An electro-optical assembly (EA) is provided in which the transmitter and receiver components are integrated together on a single circuit board, which is encapsulated in a single molded EA package. Integrating the transmitter and receiver components on a single circuit board allows the size and complexity of the EA to be greatly reduced as compared to the traditional TO-can and FOT architectures. A standard semiconductor inline automation system and process may be used to manufacture the EA packages so that they may be mass produced with improved throughput, yield and quality as compared to the method currently used to manufacture and assemble the known EA used in the traditional TO-can and FOT architectures.

In optical communications networks, electro-optical assemblies are used to transmit and receive optical signals over optical fibers. A typical electro-optical assembly (EA) comprises a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA), a receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) and an electronic subassembly (ESA). The TOSA and ROSA normally are implemented using traditional transistor outline (TO)-can or fiber optic transceiver (FOT) lead frame architectures. The TOSA and ROSA TO-cans typically each comprise optics that are mounted on top of the TO-can. On the transmitter side, the TOSA TO-can includes a light source that is mounted below the TOSA optics and in optical alignment with the optics. The light source, which is typically a laser diode or light emitting diode (LED), generates modulated optical signals that carry data, which are then coupled by the TOSA optics into an end of an optical fiber for transmission over an optical fiber network. The light source is wire bonded to pins of the TOSA TO-can. The pins of the TOSA TO-can are then soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the ESA. The TOSA FOT includes a light source that is mounted and wire bonded directly on a lead frame, which is encapsulated in a clear mold with a lens. The leads of the FOT lead frame are then soldered to ESA.
The ESA typically also includes a controller IC, a transmitter driver IC, a receiver IC and passive components, such as, for example resistors, capacitors and inductors, all of which are electrically connected to conductors of the PCB of the ESA. The controller IC delivers electrical signals to the transmitter driver IC for controlling the modulation and bias currents of the light source in the TOSA TO-can or FOT.
On the receiver side, a photodiode of the ROSA TO-can is mounted below the ROSA optics in optical alignment with the ROSA optics. The ROSA optics receive an incoming optical signal output from the end of a receive optical fiber and direct the light output from the end of the receive optical fiber onto the active area of the photodiode. The photodiode is wire bonded to pins of the ROSA TO-can. The pins of the ROSA TO-can are soldered to the PCB of the ESA. As for the ROSA FOT, the photodiode is mounted directly on to the lead frame of the ROSA FOT. The leads of ROSA FOT leadframe are then soldered to the PCB of the ESA. During operation, the photodiode converts the incoming optical signal into an electrical signal, which is then processed by the receiver IC and the controller IC of the ESA.
The TO-can and FOT lead frame architectures described above are relatively large and relatively difficult to mechanically package. The signal paths tend to be relatively long due to the relatively long pins of the TO-cans and long leads of the FOTs, which can result in the EA having impedance matching issues, interference issues by external electromagnetic (EM) signals on the receiver side, and excessive EM emission issues on the transmitter side. Furthermore, the encapsulation of a FOT might crack or delaminate due to a large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the metal lead frame and the mold material.
It would be desirable to provide an EA in which the electrical circuits and other components of the ROSA, the TOSA and the optics are integrated together on a single PCB and encapsulated in a single molded EA package. Integrating the ROSA and the TOSA on a single PCB would reduce reliability issues associated with wire bonding and would allow signal path lengths and the overall size of the EA to be reduced. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide an EA that is encapsulated in an encapsulation material having a CTE that is relatively close to the CTE of the PCB such that cracking and delamination due to temperature changes are avoided.

Electro-optical assembly and method for making an electro-optical assembly

Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A precision RF passive component including: a silicon substrate; a first dielectric layer deposited above the silicon substrate; a first metal layer formed above the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer formed above the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed above the second dielectric layer. In one embodiment a passivation layer is added above the second metal layer. In an exemplary embodiment the first metal layer includes a first adhesion layer, a metal sub-layer, and a second adhesion layer; and the second dielectric layer includes a first diffusion barrier layer, a dielectric sub-layer second diffusion barrier. In an exemplary embodiment, the metal sub-layer includes copper. In another exemplary embodiment the dielectric sub-layer includes SiO2 or Si3N4 between diffusion barrier layers including SiN.

The invention relates generally to the field of semiconductor technology and in particular to a layered high frequency capacitor suitable for RF applications.
The increasing need for communications has been a consistent driver for expanding the spectrum utilized for wireless communications. In recent years frequencies in excess of 10 GHz have become commonplace in satellite video and data transmission, while frequencies up to 3 GHz are common in cellular communications. In general, components designed for such high frequencies are also known as radio frequency (RF) components. The generation and detection of RF requires precision passive electronic components, such as capacitors, inductors and resonant filters. Unfortunately, precision passive electronic components are typically expensive and as such prevent the rapid spread of technology based on these frequencies.
Semiconductor manufacturing technology is well developed, and is an excellent technology for reducing the cost of devices and components, while maintaining a high level of precision and repeatability. Many prior art techniques exist for manufacturing capacitors, unfortunately the need for high precision as required for RF applications, and low cost has not been met. In particular a number of barriers to precision control include diffusion of any deposited metal, lack of adhesion of a deposited metal to a dielectric and precision control of the height of a dielectric.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,364 issued to Downey et al. describe a capacitor for use in a semiconductor device having a damascene interconnect structure, such as a dual damascene interconnect, formed over a substrate of a semiconductor wafer. The use of a damascene structure adds complexity in the processing due to the polishing required. This increases the end cost of the devices.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,538,300 and 6,621,142 issued to Goldberger et al. is addressed to a precision high frequency capacitor including a dielectric layer formed on the front side surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first electrode on top of the dielectric layer. The semiconductor substrate is heavily doped to provide for an electronic discharge protection diode. The use of a heavily doped substrate increases the RF losses in the capacitor and inhibits the integration of inductors or filters.
Thus, there is a need for a precision RF passive component, such as a capacitor, which is preferably suitable for low cost production and integration with other RF components on a single common substrate.

Integrated capacitor for RF applications with Ta adhesion layer


FIFO systems and operating method thereof are provided to transfer data between a first device and a second device. In the FIFO system, a memory controller serves as an interface to access a memory device for storage of the data, and a CPU processes instructions to control the data transfer. Two data FIFOs serve as data buffers for data transactions to and from the first and second devices, and two status FIFOs serve as an instruction buffers for status transactions between the first, second devices and the CPU. A data controller connects the memory controller and the two data FIFOs for direct data delivery therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to FIFO devices, and in particular, to a FIFO sharing mechanism for data reproduction.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a conventional FIFO system 100 coupled to a first device 115 and a second device 125. The FIFO system 100 comprises a memory controller 120, a CPU 130, a first FIFO device 140 and a second FIFO device 150. The memory controller 120 is controlled by the CPU 130 to access a memory device 110. The first FIFO device 140 serves as an interface for instruction transfer to and from the first device 115, and the second FIFO device 150 for second device 125. The instructions transferred via the first FIFO device 140 and second FIFO device 150, comprise two types, status and data. Status instructions delivered from the first device 115 or second device 125 are parsed and executed by the CPU 130, and data instructions from the first device 115 and second device 125 are sent to the memory device by the memory controller 120. Thus, each of the devices 115 and 125 is simultaneously coupled to the memory controller 120 and CPU 130, with a detection mechanism required determining instruction types stored therein, such that the instructions can be directed accordingly.
FIG. 2a is a flowchart of a conventional data reading process. In step 202, when the FIFO system 100 requests data from first device 115, the CPU 130 initializes the transfer by sending a status instruction to the first FIFO device 140. The first device 115 then reads the status instruction from the first FIFO device 140, and performs an initialization to determine whether the requested data is available. In step 204, a status instruction is delivered from the first device 115 to the first FIFO device 140, indicating the availability of the requested data. Thereafter, the CPU 130 reads the status instruction in the first FIFO device 140. In step 206, if the requested data is available, the first device 115 delivers at least one data instruction carrying the requested data to the first FIFO device 140. Upon confirmation of the availability of the requested data according to the returned status instruction, the CPU 130 commands the memory controller 120 to read the data instruction from the first FIFO device 140 and sends it to the memory device.
FIG. 2b is a flowchart of a conventional data writing process. In step 212, when the FIFO system 100 requests to write data from the memory device to the second device 125, the CPU 130 initializes the transfer by sending a status instruction to the second FIFO device 150. The second device 125 then reads the status instruction from the second FIFO device 150, and performs an initialization to determine whether the second device 125 is capable of storing the data. In step 214, in response, a status instruction is delivered from the second device 125 to the second FIFO device 150, indicating the capability for storage. The CPU 130 reads the returned status instruction in the second FIFO device 150 to confirm the capability. In step 216, upon confirmation of the capability for data storage according to the returned status instruction, the CPU 130 commands the memory controller 120 to deliver the data instruction from the memory device to the second FIFO device 150. In step 218, when the second device 125 obtains the data instruction through the second FIFO device 150, it responds another status instruction as an acknowledgement. Through the second FIFO device 150, the CPU 130 reads the acknowledgement to conclude the data transfer.
The FIFO system 100 may be a card reader, whereas the first device 115 and second device 125 are memory cards such as SECURE DIGITAL (SD) or COMPACTFLASH (CF) cards. SECURE DIGITAL and COMPACTFLASH are standard memory formats and/or trademarks. When there is need to copy data from the first device 115 to the second device 125, or vice versa, the processes shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b are performed. The memory device and CPU 130 occupy significant system resources and time. Additionally, the determination of instruction type also consumes considerable computation power of the CPU 130. A more efficient architecture is thus desirable.

FIFO system and operating method thereof


A system and method for optimizing performance of an application are provided. The system includes an application processor including a logic section, multiple peripherals coupled to the application processor, and an antenna system coupled to some of the peripherals, where the antenna system includes multiple antennas including one or more modal antennas. Each of the one or more modal antennas has multiple modes corresponding to multiple radiation patterns, respectively. The logic section controls the antenna system to have a configuration that optimizes gain associated with networks and performance of the application selected for a time period.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for optimizing performance of applications on a wireless communication device.
2. Description of the Related Art
As new generations of handsets, laptops, tablets and other wireless communication devices become smaller and embedded with increased applications, new antenna designs are required to address inherent limitations of these devices and to enable new capabilities. For example, in a conventional wireless communication device, signals in the networks are processed separately through separate RF chains coupled to respective antennas. The individual RF chains are controlled separately by an application processor, and thus adjustment and fine tuning for improved performance are not considered in running applications.
On the other hand, users are increasingly demanding in obtaining high quality experiences with applications such as in the arena of mobile entertainment. Applications on a wireless communication device include video viewing, digital media downloading, games, navigations and various others. In running such an application, the user's satisfaction is determined by certain metrics such as how good the response is to user's commands in the game, how fluid the video stream is without choppiness or freezing during the video viewing or media downloading, for example. Thus, new functions and capabilities of adjusting and fine tuning are needed to optimize the performance of applications in the wireless communication platform.

Method and system for optimizing performance of applications on a wireless communication device


A method of communicating a data chirp signal from a transmitter to a receiver, the data chirp signal comprising a sequence of symbols, each symbol encoding a first symbol value and a second symbol value such that the data chirp signal comprises a first symbol value sequence and a second symbol value sequence, the first and second symbol values being encoded via different properties of the symbol, the first symbol value sequence being selected from values in a primary predetermined sequence and a secondary predetermined sequence, the method comprising: selecting consecutive values of the first symbol value sequence from values in consecutive sequence positions of the primary predetermined sequence and the secondary predetermined sequence; encoding first data in the chirp signal via the selected first symbol value sequence; encoding second data in the chirp signal via the second symbol value sequence; and transmitting the data chirp signal to the receiver.

The chirp modulation method is a modulation method in which the frequency of a signal (chirp) varies linearly over time in a bandwidth of Fs Hz. A chirp having a positive gradient in the frequency-time plane is generally referred to as an up-chirp, for example chirp 1 and chirp 2 on FIG. 1. A chirp having a negative gradient in the frequency-time plane is generally referred to as a down-chirp, for example chirp 3 on FIG. 1.
A chirp can be represented by a sequence of N samples. One or more identical contiguous chirps can form a symbol that represents a data value to be communicated. A chirp can be represented mathematically as:C(g,p)=ejπg(n−fn(p))(n+1−fn(p))/N  (equation 1)where g is the gradient of the chirp, N is the number of samples in the sequence, n is a sample in the sequence, p is a symbol value, fn(p) is a function that encodes p onto the received chirp, which implicitly may also be a function of g, n, N and other constants, and C is the received chirp sequence, which is normally evaluated for all integer values of n from 0 to N−1 in order. The number of valid values of p is the symbol set size, which is nominally N. However, the symbol set size can be more or less than N depending on the quality of the link. The value of g can have any value greater than 0 and less than N. Preferably, g is an integer between 1 and N−1. Due to the modular nature of this expression negative gradients are obtained from N−1 backwards. Hence, N−2 is equivalent to a negative gradient of −2. Where there are more than one identical contiguous chirps in a symbol, each chirp individually conveys the same value which is the symbol value of the symbol. Chirp 1 in FIG. 1 has a starting frequency of −Fs/2 and a gradient of 1. It increases linearly in frequency over a period of N samples at a sample rate of Fs to reach a frequency close to +Fs/2. Since this is a complex sampled system+Fs/2 is the same as −Fs/2. Multiple chirps are usually contiguous but may start with a different frequency. The signal phase is typically made continuous throughout a sequence of chirps. In other words, after the signal has reached +Fs/2 at n=N−1, the next symbol starts with n=0 again. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which two consecutive chirps have the same symbol value, whereas the third chirp is different. An apparent discontinuity in frequency between chirp 1 and chirp 2 occurs at n=N.
Chirp 4 in FIG. 2 has a gradient of 2 and a starting frequency of −Fs/2. Because it has double the gradient of the chirps of FIG. 1, it increases linearly in frequency to +Fs/2 in half the number of samples that the chirps in FIG. 1 do, i.e. it reaches close to +Fs/2 after close to N/2 samples. The chirp then wraps around in frequency. Since this is a sampled system, these frequency wraps are in effect continuous and have continuous phase. The chirp repeats the frequency sweep from −Fs/2 to +Fs/2 between samples N/2 and N.
The chirps also have continuous frequency and phase from one end of the chirp to the other. A cyclic shift of the samples that make up a chirp creates another valid chirp.
Chirp communications are typically used in low cost, battery powered systems operating using low data rates and short messages, often in noisy environments or over long distances. As a result of these constraints every transmitted data bit is valuable. Irregular control data reduces the efficiency of the communication. Thus, a method for transmitting more data within a given bandwidth and a means to manage irregular control data is desirable.
For example, when two devices are communicating with an agreed data rate and quality of service (QoS) it is desirable that each transmitted symbol is as long as possible to enhance its likelihood of being received correctly. Hence, during normal operation it is desirable for the main payload information to fully occupy the available transmit time for the duration of the connection. However, there may be occasions when additional control information also needs to be transmitted, for example to change power levels, adjust the link quality, provide additional parity bits for sensitive symbols or to indicate that a frame needs to be retransmitted. This additional information is generally transmitted much less frequently than the payload information and may not necessarily be transmitted regularly. In a conventional communication system provision is made for control information in the form of additional control packets that are exchanged between devices, often at regular intervals. In one method, these control packets are embedded serially in between payload packets using time division multiple access (TDMA). In this case less time is available for the payload packets and hence more power is required for the same receiver sensitivity. In a second method, control packets are transmitted at the same time as the payload packets but use a different frequency, for example utilising frequency division multiple access (FDMA). In this case more spectral resources, more battery power and a more complicated radio are required, which is not consistent with a very cheap and low power receiver. In a third method, control packets are transmitted at the same time and the same frequency as the payload packets but use a coding scheme, such as code division multiple access (CDMA). In this case the receiver suffers crosstalk interference between the payload packets and the overlaid control packets. This method thus requires additional power for the payload packets to achieve the same receiver sensitivity. It also requires more power to transmit the additional control packets. CDMA receivers are also expensive.
Thus, there is a need for an improved method of communicating a chirp signal from a transmitter to a receiver that is spectrally efficient and provides a means to convey irregular control information without a significant power or delay penalty on the payload information.


A surgical tool includes opposing jaws, handles and at least one pressure sensor. Another aspect of a surgical tool includes opposing jaws with each having an organ-contacting surface area of at least 50 mm2. A further aspect of a surgical tool includes an electronic controller connected to at least one pressure sensor and automatically adapted to calculate or determine an organ-hardness from a sensor when jaws are moved to an organ-compressing position. In yet another aspect of a surgical tool, a pressure sensor is mounted to a pancreas-compressing surface and a displacement transducer or sensor is mounted to and/or located within a handle coupled to the surface, and an electronic controller is mounted to and/or located within the handle for calculating a hardness of a pancreas and/or other organ.

The present disclosure generally relates to surgical tools and more particularly to a surgical tool with a pressure sensor.
It is known that a soft pancreas and small pancreatic duct can lead to post-operative pancreatic leaks and fistulas. However, there is no currently available tool for use in objectively determining softness or hardness of the pancreatic tissue and, by default, it is traditionally determined in a subjective manner by the operating surgeon. This approach lacks accuracy and is difficult to perform with less experienced surgeons.
Crude experimental attempts to objectively measure pancreatic hardness are disclosed within the following publications: (a) T. Hong, et al., Pancreatic Hardness: Correlation of Surgeon's Palpation, Durometer Measurement and Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features," World J. Gastroenterology, vol. 23, issue 11, p. 2044 (Mar. 20, 2017); and (b) O. Belyaev, et al., "Assessment of Pancreatic Hardness—Surgeon Versus Durometer," J. Surgical Research, vol. 158, no. 1, p. 53 (January 2010). While these publications recognize the surgical need for objective measurements, the conventional durometer gauges employed disadvantageously only provided localized point-contact and did not automatically calculate pancreas-specific results.
Furthermore, a medical tool flowing fluid to a tissue while heating the tissue is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0049920 entitled "Fluid-Assisted Medical Devices, Fluid Delivery Systems and Controllers for Such Devices, and Methods" which published to McClurken et al. on Mar. 1, 2007, and is incorporated by reference herein. This tool employs jaws having multiple electrodes, however, this conventional electrosurgical tool is intended for use in coagulation and/or cutting of tissue.
In accordance with the present invention, a surgical tool includes opposing jaws, handles and at least one pressure sensor. Another aspect of a surgical tool includes opposing jaws with each having an organ-contacting surface area of at least 50 mm2. A further aspect of a surgical tool includes an electronic controller connected to at least one pressure sensor and automatically adapted to calculate or determine an organ-hardness from a sensor when jaws are moved to an organ-compressing position. In yet another aspect of a surgical tool, a pressure sensor is mounted to a pancreas-compressing surface and a displacement transducer or sensor is mounted to and/or located within a handle coupled to the surface, and an electronic controller is mounted to and/or located within the handle for calculating a hardness of a pancreas and/or other organ. Methods of manufacturing and/or using any of the preceding surgical tool aspects are also provided.
The present surgical tool is advantageous over traditional approaches. For example, the present surgical tool is expected to provide repeatable and objective pancreas hardness results during surgical and/or laboratory test situations. Furthermore, the present surgical tool can be sterilized without harm for surgical re-use in one embodiment or inexpensively manufactured for a single use in another embodiment. Additionally, the present surgical tool is advantageous by providing a large surface area on the opposing jaws to simultaneously compress a wide area of the pancreas and/or other organ therebetween, as contrasted to the undesirable point-loading of some conventional durometer gauge experiments. The electronic control and programmed software instructions of the present surgical tool allow for automated and quick calculations and/or determinations of pancreatic and other organ hardness in essentially a real-time manner during a surgical procedure; this advantageously shortens the duration of the surgery and are expected to provide more accurate results which are not dependent upon surgeon-to-surgeon variability. Additional features and benefits of the present surgical tool will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Board of Trustees of Michigan State University


The Variable-Force Payload Ejecting System, residing within an air vehicle, utilizes multiple pressure generators, one or more of which may be activated, to produce variable levels of force. A controlling computer within the air vehicle determines when and how much pressure needs to be generated to eject a given item, such as a submunition, from the vehicle. In its determination, the computer factors in the vehicle's forward velocity and height over the intended target at the time of ejection and the characteristics of the particular submunition to be ejected. An activating mechanism activates one or more pressure generators to produce the determined amount of pressure. The pressure thusly generated acts on an inflatable tube that inflates and expels the selected submunition. The result is a more precise delivery of the submunitions onto the intended targets.

In the current state of the art in the field of ejection of an item, such as submunition or munition, from an air vehicle, there are essentially three standard techniques. The first technique involves ejecting a payload of submunitions through the nose of the vehicle by an explosive charge located behind the payload. This technique is used primarily with flechette or rod type submunitions. The second technique involves ejecting the payload through the side of the air vehicle (radial ejection). In the third technique, the submunitions are ejected from the rear of the air vehicle (axial ejection).
In all of these techniques, the ejecting system is designed for a single type of submunition and utilizes a single level of force. Such an ejecting system cannot compensate for variations in the velocity of the air vehicle, the height from which the item (submunition) is ejected or any other factors that can affect the precision placement of the submunitions in actual (battlefield) use.
Further, the submunitions ejected using any of the above three techniques are ejected either simultaneously or in a very rapid sequence so that all are placed into the same target area. Multiple target areas separated by some distance cannot be accommodated by a single air vehicle. Finally, the radial ejection technique, in particular, leads to high shock and acceleration loads on the submunitions, since the ejecting system must break any restraining straps that hold the submunitions in place in the air vehicle before the submunitions can be separated from the air vehicle.
What is needed is an ejecting mechanism that can drop various submunitions as required onto different target areas that may be separated by various distances. Such an ejecting system should take into account the changing flight speed of the air vehicle, its height over the intended target area and the aerodynamic characteristics of the particular submunition selected for ejection, in order to produce the level of force necessary to eject the submunition so that it lands on the intended target.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


The present disclosure discloses a circuit, touch chip, and electronic device for capacitance detection. The circuit for capacitance detection comprises: a control module (112), a charge transfer module (142), a processing module (152), a driving module (122), and an offsetting module (132), the control module (112) being configured to charge a detection capacitor (Cx) by controlling the driving module (122), the offsetting module (132) being configured to charge an offset capacitor (Cc), and control the offset capacitor (Cc) to perform charge offsetting on the detection capacitor (Cx); the charge transfer module (142) being configured to convert charge of the detection capacitor after the charge offsetting to generate an output voltage (VOUT); and the processing module (152) being configured to determine, based on the output voltage (VOUT), a capacitance variation of the detection capacitor (Cx) before and after the detection capacitor is affected by an external electric field.

The principle of self-capacitance detection is that a capacitor will be formed between a detection electrode and system ground, which is known as the self-capacitance detection. When no external electric field is caused by, e.g., a finger, the capacitor formed between the detection electrode and the system ground has base capacitance or initial capacitance. When the finger approaches or touches the detection electrode, the capacitance between the detection electrode and the system ground will be enhanced, and a user-related touch control operation may be determined by detecting a variation of the capacitance.
In the field of capacitance touch control, the flexible screen is an important development direction. When implementing capacitance touch detection using the above self-capacitance principle, the flexible screen is often thinner than a conventional capacitance touch control, such that the detection electrode is closer to the system ground. Thus, the base capacitance of the capacitor is significantly higher than the base capacitance of the capacitor of the conventional capacitance touch screen. Further, since a metal-mesh is used as the detection electrode, the sensing area is relatively small, such that when the finger touches the capacitor, the capacitance variation is very small. A small capacitance variation means to require a high circuit gain, such that the detection circuit can detect an electrical signal generated by the capacitance variation during touching, but since the base capacitance is much higher than the capacitance variation, a high circuit gain, if employed, further tends to cause detection circuit saturation.
Further, the small capacitance variation also generates a very small electrical signal, which is readily submerged in circuit noise, thus failing to be detected. Thus it can be seen that, the prior art has low sensitivity of the self-capacitance detection, finally resulting in the defect of low accuracy of the self-capacitance detection.

Circuit, touch chip, and electronic device for capacitance detection


An example includes a method for forming tubular lengths of web material. The example can include winding a portion of web material in a tubular configuration such that opposite vertical ends of said linear portion overlap. The example can include welding said overlapping ends to fix said linear portion of web material in sleeve configuration. This welding can include heating up at a first temperature a first region of said portion over the whole of which said ends overlap and heating up at a second temperature lower than said first temperature a second region of said portion adjacent to said first region, said ends of said portion of labelling web material overlapping over only a part of said second region. One or more examples relate to a forming unit configured to implement the method outlined above.

Labelling machines are commonly used to apply labels to containers of all sorts. These machines are very often used with bottles or other vessels destined to hold pourable food products are tubular labels (also commonly called "sleeve labels") which are obtained by:                cutting a web unwound from a supply roll into a plurality of rectangular or square portions;        winding each web portion in a tubular configuration such that opposite vertical edges overlap; and        welding the overlapping edges to fix the web material in sleeve form.
A particular type of labelling machine is known wherein each tubular label is formed about a relative cylindrical winding body (commonly called "sleeve drum") and subsequently transferred onto a relative container, e.g. by introduction of the container inside the tubular label.
This type of labelling machine comprises a carousel rotating about a relative vertical axis to define a substantially circular path portion, along which the labelling machine receives respective successions of unlabelled containers and of rectangular or square labelling material portions from respective input wheels; allows application of sleeve labels onto corresponding containers and releases the labelled containers to an output wheel.
More specifically, the carousel comprises a number of operating units which are equally spaced about the rotation axis, are mounted along the periphery of the carousel and are moved by the latter along the above-mentioned circular path portion.
Each operating unit comprises a bottom supporting assembly adapted to support the bottom wall of a relative container and an upper retainer adapted to cooperate with the top portion of such container to hold it in a vertical position during the rotation of the carousel about the vertical axis.
Each supporting assembly comprises a vertical hollow supporting mount, secured to a horizontal plane of a rotary frame of the carousel, and a cylindrical winding body, engaging the supporting mount in sliding and rotating manner with respect to its axis, and adapted to carry a relative container on its top surface and a relative label on its lateral surface.
Each winding body is movable, e.g. under the control of cam means, between a raised position and a fully retracted position within the relative supporting mount.
In the raised position, each winding body protrudes from a top surface of the relative supporting mount and is adapted to receive a relative label on its lateral surface from the label input wheel; in particular the label is wrapped around the winding body such that the opposite vertical edges of the label overlap one another.
In the fully retracted position, which is reached at the container input and output wheels, the top surface of each winding body is flush with the top surface of the supporting mount so that containers are transferred onto and from the carousel along the same transfer plane.
After the welding of the overlapped edges of a tubular label, the movement of the relative winding body from the raised position to the fully retracted position produces the insertion of the relative container inside the label, making the so obtained container ready to be transferred to the output wheel.
For ensuring proper formation of tubular labels, the labelling web material is cut into rectangular or square portions having a length such that, when wound about respective winding bodies, their leading and trailing ends overlap, thus being weldable to one another with good reliability.
Therefore, in practice, the rectangular or square portions of labelling web material are cut into lengths in slight excess of the perimeter of the winding body, and the overlapping ends are welded, e.g. through localised heat application by means of a sealing bar, at a predetermined distance from the very edge of the radially external end, so that the sealing bar applies heat to an area where the two ends are superimposed.
As a result, the excess amount of labelling web material used for the making of each sleeve label—which ultimately leads to an increased overall cost—remains on the sleeve label surface eventually applied on a respective container as an irregularity, which is generally looked upon as undesirable by food industry companies, particularly for aesthetic reasons.

Method and unit for forming tubular lengths of web material, particularly in a labelling machine


The present invention provides an information storage medium in which a stream including basic data and extension data for next generation is stored, so as to allow a decoder capable of decoding only basic data to process such a stream including basic data and extension data.

The following describes a conventional DVD-Video disc (hereinafter referred to as a "DVD").
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a DVD. As is shown in the bottom of FIG. 1, the DVD includes a logical address space in between the read-in area and the read-out area. In the logical address space, volume information of the file system is stored at the top, and application data such as video and audio is stored in the subsequent areas.
The file system of a DVD is a file system compliant with ISO9660 and the Universal Disc Format (UDF). File system is a mechanism for representing data on a disc by units called directories and files. In a personal computer (PC), a file system called FAT or NTFS is used. Such a file system allows a computer to process data stored in the hard disk in the form of directories and files. As a result, usability is enhanced.
Both UDF and ISO9660 are used in DVDs as their file systems. UDF and ISO9660 are sometimes referred to collectively as "UDF Bridge". Data stored on a DVD can be read out by the file system driver of either UDF or ISO9660. In the case of DVD-RAM/R/RW, which are rewritable DVDs, data reading, writing, and deletion are physically possible.
Data stored on a DVD exists as directories or files as shown in the upper left of FIG. 1 via the file system. Immediately below the root directory ("ROOT" in FIG. 1), a directory called "VIDEO_TS" is placed, where application data of the DVD is stored. The application data is divided and stored as plural files. The following are some of the major files:
VIDEO_TS. IFOdisc reproduction control information fileVTS_01_0. IFOvideo title set#1 reproduction controlinformation fileVTS_01_0. VOBvideo title set#1 stream file. . .
There are two extensions specified. "IFO" is an extension indicating that a file with this extension stores reproduction control information. "VOB" is an extension indicating that a file with this extension stores an MPEG stream being AV data. The reproduction control information is information that includes information for realizing interactivity (technique for dynamically changing the state of reproduction according to a user operation) employed for the DVD as well as information, such as meta data, which is attached to a title or an AV stream. The reproduction control information of the DVD is called navigation information in general.
The reproduction control information files include "VIDEO_TS. IFO" intended for the management of the entire disc, and "VTS—01—0. IFO" being the reproduction control information of an individual video title set. "01" in the body of the filename indicates the number of the video title set. In the case where the number of a video title set is #2, for example, the filename of such video title set is "VTS—02—0. IFO". Note that a single DVD can store plural titles, that is, plural movies with different stories and plural movies with the same story but with different versions.
The upper right of FIG. 1 shows a DVD navigation space in the application layer of the DVD, i.e., a logical structure space where details of the above-described reproduction control information are shown. Details of information in "VIDEO_TS. IFO" are shown in the DVD navigation space as Video Manager Information (VMGI). Details of the reproduction control information which exists for each video title set such as "VTS—01—0. IFO", are shown in the DVD navigation space as Video Title Set Information (VTSI).
VTSI describes Program Chain Information (PGCI) which is information about a reproduction sequence called a Program Chain (PGC). The PGCI is made up of a group of cells and a kind of programming information called a command. Each cell represents a part or the whole segments in a Video Object (VOB; MPEG stream). The reproduction of a cell means to reproduce segments in a VOB that are specified by such cell.
A command, which is processed by a DVD-capable virtual machine, is similar to Java (registered trademark) Script executed on a browser. Java (registered trademark) Script performs window and browser controls (e.g., opens a new browser window), in addition to logical operations. Meanwhile, a DVD command performs only the reproduction control of AV titles (e.g., the specification of a chapter to be reproduced), in addition to logical operations. This is a difference between a DVD command and Java (registered trademark) Script.
Each cell includes information about the start address and end address (logical storage address on the disc) of a VOB stored on the disc. A player reads out data using such information described in the cell about the start address and end address of the VOB, and reproduces the read data.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing the navigation information in the AV stream. Interactivity, which is characteristics to a DVD, is not realized only by the navigation information stored in the above-described "VIDEO_TS. IFO" and "VTS—01—0. IFO". Several pieces of important information for realizing interactivity are multiplexed in the VOB with video data and audio data, using dedicated carriers called navigation packs (hereinafter referred to as "navi pack(s)" or "NV_PCK").
Here, a description is given of menu as a simple example of interactivity. Several buttons appear on the menu screen. For each of such buttons, the details of a process to be performed when such button is pressed, are defined. One button is selected on the menu. Highlight, which is a semitransparent image to be overlaid on the selected button, indicates that the button on which it is overlaid is selected. The user can shift to any of the buttons located above, below, right or left of the currently selected button, using the Up/Down/Right/Left key on the remote control. Using the Up/Down/Right/Left key on the remote control, the user moves the highlight to a button corresponding to the process such user wishes to execute, and then presses the Determination key. Accordingly, a program of a command corresponding to such selected button is executed. For example, the reproduction of a title or a chapter is executed by the command (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent application No. 09-282848).
The upper left of FIG. 2 shows an overview of the control information stored in NV_PCK.
NV_PCK includes highlight color information and button information of each button. The highlight color information describes color palette information. The color palette information specifies a semitransparent color of a highlight to be overlaid. Each button information describes: rectangular area information that is information about the position of each button; move information indicating a move from one button to another button (specification of a destination button corresponding to a user selection of the Up/Down/Right/Left key on the remote control); and button command information (a command to be executed when such button is selected).
As shown in the upper right center of FIG. 2, a highlight on the menu is generated as an overlay image. The overlay image is an image generated by giving a color specified by the color palette information to a button specified by the rectangular area information in the button information. Such overlay image is displayed on the screen, superimposed on the background image shown in the right of FIG. 2.
The menu display of the DVD is performed in the above-described manner. The reason that a part of the navigation data is in the stream using NV_PCK is to allow the menu information to be dynamically updated in synchronization with the stream. For example, a first reason is to allow the menu to be displayed only for five to ten minutes in the middle of movie reproduction. A second reason is to allow the stream and the menu information to be displayed in synchronization with each other even for application data for which synchronous display of the stream and menu information is difficult. Another major reason is to improve user operability. For example, by storing, in NV_PCK, information for supporting special reproduction, it becomes possible to smoothly decode and reproduce AV data stored on a DVD even when such AV data is reproduced in a special manner such as forward reproduction and rewind reproduction.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a VOB being a DVD stream. Data such as video data, audio data, and subtitle data shown in FIG. 3(A) are each packetized and packed, as shown in FIG. 3(B), based on the MPEG system standard (ISO/IEC13818-1), and multiplexed as shown in FIG. 3(C), to be generated as a single MPEG program stream. NV_PCK including a button command for realizing interactivity is multiplexed together with the packets and packs.
Data multiplexing in the MPEG system is characterized in that, while each data to be multiplexed forms a bit string based on the decoding order, data to be multiplexed, i.e., video data, audio data, and subtitle data are not necessarily arranged in order of reproduction, i.e., decoding order. This is attributable to the fact that a decoder model for MPEG system streams (generally referred to as a "System Target Decoder" or an "STD" (refer to FIG. 3(D))) has decoder buffers corresponding to the respective elementary streams obtained by demultiplexing the multiplexed data, and such demultiplexed data are temporarily stored in the respective decoder buffers until the time of decoding. The size of decoder buffers specified by the DVD-Video standard differs on an elementary stream basis. The size of the buffer for video data is 232 KB, the size of the buffer for audio data is 4 KB, and the size of the buffer for subtitle data is 52 KB.
In other words, the subtitle data that is multiplexed together with the video data is not necessarily decoded or reproduced at the same timing as that at which the video data is decoded and reproduced.

Information storage medium, TS packet judgement apparatus, and data reproduction apparatus

Abstract: Such information storage medium is an information storage medium on which an audio stream including a plurality of TS packets is stored, wherein each of the TS packets includes one of (a) a first packet including basic data, and (b) a second packet including extension data related to the basic data, the basic data is data capable of being decoded into complete sound without requiring the extension data, and the extension data is data intended for improving the quality of audio generated from the basic data, and a header of each of the TS packets includes an identifier indicating whether the TS packet includes the first packet or the second packet.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P.


The present invention provides an aqueous pigment ink for ball-point pen which can inhibit surface tension from extremely deteriorating to protect written letters from blur and which is excellent in non-drying properties and which has lubricating properties enough to smoothly rotate a ball and to decrease friction of a ball seat, whereby a writing performance can be remarkably improved and a comfortable writing performance can be given.. The aqueous pigment ink composition for ball-point pens of the present invention is characterized by comprising a pigment, a dispersant, water and an adduct of at least one polyhydric alcohol with an alkylene oxide, the polyhydric alcohol being selected from the group consisting of polyglycerin, glycerin, trimethylolpropane and a mixture thereof.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an aqueous pigment ink composition. Particularly, it relates to an aqueous pigment ink composition suitable for ball-point pens.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In a conventional aqueous pigment ink for a ball-point pen, a pigment is dispersed as a coloring agent, and water or a water-soluble solvent such as glycol or glycerin is used as a solvent which is the main component for inhibiting the ink from drying (non drying properties) at the tip of the ball-point pen. However, such a conventional ink is poor in lubricating properties, so that frictional resistance between a ball and a ball seat is large when the ball is rotated at the time of writing, and thus, there are the following drawbacks. That is, the ball seat is worn and the ball retracts, and the ball is loose or the flow of the ink is not uniform, with the results that the writing performance noticeably declines. For the purpose of removing these drawbacks, it has been attempted to add a lubricating improver such as an unsaturated fatty acid or potassium oleate.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63-234073 discloses an ink for a ball-point pen containing a dye and an adduct of polyglycerin with ethylene oxide, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 55-106273 discloses an aqueous ink composition for a ball-point pen containing a dye, an adduct of sorbitol or glycerin with polyoxyalkylene and a fluorine surface active agent. In both the publications, it is described that these inks for the ball-point pens are excellent in lubricating properties and have a smooth writing performance. However, when the dye is used together with the adduct of the alkylene oxide, the lubricating properties are excellent but there is a drawback that the ink tends to blur. Furthermore, Japanese Published Patent Application No. 62-10547 discloses a recording liquid suitable for an ink jet recording system containing an adduct of glycerin with alkylene oxide. However, when the recording liquid is used for the ball-point pen, there are drawbacks that the lubricating properties are not always satisfactory and that the dispersion of a pigment is not good.

Aqueous pigment ink composition for ball-point pens


An image forming device includes an imaging member for forming a latent image on a photosensitive medium and a pressure assembly for applying pressure to the photosensitive medium and develop images on the medium. The photosensitive medium comprises a plurality of microcapules which encapsulate imaging material such as coloring material. In a feature of the invention, a controller is responsive to sensed ambient conditions to control the amount of pressure applied to the medium and thereby control the amount of crushing force applied to the microcapsules. In a further feature, a flexible pressure strip is provided between a crushing roller of the pressure assembly and the media to prevent a marking of the media.

Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,094 issued Jul. 31, 2001, entitled A PHOTOSENSITIVE MEDIA CARTRIDGE HAVING AN AMBIENT CONDITION SENSOR, filed concurrently herewith in the names of Loretta E. Allen, Yongcai Wang, Stephen M. Reinke and Yeh-Hung Lai; and U.S. Ser. No. 09/597,928 filed Jun. 19, 2000, entitled AN IMAGING ASSEMBLY AND MEDIA CARTRIDGE HAVING COOPERATING LINKAGE ARRANGEMENTS, filed concurrently herewith in the names of Loretta E. Allen, Yongcai Wang, Stephen M. Reinke and Yeh-Hung Lai.
The present invention relates to an imaging device for processing photosensitive media that includes a plurality of microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material such as coloring material. The present invention further relates a control arrangement for the imaging device which is responsive to ambient conditions and controls a pressure applied to the microcapsules in accordance with measured ambient conditions.
Image forming devices which process a photosensitive media that includes microcapsules which encapsulate coloring material are known. In these imaging devices the microcapsules are exposed to a radiation based on image information. The microcapsules, whose mechanical strength can change when exposed to light, are ruptured by means of a crushing pressure, whereupon the coloring material and other substances encapsulated in the microcapsules flow out and development occurs. For example, some systems use a pair of upper and lower nip rollers to apply pressure. In these systems, the photosensitive media is passed between the pair of upper and lower nip rollers which apply pressure to the microcapsules to rupture the microcapsules and begin development. Imaging devices that employ microencapsulted photosensitive compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,399,209, 4,416,966, 4,440,846, 4,766,050, 5,783,353, and 5,916,727.
A problem in processing photosensitive media having microencapsulated color forming material is that printing and/or imaging can be adversely affected by ambient conditions. That is, ambient conditions around a printer housing, around the photosensitive media, or in the cartridge which carries the photosensitive media can adversely affect subsequent printing or development of the image. More specifically, ambient conditions such as humidity around the printer housing, at the photosensitive media or in the cartridge which houses the photosensitive media can have adverse affects on the chemicals of the coloring material, the encapsulating material, and/or the photosensitive media. Further, the degree of hardening or curing of the microcapsules and the consequent increase in viscosity of the microcapsule varies with a change in humidity. As a result, photographic characteristics such as speed, minimum and maximum density, fogging density and full color imaging can be adversely affected.
The present invention provides for an image forming device and method for processing photosensitive media that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. More specifically, the present invention relates to an imaging device in which light sensitive media that contains light sensitive, rupturable microcapsules can be first exposed and then developed by applying pressure to the light sensitive media. In the image forming device of the present invention, print image quality can be improved by sensing ambient conditions such as humidity in the printer, directly from the media, or in the cartridge which carries the media, and adjusting at least one adjustable parameter based on the sensed ambient condition. As an example, in response to a sensed humidity condition, a controller or development member of the present invention can adjust the amount of pressure applied to the microcapsules.
As indicated above, in the imaging device of the present invention, the photosensitive medium contains light sensitive, rupturable microcapsules that are exposed and then developed by the application of pressure using a stylus or pinch rollers to rupture unexposed microcapsules. Thereafter, the developed print is fixed with heat supplied by a heater in the imaging device. In the present invention, the level of relative humidity can be sensed inside and/or outside of the printer, in the media cartridge or directly on the photosensitive media, and then at least one of the parameters of light exposure, developing pressure, printing speed or fixing temperature can be adjusted automatically on the basis of the relative humidity level to provide an improved image. As an example, by adjusting the printing speed for a printer, the so called xe2x80x9cdark timexe2x80x9d which is the time between exposure and development will be changed. The dark time affects the hardness of microcapsules and therefore their crushability. Also, within the context of the present invention, the concept of sensing the level of relative humidity on the photosensitive media refers to sensing the moisture content on the photosensitive media or material.
The imaging device of the present invention also includes an improved pressure assembly for applying a uniform pressure to the photosensitive media.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an image forming device that comprises an imaging member for forming a latent image on a photosensitive medium, with the photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material; a pressure assembly for applying pressure to the photosensitive medium to crush the microcapsules and develop the latent image; and a controller responsive to ambient conditions to provide a pressure increasing or a pressure decreasing signal to the pressure assembly and control an amount of pressure applied by the pressure assembly.
The present invention further relates to an image forming method that comprises the steps of conveying a photosensitive medium to an imaging member of an image forming device to form a latent image, with the photosensitive medium comprising a plurality of microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material; sensing ambient conditions and providing an ambient condition signal indicative thereof; and controlling an amount of pressure applied to the photosensitive medium based on the ambient condition signal to crush the microcapsules and develop the latent image.
The present invention further relates to an image forming method for developing photosensitive material having a plurality of microcapsules that encapsulate imaging material, with the method comprising the steps of sensing ambient conditions and providing an ambient condition signal indicative thereof; and controlling an amount of pressure applied to the photosensitive material based on the ambient condition signal to crush the microcapsules and develop a latent image on the photosensitive material.
The present invention further relates to an image forming method for developing photosensitive material in an image forming device which comprises the steps of sensing ambient conditions and providing an ambient condition signal indicative thereof; and controlling a development of the photosensitive material based on the ambient conditions.
The present invention further relates to an image forming device which comprises an ambient condition sensor for sensing ambient conditions; and a controller for controlling a development of photosensitive material in the image forming device based on the ambient conditions.
The present invention further relates to an image forming device which comprises a crushing roller for applying pressure on a first side of a photosensitive media, with the crushing roller being slidable along a widthwise direction of the photosensitive media; a beam for applying a pressure on a second side of the photosensitive media which is opposite the first side, so as to develop images on the photosensitive media as the media is conveyed between the crushing roller and the beam; and a flexible pressure strip provided between the crushing roller and the photosensitive media.
The present invention further relates to an image forming device which comprises an imaging member for forming a latent image on a photosensitive medium; a pressure assembly for applying pressure to the photosensitive medium to develop the latent image; and a controller responsive to ambient conditions to provide a pressure increasing or a pressure decreasing signal to the pressure assembly and control an amount of pressure applied by the pressure assembly.
The present invention further relates to an image forming device which comprises a pressure assembly for applying pressure to a photosensitive medium to develop an image on the photosensitive image; wherein the pressure assembly comprises a roller for applying pressure on a first side of the photosensitive medium with the roller being slidable along a widthwise direction of the photosensitive medium; and a beam for applying a pressure on a second side of the photosensitive medium which is opposite the first side, such that during development the photosensitive medium is conveyed between the roller and the beam. The beam is pivotally mounted about a pivot point and urged in a first direction about the pivot point by a spring force to a pressure applying position, such that the beam applies pressure against the second side of the photosensitive medium at the pressure applying position. The beam comprises a seat portion for holding an electromagnet therein, with the electromagnet applying an initial attraction force against the arm and the beam for maintaining the beam at the pressure applying position.
The present invention further relates to an image forming device which comprises a pressure assembly for applying pressure to a photosensitive medium to develop an image on the photosensitive medium; wherein the pressure assembly comprises first and second rollers which form a nip for the passage of the photosensitive medium therethrough, with the first and second rollers being mounted on a clamping spring which permits a uniform application of pressure at the nip by the first and second rollers across an entire width of the photosensitive medium and maintains the first and second rollers in a pressure applying position.
The clamping spring has a first section which rotatably holds one of the first and second rollers so that the one roller has a fixed rotational axis, and a second section which rotatably holds the other of the first and second rollers so that the other roller has an adjustable axis and is movable toward and away from the one roller.
The present invention further relates to an image forming device which comprises a pressure assembly for applying pressure to a photosensitive medium to develop an image on the photosensitive medium; wherein the pressure assembly comprises a roller for applying pressure on a first side of the photosensitive medium, with the roller being slidable along a widthwise direction of the photosensitive medium; a beam for applying a pressure on a second side of the photosensitive medium which is opposite the first side, such that during development the photosensitive medium is conveyed between the roller and the beam, with the beam being pivotally mounted about a pivot point and urged in a first direction about the pivot point by a spring force to a pressure applying position, such that the beam applies pressure against the second side of the photosensitive medium at the pressure applying position; and an extension spring which extends from the beam. The extension spring is operationally associated with a stepper motor for controlling a movement of the beam about the pivot point.

Image forming device and method for processing photosensitive media having microencapsulated imaging material


A female housing (40) has a lock arm (40) with an arm main body (43) that cantilevers back from the front of the female housing (40). A lock (46) is formed on the arm main body (43). An unlocking portion (44) is at the rear end of the arm main body (43) and extends normal to the arm main body (43). Arm portions (55) project obliquely downward from the opposite sides of the unlocking portion (44), and are coupled to protection walls (52) to sandwich the unlocking portion (44). Two restricting walls (55) project from the upper ends of the protection walls (52) at positions behind the arm portions (50) and higher than the arm portions (50) and face each other. The restricting walls (55) prevent an operator's finger from touching the arm portions (50).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a connector with a lock arm.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,684 discloses a connector with a lock arm for holding the connector connected with a mating connector. The lock arm is cantilevered and formed as if folded back at the front end of a housing. Connection of the connector with the mating connector deforms the lock arm. However, the lock arm returns resiliently when the connectors reach a properly connected to engage a lock thereon with an engaging portion of the mating connector. Thus, the two connectors can be held connected.
Connectors are being miniaturized, and the lock arms of smaller connectors are narrower. A narrower lock arm has a reduced strength and a reduced holding force. An unlocking portion at the rear of the lock arm can be pressed to deform the lock arm for unlocking the connectors. The unlocking portion also is smaller on a miniature connector and is more difficult to depress.
The unlocking portion of the lock arm on some connectors has a three-point support to enhance the holding force. Two of the points of support project at opposite left and right sides and both projecting ends are coupled to the housing. Further, the unlocking portion is wider to facilitate unlocking.
Locking is recognized in this type of connector by hearing a locking sound when the lock arm returns to snap itself on the mating engaging portion. This is called a lock feeling and is important. However, the area of the housing to be held while connecting the connector with a mating connector becomes small when the connector is miniaturized. Thus, if the unlocking portion is widened, as described above, the projecting end of the wider locking arm is likely to be touched accidentally, and a returning force of the lock arm is stopped. Thus, there is a possibility of not obtaining a clear lock feeling.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to ensure a sufficient lock feeling.


Methods and systems for generating personalized reports are disclosed. In some embodiments, a report generating application or service facilitates generating reports that can be personalized on a per-user and per-report basis. Accordingly, after personalizing a report to include only those columns desired, and formatting the report to have the columns appear in a desired order, the report generating application or service enables a user to save the personalization preferences to a file. Upon receiving a subsequent report request from the same user, the report generating application or service automatically generates the report in accordance with the user's saved personalization preferences. In addition to personalizing the report by specifying the particular columns and format, a user may establish, and save for later use, other report parameters (e.g., such as a date range) that are required in order to generate the report.

A variety of tools and methods exist for generating and displaying reports. For instance, one commonly used application for generating reports, particularly in a business intelligence context, is a report generating application referred to as Crystal Reports. Crystal Reports is a software application available from SAP AG that can be used to design and generate reports by pulling data from a wide range of data sources.
Typically, when a business entity uses a report generating application, such as Crystal Reports, the application includes a set of original or master reports, or more precisely, master report definitions. A report definition is a file that specifies the format and source of data to be included in a particular report. Accordingly, the report generating application utilizes the report definition to generate an instance or version of a particular report. Many conventional report generating applications include features, or come with separate applications, that allow for a user to customize a master report definition to generate customized report definitions. Customized report definitions can be defined to enhance or replace the master reports, and are generally useful for displaying the specific data that is applicable to the nature of the particular business entity.
Each report, whether a master report or a customized report, typically contains a set of fields that are displayed as columns in a table format. Oftentimes users only want to view a report with a subset of the columns of the original report, and this is achieved through the process of report personalization. Traditionally, personalizing a report has been achieved through the same, or a very similar, process as is used for customizing a report. For instance, when personalizing a report, the user modifies the definition of an original report (e.g., a master or customized report definition) by removing the columns and column headings that the user does not want displayed on the report. The user may also need to manually move the remaining columns and column headings in order to fill in the blank space left by the removed columns. The user then saves a copy of the modified report, and then generates an instance of the modified report for viewing.
A variety of problems exist with the way in which reports are personalized using conventional report generating applications, such as Crystal Reports. One issue with the current methods of report personalization is that each user has to have both the skills and permissions (e.g., file access permissions) to modify a report definition for each original (e.g., default or customized) report. Typically, a large number of users may have permission to generate and view a report, but it is not always the case that those users will have permission to modify or personalize the report definition for the report. Furthermore, not all users will have working knowledge of the report design tools, features and user interfaces that are used to modify or personalize a report definition.
Typically, when a report is personalized, the modified report definition is saved as a new report definition, independent of the original. This is problematic for a number of reasons. First, managing the reports (specifically, the report definitions) becomes a hassle as multiple personalized reports with similar names may be generated, making it difficult for a user to determine which report is the correct report. Additionally, because a personalized report definition is independent of the original report definition from which it was generated, any changes made to the original do not carry over or flow through to the personalized report definition. For instance, if the original report definition is modified such that in the modified report definition, data is selected from a different data source than in the original report definition, or a field is formatted differently, the modification will not flow through to the personalized report definition. Consequently, with conventional report generating applications, to keep a personalized report in unison with its original counterpart, a user may be forced to periodically update the personalized report definition to reflect any changes made to the original report definition.
Another issue that frequently arises with conventional report generating applications involves user inputs—referred to herein as report parameters—that are required to generate an instance of a report. Often, when a user wants to generate a report, the user will be prompted to provide one or more report parameters (e.g., a date range) before the user can generate and view the report. Traditionally, these report parameter values have to be entered by the user every time the user logs in to the report generating application or service and generates an instance of the report to view. Often, the report parameter values do not change between user sessions. Consequently, the user is forced to perform a tedious data entry process to fill in the report parameter values each time the user generates and views the report. This is especially inconvenient when the report definition requires that many report parameters be specified in order to generate an instance of the report.

Method and system for generating a personalized report with reusable parameters


The invention provides a color display substrate having plural color display elements arranged in a matrix pattern, and a manufacturing method to efficiently obtain a color filter substrate and color luminescent substrate, for example. A manufacturing method of a color display substrate includes the step of forming plural color dots by selectively ejecting liquid droplets from nozzles in accordance with input data. The plural color dots constitute plural pixels, which constitute plural color filter elements arranged in a matrix pattern. The plural color dots have a first dot pitch in a direction perpendicular to a first base line. Each of the plural color dots is formed to lie at a distance of at least substantially an integral multiple of the first dot pitch from the first base line.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a color display substrate, a color filter substrate, a color luminescent substrate, a manufacturing method of the color display substrate, an electro-optical apparatus, an electronic device, a film-forming method, a film-forming apparatus, and a display motherboard.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, along with advancements in personal computers, especially in portable personal computers and portable information devices, the demand for liquid crystal color displays has strongly increased. Accordingly, an urgent need exists to establish a method of providing an excellent display at a fair price. In order to provide environmental protection, conversion into, and enhancement of, methods to reduce environmental loading are also demanded.
The following is a related art method for manufacturing a color filter.
In the method, first, a chrome thin film is patterned by photolithography and etching so as to form black matrixes as light shielding material. Then, after coating clearances between the black matrixes with red, green, and blue photoresists, a spin coating method is performed for each color, and patterning is performed by photolithography. Thereby, color matrixes, in which red, green, and blue colored layers (color dots) are arranged to be adjacent to one another, are formed. In this manufacturing method, the photolithography process has to be repeated for each color, and since an unnecessary portion is removed for patterning each color, losses in a photoresist are produced, resulting in a color filter with high cost and high environmental loading.
Thus, as a method for addressing or solving the problem of such a manufacturing method, a method employing an inkjet technique is proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-75205, for example. According to this method, after partitions are created on a transparent substrate in matrix arrangements so as to define a color-dot-forming region with a material with low wettability to ink, the color dot is formed by coating within the partition with a non-photosensitive color material by the inkjet technique. In this method, the complexity of the photolithography process can be eased, and also losses in color material can be reduced. Various other related art manufacturing methods employing a process of coating with the non-photosensitive color material by the inkjet technique have also been proposed.

Color display substrate, color filter substrate, color luminescent substrate, manufacturing method of color display substrate, electro-optical apparatus, electronic device, film-forming method, film-forming apparatus, and display motherboard


Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate associating with relays in a wireless network. A device can select whether to utilize relay assistance where present based at least in part on measuring one or more determined or projected parameters related to the relay. Where utilizing a relay results in user-plane data channel conditions above a threshold level and control channel conditions below a threshold level, a serving base station can determine whether to employ another base station to serve the device, jointly serve a relay with an additional base station, and/or the like.

1. Field
The following description relates generally to wireless network communications, and more particularly to utilizing a relay in wireless communications.
2. Background
Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as, for example, voice, data, and so on. Typical wireless communication systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, . . . ). Examples of such multiple-access systems may include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, and the like. Additionally, the systems can conform to specifications such as third generation partnership project (3GPP), 3GPP long term evolution (LTE), ultra mobile broadband (UMB), evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.
Generally, wireless multiple-access communication systems may simultaneously support communication for multiple mobile devices. Each mobile device may communicate with one or more base stations via transmissions on forward and reverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from base stations to mobile devices, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from mobile devices to base stations. Further, communications between mobile devices and base stations may be established via single-input single-output (SISO) systems, multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, and so forth. In addition, mobile devices can communicate with other mobile devices (and/or base stations with other base stations) in peer-to-peer wireless network configurations.
In addition, relays can be provided to augment network coverage and capacity. For example, relays generally receive signals from a base station, and transmit the received signals to improve signal quality with a combined signal received at a device. Some relays can operate without a physical cell identifier, and thus do not require separate control data resources with a device to relay base station communications (e.g., a type II relay in LTE). In this example, the device communicates control data with the base station, but not the relay, while receiving user-plane data from both. This can result in incongruity between channel quality for control and user-plane data. In one example, the device can experience a high quality user-plane data channel and a low-quality control channel where the device is near the relay, but further from the base station. This can prevent the device from decoding the user-plane data channel, in one example, where control channel quality is below a threshold level. Moreover, for example, the device can be near a neighboring base station that interferes with the serving base station, which can further decrease hearability of the control channel from the serving base station.

Method and apparatus for associating a relay in wireless communications


In digital VTR's, a change in levels and frequency response in the VTR analog circuits or analog transmission paths causes a problem of deterioration in the video picture quality due to quantization distortion when dubbing is repeated based on an analog video signal. In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, a level reference signal is superposed as a predetermined digital value on an output video signal of the reproducer, then based on the reference signal, the level and the frequency response of the analog transmission path are corrected in the recorder. Thus, dubbing can be achieved by using digital VTR's without any influence of quantization distortion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic correction apparatus for a video signal of a digital VTR, which is suitable for structuring a dubbing system by connecting digital VTR's in cascade to avoid quantization distortion even if there is variation in the level or the frequency response of an analog transmission path.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the case of structuring a dubbing system using digital VTR's, it is usual that the VTR's are connected with an analog video signal path, as shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 will be explained below. In FIG. 3, 1 and 2 designate digital VTR's for a reproducer and a recorder, respectively. These are connected by an analog transmission path 3. The reproducer 1 comprises a magnetic head 4, a reproducing digital processing circuit 5, a digital-to-analog converter 6 and an analog output processing circuit 7, to reproduce a video signal recorded on a magnetic tape 8.
The recorder 2 comprises an analog input processing circuit 9, an analog-to-digital converter 10, a recording digital processing circuit 11 and a magnetic head 12, for recording a video signal on a magnetic tape 13.
The analog output processing circuit 7 and the analog input processing circuit 9 have adjustable resistors 14 and 15, respectively, to adjust these circuits to an optimum state and to absorb attenuation of a signal in the transmission path 3.
The existing quantization level of a digital VTR has 8 bits, and particularly the D2VTR (refer to SMPTE 247M and 244M of the SMPTE Journal, July 1990) has allocated the levels of a video portion into 140 steps of quantization from the black level to the 100% white level.
For example, assume the case of dubbing the 100% ramp signal as shown in FIG. 4 in an analog transmission path by using the D2VTR system. As shown in FIG. 4, 8-bit digital codes (200) and (60) correspond to the 100% white level and the black level respectively in the 8-bit digital codes (0-255) of the D2VTR system.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show changes in waveforms of a ramp signal at the time of dubbing.
In FIG. 5, oblique line 16 shows a slope of an original ramp signal at the normal level. Circle marks a to l on the oblique line 16 show picture elements of the signal. It is assumed here that the quantization level increases by one step per one picture element. Oblique line 17 shows a slightly lower setting of levels of the recorder 2 in the analog-to-digital converter 10 in the dubbing system in FIG. 3, with the largest error occurring at a sample point l corresponding a point l , deviated by a 1/2 step. However, deviations up to a 1/2 step become the same waveform as that of the original ramp signal as shown in sample points a to l on an oblique line 18, after the analog-to-digital converter 10.
FIG. 6 shows a case of a fairly lower setting of levels of the recorder 2 in the analog-to-digital converter 10, with errors exceeding a 1/2 step in sample points a to l on the oblique line 19, and an oblique line 20 shows an input waveform in the analog-to-digital converter 10. In this case, after the analog-to-digital converter 10, the signal has a stage in the middle as shown by an oblique line 21. When a ramp signal (the oblique line 21) obtained is dubbed by the same dubbing system in the same condition, a signal with a larger stage is obtained as shown in an oblique line 23.
From the above, it is understood that a large quantization distortion occurs when the adjustment of the analog circuit is deviated in the dubbing system in FIG. 3.
It is also understood from the above that it is necessary to minimize the level error to within a 1/2 step in order to prevent a quantization distortion from occurring and that it is necessary to minimize the gain deviation to within 1/280 (0.4%) in the dubbing system in order to prevent a quantization distortion from occurring in the 140 steps between the black level and the 100% white level of the ramp signal shown in FIG. 4.
It is almost impossible in practice to minimize the gain deviation to these values partly because of uncertain attenuation in the transmission path 3.

Automatic correction apparatus for video signal of digital VTR

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A wireless station is used as one of a plurality of relay stations forming transmission paths, respectively, different from each other, in a wireless transmission system for transmitting a packet from a transmitting station to a receiving station through the plurality of relay stations. The wireless station includes a reception section for receiving a packet transmitted from the transmitting station, and receiving a packet which is transmitted, based on the packet transmitted from the transmitting station, from another relay station, and is transmitted before the one of the plurality of relay stations performs transmission, by using a transmission parameter for obtaining a path diversity effect in the wireless transmission system.

In general, in wireless communication, a radio wave transmitted from a transmitting station arrives at a receiving station through a plurality of transmission paths (multipath) and therefore a state occurs where the receiving station receives a plurality of path wavelets at various times. In this state, multipath fading occurs at the receiving station. Therefore, in a conventional wireless communication, a modulation/demodulation scheme with an anti-multipath property is used so as to prevent the multipath fading from deteriorating transmission characteristic.
As the modulation/demodulation scheme with an anti-multipath property, for example, a spread spectrum scheme, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme, anti-multipath modulation scheme, and the like are used. The orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme is a scheme in which a packet is divided so as to be transmitted by using multiple subcarriers located over a wide band. The anti-multipath modulation scheme is a scheme in which anti-multipath property is represented by adding a phase redundancy and/or an amplitude redundancy in a transmission symbol. Even when wireless communication is performed by using a typical single carrier modulation scheme, the anti-multipath property is represented by using an equalizer in the receiving station.
Further, the spread spectrum scheme includes direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) scheme, frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) scheme, time hopping spread spectrum (THSS) scheme, and the like. The direct sequence spread spectrum scheme is a scheme in which a spread code of a band wider than that of an unspread packet is multiplied by a packet so as to transmit the packet. The frequency hopping spread spectrum scheme is a scheme in which a transmission frequency for a packet is caused to hop over a wide band so as to transmit the packet. The time hopping spread spectrum scheme is a scheme in which a packet is spread by using an impulse signal of a wide band, and transmitted.
Further, the anti-multipath modulation scheme includes a PSK-VP (Phase Shift Keying with Varied Phase) scheme in which a convex phase redundancy is added (for example, Non-Patent Document 1), a PSK-RZ (Return to Zero Phase Shift Keying) scheme in which an amplitude redundancy is added (for example, Non-Patent Document 2), a DSK (Double Shift Keying) scheme (for example, Non-Patent Document 3), and the like. The single carrier modulation scheme includes, for example, a PSK (Phase Shift Keying) scheme, a QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) scheme, and the like.
Communication is performed by using such a modulation/demodulation scheme with an anti-multipath property so as to prevent deterioration of transmission characteristic caused by the multipath fading.
Further, in recent years, a study for a wireless transmission system (multihop system) for performing a wireless transmission by a plurality of wireless stations relaying packets from each other is proceeding. Conventionally, a technique using a modulation/demodulation scheme with an anti-multipath property has been suggested in this study (for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, a conventional wireless transmission system 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the conventional wireless transmission system 9. In FIG. 20, the wireless transmission system 9 includes a transmitting station 91, relay stations 921 to 924, and a receiving station 93. The transmitting station 91 is a wireless station for initially transmitting a packet. The relay stations 921 to 924 are each a wireless station for relaying, to the receiving station 93, a packet transmitted by the transmitting station 91. The receiving station 93 is a wireless station which is a final destination to which the transmitting station 91 transmits a packet. Each wireless station uses the OFDM scheme as the modulation/demodulation scheme with an anti-multipath property. A packet is transmitted from the transmitting station 91 as indicated by dotted line arrows. The packet transmitted from the transmitting station 91 is received by each of the relay stations 921 to 924. The relay stations 921 to 924 simultaneously transmit the received packets, as indicated by solid linear rows. The packets transmitted by there lay stations 921 to 924 are received by the receiving station 93. Thus, the conventional wireless transmission system 9 causes the relay stations 921 to 924 to simultaneously transmit the packets, thereby reducing a time necessary for packet transmission. Each wireless station used for the conventional wireless transmission system 9 uses the OFDM scheme as the modulation/demodulation scheme with an anti-multipath property. Therefore, even when the packets which are simultaneously transmitted from the relay stations 921 to 924, respectively, arrive at the receiving station 93 at various arrival times, it is possible to prevent deterioration of transmission characteristic caused by the multipath fading.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-115181
Non-Patent Document 1: H. Takai, "BER Performance of Anti-Multipath Modulation Scheme PSK-VP and its Optimum Phase-Waveform", (IEEE, Trans. Veh. Technol.), Vol. VT-42, November, 1993, p 625-639
Non-Patent Document 2: S. Ariyavisitakul, S. Yoshida, F. Ikegami, K. Tanaka, T. Takeuchi, "A Power-efficient linear digital modulator and its application to an anti-multipath modulation PSK-RZ scheme", (Proceedings of IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference 1987), June, 1987, p 66-71Non-Patent Document 3: S. Ariyavisitakul, S. Yoshida, F. Ikegami, T. Takeuchi, "A Novel Anti-Multipath Modulation Technique DSK", (IEEE Trans. Communication), Vol. COM-35, No. 12, December, 1987, p 1252-1264

Wireless station, wireless transmission method for the wireless station, and wireless transmission system using the wireless station


An apparatus for washing a wafer, having a wafer-washing tank holding a washing liquid and receiving a wafer, a washing-liquid inlet provided in a first part of the sidewall of the tank, a washing-liquid outlet provided in a second part of the sidewall of the tank opposite to the first part of the sidewall, and a device holding the wafer in the tank so that the wafer is parallel to the level of the washing liquid when the wafer is immersed into or positioned in the washing liquid in the tank, and a device producing an essentially horizontal flow of the washing liquid in the tank. A process for washing a wafer, having the steps of producing a horizontal flow of the washing liquid in the tank, immersing a wafer cassette holding the wafer into the washing liquid in the tank so that the wafer is parallel to the level of the washing liquid in the tank, and subsequently positioning the cassette in the washing liquid in the tank so that the wafer is parallel to the level of the washing liquid in the tank. No free particulates which have detached from the back surface of either of adjacent wafers pollute the other wafer.

1. Field of Invention Application
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for washing wafers and more particularly to an apparatus and a process for washing semiconductor wafers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a production of electronic devices on a semiconductor wafer has required for removing finer particulates as sizes of the semiconductor devices have been reduced. In general, the back surface of a semiconductor wafer has a great number of particulates stuck thereto during transport, hold or processing of the semiconductor wafer by a semiconductor producing apparatus. It is said that the number of these particulates are a few ten times to a few thousand times greater than the number of particulates sticking on the front surface of the semiconductor wafer. The particulates sticking to the back surface of the semiconductor wafer pass along an interface of a washing liquid and the semiconductor wafer and pollute the front surface of a preceding adjacent semiconductor wafer which has been immersed in the washing liquid when the next semiconductor wafer the back surface of which has the great number of particulates is immersed in the washing liquid during a wet process such as washing. Thus there is a problem that the particulates on the back surface of the semiconductor wafer reduce the yield of electronic devices formed on the front surface of the semiconductor wafer.
An example of a prior-art apparatus for washing a semiconductor wafer will be described with reference to FIG. 4, hereinafter. FIG. 4 illustrates the prior-art apparatus for washing a semiconductor wafer in which a wafer cassette holding semiconductor wafers is placed.
The apparatus comprises an internal wafer-washing tank 101, a washing-liquid filter 104, a circulating pump 105 and an external tank 111. The wafer-washing tank 101 receives a wafer cassette 107 holding semiconductor wafers 106. The external tank 111 surrounds the wafer-washing tank 101. The bottom of the external tank 111 has a washing-liquid outlet 110 communicating with the inlet of the circulating pump 105 through a pipe 103. The outlet of the circulating pump 105 communicates with the washing-liquid filter 104 which is connected to a washing-liquid inlet 109 which is provided in the bottom of the wafer-washing tank 101.
In operation, the circulating pump 105 delivers a washing liquid into the wafer-washing tank 101 through the washing-liquid inlet 109. The external tank 111 receives an overflow of the washing-liquid from the wafer-washing tank 101. The circulating pump 105 circulates the washing liquid from the washing-liquid outlet 110 to the washing-liquid inlet 109 through the washing-liquid filter 104. The washing-liquid filter 104 filters particulates 108 out of the washing-liquid from the washing-liquid outlet 110. Then, the circulating pump 105 delivers the purified or particulate-free washing-liquid from the washing-liquid filter 104 to the wafer-washing tank 101 through the washing-liquid inlet 109. Thus, the washing liquid passes upwardly through the interior of the wafer-washing tank 101. The wafer cassette 107 is immersed into or positioned in the washing liquid in the wafer-washing tank 101 so that the planes of the semiconductor wafers 106 held in the wafer cassette 107 are essentially perpendicular to the level of the washing liquid in the wafer-washing tank 101. Thus, there is a problem in that particulates 108 sticking to the back surfaces of the semiconductor wafers 106 may stick to the front surfaces of adjacent semiconductor wafers 106 in interfaces of the washing liquid and the semiconductor wafers 106 placed in the wafer-washing tank 101. There is also a problem in that free particulates 108 tend to stay on the surface of the washing liquid in the wafer-washing tank 101 since the washing liquid passes upwardly through the interior of the wafer-washing tank 101.
Japanese unexamined patent application publication HEI.2-132828 discloses a wafer-washing tank. This wafer-washing tank comprises a first vertical flow-straightening plate having a plurality of washing-liquid inlets, a second vertical flow-straightening plate having a plurality of washing-liquid outlets, the first and second vertical flow-straightening plates being arranged opposite each other through a spacing in which a wafer is placed, a washing-liquid horizontally flowing from the washing-liquid inlets to the washing-liquid outlets along the planes of the wafer. The wafer-washing tank lacks a means for horizontally holding the wafer in the washing-liquid in the wafer-washing tank in a case where the sidewall of the wafer-washing tank has a washing-liquid inlet. On the other hand, the sidewall of the wafer-washing tank lacks a washing-liquid inlet and a washing-liquid outlet but rather the bottom of the wafer-washing tank has the washing-liquid inlet in a case where the wafer-washing tank includes the means for horizontally holding the wafer in the washing-liquid in the wafer-washing tank. The publication HEI.2-132828 discloses no case where the sidewall of the wafer-washing tank has the washing-liquid outlet.

Apparatus and process for washing wafers