The invention relates to a computer implemented process for fixing hold time violations in hierarchical designs of electronic circuits. The process comprises the steps of:. 1) synthesizing a RTL-HDL type description of the circuit to form a synthesized design, PA1 2) synthesizing a clock tree and adding it to the synthesized design produced in step 1, PA1 3) optimizing the synthesized design resulting from step 2, and fixing upper-bounded timing constraints by using a real clock timing (latency and skew) and worst case conditions, PA1 4) fixing lower-bounded timing violations in the optimized synthesized design resulting from step 3, using a real clock timing, using best case conditions, PA1 5) re-fixing possible upper-bounded timing constraints newly created and possible upper-bounded timing constraints increased in step 4, PA1 6) fixing post-layout upper-bounded timing violations.

Hold time violations are to be found in industrial designs for different reasons. For instance, in a shift register, hold time violations occur when the clock skew is bigger than the clock-to-data output pin-to-pin timing of some flip-flops. As an example FIG. 1A shows a shift register comprising two flip-flops 10 and 12. In this FIG. 1A a clock skew is modeled as a delay cell 14.
In multiphase designs, hold time violations occur when some phase conditions are not respected between the different clocks. Such a case is shown in FIG. 2A in which two different clock signals ck.sub.1 and ck.sub.2 are provided to flip-flops 11 and 13. Hold time violations also occur on external input connectors to internal register timing paths when these paths are smaller than the clock latency, defined as the delay between the external clock connector and the register clock connector. Such a case is shown in FIG. 3a in which the delay is modeled as delay cell 16 which delays a clock signal provided to a sequential gate 18.
Generally hold time violations can be fixed, i.e. eliminated, by working on the clock network or on the clock itself. For instance, the hold time violation present in the shift register of FIG. 1A can be fixed by reducing the clock skew below the flip-flop clock-to-data output pin-to-pin timing by using a clock tree synthesis tool. Such a synthesis tool is described for example in "A Hierarchical Clock Tree Synthesizer," written by A. Ginetti et al. in "EuroAsic 94," Paris, hereinafter "document (1)". The hold time violations due to the bad clock phase difference ck.sub.2 -ck.sub.1 of FIG. 2A can be fixed by revisiting the clock wave forms, or by delaying one of the clocks inside the design. The hold time violations introduced by the too long clock latency can be overcome by using a very fast clock tree (see document (1)) or by using a giant pad buffer or even by using a PLL (Phase Locked Loop). Unfortunately all these solutions have their limitations: for instance, it is impossible to decrease the clock skew below a certain level, or some giant pad buffers are too slow to drive thousands of flip-flops, and PLL are not always available.
Hold time violations can also be fixed by working on the data signals, or more exactly by slowing down these data signals: for instance, the hold time violation introduced by the clock skew in the shift register of FIG. 1A can be fixed by slowing down the signal creating this violation. FIG. 1B shows an example in which the violation is fixed by a delay cell connected between the data output connector of flip-flop 10 and the data input connector of flip-flop 12. The same solution applies for fixing the hold time violation present in the multiphase design of FIG. 2A and the one introduced by the big clock latency 16 in the case of FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B delay cells 22 and 24 have respectively been introduced in the designs of FIGS. 2A and 3A.
For a better understanding of the following sections, the meaning of a timing constraint is hereafter briefly explained.
A timing constraint is a way to specify a delay between nodes in a design. The specified delay can be a minimum delay or a maximum delay. When the specified delay is a minimum delay, one speaks of minDelay timing constraint or lower-bounded timing constraint. When the specified delay is a maximum delay, one speaks of maxDelay timing constraint or upper-bounded timing constraint.
More accurately, a maxDelay timing constraint is composed of:
a set of input nodes; PA1 a set of output nodes; PA1 for each input node, a signal maximum arrival time, that is the latest time at which the signal is available on that node; PA1 for each output node, a signal maximum required time, that is the latest time at which the signal should be available on that node; and, a minDelay timing constraint is composed of: PA1 a set of input nodes; PA1 a set of output nodes; PA1 for each input node, a signal minimum arrival time, that is the earliest time at which the signal is available on that node; PA1 for each output node, a signal minimum required time, that is the earliest time at which the signal should be available on that node. PA1 for checking that a design meets certain performance requirements; PA1 for guiding performance driven optimization tools. PA1 the environment world of a design usually imposes arrival times on external input connectors and required times on output connectors; PA1 the clock frequency and phase usually imposes arrival times on sequential element data output and required time on sequential element data input connectors; PA1 a desired clock latency usually imposes arrival times (respectively required times) on the clock network input node (respectively output nodes). PA1 ff1 will be called the master flip-flop; PA1 ff2 will be called the slave flip-flop; PA1 ck1 will be called the master clock; PA1 ck2 will be called the slave clock; PA1 the shortest combinational path between ff1 data output connector to the ff2 data input connector will be called shortest path; this path is actually composed of the ff1 ck1-to-q timing plus the combinational path minus the ff2 hold time; PA1 the longest combinational path between ff1 data output connector to the ff2 data input connector will be called the longest path; this path actually is composed of the ff1 ck1-to-q timing plus the combinational path plus the ff2 set-up time. PA1 a data fired by the master clock active edge that follows the set-up launch edge must not be latched by the set-up latch edge; PA1 a data fired by the set-up launch edge must not be latched by the slave clock active edge that precedes the set-up launch edge. PA1 a set-up multiplier which usually is the number of slave active edges to be added to the default set-up latch edge for set-up checking; the clock is not multicycled, the default number is obviously one. To sum up, setting a set-up multiplier of "n" consists in pushing forward the set-up latch edge by an amount of "n-1" slave clock cycles. The set-up multiplier can also be specified as the number of master active edges to be removed from the default set-up launch edge. In this case, setting a set-up multiplier of "n" consists in pushing backward the set-up launch edge by an amount of "n-1" master clock cycles; PA1 a hold multiplier which usually is the number of master active edges to be added to the default detected hold set-up edge. The default number is zero, whether the slave clock is multicycled or not. To sum up, setting a hold multiplier of "n" consists in pushing forward the set-up launch edge by an amount of "n" master clock cycles. The hold multiplier can also be specified as the number of slave active edges to be removed from the set-up latch edge; in this case, setting a hold multiplier of "n" consists in pushing backward the set-up latch edge by an amount of "n" slave clock cycles. PA1 a list of input node names; PA1 a list of input node arrival times; PA1 a list of output node names; PA1 a list of output node required times. PA1 the list of nodes to be specified is "design-specific", i.e. the list of nodes contains the names of the sequential element clocked on the clock. It is unlikely that the user will be able to specify the complete list of all these sequential elements without omitting one; PA1 the list of nodes to be specified is "technology specific", i.e. the list of nodes contains the name of the data connector of the sequential elements, like "q", "qn", "d", "da", "db", "s". PA1 1) synthetizing a RTL-HDL type description of the circuit to form a synthesized design, PA1 2) synthetizing a clock tree and adding it to the synthesized design produced in step 1, PA1 3) optimizing the synthesized design resulting from step 2 and fixing upper-bounded timing constraints by using a real clock timing (latency and skew) and worst case conditions, PA1 4) fixing lower bounded timing violations in the optimized synthesized design resulting from step 3, using a real clock timing, using best case conditions, PA1 5) re-fixing possible newly created upper-bounded timing constraints and possible upper-bounded timing constraints increased in step 4, PA1 6) fixing post-layout upper-bounded timing violations. PA1 a logic optimizer, for fixing upper-bounded timing violations of the circuit and optimizing an area of said circuit, PA1 a clock tree synthesizer, (see document (1)), PA1 a lower-bounded timing violation fixer, PA1 a post-layout upper-bounded timing violation fixer.
Timing constraints are used for at least the two following reasons:
Checking a timing constraint consists in propagating timing constraint input node arrival time along the design and comparing the value of the propagated time and the required time on the output node. For maxDelay timing constraint, the "slack" is defined as the difference between the required time and the arrival time. For minDelay timing constraint, the "slack" is defined as the difference between the arrival time and the required time. A design is said to be violating a timing constraint when at least one of the timing constraint output node slack is negative. The worst path of a timing constraint is the path ending on the timing constraint output node the slack of which is the smallest. Guiding a performance driven optimization tool consists in providing it with the user design and timing constraints and asking said tool to optimize the design in order to meet these timing constraints.

Method and a system for fixing hold time violations in hierarchical designs


A method of performing schedule recording in a home network system is provided that includes receiving a pre-registered reserved word from a terminal and searching a content corresponding to the reserved word and transmitting a reservation list including information on the searched content to a terminal indicated by the reserved word, wherein receiving the pre-registered reserved word and transmitting a reservation list are performed by a digital media server.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a schedule recording method in a home network system.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
There are ongoing efforts for the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standardization that is directed to establishment of guidelines needed to be observed for interoperability between various devices in homes/offices and authentication of observance of the guidelines. The DLNA standard allows a diversity of devices, such as digital AV devices or personal computers, connected over a home network to have interoperability so that contents including music and movie files or still images can be shared between the devices in the home network.
DLNA authenticated devices can be compatible with each other via wired or wireless networks. That is, the DLNA allows digital devices, such as
DLNA authenticated devices can be compatible with each other via wired or wireless networks. That is, the DLNA allows digital devices, such as home appliances, PCs, or radio devices, produced from different manufacturers to be coupled to one another over a wired or wireless home network to share contents based on UpnP (Universal Plug and Play).
From such features of the DLNA, contents sharing can be available between DLNA authenticated terminals. To search for contents stored in one or more DLNA authenticated terminals having storage, a text-based inquiry is transmitted to the terminals and each terminal searches contents similar to the inquiry and shares the searched contents with other DLNA authenticated devices over the home network.

Methods of performing scheduled recording in home network system and digital media server and digital media player for performing the same


The invention relates to a polarizer (1) for electromagnetic radiation. The polarizer (1) has electrically conductive elements (5, 24) arranged in parallel and it a given distance from each other. The elements (5, 24) are held in position by at least one spacer (3, 7, 9, 23). Each spacer (3, 7, 9, 23) is made of a low dielectric material.

The invention relates to a polarizer for electromagnetic radiation, wherein the polarizer has electrical conductive elements arranged in parallel and in specific distances to one another.
In order to obtain a dual circular right or left polarized electromagnetic wave, planar polarizers that are situated above the radiating antenna opening are used for planar antennas that are arranged as dual linear polarized antennas.
The polarizer breaks up the E-vector of an impinging wave into two orthogonal components and produces a phase difference [spacing phase] of xc2x190 degrees between the components and which, with subsequent overlay, results in a circular polarization. The mode of action likewise applies to the conversion of a circular into a linear polarization.
Two constructively different types of polarization are known. The one type of polarization uses several Polarization structures arranged in an interval of xcex/4 (quarter lambda) that act on the one hand inductively and on the other hand capacitatively on the respective E-field components and thus produce the phase difference. These polarization structures are often carried out as etched complex folded line circuits on a matrix (foil). In this situation at least two such structures (inductive, capacitative) are required for a polarizer. The required witch or spacing is created by the use of a low dielectric material. The disadvantage in this embodiment is its high sensitivity to engineering tolerances. Likewise, good flatness and very precise positioning of the foils used must be assured. This frequently leads to additional expense in the form of positioning guides for gluing and bonding and where [com]pression of the layers is required.
Another polarization type also uses electrically conductive elements in the form of metal struts [sic] which are arranged at a 45 degree angle to the linear polarization. Due to the different electrical constraints two different field types form and are expanded by the polarizer. Due to the different propagation times a phase difference of xc2x190 degrees is produced at the output of the polarizer at superpositioning of these phase types and, consequently, a right or left circular wave is produced. The electrical characteristics are determined by the spacing of the metal struts relative to one another and their length in the principal direction of antenna radiation. The metal struts are enclosed in a metal frame and their ends are either bonded or soldered to the frame. The advantage of this type of polarizer is the electrical simplicity and the satisfactory electrical characteristics such as, for example, large frequency bandwidth, relative insensitivity to engineering tolerances, very low insertion loss, very good elliptical [wave] values and adaptation. The disadvantage in this polarizer type is the costly and consequently the expensive fastenings of the metal struts to the frame, since either two bonding- or soldering steps are involved for each metal strut. Moreover, frequently metal stresses are created that are caused by the engineering tolerances at the time of manufacturing the metal struts and when inserting the metal struts into the mounting frame. The mounting frame weight is disproportionally high, since it is most often made of metal.
The purpose of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a polarizer that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.
The solution to this problem presented on the one hand by a polarizer of the type described earlier and pursuant to the invention in which the elements are held in position by at least one spacer element, wherein each spacer element is made of a low dielectric material. A further solution is offered if the elements are removably or unremovably inserted into a board or strip shaped spacer and are held in position relative to one another by at least one spacer element.
In the polarizer described in the invention the mounting frame is eliminated completely. By doing so, the weight of the polarizer is advantageously reduced. The positioning of the conductive elements which are most frequently fashioned from metal struts or metal strips is achieved by the spacer made of a particularly low dielectric material. Since the recesses provided for accepting the conductive elements are milled, etched or otherwise produced at the same time in the form of grooves, slots or bore holes in the low dielectric material, the spacing and the width or pitch of the grooves or slots relative to one another is always the same and is subject to only low engineering tolerances. This solution represents an essential improvement of the electrical characteristics of the polarizer.
Polystyrol in its foam form, for example, is suitable as the low dielectric material.
It is advantageous to realize the grooves or slots, that are arranged at a 45 degree angle to the linear polarization, somewhat narrower than the conductive elements to assure that the conductive elements do not fall out of the spacer element. By inserting the conductive elements into the grooves or slots the side walls of the slots are pushed apart whereby a compression force is produced which prevents the elements from falling out of the slots. However, this procedure can also result in the occurrence of very high tensions in the spacer that is preferably constructed as a plate or strip. These tensions can be reduced or completely eliminated if additional recesses are provided in the spacer. Said recesses can be placed on the side containing the grooves or slots and/or on the side opposite to same. In this manner, the material that is displaced by the inserted conductive elements can expand without the occurrence of internal stresses within the spacer that would tend to deform it [lit. to xe2x80x9cbendxe2x80x9d it]. The supplemental recesses can, for example, also be grooves or slots. The shape of the recesses is optional and can be adapted to local requirements.
In order to prevent the metal struts from falling out as conductive elements there is the additional possibility of covering or enveloping the polarizer with the same low dielectric material used in the spacer. This can be done by a bonding process or by coating, application of a foam, or foaming over the surfaces of the grooves or slots.
It is also possible to bond the elements together with the spacer element. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the conductive elements do not rest in grooves or slots, but in bore holes into the low dielectric material. Depending on the cross-sectional shape of the conductive elements the borings can be replaced by the recesses adapted to that shape.
The conductive elements can be advantageously prevented from falling out of the grooves or slots in that the depth of the grooves or slots may be larger than the height of the conductive elements in such a manner that each groove or slot together with the element situated in it can be filled or covered with a sealant or filler material and preferably done to be flush with the surface of the spacer element. In this way a flat surface of the polarizer is made possible whereby at the same time the conductive elements are protected from corrosion.
The necessary spacing between the antenna and the conductive elements of the polarizer can be integrated into the overall level of the low dielectric material.
In order to fasten the polarizer to a planar [flat, bedspring] antenna it is sufficient that the already existing external edges of the planar antenna housing be extended and after placement of the polarizer on the antenna it be folded over it so that the polarizer forms a unit with the antenna.
A further advantageous embodiment of the polarizer would be if the interspaces between the conductive elements were partially or completely filled with a low dielectric material. The low dielectric material The low dielectric material can, but does not have to be, the same low dielectric material as that used in the spacer element. It can be pushed in or filled in between the elements at a later time, for example, by a expanding foam-fill process. Inasmuch as the polarizer is of such design that the interspaces between the conductive elements is not filled in, the interspaces need not necessarily be filled in with a low dielectric material. The decision depends essentially on the stability and the electrical characteristics of the polarizer in conjunction with the planar antenna.
In order to assure that the polarizer and the associated flat or planar antenna are constantly in the correct positional relationship to one another, they can, as already described above, be enclosed in a casing or a housing. It is also possible to bond the flat antenna to the polarizer. Furthermore, it is possible the polarizer and the flat antenna and hold them in a position relative to one another by surrounding or imbedding them using a preferably low dielectric material. By surrounding them with foam or imbedding the two components, the two components are advantageously hermetically isolated from the environment so that they are optimally protected from mechanical or atmospheric related influences.
Furthermore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the polarizer described in the invention by means of which the polarizer can be manufactured in the fewest steps and most economically.
This purpose is clearly accomplished in that, first of all, in the spacing element, of which there is at least on and which is made out of a particularly low dielectric material, recesses but especially grooves or slots or borings are milled, etched, cut, sawed, burnt, bored or pressed and then the elements are then inserted, bonded, or compressed into the grooves or slots. It is thus possible to introduce or to insert the elements sequentially or individually into the spacer element.
Inasmuch as there are not recesses for the conductive elements in the spacer element, it is possible to simply impress the elements into the material of the spacer element. When doing this, however, often considerable stresses occur in the material itself, since a relatively large quantity of the material is displaced by the elements. If the conductive elements are properly heated it is possible to bring the material of the spacer element, which is advantageously polystyrol, to melting or burning so that the elements can be impressed into the material of the spacer element with relatively little force, whereby simultaneously hardly any stresses occur in the material of the spacer element.
Depending on the type and the form of the spacer element, the interspaces between the elements after their insertion may not yet be filled in. Said interspaces can then be filled in or foamed in with low dielectric material. It is nonetheless also to insert precisely fitted preformed elements made of low dielectric material into the interspaces so that the interspaces are completely filled.
The manufacture of the polarizer as described in the invention can also be accomplished in that the conductive elements are held in parallel and in the correct spacing to one another and then imbedded or foamed in with a particularly low dielectric material. It is also useful and feasible to arrange the elements in the correct spacing intervals relative to one another and to the flat antenna to imbed or to foam in the elements together with the flat antenna using a suitable material. In this instance the flat antenna does not necessarily have to be included in the integration. It is also possible to produce the polarizer separately from the flat antenna by an imbedding or foaming-in process.

Polarizer and method for manufacturing the same

PATES Technology Patentverwertungsgesellschaft fur Satelliten- und moderne Informationstechnologien mbH


A motor speed control circuit which controls a rotational speed of a motor by controlling an amount of current flowing through a drive coil of the motor. The control circuit comprises a reference voltage circuit that generates a reference voltage corresponding to a speed-specifying signal inputted to specify the rotational speed of the motor; a clamp circuit that limits a level of the reference voltage generated by the reference voltage circuit; a comparator that has a speed voltage corresponding to an actual rotational speed of the motor and the reference voltage limited in level by the clamp circuit applied thereto and compares the two; and a control signal generator that generates and outputs a control signal for controlling the amount of current flowing through the drive coil based on the comparing result of the comparator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor speed control circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various electronic apparatuses have an exothermic body that generates heat when the electronic apparatus operates. To cool this exothermic body, a fan motor is usually provided. For example, in personal computers, servers and the like, the operating frequencies of the CPUs become increasingly high year by year causing the heat values of the CPUs to increase. Accordingly, a fan motor for cooling the CPU and a motor driver to drive the fan motor is usually provided in personal computers, servers and the like. As a speed control method for fan motors, a speed servo control method has been proposed which has a PWM drive method combined therewith as shown, e.g., in FIG. 10 (refer, for example, to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-204692).
To describe in detail, a rotational speed detection signal obtained from a pulse generator PG of a motor 1 is supplied to an operational amplifier 7 for generating a speed voltage. The output of this operational amplifier 7 is integrated by an RC filter circuit to produce a direct-current speed voltage VV, which is applied to the inverting input terminal of a comparator 9. Furthermore, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal set by a CPU 5 is supplied to an operational amplifier 6 for generating a reference voltage. The PWM signal sets the rotational speed of the motor 1 via its duty ratio. The output of the operational amplifier 6 is integrated by an RC filter circuit to produce a direct-current reference voltage VR1, which is applied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 9.
The comparator 9 compares the speed voltage VV applied to the inverting input terminal and the reference voltage VR1 applied to the non-inverting input terminal, and produces and outputs a control signal VC as the comparing result. A motor driver 11 causes the amount of current corresponding to the control signal VC from the comparator 9 to flow through the drive coil of the motor 1 thereby controlling the rotational speed of the motor 1. Furthermore, a hall element 13 is provided for the stator of the motor 1, and the motor driver 11 controls the rotational direction of the motor 1 by switching the direction of the current flowing through the drive coil of the motor 1 on the basis of the hall element output of the hall element 13 indicating the detected position of the rotor.
As such, in order to perform speed servo control of the fan motor, as shown in FIG. 10, there is usually provided circuitry that is equivalent to the operational amplifier 7 that generates the speed voltage VV indicating the detected, actual rotational speed of the motor 1, the operational amplifier 6 that generates the reference voltage VR1 of a level according to a motor rotational speed-specifying signal such as the PWM signal, and the comparator 9 that compares the speed voltage VV supplied from the operational amplifier 7 and the reference voltage VR1 supplied from the operational amplifier 6.
The comparator 9 is usually an operational amplifier in configuration as shown in FIG. 10. To describe in detail, the comparator 9 comprises a differential transistor pair (T1, T2), a constant current source T3 provided on the ground voltage GND side of the differential transistor pair (T1, T2), and a current mirror circuit (T4, T5) provided on the bias voltage VREG side of the differential transistor pair (T1, T2). That is, the current mirror circuit (T4, T5), the differential transistor pair (T1, T2), and the constant current source T3 are connected in series between the bias voltage VREG and the ground voltage GND. Note that depending on the type of transistors, the constant current source T3 may be provided on the bias voltage VREG side of the differential transistor pair (T1, T2) and that the current mirror circuit (T4, T5) may be provided on the ground voltage GND side of the differential transistor pair (T1, T2).
The problem to be solved by the invention will be explained below using as an example the motor speed control system shown in FIG. 10 with reference to FIG. 11.
The non-inverting and inverting inputs of the comparator 9 are connected to the base electrodes of the differential transistor pair (T1, T2). The current mirror circuit (T4, T5) is provided on the bias voltage VREG side of the differential transistor pair (T1, T2) and the constant current source T3 is provided on the ground voltage GND side of the differential transistor pair (T1, T2). In this case, the allowable range of voltage to be applied between the non-inverting and inverting inputs of the comparator 9 is supposed to be ideally the range of from the bias voltage VREG to the ground voltage GND.
However, the upper level limit for the non-inverting and inverting inputs of the comparator 9 is lower by at least a collector-to-emitter saturation voltage VCE(sat) of the current mirror circuit (T4, T5) than the bias voltage VREG. Also, the lower level limit for the non-inverting and inverting inputs of the comparator 9 is higher by at least a collector-to-emitter saturation voltage VCE(sat) of the constant current source T3 than the ground voltage GND. As a result, the allowable range of voltage to be applied between the non-inverting and inverting inputs of the comparator 9 is limited. This limited, applied voltage range is generally called a common-mode input voltage range.
Here, on the premise that the comparator 9 has the common-mode input voltage range as an electrical characteristic, consider a case where the duty ratio of the PWM signal is varied from 0% to 100%. In this case, the reference voltage VR1 applied to the non-inverting input of the comparator 9 varies in level approximately from the ground voltage GND to the bias voltage VREG in response to the change in the duty ratio of the PWM signal. However, since being subject to limitation of the common-mode input voltage range, the non-inverting input of the comparator 9 cannot respond to all changes in the reference voltage VR1 corresponding to the change in the duty ratio of the PWM signal. That is, there is the problem that the range of from 0% to 100% for the PWM signal duty ratio is partly outside the common-mode input voltage range as an electrical characteristic of the comparator 9 and in this case, the comparator 9 does not operate correctly.


A first electronic device is provided. While a media content item provided by a media-providing service is emitted by a second electronic device that is remote from the first electronic device, the first electronic device receives, from the media-providing service, data that includes an audio stream that corresponds to the media content item. The first electronic device detects ambient sound that includes sound corresponding to the media content item emitted by the second electronic device. The first electronic device generates a cleaned version of the ambient sound, which includes: using the data received from the media-providing service to align the audio stream with the ambient sound; and performing a subtraction operation to subtract the audio stream from the ambient sound. The first electronic device detects a voice command in the cleaned version of the ambient sound.

Access to electronic media, such as music and video content, has expanded dramatically over time. As a departure from physical media, media content providers stream media to electronic devices across wireless networks, improving the convenience with which users can digest and experience such content.
Further, media content providers connect with devices that are enabled to receive voice commands as a means of controlling media playback. The audio feedback from a first playback device created by playing the media content can make it more challenging for a second device to accurately identify and interpret voice commands when the devices are located near each other.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for generating a cleaned version of ambient sound


A device assembly includes a device (20), a supporting member (30), and a positioning member (10). The device includes a bottom wall (21). The supporting member includes a main portion (32) to support the device. The positioning member includes a central portion (12) attached to the main portion of the supporting member, and a pair of positioning arms (14) attached to the bottom wall of the device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to device assemblies such as those including electronic devices, and particularly to a device assembly with a positioning member for securely mounting a device to a supporting member of the device assembly.
2. General Background
Often, a device such as an electronic device is connected to another device to provide a new function. For example, an adapter connected to an Internet protocol phone can enhance or extend one or more of the functions of the Internet protocol phone.
Conventionally, the adapter is placed next to the Internet protocol phone, and connected to the Internet protocol phone with short connecting cables. Because the adapter is free, it is common occurrence for a user to inadvertently drag the adapter off a desktop or tabletop. Moreover, it is difficult to move the Internet protocol phone to a difficult location.
One previous approach to minimize dragging problem of the adapter is to secure the adapter to the Internet protocol phone with glue. However, it is difficult to detach the adapter from the Internet protocol phone later on when needed. In addition, the glue may stain or otherwise detract from the aesthetic=appearance of the adapter and the Internet protocol phone.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.


Embodiments of an apparatus for carrying a hat are disclosed. The apparatus has an elongated strap having a length extending between first and second ends. A belt buckle and belt buckle holes are provided in the strap to enable adjustment of the strap length. A first plurality of interlinked rings connects the first end of the strap to a first finger lever on a clip, and a second plurality of interlinked rings connects the second end of the strap to a second finger lever of the clip. The interlinked rings enable at least partial rotation of each end relative to the clip. The clip is used to attach to and carry a hat.

The wearing of hats, especially by the female segment of the population, has been popular for many years. This popularity has led to a wide variety of hats being available in numerous sizes and configurations which are primarily dictated by style preferences. In addition to being dictated by style, certain hat designs are created from the standpoint of functionality to the extent that certain hats are specifically designed to accomplish purposes such as warmth, protection from the sun, etc. Men's hats are also available in a wide variety of designs, but typically, are not as important in terms of making a fashion statement. Thus, men's hats are usually more visible in that they are often more casual, as evidenced by baseball caps, cowboy hats, and other sporting apparel.
One disadvantage associated with the design of various hat structures, regardless of whether they are intended for men or women, is the storage of the hat without folding or otherwise damaging it. For example, with respect to many fashionable hats, including some cowboy hats, storage often requires the use of relatively large, bulky "hat boxes" or other storage facilities which take up a great deal of room. Quite logically, it is difficult to transport hats stored in this manner. Consequently, the carrying of a hat, when it is not being worn, is generally considered to be somewhat bothersome, particularly with hats of larger sizes and/or of configurations designed to shade a wearer from the rays of the sun.


Since the chip-breaking groove 30 is cut in the inner peripheral surface of the prepared hole 22 by compressing the chip-breaking tool 10 into the prepared hole 22 prior to the tapping process (the cutting process of the female thread) by the cut tap, the chip can be securely broken by the chip-breaking groove 30 and well discharged even in the case that the work 20 is made of the material having the high ductility. Accordingly, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to prevent a lot of long connected chips from entwining the tap, it is unnecessary to monitor the tapping work, and it is possible to achieve a complete automation (an unmanned work). Further, it is possible to inhibit the cut tap from being broken due to the pinching of the chip, and it is easy to execute a treatment such as a chip cleaning or the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement of a female thread processing method of screwing a cut tap into a prepared hole so as to cut a female thread.
2. Discussion of Related Art
A female thread processing method of screwing a cut tap into a prepared hole so as to cut a female thread is widely applied to various fields. However, in the case of tapping a material having a high ductility, for example, SS400 (an ordinary structural rolled steel), an aluminum and the like by using the cut tap, the chips are hard to be broken so as to tend to be connected long. Accordingly, there is a case that the chips entwine the tap so as to make the processing impossible as shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, it is necessary for an operator to always monitor, and there is a problem that it is hard to achieve a complete automation. Further, there is a risk that the tap is broken due to pinching of the chips, and there are various problems such that it is hard to execute a process such as a cleaning work of the chips, and the like. On the contrary, in the case that a plurality of notches corresponding to a land of the cut tap are provided in an outer peripheral portion of the prepared hole, as described in patent JP-A S52-26698, the chips are broken in pieces by the notches. Accordingly, the problems mentioned above can be solved.
However, in the processing method described in the patent document 1 mentioned above, since the female thread itself is largely broken by the comparatively large notches corresponding to the land of the cut tap, there is a risk that a strength of the female thread is lowered, and a predetermined screwing strength can not be obtained. In particular, since it is impossible to strongly fasten the material in the case of the material having the high ductility, it is substantially hard to apply the technique described in the JP-A S52-26698.

Chip-breaking tool for tapping and female thread processing method


Devices, systems and methods are provided for switching a load with true reverse current blocking (TRCB). The device may include an input port coupled to a supply voltage; an output port coupled to the load; a TRCB circuit coupled to the input port and the output port; and a switch control port coupled to the TRCB circuit. The TRCB circuit may be configured to couple the input port to the output port in response to a switch close signal applied to the switch control port and to de-couple the input port from the output port in response to a switch open signal applied to the switch control port. The TRCB circuit may further be configured to block current flow from the output port to the input port in response to both the switch open signal and the switch close signal.

Load switches typically link a power supply with a device to be powered (a load) and provide switching control to couple or de-couple the load from the supply based on a switching signal. Examples loads that may be controlled by a load switch include portable devices such as phones, digital cameras, media players, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and portable games. Load switches may provide limited or no protection, however, against reverse current flow from the load back to the power supply, which can damage sensitive and/or valuable components. This lack of reverse current flow protection is particularly common when the switch is in an off or open state.

Load switch with true reverse current blocking


An intermediate from an I.D. card and method in which paper equipped with a patch of release material is combined with a film carrying pressure sensitive adhesive. The paper is die-cut in a generally rectangular configuration and so also is the film in a fashion so as to permit folding of the film on itself to encapsulate the card.

This invention relates to an identification (I.D.) card intermediate and method and, more particularly, to a form or device which is conveniently delivered to the site of issuance and further conveniently manipulated at that site. As such, the instant invention provides an alternative to co-owned patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,868.
According to the instant invention, the intermediate includes a first ply of paper having one face coated with a patch of release material and a second transparent film ply equipped with pressure sensitive adhesive on one surface and which surface is adhesively secured to the paper over the patch. A perimetric die-cut is provided in the paper to define the I.D. card while a larger perimetric die-cut is provided in the film so as to permit folding of the film around the I.D. card for complete encapsulation.
Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of the ensuing specification.

Identification card intermediate and method


An air filtration system including a filter (4) for separation of particles and an ionizer (3) for ionization of the air. In use of the system, ionization of the air occurs before the air passes the filter (4). The filter (4) is made up of fibers of polypropylene mixed with acrylic.

Systems as described above are today of frequent occurrence. Ionization means that the degree of separation is increased, or alternatively that penetration decreases. In filters, it is desirable to have as little penetration of particles as possible and at the same time have as small a pressure drop as possible. A filter system with a relatively coarse filter which usually has a penetration of about 35% can be improved by ionization of the air before the air passes through the filter. The penetration can for the same filter as described above be reduced to about 10% by ionization of the air before the air passes through the filter. Thus, such a system has the advantage that the pressure drop is low as a consequence of a coarse filter being used while at the same time penetration decreases. In some cases, however, it is necessary for the penetration of particles to be still lower. This is achieved in prior-art technique by using filters with finer fibers, i.e. tighter filters, which however also bring about the effect that the pressure drop increases. Getting penetration down from 10% means as a rule that the pressure drop increases since a "tighter" filter has to be used.


A drug delivery device includes an inner body adapted to receive a pre-filled syringe with an injection needle, one or more flexible arms on the inner body extending in a distal direction, and one or more support members slidably arranged to operatively outwardly support the flexible arms. The flexible arms have respective inwardly directed protrusions adapted to engage a neck of the syringe. When the support member is in a distal position, it does not support the flexible arms. When the support member is in a proximal position, the support member supports the flexible arms and prevents them from being outwardly deflected.

Administering an injection is a process which presents a number of risks and challenges for users and healthcare professionals, both mental and physical. Pre-filled syringes containing a selected dosage of a medicament for administering the medicament to a patient are known in the art.
There remains a need for an improved drug delivery device.

Drug delivery device with controlled needle shield and cover sleeve


A peak detection/digitization circuit includes a plurality of level detect units, each having a comparator and a flip-flop with a clock input responsive to the output of the comparator. For a detection period, each level detect unit configures a data output signal of the flip-flop to a first data state responsive to a start of the detection period. Further, each level detect unit is configured to enable the comparator responsive to the data output signal having the first data state or a second data state, respectively. While the comparator is enabled during the detection period, the level detect unit configures the data output signal of the flip-flop responsive to a comparison of an input signal to a corresponding reference voltage level by the comparator. The data output signals of the flip-flops of the level detect units at the end of the detection period are used to determine a digital value representative of a peak voltage level of the input signal.

Peak detectors are used in many applications to determine the peak level (negative or positive) of an analog signal over some specified period. A digital representation of the detected peak level, obtained via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), is useful for further signal processing or control purposes. Conventional peak detectors typically detect the peak voltage level via a sample-and-hold process over the sample period, followed by use of an ADC that converts the detected peak voltage level to a corresponding digital code. Flash-type ADCs are frequently used as the ADC in this conversion process. A conventional flash ADC utilizes a parallel bank of comparators to generate a corresponding thermometer code, which is then decoded to generate a corresponding digital output value. However, the conventional utilization of these parallel comparators in the flash ADC can result in excessive power consumption. The sample-and-hold circuit of a peak detector likewise consumes substantial power, as well as requiring considerable circuit layout space. Accordingly, an improved method for peak voltage detection and digitization of the detected peak voltage would be advantageous.


A device for mounting a front derailleur on a bicycle frame is provided. The device comprises engagement means for engaging with at least one toothed crown of a crankset and with the derailleur, the engagement means being configured to obtain a desired relative position between the at least one toothed crown and the derailleur. A method for mounting the front derailleur on the bicycle frame is also provided, such a method providing for the use of the device.

Throughout this description and the following claims, the bicycle derailleur that is referred to is the front derailleur. Such a derailleur is used to move the chain between the different toothed crowns (or toothed wheels) that form the so-called crankset of the bicycle. Typically, in racing bicycles the crankset comprises two or three toothed crowns.
The movement of the chain generally takes place by effect of the movement of a suitable thrusting member, commonly called cage fork or more simply cage. Such a cage is associated with an actuation kinematic mechanism that, deforming upon command by the cyclist, moves the chain from one toothed crown to another. The actuation kinematic mechanism is in turn associated with a derailleur body configured to be fixed to the frame of the bicycle, typically to the so-called seat tube of the frame (i.e. the tube arranged under the saddle).
The most common bicycle derailleurs are manually actuated. Recently, however, motor actuated derailleurs are on the market. In the latter the movement of the cage takes place by means of a motor member that is suitably driven, typically electrically.
The derailleur body is typically mounted on a support element projecting from the seat tube (typically welded thereon). Such a projecting element defines a shaped seat on which a corresponding coupling portion of the derailleur body is fixed in position (typically through a locking screw).
For the derailleur to operate correctly, it is necessary to position it precisely with respect to the crankset. In particular, it is necessary for the derailleur, in a rest configuration (i.e. in a condition in which the actuation kinematic mechanism is in the undeformed state), to have a desired relative position with respect to a reference toothed crown of the crankset that, typically, is the toothed crown with the largest diameter (hereafter: largest toothed crown). More specifically, it is necessary for the cage of the derailleur, in rest configuration, to be located at a desired distance from the largest toothed crown and with the respective middle plane as parallel as possible to the middle plane of the largest toothed crown.
In the prior art, the operator, after having mounted the crankset on the frame of the bicycle, manually positions the derailleur by eyesight with respect to the largest toothed crown of the crankset and fixes the derailleur in position on the projecting element by tightening the locking screw.
The Applicant has found that such mounting operations are particularly demanding, both in terms of time and in terms of the attention that the operator must pay. Moreover, the operator must be adequately trained in the mounting operations, so as to obtain a certain experience and familiarity with the task.

Device for mounting a front derailleur on a bicycle frame and method for mounting such a front derailleur


Embodiments of movable weights, such as weight plugs and other types of movable weights, for a golf club head are disclosed herein. One embodiment for a weight plug, for example, includes a mass element with a first end that has a threaded portion and a second end. The weight plug also has a weight cap with a seal retention portion that is configured to engage a seal. The cap is also configured to engage the threaded portion of the mass element. A seal is positioned between the first end of the mass element and the seal retention portion of the cap.

The center of gravity (CG) of a golf club head is one critical parameter of the club's performance. Upon impact, the position of the CG greatly affects launch angle and flight trajectory of a struck golf ball. Thus, much effort has been made over positioning the center of gravity of golf club heads. To that end, current driver and fairway wood golf club heads are typically formed of lightweight, yet durable materials, such as steel or titanium alloys. These materials are typically used to form thin club head walls. Thinner walls are lighter, and thus result in greater discretionary weight, i.e., weight available for redistribution around a golf club head. Greater discretionary weight allows golf club manufacturers more leeway in assigning club mass to achieve desired golf club head mass distributions.
Various approaches have been implemented for positioning discretionary mass about a golf club head. Many club heads have integral sole weight pads cast into the head at predetermined locations to lower the club head's center of gravity. Also, epoxy may be added to the interior of the club head through the club head's hosel opening to obtain a final desired weight of the club head. To achieve significant localized mass, weights formed of high-density materials have been attached to the sole. With these weights, the method of installation is critical because the club head endures significant loads at impact with a golf ball, which can dislodge the weight. Thus, such weights are usually permanently attached to the club head and are limited in total mass. This, of course, permanently fixes the club head's center of gravity.
Golf swings vary among golfers, but the total weight and center of gravity location for a given club head is typically set for a standard, or ideal, swing type. Thus, even though the weight may be too light or too heavy, or the center of gravity is too far forward or too far rearward, the golfer cannot adjust or customize the club weighting to his or her particular swing. Rather, golfers often must test a number of different types and/or brands of golf clubs to find one that is suited for them. This approach may not provide a golf club with an optimum weight and center of gravity and certainly would eliminate the possibility of altering the performance of a single golf club from one configuration to another and then back again.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need for a system for adjustably weighting a golf club head that allows a golfer to fine-tune the club head to accommodate his or her swing. The present application fulfills this need and others.


In the analysis of one-dimensional sequences of molecules, the longest common subsequence, the number of elements constituting the subsequence, and appearance positions of the subsequence are determined by a novel and simple method, and processes, such as homology decision, homology search, motif search and alignment are performed based on the results. In the analysis of these-dimensional structures of molecules, limiting conditions, such as geometrical arrangements of elements, are introduced to realize the determination of correspondence of three-dimensional structures at high speeds, and whereby it is made possible to achieve such processing as superposed display of three-dimensional structure of molecules, retrieval of three-dimensional structure, and evaluation of functions. Moreover, the molecules are divided into secondary structure that are then related to each other based on spatial similarity among the secondary structures. Furthermore, similarity among the molecules is decided based on a relationship of spatial positions of the corresponding secondary structures.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting and evaluating mutually coinciding or similar portions between sequences of atoms or atomic groups in molecules and/or between three-dimensional structures of molecules and, particularly to a method and apparatus for automatically extracting and evaluating mutually coinciding or similar portions between amino acid sequences n protein molecules and/or between three-dimensional structures of protein molecules.
2. Description of the Related Art
A gene is in substance DNA, and is expressed as a base sequence including four bases of A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine), and G (guanine). There are about twenty types of amino acids constituting an organism, and it has been shown that arrangements of three bases correspond to the respective amino acids. Accordingly, it has been found out that the amino acids are synthesized according to the base sequences of the DNA in the organism and that a protein is formed by folding the synthesized amino acids. The arrangement of amino acids is expressed as an amino acid sequence in which the respective amino acids are expressed in letters similar to the base sequence.
A method for determining a sequence of bases and amino acids has been established together with the development of molecular biology, and therefore a huge amount of gene information including a base sequence data and an amino acid sequence data has been stored. Thus, in the field of gene information processing, a core subject has been how to extract biological information concerning the structure and function of the protein out of the huge amount of stored gene information.
A basic technique in extracting the biological information is to compare the sequences. This is because it is considered that a similarity is found in the biological function if the sequences are similar. Accordingly, by searching a data base of known sequences whose functions are known for a sequence similar to an unknown sequence a homology search for estimating a function of an unknown sequence, and an alignment such that a sequence is rearranged so as to maximize the degree of analogy between the compared sequences when researchers compare the sequences are presently studied.
Further, it is considered that a region of the sequence, in which a function important for the organism is coded, is perpetuated in the evolution process. For instance, a commonly existing sequence pattern (region) is known to be found when the amino acid sequences in proteins having the same function are compared between different types of organisms. This region is called a motif. Accordingly, if it is possible to extract the motif automatically, the property and function of the protein can be shown by finding which motif is included in the sequence. Further, the automatic motif extraction is applicable to a variety of protein engineering fields such as strengthening of the properties of the preexisting proteins, addition of functions to the preexisting proteins, and synthesis of new proteins. As described above, it can be considered as an effective means in extracting the biological information to extract the motif out of the amino acid sequence. However, the extracting method is not yet established, and the researchers currently decide manually which part is a motif sequence after the homology search and alignment.
A dynamic programming technique that is used in a voice recognition processing has been the only method used for automatically comparing two amino acid sequences.
However, according to the method of comparing the amino acid sequences using the dynamic programming technique, the amino acid sequences are compared two-dimensionally. Thus, this method requires a large memory capacity and a long processing time.
Meanwhile, in the fields of physics and chemistry, in order to examine the properties of a new (unknown) substance and to produce the new substance artificially, three-dimensional structures of substances are determined by a technique such as an X-ray crystal analysis or an NMR analysis, and information on the determined three-dimensional structures is stored in a data base. As a typical data base, a PDB (Protein Data Bank) in which three-dimensional structures of proteins or the like identified by the X-ray crystal analysis of protein are registered is widely known and universally used. Further, a CSD (Cambridge Structural Database) is known as a data base in which chemical substances are registered.
In the protein, a plurality of amino acids are linked to one another as a single chain and this chain is folded in an organism to thereby form a three-dimensional structure. In this way, the protein exhibits a variety of functions. The respective amino acids are expressed by numbering them from an N-terminal through a C-terminal. These numbers are called amino acid numbers, amino acid sequence numbers, or amino acid residue numbers. Each amino acid includes a plurality of atoms according to the type thereof. Therefore, there are registered names and administration numbers of protein, amino acid numbers constituting the protein, types and three-dimensional coordinates of atoms constituting the respective amino acids, and the like in the PDB.
It is known that the three-dimensional structure of the substance is closely related to the function thereof from the result of chemical studies conducted thus far, and a relationship between the three-dimensional structure and function is shown through a chemical experiment in order to change the substance and to produce a substance having anew function. Particularly, since a structurally similar portion (or a specific portion) between the substances having the same function is considered to influence the function of the substance, it is essential to discover a similar structure commonly existing in the three-dimensional structures.
However, since there is no method of extracting a characteristic portion directly from the three-dimensional coordinate, the researchers are at present compelled to express the respective three-dimensional structures in a three-dimensional graphic system and to search the characteristic portion manually. There is in general no method of determining an orientation of the substance as a reference, which requires a substantial amount of time.
When the researcher searches the similar three-dimensional, structure, an r.m.s.d. (root mean square distance) value is used as a scale of the similarity of the three-dimensional structures of the substances. The r.m.s.d. value is a value expressing a square root of a mean square distance between the corresponding elements constituting the substances. Empirically, the substances are thought to be exceedingly similar to each other in the case where the r.m.s.d value between the substances is not greater than 1 Å.
For instance, it is assumed that there are substances expressed by a point set A={a1, a2, . . . ai, . . . , am} and a point set B={b1, b2, . . . , bj, . . . , bn}, wherein ai (i=1, 2, . . . , m) and bj (i=1, 2, . . . , n) are vectors expressing positions of the respective elements in the three-dimensional space. The elements constituting these substances A and B are related to each other, and the substance B is rotated and moved so that the r.m.s.d value between the corresponding elements is minimized. For example, if ak is related to bk (k=1, 2, . . . , n), the r.m.s.d value is obtained in the following equation (1) wherein U denotes a rotation matrix and Wk denote respective weights:
                              r          .          m          .          s          .          d          .                =                                            (                                                ∑                                      k                    =                    1                                    n                                                                  (                                                                                w                        k                                                                                (                                                                              Ub                            k                                                    -                                                      a                            k                                                                          )                                                              2                                    )                                            )                                      1              2                                n                                    (        1        )            A technique of obtaining the rotation and movement of the substances, which minimizes the r.m.s.d value between these corresponding points, is proposed by Kabsh et al. (for example, refer to "A Solution for the Best Rotation to Relate Two Sets of Vectors," by W. Kabsh, Acta Cryst. (1976), A32, 923), and is presently widely used. However, since the same number of points are compared according to this method, the researchers are presently studying, by trial and error, which combinations of elements are related to the other substances so as to obtain the minimum r.m.s.d value.
Further, it is necessary to study the preexisting substances in order to produce the new substance. For instance, in the case where the heat resistance of a certain substance is preferably strengthened, a structure commonly existing among the strong heat resisting substances is determined, and such a structure is added to a newly produced substance to thereby strengthen the function of the substance. To this end, such a function is required as to retrieve the necessary structure from the data base. However, the researchers are presently studying the necessary structure from the data base, by trial and error, using the computer graphic system for the aforementioned reasons.
As described above, the operators are compelled to graphically display the three-dimensional structure of the substance they want to analyze using the graphic system, and to analyze by visual comparison with other molecules on a screen, superposition, and like operations.
Meanwhile, basic structures such as an α helix and a β strand are commonly found in the three-dimensional structure of protein, and they are called a secondary structure. Methods of carrying out an automatic search by a similarity of the secondary structure without using the r.m.s.d. value have been considered. According to these methods, a partial structure is expressed by symbols of the secondary structures along the amino acid sequence and the comparison is made using these symbols. Therefore, the comparison could not be made according to a similarity of the spatial positional relationship of the partial structure.
As mentioned above, the case where the three-dimensional structure of the substance is analyzed using the CSD and PDB, a great amount of time and labor are required to manually search a huge amount of data for a structure and to compare the retrieved structure with the three-dimensional structure to be analyzed, thereby imposing a heavy burden on the operators. For that matter, the data included n the data base cannot be utilized effectively, thus presenting the problem that the structure of the substance cannot be analyzed sufficiently. Accordingly, there has been the need for a retrieval system that retrieves the structure based on the analogy of the three-dimensional structures of the three-dimensional structure data base.

Method and apparatus for extracting and evaluating mutually similar portions in one-dimensional sequences in molecules and/or three-dimensional structures of molecules


A hanger bar assembly includes a first hanger bar member and a second hanger bar member. The first hanger bar member includes a first rail segment, a first channel segment including a first channel, and a first stoppage tab extending up above an edge of the first channel segment. The second hanger bar member includes a second rail segment positioned in the first channel of the first channel segment and a second channel segment that includes a second channel. The first rail segment is positioned in the second channel. The second hanger bar member further includes a second stoppage tab extending out in a horizontal direction. The first stoppage tab and the second stoppage tab are designed to abut against each other to prevent unintended disengagement of the first hanger bar member from the second hanger bar member.

A luminaire (i.e., a light fixture) is typically a complete lighting unit consisting of one or more lamps, socket, and optical devices for distributing light. A recessed luminaire is an example of a luminaire that is installed behind a structure such as a ceiling. Recessed luminaires are used in both commercial and residential applications. For example, a recessed luminaire is typically mounted on support structures behind a ceiling wall that has an opening to allow light from the recessed luminaire to illuminate an area below the ceiling wall.
Various support systems have been employed to support recessed luminaires. For example, recessed luminaires are often suspended between support structures such as joists and T-bar structures. To illustrate, a recessed luminaire may be supported by hanger bars that extend between parallel support structures. Generally, hanger bars need to have adequate strength and rigidity to reliably support a recessed luminaire. Further, because the spacing between the support structures such as the joists of a ceiling structure may vary, adjustability of the lengths of hanger bars is desirable for easy installation as well as for compatibility with different support structures. However, unintended detachment of hanger bar members from each other can make installation of hanger bars difficult, which can waste time and money.
Thus, adjustable hanger bars that have structures that prevent or reduce risk of unintended detachment of the hanger bars from each other are desirable.

Adjustable hanger bars with detachment stop


A connector for a bundle of screened wires has grounding wires connecting the housing with the screens of the wires. Each screen projects in a tubular portion of a respective metal connection device together with one end of a grounding wire. The tubular portion is crimped to a C-shape in section so that it lies closely against the wire. A support tail of concave section extends rearwardly from the tubular portion and is attached to the outside of the wire.

This invention relates to electrical connection.
The invention is more particularly concerned with devices and methods for making connection to screening shields and braided sleeves, and with connectors including connection to an electrical shield of a wire.
In electrical connectors, couplings or the like having many screened wires, it can be very difficult to make effective electrical connection with the screening sleeves of the wires whilst retaining a compact configuration of the connector.
It is an object of the present invention to provide alternative electrical connection.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly of an electrical wire including at least one conductor and a screening sleeve surrounding the conductor, and a connection device connected with the screening sleeve, the connection device having a tubular portion crimped securely about the screening sleeve to form a concave surface on a side of the portion facing the wire.
The connection device preferably includes an elongate support member extending rearwardly of the tubular portion. The elongate support member preferably has a concave surface facing the wire and the support member may be attached to the outside of the wire. The assembly preferably includes a grounding wire, a part of the grounding wire being crimped in the tubular portion of the connection device to make electrical connection with the screening sleeve. The assembly preferably includes an electrically-conductive housing and a plurality of screened electrical wires, the screen on each wire being electrically connected with the housing by a respective one of the connection devices. The connection devices may be electrically connected with the housing by respective grounding wires one end of which is crimped in the tubular portion of each connection device. The connection devices may be staggered along the length of the wires.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connection device for an assembly according to the above one aspect of the invention.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical connector including an electrically-conductive housing, a bundle of a plurality of screened electrical wires and a plurality of grounding wires electrically connected at one end with the housing, the screen on each screened wire being electrically connected with a respective one of the grounding wires by means of a respective connection device having a forward tubular portion and a rearwardly-extending support member, the screen of each wire being separated from the wire and crimped with the opposite end of a respective grounding wire in the tubular portion of a connection device such as electrically to connect the screen with the grounding wire, the tubular portions being crimped into a substantially C-shape in section so that they lie closely against the wires with the support members extending rearwardly along the wires, and the support members being secured with the wires.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making connection to a screening sleeve of a wire including the steps of separating a length of the sleeve from the conductor of the wire, threading a part at least of the length of the screening sleeve into a tubular portion of a connection device and crimping the tubular portion securely about the sleeve into a generally C-shape section having a concave surface facing the wire.
The connection device preferably includes an elongate support member extending rearwardly of the tubular portion, the method including the step of securing the elongate member against the wire. The method may include the step of inserting one end of a grounding wire in the connection device prior to crimping so that the grounding wire makes electrical connection with the screening sleeve.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a connection made by a method according to the above fourth aspect of the invention.
An electrical connector including a connection device, and its method of connection, according to the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Smiths Industries Public Limited Company


Intelligent adjustment of compression levels of messages being brokered or otherwise handled by message service providers in a cloud-computing environment to strike a balance between the reduction in network usage and storage requirement resources owing to message compression on one hand and the increase in CPU resource usage owing to message compression on the other hand for reducing usage-based charges from the cloud customer's point of view and reducing the equipment and operational cost from the cloud provider's point of view (resulting in the ability of the provider to take on and/or retain customers). Determination of an “optimal” compression level that strikes an appropriate balance among resource usage may include consideration of a current messaging load (e.g., bytes of data per unit time), a current compression level, and current usage levels of one or more of the various resources.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to cloud messaging services and, more particularly, to manners of adaptively and dynamically determining optimal levels and/or manners of compression of cloud-based messages to reduce overall resource usage (e.g., CPU, network bandwidth, persistent storage usage) to limit customer costs while maintaining quality of service (QoS) to meet related service level agreements (SLAs).
2. Relevant Background
Message-oriented Middleware (MOM) and related services are critical in distributed systems such as in business applications. Generally, MOM enables distributed applications to conveniently send and receive messages among each other to significantly simplify the design of complex business applications. For instance, MOM allows application modules to be distributed over heterogeneous platforms and reduces the complexity of developing applications that span multiple operating systems and network protocols. MOM can provide software elements that reside in all communicating components of a client/server architecture and typically supports asynchronous calls between the client and server applications. Furthermore, MOM can reduce the involvement of application developers with the complexity of the master-slave nature of the client/server mechanism.
MOM is increasingly being deployed in the context of cloud computing (e.g., in "the cloud"), namely, where computing resources (e.g., hardware, software) are delivered as services over one or more networks (e.g., the Internet). Cloud computing often entrusts remote services with a user's data, software and computation. For instance, end users may access cloud-based applications through a web browser or the like (e.g., light-weight desktop client or mobile app) while the business software and user's data are stored on servers at one or more remote locations. Cloud computing can allow companies to limit upfront infrastructure costs, get their applications up and running faster with improved manageability and less maintenance, and enable their information technology (IT) personnel to more rapidly adjust resources to meet fluctuating and unpredictable business demand.
FIG. 1 presents a simplified illustration of how MOM may be implemented in a cloud-based computing environment 10. Generally, the environment 10 may include at least one "cloud" 14 (e.g., interconnected collection of infrastructure, applications, storage, processing, other services, etc.) that may be accessed and utilized by a plurality of customers or clients (e.g., desktop or laptop computers, servers, thin clients, smartphones, tablets, other mobile devices, etc.) for use of the cloud services through applications such as web browsers, web-based interfaces, application programming interfaces (API), or the like. As an example in one arrangement, the client applications may include a message producer 18 and a message recipient or consumer 22. The message producer 18 may be configured to produce and send a message (e.g., Java® message) over one or more networks (e.g., the Internet) to a message service provider 26 (e.g., Oracle's WebLogic® and GlassFish® servers or other cloud-deployed MOM providers) in the cloud 14, where the message consumer 22 is configured to appropriately retrieve the message from the message service provider 26.
In a "point-to-point" mode of MOM, for instance, a first customer (e.g., a first hospital or doctor's office) may need to send medical imaging data or the like to a second customer (e.g., another hospital or doctor's office). In this regard, a client application (the message producer 18) of the first customer may serve to encapsulate the medical image data in a message and then transmit the message to the message service provider 26 which queues, stores (e.g., in volatile memory, not shown) and backs up (e.g., in persistent or non-volatile storage 30) the message for retrieval by a client application (the message consumer 22) of the second customer. In a "publish-and-subscribe" mode of MOM, the message producer 18 may be a publisher that publishes a topic for retrieval by a plurality of message consumers 22 (e.g., which may be equated to the publisher multicasting messages to multiple consumers). In any event, each message consumer 22 may appropriately register with the message service provider 26 to receive callbacks from the message service provider 26 upon messages for the message consumer 22 being queued at the message service provider 26. In this regard, the message service provider 26 acts as a broker between the message producer 18 and message consumer 22 by ensuring the security and integrity of transactions by way of persistent storage.
Cloud-based messaging services may be aggregated for large numbers of message producers and consumers 18, 22 (e.g., client applications) and the cost may be amortized and shared by the various customers. In such a cloud deployment, the more resources that a client application uses, the higher are the costs that will be incurred. Some cloud services (e.g., Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS)) dynamically allocate (e.g., add or remove) resources based on customers' actual load. For instance, if the message service provider's 26 loading (e.g., utilization) is higher, more CPUs may need to be allocated to maintain QoS (e.g., response time) to meet a particular SLA. On the other hand, CPUs may be freed in response to reduced work load. Other resources such as persistent storage and network bandwidth may be similarly dynamically allocated. The resulting charges (from a cloud customer's view) and the cost (from the cloud provider's view) may be based on the actual resource usage.

Cloud messaging services optimization through adaptive message compression


Systems and methods for probabilistic determination of real world events in a sensory environment such as a predicting location in a responsive environment are described. A responsive environment system includes a set of sensors for making probabilistic observations of RFID sensor tags. The system also includes a control system employing a set of possible real world events and statistical processing system for predicting a particular real world event state based upon the sensor observations. In one configuration, a Hidden Markov Model is used for the statistical processing system and may be updated based upon the prediction of the model. The responsive environment will then launch a response based upon the predicted real world event state.

RFID systems are well known and include passive and active RFID tags along with associated communications equipment and control systems. Each tag typically includes information that at least identifies the tag uniquely in some universe of tags. In the simplest systems, each sensor detects those tags that are within range and communicates the tag identities, and possibly other information such as a sensor reading timestamp, to a control system that then initiates an appropriate response. Details of the operation of RFID systems are well known in the art and further description is not believed necessary for an understanding of the subject invention.
More complex RFID systems locate tags more precisely by measuring the distance from sensors to tags or by triangulation. Other systems such as active badge systems sense tags using different technology such as infrared radiation or ultrasonic sound. As used herein the terms RFID tag and RFID system are intended to include such tags and systems unless otherwise indicated.
RFID systems have proven very successful. They are used in security systems such as corporate ID badges that provide access in buildings. Additionally, they have proven of great value in inventory control applications and are excellent systems for tracking what comes into and what comes out of a warehouse. Furthermore, the well-known EZ Pass® system uses RFID systems at tollbooths to read tags affixed to vehicles and charge tolls to corresponding accounts. Furthermore, responsive environment systems using RFID tags have been described such as the Pitney Bowes ATIRA responsive environment. However, RFID systems are limited in that sensors have limited in range and do not function reliably through walls or other barriers or partitions. Thus in many cases the sensors provide only probabilistic observations of the state. For example, a sensor located at the entrance to a room may be unable to distinguish among tags entering the room, tags leaving the room, and tags passing by the entrance.
Thus it is an object of the subject invention to provide a method and system for predicting, recording and tracking real world states in an RFID system based upon sensor observations such as probabilistic observations of RFID tags.

RFID systems and methods for probabalistic location determination


A cable assembly (100) includes a connector (3) receiving a plurality of terminals, a printed circuit board (PCB) (4), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) member (5) and a cable (7). The PCB comprises a pair of opposite mounting surfaces. One of the mounting surfaces is attached to a rear end of the connector, and electrically connecting with the terminals. The LED member comprises a plurality of tail portions (51) soldering to the other mounting surface, each tail portion comprises a straight portion (511), a connecting portion extending forwardly from the distal end of the straight portion, and a soldering portion (512) extending vertically from the distal end of the connecting portion. The cable electrically connects with the PCB.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cable assembly, and particularly to a cable assembly with a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
2. Description of Prior Arts
Nowadays, the portable consumer electronic device, such as MP3 player, Digital camera etc, used an external cable assembly to charge up. Accordingly, a Light Emitting Diode is always assembled on that cable assembly to show the charging statement. How to assemble the LED to the cable assembly? The prior art show us two ways. First way, the tail portions of the LED are configured to L-shape, and inserted into a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). However, the L-shape tail portions occupy a bigger space in front-to-back direction, and the size of the cable assembly is accordingly increased. Another way, the tail portions of the LED are straight, and soldered to the cable assembly in a SMT (Surface Mount Technology) mean. But this type of tail portion occupies a bigger space in up-to-down direction, and the size of the cable assembly is accordingly increased.
Obviously, it is desirable to have an improved structure to decrease the size of the cable assembly.

Cable assembly with light emitting diode


A single-photon generating device is configured to have a solid substrate including abase portion, and a pillar portion which is formed on the surface side of the base portion with a localized level existent in the vicinity of the tip of the base portion. The above pillar portion is formed to have a larger cross section on the base portion side than the cross section on the tip side, so that the light generated from the localized level is reflected on the surface, propagated inside the pillar portion, and output from the back face side of the base portion.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to single-photon generating device, single-photon detecting device (photodetector) and optical quantum gate acting as key devices for quantum information processing technology, particularly, quantum cryptography communication.
(2) Description of Related Art
In the BB84 protocol, a main stream protocol for quantum cryptography communication at present, cryptographic communication preventing wiretapping is realized by transmitting quantum information carried by a single photon.
For this purpose, a single-photon generating device for securely generating a photon one by one in a single pulse is necessary as a signal source (light source). However, it is difficult to realize such a single-photon generating device.
Accordingly, up to the present, a single-photon generating device has been realized in a simulated manner by weakening laser light so that the mean number of photons per pulse becomes on the order of 0.1 particle.
However, since the laser light is coherent light, there is a case that two photons or more are generated even when using such the weakened light. Thus, information may possibly be leaked to a wiretapper, of which probability is not negligible. Also, there is a problem that communication speed is extremely decreased when intending to carry out long distance communication safely. Therefore, in order to realize high-speed quantum cryptography communication, it is inevitable to realize a single-photon generating device.
As methods for realizing such the single-photon generating device, a variety of methods have been proposed so far.
Among such methods, as a promising technique for achieving high reliability in a telecommunication band, there is a single-photon generating device using light emission from a localized level in a solid substrate, particularly from an exciton level in a low-dimensional semiconductor represented by a quantum dot.
However, since the dielectric constant of a semiconductor is as large as three or more, the light generated from the quantum dot located inside the substrate is almost reflected on a substrate surface, and the ratio of the light outputting from the substrate surface to air is a few percent. Among the above output light, the light coupled to an optical fiber using, for example, an objective lens is merely 1% or less. Therefore, it is an important issue to increase extraction efficiency.
Accordingly, in order to increase the extraction efficiency in the single-photon generating device using light emission from the quantum dot in the semiconductor substrate, a device having the following structure has been proposed.
Namely, there has been proposed a method of forming a single-photon generating device including a self-organized quantum dot layer of InAs, and a DBR (Distributed-Bragg reflector) microresonator (microcavity, or simply, cavity) constituted of a DBR mirror of GaAs and AlAs through the epitaxial growth, and thereafter through etching onto a minute cylinder (micropost), so as to output substantially entire light inside the micropost cavity from the upper (surface) side (For example, refer to "Efficient Source of Single Photons: A Single Quantum Dot in a Micropost Microcabity", Matthew Pelton et al., Physical Review Letters, Volume 89, Number 23, Dec. 2, 2002.).
In the above structure, the coupling with a particular confinement mode can be strengthened in the cavity, thanks to the Purcell effect. It is possible to restrain light dissipation to an unintended direction, and to extract the light to a particular direction only. Thus, the extraction efficiency can be improved. Also, with a shortened emission lifetime thanks to the Purcell effect, it becomes possible to obtain such effects as an increase of a photon generating rate, as well as the mitigation of an influence of decoherence.
Further, by providing an electrode on the semiconductor layer including the quantum dot, additional functions may be provided in the single-photon generating device, such as enabling light emission through current injection, and varying a light emission wavelength by applying an electric field. In such an EL single-photon generating device, and an electric-field-controlled, variable-wavelength PL single-photon generating device, there are provided conductive semiconductor layers of, for example, GaAs on the upper and lower sides of a quantum dot layer of, for example, InAs, and also contact electrodes on the above conductive semiconductor layers (For example, refer to "Electrically Driven Single-Photon Source", Zhiliang Yuan et al., Science, Vol. 295, Jan. 4, 2002.).
However, according to the structure such as proposed in the above paper "Efficient Source of Single Photons: A Single Quantum Dot in a Micropost Microcabity", there is a problem that, when a photon ejects from the internal cavity to the external space, the space distribution thereof expands to a considerable extent, and as a result, the efficiency at the time of coupling to an optical fiber using, for example, an objective lens decreases to a non-negligible extent.
Also, because it is necessary to form a considerably thick hetero epitaxial growth layer for a DBR mirror on both upper and lower sides of the quantum dot layer, quality of the quantum dot may possibly be affected.
Further, because it is necessary to accurately manufacture an extremely long pillar shape including the DBR mirror, an advanced etching technique is required.
In particular, since the quantum dot (formed of, for example, InP) for emitting light of a telecommunication band (for example, 1.5-μm band) has a high strain stress internally, it is highly possible that dry etching may cause quality degradation of the quantum dot.
Further, in the EL single-photon generating device and the electric-field-controlled, variable-wavelength PL single-photon generating device, desirably, at least one of the electrodes is disposed in the vicinity of the quantum dot layer so as to efficiently perform current injection and electric field application to the quantum dot layer.
Accordingly, in the device described in the above paper "Electrically Driven Single-Photon Source", in order that only the light generated from one quantum dot (single photon) is output to the outside, a hole is produced in the contact electrode (metal electrode) provided on the upper portion of a mesa structure, and the light is extracted from the above hole (that is, from the surface side of the mesa structure).
However, it is difficult to increase the extraction efficiency with such the structure.

Single-photon generating device, single-photon detecting device, and optical quantum gate


An information input device for a camera includes an information member having first camera information displayed on one face thereof and second camera information displayed on a second face thereof, a holding member capable of holding the information member with either of its faces in viewable disposition and a detector for detecting which of the faces is in the viewable disposition when the information member is held by the holding member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera having an information setting device for setting photographic information.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional type of information input device for a camera is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,842.
This proposed information input device is typically applied to an automatic exposure camera which can selectively operate in a shutter-speed (Tv) priority mode or an aperture-value (Av) priority mode, and is adapted to allow Tv information and Av information to be set by a single input means such as a rotary dial. The device is arranged to implement a selective indication of Tv information and Av information displayed, respectively, on the outer and inner peripheral portions of an indication disk, by covering either of the Tv information and the Av information by a planar means in interlocked relation to the operation of selecting a desired priority mode.
Information on the selected mode can be viewed through a sectorial window formed in a member which covers the indication disk.
However, the above-described conventional example has presented the following problems:
(1) Although the selectively displayed result is viewed through the sectorial window, neighboring pieces of information, whether the Tv or Av information, can only be viewed at best. Since it is impossible to view all indications at a glance, upper and lower limits cannot be quickly found.
(2) Since display selection is performed in a plane, the display space of the display window which is nearer to the inner peripheral side of the indication disk is narrower than the display space of the same which is nearer to the outer peripheral side. As a result, it may be difficult to identify each indication and if such difficulty is to be overcome, limited kinds of modes must be displayed on the inner peripheral side.
(3) Since a display selecting mechanism which is interlocked with the selecting operation of a mode selecting means is adopted, a complicated construction is needed.
It is also known that the number of functions of cameras has been increasing with the recent development of electronic circuit techniques. For example, a shutter-speed priority mode and an aperture-value priority mode are not only provided as available photographic modes, but programmed AE cameras having several kinds of program charts for various types of photographic effects or subjects are also provided.
Each of the photographic modes is represented on, e.g., a dial by using either an icon which symbolizes the intent or object of the photographic mode or an English character indication utilizing a capital letter.
However, since no careful consideration has conventionally been given to the layout of each photographic mode displayed on a dial or the like, it has been impossible for a user to sufficiently understand the nature of each photographic mode only through the icon or capital letter. It is particularly difficult for beginners or inexperienced persons to handle such a conventional display, with the result that they in practice use only a normal program mode which is the most general. In many cases, distinctive multiple functions have not been satisfactorily utilized.
In the case of an arrangement in which photographic modes having different natures or functions are adjacently displayed, since there is no relationship between the photographic modes, a photographer will be unable to use the functions of all photographic modes if he does not completely memorize them. Although icons or the like are useful to some extent, it is difficult for even an experienced photographer to make an instantaneous decision in all cases at any time, and he may miss a shutter opportunity.

Information input device for a camera and camera equipped therewith