A partition structure is comprised of a plurality of interconnected construction blocks. The partition structure can be formed in any size and shape including, triangular, rectangular, circular, semi-circular, trapezoidal, etc., by cutting away one or more outer edges of the structure. The partition structure can serve as the pane for a window or door frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to partition structures and more specifically to windows and doors that have panes constructed from construction blocks.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Glass and glass-like partition walls are a regular part of modern construction. These structures can be fixed interior decorative walls, portable modular walls, or exterior wall structures. The partition structures are formed from a plurality of interconnecting construction blocks. These construction blocks, which are generally rectangular-shaped, are usually transparent or translucent and are formed from either glass or more often plastic. Such blocks can have a multitude of interconnection means.
Although exterior walls formed from construction blocks will tend to allow light to pass into the structure, such exterior walls are not considered windows in the proper sense. Even in buildings where the construction block-based exterior partition wall is designed to serve as a window, the window so formed is very limited in functionality. Such a window cannot be opened, nor can it be easily replaced. Furthermore, such a window must be constructed directly on the premises, usually by a skilled worker, increasing overall construction costs.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a window that has a pane constructed from construction blocks. Such a window can be factory-made, off of the building construction premises. Such a window can be made to function as any other type of window. Specifically, such a window, which should be of any given size, shape, and design, can be either fixed or movable. A movable window may be a sliding-type window that can slide up and down or left and right. Alternately, the window may be able to serve in a hinged-base window system.
Such a window will increase the aesthetic appeal of a building utilizing the window. The window will have substantially more versatility than a standard construction block-based partition wall, at considerable cost savings due to off-site assembly and frame fabrication.
Ideally, construction block-based doors should also be provided.


A multi-current technique for offset reduction in Hall elements is extended in order to separate a piezoresistive voltage, from a Hall voltage, in similar Hall and piezoresistive devices based on a semiconductor such as, for example, Silicon. In a special embodiment, this offset compensation method exploilts directional averaging using biaxial, quadruple current injection from four electrically separate current sources, in order to obtain in-situ cancellation of the off-diagonal piezoresistive voltage that is generated across Hall voltage contacts upon the application of simple shear stress. The technique indicates the possibility of Si-based Hall elements with field-equivalent offsets well below 1milliTesla, even in devices based on (001) Silicon with current injection in the [110] type directions. Simple methods for realizing multiple sources are also discussed, some of which are based on photovoltaic effects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to Hall-effect and piezoresistive devices having striplike or platelike shape.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hall effect and certain piezoresistive devices rely upon the development ("off-diagonal") voltages perpendicular to the current due the application of a magnetic field and stress, respectively. These "off-diagonal" voltages are typically generated and measured in a four terminal (Hall plate) configuration, where a pair of contacts serves to inject the current while a second pair of contacts is used to read out the voltage developed across the device. Material inhomogeneities and mask imperfections inevitably lead to effective contact misalignments in such Hall and piezoresistive elements manufactured by photolithography, which leads to an offset voltage across the voltage contacts at null magnetic field in the Hall sensor, and at null shear stress in the piezoresistive element. This misalignment offset influences sensor performance because it is the "signal to offset" that limits sensitivity in the low magnetic field/weak stress limit, especially when the offset changes with the environment. Further complications occur when the magnetic field sensing element exhibits sensitivity to stress, and the stress sensor exhibits sensitivity to the magnetic field. Then, the magnetic field sensor tends to show an additional stress dependent voltage-offset, just as the stress sensor exhibits an additional magnetic field dependent term in the offset voltage. Under such conditions, it becomes useful to identify a technique that can both reduce the misalignment offset, and simultaneously separate the (antisymmetric off-diagonal ) Hall voltage from the (symmetric off-diagonal) piezoresistive voltage, or help cancel one of the components across the relevant contacts, such that the sensor signal reflects only the desired effects.
Silicon (Si) devices that respond to external stimuli are especially attractive because this system is conducive to the development of "smart sensors" which include on-chip signal conditioning, amplification, and logic so that the output is directly compatible with microprocessor based controllers used in electronic automation systems. The widespread availability and advanced state of Si IC technology offers, in addition, the possibility of lowcost large-scale production which, in turn, insures increased utilization of such sensors in relatively common applications. An improved magnetic sensor based on Si appears especially useful because magnetic sensors have already appeared as position detectors and contactless switches in applications ranging from electric motors to soft-drink machines and automobiles--applications where better performance would aid in reducing manufacturing tolerances elsewhere. One also feels that a high performance magnetic sensor--one which is sufficiently sensitive to detect variations in the Earth's magnetic field--would prove to be a useful component in the electronic navigation and guidance systems of future automobiles. Analogously, improved piezoresistive devices based on Silicon might find a greater role in applications such as servo-driven automobile steering systems, throttle valve position,- acceleration,- and pressure-sensing.
Magnetic sensors based on the Hall effect combine the advantage of simplicity with linearity even at low magnetic fields. Yet, the relatively low mobility in n-Si, and its piezoresistive character, have combined to reduce the impact of the Si-Hall sensor by limiting its reliability even at the 5-100 mT magnetic fields encountered in typical position sensing applications. The reduced mobility contributes to the problem by increasing the diagonal voltage drop (V.sub.XX) for a given (off-diagonal) Hall voltage (V.sub.H); misalignments in the Hall voltage contacts compound the problem by picking up a fraction of the diagonal voltage and this can become comparable to the Hall effect, producing small `signal-to-offset` at low magnetic fields. The piezoresistive character of Si contributes to the problem by allowing the generation of signals across the Hall voltage contacts, comparable in magnitude to V.sub.H, upon the application of relatively small shear stresses on the sensor. Although one might partially succeed in decoupling the sensor from external stresses in certain simple situations, the misalignment offset and the piezoresistive offset together become overwhelming in the especially hostile environments that make up most applications.
Recently, the possibility of generating a Hall effect under null (net) current has been demonstrated in GaAs-based devices, and the usefulness of this approach in compensating the misalignment offset observed in Hall sensors, independent of temperature, has been pointed out. An advantage of these double ("anti Hall bar within a Hall bar"),- and multiple,- boundary Hall effect devices, so far as offset reduction is concerned, is that it is possible to realize a vanishing current density in the vicinity of the voltage contacts, which increases insensitivity to effective voltage contact misalignments. An attempt to extend this technique to Si showed that although the misalignment offset was reduced by this technique, as expected, another contribution to the offset, an off-diagonal piezoresistive voltage in the absence of a magnetic field originating from the existence of shear stress, became substantial as compared to the Hall effect at low magnetic fields (B<50 mT) for certain "high piezo" alignments within the crystal. It was noted that this off-diagonal piezoresistive voltage behaved in many respects as the Hall effect and then it became apparent that the techniques and geometries developed for misalignment offset voltage compensation in Hall effect devices could be utilized to fabricate improved sensitivity piezoresisitive devices as well. Thus, the utility of simultaneously reducing both the misalignment-offset, and separating the (antisymmetric off-diagonal) Hall voltage from the (symmetric off-diagonal) piezoresistive voltage, or cancelling insitu one of the components, also became evident.

Offset reduction and separation of hall and piezoresistive voltages through current injection


A system and method for parsing, filtering, and computing the checksum in a host Ethernet adapter (HEA) that is coupled to a host. The method includes receiving a part of a frame, wherein a plurality of parts of a frame constitute a entire frame. Next, parse the part of a frame before receiving the entire frame. The HEA computes a checksum of the part of a frame. The HEA filters the part of a frame based on a logical, port-specific policy and transmits the checksum to the host.

A computer, or host, connects to a network through an adapter that parses, or separates, each frame received over the network. The adapter may be known as a host Ethernet adapter (HEA).
Adapters typically receive and store frames over a network. After a frame is received, it may be passed along, opened, filtered and checked for validity. One problem with this is that it may take some time to receive the entire frame, then begin the work or parsing, filtering and checking validity.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for parsing, filtering and computing the checksum in a host Ethernet adapter (HEA). The present invention addresses such a need.

System and method for parsing, filtering, and computing the checksum in a host Ethernet adapter (HEA)

International Business Machines Corporation


A system operates to receive status messages from banking machines (12) operating in a network (14). The messages are received by an event management system (20) operating at least one computer (54). The computer is in operative connection with a data store (52). The data store includes information representative of the banking machines in the network, status messages generated by the banking machines and actions to be taken including entities to be notified of conditions which cause status messages to be sent by the various banking machines. The event management system receives the messages and places them in a uniform standard message format for further processing by the system. A device status processing program (36) in the computer resolves an action to be taken responsive to the status message. Responsive to the action resolved by the device status processing program the computer causes a notification message to be dispatched by a multimedia reporter to an entity who is to be notified of the condition at the banking machine which caused the status message. The computer also causes a trouble record to be created in the data store responsive to the status message from the banking machine. The multimedia reporter receives input messages from the entity and the computer causes information to be included in the trouble record responsive to the input messages. The system further provides report data to a user which enables the user to analyze the operation of the banking machines and service providing entities. The system further includes test capabilities for testing proper operation of the system.

Automated banking machines have been developed which perform functions such as dispensing cash, receiving deposits, checking the status of accounts and other functions. Automated banking machines used by consumers are referred to as automated teller machines or "ATMs". There are several manufacturers of automated teller machines.
Many types of automated banking machines include internal systems which monitor their operation. These internal systems often operate to check the available quantities of items which are required for proper operation of the machine. This may include the amount of cash available in the machine for dispensing to customers or an operator. Other systems may monitor the availability of supplies such as blank receipt forms or deposit envelopes. Such systems operate to provide a signal when the quantities of such items reach levels indicative of a need for replenishment. It is also common to provide further signals when such items are depleted. The signals generated by the machine are indicative of the condition which has occurred.
Automated banking machines often include systems for providing signals indicative of malfunctions or the existence of other conditions which impede the operation of the machine. For example, machines which accept deposits may reach a condition where the depository is filled and cannot accept further deposits. When this occurs the machine loses all or a portion of its functional capabilities.
Other malfunctions may include failures of currency dispensing mechanisms, customer card readers, receipt printers, journal printers or other components of the machine. In each case, upon sensing a failure condition, the machine is operative to generate signals indicative of the condition.
Different types of automated banking machines generate different types of fault signals. One reason for this is that machines often include different components. For example, certain machines may function only to dispense cash, in which case no fault signals related to a depository are generated by such a machine. In addition, different manufacturers use different types of fault signals for indicating conditions which exist in their machines.
In the operation of a network of automated banking machines the operation of the machines is controlled by a host computer. Condition signals have been generally transmitted to the host computer. These condition signals from the machines are often referred to as status messages. The status messages may be of either the "solicited" or "unsolicited" types.
An example of a solicited status message may include a message that a machine sends back to a host computer after it has been instructed through a prior message from the host computer to carry out a function. Such a solicited response message may indicate that the machine successfully carried out the requested function or alternatively that the machine was unable to carry out the requested function. The message that the machine was unable to do what it was requested to do is an example of a fault message that was solicited. An example of an unsolicited fault message would be a signal from a seismic detector in the machine indicating that it is undergoing excessive movement. This may be indicative if the machine is subject to attack by a burglar. The message is sent to the host computer when the condition is sensed without the host computer specifically requesting the message. Automated banking machines typically have the capability of sending numerous types of solicited and unsolicited status messages indicative of conditions that exist at the machine.
In the past, operators of ATM networks have programmed their host computers to identify status messages that indicate a problem or fault and to present them to a system operator. Often this is done by printing the fault conditions at a printer operatively connected to the host computer. An operator, upon receiving the fault message, is required to determine from the content of the message the machine originating the message and the nature of the problem. Generally, automated teller machine networks have assigned numeric identification data to each machine for purposes of transmitting and receiving transaction messages. Such data is often printed in connection with the fault message. The host computer may also be programmed to print some information along with the raw fault message data to assist the system operator in identifying the problem which has occurred.
Upon receiving the fault condition message the system operator then must contact the entity which can correct the condition causing the message to be generated. If the banking machine is located in a bank branch, personnel working in the branch may in some instances be able to correct the condition. It may be appropriate to contact branch personnel when the condition indicated is the depletion of currency, receipt forms, printer ribbons or other consumable items. Such normal replacement and replenishment activities are often referred to as "first line" maintenance, and can often be done by individuals not having a great deal of technical knowledge concerning the operation of automated banking machines. Activities associated with repairing problems with automated banking machines other than the usual replenishment of consumable items is often referred to as "second line" maintenance. Branch personnel may also be contacted during business hours if the machine sends signals which suggest that a person is attempting to improperly gain access.
However, even if the problem is one that could normally be corrected by personnel working in a bank branch where the machine is located, if the problem occurs during times when the branch is closed then the system operator may need to contact a different entity to correct the condition. Such other entities may include servicers such as personnel who work for the manufacturer of the banking machine, or a third party service company. The personnel of the system operator are required to make a decision on who to contact based on the nature of the problem and the service available in the geographic area where the machine is located.
Other conditions indicated by status messages at an ATM or other banking machine may be indicative of problems that require skilled repair personnel. Such problems may include the repair of currency dispensing mechanisms, card readers, receipt printers and other devices within the machine. In such cases, the operator of the system needs to determine what manufacturer or third party servicer to contact who can make the necessary repairs. Often the decision as to who to contact requires consideration of the type of machine, the geographic area where the machine is located, as well as whether the condition has arisen during business hours or during off hours or holidays when different servicing entities have responsibility for making repairs. The decision as to who to contact may also involve whether the servicing entity will have access to cash or other valuables in the machine. In such cases, appropriate bank personnel may also need to be contacted to witness activities by the servicer.
The operator of a system of automated banking machines, upon receiving a status message from a machine, also often needs to follow up with the entity responsible for correcting the condition to find out when the condition has been corrected. This is particularly important where the operator of the ATM network, in response to receiving the fault condition message, takes the machine out of service on the network so that messages are no longer being sent to or received from the machine. If the problem has been corrected but the machine remains out of service, customers are being unnecessarily inconvenienced. Thus, it is important for the system operator to know as soon as possible that the problem has been corrected.
It is also important for system operators to know that a servicer who has been called is responding. If a message is dispatched to a servicing entity by E-mail or fax, the system operator has no way of knowing that the message has been received. Return phone calls may be made by the servicer to acknowledge message receipt and to get the information from the system operator concerning the nature of the condition indicated. However, when systems with many automated banking machines are involved it is often difficult to keep track of which messages have been acknowledged and which ones have not.
Operators of automated banking machine networks also often have a desire to evaluate the performance of the machines in their system as well as the individuals servicing them. However, there is no conveniently available way to analyze the problems that may be occurring at particular machines, or to evaluate whether particular servicers are correcting problems in a manner that has a lasting effect. Further, operators of automated banking machine systems often have a desire to evaluate the responsiveness of their servicers and other entities responsible for the machines. This cannot be conveniently done with existing systems and methods.
Thus, there exists a need for a system which can automatically determine the nature of a condition at an automated banking machine and automatically notify a servicer of the existence of the condition. There further exists a need for a system that can track the process for correcting the condition to determine that the notified servicer has responded and has corrected the problem. In addition, there exists a need for a system that can track and analyze the performance of automated banking machines and servicers, and provide report data in a manner that will assist an operator of automated banking machines in evaluating the performance of their machines and servicers.

Fault monitoring and notification system for automated banking machines


A method of monitoring corrosion in a metal sample comprising applying a physical stress to one or more metal samples, placing the metal sample under stress in a sealed vessel, adding one or more fluids to the vessel, measuring the strain on the metal sample over a specified time interval, controlling the environment inside the vessel, calculating the rate of change of the strain measurement over the specified time interval, recording the rate of change of the strain measurement, calculating a moving average of two or more previously recorded rates of change of the strain measurement, and monitoring the moving average to detect damage to the metal sample.

Metals have a tendency to weaken, corrode, or crack in certain environmental conditions. This problem is prevalent in the oil and gas industry where extreme temperatures, pressures, and chemical environments are often encountered. Testing is often employed to determine what metal alloy is best under the well conditions and to also determine the lifetime of the selected alloy under those conditions.
Environmentally Assisted Cracking
Metal alloys have a yield strength which allows them to withstand a certain amount of yield stress with the occurrence of plastic deformation, but without cracking. Environmental conditions can significantly reduce the amount of force a metal alloy can tolerate, permitting the metal to fail significantly below the yield stress. This phenomenon is generally known as environmentally assisted cracking (EAC). EAC is induced by a combination of three factors: the presence of stress, a corrosive environment, and the sensitivity of the metal to corrosion.
Placing a stress on a corrosion sensitive metal in a corrosive environment comprised of substances such as halides and acidic substances can contribute substantially to EAC. The exact causes of EAC are not fully understood, but exposure to various environmental factors has been shown to be important, for example, temperature, pH, halide concentration, O2 concentration, and the presence of sulfur species such as H2S. Particularly, corrosive environments at high temperatures (e.g. >300° F.) can increase the susceptibility of a metal to EAC.
Individual metals and alloys react uniquely to environmental conditions. Therefore, it is important to test a metal under the conditions it will be used. EAC is a common problem in the oil and gas industry as corrosive chemicals and metals under high stress at extreme temperatures are frequently encountered in underground wells and deep sea drilling. In view of the expense of completing and producing a well, the metals and fluids used in these phases are carefully selected based on testing. Unexpected metal failures are both expensive to correct and potentially dangerous. Clearly, it is most important that such testing be conducted under conditions simulating those of the well.
NACE Tests
The National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) has developed a standard test method (NACE TMO 177-96 Method C) for laboratory testing a metal's resistance to Environmental Cracking, EC. This type of testing is more commonly referred to as Environmentally Assisted Cracking, EAC.
The NACE method involves placing a stressed sample of the metal in a test vessel under corrosive conditions. The test specimen is a "C" shaped piece of material known as a C-ring. NACE standardizes the specific measurements of the C-ring.
The NACE C-ring includes two holes through which a bolt passes. The bolt is tightened on either end to apply a stress to the C-ring. To ensure that the proper amount of stress is applied to the C-ring, an electrical resistance strain gauge is used to measure strain in the C-ring at the time the bolt is tightened.
The bolt is tightened until the appropriate strain gauge reading is achieved. NACE specifies that the strain gauge is placed on the outside diameter at a point 900 opposite the axis of the bolt. After the tightening the bolt, both the strain gauge and the glue used to adhere the gauge to the C-ring must be removed. Once the strain gauge is removed, the C-ring and bolt are then cleaned and placed in the vessel for testing. NACE specifies that H2S is added to the vessel and the test is run for up to 720 hours with no provision for detecting early failure.
NACE also specifies that EAC is detected by removing the C-ring from the vessel and searching for cracking by visually examining the specimen. Since cracking cannot be observed while the test is in progress, tests often run much longer than required. Additionally, determination of alloy lifetime takes multiple tests since the test must be repeatedly stopped and restarted to determine if failure has occurred. Therefore, reliable real time observation of specimen corrosion damage is preferable.
Strain Gauge
As in the NACE method, strain on an object is an indicator of stress within the object. Strain is defined as the amount of deformation per unit length of an object when a load is applied. When a load is applied to a wire it undergoes strain, lengthening slightly. The strain causes a change in the electrical resistance of the wire. A strain gauge measures strain by measuring the wire's resistance.
Generally, the strain gauge is mounted to an object under strain with an adhesive and deforms with the object. The strain gauge is comprised of wires which stretch and change electrical resistance as the object deforms. A measure of the strain gauge resistance change correlates to the strain occurring in the object to which the strain gauge is attached.
Temperature is known to affect strain gauge measurements. The measured strain will tend to drift as the temperature of the strain gauge changes. The drift associated with the temperature of the strain gauge makes strain measurements at changing temperatures difficult to interpret. Therefore, it is important to compensate for temperature's effect on the strain measurement.
Background Methods
In general, the NACE method is used to test for corrosion damage in a C-ring specimen. The NACE apparatus allows the C-ring specimen to be compressed in an assembly. The force of the compression load is calibrated with strain gauges temporarily mounted on the outside surface of the C-ring arc. In the NACE method, the strain gauges are removed after calibration and are not used in the direct measurement of the corrosion damage. The strain gauges must be removed before the specimen is placed in the test chamber. After a prolonged testing period, the test is halted and the C-ring visually inspected to determine if EAC occurred. Unfortunately, with the NACE method, a real time reading of the strain in the C-ring assembly is not possible.
Several methods of real-time monitoring of strain in a metal component have been developed. In the previous methods of testing metal samples, real time monitoring of corrosion damage to the metal sample consisted of plotting strain measurements and visually monitoring the strain measurement to detect sample failure. Noise in the strain gauge signal and drift in the strain measurement due to environmental conditions, such as temperature, make it difficult to accurately determine when failure occurs based on the strain measurement.
Additionally, previous methods did not enable sensitive real-time monitoring of localized corrosion events such as pitting that often precede EAC, as well as the EAC event itself. Also, a means to determine the causative factors associated with the corrosive event, be it EAC, pitting, etc., by correlation to the time of the event's occurrence was not available.
Given the numerous variables that influence environmentally assisted cracking, sample corrosion damage, and variation of strain measurements, a method of measuring strain during the testing for corrosive damage to the metal sample that provides greater accuracy in corrosion damage measurement is desirable. A method which also provides the ability to monitor localized corrosion real-time and correlate the causative factors of corrosion with sample failure events is also desirable.

Method for monitoring corrosion damage to a metal sample


According one embodiment, a pattern formation method forming a resist layer on a pattern formation surface by pressing a template provided with a concave-convex from above the resist layer to form a resist pattern on the pattern formation surface, includes: forming a resist layer in a first region having an area smaller than an area of the pattern formation surface and in a second region other than the first region of the pattern formation surface; pressing a template against the resist layer; irradiating the resist layer with light via the template to form a first resist layer in the first region, curing of the first resist layer being suppressed, and form the resist pattern including a second resist layer, curing of the second resist layer proceeds in the second region; and removing the first resist layer from the first region, the curing of the first resist layer being suppressed.

With the progress of miniaturization and integration of semiconductor devices, it is required to increase the accuracy of photolithography apparatuses. However, when a miniaturization process of several tens of nanometers or less is performed, there is a resolution limit in photolithography technology. Thus, as a next-generation miniaturization process, nanoimprint technology is being introduced in wafer processes.
Also in nanoimprint technology, a simple and low cost patterning technique is required as in the case of photolithography technology.

Pattern formation method and pattern formation apparatus


This invention relates to a device for the separation of oil from water containing impurities in industries, waste plants, ships or the like. The device according to the invention is characterized in that it consists of an oil separation device (I), which is tapering upwards and provided with an inlet (1) and an outlet (2) and which in its lower part is arranged with partly airing means in the form of perforated pipes, cloth or membrane as an air outlet (4) and an air inlet (5) partly an outlet (9) for the drawing of water at the cleaning and which in its upper part is arranged with guide plates, which are welded either longitudinally or transversally depending to capacity, whereas raw water (3') containing oil (3") and lighter particles, which parts (3' and 3") can be obtained at the coarse separation of the impurities, is introduced in the inlet (1) of the oil separation device (I), in which oil (3") and lighter particles by means of the addition of air to the there airing means (4 and 5) are lifted up onto the raw water (3') as a floating mass and are there kept and flushed into an oil outlet in the form of a pipe means (7) and are conducted from there to a collecting means in the form of a barrel, while cleansed water (8) is led out through the outlet (2) for further removal whereas the inlet (1) and the outlet (2) are arranged with level regulator or level indicator for the steering of oil and water by guide plates.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device for the separation of oil from water containing impurities in industries, waste plants, ships or the like places.
2. Brief Description of the Background of the Invention Including Prior Art
In the technique in question there are before known a number more or less technically complicated and expensive methods and devices as the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,623,608, 4,564,457 and 5,158,678.
In wash racks for oars or industry with mechanical equipment and ships and other places as e.g. at petrol stations or communal waste plants wash water is mixed with oil, gravel or the like. Said water is then forwarded to waste water filtration plants where it has a negative effect upon the cleaning device which in many cases knocks out the function.

Device for the separation of oil from water


The inventive method is characterized in that the prepaid postage indicia are checked to see if they contain a predefined security feature. If they do not, at least one selected read area of the mail is checked to determine whether it contains a predefined graphic representation of a prepaid postage indicia.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for checking a postage indicium applied onto a mailpiece.
2. Related Technology
The invention is based on the objective of improving a method of the generic type in such a way that postage indicia applied onto mailpieces can be checked quickly and reliably. In particular, a method is to be provided that allows a large number of postage indicia applied onto mailpieces to be checked.

Method for monitoring prepaid postage indicia on mail


A training baseball bat has an internal movable magnet that accelerates to the end of the bat when swung at a fast enough speed. As the magnet moves it passes through a coil that is connected to one or more LEDs so that the LEDs momentarily flash as the magnet moves through the coil. A stationary magnet can be used to hold the movable magnet until sufficient centrifugal force is imparted by the swing to overcome the magnetic holding force. Spacers can be provided to establish a distance between the magnets as needed to establish a desired swing speed at which centrifugal force overcomes the magnetic attraction.

A properly executed baseball swing is a difficult skill to learn, because while swing mechanics can be told to a batter, the muscle coordination necessary to execute a superior swing is dauntingly complex. First, to impart optimum power the bat should be swung in an optimum swing plane that is substantially horizontal, i.e., it ideally exhibits a slight uppercut a few degrees from horizontal, although depending on ball location, other swing planes may be used.
But not only must the bat swing follow a preferred swing plane, the speed of the bat head should be at an acceptably high magnitude at a particular point in the plane, namely, the point at which contact with the ball is made. While exceptions may be made by skilled batters depending on special circumstances, e.g., in an effort to hit to the opposite field, the generally accepted optimal contact point is just in front of the batter toward the pitcher, typically where the swing plane intersects a vertical line extending from just in front of home plate.
The muscular coordination is further complicated by the fact that the head and shoulders must cooperate with the torso and hips to accelerate the bat through the contact point while maintaining the focus of the eyes on the ball at the point of contact. Allowing the shoulders to open prematurely, i.e., allowing the lead shoulder to swing toward the foul line too early in the swing, results in less power and missed pitches as the head and eyes are jerked from where focus should be, while leaving the shoulders closed too long results in less power in the swing.

Training bat with visual feedback of proper swing


The present invention provides a smart monitoring system incorporating various forms of hardware used to secure the tie-down straps of ULDs, pallets, or shipping containers. More specifically, the present invention provides a smart electronically enhanced strap for a container monitoring and security device which is integrated into the housing of the hardware of a tie down strap webbing. Using this system, discrete sensors housed in the ratcheting mechanism, the hook, the winch or the load bar that are attached to latching straps are able to actively monitor a securely loaded ULD, pallet or container.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates generally to container security and, more particularly, to a container security system in which GPS transponders, Zigbee wireless sensors and compression load sensors are incorporated with pallets to ensure secure freight delivery.
2. Background of the Invention
Aircraft loads can consist of containers, pallets, or a mix of unit load devices (ULD) types, depending on load requirements. With regards to pallets, a pallet and cargo net assembly becomes a serviceable unit load device only under the following conditions: (1) all cargo fits inside the allowable dimensional profiles; (2) a complete undamaged cargo net with all net-to-pallet attachments secured to the ring track completely restrains the cargo; (3) all center of gravity limits for the device (vertical, lateral and longitudinal) are met; (4) the maximum certified restraint/limit value per ULD is not exceeded; (5) the pallet and cargo net assembly is certified under NAS 3610; and (6) the distribution of the cargo conforms to the maximum allowable bearing weight.
According to the applicable standards, the strength of the cargo net must certified for the maximum gross weight of the pallet. Further, tie downs must be used as a replacement of the pallet net only for: 1) loads which could be damaged using a net (examples: automobiles, helicopters, and aircraft engines) or 2) loads which cannot be effectively restrained by the net because of mesh size (i.e., pipes, extensions).
Tie down straps (also called tie downs) are fasteners used to hold down cargo or equipment during transport. Tie down straps are essentially webbing that is outfitted with tie down hardware. This hardware allows each tie down strap to attach to the area surrounding the cargo or equipment, loop over the cargo or equipment, and/or attach to the cargo or equipment. It usually also provides a method of introducing tension to hold the item in place.
Cargo is secured to the aircraft floor using tie down equipment organic to the aircraft or provided by the local air terminal. There are many different types of hardware used to attach a tie-down strap to the ULD, pallet, or container. Some examples include: ratchet and cam-buckles, flat hooks, flat snap-hooks, grab hooks, winches and load bars.
Loads that are not loaded properly can cause significant safety hazards to the loaded product, other pallets and containers, and also to the aircraft itself. More importantly, a poorly balanced load can also affect overall flight safety. The problem with the present methods and standard procedures for loading containers and pallets is that there is a high degree of inconsistency in handler experience and knowledge. There are efforts to improve standard operating procedures and raise the consistency level between handlers through on-going training for cargo handlers. However, what is needed is a more standardized and objective measuring tool for monitoring the balance and weight of separate loads.


The present invention is directed to a customizable development and demonstration platform for structured ASICs. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the present platform may include a structured ASIC which is built on a slice and which may be flexible enough for a number of possible application developments. This flexibility may be achieved by incorporating a programmable processor in the structured ASIC and by defining interfaces and the use of an external FPGA in the present platform. The structured ASIC may include a complete ARM processor subsystem and a plurality of high speed SERDES ports. The processor subsystem may include a bus interface to the external FPGA, allowing custom gate development and test in the FPGA, prior to incorporating it into the customer product. Through the SERDES ports, the test block may be used to show the electrical characteristics of the SERDES IP. In addition, some SERDES ports may be driven from a link layer realized in the FPGA. This may allow the same chip and board to implement SATA (serial advanced technology attachment), GigE, XAUI, XGXS, Fiber Channel, and the like by changing the programming of the FPGA on the board.

A structured ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) is a large-scale, high-complexity semiconductor device that includes one or more of the following elements: (1) memory; (2) a customizable array of transistors; (3) an IP (intellectual property) block; (4) a processor, e.g., an ESP (embedded standard product); (5) an embedded programmable logic block; and (6) interconnect. RapidChip™ developed by LSI Logic Corp. is an example of a structured ASIC.
Structured ASIC based IC design is a powerful concept for coping with the increased pressure on time-to-market, design and manufacturing costs. The basic idea behind structured ASIC based IC design is to avoid designing a chip from scratch. Some portion of the chip's architecture is predefined for a specific type of application. Through extensive design reuse, the structured ASIC based IC design may provide faster time-to-market and reduce design cost.
Under a structured ASIC approach, there may exist two distinct steps entailed in creating a final end-user product: a prefabrication step and a customization step. In a prefabrication step, a slice is built on a wafer. A slice is a pre-manufactured chip in which all silicon layers have been built, leaving the top metal layers to be completed with the customer's unique IP. For example, RapidSlice™ developed by LSI Logic Corp. is an example of a slice. One or more slices may be built on a single wafer. It is understood that a slice may include one or more bottom metal layers or may include no metal layers at all. In a preferred embodiment of the prefabrication step, the diffusion processes and the early-metal steps are carried out in a wafer fab. That is, the base characteristics, in terms of the IP, the processors, the memory, the interconnect, the programmable logic and the customizable transistor array, are all laid down and prediffused, and the early-metal components of the stack are manufactured. However, a slice is still fully decoupled because the customer has not yet introduced the function into the slice. In a customization step, metal layers (or late-metal components) are laid down, which couple the elements that make up the slice built in the wafer fab, and the customizable transistor array is configured and given its characteristic function.
Development of a structured ASIC often creates a need not only for a demonstration platform but also for a development and proof of concept platform. Because the variation in customer requirements may be significant, particularly in the software requirements and in the type and quantity of interfaces that require support, the cost in dollars and time of the platform should be minimized for marketability. Conventionally, a demonstration and development platform may involve the following methods: (1) software simulation (However, such a method may be custom developed per project and tends to execute very slowly. Moreover, there is no proof of actual hardware); (2) board based solutions using standard products (Such a method may prove out designs at or near speed. However, the board is seldom based on final hardware and often does not show the platform itself or its IP. Moreover, each board may be custom developed); and (3) standard product based upon a RapidSlice™ (This method may show the RapidSlice™ technology, but may not be adaptable to customer's proof of concept, development, or demonstration).
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a customizable development and demonstration platform, which may permit flexible use for a variety of development and demonstration needs, and may allow fast execution compared to software simulation and low cost compared to multiple custom developments. Such a platform may use the same technology and IP as used in the final, custom device and may have demo applications software readily available at relatively low cost and engineering effort.

Customizable development and demonstration platform for structured ASICs


A recording ink composition contains a colorant which is soluble or dispersible in water and includes at least one phthalocyanine compound of formula (1) which may have a halogen atom as a substituent and at least one of phthalocyanine compounds of formulas (2) and (3); a dispersant which includes at least one polymeric compound having a hydrophilic moiety and a hydrophobic moiety, and/or at least one surfactant having an alkyl group having 5 or more carbon atoms; water; and a humectant. In addition, images with a resolution of 10 dots/mm.times.10 dots/mm or more can be recorded on an image receiving medium by ejecting the above-mentioned recording ink composition in the form of droplets by the application of thermal or mechanical energy thereto onto an image receiving medium with a Stockigt size degree of 3 seconds or more, with the recording ink composition being deposited in an amount of 20 pl/mm.sup.2 to 200 pl/mm.sup.2 on the image receiving medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording ink composition suitable for an ink-jet printer, aqueous writing utensils, various kinds of recorders and pen plotters, and more particularly to a recording ink composition capable of producing color images on a sheet of plain paper by the ink-jet printing method. In addition, the present invention relates to an ink-jet printing method using the above-mentioned recording ink composition.
2. Discussion of Background
Ink-jet printers have been widely utilized in recent years because of the advantages of low noise and low running cost, and color ink-jet printers capable of producing color images on a sheet of plain paper have also been placed on the market.
With respect to such ink-jet printers, however, it is required to satisfy all the requirements, such as excellent color reproduction of color image, high water- and light-resistances of the obtained image, sufficient drying characteristics of the image, high image quality without blurring, and the reliability of ink-ejection from the printer.
Dyes and pigments for use in the ink composition have been improved in order to satisfy both the requirements of the color reproduction of color images formed on a sheet of plain paper and the light resistance and water resistance of such color images at the same time. However, it was difficult to obtain an ink composition capable of producing color images with the improved light and water resistances without the decrease of reliability of ink-ejection and the deterioration of color reproduction.
For instance, there are disclosed cyan color ink compositions in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 63-210175, 1-126381 and 1-19077, each of which comprises a carboxylic-group-introduced copper phthalocyanine dye. Although the water resistance of the image obtained by use of the above-mentioned ink composition is superior, the light resistance thereof is inferior, as compared with the water and light resistances of the image obtained by use of an ink composition comprising a sulfonic-group-introduced phthalocyanine dye. Due to such insufficient light resistance of the recorded image, the color image tends to fade by the application of light thereto, so that the above-mentioned ink composition is not suitable for printing a poster which is bound to be exposed to light for an extended period of time.
It is conventionally proposed to use various pigments for the ink composition in order to obtain sufficient water resistance and light resistance of the recorded ink image. However, since the color tone of the pigments is unsatisfactory, such an ink composition as comprises a pigment is now only applied to a large-sized plotter which is required to produce images with extremely high light resistance. In addition, when the aqueous ink composition comprising a pigment is set in an ink-jet printer which is designed to produce images with high resolution, the nozzle of the printer easily tends to be clogged with the ink composition, so that the reliability of the ink ejection becomes very low.
Therefore, it is proposed to use a pigment and a dye in combination for the ink composition for improving the color tone of the ink composition so as to upgrade the color reproduction of the obtained color images, improving the light resistance and water resistance of the obtained image, and preventing the reliability of the ink ejection performance from decreasing. For example, Japanese Patent Publication 60-45668 discloses a recording ink composition which comprises water, a water-soluble blue dye and blue pigment, and a polymeric dispersant. However, not only the light resistance and water resistance of the dye component are insufficient, but also the penetration performance of the obtained ink composition through a sheet of plain paper and the color development of color image are not always satisfactory.
When the color images are produced, in particular, by using the color ink-jet printer, image blurring easily takes place in a secondary color image portion of a red, green or blue color obtained by superimposing the two colored inks and the boundaries thereof, even though the image clearness is sufficient in an image portion of a yellow, magenta or cyan color prepared by use of the ink composition of a single color.
Particularly, when the ink deposited on a sheet of paper is dried without any specific image-fixing unit, the drying characteristics of the ink are improved by increasing the penetrating property of the ink through the paper, as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 55-29546. However, because of the increase of the penetrating property of the ink through paper, obtained images are easily blurred and the sharpness of the obtained images is decreased depending on the kind of recording paper to be employed.
It is described in Japanese Patent Publication 60-23793 that the drying characteristics of the images obtained by ink-jet recording can be improved without decrease of the sharpness of the obtained image when a dialkylsulfosuccinate is contained as the surfactant in the ink composition. However, when such an ink composition is used for ink-jet printing, the diameter of a picture element of the obtained image conspicuously varies depending on the kind of image receiving sheet to be employed. As a result, the image density of the printed images is considerably decreased, and the sharpness of the printed images is lowered. In addition, this kind of surfactant is easily decomposed if an ink composition is alkaline, so that the activating effect of the surfactant is impaired during the storage of the ink composition. The result is that the wettability of the recording paper by this ink composition is lowered, so that the drying characteristics of the recorded image are changed. Thus, the image deterioration will occur at the boundaries of the secondary color image.
An ink composition comprising a strongly basic material is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 56-57862 for the purpose of improving the drying characteristics of the images recorded by ink-jet printing. The drying characteristics of the image formed on a so-called acidic paper which has been sized by use of rosin can be improved. However, the improvement in drying characteristics is not observed when the image is printed on a paper which is prepared by use of a sizing agent such as alkyl ketene dimer or alkenyl sulfosuccinic acid. Even when the acidic paper is employed, the drying characteristics of the secondary color image portion formed by superimposing the two colored inks are still insufficient.
There is proposed a recording ink composition comprising a polyhydric alcohol derivative and pectin as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 1-203483. In this ink composition, pectin is contained as a thickening agent to prevent the blurring of ink image obtained on the paper. However, since pectin is a nonionic material having a hydroxyl group as a hydrophilic group, the reliability of ink ejection is decreased, for example, when the printing operation is resumed after intermission.

Recording ink composition and recording method using the same


An apparatus for providing an antenna impedance matching network that does not include mechanical switch contacts is disclosed. A retractable antenna includes a conductive plate moveable between the extended and retracted positions of the antenna. When the conductive plate is located in the extended position an impedance matching circuit responsive to the position of the conductive plate is connected between the antenna and an amplifier of a radio telephone. In response to location of the conductive plate in the retracted position, the impedance matching circuit is shorted out such that the antenna is connected directly to the amplifier via a capacitive effect between the conductive plate and a conductive coil of the shorted out impedance matching circuit.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to retractable antennas, and more particularly, to an apparatus for connecting an impedance matching network with a retractable antenna.
2. Description of Related Art
The performance of an antenna is determined by its impedance which is dependent upon its wavelength. A retractable antenna inherently performs differently in the extended and retracted positions since the effective wavelength of the antenna is greater in the extended position then in the retracted position. Presently existing retractable antennas normally consist of a quarter wavelength helical coil connected with a quarter wavelength rod. The amplifiers connected to antennas normally are matched to approximately a 50 .OMEGA. output impedance. When the antenna is retracted, the quarter wavelength rod is shorted to ground while the quarter wavelength helical coil is directly connected to the amplifier output. The load impedance provided by the quarter wavelength helical coil is approximately equal to the 50 .OMEGA. load impedance required by the amplifier. Thus, the impedances match and maximum signal transfer is achieved. However, when the antenna is extended, the quarter wavelength helical coil and quarter wavelength rod present a high load impedance for connection to the amplifier output. This creates unequal impedance matches between the load impedance of the antenna and the load impedance required by the RF amplifier.
To produce similar antenna performance in both the extended and retracted positions, an impedance matching network must be switched into place when the antenna is in the extended position to match to the impedance load of the antenna. Present solutions to this problem have incorporated an electromechanical switch connector to connect high and low impedance matching circuits between the antenna and the amplifier. The quarter wavelength rod portion of an antenna includes upper and lower contact points. In the extended antenna position, the lower contact on the quarter wavelength rod contacts the connector for a high impedance matching circuit connecting the high impedance circuit between the antenna and the amplifier. In the retracted position, the upper antenna contact connects with a low impedance matching circuit, while the low contact connects with a ground connector. This effectively isolates the quarter wavelength rod from the amplifier and provides an equivalent low impedance connection from the helical coil to the output of the amplifier.
However, this solution suffers from several drawbacks. The connectors of this type of network are sensitive to corrosion, fatigue, and tolerance buildup. Thus, they have a high degree of likelihood of mechanical failure. Furthermore, testing of a radio telephone during manufacture is difficult with this type of network, since the impedance matching network is only activated by the insertion of an antenna element into the radio telephone. Thus, no convenient 50 .OMEGA. RF feedpoint at the radio telephone is available for testing. It is highly desirable to include a 50 .OMEGA. feed point at the antenna port that does not include any matching networks for the antenna. Thus, an antenna impedance matching network that requires no switch contacts and enables connection of test equipment directly to a 50 .OMEGA. output feed point during manufacture would be highly desirable.

Antenna impedance matching network requiring no switch contacts


A device for coupling nerve cuff electrodes for stimulating nerves to a signal source for applying electrical signals for activation. The device comprises a carrier plate composed of a non-conductive material which contains a series of grooves for receiving selected nerve trunks. On either side of each groove is located a slot along the length of the groove, and a plurality of contacts are embedded within each groove. The contacts are releasably coupled to a power source which supplies a stimulating signal to the nerves. A spiral cuff electrode is wrapped through the slots to secure the nerve within the contact and provide for electrical conduction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the biomedical arts, and, in particular, to a device for use in conjunction with cuff electrodes for stimulating nerves.
2. Description of the Related Art
Functional electrical stimulation of the nervous system has been shown in recent years to offer great hope in restoring some degree of lost sensory and motor function in individuals with severe spinal cord injuries. Ways in which functional electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves can be utilized to restore a particular function include: (1) the use of surface electrodes to activate the nerves in the general region of interest; (2) the use of intramuscular electrodes, also to activate the nerves in a general region; and (3) the use of nerve cuff electrodes placed about specific nerves of interest and used to activate them specifically. The third alternative offers advantages over the first two in that it requires the least amount of stimulating current and hence charge injected into the tissue. In addition, it allows easy excitation of entire muscles rather than parts of muscles, a common situation for the first two categories. Because the use of nerve cuff electrodes requires delicate surgery, they are usually contemplated only when: (1) excitation of specific isolated muscles is desired; or (2) the generation of unidirectional action potentials is required.
Various prior art cuff electrodes have been utilized in the past to apply electrical stimuli to nerves. U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,624 is directed to a cuff electrode which encircles a nerve trunk with at least one electrical energy conductive member held against the tissue and a non-conductive sleeve extending to either side of the conductive member. This cuff is a self-curling sheet which is biased to curl into a light overlapping cylindrical spiral around the nerve trunk. U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,322 is directed to a cuff electrode having a spiral cuff portion which is connected to a spiral lead portion. The spiral cuff portion is coiled around a nerve, while the spiral lead portion is used to couple the device to an appropriate power source. U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,201 is directed to a helical nerve cuff electrode which curls into a helical spiral around a nerve fiber as it is ejected from a carrier tool.
While these spiral cuff electrodes are very effective in delivering the desired electrical pulses to selected nerves, they all suffer from some deficiency. The manner in which these electrodes are coupled to the power sources often makes the installation of these electrodes a difficult and very delicate procedure. Lead wires which attach the cuff electrodes to the power source must be bonded to each electrode by welding, soldering or using special conductive epoxies. These connections are often very difficult and labor intensive to make, requiring the time and talent of a skilled fabricator, and increase the physical size of the electrodes. In addition, these connections are subject to mechanical failure due to repeated flexure of the electrodes, and any failure at the connection of the electrode and lead requires removal of the electrode and the implantation of a new electrode.
Finally, the conductor leads themselves must travel from the electrodes to the power source. These leads must often be anchored by a strain relief to protect the connections from physical movement. Also, if there are several electrodes to be implanted in the same area of the body, the number of leads required to connect the power source to the electrodes will contribute significantly to the overall size of the implanted system, making installation more difficult.
The present invention provides a new and improved nerve cuff electrode carrier which overcomes the above referenced problems and others.


The invention is a method relating to the formation by simulation of a reference map of the spatial distribution of the sediment supply, according to the composition thereof, in a sedimentary basin during a sedimentary deposition sequence (during a given geologic time interval) and also allows obtaining the topography of the land surface of the basin at the beginning and at the end of this period. The available input data are a map of the thickness of the sedimentary layer studied, known by interpretation of seismic survey results, data relative to the location and to the composition of the sediment supply at the boundaries of the sedimentary basin being studied, obtained by interpretation of seismic surveys, measurements and observations, and physical parameters characterizing transportation of the sediments (diffusion coefficients in the marine environment and in the continental environment) during the period considered. An application is locating hydrocarbon reservoirs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for mapping the spatial distribution of the lithologic composition of sediments deposited during a given geologic time interval in a sedimentary basin.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recent advances in geology, which gave birth during the past twenty years to seismic stratigraphy, then to genetic stratigraphy, have deeply modified understanding of the history of sedimentary filling of sedimentary basins over long time periods and space scales by showing the major influence of two main parameters: the temporal evolution of the topography of the land surface of the basin in relation to the sea level (this topography is referred to hereafter as "bathymetric profile"; the bathymetric profile takes a zero value at any point located at sea level, that is on the coastline) and the sediment supply at the basin boundaries.
Many models and notably deterministic numerical models have been developed to allow obtaining the geometric and lithologic implications of these new approaches.
These numerical models simulate transportation and sedimentation (or erosion) of the sediments in the basin on the basis of a description of the nature, from an estimation of the eustasy (sea surface variations recorded simultaneously on the whole land surface), of the subsidence (absolute displacement of the bottom of a sedimentary basin in relation to a fixed reference level in the course of time) and of the sediment supply at the boundaries of the basin studied.
Among these numerical models, the diffusive models have proved efficient through their use in many studies carried out notably for the petroleum industry in order to better (and more readily) identify zones likely to contain hydrocarbons. Such models are described in the document hereafter:
Rivenaes, J. C., 1988, Application of a Dual-Lithology, Depth Dependent Diffusion Equation in Stratigraphic Simulation. Basin Research, 4, 133–146, and in the following patents of the Assignee: U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,799 and French patent application 02/16,456 relating to methods of modelling sedimentary basins filling.
These deterministic numerical models are integrated in a procedure for calibrating their input parameters, referred to as "inversion procedure", shown in FIG. 2. The inversion procedure is intended to adjust the parameters of the model so that the results provided thereby best fit the reality observed. The temporal evolution of the subsidence and of the sea level, that is of the accommodation, is among the parameters to be adjusted. The adjustment criterion for the model obtained is based, among other things, on the capacity of the model to reproduce the geometry, and notably the map of the sedimentary unit thicknesses.
This inversion procedure is in most cases of a "trial-and-error" type, as described for example in the aforementioned French patent application 02/16,456. It can also be automated as described, for example, in French patent 2,776,393 of the Assignee, which relates to a stratigraphic reservoir modelling method, or in the following publication for example:
T. A. Cross and M. A. Lessenger, "Construction and Application of a Stratigraphic Inverse Model", in: Numerical Experiments in Stratigraphy; Recent Advances in Stratigraphic and Sedimentologic Computer Simulations, Special Publication—Society for Sedimentary Geology. 62; pp. 69–83. 1999.
Whatever the method selected, implementation of this inversion procedure is generally very significant because it involves repeated use of the deterministic model. However, although it allows improving the agreement between what is observed and the model obtained, the inversion procedure does not ensure a satisfactory agreement between the result of the model and what is observed.
Notably, the thickness maps for the various sedimentary sequences are generally well constrained in stratigraphic modelling when they result from interpretation of a seismic survey. Now, exact adjustment of the deposition sequence thickness maps of the model to the maps given by seismic interpretation is absolutely not guaranteed by the inversion procedure. In practice, exact adjustment is nearly never reached. In the case of the trial-and-error type method, the success of the procedure entirely depends on the user's know-how and intuition. This also applies to an automatic procedure: it can never succeed if the data initially proposed by the user are too far from the solution.
FIG. 2 illustrates the prior art process which proceeds from beginning point 50 to point 52 where a non-stationary conventional model 52 is provided which is a function of inputs 54 of data for direct calculation which are diffusion coefficients and sediment supply and inversion parameters 56 which are initial paleotopography and an accommodation map which may possibly be sediment supply and diffusion coefficients. Point 52 may provide an output 58 of a lithologic composition map and a final topographic profile. The processing proceeds to point 60 where calculation of the criterion for adjusting the model to the thickness data which is a function of input 62 of data for adjustment calculation which is a thickness map. The process proceeds to criterion test 64. If a criterion test is not performed, the process proceeds to end point 66. If the criterion test 64 is performed, the process proceeds to an inversion loop in which the inversion loop proceeds to point 68 where parameters adjustment is performed which is an input to point 56 where the inversion parameters 56, as described above, are provided. The inversion adjustment 68 proceeds as an input to point 52 as described above.

Method for simulating the deposition of a sedimentary sequence in a basin


In an image forming apparatus, a first document manager stores image data in an image storage device, associates the image data with a first identifier, outputs the image data via an image output device when the first identifier is specified via an operation device, and deletes the image data from the image storage device when a first condition is satisfied. A second document manager associates the image data with a second identifier, outputs the second identifier via the image output device, and outputs the image data via the image output device when the second identifier is input via an image input device. The first document manager does not delete the image data from the image storage device and prohibits the operation device from specifying the first identifier when the image data is associated with both the first and second identifiers.

1. Field of the Invention
Exemplary aspects of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a storage medium for efficiently reprinting an image.
2. Description of the Related Art
A related-art image forming apparatus, such as a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multifunction printer having at least one of copying, printing, scanning, and facsimile functions, typically forms an image on a recording medium (e.g., a sheet) based on image data.
In recent years, copiers have come to include a function of printing an image based on original image data read by a scanner, and a printer or a facsimile machine includes a function of printing image data input by an external device. In addition, a MFP (multi function peripheral) combining the above functions has been provided.
Specifically, one known related-art image forming apparatus stores image data in a storage device such as a HDD or the like and prints the stored image data according to an instruction given by a user using a control panel or the like. Therefore, the image forming apparatus may efficiently choose a document from documents stored in a storage device to print or delete the document.
Another known related-art image forming apparatus detects a two-dimensional bar code applied to an original document, decodes command information encoded in the detected bar code, and determines processing according to the decoded command information. Yet another known related-art image forming apparatus decodes information about an access to a web server from two-dimensional bar code information included in read image data, acquires contents data based on the decoded information, and prints the contents data.
The above two image forming apparatuses may read a mark such as a two-dimensional bar code embedded with various types of information from an original document and control printing and the like based on the embedded information. Generally, when an image forming apparatus stores image data in a storage device and prints the image data by operation of a control panel and the like, the image data is stored when input. By contrast, when the image forming apparatus reads a mark from an original document and controls printing and the like based on information embedded in the mark, the image data is stored when output. Thus, when the image forming apparatus has both functions, the above difference in timing of storing the image data may cause complicated processing of the image forming apparatus.
Obviously, such difference in the timing of storing the image data is undesirable, and accordingly, there is a need for a technology to efficiently printing image data after storing the image data in a storage device and printing image data by reading a mark applied to an original document.

Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium


A land/groove track discriminating method and apparatus for an optical recording medium having a land/groove structure which can stably discriminate the kind of a track even in an unstable state of the system. The kind of the track is discriminated by using the differential characteristic of a tracking error signal in a header region, by using the relation that the phase of a wobbling signal in the lang track is opposite to the phase of the wobbling signal in the groove track, or by comparing phase levels of delayed first and second header region signals. Accordingly, the servo control suitable to the kind of the track can be performed at a proper time, and thus an accurate tracking control can be performed with respect to an optical disc having the land/groove track structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a rewritable optical recording medium system, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for discriminating between a land track and a groove track in a land/groove recording system having the structure where a signal track is composed of the land and the groove.
2. Background of the Related Art
With the growth of audio and video media, an optical recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing audio/video data on a semipermanent optical recording medium have been developed.
In case of the optical recording medium, as the storage capacity of the existing CD-ROM title reaches the uppermost limit, a digital versatile disc (DVD) is in the spotlight as a new optical recording medium. The DVD recognizes data in the same manner as a compact disc (CD) which recognizes data of "0" and "1" according to reflecting angles of a laser. However, the storage width of data in the DVD is minute in comparison to that in the CD.
Like the CD, the DVD is been developed from the technique of reproducing the data recorded on the disc to the technique of freely and repeatedly recording the data on the disc. In order to achieve this, various kinds of rewritable DVDs have been proposed lately. One among them, there exists a DVD where a disc track is divided into a land and groove (hereinafter referred to as 'land/groove' or 'L/G') tracks, and the data is recorded in the respective tracks (for instance, DVD-RAM).
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a typical apparatus for recording and reproducing data on the optical recording medium. Referring to FIG. 1, under the control of a servo control section 106, an optical pickup 102 places an optical beam condensed through an object lens on a signal track of an optical recording medium, i.e., an optical disc 101, and makes the optical beam reflected from a signal recording surface of the track condensed through the object lens and incident to an optical detector to detect a focus error signal and a tracking error signal. The optical detector is composed of several optical detecting elements, which output to a radio frequency (RF) and servo error generating section 104 electric signals in proportion to quantities of light obtained by the respective optical detecting elements.
For example, if the optical detector is composed of four optical detecting elements PDA, PDB, PDC, and PDD divided by four in a signal track direction and in a radial direction, the optical detector outputs to the RF and servo error generating section 104 electric signals a, b, c, and d in proportion to quantities of light obtained by the respective optical detecting elements PDA, PDB, PDC, and PDD (see FIG. 2).
The RF and servo error generating section 104 generates an RF signal required for data reproduction, read channel 2 signal required for servo control, focus error signal, etc., by combining the electric signals a, b, c, and d.
Here, the RF signal (also called 'read channel 1 signal') may be obtained by computing (a+b+c+d) of the electric signals outputted from the optical detector, and the read channel 2 signal by computing (a+d)−(b+c). The tracking error (TE) signal may be obtained by processing the read channel 2 signal.
Meanwhile, if the optical detector is divided by two in a track direction, i.e., into two photodiodes I1 and I2, the RF signal (=I1+I2) and read channel 2 signal (=I1−I2) are detected from the balance of the light quantities of the photodiodes. In other words, a+d and b+c in FIG. 2 correspond to I1 and I2, respectively.
At this time, the RF signal is outputted to a data decoder 105 for data reproduction, the servo error signal such as FE and TE to a servo control section 106, and the control signal for data recording to an encoder 103.
The encoder 103 encodes the data to be recorded to recording pulses of a format required by the optical disc 101, and records the pulses on the optical disc 101 through the optical pickup 102. The decoder 105 restores the data of the original form from the RF signal.
Meanwhile, a host such as a personal computer (PC) may be connected to the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus. This host transmits a recording/reproducing command to a microcomputer 111 through an interface 110, transmits the data to be recorded to the encoder 103, and receives reproduced data from the decoder 105. The microcomputer 111 controls the encoder 103, decoder 105, and servo control section 106 in accordance with the recording/reproducing command from the host.
At this time, an advanced technology attached packet interface (ATAPI) is typically used as the interface 110. Specifically, the ATAPI is the interface standard between the host and the optical recording/reproducing apparatus such as a CD or DVD driver proposed to transmit the data decoded by the optical recording/reproducing apparatus to the host, and serves to convert the decoded data into a protocol of a data packet that can be processed in the host and transmit the data packet.
Meanwhile, the servo control section 106 processes the focus error signal (FE), and outputs a driving signal for focusing control to a focus servo driving section 107. The servo control section 106 also processes the tracking error signal (TE), and output a driving signal for tracking control to a tracking servo driving section 108.
The focus servo driving section 107 moves the optical pickup 102 up and down by driving a focus actuator in the optical pickup 102, so that the optical pickup 107 follows the movement of the rotating optical disc 101.
The tracking servo driving section 108 moves the object lens of the optical pickup 102 in a radial direction by driving a tracking actuator in the optical pickup 102, so that the object lens corrects the position of the optical beam, and follows the track.
If the DVD is a rewritable disc, for example, DVD-RAM, where the signal track is composed of the land and groove, the data can be recorded on or reproduced from both the land track and the groove track as well as either of the land track and the groove track. Here, the land track and the groove track have different depths in a light incident direction. For instance, the DVD-RAM has a depth difference of λ/6 between the land track and the groove track.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a disc having the above-described L/G track structure. Referring to FIG. 3, the track protruded in the incident direction of the optical beam from the optical pickup 102 is defined as a groove track 2, and the track arranged to alternate with the groove track and depressed from the incident optical beam is defined as a land track 3. Accordingly, there is a predetermined height difference d between the groove track 2 and the land track 3. The track pitch (TP) is different according to the kind of disc, but is commonly 1 μm or less.
As shown in FIG. 4, each track is composed of a plurality of sectors which are a data region, and a header region which includes sector position information and control information and which is positioned between the respective sectors. The header region is pre-formatted, and thus the tracking control can be effected in a blank disc where no information signal is recorded.
The header region is a region where data cannot be recorded, is used for obtaining various kinds of information for performing the recording and reproduction, and is generally predetermined by a disc manufacturer.
The header region is briefly classified into two kinds. As shown in FIG. 4, one is a header region 8 positioned between sectors in the same track (hereinafter referred to as 'header region within a track'), and the other is a header region 9 positioned between the last sector 4 of the land track and the first sector 5 of the groove track (hereinafter referred to as 'header region between tracks'). Accordingly, the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 can discriminate the track kind at the present position from the header region within a track, and recognize the track changeover from the header region between tracks, so that the servo suitable for the changed track can be performed.
FIG. 5 illustrates in detail 'A' and 'B' portions in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 5, the header region has a first header field 91 phase-converted centering around a track center, and a second header field 92. If the disc is the DVD-RAM, the first and second header fields include two header fields, respectively.
In the header region where the land track switches over to the groove track, the first header field is first detected at a position higher than the track center, and then the second header field is detected at a position lower than the track center. On the contrary, in the header region where the groove track switches over to the land track, the first header field is first detected at a position lower than the track center, and then the second header field is detected at a position higher than the track center.
Meanwhile, the control information recorded in the header region may be recorded in a wobbling form along the track. Here, the wobbling means that the control information is recorded on a boundary surface of the track by the change of a laser beam of a laser diode by supplying to the power of the laser diode information to be applied to the disc by modulating a predetermined clock signal, for example, information on the corresponding position, information on the rotating speed of the disc, etc.
Referring to FIG. 6, it can be recognized that the track boundary surface of the sector which is the data region arranged between the header regions has the wobbling form. Specifically, (a) in FIG. 6 shows an example of a wobbling signal in the groove track, and (b) shows an example of a wobbling signal in the land track. Here, no wobbling signal is recorded in the header region.
In order to perform the recording/reproduction on the optical disc having the structure where the signal track is composed of the land and the groove, the optical beam should accurately follow the center of the land and groove tracks. At this time, the optical beam should be controlled in a different manner according to the land and groove tracks, and thus it is important to accurately discriminate the kind of the track.
As shown in FIG. 3, since the respective tracks have the height difference and the track pitch is very dense, there exists a difference in DC offset (produced in signal due to the L/G depth difference) when the focusing or tracking servo is performed. Also, the tracking error signal in the land has an opposite phase to the tracking error signal in the groove. However, in order to normally follow both the land and groove tracks, the tracking error signals obtained from the land and the groove have the same phase.
Accordingly, the kind of the track to be recorded/reproduced should be discriminated in advance, and the servo should be performed accordingly. Specifically, in the land track, the tracking servo should be performed by the tracking error signal offset-adjusted and inverted to match the land, while in the groove track, the tracking servo should be performed by the tracking error signal offset-adjusted and inverted to match the groove. In order to achieve this, it should be rapidly and accurately discriminated whether the track where the optical beam is currently positioned is the land or the groove.
A conventional method of discriminating whether the track is the land or the groove uses the header region as shown in FIG. 7. The phase of the tracking error signal in the header region in case of following the land track is opposite to the phase of the tracking error signal in case of following the groove track.
Referring to FIG. 7, the read channel 2 signal generated from the RF and servo error generating section 104 or the tracking error signal obtained by processing the read channel 2 signal is inputted to first and second comparators 201 and 202. At this time, since the first header field and the second header field in the header region are alternately arranged on the basis of the track center, the read channel 2 signals detected from the first header field and the second header field have the phases (i.e., tilts) opposite to each other.
For the convenience in explanation, it is assumed that the header signal detected at a position higher than the track center is a first header region signal IP1, and the header signal detected at a position lower than the track center is a second header region signal IP2.
If the read channel 2 signal inputted to a plus terminal of the first comparator 201 is higher than a slice level signal inputted to a minus terminal thereof, the first comparator 201 outputs to an L/G discriminating section 203 the first header region signal IP1 as shown as (a) in FIGS. 8 and 9. If the read channel 2 signal inputted to a minus terminal of the second comparator 202 is lower than the slice level signal inputted to a plus terminal thereof, the second comparator 202 outputs to the L/G discriminating section 203 the second header region signal IP2 as shown as (b) in FIGS. 8 and 9.
At this time, the phases of the IP1 signal and the IP2 signal are changed according to the fact that the currently following track is the land or the groove as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The header region where the land track switches over to the groove track is detected as shown in FIG. 8, and the header region where the groove track switches over to the land track is detected as shown in FIG. 9.
Accordingly, the L/G discriminating section 203 discriminates the track by the detection order of the IP1 and IP2 signals, and outputs a track switchover signal L/G SW as shown as □ in FIGS. 8 and 9 to the servo control section 106, so that the servo control section 106 performs the servo control suitable to the changed track.
However, though the conventional track discriminating method as described above can be used without any problem in case that the IP1 and IP2 signals are accurately detected in the header region by the stable performance of the servo, there is a possibility that a signal having a similar waveform to the above signals is detected anywhere of the disc, and such a possibility becomes greater in case that the system is unstable.
Here, the time point where the servo is unstable may be the case that the system is initially operated, or a track jump or track cross is performed. In this case, the IP1 and IP2 signals are detected unstably, and it is unreliable that the IP1 and IP2 signals are the signals detected from the header region as well. If the IP1 and IP2 signals are not accurately detected as above, the land/groove track discrimination also becomes inaccurate. Accordingly, the tracking and focusing servo cannot be performed properly, and this causes much time to be required for reaching the normal recording/reproduction, and the recording/reproduction itself to be impossible in the worst case.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Track discriminating apparatus and method for optical recording medium


An object of the present invention is to provide an organic semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor layer containing a compound with improved cohesive force, controllable molecular orientation, high packing property, high overall electrical conduction, high durability and high time-dependent stability. The present invention provides; a tertiary amine compound represented by formula (1); an organic semiconductor device comprising a substrate; a gate electrode; source and drain electrodes; and a semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer contains the tertiary amine comuound represented by formula (1).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tertiary amine compound, and an organic semiconductor device and organic electroluminescence device using the compound.
2. Description of Related Art
Organic semiconductor devices typically have a gate electrode, an insulating layer stacked on/above the gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on/above the insulating layer, and a semiconductor layer of an organic compound interposed between the source electrode and drain electrode. The semiconductor layer is formed by the vapor deposition method, application method, drop encapsulation method, vacuum encapsulation method or the like. Organic semiconductor materials suited for respective film forming methods and excellent in current voltage efficiency and length of life are under investigation. Owing to ease of the formation of a semiconductor layer, organic semiconductor devices have advantages such as low cost and mass productivity in a short time.
Such organic semiconductor devices using an organic compound and available at a lost cost can be classified into three groups, that is, low molecule type, polymer type and liquid crystal type.
First, as a polymer type, Appl. Phys. Lett., 62, 1794(1993) describes that organic semiconductor devices using polythiophene, polypyrrole and the like are described. These polymer types are excellent in mass productivity because semiconductor layer can be formed by the application method. In the polymer type organic semiconductor device, however, a polymer is used for the formation of a semiconductor layer between a source electrode and a drain electrode. The polymer has a short life and has higher electrical resistance than a low molecule.
Appl. Phys. Lett., 63, 1372(1993) describes that polythiophene is used frequently as a semiconductor layer in the polymer type. Polythiophene is sparingly soluble in a solution and in addition, owing to heating at high temperature while using a solution of a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid, it tends to cause corrosion of electrodes or deterioration of device performance. It is therefore inferior in mass productivity and device reliability.
Secondly, as a low molecule type, an organic semiconductor device using pentacene is under investigation. It has, however, been generally pointed out as a problem that in this device, an excess voltage must be applied to a gate electrode because a current running between a source electrode and a drain electrode is inevitably small, which results in a drastic increase in a consumed power and in addition, tends to cause dielectric breakdown of an organic film. It burdens an external IC and in addition, makes circuit design difficult, which leads to a cost increase of the IC and deterioration in mass productivity. Also from the viewpoint of performance, the device becomes unstable and has reduced reliability. As a further problem which is expected to occur, the external IC will require a high level and complex circuit design in order to overcome the excessive current flow.
Moreover, pentacene is a low molecular weight compound so that when it is crystallized after vapor deposition, a crystallized portion may presumably become a nucleus of dielectric breakdown. A deposited film of pentacene has many pores so that a uniform film cannot be formed. The semiconductor layer formed using it has a low strength, which lowers the reliability of the device.
As described above, low molecular weight compounds (such as pentacene) used so far for organic semiconductor devices have a problem that a current hysteresis relative to a drive voltage is large. They also have a problem in time-dependent stability, and reliability against impact.
Thirdly, as the liquid crystal type, Appl. Phys. Lett., 73, 1595(1998) describes that organic semiconductors are manufactured by aligning smectic liquid crystals or discotic liquid crystals with an alignment layer formed by an alignment film.
Smectic liquid crystals are rod-like molecules so that they lack in alignment stability and in turn reliability. In addition, liquid crystals are insulators and have high electrical resistance so that the application of a voltage to such semiconductors does not cause smooth current flow, which results in poor switching performance. This increases a load to an external IC and at the same time, may destroy the circuit by much heat generated by high electrical resistance of the materials. As a result, the resulting semiconductor devices have poor mass productivity and reliability.
Many heterocyclic compounds such as thiophene and pyrrole to be ordinarily used for liquid-crystal organic semiconductor devices have a chemical structure not permitting easy packing, have high electrical resistance and lack in durability.
Discotic liquid crystals are disc-shaped molecules. Their molecules pack in the form of columns but difficulty in conjugation results in deterioration in performance related to electrical conduction performance, response and stability.
Such liquid crystals used for liquid-crystal type organic semiconductor devices tend to become nematic by a temperature increase at the starting time of operation so that the packing effect cannot be exhibited fully. Even in smectic liquid crystals, conduction in the direction of their main chain can only be used. Since they are low molecular weight liquid crystals, the conduction mechanism in the main chain cannot be used, resulting in deterioration of the conduction performance of the liquid crystal type organic semiconductor device and conduction performance by the electric field effect.
Most of liquid crystal compounds existing at present are ion conductive type and their response time is slow. Transfer of ions by themselves and accumulation on an electrode on one side leads to deterioration of the device performance. There is accordingly a demand for low-molecular weight organic compounds with which a semiconductor layer can be formed by vapor deposition or injection while making use of the packing effect of them as low molecular weight compounds and have good packing property.