Prior to measuring the concentration of a nonelectrolyte in an electrolyte solution, the electric conductivity of a mixed solution containing electrolytes and the nonelectrolyte is previously measured so as to determine the correlation between the electric conductivity and the concentration of the nonelectrolyte as to the same system. The concentration of the nonelectrolyte in the mixed solution can be determined from the electric conductivity obtained by measuring the mixed solution, based on the correlation.

Conventionally, an electrolyte such as salt or sodium carbonate and a nonelectrolyte such as sugar or alcohol are often added to and mixed with a polar solvent such as water or the like in the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry. Further, in the medical care field, a water solution in which sodium chloride as an electrolyte, glucose as a nonelectrolyte and other small amounts of components are dissolved is utilized as a dialysate used for a dialysing treatment.
When these products are manufactured, since it is difficult to directly measure the concentration of nonelectrolytes in the solutions the electrolytes and the nonelectrolytes in the solution have conventionally been set to given concentrations, respectively by adding predetermined amounts of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes to a predetermined amount of water or a polar solvent which is calculated to have a given concentrations.
However, in this method, because the electrolytes and the like absorb water and change weight while they are stored and further weighing errors are caused by the vibration of a balance and the like, even if the predetermined amounts of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes are weighed, the concentration of a resulting solution is not accurately made to a given concentration. In addition, each time a necessary amount of the solution is changed, necessary amounts of electrolytes, nonelectrolytes, water and the like must be recalculated.
Further, for example, as to the dialysate, medicines used in the preparation of the dialysis solution have conventionally been divided into a so-called agent A mainly composed of sodium chloride and a so-called agent B composed of sodium hydrogencarbonate and they have been supplied to medical sites as undiluted solutions of given concentrations in a liquid state. Therefore, in the medical sites, the dilution ratios for the thus supplied undiluted solutions of agent A and agent B were calculated based on the respective concentrations and the dialysate was prepared by stirring and mixing predetermined amounts of the respective undiluted solutions with a predetermined amount of diluting water in a preparation tank.
Recently, however, there is a proposal in which the agent A and agent B used in the preparation of the dialysate are supplied in a powder state to medical institutions, and the dialysate having a given concentration is prepared at the medical sites by dissolving these powdered medicines in water, respectively, to make a liquid agent A and a liquid agent B each having a given concentration and thereafter mixing these liquid agents A and B.
Various methods are available to measure the concentration of electrolytes such as sodium hydrogen-carbonate used as agent B, and in particular, an electric conductivity meter is widely used because it has many advantages such as a simple construction, easy handling and high reliability resulting from a lower number of factors by which a measured value is influenced.
Therefore, in the preparation of the dialysate, the concentration of a water solution containing the agent B composed of sodium hydrogencarbonate can be simply measured using the electric conductivity meter or the like. On the other hand, the agent A mainly composed of sodium chloride contains grape sugar (glucose) as a nonelectrolyte in addition to sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium acetate etc. as electrolytes. It has conventionally been thought impossible to measure the concentration of the glucose in a water solution containing the agent A using an electric conductivity meter.
That is, the electric conductivity meter is not applicable to nonelectrolytes which are not dissociated to generate ions because the electric conductivity meter uses an electric current flowing through a solution due to the ions generated by the dissociation of substances dissolved in a polar solvent such as water.
Although refractometers, polarimeters and the like are as instruments for directly measuring the concentration of nonelectrolytes in a solution, these instruments are disadvantageous in that they are complex in construction, difficult to handle, have low reliability and measured values are liable to vary depending upon how samples are prepared.
Therefore, concerning the agent A of a dialysate, as described above, predetermined amounts of sodium chloride (electrolyte) etc. and glucose (nonelectrolyte) determined by calculation are added to a predetermined amount of water calculated to have a given concentration, thereby the electrolytes and the nonelectrolyte in the water solution are set to given concentrations, respectively.
Consequently, there arises the same problems as the above in the preparation of the dialysing solution, that is, because the amount of the liquid is increased by the dissolution of the nonelectrolyte, the electrolytes such as sodium chloride etc. and glucose or the like absorb water to change their weight while being stored, as well as weighing errors caused by the vibration of the balance, even if predetermined amounts of electrolytes and glucose are weighed, the concentration of the resulting solution is not accurately set to a given concentration. Furthermore, each time a necessary amount of a solution is changed, necessary amounts of electrolytes, nonelectrolyte, water and the like must be recalculated.

Method of measuring concentration of nonelectrolyte in electrolyte solution, method of preparing mixed solution containing electrolytes and nonelectrolytes and apparatus for preparing the solution


An arrangement is provided for the overall handling of removable controls for an electrical device including the installation and removal of controls from a base or other housing portion of the overall device, e.g. an overhead switch utilized in electrical power distribution/transmission. The arrangement includes facilities for selectively securing or releasing the controls with respect to cooperating housing portions of the device. An operating member is provided with provisions for cooperating with the controls for securing and releasing the control with respect to the operating member. In a preferred arrangement, the controls have separate control functions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electrical power systems and, more particularly, to an arrangement for the overall handling of removable controls for an electrical device including the installation and removal of controls from a base or other housing portion of the overall device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various arrangements are known for handling and/or operating components and devices. For example, the operating arrangements shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,674,027 is directed to the attachment and retention of a charging tool in an operating mechanism.
While the prior art arrangements may be generally useful, they do not provide a handling arrangement for removable control elements for the secure removal and installation of the removable control elements.

Arrangement for removable control elements


An image coding method includes: generating a temporarily coded chrominance signal from the coded residual signal and the intra prediction chrominance signal; calculating a direct-current component of the input chrominance signal; calculating a direct-current component of the temporarily coded chrominance signal; calculating an offset value from the direct-current component of the input chrominance signal and the direct-current component of the temporarily coded chrominance signal; coding quantized coefficients, an intra prediction mode, and the offset value; and adding the offset value to the temporarily coded chrominance signal to generate a coded chrominance signal.

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of applications for services of, for example, video on demand type services. Examples of such services include video-conferencing through the Internet, digital video broadcasting, and streaming of video contents. These applications depend on transmission of video information. These applications require that such video data having a substantial amount of digital data is transmitted through conventional transmission channels each having a limited bandwidth or recorded on conventional recording media each having a limited data capacity. Accordingly, in order to transmit the video data using a conventional transmission channel and to record the video data onto a conventional recording medium, it is inevitable to compress or reduce the amount of the video data.
For the purpose of compressing video data, many video coding standards have been developed. For the purpose of compressing video data, many video coding standards have been developed. Such video coding standards are, for instance, International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) standards denoted as H.26x and ISO/IEC standards denoted as MPEG-x. The most advanced video coding standards are currently the standards denoted as H.264/AVC or MPEG-4/AVC (see Non-patent Literature 1 and Non-patent Literature 2).
In addition, in the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) that is the next-generation image coding standard, various considerations for increasing coding efficiency have been made (see Non-patent Literature 3).

Method of image coding chrominance signal and method of image decoding chrominance signal

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA


A method and system locates a mobile terminal addressed in a location service request using an overlay identity. According to one aspect of the invention a location service client accesses a first subscriber database, thereby providing said overlay identity, in order to derive a cellular identity of said mobile terminal. According to another aspect of the invention the location service client accesses a location service server in order thereby providing said overlay identity. The location service server initiates a privacy check using said overlay identity and in response receives a cellular identity. The cellular identity then may be used to request a location service to enhance functionality.

In general, overlay systems may be provided in cellular or fixed networks for enabling network operators to offer specific services based on and built upon applications, services and protocols not supported in their networks. The intention is that such services will be developed by the network operators and other third party suppliers using the mechanisms provided by external networks, such as the Internet or other external network systems or subsystems.
Recently, an IP Multimedia core network Subsystem (IMS) has been developed which comprises all core network elements for provision of multimedia services. This includes a collection of signalling and bearer related network elements as defined e.g. in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification TS 23.002. IP Multimedia services are based on an IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) defined session control capability which, along with multimedia bearers, utilizes the PS (Packet Switched) domain of the cellular network. In order to achieve access independence and to maintain a smooth operation with wireless terminals across the Internet, the IMS attempts to be conformant to IETF "Internet Standards". Therefore, the interfaces specified conform as far as possible to these standards for the case where an IETF protocol has been selected, e.g. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). The IMS enables the convergence of, and access to, voice, video, messaging, data and to web-based technologies for the wireless user, and combines the growth of the Internet with the growth in mobile communications.
As already mentioned, the IMS utilizes the PS domain to transport multimedia signalling and bearer traffic. The PS domain maintains the service while the mobile terminal moves and hides these moves from the IMS. The IMS is independent of the CS (Circuit Switch) domain although some network elements may be common with the CS domain. This means that it is not necessary to deploy a CS domain in order to support an IMS based network. A mobile station (MS) consists of a mobile or user equipment (ME or UE) with a valid SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) or USIM (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Subscriber Identity Module) attached. The abbreviation "UE" in this specification refers both to MS and user equipment, even those used for emergency calls, which do not have a valid SIM or USIM.
A UE accessing an IMS service requires an IP address which is logically part of IMS IP addressing domain. There are various identities which may be associated with a user of IP multimedia services. Every IMS subscriber has one or more public user identities. The public user identity is used by any user for requesting communications to other users. For example, this might be included on a business card. Both telecom numbering and Internet naming schemes can be used to address users depending on the public user identities allocated to the users. The public user identity may take the form of a SIP URL (Uniform Resource Locator) as defined in RFC 2543 and RFC 2396, or an E.164 number. At least one public user identity is securely stored on the USIM and may be used to identify the user's information within a subscriber database, e.g. the Home Subscriber Server (HSS), e.g. during mobile terminated set-up.
A location service (LCS) feature in UMTS and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) provides a mechanism to support mobile location services for operators, subscribers and third party service providers. Location services may be considered as a network provided enabling technology consisting of standardized service capabilities which enable the provision of location applications. The applications may be service provider specific. In general, LCS is a service concept in a system standardization. LCS specifies all necessary network elements and entities, their functionalities, interfaces as well as communication messages to implement the positioning functionality in a cellular network. Positioning is a functionality which detects a geographical location of e.g. a mobile terminal. Principles and/or algorithms on which the estimation of the geographical location is based may be e.g. AOA, TOA or TDOA. For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is based on TOA while OTDOA and E-OTD (on GSM) are based on TDOA.
The positioning of the UE is a service provided by the access network. In particular, all access networks (e.g. UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), GM/EDGE (Enhanced Datarate for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network (GERAN), which facilitate determination of the locations of UEs, shall be able to exchange location information with a core network as defined in the 3GPP specification TS23.271, when connected to a core network.
By making use of the radio signals, the capability to determine the (geographic) location of the UE can be provided. The location information may be requested by and reported to a client (application) associated UE or by a client within or attached to the core network. The location information may also be utilized internally in a system, for example, for location assisted handover or to support other features, such as home location billing. The position information may be reported in standard, e.g. geographical coordinates, together with the time-of-day and the estimated errors (uncertainty) of the location of the UE according to the 3GPP specification TS 23.032. There are many different possible uses for the location information. As already mentioned, the positioning feature may be used internally by the GSM/UMTS network (or attached networks), by value-added network services, by the UE itself or through the network and by the third parties' services. The positioning feature may also be used by an emergency service. Although LCS has been defined for the CS and PS domains of cellular networks, it has not yet been defined for the IMS domain. Currently, the LCS service does not support IMS LCS clients to be addressed by IMS identities.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for locating a mobile terminal


A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer with an impurity of a first conductivity type diffused therein, and a local insulating layer, source layer, and a drain layer formed therein. The drain layer has an impurity of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. A gate electrode is formed over the semiconductor layer extending from over the local insulating layer to the source layer. A low-concentration diffusion layer is formed in the semiconductor layer below the drain layer. First and second gate insulating films are formed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer, and respectively extending from an end, on the source layer side, of the gate electrode to the local insulating layer without reaching the local insulating layer, and extending from an end on another side of the local insulating layer to the source layer.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device such as a lateral double diffusion MOS transistor or the like that needs a high breakdown voltage and low power consumption, and a manufacturing method thereof.
In a conventional lateral double diffusion MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor (called "LDMOS"), an N-type LDMOS is formed which includes a local insulating layer comprised of silicon oxide, which is formed in an N well layer formed by diffusing an N-type impurity into a P-type semiconductor substrate in a low concentration, a drain layer formed by diffusing an N-type impurity into the N well layer lying in a region adjacent to one side of the local insulating layer in a high concentration, a P body diffusion layer formed by diffusing a P-type impurity into the N well layer lying in a region separated from the other side of the local insulating layer in a low concentration, a source layer formed by diffusing an N-type impurity into the P body diffusion layer in a high concentration, a gate electrode formed over the N well layer lying in a region extending from over the local insulating layer to the source layer, a first gate insulating film formed between the gate electrode and the N well layer, and a second gate insulating film, which is formed in a region adjacent to the other side of the local insulating layer and which is connected to the first gate insulating film and thicker than the first gate insulating film and thinner than the local insulating layer. An end on the source layer side, of the second gate insulating film thick in thickness is caused to approach the P body diffusion layer in a range in which they do not overlap, and the length of a drift drain region is substantially increased by the local insulating layer formed in the N well layer, thereby enhancing a source-to-drain breakdown voltage (refer to, for example, a patent document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-67181 (mainly paragraph 0019 in page 6—paragraph 0047 in page 8 and FIGS. 3A and 4)).
With a body diffusion layer formed below the source layer and a semiconductor layer provided therearound as different conductivity-type diffusion layers, such an LDMOS enhances a source-to-drain breakdown voltage at an OFF state of the gate electrode by a depletion layer which expands the semiconductor layer from a PN junction formed in the boundary therebetween to the drain layer. There has however been proposed an LDMOS (called "resurf LDMOS") wherein in order to further enhance the source-to-drain breakdown voltage, a conductivity-type drift diffusion layer different from the semiconductor layer is formed below the drain layer, and the PN junction formed in the boundary to the semiconductor layer lying therearound, and the drain layer are caused to approach therebetween thereby to facilitate the formation of a depletion layer that expands the drift diffusion layer from the PN junction to the drain layer, thus making it possible to enhance a source-to-drain breakdown voltage (refer to, for example, a non-patent document 1 (Y. Kawagutchi et al., ┌0.6 μm BiCMOS Based 15 and 25V LDMOS for an Analog Application┘, Proc. 2001 int. Symp. Power Semiconductor Devices & ICs, p. 169)).
The above-described resurf LDMOS has an advantage in that when the differences in concentration for forming the PN junctions between the resurf LDMOS and the LDMOS described in the patent document 1 are made identical, the source-to-drain breakdown voltage (hereinafter called simply "breakdown voltage") at the OFF state of the gate electrode can be brought to a higher breakdown voltage as compared with the LDMOS described in the patent document 1. If this advantage is utilized, then the diffusion concentration of the drift diffusion layer is set to a higher concentration in the case of the same breakdown voltage to more reduce an ON resistance, thereby making it possible to attain a further reduction in power consumption. The present situation is however that a practicable resurf LDMOS has not been realized.
This is because when the gate insulating film lying below the gate electrode is set to a normal thickness for operating the resurf LDMOS, the concentration of an electric field becomes easier to occur directly below the end on the source layer side, of the local insulating layer in the drift diffusion layer, and obtaining a predetermined ON resistance at a predetermined breakdown voltage becomes difficult.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof


A cable management clasp includes a clasp body having an upper locating member and a lower locating member joined to the upper locating member at opposite first and second ends. The upper and lower locating members are parallel to each other to form an elongated cable receptacle between the upper and lower locating members. The upper and lower locating members gang a plurality of cables in a parallel arrangement within the cable receptacle.

The subject matter herein relates generally to cable management clasps for a cable assembly of a communication system.
Various communication systems may include an array of electrical connectors for interconnecting different communication devices. The electrical connectors are electrically connected by cables to communicatively couple the corresponding electrical connectors. However, management of the cables, particularly in high density applications or in applications having limited space between the electrical connectors is problematic. For example, the various cables may be twisted, intertwined or otherwise difficult to manage. As the number of electrical connectors and the associated cables increases, it can be more difficult to route and manage the cables within the allotted space.
Accordingly, a need remains for a mechanism or device that facilitates managing the cables between the arrays of electrical connectors.

Cable management clasp for a cable assembly of a communication system


Systems and methods for determining if an aircraft is approaching a atmospheric pressure at field elevation (QFE) airport and for alerting if any errors that might affect the production of an accurate altitude value. In an example method a global positioning system (GPS) altitude value is compared to a corrected barometric altitude, if an airport that the aircraft is proximate to (approaching) is a QFE airport. The field elevation of the proximate airport is added to the corrected barometric altitude to generate an adjusted barometric altitude, if the comparison between the GPS altitude and the corrected barometric altitude is greater than a predefined threshold. The adjusted barometric altitude is sent to relevant aircraft systems, such as an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System.

Some airports around the world still operate under the practice of atmospheric pressure at field elevation (QFE). At QFE airports, Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) or a similar outputted system outputs a barometric pressure setting value. This value is one that when an aircraft is positioned on the ground at the airport the barometric altimeter reading in the aircraft will read zero regardless of the altitude of the airport. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, if an aircraft is flying to a QFE airport that is at the elevation of 1000 feet, the barometric altimeter indicates that the aircraft is 1000 feet lower than it actually is. This does not become a problem if the aircrew informs all systems within the aircraft that use barometric pressure that it is based on a QFE setting. However, if the aircrew fails to make sure the other aircraft systems understand that the barometric altimeter is based on QFE operation, then the other aircraft systems will produce false alerts. For example, as the aircraft is descending towards the airport, a Terrain Awareness System (TAWS) produces caution and warning alerts as the aircraft is on approach to the airport because the TAWS believes that the aircraft is 1000 feet closer than it actually is to the ground. Since the aircraft is actually flying 1000 feet higher, this alert is a nuisance alert. Because of the number of tasks performed on an approach to landing, the flight crew may be overloaded and not want to bother with figuring out the cause of the alert and thus just deactivate the TAWS. Deactivation of the TAWS leaves the aircraft vulnerable to controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Therefore, there exists a need to automatically detect the use of QFE operations to avoid nuisance alerts such as altitude monitor function alerts.

Systems and methods for automatic detection of QFE operations


The system and method described herein enable generating digital product labels for products that are valued by weight. Product identification data of a product is received via at least one of a user interface and a network interface. Value per weight data of the product is obtained from a product data store via the network interface. A weight value is determined from at least one scale device via the network interface and a product value is calculated based on the obtained value per weight data and the determined weight value. A digital product label is generated, including at least a portion of the product identification data and product value. The disclosure provides systems and methods that use multiple modular devices, such as the scale devices, printers, and product attribute collector devices, that provide flexibility in organizing the system and reduced cost in initial setup and replacement of devices in the system.

In today's stores, modern scale devices are used for handling products that are valued by weight. The modern scales being used are not simple mechanical devices. They are intelligent, multi-media devices consisting of multiple integrated hardware peripherals driven by software, which is often proprietary. The modern scales include weight measuring devices, printers, multiple user interfaces, such as screens for use by an employee and a customer arranged on different parts of the scale. While such scales provide substantial functionality, the cost to replace a scale is high, and a single malfunctioning peripheral of the scale, such as a broken printer, can render the entire device unusable.
Further, the software that drives the many functions of the scale is tied to the scale and provides limited or no customizability, reducing the ability to create customized, efficient workflows that include the scale's functions. Also, software and hardware upgrades of the complex, modern scale devices can be costly when older models are no longer supported by manufacturers.

Digital product label generation using modular scale device


A method and device for the wet processing of substrates in a container are provided. At least one liquid is introduced via at least one liquid inlet into the container. A liquid overflow device is adapted to float on the surface of the liquid in the container. The overflow device is provided with openings for withdrawing liquid from the container. Accompanied by release or flooding of the substrates disposed in the container, the overflow device, together with the surface of the liquid, drops to below the substrates or is raised from the substrates.

The invention relates to a method for the wet treatment or processing of substrates in a container into which at least one fluid is introduced and drained via an overflow device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for the wet treatment of substrates in a container which is provided with at least one fluid inlet and one fluid overflow device with openings for draining a fluid.
Methods and devices of the above-mentioned kind are known, for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,752, from EP A 0 385 536, and are also described in the unpublished documents DE-A-44 130 077 and DE-A-195 46 990 of the same applicant. The upper side of the container holding the fluid and the substrates is provided with overflow devices, whereby the fluid is introduced from below and upwardly, passing the substrates, and drains off through the overflow openings or edges at the upper side of the container. After the wet treatment, for example after a rinsing process, the substrates are lifted--by a more or less complicated mechanism--either together with a substrate carrier or directly out of the fluid or the container, with the overflow drain providing for particles and other contaminants at the fluid surface to be carried off into the overflow device by the flow and essentially not to stick to the substrates while lifting the substrates out of the fluid.
The mechanical devices for securely and uniformly lifting the substrates out of the fluid or out of the container are very costly and complicated. Moreover, the lifting mechanisms require a relatively large space within the container because they have to grip underneath the substrate carrier or under the substrates and lift them up. Apart from the fact that the container dimensions have to be relatively large, a relatively large fluid consumption is involved with this if the fluid has to be changed or replaced.
A particular disadvantage on lifting the wafers out of the container is also that very accurately manufactured guides for the wafers on the lifting mechanisms and within the hood for the wafers that is arranged above the container have to be formed in order to hold the wafers securely and reliably within a defined position during the lifting-off out of the container. The manufacturing costs for such guides are high because of the very precise manufacturing that is required and, additionally, with the commonly known devices damage or breaking of the substrates on lifting them out of the container can be avoided only by an additional adjusting mechanism.
AT 208 307 discloses a dosing apparatus for proportionally introducing chemical solutions into periodically charged containers. The dosing apparatus includes a chemical container that is hermetically sealed from the outside and that is disposed over a liquid or fluid container. Provided in the fluid container is an air-displacement bell that is opened downwardly toward the fluid container and at the highest location communicates via a connecting pipe with the hermetically sealed chemical container 1. Disposed in the interior of the sealed chemical container is a float with a tube, the free opening of which intersects the lower edge of the float. If the fluid container is entirely or partially filled, a corresponding quantity of air is displaced into the hermetically sealed chemical container, so that there exists in this sealed container an excess pressure that presses the chemical solution through the opening at the lower connecting end of the float, so that a corresponding quantity of chemical solution flows through a hose for the dosed introduction of the chemicals into the fluid container. Such a dosing apparatus enables the dosing of a fluid proportional to a fluid quantity that is to be filled in a liquid container by means of air displacement, so that this known apparatus serves a basically different purpose, entirely aside from the fact that the container for this purpose must be hermetically sealed in order to be able to generate an overpressure.
It is an object of the invention to provide or create a method and a device of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is substantially simpler not only with regard to the method but also to the structural requirements and, nevertheless, guarantees a secure and reliable handling of the substrates.

Method and device for wet-processing substrates in a vessel


An illumination device includes a light source positioned on an illumination axis, a lens assembly having at least two biconvex lenses disposed on the illumination axis, and a reflector having a reflecting surface enclosing the lens assembly. The light source emits a first group of light beams which directly impinge of the lens assembly, and a second group of light beams which directly impinge on the reflector. The second group of light beams being reflected by the reflecting surface such that they surround the first group of light beams after being refracted by the lens assembly, without such second group of light beams impinging on the lens assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a projection illumination device, and in more particular to a projection illumination device utilizing a lens assembly and a reflector to project light beams.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,032 discloses a LED lighting equipment for vehicle. In FIG. 1, the LED lighting equipment comprises a LED lighting equipment 1′ comprising a LED lamp 2′, a reflection surface of hyperboloid 4′ having two focuses f1 and f2, and a reflection surface of paraboloid of revolution 5′. Light beams reflected by the reflection surface 4′ are emitted outwardly and centrally from the focus f2. The focus f2 of the reflection surface 4′ and the focus of the reflection surface 5′ are overlapped. The light beams reflected by the reflection surface 5′ travel to the remote ahead of the reflection surface 5′.

Illumination device having bi-convex lens assembly and coaxial concave reflector

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A sash balance brake shoe assembly (2) is disclosed for counterbalancing a sash window (3) slidably supported within a master frame (5). The assembly generally includes a balance assembly preferably in the form of a block and tackle balance assembly (7) and a brake shoe (28). The balance assembly has a balance channel (6). The brake shoe (28) has an extension member (36) that is received by the balance channel (6). A fastener (42) directly connects the brake shoe (28) to the balance channel (6).

A sash window arrangement disposed within a frame is well known. The frame is comprised of a pair of opposed vertical tracks or jams. The tracks are adapted to slidably guide a pair of sash windows within the frame.
Various types of balance systems are known and are used to counterbalance the weight of the sash window. In particular, block and tackle counter balance assemblies are known and have become popular due to their combination of relatively compact size and ease of installation. The block and tackle balance combines a system of pulleys and an extension spring mounted within a rigid balance channel for conversion of a high spring tension applied over a short working distance to a lower tension applied over a longer working distance. The extension spring is anchored at one end of the balance channel and the pulley system is anchored at the other end of the channel.
A traditional arrangement utilizing a block and tackle balance is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,991 to deNormand. In deNormand '991, an end of the balance channel is attached to the track via a hook or other intermediate structure. An end of a cord reeved through the pulley system and extending from a second end of the channel is attached, via a hook or other intermediate structure, to a shoe. This shoe is in turn attached to the window sash and slides therewith, within the track. An inverted block and tackle counterbalance system is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,476 to deNormand. In this arrangement, the end of the cord extending from the channel is attached to the track via a hook or other intermediate structure. The balance channel is then attached to the sash shoe via a hook or other intermediate structure such that the balance channel slides within the track as the window slides within the frame.
A disadvantage encountered with use of the block and tackle balance system is that it limits the range of slidable motion available to the window sash. This results in ultimately limiting the size of the opening available to an occupant of an enclosure during an event of emergency, such as a fire or other reason necessitating rapid egress. An additional disadvantage realized through use of the prior art block and tackle balance arrangements is that after extended use, the connecting mechanism between the balance channel and the sash shoe, or between the balance channel and the track, may deteriorate. This results in possible sudden detachment of the balance channel from the shoe or the track. If such detachment occurs, replacement of parts or other repairs resulting from the accompanying rapid movement of the block and balance channel and/or sash may be required.
The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.

Block and tackle balance assembly with brake shoe


An arrangement includes an output shaft, a cutting head, at least one cutting tool arranged on the cutting head, and a hood. The cutting head is mounted on the output shaft by a screw element held in a rotationally fixed manner on the cutting head. The hood is held on the output shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, and has ribs in the inner region, and a first grip region in the outer region.

The invention relates to an arrangement for fastening a cutting head on an output shaft. Further, the invention relates to a portable work appliance having an arrangement for fastening a cutting head.
Brushcutters are known, arranged on the output shaft of which is a cutting head having a cutting tool. The cutting head is mounted on the output shaft by means of a press-fit connection. A disadvantage of such brushcutters is that it is difficult for end users themselves to change the cutting head of the brushcutter. To demount and mount the cutting head, the end user needs a special tool in order to undo the press-fit connection, and then to mount the new cutting head on the output shaft again by means of a press-fit connection. Alternatively, the end user can bring the brushcutter into a corresponding specialist workshop that undertakes changing of the cutting head.

Arrangement for fastening a cutting head; portable work appliance having an arrangement for fastening a cutting head


A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless and/or inductive communications are provided in connection with improving remote NFC device detection through use of an oscillator circuit connected to an NFC antenna and matching network. In one example, a communications device is equipped to monitor frequency oscillations generated by an oscillator circuit associated with a transmitter path of a NFC antenna and matching network, determine that a number of occurrences of the frequency oscillations from a reference frequency is greater than a frequency deviation threshold, and perform a NFC polling procedure in response to the determination.

1. Field
The disclosed aspects relate generally to communications between devices and specifically to methods and systems for improving remote near field communication (NFC) device detection through use of an oscillator circuit connected to an NFC antenna and matching network.
2. Background
Advances in technology have resulted in smaller and more powerful personal computing devices. For example, there currently exist a variety of portable personal computing devices, including wireless computing devices, such as portable wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and paging devices that are each small, lightweight, and can be easily carried by users. More specifically, the portable wireless telephones, for example, further include cellular telephones that communicate voice and data packets over wireless networks. Many such cellular telephones are manufactured with ever increasing computing capabilities, and as such, are becoming tantamount to small personal computers and hand-held PDAs. Further, such devices are enabling communications using a variety of frequencies and applicable coverage areas, such as cellular communications, wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, NFC, etc.
When using NFC, it is desirable for a poller device to be able to detect the proximity of a listener device (e.g., a passive tag, an active device functioning as a passive tag, etc.) using as little power as possible. Power is a particular concern since, in typical applications, the poller device spends most of its time in the listening mode (cycling between listen and sleep with some duty cycle). Another concern is sensitivity of detection, as it is desirable to detect a coupled device at the edge of the operating volume where coupling is weak.
Currently, the poller device may fully activated (TX+RX antennas) for transmission of a carrier signal and listening for a load modulation response. Alternatively, the poller device may activate the TX antenna and monitor the power consumption, and/or the poller device may activate the TX antenna and monitor power consumption over a frequency sweep. In this case, the frequency corresponding to peak power consumption may be used to discriminate proximity of a coupled device. Each of these schemes requires significant power consumption since the full TX antenna and/or both the TX&RX antennas are enabled. Further, even when just the TX antenna is active, the schemes have limited sensitivity as the variation in TX power consumption only provides a weak function of proximity to a coupled device, particularly at the edge of the operating volume.
Thus, improved apparatuses and methods providing mechanisms for detecting a remote NFC device without excessive power consumption may be desired.

Methods and apparatus for improving remote NFC device detection using an oscillator circuit


The present invention advantageously provides a method for forming a transistor having decreased source-side parasitic resistance and an improved shallow junction, thereby providing for enhanced transistor performance and improved resistance to short-channel effects. Barrier atoms are selectively implanted into the semiconductor substrate prior to formation of lightly doped drains and source/drain regions. Barrier atoms present in the channel region under the gate structure prevent migration of the lightly doped drain implant impurities into the channel region, thus reducing parasitic resistance. Barrier atoms implanted into the junction region prevent migration of source implant impurities more deeply into the junction region, thus preserving the shallow junction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to integrated circuit fabrication and, more particularly, to forming a p-channel transistor having a barrier implant in the source-side of the channel to control migration of subsequently introduced, high diffusivity implant species therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Associated with fabrication of PMOSFETs are several difficulties not found in NMOSFET fabrication. Among these is the problem of redistribution of implanted boron used to form source/drain areas in a PMOSFET. Dopants with relatively heavy ionic masses, such as arsenic, are implanted to form source/drain implant areas in NMOSFETs. These heavy ions have relatively small projected implant ranges and little channeling when implanted. Further, arsenic has a low diffusivity, such that minimal redistribution occurs as a result of post-implant annealing.
In contrast, boron has a relatively low atomic mass. As a result, junctions formed using boron are deeper than junctions formed with heavier n-type impurities. Due to its lower mass, boron has a longer implant range, even at lower implant energies. Ion channeling by boron also increases the depth of the implant. In addition, boron has a high diffusivity. Post-implant anneal can cause significant redistribution of boron, leading to both a deeper junction due to vertical redistribution and a narrowed channel due to lateral redistribution. The presence of boron adjacent to and even within the channel adds capacitance and resistance to the source/drain pathway. This added resistance, generally known as parasitic resistance, can have many deleterious effects. For example, parasitic resistance can decrease the saturation drive current and the overall speed of the transistor. Thus, in order to maximize drive current, it is desirable to maintain separation between the source impurity distribution and the channel.
While it would seem beneficial to decrease the drain-side parasitic resistance as well as the source-side parasitic resistance, the drain-side parasitic resistance is nonetheless needed to minimize the problem of hot carrier injection ("HCI") as the lateral dimensions of PMOSFETs decrease to the submicron range. HCI is a phenomenon whereby the kinetic energy of the charge carriers (holes or electrons) is increased as the carriers are accelerated through large potential gradients and subsequently become trapped within the gate dielectric. The greatest potential gradient, often referred to as the maximum electric field ("E.sub.m "), occurs near the drain during saturated operation of a transistor. More specifically, the electric field is predominant at the lateral junction of the drain adjacent the channel. As hot carriers travel to the drain, they lose their energy by a process called impact ionization. Impact ionization serves to generate electron-hole pairs which migrate to and become injected within the gate dielectric near the drain junction. Vacancy and interstitial positions within the gate dielectric generally become electron traps, resulting in a net negative charge density within the gate dielectric. Unfortunately, the trapped charge may accumulate over time, causing the transistor threshold voltage to undesirably shift from its design specification.
To overcome the problems related to HCI, an alternative drain structure known as the lightly doped drain ("LDD") has grown in popularity. The LDD structure advantageously absorbs some of the potential into the drain and thus reduces E.sub.m. A conventional LDD structure is one in which a light concentration of dopant is self-aligned to the gate conductor followed by a heavier concentration of dopant self-aligned to the gate conductor on which two sidewall spacers have been formed. The purpose of the first implant dose is to produce a lightly doped section (i.e., an LDD area) at the gate edge immediately adjacent the channel. The second implant dose forms a heavily doped source/drain region spaced from the channel a distance dictated by the thickness of the sidewall spacer. A dopant gradient (i.e., graded junction) therefore results at the interface between the LDD area and the channel as well as between the LDD area and the source/drain region. Lightly doped drain areas are typically formed simultaneously on both the source and drain sides to facilitate processing. Because the addition of an LDD implant adjacent the channel adds capacitance and resistance to the source/drain pathway, however, transistor fabrication often involves a compromise between maximizing drive current and minimizing hot carrier injection.
Further, as the dimensions of transistor features have become increasingly smaller to provide for faster and more complex integrated circuit devices, the shrinkage of device dimensions has given rise to various problems. Microelectronic manufacturers have primarily focused on reducing the lateral dimensions of transistor devices to achieve the desired operational speed of an integrated circuit. After implantation of dopants into the source/drain regions and subsequent diffusion of the dopants, the actual distance between the source/drain regions becomes less than the physical channel length and is often referred to as the effective channel length ("L.sub.eff "). In VLSI designs, as the physical channel length becomes small, so too must L.sub.eff. Decreasing L.sub.eff of a transistor generally leads to so-called short-channel effects ("SCE") in which the transistor's properties, e.g., the transistor threshold voltage, undesirably vary from their design specification. Absent a comparable reduction in the depth of the source/drain regions, the severity of the SCE resulting from a decrease in L.sub.eff may be profound. Accordingly, it has become necessary to scale down the vertical dimensions of the source/drain regions, (i.e., the depth of the implant), to ensure proper operation of transistor devices.
The formation of shallow source/drain regions (i.e., junctions) is, however, rather difficult for PMOSFET devices which include boron-implanted junctions. Due to the relatively high diffasivity and channeling of boron atoms, implanted boron can penetrate deeply into the substrate. While using very low implant energies of boron might produce relatively shallow junctions, advances in technology are required to make available low-energy ion implanters before such low implant energies can be realized. Reducing the junction depth has residual value in decreasing lateral diffusion as well. Thus, a low energy implant can provides some protection against SCE. However, a shallow implant, or an implant with low dosage, can increase the parasitic resistance of the source/drain junctions. Moreover, forming contacts to relatively shallow junctions has several drawbacks. A contact layer which consumes the underlying source/drain junctions is often used during contact formation. For example, a refractory metal may be deposited across the source/drain junctions and heated to initiate a reaction between the metal and the underlying silicon, thereby forming a low resistivity self-aligned silicide ("salicide") upon the junctions. Unwanted junction spiking may also occur if aluminum contacts abut the relatively shallow junctions. Consequently, the junctions may exhibit large current leakage or become electrically shorted. Therefore, precautions must be taken to prevent excessive consumption of the shallow junctions (i.e., junction spiking) during contact formation.
Attempts have been made to overcome the problems associated with junction depth reduction. One approach involves using selective silicon growth ("SSG") with rapid thermal anneal ("RTA") processing, as described in "High Performance Half-Micron PMOSFETs With 0.1 .mu.m Shallow P.sup.+ N Junction Utilizing Selective Silicon Growth And Rapid Thermal Annealing", H. Shibata et al., IEDM Tech. Dig., 1987, pp. 590-593 (incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein). The SSG technique is used to raise the source/drain regions above the base of an adjacent gate conductor by growing silicon selectively upon the source/drain regions. After the SSG process, RTA of the source/drain regions is performed to minimize impurity redistribution and to reduce the source/drain resistance as well as the contact resistance. However, the SSG technique, which uses selective epitaxial growth, is generally difficult to control and requires equipment typically not used by integrated circuit manufacturers. Both of these factors contribute to the high overall cost of using the SSG technique.
Another approach used to prevent the shortcomings of shallow junctions is described in "High Performance Submicron SOI/CMOS With An Elevated Source/drain Structure", J. M. Hwang et al., IEEE International SOI Conference Proceedings, 1993, pp. 132-133 (incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein). This approach employs thinning of the channel. The extent of thinning may unfortunately fluctuate across the channel region, depending upon the physical channel length. Accordingly, it may be difficult to achieve the depth of the resulting recessed region required to reduce the source/drain resistance of the ensuing source/drain regions which are to be raised above the base of the ensuing gate conductor. A gate conductor which is not self-aligned to the recessed region of the substrate may be undesirably patterned above the substrate. As a result, a portion of the gate conductor may extend below the uppermost surface of the substrate into the recess region, while another portion of the gate conductor may terminate above the substrate surface beyond the recess region. A transistor formed in this manner may exhibit characteristics dissimilar from those designed for the transistor.
A process similar to the one above is described in "Recessed Channel (RC) SOI NMOSFETs With Self-Aligned Polysilicon Gate Formed on the RC Region", J. H. Lee et al., IEEE International SOI Conference Proceedings, 1996, pp. 122-123 (incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein). Lee et al. generally describe a masking layer which exposes only the channel region of a substrate. During local oxidation of the channel region, oxide growth may occur underneath the edges of the masking layer in addition to upon the channel region, a phenomena known as the "bird's beak" effect. Due to the bird's beak effect, the resulting sidewall surfaces of the gate conductor may be nonvertical. As a result, the physical channel length might not be clearly defined. Further, the relatively low slope of the gate conductor sidewall surfaces may severely limit, if not eliminate, the possibility of forming dielectric sidewall spacers upon the sidewall surfaces. Therefore, the ability to form well-defined LDD areas adjacent to the gate conductor may be sacrificed by the formation of the gate conductor above a recessed region of the substrate.
It would therefore be of benefit to develop a transistor fabrication method which permits forming a transistor having maximal drive current and minimal hot carrier injection. Further, it would be beneficial to develop a method for forming a transistor with relatively shallow source/drain junctions. A transistor fabricated according to such a process would exhibit improved performance (e.g., speed). In addition, such a transistor would be less likely to experience short channel effects even if the transistor possesses a relatively short physical channel length. The transistor would also be more likely to operate according to design.

High-performance PMOS transistor using a barrier implant in the source-side of the transistor channel


A display apparatus includes: a plurality of pixel circuits 6; a reference voltage source for supplying a reference voltage to a reference voltage line 4; a first switch for connecting the reference voltage source to the reference voltage line 4; a data line 5 for supplying a data voltage to the pixel circuit, wherein the pixel circuit 6 includes a light emitting element, a driving transistor M1 having a source connected to an anode of the light emitting element, a holding capacitor CS having one end connected to a gate of the driving transistor M1 and having the other end connected to the source of the driving transistor M1, a second switch for connecting the gate of the driving transistor M1 to the data line 5, and a third switch for connecting the source of the driving transistor M1 to the reference voltage line 4.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display apparatus including a self-emitting light emitting element, and particularly, to a display apparatus including an organic electroluminescence element (hereinafter, "organic EL element"), which is a current control element, as a light emitting element.
2. Description of the Related Art
A voltage programming pixel circuit that sets an input data voltage in each pixel is known as a pixel circuit of an active matrix organic EL display apparatus. Such a pixel circuit generally includes a driving transistor that supplies an organic EL element with a current based on the input data voltage. However, there are variations in a threshold voltage depending on the driving transistor. Therefore, there is a problem that there are variations in the luminance of the organic EL elements even if the same input data voltage is set to each pixel. To solve the problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2003-271095 and 2007-310311 disclose voltage programming pixel circuits that use driving transistors (N type) to cancel the influence of the variations in the threshold voltage of the driving transistors.
The pixel circuit described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-271095 includes two transistors and two capacitors, and a parasitic capacitance CL connected in parallel with a current control element is larger than a holding capacitor CS connected between a gate electrode and a source electrode of the driving transistor. Therefore, when an input video signal level is divided into the parasitic capacitance CL and the holding capacitor CS, a voltage close to the input video signal level is applied to the holding capacitor CS. As a result, it is described that the input video signal level can be reduced and that there is also an advantage in terms of power consumption.
The pixel circuit described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-310311 has a similar configuration to that of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-271095. A capacitive element 3I, which is a capacitive component of a light emitting element 3D, can be larger than a holding capacitor 3C from the viewpoint of the reduction in the power consumption.
However, a large layout area is necessary to form the large parasitic capacitance CL and capacitive element 3I. Since the parasitic capacitance CL and the capacitive element 3I are arranged pixel by pixel, there is a problem that the pixel size per pixel is large.

Display apparatus using reference voltage line for parasitic capacitance, electronic apparatus using the display apparatus and driving method of the display apparatus


An apparatus for use on a surface and responsive to an operator. A head assembly is adapted to carry a device for engaging the surface. An actuator raises and lowers the head assembly relative to the surface. A position control responsive to operator input indicates a head position of the device relative to the surface or range of head positions of the device relative to the surface. The head position or the range of head positions indicates a distance or range of distances, respectively, between the device and the surface. A controller responsive to the position control selectively actuates the actuator to maintain the device in the head position or within the range of head positions as indicated by the position control. As a result, a repeatable position or range of positions of the brush head is obtained, the relative engagement between the head assembly and surface is controlled and the treatment of the surface by the head assembly is controlled. Position control may be used in combination with torque control of motors driving brushes for engaging the surface. Position control may also be used in combination with a pressure control measuring the pressure between the brush head and the surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an apparatus for treating a surface which apparatus is responsive to an operator to position a head assembly relative to the surface. In particular, the invention relates to a brush head positioning system for a floor scrubber in which the brush head carries rotating brushes for cleaning the floor and the position of the brush head relative to the floor is controlled.
2. Background of the Invention
When scrubbing floors, it is important to maintain a constant and continuous scrubbing action on the floor. Often times, the floor surface is uneven, requiring some means for adjusting the brush head to follow the contours of the floor surface. The goal is to provide an even scrub across the entire floor. Also, brushes and pads can wear or the operator may want to change to a different type of brush or pad with different heights. In any of these conditions, the brush head must be properly positioned to compensate for such variations.
In the past, several attempts have been made to provide a floor scrubbing system which accomplishes the above. For example, in some systems, an operator must manually reposition the brush head depending on the various varying factors noted above. It is also known that the torque of drive motors for driving brushes or other floor maintenance tools may be controlled in order to provide some type of consistency in the application of force to the floor. However, such torque control systems tend to adjust the torque based on the type of surface of the floor or based on the condition of the floor. As an example, when scrubbing concrete the surface texture can change dramatically with only slight variations in floor height. Such a system may over torque the application of a brush to a smooth concrete floor and may under torque the application of a brush to a rough concrete floor. In addition, a floor which has a sticky coating on it may be under torqued whereas a floor with a shiny coating on it may be over torqued. Therefore, monitoring torque or current drawn on brush motors for positioning the brush head is not necessarily an effective technique for accomplishing consistency in the application of force to the floor. This is because the torque or current draw is dramatically affected by variations in the friction between the brushes and the floor. Since the coefficient of friction of the surface may change dramatically, this causes similarly dramatic changes in the current or torque, which changes may be unacceptable. Changes in surface texture may or may not demand a change in torque or current in order to maintain a proper and consistent floor treatment.
Other systems have suggested a load cell to measure pressure. However, such systems are expensive and difficult to implement in a reliable, industrial grade apparatus.
Therefore, there is a need for a system which consistently positions the brush head relative to the floor surface so that the position is repeatable thereby permitting the repeatable and consistent cleaning of the floor surface. There is also a need for a system which is responsive to variations in the contours of floors so that height adjustments between the brush assembly and the floor can be accomplished automatically to compensate for such differences in floor height. There is also a need for such a positioning system that accommodates different side brushes and pads.
It is an object of the invention to provide a floor cleaning system which employs a brush head for engaging the floor which brush head has a position which is controlled relative to the position of the floor.
It is an object of the invention to provide a brush head cleaning system which repeatedly positions the brush head relative to the floor.
It is another object of this invention to provide a brush head cleaning system which is rugged and low in manufacturing costs but provides efficient positioning of the brush head assembly relative to the floor.
It is another object of this invention to provide a brush head cleaning system which permits the brush head to be positioned and which also permits the torque of the brush to be controlled after the brush head is positioned.
It is another object of this invention to provide a brush head cleaning system which permits the brush head to be positioned and which provides pressure control of the brush after the brush head has been positioned.
In one form, the invention comprises an apparatus for use on a surface and responsive to an operator. A vehicle is adapted to ride on the surface. A head assembly is adapted to carry a device for engaging and treating the surface. A connector assembly interconnects the head assembly and a support. An actuator on the vehicle raises and lowers the support relative to the surface. A sensor detects a distance between the support and the head assembly. A head position control, responsive to input from the operator, indicates a desired position of the head assembly relative to the support. A driving circuit responsive to the head position control and responsive to the sensor energizes the actuator to raise and lower the support so that the distance between the support and the head assembly as detected by the sensor corresponds to the desired position as indicated by the head position control thereby controlling the relative engagement between the head assembly and the surface and thereby controlling the treatment of the surface by the head assembly.
In another form, the invention comprises a vehicle is adapted to ride on the surface. A head assembly adapted to carry a device engages and treats the surface. An actuator on the vehicle supports the head assembly over the surface and is adapted to raise and lower the head assembly relative to the surface. A sensor detects a position of the head assembly relative to the surface. A head position control, responsive to input from the operator, indicates a desired position of the head assembly relative to the surface. A driving circuit responsive to the head position control and responsive to the sensor energizes the actuator to raise and lower the head assembly so that the position of the head assembly relative to the surface as detected by the sensor corresponds to the desired position as indicated by the head position control thereby controlling the relative engagement between the head assembly and the surface and thereby controlling the treatment of the surface by the head assembly.
In another form, the invention comprises a head assembly is adapted to carry a device for engaging the surface. An actuator raises and lowers the head assembly relative to the surface. A position control responsive to operator input indicates a head position of the device relative to the surface or range of head positions of the device relative to the surface. The head position or the range of head positions indicates a distance or range of distances, respectively, between the device and the surface. A controller responsive to the position control selectively actuates the actuator to maintain the device in the head position or within the range of head positions as indicated by the position control.
In yet another form, the invention comprises a head assembly adapted to carry a device for engaging the surface. An actuator raises and lowers the head assembly relative to the surface. A position control responsive to operator input indicates a repeatable head position of the device relative to the surface or a repeatable range of head positions of the device relative to the surface. The repeatable head position or the repeatable range of head positions indicates a distance or range of distances, respectively, between the device and the surface. A controller responsive to the position control selectively actuates the actuator to maintain the device in the repeatable head position or within the repeatable range of head positions as indicated by the position control.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.


According to an example, a printer may include a warming device to apply energy onto a region of a plurality of regions of a layer of build materials. The printer may also include a controller that may calculate, based upon the region upon which the warming device is to apply energy, an energy curve to be applied to the warming device between occurrences of a plurality of events, in which the energy curve defines timings and levels at which the warming device is to be operated between occurrences of the plurality of events. The controller may also control the warming device to be operated to apply energy onto the region according to the calculated energy curve.

In three-dimensional (3D) printing, an additive printing process may be used to make three-dimensional solid parts from a digital model. 3D printing may be used in rapid product prototyping, mold generation, mold master generation, and short run manufacturing. Some 3D printing techniques are considered additive processes because they involve the application of successive layers of material. This is unlike traditional machining processes, which often rely upon the removal of material to create the final part. In 3D printing, the building material may be cured or fused, which for some materials may be performed using heat-assisted extrusion, melting, or sintering, and for other materials, may be performed using digital light projection technology.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A boron-modified molybdenum silicide material having the composition comprising about 80 to about 90 weight % Mo, about 10 to about 20 weight % Si, and about 0.1 to about 2 weight % B and a multiphase microstructure including Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 phase as at least one microstructural component effective to impart good high temperature creep resistance. The boron-modified molybdenum silicide material is fabricated into such products as electrical components, such as resistors and interconnects, that exhibit oxidation resistance to withstand high temperatures in service in air as a result of electrical power dissipation, electrical resistance heating elements that can withstand high temperatures in service in air and other oxygen-bearing atmospheres and can span greater distances than MoSi.sub.2 heating elements due to improved creep resistance, and high temperature structural members and other fabricated components that can withstand high temperatures in service in air or other oxygen-bearing atmospheres while retaining creep resistance associated with Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 for structural integrity.

Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 is an intermetallic compound having high hardness, high melting point, and good high temperature creep resistance. The creep resistance of Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 has been shown to be better than that of MoSi.sub.2 which is material commonly used in high temperature non-load bearing service applications as a result of its excellent oxidation resistance. However, MoSi.sub.2 has found limited use in load bearing applications as a result of its high creep rate at elevated temperatures, such as greater than about 1000 degrees C.
Although the Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 intermetallic compound exhibits good high temperature creep resistance, it unfortuantely exhibits relatively poor high temperature oxidative stability. For example, above about 1000 degrees C., the Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 compound exhibits catastrophic oxidation and loss of structural integrity. The inadequate high temperature oxidative stability or resistance of the Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 compound has limited its use in high temperature service applications. Moreover, at about 800 degrees C., Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 exhibits a sudden drop in mass due to oxide scale spallation, and the oxidation rate is accelerated relative to 900-1000 degrees C.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a molybdenum silicide material and products thereof having substantially improved oxidative stability at elevated temperatures, such as exceeding about 1000 degrees C., while maintaining the good high temperature creep resistance associated with Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 material.

Boron modified molybdenum silicide and products

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.


A portable, motorcycle mountable audio entertainment system is provided having a motorcycle-theme housing formed of a faring supporting stereo electronics, speakers and an power supply. A vertical support structure is further provided having a pair of tubular, angled uprights and handle bars for attachment of the fairing. A vertical support pillar and a support plate provide a structured to allow for free standing use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to a home audio mounting system and, more particularly, to a home audio mounting system having a thematic designed support housing such as a motorcycle faring structure as a housing for a home audio sound systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
The term motorcycle enthusiast has evolved as a general term to describe an individual who considers a motorcycle more than just a basic mode of transportation. Somewhat of a cross between brand loyalty and a subculture, many motorcycle enthusiasts surround themselves with lifestyle elements that are rooted around their two wheeled vehicles. The basis of this lifestyle springs from the enjoyment of taking a road trip on a motorcycle, not to get anywhere in particular, but merely to enjoy the ride. To facilitate this, a variety of shows and motorcycle enthusiast gatherings are common. Recently, these gatherings have become larger and more commercialized with corporate sponsors attending. A variety of different motorcycles sometimes have their own enthusiast gatherings which are sometimes model and make specific.
In addition to destination events that provide a social outlet for the motorcycle enthusiast, a vast amount of motorcycle based paraphernalia and accessories exists. This is more than just clothing that provides aesthetic (e.g. T-shirts, hats, etc.) or functional (e.g. leather jackets, chaps, etc.) elements adapted to suit the motorcyclist, a vast amount of aesthetic and functional accessories exist for adorning or modifying the vehicle itself. These range from an endless number of chrome accouterments, to functional accessories such as a fairing or wind shield, to entertainment accessories such as sound systems that have evolved to high fidelity audio systems that provide high quality and output sound that can rival otherwise conventional sound systems, but adapted to a compact form factor necessary for incorporating with a motorcycle.
The present invention incorporates an otherwise portable, motorcycle mountable audio entertainment system into a motorcycle-theme home audio system.

Home audio mounting system having thematic designed support housing


A system that has a plate with a holder, in which the plate is centered in the holder both at room temperatures and at higher temperatures, independently of the thermal expansion of the plate and the holder, and in which the plate can freely expand in the holder at higher temperatures.

These days, coatings are produced, among other things, using sputtering processes and arc processes, which are part of so-called PVD processes (PVD: physical vapor deposition). In this technique, targets are pulverized or vaporized. In these processes, the targets get hot and must be cooled.
According to the prior art, the cooling is carried out for example by means of a so-called cooling plate of the foil cooling plate type, which cools the back of the target, as shown in FIG. 2. The pressure of the cooling medium presses the foil against the target and thus achieves a good thermal conduction from the cooling medium to the target.
Depending on the power input, the heat dissipation via the cooling plate, and the thermal conductivity of the target material, the targets are heated differently and expand in accordance with their longitudinal expansion coefficients. The target in this case must be able to expand freely so that it is not destroyed.
For process-related reasons, it is important for the target resting on the cooling, plate to expand concentrically to the cooling plate axis so that during the entire operation, a concentric gap can be ensured between the target and the surrounding components or the surrounding component. In particular, it is very important for the target to expand in a centered fashion relative to the cooling plate axis in order to avoid short-circuits that can occur, for example, if the target is operated as a cathode and the target has an anode ring positioned around it, to which a different electrical potential is applied, as shown for example in FIG. 2.
If the target is not correctly centered, then the target does not expand concentrically enough. As a result, electrical short-circuiting can occur between the anode ring and the expanded target.
In the present example, the position of the target relative to the anode ring is determined by its position on the cooling plate. With a small gap between the cooling plate and target, the position of the target is sufficiently defined and no contact occurs between the target and anode. This small gap, however, strictly limits the possible expansion of the target. The maximum permissible target temperature or operating temperature is thus predetermined and the maximum sputtering power is thus limited. The smaller the gap, the lower the permissible sputtering power is.
With a larger gap, the target is as a rule positioned eccentrically on the cooling plate. In addition, the eccentric support causes the mechanical stresses in the target to be uneven during the operation of foil cooling plates. Depending on the target material, this can result in permissible mechanical stresses being exceeded.
The object of the present invention is to create a plate-holding device system that makes it possible to keep a plate centered in a holder device regardless of the temperature of the system; the plate is able to freely expand in the holder device so that it is not destroyed during the expansion process.

Centering of a plate in a holder both at room temperatures and at higher temperatures

Oerlikon Surface Solutions AG, Pfäffikon


A child restraint having a juvenile vehicle seat, a harness for securing a juvenile to the juvenile vehicle seat, and a harness-positioning system for positioning the harness in an open juvenile-receiving position.

The present disclosure relates to child restraints, and particularly to a harness system for securing a juvenile to a juvenile vehicle seat of a child restraint. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a harness-positioning system for positioning a harness in an open juvenile-receiving position for the receipt of a juvenile in a juvenile vehicle seat.

Harness system for juvenile vehicle seat


A humidification device for humidifying a sheet, comprising a control unit that rotates a water-supply roller in a separate state where the water-supply roller and a humidification roller are separated from each other.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relaters to a humidification device and an image forming apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral having the functions of these apparatuses, has such a problem that a sheet loses moisture in a thermal fixing step, and thus curls or deforms into a wave form.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-58026 discusses a technique of providing water to a sheet after performing fixing processing, as one technique to solve the problem described above. More specifically, an image forming apparatus discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-58026 includes a pair of porous rollers that conveys a sheet and forms a nip portion, and a water supply roller that comes into contact with the porous roller and supplies water.
This configuration has a problem that, due to the difference in an interval between sheets, the first sheet is provided with a larger amount of water than the second sheet and after. To address this problem, the image forming apparatus discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-58026 performs a control so that pressure contact between the pair of porous rollers is released in an idling state where no image forming is performed.
However, the configuration discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-58026, may cause uneven distribution (unevenness) of liquid on a surface of the water-supply roller upon returning from the idling state where no image forming is performed. The uneven distribution is especially likely to occur between portions, on the surface of the water-supply roller, immersed and not immersed in a water-supply container. When a recording medium, which has entered a humidification device, is humidified in the state described above, the recording medium is unevenly humidified in a portion from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
To reduce the uneven distribution of liquid on the surface of the water-supply roller, the water-supply roller may be rotated before the recording medium reaches a nip formed by the pair of porous rollers. However, when the water-supply roller is rotated before the recording medium reaches the nip formed by the pair of porous rollers, the liquid supplied to the pair of porous rollers from the water-supply roller is accumulated in the nip formed by the pair of porous rollers instead of being provided to the recording medium. Thus, there is a problem that when the recording medium is conveyed to the nip formed by the pair of porous rollers in this state, an excessive amount of water is provided to the leading edge side of the recording medium. This problem also occurs when a pair of solid rollers is used instead of a pair of porous rollers.

Humidification device and image forming apparatus


In an apparatus structure having a sheet discharge mode to store sheets at a stack tray from a sheet discharging path and a sheet discharge mode to store binding-processed sheet bundles with collating and stacking, sheet holding means is arranged above a sheet placement face of the stack tray as a sheet pressurization force being variable in two steps, and then, the pressurization force of the sheet holding means is adjusted in two steps in accordance with the sheet discharge mode for storing sheets at the stack tray.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet storing apparatus which stores sheets having images formed thereon by an image forming apparatus at a stack tray directly or after performing a binding process with collating and stacking.
2. Description of Related Arts
In general, in such a sheet storing apparatus, an image sheet fed out from a main body apparatus such as an image forming apparatus is guided to a sheet discharging path and is stored at a stack tray which is arranged downstream of the sheet discharging path. Then, a lifting mechanism is arranged to lift and lower the stack tray in a stacking direction in accordance with a stacked amount of sheets. Further, a stack level detecting mechanism which detects a height position of the upmost sheet stacked on the stack tray is arranged to control the lifting mechanism.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-035371 (Patent Document 1) discloses a sheet storing apparatus in which a sheet having an image formed thereon by an image forming apparatus is conveyed to a post-processing apparatus arranged downstream of a sheet discharging port and is stored at a stack tray arranged in the apparatus.
In Patent Document 1, the storing apparatus includes a sheet introducing path which introduces a sheet from the image forming apparatus, a processing tray which is arranged downstream of the sheet introducing path, and a stack tray which is arranged downstream of the processing tray. The processing tray is provided with an aligning mechanism which performs positioning of a sheet through a sheet discharging port to a predetermined processing position with switching-back, and a stapling unit which binds collated and stacked sheets.
Further, the stack tray is located downstream of the abovementioned sheet introducing path and is provided with a tray member which is located downstream of the processing tray and a lifting-lowering mechanism which lifts and lowers the tray member in the stacking direction.
Then, a sheet discharging path for discharging a sheet directly to the stack tray from the introducing path (print-out discharging) and a sheet discharging path for discharging a sheet bundle binding-processed at the processing tray (staple-binding discharging) are formed in accordance with a mode specified by the main body (a copying machine, a computer apparatus, or the like).
With such a sheet storing mechanism to lift and lower the stack tray in accordance with a stacked amount of sheets, it is required to detect a height level of the upmost sheet on the stack tray.
As such a level detecting mechanism, there have been known a configuration to perform the detection while a sensor detects a height position of a sheet holding member which is arranged to be movable between an operation position above the stack tray and a waiting position outside the stack tray and a configuration to include, at a side above tray, a light emitting element which radiates beam light to path through the sheet discharging path and a light receiving element which receives the light.
In Japanese Patent No. 4057233 (Patent Document 2), a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus is stored at a stack tray while being provided with a mechanism to detect a height position of stacked sheets with a sheet-contact lever and a photo-sensor which detects an angle position of the sheet-contact lever and a conveying rotor which performs aligning by causing sheets discharged through a sheet discharging port to be abutted to a sheet end reference face of the stack tray. Here, a rotation force is transmitted to the conveying rotor so that a tailing end of a sheet fed by a sheet discharging roller is drawn to the reference face of the stack tray.
Further, in such an apparatus, there has been widely known a sheet storing apparatus having a jog function to perform storing with offsetting of a sheet discharging path or a storage tray by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to a sheet discharging direction, when a sheet is to be stored at a storage tray arranged at the downstream side from the sheet discharging path.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-012362 (Patent Document 3) discloses a sheet storing apparatus which stores a sheet from a sheet discharging path to a processing tray and a jog mechanism which offsets a stack tray by a predetermined amount laterally in a direction perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction while being capable of vertically moving the stack tray in the stacking direction.
In a sheet storing apparatus including a lifting-lowering mechanism and a jog mechanism of a stack tray as described above, the lifting-lowering mechanism is controlled to detect a height level of sheets stored at the stack tray, and when the height level arrives at a predetermined value, to lower the sheet height level by lowering the stack tray.
Further, when a jogging operation is mode-selected by an upstream apparatus (e.g., an image forming apparatus, or the like) and a sheet discharge instruction signal for the first sheet is received, the stack tray is controlled to be moved in the sheet width direction.
In such an apparatus configuration, there is a case that instruction signals for a tray lifting operation and a jogging operation are concurrently provided. There is no disclosure about execution timing of the tray lifting-lowering operation and the tray jogging operation with the apparatus in Patent Document 3.
Regarding execution timing of co-occurring operations, for example, when an operator removes stacked sheets from the stack tray, the apparatus performs the lifting operation of the stack tray as detecting the height level of sheets. When a sheet is discharged through a sheet discharging port at that time, there is a case that the sheet falls outside the stack tray.
Further, during an operation in a jog mode, a jog instruction signal of continuously-discharged sheets is provided and a sheet is discharged thereafter.
In a conventional apparatus, when stacked sheets are carelessly removed from a stack tray, based on detection of the above by a level sensor, a sheet discharging operation is restarted after the stack tray is lifted to an appropriate position with the sheet discharging operation stopped.
In general, such an image forming system configuration has been known as a system which stores sheets having images formed thereon in a duplex manner by an image forming unit at a downstream stack tray after performing a post-process as stacking the sheets to a processing tray which is arranged at a post-processing unit.
In such a system, there has been known a system configuration in which a post-processing unit is arranged above an image forming unit and the post-processing unit includes a stack tray and a guide tray of a duplex path for duplex printing at the upper and lower sides thereof, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3752172 (Patent Document 4), for example.
Patent Document 4 also discloses a system configuration including a duplex path on which a sheet having an image formed at one side by an image forming unit is temporarily discharged to the post-processing unit and is fed again to the image forming portion as being switched back.
Patent Document 4 proposes an apparatus structure in which an post-processing apparatus is arranged above an image forming apparatus, the stack tray of the post-processing apparatus is structured with a lifting-lowering tray which vertically moves in a stacking direction, and a switch-back path for face-reversing a sheet fed from the image forming portion is formed below the vertically-moving lifting-lowering tray.
In Patent Document 4, the guide tray which forms the switch-back path is formed at a wide angle inclined gentler than a sheet placement face of the stack tray. Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a mechanism with which a sheet fed from the image forming apparatus is face-reversed at the switch-back path located at the lower side and the stack tray is lifted and lowered at the upper side.

Sheet stack tray having sheet pressurizing member


A gyroscope with a first Coriolis mass quartet and a second Coriolis mass quartet arranged around two quartet center points, and two elongated mass elements or synchronization bars aligned with each other outside of each Coriolis mass. One end of each elongated mass element and synchronization bar is attached to the corresponding Coriolis mass. Each elongated mass element is suspended from a peripheral anchor point by a mass element suspension arrangement which allows said elongated mass element to undergo rotational motion both in the device plane and out of the device plane. Each elongated synchronization bar is suspended from a peripheral anchor point by a synchronization bar suspension arrangement which allows said elongated synchronization bar to undergo rotational motion both in the device plane and out of the device plane substantially around its midpoint.

In microelectromechanical (MEMS) gyroscopes, proof masses should preferably be easily set to oscillate in a primary oscillation mode (which may also be called the drive oscillation mode) and also easily undergo oscillation in a secondary oscillation mode (which may also be called the sense oscillation mode) induced by the Coriolis force. A general problem in gyroscope design is that the oscillation of the proof masses in these two modes should preferably not be perturbed by external disturbances, for example vibrations in surrounding elements. A gyroscope should preferably be unperturbed by both linear and rotational vibrations so that its output signal is determined only by the angular rotation rate which the gyroscope undergoes in the intended frequency range. In automotive applications, for example, potential disturbances typically lie in the frequency range 0-50 kHz, while the input frequency range typically lies below 1 kHz.
A simple MEMS gyroscope may be constructed utilizing only one oscillating proof mass, but the output signal of such a gyroscope will typically be very noisy when external vibrations are present at frequencies close to the operating frequency. One-mass gyroscopes would be practical only at operating frequencies above 50 kHz, but in these frequencies the sensitivity of the gyroscope may be very low and other disturbing effects, such as quadrature signals arising from manufacturing imperfections, often become very prominent. Also, the unbalanced drive mode of the single mass drive causes energy leakage from the drive mode due to reaction forces of the drive oscillation. This will induce all kinds of issues; increase drive force needed for operation, stability issues and requirement for hard die attachment etc.
It is known that a proof mass system where two or four proof masses oscillate in anti-phase can be made much more robust against vibrations than a one-mass gyroscope. Signal components arising from vibrations that induce cophasal movement of the two or four proof masses can to some degree be automatically cancelled via differential measurements. Furthermore, if the cophasal resonant frequency can be brought above 50 kHz without affecting the differential resonant frequency, the disturbing vibrations will typically produce no resonance amplification.
Some MEMS gyroscopes are designed for measuring the angular rotation rate about one axis which is perpendicular to the device substrate. Such gyroscopes may be called z-axis gyroscopes. Other MEMS gyroscopes are designed for measuring the angular rotation rate about either of the two perpendicular axes that lie within the substrate plane. Such gyroscopes may be called x-axis gyroscopes and/or y-axis gyroscopes. Gyroscopes designed for measuring angular rotation rate about the x-, y-, and z-axis with the same set of oscillating proof masses may be called multiaxis gyroscopes. It is challenging to design multiaxis gyroscopes that are robust against external vibrations because the mass system needs multiple degrees of freedom in order to respond to rotation about any of the three perpendicular axes.

Multiaxis gyroscope with supplementary masses


The preparation of cyclohexadienes from one or more plant oils is disclosed. The cyclohexadiene can be used to form polymers or derivatized to form other monomers that can be used to form polymeric materials.

Petroleum-based aromatic monomers are widely used to prepare polymeric materials. Such monomers include terephthalic acid, styrene, divinyl benzene, bisphenol A, phenylene diamine, and phthalic anhydride. Since the rigidity and stability of the aromatic ring provides good thermal and mechanical properties, a wide variety of thermoplastic and thermoset materials have utilized these types of monomers
For example, terephthalic acid is a well known commodity monomer that finds widespread use by the plastics industry for the synthesis of films, fibers, and bottles made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Other polymers, such as Kevlar, also utilize petroleum-based terephthalic acid or derivatives of terephthalic acid.
The consumption of terephthalic acid, which is often referred to as purified terephthalic acid (PTA), and the corresponding dimethyl ester of PTA are approximately 9 billion lbs per year. (Wittcoff, H. A.; Reuben, B. G.; Plotkin, J. S. Industrial Organic Chemicals; Wiley: Hoboken, N.J., 2004.) The synthesis of PTA is based on petroleum derived para-xylene. The subsequent copolymerization of PTA with ethylene glycol, which is based on petroleum derived ethylene, yields polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
There has been an effort to produce terephthalic acid using biobased technology. One approach involves converting glucose-derived isobutanol to para-xylene from a corn-based platform. Subsequently, the para-xylene is converted to terephthalic acid. Another approach involves preparing terephthalic acid from a biomass containing a terpene or terpenoid, such as limonene. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 20100168461.
However, more effective methods for preparing monomers and polymers based on plants or biomass are still desired. In addition, there is a desire to develop processes and products from renewable sources that can substitute or supplement petroleum-based chemicals.