There is provided a heat transfer image-receiving sheet comprising: a substrate sheet, end a dye-receiving layer provided at least on one surface of the substrate sheet, comprising a thermoplastic resin and at least two types of cured products of modified silicones whose curing mechanisms are different.. There is also provided a heat transfer image-receiving sheet comprising: a substrate sheet, a dye-receiving layer provided at least on one surface of the substrate sheet, comprising a thermoplastic resin, and a releasing layer provided on the dye-receiving layer, comprising at least two types of cured products of modified silicones whose curing mechanisms are different.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat transfer image-receiving sheet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a heat transfer image-receiving sheet which is highly releasable from a heat transfer sheet without being thermally fused therewith when an image is formed and on which a deeply-dyed image can be formed.
2. Background Art
Heretofore, a variety of heat transfer printing methods have been known. One of them is a method in which a sublimable dye is thermally transferred from a heat transfer sheet in which the sublimable dye is supported as a recording agent on a substrate sheet such as a polyester film to an image-receiving sheet capable of being dyed with the sublimable dye, prepared, for example, by providing a dye-receiving layer on paper or a plastic film, thereby producing various full-colored images on the image-receiving sheet.
In the above printing method, the thermal head of a printer is employed as a heat application means, and a large number of dots in three or four colors, the amount of heat applied thereto being properly controlled, are transferred to the image-receiving sheet in an extremely short heat application time. A full-colored original image can thus be successfully reproduced by the multicolored dots on the image-receiving sheet.
The above-obtained image is very sharp and excellent in transparency because a dye is used as the recording agent. The printing method of this type can thus produce an image excellent in the reproduction of half-tones and also in gradation, comparable to an image obtainable by conventional offset printing or gravure printing. Moreover, the quality of the image is as high as that of a full-colored photograph.
Upon effectively conducting the above heat transfer printing, not only the structure of the heat transfer sheet but also that of the image-receiving sheet on which an image is formed is important. Conventionally-known image-receiving sheets are those disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications Nos. 169370/1982, 207250/1982 and 25793/1985, in which image-receiving sheets are prepared by providing a dye-receiving layer, using a resin selected from polyester resins, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride resin, polycarbonate resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, acrylic resins, cellulose resins, olefin resins, polystyrene resins and the like.
In the case where the above-described heat transfer image-receiving sheets have an image-receiving surface which is poor in release properties, they are thermally fused with a heat transfer sheet due to heat which is applied by a thermal head when an image is formed. A loud noise is therefore made when the image-receiving sheet is separated from the heat transfer sheet. Moreover, troubles called abnormal transfer printing are caused; for instance, the dye layer of the heat transfer sheet is entirely transferred to the image-receiving sheet, and the dye-receiving layer of the image-receiving sheet is separated from the substrate
A method in which various releasing agents are incorporated into the dye-receiving layer, and a method in which a releasing layer Is separately provided on the dye-receiving layer have been conventionally known as the methods for solving the above-described problems in the release properties. Among various releasing agents, silicone compounds such as silicones and silicone resins are effective for imparting release properties, and modified silicones which can be cured are particularly effective.
Among curing-type silicones, addition-polymerizable silicones, condensation-polymerizable silicones and active-energy-ray-curing silicones are presently known well. These silicones are added as silicone oils, and cured by the application of heat or active energy rays. Release properties can thus be obtained.
However, these cured silicones have, depending upon the type thereof, a problem in mar resistance, that is, during the transportation of a heat transfer image-receiving sheet having a dye-receiving layer into which any of the above silicones is incorporated, the dye-receiving layer is rubbed with the back surface of another piece of the heat transfer image-receiving sheet and marred, so that the image-receiving sheet cannot fully exhibit release properties when heat transfer printing is conducted; and a problem of heavy separation, that is, it becomes heavy to separate the image-receiving sheet from a heat transfer sheet when an image is formed.
Further, a cured product which is obtained by the reaction between an amino-modified silicone and an epoxy-modified silicone has also been known well. However, the separation of an image-receiving sheet comprising such a cured product from a heat transfer sheet is heavier then that of an image-receiving sheet comprising a cured product of an addition-polymerizable silicone, a condensation-polymerizable silicone or an active-energy-ray-curing silicone. In addition, it takes time to cure amino- and epoxy-modified silicones.
In order to obtain satisfactory release properties by the use of a curing-type modified silicone oil selected from the above-described addition-polymerizable silicones, condensation-polymerizable silicones, active-energy-ray-curing silicones, and amino- and epoxy-modified silicones, it is effective to add a large amount of the silicone oil to a dye-receiving layer, or to provide a thick releasing layer. However, in either of these cases, the dyeability of a dye used is impaired, and, as a result, an image having a high density cannot be obtained. Further, even if the amount of the silicone oil used is made large, or even if the releasing layer is made thick, the above-described mar resistance or anti-heavy separation properties cannot be improved depending upon the type of the resin used for forming the dye-receiving layer.
In order to improve the mar resistance, it is preferable to obtain release properties by reacting a silicone oil having active hydrogen such as a hydroxyl-modified silicone, a carboxyl-modified silicone or an amino-modified silicone with a curing agent such as an isocyanate compound or an organometallic compound, thereby curing the silicone.
However, In the above reaction, it is necessary to conduct baking at a high temperature for many hours, and also to conduct aging for a long time after the step of drying. The above reaction thus requires many hours, so that it is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of productivity. On the other hand, when baking is conducted at a low temperature for a short time, there may be a case where release properties cannot be fully obtained even if aging is conducted thereafter. Further, if the amount of the curing agent or that of a catalyst is increased to such an extent that release properties can be fully obtained, the pot life of a coating liquid becomes extremely short. The coating liquid is therefore gelled before it is coated, or the coatability thereof becomes worse.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, thereby providing a heat transfer image-receiving sheet which is highly releasable from a heat transfer sheet and on which a high-density image can be recorded.


A scan control method for a circuit device connected with a first bus and having a test access port controller, including setting information indicating a register to be scanned in the circuit device, a number of scan shifts and a scan start via a second bus different from the first bus, and generating based on the information set, by using a sequencer, a signal replacing a test mode signal and a test reset signal transferred via the first bus during testing of the circuit device, and supplying the signal to the test access port controller.

In apparatuses called a board, unit or module having mounted thereon a Large Scale Integrated circuit (LSI) or LSI chip, there is generally mounted a JTAG (Join Test Action Group) bus or JTAG interface connected to the LSI device. The JTAG bus is used for testing the LSI device or other purposes. The JTAG bus is a serial bus compliant with International Standard IEEE1149.1, and allows testing of the LSI device during a testing time period other than the apparatus operation time; the testing is performed in response to an access from an external tester or the like which gives boundary scan to the LSI device. The LSI device test may include a processing of specifying an alternating bit of Random Access Memory (RAM) in the LSI device.
Of devices used in the apparatuses, or some LSI device groups such as CPU (Central Processing Unit), some LSI devices are connected to an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus or SMbus (System Management Bus). The I2C bus and SMBus are used at the time of controlling the apparatus during the apparatus operation. In this way, like an LSI device connected to JTAG bus and one connected to I2C bus and SMBus, LSI devices connected to buses of different types or standards may be used in a mixed manner in the same apparatus.
I2C bus and SMBus are a general-purpose communication bus used between devices. The I2C bus and SMBus are a two-wire serial bus basically having a clock signal line and data signal line; and a device connected to the serial bus has a unique address. Using this address, the devices communicate with each other via the I2C bus and SMBus.
For example, when LSI devices manufactured by different manufacturers are mounted in the same apparatus, so that the LSI devices are connected to buses of different types, the LSI devices connected to JTAG bus must be controlled via the JTAG bus, and the ones connected to I2C bus and SMBus must be controlled via the I2C bus and SMBus. Accordingly, bus controllers such as a JTAG bus controller and SMBus controller must be mounted correspondingly to the types of buses to which the LSI devices in the apparatus are connected.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of board in which LSI devices connected to buses of different types are mounted in a mixed manner. The board 1 includes LSI devices 2, 3 and 4, and an SMBus controller 5 and JTAG controller 6. The SMBus controller 5 and LSI devices 2, 3 and 4 are connected to each other via an SMBus 7. The JTAG controller 6 and LSI device 4 are connected via a JTAG bus 8. The SMBus controller 5 is arranged exclusively for the SMBus 7, and can be connected to the outside of the board 1. The JTAG controller 6 is arranged exclusively for the JTAG bus 8, and can be connected to the outside of the board 1.
The method of scanning a circuit such as LSI device has been proposed by Patent Documents such as Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-218248 and Japanese Patent Nos. 2940629 and 3966453.
When the board 1 is controlled via two types of buses, that is, the SMBus 7 and JTAG bus 8, the controllers 5 and 6 each exclusively used for the buses 7 and 8 must be mounted on the board 1, thus raising the cost of the board 1.
Further, when two types of controllers 5 and 6 are arranged to control the board 1, two types of control programs for the board 1 must be prepared, and the control operations by the two types of control programs must be synchronized. Consequently, the control of the whole board 1 becomes complex and difficult to perform.
Thus, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to allow control of a whole apparatus by a simpler control operation while using a less expensive apparatus configuration.

Scan control method, scan control circuit and apparatus


Trigger reception on different instrumentation devices may be synchronized by each instrumentation device generating one or more trigger enable signals and delaying performance of an operation in response to a trigger signal until a transition in a trigger enable signal. An instrumentation system may include several instrumentation devices and a communication medium coupling the instrumentation devices. One of the instrumentation devices may process data in response to a sample clock signal. That instrumentation device may also generate a trigger enable signal and delay performing an operation in response to a trigger signal transmitted via the communication medium until a transition in the trigger enable signal occurs. The trigger enable signal is not the sample clock signal. The trigger enable signal may be synchronized to another trigger enable signal generated by another one of the instrumentation devices.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to instrumentation systems and, more particularly, to synchronizing instrumentation devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some instruments are devices that collect data or information from an environment or unit under test (UUT) and display this information to a user. An instrument may also analyze and process acquired data prior to displaying the data to the user. Some instruments provide test stimuli to a UUT. Examples of instruments include oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, pressure sensors, arbitrary waveform generators, digital waveform generators, etc. The information that may be collected by respective instruments includes information describing voltage, resistance, distance, velocity, pressure, frequency of oscillation, humidity, or temperature, among others.
Computer-based instrumentation systems typically include transducers for transducing a physical phenomenon into an electrical signal, signal conditioning logic to perform amplification, isolation, and/or filtering, and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion logic for receiving analog signals and providing corresponding digital signals to the host computer system.
In a computer-based system, the instrumentation hardware or device is typically an expansion board plugged into one of the I/O slots of the computer system. In another common instrumentation system configuration, the instrumentation hardware is coupled to the computer system via other means such as through a VXI (VME eXtensions for Instrumentation) bus, a GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus), a PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation) bus, a serial port or bus, or parallel port of the computer system. The instrumentation hardware may include a DAQ board, a computer-based instrument such as a multimeter, or another type of instrumentation device.
The instrumentation hardware may be configured and controlled by software executing on the computer system. The software for configuring and controlling the instrumentation system typically includes driver software and the instrumentation application software, or the application. The driver software serves to interface the instrumentation hardware to the application and is typically supplied by the manufacturer of the instrumentation hardware or by a third party software vendor. The application is typically developed by the user of the instrumentation system and is tailored to the particular function that the user intends the instrumentation system to perform. The instrumentation hardware manufacturer or third party software vendor sometimes supplies application software for applications that are common, generic, or straightforward.
Instrumentation driver software provides a high-level interface to the operations of the instrumentation device. The instrumentation driver software may operate to configure the instrumentation device for communication with the host system and to initialize hardware and software to a known state. The instrumentation driver software may also maintain a soft copy of the state of the instrument and initiated operations. Further, the instrumentation driver software communicates over the bus to move the device from state to state and to respond to device requests.
Some computerized instrumentation systems include several instrumentation and/or DAQ devices. Each device may generate and/or capture data based on a sample clock. For example, the sample clock on an arbitrary waveform generator may drive a DAC. Two or more devices may be considered to be digitally synchronized when their data capture and/or data generation circuits line up within a sample clock cycle. Digital synchronization may occur when the sample clocks of each device to be synchronized have substantially the same frequency (e.g., the devices' sample clocks may experience instantaneous frequency differences but, on average, the devices' sample clocks may not drift relative to each other). In addition, for digital synchronization, the devices to be synchronized are preferably able to respond to a trigger within the same sample clock period, and in the case of output devices, to output their data to a connector at substantially the same time. As described herein, two clocks are in phase when they are measured as having substantially the same frequency and substantially zero degrees of phase difference.
If the sample clock frequency for a set of devices is chosen to be an integer multiple of a reference clock signal received by all of the devices in that set, and if the frequency multiplier used within each device has substantially zero degrees of phase delay, then the devices in that set will have sample clocks that are synchronous to each other, subject to the tolerance of the reference signal, their layout, and the sample clock generation circuits used by each device. As such, a rising edge on the reference signal will correspond to a rising edge on each device's sample clock.
Even though choosing the sample clock frequency to be an integer multiple of a common reference signal may result in sample clocks that are in phase from device to device (subject to various component and routing tolerances), it may not necessarily achieve a desired type of synchronization (e.g., digital synchronization). For example, in order to achieve digital synchronization between a set of instrumentation devices, trigger conditions should preferably affect every device in the set on the same sample clock edge. If the frequency of the sample clock is too high to reliably pass a bussed signal from one device to another, the trigger signals may either be sent in a slower clock domain than that of the sample clock, such as the reference clock domain, or on a non-bussed means of sending the trigger signal (such as a point-to-point connection) may be used to send trigger signals.
In systems where the set of devices have sample clock frequencies that are not integer multiples of the sample clock frequency, achieving digital synchronization may be even more difficult. The reference clock signal seen by the devices in the set may have a low enough frequency that trigger signals clocked by the reference clock signal can be reliably passed from device to device. However, rising edges on the reference clock may not correspond to rising edges on the sample clock since the frequency of the sample clock is not an integer multiple of the reference clock. If the rising edges of the two clocks do not correspond (or if the phase relationship of sample clocks to the reference clock cannot be guaranteed), clocking trigger signals with the reference clock signal may ensure that devices of the same sample clock frequency will see a trigger at roughly the same time. However, clocking trigger signals with the reference clock signal may not ensure that two devices will see the trigger assertion in the same sample clock cycle.
To illustrate this point, assume two devices each include the simple circuit shown in FIG. 1 for trigger transfer from the reference clock domain to the sample clock domain. In FIG. 1, a first D flip-flop 10 receives a trigger input (e.g., from a bus connecting several instrumentation devices). D flip-flop 10 is clocked by the common reference signal (e.g., a 10 MHz signal). The output of D flip-flop 10, cTrig, is input to a second D flip-flop 12, which is clocked by each device's sample clock. The output of D flip-flop 12 is signal mTrig.
Even if the sample clocks of the two devices are in phase, FIG. 2 shows a timing diagram that illustrates why the trigger may not be seen in the same sample clock cycle on both devices. The output cTrig of the first flip-flop 10 may change too close to the rising edge of the sample clock, causing a setup violation because the input to the second flip-flop has not been stable for the necessary setup time. This setup violation causes the output mTrig of the second flip-flop 12 to be metastable. When the metastability finally settles, it may do so differently on each device, causing them to see the same transition in the trigger signal in different sample clock cycles. Thus, synchronization may be difficult when the sample clock frequency is not an integer multiple of the reference clock frequency.
As these examples show, it is desirable to be able to synchronize multiple devices in an instrumentation system, even if the devices use sample clocks whose frequencies are not integer multiples of a common reference frequency. For example, it is desirable to be able to have digitally synchronized instrumentation devices.

System and method for synchronizing multiple instrumentation devices


An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having at least one terminal-receiving passage extending in a terminal-insertion direction. A pair of grooves are respectively formed in side walls of the passage and extend in the terminal-insertion direction. A conductive terminal having side walls is inserted into the passage. A pair of smooth outwardly extending projections is formed on the side walls for riding in the grooves in the side walls of the passage. A locking shoulder is spaced from the projections a distance greater than the given distance, whereby the front contact end of the terminal can be inserted into the passage only when the top walls of the terminal and the passage are juxtaposed to align the projections on the terminal with the grooves in the passage.

An electrical connector typically includes some form of insulative or dielectric housing which mounts one or more conductive terminals. The housing typically has a plurality of terminal-receiving passages into which the terminals are inserted. For instance, the terminals may be inserted into the passages from a rear terminating end of the housing.
A majority of the terminals for electrical connectors as described above, typically are round, square or rectangular in cross-section and have a cantilevered arm which locks to a locking recess in the terminal insertion cavity in the housing. These terminals must be inserted into the terminal-receiving passages in the connector housing in only one angular orientation to prevent damage to portions of the terminals, to portions of the housing or to the terminals or housing of a complementary mating connector. Also the terminals must have a shape and configuration to easily pass through a rear seal without damaging it. Because the rear seal covers the terminal insertion passage, the insertion of a terminal into the passage is blind making the insertion into the passage in the proper orientation even more difficult. The present invention is directed to solving these problems.


[Object] To achieve both continuity of the system running and reduction of the running cost under a situation in which a storage region on a network is used as a saving destination of various kinds of data.

Since recent years, destinations for saving various kinds of data by communication terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals have not been limited to recording media (for example, SD memory cards and the like) that are incorporated in or attached to the terminals, and storage regions on networks, such as so-called cloud storages, have become available with the development of communication technologies.
Also, various distributed storage systems into which so-called distribution technologies are introduced have also been proposed as network storages as described above in order to avoid or reduce influences of network congestion that accompanies communication with a plurality of communication terminals. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of a technology for realizing a distributed storage system.

Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract: [Solution] Provided is a an information processing device including: a signal processing unit that encodes a first signal including one or more non-zero components based on first data and one or more zero components into a second signal having a shorter signal length than a signal length of the first signal on the basis of a matrix generated in accordance with a predetermined condition; a data generation unit that generates one or more pieces of second data by associating information indicating positions of signal elements in the second signal with the signal elements in the second signal; and a transmission unit that transmits each of the one or more generated pieces of second data to one or more devices connected via a network.

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation


A system for testing connections of two connectors, each of which includes a pair of verification pins and a number of signal pins, includes a verification testing module, a controlling module, a signal testing module, and a reporting module. The verification testing module is configured for detecting whether each pair of verification pins are electrically connected. The controlling module is configured for allowing communication between each pair of signal pins if the pair of verification pins is detected to be electrically connected. The signal testing module is configured for testing whether each pair of signal pins are electrically connected. The reporting module is configured for reporting the results of the verification testing module and the signal testing module.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to testing of electronic systems, and particularly, to a system for testing connectors.
2. Description of Related Art
In electronic systems, connectors allow data flow across devices or across a device and its peripherals. A typical connector includes a number of verification pins and a number of signal pins. The verification pins are configured for verifying whether two connectors are a matching pair. During initialization of the electronic systems, testing of the connections between devices or between the device and the peripheral is performed. Current systems for testing connectors only detect whether each pair of verification pins of each of the two connected connectors are electrically connected. If the verification pins are deemed to be electrically connected, the testing of the two connectors is considered as passed. However, it is not uncommon that other pins of the two matching connectors may not be electrically connected, even when electrical connection of each pair of verification pins has been detected. Thus the current testing process would not guarantee the flow of the data across the connection.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system for testing connections of two connectors, which can overcome the limitations described above.

System for testing connections of two connectors

Hong Gu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


In accordance with the present invention, there are provided multiple embodiments of a semiconductor package, each embodiment including a uniquely configured leadframe sized and configured to maximize the available number of exposed leads in the semiconductor package. More particularly, each embodiment of the semiconductor package of the present invention includes a generally planar die pad and a plurality of leads. Some of these leads include exposed bottom surface portions or lands which are provided in at least one row or ring which at least partially circumvents the die pad, with other leads including portions which protrude from respective side surfaces of a package body of the semiconductor package. A passive device may be electrically connected to and extend between the die pad and one of the leads, and/or may be electrically connected to and extend between and adjacent pair of the leads.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit chip package technology and, more particularly, to an increased capacity QFP semiconductor package which includes exposed leads and an exposed die pad on the bottom surface of the package body thereof, and further includes one or more integrated passive components or devices to enhance electrical performance and reduce the number of component parts needed on an underlying printed circuit board or motherboard.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor dies are conventionally enclosed in plastic packages that provide protection from hostile environments and enable electrical interconnection between the semiconductor die and an underlying substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB) or system board. The elements of such a package include a metal leadframe, an integrated circuit or semiconductor die, bonding material to attach the semiconductor die to the leadframe, bond wires which electrically connect pads on the semiconductor die to individual leads of the leadframe, and a hard plastic encapsulant material which covers the other components and forms the exterior of the semiconductor package commonly referred to as the package body.
The leadframe is the central supporting structure of such a package, and is typically fabricated by chemically etching or mechanically stamping a metal strip. A portion of the leadframe is internal to the package, i.e., completely surrounded by the plastic encapsulant or package body. Portions of the leads of the leadframe extend externally from the package body or are partially exposed therein for use in electrically connecting the package to another component. In certain semiconductor packages, a portion of the die pad of the leadframe also remains exposed within the package body.
One type of semiconductor package commonly known in the electronics field is referred to as a quad flat pack (QFP) package. A typical QFP package comprises a thin, generally square package body defining four peripheral sides of substantially equal length. Protruding from each of the four peripheral sides of the package body are a plurality of leads which each have a generally gull-wing configuration. Portions of the leads are internal to the package body, and are electrically connected to respective ones of the pads or terminals of a semiconductor die also encapsulated within the package body. The semiconductor die is itself mounted to a die pad of the QFP package leadframe. In certain types of QFP packages referred to as QFP exposed pad packages, one surface of the die pad is exposed within the bottom surface of the package body.
In the electronics industry and, in particular, in high frequency applications such hard disk drives, digital televisions and other consumer electronics, there is an increasing need for QFP exposed pad packages of increased functional capacity, coupled with reduced size and weight. In this regard, with recent trends toward high integration and high performance semiconductor dies, there is a need for QFP packages which have a larger number of I/O's with excellent thermal and electrical properties, yet are of minimal size so as not to occupy the limited space available on an underlying PCB. In an attempt to address these needs, Applicant has developed the semiconductor packages described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/425,505 and 11/775,566, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention comprises an enhancement to the semiconductor package designs described in the aforementioned co-pending patent applications of Applicant. More particularly, the semiconductor device or package of the present invention includes one or more integrated passive components or devices which is/are operative to enhance the electrical performance of the semiconductor package, while at the same time reducing the number of component parts that must be included on the underlying PCB or motherboard. Though it is known in the prior art to integrate passive components into laminate and leadframe based semiconductor packages, none of the existing integration methods result in a semiconductor package configuration wherein at least one pad is provided on the semiconductor package and dedicated to the passive component for connectivity purposes. In addition, the design attributes of the semiconductor package of the present invention provide the freedom to change circuit topology without changing the semiconductor package design, thus helping circuit designers to change passive component interconnections on the motherboard without changing passive interconnection in the semiconductor package. These, as well as other features and attributes of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below.

Semiconductor device with increased I/O leadframe including passive device


A device for calibrating a spray gun and an associated method are provided. The spray gun has a nozzle that is opened and closed by moving an internal needle out of and into sealing engagement with the nozzle. A virtual position of the needle is tracked and recorded by the control system. The control system is recalibrated when the virtual position and the actual position of the needle do not correspond. The device includes a sensor structured to detect characteristics of the current used to power the solenoid, and to identify an anomaly in solenoid current characteristics associated with an actuator member seating against said solenoid. During calibration, the solenoid is placed in a calibration configuration and the identifiable anomaly is detected. When the identifiable anomaly is detected, the spray gun is returned to an initial configuration and the virtual needle position is reset.

1. Field of the invention
The disclosed and claimed concept relates to a system utilizing a nozzle, which is closed by an internal needle, structured to dispense liquids and, more specifically, to a system for calibrating the needle lift relative to the nozzle body.
2. Background Information
Certain fluid dispensing systems are structured to dispense a liquid that is less viscous when hot. If the liquid is allowed to cool, the viscosity increases making it more difficult to apply the liquid in a controlled and/or consistent manner. Such liquid dispensing systems may utilize nozzle assemblies, or "spray guns" that are closed by an internal needle. The liquid may be a sealant or an adhesive. The remainder of this description shall use an adhesive as an example, but it is understood that the liquid is not limited to an adhesive. Generally, an adhesive is either a solvent-based adhesive or a water-based adhesive. In some aspects, the spray gun is adapted to a specific type of type of adhesive. For example, a solvent-based system will include a temperature control to maintain the temperature of the liquid. The spray gun includes a housing that defines a chamber with a nozzle. The chamber includes a liquid inlet and may contain a liquid outlet. The liquid flows into the chamber via the liquid inlet. The liquid may be stored, briefly, in the chamber before application. For a water-based adhesive, the liquid is, typically, expelled exclusively via the nozzle. For a solvent based adhesive, a portion of the liquid may be dispensed via the nozzle and any excess liquid that may be recycled exits the chamber via the outlet. The liquid may then be drained from the system, or, reheated and re-circulated. In this configuration, the liquid in the chamber may be maintained at a temperature that allows for a known, consistent flow rate. Typically, the liquids dispensed by such spray guns must be maintained in a very limited temperature range while in the spray gun liquid chamber.
The nozzle defines an internal passage having a generally frusto-conical shape, i.e. a frustum. The nozzle further includes an internal seat; the seat may be part of the internal surface of the nozzle. A needle having its longitudinal axis aligned with the axis of the nozzle passage is used to seal the passage. That is, the needle coupled to an actuator structured to move the needle in an axial direction; i.e. longitudinally. The needle proximal end is coupled to the actuator and the opposite end of the needle distal tip is shaped generally, or substantially, to correspond to the shape of the nozzle seat. When the needle is in a forward, first position, the needle distal tip sealingly engages the nozzle seat. In this configuration, the spray gun is closed. When the needle is in a retracted, second position, the needle distal tip is fully spaced from the nozzle seat. In this configuration, the spray gun is open. The distance between the needle and the seat is identified as the "needle lift." Further, and as described below, the needle may also be placed anywhere between the first and second position, thereby causing the nozzle to be partially open. That is, when the needle is in the second position, i.e. fully spaced from the nozzle internal passage, the nozzle is, essentially, unblocked and allows for the nozzle's maximum flow rate. It is noted that, while in the second position, the needle may be disposed within the nozzle internal passage, so long as the nozzle achieves its maximum intended flow rate. If the needle is somewhere between the first and second positions, the nozzle is partially open and the liquid flows at a rate less than the maximum flow rate.
Typically, such spray guns must be opened and closed both rapidly and intermittently. That is, the nozzle is cyclically opened a brief period of time, then closed for a brief period of time. This would allow, for example, a quantity of sealant to be applied to an object while the spray gun is open, then for the object to be moved and replaced while the spray gun is closed. This is useful for an automated process or assembly line wherein objects such as, but not limited to, cans or shells are moved through the fluid dispensing system.
Many nozzle assemblies of this design utilize a solenoid to move the needle between the first and second positions. There are at least two problems with such solenoids. First, the solenoids are disposed relatively close to the nozzles. This is a problem because the current that causes the rapid opening and closing of the spray gun also causes the solenoid to heat up. Because the solenoid is close to the spray gun liquid chamber, the liquid in the chamber may become heated. Further, changes in ambient temperatures may vary greatly. As noted above, the liquids dispensed by such spray guns must be maintained in a very limited temperature range while in the spray gun liquid chamber. Thus, the heat added to the liquid by the solenoid may raise the liquid above the desired temperature. Further, such solenoids typically have only two configurations; when the solenoid is charged, the needle is placed in the second, fully open position. When the solenoid is not charged, a spring or a similar device returns the needle to the first, closed position. Thus, there was no means to allow for a partial flow of the liquid.
As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,160, this later disadvantage was addressed by controlling the needle solenoid with two stepping solenoids, an opening stepping solenoid and a closing stepping solenoid. The stepping solenoid rod was coupled to the needle solenoid and moved the needle solenoid forward and aft in the spray gun housing. Rather than using a charged coil, and possibly a spring, to move a rod forward and back, a stepping solenoid uses a charge to incrementally move a rod in one direction. That is, each incremental movement was a "step." The incremental motion may be achieved by rotating a rod disposed in a threaded bore as opposed to moving the rod axially. That is, a stepping solenoid may include a fixed threaded bore and the solenoid rod may have a threaded portion engaged therewith. Actuation of the stepping solenoid coil causes the solenoid rod to rotate a portion of a revolution, i.e. the increment noted above. This rotation causes the solenoid rod to move axially relative to the fixed threaded bore. Thus, the solenoid rod may be moved incrementally axially. That is, a single actuation of the stepping solenoid coil causes the solenoid rod to rotate over an arc, e.g. 5 degrees. Multiple actuations therefore cause the solenoid rod to move over multiple arcs, in this example, arcs of 5 degrees each. Each partial rotation of the rod moves the rod axially relative to the threaded bore. Thus, the stepping solenoid rod may be "stepped" forward. Use of a second stepping solenoid allows for movement in the other direction, i.e. the solenoid rod may be stepped backward. As such, the position of the needle solenoid in the spray gun housing, and therefore the position of the needle, could be adjusted.
Such stepping solenoids are useful as the needle lift may be changed during the use of the spray gun. For example, assume a spray gun is inactive at night. When the spray gun is first used in the morning, it is cold and the heated liquid being applied by the spray gun is not affected by the spray gun temperature. With the liquid at this temperature, the needle lift should be 0.035 inch. As the day goes on, the ambient temperature increases, thereby raising the temperature of the liquid. By noon, the stored liquid is less viscous and, to achieve the same results as in the morning, the needle lift needs to be reduced to 0.015 inch. This type of adjustment cannot be accomplished with traditional, non-stepping solenoids. A system having a stepping solenoid can make such an adjustment.
The stepping solenoids typically respond to an input in the form of a pulse. That is, the stepping solenoids are energized, and therefore move one increment, in response to receiving a single pulse of energy. This energy may be supplied directly to the solenoid coil, or may be used to open and close a circuit that energizes the solenoid coil. For each pulse received, the solenoid moves one increment or step. Thus, to move the solenoid rod and needle a selected distance, e.g. 0.015 inch, the stepping solenoid would have to receive thirty pulses. The actuator control system records the number of pulses sent to each stepping solenoid thereby tracking the position of the needle.
While this type of spray gun allowed for greater control of the liquid flow rate, i.e. by allowing the needle to be placed in multiple partially open configurations, another problem developed; the needle was not always where the actuator control system "believed" it to be. That is, the actuator control system's record of where the needle was positioned was not always accurate. The actuator control system includes a memory and a processor, hereinafter a programmable logic circuit (PLC), or similar device structured to execute a series of instructions. The memory includes the instructions for the PLC, typically stored in "modules," as well as data stored in a register. Some of the stored data includes data representing the "virtual" needle position. That is, a virtual needle position module correlates the change in needle position with the recorded number of pulses sent to each stepping solenoid. Alternatively, the data could be compiled in a virtual" needle position database that correlates a number of pulses with a virtual needle position, e.g.:
Needle Lift in InchesNumber of Pulses(Virtual Needle Position)10.000520.001030.001540.002050.0025Thus, rather than calculating the needle position, the virtual needle position module could just record the type (i.e. forward or backward motion) and number of pulses sent and then look up the corresponding virtual needle position.
For example, assume the virtual needle position module correlates each pulse with a needle lift of 0.0005 in. Further assume the needle starts in the first position. If the opening stepping solenoid was sent thirty pulses and the closing stepping solenoid 100A was sent fifteen pulses, the needle position module would record the needle as having a needle lift of 0.0075 in. That is, a movement of 0.0005*30=0.015 in. away from the needle seat and 0.0005*15=0.0075 toward the needle seat totals a needle lift of 0.0075 in. The recorded needle position is identified as "virtual" as the actuator control system cannot verify that the needle is actually 0.0075 in. from the nozzle seat. In fact, many times the needle does not have a needle lift matching the "virtual" needle position.
This offset between the virtual needle position and the actual needle position was caused by various factors. For example, the manufacturing tolerances of the various spray gun components is in the range of about +/−0.0001 to +/−0.0005 inch. Thus, during assembly of the gun, the stacking of tolerances may create an error as to the actual position of the needle. Further, the initial measurement of needle lift was performed manually, which could also be in error. For example, the operator could make an error in the actual measurement, an error in entering the manual measurement data, or may even forget to enter the data into the control PLC. Additionally, the gun may, for many reasons, fail to operate, e.g. advance or retract the needle, in a controlled manner. Thus, either from the initial usage or developing over time, the virtual needle position and the actual needle position may not be the same. This is a disadvantage as movement of the needle is based upon the data representing the virtual needle position.
Manufacturers of spray guns recommend that regular maintenance be performed on the spray gun nozzles to recalibrate the needle lift. This operation typically requires that the spray gun be taken offline so that the actual needle lift may be measured. This data is then incorporated into the virtual needle position database. This procedure is time consuming, requires an expensive external calibration device, and requires cleaning the spray gun to remove the sealant. As such, users have been known to recalibrate a spray gun by unapproved methods such as forcing the needle forward and resetting the virtual position. That is, the users actuate the closing stepping solenoid for a period causing the needle to move forward. After a short, but indeterminate period of time, the needle engages the seat. As the user does not know when this occurs exactly, the user typically allows the closing stepping solenoid to continue operating. This continued forward motion of the needle may cause damage to the needle, the nozzle seat, and the closing stepping solenoid. Once, the user stops the closing stepping solenoid, the virtual needle position database is updated to indicate that the current needle position is the first position.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Smart solenoid compound gun driver and automatic calibration method


A slow cooker is provided with a clamp assembly for holding the parts of the cooker together when transporting the cooker from one location to another. The clamp assembly includes downwardly-opening grooved portions of housing handles and an elastomeric band having opposite end portions received within the grooved portions of housing handles.

A popular type of slow cooker comprises either a plastic or a ceramic bowl received in a housing, which is commonly made from metal. A lid, usually made from a transparent glass, is removably mounted on the bowl, and has an upwardly protruding knob which can be grasped to lift the lid. The housing has electrically-operated controls and heating means for heating foods placed in the bowl. The housing has handles so that it can kitchen counter. Often, a cook may want to move the slow cooker after it is loaded with the food to be cooked from, say, a kitchen counter to a serving table.
The bowls and the lids of slow cookers are not usually made to close tolerances, and the lids are typically not securely engaged with the bowls. This creates a potential for the lid to slide off the bowl when the slow cooker is being carried from one location to another. Also, foods cooked in a slow cooker usually have a significant liquid content which can be spilled if the bowl is tilted while the slow cooker is moved.


An apparatus is provided for the pulverization of vulcanized rubber pea-size pellets. The apparatus consists of a barrel entrance, an extruder forcing section, a multiple rotor barrier section and an end discharge which presents the extrusion to a high speed wire brush-like member which shatters the extrusion into extreme small pieces. The hopper forcing section is provided with an extremely long hopper opening the design of which permits an insert which completes the barrel bore to 360 degrees. By adding inserts, the length of the forcing section is adjustable and adiabatic extrusion can be achieved. The now adjustable forcing section is followed by a section of rotor barriers, which consist of a wide top diagonal barrier crossing the extruder groove in a manner which requires all of the process material to pass through the clearance barrier top to barrel bore. The wide top barriers are provided with a set of circumferential grooves which start at capacity and end downstream at zero capacity. Spaced between said grooves is a second set of circumferential grooves which start at zero capacity and increase to capacity at the down stream side of the extrusion groove. The accepted material is directed down stream to an extrusion head which extrudes the material as a wide, thin sheet to atmosphere and a high speed wire brush-like member which shatters the exiting material into extremely small pieces. Material can be injected onto the brush to mix with the extruded particles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an extrusion apparatus, more particularly to an apparatus of the rotor and barrel type for the reduction in size of vulcanized rubber in the form of pepper corn size pieces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One present day method for producing pepper size pieces of vulcanized rubber from scrap tires can be considered technically successful. To reduce this material into small powder size pieces the material is frozen by means of liquid nitrogen and crushed in a ball mill. The objection to this process is the cost which limits the use of the reclaimed rubber in all but a few salable items. In any event, the growing size of scrap tire piles indicates that the cost of reclaiming must be reduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,375,549 discloses the barrier type extruder that is used world wide, particularly in plastic film extrusion. This patent provides a square edged entrance to the restrictive clearance barrier top to barrel bore, for the leading off of the fine and fluent process material, but this patent does not teach the use of that extruder for reducing rubber from scrap tires.


A universal telephone located in a foreign country provides a consistent home country telephone appearance and functions for a caller visiting the foreign country. This service includes providing consistent dialing sequences, consistent directory services, and other operations that would be consistent with originating the call from the caller's home country. The universal telephone includes a smart card reader that receives a smart card presented by the caller, bearing information of the caller's ID, the caller's home country, and other information. A database of national telephone features that are characteristic of the caller's home country can be included in the universal telephone or can be contained on the smart card. When the caller inserts his smart card into the universal telephone, the caller's home country information is read from the card. The universal telephone accesses the database to obtain the telephone appearance and functions of the home country. The text of messages in the language of the home country is displayed on a display screen of the universal phone. The image of the dialing key pad is also displayed on the display screen. The action to be performed in response to each key is provided to logic associated with a touch overlay device positioned on the surface of the display screen. When the caller presses the touch overlay device at a location over the image of a key, the corresponding action is performed by the logic. Actions include forming a string of dialing digits in the home country's format, for transmission to a universal server, which translates it into a network code that enables establishment of the call.

1. Field of The Invention
The invention broadly relates to telecommunications systems, services, and methods. The invention more particularly relates to a universal telephone system that presents a consistent telephone service with the characteristics that telephones have in a caller's home country, to caller's originating calls from a foreign country.
2. Description of Related Art
Telephones in a foreign country are difficult for travelers to use. The instructions to operate the telephone might be in a foreign language, the layout and function of the dialing key pad is unfamiliar, and the sequence of dialing digits and exchange codes is unique to the country. AT&T's USADirect (R) (registered trademark) service is offered to US residents to make calling easier in foreign countries. However, with this service and other similar services, a local phone call has to be made in the format of the foreign country to reach the USADirect (R) service. No local assistance is provided to help the caller with the required phone number or instructions how to use the phone. What is needed is a telephone that can be used in a consistent way independent of the country from where the call is placed.


The present invention pertains to an apparatus for lifting a container. The lifting apparatus has an elongate member having a first end and a second end and device for lockingly engaging the elongate member to the container, such as a fifth wheel plate attached to the elongate member which lockingly engages with the container. There is a first end attachment connected in proximity to the first end for connection to a mechanism which lifts the container through the apparatus and a second end attachment connected in proximity to the second end for connection to the mechanism which lifts the container through the apparatus. The invention is also a system for tilting a container. The system includes a fifth wheel plate and device for lifting the fifth wheel plate when it is lockingly engaged with the container. The fifth wheel plate is attached to the lifting device such that as the container is tilted by the lifting device through the fifth wheel plate, the fifth wheel plate remains lockingly engaged with the container. Preferably, the tilting device includes a vehicle, such as a bulldozer.

Waste is frequently transported to landfills in long trailers or containers by tractors. Manual unloading of the waste packed trailers is known to be a time consuming and labor intensive process. The present invention provides an apparatus and method wherein the trailer is tilted in an expeditious and efficient manner such that the removal of waste from the trailer is facilitated by the influence of gravity. In this manner, unloading time and manpower are substantially reduced.


This invention relates to a plant activator, a mycelial fertilizer, and a method of producing the fertilizer. The essential component of the activator and the fertilizer is purified pyrolignous acid. The plant activator includes 80-97 parts by weight of purified pyrolignous acid and 3-20 parts by weight of saccharide containing glucose. The mycelial fertilizer having purified pyrolignous acid includes predominant thermoactinomyces as mycelium. The mycelium is obtained by incubation and fermentation on a porous carrier while a pH of 7.5-9.5 is maintained. The plant activator revives plants weakened by stress. The mycelial fertilizer and method of producing that fertilizer includes predominant thermoactinomyces which beneficially affect farm products.

Plants are easily weakened by stress. Sources of stress include extreme changes in temperature or humidity, chemicals, biological damage and physical damage due to cutting of flowers, leaves and other parts of the plant.
The freshness and beauty of a plant will rapidly deteriorate due to these stresses.
Various chemicals have been synthesized that have some utility in restoring stress affected plants but such chemicals adversely affect the environment and sometimes produce undesirable effects in the plants. For example, many of these chemicals kill microorganisms, earthworms, and other beneficial lifeforms that live in the soil. The resulting sterile soil requires the application of still further inorganic chemicals until the natural living order is destroyed.
Accordingly, many farmers are returning to the use of organic fertilizers such as compost in an effort to restore life to the soil and to break the dependency upon synthesized chemical fertilizers. However, many available organic fertilizers and plant activators are not easily obtainable in large quantities, and are not as effective as some of the synthetic materials. Thus, there is a need for improved organic fertilizers and plant activators that can be economically produced in large quantities, but the prior art, when considered as a whole in accordance with the requirements of law, neither teaches nor suggests how such improved substances could be provided.

Plant activator and mycelial fertilizer and method


A smart card reader capable of transmitting a power signal to a smart card to determine a duration WT called Waiting Time in keeping with the standard ISO 7816 and sending commands to the smart card, the reader comprising a detector for detecting a malfunctioning condition of the smart card and being configured to cut the power signal when the malfunctioning condition is fulfilled. This reader is remarkable in that the malfunctioning condition is different to reaching, by a counter configured to be incremented with the time from the sending of a command to the smart card, of a value corresponding to the duration WT elapsed from the sending of the command or reinitialization of the counter in response to the receipt of a protocol message of the smart card.

The invention relates to the field of secure smart card components, or integrated circuit card.
When a smart card is inserted into a smart card reader, the reader supplies a power signal to the smart card. Now fed, the smart card can execute commands sent to it by the reader. The standard ISO 7816 normalises communication between a smart card reader and a smart card. Reference is made here for example to standard ISO 7816-3 section 10.2, of reference ISO/IEC JTC 1/FC 17 N2837 for example, dated Sep. 7, 2005.
In particular, this protocol provides that, when it sends a command to the card, the reader triggers a counter which is incremented progressively with time. If the counter reaches a value corresponding to the expiration of a duration called Waiting Time (WT) from the sending of the command without receipt of a response from the card, it is considered that the card will no longer respond. The reader cuts the power of the card to reinitialise it. According to the standard ISO 7816, the duration WT is calculated at each reinitialisation of the smart card component, especially as a function of the clock frequency of the communications interface ISO 7816 (between the reader and the card) applied by the reader and of the speed of communication of the communications interface ISO 7816 negotiated during initialisation. For example, the duration WT is equal to 714 ms for a frequency of 5 MHz and a default communication speed (that is, the speed according to which the duration of a bit on the communications interface ISO 7816 is equal to 372 clock strikes). During execution of a command requiring more than the duration WT, the card can periodically send a predetermined message, called protocol byte, to request more time from the reader. According to the standard ISO 7816, this is an byte 0x60. In response on receipt of the protocol byte, the reader reinitialises the counter.
This mechanism proposes an effective response to blockage of a card during its "normal" use.
However, this mechanism can pose a problem for a card undergoing attacks. It is known that to secure the operating of a smart card component, for example a microcontroller, manufacturers use security locks implanted in the code of the component. An attack by a fault injection consists of perturbing the component to divert it from its normal behaviour and try to make it "jump" its security locks. Such an attack by fault injection is achieved for example by sending a light pulse to the smart card component at an instant corresponding to the execution of a determined instruction.
To test the security of its smart cards facing such attacks, a smart-card manufacturer can be encouraged to carry out attacks himself, or to have attacks carried out by a third party, for example a certification organisation.
During an attack by fault injection, injected errors completely divert the component and the latter can be prompted to execute a code different to that provided by the developer of an application. It often happens that the card executes a code loop whereof the execution is never terminated due to an injected fault: this is called an infinite loop. This can happen if for example the injected fault modifies the output condition of the loop. If the output condition can no longer be retrieved in the code, the card will then stay in its loop.
In parallel with continuous execution of this code loop, the card automatically sends the protocol byte (byte 0x60) to request a time extension. This iteration prevents the reader from taking over. The reader therefore remains in wait status.
The standard ISO 7816 proposes no mechanism for reacting when the card executes such an infinite loop.
However, this type of situation occurs frequently when the attempt is made to validate the resistance of implementation against attacks by fault injection. In this case, the sole solution for continuing analysis for the evaluator is to manually take the card from the reader and reinsert it. This loses much time when the evaluator is conducting manual attacks (because the reader and the card are located in a protective caisson containing the laser, the fact of removing the card and reinserting it requires the evaluator to respect strict procedure since it is extremely dangerous to be exposed to laser beams).
This is even more problematic when automatic attacks are launched (throughout a night, for example) since when perturbation generates an infinite loop the attacks stop and the evaluator therefore loses much time. This happens frequently during attacks by fault injections and remains a major problem.


A sample processing apparatus includes a laser triangulation system that locates the position of a lower end of a pipette tip. When the laser triangulation system identifies a discrepancy between the actual position of the lower end and the proper position of the lower end, the sample processing apparatus may undergo a compensating action to compensate for the discrepancy.

1. Field
This invention relates to a sample processing apparatus with a laser triangulation system for pipette tip position.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Sample processing apparatus are used to automatically manipulate sample holders and precise amounts of fluid. These devices enable testing and analysis of samples in many fields, such as genomics, drug discovery, proteomics, and diagnostics.

Laser triangulation for pipette tip position


A method (400) and a system (100) for providing video signals to video displays includes the steps of receiving at least one input video signal (150), dithering the non-uniformity color correction (445), applying the non-uniformity color correction to the input video signal to generate a color corrected video signal (450), and increasing a frame rate of the color corrected video signal (120). Gamma correction (125) can be applied to the color correction. Generating a dithered non-uniformity color correction can include selecting from a data storage (115) a plurality of RGB correction matrices (300), measuring at least one brightness level of the input video signal, selecting for the picture level correction a first RGB correction matrix if the brightness is within a first range of values (425), a second RGB correction matrix if the brightness is within a second range of values (435), and interpolating (440) the plurality of RGB correction matrices if the brightness is within a third range of values.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to the field of video display optics, and more particularly to color correction techniques used with display optics.
2. Description of the Related Art
LCOS display systems incorporate a high pressure lamp and a light engine for generating a video display in lieu of a cathode ray tube found in traditional video displays. The light engine receives ultra bright light from the high pressure lamp and processes the light through display optics contained within the light engine. Display optics are typically provided for each of the base colors, namely red, green and blue. Variations between the display optics tend to cause color non-uniformity in the LCOS displays. For example, the green optics of a particular LCOS light-engine may be slightly more transmissive in the top left corner. This would produce a green zone in the top left corner of the displayed image. Other LCOS light-engines can have non-uniform zones in other areas of the display. The degree and nature of color non-uniformity varies tremendously from light-engine to light-engine. Notwithstanding, color non-uniformity also changes as a function of pixel brightness. Hence the color non-uniformity can vary as the brightness level of video changes.
Color non-uniformity correction has been implemented to address color non-uniformity in LCOS displays, however current implementation requires substantial processing resources to implement color non-uniformity correction. Color non-uniformity correction is typically performed after frame rate doubling and gamma correction have been applied to a video signal. To perform color non-uniformity correction after frame rate doubling results in the color non-uniformity correction being applied to twice as much data as contained in an original video signal. Further, gamma correction increases the size of the video data. Hence, performing color non-uniformity correction after gamma correction further increases the amount of video data that must be processed.
On the other hand, applying color non-uniformity correction prior to frame rate doubling and gamma correction creates an even greater obstacle. Color non-uniformity correction typically increases the amount of video data contained in a video signal as well. However, the frame rate doubler is limited with respect the amount of video data that can be processed. Thus a "bit bottleneck" is created and video data incorporating color non-uniformity correction cannot be adequately processed by the frame rate doubler. Even if the color non-uniformity corrected video could be adequately doubled, the amount of video data handled by the rest of the processing components would be increased. Thus, a need exists for a method and system for color non-uniformity correction prior to increasing the frame rate that overcomes the problems described above.

Color non-uniformity correction for LCOS


Disclosed are a hydroxy-capping monomer, its polycarbonate and an article including the same. Disclosed is a capping monomer capable of greatly improving mechanical properties and weather resistance when applied to polycarbonate, and polycarbonate containing the same, being prepared at high economic efficiency and having superior mechanical properties and excellent weather resistance.

A polycarbonate resin is prepared by condensation polymerization of an aromatic diol monomer such as bisphenol A, or a carbonate precursor such as phosgene, has superior impact strength, dimensional stability, weather resistance, transparency and the like, and is widely utilized in a variety of applications including exterior materials of electronic and electric products, automobile parts, constructional materials and optical parts.
Research in which two aromatic diols having different structures are copolymerized to introduce units having different structures into a main chain of polycarbonate and thereby obtain desired physical properties is underway in order to apply the polycarbonate resin to more various fields.
In particular, addition of a UV stabilizer such as benzotriazole as an additive of the polycarbonate resin was suggested in order to provide a polycarbonate resin having weather resistance. However, the UV stabilizer improves weather resistance of the polycarbonate resin, but disadvantageously deteriorates mechanical properties thereof.

Hydroxyl-capping monomer, its polycarbonate and article containing the same


A solid-state imaging device driving apparatus for generating a driving pulse for a solid-state imaging device includes a status memory 48 that stores a status data at each address as a logic value, a command data memory (42, 43, 46, 47) that stores command data sequentially stored, and an output control section (49) that generates the driving pulse based on the status data read from the address, designated by each command data, of the status memory 48.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to an apparatus for driving a solid-state imaging device mounted on a digital camera or the like, and more particularly to a solid-state imaging device driving apparatus and a digital camera that can generate various driving pulses with using small memory resources, to drive the solid-state imaging device.
2. Description of Related Art
A CCD- or CMOS-type solid-state imaging device which is used a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a camera-equipped mobile phone, or the like (hereinafter, such an apparatus is referred to as a digital camera) is driven by driving pulses generated by an imaging device driving apparatus. In a CCD-type solid-state imaging device, for example, a vertical charge transfer path (VCCD) is driven by a vertical transfer pulse, and a horizontal charge transfer path (HCCD) is driven by a horizontal transfer pulse.
Such driving pulses are generated on the basis of data of a pulse changing point, those of a repetition number (loop number), and the like which are previously stored in a register and a memory. Many kinds of timing pulses are used for driving the solid-state imaging device. Moreover, the waveforms of the pulses are complicated depending on the difference of driving modes (for example, the normal transfer mode and the high-speed transfer mode). As a result, there arises a problem in that the amount of data used in generating the driving pulses is large, and a register and a memory for storing such data must have a large capacity.
Therefore, JP 2002-51270 A discloses such a configuration that four memories are provided. The first memory holds time series data (logical status), the second memory holds a value of a length of time period between a pulse changing point and the next changing point, the third memory holds a repetition number of logical changes during one period and the fourth memory holds a repetition number of the periods themselves. The data stored in the four memories are combined to generate various driving pulses.
Recently, user's request for a digital camera increases. In a digital camera, in order to increase functions and enhance its performance, driving pulses for a solid-state imaging device are complicated in period and pulse waveform, and the amount of data required for generating the driving pulses goes on increasing. JP 2002-51270 A can deal cope with two-mode and two-stage loop driving pulses. When further multi modes and further multi loop stages of driving pulses are required, the memory capacity must be increased.
Also, each time when the design specification of a digital camera is changed to increase functions, data for generating driving pulses are inevitably changed. When the pulse generation is not highly flexible, cost for designing pulse data would be increased.

Solid-state imaging device driving apparatus and digital camera


The invention is an improved cage assembly for tending poultry. The cage assembly includes at least two horizontal cage rows formed by adjacent cage housings, a majority of the cage housings being formed by double cages, a dung receiver extending under each of the cage rows, fan flaps provided for drying collected dung, the fan flaps being distributed at longitudinal intervals along a dung receiver and above the dung receiver and mounted on transverse axes, pivot drives associated with the fan flaps to pivot the fan flaps, the pivot drives having push rods and pull rods extending in the lengthwise direction along the dung receiver through the cage assembly at a distance from the transverse axes of fan flaps and engaging the transverse axis, and with the fan flaps having force-transmitting part and a fan part.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cage assembly for tending poultry.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A cage assembly for poultry tending including a device for drying dung collected by a dung belt is disclosed in DE 3715735C2.
With cage assemblies for tending poultry having great length inertial forces on pivot drives result which cause changes in the lengths of pull rods and push rods. These changes are of different magnitudes and sometimes are of considerable degree and lead to irregular operation and considerable vibration of the entire system.
An improvement in this situation is offered by the drive described in EP 0387819A1 for an air flow device of a cage assembly for tending poultry. This device works with pulling elements, with at least one spring acting against the direction of the driving force being attached to the elements. This spring keeps the pulling element under suitable tensile stress even during backward movement, resulting in uniform lengthening of the pulling elements.
Wet cleaning must be used in a cage assembly because of the risk of salmonella. Therefore, contrary to instructions, the air flow device may be switched off during cleaning. This can result in undesired deposition of chicken dung, leading to considerable imbalances. These imbalances can become so great that the springs break.

Salmet Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft


The present invention provides a method for preparing a copolymer useful for the manufacture of tires by coupling the ends of a living polymer obtained from copolymerization of a diene monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of an organolithium catalyst and a hydrocarbon solvent with a multi-reactive polysiloxane compound and then modifying the remaining uncoupled ends of the polymer with an amine compound. The use of the copolymer thus obtained for the fabrication of tires improves the affinity to silica as well as carbon black used as a reinforcing material and provides enhanced properties required for tires, such as increased wet traction, reduced rolling resistance, and increased tread wear.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for preparing a copolymer from a conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for preparing a copolymer useful for the fabrication of tires by coupling the active ends of the copolymer with a multi-reactive polysiloxane and subsequently modifying the remaining active ends of the copolymer with a mono-reactive amine compound.
2. Related Prior Art
Regarding a conjugated diene polymer useful as a rubber material for tires, such as a styrene-butadiene copolymer, the conjugated diene polymer prepared in the presence of an organolithium catalyst in an organic solvent is controllable in regard to molecular structure such as the vinyl structure of conjugated diene, the styrene content, the styrene block percentage, and so forth, which cannot be controlled by emulsion polymerization, providing required properties as a material for tires. The use of the rubber prepared by the solution polymerization for fabrication of tires guarantees very excellent properties of tire products, such as rolling resistance and wet traction, relative to the use of a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) prepared by emulsion polymerization. In addition, the use of an organolithium catalyst for polymerization introduces different functional groups to the ends of the molecule to enable the control of cold flow at the ambient temperature and also to increase the compatibility with a reinforcing material such as carbon black or silica, thus enhancing tread wear, reducing rolling resistance and increasing wet traction.
Among the conventional methods to increase the compatibility of the conjugated diene polymer prepared by solution polymerization with carbon black and silica, U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,548 discloses a method for increasing the compatibility of rubber with carbon black by modifying the ends of the molecule with an amine compound such as amino benzophenone to produce a rubber superior in dynamic properties and mechanical properties to the existing rubbers. However, the rubber prepared by this method has a poor processability in mixture and a high cold flow, which is an important factor of storage stability, causing a problem after a long-term storage. The use of this rubber for a tire containing silica as a reinforcing material (hereinafter, referred to as "silica tire") may result in poor compatibility with silica to deteriorate the mechanical properties and the dynamic properties (e.g., rolling resistance and wet traction) of the tire. Consequently, the use of the rubber does not have any merit in the fabrication of silica tires.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,467 describes a method of using a mixture of tin tetrachloride and silicon tetrachloride as a coupling agent for the purpose of reducing the processability and the rolling resistance of the carbon black composition. The polymer prepared by this method has no functional group contributing to the compatibility with a reinforcing material and hence a poor compatibility with the reinforcing material in the silica composition, making it difficult to prepare a rubber suitable to the silica tire. Particularly, this method deteriorates the properties of the silica composition because the tin tetrachloride compound breaks the bonds between tin and the polymer by stearic acid added as a vulcanizing accelerator in the mixing step.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,388 discloses a method of maximizing the compatibility with a reinforcing material by modifying both ends of the molecule into functional groups. However, solution viscosity rapidly increases during a polymerizing procedure employing such an end modifying method, thus it is difficult to apply to a commercialized process. This polymer having a linear molecular structure is very disadvantageous to apply concerning a compound processability and storage stability point of view.
Korean Patent Laid-open Nos. 94-019797 and 94-019795 disclose methods for enhancing the compatibility with silica used as an inorganic reinforcing material, which methods involve dispersing polydimethylsiloxane in a styrene-based resin composition to remarkably enhance tread wear and cold shock resistance. However, the polymer composition prepared by dispersion of polydimethylsiloxane has no covalent bonds between the polydimethylsiloxane and the organic polymer resin, readily exhibiting phase separation, and contains neither a polar group nor a hydrophilic group in the polydimethylsiloxane, resulting in a low affinity to the inorganic reinforcing material and hence a deterioration of the compatibility with the inorganic reinforcing material.
Consequently, the modification of the polymer that is a highly reactive organic material is necessary for enhancing the compatibility of organic and inorganic materials in the development of such an organic/inorganic composite material, and many studies have been made on the polymer modification in a physical way. For example, Korean Patent Laid-open No. 95-704405 discloses a method of polymerizing hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane at the end of a living polymer block. This method may solve the problem in regard to phase separation into polysiloxane and the organic layer but still provides a high cold flow of the polymer and a deterioration of mixing processability as mentioned in the preceding methods.
In addition, in an attempt to increase the miscibility of the organic and inorganic materials, the ends of an anionic living polymer can be reacted with ethylene oxide (J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem., 26, 2031 (1988)), diphenylethylene (J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem., 30, 2349 (1992)), or N-(benzylidene)-trimethylsilylamine (Makromol. Chem., 184, 1355 (1983)). However, this method has a limitation in acquiring sufficient compatibility with an inorganic reinforcing material.
Accordingly, there is a demand for a novel polymer excellent in miscibility with inorganic fillers used in the fabrication of tires, while improving the shortcoming of the existing polymers.


A label tape printer has a more-or-less conventional label tape cassette gear train mechanism except that the main motor has a clutching means that can disengage the motor when the motor is not on and turning. This allows the motor loads to turn the gear trains without any tendency of the motor to hold the gear train frozen by its advantage through the gear reduction. Therefore a pull on the label tape end will result in the entire gear train turning and thereby preventing the ink ribbon from forming a loose loop that can get sucked into an adhesive tape sandwich (with catastrophic results). The label tape cassette is provided with a guide roller having deep grooves, giving the appearance of a piece of machine screw threaded stock, that is positioned to keep the adhesive tape from sticking to the inside walls if the tape reels loosen. The adhesive tape has a reduced surface area on the guide roller to become stuck on it also.

This invention relates generally to label tape printers and more particularly to label tape cassettes and their drive mechanisms.
Label tape printers and associated print cassettes have recently become popular. These printers have an ancestor in the form of the DYMO.TM. plastic label maker that was popular in the United States in the 1960's and 1970's. The DYMO machine embosses characters into plastic tape. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,590; and tape and ribbon cartridges described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,226,547; 4,391,539; and 4,678,353. A more recent label printer is the KROY lettering machine (Kroy, Inc., Scottsdale, Aeiz.). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,514, issued May 23, 1989, to Basile; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,697, issued Jun. 6, 1989, to Plotnick, et al. as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,834,507; 4,243,333; 4,402,619; and 4,462,708. Hirosaki, et al., describes in U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,319, issued May 19, 1987, a typical printer in which character images are formed into strips of tape by transferring ink or other color from color carrying ribbon to the tape by localized application of heat and pressure. The new label tape printers are able to print a line of characters on an adhesive tape strip that is cut off at the end of the print line and which can be adhered to surfaces, similar to SCOTCH brand tape. The label tape used in these printers is special, and comes ready-to-use in a tape cassette that includes an ink ribbon for the print head. The finished tape output from the printer consists of three parts, a transparent tape on which ink is printed, a double sided, adhesive tape, and a backing that is subsequently peeled-off to expose an adhesive surface for applying the label tape to a desired surface.
The backing and adhesive tape are positioned on a first reel inside an unused cassette, the transparent tape is on a second reel, and the ink ribbon, usually of a thermal ink type, is provided on a third reel. Used ink ribbon is taken up on a fourth reel. To print a label, the ink ribbon and print head are brought into contact with the transparent tape. A reverse image is printed by the head on the transparent tape so that the image will read correctly when view through the tape. The transparent tape is thereafter pressed together with one side of the adhesive tape such that the printed ink is sandwiched between the two tape layers. In this manner, the printed ink will not be exposed and rubbed off. On the other surface of the adhesive tape is a peel-off backing material. After the two tape layers have been pressed together, the composite tape exits one end of the tape cassette, and a cutting unit usually cuts the tape after the line of print has been completed. The user then pulls the printed piece of label tape from the printer for use.
These printers employ a complex series of interconnected gears, pulleys, and rollers to manage the operations of printing, feeding, and tape assembly during use of the printer. See for background, U.S. patent application of Hiroki Godo, et al., Ser. No. 07/609,501, filed Nov. 11, 1990, entitled "Tape Printer", now U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,919. During the printing operation, it is important that the ink ribbon and transparent label tape move together at the same rate. This prevents the possible rubbing of the two together causing smudging of the ink on the label tape. The least amount of tape will be wasted if the label tape and the adhesive tape are pressed together and cut near the point of printing in the printer. However, to assemble these tapes, the ink ribbon must be moved out of the way as quickly as possible after serving its purpose at the thermal print head. Since the ink is deposited on the inside of the two sandwiched tapes, and since the tapes must be sandwiched very close to the point of printing, the ink ribbon, by necessity, must be positioned very close to the tape pressure roller assembly employed for pressing the two tape layers together. An extremely important function, therefore, of the printer gearing mechanism is to maintain the ink ribbon taunt in its travel through the printer so as not to interfere with other operating parts of the printer.
Most of the time the label tape and ribbon transport mechanism functions as intended. But in conventional label tape drive mechanisms, if a user pulls on a tape prior to being cut, the gear mechanism for the tape rollers and reels will be moved against the resistance of the tape transport motor and its associated high reduction gears. The usual and catastrophic result is that the ink ribbon becomes entangled and caught in the tape pressure rollers utilized for pressing the transparent tape to the adhesive tape. Once the ink ribbon has been ensnared between these rollers and tape layers, the entire cassette is of no further utility, and the damage cannot readily be undone or the tapes cannot be untangled. Moreover, cutting the tape off with the cutter also cuts the entangled ink ribbon. The ink ribbon cannot then be effectively fed onto its take-up reel because it is effectively out of operation. Given human nature, and a typical user's impatience with tape feeding and cutting, the above scenario is all too common an occurrence.
The present invention solves the above problem by allowing the user to proceed with early removal of the label tape from the printer, by arranging the gear mechanisms so that the gears are freed from enagement with the printer drive motor. The various tape and ink ribbon reels, gear mechanisms, and rollers will maintain their proper respective functions with the ink ribbon kept taunt by continually taken up on its take-up reel because tape tension does not become loose and tape to become pulled into the final tape assembly.
A second, related problem is also solved by the present invention. The adhesive tape has an exposed adhesive surface during its travel between the adhesive tape supply reel and the pressure rollers that combine the adhesive tape with the transparent tape.A guide roller is needed between the adhesive tape supply reel and the pressure rollers to keep the adhesive tape from wandering from its proper path of travel of dislocating and adhering to the inside walls of the cassetts, or worse, to the ink ribbon. But ordinary cylindrical guide rollers provide the adhesive tape with too much surface for attachment and, as a result, become attached to the guide roller surface, especially after long idle periods of nonuse of the printer. A guide roller having deep grooves and ridges, much like the appearance of a machine screw threaded stock, is employed to solve this problem.

Label tape printing system using thermal head and transfer ink ribbon


Methods for forming electronic assemblies are provided. A device substrate having a plurality of electronic components embedded therein is provided. The device substrate is attached to a carrier substrate using an adhesive material. A plurality of cuts are formed through the device substrate to divide the device substrate into a plurality of portions. Each of the plurality of portions includes at least one of the electronic components. A force is applied to each of the plurality of portions in a direction away from the carrier substrate to remove the plurality of portions from the carrier substrate.

Integrated circuits are formed on semiconductor substrates (or wafers). The wafers are then sawn into microelectronic die (or "dice"), or semiconductor chips, with each die carrying a respective integrated circuit. Conventionally, each semiconductor chip is connected to a package substrate using either wire bonding or "flip-chip" connections. The packaged chip is then typically mounted to a circuit board, or motherboard, before being installed in a system, such as an electronic or a computing system.
However, technologies have recently been developed which may reduce the need for conventional package substrates. One technology involves embedding the microelectronic die in substrates, or panels, and forming electrical connections from a "device" surface of the die to other portions of the panels. The panels are often formed by attaching one side of a piece of double-sided tape to a support substrate, placing multiple die on the opposing side of the double-sided tape, and dispensing an epoxy over the die. After the epoxy is at least partially cured, the panel is removed from the support substrate.
To complete processing, the panel is then flipped to expose the microelectronic die and attached to another support substrate (e.g., a carrier substrate) also using an adhesive such as a double-sided tape. The backend processing layers, such as dielectric layers, conductive traces, and contact formations (e.g., solder balls) are then formed on the panel over the exposed die. After backend processing, the panel is often removed from the carrier substrate by soaking the entire assembly in tub of chemicals to at least partially dissolve the adhesive. This chemical soak often results in the contact formations corroding, which increases the difficulty in separating the panel into the individual packages.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method for processing encapsulated microelectronic components that reduces, or completely eliminates, the detrimental effects caused by the chemical soak that is used to remove the panel from the carrier substrate. Additionally, other desirable features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Method for singulating electronic components from a substrate


An apparatus and method for displaying non-obscured pixels in a multiple-media motion video environment (dynamic image management) possessing overlaid windows. In an encoding process, only boundary values and identification values corresponding to each window on a screen are saved in memory of a hardware device. In a decoding process, the hardware device utilizes these initial boundary values saved in memory in such a way that when incoming video data enters the hardware device, the hardware device need only compare the incoming video data's identification with the identification saved in memory. The hardware device includes: compare logic devices, counters, minimal memory devices, a control logic block, and a driver.

Multi-media is the hottest topic in the computer industry today. It is widely proclaimed as the next revolution in computing. The reason multi-media is "hot," is the potential for humanizing information.
Multimedia implies the ability to integrate multiple forms of data in a computer environment. The various data forms include: audio, image, motion video, graphics, text and animation. Due to the volume and variety of data which must be managed within the internal structure of a computer and ultimately presented to the user, new methods for managing that data through the display interface need to be developed.
For instance, in the area of still image graphics, when windows are overlaid upon one another, a paramount consideration is that a higher level window take priority over a lower level window. In other words, a lower window's image should not show through to a higher window overlaid on top of the lower window. Normally, the windows have a display priority. The window with the highest priority is displayed on top of all other windows. As a result, some windows are obscured or partially obscured by other windows.
However, techniques used in still image graphics do not lend themselves to displaying multiple windows, overlaid upon one another, displaying dynamic images (motion video). Software techniques are too slow to meet the real-time requirements of motion video data. Typically, display of video data requires a processor capable of performing 120 million operations per second when displaying video images at a rate of 30 frames per second on a 1024 by 768 pixel screen.
Most software techniques, typically used for displaying static window images, are inadequate to decide on a pixel-by-pixel basis whether to display or discard a pixel in real-time. Thus, trying to decide whether to display a pixel or discard a pixel in an overlaid multi-media window environment with multiple media windows requires the need for real-time presentation.
Typically, hardware assistance such as a pixel map look-up table is employed to determine in real-time whether a given pixel is to be displayed or discarded in a multi-media, overlaid multi window environment. However, the costs involved are currently prohibitive due to the amount of storage space required. For instance, a 1000.times.1000 pixel screen requires the mapping of 2 million bits of pixel information. Additionally, a pixel map look-up table is limited to serve only a few windows, typically a maximum of 4 windows. The number of windows is limited by the amount of memory. Furthermore, the expense involved in order to display multiple windows displaying dynamic images, utilizing a pixel map look-up table is exorbitant due to memory restrictions.
Therefore, what is needed is a window manager device that uses significantly less storage space than a pixel map look-up table and is able to process multiple windows displaying motion video data in real time.

International Business Machines Corporation