An actuator assembly comprises a first diaphragm (422) and a second diaphragm (424) connected to the first diaphragm for forming a chamber (426) between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. An actuator shaft (427) is connected to first diaphragm (422) and is oriented to extend through the chamber (426) and to extend through an aperture formed in the second diaphragm (424). The second diaphragm (424) can be connected to an actuator body (450) wherein the actuator shaft (427) performs an actuation operation. Alternatively, one or more actuator amplification assemblies (400(B)) can be interposed between the second diaphragm and the actuator body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to actuators, such as mechanical actuators, for example.
2. Related Art and Other Considerations
Actuators are utilized for numerous technical applications. Many actuators are of a type which have a moveable shaft or a piston which selectively extends and retracts. Upon extension the actuator shaft may, by contacting another mechanical or electrical element, either initiate/enable or cease/disable a particular operation. Alternatively, the actuator shaft may take the form of a valving element, such as a spool in a spool valve, for selectively facilitating, e.g., fluid flow through the valve.
The degree and accuracy of actuator shaft extension, and the amount of signaling required to accomplish the actuator shaft extension/retraction, can be problematic. What is needed, therefore, and an object of the present invention, is technique, method, and apparatus for controlling actuator shaft movement.


A video recording system is provided with a copy guard arrangement which can readily discriminate a video signal having pseudo horizontal synchronizing pulses in a portion of a vertical blanking interval, from a normal video signal, without deteriorating the quality of recorded pictures. Preferably, an analog circuitry or a microcomputer is designed to count the horizontal synchronizing pulses received during a predetermined portion of the vertical blanking interval, and to discriminate a copy-guarded video signal from an unguarded video signal in accordance with the result of the counting. In the case of the copy-guarded video signal, an inhibit signal is produced to prevent a normal recording operation.

The present invention relates to a video signal recording system which records reproduced normal video signals in a normal mode but prevents the normal recording of reproduced video signals provided with copy guards.
A current copy guard technique utilizes pseudo horizontal synchronizing pulses inserted in a portion of a vertical blanking interval. The pseudo pulses are equal to or higher than the black level, and more in number than normal. These pseudo pulses cause an auto gain control (AGC) circuit of a video signal recording system to vary the brightness of pictures. This copy guard system makes use of the difference in time constant between a television reproducing system and a video recording system.
This conventional copy guard system, however, tends to deteriorate the quality of recorded pictures because this system must increase the gain of the AGC circuit to some extent in order to improve the performance of the copy guard. Furthermore, these pseudo horizontal synchronizing signals occupy a considerable portion of the vertical blanking period, so that the use of the vertical blanking period for other data is limited.


A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first well region of a first conductivity type overlying the substrate, a second well region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type overlying the substrate, a cushion region between and adjoining the first and the second well regions, an insulation region in a portion of the first well region and extending from a top surface of the first well region into the first well region, a gate dielectric extending from over the first well region to over the second well region, wherein the gate dielectric has a portion over the insulation region, and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric.

High-voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor (HVMOS) devices are widely used in many electrical devices, such as input/output (I/O) circuits, CPU power supplies, power management systems, AC/DC converters, etc. HVMOS devices typically include drain regions and laterally-diffused drain regions enclosing drain regions. Laterally-diffused drain regions are typically well regions having lower doping concentrations than the drain regions, thus having high breakdown electrical fields.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional HVNMOS device 2, which includes gate oxide 10, gate electrode 12 on gate oxide 10, drain region 6 in n-well region 4, and source region 8 in p-well region 7. Shallow trench isolation (STI) region 14 spaces drain region 6 apart from gate electrode 12 so that a high drain-to-gate voltage can be applied.
It is known that high electrical fields are typically generated at interface regions. For HVNMOS device 2, when a high voltage is applied between drain region 6 and source region 8, a high electrical field is generated at a region proximate p-n junction 16, which becomes the weak point of the HVNMOS device 2. The generation of the high electrical field causes the reduction in breakdown voltage of HVNMOS device 2. This problem worsens when the device dimensions become smaller, and thus the electrical fields become higher.
Novel methods for reducing electrical fields at p-n junctions are thus needed to improve breakdown voltages of high-voltage MOS devices.

Coupling well structure for improving HVMOS performance

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


The present invention relates to modified pullulanases useful in the starch industry. The present invention provides methods for producing the modified pullulanase, enzymatic compositions comprising the modified pullulanase, and methods for the saccharification of starch comprising the use of the enzymatic compositions.

Starch, the essential constituents of which are linear amylose and branched amylopectin glucose polymers can be converted into simple sugars by an enzymatic process carried out in two stages: one stage of liquefaction of the starch and one stage of saccharification of the liquefied starch. In order to obtain a high conversion level of the starch, pullulanase (E.C. 18.104.22.168, α-dextrin 6-glucano-hydrolase also termed alpha-1,6-glucosidase) has been used to catalyse the hydrolysis of alpha-1,6-glucosidic bonds.
Pullulanase enzymes in the art include those known to have optimum activity at acidic pH as well as those known to have activity at alkaline pH. Pullulanases described in the art include pullulanase derived from a strain of Bacillus acidopullulyticus described as having an optimum activity at a pH of 4-5 at 60° C. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,651); pullulanase derived from Bacillus naganoensis described as having a maximum activity at a pH of about 5, measured at 60° C. and a maximum activity at a temperature of about 62.5° C., measured at a pH of 4.5 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,403); pullulanase derived from Bacillus sectorramus described as having an optimum pH at 5.0 to 5.5 and an optimum temperature at 50° C. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,622); and pullulanase derived from Bacillus brevis PL-1 described as having activity at 4.5-5.5 at 60° C. (JP 04/023985).
Pullulanase can be used with glucoamylase or β-amylase for the production of high glucose and high maltose syrups. In addition to increasing the yields of sugars, pullulanase reduces reaction time, allows high substrate concentrations and a reduction of up to 50% in the use of glucoamylase (Bakshi et al. (1992) Biotechnology Letters vol. 14 pp. 689-694).


For the processing in a total processing time of 60 seconds or less of exposed X-ray materials containing silver bromide or silver bromoiodide emulsions use is made of an aqueous alkaline photographic developing solution, having a pH in the range of 9 to 12, comprising a dihydroxybenzene developing agent, 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone as an auxiliary developing agent, at least one organic antifoggant and a compound providing iodide ions.

Heretofore, developing solutions for use with X-ray film have typically been formulated using hydroquinone as the primary developing agent, 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone as a super-additive auxiliary developing agent and glutaric aldehyd as a hardening agent. These developing solutions have been packaged as three-part formulations. The need for the added cost and complexity of three-part packaging has been dictated by the fact that glutaric aldehyd tends to react with 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone, that 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone tends to oxidize in alkaline solution and that glutaric aldehyde tends to polymerize in alkaline solution. To avoid these problems, the hydroquinone has been packaged in a first part which is alkaline, the 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone has been packaged in a second part which is acidic and the glutaric aldehyd has been packaged in a third part which is acidic. Prior to use the three parts are blended together and diluted with water to give the appropriate concentration and alkaline pH for use as working developing solution.
These developing solutions are used in the standard 90 seconds processing of commercial medical X-ray materials having a film support and on one or both sides thereof silver bromide or silver bromoiodide emulsion layers.
There is a tendency of further decreasing the total processing time of X-ray materials in particular to less than 60 seconds e.g. 45 seconds processing and even 38 seconds processing. The requirement is that the sensitometry obtained with such short processing times should match the sensitometry of conventional radiographic materials now processed in 90 seconds as referred to above.
Decreasing processing time is possible when using X-ray materials that have been adequately fore-hardened so that they absorb less water and lend themselves to accelerated processing and drying. However increasing the level of fore-hardening usually results in a decrease of the covering power so that not all materials can be adequately fore-hardened. Tabular grain emulsions lend themselves to increased levels of fore-hardening because they are less sensitive to a decrease in covering power.
In EP Application 428,455 the accelerated processing of forehardened X-ray films has been described leading to sensitometric results comparable to those obtained with standard 90 seconds processing with aldehyde contai-ning developers of conventional X-ray materials. In said EP Application 428,455 fore-hardened X-ray films are developed with a developing solution having a pH in the range of 9 to 12, being substantially free of both aldehydic hardening agents and silver halide solvents and comprising dihydroxybenzene developing agent, a superadditive developing agent, an alkaline agent, an organic anti-foggant and a preservative, the super-additive auxiliary developing agent being present in a concentration of at least 3.5 grams per liter of said developing solution and being a 4,4'-disubstituted-1-aryl-3-pyrazolidinone in particular 4-methyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone. The use of the latter auxiliary developing agent in this context is also known from USP 4,957,856.
Although sensitometric responses similar to those achieved with conventional aldehydic developers in very short processing times are claimed, the developing solution becomes quite expensive due to the high amounts of expensive auxiliary developing agents. Moreover although one-part packaging of the developing solution is possible the degree of concentration is limited by the crystallization tendency of the auxiliary developing agent. Where it was possible to concentrate the three-part package for the 90 seconds processing so that for a developing solution ready for use up to three volumes of water could be added to part A, the one-part package of EP Application 428,455 can be concentrated only to a degree that maximum dilution is up to two times.
In rapid processing cycles of less than 90 seconds the aim is to maintain unchanged sensitometric characteristics according to the previous-ly formulated requirements. Losses in sensitivity or gradation can be compensated e.g. by reducing the amount of antifoggant or increasing pH of the developer. As a more alkali containing developer is more sensitive to oxidation phenomena this way should not be followed. This can also be stated for a decrease of the amount of antifogging agent, leading to a tremendous fog increase and a gradation decrease. Looking for a suitable auxiliary developer 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone is not preferred due to its tendency to crystallize into the solution as its solubility is low, due to its insufficient stability so that it decomposes and due to the resulting fog increase that is sensitometrically unacceptable. As another auxiliary developing compound 4-methyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone doesn't satisfy either as the preservation stability is rather poor. More substituted compounds are more stable in alkaline solutions but the cost is increasing to unacceptable levels. 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone is very effective although the cost remains high.


An adapter for mounting a depth gage onto a mill head of a milling machine is disclosed herein having an elongated mounting bracket with an outwardly projecting block for slidably carrying an indicator rod with spaced apart depth V grooves thereon. The block has a viewing hole for visual observation of the V grooves and an adjustment screw retains the rod at a selected location on the rod. An adjustable anvil is carried on the rod below the markings and has a broad, flat surface cantilevered outwardly beyond the rod and its mounting block so as to receive engagement with the sensing probe of a conventional depth gage mounted on the machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of adapters for depth gages, and more particularly to a novel adapter which can readily be mounted on a milling machine or the like and which allows precise reading for full extent of travel and does not interfere with quill power feed.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In the past, it has been the conventional practice to place a depth gage on a milling or drilling machine which would provide a visual indication of travel as the drill or cutting tool works on the work piece. In this connection, it is the usual practice to place an analog scale, such as a ruler, adjacent to the drill or mill head so that the visual depth of the cutting procedure can be followed and controlled. Problems and difficulties have been encountered when employing such a scale, which stem largely from the fact that the visual indication is difficult to correlate and the accuracy of the scale is greatly reduced when compared with conventional pressure or distance gages.
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a means for placing a depth gage or indicator adjacent to the cutting head of the machine whereby the depth of cut, for example, can be read with precision. This arrangement must allow for precise reading for the full extent of travel and should not interfere with the quill power feed. Also, quick change to any depth within seconds is a valuable asset and the adaptability of such a device should fit multiple types of milling heads.


A coupled air-conditioning device including a dehumidification system and a vapor compression-type refrigeration system which are connected through a pipeline. The vapor compression-type refrigeration system is a closed circuit including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve. The dehumidification system includes a desiccant-wheel with a regeneration area and a processing area, a processing air blower, a regeneration air blower and an electric motor driving the desiccant-wheel to rotate. The processing air blower and the regeneration air blower are provided with an exhaust port. The condenser includes a phase-change condensation heat exchanger and a refrigerant gas cooler. The refrigerant gas cooler operates to cool the overheated refrigerant discharged from the compressor into a saturated refrigerant in gas state, employing a structural form of a tube-fin heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange tube and a fin piece.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a refrigeration air conditioner, and more particularly to a vapor compression-type refrigeration & desiccant-wheel dehumidification coupled air conditioning device.
Description of the Related Art
The load of an air conditioning device includes latent heat load and sensible heat load, and the latent heat accounts for 20-40% of the total load of the air conditioning device. The traditional air conditioning device includes an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and a refrigerant. The evaporator decreases air temperature while the moisture in the air is also condensed, thus realizing simultaneous removing of the latent heat and sensible heat. In such case, the power consumption of the compressor is high while the refrigeration efficiency of a vapor compression-type refrigeration system is low. In the meanwhile, the condenser emits a lot of heat. Generally, the hot air is directly discharged to the atmosphere.


A semiconductor memory device includes a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate, a diffusion layer for a first electrode formed within the semiconductor substrate so as to be in contact with an inner surface of the trench, a capacitor insulating film formed on the diffusion layer, a conductive layer for a second electrode formed so as to bury a lower portion of the trench, a first insulating film formed on the conductive layer and along a side surface of the trench, a first conductive layer formed so as to bury an intermediate portion of the trench, a first contact layer formed so as to bury an upper portion of the trench, and a second contact layer formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate so as to be in contact with the first contact layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor memory, and more particularly, to a structure of a semiconductor memory device having a trench capacitor in a memory cell and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
The integration level of a semiconductor integrated circuit has been increased year by year. This tendency is remarkably observed in a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). To increase the integration level of a DRAM cell having a single transistor and a single capacitor, the size of each part must be reduced. As a DRAM cell is reduced in size, a wiring layer connecting a source diffusion layer (or drain diffusion layer) of a transistor and a capacitor electrode is also reduced in area and width. As a result, it becomes difficult for the DRAM cell to maintain requisite electrical characteristics.
Now, the structure of a DRAM having a trench capacitor will be described by way of example. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the essential portion of a conventional DRAM. A semiconductor substrate 30 has a trench 31 formed therein. Around the lower portion of the trench 31 within the semiconductor substrate 30, a plate electrode 32 of an N-type diffusion layer is formed as a capacitor electrode. On the lower inner surface of the trench 31, an NO film 33 (formed of a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film) serving as a dielectric film of a capacitor is formed.
Inside the NO film 33 of the trench 31, a polysilicon layer 34 serving as an upper electrode of the capacitor is formed. On the polysilicon layer 34 and along the inner surface of the trench, a collar oxide film 35 is formed to separate a transistor region to be formed in the semiconductor substrate 30 and a storage node of the trench capacitor. Inside the collar oxide film 35 of the trench 31, a polysilicon layer 36 serving as a wiring layer is formed in contact with the polysilicon layer 34.
On the polysilicon layer 36, a buried strap (BS) contact layer 37 serving as a contact layer connecting between the source diffusion layer 17 of a memory-cell transistor and the polysilicon layer 36 is formed. The BS contact layer 37 is buried in the trench until it is flush with the surface of the semiconductor substrate 30.
On the semiconductor substrate 30, a gate electrode 14 is formed with a gate insulating film 13 interposed between them. Around the gate electrode 14, a gate cap insulating film 15 is formed so as to cover the gate electrode 14. On both side surfaces of the gate cap insulating film 15, a gate sidewall insulating film 16 is formed. A source diffusion layer 17 and a drain diffusion layer 18 are formed in the semiconductor substrate 1 underneath both sides of the gate electrode 14, respectively.
In the DRAM thus constructed, when a BS contact is formed, usually a frontage of about 1200 to 1500 Å (more specifically, the depth of the BS contact in contact with a side surface of the active area in which the memory cell transistor is to be formed) is maintained. However, as the size of the DRAM cell is reduced, it becomes difficult to suppress the punch through caused by impurities diffused from the BS contact layer to the source diffusion layer 17. Furthermore, as the cell size is reduced, the volume of the BS contact layer or the frontage of the BS contact layer decreases, with the result that the resistance value of the BS contact layer increases.
As one of solutions to these problems, it may be considered to employ a surface strap (SS) contact, which is a strap contact layer formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. However, when the SS contact layer is formed, a trench top oxide (TTO) film formed on the top of a trench capacitor must be etched back to expose the polysilicon layer 36 serving as a wiring layer. In the etching-back step, the collar oxide film formed on the sidewall of a trench is inevitably etched at the same time. When the SS contact layer is formed by burying, for example, polysilicon, a recess formed in the sidewall of the trench is not sufficiently buried with the polysilicon, with the result that a void and the like may be produced. When a void is formed, a film may be peeled off or the resistance value of the BS contact layer may be increased.
When the SS contact layer is formed not by burying polysilicon but by the epitaxial growth of silicon, a recess of sidewall of a trench may not be sufficiently bridged by the growth of silicon crystal, or alternatively, the silicon substrate or a polysilicon layer is deformed by migration of the crystal when a native oxide film is removed by hydrogen annealing.
As a relevant technique, it has been proposed to form an analogous structure to a DRAM without increasing the area by employing a gain cell having a trench structure (refer to Japanese Patent Application KOKAI No. 2002-118240).

Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same


An electrical circuit and method for switching an input voltage onto a load by way of an AC control voltage is provided. A voltage magnitude reduction circuit is configured to be driven by the AC control voltage. A rectifier circuit is operably coupled with the voltage magnitude reduction circuit. Also, a voltage limiter circuit is operably coupled with the rectifier circuit, and an energy storage circuit is operably coupled with the voltage limiter circuit. The voltage magnitude reduction circuit, the rectifier circuit, the energy storage circuit and the voltage limiter circuit cooperatively generate a switch control voltage. An electronic switching unit is then configured to switch the input voltage across the load when the switch control voltage is active. In one embodiment, the input voltage is a DC voltage generated by an AC-to-DC voltage converter circuit configured to convert an AC supply voltage to the DC voltage.

In the field of industrial hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, a mechanical valve is often employed to selectively open or close a hydraulic or pneumatic pathway or channel within the equipment. Typically, the valve is operated by way of a solenoid. In general, a solenoid includes a coiled conductor forming a cylinder, and a metallic core located within the cylinder. When the coil is energized by way of an electrical voltage, current flows through the coiled conductor, creating a magnetic field within the cylinder that induces a moving force upon the core along the long axis of the cylinder. When the energizing voltage is removed, the magnetic field is eliminated, and the related force on the core ceases.
When used in conjunction with a valve, the core may be attached to a portion of the valve, while the core is mechanically biased by a spring against a first mechanical "stop," or limit, so that the valve will remain in a first position, associated with either a closed or open state of the valve, when the solenoid is not energized. When a voltage is applied to the solenoid, the core moves to counteract the force of the spring, thereby changing the position of the valve to a second position defined by a second mechanical stop, thereby opening or closing the valve. In some applications, two or more solenoids may be employed in cooperation to open and close an associated valve.
In some hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, the valve directly acted upon by the solenoid is the primary valve of concern, termed a "direct acting valve." More typically, however, the valve acted upon by the solenoid is a "pilot valve," which allows air or liquid to pressurize a second, main valve, which then operates to force the main valve into an open or closed state.
Some solenoids are designed to be energized by a DC voltage, while others are operated via an AC voltage, depending on the particular application in which the valve is utilized. For example, some valve applications may require solenoids that accept a voltage of −24 volts DC (VDC), while others may employ solenoids that are properly energized with a line voltage of 115 volts AC (VAC) root-mean-square (RMS). Thus, a hydraulic and pneumatic equipment manufacturer may offer a range of versions of a particular valve product, with each version employing a different solenoid reactive to a particular AC or DC voltage. In so doing, the manufacturer's costs are often increased by designing, manufacturing and stocking multiple versions of valve products employing different solenoids.
Further, distribution of the voltage to the solenoid is often accomplished by way of an electrical connector or terminal strip and a printed circuit board (PCB). As a result, safety requirements, such as those specified by Underwriters Laboratories® and other safety testing organizations, necessitate larger wires or circuit traces, as well as greater spacing between traces or connection points, for larger AC voltages, such as 115 VAC, when compared to those required for smaller DC voltages, such as −24 VDC. These larger conductors and spacing typically increase the size of the PCBs and connectors, or mandate the use of the larger terminal strips, thus increasing the overall size of the valve product, and often rendering the product less desirable and more expensive to the customer.


A receiving system for audio processing includes a first demodulation unit and a second demodulation unit. The first demodulation unit is utilized for receiving an audio signal and generating a first demodulated audio signal. The second demodulation unit is utilized for selectively receiving the audio signal or the first demodulated audio signal according to a setting of a television audio system which the receiving system is applied, and generating a second demodulated audio signal.

The invention relates to receiving systems and methods for TV audio processing, and more particularly, to a receiving system complying with multiple audio standards and related method thereof. Audio stereo signal standards for TV broadcasts include Zweikanalton, also known as German Stereo or A2 Stereo, Near Instantaneous Companded Audio Multiplex (NICAM), and Multichannel Television Sound (MTS), which is also known at the BTSC standard. Standards such as Zweikanalton and NICAM rely on two separate FM carriers. The second FM carrier of Zweikanalton, for example, is transmitted on a frequency 242 kHz higher than the main FM carrier. It can carry either a completely separate audio program, or be used for stereo sound transmission. In the latter case, the first FM carrier carries L+R for compatibility, while the second carrier carries 2*R. The second carrier also contains a control tone to indicate whether the transmission is stereo or dual sound. Absence of this tone is interpreted as a monaural transmission. A receiver capable of receiving and processing signals of such two-carrier system has two sets of audio signal processing hardware for processing signals carried by the two carrier concurrently.
The MTS signal is transmitted at a designated carrier frequency as part of the composite broadcast television video. The MTS signal comprises two or more channels, a first channel, which is the main channel formed as the sum of the left and right audio signals, and can be detected by both monophonic TV receivers and stereo receivers. A second channel is formed as the difference between the left and right audio signals, and is detectable only by stereo receivers. A SAP channel is used to provide a Supplemental Audio Program (SAP) such as a second language, for example Chinese.
The MTS receiver performs two steps of demodulation, first FM (frequency modulation) demodulation, follows by AM (amplitude modulation) demodulation for stereo audio input, or FM demodulation for dual audio input. For example, an FM demodulator circuit demodulates a stereo signal and removes the FM carrier to output a composite audio signal. The composite audio signal is then coupled to a signal processing circuit that separates the various audio channels with AM demodulation. Corresponding audio signals L and R can thus be output for reproduction by the television speakers.
Vendors can hold the edge over their rivals if a solution complying with different audio standards is provided. An instinct way to satisfy different TV audio standards, say MTS and Zweikanalton, is to equip receivers with parallel audio signal processing hardware. When receiving audio channels from a Zweikanalton system, the receiver demodulates signals carried by two carriers with two audio signal processing hardware concurrently, and when receiving audio channels from a MTS system, only one signal processing hardware is occupied.
Please refer to the receiving system illustrated in FIG. 1, which is capable of receiving audio channels from a Zweikanalton system or a MTS system. The two sets of audio signal processing hardware of the receiving system in FIG. 1 operate to process audio signals carried by two carriers concurrently if it is working with the NICAM system. One of the signal processing hardware is unused if the receiving system is working with the MTS system.

Receiving systems and methods for audio processing


The polyolefin composite film is excellent in low-temperature heat sealability, heat-sealing strength and transparency, and at least has surface layer [i]//intermediate layer [iii]//core layer[i], wherein the surface layer[i]includes a propylene resin composition including 0-50 wt % of a specific propyleneα-olefin random copolymer (A) and/or a specific 1-buteneα-olefin copolymer (E), and 50-100 wt % of a propylene polymer (B) having a melting point of 120-170° C. ((A), (E) and (B) in the surface layer totals 100 wt %); the core layer [ii]includes a propylene resin composition including 70-100 wt % of a crystalline polypropylene (C) having a melting point of 150-170° C., and 0-30 wt % of the copolymer (A) ((C) and (A) in the core layer totals 100 wt %); and the intermediate layer[iii]includes a propylene resin composition including 50-95 wt % of the crystalline polypropylene (C) and 50-5 % of the polymer (B), the copolymer (A), andor the copolymer (E) ((C), (B), (A) and (E) in the intermediate layer totals 100 wt %).

As a heat-sealable polyolefin composite film conventionally used for packaging and the like, a composite film formed by laminating a polyolefin resin having a low melting point on a crystalline polypropylene surface layer is known.
For example, the following methods have been specifically proposed. A polypropylene resin composition containing 1 to 50 wt % of a propylene polymer having a melting point of not lower than 150° C., 10 to 90 wt % of a propylene copolymer having a melting point of 100° C. or higher and lower than 150° C. and 1 to 80 wt % of a propylene or 1-butene copolymer having a melting point of 40° C. or higher and lower than 100° C. is laminated as a heat-fusible layer on one side of a biaxially-stretched polypropylene film, to thereby form a stretched film (Patent Literature 1: WO2007/015415). In another example, a coating layer composed of a propylene polymer composition containing a propylene/α-olefin random copolymer having a melting point of 120 to 140° C., a propylene/a-olefin random copolymer having a melting point of 80° C. or higher and lower than 120° C., and a butene-1/α-olefin random copolymer having a melting point of 40 to 100° C. is laminated on both sides of a biaxially-stretched film mainly composed of a propylene polymer, to thereby form a over-wrap packaging film (Patent Literature 2: JP-A-2003-170554). As described above, a composition containing two or more kinds of propylene copolymers differing in melting point is used as a surface layer (heat-sealable layer).
In addition to the two-layer film, a three-layer film has also been proposed. For example, an intermediate layer is provided between a base layer which is a biaxially-stretched polypropylene film and a surface layer composed of a composition containing two or more kinds of propylene copolymers differing in melting point, the intermediate layer being composed of a composition of a propylene homopolymer and a propylene/α-olefin copolymer, to thereby provide a heat-sealable laminated polypropylene resin film (Patent Literature 3: JP-A-2005-104151, Patent Literature 4: JP-A-2005-305998). In another example, a composition of propylene homopolymer and a propylene/α-olefin copolymer is used as a base layer; a composition of a propylene homopolymer and a propylene/α-olefin copolymer is used as an intermediate layer; and a propylene/α-olefin copolymer having a melting point of not higher than 150° C. or its composition is used as a surface layer (heat-fusible layer) (Patent Literature 5: JP-A-2006-305884, Patent Literature 6: JP-A-2006-327183).
However, the heat-sealable laminated polypropylene resin film using an intermediate layer specifically proposed in Patent Literature 3 or Patent Literature 4 is inferior in heat sealability.


A light emitter board includes a substrate having a mount surface on which first and second light emitters are mountable, and at least one pixel unit on the mount surface, including a drive circuit and first and second drive lines. The first drive line as a primary line and the second drive line as a redundant line are connected in parallel to the drive circuit. The pixel unit includes, on the mount surface, first positive and negative electrode pads connectable to the first light emitter, and second positive and negative electrode pads to the second light emitter. The first positive or negative electrode pad is connected to the first drive line, and the second positive or negative electrode pad to the second drive line.

A known light emitter board includes light emitters such as micro-light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and a known self-luminous display device that eliminates a backlight device includes the light emitter board. Such a display device is described in, for example, Patent Literature 1. The known display device includes a glass substrate, scanning signal lines extending in a predetermined direction (e.g., a row direction) on the glass substrate, emission control signal lines crossing the scanning signal lines and extending in a direction (e.g., a column direction) crossing the predetermined direction, an effective area (pixel area) including multiple pixel units defined by the scanning signal lines and the emission control signal lines, and multiple light emitters located on an insulating layer. The scanning signal lines and the emission control signal lines are connected to back wiring on the back surface of the glass substrate with side wiring on a side surface of the glass substrate. The back wiring is connected to driving elements such as integrated circuits (ICs) and large-scale integration (LSI) circuits mounted on the back surface of the glass substrate. In other words, the display in the display device is driven and controlled by the driving elements on the back surface of the glass substrate. The driving elements are mounted on the back surface of the glass substrate by, for example, chip on glass (COG).
Each pixel unit includes an emission controller to control, for example, the emission or non-emission state and the light intensity of the light emitter in an emissive area. The emission controller includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) as a switch for inputting a drive signal into the light emitter and a TFT as a driving element for driving the light emitter with a current using an electric potential difference (drive signal) between a positive voltage (anode voltage of about 3 to 5 V) and a negative voltage (a cathode voltage of about −3 to 0 V) corresponding to the level (voltage) of an emission control signal (a signal transmitted through the emission control signal lines). The connection line connecting the gate electrode and the source electrode of the TFT receives a capacitor, which retains the voltage of the emission control signal input into the gate electrode of the TFT until the subsequent rewriting is performed (for a period of one frame).
The light emitter is electrically connected to the emission controller, a positive voltage input line, and a negative voltage input line with feedthrough conductors such as through-holes formed through the insulating layer located in the effective area. In other words, the positive electrode of the light emitter is connected to the positive voltage input line with one feedthrough conductor and the emission controller, and the negative electrode of the light emitter is connected to the negative voltage input line with another feedthrough conductor.
The display device also includes a frame between the effective area and the edge of the glass substrate as viewed in plan. The frame, which does not contribute to display, may receive an emission control signal line drive, a scanning signal line drive, and other components. The width of the frame is to be minimized.

Light emitter board, display device, and method for repairing display device


A novel statistical learning procedure that can be applied to many machine-learning applications is presented. Although this boosting learning procedure is described with respect to its applicability to face detection, it can be applied to speech recognition, text classification, image retrieval, document routing, online learning and medical diagnosis classification problems.

1. Technical Field
This invention is directed towards a statistical learning procedure that can be applied to many machine-learning applications such as, for example, face detection, image retrieval, speech recognition, text classification, document routing, on-line learning and medical diagnosis. Although the statistical learning procedure of the present invention is described as applied to a face detection system, the process can be used for boosting the performance of classifiers in any type of classification problem.
2. Background Art
Boosting is an approach to machine-learning classification problems that has received much attention of late. Boosting algorithms have recently become popular because they are simple, elegant, powerful and easy to implement. Boosting procedures have been used in many different applications. For instance, Fan, Stolfo and Zhang [2] introduced boosting, namely a boosting algorithm called AdaBoost, into a distributed on-line learning application. Iyer, Lewis, Schapire, Singer and Singhil [8] applied boosting to document routing, employing a boosting procedure for classifying and ranking documents in the context of Information Retrieval (IR). Moreno, Logan and Raj [13] employed a boosting classification algorithm in the confidence scoring of data in speech recognition application. They derived feature vectors from speech recognition lattices and fed them into a boosting classifier. This classifier combined hundreds of very simple 'weak learners' and derived classification rules that reduced the confidence error rate by up to 34 percent. Schapire and Singer [23] used a family of boosting algorithms to perform text and speech categorization tasks. Sebastiani, Sperduti and Valdambrini [25] also applied boosting to text categorization. Tieu and Viola [30] applied boosting to image retrieval.
In most classification problems, feature vectors are composed and fed into one or more classifiers. There are usually just a few types of features used, such as, for example, color and oriented edges found in a training image. Boosting typically combines hundreds or thousands of very simple classifiers, called 'weak learners', by using a weighted sum. A classification procedure is iteratively applied to a set of weighted feature vectors. Each weak learner is called upon to solve a sequence of learning problems. At first each feature vector is assigned an equal weight (or a weight depending on its prior probability). At each iteration, a classifier is learned and the feature vectors that are classified incorrectly have their weights increased, while those that are correctly classified have their weights decreased. That is, in each subsequent problem examples are reweighted in order to emphasize those which were incorrectly classified by the previous weak classifier. Each classifier focuses its attention on those vectors on which the previous classifier fails. The concept is that feature vectors that are difficult to classify receive more attention on subsequent iterations.
The classifier learned at each iteration is called a "weak classifier". A weak classifier is one that employs a simple learning algorithm (and hence a fewer number of features) and is not expected to classify the training data very well. Weak classifiers have the advantage of allowing for very limited amounts of processing time to classify an input. The final classifier, the "strong classifier", is formed as a weighted sum of the weak classifiers learned at each iteration. One important goal for many machine-learning applications is that the final classifiers depend only on a small number of features. A classifier which depends on a few features will be more efficient to evaluate a very large database, requiring less processing time and resources. Furthermore, the use of boosting classifiers with the choice of weak learners offers the advantage of being less sensitive to spurious features. It has been shown that the training error of a strong classifier approaches zero exponentially in the number of iterations.
It is noted that in the preceding paragraphs, as well as in the remainder of this specification, the description refers to various individual publications identified by a numeric designator contained within a pair of brackets. For example, such a reference may be identified by reciting, "reference [ ]" or simply "[1]". A listing of the publications corresponding to each designator can be found at the end of the Detailed Description section.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for boosting the performance of machine-learning classifiers


Each of the plurality of conductive plates is formed on a principal surface of each of stacked dielectric layers. Side anode electrodes are connected to positive electrodes of conductive plates, while side cathode electrodes are connected to cathodes of conductive plates. Anode electrodes are connected to the side anode electrodes. Cathode electrodes are connected to the side cathode electrodes. By passing DC currents through the positive conductive plates and cathode conductive plates so as to flow in the opposite directions, effective inductance of the positive conductive plates becomes smaller than its self-inductance. Consequently, the inductance is reduced, thereby lowering impedance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electric elements and electric circuits, and more particularly to an electric element and an electric circuit functioning as a noise filter with a wide frequency coverage and excellent high-frequency characteristics.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, digital circuit technology such as LSI (Large Scale Integrated) circuit technology is adopted in not only computers and communication-related equipment but also consumer electronics and in-vehicle equipment.
The high-frequency current produced in the LSI circuit or the like does not stay in the vicinity of the LSI circuit but flows to the wide area of a component-mounted circuit board such as a printed-circuit board. The high-frequency current then inductively couples to signal wires and grounding wires and leaks as an electromagnetic wave from signal cables or the like.
In mixed-signal circuits in which analog circuitry and digital circuitry are combined, for example, a circuit in which a part of a conventional analog circuit is replaced with a digital circuit, and a digital circuit having analog input/output, one of the serious problems is electromagnetic interference from the digital circuit to the analog circuit.
The effective solution of this problem is to separate the LSI circuit, which is a source of the high-frequency current, from a power supplying system with respect to the high frequency, that is to say a "power decoupling" technique. Known as a noise filter employing the power decoupling technique is a transmission-line type noise filter (e.g. Japanese unexamined patent application No. 2004-80773).
This transmission-line type noise filter comprises a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, a dielectric layer, a first anode and a second anode. Each first and second electrical conductor is in the form of a plate. The dielectric layer is disposed between the first and second electrical conductors.
The first anode is connected to one end of the first electrical conductor in a longitudinal direction, while the second anode is connected to the other end of the first electrical conductor in the longitudinal direction. The second electrical conductor functions as a cathode to connect to reference potential. The first electrical conductor, dielectric layer, and second electrical conductor constitute a capacitor. The thickness of the first electrical conductor is so set as to substantially prevent the temperature rise caused by a DC (direct current) component of the current flowing through the first electrical conductor.
The transmission-line type noise filter is connected between a DC power source and an LSI circuit so as to feed a DC current from the DC power source through a path made up of the first anode, the first electrical conductor and the second anode to the LSI circuit, while attenuating an AC (alternating current) current produced in the LSI circuit.
As discussed above, the transmission-line type noise filter has a structure of a capacitor, and uses the first and second electrical conductors, which are two electrodes of the capacitor, as transmission lines.


The present invention comprises a light fixture including a housing, a light source, means to secure a light source to the housing, a lens and a reflector. The reflector and lens are positioned so as to direct light from the light source onto an unlit side of the housing.. The light fixture is normally suspended from the ceiling or attached to a wall. A greater portion of the light from the light source is reflected off the ceiling or wall, whereas a smaller portion of the light from the light source is reflected off the reflector and onto the housing. After the smaller portion is reflected off the housing, the smaller portion and the larger portion are traveling in generally the same direction, thereby reducing the contrast between the housing and the ceiling or wall.. The present fixture housing is very shallow, preferably less than about 3" deep. It includes one or more side rails, with each side rail being utilized to reflect the light from the light source onto the housing with a first reflector and to alter other diffuse lighting characteristics with a lens, perforated metal, or a second reflector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to light fixtures, and more particularly relates to indirect light fixtures. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an indirect light fixture in which a portion of the light is directed toward the underside of the fixture housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ever since the invention by Thomas Edison of the light bulb in 1879 and the subsequent expiration of the Edison patent in 1894, people have been searching for better electric lighting. One step forward was the invention of the fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamp introduced a light source that radiated significantly less heat and could be operated at a lower cost than the before known incandescent light bulbs. Fluorescent lamps are the prevalent light source in office and educational environments today.
However, many types of lighting systems with fluorescent lamps have been identified as causing excessive glare in the normal viewing range. With the advent of the computer monitor screen, or video display terminal (VDT), the problem of glare reflected in the VDT screen has also become an issue and is a common complaint in today's business and educational environment. Most VDT screens are adjustable and have a surface that reflects the surrounding walls and ceiling. The glare is created by the background brightness contrast, seen as distracting and disabling patches on the screen.
In response to the problem of excessive contrast glare from direct luminaires, indirect lighting has been used extensively in VDT work spaces. For some time, indirect luminaires have been recognized as providing more comfortable lighting in areas where glare can be a problem. Specifically, these products are able to provide uniform low glare ambient illumination by shielding the lamp from direct view, and directing the fixture output towards room surfaces, usually the ceiling and upper walls, creating a larger and less intense emanation of reflected brightness onto work surfaces. As its use has become more prevalent, several disadvantages have been associated with indirect lighting, in spite of its inherent benefits. Although it provides a well-lighted environment, indirect lighting often gives the occupants the perception they are working in a gloomy space, commonly known as the cloudy day effect. The absence of a visual light source creates this impression of a flat and dull room atmosphere. Attempts to alleviate this effect have included product designs with side lenses and other light transmitting techniques to stimulate visual interest.
This approach is a partial solution at best. Because areas of contrast, regardless of whether they are dark or light, are distracting when reflected in a VDT screen, the dark spots caused by the housing of an indirect lighting luminaire silhouetted against the light-reflecting surface are just as undesirable as direct glare. Low ceilings and suspension of fixtures close to the ceiling only serve to exacerbate this effect by making the contrast greater. Prior art fails to address this design deficiency.
An indirect lighting fixture that is suitable for low ceiling applications while providing a comfortable visible source of brightness and reduced contrast would provide a unique solution to the problems associated with prior art luminaires.
The prior art fails to solve the problem of providing a low contrast indirect light fixture.
The prior art also fails to solve the problem of utilizing a shallow housing while simultaneously providing the reduced contrast and low glare benefits of indirect lighting.


In a gesture detection method for a touchpad, various gestures such as tap, drag and double tap are determined by operating an object to touch on the touchpad, leave from the touchpad, and move on the touchpad.

Capacitive touchpad is an input device that allows user to slide his finger on a smooth panel thereof for cursor movement control. Because of its very small thickness, capacitive touchpad can be designed in slim notebooks, keyboards, digital media players and other devices, and moreover, due to its non-mechanical design it is virtually maintenance free.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional two-dimensional capacitive touchpad 100, which comprises a panel 102, a Y-axial sensing layer 104, an insulating layer 106, an X-axial sensing layer 108, and a bottom plate 110. When a finger 112 touches on the panel 102, the sensed value (in capacitance) on the touched position will varies, and the control circuit connected to the touchpad 100 can convert the capacitance on the touchpad 100 to a sensed value as shown in FIG. 2, by which the position where the finger 112 touches and the moving distance and the moving direction of the finger 112 can be determined. Conventionally, there are two methods to determine whether an object touches on the touchpad 100. In the first method, the sensed value on the touchpad 100 is used to determine if an object touches on the touchpad 100 by the way as shown in FIG. 3. When the sensed value is greater than a threshold th, it is determined that an object touches on the touchpad 100, and on the contrary, when the sensed value is less than the threshold th, it is determined that the object leaves the touchpad 100 or no object touches on the touchpad 100. In the second method, the cumulative sensed value on the touchpad 100 is used to determine if an object touches on the touchpad 100 by the way as shown in FIG. 4, by which, if the cumulative sensed value is greater than a threshold th, it is determined that an object touches on the touchpad 100, otherwise it is determined that the object leaves the touchpad 100 or no object touches on the touchpad 100. However, these two detection methods might be interfered by external noises, which will cause erroneous determination and accordingly operation that is not desired or predicted. Moreover, the operations of tap, drag, double tap and other gestures on the touchpad 100 are determined based on the time relationship when an object is operated to touch on the touchpad 100, leave from the touchpad 100, and move on the touchpad 100, and thus, for a user using the touchpad 100 first time or being unfamiliar with operating the touchpad 100, the action might not be so definite that the touchpad 100 will detect thereto incorrectly and cause inconvenient use.
Therefore, there is a need of a detection method for a touchpad that will avoid noise to interfere the operation of the touchpad and have the touchpad to be easy to operate therewith.

Method for gesture detection on a touchpad


A back-light driving circuit controlling red (R), green (G), and blue (B) back lights providing light to a liquid crystal panel in a field sequential liquid crystal display. The back-light driving circuit includes a driving voltage generator that provides a driving voltage to each of the R, G, and B back-lights to cause them to emit light having a predetermined luminance. The back-light driving circuit also includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator for providing a PWM signal to each of the R, G, and B back-lights to control the chromaticity of the light emitted from each back-light. The driving voltages and/or PWM signals provided to each of the R, G, and B back-lights are catered to the particular characteristics of the corresponding back-light to cause them to emit color having a desired luminance and/or chromaticity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a field sequential liquid crystal display (FS-LCD), and more particularly, to an LCD capable of obtaining desired chromaticity and luminance regardless of a driving current distribution of a light emitting diode (LED).
2. Description of Related Art
A color LCD generally includes a liquid crystal panel having an upper substrate, a lower substrate, and a liquid crystal injected between the upper and lower substrates. The color LCD further includes a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal panel, and a back-light for providing white light to the liquid crystal. Such an LCD may be mainly classified into a red (R), green (G), blue (B) color filter type or a color field sequential driving type depending on its driving mechanism.
In the color filter type LCD, a single pixel is divided into R, G, and B subpixels, and R, G, and B color filters are respectively arranged in the R, G, and B subpixels. Light is transmitted from a single back-light to the R, G, and B color filters through the liquid crystal allowing a color image to be displayed.
On the other hand, a color FS-LCD includes R, G, and B back-lights that are arranged in a single pixel that is not divided into R, G, and B subpixels. The light of the three primary colors is provided from the R, G, and B back-lights to the single pixel through the liquid crystal so that each of the three primary colors are sequentially displayed in a time-sharing, multiplexed manner, allowing the display of a color image using a residual image effect.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a configuration of a typical color FS-LCD.
Referring to FIG. 1, the FS-LCD includes a liquid crystal panel 100 having a lower substrate 101 in which a thin film transistor (TFT) array (not shown) for switching is arranged to be connected to a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of common lines. The liquid crystal panel also includes an upper substrate 103 in which a common electrode (not shown) is formed to provide a common voltage to the common lines. The liquid crystal panel further includes a liquid crystal (not shown) injected between the upper and lower substrates.
The FS-LCD further includes a gate line driving circuit 110 for providing scan signals to the plurality of gate lines of the liquid crystal panel 100, a data line driving circuit 120 for providing R, G, and B data signals to the data lines, and a back-light system 130 for providing light corresponding to three primary colors, namely, R, G, and B colors, to the liquid crystal panel 100.
The back-light system 130 includes three back-lights 131, 133, and 135 respectively providing R, G, and B light, and a light guide plate 137 providing the R, G, and B light respectively emitted from the R, G, and B back-lights 131, 133, and 135, to the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel 100.
Typically, a time interval of a single frame driven at 60 Hz is 16.7 ms ( 1/60 s). When the single frame is divided into three subframes, as is the case for the FS-LCD, each subframe has a time interval of 5.56 ms ( 1/180 s). The time interval of one subframe is short enough to prevent its field change to be perceived by the human eye. Accordingly, the human eye sees the three subframes during the time interval of 16.7 ms as a single frame, resulting in the recognition of a composite color formed by the three primary colors to display the image.
Therefore, the field sequential driving mode may achieve about three times more resolution as the color filter mode for a same-sized panel, increase light efficiency because no color filter is used, and achieve the same color reproduction as a color television set and achieve a high speed of moving picture. However, because the field sequential driving mode divides one frame into three sub-frames, it requires fast operating characteristics. That is, the field sequential driving mode requires a driving frequency of about six times the driving frequency of the color filter driving mode.
In order for the liquid crystal display to obtain the fast operating characteristics, a response speed of the liquid crystal should be fast and a corresponding switching speed for turning the R, G, and B back-lights on and off should also be relatively fast.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a back-light driving circuit used in the FS-LCD of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 2, a conventional back-light driving circuit includes a back-light 200 including R, G, and B back-lights 201, 203, and 205, for sequentially emitting R, G, and B light, and a driving voltage generator 210 for providing a driving voltage VLED of a same level to the R, G, and B back-lights 201, 203 and 205.
The R back-light 201 includes two R light emitting diodes (RLED1 and RLED2) serially connected for emitting R light. The G back-light 203 includes one G light emitting diode (GLED1) for emitting G light. The B back-light 205 includes two B light emitting diodes (BLED1 and BLED2) connected in parallel for emitting B light.
The driving voltage generator 210 provides the driving voltage (VLED) of the same level to all of the R, G, and B back-lights 201, 203 and 205 forming the back-light 200. The driving voltage (VLED) is provided to an anode electrode of the R light emitting diode (RLED1) in the R back-light 201, to an anode electrode of the G light emitting diode (GLED1) in the G back-light 203, and to anode electrodes of the two B light emitting diodes (BLED1, BLED2) in the B back-light 205.
The conventional back-light driving circuit further includes a luminance adjuster 208 serially connected between the back-lights 201, 203, and 205 and the ground for adjusting luminance of light emitted from the back-light 200. The luminance adjuster 208 includes a first variable resistor (RVR) connected between a cathode electrode of the R light emitting diode (RLED2) in the R back-light 201 and the ground for adjusting luminance of light emitted from the R back-light 201, a second variable resistor (GVR) connected between a cathode electrode of the G light emitting diode (GLED1) in the G back-light 203 and the ground for adjusting luminance of light emitted from the G back-light 203, and a third variable resistor (BVR) connected between the cathode electrodes of the two B light emitting diodes (BLED1, BLED2) in the B back-light 205 and the ground for adjusting luminance of light emitted from the B back-light 205.
Conventionally, although forward driving voltages (RVf, GVf and BVf) of the light emitting diodes (RLED, GLED and BLED) in the R, G and B back-lights 201, 203 and 205 are different from one another, the same driving voltage, for example, 4V is provided to the R, G and B back-lights 201, 203 and 205 from the driving voltage generator 210. For example, the R light emitting diode (RLED) requires a forward driving voltage (RVf) of 2.2 V. The G light emitting diode (GLED) requires a forward driving voltage (GVf) of 3.3 V. The B light emitting diode (BLED) requires a forward driving voltage (BVf) of 3.4 V.
Conventionally, since all the R, G and B back-lights 201, 203 and 205 are provided with the same driving voltage (VLED) of 4V, when trying to drive the R light emitting diodes (RLED1 and RLED2), the R light emitting diodes (RLED1 and RLED2) are applied with a forward driving voltage (RVf) of 2.2V through the first variable resistor (RVR) to adjust luminance of light emitted from the R back-light 201.
When trying to drive the G light emitting diode (GLED1), the G light emitting diode (GLED1) is applied with a forward driving voltage (GVf) of 3.3V through the second variable resistor (GVR) to adjust luminance of light emitted from the G back-light 203. Furthermore, when trying to drive the B light emitting diodes (BLED1 and BLED2), the B light emitting diodes (BLED1 and BLED2) are provided with a forward driving voltage (BVf) of 3.4V through the third variable resistor (BVR) to adjust luminance of light emitted from the B back-light 205.
Therefore, the conventional back-light driving circuit as described above is provided with the same driving voltage of 4V, regardless of whether the R, G and B light emitting diodes are driven with driving voltages that differ from one another. Since the R, G, and B light emitting diodes are provided with the same driving voltage during the three sub-frames of a single frame used to drive the R, G and B light emitting diodes, power consumption is increased. Furthermore, the driving voltage generating circuit according to conventional mechanisms needs to generate a driving voltage that generally corresponds to the largest voltage of the driving voltages required for the R, G and B light emitting diodes.
Another problem is that the forward driving voltages provided to the R, G and B light emitting diodes in each sub-frame need to be manually adjusted using the variable resistors. When distribution of driving currents of the light emitting diodes is large, it is difficult to provide the forward driving voltages suitable for the respective R, G and B light emitting diodes by only manually adjusting them using the variable resistors.

Back-light driving circuit in field sequential liquid crystal display


A cutting tool including a cutter body and a locking screw. The cutter body has one or more pockets for receiving one or more cutting inserts and at least one channel for delivering coolant from a milling machine to the cutting inserts.

A conventional cutting tool holder holds a cutting insert. During a machining operation, the cutting insert becomes heated. The heat spreads quickly through the cutting insert. The cutting insert, which is generally formed of cemented carbide, reaches, in a very short time, a range of temperatures within which the resistance to plastic deformation of the cutting insert material decreases. When large cutting forces act on the cutting insert, this phenomenon entails a risk that the cutting insert will be subject to plastic deformation, in particular, in the proximity of the cutting edge, where insert breakage can result. In order to diminish the risk of plastic deformation, an efficient system for cooling the cutting insert is required, whereby the working temperature of the insert can be regulated within desired limits. Generally, the cutting insert and the surrounding so-called cutting zone, are cooled by a coolant, in fluid form, that is led from outside the tool holder to flow towards the area where the heat is generated. An example of such fluid flow is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,045,300 and 6,299,388. Such a supply of coolant has been generally arranged from above and directed downwardly towards the cutting insert and the chips, which are broken against a chip breaking upper side of the cutting insert. This method of supply, however, results in only a very limited amount of the coolant having any practical affect on the cutting insert. That is, because of the presence of the chips, the cutting edge is only exposed to the coolant to a very limited degree.
Another means of supplying coolant in fluid form is to steer the medium in a direction between the chip breaking surface of the cutting insert and the chip itself, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,200. However, when the cooling liquid is applied at normal pressures, this procedure does not result in any significant improvement in cooling effect compared to the aforementioned methods because the cooling liquid does not reach that part of the cutting insert which is hottest and which is exposed to the greatest mechanical load. Thus, a clear risk exists of the cutting insert becoming plastic because of excessively high temperatures. The effect of the cooling can certainly be increased considerably by increasing the pressure of the cooling liquid to very high levels but the equipment required to raise the cooling liquid pressure to this level is very complicated and expensive. Working with extremely high fluid pressure is furthermore, in practice, is undesirable.
In order to overcome the problem indicated above it has been proposed that the cutting insert itself be cooled from within, with the prime aim of holding the temperature in the cutting insert at such a low level that the risk of plastic deformation is for all intents and purposes eliminated. Several different solutions to the problem of how to internally cool cutting inserts have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,633 describes a cutting insert which comprises two identical, partial bodies which are sintered together in such a way as to form internal, open channels through which the coolant can flow. German Patent No. 3,004,166 describes a cutting insert with a transverse hole through which a coolant can pass from an underlying shim in the direction towards a separate cover plate on the upper side of the cutting insert in order to be finally directed towards the cutting edge of the insert. French Patent No. 2,244,590 describes a cutting insert with a transverse channel for the coolant which extends from the underside of the cutting insert to the upper side where it discharges in the immediate vicinity of the cutting insert's cutting edge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,327 describes a cutting insert having an open groove disposed in the clearance surface of the cutting insert for the transport of a coolant from a channel in the corresponding tool holder in the direction of the cutting insert edge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,894 describes a cutting insert with a transverse, open channel for cooling liquid which terminates in an opening on the upper side of the cutting insert.
Common to all the solutions to the problem indicated above, which are based on transverse or open channels or grooves for feeding the coolant, is that the channels weaken the cutting insert in the cutting edge area and there is a risk that the channels will be blocked by the hot material of the chip which sticks to the insert surface. Furthermore, the existence of the channels or grooves limits the possibilities to design the cutting insert with an optimal chip breaker geometry.
It should also be mentioned that U.S. Pat. No. 3,571,877 describes a cutting insert with an internal cavity in which a coolant can circulate. However, this cavity weakens the cutting insert to such a large degree that its use is not practical when exposed to typical cutting forces.
It is desirable in the machine tool art to be able to provide an improved cutting tool with an internal cavity in which a coolant can circulate without weakening the cutting tool. This would result in a longer life for the insert.

Tool holder with integral coolant channel and locking screw therefor


A control system and method for a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for allowing operator request for direct shifts into a preselected default start ratio (GR.sub.DS) or into a dynamic best gear ratio (GR.sub.DB) under certain predefined conditions. The dynamic best gear ratio, under at least certain vehicle operating conditions, is the higher of a test best gear ratio (GR.sub.TB =ES.sub.TARGET /OS), determined as a function of vehicle speed (OS) and a target engine speed (ES.sub.TARGET), or the default start ratio.

RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to U.S. patent applications, Ser. Nos. 08/329,818 filed Oct. 27, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,628, and 08/511,122 filed Aug. 4, 1995, both assigned to the assignee of this application, EATON CORPORATION. This application is related to British Patent Applications No. 9600674.7 filed Jan. 12, 1996, and No. 9602362.7 filed Feb. 6, 1996, both entitled DYNAMIC BEST GEAR SELECTION FOR AUTOMATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

Dynamic best gear selection for automated transmission system


A method for identifying record segments that are to be stored for subsequent access and linking within other records. The method includes earmarking a record segment with a data reference and thereafter storing an address corresponding to the earmarked segment along with the data reference so thereafter when the data reference is recognized within another record, a link can be made between the data reference in the other record and the record segment stored at the address associated therewith.

The present invention relates to the collection, storage and retrieval of data on computer systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for specifying address formats and rule sets for creating address formats for use throughout an information enterprise which facilitate automatic address building and storage for collected records and automatic generation of hyperlinks to stored records via database literate processors.
An exemplary information enterprise includes at least one database (DB), information collecting devices (ICDs) for collecting information to form data records for storage on the DB and one or more processors linked to the DB for running application programs which access and manipulate DB records. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/170,169 (hereinafter "the '169 application") entitled "Data Collection Device and System," which is commonly owned by the applicant of this application, describes several remote ICD types which collect information and provide the information and corresponding addresses to a DB for storage. For the purposes of this explanation ICDs may also include stationary computers or the like for data entry. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/247,349 (hereinafter "the '349 application) entitled "Method and System for Automated Data Storage and Retrieval" which is commonly owned by the applicant of this application, describes a database literate processor application program which automatically builds database addresses for forming hyperlinks between data references to records and the records referenced by the data references. The '349 application also teaches processors which receive information sets and based on set content, generate DB addresses for the sets and store the information sets at the generated addresses. Although the invention may be used with other application programs, to simplify this explanation the invention will be described in the context of the DB literate processor program referenced above. Hereafter DB literate processor is taken to mean any of several different types of data processors including a word processor, a spread sheet, a data entry form and so on.
The proliferation of information systems throughout all aspects of business and personal life is a clear sign that society has recognized the advantages associated with such systems. Nevertheless, conventional information systems are plagued by a number of important shortcomings which render systems difficult to use and therefore, in many cases, underutilized.
First, in most cases it is extremely difficult to develop and maintain an entire information system which is completely information compatible. Information compatibility means that when a record and a corresponding address are provided to the DB for storage, the record information is arranged in a record format required by the DB and the record address is in an address format required by the DB. Information compatibility also means that when a DB literate program identifies a DB record in a record request, the request includes an address format which is recognizable by the DB.
Generally there are two ways to facilitate information compatibility. First, each ICD program and DB literate program may be programmed to provide records and respective storage addresses in record formats and address formats required by the DB. Second, an intermediate computer may be provided which receives information from ICDs and DB literate programs and uses the received information to generate records and respective storage addresses which comport with required DB record and address formats. The intermediate computer effectively operates as a translator between the ICDs and DB literate programs on one hand and the DB on the other hand.
In either case, after a DB characterized by record formats and address formats has been defined, additional custom programming has to be done to support information compatibility. In systems which do not include an intermediate computer, each ICD program and DB literate program has to be programmed to support information compatibility. In the case of an ICD program, this means that the program can recognize information required to form a record and an address, can identify the required information and can assemble the address and record for delivery to the DB. In the case of a DB literate program, this means that the program can recognize a reference to a stored record, can recognize information required to form an address for the referenced record, can identify the required information and can assemble an address for the referenced record. In systems which include an intermediate computer, the computer has to be programmed to receive information from the ICDs and application programs, recognize information required to form a record and/or an address, identify the required information and assemble the record and/or address for delivery to the DB.
Thus, programming an ICD, a DB literate program, or an intermediate computer requires provision of DB address formats and record formats and rule sets for identifying required information to instantiate the formats, rule sets for how to use the identified information to instantiate the formats often including specific information forms and rules for converting the identified information into the specific information forms.
Therefore, conventional systems for defining DB address formats and record formats require at least two programming steps to facilitate information compatibility including DB definition and additional programming of either ICD programs and DB literate programs or additional programming of an intermediate computer.
While two step programming is not particularly difficult where ICDs and application programs are only used with one DB and where the DB only supports one record format and one address format, most information systems include several DBs and each DB typically supports several different record formats and address formats. In addition, most information systems also include many different ICD and application program types, each of which may internally format information in a unique manner and may provide information to an intermediate computer in a unique configuration. These different ICD and application program types further increase programming complexity.
This smorgasbord of different DBs, record formats, address formats, ICD types and application program types is due to the evolutionary nature of information systems generally. Typically information systems grow and expand along with the businesses they serve. For example, an initial system may include one type of ICD and a single application, each of which is supportable by a single programming language. As technology evolves a second ICD type may be developed and added to the system, the second ICD type having to be programmed for DB information compatibility and so on. Similarly, as a business expands, database requirements eventually exceed existing capacity and additional DBs have to be added to the information system. Many times a new DB requires different record formats and address formats. In addition, often different ICDs and applications only support a vendors proprietary software and record and addressing formats.
The second shortcoming of conventional information systems is related closely to the first and is that highly skilled programmers are typically required to facilitate information compatible programming. This is because such programming requires an intimate knowledge of DB record formats and address formats and the form in which ICDs internally store information. In addition, in systems which do not include an intermediate computer, the programmer must have knowledge about the ICD and DB literate program programming languages. In systems which have an intermediate computer the programmer must have knowledge about the intermediate computers programming language. The task of programming is further exacerbated in most cases as most information systems include many different ICD types, application program types and DBs having unique programming characteristics as described above.
Third, modifications to information systems are relatively difficult to implement. Consider the case where a new record format and a new address format are added to a DB or the case where an entirely new DB is added to an information system where the new DB requires new address formats and record formats. In either of these two cases additional customizing programming is required. In systems which do not include an intermediate computer each ICD program and each DB literate program has to be modified to accommodate the new DB record format(s) and address format(s). Also, new rule sets for identifying required information and for instantiating address formats and record formats have to be provided to each ICD and each DB literate program. In systems which include an intermediate computer the intermediate computer has to be reprogrammed to accommodate the new DB record format(s) and address format(s).
Fourth, because highly skilled programmers are required to support and maintain an information system and many businesses do not employ such programmers, often, despite a systems ability to support additional information gathering, storage, retrieval and processing capabilities, a business will not take advantage of such additional capabilities.
For example, in a medical facility ICDs including bar code readers may routinely be used to memorialize physician visits to patients. With a bar coded bracelet on each patient, at the beginning of each patient visit a physician may be required to use the ICD to read the patient's information from the bracelet. The ICD then generates a record including date, time, patient ID, physician ID and so on documenting a patient encounter. The ICD also generates a record address and, when downloaded to a DB, the DB stores the record at the corresponding address.
In this case, it may be advantageous to use the same bar code reading ICD to track other facility information. For example, facility equipment may be bar coded to track location of mobile equipment, medication containers may be bar coded when filled to track dispensation and so on. If the ICDs are used to track equipment location without custom programming equipment locations will be mistaken for patient encounters. Thus, custom programming is required. In this case, while the ICD may be ideal for other facility purposes, the programming task required to support these other capabilities may be prohibitively complex and therefore the additional capabilities may never be realized.
Fifth, especially in systems which include a large number of different devices, applications and DBS, program errors are extremely likely and, unfortunately, because of system complexity debugging is extremely difficult. For example, in the case of an ICD which generates both a data record and a corresponding address for the record from an information set and then downloads the record/address to a DB for storage, if a new record/address format pair is to be supported and each of the ICD and DB have to be programmed to support the new format separately, errors or incompatibilities between the DB and ICD are likely and identifying the errors would be difficult at best.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus which could be used to simplify the process of programming all of the components of an information system such that complete information compatibility can be achieved through a single programming process. It would also be advantageous if such a method and/or apparatus could ensure information compatibility.

Method for storing records at easily accessible addresses


The invention provides fascia for a motor vehicle having a component mounting integrally molded to the fascia for holding and securing a component therein, the component mounting includes a containing portion having a through-hole for housing the component and for allowing the component to communicate therethrough, the containing portion being integrally molded to the fascia, and fastening means for securing the component in the component mounting, wherein the component mounting is designed for mounting the component from a side opposite to the show surface of the fascia. The fascia is made from a thermoplastic material having sufficient rigidity to maintain a positioning of the component and/or a continuity of a coating applied to at least a show surface of the fascia.

Sensors, such as ultrasound transducers or other electromagnetic sensors, are increasingly being placed in the fascia of motor vehicles for use with distance warning equipment, parking aids, and similar equipment. For example, positioning sensors, such as rear park assist sensors, are being used to detect objects via ultrasonic transducers. An audible beep reference to the proximity of the object to the fascia notifies the driver. As the beeps become closer together, the distance between the fascia and an object shortens.
Considering that these sensors are within an impact zone, their design must be robust, permanent, and repeatable, making tolerances for location, fit, and finish very tight. Thus, the sensors must be mounted such that when the fascias of vehicles are affected, especially by mechanical shock, any loosening or drop-out is prevented.
Typically sensors are value added components sub-assembled into the fascia. At present, secondary bracket(s) are snapped, adhered, or sonically welded to the fascia. In some instances it is necessary to punch out a hole(s) for an attachment of a sensor bracket(s) either before or after the fascias are painted.
The prior art methods of bracket attachments on fascias are mechanically attached or sonically welded to the fascia due to design requirements or quality considerations.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art modular mounting device for installation in the bumper 1 of a motor vehicle as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,774. The device includes a sensor bracket 3 that is configured to be tube-shaped and has an end face that is configured as a collar 3a. The bracket 3, at this end face 3a, is attached to a suitable bore 2 in the bumper 1 from the rear side of the bumper 1. For purposes of attachment, conventional joining technologies can be used such as adhesives, welding, or bolts. After the bracket 3 is attached to the bumper 1, an ultrasonic sensor 6 is installed from the rear into bracket 3 until the head piece 7 of sensor 6 in its end face rests roughly flush with the adjoining exterior surface of bumper 1.
Another mounting for a sensor to a bumper of an automobile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,366. The mounting is composed of two parts, a first part is cast onto the bumper and then a second part is connected to the first part such that it cannot be detached.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art modular mounting device for installation in the bumper 1 of a motor vehicle as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,774. The device includes a sensor bracket 3 that is configured to be tube-shaped and has an end face that is configured as a collar 3a. The bracket 3, at this end face 3a, is attached to a suitable bore 2 in the bumper 1 from the rear side of the bumper 1. For purposes of attachment, conventional joining technologies can be used such as adhesives, welding, or bolts. After the bracket 3 is attached to the bumper 1, an ultrasonic sensor 6 is installed from the rear into bracket 3 until the head piece 7 of sensor 6 in its end face rests roughly flush with the adjoining exterior surface of bumper 1.
Another mounting for a sensor to a bumper of a automobile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,366. The mounting is composed of two parts, a first part is cast onto the bumper and then a second part is connected to the first part such that it cannot be detached.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,161 to Wild et al. discloses yet another mounting for attaching a component to the bumper of a car wherein two flexible tongues are injection molded at their feet onto the bumper. These tongues are resilient and are perpendicular to the surface of the bumper at the opening which receives the component. The tongues can be molded with the bumper or molded in place. However, in order to provide sufficient support for the component attached to the tongues an additional mounting component is necessary, in the form of a bridge. The bridge joins the tongues together in their base area. This bridge makes the mounting stable and holds the component in its position in the bumper.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,178 to Dutot et al. discloses a fitting of signal units or lamp mountings or holders, such as direction indicators, flashing lamps, or side lamps, on a motor vehicle. These units are adapted to be inserted into the bumper section from a show surface of the bumper of the vehicle. The bumper section is made from a flexible moulded material, such as rubber, to constitute at least part of the mounting for these luminous devices. The rubber material of the mounting expands substantially to engulf the optical units to retain them in the bumper section. However, it is difficult to provide a coating, such as a paint coating, a clear coat, or a metal plating, on a rubber bumper section. Rubber is a flexible material and a coating supplied on a rubber part would likely craze when the rubber is flexed. However, the mounting disclosed by Dutot et al. requires the flexibility of the rubber to mount the signal units in the bumper section.
The disadvantages of the described prior art mountings are cost, added components, and added operations involved in producing the parts and potential failures of bonded joints.
At present, there is a need for a mounting design that is more reliable and less obvious in the fascia than current styles that are mechanically assembled with bezels and snap rings. It is desirable to provide a component mounting for mounting components into a fascia of a motor vehicle that can be supplied with a coating.
It is desirable to provide a more cost effective component mounting to the fascia of automobiles.
It is further desirable to provide a mounting for components to the fascia of automobiles that reduces added components.
Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a mounting that is integrally molded to the fascia of an automobile.

Fascia for a motor vehicle with integral component mounting and a method of making the same


An information processor that is connected to at least one other information processor via a network, includes a detecting unit that detects an optional device to be used for information processing, as a target optional device, installed on the other information processor, an issuing unit that issues an access request to use the target optional device to the other information processor, a receiving unit that receives an access permission for access to the target optional device from the other information processor, and a processing unit that performs the information processing with the target optional device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an information processor such as a digital copier and a Multifunction Product (MFP) that processes, for example, image data, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus is used as an interface between devices as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. However, due to racing, skew, etc., a parallel PCI bus cannot provide a high data transfer rate sufficient for use in an image-forming device required to operate at a high speed and also to produce high quality images. Therefore, high-speed serial interfaces such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface and Universal Serial Bus (USB) are now studied to be used instead of the parallel PCI bus. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-016382 has proposed a technique using a high-speed serial interface such as the IEEE 1394 interface or the USB as an internal interface.
As another high-speed serial interface, the PCI Express (trademark), which is a successive version of the PCI bus, has been proposed and is now available for the practical use. Reference may be had to, for example, an article by Takashi Satomi "Outline of the PCI Express standard" taken from journal "Interface", July 2003. A PCI Express system is configured as a data communications network with a tree structure, including a root complex, a switch, and devices as shown in FIG. 1 of the article.
Information processors such as the MFP have an option slot that allows for a variety of functions according to necessity in addition to the basic components including a scanner and a plotter. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 34, optional boards for all necessary functions are installed in the option slot in, for example, an internal bus of the information processor. A plurality of information processors each having a different optional board can be used to enable a user to select the suitable one according to the purpose.
However, if optional boards for all necessary functions are installed in each information processor as shown in FIG. 34, the information processor requires higher costs.
To use a plurality of information processors each having a different optional board, the user is forced to conduct cumbersome operations, such as walking to a place where installed is an information processor with an optional board having a function which the user needs, moving each information processor to another place, or installing a plurality of drivers for connecting a computer and switching the drivers.
In addition, the information processor like the MFP that includes, for example, a scanner, a plotter, and a controller further includes a storing device such as a memory or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for temporarily storing a large amount of image data. The storing device is used for storing backup data for jam recovery on printing by the plotter, and image data for a plurality of pages on integrated printing, electronic sorting, or producing a composite image.
The larger the capacity of the storing device, the more image data the image processing device can process at a time. In other words, by increasing the capacity of the storing device, the performance of the information processor, such as integrated printing, can be enhanced. Therefore, to acquire a higher processing performance, an extra HDD or memory is added to an information processor.
However, an increase in the capacity of the storing device by adding a memory and a HDD results in higher cost of the information processor. Besides, the number of memories which can be added to one information processor is limited depending on the number of expansion slots available or a free space.

Information processor configured to detect available space in a storage in another information processor