A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a main memory cell array, redundant memory cell array, write current source, a common node connected to the write current source, a first selector connected between the common node and one-side ends of main write wirings and a second selector connected between the common node and one-side ends of redundant write wirings. The redundant memory cell array is arranged in a position apart from the main memory cell array and the write current source is commonly used by the main memory cell array and redundant memory cell array via the common node.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit device and more particularly to an MRAM (Magnetic Random Access Memory).
2. Description of the Related Art
An MRAM is one of the nonvolatile semiconductor memories utilizing the tunneling magneto resistive effect to store information according to a variation in the resistance.
In order to read out data from the MRAM, a tunnel current which passes through a tunnel insulating film having a thickness of approximately several nanometers and provided between a free layer and a fixed layer is used. A value of the tunnel current is finely changed according to the thickness of the tunnel insulating film. Further, since the tunnel insulating film is made thin, there occurs a possibility that the tunnel insulating film will be inadvertently broken in the processing operation and the free layer and fixed layer will be short-circuited.
At the data write time, a magnetic field generated by a current running, nearby the MTJ is used. It is understood that the write characteristic greatly varies according to the shape of a magnetic body, for example, an MTJ (Magnetic Tunnel Junction) element contained in a memory cell. However, it is difficult to completely eliminate a variation in the shape of the MTJ element at the manufacturing time even in future. It is presumed that the operation of writing data into the memory cell cannot be performed when even a slight variation occurs in the shape of the MTJ element.
Under these circumstances, in the MRAM, there occurs a strong possibility that memory cells (faulty memory cells) having a characteristic significantly different from that defined in the specification at the write time and read time will be provided in a main memory cell array. Therefore, it is considered necessary to replace the above memory cells by redundant memory cells in order to enhance the manufacturing yield.
In a document 1, it is described that a write current for each line of WL, BL is approximately 5 mA. It is also difficult even in future to reduce the write current. One of the reasons is that the MTJ element becomes less resistant to thermal disturbance in a case where the MTJ element is designed to permit the write operation to be easily performed by use of a small current. Due to this, the advantage of the MRAM which can be used as the nonvolatile semiconductor memory will be lost in some cases.
Further, a demagnetizing field becomes stronger with miniaturization of the memory cells and, as a result, a switching magnetic field which is required to be applied to the MTJ from the exterior becomes stronger.
This means that the area of a current source which generates a write current, for example, the area occupied by a driver transistor becomes larger. In practice, it is desirable to suppress the ratio of the area of the driver transistor to the whole area of the chip to minimum.
On the other hand, the redundancy technique for replacing a faulty bit in the memory cell array by a normal bit includes the row redundancy technique for performing the replacement operation in the row unit and the column redundancy technique for performing the replacement operation in the column unit. In this specification, it is assumed that a redundant memory cell array for column redundant which is different from the main memory array is arranged in the chip. Further, it is assumed that a plurality of driver transistors used to supply write currents to write word lines of the main memory cells are commonly used in the main memory cell array and are connected to the write word lines by use of switches controlled by a decoder. According to the above method, since the driver transistors which require a large area can be arranged along the main memory array, the height of the memory cell array (the length of the memory cell array in the column direction) can be made small.
In this case, normally, since the size of the redundant memory cell array is smaller than the size of the main memory array, a region in which the driver transistors are arranged projects from the redundant memory cell array, for example, if the driver transistors are arranged in the redundant memory cell array in the same manner as in the main memory cell array. The layout thus attained acts against the intention of reducing the chip area.
Document 1: A. Bette et al., "A High-Speed 128 kbit MRAM Core for Future Universal Memory Applications" 2003 Symposium on VLSI Circuits Digest of Technical Papers, p. 217.


In a transmission system a pair of signalling tone signals is transmitted by a transmitter (2) to a receiver (6) via a transmission channel (4). In the terminal (6) a tone detector is used to detect the presence of the pair of signalling tone signals. In order to improve the reliability of the tone detector in the case of differing strength of both tone signals, the decision on the presence of the pair of signalling tone signals is based on a combined strength measure which is determined by an adder (23). The combined strength measure is compared with a reference level TH.sub.2. In a further embodiment, also a check on the level of the individual tone signals is done with comparators (11) and (9), in order to specify the maximum strength difference tolerated.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a transmission system comprising a transmitter for transmitting simultaneously a plurality of tone signals via a transmission medium to a terminal, the terminal comprising strength measuring means for deriving tone strength measures for said plurality of tone signals.
The invention is also related to a terminal, a tone detector and a method for tone detection.
2. Description of the Related Art
A transmission system according to the preamble is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,283.
The transmission system according to the present invention can be applied in systems using multi tone transmission. This means that information is transmitted by presenting simultaneously a plurality of tone signals to a channel. The receiver can recover the information by detecting the presence of a combination of tone signals.
A first application of such a transmission system is the so-called DTMF signalling system, which is in widespread use for transmitting dialling information from a telephone terminal to a telephone exchange. In this system a digit is transmitted by presenting two tone signals to the transmission medium. One of said tone signals is chosen from a first group of four tone signals and the second tone is chosen from a second group of four tone signals. The frequencies of the tone signals in the first group (low frequency group) are lower than the frequencies of the tone signals in the second group (high frequency group). The receiver has to determine which pair of tone signals is transmitted by the receiver in order to recover the transmitted digit.
A further application of the present invention is the detection of the so-called CAS tone in screen phones. Recently, telephone terminals provided with a display have become available. These telephone terminals are arranged to operate according to the Analog Display Service Interface standard (ADSI). Said standard enables the transmission of data in addition to the transmission of speech signals to and from the telephone terminal.
In order to distinguish between speech and data, a so called CAS-signal (CPE Alerting Signal) is transmitted by the transmitter to indicate that a data signal will be transmitted. The CAS signal is constituted by two tone signals having a frequency of 2130 Hz and 2750 Hz, which are transmitted simultaneously during 80 msec.
The terminal of the transmission system according to the above mentioned U.S. patent, comprises for each of the tone signals to be detected a strength measuring device which generates a tone strength measure for the corresponding tone. This tone strength measure can e.g. be the amplitude or the power of the tone. If the strength measure of a tone exceeds a threshold, said tone is regarded to be present. A predetermined tone combination is regarded as present if all individual tone signals of this combination are regarded to be present.
Due to imperfections of the transmission medium, it can occur that the individual tone signals at the receiver differ in strength. The ratio between the strength of the individual tone signals is often referred to as twist. In order to be able to detect a combination of tone signals having some twist, the threshold for detecting the presence of a tone signal has to be lowered. This lowering of the threshold results into an increased probability of regarding noise signals as the tone to be detected, making the detection of the tone signal combination less reliable.

Transmission system with improved tone detection


A display system includes a driver for operating a panel having a plurality of pixels arranged by a plurality of first lines and at least one second line The driver includes a driver output unit for providing to the panel a single driver output for activating the plurality of first lines, the single driver output being demultiplexed on the panel to activate each first line.

A display device having a plurality of pixels (or subpixels) arranged in a matrix has been widely used in various applications. Such a display device includes a panel having the pixels and peripheral circuits for controlling the panels. Typically, the pixels are defined by the intersections of scan lines and data lines, and the peripheral circuits include a gate driver for scanning the scan lines and a source driver for supplying image data to the data lines. The source driver may include gamma corrections for controlling gray scale of each pixel. In order to display a frame, the source driver and the gate driver respectively provide a data signal and a scan signal to the corresponding data line and the corresponding scan line. As a result, each pixel will display a predetermined brightness and color.
In recent years, the matrix display has been widely employed in small electronic devices, such as handheld devices, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cameras. However, the conversional scheme and structure of the source driver and the gate driver demands the large number of elements (e.g., resistors, switchers, and operational amplifiers), resulting that the layout area of the peripheral circuits is still large and expensive.
Therefore there is a need to provide a display driver that can reduce a driver die area and thus cost, without reducing the driver performance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system for driving light emitting display


A mounting assembly is provided for securing objects to a substrate in a manner that permits the objects to be removed from the mounting assembly and from the substrate. The mounting assembly includes a planar sheet-like holder with opposite front and rear faces. A repositionable adhesive is applied across the entire rear face of the holder, and the holder is removably disposed on a release liner. A generally U-shaped cut is formed in the holder to define a flap. The flap can be repositionably attached to the object, while remaining portions of the holder can be repositionably secured to a substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a holder with an adhesive that exhibits temporary and permanent adhesive characteristics for removably and repositionably holding an object on a substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many instances when an object must be supported at least temporarily on a substrate. The substrate may be a wall, a door, a cabinet, a desk, a computer, a notebook or the like. The object to be retained on the substrate also can take many forms, such as a photograph, a poster, a calendar, a memorandum, a recipe, a business card, a wire, a decoration or the like.
Objects that are intended for fairly permanent mounting on a substrate may be framed and mounted with picture hooks or other types of mounting hardware that are nailed, screwed or otherwise permanently embedded in the substrate. Other objects may be adhered to the substrate with a permanent adhesive.
There are many other instances where the object will be mounted to the substrate for only a limited duration. For example, a college student may want to decorate a dorm room with posters or photographs. However the dorm room wall must be substantially in its initial condition at the end of the school year. Hence, nails, screws and the like generally are not suitable for mounting objects on the walls of a college dorm room. Additionally, most students and their parents would prefer not to invest significant amounts of money to frame the various posters and photographs that a college student is likely to display in a dorm room.
Push pins sometimes are used to tack a poster, photograph or calendar to a wall. However, push pins damage the object that is to be mounted and inflict at least minimal damage to the wall or other substrate. Furthermore, many walls are too hard to accept a push pin.
Adhesive tape often is used to mount sheet material, such as posters and photographs, on a wall. The tape may be stretched across the corners of the poster, photograph or other sheet shaped object that is being mounted. However, this mounting method is unsightly and will permanently damage the front face of the object that is mounted. Additionally, many types of adhesive tape leave a residue on the substrate. The residue often is difficult to remove and will retain dirt if not removed completely. Adhesive tape can be formed into a loop with the adhesive surface facing outwardly. Several such loops of adhesive tape then can be affixed to the rear face of the poster, photograph or other sheet shaped object. The poster or photograph then is pressed against the wall. This approach avoids the unsightly appearance of tape stretching across the external corners of the sheet. However, the tape still may leave a residue when the poster, photograph or the like is removed. Furthermore, it is difficult to remove the sheet from the wall and it is difficult to remove the tape from the sheet without permanently damaging the poster, photograph or other such sheet. Double-sided adhesive tape can be used in place of the above-described loops of one-sided adhesive tape. However, double-sided adhesive tape suffers from the same problems as the adhesive tape loops.
The above-described mounting needs and problems occur in many environments other than college dorms. For example, younger children often want to display photographs or posters that are relevant to the particular age of the child. The poster or photographs quickly become dated and passe as the child moves from one age bracket to another and as popular culture evolves.
Kitchens, family rooms and doors in homes are other common places for displaying calendars, notes, photographs, report cards, recipes and the like. Most such mountings are very temporary in nature and should be carried out to avoid damage to either the substrate or the object that is being mounted.
A demand also exists for mounting objects to a substrate in the workplace. For example, a weekly or monthly to-do-list often is mounted prominently, but is changed frequently. A business card may be removably mounted to an office door or to a brochure that is being delivered to a customer. Permanent adhesives and permanent adhesive tapes are undesirable for most of these applications. In particular, most permanent adhesives and adhesive tapes will damage both the substrate and the object that is being temporarily affixed to the substrate.
Rubber-like removable adhesive blocks are useful for some situations. These blocks come in many different plan view configurations including squares, circles and elongate strips. The thickness varies from proximally ⅛-¼ inch. These adhesive products can be pressed against the rear surface of the object to be mounted. The object then is pressed against the substrate. These adhesive products generally can be removed without permanently damaging a wall door, cabinet or the like. However, a thin flexible object, such as a poster, photograph, memorandum, calendar or such is likely to be torn or delaminated in an attempt to remove the object from the substrate or in an attempt to remove the adhesive block from the object. The bulkiness of these adhesive blocks also can cause visually apparent lumps when applied to a thin object, such as a poster or photograph.
Post-it® notes are used widely for writing short memoranda, comments or instructions and can be affixed removably to some substrates. The Post-it® notes generally are rectangular sheets with a thin area of a repositionable adhesive along one edge. The sheets are held in a pad form by the removable adhesive. The note sheets then can be removed one-by-one and temporarily affixed to a substrate. The user then can write a short note on the Post-it®. Post-it® notes generally are not well-suited for supporting an object on a substrate.
In view of the above, it is an object of the subject invention to provide holders for mounting an object removably to a substrate.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for mounting an object on a substrate.


An actuator includes: a coil for excitation; a stator excited with different magnetic poles by energization of the coil; a rotor magnetized with different magnetic poles in a circumferential direction, and rotated by magnetic force generating between the rotor and the stator; and an outputting member rotated in conjunction with the rotor and outputting rotational movement of the rotor to a member. The outputting member fits onto the rotor, and the rotor has at least one of a recess portion and a projection portion at a fitting surface of the rotor. The outputting member is jointed with the rotor so as to have a shape corresponding to the at least one of the recess portion and the projection portion by welding.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an actuator, a shutter driving device for a camera, and a method of manufacturing an actuator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there has been known an actuator used for driving a shutter blade employed in a camera, and composed of a rotor, a stator, a coil for exerting the stator, and an outputting member for transmitting the rotational movement of the rotor to the shutter blade. Japanese Patent Application Publication No 2004-191750 discloses that the rotor and the outputting member are insert-molded.
However, in the case where the rotor and the outputting member are insert-molded, it is difficult to maintain the accuracy of the angular position of the outputting member against the rotor.
Consequently, when the rotor and the outputting member are jointed by welding, the angular position of the outputting member against the rotor can be finely adjusted before welding. This improves the accuracy of the angular position of the outputting member against the rotor.
However, even if the welding joint is performed, a long-time use may weaken the joint of the rotor and the outputting member, which may cause a displacement between the rotor and the outputting member. Specifically, as the load applied to the rotor and the outputting member increases in accordance with the faster shutter speed, the possibility of the above problem may increase.

Actuator, shutter driving device for camera and method of manufacturing actuator


A tray loading arm is provided for reciprocating between a magazine and a reproducing device. A pin is provided on the tray loading arm, and a tray guide device is operatively engaged with the pin so as to be moved together with the pin. The tray guide device has a guide plate to be engaged with the tray for moving the tray, and a slide plate to be engaged with the tray for keeping engagement of the guide plate with the tray during movement of the tray.

The present invention relates to a tray loading device of a CD player having a magazine which stores a plurality of trays each of which holds a compact disc (CD).
Recently, a CD player having a magazine has been provided for continuously reproducing a plurality of CDs.
In a car CD player, a tray loading device is designed so as to be vertically moved along the magazine for loading a selected tray in the magazine. The tray is drawn by the device from the magazine in the horizontal direction to feed the CD on the tray to a playback position.
In such a conventional loading device, a device having an arm rotating mechanism or a rack relay mechanism has been proposed.
FIG. 11 shows a car CD player 10 having a conventional tray loading device. A car CD player 10 has a magazine mounting section 20 having a magazine 21 and a reproducing section 30 having a reproducing device 50. The reproducing device 50 comprises a frame 42 on which a turntable 40 driven by a spindle motor 41 is rotatably mounted. A tray loading device 100 having a tray guide 111 is mounted on a frame 60 which is provided on a lower portion of the frame 42 and vertically movable by an arm 61 operated by a motor (not shown). A damper 70 is also mounted on the frame 60 for clamping a CD on the turntable 40.
FIGS. 12 and 13 show the tray loading device 100. A drive gear 102 secured to a rotating shaft of a motor (not shown) is engaged with a gear portion 101a of a mode control ring 101 for rotating the ring about a center 0. The gear portion 101a is further engaged with a pinion 103 which is engaged with a gear 105 of a gear arm 104. The gear 105 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 105a to which a fixed gear 106 is secured. The gear 106 is engaged with an intermediate gear 107 rotatably mounted on a shaft 104a secured to the gear arm 104 at a central portion thereof. The gear 107 is engaged with a gear 108 rotatably mounted on a shaft 104b secured to an end portion of the arm 104.
On the shaft 104b, a tray loading arm 109 is pivotally mounted at a base thereof. The arm 109 is provided with a holding member 114 rotatably mounted on a pin 113 secured to an end portion thereof. The tray guide 111 is integrally formed on the holding member 114 to be engaged with a notch 91 of a tray 90. A pair of guide members 110 are formed on an underside of the guide 111 and slidably mounted on a guide shaft 112.
As shown in FIG. 13a, the length e between the shafts 105a and 104b is equal to the length e between the shaft 104b and the pin 113. Thus, the gear arm 104 and the tray loading arm 109 approximately have the same length. Furthermore, the shaft 112 is parallel to the line H connecting the shafts 105a, 104b and the pin 113 positioned on a straight line.
The operation of the tray loading device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13a to 13d.
When the tray 90 is pushed into the magazine, a side 111a of the guide 111 is engaged with an inside wall 92 of the notch 91 as shown in FIG. 13a. Under such a condition where the side 111a is abuts on the wall 92, the loading device 100 can not be smoothly vertically moved. Therefore, as described later, at the selection of one of trays in the magazine, the loading device is positioned as shown in FIG. 13d. Namely, both sides 111a and 111b of the tray guide 111 are disengaged from inside walls 92 and 93 of the notch 91.
When one of the trays in the magazine 21 is selected, the tray loading device 100 is vertically moved in the player along the trays in the magazine to the selected tray. Since the guide 111 does not touch the walls 92 and 93 of the notch 91, the device 100 can be smoothly moved.
In order to draw the selected tray from the magazine, the motor is driven to rotate the gear 102 in the clockwise direction shown by an arrow of FIG. 12, so that the mode control ring 101 is rotated in the clockwise direction to rotate the pinion 103 in the clockwise direction. The gear 105 of the gear arm 104 engaged with the pinion 103 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the arm 104 is moved in the counterclockwise direction about the shaft 105a. When the arm 104 is moved, the gear 107 rotatably mounted on the arm 104 is revolved around the gear 106 to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction. The gear 108 engaged with the gear 107 is rotated in the clockwise direction to move the arm 109 in the clockwise direction. At the position of FIG. 13a, the axes of the arms 104 and 109 are brought into line so that the tray guide 111 is engaged with the wall 93 of the notch 91 of the tray 90.
As shown in FIG. 13b, when the ring 101 is further rotated, the arm 104 is moved in the counterclockwise direction through the pinion 103 and the gear 105. The arm 109 is moved in the clockwise direction through the gears 107 and 108. Thus, the tray guide 111 mounted on the pin 113 of the arm 109 is moved along the guide rail 112 so that the selected tray 90 is gradually drawn from the magazine.
In accordance with the gear ratio of the gear 106 to the gear 108, if the arm 104 is rotated at an angle .theta. with the line H, the arm 109 is rotated at an angle 2.theta. with the axis of the arm 104 in the opposite angular direction.
When the arm 104 is overlapped on a perpendicular axis S and the shaft 104b of the arm 104 coincides with the axis S, the arm 109 is overlapped on the arm 104 and the pin 113 of the arm 109 coincides with the shaft 105a of the gear 105 because the arms 104 and 109 are the same length. The gear 107 is further revolved around the gear 106 so that the arm 109 is crossed over the arm 104 and moved to the left as shown in FIG. 13c. When the arms 104 and 109 are brought into line, the tray 90 is completely fed to the reproducing section 30 and further loaded on the turntable 40.
In order to return the tray to the magazine when selecting the other tray, the ring 101 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction through the gear 102 and motor. The gear 105 is rotated in the clockwise direction to move the arm 104 in the clockwise direction. The gear 108 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to move the arm 109 in the counterclockwise direction. The tray guide 111 engaged with the notch 91 of the tray is abutted on the wall 92 so as to push the tray to the magazine as the arms 104 and 109 are moved. The return operation is continued in a reverse order.
When the arms 104 and 109 are moved to the positions as shown in FIG. 13a, the tray 90 is returned in the magazine. However, the ring 101 is further rotated a predetermined small angle in the counterclockwise direction to move the arm 104 in the clockwise direction. Thus, the shaft 104b is positioned slightly lower than the line H to move the pin 113 as shown in FIG. 13d. The guide 111 is positioned in a center of the notch 91 such that a gap is provided between the guide 111 and walls 92 and 93. Consequently, the device 100 can be smoothly moved at the next selection of the tray.
However, as noted earlier, the notch 91 of the tray 90 has a width enough to position the tray guide 111 in the center thereof so as to provide gaps between the guide 111 and walls 92 and 93. Accordingly, when the tray 90 is drawn from the magazine 21 or returned in the magazine, the guide 111 is engaged with either of the walls 92 or 93, thereby making clattering noises.


A silicon (Si) nanocrystal embedded Si oxide electroluminescence (EL) device and associated fabrication process are presented. The method provides a substrate bottom electrode, and forms a plurality of Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers overlying the bottom electrode, where X is less than 2. Each SiOx film layer has a Si excess concentration in a range of about 5 to 30%. The outside film layers sandwich an inner film layer having a lower concentration of Si nanocrystals. Alternately stated, the outside Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers have a higher electrical conductivity than a sandwiched inner film layer. A transparent top electrode is formed over the plurality of Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers. The plurality of Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers are deposited using a high density plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (HD PECVD) process. The HD PECVD process initially deposits SiOx film layers, which are subsequently annealed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to integrated circuit (IC) fabrication and, more particularly, to an electroluminescence (EL) device made from a graded layering of silicon (Si) nanocrystal (nc) embedded Si oxide (SiOx) films.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electroluminescence device made from a Si rich SiOx emissive layer (prior art). The current state of the art in silicon photonics uses silicon nanocrystals embedded in a silicon dioxide (SiO2) matrix. Such a material is fabricated by several methods. One simple fabrication method is by the ion implantation of Si ions into SiO2 films, and another is by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of excess Si into oxide films. The EL device 100 has an active emissive layer 102 that is deposited onto a conductive substrate 104, such as a doped Si wafer that serves as a bottom electrode.
This emissive layer 102 is a film in which an excess of Si is deposited in concert with SiO2, and is subsequently annealed. The excess Si aggregates into distinct phases of Si nanocrystals on the order of 5 nanometers (nm) to 10 (nm). These nanophases of Si provide a quantum confinement that permits the radiative decay of excited optical states. After the deposition of the active emissive layer 102, a transparent conductive electrode 106, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), is deposited, which permits the transmission of the device optical output under bias.
With this construction, charge carriers (electrons and holes) are injected from both electrodes 104/106 and form excited optical states in the Si nanocrystals (nc-Si) called excitons. If the nc-Si phases are of the proper size and distribution, the excitons decay into optical emission or electroluminescence. Conventionally, a single emissive layer is formed (as shown), which is exclusively responsible for carrier transport, exciton formation, and subsequent radiative decay. Based on empirical data, it has been determined that the balancing all of these interactions is difficult within a single homogeneous film. A nc-Si in-oxide material that is efficient in transporting charge carriers is not necessarily efficient in allowing excitons to decay into light emission. Emissive films with a higher concentration of nc-Si particles (e.g., greater than 20% excess) are better conductors than light emitters, since the close proximity permits many of the nano-particles in the excited state to simply dissipate into heat or current. On the other hand, a lower nc-Si concentration (e.g., 5-10% excess) does permit exciton radiative decay if inter-particle spacing is sufficient. Generating sufficient current to form excitons on nc-Si particles is facilitated using a high nc-Si in-oxide concentration material, but this same material will not support the radiative decay of excitons with the same efficiency as a lower concentration nc-Si Si oxide material.
It would be advantageous if an EL device could be made from a Si rich Si oxide emissive layer that supports both radiative decay, as well as the generation of excitons.

Graded junction silicon nanocrystal embedded silicon oxide electroluminescence device


A method for bonding integrated circuit chips and other devices to a liquid crystal display panel. The method involves using a single anisotropic conductive film that is sized to bond at least one integrated circuit chip and at least one other device, such as a flexible printed circuit board, a tape carrier package and a chip-on-film, to the liquid crystal display panel.

Flat panel display devices commonly use LCD panels. An LCD panel may include a pixel region having an array of pixel thin film transistors and intersecting arrays of spaced apart data lines and gate lines that are connected to the array of pixel thin film transistors. The array of pixel thin film transistors, data lines and gate lines form an array of addressable pixels. The LCD panel may also include a peripheral region having driver integrated circuit (IC) chips mounted therein, which drive the array of pixel thin film transistors. The peripheral region may also connect flexible printed circuit (FPC) boards, tape carrier packages (TCPs) and/or chip-on-film (COF) devices.
The driver IC chips may be mounted to the LCD panel in the peripheral region thereof using a chip-on-glass (COG) technology. In COG, anisotropic conductive films (ACFs) are used to bond the driver IC chips. ACFs are also used for connecting the FPC boards, TCPs, or COFs to the LCD panel.
The driver IC chips and the FPC board/TCP/COF devices are presently bonded to the panel in a multiple ACF bonding process or method. In the first step of the method, a first ACF adapted specifically for bonding the driver IC chip is applied to the LCD panel and then the IC chip is bonded to the panel, via the first ACF, using ACF bonding parameters specific to the IC chip. In the second step of the process, a second ACF adapted specifically for bonding the FPC board/TCP/COF device is applied to the LCD panel and then the FPC board/TCP/COF device is bonded to the panel, via the second ACF, using ACF bonding parameters specific to the FPC board/TCP/COF device.
The double ACF bonding method has a relatively high cost in terms of time, materials, and equipment. Further, the two different ACF types require separate classifications to ensure proper production line control.

Method for mounting a driver IC chip and a FPC board/TCP/COF device using a single anisotropic conductive film


A method of detecting camera tempering and a system therefor are provided. The method includes: performing at least one of following operations: (i) detecting a size of a foreground in an image, and determining whether a first condition, that the size exceeds a first reference value, is satisfied, (ii) detecting change of a sum of the largest pixel value differences among pixel value differences between adjacent pixels in selected horizontal lines of the image, according to time, and determining whether a second condition, that the change lasts for a predetermined time period, is satisfied, and (iii) adding up a plurality of global motion vectors with respect to a plurality of images, and determining whether a third condition, that a sum of the global motion vectors exceeds a second reference value, is satisfied; and determining occurrence of camera tempering if at least one of the corresponding conditions is satisfied.

1. Field
Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate to detecting camera tampering, and more particularly, detecting camera tampering, if a foreground ratio exceeds a reference value, a pixel value difference in an image lasts more than a predetermined time, or a global motion value exceeds a reference value.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image surveillance system obtains images from cameras installed at many places where surveillance is necessary, and transmits the images to a monitor or stores the images in a storage to monitor them in real-time and to review them afterwards.
Recently, as demands for image surveillance systems have generally increased in society as a whole, in order to solve a problem of manpower shortage for managing an increased number of image surveillance systems, intelligent image analyzing techniques in which detecting motion in an image, tracing an object in the image, or face recognition function has been developed.
An image analyzing technique includes a function of detecting a moving object from an image or a function of analyzing a behavior of the moving body. The image analyzing technique increases an efficiency of an image surveillance system since the image analyzing technique may replace or assist manpower required for managing a security system that detects trespassers and thefts or monitors a moving object.
A camera tampering detection system, as one of image analyzing techniques, is used for detecting an installed surveillance camera if the camera is artificially manipulated, damaged, or a view of the camera is blocked by objects such as blowing leaves.
The camera tampering detection system notifies a user of unexpected problems on a facility where the camera tampering detection is installed for crime prevention such as changes of an installation location, an angle of view of a camera, view blocking of the camera or a power outage of the camera.
Also, in a general image surveillance system, images are obtained from cameras installed on several places. Image signals obtained from the cameras are simultaneously managed by a user, for convenience of management, by being connected to a digital video recorder (DVR) or network video recorder (NVR).

Method of detecting camera tampering and system thereof


A motor-driven power steering system includes a steering column connected to a steering wheel, a motor with a rotation shaft connected to the steering column, a decelerator that rotates by interacting with the rotation shaft, fixing parts mounted at each left and right wheel, link members rotatably connected at both ends to the fixing parts and the decelerator, a detecting part that detects the vehicle state, and a motor driving device that generates a steering assist force by supplying the motor with a current determined on the basis of the vehicle state. This configuration transmits the driving force of the motor directly to vehicle wheels, thereby optimizing the motor function and reducing the vehicle weight by eliminating a rack.

Generally, a power steering system is either hydraulic or motor-driven. In hydraulic power steering systems that employ oil, a power device (e.g., power pump) pumps hydraulic fluid by using engine power and generates hydraulic pressure. The power device then applies the pressure in the direction in which a driver turns the steering wheel, thus aiding the driver's effort in turning the wheels.
The Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system multiplies the driver's steering force by using an electric motor. The force required to steer a vehicle is inversely proportional to the speed of the vehicle. Therefore, when the vehicle moves at a low speed, the MDPS is designed to deliver a significant amount of current to the motor to increase the steering assist force. When the vehicle moves at a moderate speed, the MDPS delivers a moderate, predetermined amount of current to the motor. However, when the vehicle moves at a high speed, the current is isolated to eliminate current flowing to the motor. Thus, the motor provides no steering assist force to the driver at high speeds.
However, there is a drawback in the conventional motor-driven power steering systems in that a motor to obtain sufficient rack driving force in mid-sized or heavy vehicles is not easily developed or controlled. Furthermore, the steering is executed by the driving force of the motor with a rack and pinion, thereby increasing energy loss.


A mobile terminal device receives and reproduces a broadcast program on air. At this moment, in the mobile terminal device, a reception quality measuring section measures the reception quality by measuring electric field intensity of the broadcast waves. A reception quality notifying section notifies the user of the measured reception quality in a form that is easily interpreted by the user. This allows the mobile terminal device to notify the user of whether the user can stably view the program.

In recent years, a merger between communications and broadcasting has advanced. Specifically, a mobile terminal device capable of data communications, and reception and reproduction of a broadcast program has been developed. A user who uses such a mobile terminal device, for example, can view a broadcast program during traveling while transmitting or receiving an electronic mail. Further, the idea of changing a transmission scheme of a broadcast program to be broadcasted according to content of the broadcast program has been conceived. This allows for enhancement of transmission efficiency in entire bands.
A typical television set is installed at a place for its use. Therefore, environmental conditions for the propagation of broadcast waves are constant and unchanged except in cases where a serious climate change occurs. On the contrary, the mobile terminal device capable of receiving a broadcast program can be used during traveling. Therefore, change of a location of the mobile terminal device significantly changes the environmental conditions for the propagation of broadcast waves
A conventional mobile terminal device reproduces a received broadcast program as it is. Therefore, the user is unaware of decrease in reception quality of the broadcast program caused due to a mobile terminal device's site having poor environmental conditions for the propagation. In the worst case, reproduction of the broadcast program is interrupted when the user is viewing the broadcast program. This annoys the user. Thus, for the user using the conventional mobile terminal device, there is no way of knowing in advance whether he/she can continue to stably view a currently viewing broadcast program.
In the event that reception quality of the broadcast program becomes worse halfway through viewing of the broadcast program so that it is impossible to view the broadcast program, a viewing time before the event becomes waste of time. In view of such circumstances, a mobile terminal device having the function of capable of recording the broadcast program, has been developed. In the mobile terminal device having the recording function, if the broadcast program is recorded in an unbearable condition because of a poor reception quality of the broadcast program, the user will not view the recorded broadcast program later. In this case, battery and memory of the mobile terminal device is used wastefully.

Mobile terminal device, reception quality notification method, broadcast base station device, reception quality notification program, and storage medium


A differential value of a characteristic curve of a focus distance of a zooming lens versus a position of a focus lens is calculated or found from a table in a contrast or phase difference type auto focus mechanism by detecting a high frequency part of an image signal. A follow-up speed of a focus lens is stepped or continuously changed based on the differential value. A focus position of a focus lens can therefore be changed smoothly corresponding to displacement of a focus distance of a zooming lens. A current brightness and a brightness when the evaluative value is peak is compared. If a brightness difference is large, a peak is not recognized and processing is repeated. Also, a gain of an amplifier is reduced corresponding to a linear-, step- or curve characteristic of a focus position of the focus lens versus a focus distance of the zooming lens when a gain of an AGC circuit is relatively high, so that noise is a high frequency part is reduced. If an iris of the apparatus is relatively closed a gain of the AGC or an amplifier is relatively high, noise increases and the reference value therefore increases to judge a peak of an evaluative value certainly. If the iris is relatively opened, a gain of the AGC and the amplifier is relatively low and noise decreases wherein a peak is rapidly detected without the focus lens passing a focus point.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device of an auto-focus mechanism equipped in a camera and an improvement for ensuring rapid and certain focusing.
2. Description of the Background Art
In the case that a zone for measuring a distance between an object and a camera is provided at a picture plane of the camera in an auto-focus mechanism of a contrast method type, a fixed and small zone is conventionally provided at a center portion of the picture plane. Usually, there is photographed a main object positioned at a center portion of the picture plane, so that a lens member is actuated in order to optimize a contrast ratio of a picture at the center portion of the picture plane.
However, when a picture is taken in light, generally a contrast ratio is remarkably reduced at a center portion of the picture. It becomes difficult to find, an optimum contrast in the case of a conventional zone for measuring a distance and therefore its focusing becomes wrong.
In the case of an auto-focus mechanisms in a type of a high frequency detecting method type is one of the contrast methods, an output of a picture image passes through an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit, a high frequency part of a signal of a picture image obtained from the automatic gain control circuit (hereinafter, it is referred as "a high frequency part") is picked up by passing a band pass filter, a picked-up high frequency part is detected in order to detect an evaluative value for focusing (hereinafter, it is referred as "an evaluative value"), and a proper focus position of a lens member where the evaluative value becomes peak is determined. That is, when focusing is proper, a contrast ratio becomes maximum and a high frequency part also becomes maximum. In such cases, one kind of a band pass filer is utilized. Usually, a circuit for amplifying by a fixed gain value is provided at a wave detected circuit in order to increase a sensitivity for picking up the high frequency part. In addition, it is judged whether a peak is over when the evaluative value is going down after the evaluative value is going up. However, a noise is usually included in the evaluative value. Unless the evaluative value changed more than a noise level, it cannot be found that the evaluative value is actually increased or decreased. Therefore, in a conventional method, it is judged whether a displacement of an evaluative value is greater or less than a fixed reference value.
However, in a conventional auto-focus mechanism, there is only one band pass filter. In the case of a narrow band pass filter, if a focus lens is initially positioned far from a proper focus point, a filter output is little changed although the focus lens is moved frontwards or backwards. In this case, a high frequency part is shifted to a relatively low frequency part and an amplitude of the signal is still small. Accordingly, the evaluative value is little changed initially so that it is very difficult to detect whether a frontward direction or a backward direction is a proper direction toward a focus point. Much time is needed to detect a peak of the evaluative value certainly. In the case of a broad band pass filter, a displacement of the evaluative value is changed slightly near the peak, so that it is difficult to detect a real peak certainly.
The above described relation between focusing and an amount of a high frequency part comes into existence in the case that a brightness of an object is constant. If a brightness of an object is changed while a focus lens is moving for detecting a peak of an evaluative value, a wrong evaluative value is recognized as a peak. This occurs since a high frequency part is changed in accordance with a displacement of a brightness.
In the case that an object is dark, an iris is further opened and a gain value of an AGC circuit becomes high. The high gain value of AGC is added to a fixed gain value of an amplifier circuit. Then, a gain value in a whole system becomes very high and a noise component is also increased. If the noise component is large, it is difficult to detect a change of the evaluative value although the evaluative value is increased or decreased a little. A peak of an evaluative value is unclear so that it cannot detect a proper focus position certainly. Further, a noise level is changed in accordance with an opening degree of an iris, a gain value of an AGC circuit and a gain value of an amplifier in a wave detector. It is a problem described as follows, if a reference value for detecting a displacement of an evaluative value is fixed.
(1) In the case of a fixed reference value as a relatively low level, when an iris is relatively closed, a gain of AGC is relatively high or a fixed gain of an amplifier is relatively high, a noise is increased in the evaluative value. A judgement of a peak of the evaluative value becomes unclear due to the noise. As a result, the judgement is sometimes wrong.
(2) On the contrary, in the case of a fixed reference value as a relatively high level, when an iris is relatively opened, a gain value of AGC is relatively low or a fixed gain of an amplifier is relatively low, a peak of the evaluative value cannot be judged until the evaluative value is much decreased, although a noise is relatively less. That is, the peak cannot be detected until a focus lens runs over a proper focus position some distance. A detection of the peak is delayed.
On the other hand, recently, a video camera of a rear focus lens type has been developed, in which a focus lens is provided behind a zooming lens. In the rear focus lens type, a proper focus position of a focus lens is changed depending on a focusing distance of a zooming lens. The focus position is changed as a curved line.
Conventionally, it is difficult to successively change a position of a focus lens in accordance with a focus distance of a zooming lens.

Auto focus control system for a rear-focus lens apparatus


The invention relates to the field of mining, namely, to the oil and gas extraction, hydrogeologic, engineering and the geologic and water supply industry and provides an apparatus for the cutting of slot-like key seats in the well bore zone of productive strata by hydraulic abrasion.

The slot relieving of wellside zone of producing beds is known as one of the most effective methods for increasing productivity (output) of oil, gas, fill-in, hydrogeological, engineer-geological or water-supplying well.
This method provides creating of slots in the wellside zone, wherein the width, depth and orientation of the slots are predefined by known methods according to characteristics of the well and productive bed.
Practical cutting of slots having predetermined parameters is a very difficult technical problem, since the cutting is performed in complicated conditions of various rocks, temperatures, at great depth, in the presence of extracted product and/or washing liquids in the welbore, with remote control and monitoring only. One of the most successful techniques for cutting slots is the sandblasting hydro-abrasive perforation, in which the cutting is performed with a jet of water and sand at a very high pressure of liquid. Apparatus for implementing this technique is shown in close-up in FIG. 1. It comprises a tubing (pipe) 1 which is rigidly joined with a housing tube (housing pipe) 2, within which an inner tube 4 is moveably mounted coaxially relative to housing 2 (and to a gap 3), the inner tube being spring-loaded from below with a cock spring 5. A ball valve 6 is mounted at the edge of inner tube 4, and a perforator 7 is mounted above that valve. In the inter tube gap 3, a hydro-brake 8 is formed comprising two vertical hermetic chambers 9 and 10 constrained by plugs 11 and 12. The chambers are filled with liquid and separated by a piston 14 having a channel 15 for cross-flow of liquid between the chambers, the top plug 11 being rigidly joined with the case 2 and moveably joined with the inner tube 4. The piston 14 is rigidly joined with the inner tube 2 and moveably joined with the case 2. The bottom plug 12 is moveable relative both tubes.
The apparatus in FIG. 1 operates as follows. The outer tube 2 is jointed by means of pipe coupling (like a collar) with the tubing 1. The second end of tubing 1 is connected to a pump unit of the equipment on the surface. The top chamber 9 is filled with viscous liquid, wherein the amount of liquid for each cutting process is chosen in accordance with the slot length and depth calculated in advance, based on the known parameters of the channel 15 (capillary) connecting the chambers 9 and 10, temperature dependence of the sizes of the channel and the fluidity of liquid, as well as the pressure of the pump unit.
Then the housing 2 of the apparatus (along with the inner tube 4, hydro-brake 8, cock device 5, hydro-abrasive perforator 7, and ball valve 6 disposed therein) is lowered to the predetermined depth, so that nozzles of hydro-abrasive perforator 7 are in the place of the well where the top edge of the formed slot should be cut. A ball is dropped into the inner tube 4 (in order to close the ball valve 6). The pump unit of the surface equipment is then turned on, and it begins to pump the abrasive mixture with the predetermined (rated) pressure into the inner tube 4. The mixture passes down to the ball valve 6 and closes it tightly. The hydro-abrasive perforator 7, via nozzles, begins to cut slots, first in the casing walls, then in the wellside zone. The depth of cutting of a future slot depends, in particular, on the time during which the cutting is performed. Pressure within the inner tube 4 (through which the abrasive liquid is pumped under pressure) pushes the inner tube 4 down and out of the outer tube (housing) 2 rigidly mounted on the tubing 1. A slow cross-flow of liquid from the top chamber 9 of hydro-brake 8 into the bottom chamber 10 occurs, predetermined by the time of the cross-flow defined by the channel 15. Thus, the inner tube 4 with the perforator 7 mounted thereon is slowly lowered down, and the rate of its movement defines the depth of (slot) cutting. At that time, only the cock spring 5 pushes from below against the plug 12 of the bottom chamber 10, which pressure is chosen essentially less than the pressure against the top plug 11. In other words, the pressure of the cock spring 5 does not impede the liquid to cross-flow from the top chamber 9 into the bottom chamber 10. This process of slow lowering (in the presence of pressure in the tubing 1) lasts until all the oil from the bottom chamber is forced to flow into the top chamber. I.e., the characteristics of liquid poured initially into the bottom chamber 9 define the height of cutting, or the future slot. The duration of the cross-flow defines the rate of lowering of the apparatus for cutting slots, i.e., the depth of cutting of such slot. If the necessary cutting height is achieved before all the oil in the top chamber cross flows into the lower chamber, then at that moment the pressure in the tubing 1 is released, and the process of cutting the slot and the liquid cross-flow is stopped. In doing so, since the pressure against the top plug 11 of hydro-brake 8 is stopped, the cock spring 5 pushes liquid out of the top chamber 9 into the bottom chamber 10 while raising the inner tube 4 into its initial position. The same process occurs after all the oil is squeezed into the bottom chamber 10, if the pressure in the tubing 1 is withdrawn at that time.
An effective example of such an apparatus for cutting slots by hydro-abrasive perforator, which apparatus being used for developing production columns with a slot and creating vertical relieving slot-shaped cavities in the wellside zone, could be the apparatus 4, the design of <<>>[Special Designing Bureau "Sevmorgeologiya", RU], which operates in the above described manner. Known are another similar apparatuses. The closest analog is the apparatus according the U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,741 issued Nov. 25, 2003.
Now the processes taking place in the process of cutting slots by hydro-abrasion will be analyzed. Essentially in all known apparatuses of this type, a movement of the hydro-abrasive perforator 7 occurs from top to bottom by a pressure in the tube space. The pressure in the tube space is created for operation of a hydro-abrasive jet. Because of the pressure differential between the tube space and the annular space (outside the tube) at hard-alloy nozzles of the hydro-abrasive perforator 7, an abrasive particle is "charged" with energy (the particle outlet velocity from the hard-alloy nozzle reaches several meters per second). When hitting the production column wall and then the rock, a particle "performs" work: it destroys metal and rock. Hydro-abrasive perforator 7 is lowered into a well on tube 1. The main part in this apparatus is the hydro-brake 8, sealed relative to the housing 2, which is rigidly joined with the column of tube 1. The inner tube 4 sealed relative to the housing 2 can move a fixed distance limited by top plug 11 and bottom plug 12. The piston 14 is disposed in the middle of a stroke between the plugs, which piston is implemented as a seal having a capillary through hole, i.e., the channel 15. The space between the top plug 11 and the piston 14 with the capillary, which is previously referred to as the top chamber 9 of hydro-brake 8, is filled with viscous liquid. The space between the bottom plug 12 and the piston 14 with the capillary, which is previously referred to as the bottom chamber 10 of hydro-brake 8, is filled with viscous liquid. Pressure in the tube space causes the displacement of the inner tube 4 relative to the housing 2 due to the cross-flow of viscous liquid from the bottom chamber 10 into the top chamber 9. The rate of that displacement is adjusted by the length and the cross-section of the capillary, and the selection of the viscosity of the liquid and the cross-section and length of the capillary, so that the displacement rate is predetermined for the optimal operation of hydro-abrasive perforator 7 under the conditions of the face of well (the temperature and working pressure in the tube space).
The bottom seal-plug 12 is made moveable relative to the inner tube 4 and housing 2, and the bottom plug 12 is spring-loaded relative to the housing by the cock spring 5. Thus, pressure is created in the bottom chamber 10 of hydro-brake 8 of hydro-abrasive perforator 7, which pressure ensures the initial position of the bottom plug 12, and, therefore, the inner tube 4 with the hydro-abrasive perforator 7, in the upper top position. Pressure of the cock spring 5 in the bottom chamber 10 of the engine of hydro-abrasive perforator 7 (cock force) is chosen such that this force ensures the raising of hydro-abrasive perforator 7 into the upper top position not exceeding 30% of the forward stroke force exerted by the working pressure in the tube space.
More commonly, the back stroke or the cock of the engine of hydro-abrasive perforator 7 occurs due to the straightening the spring 5 which encompasses the inner tube 4 inserted between the housing of hydro-brake 8 and hydro-abrasive perforator 7. The lower end of the cock spring 5 is pushed against the perforator housing, and spring's upper end is pushed against the bottom plug 12 of the hydro-brake 8. A displacement of the inner tube 4 relative to the case 2 compresses the spring 5 because of working pressure in the tube space. Once the pressure in the tube space and the annular space is equalized, the spring 5 straightens and pushes out the inner tube 4 with the perforator 7 into the upper top position.
The signaling device 35 ensures control of the rate of displacement of hydro-abrasive perforator and provides information about completion of the working stroke of the hydro-abrasive perforator. This device is, e.g., all upward pin mounted under the ball valve 6 at a holder rigidly jointed with the housing 2. Said pin opens up the ball valve 6 at the end of the working stroke of hydro-abrasive perforator 7, at which time the pressure in the tube space drops sharply, informing of the completion of the working stroke.
Using such apparatus, it is possible to open up a production column and create slot-shaped key seats in the wellside zone of the productive bed. During operation of such apparatus in a well, a foreman gets information on the hydro-abrasive perforator displacement rate, the completion of hydro-abrasive perforator engine working stroke, the condition of the hard-alloy nozzles during the operation. There is a possibility to initiate forward or backward washing of the well at any stage of the operation in the well, supply the fraction-treating solution, drive the pressurized solution into a formation, and, when necessary, perform the hydraulic formation fracturing.
In spite of the merits of said apparatus, there are some the common drawbacks:
Unpredicted stoppages and alterations of rate (depth) of slot cutting are unavoidable, since all the known hydro-abrasive perforator engines work on the principle of a hydro-brake: the cross-flow of viscous liquids from one chamber to another through a capillary, i.e., a movement rate is set by the capillary's length and cross-section. The reason for stoppages and alterations is the attenuation of the movement of the liquid movement through the capillary. In the case of such a stoppage or essential alteration of the rate, it is necessary to raise the face equipment and readjust it. This is a very costly and lengthy operation.
Dependence of the slot forming rate on temperature. It is known that the viscosity of a liquid depends on its temperature. In order to set the rate of the movement (displacement) of hydro-abrasive perforator of the apparatus in a well during operation (i.e., under the real conditions), it is necessary to perform a series of complicated operations on the surface. The operations related to simulating the working conditions in a well and to calculating a face temperature changes during stoppages while washing the well, and at various rates of pumping in cycle and during the discharge. In addition, the accuracy of such calculations is rather low, which reflects on operation quality and reliability.
Duration of operation for opening a ball valve at the perforator edge, i.e., the operation of extracting said ball. The ball valve is opened by a backward washing process at a speed permitting to raise the ball up to wellhead and to extract it from the tube space. Depending on the depth of the operation, the operation of extracting the metal ball from the tube space requires from one to three, and sometimes five hours. It is necessary to close the ball valve in order to resume a hydro-abrasive perforator working stroke and to maintain pressure differential at the hard-alloy nozzles in the perforator. This procedure is implemented by repeatedly inserting the metal ball into the tube space. Once reaching the hydro-abrasive perforator, the metal ball blocks the aperture in its edge. Supply of working liquid—the pulp—will occur thereafter only through the hard-alloy nozzles. In order to switch to other operation, such as the forward or backward washing of well, insertion of technological solution, replacement of the pulp by a technological solution, hydraulic fracturing of formation, etc., it is again necessary to have a forward open edge of the hydro-abrasive perforator, or else all the operations having to do with the supply of the liquid into tubing 1 encounters the hydraulic resistance of the hard-alloy nozzles.
Presence of signaling device in the lower part of the face equipment, in fact, shuts off the "forward" flow of the liquid from the hydro-abrasive perforator's edge. It is impossible to perform cleaning of a sump in the well from the accumulated sludge and sand, and it is impossible to place an instrument onto the face in order to packer release it and for other purposes.
In other words, the known apparatuses are insufficiently efficient, insufficiently convenient, reliable, stable in time, and they are temperature dependent.

Device for cutting of slot-like key seats in wells by a hydroabrasive method


A method for fabricating a bridge structure in a quantum mechanical device includes providing a substructure including a substrate having deposited thereon a layer of a first superconducting material divided into a first portion, a second portion and a third portion that are electrically insulated from each other; depositing a sacrificial layer on the substructure; electrically connecting the first portion and the second portion with a strip of a second superconducting material, the second superconducting material being different from the first superconducting material; and removing a portion of the sacrificial layer so as to form a bridge structure over the third portion between the first portion and the second portion, the bridge structure electrically connecting the first portion to the second portion while not electrically connecting the third portion to the first portion and not electrically connecting the third portion to the second portion.

The currently claimed embodiments of the present invention relate to quantum circuits, and more specifically, to methods of fabricating a bridge structure in a quantum mechanical device and a quantum mechanical device having the bridge structure.
Quantum computation is based on the reliable control of quantum bits (referred to herein throughout as qubits), The fundamental operations required to realize quantum algorithms are a set of single-qubit operations and two-qubit operations which establish correlations between two separate quantum bits. The realization of high fidelity two-qubit operations may be desirable both for reaching the error threshold for quantum computation and for reaching reliable quantum simulations.
The superconducting quantum processor (having one or more superconducting qubits) includes superconducting metals (e.g., Al, Nb, etc.) on an insulating substrate (e.g., Si or high resistivity Si, Al2O3, etc.). The superconducting quantum processor is typically a planar two-dimensional lattice structure or circuit of individual qubits linked by a coupler in various lattice symmetry (for example, square, hexagonal, etc.), and a readout structure located on a flip-chip. The couplers can be made of a capacitor, a resonator, a coil or any microwave component that provides a coupling between qubits.
Superconducting microwave circuits based on coplanar waveguides (CPW) are susceptible to parasitic slot-line modes. These modes can couple to elements of the circuit such as qubits and thus can lead to signal loss and decoherence. In order to eliminate these spurious modes, cross-over connections are usually made between ground planes that are interrupted by the coplanar waveguides (CPW). Free standing crossovers known as airbridges are conventionally used for that purpose. However, problems remain in the fabrication of these airbridges leading to less than desirable quantum mechanical devices or circuits.

Microfabricated air bridges for quantum circuits

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A system for measuring the output of a photodetector is disclosed. An integrating amplifier circuit receives a signal output from the photodetector and is adapted to output an integrating amplifier voltage proportional to the signal output from the photodetector. A reference source is adapted to serve as a voltage source and is adapted to output a reference voltage proportional to background light incident upon the photodetector. A difference amplifier electronically coupled to the integrating amplifier circuit and to the adjustable reference, receiving the integrating amplifier voltage and the reference voltage, respectively. The difference amplifier is adapted to generate an amplified output using the reference voltage subtracted from the integrating amplifier voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention is signal processing for the output of photodetectors, particularly photodetectors which are used to detect light scattered from a concentration of aerosol particles.
2. Background
Examples of systems that use photodetectors include, but are not limited to, optical character recognition systems, communication systems medical imaging sensors, laser range finders, radiation detectors, smoke detectors, position sensors and proximity sensors. In all of these background art systems, a photodetector is used to measure light or radiation in terms of an electrical signal that is processed in various ways to produce a useful information output. In a particular example from the background art, a beam of collimated light, which may or may not be coherent, is directed through a transparent cell in which particles suspended in fluid mixtures are made to pass. Photodetectors are then used to detect the relative amount of light that is scattered or blocked by the particles. The signals generated by the photodetector contain information about the concentration of particles, size of particles, and/or presence of particles.
The type of photodetector used depends on the sensitivity requirements of the device. A photo-multiplier tube is the most sensitive (and costly) method that is currently available. A photo-multiplier can detect the presence of a single photon with nanosecond resolution. However, photo-multiplier tubes are very costly to manufacture and are easily damaged. Additionally they have very high voltage requirements and therefore tend to be used in laboratories rather than in commercial applications.
One alternative to using a photo-multiplier tube is to use a photodiode and a transimpedance amplifier. In contrast to a photo-multiplier, photodiodes are inexpensive, rugged, small, and operate at low voltages.
Another background art device that is used to measure aerosol particle size and concentration is called a light scattering photometer or nephelometer. Applications that require particularly sensitive measurements require photo-multiplier-based photometers.
When the sensitivity requirements of the application do not justify the use of a photo-multiplier tube, a photodiode-based device is preferred due to the reduced cost. However, photodiodes are generally not as sensitive as photo-multiplier tubes and are prone to noise problems associated with electrical amplification.
Attempts have been made to enhance the signal output from photodetectors. One such attempt is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,384, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, while this approach manages to enhance the signal output from a photodetector, it still suffers from the same shortcoming as other methods known in the prior art—each measurement output from the photodetector represents an instantaneous measurement of a discrete moment in time. Thus, signal enhancement techniques currently practiced generally average a number of samples taken over a period of time. In this way, current techniques sample the rapidly changing signal output from the photodetector and use the average of multiple samples as a representative output of the photodetector.

System and method for measuring the output of a photodetector and for reducing sensitivity to temperature variations


This invention is to provide a structure unit comprising a lightweight cellular resign block and plural bricks laid thereon. A cellular resign block 1 is integrally molded from suitable foamable resign so as to include vertical grooves 3 at the transversely opposite extremities, a vertical bar passage 5 at the transversely middle, and mortar wells 8 extending on the upper end of the block 1. Brick 20 is adhesively laid on surface of the block 1 using elastic mortar to form a structure unit A. Vertical reinforcing bars are inserted into vertical grooves 3 as well as into the middle vertical bar passage 5 and then mortal is poured into the mortar wells 8 to carry out work of masonry. For the blocks in every other stage, portions of vertical partitions 4 extending above the mortar wells 8 are broken away to form horizontal bar supports. Thus, a desired exterior structure such as wall, gatepost or the like in the same manner as with concrete blocks.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cellular resin block and a structural unit for an exterior structure using such block.
2. Description of the Related Prior Art
An exterior structure such as a wall which is exterior-finished with ceramic material, for example, tiles, bricks or the like, is usually erected in the field by a series of steps: forming a concrete body, then laying a plurality of bricks thereon by means of adhesive mortar and the filling the gaps between the bricks with joint mortar. Such field-works is troublesome and often requires a relatively long term to complete.
To avoid this, the structural units for said exterior structure could be prefabricated in a factory and then assembled at the site. However, in view of the weight of a structural unit, special machines including a crane which have been unusual in such works must be used to place the structure units on the site.
In view of the situation as has been mentioned above, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a cellular resin block and a structural unit for exterior structure using such blocks. As a result, the building of the exterior structure of the above-mentioned type is simplified because workers can build the exterior structure easily and reliably within a relatively short period of time and without the need to use any special machines.

Cellular resin block and structural unit for an exterior structure using such block


A method of heat treating post-tensioning strand wedges that enhances efficiency, repeatability and safety is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of post-tensioning strand wedges, transporting each post-tensioning strand wedge to a heating assembly having a first induction heater, heating each post-tensioning strand wedge using the first induction heater of the heating assembly to form a heated post-tensioning strand wedge in a plurality of heated post-tensioning strand wedges, and delivering the plurality of heated post-tensioning strand wedges to perform a series of actions.

The embodiments herein relate generally to post-tensioning strand wedges. More specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of heat treating post-tensioning strand wedges to enhance efficiency, repeatability and safety.
Post-tensioned concrete is used to construct structures such as buildings, bridges, homes, or other structures. In these applications, a plurality of steel strands are often disposed throughout the concrete and secured in place by post-tensioning strand wedges to reinforce the slabs. The post-tensioning strand wedges typically have been heat treated prior to their use.
Current methods and systems for heat treating wedges for post-tensioning typically involve cumbersome and expensive equipment that is very dependent on the workmanship and knowledge of the process. Specifically, this heat treat operation is very complicated and therefore lends itself to problems if the ideal atmosphere, temperatures, times, processes and other variables are not followed. Moreover, the current devices used to heat treat wedges heat treat many parts at the same time. If the parts are not arranged correctly, there can be inconsistencies in the quality of the final treated wedges.
As such, there is a need in the industry for a system and method of heat treating post-tensioning strand wedges that addresses the limitations of the prior art, which enhances efficiency, repeatability, safety and quality of the final product.

Method of treating post-tensioning strand wedges with induction heating


An electrical connector (100) including an insulative housing (1) having a front mating face (16), a receiving cavity (10) recessed rearwardly from the front mating face to receive a mating plug and a plurality of passageways; a number of contacts retained in the passageways respectively and including a first contact (21) having a first vertical base portion (210), a first curved portion (218) being curved forwardly from an upper side of the first vertical base portion, a second curved portion (270) and a vertical plate portion (219) connecting with both the first curved portion and the second curved portion, a first contacting arm (211) extending rearwardly from the second curved portion and projecting into the receiving cavity, a first soldering portion (216) connected to a bottom end of the first vertical base portion; both the vertical plate portion (211) and the first contacting arm (211) is deflectable along a direction perpendicular to the plug insertion direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector and more particularly to an electrical connector having improved contacts.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional audio jack is usually used in electrical equipments such as stereo audio equipment, mobile phones and the like for contacting with a mating plug. The audio jack is mounted on a printed circuit board, and comprises an insulative housing defining a front mating face and a receiving cavity recessed rearward from the front mating face, and a plurality of contacts retained in the receiving cavity. The contacts include a vertical base portion retained with the housing, a soldering portion extending laterally from a lower end of the base portion to be soldered onto the printed circuit board, a contacting arm extending from the base portion and projecting into the receiving cavity to contact with the mating plug. However, in order to ensure desirable elasticity of the contacting arm, the contacting arm is configured to have a large length, in this way, the manufacturing cost of the contacts is relatively high, on the other hand, the receiving cavity has to be large to receive the contacting arm, thereby rendering it not beneficial to make the audio jack miniature.
It is thus desired to provide an electrical connector having an improved soldering portion.

Electrical connector with improved contacts


A method of treating the surface of a positive electrode active material that is capable of inhibiting a reaction at the interface between a sulfide-based solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material. A positive electrode active material particle for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries, the surface of which is reformed, using the method and a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery, the charge/discharge characteristics of which are improved, including the same are also disclosed. The positive electrode active material particle for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries manufactured using a dry-type method exhibits larger capacity than a positive electrode active material particle for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries manufactured through a conventional wet-type process. In addition, the manufacturing process is simplified, and the amount of byproducts is reduced.

A lithium-ion secondary battery or a lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and an electrolyte containing lithium salt interposed between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer. The electrolyte may be a non-aqueous liquid or solid electrolyte. In the case in which a liquid electrolyte is used, it is necessary to equip a battery with a device for minimizing an increase in the temperature of the battery when a short circuit occurs in the battery or with a system for preventing the occurrence of a short circuit in the battery, since the liquid electrolyte is combustible. The danger attributable to the liquid electrolyte has increased due to an increase in the capacity of a battery per unit volume as the result of the appearance of electric products consuming large amounts of electricity, such as electric vehicles, and due to an increase in the absolute capacity of a battery provided for a single system.
An all-solid-state battery, configured such that a solid electrolyte is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, whereby the battery is completely solidified, fundamentally solves the above problem and does not need additional safety devices, whereby the all-solid-state battery is economical. For these reasons, much research has been conducted into all-solid-state batteries.
A battery having a solid electrolyte applied thereto exhibits higher stability than a conventional liquid electrolyte system. However, the capacity and output of the battery having the solid electrolyte applied thereto are lower than those of the conventional liquid electrolyte system, since the solid electrolyte has lower ion conductivity than the liquid electrolyte. The reason that ion conductivity is low in the battery having the solid electrolyte applied thereto is that the area of contact between an electrode active material and the solid electrolyte is not larger than the area of contact between the electrode active material and the liquid electrolyte in the conventional liquid electrolyte system and that the ion conductivity of the solid electrolyte itself is low.
The ion conductivity of the solid electrolyte has been increased so as to approach the ion conductivity of the liquid electrolyte through the development and improvement of materials. A sulfide-based solid electrolyte has high ion conductivity, and therefore research into all-solid-state batteries to which the sulfide-based solid electrolyte is applied has been very actively conducted. In spite of high ion conductivity, the sulfide-based solid electrolyte still has a problem in which the sulfide-based solid electrolyte reacts with a positive electrode active material at the interface between the sulfide-based solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material. As the result of reaction with the positive electrode active material, the sulfide-based solid electrolyte forms a new phase at the interface between the sulfide-based solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material, and the new phase acts as a resistor, whereby the electrochemical performance of the battery is deteriorated.
In order to solve the above problem, a method of improving the positive electrode active material, particularly a coating method that is capable of passivating the surface of the positive electrode active material, has been proposed. Passivation is a process of treating the surface of a material such that the inherent properties thereof are prevented from being changed by external conditions or stimulation. When the surface of iron contacts oxygen in the air in the state in which the surface of iron is clean, the surface of iron becomes rusty. The treatment for preventing such rust is called passivation.
Patent Document 1 discloses a positive electrode active material particle of an all-solid-state battery including a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode active material particle is an aggregate including two or more particles and wherein a reaction barrier layer for inhibiting reaction with the sulfide-based solid electrolyte is coated on the surface of the aggregate. The reaction barrier layer, which is coated on the positive electrode active material particle, is made of LiNbO3, Li4SiO4, Li3PO4, Li3BO3, Li2SiO3, LiPO3, LiBO2, Li2SO4, Li2WO4, Li2MoO4, Li2ZrO3, LiAlO2, Li2TiO3, Li4Ti5O12, or a composite oxide thereof. According to Patent Document 1, a precursor solution for the reaction barrier layer is manufactured, coated, and dried in order to form the reaction barrier layer.
Patent Document 2 discloses a method of manufacturing an electrode active material having a core-shell structure for all-solid-state batteries, wherein a high-resistance impurity formed as the result of treating an active material, such as LiOH or Li2CO3, is used as a precursor and wherein the precursor is treated using acid and heat in order to manufacture an active material, the surface of which is coated with a crystallized lithium oxide layer, thereby reducing the resistance at the interface between the active material and the solid electrolyte. The lithium oxide layer is Li3PO4, Li2B4O7, or a mixture thereof. According to Patent Document 2, a wet process including a solvent is used in order to form the coating layer or the lithium oxide layer in the same manner as in Patent Document 1.
Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a method of treating the surface of a positive electrode active material of an all-solid-state lithium battery, wherein a positive electrode active material, the surface of which is treated with Li3BO3—Li2CO3 (LBO-LCO or Li3−xB1−xCxO3 (LBCO)), is manufactured using a wet process. Non-Patent Document 1 makes mention of a process advantage in which coating is performed using water in place of a conventional volatile organic solvent. In addition, Non-Patent Document 1 makes mention of the fact that impurities present near a positive electrode active material particle including LiCoO2, such as LiCO3, or LiOH, are removed through the coating. According to Non-Patent Document 1, the positive electrode active material particle is coated using a wet coating method; however, it is necessary to improve the charge/discharge characteristics thereof.
Although a reaction at the interface between the sulfide-based solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material is inhibited through surface treatment of the positive electrode active material, as described above, the charge/discharge characteristics of a battery manufactured using the same are still unsatisfactory, and therefore there is a need to improve the charge/discharge characteristics of the battery.

Positive electrode active material particle for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


An imaging lens is composed of a first lens having a negative meniscus shape with a convex surface on the object side, a negative second lens, a positive third lens, an aperture stop, a negative fourth lens, and a positive fifth lens disposed in order from the object side. The fourth and the fifth lens are cemented with an interface which is convex on the object side and has an aspherical shape. If the radius of curvature is taken as R9 and the focal length of the entire system is taken as f, the imaging lens satisfies a conditional expression given below:1.0<R9/f  (1).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging lens and an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to a wide-angle imaging lens appropriate for use with vehicle cameras, surveillance cameras, mobile terminal cameras, and the like that employ image sensors, such as CCDs (Charge Coupled Device), CMOSs (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and the like, and an imaging apparatus equipped with the wide-angle imaging lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, downsizing and increasing in pixels of image sensors, such as CCDs, CMOSs, and the like, have been advancing. Along with this, downsizing of the bodies of imaging devices equipped with these image sensors has also been advancing. Consequently, a demand for downsizing, as well as improved performance, of imaging lenses to be mounted on the imaging devices has also been growing. In the mean time, imaging lenses used for vehicle cameras, surveillance cameras, and the like are demanded, along with the compactness, to be produced inexpensively with wide angles and high performance.
Japanese Patent No. 4625711 and Japanese Patent No. 5064154 propose a wide-angle imaging lens, as an imaging lens to be mounted on a vehicle camera, which is composed of a negative first lens, a negative second lens, a positive third lens, a negative fourth lens, and a positive fifth lens disposed in order from the object side in which the fourth and fifth lenses are cemented together.

Wide-angle imaging lens and imaging apparatus


A distance measuring apparatus and method for calculating a distance in a conducting structure are provided. One distance measuring apparatus provides for calculating a distance between a reflection body in a conducting structure and an injection point provided on an end section of the conducting structure for electromagnetic waves is provided. The distance measuring apparatus includes a transmitting and receiving device with a conduction cross-over provided at the injection point for the coaxially-inductive coupling of the transmitting and receiving device to the conducting structure in order to inject an electromagnetic wave into the conducting structure and to decouple the electromagnetic wave reflected on the reflection body from the conducting structure. The distance measuring apparatus also includes an analysis device for calculating a distance between the injection point and the reflection body from the phase difference between the injected electromagnetic wave and the decoupled electromagnetic wave.

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a distance measuring apparatus and to a method for calculating a distance.
Among other things, conventional distance measuring apparatuses are used, for example, for detecting the piston position of linear drives with pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. The detection of the piston position on cylinders can be both discrete, i.e. at discrete points, and continuous, i.e. constant during operation.
Discrete determination of the piston position is generally used to report the execution or completion of a piston movement to a process control (e.g. SPS) so as to thus, for example, be able to initiate the next procedural step.
For this purpose sensors or sensor devices sensitive to magnetic fields are predominantly used which detect the magnetic field of a permanent magnet located on the cylinder piston. These types of sensor are predominantly in the form of sensors sensitive to magnetic fields and are known as Reed switches, magnetoresistive (MR), giant magnetoresistive (GMR) switches, Hall switches or magnet inductive proximity switches. The sensors used here are fitted externally on the cylinder tube of the piston cylinder. If the piston moves into the detection range of one of these sensors, the latter recognizes the presence of the cylinder piston through the cylinder tube.
If on the other hand a different position is detected, the sensor is correspondingly mechanically adjusted. For every position additionally to be detected a further sensor is consequently fitted with the associated additional material, fitting, adjustment and installation costs. This generally takes place at the customer's premises. Often the cylinder is already fitted here in a machine with poor access, and adjustment of the switch distances by mechanically shifting the externally fitted magnetic switches is no longer possible.
Furthermore, additional installation space is required for these externally fitted sensors. In order to be able to provide accessibility and robustness of the sensor, increased structural complexity is often necessary. The external fitting of the sensors is not satisfactory because the latter could be disrupted by foreign influences from the outside. The attachment of the sensors fitted on the cylinder could break, and the sensors could fall to the floor. This would result in an error being signalled and the assembly line coming to a standstill. 50% of all breakdowns with pneumatic drives happen in the aforementioned way.
Continuous piston position measurement measuring systems are normally used which function potentiometrically, magnetostrictively or according to the LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer) principle. With these systems the piston position is continuously issued, predominantly as an analog voltage signal. Sensors according to the LVDT principle always use a reference path when switched on. Incremental path measurements are also known as a supplement to these systems. These systems are realized, for example, by the magnetic coding of the piston rod, and so can only be used for the relative measurement of a path. In addition, when the piston rod extends any cuttings are drawn to it, and these then destroy the seal when the piston rod is retracted. Magnetostrictive and potentiometric path measuring systems are fitted externally or within the piston rod which is to be drilled hollow. The hollow piston rod weakens the drive and the external fitting causing considerable logistical complexity.
Neither the continuous nor the discrete piston position determination can be integrated into a cylinder, or only with considerable structural complexity and the associated high costs. The considerable structural complexity arises from the fact that all of the well-established sensor principles described must be adapted to the corresponding cylinder length since they have a detection range which is too short.
Patent specification PCT/EP03/00894 describes the integration of a microwave sensor into the pneumatically/hydraulically operated cylinder chamber. The sensor in this system is positioned centrally, and this space is frequently required for pneumatic end cushioning. Additionally, in this system:                the piston is designed such that it displays the most ideal possible high frequency target        the measuring accuracy of the sensor is substantially dependent upon the adaptation of the coupling probe        the measuring principle only functions in the half of the cylinder without the piston rod        dielectric holding systems are needed for fastening the antenna

Distance measuring apparatus and method for calculating a distance in a conducting structure