A semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array, a bit line sense amplifier, a sub word line driver, and an electrode. The memory cell array may include a sub memory cell array connected between sub word lines and bit line pairs and having memory cells which are selected in response to a signal transmitted to the sub word lines and column selecting signal lines. The bit line sense amplifier may be configures to sense and amplify data of the bit line pairs. The sub word line driver may be configured to combine signals transmitted from word selecting signal lines and signals transmitted from main word lines to select the sub word lines. Moreover, the memory cell array may be configured to transmit data between the bit line pairs and local data line pairs and to transmit data between the local data line pairs and global data line pairs. The electrode may be configured to cover the whole memory cell array and to apply a voltage needed for the memory cells. The local data line pairs may be arranged on a first layer above the electrode in the same direction as the sub word line. The column selecting signal lines and the global data line pairs may be arranged on a second layer above the electrode in the same direction as the bit line. The word selecting signal lines and the main word lines may be arranged on a third layer above the electrode in the same direction as the sub word line. Related methods of signal line arrangement are also discussed.

A semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array region and a peripheral circuit region, and signal lines may be arranged on two layers above these regions. An electrode to apply a voltage for the memory cells may be arranged between the memory cell region and the signal lines. Word lines are arranged above the electrode, and column selecting lines are arranged above the word lines.
A conventional semiconductor memory device, however, may have a voltage difference between a voltage applied to the electrode and a voltage applied to the word lines. Accordingly, a leakage current may flow from the electrode to the word lines if defects occur in a dielectric between the electrode and the word lines.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a memory cell array of a conventional semiconductor memory device and a method of arranging signal lines thereof. In FIG. 1, 10 denotes a memory cell array, CJ denotes junction regions, SWD denotes sub word line driver regions, SA denotes sense amplifier regions, and SMCA denotes sub memory array regions. MC denotes memory cells, BL denotes a bit line, PXL denotes word selecting signal lines, NWL denotes main word lines, SWL denotes sub word lines, CSL denotes column selecting signal lines, LIO denotes local data I/O lines, and GIO denotes global data I/O lines.
In the memory cell array 10 of FIG. 1, blocks which include the junction region CJ, the sub word line driver region SWD, the sense amplifier region SA, and the sub memory cell array region SMCA are repeatedly arranged in transverse and vertical directions. A sub memory cell array is arranged in the sub memory cell array region SMCA. A control signal generating circuit that controlls a sub word line driver and a control signal generating circuit that controlls a sense amplifier are arranged in the junction region CJ. Sub word line drivers are arranged in the sub word line driver region SWD, and the sense amplifier is arranged in the sense amplifier region SA. Functions of the components and signal line arrangements of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 1 will be explained below.
Each sub memory cell array region SMCA includes a memory cell MC connected between a sub word line SWL and a bit line BL to write/read data to/from the selected memory cell MC. The sense amplifier of the sense amplifier region SA amplifies data of the bit line. The sub word line driver region SWD combines signals transmitted to a word selecting signal line PXL and a main word line NWL to select the sub word line.
The sub word line is arranged in a vertical direction, and the bit line BL is arranged in a transverse direction. The column selecting signal line CSL is arranged in the same direction as the bit line to cross over the sense amplifier region SA and the sub memory cell array region SMCA, and the main word line is arranged in the same direction as the sub word line SWL to cross over the sub word line driver region SWD and the sub memory cell array region SMCA. The word line selecting signal line PXL is arranged in the same direction as the sub word line SWL to cross over the junction region CJ and the sense amplifier region SA.
FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the sub memory cell array region SMCA and the sense amplifier region SA of the conventional memory device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2A shows that two word selecting signal lines PX1 and PX2, and two word selection signal lines PX3 and PX4 are respectively arranged on left and right sides of the sub memory cell array region SMCA. Two-least significant bit (LSBs) row addresses among row addresses are decoded to select the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4, and the remaining-LSB row addresses among the row addresses are decoded to select the main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc.
FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an alternative sub memory cell array region SMCA and the sense amplifier region SA of the conventional memory device of FIG. 1. The configuration of FIG. 2B is the same as that of FIG. 2A except that a bit line pair BL1, BL1B arranged to cross over the sub memory cell array region SMCA is twisted.
In FIGS. 2A and 2B, respective sub word lines SWL11 to SWL14 are selected by combining respective signals transmitted through the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and a signal transmitted to the main word line NWL1, and respective sub word lines SWLi1 to SWLi4 are selected by combining respective signals transmitted through the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and a signal transmitted to the main word line NWLi. Each of the memory cells MC11 to MC14 are connected between each of the sub word lines SWL11 to SWL14 and one of the bit line pair BL1, BL1B. Each of the memory cells MCi1 to MCi4 are connected between each of the sub word lines SWLi1 to SWLi4 and one of the bit line pair BL1, BL1B.
Pre-charge circuits PRE1 and PRE2, bit line isolation gates ISOG1 and ISOG2, and a bit line sense amplifier BLSA are connected between the bit line pair BL1, BL1B. An I/O gate IOG is connected between the bit line pair BL1, BL1B and a local data I/O line pair LIO1, LIO1B. A local global I/O gate LGIOG is connected between the local data I/O line pair LIO1, LIO1B and a global data I/O line pair GIO1, GIO1B. Functions of the components of FIGS. 2A and 2B will be explained below.
The pre-charge circuits PRE1 and PRE2 precharge the bit line pair BL1, BL1B. Each of the bit line isolation gates ISO1 and ISO2 separates the bit line pair BL1, BL1B. If a memory cell on the left side of the bit line pair BL1, BL1B is selected, the bit line isolation gate ISO1 is turned on, and the bit line isolation gate ISO2 is turned off. If a memory cell on the right side of the bit line pair BL1, BL1B is selected, the bit line isolation gate ISO1 is turned off, and the bit line isolation gate ISO2 is turned on. The bit line sense amplifier BLSA senses and amplifies data of the bit line pair BL1, BL1B. The I/O gate IOG transmits data between the bit line pair BL1, BL1B and the local data I/O line pair LIO1, LIO1B, and the global I/O data gate LGIOG transmits data between the local data I/O line pair LIO1, LIO1B and the global data I/O line pair GIO1, GIO1B.
Even though the local data line pair LIO1, LIO1B appear to be arranged above the memory cell array 10 in a transverse direction, the local data line pair LIO1, LIO1B is actually arranged in a unit of a predetermined number of sub memory cell array regions SMCA which are arranged in a vertical direction.
FIG. 3A shows a signal line arrangement of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 2A. In FIG. 3A, a plate poly PP covers the whole surface of the memory cell array 10. The word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 are arranged in a vertical direction, the main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc., and the local data I/O lines LIO are arranged on a first layer, and power lines P1 are arranged between the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4. Column selecting signal lines CSL1 are arranged in a transverse direction, and the global data I/O lines GIO1 are arranged on a second layer. A power line P2 is arranged between the column selecting signal line CSL1 and the global data I/O line GIO.
FIG. 3B shows a signal line arrangement of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 2B. In FIG. 3B, a power line P1 is additionally arranged in a central region in which the bit line pair of the sub memory cell array region SMCA arranged in a vertical direction is twisted.
That is, in the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 2B, the main word line pairs NWL1 to NWLi, etc. are not arranged in a central region in which the twisted bit line pair is arranged. Accordingly, the power line P1 is additionally arranged in this region. A signal line may also be arranged in this region.
A dynamic memory cell MC of FIGS. 2A and 2B includes one capacitor and one transistor. One side of the capacitor is connected to the transistor, and the other side is connected to the plate poly PP. One half of an array inside power voltage is applied to the plate poly PP; a high voltage VPP is applied to one of the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and one of the main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc. which are selected when it is in active status; and a ground voltage or a voltage of lower level than a ground voltage is applied to the remaining word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and the remaining main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc. which are not selected. When it is in standby status, a ground voltage or a voltage of lower level than a ground voltage is applied to all word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and all main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc.
Thus, the plate poly PP and the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and the main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc. are arranged closely, and a dielectric provided between these lines may be relatively thin. Leakage current may thus flow between the plate poly PP and the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and the main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc. due to dielectric defect(s).
That is, leakage current may flow from the plate poly PP to which (array inside power voltage)/2 is applied in active or standby status to the word selecting signal lines PX1 to PX4 and the main word lines NWL1 to NWLi, etc. to which a ground voltage or a voltage of lower level than a ground voltage is applied. A voltage applied to the plate poly PP may thus be lower than the (array inside power voltage)/2, thereby adversely affecting operation of the semiconductor memory device.

Semiconductor memory devices and signal line arrangements and related methods


A sheet feeder (20) includes a tray (30) for receiving a recording sheet (P). A feed roller (41) is disposed above the tray (30) and feeds the sheet (P). A bottom plate (50) is at a downstream end of the tray (30) and moves up and down for pressingly contacting a leading end of the sheet (P) with the roller (41). A position changer (60) moves the bottom plate (50) between a first position (S1) where the bottom plate (50) contacts the roller (41), and a second position (S2) where the bottom plate (50) is spaced from the roller (41). An elevating mechanism (70) moves the bottom plate (50) set to the second position up and down each time the sheet (P) is fed and brings the leading end of the sheet (P) into contact with the roller (41) when the bottom plate (50) is moved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, as well as to a sheet feeding device for use in the image forming apparatuses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, there have been known sheet feeders as disclosed in Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication No. 07-14271 and Japanese Patent No. 2614256 for use in an image forming apparatus. The sheet feeders are used for a so-called manual tray. Normally, sheet cassettes each adapted to accommodate a plurality of recording sheets of a predetermined size are detachably mounted on a main body of an image forming apparatus so that the recording sheets of the predetermined size e.g. A4 format or B5 format, which are accommodated in the respective sheet cassettes, are automatically fed to a transferring section. In the case where the sheet cassettes do not accommodate the recording sheets to be fed to the transferring section, a manual tray is used. In use of the manual tray, a user directly places a recording sheet or sheets to be fed to the transferring section on the manual tray without using the sheet cassettes.
The sheet feeders recited in the above publications are designed on a premise that a plurality of recording sheets are placed on the manual tray. Accordingly, although the sheet feeders are efficiently operable in a case that a plurality of recording sheets are placed on the manual tray, the sheet feeders are sometimes inoperable in a case that a single sheet to be fed is placed on the manual tray. In particular, it is often the case that a single recording sheet to be fed from the manual tray has a larger or a smaller thickness as compared with an ordinary recording sheet of the predetermined format size. Accordingly, it is difficult for the conventional sheet feeder to securely feed the single recording sheet having such a larger or smaller thickness to the transferring section.

Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus


A microprecipitated dispersion comprising a methine oxonol filter dye is provided which has the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 0, 1, or 2; R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are the same or different substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl groups, one or more of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 contains carboxy substituent --CO.sub.2 Z, wherein Z.sup.+ is a statistical mixture of hydrogen (H.sup.+) and alkali or tetraalkylammonium cations (M.sup.+) such that Z.sup.+ =xH.sup.+ +(1-x)M.sup.+, where x is a decimal ranging from about 0.33 to about 0.95, and photographic elements containing them.

The use of filter dyes in photographic elements is well known. When incorporated in the radiation sensitive layer, filter dyes can improve sharpness by absorbing light scattered from one silver halide grain to another. Filter dyes can also be used in antihalation layers to retard the sensitivity of one light sensitive layer to another in a multilayer element by absorbing unwanted radiation due to reflection or refraction.
In these as well as the many other uses for filter dyes in photographic elements it is important that the dyes do not wander or diffuse into adjacent layers. This can cause problems such as speed loss or stain in the adjacent layers. Filter dyes must also be completely decolorized or removed from photographic elements, or both, usually during processing when their function is complete, or staining results. The latter problem is compounded when a polymeric mordant is used in the filter layer to prevent dye wandering.
Filter dye stability, particularly at high temperatures and humidity conditions is also important. It is often also highly desirable that the filter dye has a steep absorption peak; that is, that the dye is "sharp cutting".
One method used to incorporate soluble filter dyes into photographic film element layers is to add them as aqueous or alcohol solutions. Dyes introduced by this method often wander into other layers of the element, usually with deleterious effect. While the use of polymeric mordants can prevent dye wandering, such mordants aggravate the stain problem encountered when the dye remains in the element through processing.
Filter dyes have also been prepared as conventional dispersions in aqueous gelatin using standard colloid milling or homogenization methods or as loaded latexes. More recently, ball-milling, sand milling, media-milling, and related methods of producing fine particle size slurries and suspensions of filter dyes have become standard tools for producing slurries and dispersions that can readily be used in photographic melt formulations. Solid particulate filter dyes introduced as dispersions, when coated at sufficiently low pH, can eliminate problems associated with dye wandering. However, filter dye dispersions prepared by milling tend to have slow wash-out rates resulting in lengthy processing or unacceptable dye staining. Further, milled particulate filter dyes provide relatively low absorption coefficients, requiring that an excessive amount of dye be coated. Among other things, milled dyes can also provide too broad an absorption envelope for the contemplated use; the wavelength of maximum absorption may not be at optimal position in the visible region, or the long-wavelength absorption edge of the absorption band may not be optimally placed for the intended application.
In addition, the time and expense involved in preparing serviceable solid particulate filter dye dispersions by milling techniques are a deterrent to their use, especially in large volume applications.
It is also known that oxonol filter dyes can be prepared and purified in the fully protonated form by dissolution with a base followed by reprecipitation in excess concentrated acid as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,221. Such macroscopic processes yield agglomerated particulates which are highly suitable for the bulk solid storage of the dyes but are not suitable for use as photographic filter dye dispersions. Extensive treatment by mechanical milling techniques using dispersing aids and stabilizers such as roller milling, sand milling, ball milling, and the like are required before such dyes can be used for photographic filter dye applications. Accordingly, agglomerates and slurries prepared by macroscopic precipitation processes are not suitable for use as photographic filter dyes and fall outside the scope of the definition of a colloid dispersion useful for such purposes.
It is therefore desirable to provide solid particulate filter dye microdispersions that do not require mechanical milling before use and that do not wander but that wash out easily during processing leaving little or no residual stain. It is also desirable that such filter dye dispersions provide high light absorption efficiencies with sharp-cutting absorbance peaks.

Photographic silver halide element containing microprecipitated methine oxonol filter dye dispersions


A method to detect a missing a clock pulse is provided. The method begins by providing a clock signal and a delayed clock signal. The delayed clock signal is then sampled to generate a sample of the delayed clock signal. A missing clock pulse may be detected if the sample of the delayed clock signal does not equal an expected value of the delayed clock signal.

Microelectronic circuits typically include digital components that operate in synchrony. In such systems, clocks may be used to synchronize events and control the timing of most operations. A clock generates a series of sequential square wave pulse signals that transition from a low state (i.e., logical "0") to a high state (i.e., logical "1"). The series of pulses, also referred to as a clock waveform, is transmitted by the clock to each of the circuit components.
In a complex microelectronic system, clock waveforms may be affected by a variety of conditions that cause error, such as jitter, skew, noise, and the disappearance of clock pulses. The missing clock pulses may be detected by capturing portions of the clock waveform by using a serial data analyzer such as a storage oscilloscope, and then testing the portions for the missing clock pulses. If it is determined that a clock pulse is missing in that captured block, the oscilloscope may retain the block and ignore a subsequent block.


A door push bar structure includes a mounting mechanism having a locking element with a stopper, a sleeve screwed at an end to the locking element, and a locating element, the stopper and an end of the locking element screwed to the sleeve being located in a through hole on a door, and the opposite end of the sleeve being pressed against an outer side of the through hole of the door; and two door push bars, one of which is provided at each end surface with a hole for fixedly connecting with an opposite end of the locking element, and the other one is provided at each end surface with a horizontal hole for receiving the opposite end of the sleeve therein, and a vertical hole communicating with the horizontal hole for the locating element to extend thereinto to firmly press against the opposite end of the sleeve.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional door push bar structure that is mounted on a door 5 by extending a mounting bolt 4 through a predetermined position on the door 5, so that an expanded head portion 41 of the mounting bolt 4 is pressed against an outer side of the door 5; and connecting two push bars 51, 52 to two opposite ends of the mounting bolt 4. The push bar 51 that is connected to the expanded head portion 41 of the mounting bolt 4 is provided with a stop element 53, so that the push bars 51, 52 are attached to the door 5 at desired positions. A user may then apply a force on the push bar 51 or 52 to open or close the door 5.
However, since the push bars 51, 52 are installed on the door 5 simply by screwing the mounting bolt 4 through the door 5 into an end of the other push bar 52, frequent pull or push of the push bars 51, 52 would cause loosening of the push bars 51, 52, particularly the push bar 52, from the door 5 to result in unstable connection of the push bars 51, 52 to the door 5. Moreover, there doors 5 with different thickness. For a thicker door 5, a longer mounting bolt 4 is needed to secure firm connection of the push bar 52 to the door 5. Reversely, for a thinner door 5, a shorter mounting bolt 4 is sufficient for use. Therefore, many differently sized mounting bolts 4 have to be prepared for mounting the push bars 51, 52 on doors 5 with different thickness. This would inevitably result in increased material cost for the mounting bolts 4 as well as inconveniences and confusions to the workers mounting the push bars.


A support for the guide rail of a conveyor which enables the guide rail to be adjusted among a plurality of pre-set positions in a quick and simple manner with precision. The guide rail is supported by a generally horizontal support arm which is supported by a vertical post on the frame of the conveyor alongside the conveyor belt. The arm has a series of notches or receptacles along the underside of its length and the post has a stop member having a latch adapted to engage in the receptacles. The stop member is a cap telescopically engaged on the post and biased upwardly by a spring. The cap includes latch portions facing upwardly adapted to engage in the notches on the arm.

Conveyor lines for bottles normally have rails positioned along opposite sides of the line in order to prevent the bottles from falling away from the moving conveyor belt. The side rails are disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor belt and the bottles travel between the fixed rails. When a conveyor line is converted to transport bottles of different size, the conventional method for adjusting the spacing of the side rails depends on the skills of the mechanics to avoid maladjustment.
Quick-change mounts for the side rails have been proposed, but the need for precise adjustment of the side rails after changing their position has made such quick-change adjustments subject to mechanic error.


An operating device control section (4) controls an output current of a DC-DC converter (1), and also controls a commutation frequency of a commutator (2) that converts a direct current output from the DC-DC converter into an alternating current. The operating device control section operates a discharge lamp, at the start of lamp operation, with a predetermined voltage value lower than a rated voltage and a first target current value higher than a rated current, then, at an end of a predetermined high frequency start period (T1) elapsed from the start of lamp operation, controls the commutator to switch from a commutation frequency higher than that during a steady lamp operation to a commutation frequency during the steady lamp operation, and then, after a voltage applied to the discharge lamp increases and reaches a voltage not lower than a predetermined threshold voltage (Vth) which is not higher than the rated voltage, controls the DC-DC converter to switch from the first target current value to a second target current value which is not higher than the rated current to operate the discharge lamp. A temperature of a lamp electrode can be increased quickly and sufficiently to reduce a time required to increase the lamp illuminance, thereby reducing a time required to cause video to be viewable.

In recent years, the luminance of a projection-type projector has been improved dramatically by adopting a high-efficiency high-pressure discharge lamp (hereinafter simply referred to as a lamp). However, the amount of a substance such as mercury, which is enclosed in the lamp tube, is increased for the purpose of higher efficiency of the lamp, and the impedance increases due to explosive gasification of the enclosed substance, so that the lamp is unstable immediately after the lamp is turned ON. In this situation, when the lamp is repeatedly turned ON and OFF, serious problems arise, such as a degradation in the lamp electrode, circuit destruction caused by an increase in noise due to repeated turning ON, and the like.
As a ballast for a discharge lamp, a low-frequency start type and a high-frequency start type are known.
The low-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp performs low-frequency driving to warm two lamp electrodes alternately for several seconds after the start of lamp operation. This type has the following drawback: due to the low frequency, there is a large difference in temperature between one lamp electrode being warmed and the other lamp not being warmed, so that current is likely to be interrupted when the polarity of current is switched. Therefore, the lamp is gradually transitioned to a stable state while the lamp is repeatedly turned ON and OFF, so that a considerably large load is put on the lamp electrodes.
On the other hand, the high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp performs high frequency drive to warm two lamp electrodes equally for several seconds after the start of lamp operation. In this case, the temperature difference between the two electrodes is considerably small due to the high frequency, so that substantially no interruption occurs in lamp current.
Therefore, in the case of this start type, the load on the lamp electrode is considerably small.
FIGS. 10 and 11 are waveform diagrams illustrating temporal changes in a lamp current I (A), a lamp voltage V (V), and a lamp electrode temperature D (° C.) in the low-frequency start type and high-frequency start type ballast for discharge lamps, respectively.
In FIG. 10, the lamp current I (A) has a low-frequency start period of several Hz to several tens of Hz indicated by a period T1 immediately after the start of lamp operation, and this period is typically set to be 2 to 5 seconds. Thus, the conventional ballast for a discharge lamp commutation-drives the lamp current waveform I (A) with a low frequency of several Hz to several tens of Hz immediately after the start of lamp operation, and therefore, is called a low-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp. The conventional low-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp activates a lamp as follows. In FIG. 10, a breakdown current Id of the lamp current I (A) is increased by further raising a high-voltage pulse at the start of lamp operation as indicated by a period t3 of the lamp voltage V (V), thereby causing the lamp electrode temperature to rise rapidly as indicated by the lamp electrode temperature D (° C.) so as to stabilize the lamp at the start of lamp operation. However, due to the low-frequency start, there is a large difference in temperature between the two lamp electrodes, so that current is likely to be interrupted when the polarity of the current is switched.
As described above, the breakdown current Id through the lamp has a considerably and excessively large value during the unstable period t3 immediately after the start of lamp operation.
In addition, a sudden impedance change due to explosive gasification of a substance, such as mercury or the like, which is enclosed in the lamp, causes repetition of lamp current interruption and breakdown, leading to a degradation in the lamp electrode, circuit destruction due to the repeated breakdown current Id, and the like. On the other hand, the lamp efficiency conventionally is increased by techniques called "tapered electrode" and "short arc (reduced distance between the electrodes)". Therefore, in the current situation, the degradation of the electrode during lamp operation due to the increase of the repeated breakdown current Id is not negligible.
By contrast, recently, a high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp is becoming mainstream, which performs commutation drive with a high frequency (about several tens of kHz) with respect to the lamp current I (A) immediately after the start of lamp operation, and after a high-frequency start period T1, transitions to a period T2 of a steady commutation frequency (about 80 Hz to 400 Hz) appropriate for a lamp, with certain timing, as illustrated in FIG. 11. This high-frequency start period T1 is also typically 2 to 5 seconds as in the low-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp.
Concerning the circuit structure of the high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp of FIG. 11, a choke coil having an inductance of about several tens of μH to several hundreds of μH is inserted in series to a lamp. When the lamp is broken down during the high-frequency start period T1, the choke coil provides a high-frequency impedance, thereby advantageously automatically reducing a breakdown current Ia in FIG. 11. However, at the same time, the choke coil serves as a low-pass filter during the high-frequency start period T1. Therefore, the waveform of the lamp current I (A) during the high-frequency start period T1 is a triangular wave (FIG. 11), which is different from the rectangular waveform (FIG. 10) of the lamp current I (A) during the low-frequency start period T1 (after the unstable period t3). As a result, even when a peak current value reaches a rated lamp current during the high-frequency start period T1, the effective value is about half. Therefore, the value of current for warming the lamp electrode immediately after the start of lamp operation is reduced to about half of that of FIG. 10. When an increase in the lamp electrode temperature is not sufficient during the high-frequency start period T1, it is highly likely that the lamp goes out at the timing t1 of switching to the steady commutation frequency period T2.
Further, in the high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp, the relatively intermediate-size choke coil is driven by high-frequency switching during the high-frequency start period T1 of several tens of kHz, and therefore, a considerably large amount of magnetic flux energy is held in the choke coil. Therefore, with the timing t1 of switching from the high-frequency start period T1 to the steady commutation frequency period T2 of several tens of Hz to several hundreds of Hz appropriate for a lamp, a considerably large amount of excessively large current Ib flows due to a counter electromotive voltage occurring since the choke coil holds the magnetic flux, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, in part because a combined impedance of the lamp and the choke coil suddenly decreases. As a result, the lamp electrode is degraded. Here, FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram of the lamp current I (A) of the conventional high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp, in which the lamp current I (A) is attenuated to zero after the timing t1 of switching from the high-frequency start period T1 to the commutation frequency period T2, so that the lamp goes out.
Although the above-described low-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp and high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp each are used as a light source for a projector, it takes about one minute for the lamp illuminance to be increased to about 60% or more with which video can be viewed. Thus, it takes a considerably long time for video to be viewable, resulting in inconvenience to the user.
Here, FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating characteristics of an increase in illuminance versus a time elapsed from the start of lamp operation in the high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp. Open triangles indicate a plot of the illuminance increase characteristics of a conventional example. It can be confirmed from FIG. 7 that it takes one minute or more for the lamp illuminance to be increased to about 60% or more in the conventional high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp.
Therefore, the conventional high-frequency start type ballast for a discharge lamp has the following problems.
1. Concerning lamp operation for a projector, although they are video devices, it takes a considerably long time for the illuminance of the lamp to be increased, so that the user needs to wait for a considerably long time until the user can view video.
2. During the high-frequency start period, the effective lamp current value is half of that of the low-frequency start, so that the lamp electrode cannot be warmed sufficiently immediately after the start of lamp operation.
3. The lamp electrode is degraded due to an excessively large current occurring-when the control state is transitioned from the high frequency start period (high impedance period) to the steady frequency period (low impedance period).

Ballast for high-pressure discharge lamp and method of operating the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


In a drive-slip control system, if the unfiltered wheel speed of a non-driven wheel is below the filtered reference speed by a predetermined amount, the reference speed is increased in steps. This prevents the control system from being triggered erroneously when a non-driven wheel is retarded by snow, water etc.

The present invention relates to a driver-slip control system for a wheeled vehicle in which a wheel is braked and/or the driving torque is reduced if the speed of a driven wheel exceeds, to a predetermined extent, a reference speed obtained from the speed of a non-driven wheel by filtering.
A drive-slip control system having the above features is known from German Patent 1,806,671. When a vehicle drives into deep snow on one side with such a drive-slip control system, drive slip is detected at the driven rear wheel due to the retarded non-driven front wheel which simultaneously forms the reference, since the filtered speed (reference) is completely or partially corrected to the wheel speed. This is in principle incorrect since the vehicle is in fact travelling at a higher speed As a result, the driven rear wheel is braked or the driving torque reduced.


A method and device for transmitting a synchronization signal are provided. The method includes: a terminal device receives time domain position indication information sent by a network device, wherein the time domain position indication information is used for indicating an offset of a position of a time domain resource of each SS block in M SS blocks relative to a predetermined position, and the M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; and the terminal device determines the time domain resource of each SS block according to the time domain position indication information.

Future communication systems (e.g., a 5th Generation (5G)) cover an entire cell with different beams, i.e., each beam covers a small area, and an effect of multiple beams covering the entire cell is realized by sweeping in time. Different Synchronization Signal (SS) blocks are transmitted on different beams, and User Equipment (UE) may distinguish different beams through different SS Blocks. And in a cell, there are multiple time domain resource positions corresponding to a SS Block that the UE needs to detect.

Method and device for transmitting synchronization signal

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A channel allocation method for radio data calls having different bandwidths to each other in a radio data call processing structure between a mobile switching system and an IWF is disclosed. The method includes receiving a data call connection request; allocating an available time slot and an E1 link; judging a requested bandwidth on the basis of a service option of a received data call; defining a weight value of each data call by using a rate of the requested bandwidth; and dynamically allocating an H0 channel on an E1 link on the basis of the number of data calls occupied at each H0 channel and the weight value of each data call.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication system, and more particularly, to a channel allocation method for radio data calls having different bandwidths to each other.
2. Background of the Related Art
In a mobile communication network, a call connection of a mobile subscriber is typically performed by a call processing unit of a mobile switching system. The call processing unit discriminates and processes a voice call and a data call according to a service option of a call. The traffic of the voice call is transmitted in a 64 Kbps PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) method, while the traffic of the data call is converted to a frame relay mode, and processed by being interworked with an Interworking Function (IWF) of a data network.
FIG. 1 illustrates a call processing structure between the mobile switching system 10 and the IWF 20. When a call set-up request is inputted from a mobile subscriber, a call processing unit 11 determines whether it is a voice call or a data call according to a service option of that call. If the call is determined to be a voice call, the call processing unit 11 transmits the voice call to its destination through a relay line processing unit 14 to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) network. If, however, the call is a data call, the call processing unit 11 outputs the service option of the corresponding call and its related parameters to a frame relay converting unit 12, and requests that the frame relay converting unit 12 connect a traffic path to the IWF 20.
Upon receipt of the request for a traffic path connection from the call processing unit 11, the frame relay converting unit 12 converts the traffic of the 64 Kbps data call, that is, the traffic transmitted in the PCM method, to a frame relay mode. The frame relay connecting unit 12 then transmits the traffic to the IWF 20. The traffic of each data call thusly converted to the frame relay is sequentially multiplexed to an H0 channel of an E1 link and transmitted to the IWF 20.
The IWF 20 then determines whether the data call outputted from the frame relay converting unit 12 is transmitted in a circuit switching system or in a packet switching system. If the data call is to be transmitted in the circuit switching system, it is transmitted in an ISDN PRI (Primary Rate Interface) method through the PSTN path processing unit 13 of the mobile switching system 10 to the PSTN network. If, however, the data call is to be transmitted in the packet switching system, it is directly transmitted to a PSDN (Public Switched Data Network).
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a construction of a related art frame relay converting unit of FIG. 1. The frame relay converting unit 12 includes a plurality of selves (self1˜selfn). 15 control boards, each having 8 time slots, and two control boards, each having 5 H0 channels, are mounted per single self. That is, each self includes total 120 time slots (64 Kbps) and two E1 links each having five H0 channels (384 Kbps).
Referring to FIG. 3, the operation of the related art method of channel allocation will be described. First, a data call connection request is received from the call processing unit 11 (Step S31). The frame relay converting unit 12 then allocates an available time slot (Step S32). At this time, since each self (self0˜selfn) includes total 120 time slots (64 Kbps), 120 data calls can be accommodated altogether.
When a time slot is allocated, the frame relay converting unit 12 allocates the H0 channel on the E1 link corresponding to the time slot, and assigns DLC (Data Link Connection Identifier) values sequentially or in a round-robin method, thereby allocating a plurality of data calls to the H0 channel (Step S33).
Accordingly, when only an IS (Interim Standard)-95A based data call is supported, the data call has a maximum single bandwidth of 13 Kbps due to the bandwidth limitation of a wireless interval. Thus, in order to guarantee a quality of data service, a maximum of 30 data calls can be allocated to a single H0 channel. Each data call is discriminated by DLCI values (DLCI0˜DLCI119) in the same channel.
As the H0 channel and the DLCI value are assigned on the E1 link, the frame relay converting unit 12 stores channel state information (Step S34), and converts the traffic transmitted from the allocated time slot to a frame relay and transmits it through the E1 channel to the IWF 20 (Steps S35, S36).
FIG. 4 show a sequential channel allocation for data calls having a single bandwidth to each other in accordance with the related art.
The method of sequential channel allocation according to the related art has various problems. For example, as described above, for the purpose of interworking with the IWF, the channel allocation on the E1 link is performed whenever a call is requested. For radio data calls according to IS-95A having a single bandwidth (13 Kbps) as shown in FIG. 4, since the number of occupied DLCs, that is, the number of data calls, signifies an occupied bandwidth, no problem arises with respect to channel allocation.
However, in the related art sequential channel allocation as shown in FIG. 4, when a new data call is requested after a third H0 channel is allocated, even though there is a H0 channel which does not go beyond the service quality guarantee limitation, a fourth H0 channel is allocated. Thus, channel congestion occurs and the call is delayed. This phenomenon becomes more serious where a middle-speed service and an high-speed service, such as the IS-95B and the IS-95C, having different bandwidths (64 Kbps, 128 Kbps) are supported together.
Accordingly, the related art sequential channel allocating method, which considers only the number of data calls without counting the bandwidth, causes a traffic delay due to traffic congestion. This results in a waste of the channel resource and a deterioration of capacity to accommodate subscribers.
The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

Channel allocation method for radio data calls having different bandwidths


A golf swing training device comprising a first shoulder guide portion for guiding a first shoulder of a user during at least a part of a practice backswing and a second shoulder guide portion for guiding a second shoulder of a user during at least a part of a practice backswing.

A golfer may practice his golf swing for many hours by hitting large numbers of golf balls and judging the effect on the ball to assess the proficiency of the swing. This allows the golfer to practice important aspects of the game but does not really teach the development of a correct swing. It is often stated that the correct swing should include the golf club being swung in an arc which is substantially planar and that a very important aspect in ensuring a correct swing is to have a correct backswing.
A golfer may practice his or her golf swing under the guidance of an instructor or alternatively by following instructions given on practice videos or from books. The actions of a backswing include swinging a golf club in progression from the address position through the backswing and finally to the top of the swing whilst ensuring correct position of the shoulders, hands and club-head. A golfer may develop a poor backswing in some instances, particularly without the guidance of an instructor. This may lead to the golf-club being swung above or below the correct plane which may result in an incorrect forward stroke and follow-through which results in poor golf shots being played.
It would therefore be desirable if at least some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a training device which will allow a golfer to practice a correct backswing which will provide a correct "feel" enabling the golfer to improve his or her golf swing. It would also be desirable if at least some of the preferred embodiments of the invention provide a training device which is simple to use and may be used in the yard of a house or similar area. One purpose of the present application is to provide variations to and improvements upon the golf practice device of the present inventor's application WO2004/080546, the disclosure of which is imported herein by reference.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


According to an image processor of one embodiment, a first acquirer acquires a first perspective image of a target, which has a first resolution. A second acquirer acquires a second perspective image of the target, which has a second resolution. A first image generator generates first and second display images respectively from the first and second perspective images. The first and third display images have a third resolution lower than at least one of the first and second resolutions. A first point acquirer acquires first and second corresponding points respectively on the first and second display images. A first corrector searches, on the second perspective image, a second image similar to a first image on the first perspective image, the first image including the first corresponding point, and changes, on the second perspective image, a position of the second corresponding point to a position of the second image.

For radiotherapy treatments, plans are made based on previously-captured perspective images of a patient so that a focus of a disease in the body of the patient is precisely irradiated. An irradiation direction, an irradiation strength, and the like, are predetermined when a plan is made.
There are positioning apparatuses and methods for aligning a position, at the planning time, of a radiographic referential image of an object to be irradiated, to a position of the object at the time of actual irradiation. Conventionally, there is technology of displaying a guideline based on the epipolar geometry when a positioning process is performed. However, it is difficult to precisely designate, using a display image with low resolution, positions of points to be used for the positioning process.

Image processor, treatment system, and image processing method for determining a position of a point


A number of methods to support process quality and maintenance during control of an industrial process such as welding are provided. The methods provide, among other things: automatic process limit programming based on runtime data; user-initiated process limit programming based on upcoming data; correlate equipment deterioration based on capability measurement; correlate tip dressers/formers to new; detect electrical deterioration; integrate process data with programmed data for a visual aid; and quantify process variation in welding tools (pareto of stddev of the c-factor).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods to support process quality and maintenance during control of an industrial process such as welding.
2. Background Art
Traditionally, large-scale resistance welding networks for use in assembly facilities can cost between $250,000 and $900,000 to install, not including configuration. U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,885 discloses a weld controller coupled to a communications network which has an operator interface unit for monitoring and controlling the weld controller and other weld controllers on the network. A common database in the operator interface unit is accessible across the communications network by the weld controller. The weld controller can use the database to obtain different weld schedules, duplicate its own weld schedule to provide for easy replacement, and as a data storage for its operating parameters and values. The weld controller has a dual communications port that allows for a variety of operator interface configurations. Data from the weld controller can be accessed by the operator interface controller based upon the weld controller's individual data structure and type through embedded objects resident in the operator interface's operating system and program. The data can then be displayed, edited, and stored by any data entry device that is capable of executing the operator interface's program.
The promise of these welding networks is cost savings and better control of the facility. These networks, however, typically fall short of their expectations, become "Boat Anchors" and fall into disuse or are used as nothing more than central programming stations. There are several reasons that these networks fall short of expectations.
Islands of Automation
The network hosts that are typically provided are islands of automation. They provide access at one or at best a limited number of terminals available in the plant.
Require Active Management
Existing networks have no means for informing the user of an existing or pending problem. The user must know that a problem exists or review the data at the network terminal regularly in order to determine whether action is required.
Do Not Provide Data Reduction
No means for automatic data reduction is provided. Often the user is required to wade through mountains of meaningless faults and events to determine what is relevant.
No Process Control Support
Existing networks tend to be organized around the weld control and not the process. This is not surprising since existing welding networks are the products of the welding control companies, but it is not acceptable. Much more useful from a process standpoint are facility-wide reports and data presentation.
No Administrative Support
Existing networks provide no tools for administration of the plant. They provide no assistance in configuration and administering the welding network on a plant-wide basis. No facilities for limit-setting or auditing are provided.
No Maintenance Support
No facilities for predictive or preventative maintenance are provided. At best, one can look at the stepper status and determine if the caps require changing. In addition, there are no facilities for determining the degradation or the capability of the system at any point in time.
No Quality Systems Support
Existing networks provide no support for quality systems. There are no facilities for change control, maintaining mandated quality information or auditing the system for compliance.
Once the user tumbles into these shortfalls, the network becomes much less useful and the systems falls into disuse.
For instance, if the network does nothing to assist with maintenance, the user has no choice but to reactively address problems reported from the floor. Once the problem is reported, the clock is ticking, as there is probably downtime associated with it. There is no need to locate a network terminal and consult it, as this will most likely only increase the downtime. The most effective course is to go directly to the site of the problem, determine its cause and repair it. This totally leaves the network out-of-the-loop.
Other than providing centralized programming, the existing network solutions do little to simplify the user's tasks. As such, they quickly fall into disuse and become an expensive "Boat Anchor."

Methods to support process quality and maintenance during control of an industrial process such as welding


A vehicle panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a structural door panel body having an inner door panel and an outer door panel defining an internal cavity. A carrier module is secured to the structural door panel body. The carrier module has a carrier having an outer periphery for attachment to the inner door panel to substantially close off an opening therein to separate a wet side of the door panel body from a dry side of the door panel body and having a recessed pocket configured for receipt of a rear side of a speaker therein to maintain the speaker on the dry side of the door panel body. At least one of a barrier and shroud is coupled to the carrier. The barrier forms an air pocket with the carrier on a side of the carrier facing the wet side of the structural door panel body.

This section provides background information related to vehicle closure panels and carrier modules, also referred to as carrier assemblies, therefor to provide a better understanding of currently available configurations and adaptations of such vehicle closure panels and carrier assemblies. However, the information provided in this section is not necessarily considered to be prior art with respect to the inventive concepts associated with the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle closure panels 1, such as a sliding or swing door of a motor vehicle, for example, typically include a carrier module 2 configured to separate a "wet side" 3 (facing outwardly from the carrier module 2 toward an outside environment E and away from an interior cabin C of the motor vehicle) of the door 1 from a "dry side" 4 (facing inwardly from the carrier module 2 away from the outside environment E and toward the interior cabin C of the motor vehicle) of the door 1. The carrier module 2 is commonly configured to support a speaker 5 of a vehicle sound system in mounted relation thereon. In order to accommodate the speaker 5, the carrier module 2 is typically provided with a through opening 6 sized for receipt and mounting of the speaker 5 therein. An outer periphery of the speaker 5 is typically fixed against a dry face 7 (side of carrier facing dry side 4) of the carrier module 2, while a rear side of the speaker 5 extends through the through opening 6 and is typically openly exposed to the wet side 3 within a cavity 8 defined between the carrier module 2 and an outer door panel 9. As such, aside from the presence of the speaker 5, the through opening 6 establishes an open air flow path between the wet side 3 and the dry side 4.
Some drawbacks of mounting the speaker 5 within the through opening 6 of the carrier module 2 include the transmission of sound from the interior cabin C to the outside environment E, and vice versa, through the through opening 6 along the direction indicated by arrows A. As such, conversation within the interior cabin C, whether between passengers within the interior cabin C or between a passenger within the interior cabin C and a person remote from the vehicle via phone conversation, particularly during hands free phone communication, can often be heard by a bystander in the outside environment E. Accordingly, the privacy of conversation occurring within the interior cabin C can be compromised. Further, noise emanating in the outside environment E can enter the interior cabin C through the through opening 6 along the direction of arrows A, thereby making conversation within the interior cabin C difficult, aside from creating a general annoyance and being disruptive to a relaxing, quiet environment within the interior cabin C. In addition, the sound from the speaker 56 is generally able to escape outwardly to the outside environment E, thereby reducing the amount of sound desired to be directed to the interior cabin C. Additionally, by having the rear side of the speaker 5 exposed to the wet side, the likelihood of the speaker 5 becoming wet is increased, which ultimately could have a deleterious effect on the useful life of the speaker 5. Further yet, the ability to secure the speaker 5 in relatively rigid fashion to the carrier module 2 can be compromised, given the carrier module 2 is typically a single layer or sheet of material which can generally flex freely, thereby negatively impacting the performance of the speaker 5, as speaker performance is typically enhanced via rigid mounting.
Thus, for at least those reasons discussed above, a need exists to develop optimized closure panel assemblies and carrier modules therefor.

Door module for vehicle door having integrated sound suppression and dampening arrangement


A retort heating method for processing a feed material includes a heating chamber bound at least in part by said wall. A plurality of baffles are at least partially disposed with the heating chamber. Each baffle includes an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface being arched. The plurality of baffles are vertically and horizontally spaced apart so that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles. The method for oil shale processing within the retort chamber includes for heating the feed material within the heating chamber.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing a novel retort heating apparatus. Specifically, the present invention relates to systems and processes for producing hydrocarbon gases and liquids and other by-products from solid matter, particularly from oil shale using a retort heating apparatus.
2. The Relevant Technology
Oil consumption in the United States has been estimated to be about 20 million barrels/day. In contrast, the U.S. domestic production of oil is estimated to be about 6 million barrel/day. This imbalance between consumption and demand on the one hand, and production on the other hand, emphasizes the need for continued development in the field of alternative fuel source technology. In addition, domestic resources should be explored rather than depending on foreign oil sources. For example, national parks and other recreation areas contain rich fuel recourses, the extent of which have yet to be fully tapped. The need for continued research and development in this area is enhanced by threats to oil supply and dependence on foreign oil supplies. Furthermore, oil deposits in the U.S. are either rare or protected by law. Thus, alternatives to conventional drilling are required.
However, conventional non-drilling oil extraction processes are not cost-effective compared to conventional drilling extraction processes. Technological solutions and new methods and processes for non-drilling extraction are therefore needed. Furthermore, it would be advantageous if these novel processes and systems permitted, in contrast with conventional extractive processes, the extraction of oil and the recovery of other products that are present in the feed material, such as mineral and nitrogen compounds.
The Green River oil shale formation that extends over eastern Utah, western Colorado, and a tip of southern Wyoming, is estimated to contain over one trillion barrels of recoverable oil, which makes of this formation the richest oil formation in the world. In theory, this formation could provide a world-wide supply of oil for about 150 years. In other words, the amount of oil in the Green River shale formation has been estimated to exceed the combined amounts of oil in known oil reserves in the entire world and of oil discovered so far. Other oil shale deposits are known to exist in the U.S. and also in other countries worldwide.
Oil shale contains a rich hydrocarbon source known as kerogen. Kerogen can be broken down into oil vapors and organic liquids by retorting processes. Retorting is a process by which kerogen is decomposed into derivatives such as oil, gas and other compounds. Retorting is also known as destructive distillation, which is the decomposition of kerogen by heat in a closed container and collection of the volatile products produced.
A number of fluid bed retorts have been developed. Generally, each of these systems allows crushed feed material to flow downward by gravity through a heated column as oil vapor is drawn off the column. Although most conventional retorts function to convert oil shale to oil, conventional systems have such poor efficiency that they are not economical to operate. Furthermore, many conventional systems have systemic problems that preclude their continued operation without shutting down and cleaning out the retort chamber.
For example, many conventional retorts operate by passing a hot gas up through crushed oil shale. To enable the hot gas to pass around the oil shale, the oil shale must be provided in relatively large particles. Such systems, however, have low production efficiency in that it is difficult to sufficiently heat the center of the large particles and it is difficult for the oil vapors to escape from the center of such particles. In addition, because the particles stay substantially stagnate relative to the surrounding particles as the hot air passes over them, the particles have a tendency to agglomerate or fuse together, thereby further decreasing the efficiency of oil vapor extraction. Such agglomerations can also block the flow of the material through the retort. Heated gases are also dangerous to work with in that they can be highly explosive and require extra measures to ensure that the gas is not leaked out of the retort.
In an alternative approach to using the free flow of heated gas, conduits have been provided within a retort. The conduits are heated by passing a heated gas therethrough. As the particles pass by the conduits, the particles are heated so as to emit the oil vapor. The primary problem with this approach is that the conduits do not uniformly heat the particles. For example, some particles pass through the retort without ever contacting the conduits. Other particles become stacked on top of the conduits preventing their passage through the retort. As a result of the lack of uniform heating, there are again problems with the formation of agglomerates and with low efficiency of oil vapor extraction.
In some conventional retorts, the oil vapor product is drawn out of the retort at the top of the column at substantially the same place where feed material is supplied. Because the temperature is generally cooler at the top of the retort than at the bottom, this allows the same oil vapors to cool and condense. During condensing of the oil vapors, the oil vapors may mix with some of the feed material, forming clumps of feed material with plugs the fluid bed.


An electronic component of the surface-mounted type having a mounting surface that can be mounted on the printed circuit board, maintaining sufficient insulation among the external electrodes despite the chip size is decreased, and having a large mounting strength. In a common mode choke coil array, for example, an external electrode is constituted by electrode pads formed on the mounting surfaces of insulating substrates mounted on a PCB, and a connection electrode which electrically connects an internal electrode terminal exposed on the outer surface different from the mounting surface to the electrode pads. The connection electrodes near the internal electrode terminals have a width c′ smaller than a width b of the electrode pads as measured in the same direction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a surface-mounted type electronic component having a mounting surface to be mounted on a printed circuit board or a hybrid IC (HIC).
2. Description of the Related Art
Coil components mounted on internal circuitry of electronic equipment such as personal computers and cell phones include those of the winding type having two copper wires wound on a ferrite core, those of the laminated type obtained by forming a coil conductor pattern on the surface of a magnetic sheet such as of ferrite and laminating the magnetic sheets, and those of the thin film type obtained by alternately forming an insulating film and a coil conductor of a thin metal film relying on a thin film-forming technology.
JP-A-8-203737 discloses a common-mode choke coil that is used as a thin film type coil component. FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate a state where a common mode choke coil array 101 formed by integrating two common mode choke coils is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 121. 7A is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the common mode choke coil array 101, FIG. 7B is a view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, an external electrode 114 connected to an internal electrode terminal 125 exposed to the side surface of the common mode choke coil array 101, and FIG. 7C is a view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a state where an external electrode 114 shown in FIG. 7B is formed having a small width.
Referring to FIG. 7A, the common mode choke coil array 101 has a structure in which an insulating layer 107, a coil layer that is not shown, a magnetic layer 109 and an adhesive layer 111 are successively formed by the thin film-forming technology between the magnetic substrates 103 and 105 that are arranged facing each other. The internal electrode terminals 123, 125, 127 and 129 exposed to the insulating layer 107 are connected to the external electrodes 113, 114, 117 and 118. The internal electrode terminals (not shown) formed on the side surface facing the side surface on which the external electrodes 113, etc. are formed, are connected to the external electrodes 115, 116, 119 and 120, respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the external electrode 114 has rectangular electrode pads 114b and 114c formed, in an opposing manner, on the peripheral ends on the mounting surfaces of the magnetic substrates 103 and 105, and a connection electrode 114a formed on the outer surface on where the internal electrode terminal 125 is exposed. The connection electrode 114a electrically connects the internal electrode terminal 125 to the electrode pads 114b and 114c.
The external electrodes 113, 117 and 118, too, have rectangular mounting pads 113b, 117b and 118b formed on the peripheral ends on the mounting surface of the magnetic substrate 105, rectangular electrode pads (not shown) formed on the peripheral ends on the mounting surface of the magnetic substrate 103 being opposed to the mounting pads 113b, 117b and 118b, and connection electrodes 113a, 117a and 118a formed on the outer surface on where the internal electrode terminals 123, 127 and 129 are exposed. The connection electrodes 113a, 117a and 118a are electrically connecting together the internal electrode terminals 123, 127 and 129, the electrode pads 113b, 117b and 118b, and the electrode pads formed on the mounting surface of the magnetic substrate 103.
Similarly, further, the external electrodes 115, 116, 119 and 120 have electrode pads 115b, 116b, 119b and 120b formed on the mounting surface of the magnetic substrate 105 on the side of the opposing outer surface, electrode pads (not shown) formed on the mounting surface of the magnetic substrate 103, and connection electrodes (not shown) formed on the opposing outer surface.
Here, the trend toward fabricating electronic equipment such as personal computers and cell phones in ever small sizes is requiring a decrease in the size and thickness (height) of electronic component s or chips such as coils. The coils of the winding type are accompanied by a problem of difficulty in decreasing the size due to the limitation on the structure. On the other hand, the coils of the laminated type and the common mode choke coil array 101 of the thin film type can be fabricated in small sizes having decreased heights owing to their structures.
To decrease the size of the common mode choke coil array 101, it is necessary to shorten the length L of the coil array 101 shown in FIG. 7A. To shorten the length L, the widths of regions forming the external electrodes 113 to 120 (gap a among electrodes +width c of electrodes) may be shortened. It can, therefore, be contrived to shorten the gap a among the neighboring external electrodes 113 to 120 without varying the width c of the external electrodes 113 to 120. Here, though the magnetic substrates 103 and 105 have a sufficiently high resistivity, the magnetic layer 109 have a relatively low resistivity. Therefore, the resistivity among the neighboring external electrodes 113 to 120 decreases with a decrease in the gap a among the neighboring external electrodes 113 to 120. If the gap a is very shortened, therefore, it is probable that a current flows among the neighboring electrodes via the magnetic layer 109, lowering the electrical reliability of the common mode choke coil array 101. Therefore, shortening the length L imposes limitation on decreasing the gap a among the external electrodes 113 to 120.
Referring, next, to FIG. 7C, therefore, it can be contrived to shorten the width of the external electrodes 113 to 120 from c to c′ (c′<c) while suppressing the gap a among the electrodes to be a required minimum value. First, by giving attention to the electrode pads 114b and 114c, the electrode pads 114b and 114c are formed by the electrode material that turns onto the mounting surfaces at the time of forming the connection electrode 114a. Therefore, a maximum pad width b of the electrode pads 114b and 114c becomes nearly equal to the width of the connection electrode 114a. If the electrode width of the connection electrode 114a is set to be c′, therefore, the pad width b of the electrode pads 114b and 114c is shortened. Accordingly, the area decreases on where the electrode pad 114c comes into contact with a solder land pattern 122 on the PCB 121. The coil array 101 is electrically and mechanically connected to the PCB 121 by a solder 133 formed on the solder land pattern 122. If the contact area of the electrode pad 114c to the solder land pattern 122 decreases, therefore, the mounting strength of the coil array 101 decreases. The same also holds for the electrode pads 113b and 113c other than the electrode pad 114c. Thus, the reliability for mounting the coil array 101 decreases with a decrease in the width of electrodes such as the connection electrodes 114a, etc. In shortening the length L, therefore, limitation is imposed on decreasing the electrode width c of the external electrodes 113 to 120.


A solar cell module includes a photovoltaic element, a light receiving surface side protective member disposed above a light receiving surface of the photovoltaic element, and a back surface side protective member disposed above a back surface opposite to the light receiving surface side of the photovoltaic element. The photovoltaic element includes an indium oxide layer formed on a surface facing the back surface side protective member and another indium oxide layer formed on a surface facing the light receiving surface side protective member. An arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on a surface of the indium oxide layer on the back surface of the photovoltaic element is larger than an arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) on the light receiving surface of the photovoltaic element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solar cell module which includes a photovoltaic element, a light receiving surface side protective member disposed above a light receiving surface of the photovoltaic element, and a back surface side protective member disposed above a back surface opposite to the light receiving surface of the photovoltaic element.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, a photovoltaic element, which includes a transparent conductive film formed of indium oxide layers, is known. For such an indium oxide layer, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) being In203 to which SnO2 is added as impurities has been widely used because of its high conductivity and of good workability.
When using the above-described ITO as a transparent conductive film, it is known that the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of an ITO surface is made small so that it is 2.0 nm or less, to maintain low resistance and low light absorption (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2005-175160).
Further, a technology is disclosed in which, by using an indium oxide layer to which tungsten (W) is added as impurities, resistance and light absorption lower than those of the ITO can be maintained (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. H7-278791).
As described above, on the indium oxide layer, many trials have been conducted to achieve low resistance and high light transmittance.
On the other hand, when mounting a photovoltaic element on a solar cell module, there is high possibility that it is open to the outside air for a long period. However, no study has been made on weather resistance such as moisture resistance under the above condition. Particularly, when using a film as the back surface side protective member disposed above a back surface of a photovoltaic element, the entering of moisture due to deterioration of the film is considered. Accordingly, it is desired that a photovoltaic element having excellent moisture resistance be developed.


A cold plate and a method of manufacturing a cold plate involve a first side with a first surface, and a second side, opposite the first side, with a second surface opposite the first surface. The cold plate includes a flow channel formed between the first side and the second side, and a cavity integrally machined into the first surface of the first side. The cavity seats an inductor and is defined by an outer wall and a base with thicker sections and thinner sections such that even the thicker sections of the base are thinner than a thickness of the first surface.

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of thermal management and, in particular, to thermal management of an inductor on a cold plate.
A liquid cold plate is a platform for mounting power electronic components. The cold plate provides localized cooling to the components by transferring heat from the components mounted on one or both surfaces to the liquid flowing within. One of the components that may be placed on a cold plate is an inductor. An inductor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when current flows through it. Generally, in inductor includes an insulated wire wound around a core as a coil.

Thermal management of inductor on a cold plate


In one embodiment, a method includes identifying at least one parameter as being associated with a service provided to an entity, as for example a subscriber. The service is arranged to service the entity. The method also includes monitoring the parameter to determine if accessibility to the service by the entity is compromised, and invoking a notification mechanism to send a notification to the entity if it is determined that the accessibility to the service by the entity is compromised. The notification indicates that the accessibility to the service is compromised.

Service providers are generally unable to efficiently notify subscribers about issues within a network that may impact service. By way of example, when a border gateway protocol (BGP) gateway to the Internet becomes unavailable, subscribers who access the Internet via the BGP gateway may no longer be able to access the Internet. Although some service providers may post a notice on a website to explain a planned outage of a network control protocol such as the BGP gateway, many service providers do not post notices. In addition, notices are typically not posted in the event of an unplanned outage of a network control device that may have a bearing on a service rendered to a subscriber. Further, even if a notice is posted on a website, a subscriber may not necessarily be able to interpret the notice regarding an outage, e.g., because the subscriber does not realize that the particular outage impacts them.
The inability to access the Internet when a network device which offers connectivity service, such as a BGP gateway, becomes unavailable may lead to subscriber dissatisfaction, as for example because of a violation of a service level agreement (SLA). Further, in some instances, subscribers who are not aware of an outage that affects them may overburden servers on a common radius authentication dial in user service (RADIUS) server system by connecting and reconnecting point-to-point protocol (PPP) sessions in attempts to reach the Internet. Overburdening servers may lead to a denial of access to the Internet for subscribers who are not directly impacted by the lack of availability of the network control device which offers connectivity service. In addition, when a network control protocol becomes unavailable, there may be an increased load on the call or support center of a service provider.

Monitoring network service affecting events, taking action, and automating subscriber notification


An information processing apparatus which operates an operating system providing a first user interface environment appropriate for a touch panel and a conventional desktop user interface environment automatically executes processing by using information set as a default value, if an operation by a user on a pop-up dialog, which is displayed in the desktop user interface environment and is related to functions including a secure print function provided by a printer driver, is not performed for a predetermined period of time.

A printer is controlled by software called a printer driver which normally runs on a client computer. The printer driver has two major functions. One function allows a user to perform a print setting. Generally, the function includes a user interface (UI). The other function converts a rendering instruction sent from an application into print data (in page description language (PDL)) which can be interpreted by the printer, and transmits the data to the printer. These functions are realized in cooperation with an operating system (OS) on the client computer.
Further, the printer driver has a function called secure print, which is discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-318779. This function allows the user to input a password before printing is performed with the printer. When the user provides a print instruction, the printer driver automatically displays a pop-up dialog on the screen of the client computer, prompting the user to input a password. The secure print is realized by adding the input information to the print data.
When specifications of an OS, which generally cooperates with the printer driver, are changed, the user may find difficulty in using the functions realized by the printer driver or may not be able to use the functions. Examples of the OS specification change include an OS design that employs a new UI optimized for touch-panel devices such as a smartphone. When such a new OS is used, only a part of the functions, which is associated with the UI provided by the printer driver for the previous OS, are supported by the new UI. The functions not supported by the UI are, for example, executed on the new OS on a different screen, which is provided for a previous application. However, in many exceptional UI functions such as an automatic pop-up dialog (e.g. the above-described secure print), usability thereof is not fully considered for the new OS.
As examples of similar exceptional UI functions provided by a printer driver, there are dialogs requesting department information for departmental management and designation of a file path for a file storage setting. A similar UI function is used for address designation in a facsimile driver.

Information processing apparatus, method, and program for controlling a user interface


A firearms marksmanship training system comprising a shooter observation booth characterized by intended shooting technique data and comprising a plurality of cameras configured to receive observed shooting technique data; a diagnostic target characterized by intended projectile strike data and configured to receive observed projectile strike data; and a shooter data analysis tool configured to determine at least one performance indication, defined as a shooting flaw, using a variance of the intended shooting technique data from the observed shooting technique data and a displacement of the intended projectile strike data from the observed projectile strike data, to determine, using a plurality of known shooting flaws associated with a plurality of known corrective measures, a probability of correction of the shooting flaw for at least one of the known corrective measures, defined as an applied corrective measure, and to provide sensory guidance as to the applied corrective measure.

Ever since firearms were first invented sometime in the thirteenth century, the effectiveness of any firearm has been intrinsically intertwined with the ability to accurately and consistently impact a target with a projectile launched from the firearm. Because humans fire firearms, human-centric variables directly impact the accuracy and consistency with which a projectile launched from a firearm hits a target. While there are certainly mechanical components involved in the accuracy and consistency with which projectiles launched from firearms hit their targets, human factors are more commonly the sources of inaccuracy and inconsistency.
The human-induced inaccuracy and inconsistency with which projectiles launched from firearms hit their targets not only compromises the effectiveness of firearms, but also increases the costs associated with hunting, personal protection, law enforcement and military campaigns. Each projectile that is launched from a firearm has a cost associated with it. The more accurately and consistently a firearm is fired, the fewer projectiles need to be launched at a given target in order to hit that target. The fewer projectiles that are launched at a target in order to hit that target, the less expensive it is to use the firearm.
There are other costs associated with a firearm that is inaccurately and inconsistently fired. Projectiles that are inaccurately and inconsistently launched from a firearm may strike unintended targets. When those unintended targets are personal property, the costs associated with the inaccurately and inconsistently launched projectile are measured by the cost of repairing or replacing the personal property that was unintentionally hit. When those unintended targets are humans or other irreplaceable targets, however, the costs associated with the inaccurately and inconsistently launched projectile are immeasurable.
Other costs associated with projectiles inaccurately and inconsistently launched from firearms include the cost of retraining shooters. When a hunter, a law enforcement officer, a combatant, a gun-owner or other shooter is unable to accurately and consistently hit intended targets with projectiles the shooter launches from firearms, the shooter is often subjected to repeated training exercises in an effort to correct the shooter's inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Trainers charge a fee for their services, on top of the cost of the projectiles fired during training. In addition to the costs directly associated with retraining a shooter, indirect costs of retraining include the loss of man-hours while the shooter-in-training is unable to perform her normal occupation or profession.
In addition to the financial costs associated with inaccurately and inconsistently launched projectiles, there are also psychological costs. When a shooter is unable to accurately and consistently launch projectiles from a firearm at a target, that shooter, and others with whom the shooter interacts, may lose confidence in the shooter's abilities with a firearm. The loss of confidence in the shooter's abilities can negatively impact the effectiveness of a law enforcement unit, a military unit, or a family unit.
While various firearms training solutions are known in the art, none of them is reliably effective in observing, deducing and correcting the full range of flaws responsible for projectiles inaccurately and inconsistently launched from firearms. For example, not all firearms training courses analyze the stance of the shooter or the shooter's grip in a determination of the corrective action necessary to resolve inaccuracies and inconsistencies in shooting performance. Even those firearms training courses that do analyze shooter stance and shooter grip typically rely solely upon unaided observations of the human eye. Likewise, some known firearms training courses fail to deduce flaws in shooting technique determinable from the placement of projectile strikes on a target.
In cases where known firearms training courses are successful in observing or deducing flaws in shooting technique, these firearms training courses do not rigorously and repeatably determine the appropriate corrective action necessary to resolve the full range of flaws responsible for inaccuracies and inconsistencies in shooting performance. Whether such failure results from an inability to ascertain all of the factors impacting shooting performance or a lack of understanding of the methods of shooting technique correction, known firearms training courses fall short of being able to resolve the full range of flaws responsible for inaccuracies and inconsistencies in shooting performance.
Accordingly, a need exists for improved methods and systems for providing reliable and effective analysis of shooting technique, while at the same time providing accurate corrective action to resolve the full range of flaws responsible for inaccuracies and inconsistencies in shooting performance.
This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

Firearms marksmanship improvement product and related system and methods


A DMA device which can quickly access main memory over a system bus without requiring an allocation of a contiguous block of memory on start-up. This is accomplished by providing a copy of the host microprocessor's page table to the DMA device for the portion of memory allocated to it. The DMA device preferably stores at least a portion of the page table internally, with any remainder of the page table being stored in main memory at an address stored in said DMA device.

The present invention relates to direct memory access (DMA) devices, and in particular to sound synthesis drivers.
A DMA device is a device which can access memory without using the CPU in a computer system. This allows a faster data transfer than if the CPU had to be used for transferring every byte of data. In systems using virtual addresses with page translation, the DMA device typically either uses exclusively physical addresses or may use the virtual address with a translation being done by a separate memory controller chip outside of the system CPU.
A computer system will have an operating system which controls communications between the main microprocessor, memory and any peripherals. In the Microsoft Windows '95 operating system, the host processor only allocates contiguous memory as requested upon start-up of the system. Thus, if a peripheral desires a contiguous block of memory, it must request it upon start-up. Otherwise, the host processor will only allocate memory without regard to contiguity. Thus, when a peripheral subsequently requests a block of memory, that block may be distributed over a series of smaller blocks in available spaces in main memory, as set forth in a page table maintained by the host microprocessor.
An internal bus is typically used to connect the microprocessor and main memory to other peripherals. For example, Intel has popularized the PCI bus for this purpose. Among the peripherals that may be attached would be sound boards or 3D graphics boards for providing sound and graphic synthesis and other functions. These devices often need to contain their own on-board memory because of the access speeds required for sound and graphics manipulations.
Some microprocessors include native signal processing capabilities, which enable them to perform certain graphics operations or sound manipulations in the host CPU itself. This has the advantage of allowing the host to directly access the main memory for the required data quickly, and without the cost of an additional board, but with a limitation of adding more complexity to the host microprocessor.


A method is provided for screening microorganisms having a selectable characteristic comprising: (a) providing a growth chamber capable of forming a plurality of discrete compartments, said compartments comprising a barrier which inhibits the diffusion of metabolites or nutrients between said compartments within said growth chamber; (b) preparing a growth medium which, by its lack of or addition of one or more metabolites or nutrients, preferentially facilitates growth of microorganisms exhibiting said selectable characteristic from microorganisms which do not exhibit said selectable characteristic; (c) inoculating said growth medium with a plurality of microorganisms, a portion of which comprise said selectable characteristic; (d) placing said inoculated growth medium into said growth chamber so as to randomly disperse said microorganisms among discrete compartments in said growth chamber; and (e) incubating said growth chamber for a suitable time and under suitable conditions to obtain a detectable disparity of growth between microorganisms having said selectable characteristic and microorganisms lacking said selectable characteristic.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to improvements in screening methods used to detect, amplify and select microorganisms subjected to mutagenesis which thereby develop desirable characteristics differing from the microorganisms prior to mutagenesis. More particularly, the present invention is directed to novel screening methods which enhance the growth of certain desired mutants in a pool of organisms which has been subjected to random mutagenesis in such a manner to permit screening of a large number of potential mutants efficiently and effectively.
2. State of the Art
In the prior art, several methods of directing the evolution of a pool of microorganisms subjected to random mutagenesis have been developed. One manner of effecting focused evolution of an organism is to introduce novel characteristics into protein products by site-directed mutagenesis. However, such methods require a high level of knowledge regarding the subject protein in terms of structure and function relationships and the specific effects desired. As a result, methods have been developed which take advantage of random mutational events over a large cell population and/or over several generations to produce a small number of desired mutations. Such methods, generally referred to as directed evolution, require the steps of obtaining a pool of starting material microorganisms, subjecting these microorganisms to random mutagenesis and subsequently applying appropriate selection techniques to select mutants having desired characteristics.
Essential to the success of directed evolution techniques are screening or selection techniques for isolating desired mutants. A common selection technique involves growing the mutant organisms under conditions such that only desired mutants exhibit growth. One such technique is to plate the mutant organisms on media which limits growth to microorganisms having a specific (mutant) characteristic. For example, media which includes a toxin will force selection of organisms having resistance to the toxin. Similarly, media which includes a substrate for which it is necessary that the mutant organisms be able to metabolize that substrate for survival will limit growth to those organisms capable of producing the appropriate enzymes. Further, the mutant organisms can be subjected to rigorous conditions to determine if, for example, the mutant organisms are better suited for surviving at high temperature or pH.
An example of such selection pressure is illustrated in Forney et al., Appl. Environ. Microb., vol. 55, no. 10, pp. 2550-2555 (1989), wherein mutant penicillin amidases with novel substrate specificity were obtained by mutagenizing a strain of E.coli and selecting on the ability of the mutants to hydrolyze glutaryl-(L)-leucine and provide leucine to Leu.sup.- strains. Cells which retained the wild type enzyme would not grow on the minimal media containing glutaryl-(L)-leucine as the sole source of leucine. The authors reported that the growth rates of the Leu.sup.- cells that expressed mutant amidases increased as the glutaryl-(L)-leucine concentration increased or as the medium pH decreased. As a result, it was possible for the authors to deliberately modify the substrate specificity of penicillin amidase and select mutants with amidases that were progressively more efficient at hydrolyzing glutaryl-(L)-leucine.
An alternative technique which was developed to screen mutant proteins is known as phage display. This technique is valuable in isolating randomly mutagenized DNA encoding proteins having a specific desired binding activity. In the phage display technique, a lambda phage or equivalent is produced which contains a mutagenized gene encoding a specific binding protein. The phage is then subjected to a ligand binding procedure, e.g., column affinity purification, wherein the ligand is selected based on a desired binding capability of the mutant binding protein and can thus selectively bind to and trap phage displaying the desired mutant binding protein on its surface. Subsequent to isolation, the trapped phage can be used to infect appropriate bacterial hosts to produce larger quantities of protein. One example of phage display is application as a tool for isolating proteases having new protease specificities, Corey et al., Gene, vol. 128, pp. 129-134 (1993), wherein phage display was utilized to identify mutant trypsin molecules which comprised a fusion product of the trypsin molecule and M13 coat proteins through capture by immobilized ecotin as a ligand.
The above methods have provided powerful mechanisms for applying selection pressure to effect isolation of specific desired mutants among a randomly mutagenized population. However, a problem remains in screening large numbers of organisms in an efficient manner. For example, plate screening requires serial dilutions of liquid cultures to the extent that only a small number of colonies exist on each plate. Where the mutant pool comprises millions of organisms, this imposes an enormous procedural burden on the researcher to analyze the entire population.
This problem is amplified where less stringent selection criteria are used to detect certain types of mutations, for example, improved catalytic activity, temperature or pH resistance in an enzyme. One example of such a selection technique involves use of media which includes a necessary cellular nutrient, access to which requires a specific mutation in an enzyme. In such instances, it is often advantageous to repeatedly mutate a population of microorganisms, screening between each mutational event to select for incrementally improved mutants. Because the mutants will have varying degrees of viability on the media as opposed to absolute viability or not, it becomes necessary to screen a much larger quantity of organisms thus adding to the procedural burden on the researcher.
Moreover, if the selection procedure involves the production of a necessary nutrient by a mutant extracellular enzyme, organisms lacking the necessary mutation will benefit from the production of mutant enzymes by other colonies due to nutrient diffusion through the media. Thus, it is necessary to drastically limit the number of colonies on a media plate through serial dilutions, while at the same time observing a large increase in the number of mutants analyzed. The combination of these effects means that on the order of 50-100 colonies per plate becomes a maximum. Due to these effects, plus the additive effect of mutagenizing over several generations, the burden becomes prohibitive if entire populations of microorganisms are to be screened. To avoid such burdensome screening, many researchers opt to analyze only a minor segment of the entire population, thus reducing the potential for detecting desired mutants.
From the above, it is apparent that advances have been made in the development of screening techniques for accurately identifying and isolating desired characteristics in proteins produced from randomly mutagenized genes. However, a problem remains in the art related to the large scale screening of mutants, particularly in the field of improved mutant of extracellularly produced enzymes. Given the miniscule proportion of desired mutant organisms produced during random mutagenesis in comparison with the total pool of microorganisms, it would be advantageous to find an accurate technique for the large scale screening and isolation of mutant organisms subsequent to random mutagenesis. Thus, a system which allows simple, speedy, accurate and efficient isolation of mutant organisms from a mutagenized pool on the order of 10,000 to 1,000,000 organisms without crossover of nutrients would greatly improve present techniques. The prior art, however, fails to provide such a system.

Compartmentalization method for screening microorganisms