A voltage detection circuit, comprises a constant-current circuit, a current mirror circuit operated by the constant-current circuit, at least one diode-connected first transistor disposed between an output of the current mirror circuit and a detected voltage, and an output circuit outputting one logic voltage in response to a turn-on of the first transistor when the detected voltage is a predetermined voltage or higher, and outputting the other logic voltage in response to a turn-off of the first transistor when the detected voltage is lower than the predetermined voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a voltage detection circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in an integrated circuit (LSI), a voltage detection circuit is used for monitoring reduction of a power supply voltage, for example.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration for monitoring reduction of a voltage. A logic circuit 100 has a CMOS inverter circuit, for example. A voltage VDD is applied to the logic circuit 100.
A voltage detection circuit 102 detects that the voltage VDD becomes lower than a predetermined voltage. If the voltage VDD becomes lower than a predetermined voltage, a logic operation of the logic circuit 100 is forced to be terminated, for example.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a CMOS interval circuit provided on the logic circuit 100, for example. The CMOS inverter circuit shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a P-channel type MOSFET (hereinafter, referred to as PMOS) MP and an N-channel type MOSFET (hereinafter, referred to as NMOS) MN connected serially between the voltage VDD and ground. A voltage VIN is applied to gates of the PMOS MP and the NMOS NM, and a voltage VOUT is output from a connection point of the PMOS MP and the NMOS NM.
In the CMOS inverter circuit with the configuration described above, assuming that VT (e.g., 0.85 V) is thresholds of the PMOS MP and the NMOS NM, if the voltage VDD becomes lower than 2*VT (1.7 V), the voltage VOUT may become high impedance.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an operation of the CMOS inverter circuit when the voltage VDD<2*VT. A vertical axis is a voltage value of the voltage VIN. It is assumed that VT is thresholds of both the PMOS MP and the NMOS NM and that the voltage VDD is 1.5*VT.
In this case, when the voltage VIN is in the range of 1.5*VT>the voltage VIN>VT, the NMOS NM is turned on and the PMOS MP is turned off. Therefore, the voltage VOUT becomes "Low (hereinafter, referred to as L)"
When the voltage VIN is in the range of 0.5*VT>the voltage VIN>0, the NMOS NM is turned off and the PMOS MP is turned on. Therefore, the voltage VOUT becomes "High (hereinafter, referred to as H)".
On the other hand, when the voltage VIN is in the range of VT>the voltage VIN>0.5*VT, both the NMOS NM and the PMOS MP are turned off. Therefore, the voltage VOUT becomes "Hi-z (high impedance)" and the operation of the CMOS inverter circuit becomes uncertain.
The voltage reduction of the voltage VDD increases the range of the voltage VIN which makes the voltage VOUT "Hi-z". On the other hand, in the range of the voltage VDD>2*VT, the voltage VOUT does not become "Hi-z" regardless of the value of the voltage VIN.
Therefore, the voltage detection circuit 102 detects that the voltage VDD is reduced to, for example, 2*VT and, for example, terminates the operation of the CMOS inverter circuit if the voltage VDD becomes lower than 2*VT. In FIG. 3, if a plurality of voltages is used as the power supply voltage, a plurality of voltage detection circuits is provided correspondingly to each voltage.
As such a voltage detection circuit 102 detecting voltage reductions, propositions are made for voltage detection circuits which detect voltage reductions by using voltage dividing resistors and reference voltages See, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-296306.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration of a conventional voltage detection circuit 102.
The voltage detection circuit 102 is provided with PMOS T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, NMOS T6, T7 and T8, voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2, and a constant-current circuit I.
The voltage detection circuit shown in the figure is assumed to detect that a voltage VDD becomes lower than 2*VT (1.7 V) described above.
A voltage VCC is applied to sources of the PMOS T1, T2 and T3; gates of the PMOS T1, T2 and T3 are mutually connected; and a drain of the diode-connected PMOS T1 is connected to the constant-current circuit I. The diode connection is to short-circuit a gate and a drain in the case of the MOSFET and to short-circuit a base and a collector in the case of a bipolar transistor. Such a diode-connected transistor performs the same operation as a diode element in PN junction.
The PMOS T1, T2 and T3 constitute a current mirror circuit, and if the PMOS T1, T2 and T3 have a transistor size ratio of 1, constant currents flowing through the PMOS T2 and the PMOS T3 are the same level as a current I flowing through the PMOS T1.
A source of the PMOS T4 is connected to a drain of the PMOS T2 and a drain of the PMOS T4 is connected to a drain of the NMOS T6. A voltage applied to a gate of the PMOS T4 is the voltage VDD divided by the resistor R1 and the resistor R2, i.e., the voltage VDD×R2/(R1+R2). R1 and R2 are resistance values of the resistor R1 and the resistor R2, and when assuming that a ratio of R1 to R2 is, for example, 5:12 and if the voltage VDD is 1.7V, a gate voltage of the PMOS T4 is 1.2V.
A source of the PMOS T5 is connected to the drain of the PMOS T2 and a drain of the PMOS T5 is connected to a drain of the NMOS T7. A reference voltage VREF (e.g., 1.2 V) is generated by a reference voltage generation circuit and applied to a gate of the PMOS T5.
Sources of both the NMOS T6 and the NMOS T7 are grounded and the NMOS T6 is a diode-connected current mirror circuit. Therefore, if the NMOS T6 and the NMOS T7 have a transistor size ratio of 1, a constant current flowing through the NMOS T7 is the same level as a drain current of the NMOS T6.
A drain of the NMOS T8 is connected to a drain of the PMOS T3 as well as a detection-result output terminal. A source of the NMOS T8 is grounded. A gate of the NMOS T8 is connected to a drain of the PMOS T5. The NMOS T8 is assumed to have a transistor size ratio greater than the PMOS T3.
Then, descriptions are made for the operation of the voltage detection circuit shown in FIG. 6.
The constant current I is always applied to the drains of the PMOS T1, T2 and T3 constituting a current mirror circuit. Since the sources of the PMOS T4 and the PMOS T5 are connected in common, the sum of the currents applied to the PMOS T4 and the PMOS T5 is I. In other words, a relationship is established as Ia+Ib=I.
If the voltage VDD is larger than 1.7 V, that is, if the gate voltage of the PMOS T4 is larger than the gate voltage of the PMOS T5, a current Ia flowing between the source and drain of the PMOS T4 is smaller than a current Ib flowing between the source and drain of the PMOS T5. Therefore, a current Ib−Ia is supplied to a base of the NMOS T8 and the NMOS T8 is turned on. Since a voltage of detection-result output terminal is reduced, the output of the detection-result output terminal becomes "L".
On the other hand, if the voltage VDD is smaller than 1.7 V, that is, if the gate voltage of the PMOS T4 is larger than the gate voltage of the PMOS T5, the current Ia flowing between the source and drain of the PMOS T4 is larger than the current Ib flowing between the source and drain of the PMOS T5. Also, the NMOS T6 and T7 in the current mirror connection attempt to apply the current Ia between the drain and source. Since the current Ia is larger than the current Ib, a current is not supplied to the gate of the NMOS T8 and the NMOS T8 is turned off. Therefore, since the constant current I is supplied from the PMOS T3 to the detection-result output terminal and the voltage of the detection-result output terminal becomes high, the output of the detection-result output terminal becomes "H".
Therefore, the voltage detection circuit 102 can detect that the power supply voltage VDD becomes lower than 2*VT (1.7V) since the output of the detection-result output terminal changes from "L" to "H".
In this way, the conventional voltage detection circuit detects that the voltage VDD becomes lower than, for example, 2*VT, using the voltage dividing resistor dividing the voltage VDD and the reference voltage VREF from the reference voltage generation circuit.
In order to detect reduction of a voltage VDD, A conventional voltage detection circuit 102 shown in FIG. 6 needs resistors R1 and R2 dividing the voltage VDD and a reference voltage VREF obtained from a reference voltage generation circuit provided outside of the voltage detection circuit 102, besides MOSFET.
Also, when performing the voltage detection, since it is decided whether a voltage is larger or smaller than the reference voltage VREF by applying currents to the voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2, it is problematic that power consumption is increased.
Further, if the reference voltage generation circuit is included and integrated onto the same chip, it is problematic that a chip area is increased.


A system and method integrate a spreadsheet and an externally implemented program. The system includes a set of input cells in the spreadsheet, which contain input data for the external program; a set of transmission functions which reference the input cells; and a set of retrieval functions, which reference the transmission functions. A spreadsheet evaluation sequencer, which is part of the spreadsheet program, schedules execution of the transmission functions whenever input data changes, and schedules execution of the retrieval functions after the transmission functions have been executed, thereby effecting a seamless, two-way link between the spreadsheet and external program.

Spreadsheet programs are commonly used for mathematical and database applications such as record-keeping, "what-if" and optimization analysis, engineering and financial calculations, and, recently, charting and graphical analysis. Because of the demands placed on spreadsheet programs by this wide variety of applications, spreadsheet programs have evolved from the relatively simple concept of a single worksheet divided into a grid of cells, into multiple worksheets capable of referencing each other and using complex macros to execute procedures not easily implemented through cell-based functions.
The recent trend toward "component" software and integrated programs, moreover, has spurred the development of spreadsheet programs and "objects" that can communicate with external programs via interprocess communication facilities such as dynamic data exchange protocols and remote procedure calls. Spreadsheet programs capable of such interprocess communication can, for example, export "live" data from a worksheet to a document created in a word processing program. If the data in the worksheet changes, it changes in the document as well. Similarly, a worksheet may import "live" data obtained from an external database through interprocess communication. If the data in the database changes, the change will appear in the worksheet. Generally, these links between the spreadsheet and external programs are one-way: data is either sent to the external program or received from it, but not both.
It is highly desirable to create a two-way link to the external program, so that the external program can receive input data from one part of the spreadsheet, and produce output data, based upon the input data, to another part of the spreadsheet. (This type of external program is termed an "input dependent" external program in this specification.) Integrating an input dependent program with a spreadsheet would enable the spreadsheet to manipulate the inputs of the external program, and simultaneously to chart, display, and use the outputs of the external program.
An excellent example of an input dependent program that could benefit from integration with a spreadsheet is an electronic circuit simulator program. Circuit simulators are used to evaluate numerical models of electronic circuits. Typically, these simulators are designed to read a text file containing a description of the circuit model and values for the circuit's components, such as the resistance of resistors or the capacitance of capacitors. The simulator evaluates the model and produces output data representing, for example, the DC voltage at certain nodes in the model. To change the model, the user must edit the text file and re-run the simulator. This process is cumbersome and is not easily automated. If, instead, the simulator could be integrated with a spreadsheet, the input values of the circuit components could be defined in cells within the spreadsheet, and the desired output information could be retrieved as functions stored in other cells within the spreadsheet. In this way, the user could change the model simply by changing the input values in the spreadsheet. More importantly, spreadsheet functions could be applied to the circuit model so that, for example, (1) algorithms for evaluating the circuit model for a range of input values could be set up within the spreadsheet, automating the simulation process; (2) spreadsheet-based goal-seeking and optimization algorithms could be used to modify the circuit model input values until a desired output is reached; (3) the results of one simulation could be used as the inputs to another simulation; or (4) the spreadsheet could be used to chart and plot the output data from the simulator.
Moreover, it is highly desirable to create a "seamless" two-way link between the spreadsheet and the external program, so that the two appear to be fully integrated. In such a seamless integration, the transfer of data to and from the external program would appear to be completely automatic, occurring in the normal course of the spreadsheet's recalculation. In addition, such a "seamless" two-way link between the spreadsheet and external program would allow the user to place input data for the external program in worksheet cells separate from other worksheet cells where output from the program is desired. For example, the user might wish to place input data for the external program in a range of cells in the upper left corner of the worksheet, perhaps in a table format. The user might also wish to place output data from the external program in one or more cells at the bottom of the worksheet, so that the outputs appear below the table. Seamlessly linking the spreadsheet and external program would allow the user to accomplish this easily, and furthermore would spare the user the unenviable and error-prone task of identifying all of the input data to the external program as arguments of his output functions. In other words, the user would not be required to write output functions such as
GetExternalProgramOutput( WhatOutput, cell1, cell2, cell3, cell4) PA1 GetExternalProgramOutput( WhatOutput)
where WhatOutput specifies the type of output desired, and cell1 . . . cell4 specify the locations of (or data contained in) the cells holding input data for the external program. (Worse still, the user would have to use such verbose functions in every location where he desires output.) Instead, the user might merely write a function such as
to retrieve the program's output. The seamless link between the spreadsheet and program would take care of providing the external program with the proper input data.
In order to create such a seamless integration, it is necessary to ensure that the spreadsheet transfers input data to the external program automatically, whenever that data is changed in the spreadsheet. Equally importantly, it is necessary to ensure that input data is sent before output data is requested from the external program. Otherwise, the external program will execute using old input data, and will likely produce incorrect output data.
In normal operation, spreadsheet programs use an "evaluation sequencer," a function that ensures that the functions in the worksheet operate on the correct data, and that all of the proper cells are reevaluated whenever data in the worksheet changes. The evaluation sequencer determines, in advance of any recalculation, which functions depend upon (i.e., have as arguments) the changed cell or cells in the worksheet, and which functions depend upon those functions, and so on. (Normally, these functions are contained in cells; but in many advanced spreadsheet programs, the functions may be contained in macros or other structures, as well). The spreadsheet program then evaluates the dependent functions in the order of their dependency.
Similarly, were the spreadsheet to use interprocess communication to transmit and retrieve live data, the spreadsheet program's evaluation sequencer would schedule the evaluation of any transmission and retrieval functions within the worksheet according to its normal rules of precedence-that is, the transmission and retrieval functions would be evaluated whenever the cells they depend upon change. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the spreadsheet program recognizes the data dependencies of the retrieval functions in the worksheet, so that they will not be evaluated before the transmission functions are evaluated. In this manner, the user may be assured that the external program operates on the correct input data before providing output to the spreadsheet.
There is thus a need for a seamless two-way link between an input dependent external program and a spreadsheet, such that the transfer of input data to the external program occurs automatically whenever the input data changes within the spreadsheet, and such that the retrieval of output data from the external program occurs after the input data has been transmitted.

System and method of integrating a spreadsheet and external program having output data calculated automatically in response to input data from the spreadsheet


Disclosed are ceramic articles comprising a sintered phase ceramic composition containing, as expressed on a weight percent oxide basis: a(Al2TiO5)+b(ZrTiO4)+c(Y2O3)+d(YPO4) wherein “a, b, c, and d” represent weight fractions of each component such that (a+b+c+d)=1.00 and wherein 0.5<a≦0.95; 0≦b≦0.5, 0.0≦c≦0.10, and 0≦d≦0.5. Also disclosed are precursor batch compositions and methods for manufacturing the ceramic articles disclosed herein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ceramic articles, and more particularly to ceramic articles having properties suitable for use in exhaust after-treatment applications, particularly diesel exhaust filtration.
2. Technical Background
Recently, much interest has been directed towards the diesel engine due to its efficiency, durability, and economical aspects. However, diesel emissions have been scrutinized both in the United States and Europe. As such, stricter environmental regulations will require diesel engines to be held to the similar standards as gasoline engines. Therefore, diesel engine manufacturers and emission-control companies are working to achieve a diesel engine which is efficient, cleaner and meets the most stringent of requirements under all operating conditions with minimal cost to the consumer.
Tighter regulations continue to drive the improvement of after-treatment technologies for the abatement of diesel emissions. A 4-way emission reduction system (which simultaneously control HC, NOx, CO and PM emissions) is the future technology desired by many original equipment manufacturers. Current 4-way emission reduction technology propose use of a NOx adsorber (storage) material coated on a fine porous ceramic filter. In use, the engine cycles between rich and lean operation modes. During lean engine operation, particulate matter is oxidized by active oxygen released from the NOx adsorbers and excess oxygen from the exhaust. During the rich mode, NOx is reduced while particulate matter is also oxidized by active oxygen released during the adsorbed NOx reduction.
Cordierite is presently being proposed as a porous substrate material for NOx adsorbing emission reduction systems, however its use has been limited to only barium-based NOx adsorbing catalyst formulations. However, NOx slippage with barium-based applications is a concern, as such slippage may occur during uncontrolled exotherms exceeding 600° C. In contrast, NOx adsorber based upon a potassium (K) catalyst would be highly desired by engine manufacturers because it may offer a broader and higher operable temperature window for NOx reduction activity. Additionally, potassium (K) is also preferable as it is not regulated as toxic heavy metal that is detrimental to the environment and human health.
However, cordierite, a primary ceramic material for present after treatment systems, contains silicate phases that are prone to react with potassium-based NOx adsorber washcoats used in diesel particulate NOx reduction (DPNR) systems. To this end, silicates within current cordierite ceramic substrate technology have been shown to leach and react with potassium based catalysts to form potassium silicate. This leaching reaction compromises both the durability of the cordierite filter substrate and NOx absorption function of the potassium washcoat. For this reason, cordierite is considered to be incompatible with a potassium-based DPNR system. Further, although operating temperatures of current DPNR systems are typically below 800° C. due to the presence of the catalyst, the low heat capacity of cordierite can present additional concerns. In particular, current DPNR systems typically require a ceramic support substrate having a porosity of at least 50%. This relatively high porosity reduces the heat capacity of the cordierite substrate and decreases thermal mass, thereby increasing the likelihood of a possible temperature excursion leading to a failure during use.
Accordingly, there is a need in the exhaust after treatment art for a durable potassium-resistant ceramic article having excellent thermal shock resistance, high heat capacity, and refractory character, that is suitable for use as a catalyst support substrate in diesel exhaust gas treatment and, in particular, in 4-way and NOx diesel exhausts treatment applications.


The present invention provides novel organic compounds, which absorb the light in the ultra violet and the infrared regions, have improved light tolerance and solubility in solvents, and have thermal tolerance suitable for uses to which the organic compounds are applied, and provides uses of the same. The above objects are solved by providing indolenine compounds and methine dyes, which have a bis-indolenine skeleton composed of two indolenine rings linked together at their respective C-3 positions via a divalent linking group, and by providing optical recording media containing the methine dyes.

As coming into this information era, there has been in an increased demand for organic compounds capable of absorbing light in the ultra violet to the infrared regions. As can be seen in filter materials, the uses of such compounds have been expanded from the fields, where their properties of absorbing light to shield it are used, to others such as information recordings and solar energy generations, where light energy is positively used via the organic compounds.
The properties to be possessed by organic compounds applied to the above-identified fields can be listed as follows; a satisfactory light-absorption property and light tolerance in the ultra violet to the infrared regions, an improved solubility in solvents, and an exertion of thermal property depending on uses. Representative examples of organic compounds proposed so far include anthraquinone dyes phthalocyanine dyes, cyanine dyes as methane dyes, and styryl dyes (see, for example, Japanese Patent Kokai Nos. 116611/89, 2002-202592, 2003-167343, 58961/99, and 2003-231359), and among which anthraquinone dyes are said to be defective in light absorption property and phthalocyanine dyes are said to be defective in both light absorption property and solubility in solvents. Methine dyes have been tried to improve their light absorption property and solubility by the introduction of substituents and the dimerization of dye skeleton, however, even now there are only a few that fulfil functions such as light tolerance and thermal property, as well as light absorption property and solubility.
As coming into this multi-media age, optical recording media such as CD-Rs, DVD-Rs, recordable blue-laser disks (abbreviated as "BD-Rs", herein after), and HD DVD-Rs are highlighted in the field of information recordings. The optical recording media can be roughly classified into light-magnetic recording media, phase-change recording media, chalcogen oxide recording media, and organic optical recording media.
Among which, organic optical recording media are usually prepared by dissolving methine dyes in organic solvents such as 2,2,3,3-tetra fluoro-1-propanol (abbreviated as "TFP", herein after), applying the solutions over polycarbonate substrates, drying the resulting substrates to form recording layers, and sequentially attaching thereunto reflection layers of metals such as gold, silver, or copper and protection layers of ultra violet ray hardening resins. Organic optical recording media have the defects that the recording layers are susceptible to change due to environmental light such as reading light and natural light, but have the merits that they can be prepared at a lesser cost because recording layers can be formed by directly applying methine dyes, as light-absorption materials, in a solution form.
What is urgently required in organic optical recording media is to more increase their recording intensity and information-recording speed to meet this multi-media age. For such high density growth, it has been promoted to shorten the wavelength of light used for writing and reading. To attain a more increased high speed, more sensitive methine dyes should be desirably used, however, it tends to increase jitters to the time direction of reproduction signals and to lower light stability (light tolerance). To meet a further improvement in such high speed trend in the future, mere application of conventionally known methine dyes to such optical recording media is becoming to be incapable of attaining sufficient sensitivity, jitter, and light stability effective to record information at a relatively high speed.

Kabushiki Kaisha Hayashibara Seibutsu Kagaku Kenkyujo


A lens barrel has its collapsed length that can be further decreased by removing unnecessary space and bringing lens groups close to each other and a photographic apparatus incorporates the lens barrel. When the lens barrel is collapsed, at least a fourth lens group is retracted from a photographic optical axis by an advance/retract mechanism. In that case, a first lens group and third lens group are aligned along the optical axis and stuffed into the lens barrel, the fourth lens group is placed on the top, bottom, right, or left side of these lenses, and a second lens group is placed on the top, bottom, right, or left side of the first and third lens groups. This reduces the length of the lens barrel. During extension, the second and fourth lens groups are advanced onto the photographic optical axis by the advance/retract mechanism to extend the lens barrel greatly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens barrel which holds a zoom lens consisting of multiple lens groups, to a photographic apparatus which takes photographs by capturing light from a subject entering through the zoom lens held by the lens barrel, and to an optical apparatus which includes a lens consisting of multiple lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, digital cameras have been spreading rapidly, and increasingly higher image quality is demanded together with smaller size and thinner profiles. A thin card-size digital camera equipped with a lens barrel which holds a zoom lens consisting of multiple lens groups has been proposed and introduced commercially as one of digital cameras which meet the above needs. This camera is capable of high image quality zooming using optical zoom whereas earlier thin digital cameras use an electronic zoom function for magnification.
One of the trends in user needs is to have higher-powered optical zoom capabilities while achieving smaller size and thinner profiles.
Patent Document (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-295031) proposes a technique for collapsing a lens barrel equipped with a zoom lens composed of four lens groups in a thin camera body using an ingenious method for forming cam grooves.
An internal configuration of the lens barrel disclosed in Patent Document 1 is described below.
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are sectional views taken along the optical axis of the lens barrel mounted in a digital camera. Of these, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the lens as it is extended. According to Patent Document 1, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a telephoto end while FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a wide-angle end. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the lens barrel as it is collapsed. FIG. 4 is a developed view illustrating cam grooves used to extend and collapse the lens barrel from/into the camera body.
A configuration of a lens barrel 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
The lens barrel 100 holds a four-group zoom lens composed of a first lens group 210, second lens group 220, third lens group 230, and fourth lens group 240. Of the four lens groups, the second lens group 220 is moved along the optical axis for adjustment of focal distance while the fourth lens group 240 serving as a focus lens is moved along the optical axis for focus adjustment.
The first lens group 210 is held in an inner tube 110. The inner tube 110 is equipped with cam pins 111, which are engaged with cam grooves 121 (see FIG. 4) formed in the inner surface of an outer tube 120. Three cam pins 111 are installed on the outer wall of the inner tube 110 at unequal intervals and three cam grooves 121 are formed on the inner wall of the outer tube 120 at unequal intervals (see FIG. 4) to engage with the cam pins 111. Consequently, when rotation of a zoom motor 270 is transmitted to a gear 124 installed on the inner wall of the outer tube 120 via a coupling gear 271 (see FIG. 2), rotating the outer tube 120, the first lens group 210 extends together with the inner tube 110 following the shape of the cam grooves 121.
The second lens group 220 is held by a lens group holding frame 221, on whose circumference three cam pins 222 are installed at unequal intervals. The cam pins 222 are engaged with respective cam grooves 122 formed in the inner wall of the outer tube 120 (see FIG. 4). A guide rod 1132 is passed through a through-hole 221a made in the lens group holding frame 221 of the second lens group 220. Along with rotation of the outer tube 120, the second lens group 220 moves along the optical axis, being guided by the guide rod 1132. The guide rod 1132 is supported by a tip support 1132a while a guide rod 1133 which guides the third lens group 230 is supported by another tip support 1133a. The tip supports 1132a and 1133a support the respective guide rods 1132 and 1133 and are also used as members which support the inner tube 110. The tip supports 1132a and 1133a are equipped with an intermediate frame 1101 and a retainer ring 1102. The intermediate frame 1101 is inserted slidably along the inner wall of the inner tube 110 and the retainer ring 1102 is installed at the rear end of the inner tube 110 to prevent the intermediate frame 1101 from moving backward. The intermediate frame 1101 and retainer ring 1102 are equipped with respective spring pegs 1101a and 1102b. A spring 1103 is bridged between the spring pegs to restrict the movement of the intermediate frame 1101 by urging the intermediate frame 1101 forward along the sliding surface so that the intermediate frame 1101 will not move backward when it is extended together with the inner tube 110.
Furthermore, a cam groove 123 (see FIG. 4) is formed between the cam grooves 121 and 122 in the outer tube 120 to engage with a cam pin (not shown) installed on a lens group holding frame 131 of the third lens group 230. Consequently, as the outer tube 120 rotates by receiving the driving force of the zoom motor 270 via the coupling gear 271 and gear 124 (see FIG. 2), the third lens group 230 moves along the optical axis following the shape of the cam groove 123. Incidentally, a shutter unit 131 is linked to the lens group holding frame 130 which holds the third lens group 230.
A through-hole 131a is made in the lens group holding frame 130 as in the case of the lens group holding frame 221. The guide rod 1132 is passed through the through-hole 131a. Furthermore, the guide rod 1132 is also passed through a through-hole 141a made in a lens group holding frame 140 which holds the fourth lens group 240 described later. In this way, this example employs a configuration in which the second lens group 220, third lens group 230, and fourth lens group 240 are guided by the common guide rod 1132 to avoid misalignment of optical axes.
Extension operation of the lens barrel 100 with this configuration is described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.
When the outer tube 120 is rotated by a zoom motor 270, the inner tube 110 extends from a collapsed state to an extended position (B-side end of the area indicated by symbol A) following the shape of the cam grooves 121 (area indicated by symbol A) and held at the extended position (area indicated by symbol B). Until the outer tube 120 is held at the extended position, the second lens group 220 moves along the area indicated by symbol C following the shape of the cam grooves 122 and reaches the end of the area indicated by symbol C when the inner tube 110 is extended to the extended position. As a zoom switch (not shown) is operated at this time, the second lens group 220 enters the area indicated by symbol D, and moves to the end of the area indicated by symbol D if the zoom switch continues to be operated. On the other hand, as the inner tube 110 rotates, the third lens group 230 leaves a collapsed position, moves along the cam groove 123 through an extension area (area indicated by symbol E) and reaches an extended position (intersection of areas indicated by symbols E and F). It remains held at the extended position (area indicated by symbol F) even if the zoom switch is operated.
In this way, by arranging cam grooves ingeniously in the inner wall of the outer tube 120, it is possible to move the first lens group, second lens group 220, and third lens group 230 among the four lens groups along the optical axis following the shape of the cam grooves by the rotation of the single tube 120 and move the second lens group along the optical axis by the operation of the zoom switch, and thereby carry out zooming.
In the lens barrel 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fourth lens group 240 at the tail of the four lens groups composing the zoom lens is used as a focus lens. The zoom lens held in the lens barrel 100 has a high zoom ratio, and consequently the fourth lens group 240 acting as the focus lens must have a relatively long travel distance. Thus, in this example, a column screw 1131 (see FIG. 1) as long as the long travel distance is installed along the optical axis, a nut 141b is fastened to the lens group holding frame 140 which holds the fourth lens group 240, and the column screw 1131 is screwed into the nut 141b for accurate focus adjustment.
Focus is adjusted as the column screw 1131 is rotated by rotational driving force of a focus motor (not shown) transmitted via a gear train (not shown) and a lens group holding frame 141 moves along the optical axis by the distance equivalent to the rotation of the column screw 1131, being guided by the column screw 1131 and guide rods 1132 and 1133. When an image taking lens starts to catch a subject, focus is adjusted by generating image data by means of an image pickup device 280, detecting a focus position based on the image data, and moving the fourth lens group 240 acting as the focus lens to the focus position through rotation of the column screw.
After focus adjustment, when a shutter button (not shown) is pressed, the shutter unit 131 provided in the lens group holding frame 130 which holds the third lens group 230 is operated in synchronization with full depression of the shutter button to take a photograph. Consequently, light from the subject passes through the first lens group 210, second lens group 220, third lens group 230, and fourth lens group 240 (focus lens) and forms an image on a light-receiving surface of the image pickup device 280, which generates an image signal which represents the subject image formed on the light-receiving surface.
In this way, by arranging multiple cam grooves ingeniously in the inner wall of the outer tube, bringing the outer tube into cam engagement with the inner tube, and using the fourth lens group at the tail of the zoom lens as a focus lens, it is possible to implement a lens barrel which can be housed in a relatively slim body with its length relatively reduced when collapsed and can achieve a high zoom ratio when extended.
However, to move lens groups located forward along the optical axis, such as the first lens group and second lens group, a long distance during extension for a high zoom ratio and stuff the lens groups including the above lens groups as close together as possible into the lens barrel during collapse, it is necessary to provide enough collapsed length to keep the lens groups clear of each other as well as to provide enough extended length to extend the lens groups located forward along the optical axis, such as the first lens group and second lens group, as far ahead as possible. This inevitably makes the lens barrel a little longer, creating an unnecessary space in the collapsed lens barrel. This unnecessary space is concentrated around the guide rods and column screw stretching out along the optical axis to move the fourth lens group accurately along the optical axis.

Lens barrel, photographic apparatus, and optical apparatus


Apparatus and methods for thermal conditioning equipment. In a preferred embodiment, an equipment enclosure comprises a body, a wall, a fluid port, and a fixture. The body defines an outer plenum and an inner chamber in the latter of which the fixture retains the equipment. The wall, which is between the outer plenum and the inner chamber, isolates the thermally conditioned first fluid from a second fluid in the inner chamber. Since the wall is thermally conductive it allows heat to be transferred between the outer plenum and the inner chamber. The fluid port is in communication with the outer plenum to allow the thermally conditioned first fluid to flow into the outer plenum. Baffle plates are also provided to distribute flow of the second fluid to the equipment.

Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) equipment is increasingly being used in military environments to take advantage of advancements in commercially available technology. By definition, COTS equipment has no or comparatively relaxed design environmental requirements. As a result, integration of the COTS equipment with systems designed to meet military specifications has proven to be difficult, especially for aircraft applications. A comprehensive solution to this integration challenge that accommodates all of the military operational requirements and FAA flight requirements has yet to be developed.
Such a solution would preferably allow for unforeseen variability in the COTS equipment and allow for quick, low cost integration of new equipment as it becomes available. Previously available attempts to solve these difficulties use unique equipment and are therefore expensive to modify even slightly. Without the unique equipment, however, it is difficult to efficiently provide the proper environment for the COTS equipment. Therefore the COTS equipment must be maintained in a mild environment while operating on military or even commercial aircraft. In addition to meeting the functional requirements for the equipment, the COTS equipment must also meet various requirements imposed by the relevant specifications for military applications and by the relevant Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for commercial applications. The various design requirements that the COTS equipment must meet include touch temperature, redundancy, smoke detection and clearing, fire suppression, thermal shock, vibration, electromagnetic interference, access, maintenance, redundancy. All of these requirements are preferably integrated into a comprehensive design approach that accommodates each potential piece of COTS equipment that might one day reside on the aircraft. However, the main parameters that are typically controlled are temperature and humidity.
Temperature control is typically accomplished by the aircraft environmental control system (ECS) which provides a source of air that has been conditioned to a pre-selected temperature. The cooling air is ducted to the various pieces of equipment or to the equipment cabinets or racks in which they are frequently located. From the equipment, or cabinets, the warmed exhaust air is then returned to the ECS system for re-cooling and recirculation. Because COTS equipment typically has very low limits on its air exhaust temperature COTS equipment is inefficient to cool. The low cooling efficiency in turn leads to very high cooling air flow demands (and therefore fan power consumption). The low temperature differential also makes transferring the heat off the plane very difficult. Additionally, changing the ducting configuration within a cabinet is costly and may involve changes to the configuration of the overall ECS system to accommodate even a single new piece of COTS equipment.
In addition to temperature control, humidity control can also be a challenge because many aircraft ground operations are conducted in humid environments with the cabin doors open. In such situations, elevated external ambient temperatures can limit cooling capacity while excessive humidity can cause moisture and condensation to be present in the aircraft. By way of contrast, in flight, the air is sometimes too dry for optimal performance of the COTS equipment. Unfortunately, a humidification system with the capacity to control the humidity for all of the equipment onboard a typical aircraft is prohibitively heavy.

Cooling enclosure for maintaining commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment in vehicles


A wireless communication system includes a first wireless station including antenna elements, transmission units corresponding to the antenna elements, and a transmission directivity control unit that controls transmission directivity of the antenna elements, and second wireless stations each including a reception power measurement unit that measures a reception power. The transmission directivity control unit determines the transmission directivity of each of the antenna elements so that a signal does not reach a particular second wireless station among the second wireless stations. The transmission units generate wireless signals using the transmission directivity. The antenna elements transmit the generated wireless signals. The reception power measurement unit measures the reception power in a period that is set so that a signal does not reach the particular second wireless station by using the directivity, and detect the presence or absence of interference caused by the low accuracy of channel information.

With recent developments such as those in the Internet, networks have been spreading to both homes and offices. Such a network is called a LAN (local area network). A wireless LAN that is a wireless version of the LAN has also been spreading. For example, as a high-speed wireless access system using a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, spread of a wireless LAN or the like of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11g standard and the IEEE 802.11a standard is remarkable. In these systems, a transmission rate (a transmission rate in a physical layer) of a maximum of 54 Mbit/s has been achieved using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme, which is technology for stabilizing the property in a multi-path fading environment.
However, the transmission rate cited here is a transmission rate on a physical layer. In fact, since the transmission efficiency in a MAC (medium access control) layer is about 50 to 70%, an upper limit of the actual throughput is about 30 Mbps and this property is further deteriorated when communication parties requiring information increase. On the other hand, in the world of a wired LAN, FTTH (fiber to the home) using an optical fiber, including a 100 Base-T interface of the Ethernet (registered trademark), has been spreading to individual homes, and thus provision of a high-speed line of 100 Mbps has been spreading. Even in the world of wireless LANs, a higher transmission rate is required.
Therefore, as a standard for realizing a higher transmission rate, there is IEEE 802.11n standard. In this standard, a transmission rate of a maximum of 600 Mbit/s can be realized by using MIMO (multiple input multiple output) technology as spatial multiplexing transmission technology.
In recent years, in order to achieve a larger capacity, wireless communication using MU (multi user)-MIMO that enables wireless space resources to be effectively used by performing one-to-many communication through spatial multiplexing between a wireless base station and a plurality of wireless terminal stations using the same wireless channel has been studied as a wireless system using MIMO technology (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). For example, an MU-MIMO transmission method has been studied in IEEE 802.11ac (see Non-Patent Document 2).
In MU-MIMO, channel information between antennas of a base station and each of the terminals is estimated; the base station acquires the channel information, controls transmission beams using the acquired channel information, and directs the beams toward the terminals in optimal directions, thereby making it possible to simultaneously transmit signals to the terminals using the same frequency channel.
That is, control has been performed to increase directivity to wireless stations that are transmission destinations and to direct nulls to the other specific wireless stations. Since spatial multiplexing is performed, it is also called a space division multiple access (SDMA) control scheme. Since communication can be simultaneously performed in the same frequency and at the same time, it is possible to increase the spectral efficiency.

Wireless communication system and wireless communication method

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A method of making an aerofoil blisk (10) comprising a plurality of aerofoil blades (12) joined to a disc (14) to extend radially outwardly therefrom includes the step of forming a blade member (28) having a stub (30) for joining to the disc (14), the stub (30) having a taper ratio of less than 2. The stub (30) of the blade member (28) may be joined to the disc (14) by linear friction welding, and excess material may subsequently be machined from the blade member (28) to form the blade (12).

An aerofoil blisk comprises a plurality of blades welded onto a disc so as to extend radially outwardly therefrom. Blisks may be used in aero engines both in the compressor and turbine and can be advantageous over conventionally bladed discs.
It is known to join the blades to the disc by linear friction welding, this being a process whereby one part is held stationary while the other part is oscillated against it under load, the heat generated and the applied loads resulting in a weld as material extrudes from the edges of the joint. In the making of blisks, a blade member (which will subsequently be machined to form the finished blade) is oscillated relative to a stationary disc whilst a load is applied in the radial direction of the blade, towards the disc. The blade is thereby joined to the disc. The radially inner end of the blade which joins to the disc is referred to as a stub.
Excess material is subsequently machined away from the blade member, to result in a blade of the desired shape.


An exemplary backlight module (200) includes a light emitting unit (220). The light emitting unit includes a plurality of light sources (227, 228, 229) configured for providing color light beams respectively, and a mixer (222) configured for mixing the color light beams into white color beams. The mixer includes a plurality of light guide structures (223) respectively corresponding to the light sources and a mixing body (226) connected to the light guide structures. The light guide structures are configured for guiding color light beams emitted from the light sources to the mixing body. The color light beams emitted from all the light sources being partially mixed into white light beams in the mixing body.

An LCD has the advantages of portability, low power consumption, and low radiation, and has been widely used in various portable information products such as notebooks, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video cameras and the like. A typical liquid crystal display generally includes a liquid crystal panel, and a backlight module configured for providing a uniform plane light for illuminating the liquid crystal panel.
Referring to FIG. 10, a typical backlight module 100 includes a bottom tray 110, an light emitting diode (LED) array 120 disposed on the bottom tray 110, and a diffusing plate 140 disposed above the LED array 120. The diffusing plate 140 is configured for diffusing light beams from the LED array 120.
The LED array 120 includes a plurality of red, green, and blue LEDs 127, 128, 129 which are arranged sequentially and repeatedly. The red, green, and blue LEDs 127, 128, 129 are all top emission LEDs.
The red, green, and blue LEDs 127, 128, 129 emit red, green, and blue light beams respectively. The red, green, and blue light beams are mixed into white light beams when traveling in a space between the diffusing plate 140 and the LED array 120, and then the white light beams strike at the diffusing plate 140.
However, the space between the diffusing plate 140 and the LED array 120 is limited for a consideration of size and weight factors, such that the red, green, and blue light beams may not have enough mixing space. In such a case, some red, green, or blue light beams directly strike at the diffusing plate 140 without being mixed. Thus, light beams provided to a liquid crystal panel by the backlight module 100 are prone to color shift of red, green, and blue. Consequently, a color shift phenomenon occurs in a corresponding display area of the liquid crystal panel. Thus, the display quality of the liquid crystal display using the backlight module 100 is impaired.
What is needed, therefore, is a backlight module and a liquid crystal display including such backlight module that can overcome the above-described deficiencies.

Backlight module and liquid crystal display using same


A mobility cane for use by a visually impaired person has a handle portion having an outer surface, an elongated member extending from the handle, a detection apparatus operably mounted on the mobility cane, and a plurality of vibrating tactile transmitters arrayed on the outer surface of the handle operably connected to the detection apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to canes for the visually impaired, and more particularly to a mobility director device and cane for the visually impaired.
2. Description of Related Art
A well known problem in the field of mobility canes is the narrow search area that the conventional cane provides. Traditional canes do not provide warning of many potential obstacles of their surroundings, particularly obstacles that extend into a walkway above a person's waist. While the traditional cane warns of changes along the ground, it does not warn of other walking hazards such as low-hanging tree limbs and the like.
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Elchinger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,204, teaches a conventional mobility cane for the blind that incorporates a compact, dual-mode, ultrasonic obstacle detection sensor. The size of the protective zone associated with the sensor is variable. In one mode, the sensor warns of low lying objects that might contact the upper extremities of the user. In another mode, the user can determine the presence or absence of more remote objects. The user is warned of the presence of objects within the zone by an audible warning.
The above-described references are hereby incorporated by reference in full.
The prior art teaches a single-zone detector with an audible alert for use with a mobility cane. However, the prior art does not teach a way to continuously monitor multiple zones along. Nor does the prior art teach a way to warn the user of the vicinity of the object, such as whether the object is to the user's right or left. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

Mobility director device and cane for the visually impaired


There is provided a compact and thin optical disk unit as a memory unit suitable for a portable computer such as a book type computer and a portable recording/reproducing apparatus. In the optical disk unit, the diameter of an objective lens is limited and a beam shaping prism, a beam splitter, a mirror and a 1/4 wavelength plate are formed into a unitary structure to make easy the optical axis adjustment of an optical head and ensure highly accurate assembling.

This invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an optical head incorporated therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus of high portability which has a reduced thickness and size and a small-sized, weight-reduced optical head for use in the apparatus.
When an optical disk is used as a memory of a portable information processing apparatus, such as a lap-top computer and the like, it is desirable for the optical disk to be provided with a protective case and to be reduced in thickness. In the conventional optical disk, the surface deflection of the disk was allowed to be about 1 mm, and the distance between disk substrate and objective lens surfaces, called the work distance, was set to be about 2 mm. Since the disk substrate had a thickness of 1.2 mm and this thickness was added to the thickness of the lens, the focal distance of the lens was required to be 4.0 mm or more, and the extent to which the thickness of the information processing apparatus could be reduced was limited.
On the other hand, on IC card, floppy disc or an optical card have been conventionally used as a memory of the portable information processing apparatus represented by a lap-top computer. However, concomitantly with an increase in throughput of the information processing apparatus, a need for handling large amounts of information, such as image data, has occurred. Under the circumstances, the conventional IC memory, floppy disk and optical card suffer from shortage of storage capacity, and so the near for a small-sized and large-capacity memory has arisen.

Information processing apparatus and optical head incorporated therein


A ceiling shoe and pilaster mounting system for a ceiling, where the pilaster mounting system includes a pilaster which is attached to a ceiling bracket which in turn is attached to the ceiling. The pilaster ceiling shoe is used to cover the top end of the pilaster and the ceiling bracket up to the ceiling. This ceiling shoe includes front and back shoe halves which are identical and mated together. Each shoe half has (a) a planar main wall which is oriented vertically, (b) a first side which is oriented vertically and which has a free vertical inner flange which is stepped inwardly from a remainder of the first side leaving an outer cutout, and (c) a second side which is oriented vertically and which has a free vertical outer flange which is stepped outwardly from a remainder of the second side leaving an inner cutout. The front shoe half and the back shoe half are then attached to the top end of the pilaster so that the first and second shoe halves are mated together to form the ceiling shoe (a) with the inner flange of the front shoe half horizontally adjacent the outer flange of the back shoe half, (b) with the outer flange of the front shoe half horizontally adjacent the inner flange of the back shoe half, and (c) with the top edges of the front and back shoe halves immediately adjacent the ceiling.

Ceiling mounted pilasters are used in a variety of structures, such as for restroom stalls and the like. Such pilasters are routinely mounted to brackets attached to the ceiling, or without a bracket directly to the ceiling itself (or a support or beam provided immediately above the ceiling). Where the pilaster is attached directly to the ceiling, stainless steel shoes have been provided about the top portion of each pilaster for aesthetic reasons. Such shoes are tubular, and are placed on the pilaster prior to attachment of the pilaster to the ceiling. The shoe is made slightly larger than the cross section of the pilaster so that the shoe is slidable therealong. Thus, after being slid onto the pilaster, the pilaster is attached to the ceiling with the shoe slid out of the way. Subsequently, the shoe is moved into place along the pilaster to the top portion thereof with the shoe touching or immediately adjacent the ceiling. The shoe is then mounted in this position to hide the attachment mechanism and ceiling hole or the like. Typically, the shoe is held in place by driving a screw through one face thereof provided with a hole and into the pilaster underneath.
Unfortunately, problems have arisen with the prior art tubular shoes. During installation of the stalls or the like, installers will forget to place the shoes on the pilasters prior to attachment of the pilaster to the ceiling and associated elements of the stall. When this occurs, it is often not recognized that an error in installation has occurred until after a number of pilasters are attached to the ceiling. At that time, each pilaster must then be individually disengaged from the ceiling sufficiently to allow a shoe to be slid thereon, and then the pilaster must be reattached to the ceiling. This remedial action is both time consuming and sometimes difficult where other elements are already attached to the pilaster which must be disengaged from the ceiling.

Pilaster mounting system and ceiling shoe


A container (100) includes a first container portion (101) and a second container portion (102). One or both can include an end member (105) and a cylindrical sidewall (103) extending from the end member. The cylindrical sidewall can include a central layer (301), an inner wrap (302), and an outer wrap (303). The central layer and the outer wrap can define one or more axially aligned apertures (304,305). A hang tab (106) defining a loop (107) and one or more socles (307,308) can be inserted through the apertures with the loop disposed exterior of the cylindrical sidewall and the one or more socles disposed between the central layer and the inner wrap.

Technical Field
This disclosure relates generally to containers, and more particularly to hanging containers.
Background Art
Many modern products are shipped in containers. Most of the containers are also intended for use as display objects on retail shelves. For example, an electronic device manufacturer will frequently place a new electronic device in a container that is shipped to the retailer. The retailer places the container on the shelf of their store. Some of the containers are quite elaborate, as marketers feel that the sensation a customer gets from "opening the box" can be as great as using the device within the box. When new products are unveiled, some people even post videos online solely to allow others to see them open the box.
Typical containers or packaging are generally in the form of a rectilinear box. The box has an opening and a planar, rectangular front face. It would be advantageous to have an improved container.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

Cylindrical container with side-mount hang tab and methods therefor


A method (400) and apparatus (501) provide for rapid power control based on a quality related value, e.g. channel quality indicator (CQI) value. A transmit power level can be derived from a CQI value received according to a time period, e.g. corresponding to 500 Hz. A first predicted value can be predicted based on the CQI value, at a first time within the time period and a power adjustment value can be determined based on the CQI value as well as the first predicted value at a rate that exceeds the rate of receiving the CQI values. Note that other predicted values for or corresponding to the CQI value can be predicted at other times within the time period and that power adjustment values can be determined through interpolation between predicted values for any time within the period.

In conventional wireless communication systems such as High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) systems, the High Speed Shared Control Channel (HS-SCCH) carries downlink signaling information required for demodulating the High Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH). Since power control for the HS-SCCH is defined generally in 3GPP specifications as being under control of the serving Node B transceiver, the operator of the Node B transceiver is free to implement any power control algorithm. Traditional R99 power control and related methods allow for a relatively simple power control technique which couples the HS-SCCH transmit power with a downlink Dedicated Physical Control Channel DPCCH through the use of an offset factor. Since the control channel is always on, the Node B transceiver simply applies the offset factor to the present DPCCH power to arrive at the transmission power of the HS-SCCH when there is packet data to be transmitted on the HS-DSCH.
Although the use of an offset factor, as described, is relatively easy to implement, performance of the HS-SCCH can degrade severely when the UE is in a soft-handover (SHO) state because HSDPA-related channels are not in soft-handover. Due to diversity combining gains, the dedicated channels require much less power when engaged in SHO. However, the HS-SCCH still has identical power requirements as in the non-SHO case, leading to poor performance when R99 power control algorithm is used, especially when the SHO occurs at low UE speeds. For example, when the UE is in 2-way SHO, approximately 5 dB more power may be required on the HS-SCCH to reach 1% FER due to degradation from the R99 power control algorithm.
In some instances, power control can be improved by basing downlink power control on uplink oriented information such as the Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) report. Drawbacks exist for CQI based power control in that the CQI report, for example, in HSDPA systems is issued at a frequency not greater than 500 Hz. As a result conventional CQI based power control is rendered ineffective for UE speeds of around 30 km/h or greater or for other scenarios where the frequency of the CQI report is relatively low or slow.

Rapid channel quality based power control for high speed channels


The invention relates to a freewheel hub for a bicycle including an axle and housing rotatably mounted thereon. A sprocket arrangement is mounted on the hub axle and a freewheel is arranged between the hub and the sprocket arrangement. The freewheel has a first coupling ring which couples to the hub and a second coupling ring which couples to the sprocket arrangement. The first and second coupling rings have respective tooth systems facing one another which are arrangeable into and out of mutual torque-transmitting engagement.

The present invention relates to a freewheel hub for a bicycle.
Freewheel hubs have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, document DE 198 47 673 A1 shows a freewheel hub in which two coupling rings are each biased towards one another by means of a spring associated therewith. The disadvantage of this solution is that all components are arranged axially next to one another which leads to a relatively large axial length which is necessary for the freewheel arrangement. Also, the fact that both coupling rings are in each case formed with an external or peripheral tooth system for the transmission of torque with the sprocket arrangement or with the hub housing respectively makes for a significant installation space requirement, as these teeth must be sized to be sufficiently sturdy and long to guarantee reliable operation. Further, freewheel hubs of this design, in which at least one of the coupling rings is biased towards the other by means of a spring, have the disadvantage that they develop a relatively large amount of noise in the freewheel state, which is frequently perceived as annoying, particularly with freewheel hubs which are used in competitive sport or by ambitious and demanding amateur sportsmen.
A similar solution is also shown in each of the documents DE 197 31 451 A1 and DE 298 03 667 U1.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,227 shows a comparable solution in which only one of the coupling rings is biased towards the other coupling ring by means of a spring. However, with regard to the necessary installation space, this solution is comparable with the solutions in the prior art described above. This solution also develops significant noise in the freewheel state.
Document EP 2 422 996 A1 describes a freewheel hub in which an axially moving coupling ring, which is formed with the hub housing for the purpose of transmitting torque, is biased by means of magnetic forces towards a spur gear fitted to a sprocket carrier.
Finally, with regard to the technical background, reference is made to documents U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,332 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,799.


An exposure apparatus includes a control unit configured to calculate a target exposure amount distribution in a scanning direction within the target shot region using a target exposure amount at a position in the target shot region and a target exposure amount at a position in an adjacent shot region adjacent to the target shot region in the scanning direction and configured to perform a scan exposure for the target shot region while controlling an exposure amount according to scanning of the substrate so as to obtain the calculated target exposure amount distribution as an exposure amount distribution in a scanning direction within the target shot region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus and a device manufacturing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A process of manufacturing a semiconductor device formed from an extra fine pattern has conventionally adopted a reduction projection exposure apparatus which reduces and projects, on a substrate such as a wafer coated with a photoresist, a circuit pattern drawn on a reticle (mask), thereby exposing the substrate. Along with an improvement in the packaging density of semiconductor devices, further micropatterning of a circuit pattern is required, and an exposure apparatus which can uniform the finishing size (line width) of a pattern is desired.
A conventional exposure apparatus exposes a photoresist coated on a substrate with an exposure amount (dose) corresponding to the photoresist. An exposure apparatus adopting the step-and-repeat scheme repeatedly performs an exposure with a given exposure amount while moving in a shot region on a substrate. Even if, however, the exposure apparatus repeatedly exposes a photoresist with a given exposure amount in each shot within a substrate plane, there is a difference (pattern line width error) between the line width of the obtained pattern and that of a designed pattern. To maintain the line width uniformity of a pattern, various exposure methods of correcting an exposure amount depending on a shot have been disclosed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-197362 discloses a method of controlling, as an nth-order polynomial function, an exposure amount at a position in each shot on a substrate plane. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-29810 discloses a method of controlling an exposure amount according to the distance from the center position on a substrate plane.
The conventional techniques adjust an exposure amount within the substrate plane but do not adjust an exposure amount for uniforming a line width distribution within a shot region, thereby disabling precise adjustment of a pattern line width error within each shot region.

Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method


Electrostatic printing processes utilize corona-charging units. When those units wear out or become faulty, they need to be replaced. This embodiment provides a tool that can be used to remove a faulty electrode wire assembly from the unit. This same tool when loaded with a new wire assembly can insert a new wire assembly into the emptied corona charging unit, sometimes referred to as a dicorotron unit. The tool, therefore, is used both to remove or insert a wire assembly from or into a dicorotron unit.

Electrostatography is best exemplified by the process of xerography as first described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691 to C. F. Carlson. In this process, the photoconductor is first provided with a uniform electrostatic charge over its surface and is then exposed to imagewise activating electromagnetic radiation which selectively dissipates the charge in illuminated areas of the photoconductor while the charge in the non-illuminated areas is retained thereby forming a latent electrostatic image. This latent electrostatic image is then developed or made visible by the deposition of finely-divided electroscopic marking particles referred to in the art as "toner". The toner will normally be attracted to those areas of the layer which retain a charge, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the latent electrostatic image. This powder image may then be transferred to a support surface such as paper. The transferred image may subsequently be permanently affixed to the support by heat fusing. Instead of forming a latent image by uniformly charging the photoconductive layer and then exposing the layer to a light and shadow image, a latent image may be formed by charging an insulating or photoconductive insulating member in image configuration. The powder image may be fixed to the imaging member if elimination of the powder image transfer step is desired.
Several methods are known for applying an electrostatic charge to the photosensitive member such as the use of electron-emitting pins, an electron-emitting grid, single corona-charging structures and multiple dicorotron wire assemblies. In recent development of high speed xerographic reproduction machines where copiers can produce at a rate of or in excess of three thousand copies per hour, the need for several reliable dicorotron wire assemblies in order to utilize the full capabilities of the reproduction system is required. Also, with the advent of color copiers where several corona-charging stations are needed, the requirement for dependable dicorotron wire assemblies for depositing an electrostatic charge is essential.
Generally, in electrostatographic or electrostatic copy processes, a number of corotrons or dicorotrons are used at various stations around the photoreceptor. For example, the dicorotrons are used at the station that places a uniform charge on the photoreceptor, at a transfer station, at a cleaning station, etc. In today's high speed copiers, it is important that all corotrons (or dicorotrons) are in perfect working order since corotron malfunction can easily render the entire copying process useless. Some high speed copiers, including color copiers, use several dicorotron units, as many as sixteen corotron or dicorotron units are used. Maintaining each corotron unit in perfect working order is essential to the proper functioning of these complex fast color copiers. It is common to use one or several corona-generating device(s) ("corotron" or "dicorotron") for depositing the electrostatic at the above-noted stations. Generally, the structure of a dicorotron uses a thin, glass-coated wire mounted between two insulating anchors or end blocks called "insulator barriers", which support the wire in a spring-tensioned manner in a singular plane. These anchors are installed between flexible grippers, holders or clamps or anchor inserts that maintain the insulators in place. These insulator inserts are fixed at two opposite ends of a U-shaped dicorotron "housing" or "shells" or "shield". The wire or corona-generating electrode is typically a highly conductive elongated wire situated in close proximity to the photoconductive surface to be charged. Often the corona discharge electrode is coated with a dielectric material such as glass. Glass coating improves charging uniformity throughout the electrode's life. Since the wire electrode is comprised of a thin outer glass brittle coating, it may be easily damaged. Some handling or cleaning of this electrode often results in fracture of the glass coating, which could cut or injure the user. While cleaning sometimes corrects problems in this corona electrode, it is sometimes necessary to replace the wire due to degradation in the corona performance or even in breakage of the electrode which could occur during the cleaning.
Manual handling of the glass-coated wire is not recommended nor is the use of prying tools, such as screw drivers or rigid prying objects. Extreme care needs to be observed in changing the corona electrodes or wires. As above noted, because of the large number of dicorotrons or wires needed in some copiers, malfunctioning of these wires presents a formidable problem in today's complex copiers.
Another important consideration is the high costs of dicorotron assemblies. The most expensive major component in the dicorotron assembly is the housing or U-shaped shield which houses the wire assembly and the wire anchors usually called insulators. The least expensive major component in the dicorotron assembly is the wire electrode. It makes sense, therefore, for the faulty wire assembly to be removed and replaced rather than the expensive entire dicorotron unit or assembly made up of the wire assembly and U-shaped housing.
There are some systems used to remove and replace wire assemblies from the U-shaped housing, such as the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,906 (Osbourne). In this prior art system, the U-shaped housing has apertures on its end portions adjacent to the electrode anchors or insulators. A prying tool is then inserted into this aperture to pry or dislodge the two end anchors from their original position thereby removing the two insulators or anchors and the attached wire electrode. A tool for replacing the removed wire assembly in Osbourne's process includes a plurality of replacement electrodes mounted on a rigid support frame. Replacement is accomplished by pressing this support frame containing a plurality of corona-generating wire assemblies against the empty U-shaped housing (where old wire has been removed) and thereby replacing the removed wire electrode with a new wire electrode. This prior art process requires prying or dislodging the old wire through an aperture and replacing the old wire with a mounting system where a plurality of corona-generating electrode assemblies are removably mounted in a configuration matching that of the original configuration.

Dicorotron wire assembly removal-insertion tool


A plastically deformable metallic mixture is provided using finely divided metallic particulate matter, organic binding agent, polar liquid, anionic dispersing agent and nonionic surfactant. The invention is also directed at a mixture further comprising water-miscible organic solvent. The mixture of this invention is generally stable, froth-free, homogeneous and uniformly dispersed. A process is described by which the mixtures can be formed into useful articles and structures having superior skin qualities.

This invention relates to plastically deformable mixtures based primarily on well dispersed sinterable metallic particles, organic binding agent, and polar liquid. The invention provides homogeneous mixtures and processes for forming or shaping them into useful articles or structures. Particularly useful shapes formed by the practice of this invention are honeycomb-type articles or honeycombs which may be used for numerous applications including filters, catalyst supports, and heaters.
The need for uniform dispersion in deformable mixtures has long been recognized in the art, particularly in the formation of complex articles. Non-uniform dispersion leads to variability within the mixture which can lead to process variability as well as inconsistencies in final product characteristics. Non-uniform dispersion is often caused by the use of immiscible solvents or components in the mixtures which leads to the formation of localized areas of plastic and non-plastic mixtures during the mixing process. This lack of uniformity often leads to other problems and difficulties both in the forming of such mixtures and in the quality of the formed articles or structures. It is generally known that processing of non-uniformly dispersed mixtures consumes considerable power and require high extrusion pressure. Extrudates of such mixtures tend to be dry and non-cohesive. The extrudates tend to exhibit localized wet areas which may lead to uneven drying and distortions or collapse of the formed articles. Finally, such mixtures tend to damage the mixing equipment, particularly the mixing contact mechanisms as well as the drive motors of such equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,233 issued to Swaroop et al. describes the formation of monolithic metal honeycombs from a mixture or batch including metal particles, an organic binder or binding agent, water, and a long chain aliphatic acid useful as a wetting agent, and a metal soap useful as a lubricant. Generally, long chain aliphatic acids are immiscible in polar liquids such as water. As a result, the mixture is non-uniformly dispersed and is subject to the problems discussed above.
There have been attempts made to solve the problems associated with differential shrinkage caused by uneven drying or liquid removal. Differential shrinkage leads to cracking, localized distortion, or collapse of the article, among other problems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,039 issued to Schuetz describes a method of making an inorganic slurry, forming the slurry into a flexible article, and rapidly removing the solvent medium from the article.
Problems, such as cracks, gas generation, fissures, bubbles and other aesthetic and structural defects in finished articles have also been noted in the ceramic forming industry. U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,015 issued to Yoshimoto et al. describes a method of forming ceramic honeycomb structures by the careful removal of a water/organic solvent system to avoid such structural and surface defects.
There is no teaching in these references of the use of water-miscible surfactants and/or solvents to provide a homogeneous, uniformly dispersed stable mixture free of bubbles or frothing. It is therefore the object of this invention to introduce into such mixtures a component which is compatible with polar liquids, to allow for uniform dispersion, and yield a homogeneous, bubble-free or stable plastically deformable mixture.

Plastically deformable metallic mixtures and their use


Conventional steering systems of this type have the disadvantage that the dynamic load signal flow is lossy which has a negative effect on the energy efficiency. Another disadvantage arises in steering systems with a closed-center design. When the steering cylinder is pulled by an external force, the steering cylinder moves in advance of the apportioned steering flow. In the present novel steering system, the adjusting angles of the primary adjustable throttles (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) are matched in a novel way, so that in a steering range where the steering rotational speed is limited, the load signal flow is used for actuating the steering system. In this phase, the steering system then operates according to the open-center principle.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a steering system having a displacement unit and a control unit including an inner control piston and an outer control sleeve, wherein both the control piston and the control sleeve include axially and radially extending channels which communicate with each other and with the displacement unit. The channels form a main conduit extending from a supply connection through the displacement unit and a steering cylinder to a return connection, in which main conduit there are disposed an adjustable input throttle between the supply connection and the displacement unit, two adjustable throttles between the displacement unit and the steering cylinder, and an adjustable return throttle between the steering cylinder and the return connection. A first side conduit extends from the main conduit downstream of the adjustable input throttle to the return connection, in which first side conduit there are disposed a first and a second adjustable load signal throttle, and a second side conduit extending from the load signal connection to the first side conduit at the height between the first and the second adjustable load signal throttle. In the neutral position the first adjustable load signal throttle has a positive overlap as compared to the other adjustable throttles. Steering systems of this type are used in mobile installations which include a steering loop and an operating loop wherein both loops have a common supply pump and the steering loop has priority.
Installations of this type consist, on one hand, mainly of a common supply pump and a common flow division control valve as well as of the steering system and steering cylinder, and, on the other hand, of an operating loop. The flow division control valve is spring biased and receives its control signal in form of a so-called load signal from the hydraulic steering system. The flow division control valve regulates its flow cross sections based on the load signal such that the steering loop is assigned a higher priority and supplied with hydraulic oil as needed, whereas the operating loop receives the excess hydraulic oil. It is known that the load signal can be processed statically or dynamically. Due to the fast reaction speed of the dynamic load signal, the latter processing method is becoming more prevalent in practical applications.
A steering system of this type is described, for example, in the German Patent Application P 44 10 693.9 by the applicant. It consists of a displacement unit and a control unit with an inner control piston and an outer control sleeve provided with channels communicating with each other and with the displacement unit. The channels form a main conduit extending from the input connection to the displacement unit, with an adjustable input throttle interposed therebetween, another main conduit containing adjustable throttles and extending from displacement unit to the steering cylinder, and another main conduit including an adjustable return throttle extending from the steering cylinder to the return connection.
The channels furthermore form a first side conduit which extends from the main conduit downstream of the adjustable input throttle to the return connection and includes a first and second adjustable load signal throttle and a constant throttle.
The channels, in addition, form a second side conduit which extends from the load signal connection to the first side conduit and discharges between the first and the second adjustable load signal throttle.
The adjustable input throttle, the adjustable return throttle and the second adjustable load signal throttle close in the same direction. The first adjustable load signal throttle closes in the opposite direction as the aforementioned adjustable throttles.
This steering system is rather sophisticated and has significant advantages. It has, however, the same disadvantages as any other steering system controlled by load signals. When the steering is not operated, the entire load signal flow has to be regarded as wasted, and even when the steering excursions are small, there is still a certain portion of the flow wasted, all of which has a negative effect on the energy efficiency of the hydraulic installation.
All steering systems with a closed-center design have a further disadvantage. When the steering cylinder of a closed-center steering system is pulled by an external force in the steered direction and the control unit of the steering system is steered from the neutral position into the corresponding operating position, the steering cylinder moves in advance of the apportioned flow of the hydraulic oil, causing the steering response during this phase to be uncontrolled.
A steering system of similar design is known from EP 0561 401 A1. This steering system, however, is provided with an open center and includes a connection for a pressure signal from a pressure switch for actuating the electric motor of the hydraulic pump.
The steering system is consequently not suitable for the intended application.

Hydraulic steering system with load signal


A method for soft tissue destruction comprises applying high voltage pulses causing irreversible electroporation alternating with low amplitude pulses of opposite polarity balanced to provide negligible average current and minimize risk of electrical shock. The method may be accompanied by tissue heating to reduce the electroporation threshold and negative pressure for skin shaping and optimal voltage distribution.

Electrical energy is used for tissue distraction mainly in two forms. In one form, radio-frequency (RF) energy is used to create thermal tissue destruction. The advantage of high frequency alternating current is pure thermal effect. At frequencies above 100 kHz the electrical current does not affect the nerves significantly, while the high density electrical current flowing through the tissue creates Joule heat increasing tissue temperature to the necrotic level. RF energy is actively used in electro-surgery and for tissue coagulation. Electro-surgery was pioneered by Bovie (U.S. Pat. No. 1,813,902) in 1928 and since that time different design of devices were suggested and multiple clinical applications were developed. RF is associated with surgical procedures and requires anesthesia to reduced pain associated with thermal tissue destruction. Recently, RF became popular for sub-necrotic tissue heating where the heat level is not high enough to generate tissue damage but stimulates physiological process in the warmed zone. For example, RF energy has been actively used for collagen remodeling in the skin. U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,626 describes the use of RF energy for collagen formation in the dermis. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,470,216, 6,438,424, 6,430446 and 6,461,378 disclose methods and apparatuses for thermal treatment of the collagen matrix using RF, cooling and a special electrode structure that smoothes the skin surface. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,381,498, 6,377,855, 5,919,219, 5,948,011, 5,755,753 describe methods of collagen contraction using RF energy, and a reverse temperature gradient on the skin surface. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,378,380, 6,377,854 and 5,660,836 describe methods of liposculpturing using RF energy and external cooling to affect the collagen inside the adipose tissue. Another method to reduce and redistribute adipose issue is skin massaging. This method is based on improving blood circulation and increasing fat metabolism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,054 describes a method for skin massaging in combination with non-aggressive RF heating for increasing skin and fat metabolism.
Another, non-thermal method of destruction of adipose tissue is irreversible electroporation (IEP). This method is based on changing cell membranes using high electrical field leading to the apoptotic death of cells. US Patent Application Publications 2004/0019371 and 2003/0149451 describe devices and methods comprising at least two electrodes and generating electrical pulses with voltage above an electroporation threshold. U.S. Pat. No. 6,697,670 describes device with two pairs of electrodes where the first pair is used for electroporation of adipose tissue and second pair for electro-stimulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,697,670 and Patent Application Publication 2007/0161982 describe use of symmetrical bipolar pulses for IEP. This method allows a reduction in the shocking effect by maintaining zero average current, but subsequent pulses having similar amplitude but opposite polarity does not allow a cumulative effect from multiple pulses to be reached.
High voltage (HV) pulses used for IEP may create arcing around the electrode and damage the skin surface. Using pulses with single polarity may create a risk of electrical shock. According to the above mentioned patents and applications, electroporation effect becomes more consistent when an amplitude of electrical pulses is higher, pulse duration is longer and more HV pulses are applied. All these changes increase risk of electrical shock and create risk of potential harm to the patient.
Reduction of pulse duration below 10 microseconds may reduce electrical shock sensation but will require higher amplitude of HV pulses to generate clinical effect. (Nanosecond, high-intensity pulsed electric fields induce apoptosis in human cells. STEPHEN J. BEEBE, PAULA M. FOX, LAURA J. REC, E. LAUREN K. WILLIS, AND KARL H. SCHOENBACH, The FASEB Journal, Vol. 17 August 2003, pp. 1493-1495).
HV electrical pulses are also used for sterilization destroying bacteria. In the article "Electrical Sterilization of Juice by Discharged HV Impulse Waveform", Hee-Kyu Lee, American Journal of Applied Sciences 2 (10): 2076-2078, 2006, it is shown that survivability of the cells is a strong function of temperature. Increase of temperature from 30° C. to 40° C. may provide the same survivability at an electric field strength two times lower. Pre-heating or pre-cooling of adipose tissue prior the electroporation treatment may reduce the treatment threshold to the level that is practical for use with less risk for the treated patient.
All the above mentioned methods may improve IEP treatment, but do not allow significantly reducing the electrical effect or significantly diminishing electrical shocking while providing efficient cell apoptotic destruction.

System and method for tissue treatment using non-symmetric radio-frequency energy waveform


An internal combustion engine includes a unitary housing, having a first cylindrical housing medially and orthogonally intersecting a second cylindrical housing, with the first cylindrical housing including a first gear ring rotatably mounted therewithin, with the second cylindrical housing having a second gear ring mounted therewith, wherein the first gear ring is arranged for simultaneous rotation in communication relative to one another, with the first gear ring having a plurality of spaced piston plates, with the second gear ring including a plurality of spaced chamber plates, wherein the piston plate and the chamber plate are arranged for simultaneous positioning within an associated combustion chamber to effect projection of the piston plate upon combustion within the combustion chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to internal combustion engine structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved continuously rotating engine apparatus wherein the same utilizes gear rings arranged for simultaneous rotation relative to one another to effect firing and production of energy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Internal combustion engines of various types have been employed in the prior art, with rotary engine structure indicated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,967,707; 4,974,553; 4,949,688; and 4,971,002.
The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by employing piston plate structure operative and directed through combustion chambers, with the combustion chambers sealed by an associated chamber plate structure, with each piston plate mounted to a first ring and the chamber plates mounted to a second ring to provide for an equal number of chamber plates and piston plates to provide for an equal predetermined number of plates and pistons relative to the cooperating rings to provide for limited vibration and continuous powering of the combustion engine process, with a minimal of friction loss and lost energy in terms of heat and entropy.