In a discharge ionization detector, a method and apparatus are disclosed for increasing the transfer of photons and metastables from a discharge chamber to a ionization chamber, while effecting ion discrimination of the ionic current with respect to a signal cathode, thereby reducing the effect of ionic current in the signal output. Preferred embodiments of the invention include a discharge source located in a discharge chamber, means for introducing discharge gas flow into the discharge chamber, a flow guide that directs discharge gas flow between the discharge chamber and an adjacent ionization chamber, and inlet port for introducing a flow of sample gas containing an analyte into the ionization chamber and an outlet port for exhausting the sample gas and the discharge gas. A plurality of apertures in the flow guide are situated proximate the discharge source so as to promote the rapid and efficient transfer of photons and metastables from the discharge source into the ionization chamber. A signal cathode and the ionization chamber are biased in a circuit with an electrometer so as to provide a detector output signal.

A discharge ionization detector operates by applying a high voltage across discharge electrodes that are located in a gas-filled discharge chamber. In the presence of helium, a characteristic discharge emission of photons occurs. The photons irradiate a port connecting the discharge chamber to an ionization chamber receiving a sample gas that contains an unknown component. Electrons are produced in the ionization chamber as a result of photon interaction with ionizable molecules in the column effluent. Helium metastables are also generated in the discharge chamber and are found to play a role in ionization of the analyte of interest. The magnitude of the ionized analytes is manifested as a current that can be measured to ascertain the composition of one or more components in the analyte.
Discharge ionization detectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,789,783; 4,975,648; and 5,153,519. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,648, the geometry of the two chambers and of the emitter/collector electrodes in the detector are said to be important to the efficient operation of the detector, and the collector and emitter electrodes are said to be shaped and positioned relative to the inlet for the sample gas and to the aperture (inlet) from the discharge chamber into the ionization chamber so that improved sensitivity will result. The relative size of the chambers, a smaller ionization chamber in particular, is also described as being important for detector sensitivity.
Although the design of discharge ionization detectors continues to be an object of study in the prior art, there nonetheless exists a need for a discharge ionization detector having a detector response that exhibits an improved dynamic range, lower minimum detectable level (MDL), and greater signal to noise ratio.

Discharge ionization detector having efficient transfer of metastables for ionization of sample molecules


The invention relates to a process for producing anisotropic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) using conventional coating methods. It is envisaged that a PSA film be produced on a transport carrier and that it then be transferred to a further carrier material with simultaneous stretching, the elongation being as least 10%.

All of today's known PSAs are distinguished by a more or less pronounced flow behaviour. When it is strongly pronounced, this flow behaviour is also known as cold flow or as the bleeding of a PSA. The inherent behaviour of a PSA leads to problems during processing and storage of roll product, and also for its use for diecut materials. For instance, the matrix stripping behaviour of self-adhesive diecut material can be critically disrupted by the flow behaviour of the PSA, leading to an increased reject rate. In order to counteract this it is often necessary to process the material under special temperature conditions; the maximum machine output may be limited, or else the error rate (proportion of remaining diecuts requiring matrix removal) goes up. Similarly, the storage times for the diecut materials are limited and/or special storage conditions are required, generally involving cost and/or inconvenience (for example, the air-conditioning of the storage spaces).
When materials are diecut, they can be kiss-cut or cut right through. Conventional PSAs have considerable disadvantages for use for diecut materials, especially when applied as a layer on a carrier material, in respect of both procedures:                The through-cut materials can be separated from one another only a short time after the diecutting operation. The PSAs coalesce again after the diecutting operation. The coalescence of the PSA occurs in diverse product forms: not only adhesive transfer tapes (PSA applied to a release material) and double-coated materials (PSA on both sides of a carrier, e.g. on foil, paper, web, lay or foam) but also single-coated materials (PSA on one side of a carrier, such as foil, paper, web, lay or foam) show the effect of PSA coalescence after the diecutting operation. The diecuts can no longer be separated from one another without disruption.        Particularly in the case of kiss-cutting, PSA coalescence is accompanied by the following problem: during the kiss-cutting of self-adhesive materials, the release material is cut as well, i.e. the diecutting blades penetrate down to a more or less defined depth into the substrate material (i.e. release material). This is inevitable from a technical standpoint, since in spite of tolerances in the face materials and also operational fluctuations the infeed motion of the die must still ensure reliable severing of the adhesive layer. Consequently the antiadhesively treated surface of the release material is always destroyed (in the majority of cases the release materials are siliconized, but this applies to all release systems described; see Satas, 3rd edition, chapters 26 and 27). The adhesive may flow into the substrate material of the release material (paper, PET, PP, PE) and adhere there. The diecut can no longer be removed unproblematically from the siliconized release material, since the edges of the diecut are stuck to the substrate. In a subsequent processing step the diecut, or the matrix around the diecuts, which is to be removed, may tear during removal. These tears lead to massive disruptions to production, since kiss-cutting operations are carried out primarily in a continuous rotary diecut process.
The effects described apply to all kinds of product constructions, such as adhesive transfer tapes and also to single-coated and double-coated substrates such as foils, webs, papers, lays or foams.
One approach towards improving the diecutting characteristics of PSA layers is the use of anisotropic, i.e. oriented, PSAs, as are described in DE 100 34 069 A1 or DE 100 52 955 A1.
The orientation of the macromolecules in the PSA plays an important part for other PSA properties as well. During the preparation, further processing or subsequent (mechanical) stressing of polymers or polymer compositions there may be high degrees of orientation of the macromolecules in preferential directions within the polymer assembly as a whole.
The orientation may lead to particular properties in the corresponding polymers. Some examples of properties which can be influenced by the degree of orientation include strength or stiffness of the polymers and/or of the films produced from them, thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and also anisotropy in respect of permeability to gases and liquids. In addition, however, oriented PSAs may exhibit anisotropic stress/strain characteristics and hence also anisotropic adhesive properties, such as under peeling or shearing stress. One important property dependant on the orientation of the units is the refraction of light (expressed by the corresponding refractive index, n) or the retardation, delta. This can therefore be used to determine the orientation. Another method of determining the orientation, particularly in PSAs, is the shrinkback of the free film.
Retention of orientation in partly crystalline rubber PSAs has already been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,249 A. By virtue of the anisotropic adhesive properties it was possible to define innovative PSA applications. There, however, a description is given only of natural rubber PSAs, whose partial crystallization as a result of the orientation is, moreover, a prerequisite for the effects described, and which possess the known disadvantages as compared with acrylate PSAs for example, particularly in respect of ageing stability. The oriented PSA layers are produced in a solventless operation in the course of extrusion coating. This coating technology, however, requires a sharp reduction in the high molecular weight of natural rubber, with the consequence that, in particular, the cohesive properties of the resulting PSAs suffer and necessitate additional crosslinking operations.
DE 100 34 069 A1, DE 100 52 955 A1 and DE 101 57 154 A1 describe processes for preparing oriented acrylate PSAs and are based in each case on the introduction of orientations by means of the coating method—in particular by extrusion coating of the solvent-free PSA and subsequent fixing of the introduced orientations by means of electron-beam or UV irradiation. These methods cannot be applied to solvent-borne PSAs, since in the course of the coating operation any orientations introduced relax immediately because of the high molecular mobility.
Preference for a solventless coating method also poses disadvantages for technical implementation. For instance, owing to the low viscosities required for operation, it is impossible to process PSAs of very high molecular mass and hence great cohesion. In order to achieve high shear strengths it is necessary therefore to crosslink solventlessly coated PSAs after coating, preferably using radiation crosslinking.
Radiation crosslinking has further disadvantages. For instance, electron beams penetrate not only the PSA but also the carrier material, and hence lead to damage to the PSA tape. UV crosslinking is limited in its depth of penetration and restricted to substantially transparent PSAs. With radiation crosslinking, the quality of crosslinking is usually likewise only limited as compared with other crosslinking mechanisms. Furthermore, the cost and complexity of apparatus, particularly for electron-beam irradiation, is high.
EP 0 622 127 A1 describes a process for producing thin PSA films using melt mixing, the intention being to reduce the thickness of the film. The stretching of the film serves solely to reduce thickness.
It is an object of the invention to provide a process for producing highly anisotropic oriented pressure-sensitive adhesives which can be employed universally for all coating methods and which in particular allows the preparation of anisotropic PSAs from solution, dispersion or emulsion. The PSAs ought to possess a sufficient lifetime of the anisotropic state and by virtue of high anisotropy ought to possess favourable properties in respect of their use as PSAs, particularly in respect of their adhesive properties and in the production of diecut products, by avoiding or at least considerably reducing the outlined disadvantages of the prior art.


A computer-user interface facilitates interaction between the user and the computer in a manner which enables the computer to assist the user in accomplishing desired goals. Based upon a particular task to be performed, the computer interviews the user to obtain the information pertinent to that particular task. Once the information is provided to the computer, it works with the user to automatically perform desired tasks in response to triggering events designated by the user. In addition, the computer can notify the user whenever a task is being carried out. Any executable function can be designated by the user as the object of a task. The initiation of this task can be carried out in response to any programmatically detectable event, or trigger, which is also designated by the user. As a further feature, the user has the ability to select from among a number of different types of notification to be provided whenever the task is being performed. With the flexibility offered by this arrangement, he user can customize the operation of a computer to suit his or her particular needs.

The present invention is directed to the interface between a computer and a an user of that computer, and more particularly to an interface which provides the user with the ability to automatically accomplish tasks with the computer.
Typically, most personal computers are employed as passive tools. Users of the computers are required to directly manipulate interface elements in order to accomplish desired tasks. Often, the discovery of new features and services available through a computer only takes place through trial and error. As a result, the computers are not being utilized in the most efficient manner, because the users do not understand how to take advantage of the power that is available to them. In other words, the vast potential of the computer often goes unrealized, because users are unfamiliar with all of the capabilities at their disposal or unable to employ them effectively.
In order to increase the efficiency with which computers are used, it is desirable to revise the fundamental manner in which users interact with their computers. More particularly, rather than using the computer as a passive tool that is directly manipulated by the user, it is preferable to employ the computer as a cooperative partner that assists in accomplishing the tasks desired by the user. To this end, it is desirable to provide a mechanism by which computers can be set up to accomplish tasks automatically, without requiring the user to instruct or otherwise manipulate the computer each time the task is to be performed.
Some computer programs provide certain capabilities in this regard. For example, some electronic mail programs contain a scheduling feature by which a server computer is automatically accessed at predetermined times of the day to determine whether the user has any incoming mail. If so, that mail is downloaded to the user""s computer, and the connection with the server computer is then terminated. Other application programs also offer an automatic scheduling feature.
As another example, most operating systems provide the capability to have certain actions carried out upon startup. For example, the user can designate that certain programs be launched and running when the computer is first started. In a similar manner, some applications programs can be configured to automatically open a particular file when they are launched.
While these various features provide the user with the ability to automate certain tasks, they are each limited in their applicability. More particularly, the scheduling feature of the electronic mail program is hard coded into the software for that program, and therefore only available within the context of that particular program. Furthermore, the program must be running in order for the scheduled tasks to be carried out. This requirement may be undesirable since the program will use some of the computer""s memory while it is running, thereby reducing the amount available for other programs. It also places a practical limit on the number of different tasks that can be set up, since each different program that has a scheduled task must be running in memory in order for its task to be implemented.
Similarly, the ability to launch applications upon startup is limited to that one particular instance. It does not provide the user with the capability to have tasks automatically carried out at other times or in response to other events.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a mechanism for configuring a computer to automatically carry out any task that may be desired by a user in response to a variety of different events or at any desirable time, without requiring the user to have any familiarity with the programming of computers. To have applicability to any of the variety of tasks that might be desired by a user, such a mechanism should preferably function at the level of the computer""s operating system, rather than be tied to specific applications programs or the like.
In pursuit of this objective, the present invention provides a computer-user interface that facilitates interaction between the user and the computer in a manner which enables the computer to assist the user in accomplishing desired goals. Through the medium of this interface, the user describes the goals and the tasks to be accomplished. Based upon a particular action to be performed, the computer interviews the user to obtain the information pertinent to that particular task. Once the information is provided to the computer, it works with the user to create a task that automatically performs the desired actions in response to triggering events designated by the user. In addition, the task notifies the user whenever the action is being carried out.
The computer-human interface has an open architecture which provides the user a great deal of flexibility in the creation of automated tasks. Generally speaking, any executable function can be designated by the user as the subject of a task. The initiation of this task can be carried out in response to any programmatically detectable event, or trigger, which is also designated by the user. As a further feature, the user has the ability to select from among a number of different types of notification to be provided whenever the task is being performed. With the flexibility offered by this arrangement, the user can customize the operation of a computer to suit his or her particular needs.
Each of the elements of a task, e.g. the action to be performed, the trigger and the notification, is stored as a separate object at the operating system level. These various objects can be selected by the user and associated with a file to add behavior to the file. Since these elements are operated upon at the system level, they can be activated at any time in response to the triggering event, even though the associated file is itself dormant. Furthermore, the file itself need not have any awareness of the scheduling of the task. Thus, no customization of the file itself, e.g. added code, is required to enable that file to be associated with a task.

Computer system for automatically instantiating tasks designated by a user


An elliptical exercise apparatus includes an upstanding support connected to a front end of a base support, a rail assembly provided on a rear end of the base support, a wheel assembly mounted on the front end of the base support, a swing rod connected pivotally to the upstanding support, a slide rod having a rear end slidable forwardly and rearwardly along the rail assembly and a front end connected pivotally to the wheel assembly, a pedal seat connected pivotally to the slide rod, a pedal member mounted slidably on the pedal seat, a first link rod having a front end connected pivotally to the swing rod and a rear end connected pivotally to the pedal seat, and a second link rod having a front end connected pivotally to the swing rod below the first link rod and a rear end fixed to the pedal member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to exercise equipment, more particularly to an elliptical exercise apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a conventional elliptical exercise apparatus 1 which was disclosed in Taiwanese Utility Model Publication No. 414094 and which was invented by the applicant in February, 2000. The elliptical exercise apparatus 1 comprises a main frame 11, two swing units 113, a wheel assembly 12, two tubular sleeves 13, two slide rods 14, two link rods 15, and two pedal members 151. The main frame 11 includes an upstanding support 111, and a base support 112 connected to the upstanding support 111. The base support 112 has a rear end provided with two parallel guide rails 114.
The swing units 113 are connected pivotally and respectively to two opposite sides of the upstanding support 111.
The wheel assembly 12 is disposed on a front side of the main frame 11, and includes a resistance wheel 121, a crank wheel 122, and two crank members 123 connected respectively to two opposite ends of a crankshaft of the crank wheel 122. The resistance wheel 121 is connected to the crank wheel 122 through a belt or a magnetic mechanism so as to provide resistance to rotation of the crank wheel 122.
The tubular sleeves 13 are sleeved slidably and respectively on bottom portions of the swing units 113. Each tubular sleeve 13 includes spaced-apart universal upper and lower connectors 131, 132 connected to a rear side of the corresponding tubular sleeve 13. The upper connector 131 is connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the crank members 123.
Each slide rod 14 includes a front section 144 having a front end connected pivotally to the corresponding crank member 123, an intermediate section extending rearwardly from a rear end of the front section 144 and secured with a pedal seat 141, and a rear section 142 extending rearwardly, curvedly, and downwardly from a rear end of the intermediate section and having a rear end provided with a roller 143 that is slidable forwardly and rearwardly along the corresponding guide rail 114.
Each link rod 15 has a front end connected pivotally to the lower connector 132, and a rear end connected pivotally to the pedal seat 141.
The pedal members 151 are mounted slidably and respectively on the pedal seats 141 of the slide rods 14.
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the user steps on the pedal members 151 and starts exercising by exerting a force on the pedal members 151 in an alternating manner, the front end of the front section 144 of each slide rod 14 moves along with the corresponding crank member 123 in a circular motion, and the rear end of the rear section 142 of each slide rod 14 moves forward and rearward along the respective guide rail 114 through the slidable engagement of the roller 143 with the respective guide rail 114. As a consequence, the user's feet travel in a generally elliptical track shown in FIG. 3. Simultaneously, each tubular sleeve 13 moves with the corresponding crank member 123 so as to cause the bottom portion of each swing unit 113 to swing reciprocally, thereby effecting exercise of the user's upper body when the user's hands grasp upper portions of the swing units 113.
Although the conventional elliptical exercise apparatus 1 can achieve its intended purpose, it produces an elliptical track that is long in a front-to-rear direction and narrow in a top-to-bottom direction. Hence, there are sharp turns at front and rear ends of the track such that the elliptical motion of the user's feet is not smooth.


A system is attachable to a surface of a tissue of a patient for applying pressure pulses to the tissue. The system includes a shockwave transducer that has a shockwave generating portion and a solid transducer interface arranged to directly contact a tissue of a patient. The shockwave generating portion includes an electrical-to-shockwave energy converter operable to generate shockwaves. The transducer interface includes an electrically safe and bio-compatible material arranged to transmit the shockwaves from the shockwave generating portion to the tissue.

Electromagnetic shockwave systems for medical purposes, such as lithotripsy, treating pathological tissue conditions and many others, are well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,972 to Rattner describes an electromagnetic or electrodynamic shockwave system in which the shockwaves are generated by a movable element driven by electromagnetic interaction with a stationary element. The shockwave source has a coil arrangement which serves as the stationary element, and which is attached to an insulator member in the shockwave source. A membrane of electrically conductive material is employed as the movable element, and is disposed opposite the stationary coil arrangement. When the coil arrangement is charged with a high-voltage pulse, currents are induced in the membrane in a direction opposite to the direction of the current flowing in the coil arrangement. As a consequence of the opposite magnetic fields arising due to the respective flows of current in the coil arrangement and in the membrane, the membrane is subjected to repelling forces which suddenly and rapidly move the membrane away from the coil.
Ratner describes the transformation of a pressure wave to a shockwave: "A pressure pulse is thereby introduced into an acoustic propagation medium disposed adjacent the membrane. This pressure pulse intensifies during its path through the propagation medium to form a shockwave, as a consequence of the non-linear compression properties of the propagation medium".
The non-linear effect increases with increased peak pressure. Shockwave formation, therefore, takes place over a formation distance inversely proportional to the wave's peak pressure. The formation distance is shortened by focusing the wave and increasing the peak pressure. Kidney stones disintegration, for example, is commonly carried out by focused waves where shockwave formation starts in water and is completed in (water-equivalent) tissue. A typical shockwave formation distance (from repelling membrane to focal zone) is in the range of 10-30 cm.
Referring to the term "shockwave", Rattner states: "For simplicity, the waves in the propagation medium will always be referred to herein as shockwaves, and this term will encompass incipient shockwaves in the form of pressure pulses."
Another example of a prior art electromagnetic shockwave transducer (generator) is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,328 to Buchholtz, et al. Pressure pulses are generated by "driving a membrane with a spiral coil arrangement having terminals connected to a high-voltage pulse generator which charges the coil with high-voltage pulses having an amplitude in the kilovolt range, for example, 20 kV. Such high-voltages can be generated, for example, by capacitor discharges. When the spiral coil arrangement is charged with such a high-voltage pulse, it generates a magnetic field extremely quickly. Simultaneously, a current is induced in the membrane, or at least in the electrically conductive region thereof, which is directed oppositely to the current flowing in the coil. The membrane current consequently produces an opposing magnetic field, causing the membrane to be rapidly moved away from the spiral coil arrangement. The pressure pulse initiated in the acoustic propagation medium, which is preferably a liquid such as water, is introduced in a suitable manner into the subject to be charged with the pressure pulses. As necessary, focusing of the pressure pulses may be undertaken before the pressure pulses reach the subject, for example by means of an acoustic lens."
U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,236 to Hassler also describes an electromagnetic coil system for generating pressure pulses which are applied to the body surface of the patient by means of a flexible coupling pillow, filled with a liquid medium for acoustic coupling. "As a consequence of the flexibility of the coupling pillow, the spacing of the pressure pulse source from the body surface can be set, while maintaining contact between the coupling pillow and the body surface, so that the focus of the pressure pulses lies in the zone to be treated."
Shockwaves are also produced and focused by a self-focusing array of piezoelectric elements. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,106 to Kurtze et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,805 to Jaggy et al. Here again the waves propagate through a liquid acoustic propagation medium before reaching the patient.
Focusing shockwaves by a phased array of electromagnetic transducers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,392 to Jolesz et al. and US patent application 20090275832 to Gelbart et al. Here again the waves propagate through a liquid acoustic propagation medium before reaching the patient.
Thus, prior art electromagnetic and piezoelectric shockwaves transducers are configured to produce pressure waves in a propagation medium, typically water. Sufficient propagation distance enables focusing and shockwaves formation. The transducers and the focusing means are generally circularly symmetric and are configured to produce generally spherical converging waves.


The present invention uses plastic film in vacuum sealing an OLED. Inorganic insulating films which can prevent oxygen or water from being penetrated therein and an organic insulating film which has a smaller internal stress than that of the inorganic insulating films are laminated on an inside of the plastic film. By sandwiching the organic insulating film between the inorganic insulating films, a stress can be relaxed. Further, by laminating a plurality of inorganic insulating films, even if one of the inorganic insulating films has a crack, the other inorganic insulating films can effectively prevent oxygen or water from being penetrated into an organic light emitting layer. Further, the stress of the entire sealing film can be relaxed and cracking due to the stress takes place less often.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the fabrication method of Semiconductor device and specially relates to a light-emitting device which includes an OLED (organic light-emitting device) panel which is formed on a plastic substrate. The invention also relates to an OLED module obtained by mounting an IC that includes a controller to the OLED panel. In this specification, a light-emitting device is used as the generic term for the OLED panel and the OLED module. Also included in the present invention is electronic equipment using the light-emitting device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a technique of forming a TFT (Thin film transistor) on a substrate has made great advancement to promote application of TFTs to active matrix display devices. In particular, TFTs using polysilicon have higher field effect mobility (also called mobility) than conventional TFTs that use amorphous silicon and therefore can operate at high speed. This makes it possible to control pixels, which has conventionally been controlled by a driving circuit external to the substrate, by a driving circuit formed on the same substrate on which the pixels are formed.
With various circuits and elements formed on the same substrate, active matrix display devices can have many advantages including lowering of manufacture cost, reduction in display device size, an increase in yield, and improvement in throughput.
An active matrix light-emitting device having an OLED as a self-luminous element (hereinafter simply referred to as light emitting device) is being researched actively. A light-emitting device is also called as an organic EL display (OELD) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED).
Being self-luminous, an OLED does not need back light which is necessary in liquid crystal display devices (LCDs) and is therefore easy to make a thinner device. In addition, a self-luminous OLED has high visibility and no limitation in terms of viewing angle. These are the reasons why light emitting devices using OLEDs are attracting attention as display devices to replace CRTs and LCDs.
An OLED has a layer containing an organic compound (organic light emitting material) that provides luminescence (electroluminescence) when an electric field is applied (the layer is hereinafter referred to as organic light emitting layer), in addition to an anode layer and a cathode layer. Luminescence obtained from organic compounds is classified into light emission upon return to the base state from singlet excitation (fluorescence) and light emission upon return to the base state from triplet excitation (phosphorescence). A light-emitting device according to the present invention can use one or both types of light emission.
In this specification, all the layers that are provided between an anode and a cathode of an OLED together make an organic light-emitting layer. Specifically, an organic light-emitting layer includes a light-emitting layer, a hole injection layer, an electron injection layer, a hole transporting layer, an electron transporting layer, etc. A basic structure of an OLED is a laminate of an anode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode layered in this order. The basic structure can be modified into a laminate of an anode, a hole injection layer, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode layered in this order, a laminate of an anode, a hole injection layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transporting layer, and a cathode layered in this order, or the like.
Various applications of such light-emitting device are expected. In particular, applications to portable equipment are attracting attention because the light-emitting device is thin and accordingly is useful in reducing the weight. This has prompted attempts to form an OLED on a flexible plastic film.
A light-emitting device in which an OLED is formed on a flexible substrate such as a plastic film is thin and light-weight and, moreover, applicable to a curved display or show window, etc. Therefore, the use thereof is not limited to portable equipment and its application range is very wide.
However, plastic substrates in general are well transmissive of moisture and oxygen, which accelerate degradation of organic light emitting layers. Therefore plastic substrates often shorten the lifetime of light-emitting devices. This is solved in prior art by placing an insulating film such as a silicon nitride film or a silicon oxynitride film between a plastic substrate and an OLED to prevent moisture and oxygen from entering an organic light emitting layer.
Plastic film substrates in general are also weak against heat and are easily deformed if the insulating film such as a silicon nitride film or a silicon oxynitride film is formed at a temperature that is too high. On the other hand, if the temperature at which the insulating film is formed is too low, the quality of the film is reduced and the film cannot prevent transmission of moisture and oxygen satisfactorily.
When the insulating film such as a silicon nitride film or a silicon oxynitride film is increased in thickness in order to prevent transmission of moisture and oxygen, the internal stress is increased to likely cause a crack (fissure). The thick insulating film makes the substrate weak against cracking when the substrate is bent.

Light-emitting device, method of manufacturing a light-emitting device, and electronic equipment

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A device for controlling the clearance between the tips of rotary blades and a stationary ring assembly of a gas turbine, the device comprising a circular control box having at least two annular air circulation strips that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, each having a plurality of perforations in order to modify the temperature of the stationary ring assembly by discharging air, an annular air feed channel radially spaced from the air circulation strip, at least one air duct for feeding the feed channel with air, and a plurality of hollow distribution spacers connecting the air feed channel to the air circulation strips in order to feed the strips with air while enabling the air that has been discharged against the stationary ring assembly to flow between the feed channel and the circulation strips in order to be evacuated therefrom.

The present invention relates to the general field of controlling clearance in a gas turbine between the tips of rotary blades and a stationary ring assembly.
A gas turbine, e.g. a high-pressure turbine of a turbomachine, typically has a plurality of stationary vanes alternating with a plurality of moving blades in a passage for hot gas coming from the combustion chamber of the turbomachine. The moving blades of the turbine are surrounded over the entire circumference of the turbine by a stationary ring assembly. The stationary ring assembly defines the flow steam of hot gas through the blades of the turbine.
In order to increase the efficiency of such a turbine, it is known to reduce to as small as possible the clearance that exists between the tips of the moving blades of the turbine and the facing portions of the stationary ring assembly. In order to do this, means have been devised that serve to vary the diameter of the stationary ring assembly. Such means are generally in the form of annular ducts surrounding the stationary ring assembly and conveying air taken from other portions of the turbomachine. This air is injected against the outside surface of the stationary ring assembly facing away from the stream of hot gas, thereby causing the stationary ring assembly to expand or contract thermally so as to vary its diameter. In general, this thermal expansion or contraction is controlled, depending on the operating speed of the gas turbine, by means of a valve which serves to control the flow rate and the temperature of the air fed to the ducts. The assembly constituted by the ducts and the valve thus forms a box for controlling clearance at the tips of the blades.
Prior art control boxes do not always enable great uniformity of temperature to be obtained over the entire circumference of the stationary ring assembly. A lack of temperature uniformity leads to distortions in the stationary ring assembly which are particularly harmful to the efficiency and the lifetime of the gas turbine.
Furthermore, the air from control boxes that has been injected against the outside surface of the stationary ring assembly needs to be exhausted to the outside. This exhausting of air must be capable of taking place without significantly disturbing the flow of air which is injected against the outside surface of the stationary ring assembly. Nevertheless, in prior art control boxes, it is found that the air that is to be exhausted generally tends to disturb the flow of the air that has been injected, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the box for controlling clearance at the tips of the blades.

Device for controlling clearance in a gas turbine


In a multi-axis machine tool comprising a slide way aligned on a longitudinal axis, a traveling column coupled via one end with the slide way, an arm mounted slidably to the column and traversable at least in a first direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the slide way, and a machining head carried by the arm, the material used for the arm is one typified by low thermal expansion.

The present invention relates to a multi-axis machine tool comprising a slide way extending along a longitudinal axis, a column associated slidably by way of one end with the slide way, an arm coupled slidably with the column, and a machining head mounted to the arm.
In particular, the invention is applicable to the art field of numerically controlled multi-axis machine tools used typically to perform high-speed milling and other such machining operations.
Conventionally, such machine tools are utilized particularly in the aerospace industries for contouring and drilling parts made of aluminum and composite materials, and in the automobile sector for producing master models, and models for bodywork, internal parts and dies.
Multi-axis machines of the type in question present a structure made entirely of steel which, in the course of the various movements, will absorb heat produced by the electric motors needed to induce motion and by the friction generated between moving parts during operation.
The exposure of these parts to heat can result in their deformation.
In particular, deformation of the arm caused by heat is especially critical.
Indeed thermal expansion changes the dimensions of the arm, especially the predominating dimension, and consequently the position of the machining head, relative to a reference rigidly associated with the work, with the result that the accuracy of machining operations is jeopardized.
In the light of the foregoing, the main object of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis machine tool unaffected by the aforementioned drawbacks.
In particular, the object of the invention is to set forth a multi-axis machine tool of which the machining accuracy will not be rendered unreliable as the result of heat generated by the machine during operation.


A dunnage conversion machine (115), wherein sheet stock material is crumpled to form a crumpled strip, includes a feeding assembly (132). The feeding assembly (132) includes opposed feeding members that engage and advance the crumpled strip therebetween. One of the feeding members (141) includes a rotating member (141) supported on a shaft (144) for rotation about the axis of the shaft, the shaft being mounted for transverse movement toward and away from the other feeding member (140) to accommodate variations of the thickness of the crumpled strip as it is advanced between the opposed feeding members (140 and 141). The conversion machine (115) also includes a guide member (200) positioned laterally adjacent to the rotating member (141) progressively to guide a portion of the crumpled strip underneath the shaft (144). The guide member (200) has at least a portion adjacent the shaft (144) that is transversely movable.

Various dunnage conversion machines crumple a sheet stock material into a strip of dunnage useful as a packaging material. Exemplary dunnage conversion machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,540,652 and 6,387,029, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Dunnage conversion machines typically include a feeding assembly that includes opposed members for engaging and advancing a crumpled strip of the stock material. Usually, one of the opposed members is a rotating member mounted on a shaft that can move transversely towards and away from the other opposed member to accommodate variations in thickness of the crumpled strip. These thickness variations can be substantial, especially when using different stock materials. The stock material can be composed of one or more plies of paper, the number of plies can be varied, and the one or more plies of the stock material can include plies with different bias weights to impart different dunnage characteristics to the strip of dunnage produced by the conversion machine. Consequently, the thickness and characteristics of the dunnage strip passing through the feeding assembly can vary significantly, which can present problems or adverse performance in known dunnage conversion machines.

Dunnage conversion machine with floating guides


A dispatch console for a radio system is disclosed, where the radio system includes an audio switching tower which routes audio communications between a switching device and audio input/output devices at the dispatch console. The dispatch console includes a personal computer for communicating command messages to the audio switching tower, the personal computer storing information on numerous audio communications initiated and terminated in the radio system. The dispatch console further includes a device connected to the personal computer permitting an operator of said display console to interface therewith and a display screen segmented into a plurality of windows. At least one of the windows represents a communication module presenting information with respect to a particular talk group of the radio system, with each communication module including a callee area for displaying an alias for the talk group programmed on the communication module, a caller area for displaying an alias for a radio unit in the talk group when a call from the radio unit has been activated, a call area for displaying a call type for a call activated by a radio unit in the talk group, and a list box displaying a predetermined number of radio units in the talk group which have activated calls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to communication modules for radio systems and, more particularly, to a communication module for a dispatch console displaying certain caller information with respect to a particular talk group of a radio system.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known that radio systems, whether public or private, typically include at least one dispatch console so that the user thereof can interface or communicate with the radio units in the field. In this way, the dispatcher is able to communicate with a radio unit, a talk group, or even multiple talk groups simultaneously. Some dispatch consoles include a personal computer which communicates control messages to a central electronics controller for the radio system, as well as receives and stores certain information from the central electronics controller. Additionally, the dispatch console includes a keyboard, a mouse, and a display screen connected to the personal computer in order to permit interaction with the dispatch console and depict certain information relating thereto, respectively.
In particular, the display screen is generally organized or segmented into windows so that certain desired information relating to the radio system may be grouped together for ease of use. For example, one such area on the screen includes the depiction of one or more communication modules which are utilized to represent a specific talk group (defined as one or more radio units). It will be understood that each communication module is able to display various call activities relating to the talk group, usually in real time.
In at least one type of dispatch console, utilized with a radio system manufactured by Ericsson Inc. and known as C3 Maestro.TM., the dispatcher has the ability to view a "call history" window where the alias or ID of a radio unit is displayed when keyed on a talk group. This call history stores a predetermined number of callers from all programmed talk groups, with a limited number thereof being visible in the window at any given time. Each communication module also maintains a list of a certain number of callers which most recently keyed on a particular talk group. After the radio unit is un-keyed, its alias or ID is erased from the communication module.
Oftentimes, a dispatcher would like to quickly see which radio units are currently active on a particular talk group. This information allows the dispatcher to know what a particular radio unit is working on, and therefore assists him in efficiently assigning a different radio unit to work on other tasks. By "active," it is meant that the radio unit has activated some calls on the talk group, but it does not have to be keyed on at the particular instant in time when the dispatcher is looking. It has been found, however, that the current process for obtaining the status information for a given communication module is unwieldy and could lead to inaccurate results.
In the aforementioned C3 Maestro dispatch console, the dispatcher first has to pick the talk group communication module of interest and click on a button to open up the call history dialog box therefor. He then must scroll through a list of the last 24 callers and visually filter out duplicate entries therein. Further, in order to ensure that the radio unit has not logged into or keyed on another talk group, the dispatcher must open up the call history for each talk group and check to see if the radio unit exists therein. In small systems with only a few talk groups and low call traffic, this process is only marginally acceptable. For a large system with high call traffic, such a process would be too time consuming (especially in an emergency situation).
Ericsson Inc. also provides a system, known as the EDACS.RTM. Status & Message System, which provides the ability to send short, predefined data transmissions from operator units (mobiles or portables) to a fixed-end display computer. This system supports two different types of data transmissions, specified as "status" and "message." The status transmission indicates the operational status of the unit while the message transmission involves real time information being sent to the dispatcher. It will be appreciated that the EDACS system includes a module call history, but like the prior dispatch console design described above, it does not display the call status/activity and the caller history together for each talk group represented by a communication module. Additionally, the call history therein does not filter the entries so that they are unique with respect to the particular talk group let alone all talk groups represented. Thus, the dispatcher for such a system is still unable to determine easily which units are active at a particular point in time.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a dispatch console for a radio system in which each communication module is displayed in a manner that enables a dispatcher to quickly and accurately determine which radio units are currently active in a particular talk group.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispatch console for a radio system in which each communication module automatically displays a listing of radio units for a particular talk group which have activated calls.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dispatch console for a radio system in which each communication module maintains a radio unit within a listing of recent callers after it is unkeyed and removed from the call display.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dispatch console for a radio system in which each communication module removes a radio unit from the listing of recent callers in a particular talk group if the radio unit activates a call to a talk group of another communication module.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dispatch console for a radio system in which each communication module prevents designated radio units from being displayed or permits only designated radio units to be displayed in a listing of recent callers.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispatch console for a radio system in which each communication module reflects the status of a particular talk group.
These objects and other features of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the following drawing.

Dispatch console having communication modules with caller tracking feature


A non-reciprocal unit and a parallel-surfaced flat birefringent plate are provided between incident side and outgoing side fiber collimators. The non-reciprocal unit is formed by disposing two tapered birefrigent plates, one on each side of a 45.degree. Faraday rotator consisting of a cylindrical permanent magnet and a magneto-optical element housed in the magnet. The optical axes of the parallel-surfaced flat birefringent plate and adjacent tapered birefringent plate are staggered from each other by 90.degree.. The thickness of the parallel-surfaces birefringent plate is set equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the two tapered birefringent plates.

The present invention relates to an optical device such as an optical isolator or an optical modulator, and more particularly to improvement in a polarization-independent optical isolator provided with fiber collimators on both sides of a non-reciprocal unit using tapered (wedge-type) birefringent plates.
The present invention provides a non-polarization-mode-dispersing optical isolator adapted to eliminate the difference in velocity between the ordinary ray and extraordinary ray occurring on tapered birefringent plates, by inserting a parallel-surfaced birefringent plate between a non-reciprocal unit and one fiber collimator in a polarization-independent isolator. This optical isolator is useful for, especially, the long distance, high speed communication.
As generally known, an optical isolator is a non-reciprocal optical device having a function of allowing the passage of light in one direction and preventing the passage thereof in the opposite direction, and used in large quantities for shutting off the reflected return light sent out from an optical part in an optical fiber communication system.
An optical fiber communication system used practically at present employs a system for sending out information from an output side with the intensity of light modulated, and detecting at a reception side the intensity of an optical signal by a direct light detecting method and then demodulating the information. Regarding the long distance communication using, for example, a submarine cable, an attempt has been made for transmitting a directly amplified optical signal by utilizing a plurality of optical fiber amplifiers incorporated in the intermediate portions of an optical cable. When such a method is employed, a number of optical isolators are required.
Various types of optical isolators have been developed. The optical isolators suitably incorporated in the above-mentioned optical cable include an optical isolator of the type which is provided with incident side and outgoing side fiber collimators on both sides of a non-reciprocal unit and does not depend on a plane of polarization as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-58809/1986 and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 14,548,478. The non-reciprocal unit referred to above has a unitary combination of a 45.degree. Faraday rotator, and two tapered birefringent plates sandwiching the rotator therebetween. These tapered birefringent plates are arranged with the optical axes thereof staggered from each other at 45.degree..
In the forward direction, the parallel input rays from the incident side fiber collimator are separated into ordinary rays and extraordinary rays by a first tapered birefringent plate in a non-reciprocal unit, and a plane of polarization is turned in a 45-degree arc by a Faraday rotator, these two kinds of rays being turned into parallel rays by a second tapered birefringent plate, which parallel rays therefore enter an outgoing side fiber collimator. In the opposite direction, the reflected return light is also separated into ordinary rays and extraordinary rays by the second tapered birefringent plate, and a plane of polarization is turned in a -45.degree. arc due to the non-reciprocity of the Faraday rotator. Out of the separated rays, the ordinary rays are converted into extraordinary rays, and the extraordinary rays into ordinary rays, by the first tapered birefringent plate. Therefore, the separated rays which have passed through the first tapered birefringent plate spread and do not become parallel rays, so that none of these rays enters the incident side fiber collimator. Thus, the passage of light in one (forward) direction is allowed but that of light in the opposite direction is prevented.
In the transmission of an optical signal in the forward direction by the optical isolator described above, the incident light is separated into ordinary rays and extraordinary rays in the non-reciprocal unit. Since the velocity of the respective rays is different, a transfer lag is about 0.85 picoseconds in terms of time difference when tapered birefringent plates consisting, for example, of monocrystalline rutile and having a thickness of their optical path passing portions of about 0.5 mm are used. In the outgoing side fiber collimator, the ordinary rays and extraordinary rays are synthesized, and, therefore, disorder (increase in the width of optical pulse) corresponding to the transfer lag occurs in the waveform of an optical signal.
The transfer lag of an optical signal caused by the difference in velocity (polarization mode dispersion) between the ordinary rays and extraordinary rays is relatively small in a single optical isolator. In fact, this transfer lag is negligible and it poses little problem at an optical communication speed of around 2.5 Gbit/s currently employed. However, since a great number of (about 50-150) optical isolators are incorporated in a long distance optical communication (optical communication using, for example, a submarine cable) system as described above, the turbulence of the waveforms of optical signals becomes large, so that, when such an optical system is operated at a high speed of for example, 10 Gbit/s, information transmission normally becomes difficult.


An automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a first rotating element provided by coupling sun gears of a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set to each other, a second rotating element provided by coupling carriers of the first and second planetary gear sets to each other, a third rotating element provided by a ring gear of the first planetary gear set, and a fourth rotating element provided by a ring gear of the second planetary gear set. The first rotating element is selectively fixed to a transmission case by a first brake or coupled to an input shaft by a first clutch, and the second rotating element is selectively fixed to the case by a second brake or coupled to the input shaft by a second clutch. The fourth rotating element is coupled integrally to a ring gear of a third planetary gear set, and the third rotating element is coupled integrally to an output gear. With this arrangement, the automatic transmission establishes a selected one of the first-speed through sixth-speed gear stages and a reverse gear stage.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to an automatic transmission capable of establishing a plurality of gear stages or speeds by using a reduced number of clutches.
2. Description of Related Art
Automatic transmissions of motor vehicles, each including a plurality of planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes, have been widely used. Japanese laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-199549 discloses an example of such an automatic transmission which is able to establish six forward gear stages or speeds by using three planetary gear sets, three clutches and two brakes.
However, each of the clutches used in the automatic transmission requires a drum, seal rings, a mechanism for canceling a centrifugal oil pressure in a cylinder chamber, and other components, for enabling the clutch to be rotated. Thus, the weight and cost of clutches are generally greater than those of brakes, and the use of clutches is also disadvantageous in terms of the axial length of the transmission.


A method and apparatus for locking a container. The present disclosure relates to a lock mechanism which comprises a latch assembly having a rod and an extension including a latch aperture, wherein the extension extends from the rod to position the latch aperture away from the rod. The lock mechanism further comprises a door assembly having a door aperture. Additionally, a support assembly is adjustably coupled to the latch assembly wherein the support assembly includes at least one arm which supports the latch aperture in alignment with the door aperture. The method for locking the container comprises adjustably coupling the support assembly to the latch assembly and attaching the support assembly to mount assemblies which are releasably attached to internal walls of the container. The door is moved to a closed position to position the door aperture adjacent to the latch assembly wherein the extension is in alignment with the door aperture to receive a lock.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for locking a container. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a lock mechanism which is internally located within the container so as not to be exposed to tampering. Additionally, the present disclosure relates to a lock mechanism which is adjustable to accommodate a variety of sizes of containers.

Method and apparatus for locking a container


A method for constrained power allocation in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system, including: executing a singular value decomposition (SVD) operation upon a channel matrix; obtaining a diagonal matrix, wherein the diagonal matrix is composed of a plurality of local matrixes; and transforming diagonal elements of the diagonal matrix into diagonal elements of a specific diagonal vector from an upper-left corner local matrix and a lower-right corner local matrix, in parallel, simultaneously, and according to a sequence, by using a generalized triangular decomposition.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate generally to wireless communication networks and, more particularly, to a method and a device for constrained power allocation in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Communications over multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channels has been the subject of intense research in recent years and has emerged as one of the most significant breakthroughs in modern communications. Communications over MIMO channels can support significantly higher data rates and greater reliability relative to communications using single-input-single-output (SISO) channels. MIMO-based communications may help to resolve the bottleneck problem limiting traffic capacity in future Internet-intensive wireless networks, for example. Many researchers also believe that MIMO-based technology is poised to penetrate large-scale, standards-driven commercial wireless products and networks such as broadband wireless access systems, wireless local area networks (WLAN), and third-generation (3G) as well as fourth-generation (4G) networks.
An essential feature of a MIMO communications system is that, by appropriately coding signals transmitted from multiple transmitting antennas to multiple receiving antennas, the system is able to turn multipath-propagation—long a problem in wireless communications—into an advantage. MIMO communications systems take advantage of random channel fading and, when possible, multipath delay spread to increase channel capacity. This is accomplished by combining at a receiver the signals transmitted from multiple transmitting antennas to multiple receiving antennas so as to increase quality in terms of the bit-error rate (BER) or the data rate (bits per second). The prospect of improvements of orders of magnitude relative to more conventional communications systems is one reason for the increased interest in MIMO-based technologies.
With respect to transceivers, most research to date has focused on linear transceiver designs. According to conventional linear transceiver designs, a channel matrix that models the characteristics of a transmission channel is diagonalized using the known technique of singular value decomposition (SVD) in order to maximize channel throughput. This conventional approach, however, can add considerable complexity to the modulation-demodulation and coding-decoding procedures needed to successfully convey signals over multiple subchannels resulting from the SVD.
Therefore, the generalized triangular decomposition (GTD) is proposed to provide the transmitters for transmitting data according to the specified constraints to improve transmission performance. However, the current GTD requires a more complicated operation and has a limited speed of computation. Using hardware directly to achieve the above method will cost a lot. Therefore, there is a need for a novel method and a device that can not only reduce the complexity and the cost, but also be rapidly implemented in the hardware.

Method and system for constrained power allocation in the multi-input multi-output systems


A rotary damper for use with a toilet lid has a damper shaft rotatably supported by a damper housing, a collar of synthetic resin fitted over the damper shaft for rotation therewith, and a casing of synthetic resin fixed to the damper housing and disposed around the collar for rotation relative thereto. The collar has a pair of diametrically opposite axial ridges disposed on the outer circumferential surface thereof and projecting radially outwardly. The casing has a pair of diametrically opposite cantilevered resilient arms defined by respective slits in the circumferential wall thereof. The cantilevered resilient arms have respective axial teeth disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the casing and projecting radially inwardly for engagement with the axial ridges, respectively. When the collar rotates in one direction, respective slanting surfaces of the axial ridges engage and move over the respective axial teeth, displacing the axial teeth radially outwardly against the resiliency of the cantilevered resilient arms. After the axial ridges move past the respective axial teeth, respective step surfaces of the axial ridges are locked by the axial teeth, retaining the collar and hence the damper shaft in a rotated position unless strong forces are applied to rotate the damper shaft backward.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary damper for use with a toilet lid or a similar angularly movable lid, and more particularly to a self-standing mechanism in such a rotary damper for keeping an angularly movable lid in an upright position against falling movement by gravity.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One known rotary damper with a self-standing mechanism is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 5-180239.
The disclosed rotary damper, which is typically used with a toilet lid, has a cylindrical casing which houses a pair of spring-biased balls and a rotor rotatably disposed in the cylindrical casing and having a pair of diametrically opposite recesses for receiving the spring-biased balls, respectively. The rotor has an axial end coupled to a shaft of the toilet lid. A viscous fluid is sealed in a space between the cylindrical casing and the rotor for damping angular movement of the rotor with respect to the cylindrical casing.
When the toilet lid is manually opened to its upright position by the user, the rotor is angularly moved in one direction about its own axis until the spring-biased balls are received in the recesses, respectively. The spring-biased balls received in the respective recesses retain the toilet lid in the upright position, typically 90.degree. spaced upwardly from the toilet seat on the toilet bowl.
When the toilet lid is manually closed from the upright position by the user, the spring-biased balls are forced out of the respective recesses, and the toilet lid is slowly angularly moved downwardly toward the toilet seat under damping forces produced by the viscous fluid. At the time the spring-biased balls are forced out of the respective recesses, the spring-biased balls frictionally engage edges of the recesses. As the toilet lid is repeatedly opened and closed, the edges of the recesses tend to wear off to a round shape by frictional contact with the spring-biased balls. The round edges of the recesses are ineffective to retain the spring-biased balls firmly in the respective recesses, and hence to hold the toilet lid in the upright position.

Rotary damper with self-standing mechanism


A microprocessor apparatus for exclusive prefetch and initialization of cache lines, including translation logic and execution logic. The translation logic translates a block allocate and initialize instruction into a micro instruction sequence that directs a microprocessor to prefetch and initialize a block of cache lines. The block allocate and initialize instruction is encoded to direct the microprocessor to prefetch and initialize the block of cache lines. The execution logic is coupled to the translation logic. The execution logic receives the micro instruction sequence, and issues transactions over a memory bus that requests the block of cache lines in the exclusive state. Upon receipt, the execution logic initializes the block of cache lines to the specified value. The allocation and initialization of the specified number of cache lines occurs in parallel with execution of other instructions in a program flow of an application program.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the field of microelectronics, and more particularly to an apparatus and method that enable a programmer to direct a microprocessor to perform a prefetch operation that allocates and initializes a block of cache lines in its internal cache.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a present day microprocessor, the speed at which data can be transferred between internal logic blocks is an order of magnitude faster than the speed that external memory accesses exhibit. In an x86 desktop computer configuration, the bus which interfaces to system memory operates on the order of hundreds of megahertz while internal microprocessor clock speeds are approaching the tens of gigahertz. Consequently, a hierarchy of cache structures has evolved over more recent years to allow high-performance microprocessors to run at speed without having to execute transactions over a slow memory bus every time data is to be read or written.
An on-board, or local, cache in a pipeline microprocessor is a stand-alone unit in nature that operates in a manner that is transparent to the flow of instructions in the microprocessor pipeline to ensure that data which is going to be required by instructions in an application program is resident within the cache and can hence be accessed at pipeline speeds rather than at memory bus speeds. Cache architectures are varied in the art, some consisting of multiple levels of cache: a first level cache very near to a processor's execution logic, a second level cache which may be on-chip or off chip where less frequently accessed data are stored, third-level caches which may be on a memory card itself, and so on. Regardless of whichever architecture is employed, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the overall objective of a cache is to preclude the case where instructions in a microprocessor pipeline are stalled while a bus transaction over a slow memory bus is issued in order to obtain data that is needed by a pending read or write operation. When this happens, program execution comes to a grinding halt until the data arrives.
To complicate matters, present day computer systems also share regions of memory between devices. For instance, a primary microprocessor communicates with a communications microprocessor by reading data from and writing data to a specified region of memory. It is also very common to find areas of memory known as video buffers that are shared between a primary microprocessor and a microprocessor on a video card that is responsible for displaying data to an operator on a video device.
In an shared memory system, the possibility exists that data from a shared region can be in the local caches of two different microprocessors or other devices connected to a memory bus. And as long as all of the devices do nothing more than read the data, then no harm is done by allowing both of them to have the data in their local cache structures. But unpredictable consequences could result if they were both allowed to modify the data that is locally cached.
To prevent this from happening, system designers have developed cache consistency protocols that indicate that status of data in a cache. The most prevalent protocol is known as Modified, Exclusive, Shared, Invalid ("MESI"). Maintaining a local cache according to MESI ensures that two copies of the same data cannot be modified at the same time. A MESI shared state indicates to a local cache whether or not a particular block of data is shared. If it is shared, then the local processor cannot modify it without first conducting transactions over the slower memory bus to obtain exclusive permission to modify the data. To modify data, a processor must first obtain exclusive ownership of the data
The problem addressed by the invention described herein relates to the delay that is incurred in a program where it is desired to write data to memory. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a cache has no reasonable way of knowing when a particular area of memory will first be required, and so memory bus delays are always incurred when the particular area of memory is first loaded into local cache. Recognizing this fact, designers have developed a prefetch instruction that can be programmed for execution by a microprocessor. The prefetch instruction, however, does not operate on operands in the program flow. Rather, the prefetch instruction is directs a local cache to load operands from memory into the cache that will be used in the future. And since cache units operate with memory in a manner that is transparent to instruction flow in a microprocessor pipeline, it is prudent to issue a prefetch instruction prior to needing data so that the cache can fetch the data from memory prior to the time it is needed-in parallel with the execution of other instructions in the primary program flow. Then when a subsequent instruction comes along that needs access to the prefetched data, it is readily accessible from cache and program execution is not stalled while waiting for it to be fetched from memory. Prefetched data is readily accessible in cache, that is, so long as it is going to be read. If it is to be modified by a subsequent instruction, then the program execution may have to be delayed while a cache unit goes to the bus to request exclusive ownership of shared data so that it can be modified by the local processor.
As alluded to above, shared memory regions are widely employed in present day computing systems to allow for communication of information between devices. In the case of a communication buffer between devices connected to a bus, the presence or absence of certain data in a data area (i.e., the designated area is set to one logical value, say all zeros or all ones) may indicate to one device that another device is ready to receive data. Alternatively, in a video buffer configuration, a microprocessor may start "painting" a background color for display to an operator by setting all of the video buffer entries to the same value. Both of the above examples require that particular data be stored to data entities within the data area in order to transfer information from one device or another. And neither of these scenarios requires that the data from the data area be read prior to transferring the information. Consequently, devices within a shared memory computing system that transfer data to a shared memory region have no efficient means of progressing through cache to the memory bus-even if the shared memory region has been previously loaded into cache through a prefetch operation-because the data in cache may not be exclusively owned.
Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus and method that enable a programmer to direct a microprocessor to prefetch data in a state where it can be modified by a subsequent operation without having to resort to bus transactions to obtain exclusive ownership of the data.
In addition, what is needed is an apparatus and method that enable a programmer to direct a microprocessor to initialize data that has been exclusively prefetched.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Microprocessor apparatus and method for prefetch, allocation, and initialization of a block of cache lines from memory


First and second stabilizers (26, 33) project on a main body (11) of a terminal fitting (10) while being spaced apart in a direction intersecting with a front-back direction. The first stabilizer (26) has a front end extending steeply in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front-back direction and the second stabilizer (33) has a front end part (38) inclined to recede. The front end part (38) of the second stabilizer (33) is more forward than the first stabilizer (26) so that the front end of the second stabilizer contacts a facing wall surface of a connector housing (60) before the first stabilizer (26) when an insertion posture is incorrect.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a terminal fitting and a connector with a terminal fitting.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 8,366,494 discloses a terminal fitting that is inserted into a cavity of a connector housing from behind and includes a rectangular tubular main body to be locked resiliently by a locking lance formed at an inner wall of the cavity. Two stabilizers project from the main body while being spaced apart in a front-back direction. Guiding grooves are formed in the housing and communicate with the cavity to guide an insertion of a properly oriented terminal fitting into the cavity. However, the stabilizers contact a surface of the housing if the terminal fitting is oriented improperly to prevent complete insertion of the terminal fitting. The front ends of the stabilizers have surfaces extending steeply in a direction intersecting the front-back direction.
Front ends of the stabilizers may scrape off the facing wall surface of the housing and damage the housing if the terminal fitting is pushed forcibly into the cavity of the housing when the main body is in an incorrect insertion posture. A possibility of scraping off the facing wall surface of the connector housing can be reduced if the front ends of the stabilizers are inclined to recede toward projecting ends. However, the inclined front ends of the stabilizers may slide on the facing wall surface of the housing and it may not be possible to stop the insertion of the improperly oriented terminal fitting.
The present invention was completed based on the above situation and aims to prevent an inverted insertion preventing function of a terminal fitting with no problem.

Terminal fitting with stabilizers and connector


Changing or feeding, respectively, of a working tool (11) into a workstation (110) of a packaging machine (1) takes place by varying a distance of a receiving unit having arranged the working tools (11), with respect to a support rack (15) by means of a lifting device (200). By means of a shifting means (300) the working tool (11) can be shifted from the support (10) into the workstation (110), or reverse. Therein, the support (10) can be formed such that it is movable out of the packaging machine (1).

Packaging machines for packaging of products generally comprise several workstations. In particular, packaging machines often comprise a deep drawing station and a sealing station downstream of the deep drawing station as workstation. In the deep drawing station, product receiving portions are formed in a lower film passing through the packaging machine, in which the products to be packed are inserted in a step succeeding the deep drawing station, by means of a working tool. Subsequent to the insertion of the products to be packed into the product receiving portions, the latter are sealed in the sealing station with an upper film also passing through the packaging machine. Depending on the size of the products to be packed, the size of the product receiving portions also has to be varied. Thus, depending on the size of the products to be packed, different working tools have to be used. In this process, the working tools should be replaceable preferably simple and without damaging the film.
From the publication EP 1 234 765 E1 a packaging machine is known, in which a working tool can be transferred from a resting position via a hand-over-place into a workstation, and reverse. As the transfer of the working tool takes place underneath or above the respective film, respectively, changing of the working tool can take place without damaging the film.
Due to the stepwise delivery of the working tool leaving the resting position to the hand-over place and to the working position, the time required for the delivery of the working tool to the work station and thus for the entire packaging process increases. Furthermore, resulting from the individual stations the working tool has to pass, the composition of the packaging machine is rather complex.

Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG


In one example, a head-mounted display (HMD) device includes multiple display panels arranged in parallel with each other. Each of the display panels is associated with one of multiple focal lengths. The HMD device includes multiple lenses to view a three-dimensional (3D) scene on the display panels. The HMD device also includes a controller to provide a frame of the 3D scene, viewable at the focal lengths. The frames include focal layers generated at one of the focal lengths. The frames are rendered by displaying the focal layers in a sequence on the display panels associated with the focal length at which the focal layer is generated. The controller also allows visible light to pass through one or more of the display panels based on whether the render planes are between an active focal layer and the lenses.

A head-mounted device (HMD) is a device that attaches to the head, and provides the viewer virtual or augmented reality experiences, for example. These experiences may use three-dimensional (3D) images to help the viewer feel immersed in the visual experience being presented. Many HMD devices present their images in accordance with how the eye perceives light at various distances. For example, when using an HMD device for virtual reality applications, 3D images of objects appear as though they are being seen at a certain distance from the viewer. Like a camera focusing on the subject of a photograph, the eyes focus on objects in their field of view at their respective distances. These distances are referred to as their focal length. Thus, when the eyes focus at a certain focal length, objects at that distance come into focus, and objects at other distances appear to blur, in a phenomenon called retinal blur. Accordingly, HMD devices attempt to display 3D images that make their displayed objects appear at their respective focal lengths, and the objects at different focal lengths appear to blur.
In some cases, the same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and the figures to reference like components and features. Numbers in the 100 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 1; numbers in the 200 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 2; and so on.


A system is set forth for detection of catheter location for intravenous access, comprising a catheter having a light source for illuminating a needle tip thereof; and an infrared detector and image projector for simultaneously detecting image vasculature and the location of the needle tip below the surface of the skin and in response projecting an image onto the skin to reveal the location of the needle tip relative to the vasculature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to medical imaging and more particularly to a method and apparatus for detection of catheter location for intravenous access.
2. Description of the Related Art
Intravenous (IV) catheters are used to access veins for blood draw, and for fluid delivery. There are very few techniques for assisting nurses and clinicians in verifying a positive cannulation of a vein. The standard technique for peripheral IV access involves using a tourniquet to engorge veins, followed by palpation to identify a suitable vein and finally insertion of the catheter needle. Clinicians must rely on "feel" when inserting the needle into a vein and on observing blood flashback to ascertain when the catheter has successfully cannulated the vein. Statistics indicate that this trial-and-error process requires an average of 2.4 attempts and up to 20 min for a clinician to successfully cannulate a vein. Aside from the increased pain and anxiety experienced by patients, there are real costs associated with IV care. Patient throughput, nurse time, consumables, and increased infection rates all contribute to increased medical care costs for hospitals and governments.
Systems have been developed for assisting in venous access and which overcome the disadvantages of the traditional trial-and-error procedure discussed above. One such system is the VeinViewer® infrared detector and image projector manufactured and sold by Christie Medical Holdings, Inc., a division of Christie Digital Systems, Inc., which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,239,909, and US Publication Nos. 2010051808, 20070158569 and 20060122515, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
According to the VeinViewer® system, diffuse infrared light is used to image vasculature below the surface of the skin, and the image is then projected onto the skin to reveal the location of the vasculature. The vasculature image is projected in exactly the same anatomical location as the vasculature itself, and in its three-dimensional context (skin of patient) making it very easy to see the vessels. Also, since there is no transducer to hold, the clinician's hands are free to deal with venous access.
Although the VeinViewer® system has been widely adopted by hospitals, its application has been somewhat limited by the fact that it cannot detect a successful cannulation event. For this, ultrasound is the only current visualization technology that can show if a successful cannulation has occurred. Ultrasound is commonly used for deep vein access such as PICC lines and CVC's, but is not typically used for peripheral veins.
Examples of ultrasound imaging systems for acquiring images of the vasculature include US Publication No. 20060036167 which discloses a system for acquiring angiographic images and locating a catheter within a blood vessel, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,930,014 which discloses a system for locating a catheter inside a body and the simultaneous display of two images: an angiographic representation of the location of the catheter and an image captured by the catheter.
Additional prior art of interest is as follows: US Publication Nos. 20080194930; 20100094126; 20080039715; 20060036164; 20110009738 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,178,340; 5,519,208; 5,608,210 and 4,817,622.
US Publication No. 20080194930 discloses modifying a catheter needle surface to facilitate detection of the needle by an IR camera.
US Publication No. 20100094126 discloses the use of an optical fibre to locate the tip of the needle by extending the fibre out the end of the needle, and the use of absorbed and re-emitted light to find a vein. The application envisions a clinician passing the needle over the skin to detect the presence of a vein beneath and watching for a corresponding change in optical return. There is no imaging of the needle or the vein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,340 discloses an infrared imaging system for detection of veins near the surface of a patient's skin. A screen is used to show the clinician where the veins are located. There is no imaging of the catheter/needle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,208 discloses the use of a near infrared LED to mark the tip of the needle/catheter. The image of the needle/catheter is seen through a screen or via a mirror that enables viewing of the image and the patient simultaneously.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,210 also discloses the use of a near infrared LED to mark the tip of the needle/catheter. The image of the needle/catheter is seen through special headgear worn by the clinician. The head-mounted instruments are intended to overcome the problem of viewing a monitor while attempting to cannulate a vein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,622 discloses the use of a fibre to illuminate tissue.
US Publication Nos. 20080039715 and 20060036164 disclose the use of a light emitting tip to locate a catheter within a patient and the use of pulsed light signals to facilitate such detection. The pulsed signals are meant to facilitate locating the catheter by giving instruments a known signal type, e.g. rhythmic pulses, to detect and track within the body.
US Publication No. 20110009738 discloses the use of changes in the surface properties of the needle to facilitate tracking by an IR camera as well as the use of the properties of blood to modify the signal received by the IR camera in order to detect a successful cannulation.
It is an object of an aspect of this specification to set forth a system for detecting the position of a catheter using infrared based imaging but which eliminates the prior art difficulties in detecting a positive cannulation.

Method and apparatus for detection of catheter location for intravenous access


A portion of a torsion bar (6) for axially supporting a movable plate (5) of a planar electromagnetic actuator, is made conducting by diffusing boron therein in a high concentration. An external power source can thus be electrically connected to a planar coil (7) via the torsion bar (6) itself. As a result, the possibility of disconnection faults in the electrical wiring due to back and forth twisting movement of the torsion bar is eliminated, thus improving the durability and reliability of the electromagnetic actuator.

Heretofore as a very small size electromagnetic actuator which utilizes semiconductor technology, there is for example, as proposed by the present inventor, the planar type mirror galvanometer (Japanese Patent Application Nos. 5-320524 and 6-9824), the planar type electromagnetic relay (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-320525), or the optical detecting instrument (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-310657).
A description of such conventional electromagnetic actuators is given below using as an example, a planar type mirror galvanometer.
Mirror galvanometers are used for example in laser scanners which deflection scan a laser beam, operating on the theory that when an electrical current is passed through a movable coil arranged in a magnetic field, an electromagnetic force is generated due to the interaction between the electrical current and the magnetic field, producing a rotational force (torque) proportional to the electrical current. The construction involves a device utilizing galvanometer theory where a movable coil rotates to an angle where the torque and a spring force are in equilibrium, the presence and size of a current being detected by an indicator needle swung by the movable coil. However instead of the indicator needle which rotates integrally with the movable coil, a reflecting mirror is provided.
Conventional practical mirror galvanometers use for example a movable piece of iron arranged in a magnetic field instead of the movable coil, with a magnetic path formed around the periphery of the movable piece of iron by means of a magnetic body including two permanent magnets and four magnetic poles. The magnetic flux between the poles is altered by changing the size and direction of a current flowing in a drive coil wound around the magnetic body, so that a reflecting mirror is swung by the movable piece of iron, to thus deflection scan a laser beam (see for example "Practical Laser Technology", Kyoritsu Publishing Company, Dec. 10, 1987, p210-212).
With the conventional mirror galvanometer however, miniaturization is difficult due for example to the drive coil being mechanically wound. There is thus the problem that miniaturization of laser scanning systems using such mirror galvanometers, and miniaturization of laser application equipment using such systems becomes difficult.
In order to solve this problem, the present inventors proposed the beforementioned very small thin type planar mirror galvanometer.
This planar type mirror galvanometer is discussed below.
With this planar type mirror galvanometer; a silicon substrate has integrally formed therewith, a planar movable plate, and a torsion bar at a central position of the movable plate for axially supporting the movable plate so as to be swingable in a perpendicular direction relative to the silicon substrate. A planar coil for producing a magnetic field by means of an electric current, is provided on an upper face peripheral edge portion of the movable plate, and a fully reflecting mirror is provided on an upper face central portion which is surrounded by the planar coil of the movable plate. A pair of electrode terminals for electrically connecting to the planar coil via a torsion bar portion, are provided on the silicon substrate side which supports the movable plate. Moreover, permanent magnets forming pairs with each other, are secured at the periphery of the movable plate so that a static magnetic field generated thereby acts on the planar coil portions located on the opposite ends of the movable plate which is parallel with the axial direction of the torsion bars. With the abovementioned patent applications, the pairs of permanent magnets are respectively located above and below the opposite end portions of the movable plate, the construction being such that the static magnetic fields generated between the pairs of permanent magnets intersect the drive coil in predetermined directions.
Operation of such a planar type mirror galvanometer is as follows.
A magnetic field is formed by means of the permanent magnets at opposite ends of the movable plate, in a direction so as to intersect the planar coil lying along the planar face of the movable plate. When a current flows in the planar coil positioned in this magnetic field, a magnetic force acts in a direction according to Fleming's left hand rule for current, magnetic flux density, and force, on the opposite ends of the movable plate in proportion to the current density and magnetic flux density of the planar coil, so that the movable plate is rotated. At this time, the torsion bars are twisted with the rotation of the movable plate, producing a spring reaction force, so that the movable plate rotates to a position where the magnetic force and the spring reaction force are in equilibrium. Since the angle of rotation of the moveable plate is proportional to the current flowing in the planar coil, then if the current flowing in the planar coil is controlled, the rotation angle of the movable plate can be controlled.
Consequently, the direction of reflection of a laser beam incident on a fully reflecting mirror in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the torsion bar, can be freely controlled. Hence if the displacement angle of the fully reflecting mirror is continuously cycled back and forth, then laser beam scanning can be effected.
Moreover there is also a two axis mirror galvanometer provided with a frame like outer movable plate axially supported on a silicon substrate by means of first torsion bars, and a planar inner movable plate axially supported on the outer movable plate by means of second torsion bars aligned perpendicular to the first torsion bars, and having a fully reflecting mirror on an upper central surface of the inner movable plate.
This two axis construction has the advantage that if a current is passed through both a planar coil on the upper face of the outer movable plate, and a planar coil on the upper face of the inner movable plate, then the outer movable plate and the inner movable plate rotate in directions which are perpendicular to each other. Hence if a laser beam is deflection scanned by the fully reflecting mirror, then two dimensional scanning can be carried out.
In the case where a current is only passed through one of the planar coils, the movement is the same as for the single axis construction.
With such planar type mirror galvanometers, in the case of both the single axis and the two axis arrangements, wiring for connecting the planar coil provided on the upper face of the movable plate to electrode terminals on the silicon substrate side which supports the movable plate, has heretofore been patterned on the torsion bar portion.
There is thus the likelihood of disconnection of the metal material of the planar coil due to metal fatigue resulting from the back and forth twisting movement of the torsion bar when the movable plate is being driven. Hence there is the problem that the life of the mirror galvanometer is limited by the fatigue strength of the planar coil.
The present invention takes into consideration the above situation with the object of providing an electromagnetic actuator and a method of manufacture therefor, which eliminates the occurrence of drive coil disconnection faults.

Electromagnetic actuator and manufacturing method therefor