A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a drift region in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, an isolation region within the drift region, and around which charge carriers drift on a path through the drift region during operation, and a protection region adjacent the isolation region in the semiconductor substrate, having a second conductivity type, and disposed along a surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Integrated circuits (ICs) and other electronic devices often include arrangements of interconnected field effect transistors (FETs), also called metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), or simply MOS transistors or devices. A typical MOS transistor includes a gate electrode as a control electrode and spaced apart source and drain electrodes. A control voltage applied to the gate electrode controls the flow of current through a controllable conductive channel between the source and drain electrodes.
Power transistor devices are designed to be tolerant of the high currents and voltages that are present in power applications such as motion control, air bag deployment, and automotive fuel injector drivers. One type of power MOS transistor is a laterally diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) transistor. In an LDMOS device, a drift space is provided between the channel region and the drain region.
LDMOS devices may be designed to operate in a high-side configuration in which all of the device terminals are level shifted with respect to the substrate potential. Devices configured for high-side operation have been applied in power switchers in DC-to-DC converters, which have respective LDMOS devices for the high side and low side. High-side capable devices may be designed to prevent a direct punch-through path from a body region of the LDMOS device to an underlying substrate.
LDMOS devices are often used in applications, such as automotive applications, involving operational voltages greater than 40 volts. Breakdown resulting from applying such high voltages to the drain is often prevented through a reduced surface field (RESURF) structure in the LDMOS device design. The RESURF structure is designed to deplete the drift space of the LDMOS device in both vertical and lateral directions, thereby reducing the electric field near the surface at the drift region and thus raising the off-state breakdown voltage (BVdss) of the device.
The potential for damage from high energy charge carriers increases with the higher operating voltages achieved via RESURF and other LDMOS design features. The higher operating voltages lead to higher electric fields, which, in turn, increase the energy imparted to the charge carriers within the device. Device degradation typically arises from the injection of high energy charge carriers, or hot carriers, into the gate oxide, an interlayer dielectric, or field oxide structure of the device. The resulting buildup of charge in the dielectrics from such hot carrier injection (HCI) leads to variations in operational characteristics, such as the threshold voltage or on-state current, and performance of the device, such as performance at high frequencies.

Semiconductor device with HCI protection region


A wet vacuum/extractor having a first cleaning solution line which extends from a cleaning solution tank to a non-self-priming pump and a second cleaning solution line which extends from the pump to a normally closed fluid flow control valve which controls the flow of liquid on to the cleaning head. The vacuum priming system of the present invention opens the second cleaning solution line to the vacuum generated between the cleaning head and the vacuum fan. This vacuum beyond the output of the pump draws solution from the solution tank into the operating pump. Once the pump is thus primed, the second cleaning solution line is closed to the vacuum and the pump now pumps the solution past the closed fluid flow control valve to the cleaning head.

The present invention relates to surface cleaning extractors and wet vacuums. Such extractors are devices which apply a cleaning solution to a surface, such as carpet, upholstery and the like, and then vacuum the solution from the surface, extracting dirt and debris from the surface. Such extractors sometimes use built-in solution tanks and sometimes include attachment means with a long hose so the unit can obtain water from a faucet.
When a built-in solution tank is used, some means for pumping the solution from the tank to a cleaning tool is required. Such pumping function is typically accomplished by an electric pump which draws the solution from the tank and delivers it to the cleaning tool. Often times such pumps are expensive, self-priming units. Alternatively, such pumps can be non-self-priming and positioned such that gravity feeds the solution from the tank to the pump for priming purposes. While non-self-priming pumps are attractive from a cost perspective, their dependence upon gravity to move the solution from the tank makes them less attractive. The self-priming units are, of course, attractive, but their expense makes them unattractive for inclusion on a lower cost extractor. Therefore, there is a need to solve this problem of more easily priming an inexpensive non-self-priming pump.

Wet vacuum/extractor with vacuum priming system


A distance indicating device having at least one energy wave generator. Each of the generators have a focusing device to produce a directional focused beam of wave energy. Each of the wave generators have a means for mounting the generator to a vehicle and a means for adjustively positioning the generator to intersect or impact an object at a predetermined distance from the generator or the vehicle on which it is mounted utilizing the point of intersection or impact to determine the distance between the vehicle and a fixed object.

The present invention relates to distance indicating devices and methods, and more particularly to such a method and device for mounting on a vehicle for easy determination of the distance between an object and the vehicle when maneuvering or parking the vehicle. Ever since automobiles have become common place and are parked in garages, everyone has experienced the difficulty of positioning an automobile in a garage without contacting one of the garage walls or an item stored in the garage. Parking airplanes in hangers and attempting to gauge the side by side parking of other vehicles without either vehicle to vehicle contact or vehicle to stationary object contact have frustrated many over the years. Thus it is highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating device and method. It is also highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating method and device which would mount on a vehicle to indicate predetermined distances from the vehicle and other stationary objects when maneuvering the vehicle.
Various structures have been proposed in indicating distances between a moving vehicle and a stationary object. Lights, hanging objects, painted lines have all been utilized to guide vehicles into a proper position with regard to adjacent stationary objects. Aircraft are guided into loading bays by lights at which the nose is pointed. Automobile owners have hung from the ceiling small balls or other objects which are aligned with the hood ornament to position the automobile in spaced alignment from stationary objects. Each of these devices have failed in one or more instances and are deficient in operational characteristics, primarily because these objects are attached or secured or mounted on stationary objects surrounding the position at which the vehicle is desired to be located. Thus it is also highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating method and device which can be attached to the vehicle to position the vehicle optimally from stationary objects.
While spacing automobiles from curbs have been desirably accomplished using curb feelers or flexible wire objects extending from a vehicle to scrape against a curb indicating that the vehicle is correctly positioned with respect to the curb, these devices extend from the car, are relatively unsightly, and often break due to repetitive flexing or impact. Thus it is highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating method and device for a vehicle which has no structure extending from the vehicle subject to breakage or which is esthetically unpleasant.
While radar technology, sonar technology and laser technology all are well known and used to determine distances between objects and devices without extending between the objects, little of this technology has been utilized in distance indicating devices for use on vehicles both because of the difficulty in utilizing this technology and the expense involved. Thus it is highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating method and device for vehicles which has all of the aspects of radar, sonar and laser technology but which can be utilized on vehicles relatively easily and inexpensively to indicate distances between the vehicle and fixed objects.
Distance indicating devices utilizing energy wave generators that produce directional focused beams of wave energy are most useful for this purpose. Some of these energy wave generators have become relatively inexpensive and are now available for such use. Thus it is also highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating method and device for vehicles utilizing conventional wave energy generators and focusing mechanisms to produce directionally focused beams of wave energy to determine the distance between a vehicle and stationary objects. Thus it is also highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating method and device including conventional wave generators to impinge on or reflect from stationary objects thereby to indicate the distance therefrom.
It is also highly desirable to provide an improved wave generator which cooperate with existing features of known vehicles.
It is also highly desirable to provide improved distance indicating method and devices which are mechanically simple, require little or no maintenance, and are relatively inexpensive.
Finally it is highly desirable to provide an improved distance indicating method and device having all of the above identified features.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved distance indicating method and device.
It is also an object of the invention to provide and improved distance indicating device which can be mounted on vehicles to indicate predetermined distances from the vehicle and other stationary objects when maneuvering the vehicle.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved distance indicating method and device which can be attached to the vehicle to position the vehicle optimally from stationary objects.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved distance indicating method and device for vehicles which has no structure extending from the vehicle subject to breakage or which is esthetically unpleasant.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved distance indicating method and device which has all of the advantages of radar, sonar and laser technology, but which can be utilized on vehicles relatively easily and inexpensively to indicate distances between the vehicle and fixed objects.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved distance indicating method and device for vehicles utilizing conventional wave energy generators and focusing mechanisms to produce directionally focused beams of wave energy in determining the distance between a vehicle and stationary objects.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved distance indicating method and device including conventional wave generators which impinge on or reflect from stationary objects thereby to indicate the distance therefrom.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved wave generator which cooperate with existing features of known vehicles.
It is also an object of the invention to provide improved distance indicating method and devices which are mechanically simple, require little or no maintenance, and are relatively inexpensive.
It is finally an object of the invention to provide an improved distance indicating method and device having all of the above identified features.
In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided a distance indicating device having at least one energy wave generator. Each of the generators have a focusing device to produce a directional focused beam of wave energy. Each of the wave generators have a means for mounting the generator to a vehicle and a means for adjustably positioning the generator to intersect or impact an object at a predetermined distance from the generator or the vehicle on which it is mounted utilizing the point of intersection or impact to determine the distance between the vehicle and a fixed object.
An improved method for indicating the distance between a vehicle and a fixed object is also provided utilizing the focused energy wave beam generators of the improved distance indicating device of the invention.


Methods for evaluating an optically variable device (“OVD”) or optically variable media (“OVM”) are disclosed. The methods include the steps of applying light of a single wavelength from a calibrated light source to the OVD or OVM; measuring the light diffracted by the OVD or OVM with an integrating sphere; measuring the total incident light on the OVD or OVM; and calculating a diffraction efficiency for the OVD or OVM at the single wavelength based on the measurement of light diffracted and the measurement of total incident light.

Optically variable devices ("OVD") are optical devices, which diffract, refract, transmit, absorb, or scatter light and whose optical properties can vary within that device. Some examples of OVD would be holographic films, holograms, including: reflection holograms, absorption holograms and polarization holograms, diffraction gratings, embossed films, original artwork, embossing rolls, and replicas. Optically variable media ("OVM") are optical media, which diffract, refract, transmit, absorb, or scatter light and whose optical properties can vary within that device. Some examples of OVM which can be used to make OVD would be polymers, polymer films, multilayer films, films with inclusions, films with embossing layers, photoresist, epoxies, silicones, lacquers, cellulose triacetate, glasses, and optical materials. Exemplary polymers include: polypropylene, ethylene propylene copolymers, ethylene propylene butene terpolymers, propylene butene copolymers, blends of polypropylene and propylene copolymers, polyetheretherketone, polyimide, polyamide, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulphide, polyamideimide, polyethersulphone, polyetherimide, polyphenylsulphone, polycarbonate, polyacrylate, including polymethacrylate homopolymers and copolymers, polyester, epoxy-based polymers, polysiloxane.
An example of holographic or optically variable devices can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,003, and in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2005/0112472 A1. An example of holographic or optically variable materials can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,316 and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2004/0101982 A1. These references are incorporated by reference.
The optical quality of OVD or OVM means the optical properties, which are measured by the method proposed here, and that relate directly to the "optimum" or "best" values that are attainable based on understanding of the underlying physics. For example, the diffraction efficiency of an OVD or OVM can be measured and compared to the best possible value that is attainable based on the understanding of the underlying physics. The underlying physics in this case might be the "optimum" or "best" values of the period and depth of the grating that is embossed on the surface.
The optical characteristics of OVD or OVM means the optical properties, which are measured by the method proposed here, and that relate directly to the "desired" or "target" values that are attainable based on specific applications or customer requirements. For example, the diffraction efficiency of an OVD or OVM can be measured and compared to the "desired" or "target" values that a customer requires. This information could be used to control a manufacturing process to produce the desired OVD or OVM or to set quality standards.
The visual appearance of OVD or OVM means the optical properties, which are measured by the method proposed here, and that relate directly to the "perceived visual effect" that is desired by a customer, artwork designer, or process control person. For example, the diffraction efficiency of an OVD or OVM that is found to be desirable due to its "perceived visual effect" can be controlled in the manufacturing process. In addition, an artwork designer could produce original artwork, which utilizes this desirable "perceived visual effect".
Assessment of the optical quality of holographic films and artwork is currently entirely subjective. A need exists for practical methods of making objective quantitative assessments of quality of optically variable devices and optically variable media. Such methods must produce repeatable results and provide standards by which media can be reliably evaluated. Such methods would be useful in assessing new designs of OVD and OVM, provide standard for assessing the quality of purchased devices and for quality control in the production of OVD and OVM. The application of these methods would therefore result in (a) reduced manufacturing costs (b) improved film quality and consistency and (c) an improved capability to match customer requirements.

Method for optical characterization and evaluation of optically variable devices and media


A prefabricated part made of vitreous fused silica for use as a refractory, and in particular, for use in repairing coke ovens, which contains over 90% by weight of SiO.sub.2. The prefabricated part includes about 20 to 50% by weight of vitreous fused silica having 1 to 6 mm grain size, 20 to 40% by weight of vitreous fused silica having 0.1 to 1 mm grain size, 15 to 35% by weight of finely ground vitreous fused silica having grains less than 0.1 mm in size, 1 to 10% of finely ground vitreous fused silica having a specific surface area according to BET larger than 20 m.sup.2 per gram, 1 to 10% by weight of cement and 0.1 to 8% by weight of a phosphorous compound.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a precast element of quartz and to a method for producing such a precast element.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A refractory brick material for coke ovens of the type mentioned initially is well-known from the German published application 29 47 182. It consists predominantly of SiO.sub.2 and a binding agent, it is suitable for mould-cast bricks and preferably for coke-oven walls produced in one piece.
Precast elements of the type mentioned initially can generally be employed at very high temperatures. In the ceramics industry they are used, for example, as kiln furniture, in the glass industry they are employed in regions which are not in contact with the molten glass, e.g. as curtain bricks.
In the case of the precast element of quartz of the type mentioned initially being used in coke ovens, it is desirable that the creep under pressure at high temperatures be as low as possible. In practical operation the partition walls of coke ovens built of precast elements of quartz of the type mentioned initially are pressure-loaded from above, among other things by the weight of the fully-loaded charging car. Moreover the stability under temperature change of the precast element should be as high as possible. In practical operation the hot partition walls come into renewed contact with cold wet coal with every charge, at decharging a cold-air shock occurs. Furthermore abrasion of the precast element should be low. Finally, use of the precast element in coke ovens requires good heat transmission, i.e. best possible thermal conductivity.
This is where the invention comes into its own. It has the object, under consideration of the above-mentioned requirements, to further develop the initially mentioned precast element of fused quartz in such a way that it can be produced conveniently and cheaply and contains as large as possible a fraction of amorphous SiO.sub.2.

Prefabricated part made of vitreous fused silica for use as a refractory and process for producing such prefabricated parts


An optical connector includes a printed circuit board, at least one emitter, at least one receiver, a coupler, and a number of positioning poles. The printed circuit board includes an assembling surface defining a number of first positioning recesses therein. The emitter and the receiver are electrically connected to the assembling surface of the printed circuit board. The coupler includes a bottom surface facing toward to the printed circuit board and at least two first lenses corresponding to the emitter and the receiver. The coupler defining a number of second positioning recesses in the bottom surface corresponding to the first positioning recesses. The positioning poles are positioned between the printed circuit board and the coupler, with one end of each positioning pole inserting and being fixed into a first positioning recess and the other end of each positioning pole inserting and being fixed into a second positioning recess.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to communication devices, and particularly to an optical connector.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical connectors include a printed circuit board, an emitter, a receiver, and a coupler. The emitter and the receiver are positioned on the circuit board. The coupler optically couples the emitter and receiver to optical fibers. The coupler generally includes a bottom surface and defines a groove in the bottom surface for receiving a number of lenses corresponding to the emitter and the receiver. In assembly, the bottom surface of the coupler is attached to the printed circuit board, and the emitter and the receiver are respectively aligned with the lenses. The coupler is typically attached to the printed circuit board using adhesive, which may contaminate the lenses.
Therefore, what is needed is an optical connector addressing the limitations described.


A controlling method suitable for an electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a camera module and a switch button. The controlling method includes following steps. A holding duration is measured started from a first time point when the switch button is pressed down. In response to the holding duration ends within a first threshold period, a singular image is generated. In response to the holding duration exceeds the first threshold period and ends within a second threshold period from the first time point, a series of burst images during the holding duration is generated. In response to the holding duration exceeds the second threshold period, a series of burst images during the second threshold period is generated, and also a video is generated.

Field of Invention
The present application relates to a controlling method for an electronic apparatus with one switch button. More particularly, the present application relates to how to activate different functions on the electronic apparatus with one switch button.
Description of Related Art
Recently, people get used to record their daily life by taking a photograph, taking a series of burst photographs or recording videos, and they can review the photographs and videos in a digital album on their devices. The photograph shows a specific moment. The series of burst photographs can be arranged into a timeline of photographs or processed into an animation for showing a movement of people, objects or scenes. The videos record the whole scenes during a specific period of time. Users may utilize different types of media (e.g., a singular image, a series of images or a video) under different circumstances.
In general, a camera device (or a photograph application running on an electronic apparatus with the camera module) has at least one mode-selecting key (for selecting between a singular photo capturing mode, a burst photo capturing mode and a video recording mode) and a shutter key for activating the corresponding function for shooting images or recording videos. In some other cases, the camera device (or the photograph application) may have individual shutter keys for photo capturing and video recording. User must be familiar about the different keys for performing different functions.
Aforesaid mode-selecting key or individual shutter keys occupy extra space on the camera device. In addition, the user is required to switch the electronic apparatus into a proper mode (e.g., between a singular photo capturing mode, a burst photo capturing mode and a video recording mode) to perform the function of interest.

Controlling method for electronic apparatus with one switch button


The present invention provides an air-condition heat pump capable of defrosting and air-conditioning at same time. The present invention utilizes at least two evaporators, which harvest the energy from one working evaporator to provide energy for defrost operation of another evaporator, thus the air-condition heat pump can defrost without additional energy. Under low temperature working condition, the present invention utilizes a suction pressure boost to increase efficiency.

Current available heat pump has low efficiency under low temperature working condition. The current defrosting methods such as electrical defrost system and reverse-circulation defrost system require the heat pump to stop operation while defrosting. Therefore, it is the primary objective of the present invention to provide an air-condition heat pump capable of uninterrupted operation during defrosting.
In general, current heat pump has very limited range of working temperatures due to operation efficiency. However, outdoor temperature may vary from negative 40 degree Celsius to 10 degree Celsius, therefore it is another objective of the present invention to provide a wide range air-condition heat pump capable of operating under wide range of working environment temperature at high efficiency.


A synchronization signal generating apparatus and method in which an input circuit is inductively coupled to an alternating current signal line. The input circuit generates a rectified signal. A switch has a switch input and a switch output in which the switch input is electrically connected to the input circuit and is enabled when the voltage of the rectified signal is greater than a predetermined voltage and is disabled when the rectified signal voltage is less than the predetermined voltage. A pulse generating circuit has a pulse generating circuit input and a pulse generating circuit output. The pulse generating circuit input is electrically connected to the switch output. The pulse generating circuit generates a pulse each time the switch is enabled. The synchronization signal generating apparatus is used in a synchronized television display system to signal a video switch to switch the video signal generated by a camera to a monitor based on the occurrence of the synchronization signal.

Video switching systems such as those used in the closed circuit television ("CCTV") industry often operate with non-synchronized cameras, i.e. the blanking intervals on the cameras are not synchronized to occur at the same time or synchronized with the switch. When different cameras are selected, the display monitor often loses vertical lock, and the image "rolls" badly until it re-locks. This situation can be improved in the cameras when the command to switch is synchronized with the input alternating current ("AC") power line frequency. As such, it is desirable to switch the video signal during the vertical blanking interval to prevent roll and start the new picture frame at the beginning of the next raster scan.
Prior art devices have been used to synchronize video switches to the 60 Hertz power input using optical couplers, capacitors, or zero-crossing detectors such as triacs. However, these prior art devices necessitated one of two undesirable solutions. First, the 120 volt AC line signal must be brought onto a circuit board or coupled to a circuit to perform the synchronization function. Second, a common way to lock to the power line is to detect zero-crossings at the low voltage secondary of the input power transformer by using a comparator. However, with contemporary direct, off-switching power supplies, such a transformer is not used. As such, this solution is impractical. Also, if an attempt is made to sample the raw input line, the detector must operate at high voltages, provide line isolation, and meet all certifications such as Underwriters Laboratories ("UL"), Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and other related certifications. This is expensive and difficult.
Systems for synchronizing a plurality of cameras using a master source located at a central station are known. However, the device at the central station is typically a highly-complicated device which distributes both horizontal and vertical synchronization signals. These systems do not, however, provide a synchronization signal to a central video switch which is used to switch between cameras during their vertical blanking interval.
It is therefore desirable to be able to have a system and method which avoids the need to sample the raw input line and cause the detector to operate at high voltages. It is further desirable to have a system and method for providing a synchronization signal based on the AC power line signal which does not require certifications and which allows the use of contemporary direct off-line switching power supplies without the need for a separate transformer.

System and method for inductive line synchronization


A pulse qualification apparatus and method provides for qualifying signal pulses from a raw data signal by comparison to a variable qualification level. Pulse qualification is done on a read signal developed by moving a magnetic transducer relative to addressable portions of a magnetic disk. A qualification level generator circuit generates a qualification level signal which varies in value depending upon the addressed portion of the magnetic disk. A threshold detector is used in qualifying pulses from a transducer read signal by comparison to the qualification level signal to generate an encoded pulse signal representing occurrences of qualifying pulses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data recovery from magnetic media, and more particularly, to data pulse qualification from a raw data signal generated by movement of a magnetic transducer relative to the surface of a magnetic disk.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A magnetic disk, such as used in a computer disk drive, is a flat circular platter with a magnetic surface on which data can be stored by selective polarization of portions of the magnetic surface. The presence or absence of polarity transitions between the polarized portions represents particular binary values. Typically, the magnetically polarized portions are arranged in a plurality of radially concentric tracks on the surface to aid in location and readback of the data.
A magnetic transducer moving relative to the magnetic disk along a given track generates an electrical signal (the "read signal"), which is related to the states of polarization encountered along the track. Pulses in the read signal, i.e. brief excursions in the signal value from its normal or initial level, correspond to the magnetically polarized portions of the magnetic disk. Ideally, the read signal would not be influenced by any other factors. Unfortunately, other factors must be taken into account. In the read signal, data is indicated by pulse polarity transitions. However, not all pulses appearing in the read signal are true (and some pulses may be missing), thus sorting the wheat from the chaff, the data from the noise, has become a major concern in signal processing for magnetic disk drives.
Read signal strength varies with the strength of the magnetic flux density encountered by the magnetic transducer as it moves across the magnetic disk. The strength of the encountered magnetic flux density in turn depends upon the spacing of the transducer from the surface of the magnetic disk, the orientation of the transducer relative to the tracks, the accuracy of positioning the transducer relative to the data tracks, the data coding scheme employed and many other factors.
The above factors can also affect the strength of the polarization of the magnetic surface where the same transducer is used to write data to the disk. For example, increased spacing between transducer and surface reduces the strength of polarization from writing to the disk. An increase in spacing between transducer and surface will show up in the read signal as a weakening in the signal. Thus, the effects can be additive.
Automatic gain control has long been used to solve the problems relating to variation in basic signal strength. However, the problems of data reproduction become more severe with increasing data densities, and involve factors not compensated effectively for by automatic gain control, particularly crosstalk and intersymbol interference. Crosstalk and intersymbol interference can result in the appearance of false pulses in the readback signal.
Increases in the areal density of magnetically polarized portions on magnetic disks lead directly to increases in data storage capacity for a disk drive of a given size. However, increased storage densities lead to an increase in susceptibility of the read signal to crosstalk and intersymbol interference. Coding schemes directed toward increased data densities, moreover, can be expected to produce significantly more occasions where there are multiple peaks occurring above a static lowered qualification threshold or peaks located in the long baseline between widely separated pulses. Codes that employ wide "windows" in order to increase disk capacity have larger band widths and longer baselines leading to intersymbol interference and crosstalk susceptibility. The intersymbol interference and crosstalk problems are further exacerbated if the magnetic read head drifts slightly off track. Transducer orientation and spacing from the magnetic media surface also effect crosstalk and intersymbol interference problems. These factors decrease the signal-to-noise ratio of the read signal and make determination of which pulses are true ever more difficult. False pulses, e.g. pulses related to transducer pickup of crosstalk, and missed true pulses cause data decoding problems, and can result in inconsistent operation of a phase locked loop used to recover the "clock" or timing of the data.
A technique for eliminating many false pulses from a raw data signal is to subject the raw data signal to pulse threshold qualification. Threshold qualification requires that a pulse in the raw data signal exhibit a predetermined minimum signal level (qualification level) as one step in qualification of the pulse as one having a high likelihood of being a true pulse. In the prior art, a single qualification level has been set for an entire magnetic disk, or even an entire stack of magnetic disks in multiplatter applications. The qualification level has been selected so that there are an equal number of "dropouts" and "extra" pulses due to the noise present in a raw data signal.

Track dependent variable level qualification pulse detector


A material and article holding rack includes two levels wherein the top tier thereof can be moved to accommodate an object. An extension platform is included so articles are easily moved onto the top tier.

Many homeowners have several pieces of equipment that must be stored in a storage space. This equipment includes lawn mowers, snowblowers, snowmobiles, and the like. This equipment is generally stored in a garage or a storage shed. However, with the proliferation of equipment, storage space becomes a premium. Shelves help, but do not solve the problem of storing large equipment, such as lawnmowers or the like.
Therefore, there is a need for a material and article handling rack that can be used to store equipment such as lawnmowers and the like.
Still further, moving heavy equipment such as a snowmobile may be cumbersome and difficult. Thus, even if there is room for storing such equipment, it may be difficult to maneuver the equipment into the storage space. This problem may be so acute that the storage space that is available may not be used in some instances. This problem may be especially acute if heavy equipment must be moved up a steep ramp onto the storage rack.
Therefore, there is a need for a material and article handling rack that can be used to store equipment such as lawnmowers and the like yet which is easily accessible for the stored equipment.
Sometimes, a single storage rack may be used for equipment of different sizes. In such a case, the storage rack must be re-configured to accommodate the equipment. Some presently known storage racks are not easily re-configured to accommodate a wide variety of equipment and thus may not be as versatile as possible. This may require a user to own several storage racks, which can be a costly and space consuming proposition.
Therefore, there is a need for a material and article handling rack that can be used to store equipment such as lawnmowers and the like yet which is easily re-configured as required.
There are racks and the like known in the art; however, these racks are not amenable to easy movement of a vehicle or other heavy object onto a top tier of the rack.
Therefore, there is a need for a material and article handling rack that can be used to store equipment such as lawnmowers and the like and which is amenable to accommodating a heavy object on a top tier of the rack.


A method for creating a multi-dimensional audio map is provided. The method includes assigning a first audio attribute to a multi-dimensional space comprising at least three dimensions. The method also includes creating, by a computer processor responsive to user input, a first audio attribute layer within the multi-dimensional space, including a first dimension representing an audio attribute value of the first audio attribute for a location defined by at least two other dimensions. A method for generating a mixed output using the multi-dimensional audio map is also provided.

The present invention relates to audio signal processing and, more specifically, to multi-dimensional audio transformations and crossfading.
A fader gradually increases or decreases volume level of an audio signal. A disc jockey (DJ) mixer typically includes a crossfader that essentially functions as two faders connected side-by-side, but in opposite directions. The crossfader is limited however, in that it only permits a linear transition from song A to song B. The process begins with lowering the volume level of song A, while simultaneously raising the volume level of song B. The user of the DJ mixer determines how much overlap there is in these two volume altering operations, which can range from a large overlap to essentially no overlap at all.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multi-dimensional audio transformations and crossfading

International Business Machines Corporation


A reference power generating circuit and an electronic circuit using the same are provided. The reference power generating circuit includes a first bandgap reference circuit and a second bandgap reference circuit. The first bandgap reference circuit is biased by a power voltage to generate a first reference voltage, where the first reference voltage has a first offset. The second bandgap reference circuit is connected to the first bandgap reference circuit in series and receives the first reference voltage generated by the first bandgap reference circuit. The second bandgap reference circuit is biased by the first reference voltage to generate a baseline reference voltage. The baseline reference voltage has a second offset, and the second offset is smaller than the first offset.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a reference power generating circuit and an application thereof, and particularly relates to a reference power generating circuit capable of decreasing an output offset and an electronic circuit using the same.
2. Related Art
A bandgap reference circuit is generally used to generate a stable baseline reference voltage that is not influenced by temperature. In the domain of circuit design, the bandgap reference circuit is widely used in circuits requiring an accurate working reference power, for example, an oscillating circuit or a digital-to-analog converter, etc.
Under the existing technique, since a circuit component itself has non-ideal characteristics on hardware, if the baseline reference voltage is simply produced by the bandgap reference circuit, it is still inadequate to prevent the generated baseline reference voltage from being influenced by unexpected situations such as a process variation, a temperature variation and a power drift, etc. In other words, the baseline reference voltage generated by a general bandgap reference circuit still has a considerable degree of offset, which may worsen an output characteristic of an electronic circuit requiring a high-accuracy working reference power.
In this case, a commonly used circuit design means is to design an additional compensation circuit to compensate an operation of the bandgap reference circuit, so as to improve the accuracy of the baseline reference voltage. However, a designer has to spend additional time and effort to design a structure of the compensation circuit. Moreover, how to integrate the compensation circuit and the bandgap reference circuit is another problem in circuit design and circuit layout.

Reference power generating circuit and electronic circuit using the same


A waiting time during which receiving of a power receiving request is accepted from a power transmission apparatus is appropriately managed, to shorten a time required until power transmission is completed.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power transmission apparatus, a power transmission method, and a storage medium.
Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a technique for supplying power in non-contact manner (wirelessly) has been known. There are four systems for supplying power in non-contact manner, i.e., an electromagnetic induction system, a magnetic field resonance system, an electric field coupling system, and an electric wave receiving system. The magnetic field resonance system is characterized by sufficient power to be transmitted and a long power transmission distance. Thus, the magnetic field resonance system has been particularly paid attention to out of the four systems. In the magnetic field resonance system, a 1-to-N power supply system in which a power transmission apparatus transmits power to a plurality of wireless power receiving apparatuses with use of the long power transmission distance has been proposed.
In a 1-to-N communication system, a technique for detecting a plurality of apparatuses on a network has been known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-286878, for example, discusses a wide area monitoring control system in which a master station device, which collects data by poling, and a plurality of slave station devices, which operates as a relay station, are connected to each other via a wireless network. In this system, the master station device changes a communication path pattern if it cannot receive data from the slave station devices within a data receiving waiting time, to receive data from the slave station devices.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-341017 discusses a technique for a master station collecting data from a plurality of slave stations connected to a bus-shaped network. In this technique, a timeout value is set for each of the slave stations, and a master station determines whether data can be collected until it reaches the timeout value set for each of the slave stations.
Conventionally, in a system for supplying power in non-contact manner, a power transmission apparatus accepts receiving of a power receiving request from a power receiving apparatus during a predetermined waiting time, to transmit power to the power receiving apparatus from which it has received the power receiving request. If the waiting time becomes too long, however, a power transmission processing time required until the power transmission is completed becomes longer.

Power transmission apparatus, power transmission method, and storage medium


A messaging system, having a transmitter (202) for transmitting information service messages to selective call units (SCU's) (122), receives displayable information from a service provider, and creates a message having an address field (504) and data field (508). The address field (504) includes an address assigned to at least one SCU (122), and the data field (508) includes the displayable information. A portion of the displayable information is defined as at least one subaddress field (510, 514). The at least one subaddress field (510, 514) is used by the at least one SCU (122), when receiving the message from the messaging system, for determining whether a portion of the displayable information is to be processed.

The popularity of information services has grown significantly throughout recent years. Popular information services include topics such as sports, weather, news, and up-to-date stock market information, just to mention a few.
Messaging systems that transmit over-the-air information service messages, generally transmit these messages to a designated group of selective call units. Each selective call unit in the group is programmed to receive one or more of these services. The messaging systems transmit these messages utilizing either synchronous or asynchronous protocols, such as, for example, the Flex protocol (Flex is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.) or the POCSAG protocol.
A message conforming to one of these protocols generally is composed of an address field and a data field. The address field includes a group address designating the group of selective call units. The data field includes a combination of subaddresses and information service messages. Each subaddress corresponds to a unique information service message topic, e.g. weather.
Each of the selective call units in turn is programmed to detect the arrival of group messages by matching the address field of the message with an address stored in the selective call unit. Once the arrival of a group message is detected, the selective call units proceed to intercept and process the information services included in the data field. This is accomplished by decoding each subaddress in the data field until an information service, in which the selective call unit has been activated to intercept, has been identified. Hence, for each service (e.g., weather, stock, sports, news, etc.) a subaddress is used to delimit the service within the data field.
It is apparent that transmitting information services in this manner suffers from the disadvantage that a significant amount of overhead (i.e., a subaddress for each information service message) is incurred when many services are transmitted in a group message. As the proliferation of short message services increases, the efficiency of bandwidth utilization in the messaging system decreases; therefore, raising the cost of such services to consumers.
What is needed therefore is a method and apparatus for reducing the overhead of transmitting information service messages to selective call units.

Method and apparatus for reducing overhead in a messaging system


A filter for an electrochemical measuring cell with a filter housing and a filter material contained therein is improved, with a simple design, such that interfering gas components cannot reach the measuring cell from the gas mixture. This is accomplished by the filter housing being formed of a porous, gas-permeable material.

The state of the art shows various suggestions for equipping electrochemical measuring cells such that controlled diffusion conditions are preset for the detection of a defined gas component in a gas mixture, i.e., e.g., of CO in its mixture with H.sub.2 S, on the one hand, and that the retention of "interfering" gas components, i.e., e.g., H.sub.2 S, is ensured, on the other hand.
On the one hand, so-called diffusion diaphragms, which are described in, e.g., EP 0016423 A1 and are to contribute to the optimization of the electrochemical measurement conditions, have been known for limiting the access of a gas component to be detected to the measuring cell. On the other hand, filters are inserted between the gas mixture and the measuring cell proper in order to retain, e.g., moisture, dust or especially also gas components which interfere with the measurement from the mixture and which would otherwise distort the measured signal of the measuring cell. A gas-measuring apparatus with a diffusion barrier with a capillary is disclosed in DE 27 09 903 C2.
The provision of a filter layer in the gas inlet for separating moisture for a calorimetric gas dosimeter is described in DE 34 45 638 C2.
The commercially available filters are either rigidly connected to the measuring cell and are not replaceable, or they cause interference signals due to leakage flows through the "bypass" between the filter housing and the measuring cell proper. These leakage flows are due to the fact that the filters are not fitted into the housing of the measuring cell in an absolutely gas-tight manner, and it is therefore hardly possible to prevent interfering gas components from flowing directly through this air gap because of the existing potential gradient and from reaching the measuring cell without flowing through the filter material and from causing an interference signal there.

Filter for an electrochemical measuring cell


The invention relates to a mutant xcex1-amylase having an amino acid sequence obtained by making deletion or replacement by another arbitrary amino acid residue of at least a methionine residue at the 202-position or a position homologous thereto among amino acid residues set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, which constitute a liquefying alkaline xcex1-amylase, a gene thereof, and a detergent composition comprising the mutant xcex1-amylase. The mutant xcex1-amylase has the optimum pH in an alkaline range, an excellent xcex1-amylase activity, and high and lasting resistance to oxidizing agents, and is hence particularly useful as a component of detergent compositions containing a bleaching agent and an oxidizing agent.

The present invention relates to mutant liquefying xcex1-amylases which have the optimum pH in an alkaline range and excellent resistance to oxidizing agents and are particularly useful as enzymes for detergents comprising an oxidizing agent, and genes thereof.
Various enzymes are incorporated into detergents for the purpose of enhancing detergency, and it is considered to incorporate an xcex1-amylase against, for example, starch smears. However, the xcex1-amylase incorporated into a detergent must be an alkaline xcex1-amylase, since the detergent comprises a surfactant, and the pH of a detergent solution is in an alkaline range.
By the way, detergents, in which an oxidation bleaching component is incorporated to expect not only detergency against dirt, but also a bleaching action, have been recently marketed. It is considered that the xcex1-amylase is also incorporated into such an oxidation bleaching agent-containing detergent. However, the usual xcex1-amylase is easy to inactivate in the presence of an oxidizing agent and has hence been unable to be incorporated into the oxidation bleaching agent-containing detergent.
Researches have been made to impart resistance to oxidizing agents to such an xcex1-amylase. More specifically, WO 94/02597 has provided oxidizing agent-resistant mutant proteins by substituting a non-oxidizing amino acid, particularly, leucine (Leu), threonine (Thr) or glycine (Gly) for a methionine residue of an xcex1-amylase derived from B. licheniformis. WO 94/18314 and WO 96/30481 have reported that when Met residues corresponding to the 197-position and 15-position among methionine residues in the same enzyme as described above are replaced by, in particular, Ala, Ile or Thr and Leu, Thr, Asp, Ser, Val or Ile, respectively, the resistance to oxidizing agents and heat stability of the enzyme are enhanced. However, these mutant xcex1-amylases are all enzymes having the optimum pH in a neutral to acidic range, and there has thus been a demand for development of an alkaline xcex1-amylase having a higher optimum pH for the purpose of using in detergents.
On the other hand, as a technique for imparting resistance to oxidizing agents to an alkaline xcex1-amylase, WO 96/23873 has only reported oxidizing agent-resistant mutant xcex1-amylases obtained by modifying SEQ ID NO:1 (NCIB 12512) encoding an xcex1-amylase. According to WO 96/23873, taking into account the results of the xcex1-amylase derived from B. licheniformis (WO 94/18314), and the like, it is described that when Met corresponding to the 202-position in FIG. 2 of NCIB 12512 is replaced by Leu, Phe, Ala, Thr, Val or Ser, the resultant xcex1-amylase mutant becomes oxidizing agent-resistant to a treatment with 200 mM H2O2. It has however been reported that since its resistance to oxidation is insufficient, Arg at the 181-position and Gly at the 182-position are deleted in addition to this mutation (Suzuki et al., J. Biol. Chem., 264, 18933-18938, 1989) to more stabilize the mutant. However, the half-lives (txc2xd) of enzymatic activity of the mutant xcex1-amylases obtained in such a manner are only in ranges of 10 to 20 minutes for the former and 10 to 30 minutes for the latter, and so they are not satisfactory as enzymes for incorporating into detergents for both resistance to oxidizing agents and lastingness thereof.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an xcex1-amylase which has the optimum pH in an alkaline range and lasting and strong resistance to oxidizing agents, a gene thereof, and a detergent composition comprising such an xcex1-amylase.
In view of the foregoing circumstances, the present inventors have paid attention to an enzyme produced by Bacillus sp. KSM-AP 1378 (WO 94/26881), which is a sort of liquefying alkaline xcex1-amylase, and carried out various investigations. As a result, it has been found that when at least one methionine residue at the 202-position or a position homologous thereto in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 is deleted or replaced by another arbitrary amino acid residue, the resultant xcex1-amylase mutant comes to have strong and lasting resistance to oxidizing agents and has an excellent amylase activity in an alkaline pH range, thus leading to completion of the present invention.
According to the present invention, there is thus provided a mutant xcex1-amylase having an amino acid sequence obtained by making deletion or replacement by another arbitrary amino acid residue of a methionine residue at the 202-position or a position homologous thereto in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, which constitutes a liquefying alkaline xcex1-amylase, or in an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95.2% to said amino acid sequence.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a gene encoding the mutant xcex1-amylase.
According to the present invention, there is further provided a detergent composition comprising the mutant xcex1-amylase.


A genetic polymorphism and a hair shape susceptibility gene that are related to hair shape, and a method for determining the genetic susceptibility to hair shape in individual test subjects are provided. Disclosed is a hair shape susceptibility gene, which overlaps with a haplotype block in in the 11q12.2 to 11q13.2 region (D11S4191 and D11S987) of human chromosome 11 and comprises a portion or the entirety of the base sequence of the haplotype block, wherein the haplotype block is determined by a linkage disequilibrium analysis conducted on a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker whose allele frequency differs statistically significantly between a group having a curly hair trait and a group having a non-curly hair trait, and consists of a base sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 1 to NO: 5.

The natural shape of human hair is generally classified into straight hair, wavy hair (wave hair), curled hair, and kinky hair (or coiled hair), depending on the degree of curl of the hair. Since the shape of hair and hairstyle constitutes one of the traits that can be easily recognized as physical features of human being, and also serve as an important factor that determines the first impression of a person, the shape of hair and hairstyle is a matter of great interest from a cosmetic viewpoint, irrespective of gender and age. In the case of kinky hair or curled hair with a high degree of curl, the person has trouble that the degree of freedom in hairstyle is limited so that desired styling cannot be achieved. On the other hand, even in the case of straight hair, the person also has trouble that the hair cannot be volumized, and bare skin is easily shown through.
As methods for changing the shape of hair and hairstyle, hairdressing using various hairstyling agents or hair dryers/hair irons, wave/straight permanent treatments, and the like are being extensively carried out. However, although these operations can effectively modify the shape of hair, the operations have no effect on the causative factor that determines the hair shape. These operations, which are solutions to the above described troubles, are not fundamental solutions but are merely temporary, and in order to maintain the shape of hair and hairstyle, these operations must be repeated frequently. However, on the contrary, these operations cause increased damage to hair, and consequently impair the cosmetic value. For this reason, there is a demand for the development of a method for the intrinsic regulation of hair shape, by which the hair shape can be changed from the beginning of hair growth.
Searching for a causative factor that determines the hair shape and identifying a causative gene thereof are expected to provide useful information in the development of a method for the intrinsic regulation of hair shape. In regard to the factors or genes related to hair shape, there have been reports on the genetic diseases that bring changes to the shape of hair (Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3), acquired kinky hair caused by drugs (Non-Patent Document 4), curly hair model animals (Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6), and the like. However, the factors or genes disclosed in these documents are merely a special example that affect the hair shape, and are not adequate to be considered as causative factors that determine the natural shape of human hair.
Meanwhile, along with the rapid progress in the genome analysis technology in recent years, the correlation between diseases and genes is being gradually clarified. Particularly, not only for so-called genetic diseases that are defined by variation or abnormality of a single gene, but also for polygenic diseases characterized by low penetrance (the ratio of onset of a certain disease in an individual having a variation in a certain gene), such as highly frequent common diseases including lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, search for causative genes using non-parametric linkage analysis techniques such as affected sib-pair linkage analysis is frequently carried out (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 7). Further, based on the hypothesis that the variation of a disease-associated gene for a common disease is a highly frequent genetic polymorphism (common variant), and that although the variation is present in healthy persons as well, the prevalence is significantly high in patients (Common Disease-Common Variant), search for causative genes by means of linkage disequilibrium analysis using a genetic polymorphism (for example, SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)) is also actively carried out throughout the world (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 8).
More recently, with the progress in the international HapMap Project, a database of general polymorphisms (SNP) of high frequencies such as one million loci or more in four human populations has been established, and research is being conducted on common diseases as well as on general traits in which the phenotype varies with the human race or population, for example, skin color, hair color, and eye color (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 9 and 10).
Similarly, also in regard to the natural shape of human hair, it can be contemplated that the natural hair shape is a general trait in which the phenotype varies with the human race or population. In general, many Asian people have straight hair, while African people predominantly have kinky hair (or curled hair). Indo-European people have a high ratio of having a trait of wavy hair (wave hair), which is intermediate of the two. The mode of inheritance was first observed by Rostand, J., et al., and they reported that curly hair is an autosomal (semi) dominant trait over straight hair (Non-Patent Document 11). Furthermore, descriptions on the curly hair trait may also be found in the human Mendelian inheritance database of the NCBI (OMIM, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/). However, in regard to causative genes that determine the natural shape of human hair, systematic research on genome analysis has not been completed, and no such genes have been found yet.


Hydrogenated amorphous carbon mainly composed of sp.sup.3 structure is prepared by adding hydrogen to carbon or decomposing hydrogenated carbon gas, and then rapidly cooling the mixed or decomposed gas on a substrate. The hydrogenated amorphous carbon is irradiated with X rays to excite electrons on the 1s shells of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are rendered to a state excited with 2.sup.+ ion due to Auger effect caused by the exciation, so as to form atomic vacancies and interlattice atomic couples. The hydrogenated amorphous carbon is then annealed, and carbon atoms are rearranged to rotated triangular pattern. Thus, diamond good of crystallinity useful as a high-temperature semiconductor device, ultraviolet laser diode or protective film can be synthesized at a relatively low temperature and a low pressure. The process is applicable for the growth of a diamond single crystal thin film on a single crystal substrate such as amorphous carbon, silicon, or a Group III-V or II-VI compound semiconductor.

The present invention relates to the synthesis of diamond single crystal expected to be used in various techincal fields such as a high-temperature semiconductor device, ultraviolet laser diode or transparent protective single crystal film excellent in hardness.
Synthetic diamond has been used as abrasive grains or cutting tools due to its high hardness, and as a heat sink for a laser element due to its excellent thermal conductivity. Since the diamond exhibits big band gap, it is expected to be used as a semiconductor ultraviolet laser or emitting source, too. Recently, the applicability of the diamond has been researched in the fields of optoelectronics, high-temperature semiconductor devices or the like suitable for high-speed data processing with high-density.
According to a conventional method, such synthetic diamond is produced by heating a mixture of graphite with a catalyst in a high-temperature diamond stable zone at a high pressure. The catalyst used in this method is a Group-VIII transition metal or its alloy having the function to melt the graphite in the diamond stable zone and to precipitate diamond particles having small solubility.
Synthetic diamond may be produced by synthesizing a quasi-diamond thin film on a substrate from the mixed gas of hydrocarbon with hydrogen or by photodissociating hydrogenated carbon gas to polycrystalline or nanocrystalline thin film.
Synthetic diamond obtained in any of the conventional methods contains impurities in fairly large amount, since it is inevitable to inhibit the inclusion of dissimilar components from the atmosphere. The product is of polycrystalline structure or nanocrystalline aggregate, too. Consequently, the obtained synthetic diamond does not satisfy the requirement necessary as the semiconductive or photosemiconductive material which must have crystallinity highly controlled.

Synthesis of diamond single crystal from hydrogenated amorphous carbon

Research Development Corporation of Japan


Disclosed is method for producing a secondary battery, capable of selection of a secondary battery having a defect caused by a micro short-circuit with high accuracy. A step for producing a secondary battery includes an inspection step for selecting the secondary battery having the defect among multiple secondary batteries. In the inspection step, a short circuit resistance is calculated based on capacitances of the multiple secondary batteries calculated before self-discharge inspection, a time required for the self-discharge inspection, first and second reference voltages calculated from open circuit voltages measured before and after the self-discharge inspection in the multiple secondary batteries, and first and second voltages which are open circuit voltages of one selected from the multiple secondary batteries measured before and after the self-discharge inspection. If the short circuit resistance is equal to or lower than a predetermined standard value, the selected secondary battery is determined to have the defect.

In the conventional method for producing a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery and a Ni-MH secondary battery, an electrode body is made by laminating and winding a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet and separators interposed therebetween, and the electrode body is housed in a case. The electrode body is impregnated with an electrolytic solution in the case, and followed by predetermined steps such as a self-discharge and an aging.
As to the conventional production step of the secondary battery as mentioned above, JP 2004-132776 A discloses an inspection step performed to select a secondary battery with a micro short-circuit (defective product).
As shown in FIG. 9, an inspection step S100 for selecting the defective products from the plurality of secondary batteries is performed.
In the inspection step S100, first, a terminal voltage before the aging V0 and a terminal voltage after the aging V1 are measured (step S101), and a difference between them is calculated as a voltage difference ΔV in each of the secondary batteries (step S102).
Next, an average of the voltage difference ΔV between the terminal voltage V0 and the terminal voltage V1 that are calculated in each of the secondary batteries is calculated as an average value ΔVA (step S103). Moreover, a reference value ΔVB of the defective product is set (step S104).
Finally, a value obtained by subtracting the reference value ΔVB from the average value ΔVA is compared with the voltage difference ΔV in each of the secondary batteries (step S105), in the case where the voltage difference ΔV is lower than the value, the secondary battery as the test object is determined as the defective product (step S106), and otherwise, the secondary battery is determined as an acceptable product (step S107).
However, in JP 2004-132776 A, the micro short-circuit in the secondary battery is not determined by a physical explanation, that is, an explanation with an equivalent circuit, and the defective product is selected on the basis of the micro short-circuit considered as a decrement of voltage caused by the self-discharge, so that accuracy of the inspection is low, and an erroneous determination might be incurred.    [Patent Literature 1] JP 2004-132776 A


A CVD process or a sublimation process for doping an SiC monocrystal uses an organic boron compound whose molecules contain at least one boron atom chemically bonded to at least one carbon atom. Boron trialkyls are preferred organic boron compounds.

The invention concerns a method of producing boron (B)-doped monocrystalline silicon carbide.
In addition to aluminum, boron is the most important dopant for p-type doping of monocrystalline SiC semiconductor material.
In Applied Physics Letters, vol. 42, no. 5, Mar. 1, 1983, pages 460-462, a process is disclosed for producing a boron-doped layer of monocrystalline silicon carbide (SiC) of the 3C polytype (.beta.-SiC) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a monocrystalline silicon substrate at a temperature of 1400.degree. C. In this known process, hydrogen (H.sub.2) is used as the carrier gas, silane (SiH.sub.4) is used as the precursor for supplying silicon (Si) with a molar amount of 0.04% in the H.sub.2 carrier gas, and propane (C.sub.3 H.sub.8) with a molar amount of 0.02% in H.sub.2 is used as the precursor to supply carbon (C). The doping gas diborane (B.sub.2 H.sub.6) is added to the gas mixture of the carrier gas and the two precursors in the amount of 100 ppm in H.sub.2 for doping. The deposited .beta.-SiC layer has a charge carrier concentration of holes (p-type conduction) of 5.6.multidot.10.sup.14 to 1.6.multidot.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3.
In another process disclosed in Journal of the Electrochemical Society, vol. 133, no. 11, November 1986, pages 2350-2357, a boron-doped .beta.-SiC layer is produced by CVD epitaxy at a temperature of 1360.degree. C. with silane (SiH.sub.4) and ethene (C.sub.2 H.sub.4) as precursors, hydrogen (H.sub.2) as the carrier gas and diborane (B.sub.2 H.sub.6) as the doping gas. With an SiC layer produced by this known method, only a small portion (0.2%) of the boron atoms introduced into the SiC are electrically active. To achieve a high charge carrier concentration of the p-type conduction, the atomic concentration of boron in SiC must therefore be so high that the surface quality of the growing SiC layer is greatly impaired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,716 discloses another CVD process for producing boron-doped .beta.-SiC with diborane as the doping gas.
Furthermore, sublimation processes are also known for producing monocrystalline SiC where an SiC bulk crystal of sublimed SiC is grown in the vapor phase (mainly Si, Si.sub.2 C, SiC.sub.2) on the wall of a vessel (Lely process) or on a seed crystal (modified Lely process).
Furthermore, plasma-assisted CVD process are also known for deposition of a boron-doped amorphous compound of silicon and carbon, a-Si.sub.1-x C.sub.x :H, with hydrogen inclusions on a substrate. For doping the a-Si.sub.1-x C.sub.x :H layer with boron, an organic boron compound with an unsaturated hydrocarbon residue or boron trimethyl or boron triethyl is added to a precursor containing hydrogen gas and silane. The deposition temperatures on the substrate are between 150.degree. C. and a maximum of 300.degree. C. The optical energy gap of the a-Si.sub.1-x C.sub.x :H layer is adjusted through the boron doping. Such a-Si.sub.1-x C.sub.x :H layers are used as p-type layers in a p-i-n solar cell based on amorphous silicon. The amount of silicon in these known a-Si.sub.1-x C.sub.x :H layers is much greater than the amount of carbon (European Patent A 573,033 or Patent Abstracts of Japan, C-711, Apr. 19, 1990, vol. 14, no. 192 or Physica B, no. 170 (1991) pp. 574-576 or Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, no. 137+138 (1991) pp. 701-704 or Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedinqs, vol. 118 (1988) pp. 557-559 or Philosophical Magazine B, vol. 64, no. 1 (1991) pp. 101-111). Monocrystalline SiC layers cannot be produced by these known methods.

Method of producing boron-doped monocrystalline silicon carbide


Aspects of the disclosure relate generating navigation paths between images. A first image taken from a first location and a second image taken from a second location may be selected. A position of the first location in relation to the second location may be determined. First and second frames for the first and second images may be selected based on the position. First and second sets of visual features for each of the first and second image frames may be identified. Matching visual features between the first set of visual features and the second set of visual features may be determined. A confidence level for a line-of-sight between the first and second images may be determined by evaluating one or more positions of the matching visual features. Based on at least the confidence level, a navigation path from the first image to the second image is generated.

There is now an enormous amount of spherical panoramic images around the world. Because the imagery between different panoramic images line up when the panoramic images themselves are realistically posed relative to the Earth, nearby connected panoramic images allow users to navigate through them in a way that feels as if they are navigating a real three-dimensional space. However, determining connectivity between panoramic images based on distance and graph topology is non-trivial, especially without knowledge of the geometry of the panoramic images. An added challenge is presented for panoramic images that are not captured along streets or other areas in which panoramic images generally share a line-of-sight.

Automatic connection of images using visual features


A method for planning the implantation of a prosthetic joint component in a prosthesis-receiving bone is described. Surrounding soft tissue is retracted to expose the prosthesis-receiving bone. A prosthetic joint component planning template comprising a planar template body having a unitary structure is provided. The planning template is positioned in a superimposed orientation with a curvilinear surface of an exposed prosthesis-receiving bone. The position of the planning template is adjusted into a desired superimposed orientation with respect to the prosthesis-receiving bone. At least one of a size and an orientation of the prosthetic joint component is determined through visualization of the planning template and the prosthesis-receiving bone. An apparatus for assisting a user with determining at least one of a size and an orientation of a prosthetic joint component is also provided.

Most recommended techniques for hip resurfacing and/or replacement advise the use of a jig to properly position the implant on the upper femur. Many such jigs are anchored on the femur by a reference pin, carefully placed for correct alignment. This reference pin is placed according to pre-operative planning, either manually using X-rays and plastic overlay templates, or using specialized and expensive computer software and digital patient imaging. Once this reference pin is placed during the surgery, the jig is applied, and the resurfacing or replacement operation proceeds.
A common method for reference pin placement includes placing a 115% magnified plastic overlay template over a film X-ray and adjusting the overlay template to the desired final position of the implant. 115% was chosen because a patient of average build, X-rayed in a standard manner, often appears to have been magnified to that scale on the developed X-ray film. A 115% scaled ruler on the overlay template is then used to measure the distance from the desired reference pin location to a bony landmark on the X-ray. During surgery, a regular ruler may then be used to space the corresponding reference pin location from the bony landmark on the patient's bone, and the reference pin is drilled into place.
Unfortunately, incorrect placement of the reference pin may result from inaccuracies in the recommended methods, and these errors can have deleterious effects on the outcome of the procedure. For example, there may be differences in magnification between the X-rays and the overlay templates, leading to improper placement when measurements taken from the X-rays are transferred to the actual bone at surgery. Bony landmarks are needed for either traditional plastic overlays or software-based systems. Exact localization of the bony landmarks which appear on the X-rays in two dimensions may be difficult to replicate in the three-dimensional reality of the patient's anatomy. Rotation of measuring instruments about curved surfaces or past soft tissues overlying the bony landmarks can render these known techniques unreliable. Any of these errors can result in unwanted complications, such as femoral neck failure due to malpositioning of the reference pin causing a misaligned jig and a resulting erroneously installed prosthesis.

Prosthetic joint component planning template


A gesture recognition apparatus detecting a gesture from an image and generating for an object device an instruction corresponding to the gesture, the gesture recognition apparatus comprises an image acquiring unit configured to acquire an image; an object part extracting unit configured to extract an object part performing a gesture; an object part shape identifying unit configured to identify a shape of the extracted object part; a representative point determining unit configured to set a representative point that is a point representing a position of the object part; a gesture recognizing unit configured to recognize a gesture, based on a motion of the representative point; and a command generating unit configured to generate an instruction corresponding to the recognized gesture, wherein the representative point determining unit determines a position of a representative point corresponding to the object part, using the identified shape of the object part.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gesture recognition apparatus that recognizes an input operation with a gesture.
Description of the Related Art
Apparatuses that enable input with a gesture to a computer or an electronic device are becoming increasingly popular.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-123608 describes an input apparatus configured to capture an image of a gesture performed by a user in a space using a camera or the like and to convert the gesture into an input command.
The apparatus stores a specific gesture and a specific input command in association with each other and includes a unit configured to recognize a gesture and a unit configured to convert the recognized gesture into an input command. Accordingly, a user can input an arbitrary command without having to directly operate an input device by simply performing a gesture action in front of the apparatus.

Gesture recognition apparatus and control method of gesture recognition apparatus


A reproduction speed conversion apparatus includes an audio decoding section; an audio reproduction speed conversion section; a video reproduction speed conversion section; and a video decoding section. The video reproduction speed conversion section determines whether reproduction speed conversion corresponding to a requested level is possible or not. When the reproduction speed conversion is determined to be possible, the video reproduction speed conversion section performs reproduction speed conversion corresponding to the requested level. When the reproduction speed conversion corresponding to the requested level is determined to be impossible, the video reproduction speed conversion section performs reproduction speed conversion corresponding to a prescribed level lower than the requested level, and outputs a second reproduction speed signal representing the prescribed level to the audio reproduction speed conversion section. The audio reproduction speed conversion section performs reproduction speed conversion corresponding to the prescribed level in response to the second reproduction speed signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reproduction speed conversion apparatus for converting a reproduction speed of video data and a reproduction speed of audio data into an identical reproduction speed.
2. Description of the Related Art
A reproduction speed conversion apparatus converts a reproduction speed of a compression-encoded audio data and a reproduction speed of a compression-encoded video data into a high reproduction speed or a low reproduction speed. Even when the reproduction speeds are thus converted, the reproduced sound is natural to the listener.
FIG. 5 shows a structure of a conventional reproduction speed conversion apparatus 500. The reproduction speed conversion apparatus 500 includes an audio decoding section 501, an audio reproduction speed conversion section 502, a video reproduction speed conversion section 503, and a video decoding section 504.
Hereinafter, an operation of the conventional reproduction speed conversion apparatus 500 for converting a reproduction speed of compression-encoded audio data and a reproduction speed of compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards to a speed 1.2 times the original reproduction speeds will be described.
The audio decoding section 501 receives compression-encoded audio data.
The audio decoding section 501 operates in accordance with, for example, the Dolby AC3 or dts system adopted by the DVD-Video Standard, the MPEG1-layer II system adopted by the CS Digital Standard, MPEG2-AAC system adopted by the BS Digital Standard, the MLP system adopted by the DVD-Audio Standard, or the MP3 (MPEG1-layer III) system commonly used on the Internet.
The audio decoding section 501 decodes the compression-encoded audio data so as to output the decoded audio data. The audio reproduction speed conversion section 502 thins out repeated-waveform portions from the decoded audio data so as to convert the reproduction speed of the decoded audio data into a reproduction speed 1.2 times the original speed.
The video reproduction speed conversion section 503 receives compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards. The compression-encoded video data contains B-Picture, which is differential video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards. The video reproduction speed conversion section 503 thins out the B-Picture so as to convert the reproduction speed of the compression-encoded video data into a reproduction speed 1.2 times the original speed.
The video decoding section 504 decodes the compression-encoded video data so as to output the decoded video data.
The video decoding section 504 operates in accordance with, for example, the MPEG1, MPEG2, or MPEG4 system.
The compression-encoded audio data and the compression-encoded video data may be loaded from a storage device to a data load device.
FIG. 6 shows a structure of another conventional reproduction speed conversion apparatus 600. The reproduction speed conversion apparatus 600 includes a storage device 606 and a data load device 607 in addition to the elements included in the reproduction speed conversion apparatus 500.
The storage device 606 stores compression-encoded audio data and compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards. The compression-encoded audio data and the compression-encoded video data are loaded from the storage device 606 to the data load device 607.
An audio decoding section 601 receives compression-encoded audio data loaded from the storage device 606.
A video reproduction speed conversion section 603 receives the compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards loaded from the storage device 606.
The data load device 607 receives, from the video reproduction speed conversion section 603, a signal representing a reproduction speed obtained by the video reproduction speed conversion section 603, i.e., a reproduction speed 1.2 times the original reproduction speed. Upon receipt of this signal, the data load device 607 loads the compression-encoded audio data and the compression-encoded video data from the storage device 606. Thus, the quantity of the compression-encoded audio data and the compression-encoded video data which are output from the data load device 607 are not in excess or insufficient even when the reproduction speed of the decoded audio data and the reproduction speed of the compression-encoded video data are converted into a reproduction speed 1.2 times the original speeds.
FIG. 7 shows a structure of still another conventional reproduction speed conversion apparatus 700. The reproduction speed conversion apparatus 700 includes an audio decoding section 701, an audio reproduction speed conversion section 702, a video reproduction speed conversion section 703, a video decoding section 704, and an audio video synchronization section 705.
Hereinafter, an operation of the conventional reproduction speed conversion apparatus 700 for converting a reproduction speed of compression-encoded audio data and a reproduction speed of compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards to a speed 1.2 times the original reproduction speeds will be described.
The audio decoding section 701 receives compression-encoded audio data.
The audio decoding section 701 decodes the compression-encoded audio data so as to output the decoded audio data. Upon receipt of audio decoding timing data which represents a timing for decoding the compression-encoded audio data, the audio decoding section 701 decodes the compression-encoded audio data, so as to output the decoded audio data. The audio decoding timing data is output from the audio video synchronization section 705.
The audio reproduction speed conversion section 702 thins out repeated-waveform portions from the decoded audio data so as to convert the reproduction speed of the decoded audio data into the reproduction speed 1.2 times the original speed.
The video reproduction speed conversion section 703 receives compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards. The compression-encoded video data contains B-Picture, which is differential video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards. The video reproduction speed conversion section 703 thins out the B-Picture so as to convert the reproduction speed of the compression-encoded video data into a reproduction speed 1.2 times the original speed.
Upon receipt of video decoding timing data which represents a timing for decoding the compression-encoded video data, the video decoding section 704 decodes the-compression-encoded video data, so as to output the decoded video data. The video decoding timing data is output from the audio video synchronization section 705.
The audio video synchronization section 705 receives an audio time stamp which represents a time for reproducing the decoded audio data and a video time stamp which represents a time for reproducing the decoded video data.
In accordance with the audio time stamp and the video time stamp, the audio video synchronization section 705 synchronizes the timing for reproducing the decoded video data and the timing for reproducing the decoded audio data with each other.
In response to the audio time stamp, the audio video synchronization section 705 generates audio decoding timing data. As described above, the audio decoding section 701 decodes the compression-encoded audio data in response to the audio decoding timing data.
In response to the video time stamp, the audio video synchronization section 705 generates video decoding timing data. As described above, the video decoding section 704 decodes the compression-encoded video data in response to the audio decoding timing data.
The compression-encoded audio data and the compression-encoded video data may be loaded from a storage device to a data load device.
FIG. 8 shows a structure of still another conventional reproduction speed conversion apparatus 800. The reproduction speed conversion apparatus 800 includes a storage device 806 and a data load device 807 in addition to the elements included in the reproduction speed conversion apparatus 700.
The storage device 806 stores compression-encoded audio data, compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards, an audio time stamp, and a video time stamp. The compression-encoded audio data, compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards, an audio time stamp, and a video time stamp are loaded from the storage device 806 to the data load device 807.
An audio decoding section 801 receives compression-encoded audio data loaded from the storage device 806.
A video reproduction speed conversion section 803 receives the compression-encoded video data in compliance with the MPEG Standards loaded from the storage device 806.
An audio video synchronization section 805 receives the audio time stamp and the video time stamp which are loaded from the storage device 806.
The data load device 807 receives, from the audio reproduction speed conversion section 802, a signal representing a reproduction speed obtained by the audio reproduction speed conversion section 802, i.e., a reproduction speed 1.2 times the original reproduction speed. Upon receipt of this signal, the data load device 807 loads the compression-encoded audio data, the compression-encoded video data, the audio time stamp, and the video time stamp from the storage device 806. Thus, the quantity of the compression-encoded audio data, the compression-encoded video data, the audio time stamp, and the video time stamp which are output from the data load device 807 are not in excess or insufficient even when the reproduction speed of the decoded audio data and the reproduction speed of the compression-encoded video data are converted into a reproduction speed 1.2 times the original speeds.
The storage device 606 and the storage device 806 are each, for example, a hard disc. For recording audio data and video data on a hard disc built into a recording and reproduction apparatus, the audio data and the video data are encoded and then the compression-encoded audio data and the compression-encoded video data are recorded on the hard disc. As a system for reproducing the recorded compression-encoded audio data and compression-encoded video data only by the recording and reproduction apparatus, a system of the apparatus' own specifications may be adopted. For example, a system of recording compression-encoded audio data containing B-Picture on the hard disc at an arbitrary ratio may be adopted. Alternatively, a recording system obtained by combining the MPEG Standards and a unique technique may be adopted, by which a greater quantity of data is recorded on the hard disc for a sequence including rapidly-changing scenes and a smaller quantity of data is recorded on the hard disc for a sequence including less rapidly-changing scenes.
As described above, there is conventionally a premise that a recording and reproduction apparatus for recording audio data and video data is identical with a recording and reproduction apparatus for reproducing audio data and video data. Owing to this premise, the reproduction speed conversion apparatus 500, 600, 700 or 800 included in the recording and reproduction apparatus can convert the reproduction speed of the audio data and the reproduction speed of the video data into an identical reproduction speed.
However, the conventional reproduction speed conversion apparatuses 500, 600, 700 and 800 may not be able to convert a reproduction speed of audio data and a reproduction speed of video data which are recorded on a pre-authored recording medium (for example, a DVD-Video medium) or a recording medium possibly having data thereon recorded by another recording apparatus (for example, a DVD-RAM medium). The reason is that since the MPEG Standards for video data provide a high degree of freedom for reproduction speed, video data recorded by a recording apparatus produced by company A cannot always be reproduced by a reproduction apparatus produced by company B.
For example, when converting a reproduction speed of video data into a reproduction speed corresponding to the requested level by thinning out B-Picture, the ratio at which B-Picture appears needs to satisfy the requested level.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A mooring device for a water craft capable of storing and dispensing a line used to moor a boat or the like is disclosed. A spring biased reel assembly carrying a mooring line is rotatably mounted on a surface of the craft. The reel assembly is urged by the spring toward a line take-up direction. The free end of the line passes through a lock assembly mounted on the water craft housing. In one position, the lock assembly selectively inhibits travel of the line and hence rotation of the reel assembly so that the paid-out line remains of a fixed length. In another position, the line travels freely and can be taken up by the spring action of the reel assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to water craft mooring or tethering devices and, more specifically, to such a device which is capable of storing and dispensing variable lengths of mooring line and which provides positive locking of the line so as to maintain a water craft in a fixed position relative to another object such as a dock, pier, or another vessel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically a boat or other water craft is secured in a stationary position by tying the frame of the craft to a fixed mooring facility such as a dock or pier with a rope or other type mooring line. The craft must be equipped with a sufficient length of line to enable it to be secured under a variety of mooring conditions. Such factors as the proximity and dimensions of the mooring facility will determine the length of line required to secure the craft in a given situation. The length of the mooring line must be adjustable based upon the requirements imposed by a wide variety of mooring conditions. Rope or line which is not being used to secure the craft should be stowed on board the water craft in a neat and orderly fashion. A mooring line which is kept coiled or loosely stored in the bottom of the craft may become knotted and/or entangled with passengers, cargo and other equipment on board the craft.
In recent years, the so-called "personal water crafts" such as the Sea-Doo® manufactured by Bombardier, Inc., and the Waverunner® manufactured by Yamaha, Inc. have become increasingly popular. These power craft provide some of the feel or experience of both motor powered water craft and skis. A number of these craft are intended to be operated by a single user with perhaps one passenger. As a result, storage space is severely limited. Because of the small, compact nature of these craft and the general lack of available storage space, these craft have not, in the past, generally been equipped with any satisfactory tie down or mooring accessory. While larger boats might be able to accommodate a variety of relatively complicated winches and take up reels or on-deck cleats, the personal water craft of the above type continues to have a need for a small, relatively uncomplicated and compact tie down accessory.
A need exists, therefore, for a device which can be affixed to a water craft, including a personal water craft of the Sea-Doo® variety, which is capable of storing a sufficient quantity of mooring line and dispensing the line in variable lengths.
A need also exists for such a mechanism which can be affixed to a personal water craft which is capable of reliably and repeatably extending and retracting a tethering line while simultaneously providing positive locking of the tether once a desired length of line has been payed out.


Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting a position of a folder in a rotation touch phone having a camera. The rotation touch phone includes a sensor section, a folder, a body, and a connecting section. The folder has a magnet and the sensor section includes first, second and third sensors for detecting the magnet. The first and second sensors are located on the body and the third sensor is located on the connecting section. The connecting section connects the folder to the body. The folder is movable from first, second, third and fourth states. The first state signifies a state in which the folder is initially closed, the second state signifies a state in which the folder has been opened from the first state, the third state signifies a state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, and the fourth state signifies a state in which the folder has been closed from the third state. The method comprises the steps of: i) receiving a signal from the sensor section notifying that the sensor section detects the magnet; and ii) deciding that the folder is in at least one of the first to fourth states, based on the signal input from the sensor section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotation touch phone having a camera, more particularly to a method and apparatus for detecting a rotational state of a folder in a touch phone having a camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, cellular phones have become equipped with cameras and camcorders to provide various additional services in addition to the basic communication service. For example, in a cellular phone having a camera or a camcorder, a folder coupled to the cellular phone can be rotated when photographing an image by using the cellular phone, thereby improving convenience of use.
However, in order to establish communication via a phone call using a rotation type cellular phone having a camera in which the folder has been rotated, a user must align a speaker and a microphone in the same direction. That is, the user is required to rotate the folder to its normal position for making the communication. Thus, when the folder of the rotation cellular phone is rotated, the user must return the folder to its normal position before establishing communication with other users. In addition, when the user photographs an object in a dark setting using the camcorder or the camera without a flash, it is difficult to obtain distinct images.

Method and apparatus for detecting a position of a folder in a rotation touch phone having a camera