A developer reservoir is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus and holds developer discharged from a developer discharging section of the image forming apparatus. The developer reservoir includes a developer inlet, a developer chamber, and a transport mechanism. The developer inlet receives the developer discharged from the developer discharging section. The developer chamber holds the developer delivered through the developer inlet. The transport mechanism takes the form of a screw conveyor that transports the developer from the developer inlet into the developer chamber. The developer-transporting member serves as a partition that divides the waste toner reservoir into the toner inlet and the toner chamber so that the developer is prevented from moving straight from the developer inlet into the developer chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developer cartridge and an image forming apparatus to which the developer cartridge is attached.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional image-forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine performs an electrophotographic process. A charging roller charges the surface of a photoconductive drum uniformly. An exposing unit illuminates the charged surface of the photoconductive drum to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum. A developing roller applies toner to the electrostatic latent image to develop it into a toner image. Then, a transfer roller transfers the toner image onto printing paper. The printing paper is then advanced to a fixing unit where the toner image is fixed into a permanent image.
FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a conventional image-forming apparatus. An image-forming apparatus 26 includes yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image-forming sections 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44BK. The image-forming sections incorporate photoconductive drums 27Y, 27M, 27C, and 27BK and transfer rollers 34Y, 34M, 34C, 34BK. The photoconductive drums 27Y, 27M, 27C and 27BK oppose corresponding transfer rollers 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34BK with a transfer belt 33 sandwiched therebetween. A belt-cleaning section 35 is located under the transfer belt 33 and removes toner adhering to the transfer belt 33. The transfer belt 33, transfer rollers 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34BK, and belt-cleaning section 35 form a transfer section 45.
The image-forming sections 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44BK will be described. Each of the image-forming sections 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44BK may be substantially identical; for simplicity only the operation of the image forming section 44BK for forming black images will be described, it being understood that the other image forming sections may work in a similar fashion.
Disposed around the photoconductive drum 27 are a cleaning unit 28, neutralizing lamp 29, a charging roller 30, an exposing unit 31, and a developing roller 32, which are aligned in this order from upstream to downstream with respect to the rotation of the photoconductive drum 27. A transporting mechanism 41 is disposed immediately below the cleaning unit 28 and transports the toner removed by the cleaning unit 28 from the photoconductive drum 27.
A toner discharging path 17 runs along the transfer belt 33 under the image-forming sections 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44BK. The transporting mechanism 41 transports the waste toner to the toner discharging path 17, so that the waste toner is finally collected into a waste toner reservoir 11.
The operation of the image-forming apparatus 26 of the aforementioned configuration will be described. Paper 40 is advanced from a paper tray 36 into a paper path through which the paper 40 is fed by the transport roller 37 into a gap between the photoconductive drum 27 and the transfer belt 33.
The neutralizing lamp 29 neutralizes residual charges on the surface of the photoconductive drum 27BK of the image-forming section 44BK. The charging roller 30BK uniformly charges the entire cylindrical surfaces of the photoconductive drum 27BK. The exposing unit 31 irradiates the charged surface of the photoconductive drum 27BK with light to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, the developing roller applies toner to the electrostatic latent image to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner image is then transferred onto the paper 40, and then fixed into a permanent image in the fixing unit 38. Then, the paper 40 having a permanent image thereon is ejected onto a stacker 39.
Some of the toner fails to be transferred onto the paper 40 and is left on the photoconductive drum 27BK. The residual toner is removed as waste toner and the waste toner is transported by the transporting mechanism 41. The toner may also adhere to the transfer belt 33 due to poor charging and may be transferred onto the transfer belt during an image-density correcting operation. The toner on the transfer belt is removed by the belt-cleaning section 35 and collected into the waste toner reservoir 11.
The waste toner reservoir 11 will be described. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional waste toner reservoir 11. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional waste toner reservoir.
Referring to FIG. 15, a box-like waste toner reservoir 11 is formed with an opening 42 through which the aforementioned toner discharging path 17 extends into the waste toner reservoir 11. The waste toner is removed from the photoconductive drum 27 by the cleaning unit 28 and transported by the transporting mechanism 41 to the toner discharging path 17. A simple sealing member 43 is disposed for providing a sealed environment for the waste toner reservoir 11. The sealing member 43 holds the toner discharging path 17 fitted into the opening 42, thereby improving sealing effect to prevent toner particles from scattering. The opening 42 may be formed in a top portion or a side portion of the waste toner reservoir 11.
With the aforementioned conventional image-forming apparatus 26, if the waste toner reservoir is tilted or subjected to impact during replacement of the waste toner reservoir 11, the toner may fall through the opening 42 impairing the ability of the waste toner reservoir to handle the waste toner.

Developer cartridge and image forming apparatus


A system of dusulfurizing an LNT may control desulfurization of the LNT provided in an apparatus of purifying exhaust gas, in which the LNT may be adapted to absorb nitrogen oxide (NOx) contained in the exhaust gas at a lean air/fuel ratio and to release the absorbed nitrogen oxide and reduce the nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas or the released nitrogen oxide at a rich air/fuel ratio and the apparatus of purifying exhaust gas may further include a particulate filter trapping particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas as soot and regenerated by burning the trapped soot when a regeneration condition is satisfied, and a controller controlling desulfurization of the LNT and regeneration of the particulate filter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and a method of desulfurizing a lean NOx trap (LNT). More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and a method of desulfurizing a lean NOx trap that improves fuel economy by not exiting from a desulfurization mode but performing desulfurization again under predetermined conditions even though a desulfurization stop condition of the LNT is satisfied.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, exhaust gas flowing out from an engine through an exhaust manifold is driven into a catalytic converter mounted at an exhaust pipe and is purified therein. After that, the noise of the exhaust gas is decreased while passing through a muffler and then the exhaust gas is emitted into the air through a tail pipe. The catalytic converter purifies pollutants contained in the exhaust gas. In addition, a particulate filter for trapping particulate matter (PM) contained in the exhaust gas is mounted in the exhaust pipe.
A denitrification catalyst (DeNOx catalyst) is one type of such a catalytic converter and purifies nitrogen oxide (NOx) contained in the exhaust gas. If reducing agents such as urea, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon (HC) are supplied to the exhaust gas, the NOx contained in the exhaust gas is reduced in the DeNOx catalyst through oxidation-reduction reaction with the reducing agents.
Recently, a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst is used as such a DeNOx catalyst. The LNT catalyst absorbs the NOx contained in the exhaust gas when air/fuel ratio is lean (smaller than 1), and releases the absorbed NOx and reduces the released nitrogen oxide and the nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas when the air/fuel ratio is rich (greater than 1).
Since materials which absorb the nitrogen oxide in the LNT, however, are base materials, sulfur oxide (material obtained by oxidizing sulfur contained in fuel or engine oil) as well as the nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas is absorbed. Sulfur poisoning in the LNT deteriorates purification efficiency of the LNT. Therefore, desulfurization of the LNT is necessary.
According to a conventional method of desulfurizing the LNT, the engine is controlled to enter a desulfurization mode so as to release the sulfur oxide poisoned in the LNT if an amount of the sulfur oxide poisoned in the LNT is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. If it is difficult to continue the desulfurization because a driving condition is changed during performing the desulfurization, for example, the vehicle slows down or a road is congested, the desulfurization is stopped and the engine is returned to a normal driving mode. At this state, if a driving condition satisfies a condition where the desulfurization is possible, a temperature of the exhaust gas is raised and the engine enters the desulfurization mode again.
In addition, if the desulfurization mode is to be carried out just after the regeneration of the particulate filter is performed, the engine enters a regeneration mode of the particulate filter so as to enter the desulfurization mode. That is, after the particulate filter is regenerated, the engine enters the desulfurization mode. In further detail, if a desulfurization stop condition is satisfied, the engine is left from the desulfurization mode. After that, the engine does not enter the desulfurization mode immediately, but enters the regeneration mode of the particulate filter. After the particulate filter is regenerated, the engine enters the desulfurization mode again. Therefore, fuel consumption may be deteriorated, the engine may be damaged, and urea consumption may increase when regenerating the particulate filter.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

System and method of defulfurizing lean NOx trap


A double shear lap join is formed between metal and composite structure by welding Z-pins in the composite in the joint area to the metal tangs on the metal structure. The joint has modest strength but is less susceptible to shock damage than an adhesive bond or to notch effect crack propagation damage associated with fastened metal/composite joints.

Composite sandwich structures are used extensively in aerospace, automotive, and marine applications for primary and secondary structure. Standard sandwich structures include a foam core or honeycomb core and outer layers, called skins or face sheets, that usually are adhesively bonded to the core. The face sheets typically are fiber-reinforced organic matrix resin composites, having, fiberglass, carbon, ceramic, or graphite fibers and a thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix resin. The face sheets carry the applied loads, and the core transfers loads from one face sheet to the other, or the core also absorbs a portion of the applied loads. In either case, it is important that all layers maintain their connection to one another. Sandwich structure and sandwich structure for noise suppression and other applications are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,861, which I incorporate by reference.
Foster-Miller has been active in basic Z-pin research. U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,776 describes a technique for adding Z-pin reinforcement to composite laminates. A dispensing needle vibrating at ultrasonic frequency heats and softens the matrix and penetrates the laminate, moving the laminate fibers aside. The needle inserts a reinforcing fiber into the laminate. The needle is withdrawn, allowing the matrix to cool around the composite. U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,461 describes a structure for localized reinforcement of composite structure including a body of thermally decomposable material that has substantially opposed surfaces, a plurality of reinforcing elements in the body that extend generally perpendicular to one body surface, and pressure intensifying structure on the other opposed body surface for applying driving force to the reinforcing elements for insertion into the composite structure as the body is subjected to elevated temperature and decomposes. I incorporate U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,461 and 5,186,776 by reference.
In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/582,297 entitled "Pin-Reinforced Sandwich Structure," which I incorporate by reference, I described a method of forming a pin-reinforced foam core sandwich structure including (i) positioning first and second face sheets of uncured fiber-reinforced resin (i.e., prepreg or B-stage thermoset) about a foam core having at least one compressible sublayer and a plurality of Z-pins spanning the foam between the face sheets and (ii) inserting the Z-pins into the face sheets during autoclave curing of the face sheet resin. During autoclave curing, the compressible sublayer is crushed and the Z-pins sink into one or both of the face sheets to form the pin-reinforced foam core sandwich structure. I also described column core structure made by removing at least some of the foam core by dissolving, eroding, melting, drilling, or the like to leave a gap between the face sheets. This structure (1) resists distortion and separation between layers, in particular, separation of the face sheets from the foam core; (2) maintains high structural integrity; (3) resists crack propagation; and (4) easily accommodates the removal of portions of foam core, as required by specific applications.
The foam core generally includes a high density foam sublayer, and at least one low density foam sublayer. The preferred arrangement includes a first and second low density foam sublayer, one placed on each side of the high density sublayer. The plurality of Z-pins are placed throughout the foam core in a regular array normal to the surface or slightly off-normal at an areal density of about 0.375 to 1.50% or higher, as appropriate, extending from the outer surface of the first low density foam sublayer through to the outer surface of the second low density foam sublayer. Expressed in different terms, we use 40-50 pins/in.sup.2 in most applications. Preferably, the foam sublayers are polyimide or polystyrene, the Z-pins are stainless steel or graphite, and the face sheets are partially cured thermosetting fiber/resin or thermoplastic composite materials.
Fastening composite structure, especially to metal, is troublesome. The fasteners concentrate strain by being the principle load transfer paths. The holes cut through the composite either cut the reinforcing fibers or force unusual tow placements during layup. Strain concentration is particularly a concern in the "zero" plys where the matrix must carry the load from the fastener to the fibers in that ply. A joint that reduced the strain concentration and retained the integrity of the reinforcing fibers in the composite would provide a significant advantage. The joint of the present invention is promising for composite-metal joints of modest strength.
Fastening also is troublesome because it often requires altering the composite thickness in the edge band to accommodate bolt lengths. The layup design is made more complicated and the joint has reduced strength because of the reduced thickness (i.e. "gage").
Often composites will be adhesively bonded to the metal, but such bonds are unsatisfactory in many shock or vibration environments.


The disclosure provides a reusable, adjustable acupressure device for stimulating an acupuncture point, or acupoint, on the outer ear of a wearer. In one embodiment, the device includes a structural curvature that is adjustably configured to mount to the helix of the external human ear and a bead protruding from the structural curvature. The bead is configured to apply pressure to a select acupoint located on the ear. The device provides the ability for a wearer to stably and reliably stimulate the select acupoint in a manner that is both comfortable and repeatable.

The ear has long-been a vehicle for self-healing, beginning with Chinese acupuncturists in 500 BC, as documented in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. Today, the benefits of auriculotherapy, or ear acupressure, are increasingly recognized in western self-care practices.
Ear acupressure stimulates the nerve connections between the ear and the central nervous system. Applying pressure to defined points on the external or outer ear triggers nerve impulses between those points and the brain, thereby communicating powerful healing messages to the organ or system in which the health problem manifests.
The auricular acupuncture point, or acupoint, Shenmen is located at the apex of the triangular fossa of the external ear. The point Shenmen is one of the most recognized ear points and is indicated primarily for clarity and balance as well as relief of common ailments such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and stress.
Current mechanisms for applying sustained pressure to the point Shenmen involve using an adhesive such as medical tape to secure a small ball, tack, magnet, or seed to the point Shenmen. These methods are inconvenient, difficult to employ without a trained specialist, and not amenable to reuse.
The increased popularity of ear acupressure and, more particularly, acupressure involving stimulation of the point Shenmen has created a need for improved ear acupressure methods and apparatus that provide a comfortable fit for most ears in a repeatable, nonintrusive, durable, and reusable manner.

Adjustable and reusable ear acupressure device

Abstract: Other embodiments are also disclosed.


The present invention is a double curved surface deflector system for rotary sprinklers providing for a 360-degree rotation using both clockwise and counterclockwise movements. A spray coupler directs water in forward and rear directions. The forward direction is deflected by an inward facing deflector that directs the water across a curved surface projects the water in the reverse direction with an adjustable water elevator for extended lift. After the sprinkler head rotates until the selector hits an adjustable stop, the inward facing deflector then pivots the sprinkler head in the opposite direction for the remainder of the coverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,625,411 (hereinafter '411) describes a Sprinkler Rotating Spinner Drive Sand Seal. As illustrated in FIG. 3, of '411 the sprinkler head is a mechanism that would force the water over several rough surfaces causing a loss of head pressure. Also, the flow pattern is unidirectional through one nozzle. Although, the vertical pivot (106) of '411 directs the water path, the range of the directed water angle is limited.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,586 (hereinafter '586) describes a sprinkler head with limited rotational ability. In FIG. 6 the deflector (42) operates radially outward, in the present invention the deflector (34) operates radially inward. Patent '586 represents a unidirectional sprinkler as opposed to the present invention that is a bidirectional sprinkler.
The prior art does not teach a double curved surface nor does it teach the radiation of water with an inward deflector or adjustable elevator.

Double curved surface deflector system for rotary sprinklers


This preamplification circuit comprises a first circuit section, second circuit section the input signal of which is the output signal of the first circuit section, and third circuit section which is connected with the input section of the first circuit section and consumes a part of the current to be inputted to a connection point with the input section of the first circuit section and has the capacitance value of the third circuit section set at a value for suppressing a gain peaking of gain frequency characteristics which occurs in the preamplification circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pre-amplification circuit, and more particularly to a pre-amplification circuit preferably used as a front stage to an apparatus for receiving light.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is an urgent need for construction of a system for transmitting an optical signal at a super-high speed, in order to absorb rapid increase in communication volume accompanied with popularization of Internet and/or multi-media communication. A pre-amplification circuit constituting a receiver front end module which is one of components required to have a high operation rate in the above-mentioned system is necessary to have a preferred gain-frequency characteristic and a preferred output characteristic over a broad range. As such a pre-amplification circuit, there has been conventionally used a trans-impedance type pre-amplification circuit.
When a pre-amplification circuit is used as a receiver module, a photodetector is connected to an input terminal of the pre-amplification through a bonding wire, and an electric signal is input into the pre-amplification circuit in accordance with light entering the photodetector. Each of amplifier stages constituting the pre-amplification circuit is electrically connected to a power source through a bonding wire, a bypass capacitor and a lead wire, and direct-current bias current is applied to each of the amplifier stages.
The conventional receiver module is accompanied with two problems.
The first problem is a peak found in a gain-frequency characteristic.
In an optical receiver module receiving a data signal having a frequency of a GHz order, inductance (hereinafter, referred to as "L") and capacitance (hereinafter, referred to as "C") of wirings and bonding wires in circuits are not ignorable. Hence, an excess gain-peak is found in a certain frequency range in a trans-impedance gain-frequency characteristic. This gain peak deteriorates flatness of the characteristic.
The second problem is deformation in output waveform, caused when the output waveform is saturated in receiving much light.
Light entering a photodetector increases or decreases in accordance with a transmission distance in a light-transmitting system, and accordingly, an amplitude of a current signal to be input into a pre-amplification circuit increases or decreases. Hence, a pre-amplification circuit is required to cover a wide range of amplitude of an input current, in order to cover a wide range of transmission distance.
However, in general, as an amplitude of an input current increases beyond a base amplitude, a waveform of an output signal transmitted from a pre-amplification circuit is saturated and thus deformed. Finally, it becomes impossible for the waveform to respond to an input current without error.
This is because when an amplitude of an input current increases beyond a base amplitude, a current is introduced too much into an input section of a pre-amplification circuit, and hence, a voltage at an input section of an pre-amplification circuit is raised.
One of solutions to the first problem is to arrange a capacitor between an input section of a pre-amplification circuit and a grounded voltage.
A capacitance of a newly added capacitor would reduce influence exerted by inductance and/or capacitance of wirings and bonding wires in circuits in a module, and hence, could prevent a gain peak.
As a solution to the second problem, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-225630 has suggested an optic receiver including an optic receiver and a Schottky barrier diode electrically connected in series to each other. A node through which the optic receiver is electrically connected to the Schottky barrier diode is electrically connected to an input terminal of a low-noise amplifier through a resistance and a capacitor electrically connected in series to each other.
In the suggested optic receiver, when a level of received light is low, and thus, a light-receiving element transmits a small current, the Schottky barrier diode is off, and accordingly, a current output from the light-receiving element is almost wholly introduced into the low-noise amplifier. On the other hand, when a level of received light is high, and thus, the light-receiving element transmits a much current, the Schottky barrier diode becomes on, and hence, only a limited current is introduced into the low-noise amplifier.
However, in the above-mentioned solution to the first problem, the capacitor arranged between an input section of an amplifier circuit and a grounded voltage does not reduce a current to be introduced into an input section of a pre-amplification circuit or a voltage to be applied to a pre-amplification circuit, and hence, cannot prevent deformation in a waveform of a signal output from a pre-amplification circuit which deformation is caused when a current having an amplitude exceeding a base amplitude is introduced into a pre-amplification circuit. After all, the deformation is identical with deformation observed when a capacitor is not arranged between an input section of an amplifier circuit and a grounded voltage.
That is, the solution to the first problem cannot solve the above-mentioned second problem.
The optic receiver suggested in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-225630 does not suggest a solution to the first problem, and hence, the problem that an excess gain-peak found in a trans-impedance gain-frequency characteristic deteriorates flatness of the characteristic remains unsolved.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-243858 has suggested a trans-impedance type optical amplifier including a feedback having a resistance Rx for determining a gain, and an output transistor. An input current Iin and an output voltage Vout have a relation defined as follows.Vout=−Iin×Rx
A diode is electrically connected in parallel to the feedback resistor in a forward direction, and means for varying a gain which means determines an input current at which the diode is turned on is electrically connected in series to the output transistor.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-242774 has suggested a light-receiving front-end amplifier including a feedback type trans-impedance circuit comprised of an amplifier including a transistor having a grounded emitter, and a feedback resistor, and further including a transistor having an emitter and a base both electrically connected in parallel to the feedback resistor, and a collector electrically connected to a reference voltage point.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-260960 has suggested an optic amplifier comprised of a photoelectric transfer device which is electrically connected to an input terminal and to which a bias voltage is applied, a trans-impedance type front-end amplifier to which an output current transmitted from the photoelectric transfer device is input, a circuit for controlling a gain of the trans-impedance type front-end amplifier, and a waveform-shaping circuit electrically connected to an output of the trans-impedance type front-end amplifier.
In view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-amplification circuit which is capable of solving the above-mentioned first and second problems, having a trans-impedance gain-frequency characteristic which is flat over a wide range of frequency, and suppressing deformation of a waveform of a signal transmitted therefrom even when an excess-current signal is introduced thereinto.


A PoE relay system includes a networking cable, a PoE power injector and a PoE access bridge device. The PoE power injector is coupled to a PoE powering apparatus to receive network data and network power, and to a power supply to receive DC power, and gathers the network data, the network power and the DC power in a gathered signal group. The PoE access bridge device is coupled to the electronic product, receives the gathered signal group, receives the DC power from the gathered signal group for operation, and separates the network data and the network power from each other, and outputs the network power to the electronic product.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system and device, more particularly, a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) relay system, a power injector and an access bridge device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Under the current infrastructure for Ethernet cabling layout, Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology using a networking cable for simultaneously supplying a direct current (DC) power (36V˜57V) to a terminal equipment in compliance with PoE specification, such as an IP phone, a wireless access point, a web camera, etc., while supplying network data thereto. It is relatively convenient this way that the terminal equipment can operate properly once it is coupled to a networking cable without the need for additional external power plugs or batteries to supply the power necessary for operation. PoE is also known as Power Over LAN (POL) or Active Ethernet that is compatible with the currently-existing Ethernet system and its clients. The IEEE 802.3at standard is the newest standard of the PoE system that adds a direct-powering-via-a-networking-cable standard to the IEEE 802.3af standard. It is the expansion of the current-existing Ethernet standard and the first international standard with respect to power distribution.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 and according to the IEEE 802.3af standard, a complete PoE system includes: a PoE powering apparatus 21, a PoE powered apparatus 22 and a networking cable 23.
The PoE powering apparatus 21 includes a power sourcing equipment (PSE), two transformers 31, 32, and a connection port (such as a RJ45 connection port) having first to eighth pins 1˜8.
The PoE powered apparatus 22 includes a powered device (PD), two transformers 33, 34, and a connection port (such as a RJ45 connection port) having first to eighth pins 1˜8.
The networking cable includes four twisted pair cables 35, 36, 37, 38.
The twisted pair cable 35 is electrically coupled between the first and second pins 1, 2 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 and the first and second pins 1, 2 of the PoE powered apparatus 22.
The twisted pair cable 36 is electrically coupled between the fourth and fifth pins 4, 5 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 and the fourth and fifth pins 4, 5 of the PoE powered apparatus 22.
The twisted pair cable 37 is electrically coupled between the seventh and eighth pins 7, 8 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 and the seventh and eighth pins 7, 8 of the PoE powered apparatus 22.
The twisted pair cable 38 is electrically coupled between the third and sixth pins 3, 6 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 and the third and sixth pins 3, 6 of the PoE powered apparatus 22.
Powering in the PoE can be supplied in two ways, one of which is called end-span (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), where a DC power is transmitted to the PoE powered apparatus 22 simultaneously with the data signals (explained later), and the other one of which is called mid-span (as shown in FIG. 3), where the DC power is transmitted via the PoE powering apparatus 21 having a mid-span PSE. As the cabling connections of mid-span are similar to those of end-span and can be referred to in the IEEE802.3af standard, it is not described herein.
The end-span can be categorized into two types. The first type powers via the first and second pins 1, 2, and the third and sixth pins 3, 6 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 (as shown in FIG. 2), and the second type powers via the fourth and fifth pins 4, 5, and the seventh and eighth pins 7, 8 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 (as shown in FIG. 1).
As shown in FIG. 1, when the PoE powering apparatus 21 powers via the fourth and fifth pins 4, 5, and the seventh and eighth pins 7, 8, the fourth and fifth pins 4, 5 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 are electrically coupled to a positive terminal of the power sourcing equipment (PSE), while the seventh and eighth pins 7, 8 of the PoE powering apparatus 21 are electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the power sourcing equipment (PSE). The fourth and fifth pins 4, 5 of the PoE powered apparatus 22 are electrically coupled to a positive terminal of the powered device (PD), while the seventh and eighth pins 7, 8 of the PoE powered apparatus 22 are electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the powered device (PD).
As shown in FIG. 2, when the PoE powering apparatus 21 powers using the first and second pins 1, 2 and the third and sixth pins 3, 6, the power sourcing equipment (PSE) powers centers of the transformers 31, 32 by center tapping, while the powered device (PD) is electrically coupled to centers of the transformers 33, 34 also by center tapping without affecting network data transmissions. The first and second pins 1, 2 and the third and fourth pins 3, 6 can be of any polarity.
According to the IEEE 802.3af standard, the PoE powering apparatus 21 can only power through one of the two conditions of FIGS. 1 and 2, while the PoE powered apparatus 22 needs to be able to adapt to both conditions. Such requirement is easily achieved by PoE powered apparatus of 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps as only the first and second pins 1, 2 and the third and sixth pins 3, 6 are used to receive network data.
However, with the advancement of network technology, the PoE cabling infrastructure can now support transmission speeds of 1000 Mbps. At 1000 Mbps, the full use of the twisted pair cables is required for network data transmission, and the PoE relay systems defined in FIGS. 1 to 3 cannot meet all three requirements for 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps simultaneously, thus restricting the development of PoE systems.
With a conventional embodiment of a one-to-many application for a PoE system, there arises a problem of high cost. For example, FIG. 4 shows a network power source unit (S1) having a PoE powering apparatus 21 coupled to two electronic products (P1, P2) that are disposed in a same area respectively via two lengthy networking cables 23. Each of the two electronic products (P1, P2) has a PoE powered apparatus 22. The network power source unit (S1) transmits network data and network power to the two electronic products (P1, P2) via the two networking cables 23. However, the need to use two lengthy networking cables 23 increases the cost.
For another example, FIG. 5 shows another conventional method to implement a one-to-many application in a PoE system with the difference of: the addition of a PoE access bridge device (AP1). The PoE access bridge device (AP1) has a PoE powered apparatus 22 electrically coupled to the PoE powering apparatus 21 of the network power source unit (S1) via a networking cable 23 to receive the network data and the network power, and a PoE powering apparatus 21 coupled to the two electronic products (P1, P2) respectively via two short networking cables 24. The PoE access bridge device (AP1) divides the network data. The PoE powering apparatus 21 of the PoE access bridge device (AP1) generates power to be carried with the divided network data to the two electronic products (P1, P2). Although the cost of providing lengthy networking cables 23 is saved, the use of costly PoE powering and powered apparatuses 21, 22 in the PoE access bridge device (AP1) increases cost. Also, the network power of 36V to 57V needs to be down converted to the range of between 5V and 12V so as power the PoE access bridge device (AP1), therefore the PoE access bridge device (AP1) will need an extra step-down converter (not shown in figure) that will further increase the hardware cost.

Power-over-ethernet relay system, power injector and access bridge device


A touch input device is disclosed. In one aspect, the device includes a body, a conductive net and an elastic member. The body includes a conductive area with one open end. The conductive net covers a conductive area of the body and intersected with a plurality of conductive lines in a mesh shape. The elastic member is received in the body and supports the conductive net.

1. Field
The described technology generally relates to a touch input device, and more particularly, to a touch input device of a touch screen panel.
2. Description of the Related Technology
A touch screen panel receives a user's command by selecting instructions displayed on a screen, such as an image display device, or the like, with his/her hand or an object.
To this end, the touch screen panel is generally provided to a front face of the image display device and converts a contact position which is directly contacted with his/her hand or an object into an electrical signal. Therefore, the instruction contents selected at the contact position are recognized as input signals.
For example, the touch screen panel as described above recognizes a touch event generated in a screen area as an input signal by forming sensing electrodes at a display area displaying an image.
Particularly, the capacitive type touch screen panel converts a contact position into a electrical signal, when a conductive sensing electrodes senses a change in capacitance formed other adjacent sensing patterns or ground electrodes, or the like, by contacting with a user's hand or an object.


Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for processing a touch input in the mobile terminal. The method includes transmitting information displayed in the mobile terminal to an external display device when connected to the external display device through a wired or wireless interface, receiving a first input, identifying a holding time of the first input when receiving a second input following the first input, and processing the second input according to the holding time of the identified first input. Accordingly, the touch input is analyzed and a subsequent drag input is performed as a pointer movement or a scroll operation in accordance with a holding time of the touch input, so that a user can conveniently select a desired item.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for processing a touch input in a mobile terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
The mobile terminal has evolved into a multi-media device that can provide various functions such as electronic scheduler, game, and scheduler management functions. This evolution has required a user interface that can conveniently manage and use the various additional functions.
When a touch and a drag operation (flick) is performed, the mobile terminal equipped with a touch screen including a conventional touch panel performs a scroll function or a function of moving an item selected by a touch.
A technology for displaying information displayed in the mobile terminal in an external display device through a method such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), therefore, has been developed. With this technology, a user can control a screen displayed in the external display device using the mobile terminal. However, a user experiences an inconvenient screen control in the prior art. As such, there is a need in the art for an improved method of controlling a screen of the external display device using the mobile terminal.

Method and apparatus for processing touch input in mobile terminal


A connector insert for protecting contacts within a receptacle housing of a connector assembly from becoming contaminated. The connector insert includes a body portion having an exterior configured to correspond to at least a portion of the interior of the receptacle housing of the connector assembly. The body portion of the insert includes an opening which extends into the body portion to receive the contacts and protect the contacts from the exterior environment surrounding the receptacle housing when at least a portion of the body portion is received within the receptacle housing.

Electronic devices typically include various types of receptacle-type connector assemblies which are installed during the manufacturing of the electronic device. For example, a computer or set-top box may include 1394 ports, sometimes referred to as "firewire" ports, or USB ports. Also, a newer connector, referred to as a HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connector assembly, integrates audio and video information into a single digital interface to be used with, for example, digital video disc (DVD) players, digital television (DTV), high definition TV (HDTV), set-top boxes, and other audio and/or video devices. Connectors such as these include contacts within the receptacle housing of the connector assembly. These contacts are typically made of gold and may easily become contaminated during the manufacturing of the electronic device. The HDMI connector, in particular, allows contamination to pass into the receptacle housing of the connector assembly through openings in the bottom of the receptacle housing. These openings in the bottom of the receptacle housing define resilient tabs that are utilized to retain the corresponding plug-type connector within the receptacle housing. This contamination often occurs from liquid flux, paste or solder that seeps, bubbles, wicks or splashes into the connector assembly through these openings or elsewhere in the receptacle housing while the connector assembly is soldered to an electrical board.
Consequently, these electronic devices fail because of the contaminated connector assemblies. The contaminated connector assemblies require replacing by hand which results in a costly rework of the electronic device. Therefore, what is needed is a means to protect the connector assembly's contacts from contamination during the manufacturing process.

Connector insert for preventing contamination


A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a plug body and carrier sub-assembly disposed therein. The plug body includes a plurality of spring-loaded pins and the carrier assembly includes a plurality of racks for engaging the pins to operate the lock cylinder. The racks and pins move in a transverse direction, in response to insertion of a first valid key into the lock cylinder, to unlock the lock cylinder. The carrier moves in a longitudinal direction, in response to insertion of a tool in a tool-receiving aperture, from an operating position to a rekeying position. In the rekeying position, the racks are disengaged from the pins and a second valid key can replace the first valid key. Rotation of the plug body from the rekeying position with the second valid key in the lock cylinder obsoletes the first valid key.

When rekeying a cylinder using a traditional cylinder design, the user is required to remove the cylinder plug from the cylinder body and replace the appropriate pins so that a new key can be used to unlock the cylinder. This typically requires the user to remove the cylinder mechanism from the lockset and then disassemble the cylinder to some degree to remove the plug and replace the pins. This requires a working knowledge of the lockset and cylinder mechanism and is usually only performed by locksmiths or trained professionals. Additionally, the process usually employs special tools and requires the user to have access to pinning kits to interchange pins and replace components that can get lost or damaged in the rekeying process. Finally, professionals using appropriate tools can easily pick traditional cylinders.
The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages of conventional lock cylinders. The lock cylinder of the present invention operates in a transparent way that presents the familiar experience of inserting a key and rotating the key in the lock cylinder, as with current cylinders. However, in the present invention, that same familiar experience is used to rekey the lock cylinder. Thus, the user does not require any special knowledge, training, or tools to rekey the lock cylinder of the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A safety belt buckle, which includes a buckle member, a hook, a stop member, a latch member and a release button, wherein the latch member has a tongue plate which enters a chamber of the buckle member through a lateral opening of the buckle member, and pushes the stop member to a predetermined position; when the stop member stays at the predetermined position, the hook is restricted by the stop member, and stopped at another predetermined position to engage the tongue plate, which makes the latch member unable to separate from the buckle member. By pushing the release button connected to the stop member, the hook can pivot unrestrictedly, therefore the tongue plate is no longer engaged by the hook, and the latch member and the buckle member can separate from each other.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a safety belt, and more particularly to a safety belt buckle.
2. Description of Related Art
Safety belts are widely applied in various equipment, such as vehicles, airplanes, boats, harnesses, and some rides in amusement parks, which provide a good protection of life. For example, while a car accident is happening, the car will suddenly stop or change the direction, and the people in the car will be forced to move in the original direction because of inertia force. In such circumstances, safety belt may reduce a death or serious injury by preventing the second impact in the car.
The conventional safety belt can be unbuckled with one hand, and even a kid may unbuckle the safety belt by himself/herself. There are risks that the safety belt may be unbuckled unexpectedly.


A method for reducing radioactive waste, particularly oils and solvents in nuclear power stations and military research centers, and a device therefor. The method comprises feeding the waste into a tank (1) in which it is continuously stirred, preheating the waste, performing a chemical precipitation treatment, feeding the mixture into a centrifuge (2), performing an electrostatic or conventional filtration step, and testing the level of radioactivity. The treatment is continuously repeated until the desired level of decontamination is reached.

The present invention relates to the field of treatment of radioactive waste, particularly oils and solvents, in particular from nuclear power plants and in military research centers, and has for its object a process for reduction of waste suitable for this purpose.
The invention also has for its object a device for practicing this process.

Method for reducing radioactive waste, particularly oils and solvents


Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for an apparatus configured for determining priority information associated with data traffic at an upper layer, mapping the data traffic to a queue at an intermediate layer based on the priority information determined at the upper layer, and mapping an endpoint associated with the queue to an access category (AC) at a lower layer based on the priority information determined at the upper layer. The priority information of the data traffic may be associated with a classification or type of data in the data traffic. The upper layer may be an application layer. The intermediate layer may be a protocol adaptation layer (PAL). The lower layer may be a media access control (MAC) layer. Various apparatuses, methods, computer-readable medium including similar features are also provided herein. Additional and alternative aspects, embodiments, and features are also provided herein.

Data traffic may flow through various protocol layers prior to transmission from one apparatus to another apparatus. For example, when a communication system is represented by a series or stack of abstraction layers, the data traffic may flow from an upper layer to one or more intermediate layers. The data traffic may eventually flow to a lower layer, which may facilitate transmission of the data traffic to another apparatus.
In some circumstances, a particular type of data traffic may become congested at the lower layer. When such congestion exists, the lower layer may send a signal to a higher layer (e.g., the upper layer and/or the intermediate layer(s)) to stop (or delay) the flow of that particular type of data traffic. However, the stop (or delay) of that particular type of data traffic may also result in the stop (or delay) of another type of data traffic. The stop (or delay) of the other type of data traffic may reduce the quality of the user experience. Accordingly, existing systems may benefit from enhancements that overcome such limitations and enhance the quality of the user experience.

Mapping data traffic throughout protocol layers based on priority information


The present invention relates to hydroxamate compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that are useful for treating and/or preventing metabolic inflammation mediated diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, a neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Huntington's disease), or any combination thereof. Moreover, the present invention also provides methods of treatment for these diseases or disorders.

Over the past several decades, scientists have postulated that PPARγ is the generally accepted site of action for insulin sensitizing compounds.
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor super family that are ligand-activated transcription factors regulating gene expression. PPARs have been implicated in autoimmune diseases and other diseases, i.e. diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
PPARγ is a key regulator of adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism. PPARγ is also found in other cell types including fibroblasts, myocytes, breast cells, human bone-marrow precursors, and macrophages/monocytes. In addition, PPARγ has been found in macrophage foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques.
Thiazolidinedione compounds, developed originally for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, generally exhibit high-affinity as PPARγ ligands. The finding that thiazolidinediones might mediate their therapeutic effects through direct interactions with PPARγ helped to establish the concept that PPARγ is a key regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. However, compounds that involve the activation of PPARγ also trigger sodium reabsorption and other unpleasant side effects.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for cold- and diet-induced thermogenesis that significantly contributes to the control of body temperature and energy expenditure. Physiol Rev. 2004; 84:277-359. Literature reports indicate that BAT thermogenesis is principally dependent on the β-adrenergically mediated activation of lipolysis and subsequent degradation of fatty acids, which generates heat dependent on uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) that uncouples mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to dissipate the electrochemical gradient as heat instead of ATP synthesis. Diabetes 2009; 58:1526-1531. Traditional thiazolidinediones such as pioglitazone can increase differentiation of BAT and increase BAT stores in mammals. Biochemical Pharmacology 1996; 52:639-701. However, many thiazolidinediones evaluated for clinical development were shown to activate PPARγ, which ultimately resulted in the transcription of genes favoring sodium reabsorption, fluid retention, and weight gain in patients. Guan, Y. et al., Nat. Med. (2005) 11:861-866. It is generally believed that this PPARγ agonism is also responsible for the biological activity of these compounds including the differentiation of BAT. Petrovic et al., Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Meta. (2008) 295: E287-E296. Recent studies indicate that these BAT stores are inversely proportional to body mass index, which is an index of obesity. N. Engl. J. Med., 2009; 360:1500-1508.

PPAR-sparing compounds for the treatment of metabolic diseases

Metabolic Solutions Development Company, LLC


Methods of selectively silvering photographic materials. A method for selective reflective silvering of color negative photographic materials, whereby an attractive image comprising reflective silver, black, and full color areas may be obtained, comprises the steps of developing the materials using a conventional color developer, applying a reflective silvering bath, and removing silver from selected areas of said materials. A method for selective reflective silvering of color positive photographic materials comprises the steps of developing said materials using a conventional color developer, applying a reflective silvering bath, and removing silver from selected areas of said materials.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the development of photographic materials, and in particular to methods for the selective silvering of photographic materials.
2. Background of the Invention
The art of producing black and white, monochrome, and color photographs and other photographic materials is well-developed and understood. The steps to produce black and white or monochrome materials generally include application of a developer, a fixing bath, washing, and finally drying the developed film or paper. The production of color photographs usually includes all previously listed steps and, additionally, the application of a bleach bath, prior to the fixing bath. These basic steps have remained unchanged for decades.
A more recent development in the art is the creation of photographs which incorporate "special effects" which enhance the visual appeal of the end product. One such special effect is the "silvering" of black and white photographs.
It is known within the art that black and white, or monochrome, photographs may be treated with chemical toners or developers to produce mirror-like reflective images of metallic silver (in appearance and composition). The resulting visual effect is sometimes referred to as "silvering", "silver toning" or "mirroring".
Conventional "black and white" photographic imaging performed on films, papers or other materials coated with silver halide emulsions lacking color couplers, renders dark (usually black) metallic silver images on backgrounds having the color of the base onto which the emulsion was coated (usually white, transparent, or of a light color value). Image shadows and midtones result from exposure of the silver halides to radiant energy and their subsequent reduction to metallic silver through the use of conventional developers. Highlight qualities (such as color, texture, and composition) are given by the base material.
However, it is possible to process finished black and white photographic images, as well as films, papers, and other materials sensitized with conventional black and white photographic emulsions, with chemical toners or developers (such as Halo-Chrome toner, marketed by Rockland Colloid Corp., and Silver Bronze Mirror Developer, marketed by Tetenal) that act upon silver salts (usually silver halides) to produce mirror-like reflective images of metallic silver (in appearance and composition). The resulting visual effect is sometimes referred to as "silvering", "silver toning" or "mirroring". Herein it shall be mostly referred to as "reflective silvering" or simply "silvering" in order to describe both the visual and the chemical nature of the light-reflecting metallic silver that is produced.
It is known within the art that reflective silvering of black and white, or monochrome, photographs can be obtained through either indirect or direct processing with chemical toners or developers such as Halo-Chrome toner or Silver Bronze Mirror Developer. The end result is either silver and white or black and silver images. In the latter, black light-absorbing metallic silver is also present in the final image.
In the direct process, reflective-silvering is carried out after the black and white photographic image has been developed with a conventional black and white developer, but before it has been fixed, because fixing removes silver halides by making them soluble. Instead of a black and white photograph, the result is a black and reflective silver photograph. The black areas and the silver areas of the image differ in appearance, but both are composed of metallic silver (Ag). The background color, which is normally given by the color of the material onto which the photographic emulsion is coated, is silver "toned" because the unexposed silver halides (which are normally removed by fixing) were converted to reflective silver, rather than to the black-looking silver that results from exposure and treatment in a conventional black and white developer.
The indirect process for reflective silvering is carried out on finished (normally developed, fixed, and washed) black and white photographic images. Because they contain no silver halides, their black areas (composed of black metallic silver) must be chemically converted to silver halides or other silver salts, through the use of a "bleach" bath. After bleaching and washing, a reflective silvering toner or developer bath is applied to the photograph. The result is a silver and white photograph. Areas which were previously composed of black-looking silver become silver "toned", because the black silver is converted to a silver halide or silver salt, which is subsequently converted to reflective silver. The background remains white (or the color of the material onto which the emulsion was coated) because it contained neither silver nor silver halides or salts.
It is not known within the art that reflective-silvering may be performed on color photographs. For example, the instructions for Silver Bronze Mirror Developer make no mention of the introduction of color into silvered prints. The instructions for Halo-Chrome toner merely mention the possibility of obtaining "a colored background, if desired, by using Rockland Printint" on prints silvered through the indirect process. Although not mentioned, the photographic base (usually white) can also be colored through the use of almost any color pigment or dye (water-colors, oil paints, food dyes, etc.) to obtain a silver and color image, when combined with indirect reflective-silvering carried out with Halo-Chrome, Silver Bronze Mirror Developer, or similar toners or developers. And, of course, a silver and color image can also be obtained through indirect reflective silvering carried out on a color paper or base coated with a black and white photographic emulsion.
However, prior to the invention described herein, it was not known within the art to produce photographic images that combine areas possessing the qualities of full-color photographs with either reflective silver or black on reflective silver areas, or black. In addition, it was not known how to produce black, reflective-silver, and white (or the color of the base onto which the emulsion was coated) photographic images that may be colored, if desired, through the use of pigments, dyes, toners or other means. In addition, it was not known how to produce black, reflective silver, monochromatic color and white (or base color) photographs, that comprise areas possessing the qualities of a toned or color-coupler developed photograph (monochromatic color or monochromatic color and white) with either reflective silver, or black and reflective silver areas, to which coloring may be incorporated through the use dyes, pigments, additional toners, or other means. Finally, it was not know how to produce monochromatic color, silver, and white (or base color) photographic images, that comprise areas possessing the qualities of a toned or color coupler developed photograph with the qualities of an indirectly silvered black and white material, to which coloring may be incorporated through the use of dyes, pigments, additional toners, or other means.

Method for the selective silvering of photographic materials


Interference signal power in a TDMA communication system is determined by taking samples of a received signal. The TDMA system has a plurality of communication frequencies with sequences of frames communicated at each of the communication frequencies. Each of the frames contain a plurality of time slots, where each time slot is associated with a communication channel. The interference signal power is determined by receiving a signal at one of the plurality of communication frequencies. The signal is sampled for at least one frame period. The interference signal power is calculated using the M larger amplitude samples of the signal, where M is the number of samples that are taken during a period of time that corresponds to a length of one time slot.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communications; more specifically, wireless communications.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) system, communication channels between a base station and a mobile communication device are defined in terms of a frequency and time slot. Each communication channel is assigned to a frequency and one of multiple time slots transmitted on a given frequency. In the case of systems adhering to TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) Standard IS-136.2, three time slots are associated with each frequency. As a result, three channels are assigned to each frequency.
FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement of time slots as defined by Standard IS-136.2. A sequence of frames is transmitted where each frame contains six time slots. Each time slot contains the data associated with a communication channel. The half-frames contain 60 milliseconds of information where each time slot contains 20 milliseconds of information. Each time slot contains 324 bits. As a result, for a given communication channel, 324 bits of information are transmitted each half-frame.
FIG. 2 illustrates the different fields associated with the 324 bits from one of the slots of FIG. 1. The fields are defined by Standard IS-136.2. Field 40 is labeled G and is used as a guard field between slots and contains 6 bits. Field 42 is a ramp field having 6 bits which are used to provide time for a mobile transmitter to reach full operating power after being off for the previous slots. DATA field 44 is 16 bits long and is used to transmit data. SYNCH field 46 is 28 bits long and is used to transmit a synchronization pattern. DATA field 48 is 122 bits long and is used to transmit data. SACCH field 50 is 12 bits long and is used to transmit the SACCH message (Slow Associated Control Channel). This field is used to exchange signaling messages between the base station and mobile device. These signaling messages include information regarding the quality of the channel. CDVCC field 52 is 12 bits long and is used to transmit the CDVCC message (Coded Digital Verification Color Code). This channel is used to indicate that the base station and mobile device are exchanging proper data. DATA field 54 is 122 bits long and is used to transmit data. The data fields are typically used to carry information such as speech data. The Standard also permits replacing data fields 48 and 54 with a FACCH field (Fast Associated Control Channel) message. This message is used to exchange information between the mobile and base station in situations such as handoffs. It should be noted that during this time the voice data is blanked so that the signaling message may be passed between the mobile and base station.
Communications between a base station and a mobile communication device include messages containing data corresponding to speech. In many conversations, it is typical for moments of silence to occur. As a result, messages carried between the base station and mobile device are carrying data representative of silence. This is wasteful because mobile unit battery power is being used to transmit information representative of silence, and in addition, other channels are receiving interference from a channel that is only transmitting data indicative of silence.
One suggested solution to avoid wasting transmissions by sending data representative of silence or absence of voice is to stop transmitting in periods of silence except for transmissions containing information relating to channel quality. In a one second period of relative silence, only three transmissions rather than 50 transmissions would be sent. The three transmissions are in the 324 bit form of FIG. 2 and contain the channel quality data in DATA fields 44, 48, and 54. This solution offers the advantage of reducing co-channel interference and reducing battery drain at the mobile; however, it creates a problem for the party receiving the message. The party receiving the message will simply hear silence as opposed to background noise when no transmissions are made. This may make the users feel as if the call has been dropped when in reality it is simply a silence transmission.
A second suggested solution addresses this problem. Once again, a period of silence is detected using a voice activity detector, and transmission stops except for five transmissions per second. The five transmissions are in the 324 bit form of FIG. 2. Three of the five transmissions are used to transmit channel quality information in DATA fields 44, 48, and 54. The remaining two transmissions are used to transmit comfort noise information in same DATA fields. Comfort noise information is information representative of background noise that is transmitted to a receiver. The receiver uses the comfort noise information to generate background noise that a user may hear. As a result, in periods of silence a user still can hear background noise and therefore be assured that the communication channel has not been interrupted.
Both of these solutions suffer from the same problem. They both make it difficult for a base station to monitor channel quality when choosing an available channel for assignment to a new call. It should be noted that during a period of silence, the transmitter at the mobile is turned off for a large majority of the time (45 out of 50 possible transmission times). When the base station makes an interference measurement, it may get a false low interference reading based on a mobile that is temporarily not transmitting. As a result, the base station may assign a low quality channel to a new call.

Method for channel management in a TDMA communication system


The soft start of a permanent magnet coupler of the type in which magnetic flux from permanent magnets on a rotary magnet rotor bridges an air gap between the magnets and an electroconductive element on a rotary conductor rotor to magnetically couple said rotors together responsive to relative rotary motion between said rotors, is adjusted by changing the amount of flux which bridges the air gap. This is accomplished by attracting some of the flux to magnetic material selectively positioned on said magnet rotor adjacent one or more of said magnets.

Permanent magnet couplers of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,094 have a magnet rotor and conductor rotor interacting to transmit power between input and output shafts. The magnet rotor has a plurality of circumferentially spaced permanent magnets having their opposite poles separated by air gaps from electro-conductive conductor elements provided by the conductor rotor on opposite axial sides of the magnet rotor. For many applications it is preferred that there be a "soft start" at start up, meaning that initially during start up there is a noticeable rotational slip between the rotors which gradually reduces to a minimum in a few seconds as the output shaft builds up speed from zero to a maximum. Less starting torque is required to drive a given load if the coupler is matched to the load such that there is a soft start experienced during start up. Also, there is less shock to the power transfer system when soft start is provided.
It is preferred that the soft start of a coupler be adjustable and that this be readily accomplished in the field after installation of the coupler. This permits a given magnetic coupler to be suitable for maximum performance in a variety of load applications without a need to change the number of magnets in the magnet rotor or change the air gaps. It also makes it possible to field adjust soft start of a coupler if the load at the installation is changed.
One approach to achieving soft start permanent magnet couplers is to vary the air gaps between the magnets on the magnet rotor and the conductor elements on the conductor rotor in a manner that can be easily accomplished at the use site without disconnecting the coupler, moving the prime mover or load, or loosening or adjusting hubs. However, this has required that the magnet rotor have two coaxial rotor components that are slide-mounted relative to the hub of the magnet rotor such that they can be moved axially relative to one another toward and away from the axially-spaced conductor elements on the conductor rotor so as to vary the air gaps equally between the conductor elements and magnets, and thereby vary the soft start.

Permanent magnet coupler with soft start adjustment system


A transition splitting apparatus and method reduce a maximum transition rate of a digital signal. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for digital signal processing in communications and for performing digital transition timing testing on a device under test. The apparatus and method split a digital signal into two or more signals, while preserving the relative timing of transitions in the digital signal. A high frequency signal is partitioned by the apparatus and method into a plurality of equivalent lower frequency signals without loss of transition timing information. The apparatus is implemented with readily available components. The maximum transition rate of a digital signal is reduced by a factor of two or more, and is proportional to the number of output signals. A plurality of the apparatuses may be cascaded together into a system to achieve even greater reductions in maximum transition rates.

The invention relates to signal processing and device testing involving high-speed digital signals. In particular, the invention relates to reducing input transition rates when performing signal processing with digital devices and during testing of high-speed digital devices.
Clock rates in digital systems and the semiconductor devices or integrated circuits (ICs) that invariably make up the systems continue to increase. Associated with the increases in clock rates is an increase in data rates of signals generated by the digital systems. The data rate of a digital signal is proportional to the rate of logic transitions found in the signal and is sometimes referred to as the transition rate. Increases in transition rates of signals produced by modem digital systems are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Rapid or high transition rates typical of the signals generated by modem digital systems pose a problem for components and systems that must receive and process these signals. As transition rates increase, the cost and complexity of these so-called xe2x80x98downstreamxe2x80x99 components and systems tend to increase dramatically. In an analogous manner, fast transition rates of the signals generated by modem digital systems also significantly increase the difficulty of adequately and accurately testing these systems. At the very least, the fast transition rate of the high speed signals tend to significantly increase the cost of the test equipment required for adequate testing. In addition, relatively expensive test equipment is often rendered obsolete by increases in transition rates over time. Obsolescence of modem test equipment associated with transition rate increases can occur in a very short time given the current frenetic pace of clock and transition rate increases.
To avoid the use of high speed, expensive downstream components and to avoid the need for upgrading or replacing test equipment to accommodate increases in transition rates, it is sometimes attractive to employ approaches to signal processing and/or testing that attempt to reduce the maximum transition rates of the signals of interest. In essence, the maximum transition rate experienced by downstream components and/or test equipment can be reduced in some cases by inserting a transition rate-reducing device between the component or piece of test equipment and the digital system generating the signal. If the transition rate can be reduced while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the data contained in the signal, lower cost components can be used to process the signal and/or test the device that generated the signal. The discussion that follows, while focusing on test equipment for simplicity, applies equally well to any downstream component that must receive and process high-speed signals.
One approach to reducing transition rates is known as frequency division. This approach is most effective for signals, such as clock signals that are relatively narrowband. A device known as a frequency divider reduces the frequency or transition rate of a signal. Typically, frequency dividers for digital signals are implemented using one or more flip-flops and provide integer division of the input frequency. However, this approach is not particularly useful for signals that contain data since these signals are typically not narrowband. Moreover, frequency division of signals that contain data typically results in the loss of some of the data of the signal. Loss of data is normally unacceptable. Thus, this technique is most often used for reducing the transition rate of signals, such as clock signals, that contain little or no data. The concept of frequency division of a clock signal is illustrated in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1A, a frequency divider 10 with a division factor of two is illustrated operating on a clock signal.
Another approach to transition rate reduction, sometimes referred to as xe2x80x98samplingxe2x80x99, employs a waveform sampler between the device under test (DUT) and the test equipment. The signal is sampled by the waveform sampler to produce two or more sub-signals, each containing a portion of the data contained in the original, higher speed signal. The two or more sub-signals each have a lower transition rate than the original signal. Several parallel channels within the test equipment then process the sub-signals. For example, in one implementation, odd numbered samples of the waveform are contained in a first sub-signal and are processed by a first channel, while even numbered samples are contained in a second sub-signal and are processed by a second channel. Typically the channels of the test equipment operate in parallel to simultaneously process the sub-signals.
The sampling concept is illustrated in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a signal under test Sin is sampled by a sampler. The sampler is clocked by a clock signal CLK and samples are taken at both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal. The sampler produces two sub-signals A and B as illustrated in FIG. 1B. Sub-signal A represents the amplitudes of samples of the signal under test Sin at odd numbered sample intervals corresponding in this case to rising edges of the sampling clock signal CLK. Sub-signal B represents samples at even numbered sample intervals taken at falling edges of the clock signal CLK. Two parallel channels are used in the test equipment (not illustrated) to simultaneously process the sub-signals A and B. Once processed, bit level information of the original signal under test can be extracted. The effective transition rate reduction for the example illustrated is a factor of two. Further reductions in the maximum transition rate can be ,realized with the addition of more parallel channels, more delayed versions of the clock signal CLK, and more sub-signals.
FIG. 1C illustrates one implementation of a sampler 20. As illustrated, the sampler comprises a first D flip-flop 22 and a second D flip-flop 24. The signal under test Sin is applied to data inputs of the first and second D flip-flops 22, 24. The sampling clock signal CLK is applied to a clock input of the first D flip-flop. An inverse of the clock signal CLK is applied to a clock input of the second D flip-flop 24. Each rising edge of the clock signal CLK causes the first D flip-flop 22 to sample the signal Sin while each falling edge of the clock signal causes the second D flip-flop 24 to sample the signal Sin. The sub-signals A and B are output at outputs Q of the first and second D flip-flops 22, 24 respectively.
The samples in the sampling approach described hereinabove are generally treated and can be viewed as two or more interleaved signals from a processing standpoint. Typically in this approach, the sampler measures signal amplitude at each sample point. Therefore, information regarding digital signal transition timing is generally unavailable except at a coarse level. In addition, careful synchronization of the sampler and the signal under test is often required to insure the validity and usefulness of the samples in the sub-signals.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus and method for use in testing and/or processing of digital signals that significantly improved the frequency scalability of test equipment or downstream communications signal processing components, for example, by reducing the maximum transition rate of the signals. In addition, it would be desirable that such an apparatus and method, while reducing the maximum transition rate of the signal, preserved transition timing information of the signal, thereby enabling precision timing tests to be performed on the DUT or enabling downstream precision signal processing. Moreover, it would be desirable that such an apparatus and method could be realized without requiring tight synchronization to the signal under test or the use of a synchronized clock signal and that such an apparatus and method could be implemented using standard, readily available components. Such an apparatus and method would solve long-standing needs in the area of communications and high transition rate digital IC and system testing.
The present invention provides a novel transition splitter apparatus and method for reducing a maximum transition rate of digital signals. The novel apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful in digital signal processing and for performing digital transition timing testing on a device under test. The apparatus splits a digital signal into two or more signals while preserving the timing of transitions in the signal. The transition splitting apparatus of the present invention is implemented with readily available components and reduces the maximum transition rate of a digital signal by at least a factor of two. With the transition splitting apparatus of the present invention, a high frequency signal is partitioned into two equivalent lower frequency signals without loss of any information, including transition timing information. The transition splitting apparatus can be cascaded to achieve greater reductions in maximum transition rates.
In one aspect of the present invention, a transition splitter apparatus for reducing a transition rate of a digital signal while preserving relative transition timing of the digital signal is provided. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an input port that receives the digital signal, a plurality of K output ports, where K is an even number greater than or equal to 2, and a splitter connected between the input port and the K output ports. The splitter produces a different output signal at each output port having transitions corresponding to occurrences of a particular transition type in the digital signal. Thus, each output signal has a fraction of the data or transition rate of the digital signal, and as such, each output signal has a fraction of the number of transitions and a fraction of the transition timing in the digital signal. Assuming that no transition types existing in the digital signal are ignored, the fractional transition rate is proportional to the number K of the output signals provided by the splitter.
In one embodiment of the transition splitter apparatus, K is equal to 2 and the splitter comprises two data or D latches and an inverter connected to the enable input one of the latches. Each data latch produces a different output signal that has a reduced transition rate relative to the transition rate of the digital signal. The digital input signal is received at a first latch enable input of a first of the latches and the inverter connected to the enable input of a second of the latches. The input signal comprises different transition types, such as a transition from a low logic state to a high logic state and a transition from a high logic state to a low logic state. Another transition type may be the timing or occurrence of a particular transition. The output signals from the data latches each have a different set of transitions corresponding to occurrences and/or types of transitions in the input signal. One transition type will enable the first data latch and disable the second data latch, such that the enabled first latch will produce a transition in its respective output signal. Another second transition type will enable the second data latch and disable the first data latch, such that a transition is produced in the output signal of the enabled second latch. The sum of the reduced transition rates (or number of transitions per unit time) of the first output signal and of the second output signal equals the transition rate of the original digital input signal being processed, or tested from the a device under test, depending on the application.
In other embodiments of the transition splitter apparatus, K is equal to 2 and the splitter comprises either two data flip-flops or two toggle flip-flops. Similar to the data latch embodiment, one transition type in the digital input signal will clock a first of the flip-flops, but not the other, such that the output signal from the clocked flip-flop will have a transition corresponding to the occurrence of this transition type. Another transition type in the input signal will clock a second of the flip-flops, but not the first, such that the output signal from the clocked second flip-flop will have a transition corresponding to the occurrence of this other transition type.
In another aspect of the present invention, a transition splitter apparatus that produces K output signals is provided, where K is preferably greater than 2. According to this embodiment, the transition splitter comprises an input port that receives a digital signal, K output ports, and K splitters connected together as a cascade. Each of the K output signals comprises a fraction of the number of transitions that is proportional to K, while preserving relative timing of the transitions in the digital signal. In one embodiment, the splitters are transparent data latches each having a data input, an enable input and an output. The input port is connected to each of the latch enable inputs, such that the enable input of every other latch is invertedly connected to the input port. The output of each latch is connected to a different one of the K output ports. In addition, each output of a first latch to a Kxe2x88x921 latch is further connected to the data input of a respective subsequently adjacent latch in the cascade while the output of the K-th latch is further invertedly connected to the data input of the first latch.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a first method and a second method of transition splitting a digital signal are provided. Each method splits the digital input signal into a plurality of output signals that can be further processed, either by test equipment or communications digital signal processing equipment, for example. The input signal has a number of transitions per second. Each output signal has a fraction of the number of transitions per second of the input signal. The first method comprises the steps of detecting a transition in the input signal and determining the type of the detected transition. One of a plurality of output signals is chosen to correspond with the transition type and an output transition is created in the chosen output signal. The steps of detecting, determining, choosing and creating are repeated for each transition in the input signal, such that the relative timing of each of the transitions in the input signal is preserved.
The second method according to the invention comprises the steps of selecting an output signal from the plurality of output signals, detecting a transition in the input signal and creating an output transition in the selected output signal corresponding to the detected input signal transition. The above steps are repeated for a number of transitions in the digital input signal, such that relative timing of the transitions in the digital signal is preserved. The number of transitions detected can be all transitions or less than all transitions in the digital input signal. When less than all transitions in the input signal are detected, the method steps may be repeated to detect those transitions that were not originally detected.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a system or cascade of transition splitter apparatuses is provided. The system splits a digital input signal into a plurality of output signals, each output signal having a fraction of a transition rate of the input signal. The system comprises a first tier transition splitter having a first input that receives the input signal and two first outputs. The first tier transition splitter produces different first output signals. The first tier output signals each having one half of the transition rate of the input signal. The system further comprises a pair of second tier transition splitters. Each second transition splitter has a second input and two second outputs. Each one of the first tier output signals is received by a different one of the second tier inputs. Both of second tier transition splitters produce two different second tier output signals. The second tier output signals each have one fourth of the transition rate of the original input signal. The system of transition splitters has 2M outputs, where M is the number of tiers. Each output signal from a system output has fraction of the transition rate of the original digital input signal that is proportional to 2M and preserves the relative timing of the transitions in the original input signal.
In still another aspect of the invention, a method of reducing the transition rate of a digital signal is provided. The method comprises the steps of cascading a plurality of transition splitters together in a number of tiers and reducing the transition rate by a reduction factor equal to 2M in the output signals, where M is the number of tiers, while preserving relative transition timing of the digital signal. Each tier comprises an increasing number of splitters per tier and the output signals from a splitter in one tier becomes the input signals to two different splitters in an adjacent greater tier.

Digital signal transition splitting method and apparatus


A magnetic memory array with an improved word line configuration is provided. In some embodiments, the magnetic memory array may be adapted to selectively supply voltage from a single source line to one or more transistors arranged within a first row of the magnetic memory array and to one or more transistors arranged within a second row of the magnetic memory array. In addition or alternatively, the magnetic memory array may be configured to enable current flow along a single current path through a magnetic junction and along multiple paths extending from the single current path to a plurality of transistors. In some embodiments, the plurality of transistors may be formed from a contiguous conductive structure comprising the word line. In some cases, the word line may be configured to include at least two transistors that share a common diffusion region.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to magnetic memory arrays and, more particularly, to magnetic memory array configurations.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following descriptions and examples are given as background information only.
Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) devices are non-volatile semiconductor devices which operate through the use of magnetic fields. Typically, an MRAM device includes a plurality of conductive lines with which to generate magnetic fields. The conductive lines may be spaced perpendicular to each other within a plane such that an array of overlap points exists between the lines. An MRAM device may further include a magnetic cell junctions interposed between the conductive lines at such overlap points. In general, the magnetic cell junctions may be adapted to store data information for the device. As such, data may be written to or read from the magnetic cell junctions. In some cases, the conductive lines may be referred to as "bit" and "digit" lines. In general, "bit" lines may refer to conductive lines arranged in contact with magnetic cell junctions that are used for both write and read operations of the magnetic junctions. "Digit" lines, on the other hand, may refer to conductive lines spaced adjacent to the magnetic cell junctions that are used primarily during write operations of the magnetic cell junctions.
During a write operation, current may be applied to a bit line and a digit line corresponding to a particular magnetic junction to create a magnetic field with which to set the magnetic direction of the magnetic cell junction. The set magnetic direction may represent either a "1" or a "0" for the stored data bit. During a read operation, however, magnetic fields are not used to gather the stored information from a magnetic cell junction. Rather, data may be read from a magnetic cell junction by creating a current path from a corresponding bit line through the magnetic cell junction to an underlying transistor such that a resistance measurement may be obtained. The underlying transistor may be turned "on" by the application of voltage along another conductive line of the MRAM device. In some embodiments, the conductive line may be referred to as a "word" line. In general, a word line may include a plurality of transistors respectively coupled to magnetic junctions aligned along a row or column of the array. As such, an MRAM device may also include a plurality of word lines. In addition, an MRAM device may include other lines and structures with which to operate the memory array. For example, an MRAM device may include interconnect lines, isolation regions, contact structures, and ground lines.
Unfortunately, as MRAM device dimensions and spacings therebetween decrease, room for such a plurality of lines and structures becomes increasingly difficult. As such, the presence of such a plurality of lines and structures becomes a limiting factor in the size of a memory array. In addition, the time needed to induce the voltage pulse used to activate the transistors along the word line gradually increases along the line. Such a time delay may be referred as the resistance and capacitance (RC) time constant of a line. In particular, the resistance and, therefore, the capacitance of a conductive line increases along a length of the line, increasing the time needed to induce the voltage pulse used to select the transistors from one end of the line to another. Consequently, as the number of memory cells within an array increases, the amount of time needed to operate all of the devices may need to be longer. Such a reduction in time naturally reduces the operating speed of the array. In some cases, an MRAM array may fail to function properly if too much time is needed to select the transistors.
Furthermore, as the desire for smaller transistors and memory cells continues, the width of transistors continues to decrease. In addition, conventional arrays typically require isolation structures with relatively large widths between memory cells such that adequate isolation may be provided. Such relatively large widths of the isolation structures restrict the width of the transistors. In general, as transistor width decreases, the parasitic resistance of the transistor increases. Consequently, the differential resistance measured during a read operation of an array having transistors with relatively small widths may be lower than an array having transistors with relatively large widths. Such a relatively reduction in differential resistance may inherently reduce the reliability of the device.
In general, a memory cell may include one or more magnetic cell junctions and the circuitry used to read and write from the junctions. As such, in addition to the magnetic cell junctions, a memory cell may include electrodes, underlying transistors, and any contact structures used to electrically connect the components. In addition, a memory cell may further include portions of the bit and digit lines used at the intersection of the magnetic cell junctions. Typically, the logic state of a memory cell may be determined (i.e., read) by comparing it to a cell with a different logic state. As such, in some cases, memory cells may include a pair of magnetic junctions such that a differential signal may be measured between the junctions. Such a configuration may be referred to as a "differential memory cell array." In yet other embodiments, a memory cell may include a single magnetic junction and may be compared to a dummy memory cell which is used for comparing the logic states of all of the memory cells arranged along a particular row or column of the array. Such a configuration may be referred to as a "single memory cell array."
Variations in the transistors of the memory cells, however, may cause disturbances in the measured signals, diminishing the differential resistance between the memory cells. Although the transistors are generally formed from the same fabrication process, they may differ slightly in their construction and/or functional characteristics. For example, transistors formed from the same fabrication process may differ slightly in diffusion depth due to dopant inconsistencies within the semiconductor substrate. In addition or alternatively, transistors may differ slightly in width due to lithographic inconsistencies. Furthermore, variations in capacitance and resistance within the transistors may differ slightly due to variations in threshold voltage, channel length, and/or channel width. In some embodiments, such variations may be caused by misalignment of the layers within the transistor. In any case, variations within the transistors may lead to parasitic resistances, which may diminish the differential signal between the memory cells. As a result, the parasitic resistance of a transistor may make the state of the corresponding programmed memory cell more difficult to determine.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop an MRAM array which generates a relatively small amount of parasitic resistance during a read operation of the array. In particular, it would beneficial to develop an MRAM array with lower transistor parasitic resistance than a conventional MRAM array. In addition, it would be advantageous to fabricate an MRAM array with a word line having a lower RC time constant than those of conventional arrays. Moreover, it would be advantageous to produce an MRAM array with transistors having larger widths than conventional arrays without increasing the size of the memory cells within the array.

Magnetic memory array with an improved world line configuration