as described with respect to FIG. 1 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,466. U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,466 describes another technique for dealing with the latency period which comprises clocking real-time and digital signal processes by a clock synchronized to the data sector as the data sector passes under the transducer head, clocking the digital signal processes for the data sector by an asynchronous clock, and clocking the servo sector in real time. However, neither of these solutions allow for larger latencies during which the servo sector must be demodulated and transmitted to the disk controller in real time while a previously received data sector or segment thereof is still being demodulated. Adding pad fields between sectors is undesirable because such a technique lowers the capacity of the hard disk system. The latter technique is undesirable because it delays both the demodulating of data sectors, and the demodulating of the servo sectors so that the order of transmission of the servo and data sectors may be maintained after the latency. It is not desirable to delay demodulating the servo sectors because the servo sectors provide the information needed for the disk controller to keep the system on track.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for allowing a longer latency period for demodulating and transmitting of the data sectors, while allowing demodulating and transmitting of the servo sectors in relative real-time. Such a system would ideally be implemented without having to define a separate or significantly wider set of data lines in the disk controller bus between the channel circuit and the disk controller. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,011 discloses a method for transmitting register values and user data on the same lines. However, the system disclosed therein does not provide a method for allowing a longer latency period for demodulating and transmitting of data sectors, while allowing demodulating and transmitting of the servo sectors in relative real-time.
This invention can be regarded as a disk drive having a disk comprising a track. The track has a data sector and a servo sector arranged in a first order. A read head provides a read signal representing data stored in the data sector and data stored in the servo sector in the first order. The disk drive further comprises a channel circuit and a disk controller circuit. The channel circuit comprises means for demodulating the read signal to generate data-sector data and servo sector data and means for providing the data-sector data signal and the demodulated servo sector signal to the disk controller circuit in a second order wherein the second order is different from the first order. Beneficially, the invention provides structure for accommodating long latency demodulating algorithms which must be employed simultaneously with real-time demodulating of servo sectors.
Preferably, the means for demodulating the read signal to generate a data-sector data signal and a demodulated servo sector signal comprises a sampled data detection circuit. In one embodiment the sampled data detection circuit comprises a viterbi detector.
Preferably the means for providing the data-sector data signal and demodulated servo sector signal to the disk controller circuit in a second order comprises a buffer. In one preferred embodiment the buffer is a FIFO buffer.

DISK DRIVE HAVING A CHANNEL CIRCUIT WHICH RECEIVES A READ SIGNAL REPRESENTING DATA IN A DATA SECTOR AND DATA IN A SERVO SECTOR IN A FIRST ORDER AND DEMODULATES THE READ SIGNAL TO PROVIDE DATA SECTOR DATA AND SERVO-SECTOR DATA IN A SECOND ORDER


A projection display apparatus 101 in which the light quantity adjusting means has a simple and readily interchangeable structure, and which can improve image quality by adjusting the quantity of light received by a light valve continuously, without causing illuminance irregularities, and without having unwanted light radiated onto the screen, the light quantity adjusting means 9 having light blocking members 91L, 91R for blocking light in transit to a second lens array 22, and rotational axes 91LA, 91RA for turnably supporting each of the light blocking members on an xy plane, the light blocking members 91L, 91R and rotational axes 91LA, 91RA being positioned so that the rotational axes 91LA, 91RA are disposed in positions symmetric with respect to the optical axis AX on the xy plane, and the turning range from the light blocking initiation position at which the light blocking members 91L, 91R, by being turned, start to block light in transit toward the second lens array 22 to the maximum light blocking position at which the light blocking members 91L, 91R block a maximum quantity of the light in transit toward the second lens array 22 is equal to or less than ninety degrees.

High contrast tends to be difficult to obtain in projection display apparatus, because the light valve in the apparatus receives light that leaks from optical elements in the optical system, as well as stray light (unwanted light) generated by the optical elements, so that dark images are not displayed darkly enough. When images are projected onto a screen in a dark room, if dark images are not displayed darkly enough, the viewer experiences a particularly inadequate sense of contrast. A projection display apparatus has therefore been proposed that uses a first lens array and a second lens array to produce a uniform intensity of light and places a diaphragm mechanism between the first and second lens arrays to adjust the quantity of light incident on the light valve by sliding a diaphragm in a direction parallel to the second lens array or swinging a diaphragm around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1: WO2005/026835 (pp. 6 and 13, FIGS. 2A, 2B, 11B, and 12)


A PON architecture, a method for realizing data transmission with the PON architecture and an optical network device are provided. The PON architecture includes an optical line terminal (OLT) supporting multiple channels, and one or more optical network units (ONUs) supporting one or more channels under a same optical distribution network (ODN). The OLT/ONU is configured to acquire the number of channels and/or corresponding channels supported for transmitting data and transmittable states of the supported channels, distribute the data to be transmitted to one or more supported channels for transmitting, the data is preferentially transmitted on a channel with an earliest transmittable start time point, and transmission end time points of channels for transmitting the data are similar or data transmissions end at a transmittable end time point. The ONU/OLT is configured to receive data on channels supported by ONU/OLT itself and reassemble the data accordingly based on transmission rules.

With the rapid development of broadband services, users' demand for access network bandwidth has greatly increased. passive optical network (PON) is an important means for user access at present. As shown in FIG. 1, in the existing PON system structure, the local optical line terminal (OLT) is connected to an optical splitter through trunk optical fibers, the optical splitter is connected to multiple user optical network units (ONU) through branch optical fibers, and the OLT and ONUs communicate through a pair of wavelengths.
At present, the OLT can use multi-wavelength optical modules to configure four or more uplink and downlink wavelengths. For a scenario where the OLT supports multiple wavelengths, as shown in FIG. 2, in a downlink direction, multiple different wavelengths λd0, λd1 . . . λdn are transmitted to an optical wavelength distribution network (OWDN) after combining at OLT and allocated to each ONU according to different wavelengths. In an uplink direction, different users ONU transmit different optical wavelengths λu0, λu1 . . . λun to OWDN for combining and then transmit the optical wavelengths to OLT. In this way, the uplink and downlink transmission of the optical signal is completed. The downlink wavelength λdi (i=0, 1, . . . n) and the uplink wavelength λui (i=0, 1, . . . n) can work in the same band or in different bands.
As can be seen from FIG. 2, in order to adapt to the OLT supporting multiple wavelengths, the user side needs to deploy a corresponding number of ONUs supporting single wavelengths to correspond to each wavelength respectively. In addition, the ONU can adjust the working downlink wavelength λdi (i=0, 1, . . . n) and uplink wavelength λui (i=0, 1, . . . n) as needed with the cooperation of the OLT. With the development of network and service, ONU needs to support more throughput and bandwidth. The number of wavelengths supported by ONU has gradually grown from one to multiple, and the wavelengths supported by ONU are also flexible and changeable. There is no relevant scheme for achieving ONU supporting different numbers of wavelengths and different wavelengths under the same ODN and making full use of bandwidth.

Passive optical network architecture, method for passive optical network architecture to implement data transmission, and optical network device


An ultrasonic probe for performing a scanning of an ultrasonic wave by a reflection mirror is disclosed. The probe comprises an ultrasonic wave generating means formed by a focusing element, an ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic focusing element added to the ultrasonic transducer, a reflecting mirror being a convex ultrasonic mirror for reflecting the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generating means or a concave ultrasonic mirror for reflecting the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic wave generating means, the distance between the convex ultrasonic mirror and the focusing element and ultrasonic transducer is made shorter than a focal length of the ultrasonic transducer, the distance between the convex ultrasonic mirror and the ultrasonic focusing element added to the ultrasonic transducer is made shorter than a focal length of the ultrasonic focusing element, the distance between the concave ultrasonic mirror and the focusing element and ultrasonic transducer is made longer than a focal length of the ultrasonic transducer, and the distance between the concave ultrasonic mirror and the ultrasonic focusing element added to the ultrasonic transducer is made longer than a focal length of the ultrasonic focusing element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, particularly, a medical ultrasonic probe for viewing or imaging sections of a body with a scanning of an ultrasonic beam by a reflecting mirror.
2. Related Art Statement
As a conventional ultrasonic probe of a mechanical radial type, there is a system for scanning the section of the body by ultrasonic energy in such a manner that an ultrasonic transducer is rotatably provided on the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe, to scan it mechanically while rotating the ultrasonic transducer, thereby rotating and scanning it over 360.degree., or a system for scanning a plane mirror over 360.degree., in which the ultrasonic energy radiated from an ultrasonic transducer, such as, for example, piezo-electric element, is reflected by a plane mirror (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open NO. 218,144/92).
Such an ultrasonic probe is used in a system apparatus having an image display means or the like.
An ultrasonic probe sector-scanned by swinging it mechanically is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open NO. 104,339/90.
It is advantageous that these ultrasonic probe are provided with means for making the radiated ultrasonic beams thinner in order to view areas to be viewed of a subject body with high resolution.
It is ideal to obtain the ultrasonic probe in such a manner that a uniformly thin ultrasonic beam is formed. However, since it is technically difficult to form such an ideal ultrasonic probe, an acoustic lens is attached to the surface of the utilized transducer, or a curved mirror is used to obtain the ultrasonic beam with high resolution by focusing the ultrasonic wave on the areas to be viewed in the ultrasonic probe combined with the above system device.
However, if a concave acoustic lens or a concave mirror is utilized separately, an excellent image can be obtained with high resolution at focal point of the ultrasonic beam, but the ultrasonic beam becomes thick at its off-focal points, thereby decreasing resolution.
In the case of an ultrasonic endoscope, particularly, if the areas near the center of the endoscope are to be viewed with high resolution, the curvature of the acoustic lens or the concave mirror for the ultrasonic transducer is made small, thereby setting the focus of the beam near the probe.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the conditions of such an acoustic beam, in which the width of the acoustic beam is plotted to the distance from the transducer surface. That is, an abscissa is plotted as the distance from the transducer surface, and an ordinate is plotted as the width of the acoustic beam. As shown from FIG. 15, if the focus becomes near, minimum beam diameter becomes comparatively small, but the focal depth becomes shallow, so that the resolution becomes inferior without near the focus, and thus the sensitivity becomes low, thereby decreasing the image quality remarkably.
As seen from the above result, even if the acoustic lens and the concave mirror for the transducer are only accommodated in the ultrasonic probe as a constituent element, and set as described above, the diameter of whole beam is thin, so that the ultrasonic probe having high resolution which is not influenced by the distance from the probe can not be obtained.
If the areas far from the center of the endoscope must be observed with high resolution, the curvatures of the acoustic lens and the concave mirror are made large and the focus thereof is set far in the distance.
The characteristic diagram exhibiting the shape of the acoustic beam is shown in FIG. 16. In the case of this embodiment, if the focus is situated in far distance, the diameter (thickness) of the ultrasonic beam in comparatively far distance becomes substantially unity, but the diameter of the minimum beam in focus point can not be made small, thereby obtaining an image having substantially inferior resolution.
In this case, an improving method at the side of ultrasonic probe has a certain limit, so that the ultrasonic probe capable of observing the subject body with high resolution irrespective of the distance from the probe near distance to far distance thereof can not be realized.
The method of widening the focus depth with various technics has been tried, but this method require the change or modification of the system, and can not be realized easily. That is, any method requires large and complicated electric circuit, and thus large ultrasonic transducer is required, so that this method can not be realized easily in the ultrasonic probe.