A system and method for analyzing a coil actuator of a type having a coil and a magnet. A current source selectively applies a first current to a coil of a coil actuator for setting a moveable part of the coil actuator to a first position. A recording system captures data corresponding to a back electromotive force voltage produced by oscillation of the coil actuator upon movement of the moveable part of the coil actuator to a second position. A processor applies a curve fit to the back electromotive force data for calculating a frequency characteristic and damping response of the coil actuator.

Actuation drive coils are used in a plethora of devices for precise mechanical positioning of parts. One area where actuation drive coils have found particular use is in magnetic storage drives. For example, actuation drive coils are used to align magnetic heads with data tracks on magnetic media. The recording and reading of data in tracks on magnetic storage media requires precise positioning of magnetic read/write heads. The read/write heads must be quickly moved to, and maintained centered over, particular data tracks as recording and reading of data takes place. The magnetic heads can record and read data as relative movement occurs between the heads and the magnetic storage media in a transducing direction. The heads are moved from track to track across the width of the tracks in a translating direction, which is perpendicular to the transducing direction.
For example, a recordable disk typically contains concentric data tracks and is rotated beneath a magnetic head. The direction of rotation defines the transducing direction. Radial movement from track to track defines the translating direction. A magnetic tape typically contains data tracks that extend along the length of the tape, parallel to the tape edges, in the transducing direction. In magnetic tape helical scan systems, however, the tape is moved beneath heads that are moved at an angle across the width of the tape, the diagonal direction defining the transducing direction.
Storage devices that read and record data on magnetic media typically use servo control systems to properly position the data heads in the translating direction. The servo control systems derive a position signal from a servo magnetic head that reads servo control information recorded in servo tracks on the storage media. In a timing based servo system timing information in the servo track allows the servo reader to precisely determine its' position in the servo track, and since the servo reader is a precise distance from the data writers and data readers in the recording head, locating the servo reader in the desired position in the servo track also locates the data readers and writers in their desired position.
To correctly position a tape head, for example, with respect to servo data, every tape head has an actuator to dynamically position the head in the tape drive. To explain this actuator, FIG. 1 is a simplified drawing of an actuator 100. This actuator 100 is an electromotive actuator which uses the current in coil 102 to interact with the magnetic field produced by permanent magnet 104 and produce a force on the coil. The actuator 100 also has a spring 106 which returns the head to its zero position. As shown in FIG. 2, to reduce the oscillation of the head back and forth upon changing position, damping 108 can be added to the actuator.
When building tape and hard disk drive systems that include coil actuators, it is not uncommon for one supplier to create the actuation coil, a different supplier creates the magnet, a third supplier creates the biasing spring, and yet a fourth party assembles all of the parts to create the coil actuation drive mechanism. However, because no one single party is responsible for quality control over manufacture of all of the parts, the physical characteristics of the parts may vary from lot to lot. The result is that the resonance frequency (and damping if present) may not always function within design tolerances. For instance, if the biasing strength of the spring changes, the resonance frequency will change. Similarly, if the damping gel or oil is thinner in one lot, more oscillation will be observed.
Thus, it is often necessary to measure the resonant frequency and damping characteristic of a tape had actuation drive coil in order to disposition or monitor the proper functioning of such drive coil. A quick, accurate, and inexpensive method is required for such measurements to make such measurement feasible in a manufacturing process.
One known solution is to drive the coil of the actuator with an external signal of known frequency and amplitude while simultaneously measuring the displacement amplitude response of the actuator. Several drawbacks to this technique include requiring a procedure to measure the drive amplitude and a procedure to measure the head displacement in a non-intrusive method. These methods are often costly, time intensive, and sometimes unreliable.
Therefore, a need exists for testing assembled coil actuation drives to ensure that they operate within design tolerances. A need also exists for a system and method for determining whether the quality of the parts used to create such coil actuation drives meets design parameters.

Characteristic measurement of an actuation drive coil and associated damping mechanism


A secondary transfer roller rotates in a first rotation direction during printing, and rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction during a stop of the printing only within a specified range. When an image forming apparatus includes a lubricant supply unit, the secondary transfer roller rotates in the second rotation direction within the range where an amount of movement of a contact surface between the secondary transfer roller and the cleaning member is 3 mm or more and not larger than a distance on the contact surface from a contact part between the secondary transfer roller and the lubricant supply unit to a contact part between the secondary transfer roller and the cleaning member in the second rotation direction.

An image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller for transferring an image by bringing an image carrier, such as a transfer belt, into press contact with a record medium.
When the record medium is conveyed at a specified timing, toner does not adhere to the secondary transfer roller. However, for example, when a jam of the record medium occurs, and the record medium is not conveyed at the specified timing, the toner carried by the image carrier adheres. In this case, when a next sheet is conveyed, the toner adheres to the back side thereof, and a stain occurs.
In order to prevent this stain, an image forming apparatus including a cleaning member on a secondary transfer roller is proposed (for example, JP-A-2004-94055).
However, there is a problem that according to the arrangement of the cleaning member, contamination such as paper powder is accumulated on a secondary transfer roller contact part of the cleaning member, and defective cleaning occurs.

Image forming apparatus and secondary transfer roller cleaning method of the image forming apparatus


A logging system for a tubular includes: a rail system comprising a plurality of rails and mounted to a surface of the tubular; a logging tool carrier connected to the rail system; and a logging tool disposed on the logging tool carrier. The logging tool is deployed on the logging tool carrier connected to the rail system along the tubular to a targeted position along the tubular and then retrieved from the wellbore. During deployment of the logging tool, the logging tool acquires a plurality of logging data.

Hydrocarbon resources are typically located below the earth's surface in subterranean porous frock formations, often called reservoirs. These hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs can be found in depths of tens of thousands of feet below the surface. In order to extract the hydrocarbon fluids, also referred to as oil and/or gas, wells may be drilled to gain access to the reservoirs. Wells may be drilled vertically from surface, deviated from vertical, or vertical to horizontal in order to most effectively and efficiently access the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs. Wells may be cased to protect the integrity of the Well. This is achieved by cementing tubulars in place isolating the internal conduit or well from the surrounding formations, which may be prone to collapse.
Wellbore logging is an important operation that may be conducted at any point throughout the life of a well and is primarily used to acquire important data about formation, integrity of the wellbore, or production characteristics. Wellbore logging is performed by a logging tool that is deployed into the wellbore and may have a variety of sensors to measure a plurality of parameters including, but not limited to, depth, wear, resistivity, water content, porosity, and permeability. During the drilling phase, logging operations are typically completed after each new segment of well is drilled and are primarily focused on formation evaluation. During the production phase, logging operations may be conducted at any time and are typically focused on integrity and production.


A bridging apparatus provides the capability of transparently and unambiguously communicating LAN packets between two separate LAN segments which have nodes with duplicate IDs. A communicator connected to each LAN segment includes a controller which aliases the source identification (SID) of remotely originated or sourced LAN packets with an unused ID which is an alias (AID) before sending the LAN packet with the AID as its SID on the local LAN segment. The reverse occurs in response to locally sourced LAN packets containing the AID as the DID. The ID of the remote node which correlates to the AID is substituted as the DID before the LAN packet is transmitted to the remote LAN segment. By aliasing in this manner LAN packets are communicated by use of the AIDs between the nodes having the duplicate IDs on the two LAN segments without changing the LAN protocol. Each communicator preferably includes a transmitter and receiver by which to communicate bridge packets between communicators. The LAN packets are encapsulated in the bridge packets. Unique communicator source and destination identifications are included in each bridge packet to form a tuple which uniquely identifies each node in the Group without regard to the duplicate IDs on the separate LAN segments.

A LAN is a well-known means of achieving communication between different resources, typically computer resources such as computers, work stations, printers and the like. The LAN itself includes a network interface connected to each resource and a physical communication medium connecting all of the interfaces. A particular interface and connected resource form a node. Each node has a unique address or identification (ID) which is established and set by the network interface. Because each node has a unique ID, it is therefore possible to route messages from one node to another node using the address of the originating or source node, sometimes referred to as a source identification (SID), and the address of the destination node, sometimes referred to as a destination identification (DID). Each network interface monitors the DID information in each message communicated by other nodes, and is able to selectively receive communications addressed appropriately. Network interfaces may maintain knowledge of all other functioning nodes on the communication medium, and with this knowledge, then are able to selectively address and receive the communications from the other nodes.
Typically, LAN communications between nodes are accomplished by sending and receiving an ordered group of bits known as a packet. Each packet is sent from a source node, and is received by one or more destination nodes. The IDs of the source and destination nodes are generally included within the packet in dedicated groups of bits at specific locations. The technique of communicating and controlling the composition of packets between the nodes is set by a network protocol. The network protocol may require, for example, that the destination node return a packet to a source node indicating that the destination node has successfully received the packet transmitted by the source node. As another example, prior to sending a packet containing data, the source node may send a packet to the destination node inquiring of the capability of the destination node to receive a data packet. In response, before the source node sends the data packet, the destination node may reply to the source node that it is or is not capable of receiving the data packet. These are examples of the types of packet transmission and reception which may occur in order to complete a single communication between two nodes on a LAN. Each network interface operates in accordance with the network protocol to assure the delivery and receipt of the packets and to achieve the overall functionality of the LAN.
A variety of different types of network protocols and node ID assignment techniques are used in present-day LANs.
A node identification (NID) in a LAN may be globally unique or locally unique. A globally unique NID is one which distinguishes a network interface from every other network interface which has ever been manufactured for a particular network. Ethernet, a registered trademark of Xerox Corp. (ANSI/IEEE 802.3), as well as other LANs standardized by IEEE Project 802 are examples of networks which use globally unique NIDs. A locally unique NID, on the other hand, is one which is unique on any individual instance of a network itself, but may be duplicative of an NID on an adjacent, unconnected and separate LAN. Locally unique NIDs are typically used when the network protocol permits only a limited number of nodes on the LAN. For example, a LAN known as ARCNET, a registered trademark of Datapoint Corporation, uses 8-bit, locally unique NIDs, thereby limiting the size of this network to no more than 255 distinct nodes. Thus, the locally-unique NIDs of any given LAN may have address values in a given pre-established range, such as from 1 to 255 (with zero reserved for broadcasts to all nodes). In general, locally-unique NID protocols require manual setting of the NID at the time the interface is connected to the resource or the automatic selection of the NID each time the resource activates its interface for connection into the network.
A LAN such as LocalTalk, a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., uses a locally unique NID assignment technique which results in a dynamic, non-specific, random assignment of an NID at the time each particular node joins the network. This non-specific, dynamic assignment of NIDs occurs according to the rules defined by the LocalTalk network protocol. From a practicality standpoint, most dynamic NID assignment networks are limited in scope to a predetermined number of nodes, although theoretically, there is no limit to such dynamic node assignment if arbitrarily long times are acceptable to initialize network operation. In general terms, the dynamic NID assignment used by LocalTalk occurs as the network interface of the node joining the network sends groups of packets specifying a DID which has been chosen from a group of valid addresses until the packets fail to elicit a response, indicating (to an adequate probability for practical usage) that the specified DID is not currently active on the network. Under this condition, the network interface control function recognizes that the DID to which that group of packets were addressed is an available address, and the interface thereafter adopts that address as its SID and uses it for network communications for the remainder of this period of activity on the network. After each episode of inactivity, the network interface must repeat the above-described procedure to obtain an NID.
The interfaces of present-day LANs are connected to the communications medium in a variety of different configurations. For example, the node interconnection arrangement of the nodes to the communication medium may either be a ring topology or a bus topology. In a ring topology, each of the interfaces at the node is connected in a circular, serial manner, so that each node participates in passing the packet by receiving it from its neighbor and passing it on to its other neighbor. Examples of this type of ring connection topology is a LAN known as Token Ring, (ANSI/IEEE 802.5) and Fiber Distributed Data Interface ("FDDI") (ANSI X3T9.5). Alternatively, a bus topology involves the unitary logical connection of all network interfaces at a single logical point. In the bus topology, each packet communicated from the source node is received approximately simultaneously by all of the other nodes coupled to the bus. However, only the node(s) to which the communication is specifically directed actually accepts and processes the communication, while the other nodes disregard it. Examples of bus topology LANs are "LocalTalk", "ARCNET" and "Ethernet".
Because of the increasing popularity and demand that resources communicate and share information, LANs are becoming widely used. Although there are many varieties of LANs with varying characteristics, most of them function adequately for their intended purpose. A particular difficulty may occur, however, when one of the resources of one LAN wishes to communicate with a resource on a separate and distinct LAN. One technique for allowing communication between separate IANs or LAN segments is recognized and is known as network bridging. A network bridge may be employed to interconnect the communication medium of one LAN with a separate LAN to exchange communications between the two LANs.
In bridged LANs using globally-unique NIDs, the functionality of the network bridge is greatly simplified. The network bridge is simply able to repeat a packet from one LAN to another LAN without risk of confusing the communication associated with the packet, because the NIDs of both LANs are globally unique. The efficiency of bridging in LANs with globally unique NIDs can be further improved by "learning," in which the bridge observes packet traffic traversing the bridge in each direction to determine which NIDs are on which LAN, and subsequently repeats only those packets with DIDs that designate nodes on an alternate LAN. However, a particular problem arises when the communication occurs between bridged LANs on which the nodes have only locally unique NIDs, because of the possibility that there will be duplication of NID values on the different bridged LAN segments.

Technique for bridging local area networks having non-unique node addresses


Provided is a method of fabricating a pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT). The method includes the steps of: preparing a substrate including a channel layer and a capping layer that is the uppermost layer; forming a source and a drain on the capping layer; forming a first protective layer on the entire surface of the resultant structure and then patterning the first protective layer to expose a portion of the capping layer in a channel region; removing the exposed portion of the capping layer to form a first recess structure; forming a second protective layer on the entire surface of the resultant structure and then patterning the second protective layer to expose a portion of the substrate in the first recess structure so that a second recess structure is formed; forming a multilayered photoresist layer on the entire surface of the resultant structure and then patterning the multilayered photoresist layer to expose a portion of the substrate through the second recess structure and form a gate-shaped opening; and depositing a metal layer to fill the gate-shaped opening and then removing the multilayered photoresist layer to form a gate connected to the substrate through the second recess structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a heterojunction semiconductor device, and more specifically, to a method of fabricating a pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT).
2. Discussion of Related Art
In general, a pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT), which is a compound semiconductor device, includes material layers having quite different lattice constants so that a channel layer is structurally transformed due to this lattice mismatch. As a result, it is difficult to have layers grown on a substrate during the fabrication process of the PHEMT. Nevertheless, since the PHEMT has a high density of charges to transfer to the channel layer and high electron mobility, the PHEMT has better power and noise characteristics than conventional devices have. Accordingly, the PHEMT can operate in a high frequency range and has higher electron speed characteristics than devices using silicon have so that it can be widely used for micro- or millimeter-band devices. In particular, because the PHEMT has a good ultrahigh-frequency noise characteristic, the PHEMT can accelerate the developments of high-performance millimeter-band wireless-communication circuits and components and optical-communication circuits and components exceeding several tens of Gbps.
A high-speed device should have a short gate length for high modulation and a wide gate sectional area enough to lower resistance for good noise characteristics. To meet these requirements, a T-shaped gate or a mushroom-shaped gate has lately been employed. Typically, the T-shaped gate or the mushroom-shaped gate may be formed by an electron beam (e-beam) lithography process or a photolithography process. However, the photolithography process has a specific resolution limit in forming a gate electrode having a fine linewidth. Accordingly, a gate electrode is usually formed through the e-beam lithography process.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of fabricating a conventional PHEMT, which schematically shows a PHEMT using a substrate of AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,293 filed on Nov. 18, 1998.
A channel layer 2 including a dimensional electron gas (DEG) layer, an AlGaAs spacer layer 3, a Si delta-doping layer 4, an n-AlGaAs layer 5, an etch stop layer 6, an n-GaAs layer 7, and a GaAs capping layer 8 are formed on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate 1 including predetermined layers, and a source electrode 9 and a drain electrode 10 are formed on the GaAs capping layer 8.
A photoresist layer (not shown) is formed on the entire surface of the resultant structure and then patterned, thereby forming a photoresist pattern. Then, the GaAs capping layer 8 and the n-GaAs layer 7 are patterned by an etching process using the patterened photoresist as an etching mask to expose the etch stop layer 6 in a channel region, so that a double recess structure is formed.
Thereafter, a metal layer is deposited on the entire surface of the resultant structure to fill the double recess structure, and the metal layer is patterned by an etching process using a predetermined photoresist pattern as an etch mask. Thus, a gate electrode 11 is formed such that the gate electrode 11 is connected to the etch stop layer 6 through the double recess structure.
However, in the above-described method, since the double recess structure is formed by a wet etching process, it is difficult to accurately control the linewidth of the gate electrode 11 due to etching of the lateral surfaces of the GaAs capping layer 8 and the n-GaAs layer 7. Also, an active region is exposed and oxidized so that the electrical characteristics of the PHEMT are degraded. Furthermore, an undercut is formed during the etching of the substrate, and thus the length of the gate electrode 11 increases and a source resistance increases. These problems deteriorate the electrical characteristics of the PHEMT and preclude high integration of the PHEMT.

Method of fabricating pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A detecting method for network intrusion includes: selecting a plurality of features contained within plural statistical data by a data-transforming module; normalizing a plurality of feature values of the selected features into the same scale to obtain a plurality of normalized feature data; creating at least one feature model by a data clustering technique incorporated with density-based and grid-based algorithms through a model-creating module; evaluating the at least one feature model through a model-identifying module to select a detecting model; and detecting whether a new packet datum belongs to an intrusion instance or not by a detecting module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a detecting method for network intrusion and, particularly, to a detecting method creating a detecting model by a data clustering technique incorporated with density-based and grid-based algorithms to detect intrusion linking toward a network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, conventional detecting methods for network intrusion can be categorized into "misuse detection" and "anomaly detection".
An "intrusion mode database" is pre-established with various patterns of well-known intrusions, and, then, a detected intrusion instance is compared with the various patterns within the intrusion mode database. The comparison between the detected intrusion instance and the various patterns is focused on features such as a way to link to the network, and the detected intrusion instance is thereby identified as an intrusion if a pattern similar to the detected intrusion instance is found. However, the intrusion mode database must be renewed with latest patterns of well-known intrusions regularly, which causes difficulty in management of the database. Also, due to a large amount of the patterns within the intrusion mode database, the efficiency of detecting is bad. Furthermore, the misuse detection is unable to detect any unknown intrusion until a corresponding pattern is entered into the intrusion mode database, which defect induces a low accuracy of detection of intrusions.
In contrast to the misuse detection, anomaly detection determines whether a network intrusion has occurred or not by recognizing an intrusion instance. In order to complete the determination by identifying the differences between the intrusion instance and a formal pattern, a "normal instance model" is created and is trained by a plurality of labeled data, to recognize the intrusion instance through the normal instance model. Consequently, an intrusion instance, which differs from formal patterns that are able to pass the test held by said normal instance model, is distinguished. Advantages of the anomaly detection lay in that the intrusion mode database used in misuse detection is absent from the anomaly detection, such that the anomaly detection can detect unknown intrusions.
However, once a datum of an intrusion instance is included in the labeled data, said anomaly detection would therefore not be able to detect intrusions accurately and effectively. Moreover, although the anomaly detection is widely applied recently, it is still not ideal for use, because it is hard to acquire labeled data that totally excludes data of intrusions owing to its time-consuming extraction.
Furthermore, a detecting method for network intrusion is presented in Taiwan Patent No. 1268685 titled "method and system with data clustering technique for network intruding detection". According to the detecting method, a packet statistical data is provided initially, and a plurality of features of the packet statistical data is then identified. With those features, a data clustering process is applied to create a plurality of feature models, and correctness of each feature model is finally identified, to select one of the feature models as a detecting model for judging whether a new packet datum belongs to an intrusion or not. Accordingly, the correctness of the detecting model and the accuracy of the network intruding detection are based on the reliability of the data clustering process. Therefore, the correctness and accuracy thereof can be largely raised through a data clustering method with high efficiency and accuracy. Hence, there is a need of improving the conventional clustering techniques.

National Pingtung University of Science and Technology


Methods, non-transitory machine readable media, and computing devices that facilitate more efficient file system directory analytics are disclosed. With this technology, a bucket value is increased for one of a plurality of buckets in each of a plurality of histograms associated with a file system directory in a hierarchical directory tree after a storage operation creating a file in the file system directory. A time value is set for the file based on a time of the storage operation. The bucket value is adjusted responsive to subsequent storage operation(s) (e.g., read, write, or delete) associated with the file. The one of the buckets is identified after the subsequent storage operation(s) based on the time value. An interactive analytics interface is output that is configured to generate, using one or more of the histograms, historical activity associated with the file system directory responsive to a selection of the file system directory.

Tree data structures are commonly used by computing devices to maintain data having an associated hierarchical arrangement. In one exemplary deployment, information regarding a file system can be maintained in a branched tree structure, such as a network attached storage (NAS) directory tree with interior nodes corresponding to directories and leaf nodes corresponding to files and maintaining a collection of properties or values. In a NAS environment, many storage nodes can store portions of a distributed database that each maintain a portion of a distributed directory tree structure associated with the file system. Analytics software can then utilize the directory tree maintained in the distributed database to report on the file system.
For example, a directory tree can be used by administrators to determine which directories in the file system have not been accessed in a prior historical time period (e.g., the last year) in order to identify space that can be reclaimed via migration to an archival storage tier. In another example, administrators can use a directory tree to determine the directories of the file system for which there has been a significant amount of modification in a prior historical time period (e.g., the last week). However, access and modification queries, for example, currently take a significant amount of resources (e.g., time and processor cycles) to generate a responsive report.
In one particular example, a directory tree maintains information for two directories, D1 and D2. D1 has two files, one of which is one year old and the other of which is one week old. D2 has one file that is one month old. If an administrator requested a report of the oldest directory, the analytics software would select D1. If the year old file is deleted from D1, D2 would then contain the oldest file, but the analytics software would need to scan the directory tree to find the next oldest file as well as to update the age of D1 based on the remaining one week old file. In live deployments, each of the directories would typically have many subdirectories, requiring the scanning of the entirety of a relatively large directory tree.
Scanning a directory tree can result in a significant time delay in responding to analytics queries when static analytics methodologies are employed. In dynamic analytics environments in which data is continuously propagated up the directory tree, responsive analytics reports can be generated more quickly. However, scans of the directory tree to keep the directory tree up-to-date can be frequent, resulting in a significant load on the file system, particularly in environments with a significant number of deletions and/or file accesses. Accordingly, analytics reporting regarding file system modification and access, for example, is currently inefficient and resource-intensive, resulting in a significant performance burden on storage nodes.

Methods for facilitating efficient analysis of time-based file system properties using histograms and devices thereof


A male connector section is held on a female connector section by the engagement of nibs in the metallic holding fixture with projections of the metallic holding fixture in the female connector section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting circuit boards to each other.
2. Description of the Related Art
A plurality of printed wiring boards forming digital circuits are built-in within a relatively narrow space in an electronic equipment such as a cellular phone. The plurality of printed wiring boards are mutually connected electronically, for example, via a connector for connecting the circuit boards.
As shown in FIG. 9, the connector for connecting the circuit boards is comprised of a male connector section 4 disposed on a first printed wiring board 2 and a female connector section 6 disposed on a second printed wiring board 8 opposite to the first printed wiring board 2.
The male connector section 4 has, as main constituent elements, a base 4M molded of resinous material, and contact terminals 4Ai and 4Bi (i=1 to n; n is a positive integer) arranged at a predetermined distance on both ends of longer sides of the base 4M, respectively, to be electrically connected at one ends thereof to the respective electrodes of the first printed wiring board 2.
In a region between the contact terminals 4Ai and 4Bi in the base 4M, recesses 4a and 4b are formed at a predetermined distance between the both, to be engaged with projections 6a and 6b, respectively, of a connector section 6 described later.
Further, on each of both ends of shorter sides of the base 4M, a pair of nibs 4Na, 4Nb are provided. The pair of nibs 4Na, 4Nb are molded of resinous material to be integral with the base 4M. The pair of nibs 4Na, 4Nb are selectively engaged with the outer edge of through-holes 6Ha, 6Hb, respectively, of the female connector section when assembled to the female connector section 6.
The female connector section 6 has, as main constituent elements, a box-like base 6M having an accommodation portion for accommodating the base 4M of the male connector section 4 and the contact terminals 4Ai and 4Bi, and contact terminals 6Ai and 6Bi (i=1 to n; n is a positive integer) arranged at a predetermined distance on both ends of longer sides of the base 6M, respectively, to be electrically connected at one ends to the respective electrodes of the second printed wiring board 8.
Projections 6a, 6b are spaced at a distance in a region of the accommodation portion within the base 6M between the contact terminals 6Ai and 6Bi, to be engaged with the recesses 4a and 4b of the base 4M described above.
On the both ends of shorter sides of the base 6M, through-holes 6Ha and 6Hb are formed to be engageable with the pair of nibs 4Na and 4Nb when the male connector section 4 is assembled.
When this male connector section 4 is assembled to the female connector section 6 so that the first printed wiring board 2 is electrically connected to the second printed wiring board 8, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, base 4M of the male connector section 4 is press-fit into the accommodation portion of the base 6M against the mutual elastic force between the contact terminals 4Ai, 4Bi and the contact terminals 6Ai, 6Bi. At this time, the recesses 4a and 4b in the base 4M are engaged with the projections 6a and 6b, respectively, as well as the pair of nibs 4Na and the pair of nibs 4Nb are engaged with the periphery of the through-holes 6Ha and the through-holes 6Hb, respectively, whereby the male connector section 4 is held by the female connector section 6.
When the assembly of the male connector section 4 and the female connector section 6 is built-in in the electronic equipment such as a cellular phone, in which the first printed wiring board 2 and the second printed wiring board 8 are electrically connected to each other as described above, there is a risk in that the male connector section 4 comes off from the female connector section 6 when an electronic equipment is subjected to the action of an impactive force caused by the dropping thereof.
This is because, as shown in FIG. 13 in an enlarged scale, the size of the engagement area between the nibs 4Na, 4Nb and the peripheries of the through-holes 6Ha, 6Hb, respectively, is designed to be relatively small for enhancing ease of the attachment/detachment of the male connector section 4 from the female connector section 6. Also, the pair of nibs 4Na and 4Nb molded of resinous material to be integral with the base 4M may readily deform by the impactive force, respectively.
Further, there is a risk in that the male connector section 4 does not securely keep hold of the female connector section 6 each other, since the nibs 4Na and 4Nb molded of resinous material are worn when the attachment/detachment described above is repeated.


An improved method for examining an article by using a vision system is presented. Also presented is a vision system for use within such a method.

In various manufacturing and production environments, colors or areas of color might be incorporated into an article or placed on external surfaces of an article. These colors may be present in a particular pattern, such as might be found on a label, or might be different areas of different colors present on the article. The colors may be part of the article, such as a label or color pattern in the article, or may be added to the article wherein different colors may be decorative or identify various characteristics of the article such as the type of an article, size of an article or part, material, shape or the like. In one example, the color may be applied as a paint spot to indicate particular types and sizes of parts.
In such instances, it may be necessary for an individual or operator to monitor the colors or patterns of colors on the articles, such as during manufacturing or production, to ensure manufacturing or production quality, wherein differences in colors or their presence or absence may identify defects in the part or color pattern, improper coloration, errors in a type of part, or any other characteristic of the article which may be represented by the color. For example, the color may be added to an article to indicate that inspection of the part has occurred. Further two or more colors may be present which may indicate different conditions such as one color to indicate a specific characteristic of the article, such as part size, and a second color to indicate or validate that the article has been inspected and the first color has been accurately applied.
During manufacturing or production of colors, an operator may need to continuously monitor the color placement or one or more color areas on each of the articles. The continuous monitoring and identification of different colors might lead to eye fatigue and difficulty in maintaining concentration by the operator. In any application where color is important on a product or article, the operator suffering from eye fatigue or who loses concentration may not notice that the color is the wrong color or is partially wrong.
To reduce difficulties, some manufacturing or production lines may include a vision system which optically monitors the articles and displays the articles on a monitoring screen. Currently, a common offering is a vision system that displays a box or highlighted area around the color section found by the vision system. However, no additional guide towards viewing the color is utilized, such that the operator may still suffer from eye fatigue in attempting to differentiate the objects shown in color from other features, colors or structures also present within the highlighted area.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to overcome deficiencies in known vision systems.
The vision system of the present invention preferably comprises integrated visioning components which may comprise an image acquisition camera for obtaining images or videos of each article at a desired location within a manufacturing or production environment. For example, the vision system might be used to validate parts received from a supplier but before such parts are installed in a final end product. To inspect such articles, the camera may obtain or acquire still images of the articles at periodic intervals, or even continuous video images, and may output images of the article for subsequent processing by the vision system. Preferably the vision system also includes a light for illuminating the articles viewed by the camera. Preferably the vision system also includes a processor serving as an image processor such as a personal computer, a programmable logic controller (PLC) or other computerized processing device which receives digital images from the camera through an image infeed, processes the image infeed and the data associated therewith, and feeds a processed image output and output data to a display device, monitor or other operator viewable display screen. During processing, this system preferably removes or reduces all other distracting features of the input image besides the relevant color areas, wherein the relevant colors would be emphasized while the remaining areas of the article are deemphasized on the operator's display so that eye fatigue is less of an issue to the operator.
Accordingly, the inventive parts of this vision system may incorporate image processing software in combination with off the shelf, color machine vision hardware for image acquisition and processing. In one preferred configuration, the vision system can be operated with a Cognex camera or a Matrox smart camera to segment colors for automatic inspection.
The vision system is usable in multiple applications. In one example, inspection of bottles may be required where there is a label with multiple colors with graphics. The present invention makes it much easier to see the colors on the label when they are segmented than it is to see the colors in a complex graphic wherein the relevant colors have not been segregated out of the original images. As such, the inventive image enhancement technique preferably segregates out and displays only a color of interest for an operator, allowing the operator to focus on the color areas of concern rather than the whole image.
In another example, a manufacturer may place paint dots on particular parts such as valve stems for an engine, where it is critical that the correct valve stem is inserted into a particular engine. Due to close similarities in these articles, the only clear way of differentiating valves from other types of valves may be a paint dot that is manually applied with a paint marker to an exposed surface of each part. Different color paint dots may indicate different characteristics of the part such as size or material. Since the paint dot is manually applied and a paint marker may apply a paint dot of varying quality, the paint dots may sometimes be barely visible. The operator may be required to monitor each part for the correct color and then reject any parts having a non-conforming color. As another level of complexity, the parts may also be inspected by another inspector, such as an inspector at the manufacturer or a part supplier, wherein the parts may have a paint dot of a second color confirming that the first colored paint dot was properly applied. For example, the engine valve may be marked with a secondary green dot confirming that the primary paint dot of the first color such as orange or purple has been applied. The vision system of the present invention preferably would automatically segment out the green from any of the other colors present on the part and give an operator an easier, lower eye fatigue, viewing of the top of the valves prior to insertion into an engine and also make it an automatic decision to stop the production line if the wrong color is present on such part.
The vision system also accommodates variations in the quality of paint dots for a particular color. Preferably, the vision system incorporates an initial training step into the process. Initially, color images of a part are captured and used to train surfaces in a given color space that correspond to expected variation in one or more colors of interest. Then, during operation, the system will display acquired images to the operator, filtered such that the image as a whole is in monochromatic grayscale except in locations where the color(s) of interest are present. Alternatively, the background features of the part other than the color areas may be blacked out completely on the display device so that the operator is presented with the color areas only.
The vision system may be operated in different optional configurations. In one configuration, a customer may install and operate the vision system in a non-automated configuration. The operator would view the screen and would be presented with the processed images showing the desired color areas emphasized on the display screen. The operator may then use the screen to help make decisions on whether the part is acceptable and take action to remove the non-conforming part or stop the production line until the incorrect part is removed from the production line. In an automated configuration, the processor of the vision system would make a determination of whether each area of color is acceptable or not, i.e. good or bad, and the processor and associated software may then provide feedback to the manufacturing or production equipment to deal with the non-conforming part. The display screen provides feedback to an operator, such as a visual or audible indicator or both to signal the presence of a non-conforming part.
As such, the vision system of the present invention preferably could remove all other distracting features of the image other than the color areas, so that eye fatigue is less of an issue for the operator.
The invention provides a method for examining an article by using a vision system, wherein the article is marked with a color area to identify particular characteristics of the article. In one embodiment the article has been marked prior to using the method described herein. In another embodiment the article is marked as part of the method described herein. In one embodiment the article is a stem valve. A camera of the vision system obtains images of the article, preferably at a location within a manufacturing or production environment. A processor of the vision system receives the images from the camera through an image infeed. In one embodiment, the processor is a computer or a controller. The processor processes the image infeed. Preferably, the image is processed by analyzing the image with respect to its color components how those color components are arranged or distributed in the image. The processor feeds a processed image output to an input on a display device which includes a display screen. The processor displays the processed image on the screen so that it is viewable by an operator. The processor removes or reduces all distracting features of the infeed image received from the camera other than the color area. Thus, when processing the image, the processor identifies the color area as an area of interest and removes or reduces the remaining parts of the image so as to emphasize or highlight the color area relative to the remaining areas of the image. A particular advantage of the invention is that eye fatigue of the operator is reduced. In particular, the operator can focus on the highlighted color area.
In a preferred embodiment the color area is a paint dot which is repeatedly applied to several articles. In one embodiment the paint dot has been applied prior to using the method described herein. In another embodiment the paint dot is applied as part of the method described herein. Said paint dot is applied with varying quality, in particular because said paint dot is applied manually. The processor is preferably configured to identify color areas of different quality, i.e. of different size or shape or both.
In a preferred embodiment the processor segments and identifies the color area on each article and removes or reduces all distracting features of the image from the camera other than the color areas. Thus, the processor is configured to discriminate the color areas against all other areas. In particular, distracting feature are all features and areas of the image which are not necessary to identify the color area. In particular, the processor segments the colors are by identifying its boundaries, i.e. by identifying its extent or shape or contour or any combination of these.
In a preferred embodiment the processor segments and emphasizes the color area while remaining areas of the article are deemphasized on the display device. Deemphasizing is e.g., achieved by reducing contrast or color depth.
In a preferred embodiment the processor segments out the color area and displays that color area in the appropriate color on the screen and in the shape of the color area. Thus, the color and shape of the color area are in the image are preserved in the processed image and in particular also on the screen. In particular, the processor reproduces a substantially unaltered, preferably an unaltered image of the color area, while the remaining picture is preferably altered to highlight the color area. Preferably, the color area is thus represented as an original image of the color area.
In a preferred embodiment the color area is emphasized and remaining areas of the article, i.e. remaining areas of the image of the article, are deemphasized through a black screen or grayscale image. In other words: the color area is cut out and kept while the remaining areas of the image are simply replaced by black color or are converted to a grayscale version of the image.
In a preferred embodiment the article has a primary color area and to validate that the correct color is used in said primary color area, a secondary color area is applied to confirm that the primary color areas are present and properly applied. In one embodiment the secondary color area has been applied prior to using the method described herein. In another embodiment the secondary color area is applied as part of the method described herein. After identifying the color of the primary color area, a check is performed to verify that the color of the primary area, i.e. the primary color, is the correct primary color for the article, i.e. correctly identifies the particular characteristic to be identified by the color in question. In particular, a paint dot of a further color is applied to the article as a secondary color area. Preferably, the primary color is picked from a first set of colors and the color for the secondary color area, i.e. the secondary color, is picked from a second set of colors, while no color of one set is part of the other, i.e. the two color sets are disjunctive.
In a preferred embodiment the article is pre-inspected to ensure that each article properly has a primary color area and to validate that the correct color is used in said primary color area. As a result of the pre-inspection the second color area is applied to the article indicating whether the correct primary color has previously been applied. In one embodiment, the article is preinspected as part of the method described above. In another embodiment, the article is inspected separately.
In a preferred embodiment the secondary color area on different articles is located at different locations relative to the primary color area. In particular, the secondary color area is applied manually.
In a preferred embodiment the vision system automatically segments out and identifies the secondary color present on the article. The processor generates two separate processed images on the screen, wherein a first section of the screen displays the primary color area and a second section of the screen displays the secondary color area. Thus, the processor identifies both color areas on a single article and displays them separately. In one embodiment, the screen is split in half, one half displaying the primary color area, the other half displaying the secondary color area.
In a preferred embodiment the primary and secondary color areas are each displayed with a color area on a black screen or on a grayscale image of the article, wherein the respective color area is emphasized and the remaining areas deemphasized through a black screen or grayscale image. In particular, the processing and displaying of the color area mentioned above in general is applied to both the primary color area and the secondary color area individually.
In general, if a primary or secondary color area or both cannot be identified, the result will be a processed image without the respective area, in particular a completely grayscale or black image.
In a preferred embodiment the vision system differentiates shades of the color to address inconsistencies in the application of such a color to the article. The vision system processes the camera images and identifies each color and plots each color and shade thereof on a color-coordinate system, in particular a three-coordinate system, e.g. an XYZ-system. The coordinates preferably correspond to values of a color scheme or color-space system such as RGB. The processor 17 processes these data points and establishes a volume of space around a desired target color that represents shades of that target color that are acceptable. The vision system identifies the color of the color area and determines its coordinates in the color-coordinate system. A specific color is then assigned a certain space or volume in the color-coordinate system. All colors inside this space are then identified as being different shades of the same color, hence belonging to the same color. The space is in particular defined by an interval for each of the coordinates of the color-coordinate system, i.e. three intervals in case of a three-coordinate system.
In a preferred embodiment the processor is programmed with a range of suitable shades of the target color, which is the tolerance of the system to variations in the target color. In other words: the color of the color area might be applied or identified within a certain range of colors and this range of colors the processor is programmed to recognize, i.e. identify all colors in said range to be a single color, i.e. the target color. Thus the target color might be blue and a range of suitable colors might range from light blue to dark blue or corresponding values in a color-coordinate system. Then the processor will identify all colors from light blue to dark blue as blue, hence as target color.
In a preferred embodiment the processor enhances a color shade that is within the range of suitable shades, so that it is modified and displayed in the target color. Thus, the processor does not merely recognize a color to be inside the range of suitable shades of a target color but also alters its representation on the screen to be exactly that target color. In above mentioned example then, light blue being identified as a shade of the target color blue is not shown as light blue on the screen but as blue. This further simplifies analysis by the operator, since he or she does no longer need to identify various shades. This is now done by the processor.
In a preferred embodiment the vision system is initially calibrated for the primary color that is considered to be conforming. The vision system is calibrated in particular to a secondary color that is considered to be conforming. An image of a master part is acquired by the camera so that the processor determines the data for the target color or colors in particular as plotted in the color-coordinate system, i.e. on a 3D graph. The processor stores the data associated with such plots for future processing of acquired images of actual articles. In effect, all color areas are then compared to the color area or areas of the master article. Various master articles with different colors for a color area are used in one embodiment to calibrate for similar articles being marked with different color areas to identify particular characteristics. Alternatively or in addition various master articles are used in one embodiment, to determine size and shape of a space of a specific color in the color-coordinate system.
In a preferred embodiment the images are acquired in an image acquisition zone and the vision system includes a light which directs light to the image acquisition zone for illuminating each article being viewed by the camera. This advantageously provides uniform light conditions to the image acquisition zone. In one embodiment the light is an LED.
In a preferred embodiment the vision system, in particular display screen, provides feedback, in particular to the operator, and signals the presence of a non-conforming article by means of a visual or audible indicator or both.
In a preferred embodiment an automated configuration is provided. Above remarks concerning a system and method apply to an automated configuration accordingly. The article is marked with a color area to identify particular characteristics of the article. A camera of the vision system obtains images of the article, preferably at a location within a manufacturing or production environment. A processor of the vision system receives the images from the camera through an image infeed. The processor processes the image infeed. The processor of the vision system makes a determination of whether each area of color is acceptable or not by comparing the acquired images and color areas with target colors that have been calibrated earlier. The processor provides feedback to a manufacturing or production equipment to deal with a non-conforming article. Such manufacturing or production equipment is e.g. a handling system or robot arm which removes the non-conforming article from the manufacturing or production line. A screen as described above is present in one embodiment to allow an operator to follow the automated examination process.
A preferred vision system is used within a method as explained above. The vision system comprises a processor and a camera for obtaining images of an article, preferably at a location within a manufacturing or production environment. The article is marked, i.e. has been marked already or is marked as part of the method, with a color area to identify particular characteristics of the article. Said processor is configured to receive the images from the camera through an image infeed, to process the image infeed, to feed a processed image output to an input on a display device which includes a display screen, to display the processed image on the screen so that it is viewable by an operator and to remove or reduce all distracting features of the infeed image received from the camera other than the color area, for reducing eye fatigue of the operator.
Another preferred vision system is for use within a method in an automated configuration as mentioned above. The vision system comprises a processor and a camera for obtaining images of an article, preferably at a location within a manufacturing or production environment. The article is marked with a color area to identify particular characteristics of the article. Said processor is configured to receive the images from the camera through an image infeed, to process the image infeed, to make a determination of whether each area of color is acceptable or not by comparing the acquired images and color areas with target colors that have been calibrated earlier, to provide feedback to a manufacturing or production equipment to deal with a non-conforming article.
The statements made above with respect to a specific method or a specific vision system correspondingly apply to all other methods and visions systems also described herein. Specifically, any feature mentioned with respect to a method or a vision system can be combined with other methods and vision systems described herein.
Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words "upwardly", "downwardly", "rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Vision system with color segmentation for operator enhanced viewing


An improved pull-roller system for a calender machine having at least a pair of main rollers and a pair of pull-rollers. The nip of the pull-rollers is located at an elevation below the nip of the main rollers. In addition, the axis of the top pull-roller is offset with respect to the axis of the bottom pull-roller.

Sundry calender machines are known in the art which utilize a plurality of rollers for applying compressive pressure to a workpiece. Particularly well known calender machines are apparatus for laminating a transparent plastic film to one or both sides of a substrate, e.g., a printed document, photograph, poster, etc., for the purpose of protecting the substrate from aging and environmental factors. Many laminating films are heat-activated. Accordingly, laminating machines also include a means of heating the film.
There are two general types of laminating machines. The first type heats the plastic film before it passes through a pair of pressure rollers. The substrate, or workpiece, and the heated plastic film are then pressed together at a nip point of the pair of pressure rollers. The second type of laminating apparatus heats one or both of the pressure rollers. The plastic film and substrate are fed into the nip of the heated rollers and heated precisely at the point of pressurization.
Both types of laminating machines usually include a second pair of rollers for moving the workpiece through the laminating process in a regular and orderly manner. This second pair of rollers, called the pull-rollers, are usually not heated. The pull-roller assembly includes a drive system for actively rotating one or both of the pull-rollers thereby pulling the substrate through the laminating machine. In this manner, the pull-rollers apply tension to the film. Moreover, compressive pressure is applied to the workpiece as it passes through the nip between the pull-rollers.
A particular problem associated with laminating machines is that heat must be applied evenly to the plastic film to ensure proper lamination. In addition, it is necessary to provide sufficient and uniform tension to the plastic film to ensure that the plastic film lies completely flat against the substrate.
When a thin substrate is laminated, e.g., paper, the finished workpiece has a tendency to curl. The curling problem tends to be more severe when the laminating film is pre-cut to the approximate size of the article to be laminated. In laminating machines that employ continuous strips or webs of laminating film, the curling problems can be reduced by winding the finished product around a collecting roll. Sometimes, a heating unit is interposed in advance of the collecting roll to re-soften the adhesive of the plastic film. However, the addition of a collecting roll and heating unit increases the cost of the equipment and is unsuitable for desk top and other small laminating machines.
Another problem with calender machines in general, is that a workpiece must be manually fed into each nip between the rollers. As can be expected in these situations, the operator, concentrating on ensuring a properly laminated substrate, occasionally has his or her fingers pinched in a nip.

Method and apparatus for an improved roller system for calender machines


A steel part with regions of different ductility is made by first loading the part onto a heatable rack and then heating the rack with the part on it in a furnace to a temperature above the AC3 point of the part. The part is then removed from the rack and loaded while still above the AC3 point into a press where it is shaped and hardened. In the press the part is engaged by tools that deform it and that cool it quickly to well below the AC3 point. Finally, before the rack has cooled substantially, the shaped and hardened part is taken out of the press and placed on the rack with predetermined regions of the part in heat-conducting engagement with the rack such that the ductility of the predetermined regions is increased by transfer of the residual heat from the rack to the predetermined regions.

The standard procedure of making a steel part with regions of different ductility comprises the steps of sequentially:                passing the part on a rack through a furnace and heating it therein to above the AC3 point of the alloy;        shaping and hardening the part in a press, which process hardens the entire part;        removing the part from the press; and        targeted reheating of predetermined regions of the parts to increase ductility in these regions.
In automobile manufacture more and more structural parts of sturdy and high-strength steel are being used to meet the lightweight construction criteria for rising demands on material tolerances. This applies also for vehicle body construction, where for example structural and/or safety parts such as door impact pillars, A and B columns, fenders or longitudinal and cross beams are being manufactured from heat-shaped and press-hardened strong or high-strength steel more and more frequently to meet weight goals and safety requirements.
DE 24 52 486 discloses a method of shaping and hardening sheet steel with minimal material thickness and good dimensional stability, in which a sheet of boron-alloy steel is heated to a temperature above the AC3 point and is then shaped in less than 5 seconds into the final shape between two indirectly cooled tools with substantial shaping. Then it is subjected to rapid cooling while still in the die to produce a martensitic and/or bainitic structure (direct thermoshaping). These measures produce a product having good dimensional accuracy and high mechanical strength, a product that is eminently suited for use as a structural and safety part in an automobile.
It is also known from the prior art to first cold-preform a sheet metal blank made of boron-alloyed steel in the unhardened state, then to heat the pre-shaped part to a temperature over AC3 and then to shape it in under 5 seconds into the final shape between two indirectly cooled tools and subject it to rapid cooling while still in the die to produce a martensitic and/or bainitic structure (indirect thermoshaping). In this process the degree of pre-heating can reach 100% of the finished shape so that the part is first and foremost calibrated to size in the finished shape in the thermoshaping tool. Both the direct and the indirect process are referred to below as thermoshaping and press-hardening.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,134 discloses providing a sheet metal blank of hardenable steel for making a shaped metallic part for an automobile part having regions with high ductility, then first homogeneously heating this sheet metal blank to a temperature between 900° C. and 950° C., and subsequently shaping the sheet metal blank in a shaping tool into the shaped part. Finally the shaped part is tempered while still in the shaping tool to then bring adjoining partial regions of the shaped parts to a temperature between 600° C. and 900° C. in a time of less than 30 seconds. In this way, regions with high ductility are shaped in the sheet metal blank. At temperatures between 600° C. and 900° C. substantial structural transformation takes place in the grain of the steel, meaning that the mechanical values are redirected in the direction of unhardened steel. The steel is accordingly no longer high strength in the ductile regions. This patent proposes undertaking partial thermal treatment on the shaped part fixed on a feed mechanism by means of inductive heating.
US 2007/0107814 describes a thermoshaped and press-hardened structural part that has been thermotreated following a heat-forming and press-hardening process at 320 to 400° C. The high-strength properties of the part are locally influenced by this thermal treatment. The yield strength Rp0.2 and the expansion A5 remain virtually unchanged. Only the tensile strength RM is reduced by 100 to 200 N/mm2. With a grade of steel composed in weight percent of                Carbon (C) 0.18% to 0.3%        Silicon (Si) 0.1% to 0.7%        Manganese (Mn) 1.0% to 2.5%        Phosphorous (P) maximal 0.025%        Chromium (Cr) to 0.8%        Molybdenum (Mo) to 0.5%        Sulfur (S) maximal 0.01%        Titanium (Ti) 0.02% to 0.05%        Boron (B) 0.002% to 0.005%        Aluminum (Al) 0.01% to 0.06%, and        balance iron, including contaminants conditional on steel production,a tensile strength Rm of 1200 to 1400 N/mm2, a yield strength Rp0.2 of 950 to 1250 N/mm2 and an expansion A5 of 6-12% result following thermal treatment at 320 to 400° C. The material still has the required high-strength mechanical properties, though due to the slightly lower tensile strength Rm the material is so ductile that it puckers under load instead of breaking or tearing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,389 discloses a method of manufacturing a sheet steel product by heating a sheet cut to size, thermoshaping the sheet steel between pair of tools, and hardening the shaped product by rapid cooling from the austenitic temperature while it is still between the tools, and finally processing the product such that unhardened regions remain in it and processing is carried out in such unhardened regions. In this process, there is an alternative whereby the entire product is hardened in the tools and then the regions in which the processing is completed are tempered in a separate process. In such a case the tempering can be done immediately after the procedure by a machine, such as for example a punch, which has a heating device such as for example an built-in induction element.
US 2004/0112485 and 2008/0041505 disclose a system where the interior of a furnace is partitioned into two longitudinally extending and transversely adjacent zones, and one of the zones is heated to a substantially higher treatment temperature than the other of the zones, which may or may not be heated. A steel workpiece is conveyed longitudinally through the furnace with a region of the workpiece moving exclusively through the one zone and another region of the workpiece moving exclusively through the other of the zones such that the regions are heated to different temperatures. The treatment temperature in one of the zone is above the AC1 point for the workpiece and the temperature in the other of the zones is close to or below the AC1 point for the workpiece. Thus the use of pass-through furnaces for heating parts to a temperature over the AC1 or AC3 point of the alloy is standard in current production of thermoshaped and press-hardened automobile parts.


Provided is a nasal implant assembly comprising a hollow implant having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end configured to have a segment deposited with magnetic particles; and a medical syringe configured to be attachable to the proximal end of the hollow implant and also configured to be capable of retaining and transporting a magnetically active fluid composition through the implant to a nasal cavity of a subject. Also provided is a method of treating chronic rhinosinusitis in a subject, the method comprising the steps of positioning a nasal implant having magnetic particles into a nasal cavity; loading a medical syringe with a magnetically active fluid composition; and transporting the loaded magnetically active fluid composition to the nasal cavity to treat chronic rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent symptomatic inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinuses characterized by at least 8-12 weeks of two or more symptoms including nasal congestion or blockage, anterior or posterior nasal discharge, facial pressure or pain, and reduction or loss of smell. CRS can be brought on by an infection, by growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or by a deviated nasal septum. It most commonly affects young and middle-aged adults, but can also affect children. CRS is thus considered a public health problem having a significant social and economic impact.
Despite decades of world-wide effort toward discovery of therapeutic approaches against CRS, effective treatment options for this disease remain limited in scope and largely inadequate.
Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for improved devices and methods for an effective treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis.


A coating apparatus includes a nozzle, a moving mechanism, a pressure adjusting unit and a pressure control unit. The nozzle is provided with a storage chamber and a slit-like flow path, and configured to discharge the coating liquid from a discharge port formed at a front end of the flow path. The moving mechanism moves the nozzle and a substrate relatively to each other along the surface of the substrate. The pressure adjusting unit adjusts the pressure inside the storage chamber. The pressure control unit controls the pressure adjusting unit so as to adjust pressure inside the storage chamber. The pressure control unit controls the pressure adjusting unit such that the inside of the storage chamber becomes a negative pressure, and fills the coating liquid inside the storage chamber while slowly decreasing the negative pressure inside the storage chamber.

Conventionally, a spin coating method has been known as a method for coating a coating liquid on a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer or a glass substrate. The spin coating method refers to a method of spreading a coating liquid by dropping the coating liquid from a nozzle to a center of a substrate while rotating the substrate so that the coating liquid is diffused on the substrate by centrifugal force and spread to be coated on the substrate to form a coating film.
In such a spin coating method, the utilization efficiency is low because most of the dropped coating liquid is scattered out of the substrate. Thus, a slit coating method has recently been suggested as a coating method to replace the spin coating method.
The slit coating method refers to a method of coating using a nozzle having a slit-like discharge port. Specifically, in the slit coating method, a coating liquid, which is slightly exposed from the discharge port, is brought into contact with a substrate, and in this state, the nozzle and the substrate are relatively moved such that the coating liquid is spread on the substrate to form a coating film. According to this slit coating method, the utilization efficiency may be enhanced because it is possible to coat a coating liquid as needed on the substrate. See, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H8-173875.
Further, the nozzle disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H8-173875 is provided with a storage space configured to store the coating liquid. The nozzle discharges the coating liquid filled in the storage space from a discharge port through a slit-like path. A coating liquid supply system is connected to the storage space, and thus, the coating liquid is supplied from the coating liquid supply system such that the storage space is filled with the coating liquid.

Coating apparatus and method for filling coating liquid


Travelling scaffoldings must cope with manifold tasks and especially be characterized in that their resting surface must adapt to various conditions. In the disclosed scaffolding, the roller-bearing traverses (16) are subdivided into two parts and the parts (16a, 16b) are interconnected and slanted in relation to the rectangular base structure of the scaffolding, so that the widening traverses (15) allow the distance between the rollers to be increased in two mutually perpendicular directions.

Scaffoldings of this type are often very high and for setup must have a sufficient stability without which the outer outline dimensions specified by the platform would have to be enlarged beyond the degree of technologically required and permissible for transport. It is therefore a familiar practice, and regulated by pertinent codes, that the stability of the base of the scaffolding is increased by being able to pull the rollers arranged in pairs out of their transport position apart from each other, thus increasing the base area when setting up the scaffolding. The roller, however, cannot be moved additionally in a direction perpendicular to the one specified by the widening traverses. For this purpose, additional extension traverses would have to be inserted and thus the entire arrangement would be significantly more complicated. However, the expansion of the base in the perpendicular direction is actually just as desirable.


A first picture composed of first pixels including a first number thereof arrayed in a first direction and individually having a first image data is multiplied to provide a second picture composed of second pixels including a second number thereof arrayed in a second direction and individually having a second image data. An association is effected between each of the first number of first pixels and a total of h of the second number of second pixels, where h is an integer digitally equivalent to a multiplication factor, before a total of h fractions of the first image data are distributed to the h second pixels, as the second image data thereof, so that a compositional context of a first image representable by the first image data is substantially left in a second image representable by the second image data, permitting a directionally deformable multiplication of a digital picture.

The present invention generally relates to a digital picture multiplication device and a digital picture multiplication method, and particularly, to a device and a method for a single- and/or multi-dimensional even and/or biased extension, magnification, contraction and/or deformation (hereafter collectively "universal multiplication" or simply "multiplication") of a binary or multi-value digital picture, or in other words, a universal conversion in number and/or arrangement of pixels in a digital picture, permitting a compositional context of an original image to be substantially held.
1. Description of the Related Art
Recent years have observed an increasing need for a multiplication of a digital picture in a variety of fields such as of a digital copier, facsimile, printer, recorder, editor, monitor, projector, television, virtual image processor, etc. (hereafter collectively "digital image processor").
In fields of an analog picture, a multiplication is a typical technique that one can do by knowledge of a projection and/or interpolation, in which a continuous variation of an image is promised.
In contrast, in a digital picture, any image is composed of a set of pixels individually allowed to have one of a limited number of discrete states of representation, such as a black and a white. Still less, no pixel in a picture can be deformed or divided.
However, there were several pioneers in the digital field also. They made their own ways, developing their methods for a digital picture multiplication. As one of most successful developments, there was a multiplication method consistent with an intuitive projection concept. As still advancing now, the multiplication method is well known as a dot density conversion method relatively high of a picture quality. Each dot corresponds to a pixel.
FIGS. 1A to 1C are illustrations for describing a principle of the projection concept.
In FIG. 1A, according to the projection concept, an original or input picture PI is projected, by rays R of light from an imaginary point light source LS, onto an output picture format PF.sub.1 (broken line) to have a multiplied picture PM.sub.1 (solid line) mapped thereon as an ideal target picture to be imitated in an image data processing of the input picture PI to obtain an output picture PO.
The input picture PI is formatted, e.g., to a matrix of 5A.times.5B pixels, where A and B are positive integers. The output picture format PF.sub.1 comprises, e.g., a matrix of 4C.times.4D pixels, where C and D are positive integers. In the case of FIG. 1A, 5A=4C and 5B=4D so that the multiplied picture PM.sub.1 just overlaps the picture format PF.sub.1 and hence the output picture PO represents the same region as the input picture PI.
In a case of 5A<4C and 5B=4D, as shown in FIG. 1B, a multiplied picture PM.sub.2 overlaps part of an output picture format PF.sub.2 so that a rectangular peripheral region .quadrature.EFGH is left, as it is blank, and hence an output picture represents an entire region of an input picture PI and a rectangular blank region which may be displayed in black.
In a case of 5A=4C and 5B>4D, as shown in FIG. 1C, a multiplied picture PM.sub.3 covers, with part thereof, an entire region of an output picture format PF.sub.3 and has a rectangular peripheral region .quadrature.IJKL thereof exceeding the format PF.sub.3, so that an output picture represents part of an input picture PI.
The density conversion method employs an algorithm to determine a density relationship for a direct conversion from a two-dimensional subset of pixels of an input picture to a two-dimensional subset of pixels of a multiplied picture in consistency with the projection concept.
The algorithm is simplified, assuming that the conversion is made between binary values.
The simplification is based on a geometrical mode conversion which has been introduced by a Technical Report of the Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japan, Vol. 75, No. 147, IE75-November, 1975, pp. 37-44.
The geometrical mode conversion classifies into a number of pattern modes a set of geometrical relationships between a respective one of pixels of a picture to be output and a number of pixels vicinal thereto in an input picture, to have a distribution of the modes determined to be stored in a form of a conversion table, before using the table for a conversion of pixel-matrix size from the input picture to the output picture.
FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a 5.times.5 pixel matrix of a left-upper portion of an input picture overlapping a 4.times.4 pixel matrix of a left-upper portion of an output picture, for describing the geometrical mode conversion,
An input picture P100 comprises a set {x.sub.ab } of digital image data x.sub.ab formatted for a 5A.times.5B matrix of imaginary pixels Px(a,b) defined by solid lines in FIG. 2, where A and B are positive integers, and "a" and "b" are arbitrary integers such that 1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.5A and 1<b5B, respectively.
The input picture P100 is multiplied by a fraction of 16/25 so that an output picture P200 is composed of a set {y.sub.cd } of digital image data y.sub.cd formatted for a 4C.times.4D matrix of imaginary pixels Py(c,d) defined by broken lines in FIG. 2, where C and D are positive integers such that 4C=5A and 4D=5D, respectively, and "c" and "d" are arbitrary integers such that 1.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.4C and 1.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.4D, respectively.
When the input and output pictures P100 and P200 are monitored by an unshown input monitor and an unshown output monitor, respectively, if a display of the output monitor has the same size as a display of the input monitor, a respective one of 4C.times.4D actual pixels of the output monitor should display an image segment that is substantially identical in sense of vision to a combination of image segments displayed by those of 5A.times.5B actual pixels of the input monitor which partially or wholly overlap the above-mentioned respective pixel of the output monitor, as the display of the output monitor is supposed to be standing just in front of or behind that of the input monitor.
To be adaptive to such the requirement, among the image data Y.sub.cd of the output picture P200, that one Y.sub.cd (c=c.sub.0,d=d.sub.0), which is assigned to an arbitrary one Py(c.sub.0,d.sub.0) of the imaginary pixels Py(c,d), has a digital value thereof determined in accordance with a normalized value of a weighted sum .SIGMA.f(a,b).multidot.X.sub.ab ! of image data X.sub.ab of those imaginary pixels Px(a,b) of the input picture P100 which partially or wholly overlap the above-mentioned arbitrary pixel Py(c.sub.0,d.sub.0) of the output picture P200 when projected, where the suffix "0" collectively represents one or more particular integers in concern within an arbitrary defined range of integers, and "f(a,b)" (hereafter sometimes simply ("f") is a weighting factor of a corresponding pixel Px(a,b).
The weighting factor f(a,b) is proportional to an area by which the corresponding pixel Px(a,b) in the input picture P100 overlaps a concerned pixel Py(c.sub.0,d.sub.0) of the output picture P200.
For example, in a region of a first-row, first-column pixel Py(c.sub.0,d.sub.0) (c.sub.0 =1,d.sub.0 =1) of the output picture P200, there are four pixels Px(a,b) (a=1.about.2,b=1.about.2) of the input picture P100 overlapping therewith, wholly or in part, with an area ratio of 16:4:4:1. The four pixels Px(1,1), Px(1,2), Px(2,1) and Px(2,2) have their binary data values x.sub.11, x.sub.12, x.sub.21 and x.sub.22 and weighting factors f(1,1) (=16), f(1,2) (=4), f(2,1) (=4) and f(2,2) (=1). Accordingly, a weighted sum .SIGMA.fx.sub.ab ! of them is calculated such that: EQU .SIGMA.fx.sub.ab !=16x.sub.11 +4x.sub.12 +4x.sub.21 +1x.sub.22.
The weighted sum .SIGMA.fx.sub.ab ! is then divided by a sum Sf (=.SIGMA.f=16+4+4+1=25) of the weighting factors f to determine a normalized value, which is digitized by using a threshold value to provide a binary data value y.sub.11 for the pixel Py(1, 1) of the output picture P200.
Likewise, a data value y.sub.cd is calculated for each pixel Py(c, d) of the output picture P200. In the case of FIG. 2, such calculations amount to 16 patterns in total.
In any pattern of such calculation, an associated combination of weighting factors f(a,b) as well as a sum Sf of them can be predetermined, as a particular factor (=16/25) of the picture multiplication is provided, allowing an area ratio to be geometrically determined.
Therefore, a necessary number of combinations of conversion factors fc=f(a,b)/Sf are calculated in advance, and stored in a matrix form as a conversion table for use in a geometrical mode dot-density conversion from an input picture to an output picture, which may employ a logical expression such as for a pixel assignment and/or a pattern repetition.
It is unavoidable for the conventional method to use a conversion table to permit a picture multiplication to be processed at a practical speed.
Therefore, the conventional method can simply serve for an order-made picture multiplication in which a multiplication factor is fixed, in addition to that a memory with a significant capacity is necessary for storing a conversion table and that a significant man-hour is needed to provide for the conversion table.
Moreover, the conventional method can simply serve for a two-dimensional even multiplication in which an output picture coincides with an input picture in respect of a frame form, to use an entire region of the output picture for displaying an entire region of the input picture.
In other words, it is difficult for the conventional method to be flexibly adaptive to a single-dimensional multiplication or extension in which a frame of an output picture does not coincide with a frame of an input picture, or to any multi-dimensional multiplication other than a two-dimensional.
Further, it is hard for the conventional method to execute a biassed or deforming picture multiplication in which an equi-density is not guaranteed, whatsoever.
Such various restrictions in application of the conventional method seems owing to a conventional projection concept in which a single shot develops a final target picture and in which a better imitation to the target picture guarantees a better quality.
The present inventor thought the digital process should inherently be stepwise for a better flexibility; the digital image should inherently be a limited number of bits unable to be fully responsible for an excessive duty.
The present invention has been achieved with these points in mind.

Device and method for digital picture universal multiplication


A thermoplastic molding composition containing talc is disclosed. The composition wherein talc has a median particle size of less than 1000 nm further contains a polycarbonate and/or polyester-carbonate, and a graft polymer having as graft base a rubber having a glass transition temperature of below about 10° C. is suitable for preparing molded articles having improved mechanical properties, such as weld line strength, elongation at break and toughness at low temperatures.

It is known to add talc as a reinforcing substance to polycarbonate compositions in order to increase the rigidity and tensile strength, to increase the dimensional stability during variations in temperature and to improve the surface properties. The talc added also serves as a flameproofing synergist in flame-resistant materials.
WO 98/51737 A1 discloses PC/SAN blends which have polystyrene-grafted polybutadiene rubber as an impact modifier and comprise mineral fillers, e.g. talc, with an average particle size of preferably 1.5 to 5 μm. The molding compositions described are not given a flame-resistant treatment. It furthermore emerges from the examples that molding compositions which comprise talc with a particle size of <1.5 mm have a low melt volume index (MVI). The PC/SAN blends described with polystyrene-grafted polybutadiene rubber show deficits in the mechanical properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,410 describes PC/ABS molding compositions which comprise talc with an average particle size of 1.5 to 20 μm, preferably 4.0 to 10 μm, to improve the surface appearance of injection-molded finished components. The molding compositions described are distinguished by a matt surface and improved mechanical properties.
JP-A 11/199768 discloses flame-resistant PC/ABS compositions comprising talc and phosphoric acid esters, 90 wt. % of the talc having a particle size of <4 μm. The PC/ABS compositions described have improved burning properties and are suitable in particular for thin wall applications. Molding compositions with talc types with average particle diameters in the sub-micro range are not described, nor are there indications that an improvement in the mechanical properties, in particular the elongation at break and bonding strength can be improved by using such types.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,461 discloses PC/ABS compositions which comprise as the reinforcing substance talc and non-calcined clay minerals. The talc types used have a particle size of less than 44 μm (=44,000 nm). The PC/ABS compositions are distinguished by a reduced linear thermal expansion coefficient and a relatively high impact strength at low temperatures.
EP-A 0 758 003 A2 describes PC molding compositions which can comprise inorganic fillers with a particle diameter of >0.5 mm as the reinforcing substance. Talc with a particle diameter of ≧0.2 mm is mentioned, inter alia, as a filler. The PC molding compositions can furthermore be given a flame-resistant treatment and are distinguished by an improved surface appearance and a high modulus of elasticity. Polycarbonate blends are not described in this specification.
A disadvantage of the talc-containing PC/ABS blends known from the prior art is that an increase in the E modulus is indeed achieved by the addition of talc, but at the same time other mechanical properties, such as elongation at break and toughness, are impaired. The addition of talc to PC/ABS blends as a rule leads to a significant deterioration in the toughness of the shaped article produced from the composition. Either the toughness achieved by addition of talc is often therefore not sufficient for specific uses, or the amount of the inorganic material employed is too low to realize the property advantages intended from its addition to a sufficient extent.
In addition, the weld line strength in known talc-containing PC/ABS blends is often inadequate.
It is thus desirable to provide polycarbonate compositions to which talc is added in a known manner for the purpose of improving at least one material property, but which are distinguished by an improved level of toughness and/or toughness at low temperatures compared with the prior art and an increased weld line strength. In particular, the polycarbonate compositions should be distinguished by an improved toughness at low temperatures with simultaneously good values for the elongation at break and E modulus.
The polycarbonate composition according to the invention should exhibit a good processing behavior, i.e. high melt flow rate.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Systems and methods for controlling the clearance in a gas turbine are provided. A temperature of a shaft of the gas turbine may be determined, and a desired temperature of an inner turbine shell of the turbine may be determined based upon the temperature of the shaft. The desired temperature of the inner turbine shell may be associated with a turbine clearance at which the gas turbine may be ignited. The temperature of the inner turbine shell may be altered by controlling the temperature of a gas that is circulated within the inner turbine shell, and a determination may be made that the temperature of the inner turbine shell exceeds the desired temperature. The gas turbine may be ignited subsequent to the determination that the temperature of the inner turbine shell exceeds the desired temperature.

A key factor in the efficiency of a turbine such as, for example, a heavy-duty gas turbine is the turbine clearance between the blade tips and the casing of the turbine. If the turbine clearance is maintained at a minimum level, the turbine will operate more efficiently because a minimum amount of air/exhaust gas will escape between the blade tips and the casing. Accordingly, a greater percentage of the air and gas entering the turbine will be used to drive the turbine blades and create work.
Due to the different thermal and mechanical growth characteristics of turbine rotor assemblies and the turbine casing, the turbine clearance may significantly change as the turbine transitions between different stages of operation such as from initial start-up to a base load steady-state condition. A clearance control system may be implemented in the turbine to address the turbine clearance conditions during the operation of the turbine.
Prior art clearance control systems typically implement a two stage or two mode control logic. The casing of the turbine is heated for all operating conditions other than base load in order to keep the turbine clearance wide open and prevent any contact between the turbine blades and turbine casing. When the turbine is operating at base load, the turbine clearance will typically be decreased by applying cool air to the turbine casing or, in the case of a two shell turbine containing both an outer and inner turbine shell, by circulating cool air through the inner turbine shell.
These prior art clearance control systems only implement two settings for turbine clearance control, rather than providing continuously modulating clearance control throughout all stages of operation of the turbine. As such, the prior art systems do not make appropriate corrections to the turbine clearance when there are variations to the load of the gas turbine and/or to the ambient conditions in which the gas turbine is operating.
The prior art clearance control systems also typically control turbine clearances according to a preset schedule in which cooling air with a specific flow rate and temperature is utilized to cool the turbine casing. For example, when a turbine is first started, the clearance control system may keep the turbine clearance wide open for a predetermined period of time sufficient for the turbine to reach a base load condition and then begin cooling the turbine casing by circulating cooling air of a predetermined temperature through the turbine casing at a predetermined flow rate. Accordingly, the prior art clearance control systems are unable to constantly monitor and adapt to any changes in the turbine clearance.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved system and method for monitoring and controlling the turbine clearance of a gas turbine.

Methods and systems for controlling gas turbine clearance