The present invention relates to an AC voltage-driven light emitting device having a single active layer of a core-shell structure (p-i-n structure) in which intrinsic semiconductor nanocrystals, exciton combination centers, are uniformly and isotropically distributed around p-type polymer particles, and n-type small molecular particles surround the semiconductor nanocrystals and p-type polymer, and a manufacturing method thereof. An active layer of a core-shell structure using a polymer-semiconductor nano hybrid in the light-emitting device has an inversion symmetry characteristic showing the same current-voltage characteristic during application of a voltage in a forward direction and a reverse direction. Therefore, due to this inversion symmetry characteristic, the light emitting can be driven by even an AC voltage. Also, since the device can be driven by an AC voltage, limitations of an existing DC voltage-driven organic light emitting diode, that is, destruction or a defect of the device by an overcurrent and generation of a dark spot by degradation of local constituent organic materials are solved.

(a) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a light emitting device having a single active layer of a core-shell structure (p-i-n structure) in which intrinsic semiconductor nanocrystals, which serve as exciton combination centers, are uniformly and isotropically distributed around p-type polymer particles, and n-type small molecular particles surround the semiconductor nanocrystals and p-type polymer particles, and that can be driven even by an AC voltage, and a manufacturing method thereof.
(b) Background Art
With rapid progress of electric and electronic technology, electric devices and electronic apparatuses of various functions are under development. For example, various electric devices such as light emitting devices emitting light using an electrical signal, memory devices for storing information, short/long distance wireless communication devices, and sensor devices are under development. Also, displays, or various portable devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras, information and telecommunication apparatuses are under active development.
The things to be considered with top priority in performing researches to develop electric devices and apply these electric devices to an electronic apparatus of various functions are: miniaturization of the electric devices or electric apparatuses, manufacture of lightweight slim devices or apparatuses, and increase of integration degree and portability to reduce manufacturing costs while improving the reliability of the devices or apparatuses.
The traditional studies on the driving of a general display including a hybrid polymer-quantum dot light emitting device have been mainly focused on devices using a DC voltage. Particularly, a superluminescent diode (SLD) using a quantum dot structure as an active layer has been widely studied.
Also, manufacturing a light emitting diode (LED) using silicon or a compound semiconductor in Group III-Group VI is well known in the art. It has been recently known that when quantum dots (QDs) having a size of about 10 nm or less are dispersed inside an insulator and a voltage is applied to both ends of the insulator, light emission by the quantum dots are generated [K. A. Littau et al., A Luminescent Silicon Nanocrystal Colloid via a High-temperature Aerogel Reaction, J. Phys, Chem, 97, 1224 (1993); P. Mutti et al., Room-temperature visible luminescence from silicon nanocrystals in silicon implemented SiO2, Appl. Phys. Lett., 66 851 (1995); B. O. Dabbousi et al., electroluminescence from close quantum-dot/polymer composites, Appl. Phys. Lett., 66, 1316 (1995)].
In most cases, electroluminescence (EL) is not obtained by manufacturing a device and applying a voltage to it, but a photoluminescence of simply sending light and measuring coming light has been reported. There has been also a report on an LED manufactured by dispersing quantum dots inside a polymer matrix. Here, when the size of a quantum dot is 7.5 nm, light having a wavelength of 920 nm is emitted. As the size of a quantum dot reduces, light having a shorter wavelength is emitted. For example, it has been reported that when the size of a quantum dot is 3.2 nm, light having a wavelength of 660 nm is emitted [K. A. Littau et al., A Luminescent Silicon Nanocrystal Colloid via a High-temperature Aerogel Reaction , J. Phys, Chem, 97, 1224 (1993)]. Recently, various light emitting devices are manufactured by dispersing nano particles in polymers and small molecules, and piling them in a single layer or multiple layer structure.
However, an existing light emitting device having a hybrid polymer-nano particle structure can be driven by only a DC voltage. In a device driven by a DC voltage, the life of the device may reduce or polymers may degrade due to an overcurrent, so that the device may unstably operate.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

AC-driven light emitting device having single active layer structure and manufacturing method thereof

Korea Institute of Science and Technology


An electric vehicle includes a battery, a charging lid, a vehicle-side charging connector, a contactor, a contactor welding detector, a DC inlet cover, a DC lock mechanism, and a lock controller. The battery is to be charged with power supplied from an external power supply. The vehicle-side charging connector is disposed inside a position of the charging lid in the electric vehicle and includes an AC inlet for AC charging and a DC inlet for DC charging. The contactor is provided on a power line connecting the DC inlet to the battery. The contactor welding detector is configured to detect welding of the contactor. The DC inlet cover covers the DC inlet without covering the AC inlet in a state where the DC inlet cover is in a closed state. The DC lock mechanism locks the DC inlet cover in the closed state.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-110068, until a state in which it is determined that an anomaly occurs on an extension signal line (L2) ends, a charging lid lock mechanism (2701) is driven so that opening of a charging lid (230) provided for a charging inlet (270) of a vehicle is prevented (Claim 8, [0165], and FIG. 4). Examples of the anomaly include a break or a short circuit of the extension signal line (L2) ([0166]). The charging inlet (270) is one for alternating current ([0057]).
As standards for charging of an electric vehicle, the CHAdeMO standard and the combined charging system standard are known. In the combined charging system standard among these, both of normal charging with an alternating-current (AC) power supply and quick charging with a direct-current (DC) power supply are performed by using one charging connector.

Electric vehicle having cover for inlet for DC charging and lock mechanism to lock cover


Various embodiments are described herein for a universal television receiver that is capable of processing television channel signals, that are transmitted according to a variety of broadcast standards, to provide video and audio information for a desired television channel signal. The processing includes producing a coarse channel signal that includes a desired television channel signal and then applying resampling techniques to adjust a normalized bandwidth of the desired television channel signal to generally correspond to the normalized passband of a main filter that is used for each of the broadcast standards.

Television signals are broadcast according to several different types of television broadcast standards. These television broadcast standards include variations of NTSC, SECAM and PAL for analog signals, and ATSC, DVB-T and ISDB-T for digital signals. These television broadcast standards have different characteristics such as bandwidth, modulation type and the location of audio in the case of analog signals. Accordingly, traditional television receivers have been specifically built to process certain television signals based on a particular television broadcast standard. Traditional television receivers typically use a SAW filter that has a very sharp frequency response with a passband that corresponds to the bandwidth of the television signal that is being received. The SAW filter is a relatively expensive component that cannot be integrated onto a chip, and does not readily allow a television receiver to receive television signals that are transmitted according to different television broadcast standards, without further specialized processing.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for extracting a desired television signal from a wideband IF input using re-sampling


This invention relates to an apparatus for comminuting rock and other material and, in particular, to a rotary driven blade apparatus which comminutes rock, drilling materials and other material by impact rather than by grinding or crushing. More particularly, the invention creates a comminution environment which maximizes the establishment of a clear trajectory for the material between the orbit of each spinning blade and a single breaker bar.

In many rotary driven comminution devices, comminution is achieved, in whole or in part, by grinding or crushing the material, as described in the following five U.S. Patents.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,480,841 and 3,608,841 by Wageneder, the spatial mounting of the grate and rotor within the housing define a converging orbital clearance into which the material is forced by the rotor and thus crushed between the blades of the rotor and the grate. The Wageneder invention is not designed to maximize lifting and flinging of the material toward a breaker bar. In operation, the rotary grinding and crushing function of the Wageneder apparatus impedes the lifting and centrifugal flinging of material into a clear trajectory as is desired in my invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,678 by Reitter, Reitter, like Wageneder, relies on a converging orbital path to crush and grind the material. Again, Reitter's invention is not designed to maximize lifting and flinging of the material at a breaker bar; and, like Wageneder, Reitter's apparatus, in operation, impedes the lifting and flinging of material through its rotary grinding and crushing function.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,614 by Lewis, Lewis, like Reitter and Wageneder, relies on a close orbital path to crush the material. Lewis uses a plurality of breaker bars, rather than a sole breaker bar; and, in particular, Lewis does not teach the advantage, as I have discovered, of using a sole breaker bar in combination with the establishment of a clear-trajectory material path for flinging the material at the sole breaker bar. Lewis teaches away from my discovery by using a second grinding chamber in which the comminutable material pools. Pooling of the material inhibits and impedes the establishment of a clear-trajectory material path as does the use of multiple breaker bars.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,127 by Alberts, et al., Alberts teaches the use of a rotary driven means arranged to maximize particle-to-particle impact and to minimize impact of the particles with the structure of the machine. Thus, Alberts teaches away from my invention since my invention is designed to minimize particle-to-particle impact.
In other rotary driven comminution devices, comminution is achieved by impact but through the use of centrifugal force, as described in the following U.S. Patents.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,673 by Ackers, et al., Ackers describes a vertical shaft mounted impeller table impact crusher which uses a plurality of breaker bars (referred to as stationary anvils by Ackers) mounted circumferentially around the impeller table. Ackers does not teach the use of clear-trajectory material path or the creation of a comminution environment within the apparatus which minimizes turbulence and particle-to-particle impact.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,679 by Kawano, et al., Kawano, like Ackers, describes a vertical shaft mounted table impact crusher. However, Kawano, unlike my invention, relies on the material's impact with the blades on the rotor table, rather than a stationary breaker bar, to achieve shattering and comminution.
Rotary driven impact comminution has also been described with the use of a horizontal shaft and rotor in U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,959 by Deister. Deister teaches the use of a rotor with an essentially continuous blade angularly graduated or stepped along the rotor. The Deister rotor and invention encourages and promotes, in general, a turbulent environment wherein material is ricocheting off of the various interior walls of the housing striking other material in the process. Deister relies on the particle-to-particle impact to achieve comminution. Deister also teaches away from my invention in that Deister discourages the use of a round cross-sectional housing. As will be seen, my invention relies on a generally round cross-sectional housing to create a clear tangential material path trajectory to the sole breaker bar.
A dual-shaft rotary driven comminution machine has been tested by British Petroleum (the "BP Machine") and is somewhat described in a video film produced by British Petroleum. Although the internal design and workings of the BP Machine are not fully disclosed or described in the video film, the film indicates that the BP Machine intends to achieve comminution through the convergence of two centrifugal pump streams. In other words, the BP Machine relies on particle-to-particle impact to achieve comminution. In particular, the two centrifugal pump streams are, in part, created and directed at each other by the shape of the internal roof of the comminution chamber--a dual arched-shaped roof which serves to direct the two streams toward each other. The BP Machine thus teaches away from my invention in that my apparatus achieves comminution by attempting to minimize particle-to-particle impact and by specifically replacing the center portion of the dual-arched roof chamber of the BP Machine with a near-flat roof.

Clear-trajectory rotary-driven impact comminuter


A system for supporting marine seismic equipment such as sensors and positioning equipment deployed behind a marine seismic vessel. The vessel tows a lattice like web instead of individual streamer cables to carry hydrophones, and can deploy a geophone supporting web from the vessel to rest on the sea floor. The web can be formed with individual conductor members for providing structural support and signal transmission capabilities. The lattice construction of the web provides for redundant signal transmission capabilities in the event of individual conductor failure. The web provides this enhanced signal transmission capability while permitting high density sensor placement.

The present invention relates to the field of marine seismic exploration. More particularly, the invention relates to a web structure towed behind a seismic vessel or deployed in water to support sensors and other marine seismic equipment, and for providing redundant signal transmission paths between the equipment and the vessel.
Marine seismic exploration vessels tow acoustic energy sources such as compressed air guns through the water. The vessel also tows one or more seismic streamer cables along a selected survey line. Each streamer contains multiple hydrophones which receive the reflected energy emitted by the energy source from subsurface geologic formations and boundaries. Each hydrophone generates signals representative of the reflected energy, and such signals are stored and processed to provide data representative of subsurface geologic structures. For bottom cable systems, geophones are laid on the sea floor along seismic cable lines. Data from adjacent seismic lines are processed to construct an overall geologic image. To account for vessel movement, data recording and processing calculations require time and position correlations for each active component of the seismic data gathering system.
Representative marine seismic systems were described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,262 to Strange et al. (1964) wherein a pair of wires transmitted signals from each hydrophone group to a connecting network, and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,441,902 to Savit (1969) wherein the array length and configuration of arrays in a streamer cable were changed to create different receiver patterns. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,347 to Savit (1982), a large number of sensor units and seismic arrays were established along the length of each seismic cable and the signals from adjacent vertical lines were combined to produce a cross section or composite geophysical survey of the target area. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No 4,545,039 to Savit (1985) disclosed the concept of operating two seismic vessels in parallel along a survey line to obtain three survey lines on each pass.
Advanced three dimensional seismic processing techniques require large quantities of data to provide high data resolution. The cell size of a processed data sampling determines the spatial frequency desired, and smaller cell sizes provide higher spatial frequency. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,039 to Flentge (1996), higher spatial frequencies provide higher seismic data resolution which correspondingly increases the resulting stratigraphic information quality. The ability to gather and process additional data facilitates reconstruction of the geologic image at any point in time.
Three dimensional marine seismic surveys typically incorporate multiple seismic lines comprising a plurality of uniformly spaced streamer receivers in parallel lines as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,378 to Flentge (1997). The reflected signals are recorded and displayed in parallel traces along each streamer, and moveout and angularity corrections adjust the collected data. The streamers typically range between three and eight kilometers long, and tail buoys attached to the free streamer ends incorporate radar reflectors and navigation and acoustic transponders. Hydrophones in a streamer are typically wired together to form receiver groups regularly spaced along the streamer. The interval between receiver groups typically ranges between 12.5 and 6.25 meters, and the spacing between adjacent streamers typically comprises 50 meters. The relatively large spacing between adjacent streamers reduces streamer fouling due to crosscurrents, wind, and vessel course changes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,315 to Bell et al. disclosed booms for towing multiple streamers behind a seismic vessel. When multiple streamers are towed, diverters typically pull the side positioned streamers outwardly from the vessel, and anchor buoys can maintain tension against each streamer. If the streamers are not adequately separated, the streamers can become entangled when the streamers are deployed, used, or retrieved. Ocean currents, waves and vessel course changes can vary the streamer orientation during use. Streamer entanglement risks increase in long streamers and in arrays having multiple streamers.
Variations in the lateral spacing between adjacent streamers due to environmental forces and vessel course changes introduces variables in the collected data. The spacing between receiver groups along a streamer and between streamers is critical to the analysis of geophysical data, and is important to surface and subsurface criteria. The surface criteria regarding receiver groups is important to the accurate recordation of reflected seismic signals and to various noise interfering with such signals. The acoustic wavefield is more accurately represented when the receiver groups are more closely spaced together. The amount of "aliasing" experienced, defined as the natural approximations made in sampling processes for time or space, also depends on the spacing of receiver groups. In coarse sampling with a greater distance between receiver groups, more of the wavefield is aliased and the data quality is reduced.
The amount of aliasing is critical to the successful attenuation of noises interfering with the desirable reflected seismic energy. Aliasing effects can modify the recorded signals and are especially disruptive for reflections from shallow or steeply dipping geologic formations such as the flanks of geologic structures or salt bodies. Although conventional streamers can provide fine sampling along an individual streamer line, the relatively large spacing between adjacent streamers limits effective noise attenuation processes and reduces the fidelity of reflected signals at higher frequencies and steep dips.
The quality of seismic maps created from processing techniques such as stacking, normal-moveout correction, dip moveout correction and migration also depends partially on the bin size. Smaller bin sizes are prevented by the safe spacing limits between adjacent seismic streamers. Subsurface sampling criteria regarding receiver groups depends on several other factors, and receiver group spacing determines the bin size into which recorded data are collected and processed to form subsurface images. For complex and steeply dipping subsurface formations, receiver group spacings are preferably smaller to preserve the desired signals. Smaller spacings are required to adequately perform image formation processes such as Dip Moveout and Time or Depth Migration processes.
In addition to the between-streamer spacing limitations necessary to avoid streamer fouling, the reliability of conventional streamer systems is limited to the data path transmission capabilities of each streamer. Data is frequently transmitted to recording instrumentation on the seismic vessel through an electrical wire or optical fiber attached to or integrally formed within each streamer. If the signal communication medium is damaged along the streamer path, all of the data from the streamer will be lost and seismic data collection operations must be discontinued to permit repair of the damaged streamer.
For these reasons, a need exists for an improved data collection system in marine seismic exploration operations towed behind a vessel or deployed along the sea floor. The system should enhance the accuracy of data processing and the data collection and processing reliability of the geophysical operations.


A machine learning architecture employs two machine learning networks that are joined by a statistical model allowing the imposition of a predetermined statistical model family into a learning process in which the networks translate between and data types. For example, the statistical model may enforce a Gaussian conditional probability between the latent variables in the translation process. In one application, MRI images may be translated into PET images with reduced mode collapse, blurring, or other “averaging” type behaviors.

The present invention relates to computer architectures for machine learning and in particular to an architecture providing an improved latent variable characterization in a machine learning architecture.
Machine learning systems, for example, artificial neural networks, have been applied to a wide variety of image processing tasks including, importantly, problems of classification where images are analyzed to classify their contents, for example, identifying cars and pedestrians for controlling autonomous vehicles, or cancerous lesions for medical diagnosis.
Recent work has investigated the ability of machine learning to generate images (for example, using Generative Adversarial Networks) based on a seed variable or the like. These image generation techniques can be useful in so-called "modality transfer" where a medical image taken by a first imaging modality (for example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) is used as a seed variable in machine learning to generate a comparable image as if acquired with a second imaging modality (for example, CT imaging). Such modality transfer to a second modality can provide novel information that was not apparent in the first modality data. This is in essence 'free' information that otherwise was not apparent in the first modality.
PET (positron emission tomography) imaging offers the possibility of capturing diagnostic information beyond that which can be obtained from other image modalities (e.g. MRI or CT). This additional diagnostic information comes from the introduction of a radioactive tracer (e.g., FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose)) into the patient (e.g., FDG can provide metabolic information of tissue and target and highlight differences in tissue metabolism that might otherwise be indistinguishable). PET imaging can be costly in terms of the equipment, the radioactive tracer, and imaging logistics as well as the needed high levels of skilled technical support. These costs, as well as medical guidelines that recommend limiting patient exposure to the necessary radioactive tracers, serve to limit the availability of PET in many cases clinically as well as in research. Some large-scale medical trials may provide PET images only to a small subset of participants who are otherwise imaged using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) which, in contrast to PET, is relatively inexpensive and is considered quite safe.
Overall, the ability to get novel information (obtaining data of both modalities using data acquired from one modality), cost savings, limiting patient exposure to radiation, and availability of these different image modalities has motivated investigation into whether MRI images can be translated into clinically significant PET images using machine learning, a process called "modality transfer." While the underlying mechanics of the MRI and PET imaging are radically different—MRIs are obtained using strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body and do not involve the use of ionizing radiation/radionucleotide, which distinguishes it from PET scans—the hope is that there are some other hidden or unknown linking variables between these image types that would allow this transfer in important diagnostic situations.
Existing modality transfer methods for MRI to PET conversion have made use of CNNs (convolutional neural nets) or GANs (generative adversarial networks). A drawback to the direct use of CNNs for this task is that they may produce blurry output images when compared to results obtained via modality transfer with a generative model such as GANs which attempts to characterize (rather, estimate the parameters of) the probability distribution from which the set of training images are sampled. GANs, on the other hand, produce sharper images but tend to suffer from a problem termed "mode collapse" that produces one of a limited set of output images for a much larger set of input images. GANs may also be computationally difficult to train.
In both cases, the concern is that the machine learning system has essentially trained itself to produce a few "average" or representational PET images, images that would be mathematically close to an image produced by an actual PET scan but at the expense of eliminating small underlying diagnostic differences intended to be revealed.

Dual flow generative computer architecture


A method and apparatus are provided for electrical stimulation of the expiratory muscles in a human or other mammal to produce cough in patients with spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis of their expiratory muscles. The method of electrically activating expiratory muscles of a human patient or other mammal includes positioning a first epidural electrode at a first location on the dorsal surface of a spinal cord of a patient and a second epidural electrode, if necessary, at a second location on the dorsal surface of the patient's spinal cord. The first epidural electrode is positioned on the spinal cord dorsal surface in the region of the T.sub.9 -T.sub.10 spinal root level, while the second epidural electrode is positioned in the region of the lower thoracic spinal root, at the T.sub.12 -L.sub.1 spinal cord level. Electrical stimulation pulses are selectively passed to the first and second epidural electrodes from an implanted radio-frequency receiver and stimulation pulse generator to activate expiratory muscles of the patient to produce cough. The invention provides a safe, effective, and portable means by which spinal cord injured patients are able to clear secretions more easily and thereby improve their lifestyle and reduce the morbidity and mortality due to respiratory complications.

The present invention relates to electrical stimulation of the expiratory muscles to produce cough in human patients and other mammals with spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis of their expiratory muscles. The invention will allow human patients with such spinal cord injuries to cough periodically or as needed to prevent the occurrence of respiratory infections which have heretofore been a frequent cause of illness and even death among this patient population.
Human patients with spinal cord injury often have paralysis of a major portion or virtually all of their expiratory muscles and, therefore, lack a normal cough mechanism. As a consequence, many of these patients suffer from a markedly reduced ability to clear airway secretions. This factor contributes to the development of recurrent respiratory tract infections, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient population.
Although mechanical methods exist which can increase peak expiratory air flow to improve cough effort, the degree of improvement with these methods is small. For example, the abdominal push assist maneuver involves assisting a patient's expiratory effort by applying pressure with both hands to the upper abdomen in a posterior and cephalad direction. If abdominal pressure is applied following spontaneous inspiration and glottic closure, an adequate cough pattern may be achievable. This procedure has been found to result in modest increments in peak expiratory flow (in the range of approximately 14%) over that achieved without assist and no change in total volume during the cough.
Another prior mechanical technique is mechanical insufflation-exsufflation. This is carried out by the application of positive pressure to the patient's airway followed by rapid decompression, which results in the generation of high expiratory airflows. This technique may also be effective in removing foreign bodies from the patient's airway.
Although these prior techniques may be generally effective, a need has been found for more effective methods. A major disadvantage of these prior techniques is that they are dependent upon trained personnel and provider-patient coordination. Consequently, these methods are costly and labor intensive.
Heretofore, no effective method and apparatus have been found for selectively electrically activating expiratory muscles of a human patient or other mammal by stimulation of the spinal cord roots to produce a functionally effective cough. The only known prior method for electrical stimulation of the abdominal muscles is via surface electrodes over the anterior abdominal wall. This prior technique does not result in complete activation of the abdominal muscles which creates only submaximal cough efforts and requires high stimulus intensities.
Accordingly, it is deemed desirable to develop methods and apparatus which overcome the foregoing deficiencies and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.

Method and apparatus for electrical activation of the expiratory muscles to restore cough


A method of calibrating an input of a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter based on an output of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter in an analog encoding apparatus including the D/A converter and the A/D converter, the method including inputting a certain range of input values to the D/A converter while the output of the D/A converter is connected to the input of the A/D converter, thereby producing corresponding output values from the A/D converter; generating a calibration table representing a relationship between input values of the D/A converter and output values of the A/D converter based on the input values in the certain range of input values inputted to the D/A converter and the corresponding output values produced from the A/D converter; and adjusting an input value of the D/A converter based on the calibration table while the output of the D/A converter is disconnected from the input of the A/D converter.

1. Field of the Invention
An aspect of the invention relates to a method of calibrating an input of a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter based on an output of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, and an apparatus employing the method. More particularly, an aspect of the invention relates to a method of calibrating an input of a D/A converter based on an output of an A/D converter to compensate for a functional difference between the A/D converter and the D/A converter in an analog encoding apparatus generating digital encoding signals using the D/A converter, and to the analog encoding apparatus employing the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to rapid growth in automatic control systems, processing of signals output from various sensors to enable accurate control of an object has become important. In general, an analog encoding apparatus is used in image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a copier to generate a digital encoding signal for controlling a motor.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram an analog encoding apparatus of the related art that includes an analog encoder 100, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 110, an analog encoder pattern storage unit 120, a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 130, a comparison unit 140, a current state latch unit 150, a present estimated state determination unit 160, and a Gray code conversion unit 170.
The analog encoder 100 is connected to a shaft of a motor and outputs two quasi-sinusoidal signals having a same period but differing in phase by 90° that go through a predetermined number of complete periods during one rotation of the motor shaft. The A/D converter 110 digitizes the two output signals of the analog encoder 100 at a plurality of sampling points in one complete period of the two output signals to obtain an analog encoder pattern that is stored in the analog encoder pattern storage unit 120. The sampling points correspond to states of the two output signals of the analog encoder 100, and the analog encoder pattern storage unit 120 stores the analog encoder pattern indexed by these states. For example, if there are 8 sampling points, these 8 sampling points respectively correspond to 8 states numbered 0 to 7, or 000 to 111 in binary notation, and the analog encoder pattern storage unit 120 stores the digitized values of the two output signals of the analog encoder 100 as analog encoder pattern values indexed by state values of 000 to 111. Thus, for example, the digitized values of the two output signals sampled at the first sampling point corresponding to the state 0 are stored as two analog encoder pattern values indexed by a state value of 000. The analog encoder pattern storage unit 120 outputs two analog encoder pattern values corresponding to a current state in response to a current state input to the analog encoder pattern storage unit 120 from the current state latch unit 150. Thus, for example, if the current state input from the current state latch unit 150 is the state 0, the analog encoder pattern storage unit 120 outputs the two analog encoder pattern values that are indexed by the state value of 000. The D/A converter 130 converts the two analog encoder pattern values output from the analog encoder pattern storage unit 120 to two analog values. The comparison unit 140 compares the two analog values from the D/A converter 130 with corresponding ones of the two output signals of the analog encoder 100, thereby generating state change information. The present estimated state determination unit 160 determines a present estimated state based on the state change information from the comparison unit 140 and the current state from the current state latch unit 150, and outputs the present estimated state to the current state latch unit 150. The current state latch unit 150 latches the present estimated state from the present estimated state determination unit 160 in synchronism with a reference clock to produce a current state, and outputs the current state to the analog encoder pattern storage unit 120, the present estimated state determination unit 160, and the Gray code conversion unit 170. The Gray code conversion unit 170 converts the current state input from the current state latch 150 into Gray-coded digital encoding signals.
In other words, in the analog encoding apparatus of the related art, a relationship between the analog encoder pattern values obtained from the output signals of the analog encoder 100 by the A/D converter 110 and states of the output signals of the analog encoder 100 is stored in a tabular form. Furthermore, the analog encoder pattern values corresponding to a current state are output in digital form to the D/A converter 130 which converts them to analog signals which are compared to the output signals of the analog encoder 100 by the comparison unit 140.
Therefore, when an analog encoder pattern value obtained in digital form by the A/D converter 110 from an output signal of the analog encoder 100 is converted to an analog signal by the D/A converter 130, a value of the analog signal converted by the D/A converter 130 should equal a value of the output signal of the analog encoder 100 at the time the analog encoder pattern value was obtained. However, when there is a functional difference between the A/D converter 110 and the D/A converter 130, the value of the analog signal converted by the D/A converter 100 is not equal to the value of the output signal of the analog encoder 100, and therefore the comparison unit 140 will produce an incorrect result when it compares the analog signal converted by the D/A converter 130 with the output signal of the analog encoder 100. Accordingly, the accuracy of the digital encoding signals generated by the Gray code conversion unit 170 is decreased.

Method of calibrating digital-to-analog converter input based on analog-to-digital converter output and analog encoding apparatus employing the method


A blender system includes a blender base housing a motor. A container assembly may be selectively and operatively attached to the blender base. The container assembly may include two or more compartments. The motor drives an input spindle of a blade assembly. The blade assembly may blend foodstuff within the two or more compartments.

Blenders and blending systems are often used to blend and process foodstuffs. Frozen, frosty, or icy drinks have become increasingly popular. Such drinks include the traditional shakes, and the more recently popular smoothies. Shakes, or milk shakes, are typically formed of ice cream and/or milk, and flavored as desired, with or without additives, such as candies, chocolates, peanut butter, fruits, etc. Milkshakes typically are available at most fast-food restaurants, such as burger chains, and may be made by special machines, or hand-made using mixers.
Smoothies tend to be healthier, and may be formed of ice, frozen yogurt, and/or sorbet. Smoothies may include additives such as fruits, fruit juice, vegetables, vitamins, supplements, etc. Smoothies typically are available from specialty chains, and may be made with commercial or restaurant-grade blenders. Such drinks also may be made at home, using a personal blender.
Conventional blenders generally include a base with a motor, a blending container with an operable blade assembly disposed therein. A lid is adapted to cover the blending container. A user inserts contents within the blending container to be mixed by the rotation of the blade assembly. The blending container is positioned on the base as a user controls the operation of the motor within the base to rotate the blade assembly within the blending container to mix the contents therein.
Some users, such as commercial kitchens, may have a need to create layered, blended drinks. These layered drinks can be aesthetically pleasing. In some instances, the layered drinks may provide for a unique experience and different flavors. Traditionally, users blend different foodstuff in separate containers during different blending operations. The user then has to pour the different containers into a cup one at a time. This process is time consuming, uses multiple containers, and requires extended use of a blender base. In commercial kitchens, this may lead to customer dissatisfaction, extended wait times, and delay.
There is a need, therefore, for a blender system that can create a layered drink with improved efficiency, reduce time, and with reduced steps. Other needs are described herein or may be apparent through this disclosure.


A power distribution system and method may include a first power domain having a first plurality of power rails, a second power domain having a second plurality of power rails, where the first power domain is electrically independent of the second power domain, and a plurality of modules coupled to the first power domain and the second power domain, where each of the plurality of modules is coupled to a unique set of one of the first plurality of power rails and one of the second plurality of power rails. The system may also include a plurality of mated pairs, where each of the plurality of modules is in only one of the plurality of mated pairs, where each of the plurality of mated pairs is coupled to four separate of the first and second plurality of power rails, and where each of the plurality of mated pairs is coupled to a unique set of the first plurality of power rails and the second plurality of power rails.

Although an embedded computer system may include redundant cards such that the failure of one card will not cause overall system downtime, power outages can cause an entire chassis or shelf to fail. In the prior art, when one card catastrophically fails, its redundant counterpart is often on the same set of power rails, which can lead to both cards failing. This catastrophic power failure can also lead to other cards failing in the embedded computer system.
There is a need, not met in the prior art, to protect redundant pairs of cards from catastrophic power failure. Accordingly, there is a significant need for an apparatus and method that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art outlined above.
Elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", and the like herein, if any, are used inter alia for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "over", "under", and the like in the Description and/or in the Claims, if any, are generally employed for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for comprehensively describing exclusive relative position. Any of the preceding terms so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that various embodiments of the invention described herein may be capable of operation in other configurations and/or orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described.

Highly available power distribution system


Systems, methods, and computer readable media are disclosed for providing a hand free interaction between a user and a dispenser device. In embodiments of the invention, a mobile communication device and a beacon device associated with the dispenser device (or the dispenser device operating as a beacon device) may perform mutual authentication with a federated platform. Once the entities are authenticated, the user may be allowed to dispense the resource utilizing the dispenser device. Data associated with the interaction and related to the resource dispensed may be provided to the federated platform via the mobile communication device and the interaction data may be recorded. The federated platform may subsequently provide the interaction data to a resource provider to enable the resource provider to conduct a settlement process.

In a typical interaction between a dispenser device and a user, the user physically interacts with the dispenser device in order to access a resource. For example, the user may take an access token such as a card from his or her possession. The access token is then used to physically interact with a dispenser. For example, the user may have a card and may insert it into the resource dispenser. Approvals are obtained, and the user is then allowed to access the resource. The access token provides security for the interaction since it provides certain authentication data (e.g., cryptograms) to the dispenser device, which a subsequent authorizing entity uses to determine if the user's access token is authentic. This helps to ensure that the interaction conducted between the user and the dispenser device is not fraudulent.
While such methods can be secure, conventional methods of interaction are cumbersome, since they require the physical manipulation of an access token. Further, there may be a line of users waiting to utilize the dispenser device, because there may be too few available dispenser. Such conventional methods of interaction can also be slow and can frustrate users.
Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems, individually and collectively.


A light source apparatus comprises a beam flux conversion optical system for making all the light emitting areas conjugate to one geometrical-optical output image, all the solid light emitting elements being in series connected to each other and fixed to a heat sink to be insulated to one another, circuits on the input and output sides of an electric supply circuit being not insulated, the electric supply circuit including an interface circuit for receiving a modulation amount specifying signal from a host circuit, wherein a ratio of ON time to a switching cycle of the switch element is controlled in a feedback manner so that a difference between current values indicated by the output current signal and a target current signal may become small, and the interface circuit generating analog quantity correlated to the amount of modulation specified by a modulation amount specifying signal through a data insulation transmission unit.

For example, a high intensity discharge lamp (HID lamp) such as a xenon lamp and an extra-high pressure mercury lamp has been used so far, in a projector for image display such as a DLP™ projector and a liquid crystal projector, and a photo mask exposure apparatus. As an example, the principle of such a projector is shown in FIG. 16 (reference: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-252112 etc.).
As described above, light from a light source (UsA), which is made up of a high intensity discharge lamp etc., is inputted into an incident end (PmiA) of a light uniformizing unit (FmA) by, for example, using a condensing unit (not shown), which is made up of a concave reflection mirror, a lens, etc., and is outputted from an emission end (PmoA) thereof. Here, for example, an optical guide can be used as the light uniformizing unit (FmA), which is also called a rod integrator, a light tunnel, etc., and is formed of a prism made from light transmissive material such as glass, resin, etc., wherein while the light inputted into the incident end (PmiA) is repeatedly and totally reflected on side faces of the light uniformizing unit (FmA) according to the principle, which is the same as that of an optical fiber, it propagates inside the light uniformizing unit (FmA), thereby functioning so that the illuminance on the emission end (PmoA) is sufficiently uniformized even if distribution of the light inputted into the incident end (PmiA) has unevenness.
An illumination lens (Ej1A) is arranged so that a quadrangle image of the emission end (PmoA) is formed on a two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjA), whereby the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjA) is illuminated by light outputted from the emission end (PmoA). However, in FIG. 16, a mirror (MjA) is arranged between the illumination lens (Ej1A) and the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjA). And the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjA) modulates light on a pixel to pixel basis according to an image signal so that the light is directed so as to enter the projection lens (Ej2A), or light is directed so as not to enter there, whereby an image is displayed on a screen (Tj).
Since the above-described two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element is also called a light valve, and in the case of the optical system shown in FIG. 16, a DMD™ (Digital Micromirror Device) is generally used as the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjA).
The so-called fly eye integrator may be used as the light uniformizing unit, instead of the above-described optical guide. FIG. 17 shows the principle of a projector using this light uniformizing unit, as an example (reference: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-142141 etc.).
Light from a light source (UsB), which is made up of a high intensity discharge lamp etc., is inputted, as approximately parallel light flux, into an incident end (PmiB) of the light uniformizing unit (FmB) which is made up of a fly eye integrator, by using a collimator unit (not shown), which consists of a concave reflection mirror, a lens, etc. and is outputted from an emission end (PmoB). Here, the light uniformizing unit (FmB) is made up of a combination of an upstream fly eye lens (F1B) on an incident side, a downstream fly eye lens (F2B) on a light emission side, and an illumination lens (Ej1B). The upstream fly eye lens (F1B) and the downstream fly eye lens (F2B) are respectively formed by arranging, in vertical and horizontal directions, many quadrangle lenses whose focal distance is the same as one another and whose shape is the same as one another.
Each lens of the upstream fly eye lens (F1B), and each corresponding lens of the downstream fly eye lens (F2B), which is located downstream of each lens of the upstream fly eye lens (F1B), form an optical system called Koehler illumination, so that many Koehler illumination optical systems are aligned in a matrix in a plane. Generally, such a Koehler illumination optical system is made up of two lenses, wherein when the upstream fly eye lens collects light and illuminates an object face (a face to be illuminated), the upstream lens does not form an image of a light source on the object face, but forms an image of the light source on a center face of the downstream lens, whereby the object face is uniformly illuminated by arranging the downstream lens so as to form a quadrangle contour image of the upstream fly eye lens on the object face. The downstream lens functions so as to prevent a phenomenon in which an illuminance of a circumference part of the quadrangle object face falls depending on the size, if the downstream lens is not provided and a light source is not a perfect point light source but has a limited size, whereby it is possible to form a uniform illuminance on even the circumference part of the quadrangle object face by the downstream lens, independent of the size of the light source.
Here, since the optical system shown in FIG. 17 is configured based on case where approximately parallel light flux is inputted into the light uniformizing unit (FmB), an interval between the upstream fly eye lens (F1B) and the downstream fly eye lens (F2B) is set so as to become equal to those focal distances, so that an image of the object face of the uniform illumination of a Koehler illumination optical system is formed at infinity. However, since an illumination lens (Ej1B) is arranged downstream of the downstream fly eye lens (F2B), the object face can be pulled near on the focal plane of the illumination lens (Ej1B) from the infinity. Since the Koehler illumination optical systems arranged in a matrix in a plane are parallel to an incident light axis (ZiB) and light flux is approximately axisymmetrically inputted therein with respect to each central axis so that the output light flux is also approximately axisymmetrical, and outputs of all the Koehler illumination optical systems are imaged on the same object face on the focal plane of the illumination lens (Ej1B) because of the nature of lens, i.e., a Fourier transform of a lens, in which light rays entering a lens face at the same angle as one another, are refracted so as to be directed to the same point on a focal plane without depending on the incidence position on the lens face.
As a result, all the illuminance distributions in each lens face of the upstream fly eye lens (F1B) are overlaid, so that one synthesized quadrangle image, whose illuminance distribution is more uniform than that in case of one Koehler illumination optical system, is formed on the incident light axis (ZiB). The two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjB), which is an illumination object, is illuminated by light outputted from the emission end (PmoB) when a two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjB) is arranged at a position of the synthesized quadrangle image. However, a polarization beam splitter (MjB) is arranged between the illumination lens (Ej1B) and the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjB) so that the light is reflected towards the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjB) when the light is illuminated. And the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjB) performs a modulation and reflection so as to or so as not to rotate the polarization direction of the light by 90 degrees on a pixel to pixel basis according to an image signal, whereby only the rotated light passes through the polarization beam splitter (MjB), and enters the projection lens (Ej3B), so that an image may be displayed on a screen (Tj).
In addition, in the case of the optical system shown in FIG. 17, in general, a LCOS™ (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) is used as the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjA) in many cases. In the case of such a liquid crystal device, since only a component of light in a specified polarization direction can be modulated effectively, although a component parallel to the specified polarization direction is usually passed therethrough as it is, only a component perpendicular to the specified polarization direction is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the polarization direction, so that the polarized-light alignment functional device (PcB) for making all the light effectively usable is inserted, for example, downstream of the downstream fly eye lens (F2B). Moreover, a field lens (Ej2B) is inserted immediately upstream of the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjB) so that approximately parallel light may enter the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element (DmjB).
In addition to the reflection type of the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element shown in FIG. 17, a transmissive liquid crystal device (LCD) may be used as the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element in the optical arrangement which is suitable therefor (reference: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H10-133303 etc.).
Generally, for example, a dynamic color filter such as a color wheel is arranged upstream or downstream of the light uniformizing unit in a projector in order to display a color image, and the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element is illuminated with color sequential light flux of R, G and B (Red, Green, Blue), whereby color display is realized in time dividing manner, or a dichroic mirror or a dichroic prism is arranged downstream of the light uniformizing unit, so that the two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element, which is independently provided in each color, is illuminated with light which is separated into the three primary colors of R, G and B, and a dichroic mirror or a dichroic prism for performing color synthesis of the modulated light flux of the primary colors R, G and B is arranged. However, for ease of explanation, in FIGS. 17 and 18, these elements are omitted.
However, the high intensity discharge lamp has drawbacks such as low conversion efficiency from applied power to light power, i.e., great calorific, and a short life span. A solid light source such as an LED and a semiconductor laser attracts attention in recent years as an alternative light source, in which these drawbacks are solved. Although of these light sources, in the LED, calorific loss thereof is smaller and an operating life span thereof is longer than those of the discharge lamps, since there is no directivity of light emitted therefrom as in the discharge lamps, there is a problem that the usage efficiency of light is low when it is used in the above-mentioned projector or exposure apparatus, in which only light in specific direction can be used. On the other hand, a semiconductor laser has high directivity in addition to a small calorific loss and a long operating life spam as in such an LED, so that there is an advantage that the usage efficiency of light is high, when it is used in the above-mentioned projector, exposure apparatus, etc. in which only light in a specific direction can be used.
When an optical device such as a projector is realized by using a solid light emitting element without regard to such a type of light sources, i.e. a semiconductor laser or a light emitting diode, since the light emission amount of one element thereof is small, it is necessary to mount two or more elements so as to realize predetermined light intensity by combining the light from each solid light emitting element. For the reasons, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No 2011-076781 discloses that two or more light sources are arranged so as to form rows and columns, the light source group is held at a light source holding member so that the optical axes of the light sources may be approximately parallel to one another, and the light source holding member is thermally connected to a heat sink through a heat transfer member. Moreover, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-129877 discloses a device in which two or more light emitting diodes are in series connected to one another.
When current is simultaneously applied to two or more solid light emitting elements, the series connection thereof becomes advantageous compared with the parallel connection thereof in view of cost reduction. There is a difference therebetween, as set forth below. That is, although, in case of the series connection, the voltage to be applied to all the connected solid light emitting elements becomes high since voltage for the number of connected solid light emitting elements is required, but current for only one solid light emitting element is enough to be passed therethrough, so that small current may be sufficient. On the other hand, although, in the case of the parallel connection, voltage for only one solid light emitting element is enough to be applied to all the connected solid light emitting elements, so that low voltage may be sufficient, but current to be passed therethrough becomes large since current for the number of the connected solid light emitting elements is required. It is known that in general, the efficiency of a circuit, in which a large current is passed, tends to be worse than that of a circuit, in which high voltage is generated, and the cost of the circuit, in which large current is passed, is higher than that of the circuit, in which high voltage is generated.
Unlike a white light source such as the high intensity discharge lamp, a solid light emitting element such as a light emitting diode and a semiconductor laser is a monochromatic light source, so that, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-268140, it is necessary to prepare a solid light emitting element for each of R-G-B colors for colorization. Or instead of preparing such solid light emitting elements for two or more colors, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-341105 discloses that a color wheel, in which phosphor layers are separately formed, and each layer emits fluorescence of R, G, or B color, is separately formed, is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from a solid light emitting element, which is a monochromatic light source, thereby forming color sequential light beam flux made up of each of R, G, and B colors. In addition, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-231063 discloses a color wheel, in which a phosphor layer for emitting fluorescence of each of R and G colors and a layer for transmitting or diffusing B color are formed in a divided manner, is irradiated with light emitted from a solid light emitting element which is a monochromatic light source and which emits blue light, thereby forming color sequential beam flux of each of R, G, and B colors. In addition, the solid light emitting element for emitting monochromatic light, and the color wheel which is the dynamic color conversion element, are used in order to simplify the structure thereof and to reduce the cost thereof, instead of using a solid light emitting element for two or more colors.
As mentioned above, although cost reduction of the light source device using a solid light emitting element has been attempted, it has not been sufficient. For example, in the above-mentioned case where the solid light emitting element which emits monochromatic light and a dynamic color transformation device are used, since the brightness of each of R, G, and B colors is not simply proportional to the brightness of incident monochromatic light, if light modulation is simply performed, the balance of each color will be lost, so that it is necessary to make a delicate balance adjustment of each color in order to compensate influence of deterioration of a phosphor. Or a delicate adjustment of balance of each color is required to perform an operation for quantitatively dropping the brightness of each of R, G, and B color according to the dimness in case of a dim video image, and to perform an operation for quantitatively dropping the brightness of G and B colors according to reddishness etc., in case of a reddish video image, when a capability of fine gradation reproduction is acquired under a condition where the number of reproduciable gradation levels of the above-mentioned two-dimensional light amplitude modulation element, is limited. However, when actually performing this operation, it is necessary to change the brightness of monochromatic light according to timing when colors are switched in dynamic color conversion. In this regard, the cost of the conventional light source apparatus is greatly depending on whether or not to insulate a host circuit which generates a modulation amount specifying signal which is a target control value of the brightness of monochromatic light, from an electric supply circuit which passes current through a solid light emitting element, and moreover depending on how the modulation amount specifying signal is transmitted in the case where they are insulated from each other. However, in a conventional light source equipment, the structure, which is optimal for such cost reduction, has not been configured. Also, refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-341105.


A robust, combined fuel rail and wiring harness shield assembly, for each bank of cylinders of an IC engine, comprising a rectangular multi-planar plate having an integral longitud-inal mid-rib on one side, longitudinally bored as a fuel distribution manifold to EFI injectors mounted in generally angled bores spaced along the rib. In cross-section the assembly is generally T-shaped, and is preferably constructed of extruded aluminum. Flanking each side of the mid-rib are wings, one of which includes an angled flange. The mid-rib, wing and associated flange form a wiring management channel. The flange is angled down at approximately 135° on the outboard side of the cylinder bank so that it points vertically downwardly. In operation, assembly pairs are connected to a flexible fuel inlet line in series or parallel, with one (series plumbed) or both (in parallel plumbed systems) assembly longitudinal bores having a threaded plug at the distal end.

Over the past 50 years of automotive engineering, fuel injection has become the dominant system for mixing fuel with air for combusition in the engine cylinders. Early systems in the mid-1950's were mechanical in nature, but were supplanted in the 1960's and 1970's with various types of Electronic Fuel Injection, in large part due to the ability of EFIs to better achieve stoichiometric engine operation which reduced engine pollution. The closed loop systems introduced in the 80's improved the air/fuel mixture control by feed-back from an oxygen sensor located in the engine exhaust. Since that time, EFIs have continued to evolve and become more reliable, and except where there are no strict emission regulations, carburetor-controlled engines are the exception.
The fuel injector dispenses fuel directly into the engine air stream, typically being located in a port a few inches upstream of the intake valve of each cylinder, or directly into the cylinder itself. While the direct injection approach was initially used for diesel engines, gasoline engines now use direct injection. Typically, injectors employ a solenoid that is normally closed, that is a tapered tip of a solenoid plunger seats against a conical valve seat. The injectors are wired to an EFI control system microprocessor, and plumbed to the fuel lines. When the solenoid is energized by a signal from the EFI/DIS controller, the plunger is retracted and fuel under pressure is injected, passing through the valve seat and through an atomizer nozzle, thereby spraying fuel into the air stream passing through the port, or spraying fuel directly into the combustion chamber portion of the cylinder. In turn, the injector is connected to a high pressure fuel line, 40-50 psi for port fuel injection and 200-250 psi for direct injection. At these pressures, the fuel lines must be much more robust than the very low pressure that had been used for venturi-fed carburetor systems. This requirement led to the introduction of "fuel rails", rigid pipes connected to a high pressure fuel line coming from the fuel tank via the high pressure fuel pump. The fuel rails are plumbed to the injectors.
Current fuel rails comprise simple exposed pipes or conduits that are cantilevered above the cylinder banks of the IC engine to which they are installed. For a V8 engine, two rails are provided, one for each bank of cylinders. They include a cross-over pipe that joins the fuel rails medially of their ends, and the inlet high pressure fuel line feeds into the cross-over pipe.
Thus, the current fuel rail design is an "H"-shape as seen in plan view from above, each of the long, vertical members representing a rail for one of the two cylinder banks, and the cross-bar representing the cross-over pipe. The fuel from the fuel pump feeds into the center of the cross-bar of the "H"-shaped design. This "H" design routes the fuel over the engine, thus presenting service technicians with a line that can be in the way of other work, and if snagged, can result in breakage of seals with attendant leakage of fuel. In addition, there is little if any flex in the cross-over pipe, so the current assembly has to be aligned with, in a V8 engine, eight spaced injectors or injector ports in both cylinder heads simultaneously, a task that is not easy.
The current type of fuel rail assembly is secured to the engine only via the injectors; that is, the injectors themselves serve as the support pillars. Bumping the rails can break the injector seals causing dangerous fuel leaks on hot engine parts during operation, in part because the rails are of low mass, and do not have sufficient inertia to absorb a bump or jostle. The net result is that the rails, the fuel line, the cross-over pipe, and the wiring from the EFI/DIS controller(s) and power supply to the injectors can come into contact with various other engine parts, and present complex, overlapping parts that must be properly routed and carefully kept clear-of during servicing.
In addition to the wiring currently being essentially loose and exposed, the insulation and its support or retainer brackets on the inner surface of the hood can come into contact with the wiring when the hood is closed, pressing down on the wiring. This can lead to two problems: First, rubbing wear on the wiring that can cause breaks or change in conductive properties of the wiring; Second, there is a potential for pressing the wiring down onto hot surfaces of the engine below the wiring. In addition, exposed wiring can become snagged during servicing.
Accordingly, there is an unmet need in the art for an assembly that protects wiring and better routes fuel lines while at the same time is robust, more massive, and attractive.

Fuel rail and wiring harness management assembly


A printer detects a roll radius of a recording paper roll once a day and measures the remaining amount of recording paper. Then the printer calculates the number of photo prints in the previous day as an actual consumption value from a difference in remaining amount of paper between the day and the previous day. The printer stores the actual consumption values in the form of a calendar cumulatively and creates a consumption record of the recording paper. Next, the printer estimates predicted consumption of the recording paper in a coming week based on the consumption record. And the printer predicts the time of occurrence of a paper-out condition based on the remaining amount of the recording paper and the predicted consumption. When it is predicted that the printer will be out of paper within a coming week, the printer displays a warning message on a LCD and urges a supervisor of the printer to prepare a new recording paper roll.

There is a storefront type printer that is installed in a shop, to make it possible to print out images stored in digital cameras, camera phones, memory cards and the like at the store front. A supervisor of such a printer needs to check the remaining amount of print paper at regular intervals and when necessary, to supply paper not to run out of.
Since the procedure is bothersome, however, a device that monitors the remaining amount of paper and warns of a lack of paper when the remaining gets under a specific quantity is known for example from Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2000-267520. The device is also possible to predetermine several patterns of the specific quantity and program respectively different predetermined amounts for either peak hours or bottom hours of paper consumption. This system allows warning of a lack of paper at an appropriate time according to the amount of paper consumption.
However, in a case of the foregoing device, a supervisor of the device needs to take extra effort to program the specific amount in advance in order to be encouraged to supply paper at a proper time. Moreover, where the consumption of paper changes from various kinds of factors including the location of shops, a day of the week and sale days, and a combination of these factors, like in the aforementioned storefront type printer, it is very burdensome and unpractical to program the necessary amounts one by one based on these diverse conditions.


A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged along a word line. Each memory cell is constituted by a flip-flop formed by a pair of driver transistors of a first conductivity channel and a pair of load transistors of a second conductivity channel. The load transistors have an active layer formed by a semiconductor thin film.. A power line connected to the load transistors includes a first metal layer that extends in a direction parallel to the word line and connections, arranged at intervals along the word line, between the first metal layer and the semiconductor thin film.. A ground line is connected to the driver transistors and includes a second metal layer that extends in a direction parallel to the word line and a connecting portion that is connected to the second metal layer and extends in a direction perpendicular to the word line.. This arrangement prevents the ON current of the load transistors from being reduced thereby increasing the ON/OFF current ratio without increasing the area required for the memory device. Accordingly, data retention characteristics can be improved without decreasing the degree of circuit integration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device called an SRAM using a (thin film transistor) load.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An SRAM using a TFT load is obtained by substituting a PMOS-TFT for a resistor element in an SRAM that uses a resistor load. The SRAM using a TFT load has an advantage in that resistance to a soft error can be improved by obtaining a large ON current with a TFT.
FIG. 1 shows an SRAM using a TFT load, according to the prior art. In this prior art SRAM, an active layer of load PMOS transistors 12 of each of memory cells 11 is formed by a polysilicon layer 13. The polysilicon layer 13 continues on to the PMOS transistors 12 of each of the memory cells 11 and extends across blocks of a memory cell array.
At an end portion of the block of the memory cell array, the polysilicon layer 13 is connected to an Al layer 15 directly or through another polysilicon layer 14 doped with a p-type impurity at a high concentration or an impurity diffusion layer (not shown) of a semiconductor substrate. Therefore, in this prior art SRAM, the polysilicon layer 13 and the Al layer 15 serve as a power supply line. Note that one block of a memory cell array is constituted by, e.g., 128 cells.
A polycide layer 17 is connected to driver NMOS transistors 16 of each of the memory cells 11, and the polycide layer 17 is connected to Al layers 18 16 bits (i.e., 16 cells). Therefore, in this prior art SRAM, the polycide layer 17 and the Al layer 18 serve as a ground line.
The gate electrodes of transfer NMOS transistors 21 of each of the memory cells 11 serve as a word line 22, and a pair of noninverted and inverted bit lines 23 are connected to the NMOS transistors 21, respectively.
As is apparent from FIG. 1, the polysilicon layer 13 and the polycide layer 17 generally extend in a direction parallel to the word line 22, and the Al layers 15 and 18 and the bit lines 23 generally extend perpendicularly to the word line 22.
FIG. 2 shows another prior art SRAM using a TFT load. This prior art SRAM has the same arrangement as that of FIG. 1 except that Al layers 15 are not only arranged at the end portion of a memory cell array but connected to the polysilicon layer 13 at intervals of, for example 16 bits together with Al layers 18.
In the SRAM using a TFT load, the polysilicon layer 13 is formed by a thin film having a thickness of about 100 to 500 .ANG. such that an OFF current of the PMOS transistor 12 serving as a TFT is decreased so that the ON/OFF current ratio is increased and the data retention characteristics of the memory cells 11 are improved.
In addition, the dose of a p-type impurity for forming the source/drain region of the polysilicon layer 13 is suppressed to be as low as 10.sup.14 cm.sup.-2 such that lateral diffusion of the source/drain region of the PMOS transistor 12 is decreased to obtain a desired channel length.
For this reason, the sheet resistance of the polysilicon layer 13 is high, i.e., about 100 k.OMEGA.. Therefore, as in the prior art SCRAM B shown in FIG. 1, when the Al layer 15 is arranged only at the end portion of the memory cell array, the power supply line constituted by the polysilicon layer 13 and the Al layer 15 have a high resistance, and the ON current of the PMOS transistor 12 is decreased.
In contrast to this, as in the prior art SRAM shown in FIG. 2, since the Al layers 15 are arranged every 16 bits, the resistance of the power supply line is lower than that of the prior art SRAM of FIG. 1.
In the prior art, SRAM of FIG. 2, however, the area required for arranging the Al layers 15 is larger than that of the prior art SRAM of FIG. 1 and the degree of integration is decreased. Even when the Al layer 15 is to be formed by an Al layer which is an upper layer of the Al layer 18, since the Al layer has poor step coverage, the Al layer 15 must be temporarily connected to the polysilicon layer 13 through the same layer as the Al layer 18, and the degree of integration is inevitably decreased.


An adjustable tension clamp for securing a secondary lawn care device to a primary lawn care device comprising: a substantially u-shaped body; a first bracket; a first pair of parallel disposed rollers; a first journalled means for connecting said first pair of rollers in said first bracket; and a first securing means for connecting said first bracket to one side of said body whereby said secondary lawn care device may be frictionally held between said first pair of rollers and said side of said body.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device mounting apparatus, and in particular a clamp to secure lawn care instruments to a lawnmower.
2. Description of the Background Art
In order to properly maintain a lawn, it is necessary to use several tools. A lawn mower is the primary care tool used to maintain a lawn. After using the lawn mower on the entire landscape, the person maintaining the lawn has to return to a tool shed, trailer or other storage area to acquire the next lawn care instrument for the designated application. For instance a line-trimmer or stick edger would be necessary to maintain an area that is not accessible to the lawn mower. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to locate a line-trimmer or similar device on a walk-behind or rider type lawn mower for the convenience of the person maintaining the lawn.
A device that could be used by the person maintaining the lawn to secure the proper lawn care instrument in the vicinity of the work site is a portable wheeled cart. The cart allows the person maintaining the lawn to bring one or more tools to the work site. However, the cart requires the user to transport the cart separately from the lawn mower thereby requiring an extra trip by the individual to bring the needed tool to the work site.
A wide variety of devices are available for holding articles such as brooms, shovels and the like in suspension through the use of arms which have a frictional, clamping or wedging engagement with the handle of the article. Typically, these devices have been employed in storage areas such as closets, garages and basements.
Prior hereto, however, there has been a lack of appreciation to aid the person maintaining the lawn by providing a clamp that could be employed by a primary lawn care device to transport a secondary lawn care device.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clamp that can be secured to a primary lawn care device to transport a secondary lawn care device.
This clamp must provide an easy and accessible means of securing one lawn care device to another lawn care device. Inasmuch as the art consists of various types of clamps for securing articles in a storage area, it can be appreciated that there is a continuing need for and interest in improvements to clamps for securing devices to different instruments, and in this respect, the present invention addresses these needs and interests.
Therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide a clamp that can be used by a lawn maintenance person to reduce the number of trips necessary to a storage area for the appropriate lawn care device.
Another object of this invention is to provide a clamp that easily secures the lawn care device without damaging said lawn care device, yet holds said lawn care device securely enough so as not to dislodge it during mower use.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a clamp that easily releases the lawn care device when said lawn care device is pulled upon by the lawn maintenance person.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a clamp that can be oriented in different positions in order to obtain the proper alignment for securing the lawn care device.
Another object of this invention is to provide a clamp that can be secured to a lawn mower by the means of a bolt.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a clamp that employs a u-shaped body as the means of providing the opposing force to securely hold a lawn care device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clamp that employs a u-shaped body that is made of cold-rolled sprung steel.
Another object of this invention is to provide a clamp with at least one pair of rollers that are substantially parallel.
Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a clamp with at least one pair of rollers that are attached to a bracket which can be oriented to obtain the proper alignment for holding the secondary lawn care device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clamp where one pair of rollers are journalled through the insertion of the lawn care device into the clamp by the lawn maintenance person.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a clamp where two pairs of rollers are journalled through the insertion of the lawn care device into the clamp by the lawn maintenance person.
Another object of this invention is to provide an extension bracket which can be connected to the primary lawn care device at one end and to the clamp at an opposite end.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an extension bracket having a plurality of connection sites for attaching one or more clamps and said extension bracket can be connected at an end to the primary lawn care device.
Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a clamp comprising: a substantially u-shaped body; a first bracket; a first pair of parallel disposed rollers; a first journalled means for connecting said first pair of rollers in said first bracket; and a first securing means for connecting said first bracket to one side of said body whereby said secondary lawn care device may be frictionally held between said first pair of rollers and said side of said body.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide adjustability of distance between the pairs of rollers to allow for a variety of tensions of the grip of said lawn care device and/or to allow for varying thicknesses and shapes of lawn care device handles and shafts.
The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the summary of the invention, and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A method to protect an acoustic port of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone is provided. The method includes: providing the MEMS microphone; and forming a protection film, on the acoustic port of the MEMS microphone. The protection film has a porous region over the acoustic port to receive an acoustic signal but resist at least an intruding material. The protection film can at least endure a processing temperature of solder flow.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone. More particularly, the present invention relates to the MEMS microphone with protection film from water, dust, et al.
2. Description of Related Art
MEMS chip, such as MEMS microphone, has a sensing diaphragm to sense the vibration of air pressure caused by acoustic signal, for example. The sensing diaphragm forms as a part of a sensing capacitor, so that the acoustic signal can be converted into electric signal.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional drawing, schematically illustrating a conventional MEMS chip. In FIG. 1, generally, a MEMS chip, such as a MEMS microphone, with diaphragm 58 is shown. The MEMS chip has a semiconductor substrate 40 and a dielectric structural layer 50 on the silicon substrate 40. The semiconductor substrate 40 has a cavity 44 and several venting holes 48 in the active region 46, which also serving a fixed electrode of a MEMS capacitor. The cavity 44 is connected with the chamber between the diaphragm 58 and the substrate 40 by the venting holes 48, so that the diaphragm can vibrates with the acoustic signal, which is usually received by the cavity 44. The dielectric structural layer 50 holds the diaphragm 58. The diaphragm 58 senses the acoustic signal. The other circuit part 54 is also formed in the dielectric structural layer 50. In fabrication, the dielectric structural layer 50 includes dielectric layer 52 and an etching stop layer 56 in multiple fabrication steps, to form the diaphragm 58 and the circuit part 54. The A person with ordinary skill in the art can understand how the MEMS structure is formed by the fabrication process in multiple steps.
Generally, the MEMS chip is divided into two parts of backplate and diaphragm. Referring to FIG. 1, the basic structure of the backplate includes the substrate 40 and the diaphragm is formed in the dielectric structural layer 50. In the following descriptions, the MEMS chip is then generally indicated by backplate and diaphragm as the two characteristic structures without showing the detail structure.
FIG. 2 is a drawing of cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a conventional MEMS microphone. In FIG. 2, the MEMS chip 100 includes the backplate 102 and the diaphragm 104. The backplate 102 has a cavity 106 at one side to receive acoustic signal. The diaphragm 104 is disposed over the backplate 102 at a side opposite to the cavity. The backplate has a venting-hole layer 108 with multiple venting holes. A chamber is formed between the venting-hole layer 108 and the diaphragm 104, in which the space of the chamber is connected with the space of the cavity 106 by the venting holes. The MEMS chip 100 may be further implemented with a cap structure 110 as a MEMS microphone, in which the cap structure 110 can be formed over the diaphragm 104 by the adhesive layer 112, such as the glue layer. The cap structure 110 also has an auxiliary chamber 110a, so as to help the vibration of the diaphragm 104 in response to the acoustic signal received from the cavity 106.
FIG. 3 is a drawing of cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a conventional MEMS microphone. In FIG. 3, another type of the conventional MEMS microphones in different structure may include a packaging board 120. A MEMS chip 100 and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 122 are disposed on the packaging board 120 and are electrically bounded by, for example, bonding wires or other bonding technology known in the art. Then a cap structure 114 on the packaging board 120 covers over the MEMS chip 100 and the ASIC 122. In order to receive the acoustic signal, the cap structure 114 has an acoustic port 116 to receive the acoustic signal. The auxiliary chamber 118 inside the cap structure 114 allows the diaphragm for more-easily vibrating with the acoustic signal.
FIG. 4 is a drawing of cross-sectional view, schematically illustrating a conventional MEMS chip. In FIG. 4, another type of the conventional MEMS microphones in different structure may include a packaging board 120. The packaging board 120 has an acoustic port 116. A MEMS chip 100 and an ASIC 122 are disposed on the packaging board 120 and are electrically bounded by, for example, bonding wires. However, the cavity of the MEMS chip 100 is matched to the acoustic port 116 of the packaging board 120, so the cavity can receive the acoustic signal. A cap structure 114 on the packaging board 120 covers over the MEMS chip 100 and the ASIC 122. In this situation, the cap structure 114 may need not the acoustic port. The auxiliary chamber 118 inside the cap structure 114 allows the diaphragm for more-easily vibrating with the acoustic signal.
The conventional MEMS chip can be designed in various manners, but not limited to the types described above. It should be noted that the vibration amplitude of the diaphragm would determine the sensitivity. However, the conventional MEMS chip during the subsequent fabrication processes, such as the process to packaging in circuit board, may receive intruding material between the diaphragm and the venting-hole layer and then reduce the performance of the diaphragm.

Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone with protection film and MEMS microphonechips at wafer level


An optical device may include a waveguide converter that couples an external light-carrying medium to a waveguide embedded within the optical device. In one embodiment, the optical signal emitted from the light-carrying medium enters the converter which focuses the signal (e.g., shrinks the mode of the optical signal) to better match the physical dimensions of the waveguide. Using the converter may improve transmission efficiency relative to directly coupling (e.g., butt-coupling) the light-carrying medium to the waveguide. Specifically, the converter may enable the light-carrying medium to transmit the optical signal directly into the optical device without the use of any external lenses, even if the waveguide is a sub-micron waveguide.

Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) optical devices may include an active surface layer that includes waveguides, optical modulators, detectors, CMOS circuitry, metal leads for interfacing with external semiconductor chips, and the like. Transmitting optical signals from and to this active surface layer introduces many challenges. For example, a fiber optic cable may be attached to the SOI optical device and interface with a waveguide on its surface layer; however, the diameter of the one or more modes of the optic cable (e.g., approximately 10 microns for a single-mode cable) may have a much different size than the mode of a sub-micron dimensioned waveguide tasked with routing the optical signal in the SOI device. Accordingly, directly interfacing the fiber optic cable with the sub-micron waveguide may result in low transmission efficiency or high coupling loss (e.g., less than 1% coupling efficiency).
In some optical devices, lenses are used to focus the light from an external fiber optic cable into the waveguides, thereby shrinking the mode to a diameter that can be efficiently transferred into the sub-micron waveguides. However, using lenses increases the cost and complexity of the optical device. Moreover, the lenses need to be aligned to ensure the signal from the light-carrying medium focuses onto the waveguide. When a plurality of fiber optic cables are coupled into the optical device at a common interface, the diameter of the lenses used to focus the light from the respective optical cable may limit the number of cables that can be coupled to the optical device at the common interface.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation.

Coupling light from an external source to a waveguide using a multi-step converter


Disclosed herein is a mobile communication terminal and handover method therefor. In the mobile communication system, a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) of the asynchronous network is connected to a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) of the synchronous network. Accordingly, as a mobile communication terminal, using packet data service in the asynchronous mobile communication system, moves into an area of a synchronous mobile communication system, the synchronous mobile communication system sets control signals and traffic to transmit packet data in response to a request from the asynchronous mobile communication system. Further, if forward and reverse channels are assigned between the mobile communication terminal and the synchronous mobile communication system, call setup is performed to provide the packet data service, and then a node B of the asynchronous mobile communication system releases the connection to the mobile communication terminal.

With the development of mobile communication technology, a mobile communication network changes every generation. Currently, a network adopts a structure in which a synchronous mobile communication system (Code Division-Multiple Access [CDMA] mobile communication system), designated as second generation or 2.5-th generation network, and an asynchronous mobile communication system (Wideband CDMA [WCDMA] mobile communication system), designated as a third generation network, coexist.
Further, in order to support global roaming between mobile communication systems, a Dual-Band Dual-Mode (DBDM) mobile communication terminal capable of being used in both a synchronous mode system and an asynchronous mode system has been developed. By using the mobile communication terminal, different types of services can be used in asynchronous and synchronous mode system areas.
Currently, an asynchronous mobile communication system is being constructed in areas having a great number of service requests, so that a synchronous mode mobile communication system has been developed into a form in which the service area thereof includes service areas of an asynchronous mode system. However, since the asynchronous mobile communication system is still in an initial stage and requires enormous investment to be implemented, the service cannot be provided to a wide area, so that the service area of an asynchronous mobile communication system overlaps with that of a synchronous mobile communication system.
Accordingly, since the service area of the asynchronous mobile communication system is limited, there is a problem in that service is interrupted when a subscriber to the asynchronous mobile communication system moves into a synchronous area, in which an asynchronous mobile communication service cannot be provided, during the use of the packet data service in an asynchronous area.
Further, there is a problem in that service is interrupted when a subscriber to the asynchronous mobile communication system, whose terminal is in a dormant state in an asynchronous area, moves into a synchronous area in which an asynchronous mobile communication service is not provided.
In this case, "dormant state" means a state in which a mobile communication terminal using a packet data service is in a disconnected state when the transmission/reception of data does not occur between the mobile communication terminal and a mobile communication system, and can immediately make a transition to an active state when a data communication signal is generated. If a dormant state is not maintained at the time of handover from the asynchronous mobile communication system to the synchronous mobile communication system, that is, if a packet data service is completely released, there is a disadvantage in that the mobile communication terminal must again perform a procedure of connecting to the synchronous mobile communication system from the beginning in order to use the packet data service, thus causing the deterioration of service quality, such as the increase of a connection time.
As described above, if asynchronous and synchronous mobile communication systems coexist and the service area of the asynchronous mobile communication system is smaller than that of the synchronous mobile communication system, handover is required to provide continuous packet data service between the asynchronous and synchronous mobile communication systems.

System for packet data service in the mixed network of asynchronous communication network and synchronous communication network and hand-over method thereof